Selecting a Disney World Resort
Planning a trip to most magical place of them all? Then you probably have visited many websites, blogs and even YouTube channels but are not quite sure where to start. Sure, it can be complicated at first site, but good news Walt Disney World does have a website that help you plan out your trip, at disneyworld.disney.go.com. I have created a Disney World Vacation Website Planning Guide to help you decide on the best course of action. This will be a short guide and will offer what we think the best choices would be for different scenarios.
Now that you asked yourself the most important questions in this previous guide.
Let’s recap!!!
- When?
- How long do you plan to stay?
- Who is coming?
- What is my budget?
- What are my dining options?
Now we can talk about accommodations!!! In this guide we will talk about the different types of resorts and the types of amenities in addition to what they offer for small to large families. We will even discuss the categories of resorts Disney offers including their difference in amenities similar to pools, restaurants, transportation, activities, and closeness to the main attractions.
Questions to Think About:
- How much space do I need for my family to a cohesive vacation in a resort room?
- What type of dining options are available at the resort?
- How close do I want to be near property amenities like the transportation, dining hall, or swimming pools?
- Do I need to have a view and if so of what, examples: lake, castle, or swimming pool view?
- What are my transportation options?
- How much money am I willing to spend per night?
- What forms of amenities do I need for my resort?
- How much time will you spend at the resort?
Think about how much time you will spend in your room. If you will not be there very much, for example you plan to play all day at the parks, then a larger and more expensive room may not make much since for you since you won’t be there very often.
Staying on a Disney property and buying a vacation package will also come with incentives from free dining to 20% off accommodations. Vacation packages additionally help with make financial arrangements and the rewards that come with a package can out weight other elements. For instance, most vacation packages come free with miniature golf vouchers, a free Disney mug and discounts at merchants all over Walt Disney World just to name a few.
With all that being said, let us look at the categories Disney offers in each resort category. Prices will change and fluctuate during seasonal events and holidays, as well as Disney unique events.
Disney Resorts Categories and Estimated Prices
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas– Top of the tier pricing (est. amount 600 to 5500)
- Moderate Resort Hotels– Midland priced to higher priced rooms (est. amount 298 to 526)
- Value Resort Hotels– Cheapest price (est. amount 146 to 300) higher for family suites (est. amount 550 to 826)
- Campgrounds– Reasonably priced to moderately priced (est. amount 94 to 281) Cabins (est. amount 490 to 789)
Accommodation:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas- est. room sizes from 340 to 440 square feet, villas up to 2,500 square feet
- Moderate Resort Hotels- est. 314 square feet and can sleep four guests
- Value Resort Hotels- est. 260 square feet & sleep up to four guests, only 2 resorts with family suites 520 est. square feet and sleep up to 6
- Campgrounds- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort can sleep up to 6. Campsites have ample room for RVs and tents with parking
Dining Options:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas- food court, pizza service, poolside bar, private lounges, and numerous table service restaurants with fine dining options and character dining experiences.
- Moderate Resort Hotels- food court, pizza service, pool bar, and at least one table service restaurant with character dining experiences
- Value Resort Hotels- food court, pizza service, and poolside bar
- Campgrounds- food court, pizza service, pool bar, and at least one table service restaurant
Pools and Amenities:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas- Theme-based pool with family activities, quiet pool, lazy river, water slides, and a hot tub, one to two smaller pools.
- Moderate Resort Hotels- Theme-based pool with family activities and at least one quiet pool, water slides, hot tub, one to two smaller pools.
- Value Resort Hotels- Theme-based pool with family activities, one to two smaller pools
- Campgrounds- Theme-based pool with family activities and at least one quiet pool, water slides, hot tub, one to two smaller pools.
Theme:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas- Extravagant and luxurious mature theming with extremely detailed architecture elements
- Moderate Resort Hotel- Unique resort themes with neutral color schemes
- Value Resort Hotels- Bright bold colors and the themes are geared more towards kids with childlike animations and figures
- Campgrounds- Substantial campground sites with privacy and nearby amenities.
Transportation:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels and Villas- Boat, Bus, Monorail, and Taxi/Limo services
- Moderate Resort Hotels – Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo, and Skyliner services
- Value Resort Hotels- Bus service with two resorts having Skyliner services
- Campgrounds- Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo services
Disney Resorts Collection
Deluxe Villas
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Cooper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Old Key West Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Deluxe Resort Hotels
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Moderate Resort Hotels
- Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Value Resort Hotels
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Campgrounds
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Other Select Deluxe Hotels
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
Disney Resorts, Area and Transportation
Deluxe Villas
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney Springs Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo
Old Key West Resort
Disney Springs Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Monorail
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Monorail
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Bus
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Bus, Taxi/Limo
Cooper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus
Disney’s Riviera Resort
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus
Deluxe Resort Hotels
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus, Monorail
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Monorail, Taxi/Limo
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus, Monorail
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Moderate Resort Hotels
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
EPCOT Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus, Skyliner
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney Springs Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney Springs Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Boat, Bus
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo
Value Resort Hotels
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Wide World of Sports Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus, Skyliner
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Wide World of Sports Resort Area
Transportation Options: Taxi/Limo, Bus, Skyliner
Campgrounds
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Transportation Options: Boat, Bus, Taxi/Limo
Overall, the first thing you do when starting your planning for a magical Disney vacation is set a base line of items and ask yourself certain questions before you start adding items to your shopping cart. Once your ready find the right category for your family, budget, and length of stay.
Look for other Disney World Vacation Website Planning Guides