There’s such excitement surrounding the decision to take a trip to Walt Disney World! As your planning begins, one of the most important first steps in the process is choosing the right Disney World Resort for you and your family! There are many factors to consider when making this decision and with 31 Disney World Resorts, it can be very overwhelming. There are really no bad choices but some will meet your needs better than others whether it is due to your budget, the location of what park you want to be close to and/or what transportation you want to have access to or the amenities that the resort will offer. So, let’s begin by reviewing the different resort categories.
Disney’s Value Resorts
The Value Resorts are the most affordable option when it comes to choosing a Disney World Resort. There are 5 of these resorts and each of them scream Disney with their fun themes, vibrant colors and larger than life decorations such as the 41-foot tall Rubik’s Cube at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or the 40 foot Pongo Statue in the 101 Dalmatians themed section of the newly renovated Disney’s All-Star Movies resort which just reopened on March 22, 2021.
These rooms do not offer as much space as the other resort categories with an average of around 260 square feet but if that’s important in your search, Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s All Star Music Resorts do offer larger rooms called Family Suites.
These resorts still offer themed pools (though none of the pools have slides) and Quick Service Dining Options. Other amenities similar to the other resort categories include gift shops where you can find your favorite Disney Merchandise and free transportation. The bus service runs from all of the value resorts and now Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation have the option of the Skyliner! The Skyliner Gondola system will take guests from these resorts to Hollywood Studios and Epcot which is a huge perk!
Disney’s Moderate Resorts
The Moderate Resorts as you can imagine, fall somewhere between the Value and Deluxe Resorts in terms of cost, room size, transportation options and other amenities. Some refer to the Moderate Resorts as a sweet spot because they offer a little bit more luxury but are still in tune with a family budget.
Although the rooms still have an outdoor entry like Value Resorts, they offer families a bit more space with an average of 314 square feet. Moderate Resorts do have more of a resort-style atmosphere offering both quick service and table service options for meals such as Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a lakefront, open air restaurant at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. They have organized activities for the kids and themed pools with slides and interactive water features.
Although Moderate Resorts are closer to the parks than the Value Resorts, they are still not within walking distance and some of them offer different styles of complimentary transportation other than the bus. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter both have a water taxi service that takes guests to Disney Springs, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort offers a water taxi or ferry to the Magic Kingdom and the main hub of Disney’s Skyliner is located at the Caribbean Beach Resort.
Three Bridges Bar & Grill
Disney’s Deluxe Resorts
The Deluxe Resorts offer elaborate themes, more transportation options, lots of amenities and the convenience of location. With all of these perks the cost is more expensive but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
With the exception of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, all of the Deluxe Resorts offer more than just bus transportation to get you to and from the parks including the monorail, skyliner, water taxi, ferry or walkway. The location of these resorts and the direct access to at least one park really can’t be beat!
At these resorts you’ll find quick service, table service, fine dining and Character dining with the newest Character meal, Breakfast `a la Art with Mickey & Friends, located at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Other amenities include larger rooms starting at 344 square feet, fitness centers, spas, resort specific activities and waterpark-style pools such as Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts where you will find a huge pool featuring a sandy bottom, a lazy river and their shipwreck water slide or Disney’s Polynesian Resort Pool featuring a Volcano, a waterfall and their 142 foot long water slide.
The Deluxe Resorts also offer a Concierge-Level room, also known as Club-Level, which offers access to a private lounge with complimentary food and beverages, exclusive tours that are offered at certain Deluxe Resorts and a dedicated person to assist you with specific requests.
Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts
The Deluxe Villa Resorts are primarily designed for the Disney Vacation Club (DVC,) Disney’s timeshare program, but these rooms are released regularly to Disney and can be booked by non-DVC guests. Many of these Resorts are housed on the same property of a corresponding Deluxe Resort with the exception of Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and the newest Deluxe Villa Resort, Riviera Resort. The amenities of these rooms can be pretty expansive including 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas with full kitchens, dining areas, 2 bathrooms, washer & dryer and jacuzzi tubs.
1 Bedroom Villa at Saratoga Springs
With all of the options that you have to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect match for you and your family regardless of which Resort you select. Whether it’s a Value, Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa, there is nothing that can beat staying in the heart of the magic and living in the “Disney Bubble” from the moment you arrive to the time you leave your magical vacation!
