Disney Resorts Florida: An Overview of Where to Stay
Choosing which Disney resorts Florida to stay at for your Walt Disney World vacation is one of the first decisions you will want to make when you begin planning your magical vacation. With over 30 different hotels on-property, this could be a difficult choice.
To some folks, the hotel is just a place to lay your head. But the right resort can add a great deal of enjoyment to your vacation, even if you are only there to sleep.
Some Florida Disney resorts are closer to theme parks, while others have multiple transpiration options, and others yet may have more space to spread out. These are just some things to consider when deciding what resort is best for your family.
This article will provide an overview of the Disney-owned and operated resorts, with a focus on Disney properties. The goal is to help you make the best choice for your family.
To help plan the perfect vacation, Disney Travel Planners are available to make sense of all the options. Many offer free services when you book with them. To learn more, read Disney Travel Planners.
Disney Resort Florida by Category
Within the Walt Disney World there are 4 different categories that Disney uses to organize their resorts: value, moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villas. This arrangement helps to make it a little easier narrow down which resort and room type you feel the most comfortable booking.
Disney resorts in Florida are all fabulous places to stay during your visit, but they all have different options. Below we will provide information for each resort: pricing, theming, room types, transportation, amenities, along with dining options.
Regarding pricing shown here, this is a guide to the starting point. Prices can be higher based on date, specific resort, room type, and room view. On the other hand, Disney many offer a promotion that lowers your room price.
Regardless of the resort, all Disney hotels host activities during the day and evening to entertain guests. They often have poolside games and outdoor movies at night to name a few.
Each resort offers self-service laundry facilities with detergents available for purchase.
Disney Value Resorts in Florida
(Starting at approximately $150 per night and up)
There are 5 resorts that fall into this category:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies
- Disney’s All-Star Music
- Disney’s All-Star Sports
- Disney’s Art of Animation
- Disney’s Pop Century
Disney’s Value resorts are perfect for families that are traveling on a budget or for those who do not wish to spend a lot of time at their hotel room. Value resorts are a good choice for those who want the Disney magical animation décor featuring Disney characters.
Common areas
The value resorts are large properties with a large number of guest rooms.
The buildings of the value resorts are a few stories tall with outside corridors that wrap around the buildings. There are very bright, bold exterior décor that brings the value resort to life. They all have large icons and characters that relate to the hotel themes.
For dining, value resorts feature a very large food court with several quick-service options. There is a pool bar to relax and have a drink. There are no table service restaurants on site. Room service is not available except for in-room pizza delivery.
There are multiple pools at each resort property. The pools do not have slides nor extra water features. The exception is Art of Animation which has some very large colorful characters decorating the pool area. Life jackets are available.
Guests will also find an exceptionally large game room on-site as well as a gift shop.
Guest rooms
At most value resorts, the rooms are decorated with a few characters touches with the exception of Art of Animation which is filled with color and characters.
With the exception of a few rooms at Art of Animation, all value resort rooms are accessed from the outside.
Value resorts do not necessarily mean “bare necessities”. Although the rooms are compact, they make great use of space. The furniture is modern and minimalistic but comfortable. You will find several in-room amenities such as a mini-fridge, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, and blow dryer.
Standard rooms within the value resort accommodate a maximum of four guests plus an infant. There is only one-bathroom standard room category with the toilet and shower closed off.
Preferred rooms are also a great option to consider. They are exactly the same as the standard rooms but are located closer to transportation and the dining hall for greater convenience.
Most standard rooms at the value resorts and feature either two queen beds (two double beds in the Art of Animation Little Mermaid room) or one queen bed with one queen-sized pull-down bed that becomes a table when folded up.
King beds are available in some rooms but are limited, and only available as a request, not guaranteed.
For families larger than four, Art of Animation and All-Star Music offers family suites that offer more space than the standard rooms. These family suites can accommodate a maximum of 6 guests (children who are 2 and under are excluded from the count).
The family suites feature a master bedroom with a queen bed which is separated from the rest of the unit. There is also one sleeper sofa and a pulldown bed. They also feature not one, but two full-size bathrooms (most have a bathtub for the smaller children). This is very efficient when you have several individuals who need to bathe.
