Showing posts with label Disney Resort Hotels. Show all posts
How To Choose A Disney World Resort Hotel
With 26 different Resort Hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort, choosing which Disney Hotel to stay at can be the most difficult part of planning your magical vacation. This guide will walk you through your choices in order to help you make the best choice for you and your family.
Walt Disney World Resort Categories
Before we talk about how to choose, we need to describe the resorts. Disney World has broken down the 26 choices into 4 groupings: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, & Deluxe Villas.
As the category names imply, Disney offers a variety of price points and amenities to fit almost any family's needs and budget. From Value through Deluxe, Disney World still separates itself from other Orlando area hotels by bring the Disney theming, storytelling, and attention to detail to each Resort, making it unique.
Disney Resort Privileges
No matter which category of Disney World Resort you choose there are a number of privileges enjoyed by all Disney Resort guests:
• Free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) through Disney’s Magical Express Service.
Disney Resort Privileges
No matter which category of Disney World Resort you choose there are a number of privileges enjoyed by all Disney Resort guests:
• Free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) through Disney’s Magical Express Service.
• Access to MyDisneyExperience and MagicBands for pre-vacation planning and access to reserve attraction times with the FastPass+ System.
• Free Theme Park Parking (if you drove yourself.)
• Extended Park hours on certain days. This perk is called Extra Magic Hours and gives you access to the theme parks one hour early and up to 3 hours later than normal park hours.
• Free Disney World Transportation.
• Earlier access to Dining Reservations and other Reservations like Golf Tee Times.
• Extended Park hours on certain days. This perk is called Extra Magic Hours and gives you access to the theme parks one hour early and up to 3 hours later than normal park hours.
• Free Disney World Transportation.
• Earlier access to Dining Reservations and other Reservations like Golf Tee Times.
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| Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Map |
Disney
World Value Resorts
There are currently 5 Disney World Value Resorts to chose from:
There are currently 5 Disney World Value Resorts to chose from:
- All-Star Sports(14)
- All-Star Music(15)
- All-Star Movies(16)
- Disney's Pop Century Resort(25)
- Disney's Art of Animation Resort (26).
(Numbers in parenthesis refer to location on Disney World Resort Map shown above.)
The Value Resort rooms are priced as low as $96 per night during the lower
priced season and with discounts can be as low as $77 per night + tax. If
you are looking to stick to a budget, but still get all of the benefits of
staying on the Walt Disney World Property, this is the way to go.
The rooms are approximately 260 sqft, which is about the same size as a typical hotel room with most rooms configured with 2 double beds. They can accomodate up to 4 people.
The Value Resort rooms are decorated in bright colors and the Resorts have
oversized statues representative of the particular resort's theme. These
resorts work well for families with young children or people who do not plan on
spending a lot of time in their room.
The newest resort on Disney property is the Art of Animation Resort which is highly themed and has 1,120 Family Suites. This gives families that are either looking to stretch out, or have 5 or more members a great option other than booking two adjoining rooms.
I have personally stayed at the All-Star Sports, All-Star Music
Resorts, and Pop Century. I have also spent considerable time visiting the Art of Animation Resort. The Value Resorts are noisier than the other resorts and
feel more like typical hotel rooms. They work great when you really won't
be spending a lot of time in your hotel room anyway. You get all of the
benefits of being on Disney Property and are not treated any differently
because you are at a Value Resort.
Although all of them are great options to be able to stay on-property, I prefer the two newer Value Resorts: Pop Century and Art of Animation. They are more highly themed and they are more centrally located than the All-Star Resorts.
Disney World Moderate Resorts
There are 5 Disney World Moderate Resorts:
- Caribbean Beach Resort(8)
- Coronado Springs Resort(19)
- Port Orleans Riverside Resort(20)
- Port Orleans French Quarter Resort(21)
- Cabins at Ft. Wilderness (7) are also considered to be in the Moderate Class.
The Disney Moderate Resorts have the feeling of being at a "Resort" as opposed to staying in a hotel. Each Moderate Resort is a large sprawling campus with lush landscaping and themed water/pool areas.
The Disney Moderate Rooms are priced as low as $182 during the lowest priced seasons and with discounts can be as low as $136.50 + tax.
The larger sized rooms in the Moderate Resorts work well for families with older children and if you plan to spend more time at the pool and enjoying the resort. Each Moderate Resort (except French Quarter) also has a Table Service Restaurant in addition to a Food Court.
The addition of themed rooms have also made the Moderate Resorts a popular choice for families. You will find the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, while you will find Pirate Themed Rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.
I have personally enjoyed staying at all of these Resorts, but Port Orleans
Riverside is my personal
favorite with the beautiful landscaping and free boat ride to Downtown
Disney. When my kids
got older, I felt that the extra money to stay at the Moderate Resorts was well
worth it to get the extra space and nicer pool areas. Also upgrading to
Moderates also has benefits during FREE DINING season getting the Disney Dining
Plan instead of the Quick Service Dining Plan.
