Disneyworld Resort Hotels Explained
April 18, 2019
I get questions all the time about where to stay. I have discussed a couple specific hotels that we love in individual posts. However, I have people ask me all the time to help them differentiate the different Disneyworld resort types and why they would want to choose one. I understand how overhwelming the process can be. There are so many, I mean seriously, over 20 hotels at Disney World. How do you decide which one is right for your family?
The easiest way to break these down is into the resort tiers. Disney World has four levels of rooms that you can stay at: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Resort Villas.
The main things to consider when looking at these resorts are:
1. Room size and bed size
2. Hotel Theming
3. Pool
4. Proximity to Parks
5. Transportation
6. Pricing
7. Food Options
Lets start out with the Value Resorts
Value Resorts are the least expensive options at Walt Disney World. I like to consider these resorts "fun" resorts. They are colorful and full of fun characters. These resorts are pretty big and have tons of rooms. The main benefit to staying at these resorts is that the are super affordable. The only transportation available at this time to the value resorts are the buses. (Once the sky liner is open then the Art of Animation resort will have that available.)
. Also, in value resorts, the doors open to the outside of the building. This truly is not a big deal, you are on Disney world property so its not like you are going to have a security issue. For some this might bother them so its important to be aware of. The room size at these resorts is tight. For families with older kids this might be a deal breaker. It is not fun to be on top of eachother.
Food options at these resorts are limited and mostly food court style. The pools are super colorful and great but they will not have water slides. If this is something important to you, you will have to go up a tier to get a water slide. The Art of Animation, in my opinion is a level above the other value resorts. They offer family suites which give a little more space and the pool is awesome. If you put your head under the water, you can hear Disney music being played. It is a special Disney touch.
Food options at these resorts are limited and mostly food court style. The pools are super colorful and great but they will not have water slides. If this is something important to you, you will have to go up a tier to get a water slide. The Art of Animation, in my opinion is a level above the other value resorts. They offer family suites which give a little more space and the pool is awesome. If you put your head under the water, you can hear Disney music being played. It is a special Disney touch.
The resorts in this affordable and fun tier are:
Pop Century
All Star Sports
All Star Movies
All Star Music
Art of Animation
Campsites at Fort Wilderness
If you like fun colorful theming with tons of character touches, these resorts are for you. If you simply plan on using your room as a place to lay your head at the end of the day, check these out. If you have young kiddos who love Finding Nemo, Cars or Lion King, you guessed it, take a look here. If you don't mind eating at a food court at your hotel, this is the perfect place. If you are all about saving that money to put elsewhere on your trip, value resorts are for you!
If you like fun colorful theming with tons of character touches, these resorts are for you. If you simply plan on using your room as a place to lay your head at the end of the day, check these out. If you have young kiddos who love Finding Nemo, Cars or Lion King, you guessed it, take a look here. If you don't mind eating at a food court at your hotel, this is the perfect place. If you are all about saving that money to put elsewhere on your trip, value resorts are for you!
Moving on to Moderate Resorts
Moderate resorts are for those who still don't want to pay an arm and a leg to stay on property, but do want a few of those upgraded amenities. These are a little more upscale in their decor. We love the moderate resorts. Transportation is still at this time bus only. The exception to this is Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter which both have boats that take you to Disney Springs. If you plan on spending time in Disney Springs these two resorts are a great option. (Caribbean Beach will have the new sky liner available soon.)
The moderate resorts have queen size beds which is important for some families. These rooms are also a little bit larger than the value rooms so you will have plenty of room to move around. These resorts are pretty large, with the exception of Port Orleans French Quarter (read about why we love this resort HERE), so you may have to walk quite a bit to get to your room at a few resorts. Food options are a bit better. They all do have food court style options but some have sit down restaurants as well. The pools are a step up as well. All of the pools in the Moderate Resort group have water slides and super fun theming. These pools are so fun and pretty.