Family suites also have a living area along with a kitchenette, that includes a full-size fridge, sink, microwave, and a coffee pot.
Transportation
The value resorts tend to be located the furthest from the theme parks. All value resorts use the bus system. However, there are a couple of resorts that are also connected to the Skyliner. In the list below of the value resorts, we have included the transportation options that are offered to guests.
Resort Transportation Options
| Value Resorts | Bus | Boat | Skyliner | Monorail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disney's All-Star Movies |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's All-Star Music |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's All-Star Sports |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's Art of Animation |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Disney's Pop Century |
X |
|
X |
|
What We Like About Each Florida Disney Resort
Overall, value resorts at Walt Disney World are very similar with the main difference being the theming and décor at each. Here is what we love most about each resort
All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, or Sports)
Although each of these is its own resort, they are located next to each other. Guests at these resorts are welcome to use the pools and amenities at the others. Everyone loves the 5 story Disney characters that stand like sentinels around the resort.
The Art of Animation
This is the most Disney resort. It features huge characters and bright colors throughout. Kids will love everything about this resort and parents will love having a private bedroom in the family suites.
Pop Century Resort
The sections of the resort are divided by decade, but the rooms are all the same style. Oversized icons for the eras decorate each section. When you enter the lobby, you are immediately taken through a pop culture timeline. The kids may not care but the adults will love to see the popular things from their youth.
There are pros and cons to each resort. One reason we recommend Destination Magic is that they have stayed at every resort on Disney Property and can give first-hand recommendations based on your needs.
Disney Moderate Resorts – Florida
(Starting at approximately $250 per night and up)
There are 5 resorts that fall into this category:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarters
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness – The Cabins
If you are a family looking for a few a bit more space and more resort amenities, a moderate resort may be ideal for you. They are classically imagined Disney themed resorts and rooms without the price tag of a deluxe resort.
Common Areas
Without the bold, larger than life figures, Disney moderate resorts still have plenty of Disney theming and décor. Some are whimsical while others are more subtle. But there are options to please most everyone’s taste.
With the exception of Grand Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, which is a high rise building with interior corridors, all moderate resorts rooms are accessed from the outside.
It is important to note that not all guest room buildings have elevators. Several sections of both Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach resort are only 2 stories and do not have elevators.
Strolling the grounds, guests will notice the beautiful landscape and surroundings. Most Disney resorts Florida are also located on a lake or river which adds to the tranquility.
There are multiple pools at resorts in the moderate category. Generally, there is the main pool in addition to 2-3 quiet pools. The main pool will have a water slide. Some also have splash pads or other water features for the kids, and hot tubs for the adults to enjoy (although the kids love those too). You will also find playgrounds and recreational areas and game rooms for the children as well.
At moderate resorts, you will find several dining options. Each will have a food court for quick service snack and meals as well as a table service restaurant on site. You will also find at least one bar or lounge where the adults can relax and enjoy a beverage.
Room service is not available except for in-room pizza delivery.
Guests will also find a game room on-site as well as a gift shop. Some also have a fitness center.
Guest Rooms
The rooms at moderate resorts in Walt Disney World are more spacious than those at the value resorts. While most rooms sleep up to 4 guests, some moderate resort s have rooms that can accommodate up to 5 guests.
Typical guest rooms have two queen-size beds or a king-size bed. Rooms designated as “5th sleepers” also feature an additional child-size pull-down bed (about the size of a twin bed).
Each room has only one bathroom. You will also find an iron, ironing board, and blow dryer.
Most rooms will also have a small table with 2 chairs. Additional conveniences are an in-room coffee pot, mini-fridge, and safe.
If you are looking for an extra special room to delight you, little pirates or princess, you can find that here. Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort features Pirate themed rooms and Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort features Royal rooms.
Along with a heap of nautical décor and special themed touches, the Pirate rooms have 2 double beds that are shaped like a ship.
The Royal rooms are fit for any little princess. There are 2 regal queen beds with magical headboards, plus portraits of Disney princess as well as their princes.
