We’ll Help You Find The Perfect RESORT Hotel For Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation

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If you’re considering a Disney World vacation, you’ve got a lot of decisions ahead of you. Once you’ve decided when to visit, the next most important decision most people will make is where to stay. There are so many reasons to choose a Disney Resort! With over 25 Disney Resorts Collection Hotels across several pricing and amenity tiers, making a selection may seem daunting. Don’t worry, the MouseHouseNews.net team is here to help!

Three Resort Hotel Categories

Disney Resorts can be divided into several categories. Generally speaking, accommodations can be classified as Disney Deluxe, Disney Moderate, and Disney Value Resorts. Given that information, the category of resort to book will likely come down to budget, availability, and desired amenities.

Mickey Mouse photo opp at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

At the same time, there are other nearby hotels that are considered “Good Neighbor Hotels”. These hotels also receive some of the same perks afforded to Disney Resort guests (like Early Theme Park Entry). However, for purposes of our discussion, we’re sticking to Disney-owned accommodations.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

In most cases, Disney Deluxe Resorts will be your most expensive option. Although these resorts have a higher price tag, they also boast the most benefits:

Disney’s Contemporary is close enough to walk to Magic Kingdom
  • Location – Most Disney Deluxe Resorts have outstanding locations close to theme parks. Some resorts are even within walking distance to one or more of them.
  • Transportation options – Most Disney Deluxe Resorts have complimentary Disney transportation beyond just the bus. Think options like boat, Skyliner, or monorail access, depending on your resort. The main exception is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which only has bus transportation.
  • Dining options – Deluxe Resorts are known to have multiple dining options on site. While every resort has at least a quick service, the Deluxe Resorts feature additional table service and lounge options.
  • Interior hallways – This may not be a make-or-break point for everyone. However, it can mean a quieter experience overall. It is also helpful when there is inclement weather, and you don’t want to brave the outdoor walk to your resort’s amenities.
  • Slightly larger rooms
It is nice to have a patio or balcony, especially if it has a water view!
  • Patio/balcony – Many deluxe rooms have patios or balconies with a couple of chairs and a table. Unfortunately, not all rooms feature outdoor space. We’ve compiled a list of some exceptions in our full article about why Disney Deluxe Resorts are different.
  • Extended Evening Hours – This Deluxe Resort-exclusive perk allows guests of these resorts to stay in a specific theme park on a select night for up to two hours after the park closes to everyone else.

List of Disney Deluxe Resorts

Here’s a list of Disney Deluxe Resorts. For our purposes, we’re not including Disney Deluxe Villas (also known as Disney Vacation Club properties) or properties that are not owned by Disney. However, Deluxe Villas and other select hotels (including Swan Hotel and Dolphin Hotel) receive many of the same perks mentioned above.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a deluxe resort

Disney Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Moderate Resorts land in the middle of the options we’re going to discuss today. As the name implies, they have “moderate” price tags. These resorts feature more amenities than the Value Resorts, but not as many as the Deluxe Resorts:

  • Some feature additional transportation options – Depending on your resort, you may have access to boat or Skyliner transportation in addition to Disney bus
  • Additional dining options – Along with at least one quick service location, these resorts also have one or more table service locations
Moderate resorts have additional dining options
  • Pools – Every Disney Resort has a main feature pool and at least one “quiet pool”. Since Moderate Resorts tend to be more spread out, each section typically has its own “quiet” pool. The exception is Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. That resort only has a feature pool; however, guests staying at French Quarter are welcome to visit neighboring Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and use the feature pool over there too.
  • Internal bus loop – This isn’t exactly an amenity (some say it’s a negative), but it’s worth noting. The sprawling nature of Moderate Resorts means that some rooms are not located as close to the main building as others. For that reason, each section has its own bus stop. The good news is that you won’t have to walk as far to get to the buses from your room. The bad news is that it can mean more time waiting (both at the bus stop and possibly on the bus itself). On a positive note, the buses can act as a shuttle of sorts if your room is far away from the amenities. Hop on the designated internal bus to avoid the walk to the main building!

List of Disney Moderate Resorts

Here’s a list of Disney Moderate Resorts:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a moderate resort

Disney Value Resorts

Disney Value Resorts may have less frills, but they feature the lowest price tag. This can make them extra appealing to budget-conscious visitors.

  • Colorful theming – One of the biggest advantages of Value Resorts is the colorful, often over-the-top theming. If you want to be reminded without a doubt that you’re in Disney World, the colorful characters surrounding you will do the trick!
Disney’s value resorts have giant-sized elements
  • Food Courts – Your only food option at Value Resorts is quick service. These resorts have quick service locations arranged like food courts with multiple food stations. Each resort also has a pool bar with a limited food menu.
  • Transportation – The main way most Value Resort guests will travel to all of the theme parks is by Disney bus transportation. However, if you’re staying at Art of Animation or Pop Century, you also have access to the Disney Skyliner for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, which is a complete game-changing advantage for these hotels. Skyliner access at a Value price? Yes, please!

List of Disney Value Resorts

Here’s a list of Disney Value Resorts:

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a value resort

MouseHouseNews.net Resort Reviews

The MouseHouseNews.net team has been working hard to present a collection of thorough, non-biased Disney Resort reviews. Our intent is to give our readers the information they need to choose the right Disney Resort for any type of trip. As of publication date, we have a number of written reviews on this blog including:

In addition to written reviews, we also have a number of full-length review videos on the MouseHouseNewsNet YouTube Channel. In those videos, we give viewers a full room tour along with showing resort amenities, dining, and more. We have additional reviews coming soon, so stay tuned!

A new series that we just debuted is “MouseHouseNews.net’s Disney Resorts Showdown”. We know our readers and viewers appreciate direct, honest information on the pros, cons, and differences among Disney Resorts. This new series provides condensed, high-level comparison videos so you can easily decide between two similar resorts based on some key aspects. Make sure you’re subscribed to the MouseHouseNewsNet Youtube Channel and hit the notification bell. You won’t want to miss this!

Planning Your Disney Resort Stay

If you’re about to plan your next Disney vacation and would like some assistance, click the button below to request a free Disney vacation quote from Marcus with Purely Luxe Vacations. He’ll help you navigate everything from start to finish.

With this in mind, MouseHouseNews.net has a wealth of resource to help with booking (and saving money on) your next Disney World vacation. Want more information on bounce back offers or split stays? We’ve got you covered on that too. Get ready to experience the magic of a Disney Resort. The fun starts immediately on your check-in day (and you don’t even have to visit a theme park). Stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net for all the tips, suggestions, and reviews you need to make your vacation even more magical. We’ll see you real soon!