There are currently over 25 resort locations to choose from at Walt Disney World, and all of them fall into the following categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa. But what exactly do these classifications mean? And what to you get when staying at a Deluxe Resort as compared to a Value Resort? Let’s take a look!
What do you get with a Walt Disney World Resort hotel?
First, no matter which Disney World Resort Hotel you choose, every guest staying on-property is entitled to these exclusive benefits:
- complimentary transportation aboard Disney’s Magical Express to/from Orlando International Airport
- access to theme park Extra Magic Hours
- package delivery service from theme park gift shops
- room-charging privileges
- ability to make 10 days of dining and special event reservations 180 days from your resort check-in date
- ability to make FastPass+ reservations at 60 days prior to your check-in date
- scheduled poolside games/resort activities, such as Movies Under the Stars
Disney World Value Resorts:
- All-Star Movies
- All-Star Music
- All-Star Sports
- Pop Century
- Art of Animation
- Ft. Wilderness Campground
Disney World Value Resorts are all about character! Here, you are going to find bright, colorful decor. Guest rooms are accessed via external doorways (except for Family Suites at Art of Animation which are accessed through internal doorways).
The typical room at the Value Resorts is approximately 260 square feet, accommodating up to 4 guests (plus an infant). Family Suites at All-Star Music are approximately 520 square feet and those at Art of Animation are about 565 square feet, both options accommodating up to 6 guests (plus an infant). The Family Suites also offer 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette area complete with sink, microwave, and mini fridge.
At each of the Value Resorts, the main building is where you’ll find the lobby/guest check-in, food court, and gift shop. In addition to the resort Quick Service food court, dining options include a poolside bar and in-room pizza delivery in the evenings. All Disney-provided transportation to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs is via bus. Each Value Resort offers multiple themed, heated swimming pools for your enjoyment!
Ft. Wilderness Campground is technically a Disney Value Resort, but guests staying at a campsite have access to all the amenities and privileges of Ft. Wilderness Cabins.
Disney World Moderate Resorts
- Caribbean Beach
- Coronado Springs
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Port Orleans Riverside
- Fort Wilderness Cabins
The characteristics of the Moderate Resorts match the resort theme… so here, you could find yourself transported to the heart of New Orleans, colonial Spain, or a tropical island!
Most rooms are approximately 314 square feet and will sleep up to 4 guests (plus an infant), though some rooms do offer a child-size pull-down bed to accommodate a 5th guest. Ft. Wilderness cabins will sleep up to 6 (plus an infant) are approximately 504 square feet. Additionally, Coronado Springs has suites that will accommodate as many as 8 guests.
Again, the main building is where you’ll find the lobby/guest check-in, food court, and gift shop. In addition to the resort Quick Service food court, on-site dining options include a poolside bar, in-room pizza delivery in the evenings, as well as at least one Table Service restaurant (excluding Port Orleans French Quarter) and at least one indoor bar or lounge.
Disney-provided transportation options include bus service to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs; Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside also has boat service to Disney Springs.
Pools at the Moderate Resorts are large, themed pools, smaller “quiet” pools, and hot tubs. Guest will find water slides here, too.
Disney World Deluxe Resorts
- Beach Club
- Yacht Club
- Boardwalk Inn
- Contemporary
- Grand Floridian
- Polynesian Village
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Wilderness Lodge
Comfort and convenience is what you’ll find at the Deluxe Resorts!
Room types and sizes can range from standard rooms of about 344 square feet to suites over 1,000 square, sleeping up to 4 guests (plus an infant). Most rooms have 2 Queen beds or 1 King bed, but may also have an additional twin-size daybed. Since the majority of rooms have a patio or balcony, views really come into play at the Deluxe Resorts. Rooms could look out upon parking lots, pools, natural bodies of water, wooded areas, theme park, or may even offer a view of a theme park fireworks! Animal Kingdom Lodge offers rooms overlooking one of three animal savanna habitats.
All guest rooms are accessed by internal hallways, and some resorts have guest rooms in the main building, which houses lobby/guest check-in, gift shops, and dining establishments.
Dining options include a Quick Service food court, poolside bars, multiple Table Service restaurants (which could include Signature Dining and/or character meals), at least one indoor bar or lounge, and full room service menu throughout the day.
There are multiple transportation services to get you around property: some resorts are within walking distance to a theme park, but other options could include bus, boat, or monorail.
The Deluxe Resorts also boast heated themed pools and “quiet” pools (some with water slide or other feature such as waterfalls or sand bottoms), hot tubs, health clubs; some also offer spa and/or salon services.
Disney World Deluxe Villas
- Old Key West
- Saratoga Springs
- Bay Lake Tower
- Boulder Ridge Villas
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins
- Beach Club Villas
- Boardwalk Villas
- Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
- The Villas at Grand Floridian
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
These Villas are truly your “home away from home!”
Deluxe Studio rooms, 1 Bedroom Villa, 2 Bedroom Villa, or 3 Bedroom Grand Villa are the room options and can range in size from about 316 square feet to almost 2500 square feet, accommodating from up to 4 to up to 12 guests (plus an infant). Bedding varies based on the room type, but most have a combination of traditional beds and sleeper sofas and/or chairs.
Studio rooms include a kitchenette area, while larger villas have a fully-equipped kitchen.
Rooms could overlook parking lots, pools, natural bodies of water, wooded areas, theme park, animal savanna habitat, or golf course.
Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge offer villa rooms at their resorts (amenities of these villas are shared with the Deluxe Resort that hosts them). Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are the two dedicated villas resorts, but their amenities are on par with the Deluxe Resorts: multiple transportation options, health club and spa services, heated themed pools and “quiet” pools, hot tubs, and multiple dining options, including a Quick Service food court, poolside bar, at least one indoor lounge or bar, and Table Service restaurants.
Hopefully this overview will help give you an understanding of the differences in the Disney World Resort hotels! Still need help? Contact one of our agents who will be happy to assist you in choosing the right resort for your magical vacation!