Coronado Springs, which caters to many adult visitors thanks to their adjacent convention center, is the only moderate resort that offers suites that can accommodate up to 8 guests. They also offer Club Level rooms in the Gran Destino Tower which grant guest access to their Club Lounge.
To learn more about Disney Club Lounges, read Disney World Club Level Resorts
The Cabins at the Fort Wilderness are unique in this category. They are free-standing buildings that can accommodate up to 6 guests. There is a master bedroom with a queen-size bed and a set of bunk beds in the master as well. In the main living area, there is a queen sleeper sofa. There is also a full kitchen. Outside you have a large deck with a grill.
Transportation
Most moderate resorts are large complexes with several bus stops throughout the resort. Because of that, it may seem like the busses come a little more frequently for pick up and drop-offs.
In the front of the resort, near the lobby, you will find the main pick up and drop off location. Rooms closest to the lobby are considered “Preferred” rooms. The rooms are the same as others throughout the resort but are more desirable for their location. They are closer to the restaurants, main pool, and transportation.
Below is a list of the moderate resorts and you can also see what transportation options are offered at each one.
Resort Transportation Options
| Moderate Resorts | Bus | Boat | Skyliner | Monorail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's Port Orleans – French Quarter |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Fort Wilderness – Cabins |
X |
|
|
|
What We Like About Each Florida Disney Resort
It is hard to choose which moderate resort is our favorite because there is something unique that we like at each one.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
It is the only moderate resort with access to the Skyliner, which is amazing! One of the fastest forms of transportation with a spectacular view of the Disney property.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This is one of our absolute favorite moderate resorts! The brand-new Grand Destino Tower is awesome. It has the feel of a deluxe resort with the price tag of a moderate one. This resort is a great option for an adults-only trip. On the lower floor of the Gran Destino Tower, they have a gorgeous lounge area with a bar and a spectacular view of the water fountain.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
This resort is a smaller resort compared to some of the others within this moderate category. It feels cozy and relaxed. Plus, at the end of a long day, you will appreciate not having to walk that far to your room.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Our favorite thing at this resort is that you can take a boat ride over to Disney Springs for some nightly entertainment, food, shopping, and an evening out. For a daytime activity, the kids can try fishing in the lake.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
The cabins are great for those families that are looking for a quiet place to relax after a busy park day, or for a longer stay. It has a full kitchen and is very spacious. Plus, at the Fort Wilderness, there is plenty of recreational activities for everyone to enjoy such as bike rentals, fishing, golf cart rentals, horseback riding, campfires, and more.
Disney Deluxe Resorts
(Starting at approximately $350 per night and up)
There are 8 resorts that fall into this category:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club
The deluxe resort category is the top tier of the Walt Disney World resorts. They are is in the luxury class when it comes to accommodations.
At the deluxe resorts, you are going to find larger, more comfortable rooms, and bedding, refined theming, upscale dining experiences (including on-site character dining), and the most convenient transportation options.
Deluxe resorts are also closest to the theme parks, some within walking distance. They are a good choice for those who plan to spend additional time enjoying their resort or are simply looking for the best Disney has to offer.
Common Areas
Walt Disney World deluxe resorts are luxurious hotels with lavish landscaping and meticulously manicured grounds. The design of each resort is a warm yet elegant expression of the theme which is based upon.
Each resort features a grand feature pool with slides and other water features. There is a pool bar that also serves a quick service meal. There are also quiet pools for a more relaxing swim and include hot tubs.
At deluxe resorts, you will also find extra recreation such as boat or bike rentals, fitness clubs, and some have spas! Guests will also find several gift shops on site.
Deluxe resorts are known for their superb dining options. Each resort will have a quick-service restaurant, but not a food court. Instead, they offer several other table services dining locations, including signature dining experiences. Many guests travel to these resorts just for the food and character dining experiences. They also offer at least one lounge where adults can enjoy evening cocktails after a long day at the parks.
Guest Rooms
Compared to the other resort categories, access to rooms at Deluxe resorts are via interior corridors.
