There are so many factors to think about when booking a Disney World hotel. Location, amenities (like pools), transportation, and food are all important components when picking the right hotel. Disney World offers 3 hotel categories: value, moderate, and deluxe. (It's easy to figure out how these rank based on their names.) Which hotel is the best for you? Let's explore the options!
Value (Good) Option -
(pic of Art of Animation resort)
Value resorts can be easier on your wallet and budget. Prices typically range from $120-$400 per night depending on the resort and time of the year. There are 5 resorts, and they include food court areas, fun theming, and pools as well as complimentary shuttle options to help you travel to other Disney properties.
Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts are lucky enough to also offer access to the Disney Skyliner, which is Disney World's gondola system that connects guests to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
All-Star Music and Art of Animation resorts have affordable suites for bigger families that range in price from $300-$800 per night.
A downside of value resorts is smaller room size. If you're like me and spend most of your time in the hotel room sleeping, room size isn't a huge issue.
Value resort guests also don’t receive extended evening park hours like Deluxe resorts, but guests are allowed early entry (30 minutes) into each park like all other hotel guests staying on Disney property. When I was younger, my family stayed at a several value resorts like All Star Music and All Star Sports. I have great memories from those stays and totally recommend value resorts for a budget friendly traveler.
Moderate (Better) Option -
(pic of interior room of Caribbean beach and cute kiddos)
Moderate resorts are the middle tier for Disney resorts. These 4 resorts are still affordable, but have some added value such as slightly larger rooms, a sit down restaurant for most of the hotels, and better theming. Prices tend to range from $250-$450 per night depending on the time of the year. Moderate resort guests like value resorts guests don’t receive extended evening park hours, but guests are allowed early morning entry (30 minutes) into each park.
The Port Orleans - French Quarter resort is slightly smaller than other moderate resorts and has nice rooms. Coronado Springs is a bigger resort but with slightly nicer rooms.The Port Orleans - Riverside is also a big resort but considered to be one of the most beautiful. Caribbean Beach is also a large resort but it has access to the Disney Skyliner like Pop Century and Art of Animation. I really like the Disney Skyliner. It's so convenient and easier than squeezing into a shuttle. It would be awesome if the Disney Skyliner expanded to include the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. 🤞
(pic of Port Orleans - Riverside)
As far as moderate resorts are concerned, Coronado Springs or the Port Orleans - French Quarter and Port Orleans - Riverside resorts usually rank higher in overall preference for guests than Caribbean Beach. Although, we’ve stayed at Caribbean beach several times and had great experiences. Due to its proximity to the Disney Skyliner, I highly recommend it.
Deluxe (Best) Option -
(pic of the Contemporary at night)
Disney’s top-of-the-line, luxury resorts are the deluxe category. There are 8 of these resorts, and they can be pricey ranging from $450 to over $1000 per night. However, there are some amazing pros to staying at a deluxe resort. Room size is noticeably larger. There's also club or concierge levels. Deluxe resort guests can enjoy extended evening hours in certain parks on certain days. Many deluxe resorts have very highly rated restaurants like Steakhouse 71, Topolino’s Terrace, Sanaa, and many more.
The Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary are considered "monorail resorts" since they each have access to the monorail. The BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are on the Boardwalk between Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom aren't situated close to any type of special transportation but have some cool theming and shuttle options.
From personal experience, deluxe resorts are very nice and noticeably different from the value or moderate resorts. After a recent stay at the Contemporary, it was incredibly easy to take the monorail to Epcot or the Magic kingdom. Most of the time, we would walk to the Magic Kingdom since it was so close to the resort (7-10 minute walk). Be on the lookout for a review of the Contemporary resort soon.
(pic of the Polynesian at night)
Many of our friends that are Disney fans love the Polynesian not only because of its location but due to its amazing Moana and Polynesian theming. I've also heard from many people that the Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, and Yacht Club are also convenient because of the short walk to Epcot (5 minutes) or Disney Hollywood Studios (15-20 minutes) from the Boardwalk area.
Deluxe resorts take Disney theming and small touches to a different level. It can be difficult to give away hard earned dollars but if you can afford it, deluxe resorts are worth the extra cost.
Bonus Hotel Options -
Disney World offers more than just value, moderate, and deluxe hotel options. I won't go into much detail in this post but if you're curious, here are some other hotel options to consider for a Disney World trip:
The Campgrounds and Cabins of Fort Wilderness
Disney Vacation Club
Good Neighbor hotels (not on property but close and budget friendly)
The Swan & Dolphin and Swan Reserve (operated by Marriott)
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
7 other Disney Springs Hotels (operated by hotel chains like Hilton, etc.)
(pic of Disney World Entrance)
There are so many hotel options for a Disney World vacation! Do you have a favorite Disney World hotel? What did you like most about it? What hotels would you recommend to your friends and family? Where would you stay next? And, be sure to message me for a quote! 😉
Comentários