When Disneylanders book lodging at or near the Disneyland Resort, they basically have two options: on-property Disney lodging that surpasses $200 per night and off-property lodging with a wide range of prices. While there are many great places to stay off-property near the Disneyland Resort, those hotel and motels can never provide Disney magic but for many families, staying on-property is just not in the budget.

As I mentioned in my first article in this series, Walt Disney World is 40 square miles. That’s pretty darn big. Although there are a variety of lodging options outside the resort, because of the distance into the resort and how far apart the parks and such are in the resort, most guests opt to stay on property. Moreover, unlike the Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney World Resort offers three different “levels” of resorts: value, moderate and deluxe.

Tips For Choosing Where to Stay

This is perhaps the most crucial decision you will have to make (besides WHEN) to go when it comes to traveling to Walt Disney World. The first thing that should dictate where you chose to stay is budget. Know in advance how much you are willing to spend on your vacation. A large portion of your spending money will go towards your resort.

• Price is HUGE – We would much rather have longer stays at Disney, in a value resort, then a shorter stay at a Deluxe resort. This is up to the family that is traveling and their travel needs. Many families opt for value resorts because they not only cater more to families but are less expensive.
• 

  Coronado Springs Resort features two queen beds instead of two full beds.

  Ambiance– Walt Disney World’s hotel resorts are all about ambiance. Think about other trips you have taken in the past. What did you enjoy about your past vacations? What was the theme of past resorts you have stayed at? Disney has 23 resorts on property and I can guarantee you that at least one of them is ready to become your Disney home.

• Location – Although you are staying on property, location is still very important to consider. Do you want to be close to a particular park that you know you are going to want to spend a lot of time at? Do you not mind riding a bus 20+ minutes to the parks each day or do you prefer to pay for the luxury of being a quick Monorail stop away from the Magic Kingdom?

It is important to note that all rooms, no matter where you stay, include free Magical Express transportation to and from MCO airport as well as free bus transportation to all of the parks, Downtown Disney, etc. As a life-long Disneylander, this was a big surprise to me. We will be talking more about transportation in next week’s post.

Value Resorts

Art of Animation

Value Resorts are the best bang for the buck for families. These resorts are typically very appealing to children because of their bright colors and larger-than-life theming. Rooms start under $100 per night during the value season and usually stay below $200 per night even during the peak travel seasons. At the value level rooms sleep 4 people plus an infant under the age of 3, or you can get a family suite at All Star Music and Art of Animation which will sleep 6 people and an infant under the age of 3.

• Standard rooms are 260 sq. feet
• Sleeps 4 or 6 (family suite) plus one infant under the age of 3 in a crib.
• Includes 2 double size beds. Family suites have 1 queen, 1 sleeper sofa and a pull-down Murphy bed.
• Quick Service/Food Court dining and pizza delivery
• Multiple themed pools, playgrounds, arcades
• Best for budget-minded families

Moderate Resorts

Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.

I love moderate resorts! Although I see the tremendous value in the value resorts, after a long stimulating day in the parks with my kids, all I want to do is rest (and get my kids to rest). For us, we felt like the over-the-top theming might not be the best fit for us when we wanted to decompress. That being said, I don’t want it to sound like these resorts are without amazing theming, because that certainly isn’t the case. Each resort transports you to a completely unique–whether its the beach at the Carribbean Beach Club or beautiful “down south” at Port Orleans Riverside.

•  314 sq. feet
• 4 or 5 plus one infant under the age of 3 in a crib.
• Many of the rooms have 2 queen size beds but a few of the resorts have 2 double beds. A select few rooms at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside sleep 5 with a pull down bed. (We have stayed in the room that sleeps 5 at Port Orleans Riverside and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT! It’s pictured below. Our travel agent told us we would love it and didn’t listen! We thought it looked ugly in the photos and we were so wrong. The photos didn’t do it justice and we only stayed there one night instead of three. Huge mistake! Always listen to  your Disney-authorized travel agent!)

• Quick Service/food court dining. Limited meal and pizza delivery to room. Casual dining restaurant.
• In addition to bus service, there is limited water launch (boat) service to select Disney areas.
• Multiple pools, water slide, and playgrounds. Bicycle rentals, health club at some of the resorts.
  Good match for travelers who are looking for resort amenities AND value.

Fantastic toddler pool at Port Orleans Riverside.

Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World has a Mexico theme. Above is the playground and pool area. We’ve stayed there twice and really like it. Unlike the other Moderate Resorts, it features a premium, sit-down restaurant, although I’m not a huge fan of this Resort’s casual dining.

Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe Resorts are considered the “high end” hotel resorts at Walt Disney World and provide the ultimate in Disney convenience and comfort.

Yacht Club Resort room

Each resort is uniquely themed and offers you a variety of benefits, amenities and services to make your vacation extra special. These resorts are premium because they offer:

• Close proximity to one or more parks. In the case of the Anima Kingdom Lodge, rooms literally
  

  Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms with views of the animals in their habitats.

  overlook the animals in their habitat. The Yacht Club and the Beach Club are a really quick walk right into the “backdoor” of Epcot, which is really convenient if you will be spending a lot of time in the World Showcase (like my family).

• Rooms are larger at 344-440 sq. feet.
• Sleeps 4-5 plus 1 infant under the age of 3 in a crib.
• Quick service dining. Full-menu room service available. Choices between casual dining restaurants, depending on resort. Character dining on-site at some resorts.
• In addition to bus services throughout Walt Disney World, there is also water launch service from some Resorts to varying destinations (i.e. the parks or other resorts). Monorail service from some Resorts to other Resorts or parks. Typically transportation to the parks from these Resorts is more frequent and faster.
  

  Grand lobby of the Yacht Club Resort

• Multiple pools, water slide, playgrounds. Bicycles and watercraft rentals (vary by Resort). Health Club available at most Deluxe Resorts.
• For travelers who consider a vacation an important luxury and are looking for extra services, recreation, dining options, and unique transportation.

In addition to Deluxe Resorts there are “Deluxe Villas” that offer non Disney Vacation Club members the opportunity to book spacious, homey vacation club accommodations that include special amenities. Villas are all the same as Deluxe but the following:

• Sleeps 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 or 12 plus 1 child under the age of 3 in a crib.
• Size varies by accommodation.
• Kitchen/kitchenettes available in rooms.
• Best for those who are traveling in a larger group and are looking for flexible accommodations with kitchen facilities.

Grassy area along the beach at the Contemporary Resort, a Deluxe Resort.

This post just scratches the surface in understanding the differences in each of the Walt Disney World Resorts. We hope to go into these different types of resorts in the future. As I’ve mentioned previously, planning a Walt Disney World vacation isn’t easy. Selecting a hotel is perhaps the most important part of your vacation planning and given that there are so many options, with so many price points (and varying price points between the categories), I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to discuss all of your options with a Disney-authorized travel agent.

Don’t forget to check out our first article in our Walt Disney World for Disneylanders series by clicking here to learn about the major differences between Disneyland and Walt Disney World.