The rooms at the deluxe resorts are larger in size than moderate resorts, and they are fitted with more comfortable furnishings. For example, rooms may have a desk and/or table and a sofa or upholstered arm. Most rooms also provide a private balcony with seating.
There is also a noticeable difference in the comfort of the mattresses in a deluxe room compared to moderate or value resorts. The latter two have the same type of mattress.
Most guest rooms have 2 queen beds or a king. Some offer an additional sleeper sofa or day bed. Some of these resorts offer suites and Club Level access if you would like extra space or a private lounge.
Deluxe resorts also offer in-room dining from their room service menu.
Within your room, you are provided with a mini-fridge, coffee maker, iron, ironing board, and hairdryer. Self-service laundry is available in the resort.
The deluxe resorts also offer very impressive views. Many offer theme park views, water views, or even fireworks view rooms. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can even have a savanna view room where you can watch zebra’s and giraffes right from your balcony.
If you plan on spending a lot of time at your resort and/or appreciate the finer things, a deluxe resort is a great choice.
Transportation
As with all resorts, Deluxe resorts all have access to Disney’s bus transportation system. But they also offer other forms such as a boat or monorail. From some resorts, you can even walk to select theme parks.
Resort Transportation Options
| Deluxe Resorts | Bus | Boat | Skyliner | Monorail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's Beach Club Resort |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Boardwalk Inn |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Contemporary Resort |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Yacht Club Resort |
X |
X |
|
|
What We Like About Each Resort
Each Deluxe Disney resort Florida has some amazing about it that makes it hard to choose a favorite.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The live African savanna with views of animals makes this a one-of-a-kind resort. There is nothing like it in the USA. Plus, it has a large collection of African art and some of the best restaurants in all of Disney.
Disney’s Beach Club
Besides being just a short walk to Epcot, Beach club has the best swimming pools of all the Disney properties—Stormalong Bay. Stormalong Bay’s slide is a must-do feature.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Just outside the doors is Disney’s Boardwalk dining and entertainment district. With restaurants, snack stands, games and magicians, there is always activity on the boardwalk. it will leave you feeling like you are on the shores of Atlantic City. As a bonus, you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Want access to the Magic Kingdom without having to take a form of transportation? This is the only resort that you can walk right over to the Magic Kingdom from. Even though you don’t need to take the Monorail, you can watch it sail right through the middle of the resort. Chef Mickey’s, character dining is located here. It’s one of the most popular Character dining experiences in Disney.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
This is Disney’s premier resort. They offer some of the best dining options, including Disney’s only 5 Diamond restaurant, Victoria and Alberts. They also offer Tea with Alice and friends, a special experience.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Want that beach vibe on a Disney vacation… Aloha!! We love to each breakfast at Ohana’s. And you cannot forget the Dole Whip! Dinner shows and character dining offered here. The pools are also a great feature along with the sandy beach area that you can relax and watch the fireworks from the resort in the evening!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If you are looking for a quiet, wooded retreat, this is it. Great pools, a 5-story lobby with a giant fireplace, and a lakeside bar add to the experience. Storybook Dining at Artist Point – featuring Snow White and her friends is a wonderful character dining experience.
Disney’s Yacht Club
This is a sister resort to the Beach Club. They share the Stormalong Bay pool and you can also walk to Epcot.
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
(Starting at approximately $450 per night and up)
There are 12 resorts that fall into this category:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian
Deluxe Villa Resorts located in Disney World, Florida are a great option for guests who are looking for more of the comforts of home. They are also an excellent choice for larger families who want to spend quality time together.
Common Areas
Most Disney Villa Resorts are companion sections of Deluxe Resorts. They are usually separate buildings next to the main hotels but have access to all the same common areas of those resorts including the swimming pools.
There are a few Deluxe Villa Resorts that are not companions of the Deluxe Resort, however, they have the same level of imagination and attention to detail in their buildings and grounds.
As far as restaurants, within the Villa section of the resorts, or for those that are not adjacent to a Deluxe Resort, you will have some dining options, but not as many as the hotels have.
