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Ok, so you’ve decided you’re going to Walt Disney World Resort - YAY!
Now that you know where you’re heading - it’s time to start tackling the next big question: Where are you going to choose to stay?
While this is a really big question that I can’t answer for you - I can help give you some guiding questions to ask yourself when deciding what’s most important for your vacation. There isn’t a wrong answer - but depending on what you value in your vacation, different resorts may offer more value in one way or another!
There are currently more than 25 Disney Resort Hotels to choose from. Yep - you read that right. More than 25! Which means there are a lot of options to choose from - which can be equally as exciting as it is overwhelming. So….where do you start?
How do I choose which WDW Resort to stay at?
I start by looking at the following things:
Cost
Location
Transportation
Resort Activities and Experiences
Vibe/Decor
COST
When planning your Disney Vacation you most likely have a budget in mind! This is a helpful place to start because the resorts are actually broken into categories based on cost range.
Resorts are broken down into the following categories:
Value Resorts + Campgrounds | $100 - 400/ per night |
Moderate Resorts | $190 - 600/ per night |
Deluxe Resorts | $450 - 3,500/per night |
Deluxe Villas | $ 600 - 4,000/ per night |
Whether you’re looking to plan a budget trip (Value Resort) or you’re ready to invest in a luxury resort experience (Deluxe Resort), there’s a resort for you. By first separating the resorts by cost, we can narrow our search down from 25+ to five.
LOCATION
This is a big one for a lot of guests. If you have littles, you’ll want to be as close to the parks as possible so you can maximize your park time while also having the convenience of quickly getting back to your room.
If you’re planning your trip around a specific park or theme, then the location of your resort may also play a role. For example, some resorts are within walking distance of parks, like the Disney Boardwalk or Disney Beachclub Resort which are both within walking distance of Epcot. Others, like the Animal Kingdom Lodge, are further away from the parks but are close enough to Animal Kingdom that you can see exotic animals from your window.
Now these resorts due to the added perk of being so close are a little more expensive. So if being close to a park is important, when budgeting for your next Disney vacation you will want to go into it looking for a more Moderate, or Deluxe Option!
TRANSPORTATION
In addition to your location on property, it’s nice to know your transportation options. Staying on any Disney property automatically gives you access to all Disney transportation systems for free. This can be a huge savings when it comes to parking (as every resort charges a nightly parking fee) and honestly is just one less thing you have to think about each day.
But depending on which resort you are staying at, you may have various different modes of transportation available to you. Below are all the types of transportation:
Disney Buses: All Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Campground Resorts
Every resort offers various stops throughout their property. Disney Buses transport guests to each of the four Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), as well as two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), a stop at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney Springs, and other Disney locations.
Disney Skyliner: Pop Century (V), Art of Animation (V), Caribbean Beach Resort (M), Riviera Resort (D)
The select resorts on the Skyliner route have access to take the sky gondolas from their resort to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or other resorts on the route. This is the newest form of Disney transportation. Learn more about the Skyliner here.
Disney Monorail: Contemporary (D), Polynesian Resort and Villas(D), Grand Floridian Resort (D)
The select resorts on the Monorail route have access to take the Monorail train from their resort to Magic Kingdom, the Disney Transportation and Ticketing Center, and the other resorts on the route.
Disney Water Transportation:
Guests of select Disney Resort hotels can enjoy complimentary boat service to and from Magic Kingdom park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Magic Kingdom Park
Accessible by water launch (also known as water taxi) from:
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (D)
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (D)
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (D)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (D)
Ferryboats connect Magic Kingdom park to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Watercraft service is available from the following Resort hotels:
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas (D)
Disney's Beach Club Villas (D)
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (D)
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel (Great Accommodation)
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel (Great Accommodation)
Disney Springs
Travel between Disney Springs and the following locations via Watercraft service:
Disney's Old Key West Resort (D)
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (D)
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside (M)
Disney's Port Orleans - French Quarter (M)
If you’re interested in learning more about the Disney Transportation System - Learn more here!
