Walt Disney World Resorts 

The resort (and park tickets) will be your largest expense on your Walt Disney World vacation. Prices vary by time of year, the more popular travel dates are the most expensive (think holidays & summer). There are over 25 resorts at Disney World Resorts which are classified in 4 categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe & Deluxe Villas. 

Guests who stay at a Disney Resort enjoy these amenities:

• Early Theme Park Entry - enter the parks 30 minutes before non-resort guests.

• Free parking a the theme parks.

• Free Disney Transportation to the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

• Extended Evening Hours -stay late at some parks on select nights (Deluxe Resort guests only).

• Disney Genie+ Reservations starting at 7 a.m. (non-resort guests must wait until the park opens)

• Discounted MagicBands - Colorful/Themed wristbands that unlock your room, act as your park ticket & FastPass,  and charge your purchases.

• Charge purchases to your room using a MagicBand.

• Refillable drink mug for $21.99 - good for the length of your stay and allows refills of soft drinks, tea, and coffee at any Disney resort. 

Booking Options

You can book a resort as part of a package with tickets, or book a resort by itself. 

Resort Categories

Value Resorts are the least expensive and perfect for those looking to travel on a budget. Budget-friendly does not mean you'll be missing out - These resorts have larger-than-life Disney Characters and colorful, vibrant themes that are perfect for small travelers.

The Value Resorts are: 

• All-Star Movies 

• All-Star Music

• All-Star Sports

• Art of Animation 

• Pop Century Resort

At Value resorts, guests can expect:

• Rooms that open to the outside instead of a central building.

• Refurbished Rooms with 1 queen bed, 1 queen murphy style bed - which doubles as a table during the day, hard flooring.

• Options for a themed room such as the Little Mermaid room at Art of Animation (double beds).

• Central Pool area with family friendly water features and Disney theming (no waterslides).

• Food Court Dining with a range of options and drink refill stations.

• Bus transportation to all parks + Disney Springs. 

• Art of Animation and Pop Century have the Skyliner Gondola for transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

The hidden gem of the Value Resort category are the Family Suites available at Art of Animation and All-Star Music. For around the price of a moderate hotel, you can stay in a Family Suite that sleeps 6, with a living room, kitchenette, 2 bathrooms and a separate bedroom.

Moderate Resorts are median priced (for Disney) and have slightly larger room sizes with more adult landscaping and theming. These resorts have plenty of Disney touches but are designed to evoke a sense that you've traveled to a different place and time. 

The Moderate Resorts are:

• Caribbean Beach 

• Coronado Springs

• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds

• Port Orleans - French Quarter

• Port Orleans - Riverside

At Moderate resorts, guests can expect:

• Queen beds with some rooms sleeping 5 (2 queens + a twin pull down)

• Rooms that open to the outside + A selection of view categories (lake, pool, standard, etc.)

• Themed room options such as Pirate Rooms at Caribbean Beach or Royal Rooms at Port Orleans -Riverside.

• Large pool area with waterslides + Quiet pools located near guest rooms (except Port Orleans - French Quarter)

• Food Court and Table Service dining.

• Bus Transportation to the parks.

• Port Orleans offers boat transportation to Disney Springs.

• Caribbean Beach offers the Skyliner Gondola to Epcot and Hollywood studios. 

The Cabins at Ft. Wilderness deserve a special mention in the moderate category. These cabins are found at Ft. Wilderness campground, sleep 6, have a kitchen and living room. There is boat transportation to Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe Resort) and Magic Kingdom. These cabins are being reimagined in 2024, as part of the Disney Vacation Club. 

Deluxe Resorts are 5-star accommodations with luxurious theming and extra amenities. Deluxe resorts are located near the parks for easier/quicker access and offer a variety of transportation options such as boat, ferry, and monorail and even walking distance to some parks. Each deluxe resort features unrivalled theming and hospitality. Even if you don't stay at a deluxe resort, you will most likely have a dinner reservation or two at these resorts.

The Deluxe Resorts are:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge

• Beach Club 

• Boardwalk Inn

• Contemporary

• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Polynesian Village Resort

• Wilderness Lodge

• Yacht Club

At Deluxe Resorts, guests can expect:

• King or Queen beds, with some rooms sleeping 5.

• Internal rooms accessed from inside the resorts.

• Some of the best pools on Disney property with waterslides.

• Food Court, Table Service, and Character Dining.

• Gyms, salons, spas

• Valet Parking

• Bus transportation to parks.

• Beach Club, Boardwalk, & Yacht Club are walking distance to Epcot and a boat ride to Hollywood Studios or Epcot. You can also walk to the Skyliner station at Epcot for easy transportation to the other resorts along the Skyliner. 

• Contemporary, Grand Floridian, & Polynesian are on the Monorail line for easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. 

• Contemporary and Grand Floridian are walking distance to Magic Kingdom. 

• Grand Floridian , Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge offer boat transportation to Magic Kingdom.

Deluxe Villa Resorts are primarily designed for Disney Vacation Club, Disney's timeshare program. While Vacation Club members have priority to book these rooms, there are some rooms available for non-members to book as any other resort room.

Many of the Deluxe Villas are in the same location as a Deluxe Resort and share the same amenities. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Riviera Resort are exclusively Deluxe Villa properties. These resorts have the highest price tag but offer spacious rooms with full kitchens and laundry.

The Deluxe Villa Resorts are:

• Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House

• Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village

• Bay Lake Tower

• Beach Club Villas

• Boardwalk Villas

• Boulder Ridge Villas

• Copper Creek Cabins & Villas

• Old Key West 

• Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

• Riviera Resort

• Saratoga Springs

• The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

At Deluxe Villa Resorts, guests can expect: 

• Studio rooms with 1 queen bed, sleeper sofa or murphy bed.

• 1, 2, or 3 bedroom villas with  a full kitchen, dining area, washer/dryer, jacuzzi tub, and a ton of space.

• Copper Creek offers water-front cabins. 

• Polynesian offers over-the-water bungalows.

• Saratoga Springs offers Treehouse Villas