Where do we stay when going to Disney?

Where do we stay when going to Disney?

There are more than 25 Disney Resort hotels in addition to the several other hotels on Disney property and a virtually unlimited number of accommodations outside of the property.  As with all other Disney topics, there could be books written on the subject, if they are not already.  So let’s go through the basic options.

First, what are the advantages of staying at a Disney Resort?  As a Disney Resort Guest, free parking is available at all parks and there is also free transportation offered to get you anywhere within Disney World that you would like to go.  Additionally, Disney Resort guests are allowed exclusive early access and/or late access to certain theme parks each day of the week.  Typically there is at least one park that  opens an hour early for resort guests or one park that stays open an extra 2 hours for resorts guests.  During busier times of the year, there are multiple parks that will offer either early or late magic hours each day.

Disney Resorts

Disney resorts are divided into categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.  Although each category offers several different resorts, the cost and types of amenities are similar within each category.

Value Resorts – These resorts are the most budget conscious.  The entrances to the room are from the outside, each resort has a food court, and there is one main bus stop.  Value resorts also tend to be further from the theme parks than the other categories

Resorts in this category are as followed: All-Star Music, Movies and Sports; Pop Century and the newest member of the resort family, Art of Animation.

Moderate Resorts– These resorts offer a little more.  The entrances to the room are from the outside, each resort has a food court and one sit down restaurant and there is one bus stop for each section of the resort.  The rooms are a little larger, and usually contain two queen beds.  The locations of the resorts are usually near resort activities (Disney Springs, Disney Boardwalk)

Resorts in this category are as followed: Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter; Coronado Springs; and Caribbean Beach.  Disney also includes the Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Deluxe Resorts– These resorts can be quite fancy and offer the best of accommodations.  The entrances to the room are from the inside, each resort has a quick service restaurant and one nice sit down restaurant. In addition to a bus stop for the resorts also have a boat or monorail directly to the nearest resort.  Each deluxe resort is also located next to one of the theme parks.  The rooms are a little larger, and contain two queen beds as well as bunk beds in some cases.  The rooms usually allow for up to 6 quests.

Resorts in this category are as followed: Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, the Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

Deluxe Villas – Rooms range from Studio Villas at 400 or so square feet to Grand Villas that can sleep up to 12 and are over 2,000 square feet.  Accommodations include at least 2 beds plus sleeper chairs and sofas.  Larger villas include multiple bed rooms.  A combination of Quick Service and nice Table Service restaurants Transportation varies depending on the resort, but boats, monorails and/or buses are available at all resorts.

Resorts in this category are as followed: Grand Floridian Villas, the Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, Wilderness Lodge Villas, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Inn Villas, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas.

Non-Disney Resorts on Disney Property

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels are very unique.  These hotels are not owned by the Walt Disney Company, but instead operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide under the Westin brand. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are the only Walt Disney World resorts to carry the Disney name and receive special Disney benefits, while not being fully owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company.  These are located on the Disney boardwalk and also provide Disney transportation via bus, or water taxi to Epcot and Hollywood Studio.

There are several resorts that are on Disney Property, but are not owned by Disney.  Many of these hotels are on Hotel Boulevard and offer transportation to the parks via their own transportation, but parking at the hotel comes at a fee.  Many of these hotels are located, directly across/down the street from Disney Springs.

Hotels on Hotel Boulevard: Double Tree Suites by Hilton, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, B Resort and Spa, Holiday Inn Orlando, Wyndham Lake Beuna Vista, Hilton Hotel Lake Buena Vista

In addition to the hotels on Hotel Boulevard, there are also 3 hotels/resorts at Bonnet Creek.  These hotels are extremely nice, on Disney property, and offer free transportation to the Disney theme parks.   All 3 hotels are very luxurious and are priced accordingly.  The three resorts are the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, The Hilton Bonnet Creek, and The Waldorf Astoria and Bonnet Creek.

One of the newest resorts on Disney Property is the Four Season Resort.  This resort includes a 5 acre waterpark as well as its own gold course.   Transportation to the Disney Parks is also included in with accommodations at the four seasons.  These are likely the one of the nicest accommodations on Disney grounds.

Off Property Resorts

There are really too many places off property to discuss, but there are more than enough to find exactly what you are looking for.  For large families are groups, many choose to rent houses for a week.  Houses usually have several bedrooms and keep sleep 8 to 12 people with the convenience of all the amenities you would have at home.  There are also several resort properties that include suites with multiple bedrooms.  What you lose in convenience when staying off property, you generally gain in the size of rooms and a much more affordable price.  Since there are so many different accommodations to choose from, the pricing can be very competitive.  Several resorts also offer great deals such as free breakfast, stay three nights and get one free, and free transportation to the parks.

The amount of accommodations available for a Disney trip is numerous.  There is definitely a place to fit your needs, whether you are concerned about price, convenience, or amenities.