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Tips on Choosing a Disney Resort

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Tips on Choosing a Disney Resort

Believe it or not, there are 25 + resorts on Disney property, and just wading through all of the choices can be a bit of a daunting task! There are no bad choices in the bunch. However, some will meet your needs better than others. So how do you go about choosing? Let’s start from the beginning.

Here is a handy chart listing some key features of each resort. For more detailed information, continue to the details below.

Resort Categories

Walt Disney World groups the resorts into four distinct categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. In addition, there are also Deluxe Villas, which are Disney Vacation Club Properties. Plus, there is a campground, which is often grouped in with the Moderate category. From the list below, click on any resort to find details pertaining to that individual property. Here are how each resort fits into each category:

Disney’s Value Resorts:

Disney Value Resort
Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Moderate Resorts:

Disney Resort Hotel
Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Deluxe Resorts:

Disney Grand Floridian
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Deluxe Villas:

Disney DVC
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

So based on all of those choices, how does one go about selecting the resort right for their traveling party?  Here are tips on choosing a Disney Resort for your vacation.  It usually comes down to two things: budget and amenities. As you might expect, as the number of amenities goes up, so does the cost of the room.

Some things to ask yourself (and those traveling with you):

Will I spend much time there beyond sleeping at the resort? If the answer is yes, then take a look at Moderate or Deluxe resorts with more amenities. If the answer is no, then a Value resort might be right for you.

Are food choices important at my resort? All resorts have quick-service food options. Value and Moderate resorts have a food court model, whereas Deluxe and Villa accommodations offer a smaller quick-service location with one counter offering several varied selections. Deluxe and Moderate resorts will offer at least one table-service restaurant (and most of the Deluxe resorts offer more than one), while Value Resorts stick to the food-court-only format.

What recreational activities are important? All Walt Disney World resorts offer beautiful pools. Consequently, Deluxe pools are a little more themed and have slides, while Value pools are more basic but still quite fun. Some resorts offer things like surrey bikes, a marina, health club, a spa, or kids programs.

Remember, though, that many activities are available for guests staying at other Disney accommodations. For example, a guest staying at Pop Century can enjoy a boat rental at the Polynesian Resort. Going to another resort to use the pool is a definite exception. Therefore, Guests are not allowed to pool hop with two exceptions: All-Star guests may use pools at any of the three All-Star resorts and Port Orleans guests may use pools at either Riverside or French Quarter.

Are all of these amenities within my budget? Equally important, take an honest look at the budget before deciding on a resort category. Don’t forget that things like transportation to and from Central Florida, food, tickets, and souvenirs will factor in to the budget equation, too.

In order to choose your room category, there are some key features to explore. Keep in mind that these are general rules of thumb. Specifics about each resort can be found at the link above for each individual resort.

Disney Resort Room Features

The Value Resorts can sleep up to 4 guests (plus one under 3 in a crib). However, the configuration of the bedding can vary greatly from resort to resort in the standard rooms.   It could be 2 queens, 1 queen and 1 pull-down table bed (queen), 2 doubles, or 1 king in approximately 260 square feet. However, the king beds are typically requested only and will only allow for 2 guests (plus one under 3 in a crib).  All-Star Music and Art of Animation offers suites that sleep six in approximately 565 square feet. Lastly, the resorts have exterior hallways.

Moderate resort rooms sleep up to 4 guests (plus a crib) on two queen beds and approximately 300 square feet. Moreover, some rooms at Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach Resort can accommodate 5 people, with the 5th person on a small child-size pull-down bed. There are a limited number of king rooms available that will accommodate 2 guests, or 2 guests, and one under 3 in a crib. In addition, Coronado Springs has a few suites available but they are more suited to business travelers. Finally, the resorts have exterior hallways, with the exception of The Gran Destino Tower, which has interior hallways.

Deluxe resorts offer a variety of selections. A typical room at Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge sleeps 4 (plus a crib) in approximately 340 square feet. The remainder of the Deluxe resorts sleeps 5, with the 5th guest sleeping on a day bed, in approximately 400-437 square feet. Of course, these resorts offer a selection of suites to suit your needs. Lastly, the resorts have interior hallways.

Deluxe Villa resorts offer a variety of room types and sizes. Typically, all offer studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom accommodations. Most offer a few Grand Villa (3-bedroom) rooms. All except Saratoga Springs Resort and Old Key West, are situated with a hotel resort and share various amenities with the hotel. Interestingly enough, studio rooms feature a kitchenette. The other room types feature a full kitchen stocked with appliances and kitchenware, plus in-room laundry.

