Disney Hotels

Staying on site at Disney comes with some big advantages, many of which I have already discussed in other posts. First, you get to book your fast-passes 60 days out instead of 30 days. Those super popular rides often get snatched up before that 30 day mark so off-site guests have to either endure long lines or skip those attractions. Second, one of the parks either opens an hour early or stays open 2-3 hours late just for Disney hotel guests. Third, you can do without a rental car by using Disney's Magical Express to and from the airport and take advantage of their luggage service as well coming and going. Finally, you get magic bands, have free parking at the parks if you do have a car, have charging privelleges, and even have package delivery service.

So I have sold you on staying on property, now you have to decide where to stay! Disney has lots of options and they fall in to four main categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa. There is also an on-site campground if you prefer that. Here is a quick run-down of the different categories.

Value: These are the least expensive of the Disney hotels and they cater to families with little kids and groups. They are highly themed and there are five options - All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. While All Star Music and Art of Animation have family suites, most rooms are standard hotel/motel rooms with two double beds, a bathroom, and a small table and chairs. There will be several pools throughout the resort, a food court, and bus service to the parks. These hotels are best for families on a budget, families that won't be spending much time in the rooms, and families with little kids who will love the decor that many adults find a bit cheesy.  Art of Animation is the newest value resort and is themed to Disney classics like the Little Mermaid, Cars, and the Lion King. About half of all my bookings are at this hotel, either for the suites or the Little Mermaid standard rooms and everyone loves it! My favorite value is Pop Century. Across the lake from Art of Animation, it is all standard rooms which work fine for our crew of four when we are doing Disney on a budget. The rooms are clean and the food court and transportation have always been more than acceptable.

Pop Century has artifacts from different decades. This life-size twister board painted off the beaten path was a big hit with my little ones!

Moderate: These are mid-range hotels that have a little more grown up feel in decor and setting. Moderate resorts have slightly larger rooms with either two queens or a king (and some have an extra pull down or something for a smaller kid). The pools are slightly more elaborate than the values and have a slide. They all have large food courts but they also have a sit-down restaurant that is a bit fancier. The two Port Orleans resorts (French Quarter and Riverside) have a boat that takes guests to the Disney Springs downtown area and back. The Fort Wilderness Cabins (which are bigger than the other moderates with a small kitchen and sleep 6) has a boat that goes to Magic Kingdom, and the other two, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs, are served exclusively by bus. My favorite moderate by far is Port Orleans - French Quarter, Smaller than the other resorts, with boat service to Disney Springs, and set among Magnolia trees, it feels more grown up and relaxing than the other resorts in the value or moderate categories. We have had good stays at the other resorts in this category as well, although have never tried the cabins. I'll report in later this year when a client checks those out!

The trees and fountains at French-Quarter just make me happy!

Deluxe: These are generally the hotels you see in Disney TV commercials. They are beautiful, have rooms that fit 4-5, generally with 2 queens and sometimes a pull-down or bunk bed for kids in the room. The rooms also have balconies which is nice if you are relaxing while kids are napping! The pools are themed and have both slides and water play areas with spilling buckets, sprays, etc. There is generally a small quick-service food area and then several sit-down restaurants. These resorts tend to be a little closer to the parks. Three are on the Magic Kingdom monorail line (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary); Wilderness Lodge has boat service to the Magic Kingdom; Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club are within walking distance to Epcot or are a quick boat ride to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom Lodge doesn't have any special transportation options but you have the animals in your backyard! These hotels are really awesome and while I love all of them, my absolute favorite is Wilderness Lodge which is themed like a national park lodge out west. Complete with a geyser that erupts hourly and a waterfall, as well as two of my favorite restaurants on all of property (and favorite lounge for drinks and snacks by far!), it definitely has my heart!

Even during a summer thunderstorm, the view out the window of Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous. And for an amazing dinner, try Artist Point!

Deluxe Villa: Disney has a timeshare program called Disney Vacation Club. While Disney sells most shares, they keep about a 10% ownership in these resorts for regular guests. The rooms are either studios (similar to a Deluxe traditional hotel room but with an added kitchenette), or 1, 2, or 3-bedroom suites with kitchens. Generally Deluxe villas are located in one area of Disney deluxe resorts but there are two properties, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, both located on the Disney Springs boat route (and Saratoga is also walking distance to Disney Springs), that do not have traditional hotel rooms at all. The Deluxe Villas have everything the Deluxe hotels have - fancier pools, sit-down restaurants, balconies, more grown up decor, etc. For extended families hoping to all stay together, grabbing one of the 1-3 bedroom suites is often the best bet.

What hotel is your favorite or are you most eager to try? Do you have questions about any of the categories? Remember that whether you stay in a value room or 3-bedroom suite you get the advantages of staying on property so let me help you figure out the best fit for your crew and your budget!