Picking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel to stay at can be a difficult task – there are a lot of things to consider, like size, cost, amenities….so I’m about to break it down for you, give you the Resort Room basics that will hopefully make your decision easier:
Value Rooms: These are found at WDW’s Value Resorts and are the most basic rooms on property. Most come equipped with two double beds (a King can be requested, but is not guaranteed) and sleep up to 4 people. They all have TV’s, mini fridges, a table and 2 chairs, dressers, and a full bathroom with hair dryer and closet area. They are pretty small, and if you have a family of 4 or 4 adults sharing a room, it will be a tight squeeze for everyone. The upside to that is the cost – they are the cheapest rooms in WDW, and besides, you probably won’t spend much time there anyway, so size might not matter that much in the end. As for views, the only upgrade available here (for a slight increase in the nightly rate) is to a “preferred” room location, which usually just means it’s closer to the main pool or main lobby area
Moderate Rooms: Moving up to the slightly nicer Moderate Resorts means more of everything – space, theming, and options! Rooms with King beds can be reserved here for an extra cost (versus just requested and not guaranteed at the Values), and some of the Resorts even offer extra special rooms – like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, themed after The Princess and The Frog with touches from other Disney classics, these rooms are perfect for that Princess lover in your group. Another special option is available at the Caribbean Beach Resort, where your little mateys will love the Pirate themed rooms with their Pirate ship-shaped beds. The Moderate Resorts also tend to be more adult-friendly in their theming, and the decor is much less…huge and loud than at the Value level Resorts. The downside? These nicer resorts will be more expensice than the basic Value Resorts, but I generally find that moving up to a Moderate doesn’t break the bank, and it’s worth the extra cost!
Deluxe Rooms: The largest and most luxurious rooms on WDW property can be found at the WDW Deluxe Resorts, not only are the rooms bigger, better decorated, and feature nicer beds and linens, but there are many more room types available at this level too – from your basic, to a room with a balcony, or a room with a garden, water, or even Castle view! Most standard rooms feature 2 queen beds, and King rooms are available as well, and suite options of varying size and bedrooms can be booked in the Deluxe resorts as well. Additionally, there are options for room service as well as concierge service at these Resorts. Of course, anything with “Deluxe” in the title won’t be cheap – these are the most expensive rooms on WDW property, but many people believe they are the only ones worth staying in, that the amenities and size, as well as the increased transportation and dining options available at these Resorts, make them the only choice for many families
Suites: I mentioned that there are suites offered at many of the Deluxe Resorts which are great for larger groups, but for those of us on a bit more of a tighter budget, Disney’s Family Suites at the Value Resorts are the perfect option. They are available at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort as well as the All-Star Music Resort, and they sleep up to 6 and feature a seperate bedroom and 2 bathrooms, as well as a kitchennette. This a great way for a family to get to stay on WDW property without having to cram into one small room with only one bathroom, and the kitchen area makes it easy to prepare meals which can help save money on dining costs too!
Villas: If you’re someone who really appreciates the comforts of home, then these might be just the ticket for you. Villas are available at the following Resorts: Saratoga Springs, BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club Resort, Wilderness Losge, Animal Kingdom, and Old Key West. They come in studio, 1 and 2 bedroom styles and feature full kitchens as well as washers and dryers in each villa. The bigger villas can sleep up to 9 people, which makes them perfect for two families to share (don’t worry, they come with multiple bathrooms too!). In addition to having the functionality of a full apartment, they also are all located at Deluxe Resorts, which means the ameneties and services of that Resort are all at your fingertips too when you stay in a Disney Villa
There are many many options when it comes to lodging at WDW – so I recommend you sit down and think about what you really need/want from your Resort room, and then use this information to help break down your options – because trust me, Disney definitely has a perfect room and Resort for everyone!
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2 connecting rooms are cheaper than a suite at the value resorts, room for 8 people, which means 2 bathrooms. No kitchenette but if Im on vacation I don,t want one.
We just booked our stay at the Pop resort and got two connecting rooms. Can’t wait for our stay.
What a great idea! My kids want to stay at the Contemporary and I can never quite afford it. It never dawned on me to split the stay between resorts! Thanks!
I stayed at POP last month with a group of friends and we loved it for the price. the room was big enough for a ridiculous amount of suitcases, food, etc and we didnt feel uncomfortable. we ate most of our meals in the food court (i still crave the tuna salad sandwich) and being able to hop on the bus was super nice. I really liked the Animal Kingdom lodge too. being able to drink coffee while sitting on the balcony in my Pjs made me feel so glam!
we love POP, they have great tie dyed cheesecake
Pop Century
is a great place to stay. My kids and I love it!!
I like that idea, Cin! I agree about the Poly..I also thought as a child that’s where I’d stay if I had a choice. But since then Animal Kingdom Lodge has been built so it’d be a toss up! 🙂
I’ve stayed in both the moderate and the value rooms and both were very pleasant stays. Next time though I am saving up for my dream vacay at a luxury resort! A stay at the Polynesian has been in my dreams since I was a child. One day I am going to stay there. I’ll probably be doing a split stay between The Poly and a less expensive choice. Those are fun and you get to sample more than 1 resort that way!