Top 6 Q & A About Disney World Resorts

If you think Walt Disney World’s theme parks are extraordinary, try staying at one of their over twenty-five unique Disney Resorts! Disney pulls out all the stops, allowing the magic to continue from the theme park to your resort stay. If this is your first stay at a Disney World Resort, your excitement is likely matched with a few questions. Let these top questions and answers regarding Disney World Resorts be your guide!

1 – What are the “perks” for being a Disney Resort guest?

The perks are our favorite part about staying at Disney Resorts! A few of our favorite perks include:

• Early entry to parks.
• Complimentary Transportation to and from theme parks.
• Complimentary parking at the theme parks and Disney Springs.
• Disney Dining Plans (Watch for FREE dining packages!)
• Advanced Dining Reservations (60-days as with all guests – but with an additional 10-days based on length of resort stay)
• Advanced Lighting Lane bookings (7 days instead of 3 for the entire length of stay)
• Extraordinary Theming (Disney has all themes covered)
• Coming in 2025 – Free admission to a Disney Water Park on arrival day (for arrivals January 1-December 31, 2025).

2 – What do the Resort Categories Mean?

To make your Disney Resort selection easier, Disney breaks their resorts down into a few main categories. This simply means that no matter your budget or family needs, reviewing these categories can help you decide which resort works best for you! Here are the different categories, the resorts they include, and what that typically means regarding pricing.

• DELUXE VILLAS (Known as “Disney Vacation Club Resorts”)
  • Resorts Include – Disney’s Rivera Resort, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian Villas, Animal Kingdom Kidani Village and Jambo House Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Villas, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
  • Expect – Convivences of home and rooms for larger parties. To stay at one of these resorts, you don’t have to be a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member.
• DELUXE:
  • Resorts Include – Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Contemporary, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn
  • Expect – Highly themed getaways with great theming and amenities.
• MODERATE:
  • Resorts Include – Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Cabins at Fort Wilderness
  • Expect – The perfect combination of lush themes and value.
• VALUE:
  • Resorts Include – Pop Century, All-Star Music/Movies/Sports, and Art of Animation
  • Expect – Affordable comfort and convenience for families on the go.
• CAMPGROUND:
  • Resorts Include – Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
  • Expect – Sleeping under the stars with the benefits of Disney Resorts.
• SELECT HOTELS:
  • Resorts Include – Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Disney World Swan Hotel
  • Expect – Hotels featuring modern architecture and artwork.

3 – What “area” should I stay in?

The Disney World property is large! Disney also categorizes their resorts by location outside the categories listed above. The five main resort locations include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Disney Springs. These resort locations simply mean that the resorts in each category are located very close to the titled area. For example, if you stay at a Magic Kingdom resort such as the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian, you can expect to have easy access to Magic Kingdom. This is another tool to help guests decide which area they prefer to stay in while visiting Disney World.

4 – What makes the Disney Resort amenities and recreation any better than off-site hotels?

Disney Resorts are overflowing with amenities and recreations that will likely keep you and your family happy without stepping foot in a theme park! Golf fan? You’ll want to check out Saratoga Springs or Old Key West resort golf courses. Love swimming and waterslides? Art of Animation has the largest, most spectacular pool out of all the resorts! Ready to enjoy the spa? It doesn’t get much better than Senses Spa at Grand Floridian. Plus, let’s not forget about the different resort arcades, outdoor trails, volleyball/tennis, boat rides, bike rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, Movies Under the Stars, and even s’mores by the fire! Endless activities from your Disney Resort home away from home!

5 – Are the Disney Resort restaurants any good?

We can honestly say yes! From a Value Resort quick-service restaurant to a fine dining Deluxe Resort restaurant, we can say we’ve been pleased with both the variety of menu items and taste. Some of our favorite Disney World restaurants are actually at the Disney Resorts. Try Olivia’s Café at Old Key West Resort!

6 – Does “the magic” really carry through from the theme parks to the Disney Resorts?

Absolutely! Whether we’ve stayed at a Value Resort or a Deluxe Resort, we are treated as incredibly as we would expect with Disney’s paramount Guest Services. You can expect Cast Members to impress in every area, from Front Desk to “Mouse” keeping. Bottom line: You can expect the best when staying at a Disney World Resort.