Since individual rooms have kitchens or kitchenettes, guests are able to purchase a selection of groceries at Villa Resorts. Options include fresh food like milk, eggs, bread, and fruit. Also frozen food like pizzas and frozen meals, canned goods like soups and other staples like spaghetti. You are also able to have groceries delivered from local stores and Amazon.
Guest Rooms
Deluxe villas are home designed to be your home-away-from-home. While being a deluxe level experience, the décor is different than that in the Deluxe resorts, even within the same complex. While the deluxe resort rooms have slightly more luxurious décor and finishes, the villa resorts are very nicely appointed.
Disney Deluxe Villas are offered in 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom units, as well as Deluxe Studios. The villas can sleep up to 12 guests, depending on the resort. As with all other resorts, you will get an iron and ironing board, hairdryer and a safe. But these rooms offer so much more.
A Deluxe Studio is similar in size to a deluxe resort hotel room, however, it will feature a queen-sized bed and a queen sleeper sofa. Some also have a child-sized pull-down bed (about the size of a twin bed) and a table and chairs. There is also a kitchenette with coffee maker, toaster, small refrigerator, and microwave oven. The kitchenette is also equipped with paper products, paper plates, and utensils.
Perfect for a large family or if you are looking to vacation like a real VIP, consider stepping up to a Villa room. Each villa features private master bedrooms and bath with separate shower and soaking tub. In the living room area is a sleeper sofa and some have an additional sleeper chair. There is a full kitchen complete with a full-size refrigerator, range, microwave, and dishwasher. It is stocked with pots, pans, dishes and utensils, coffee pot, and toaster—everything that you would have at home. (There is even a vacuum tucked in the closet). The dining table in the 1- and 2-bedrooms units seats at least 4, while in the 3-bedroom villas there is a large dining room table for grand gatherings.
But the best part of the villas (not including the studios) is that each unit comes with an in-room washer and dryer! Although there is self-serve laundry inside each resort, there is nothing like having it in your room. There is nothing better when traveling than being able to pack light, and even return home with all clean clothes.
The Deluxe Villa Resorts have some very special rooms, too, such as the Treehouses at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. They are private 3-bedroom, 2-bath, octagonal vacation homes set in the woods. It’s glamping at its best! But no room is more special that the free-standing bungalows at the Polynesian resort or Cabins at Copper Creek. Those are truly special accommodations for the discriminating guests. These 2-bedroom, 2 bath Villas sleep up to 8 guests, feature full kitchens and living rooms plus private outdoor space with your very own plunge pool. Add a view of Cinderella’s castle and you are living like royalty.
Transportation
As with all resorts, Deluxe Villa resorts all have access to Disney’s bus transportation system. But they also offer other forms such as boat or monorail. From some resorts, you can even walk to select theme parks.
Resort Transportation Options
| Deluxe Villa Resorts | Bus | Boat | Skyliner | Monorail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village |
X |
|
|
|
|
Disney's Beach Club Villas |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Boardwalk Villas |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Disney's Old Key West Resort |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Disney's Riviera Resort |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Boulder Ridge at Disney's Wilderness Lodge |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Copper Creek at Disney's Wilderness Lodge |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa |
X |
X |
|
|
|
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa |
X |
X |
|
X |
Choosing the Right Florida Disney Resort
The Florida Disney resort that you select is an important key factor to your overall Walt Disney World experience. While there are many great options to choose from, don’t underestimate this decision. I can have a crucial role in your overall vacation enjoyment.
That does not mean the most expensive Disney resort Florida is best. If price is a key facture to your vacation, you will want to stay within the value category. If you are considering something in between, the moderate resorts are a great option. If you want the grand experience with rooms, dining, transportation, etc., the deluxe resort category would be the best option for you.
This chart will give you an overview of all the resorts and what they offer. But with so many factors to consider, we strongly encourage working with a good Disney Travel Planner. The best travel planners, like our friends at Destination Magic, have stayed at every resort and can provide first-hand recommendations based on experience. Click here to request your complimentary quote today.
Resort Amenities Comparison Chart
For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:
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