Walt Disney World Resort Categories: Selecting a Resort on Walt Disney World Property

Staying on Disney property is certainly my top recommendation for your Disney vacation. There are SO many resorts (more than 25!) to choose from, so how do you go about selecting a resort on Walt Disney World property that is best for your family? Let’s break it down!

Understanding Your Priorities When Selecting a Resort on Walt Disney World Property

Before we dive into resort categories, you need to consider your vacation priorities. Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• Budget: Walt Disney World caters to a range of budgets. Value Resorts offer the most affordable option, while Deluxe Resorts provide the ultimate in luxury.
• Travel Style: Are you a family with young children seeking a lively atmosphere? Or a couple looking for a romantic escape? Each resort category caters to different travel styles.
• Desired Amenities: Do you crave a pool with a waterslide? Or a resort with exceptional dining options? Knowing your desired amenities will help narrow down your choices.
• Theme Preference: Do you have a favorite Disney movie or theme? Many resorts boast immersive theming that can elevate your entire vacation.

Walt Disney World Resort Categories

Disney separates its resorts into four categories or types – value, moderate, deluxe, and villas. The villas are usually part of the Disney Vacation Club, but can also be booked with cash. Pricing usually follows this model as it sounds – value is a better price per night as compared to deluxe. The same goes for features onsite and the availability of certain amenities. Let’s do a quick breakdown of the Walt Disney World resort categories!

Walt Disney World Value Resorts

The bulk of rooms in this category are standard and approximately 260 square feet. There is a basic bath setup (sink often in the open with the toilet and shower/tub in a separate room) and bedding could be two doubles, two queens, or a king.

Some rooms in this category are family suites coming in at approximately 520 square feet. They have a similar set up as a standard room but double the baths and add in some convertible sleeping options and are a higher price than the standard rooms.

Views can differ from parking areas and wooded areas to swimming pools – and naturally, the better the view, the higher the price. These resorts typically have outdoor hallways to access the rooms. Speaking of swimming pools, the pools here are typically themed and some are interactive, but here’s your warning – there are no slides! Other forms of recreation can be limited – think poolside games, a playground, and an occasional movie outside at night. Dining options are slim too with your only options being a food court and a pool bar. Finally, transportation provided by Disney (a perk of staying onsite!) will usually be via bus.

The exceptions to this are the Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century Resort, which recently were added to the somewhat new Skyliner route to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Includes: All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.

Personal Pick: Pop Century is my favorite Value resort. The rooms are great and I love the Skyliner access!

More details about Disney’s Pop Century Resort are in my guide!

Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts

Standard rooms in this category are in the 300 square foot range with a similar bath set up as a value resort, but maybe an additional sink. Two queen beds or one king is the standard, but there might be a spot for a potential fifth person (otherwise four people is the max). Views are similar as well but throw in the possibility of a room facing/near a natural body of water.

Pools, other recreation, and dining options are a little more robust with the addition of “quiet pools,” water recreation, bikes, at least one table service restaurant, and a lounge. Transportation here is typically bus as well, but there might be a boat service from some resorts to Disney Springs.

Includes: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Personal Pick: Port Orleans French Quarter is one of our favorite resorts on property and definitely my top pick in the moderate category. This is the smallest resort so things are not as spread out as some other properties. POFQ offers great food and drink options, plus a boat to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort has Royal Rooms fit for a princess – check them out!

Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts

There are a variety of rooms and sizes here. We’re talking anywhere from 344 to 440 square feet. The bath situation can vary too and includes what you’ll find in a moderate, but probably in a different configuration for some more privacy. If the room is larger, there might be several baths. Bedding configuration is like a moderate property. However, it’s the views, recreation, dining, and transportation that sets a deluxe resort apart. Pools will have slides, hot tubs, or other water features. Spa services might even be available at select resorts. There are more restaurants to choose from onsite. Lastly, these resorts are typically in close proximity to a park (very attractive to some guests), so transportation options open up. Buses, Skyliner, and boats could still be available, but add walking and Monorails to the list.

Includes: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village, Riviera, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club.

Personal Pick: I really love the BoardWalk area for a variety of dining and entertainment options, as well as the easy access to the Skyliner. My top pick for the Deluxe Resort category is Beach Club for the location and the Stormalong Bay Pool.

Walt Disney World Deluxe Villas

We’ll keep things simple here. Villas are a part of the Disney Vacation Club program but can be booked for cash. Villas can be found at some deluxe properties, but there are also three that are dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. Rooms are villa-style with more amenities and can range from a studio all the way to a three bedroom. Bath and bed configuration can vary by room size, but everything else is similar to a deluxe property.

Includes: Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Villas at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Personal Pick: Riviera Resort is absolutely gorgeous! There are so many great dining options here, including the best character meal on property and a cute little coffee shop. This is our Disney Vacation Club (DVC) home resort.

Finding Your Perfect Disney Resort Fit

• Value Seekers with Young Children: Value Resorts deliver classic Disney experiences at an affordable price. Family suites at some Value Resorts offer extra space for families with young children.
• Comfort and Fun for the Whole Family: Moderate Resorts provide a fantastic balance between affordability and amenities. Theming, moderate pool areas, and more dining options make these resorts perfect for families of all ages.
• Unforgettable Luxury: Deluxe Resorts cater to those who want it all – spacious rooms, exceptional service, world-class dining, and meticulously themed environments. These resorts are ideal for couples or families seeking an indulgent Disney experience.
• Home Away From Home with Flexibility: Disney Vacation Club Villas offer the space and amenities of a home with the convenience of being on Disney property. Perfect for larger families or groups who appreciate the ability to prepare meals and spread out.

Other Things to Consider When Selecting a Resort on Walt Disney World Property

• Theme: Many resorts boast immersive theming that can elevate your entire vacation. For example, savanna rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge let you wake up and view African animals from your balcony, while Disney’s Art of Animation Resort surrounds you with beloved Disney characters.
• Transportation: Disney World offers complimentary transportation throughout the property via buses, boats, Monorail, or the Skyliner gondola system. However, some resorts offer unique advantages. For instance, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort features a monorail stop, granting easy access to Magic Kingdom. Consider which theme parks you plan to visit most and choose a resort with convenient transportation options.
• Proximity to Specific Parks: Do you have a favorite park? Some resorts are situated closer to specific parks, offering a convenient walking distance or boat transportation. For instance, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom or you can walk to EPCOT’S International Gateway entrance from the Beach Club Resort.
• Dining Options: Disney World boasts a vast array of dining experiences. While all resorts offer a variety of options, some Deluxe and Moderate Resorts feature signature restaurants with world-class cuisine. If you’re a foodie, consider a resort with exceptional dining choices.
• Resort Time: Think about how much time you are planning to spend at your resort. Are you going to have some rest days to enjoy the amenities or come back for mid-day breaks? Or will you be gone from park open to park close?

Ultimately, the key is to align your resort choice with your vacation goals and budget. Whether you’re exploring the parks from sunrise to sunset or indulging in a leisurely getaway, the right resort will serve as your sanctuary and complement your Disney adventure in every way possible.

Need help planning your trip? Fill out my quote form and I can help take the stress out of planning and handle everything for you, at no cost to you as an affiliate of Academy Travel.

With the breakdown above and these tips, you are on your way to selecting the resort on Walt Disney World property that is perfect for your next vacation! You can view all of the Walt Disney World resorts here for more specific information.