When planning your Walt Disney World vacation, one of the big choices you have to make (aside from which cupcakes to try, of course!) is which hotel you will stay at. There are plenty of options, both on Walt Disney World Property as well as many off property (but still near the magic!).
So you may be wondering, Why should I pick a WDW Resort? This is a very good question, and I personally will always choose to stay on WDW property – I like it because it keeps me closer to the Magic, and I can utilize the Disney Magical Express airport shuttle service. There are many reasons to stay on WDW property (check them out here!), and if you pick a WDW Resort, you won’t be disappointed (trust me on this!)
Once you have made the decision to stay on WDW property, then there are probably many more questions you will have, so here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the WDW Resorts:
What WDW Resort choices do I have? There are MANY options to choose from, in three price categories – Value, Moderate, and Deluxe – as the names imply, the Value are the cheapest and the price goes up through the Moderate and Deluxe categories. There are several Resorts in each category, and each one has its own theme and atmosphere, which is carried on in everything from the décor to the food and rooms. New Orleans, Tropical oasis, sports, movies, and Disney Animation are just a few of the themes you will find in the Disney Resort lineup – there’s a theme for every family! And if you’re willing to pay more, you get much more too – the Deluxe Resorts offer more amenities, as well as more dining and transportation options (and they are closer to the Parks too!)
What are the Resort rooms like? All rooms have their own bathroom, and come standard with two beds (double size in the Value Resorts, queens in the Moderate and Deluxe Resorts) – King rooms can be requested as well. They all have the normal hair dryer/TV/mini fridge/mini coffee maker setups of most hotel rooms, and all of them will sleep 4, and can accommodate a crib too. As you go up to the Moderate and Deluxe rooms, you get more space and better/classier décor too. Some rooms have balconies or patios, and the range of views to choose from is better in the more expensive Resorts as well
How do I get to the Parks from my WDW Resort? The WDW Transportation system is here for you! The system of buses make pick ups at every Resort and travel to each Park, as well as the waterparks and Downtown Disney. The service is usually pretty quick, with buses running every 20 minutes or so (or more often during very busy times). Some of the Moderate Resorts as well as the Deluxe Resorts offer boat transportation to various Parks, and some of the Deluxe Resorts have the distinct perk of being on the monorail line, offering a super fast trip over to the Magic Kingdom or the Transportation and Ticket Center
What is there to do at the Resorts? A lot! Every Resort offers at least one gift shop chock full of Disney merchandise, as well as pools, bars, arcades, restaurants, playgrounds, and some of the Moderate/Deluxe Resorts offer bike/surrey rentals, as well as paddleboat/canoe and motorboat/jetski rentals. Personally, I love wandering around the Resorts and checking out all the little details – like the hammocks, play areas, décor and landscaping, all of which comes with that little bit of Disney Magic!
What is this Magical Express service? It is a complimentary (FREE!) shuttle service available only to those staying at the WDW Resorts – which will whisk you and your luggage from the Orlando Airport straight to your WDW Resort Hotel, and it will bring you back when your trip is done! It’s easy to use, and did I mention it is free? It has also been consistent and reliable (in my experience anyways!), which is not always the case with off property hotels that offer “free shuttle service”. The Magical Express is easy to book, easy to use, and definitely a big benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort
I hope the answers to these questions helped you pick out the perfect WDW Resort for you and your family, and if you still aren’t convinced, then I suggest you check out the official WDW promotions page which will tell you what specials are currently being offered (saving money on vacation never hurts, right?)
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My family and I have been to WDW 3 times in the last 3 years (and we’re going back for a 4th in December!). The first time we took the kids, we stayed off site due to my accumulation of hotel points, so the room was free. It was okay, but the shuttle service was hit and miss.
The next year, my parents were generous enough to foot the bill for tickets and dining, so we opted to stay on site at a value resort (All Star Movies). That one decision changed my Disney planning forever. For our 10 year anniversary, we chose to step it up a notch and stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Wow! This is how Disney vacations are done!
In December, our pick is Coronado Springs (mostly due to it being the cheaper option for our budget). The goal is to work our way up to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Animal Kingdom Lodge as the kids get older.
Needless to say, we will NOT be going to Disney World without staying on site again. 🙂
Though I live in the Orlando area now, I can NEVER get enough of the resorts at WDW. I’ve had the luck of staying at the Caribbean Beach, Ft. Wilderness Resort and campground and my personal favorite, Wilderness Lodge (during its first Christmas in 1994). My parents, when they came down to check on me (as parents do) stay at Port Orleans-Riverside (when it was known as Dixie Landings). So I’ve seen many of the “levels” and have to say, Disney got it right! I’m hoping to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Contemporary, eventually.