As big fans of the Disney parks, staying on Disney property is certainly our recommendation. At the end of the day, Disney is about telling a story, painting a picture, and creating a complete experience, right? Well, the resorts on property certainly aren’t an exception. Each has been carefully crafted and immerses you in a story – and we LOVE that. Plus, staying on property comes with perks that hotels off-site just don’t have which gives you added value! However, there are SO many resorts (more than 25!). So, how do you select the one that is best for your family?
Well, we’re here to break it down for you, and as we go, remember the story! A hint or indicator of it is usually in the name. Disney separates its resorts into four categories - value, moderate, deluxe, and villas (usually part of the Disney Vacation Club but can be booked for cash). Pricing usually follows this model as it sounds – value is a better price per night as compared to deluxe. Same goes for features onsite and availability of certain amenities. Let’s do a quick breakdown!
VALUE
The bulk of rooms in this category are standard and approximately 260 square feet. There is a basic bathroom setup (sink often in the open and toilet and shower/tub in a separate room) and bedding are either two queens or a king. Some rooms in this category are family suites coming in at approximately 520 square feet. They have a similar setup as a standard but double the bathrooms and add in some convertible sleeping options. From here things at both are about the same. Views can differ from parking areas and wooded areas to swimming pools – and naturally the better the view the higher the price.
Speaking of swimming pools, the pools here are typically themed and could be interactive, but here’s your warning – no slides! Other forms of recreation can be limited – think poolside games, a playground, and an occasional movie outside at night. Dining options are slim too with your only options being a foot court or pool bar.
Finally, transportation provided by Disney (a perk of staying onsite!) will usually be via bus. The only exceptions to this are the Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century, which are on the new-ish Skyliner route.
Includes:
All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
Art of Animation
Pop Century
Campsites at Fort Wilderness
MODERATE
Standard rooms in this category are in the 300-square foot range with a similar bathroom set up as a value resort, but maybe an additional sink. Two queen beds or one king is the standard, but a couple of them have fifth-person options (otherwise four is max). Views are similar as well but throw in the possibility of a room facing/near a natural body of water. Pools (including slides), other recreation, and dining options are a little more robust with the addition of “quiet pools,” water recreation, bikes, a health club (Coronado Springs), at least one table service restaurant, and a lounge. Transport here is typically bus as well, but there might be a boat service from some resorts to Disney Springs or from the Skyliner.
Includes:
Caribbean Beach
Coronado Springs
Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans Riverside
Cabins at Fort Wilderness
DELUXE
There are a variety of rooms and sizes here. We’re talking anywhere from 344 to 440 square feet. The bathroom situation can vary too and includes what you’ll find in a moderate, but probably in a different configuration for more privacy. If the room is larger, there might be more than one bathroom. The bedding configuration is like a moderate property with nothing smaller than a queen. However, it’s the views, recreation, dining, and transportation that sets a deluxe apart. Pools will have slides, hot tubs, or other water features. Spa services might even be available. There are more table service restaurants, room service, and maybe even character dining onsite. Last, these resorts are typically near a park (very attractive to some), so transportation options open up. Buses, Skyliner, and boats could still be available, but add walking and monorails to the list.
Includes:
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
BoardWalk Inn
Contemporary
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Polynesian Village
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht Club
VILLAS
We’ll keep things simple here. Villas are a part of the Disney Vacation Club program but can be booked for cash. Villas can be found at some deluxe properties, but there are also three that are dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. Rooms are villa-style with more amenities and can range from a studio all the way to a three-bedroom. Bathroom and bed configuration can vary by room size, but everything else is similar to a deluxe property.
Includes:
Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary
Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village
Beach Club Villas
BoardWalk Villas
Old Key West
Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Riviera Resort
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Villas at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Evaluate each category as described and make your selection based on the needs of your family. From there, think about the story of the resort and what resonates with you most–maybe it’s Animation, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and so on. With the breakdown above and these two tips, you’re on your way to selecting the resort that is perfect for you!
Need help picking the right resort for you? Reach out to one of our agents for a free consultation to get started planning your Disney trip!
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