There are a ton of amazing Walt Disney World Resorts to choose from, so many that Disney had to divide them into categories, with Value Resorts being the cheapest with the smallest rooms and fewest ameneties, and the Moderate Resorts have larger rooms and more on site ameneties, and then there’s the Deluxe Resorts, which are the largest, fanciest Resorts with – you guessed it – the largest price tag too. So why would you pick a Deluxe Resort over WDW’s cheaper Resorts?
Well, here are some reasons:
More Space: The rooms at WDW Deluxe Resorts are biggest and most luxurious on WDW property – some of them are so beautiful that you may never want to leave (which would be ok, because room service and concierge service is also available at several of these resorts). All standard Deluxe rooms come with two queen or 1 king size bed, and ample sink and bathroom space for you and your family to spread out. Plus, there are plenty of different room choices as many Resorts offer Garden or Water views with balconies, and some also have suites available. If you’re traveling with your family, the larger rooms and suite options that the Deluxe Resorts offer would be perfect for you.
Food Galore: One thing about WDW is – you won’t go hungry, as all Resorts offer some form of dining option. For the Value Resorts, it’s a food court type of arrangement, at the Moderate Resorts you will find a similar setup but additionally they each have a sit down restaurant, but the Deluxe Resorts is where Disney Dining really shines through – as they all offer counter service and table service dining options, and most offer some form of buffet, Character, or Signature/Fine dining as well. For example, guests staying at WDW’s Grand Floridian Resort can grab a quick bite at one of two pool bars or the Gasparilla Grill, have a casual sit down meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe, enjoy a buffet complete with characters at 1900 Park Fare, or have a more upscale meal at Citricos, Narcoossee’s, or Victoria And Albert’s – all of which are highly rated restaurants that serve up a menu of fresh, innovative and delicious dishes. And if none of those sound good, you can always have afternoon tea at the Garden View Tea Room, or order off the 24 hour room service menu. And that is all just from ONE Deluxe Resort! Check out the Resort Dining Information for more information on exactly what kinds of food you can expect to find at these Resorts
Fancy Surroundings: One of the best things about the Deluxe Resorts is that once you walk in the door, you feel welcome, at home, and best of all – you can feel the “deluxe-ness” in your surroundings – the lobbies are intricately decorated and themed, and that theming carries on throughout the whole Resort, from the landscaping to the walkways, hallways pool areas and lounges, you really get that Disney worked extra hard to make these Deluxe Resorts a step above the rest, and it is reassuring to know that you are spending your money on the best WDW Resort accomodations money can buy!
Enjoy The Finer Things: Paying more money means having more conveniences right at your fingertips, and the WDW Deluxe Resorts are proof of this, with amenities like full service restaurants, room service, luggage service, valet parking, beach access, on-site recreation options, on-site childcare, and the nicest swimming pools on WDW property. These are just some of the things you can expect from these Resort Hotels, and almost anything else you can think of, they can do too (all you have to do is ask!)
You Can Shop Till You Drop: All WDW Resort Hotels have a gift shop where you can purchase the requisite sunscreen/stuffed animals/Mickey T Shirts, etc, but the Deluxe Resorts offer larger shops with a wider variety of merchandise than the Moderate or Value Resorts, and many of the Deluxe Resorts offer multiple specialty shops in addition to your standard gift shops (like clothing boutiques, art stores, and specialty pin shops). My personal favorite place to shop at the Deluxe Resorts is the Zawadi Marketplace at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – it’s a huge store that is filled with unique treasures and gifts like African musical insturments and animal print clothing and hand carved masks. But hey if you’re just looking to get a Mickey T Shirt – don’t worry, don’t worry – they have that too!
Transportation Made Easy: One of the major perks of staying on WDW property is getting to utilize the Disney Transportation system, where buses, monorails and boats are at your disposal to transport you all around the World! The more you pay, the closer you are to the action, and in the case of some WDW Deluxe Resorts, you are close enough that you can walk to various Theme Parks and other spots! But not everything is within walking distance, and WDW’s Deluxe Resorts offer more transportation options than the Value (which only has buses) and the Moderate (mostly buses and some boat transport available) Resorts – there are monorail and boat options in addition to the buses at Deluxe Resorts, which can be a huge time saver when it comes to getting to the Park in time for Rope Drop
One thing to keep in mind that all the WDW Resorts have in common is that they they come with some great perks that allow you to enjoy even more of that Disney magic, like free Disney Shuttle service to the Orlando Airport, and Extra Magic Hours to name just a few. You get all that plus so much more with the WDW Deluxe Resorts, and if you aren’t sure which Resorts are in the Deluxe category, here is a list:
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
So what do you think about the Deluxe Resorts – are they worth the extra cost for all that they offer?
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It is a dream to one day stay at the Grand Floridian, But my three trips to Pop Century were all spot on, and I’m rather cheap. So unless I win a prize, I can’t see myself forking out the cash on even a Moderate. Pop is my home.
I think they are definitely worth the cost! I’ve stayed at Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk, and the Contemporary. Loved them all and I’m so spoiled! I have also stayed at the Port Orleans resorts, which I like a lot. My only complaint is the room size- I love having a big hotel room as there are almost always 4 or 5 of us traveling. I stayed at Pop Century once for one night- fun theme, but the rooms were just not quite enough for me and I felt absolutely claustrophobic in the food court.
I have stayed at Cont. & Wilderness Lodge as well as POFQ – and while I think Wilderness was AWESOME – I thought the Cont. was too crowded and not as nice. POFQ was actually one of our favs – and didn’t differ as much from the Deluxe resorts as I’d thought. The only main difference was the transportation – and I thought that it was actually easier there than any of the others.