Disney World Deluxe Resorts
There are 8 Disney World Deluxe Resorts:
- Contemporary Resort(4)
- Animal Kingdom Lodge(17)
- Polynesian Resort(1)
- Grand Floridian Resort(2)
- Yacht Club Resort(11)
- Beach Club Resort(10)
- Boardwalk Inn(13)
- Wilderness Lodge(6).
As you get to the Disney Deluxe Resorts the resort theming and amenities increase along with the room size and the room prices.
To stay in a Disney Deluxe Resort you will pay from $319 per night and up. Discounts of 30% or more can be had to lower the amount spent.
When staying at the Disney Deluxe Resorts, you are receiving a highly themed experience. Each Resort is unique and can be considered a vacation destination unto itself. Each has themed pool areas, top notch dining experiences, and beautiful resort landscaping and theming. The rooms are larger at 344 sqft and up. The decorations and furniture in the rooms is noticeably nicer than the Moderate Resorts. Even the towels are noticeably better.
The Deluxe Resorts also have the premier locations nearest to the Disney World Theme Parks. The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian are on the Monorail line connecting them to the Magic Kingdom, while the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Inn are all within walking distance to Epcot.
I have personally stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Wilderness Lodge,and have spent extensive time visiting each of the Disney Deluxe Resorts. There is no bad choice here. Whether you stay in one of the monorail hotels, the Epcot Hotels, or one of the Super-Themed Resorts (Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge) each Deluxe Resort is a unique Disney Experience.
Disney World Deluxe Villas
There are currently 9 Disney World Deluxe Villas that you can stay at. These are also considered Disney Vacation Club Properties, but each can also be booked through Disney Reservations:
- Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House(17)
- Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village(17)
- Old Key West Resort(22)
- Boardwalk Villas(12)
- Beach Club Villas(9)
- Saratoga Springs Resort(23)
- Bay Lake Towers at the ContemporaryResort(3)
- Wilderness Lodge Villas(5)
- Grand Floridian Villas (2).
The Disney Vacation Club properties are meant to be "home away from home" type accommodations, so they are larger than more other room categories and have kitchen facilities that you will not find elsewhere.
Each Resort has its own personality ranging from the relaxing Old Key West to the adventurous Animal Kingdom Villas.
Even non-DVC members can rent these rooms through Disney Reservations. Often discounts are offered, especially at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. The larger rooms work well for larger families or families with high school age children.
I have personally stayed in all of the Disney World Deluxe Villas with the exception of the newly constructed Grand Floridian Villas. They all are wonderful and each adds a unique perspective to enjoy. Personal Favorites include Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas for an experience that you CANNOT get anywhere else, and Disney's Boardwalk Villas because of their close proximity to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Choose The Disney Resort That Fits Your Needs
There are 4 factors that should enter into your decision:
1. Cost
2. Space
3. Location
4. Amenities
For most people no one factor drives your decision, but rather a combination of all 4 factors based upon your individual preferences and how you like to spend your vacation.
1. Cost
2. Space
3. Location
4. Amenities
For most people no one factor drives your decision, but rather a combination of all 4 factors based upon your individual preferences and how you like to spend your vacation.
There are Disney Resorts to fit your budget and to fit your needs. Whether you just need a place to sleep while you spend long hours at the parks, or you are looking for a true resort experience, there is a Disney Resort for you.
I have found that different resorts fit needs for different trips. I have had enjoyable trips over the last 15 years in each of the classifications. One of the fun is having so many different places to stay, yet still be on Walt Disney World Resort property and get all of the resort benefits.
Although you are sure to develop favorites, don't forget to give some of the other great Disney Resorts a try
Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort: Get The Royal Treatment Courtesy Of Princess Tiana
Many people visit the Walt Disney World Resort to see the Disney Princesses and other royal characters, but now some guests can seek the Royal Treatment for themselves!
Royal Rooms At Disney's Port Orleans Riverside
Princess Tiana has been hard at work redesigning a section of rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort and has enlisted some of her friends to help. Although this is still considered a Moderate Resort, this special redesign has made these rooms a uniquely Disney experience.
The letter that Princess Tiana has left for guests reads as follows:
Welcome All,
We are so excited to have you stay with us.
My Friends and I have shared so many wonderful moments here that this has become a very special place in our hearts.
As you make yourself at home, you'll discover some treasured mementos my friends have given me over the years.
Enjoy making magical memories with you friends and family in my Royal Guest Room.
Your Friend,
Princess Tiana
Royal Theming Fit For A Prince or Princess
From the moment you enter one of the Royal Guest Rooms, you are surrounded by special touches that Princess Tiana (with a little help from the Disney Imagineers) has created. Everywhere you look, you will find a special touch.
