Where Dreams Rest: Exploring Different Walt Disney World Hotel Categories
Need a little guidance when it comes to Disney World Hotel Categories? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve outlined the various hotel categories for Walt Disney World Resort properties!
A visit to Walt Disney World is more than just a trip; it’s an immersive journey into a world of magic and wonder. To enhance your experience, choosing the right accommodation is crucial.
With a range of hotel categories catering to various preferences and budgets, you can find the perfect home away from home during your Disney adventure. In this guide, we’ll take you through the different Walt Disney World hotel categories, helping you make an informed decision that complements your dream vacation.
The Different Walt Disney World Hotel Categories
Value Resorts (Value for Disney!)
Ideal for budget-conscious travelers who still want a dash of Disney magic, Value Resorts offer whimsical theming and family-friendly amenities. With larger-than-life icons and playful decor, resorts like Disney’s All Stars Resorts and Pop Century Resort create an immersive environment that resonates with Disney’s signature charm. While rooms may be slightly smaller (about 260 square feet), Value Resorts provide a vibrant and energetic atmosphere that’s perfect for families on the go. Value resorts feature quick service food options only.
Disney’s Art of Animation, the latest addition to the Value Resorts family, is considered a Value+ Resort. It opened in 2012 and boasts family rooms with a small kitchenette, 2 full bathrooms and can accommodate up to 6 guests. Located on the Disney Skyliner route (like the Pop Century), it provides fun ways to go to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
In 2021, Disney All Star Music resort also underwent renovations to include refurbished family rooms similar to the ones available at Disney’s Art of Animation.
All Disney Resorts can take advantage of a 30 minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day.
Pros
- More reasonable price (still expensive)
- Stay in the magic
- All Disney rooms are extremely clean
- Good transportation options to the parks (mostly buses)
- Vibrant colors
- Early Theme Park Entry
Cons
- Less services than other Disney Resorts
- No sit down restaurants
- Standard quality for an expensive price tag
- Can get very busy
Moderate Resorts
Balancing affordability and comfort, Disney’s Moderate Resorts provide a relaxed atmosphere with unique theming. From the Caribbean-inspired flair of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to the rustic charm of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, these accommodations offer well-appointed rooms, casual dining options, and a touch of Disney magic without breaking the bank. The rooms tend to be a little bigger (314 square feet). They feature more dining options than the value resorts, and the theming is a little more subtle and detailed.
It’s worth mentioning that some moderate resorts are so vast that they feature bus routes to go from one place to another on the hotel complex, meaning you may need to take a bus to go to your hotel bus station to wait for the bus to go to the park, which can add considerable time. Some resorts, like Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, is on the Disney Skyliner route, which provides fun ways to go to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Port Orleans, for example, offers a boat ride to go to Disney Springs.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a hotel in this category worth mentioning because this hotel can be considered more like a Deluxe Resort at a Moderate Resort price. Used for conventions, this hotel boasts many dining options and amenities very similar to the Deluxe Resorts.
Pros
- Reasonable price (still expensive)
- Stay in the magic
- All Disney rooms are extremely clean
- Good transportation options to the park (mostly buses)
- Detailed theming
- Early Theme Park Entry
Cons
- Transportation can take long if you are in a room furthest from the bus stop
- Standard quality for an expensive price tag
Deluxe Resorts
Immerse yourself in luxury and enchantment at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. These opulent accommodations offer top-notch amenities, exquisite dining options, and proximity to the theme parks. From the elegant Victorian charm of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the African-inspired adventure of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Deluxe Resorts provide an unparalleled level of comfort, service, and theming that transports you to a world of indulgence.
The rooms are larger (344 square feet minimum), and the theming is intricate. Dining options are vast and most feature a spa. Deluxe Resorts allow guests to use many different transportation options, from the Monorail, Skyliner, ferries and buses – all depending on where they are.
You can watch Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks from the Grand Floridian or Contemporary Resort. You can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from the Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn (all 3 are located around the Disney Boardwalk, which features restaurants, night clubs and shops).
One of the main pros when staying at a Deluxe Resort is the possibility to take part in Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, only available to Deluxe Resort guests.
Walt Disney World’s Dolphin and Swan Resorts are worth mentioning. Both located on the Disney Boardwalk but operated by Marriot, they offer the same transportation possibilities as the Disney Boardwalk Resorts at a more reasonable price. They are considered Deluxe Resorts and provide the exact same amenities (down to the Extended Evening Theme Park hours).
Pros
- Rooms are usually larger (344 square feet minimum)
- Great dining options
- Great transportation options
- Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
- Intricate theming
- Early Theme Park Entry
Cons
- Very expensive
- May not be as fun for small kids
Deluxe Villas
For larger groups or families seeking extra space, Disney’s Deluxe Villas are an excellent choice. These accommodations offer the comforts of home, including full kitchens and separate living areas, along with access to resort amenities. With options ranging from beachfront escapes to rustic cabins, Deluxe Villas combine the convenience of a vacation home with the magic of a Disney getaway.
Disney’s Deluxe Villas are part of most Disney Deluxe Resorts. The rooms are incredible, but the price tag is very steep. They cater first and foremost to the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, but it is possible to rent rooms as a regular guest, if your wallet is deep enough. There is a way to rent DVC points via agencies to stay there at a cheaper price, and we can help you learn more on this topic if you would like.
Pros
- Amazing and spacious rooms
- Amenities
- Great dining options
- Great transportation options
- Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
- Intricate theming
- Early Theme Park Entry
Cons
- Very, very expensive.
Campgrounds and Cabins
For a unique experience that brings you closer to nature, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers campgrounds and cabins. Campsites accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers, while cabins provide a rustic retreat with modern conveniences. Enjoy outdoor activities, horseback riding, and the camaraderie of a campfire sing-along, all while staying within the magical realm of Walt Disney World.
Important Considerations
While staying at a Disney Resort allows you to stay in the magic, there are many different options available to guests from other hotel chains that can still be considered staying “on site” and still offer the Early Theme Park Entry option available to Disney Resort guests. Those hotels are located within the confines of the Walt Disney Resort and offer many transportation options just like the Disney Resorts, but most come at a cheaper price.
There are also other Resorts and Hotels available just outside of the Walt Disney World Resort, often with many transportation options and located a short distance away (often less than a 15 min drive). Most of those resorts feature great pools and options for little ones, and more amenities like full size kitchens at a much more reasonable price.
Selecting the right hotel category for your Walt Disney World vacation is an essential step in curating the perfect getaway. Whether you’re indulging in the luxurious amenities of Deluxe Resorts, embracing the convenience of Moderate options, delighting in the whimsy of Value Resorts, or seeking a rustic experience at Fort Wilderness, there’s a lodging choice that suits your preferences and budget. Each category offers a unique blend of comfort, theming, and Disney magic, ensuring that your stay is as memorable as your adventures within the parks. Whichever category you choose, you’re in for a stay that promises dreams, enchantment, and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
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