RESORT ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES
How important this is in planning depends on you and the type of vacation you’re dreaming of! If your goal is to be in the parks as much as possible and only really use your resort as a place to sleep at night - a Value resort will give you the most bang for your buck. But if you’re looking to have a luxurious getaway with the option of spending a day at your resort or resort hopping - you may want to take a look at Moderate or Deluxe resorts as they tend to offer more onsite experiences.
Remember, if you’re there for multiple days, you’re looking for a home away from home during your trip. So consider you and your parties’ daily habits and needs when looking at resorts.
Here are some things to think about:
Themed Pools - some resorts have pools with waterslides, others are pirates themed, or Mickey Mouse themed. If your little ones love spending time at the pool based on their age and thrill level - we can find them the perfect resort pool as every resort offers slightly different, unique swimming holes!
Resort Activities - Each resort hosts their own variety of daytime and evening activities that change seasonally. Some of these activities include, S’mores Campfire stories (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Movies Under the Stars (various resorts), Spanish Mosaic Castle Painting (Coronado Springs), Tea Time (Grand Floridian), or the Electrical Water Pageant (Polynesian Resort).
Dining Experiences on Property - Value Resorts tend to have a small gift shop and quick service available to you. While Moderate and Deluxe Resorts tend to have quick service as well as multiple bars and table service restaurants. Depending on the resort, the restaurant theming will change! For instance, most of the food at Coronado Springs is inspired by Spanish and Latin cuisine with restaurants such as the Maya Grill and Toledo - Tapas, Steak, and Seafood. But if you head over to the Beach Club - you’ll find restaurants like Beaches & Cream, Cape May Cafe, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Unique Recreation - Depending on your location, there maybe other unique recreations available to you such as horseback riding, fishing, carriage rides, and more!
Views from your Balcony - Depending on the location of your Resort, you may have the option to select a cool view such as a Theme Park View (if you’re staying in the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian you can see Magic Kingdom!) or a view of the Savannah. Just picture waking up and having coffee with a giraffe at your window…at Animal Kingdom Lodge it’s possible!
Early or Late Theme Park Entry - Deluxe Resort guests sometimes get extra late night or early morning Magic Hours. This can sometimes mean you get 2 hours extra in the parks that regular guests don’t have access to - which means shorter lines and more opportunities to do more in the parks. Check out the current extended hours here.
Dining Plans - Though Dining Plans have been unavailable since the pandemic shut down, there have been talks of them coming back. If/When dining plans come back, this is a HUGE perk to staying on property as they can often help you save money on dining throughout Disney property.
VIBE AND DECOR
While this one also might not be at the top of your list - I think it’s important to consider the vibe of the resort before you select it. Resorts like the Grand Floridian, the Yacht Club, Boardwalk, and Saratoga Springs tend to have very elegant, upscale decor - and they feel like a more mature environment. Some resorts, like those listed above and Coronado Springs tend to feel more like “adult” resorts as they feel less playful in their theming, ambiance, scent, and music. (Yes, Disney does in fact have signature scents for their various resorts as well as specific soundtracks for each one).
In contrast, many of the value resorts have tons of large cartoons on their decorations and they feel like they are geared more towards families with younger children. Caribbean Beach has a pirates theme, while Coronado Springs is inspired by Latino culture and architecture. Disney’s Polynesian Resort feels like you’re stepping onto a tropical island, while Port of Orleans sets you up in a location by the Bayou with theming fit for a Madi Gras King.
No matter what vibe you’re going for - one of Disney’s 25 Resorts has got the place for you!
I hope y’all found this information helpful as you narrow down your search for the perfect resort. If you don’t already have someone helping you plan your magical Walt Disney World vacation - I would be more than happy to serve you as your go-to Disney Gal!
You can request a quote by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to select me as your Travel Designer in the dropdown at the bottom of the form!
I’m curious, based on your Disney travel, What’s your favorite property to stay at?
Photos from Unspalsh, Disney, and Shutterstock
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