The resorts in this middle tier are:
Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans Riverside
Caribbean Beach Resort
Coronado Springs
Cabins at Fort Wilderness
If you like a bit more ambiance in your stay, these resorts are worth your look. If you want a relaxing and serene area surrounding your resort, yep you guessed it Moderate resorts are the way to go. If transportation is important to you and you don't want to have to wait a long time for a bus, Moderate resorts have answered that call. If you like to have a few more food options or access to Disney Springs check these out.
If you like a bit more ambiance in your stay, these resorts are worth your look. If you want a relaxing and serene area surrounding your resort, yep you guessed it Moderate resorts are the way to go. If transportation is important to you and you don't want to have to wait a long time for a bus, Moderate resorts have answered that call. If you like to have a few more food options or access to Disney Springs check these out.
Now on to Deluxe Resorts
Deluxe Resorts are the cream of the crop. Everyone wants to stay at these, but no one really wants to pay the price. We have stayed at a couple of these resorts and have always had amazing experiences. Check back for upcoming Deluxe Resort reviews in the future. Proximity to the parks is one of the things you pay for with these hotels. Each of these have close proximity to one of the main parks and most are within walking distance to either a park or the monorail. Of course, you can always still take a bus which will be fast as you are so close to the parks, but some also have boat options like The Grand Floridian where you can take a boat right to Magic Kingdom. We have experienced this and it is magical and so convenient.
All of these resorts are super high end in their decor. I mean it, these lobbies are opulent and just stunning. You feel like you are in a fairy tale just walking in the lobby.
The rooms open up to the interior of the hotel for those who want that security and piece of mind. The beds are not only bigger to match the bigger rooms but also are super comfortable. Sleeping in these rooms is like being enveloped in luxury and comfort.
Food options at these resorts are high end fine dining. We have been to some of these resorts just to eat! If you are a foodie, you have to check out the dining options at these hotels. Most of these hotels also have character dining options available. The pools are beautiful and fully themed with great water slides and other special features like the Beach Club where the pool has a sand bottom. Additionally, these resorts have beautiful views which is great when you want to watch the fireworks from your hotel.
All of these resorts are super high end in their decor. I mean it, these lobbies are opulent and just stunning. You feel like you are in a fairy tale just walking in the lobby.
The rooms open up to the interior of the hotel for those who want that security and piece of mind. The beds are not only bigger to match the bigger rooms but also are super comfortable. Sleeping in these rooms is like being enveloped in luxury and comfort.
Food options at these resorts are high end fine dining. We have been to some of these resorts just to eat! If you are a foodie, you have to check out the dining options at these hotels. Most of these hotels also have character dining options available. The pools are beautiful and fully themed with great water slides and other special features like the Beach Club where the pool has a sand bottom. Additionally, these resorts have beautiful views which is great when you want to watch the fireworks from your hotel.
The resorts in this opulent tier are:
Grand Floridian Resort
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Yacht Club Resort
Beach Club Resort
Boardwalk Inn
Polynesian Resort
If you like to feel like you are in the lap of luxury the Deluxe resorts are for you to consider. If proximity to the parks is important check these out. If you like your vacation to feel effortless and have everything be super convenient, pay the price for the Deluxe resorts. If you love amazing food, these Deluxe resorts have it for you. If you don't mind paying a little more for amenities, Deluxe is the way to go.
If you like to feel like you are in the lap of luxury the Deluxe resorts are for you to consider. If proximity to the parks is important check these out. If you like your vacation to feel effortless and have everything be super convenient, pay the price for the Deluxe resorts. If you love amazing food, these Deluxe resorts have it for you. If you don't mind paying a little more for amenities, Deluxe is the way to go.
In addition to these there are Villas which are for Disney Vacation Club. Even though these are for DVC members, you can also always find them for rent even if you are not a DVC member. These are the most expensive options and usually have kitchenettes or separate bedrooms to sleep more people. These are found at all of the Deluxe Resorts and are quite spendy. These are like homes away from home while still being on Disney Property. You get all the amenities of being at a Deluxe resort but you are in a small home with everything you may need for a comfortable stay. I recommend these for people staying more than a week as hotel life can get tiresome after a time.
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