Dining Options at the Disney Resorts

Value Resorts all offer extensive selections in a food court setting that serve 3 meals per day, plus snacks. Also, refillable mugs can be purchased and filled in the food courts. In the evening, in-room pizza delivery is available. In addition, each resort also has a poolside bar featuring adult beverage selections.

Moderate Resorts also offers a food court setting for counter-service meals, a poolside bar, and evening pizza delivery. Most even offer one table-service location as well.

Deluxe Resorts features multiple table-service restaurants in addition to a quick-service location. Likewise, the quick-service offerings are less extensive than those at the Moderate or Value resorts, but all offer a variety of hot meals and cold items. Some Deluxe Resorts have character dining locations. Furthermore, all rooms have a room service menu throughout the day.

Deluxe Villa Resorts are connected to hotel resorts with two exceptions: Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. Those connected to a hotel share food options with the hotel. The other two feature all of the same food options as a Deluxe resort, with one table-service location. Nonetheless, both Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are located near Disney Springs and all of the restaurants at that venue.

Transportation Options at the Disney Resorts

Monorail at Contemporary Resort
The Monorail at Contemporary Resort

Regarding transportation to the theme and water parks, resorts may share buses with either sister resorts (Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter or all three All-Stars) or with resorts in close proximity of each other. Buses are expected to run on a 20-minute schedule, meaning a bus to each destination should arrive at the stops approximately every 20 minutes. Finally, larger resorts may also have internal buses that offer transportation from various buildings to the main section of the resort.

Value Resorts offers transportation to all 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and Disney Springs via a Disney bus.

Moderate Resorts offers transportation to all 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and Disney Springs via a Disney bus. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter also offer transportation to Disney Springs via boat.

All of the Deluxe Resorts offer bus transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs. However, some of the Deluxe Resorts offer alternative transportation to the theme parks! For example, the Monorail will transport guests to Magic Kingdom and Epcot from Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village Resort, and The Contemporary Resort. In addition, water taxis are available from Yacht and Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Again, guests can also take a boat from Wilderness Lodge to Magic Kingdom.

Amenities Offered at the Disney Resorts

Value Resorts have a fun feature pool which is centrally located and smaller pools throughout the larger resorts. The main building has check-in, food, and a gift shop. Furthermore, buildings housing guest rooms closest to this area, are often premium locations. All resorts have free transportation to the Disney Parks. Value Resorts focus on fun, pop architecture and have informal food court dining. Most importantly, these resorts are best for guests wanting to stay inside the magic, but at an economical price. Guests will spend much of their time at the parks and don’t require additional resort amenities.

Moderate Resorts have a feature pool with a fun slide that is centrally located. As a matter of fact, the larger resorts also have smaller pools close to the guest room buildings. There is on-site recreation that may include a marina, surrey bikes, or special guest activities. Moreover, there is a table-service restaurant in addition to a food court. Moderate Resorts are priced for guests who want a few more amenities and enjoy great themes in the resorts.

Deluxe Resorts transport guests with their detailed theming. There are more services, extended recreational activities, and beach access (though swimming at the beaches isn’t allowed at any Disney resort properties. Consequently, Deluxe Resorts are perfect for guests who want a full resort experience and will take advantage of the activities offered at the resort, in addition to time at the theme parks.

Deluxe Villa Resorts are truly a home away from home. In addition, they offer living room areas and kitchenettes (in-studio accommodations) or full kitchens. Generally, rooms can accommodate up to 12 guests in rooms ranging from a studio to a 3-bedroom villa. The amenities are on par with those of a Deluxe resort. Finally, these resorts are ideal for groups planning to spend time at the resorts.

Tips on Choosing a Disney Resort for you!

Have you narrowed down your selection to a particular resort category? Great! Now how do you select a resort within each category? Most importantly, theming at this point. Take a look at photos of each resort. Read about the size of each. Which one appeals to you? Take into account all of the members of your party as well.

All resorts on Disney property incorporate theming. From Value to Deluxe, you will be immersed in the theme of the resort. All-Star Movies, for example, has giant movies icons throughout the resort. Think larger-than-life Woody or Buzz from Toy Story and movie references throughout the resort. Deluxe theming will be different, like the lush beauty or the Polynesian Resort or the charm of the Grand Floridian Resort. All of them are wonderful in their own right.

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