With 25 resorts to choose from (and growing), it’s no wonder people get overwhelmed trying to make sense of their options when planning a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort.
As a child, I exclusively stayed at resorts in the Value resort category and the over-the-top theming and busy buzz in the air became synonymous with the “Disney experience” for me. When I got older and got the opportunity to stay at hotels in the Deluxe category, I was blown away at the beauty of the resort and the theming which was just as incredible but very different from the style I was used to. As I began planning trips for other families, I was amazed at the loyalty families had to the Moderate resort category and how many commented on the theming being the perfect blend for kids and adults.
As I approach this decision with clients today, I focus on being as transparent as possible on the difference between the categories so that each family can make the right choice for their unique vacation style.
Questions we like to ask at Wish Travel Agency are: Do you plan to spend the bulk of your time in the parks or at your resort? What brand of hotels do you gravitate towards in your travel to non-Disney destinations? Are amenities important to you? What ages are your children? Do you think they would prefer a luxury experience to a big Disney theme that you can only find at a Disney property?
By getting a better understanding of your preferences and expectations, we can better match you with the resort that will leave you feeling like your money was well spent rather than having that feeling of not getting what you expected.
In short, Disney breaks their resorts into three categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe (including Disney Vacation Club Villas.)
Value Resorts
This is Disney’s “budget category” which prioritizes value without compromising on that Disney magic you’re expecting from your stay.
These resorts are heavily themed and, as a result, are a huge hit with young children. Seeing a Buzz Lightyear that’s 100x your size is something that truly amazes you for a very small window of life, and so I really do recommend this category for families with young children.
This category is also a hit for families who plan to spend the bulk of their time in the parks without spending a huge chunk of time at their resort. It gives you access to Disney transportation and on-site hotel perks without breaking the bank.
Resorts in this category include Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s All Star Music Resort, Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s All Star Sports Resort.
Room capacity in this category ranges from 4 to 6 people (plus one child under the age of 3) depending on the specific resort.
Every value resort has complimentary bus service to help you navigate the property without the use of your car. Art of Animation and Pop Century also share a stop on the skyliner loop, providing an additional transportation option to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
Moderate Resorts
This category adds a few niceties on top of the offerings in the value category including a bit more space and additional dining options. If you’re looking to spend a bit more time at your resort but don’t want the price tag of a deluxe resort, this may be the category for you.
One thing I like to mention about these resorts is that they are sprawling. If you like the idea of a beautifully landscaped and peaceful resort with lots of walking paths to explore, this is the category for you. On the flip side, families who plan to utilize Disney transportation and spend a lot of time in the parks may not enjoy the multiple bus stops at some of these resorts or the potential distance from the room to the lobby.
Resorts in this category include Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, and The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Room capacity in this category ranges from 2 to 6 people (plus one child under the age of 3) depending on the specific resort.
Every resort in this category has complimentary bus service to help you navigate the property without the use of your car. Both Port Orleans properties also offer a boat service to Disney Springs. Caribbean Beach is a skyliner hub giving the best, quickest access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios)
Deluxe Resorts
Deluxe resorts possess the same detailed theming as the other resorts but in a much more elegant and upscale way. These resorts aim to be “the destination” in and of themselves and so they offer enhanced amenities that make you want to hang around for more than just a quick breakfast or dinner around your park visits.
If you gravitate towards luxury resorts in your non-Disney travel and you want to experience that hallmark Disney detail of theming without giving up any of the amenities you are accustomed to, the deluxe category is for you.
These rooms are the largest and you will find many more options for capacity of rooms and configuration of bed sizes and types with capacities ranging from 2 to 12 people depending on resort.
Each resort (except Animal Kingdom Lodge) has at least one additional transportation option to the parks or Disney Springs- walking path, monorail, skyliner, or boat.
Every Deluxe resort (except Yacht Club) has a sub-category for Disney Vacation Club Villas, which is where the variety of room types and capacities come from.
Resorts in this category include Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village Resort, Contemporary Resort, Beach Club Resort, Yacht Club Resort, Boardwalk Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jamba House Lobby
Savannah View Room
Giraffes outside your door
Disney Vacation Club Villas
The Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare owned and operated by Disney for a portion of the rooms at their deluxe resorts. The timeshare is designed to create a “home away from home” for members, so there are many more categories of room types within this sub-bucket. You will find deluxe villas which are most closely aligned to a standard hotel room but with a kitchenette, one bedroom villas, two bedroom villas, and three bedroom villas.
When these rooms go unbooked by DVC members, Disney will rent them out to non-members for cash in the same way they would rent out any other hotel room.
Every room category above the standard deluxe villa includes a full kitchen and a washer and dryer, making this an amazing option for families looking to spend more time in their resort than outside of it or for those with larger groups who would like to stay together and even do some cooking during their stay.
Resorts in this category include Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Riviera Resort.
So which resort is right for your family? Reach out to us and let’s chat specifics! Have a little one that loves the water? We need to chat on the resorts with the best splash parks! Have grandparents that want to hang back at the resorts a bit? Let’s talk about the most peaceful and relaxing resorts Disney property has to offer. There is so much nuance in choosing the perfect resort for each travel party and we LOVE to get to know each of our families and help them make the best selections for their unique circumstances.