Hanging on the wall is more than your typical hotel room art. You will notice that the pictures have the Port Orleans Resort as the backdrop for the Disney Princesses.
In the above pictures you will see four different locations of the resort serving as a backdrop for Princess Tiana and her royal friends.
Elsewhere in the room, you will find a multitude of magical touches from wood moldings to light fixtures and furniture. You will find a Royal coach adorned coat hook and a magical lamp shaped faucet.
The most magical surprise of all is contained in the special headboards for the royal beds. In addition to the wonderful scene depicted, you can also turn on the special lighting that makes it look like a special fireworks show is happening.
Disney Magic At A Moderate Price!
Disney's Port Orleans Resort is a Moderate Resort, but families will feel spoiled when they stay here. The grounds are lush and you truly get the relaxing feeling that you are transported to the grandeur of the South. The resort is broken into two distinct sections, the Alligator Bayou which has a rustic charm and the Mansion Side, where you will find the Royal Guest Rooms.The Royal Guest rooms can accommodate families of up to 4 people and are highly recommended!
Disney World Late Summer Resort Hotel Discounts Save Up To 30%
It's time to book your Late Summer Disney World Vacation now in order to take advantage of the great savings of up to 30% on Disney World Resort Hotel Rooms.
For stays during most nights from August 15 - September 15, 2012 you can grab these savings if you book before August 14, 2012.
Here are the details on the Discounts that are available through this offer:
- Save up to 20% at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort
- Save up to 25% at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins
- Save up to 30% at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk, Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort (standard view), Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney's Old Key West Resort
No package purchase is required to get this discount, but you may add Disney World Theme Park Tickets and Disney Dining Plans if desired.
Book Your Disney Vacation Now!
To take advantage of this great offer or to get more information contact: Only WDWorld Travel.
- Phone: 336-899-7943
- Email: info@OnlyWDWorldTravel.com
- Website: www.OnlyWDWorldTravel.com
Remember Only WDWorld Travel does not charge for providing a vacation quote and customers receive FREE Vacation planning help including Dining Recommendations and reservations, theme park planning advice, and much more. Let the people that know Disney World from firsthand experience help you take your best Disney Vacation ever!
Bay Lake Tower At Disney's Contemporary Resort
Staying true to the design elements of Disney's Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower takes that "contemporary" feel and applies it to the design of the rooms and amenities for the new hotel.
What sets Bay Lake Tower apart from the other Disney Vacation Club Resorts is Location, Location, Location. You are right next to the original Disney World Theme Park and have both walking access and monorail access to the Magic Kingdom. Along with the close proximately comes some incredible views.
The pictures shown above and below are taken from the 12th floor of Bay Lake Tower. The above picture is from the exit to the elevator, while the ones below are taken from a Magic Kingdom View Studio.
The views get even better as you move on to night time. There is nothing like seeing the Magic Kingdom at night. It takes on a whole new persona.
Top Of The World Lounge
At the top of Bay Lake Tower is the exclusive Top Of The World Lounge that is only accessible by Disney Vacation Club members that are staying at Bay Lake Tower.
The inside of the glass walled lounge follows the theming of the Contemporary Resort and offers a full bar and a limited appetizer type food menu.
Bay Lake Tower Amenities
Like all Disney Vacation Club Resorts, Bay Lake Tower also has great amenitiess like a feature pool with slide, microwave and mini refrigerator in the studios and full kitchen in the larger rooms. There is also a Community Hall where you can go for fun activities or just pick out a DVD to take back to your room to watch for FREE.
Quick Review Of Bay Lake Tower
Bay Lake Tower is a beautiful Resort Hotel. You check in at the main desk of the Contemporary Resort and then head to the self contained Bay Lake Tower. It is connected to the Contemporary Resort by covered Walkway.
The rooms are beautiful and the furnishings fit well with the Contemporary theme. The studio felt cozy compared to other Disney Vacation Club Resort Studios, but it still fit my family of 4.
This may sound funny, but one of the comments I had after leaving was that it did not feel as "homey" as the other DVC Resorts. Then again it is "Contemporary," and "homey" was not quite the look that they were going for.
If you plan on spending a good part of your vacation visiting the Magic Kingdom there is no better place to be. It is a wonderful convenience to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom and even better to be able to walk back to the Resort at the end of the night instead of waiting on a bus. This also makes it incredibly convenient if you are planning to dine at one or more of the great restaurants located at the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort, or the Grand Floridian Resort.
At the end of my stay I would definitely have to say that I enjoyed staying at this beautiful resort with the incredible views. With that said, it did not become one of my favorite Disney resorts. The contemporary styling did not fit as much with the relaxing style that I personally look for on vacation. There are several other Disney World Resorts that I have enjoyed better.
