Disney Lodging, Explained
One of the first decisions that must be made once you decide you are going to Walt Disney World is where you will stay. Orlando is theme park central and there are lodging options both in and out of Walt Disney World. This post is going to explain the lodging options inside of Walt Disney World that are operated by Disney.
Port Orleans - Riverside, along the Sassagoula River
While I don't plan to focus much on lodging outside of Walt Disney World, it's fair to say that there are plenty of options that are close by, ranging from hotels to rental homes. You may be surprised at how close some of these options are, the hotels at Disney Springs being a prime example. Walk across the street from these and you will have access to the Disney transportation system to parks and other resorts within Disney property.
This is a Disney blog, though, and I vastly prefer staying on Disney property. Staying on Disney property gives you perks like Fastpass + booking 30 days before other ticket holders, Disney's Magical Express transportation to and from the airport, and being immersed 24/7 in the Disney experience with Disney customer service all around you.
But for the newcomer, deciphering the Disney resort categories can be a challenge. Disney classifies resorts into these categories:
value
moderate
deluxe
There are also these significant sub-categories:
villas and suites
DVC
DVC stands for Disney Vacation Club. It's Disney's timeshare program, basically. We're not going to talk about that here because chances are if you have DVC lodging available to you, you know your way around Disney and don't need this post! But there are ways you can stay at DVC properties even if you aren't a member of the Disney Vacation Club by purchasing points resold by the property owner (and THAT is fodder for another post).
Let's talk about what you as a regular guest would have access to by comparing and contrasting these lodging levels, starting with value and working our way up.
Value resorts are typically classified by these amenities:
The price is the lowest
All Disney resorts have a pool or multiple pools
Transportation to theme parks will be via bus*
*HOWEVER it is important to note that later this year, Pop Century and Art of Animation will also have access to the Skyway
You access your room from an outside walkway
Rooms are smaller
The bed situation is either two double beds or one queen bed
The resort theme is usually bright and cartoonish - great for kids
There will be a quick service food court and a pool bar
Bathrooms will have a shower/tub, toilet, and single sink
The sink is usually outside of the room with the tub/toilet
There are poolside activities available
Because a lot of families with children opt for these, it can be loud sometimes
Next up are moderate resorts.
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, near the lobby
There is quite a bit of variation of amenities within the moderates, with Coronado Springs being an obvious outlier (it has some amenities of a deluxe while keeping a moderate status). In general, though, you can expect the following from a moderate resort.
The price is more than a value resort but less than a deluxe resort room
The rooms are slightly larger than value rooms
You access your room from an outside walkway
The resort is themed to a PLACE like the bayou, the French Quarter, the Caribbean, Mexico, etc
The bed situation is typically two double/queen or one king
Some moderate resorts also have a trundle bed available (looking at YOU, Port Orleans Riverside), or a pull down bed (renovated rooms at Caribbean Beach resort)
There is typically one big pool and several "quiet pools" scattered throughout the property
Pools might have water features, but you typically won't find hot tubs (except at Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach)
There are poolside activities and sometimes bike or watercraft rentals available
There will be a quick service food court, pool bars, and at least one table service dining location at the resort
You can also get pizza delivered to your room in the evenings
Coronado Springs also has a nightclub at the resort
Transportation to theme parks is going to be by bus or boat*
*When the Skyway is completed, the Caribbean Beach resort will also be served by skyway
Bathrooms have a tub/shower and toilet in one room, and double sink in the main room, which can be separated from the rest of the room with a curtain
Rooms at many of the moderate resorts are in grouped buildings of fewer units per building than at a value resort. This, along with the landscaping and more lush feel can make these feel quieter. They are still wonderful for families too
Now, let's talk about the big mamas, the deluxe resorts!
Early morning pool and cabanas at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
These are some of the most exciting resorts on Disney property, but you are going to pay a pretty penny to stay at them. In general, here is what makes a room at a deluxe resort special:
The price is highest for a standard room when at deluxe resorts
The rooms are the same size or larger than those at a moderate
You might access your room from an outside walkway or an interior hall
The resort theme can vary. It could be themed after a place or a more generic theme. Place themes include Polynesia and Africa. More generic themes include Yacht Club, and Contemporary. The architecture is often unique.
The bed situation varies. You can find rooms with two queens or one king. Sometimes you can find a pullout couch.
There will be one or multiple pools (though the "quiet pool" phenomenon seems unique to moderates).
Pools will have water features like a waterfall or water slide.
There will be hot tubs!
There are poolside activities, bike and/or watercraft rentals, and many deluxe resorts offer lawn or lobby activities
There may be unique features to the resort, like a view of a theme park, a savanna with wild animals outside your balcony, or a geyser that erupts
There will be a quick service food court, often a coffee shop, a lobby bar, pool bars, and at least one table service dining location at the resort (usually more than one). There is sometimes character dining available at the resort.
You will have access to a full room service menu
Transportation to theme parks can be by bus (all resorts), boat (some resorts), monorail (some resorts), or walking to the theme park (some resorts).
Bathrooms have a tub/shower, toilet, and double sink outside of the room with the toilet which can be separated from the rest of the room with a door
Creatures on the savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge
We're not quite done, because we have the nebulous territory of the villas and suites to discuss. I say nebulous because villas and suites can be found almost anywhere, and can have a variety of configurations. Here is what you should know about villas and suites:
Villas and suites are ideal if you have a very large party. Please see our post about parties of 5 or more people at Disney.
You can find villas and suites at value resorts such as Art of Animation all the way up to deluxe resorts such as Disney's Polynesian Village
Suites typically have a little kitchenette area with a mini fridge, a microwave, dishes, and an additional sink. Sometimes there is more than one bathroom.
Villas can have kitchenettes or full kitchens and come in a variety of configurations and bedrooms
Some villas and suites are exceptionally unique and expensive (the bungalows at the Polynesian) while some are moderately priced and made primarily to fit more people (such as Art of Animation)
Because they can be found at a variety of resorts, the amenities available to you depend on the classification of the resort (value, moderate, or deluxe)
You can learn more about each resort in each category and calculate pricing for your party at disneyworld.disney.go.com.
I recommend pricing things out for various times of year and considering what promotions Disney might be running that might make one resort category cheaper than another during the time you plan to stay.
Bottom line: All Disney resorts are nice, clean, and safe. Where you stay depends on what works best for your family, though we all have our favorites.
I'm sure I've provided more than enough food for thought to help you decide where you might want to stay next time you go to Walt Disney World. If you've visited, where have you stayed? Did you love it or hate it? Share your opinion in the comments and I'll see you next week!
