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Understanding Resort Options

November 5, 2022 · In: Disney Planning, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resorts

Planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation is exciting, but can sometimes feel overwhelming if you don’t understand your options. One of the initial decisions you will need to make is to choose a resort. Every family places priority on various aspects of their vacation. Some prefer premium location, view, space, amenities,  etc., while others place priority on meals or days in the park. Listed below are resort options available within each category. Considering various pros and cons, one or two resorts will be highlighted giving you the biggest bang for your buck within that category.

Is space a priority?

Disney offers family suites, villas, and 5th sleeper rooms for larger families or families who desire extra space to spread out. Deluxe resorts do have suites available, but they typically come at a much steeper price point than a Deluxe Villa, Family Suite, or two connecting rooms.  Below you’ll find all options available, and details for the cheapest options for each category.

  • 5th Sleeper option:
    • All Deluxe Resorts except for Wilderness Lodge
    • Caribbean Beach
    • Port Orleans Riverside
  • Family Suites
    • All Star Music (currently being remodeled)
    • Art of Animation
    • Fort Wilderness Cabins
  • Deluxe Villas

Family Suites

Art of Animation: Best Location

  • 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, living room, & table/chairs. 2 double beds (Couch & Murphy bed) located in the living area. Sleeps 6 adults.
  • Located on the Skyliner
  • Only Value or Moderate with interior cooridor room access (only family suites).
  • Soft remodel to rooms occurred recently – updated bedding & took out all carpet
  • Bright Disney themed rooms, great for kids

All Star Music: Cheapest

  • Similar layout to Art of Animation
  • Cheaper than Art of Animation
  • Not located on Skyliner

Moderate- 5th Sleeper Options

Caribbean Beach

  • Skyliner hub – no changing gondolas, board to final destination from resort
  • Drink refill stations located at every building
  • Comprehensive remodel to lobby, dining, and food court completed in 2019

Families Larger than 6

2-bedroom villa at Old Key West (preferred location is best)

  • Over 1,300 sq. feet
  • Most cost efficient villa
  • Sleeps up to 9 people
  • 2 bedrooms,  spacious living area, full kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and laundry room
  • Transportation to parks and throughout resort can be time consuming due to the layout
  • Short walk or boat ride to Disney Springs

Two Connecting Hotel Rooms

  • Connecting rooms is request not guarantee
  • Sleeps 8-10 adults total
  • Cost efficient (typically less than a family suite)
  • Pop Century (right) or Caribbean Beach both provide Skyliner access

Location, Location, Location

Being “on property” is often misunderstood as being close to a park. While that is possible, Disney consists of 45 square miles of property. Many hotels require bus transportation to and from all parks. Understanding the location of your resort is a valuable tool in narrowing down the best option for your family.  While you will pay more for a premium location (saving you travel time to & from parks) it may be worth it to your family. Some resorts are within walking distance of parks, nightlife, shopping, restaurants, or specific transportation options.

Epcot Area Resorts

Epcot area resorts are all Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts. Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, and Boardwalk Villas resorts are located within a short walk or boat ride to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.

Yacht Club: 

  • Best price point of all Disney Epcot Area Resorts.
  • Rooms completely remodeled in 2019
  • Best pool on Disney property with a lazy river
  • Many excellent options for Table Service restaurants making more a wide variety of dining locations easily accessible.

Monorail Resorts

The Magic Kingdom resorts are all Deluxe resorts with Deluxe Villas. These Monorail Resorts consist of Contemporary (Bay Lake Tower), Polynesian (Polynesian Villas & Bungalows), & Grand Floridian (Villas) and are also connected to the Transportation and Ticket Center (Epcot).

Contemporary Resort:

  • Conveniently located on the monorail route and within walking distance of Magic Kingdom.
  • Excellent Quick Service restaurant (Contempo Cafe) overlooking Chef Mickey’s and monorail.
  • Many excellent options for Table Service restaurants making more a wide variety of dining locations easily accessible.
  • Nightly views of Happily Ever After
  • Nightly showing Electrical Water Pageant viewing

Skyliner Resorts

The Skyliner is a constantly moving gondola system, transporting guests to Hollywood Studios & Epcot.

Value, Moderate, Family Suites, & Deluxe Villas are all represented among the resort types allowing options for larger families as well as multiple price points.

  • Pop Century – Value (see above)
  • Art of Animation -Value (Family Suites, see above)
  • Caribbean Beach – Moderate (Skyliner Hub, see above)
  • Riviera – Deluxe Villas
    • Newest Disney property with direct transport to Epcot and a quick transfer to Hollywood Studios.
    • Excellent dining options

Preferred Rooms

Value and Moderate resorts offer preferred rooms that will come at a slightly higher price tag. They offer superior locations, putting guests closer to resort amenities and transportation.

  • All Star Resorts -Value 
  • Coronado Springs-Moderate 
    • Recently refurbished with new dining options added. 
    • Resort is very expansive and can take upwards of 20 minute walk from room to main lobby if you aren’t in a tower room or preferred room
  • Caribbean Beach-Moderate 
  • Port Orleans Riverside-Moderate 

Room Upgrades

While staying on Disney property is magical in itself, there are different room upgrades you can book that will add that little extra spark to really make your stay memorable. Whether it be over the top theming that will make your little one live like a princess or pirate for the week, a view that puts you on a Savanna in Africa or the ability to view fireworks from your hotel room, Disney offers a number of room enhancements that are definitely worth the added amount to the bottom line.

Savanna View

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge a Deluxe Resort located adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. It is a special resort all around but they really up the magic factor by offering Savanna View rooms.  These rooms have balcony’s with views on the Savanna located to the rear of the resort where you can see giraffe’s, zebras and antelope grazing below as you enjoy your morning coffee or evening cocktail!

  • Sleep up to 4 adults
  • Concierge/Club Level rooms at AKL offer Savanna View in addition to regular rooms.

Unique Theming

Disney is known for its theming and that doesn’t stop with the parks. Caribbean Beach has pirate themed rooms, Port Orleans Riverside has princess themed rooms and Art of Animation has family suites catered to your favorite Disney Movies!

  • Port Orleans Riverside (Moderate Resort)
    • Princess themed rooms
    • Sleep up to 5 adults with two queen beds and a child size pull down bed.
    • Decorated in line with Princess and the Frog and Princess Tiana
  • Art of Animation (Value Resorts, see top photo above)
    • Cars, Lion King and Finding Nemo family suites
    • Sleeps up to 6 adults
    • Two bathrooms, 1 master bedroom, Living room and kitchenette with mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker
    • Access to skyliner

By: Jennifer Hornsby · In: Disney Planning, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resorts · Tagged: 5th Sleeper, Location, Preferred location, Resort Upgrades, skyliner

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