FOUR RESORT CATEGORIES AT DISNEY WORLD

Disney excels in storytelling, painting a picture, and creating a complete experience. A huge part of that experience is choosing the best accommodation for your family on Disney property. Each property (Disney calls these “resorts”) has been carefully crafted and immerses you in a story.

Staying on property also comes with perks that hotels off site don’t have, including extra park time and the easiest transportation options.

However, there are SO many resorts... how do you select the one that is best for your family? The first step is using a professional travel advisor who actually travels and stays at the different Disney World properties (like me!).

Disney separates its resorts into four categories - VALUE, MODERATE, DELUXE, and VILLAS (usually part of the Disney Vacation Club).

Let’s do a quick breakdown!

VALUE

Most rooms in this category are approximately 260 square feet. There is a basic bath setup (sink often in the open and toilet and shower/tub in a separate room) and bedding could be two doubles or a king. Some rooms in this category are family suites with approximately 520 square feet. They have a similar set up as a standard, with additional baths and some convertible sleeping options.

Views can vary from parking areas and wooded areas to swimming pools. Swimming pools are typically themed and could have some interactive elements, but you won’t find any slides. Other forms of recreation include poolside games, a playground, and possibly a movie outside at night. Dining options usually consist of a food court and/or pool bar.

Finally, transportation provided by Disney will usually be via bus, except the Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century, which additionally share a stop of the Skyliner transportation system.

Includes: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.

MODERATE

Standard rooms in this category are usually around 300 square foot. Sleeping options consist of either two queen beds or one king, but there may be a spot for a potential fifth person. The bathroom will typically be similar to a Value resort, but may include an additional sink.

Views are similar to Value resorts, but there may be rooms facing or near a natural body of water. Pools, other recreation and dining options are a little more robust with the addition of “quiet pools,” water recreation, bikes, a health club, at least one table service restaurant and a lounge.

Transportation here is typically bus as well, but there might be a boat service from some resorts to Disney Springs.

Includes: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, and Cabins at Fort Wilderness

DELUXE

Rooms at this level of resort come in a variety of types and sizes, ranging anywhere from 344-440 square feet. Bedding configuration is similar to a Moderate property, with nothing smaller than a queen. The bath configuration can vary, and includes what you’ll find in a moderate, but probably in a different configuration for more privacy. If the room is larger, there might be several baths.

The views, recreation, dining, and transportation are where Deluxe resorts really shine. Pools will have slides, hot tubs, or other water features, and spa service may even be available. There are more table service restaurants, room service and maybe even character dining onsite

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Lastly, these resorts are typically in close proximity to a park, and have many more transportation options. Buses, skyliner and boats could still be available, but may also include monorail access or even walking just a short distance.

Includes: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club.

VILLAS

Villas are a part of the Disney Vacation Club program but can be sometimes booked. Villas can be found at some deluxe properties, but there are also three that are dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. Rooms can range from a studio all the way to a three bedroom family “home away from home.” Bath and bed configuration will vary by room size. Amenities may include all the items found at Deluxe properties, but some properties will have full kitchens, and washer/dryers in the room.

Includes: Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Villas at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Sixflashphoto (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disney's_Grand_Floridian_Resort_&_Spa_1.jpg), „Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 1“, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode