STAYING AT A DISNEY RESORT HOTEL
When making a reservation at a Disney resort, it is important to take into consideration a few important factors, including:
Party Size and Budget – Understanding the number of guests and budget is the first, and arguably the most important consideration when planning a stay at a Disney resort. With a variety of room configurations and amenities, such as full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and bunk beds, a value resort is not always the best option. Regardless of your party size or budget, you should always research ongoing special offers available, as they will advertise but not you about them if you call the Walt Disney Travel Company unless you ask. If you’re not into doing the research to get the best deal, consider using a travel agent with expertise in booking Walt Disney World vacations. These travel agents will often know the current special offers, have insights into each of the resort properties, and can help you find the perfect resort to stay.
Location, Location, Location – The next important consideration when planning a resort stay is to understand what park(s), you are most likely to visit the most, to look for a resort with easy access to that park(s). For instance, if you are planning to spend most of your time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and/or EPCOT and are looking to stay at a value resort, a resort such as the Art of Animation with easy access to both parks via the Skyliner when it opens may be the best option. Several Disney resort hotels offer multiple transportation options to get to the parks or elsewhere on property (such as taking a boat from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney), so understanding which resort will get you to (and from) the places you’ll be spending your time the most efficiently is an important factor to take into consideration.
Resort Amenities – The next consideration is whether you are planning to spend time at your resort hotel to enjoy amenities, versus your resort room being simply a place to sleep and shower. Choosing a costly Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View room with a spectacular view that you’ll never see may not deliver the best bang for your Disney dollars. Dining options, pools, and other amenities (such as horseback riding, bicycle rentals, and other resort-specific activities) may play a role in determining the resort of your choice.
Resort Theme – The last consideration is theming of the hotel. Each Disney resort hotel has a theme which may or may not interest you, with some clearly designed to appeal to family with children (and those young at heart) such as the All Star Movies Resort, where others are themed to appeal to adults (such as the Grand Floridian). That said, all of the resorts are family friendly and theming should only be considered if it is an important consideration for you or a deciding factor among competing resorts. For instance, if a particular animated film is important to the guests in your party, such as Toy Story (All Star Movies Resort), the Lion King (Art of Animation Resort), Stitch (Polynesian Resort), or not wanted at all (Port Orleans, Grand Floridian), understanding these preference can help narrow down the list of possible resorts to stay.
Walt Disney World Exclusive Resort Experiences
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts (and Deluxe Villas)
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney's Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Walt Disney World Value Resorts
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Campgrounds & Cabins