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Which Resort is Best For Me?

You’ve got big plans for your vacation – Walt Disney World for 7 days! The kids are excited, you’re over the moon, and you have your tickets sorted out (park hopper vs. base ticket). But there is one question that you’ve still got to figure out: where are you going to stay? With over 40 hotels and resorts on or near Walt Disney World property, it can be daunting to figure which one is best. So, sit back, relax, and let me help you make that decision as we discuss which resort is best for you!

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What Type of Vacation Are You Looking For?

It seems like we come back to this question again and again. Some people prefer the type of vacation where it’s go, go, go, and go some more until you can’t go anymore. A hotel is a mere afterthought – a place to rest your head, charge up, until you hit the parks or the water parks the next day. Others prefer a more laid back, relaxing, meandering vacation where the theme parks are part of their vaction, but the key word is “part;” their entire vacation is not built around their time at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom. I have to admit, in my early days of going to Disney, I was more the former. I wanted to get in as much as I could because I never really knew when I would be going back. But, as I’ve gone well over 15 times since 2010, I’ve realized that there is so much more to a Disney vacation than just the four theme parks. Ultimately this is a decision only you can decide.

Why Does It Matter?

Well, technically, it may not. I know plenty of people who are “go, go, go” vacationers who will find themselves in more luxurious accomodations, and I know plenty of people (including myself) who are more laid back, take-it-all in vacationers who will simply go for simple accomodations. But, knowing your options, understanding their value, and understanding what you’re getting for what you pay for is essential to understanding which resort may be best for you. I think the best way to do this is to simply break this down the way Disney does and we can discuss what you get for what you pay. Disney classifies their resorts into four categories:

• Deluxe Villas and Suites – just as it sounds, these are the most luxurious accomodations Disney offers. More on them in a minute.
• Deluxe Resorts – just as luxurious, but maybe not as spacious, these are often noted as Disney’s “flagship” resorts.
• Moderate – A step up from value, but a step down both in accomodations and in price, moderate resorts offer that middle pricepoint and value for a great mix of amenities and cost.
• Value – Disney’s resorts for their budget-friendly consumers. These usually offer over the top theming with smaller rooms and basic accomodations. Great for the aforementioned “go, go, go” guest.

OK, so – that’s the “official” Disney take on their hotels. But, I actually do feel there is a fifth category that fits snugly in between Value and Moderate. And while Disney doesn’t officially call them this, Value+ is a step up from the value resorts, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of moderate.

So, let’s get into it so you can see what’s what. Here we go:

Deluxe Villas and Suites

Anything Disney with the name “deluxe” in the name is going to come with a hefty pricetag. But, Disney’s Deluxe villas and suites (and bungalows) offer the most “at-home” luxurious acccomodations. Many times they are attached to a Disney Vacation Club resort, but can also be available to a regular guest. Often, they are not discountable, or offer little discount, but they offer all the comforts of home. Typically full kitchens, multiple bedrooms with multiple beds that can sleep up to 9 or more, private decks, private living areas, washers, dryers, and the like. From the Polynesian Bunaglows pictured above to the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs (pictured below), your family can vacation in true style.

Location matters for these accomodations and will directly affect the cost. The bungalows at the Polynesian can have price tags as high (or more) as $3K a night, while a treehouse villa at Saratoga Springs, which is located further away from any theme parks may be closer to $1200 a night. Guests who have many people vacationing and want to be in one place at the same time and not do separate rooms might even find there is a greater value associated with these. Moreover, if you want to feel “at home” during your vacation, this is a great way to do so.

Deluxe villas and suites can be found at Saratoga Springs, Old Key West Resort, the Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Deluxe Resort Hotels

Deluxe accomodations don’t stop with the villas and suites. In fact, you can get that same luxurious experience with basic rooms that offer a large space, often a kitchenette, multiple bathrooms, and so much more.

The priciest Disney deluxe resorts are often situated near a theme park, with the priciest and “flagship” resorts being on the monorail loop near Magic Kingdom. The two original hotels: Disney’s Polynesian and Disney’s Contemporary Resorts are classics to many guests and offer some of the most breathtaking views of Magic Kingdom – for a price. Disney’s Grand Floridian which opened in the late 1980’s is often called Walt Disney World’s Flagship location. If you’re a fan of the show Full House, you might remember Uncle Jesse singing to Aunt Becky in the lobby of the Grand Floridian.

But deluxe resorts are not just on the monorail loop. No, in fact, you’ll find them scattered all about Walt Disney World property. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Contemporary, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Riveria, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West are all considered deluxe accomodations. Pricing really does vary based on which one you book – but I have found that Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge are two beautiful deluxe accomodations that are hidden gems in terms of cost. When Disney is running a special promotion or discount, sometimes their cost drops to that of a moderate resort without a discount – so in many ways it’s an upgrade for the same cost. Working with Magical Memories by Casey will help you determine what is the best option for your vacation and I’ll always be on the lookout for the best value for your money.

What makes deluxe hotels worth their money? Well, as mentioned above, location, location, location. Beyond that, the rooms are bigger, multiple bus stops for easy access, or in some cases different transportation options other than the bus like water taxis, the monorail, the Skyliner, or even direct walking paths to the resorts. All deluxe resorts have at least one signature restaurant, grand lobbies, multiple grand pools, and indoor hallways to the room.

Just like the villas, pricing is going to depend on where the resort is located. Those closer to theme parks will cost more, sometimes as much as $1000 a night or more. Those further away, start at around $500 or $600 depending on the time of year you go.

Moderate Resort Hotels

Moving down to a slightly less luxurious but still special resort, Disney has a handful of moderate resort hotels that give you more space than value and a few additional amentities. The biggest difference with moderate resorts from value is the sit-down restaurant available at all of the properties. For example, Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orlean’s Riverside, or Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Beyond that, moderate resorts also have multiple bus stops for easy on and off the Disney Transportation System, and some even have alternate transportation options like water taxis and the Skyliner. You’ll also find that the moderate resorts, like their deluxe counterparts, also have a spa/hot tub avaialble for use versus Value and Value+, which do not. There are five total moderate resorts: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Coronado Springs, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Unfortunatley the Cabins will be closing for refurbishment and will be reopening as a Disney Vacation Club option, so they aren’t available much longer.

Pricing will vary but can start as low as $350 or $400 a night and go up to $600 a night depending on what type of room you’re looking at and the time of year you’re going.

Value+ Resorts

As I mentioned, earlier, this particular cateogry isn’t “official” Disney but it is worth mentioning. The Value+ resorts on Disney property are two sister resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s Pop Century.

So, what makes these value+? Well, to start, they are a little bit more money than your standard value. But, moreover, location, location, location! Located in the central part of property, it’s an easy commute no matter what park you want to go to. And, they’re on the Skyliner line, which means flying to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot versus using the bus.

Value+ resort rooms are also slightly bigger and the theming is just as over the top as the value resorts. And, for that CARS fan in your life – the Art of Animation Cars area is a perfect spot to take them since there is very little representation of Cars in the parks except for the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy.

Pop Century does have a tendency to be a little less expensive than Art of Animation as the theming is not as grand. Also, be aware that the standard room for Art of Animation is themed to Little Mermaid only, where all the other options are suites themed to Finding Nemo, the Lion King, and Cars. Either is a great job if you’re looking for an elevated experience but at a budget price point!

Both Pop Century and Art of Animation have a food court with multiple food options available for any taste.

Pricing varies but usually starts in the low $200 and goes up from there, especially if you go with a suite option at Art of Animation.

Value Resorts

We now arrive to value resorts on Disney property. There are three and they’re all technically the same property: the Allstar Resorts – Movies, Music, and Sports. Located at the southern edge of property, they are just around the corner from Animal Kingdom. Themed with larger than life scenery, these properties are great to lay your head down and if you’re on the go, go, go! The rooms are standard with a queen bed, and a queen pull-down table bed that folds up into the wall. This allows you to conserve space but also sleep up to four.

It’s bus only transportation to all four parks and be aware it can take up to 20 minutes to get from the bus stop to Magic Kingdom (or more). These are typically the most crowded resorts and there is only one bus stop for each of the four parks which can sometimes exceed bus capacity. Always give at least 1 hour for transportation anywhere on property.

All three value resorts have a food court with multiple dining, quick service options. Be aware that Allstar Sports is often used for cheer or sporting competitions so there are many teens roaming around at various times of the year which is one of the reasons why it’s cheaper than others.

Pricing varies based on when you go. I’ve seen the Allstar rooms go for as low as $99 a night with some discounts and as high as $300 a night during peak season. Know that Movies and Music are almost always more than Sports in most cases.

What About Good Neighbor and Off Property Hotels?

Yes, it’s true, there are off-property options and Disney also recognizes good-neighbor hotels too. That is a whole other article, so we’ll leave that for next time.

OK, what do you think? Have you stayed on property? Where? What’s your favorite and why? Leave your comments below.