Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels

Guide to every Disney World hotel

Here is a list of every Disney World hotel with a summary of what you can expect at each resort. I’ve divided the list into Disney’s categories: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value.

Page 3: The Disney World Deluxe Resorts

On Go Informed Podcast episode 60, I take you on an audio tour of all the Disney World Deluxe Resorts. Listen below or on your favorite podcast app.

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Grand Floridian Villas

The Grand Floridian is Disney World’s flagship resort. With over 800 rooms spread across 40 acres, this beautiful property features luxury details and a world-class spa. Its location along the monorail loop on the shore of the Seven Seas lagoon makes this a great choice for guests planning to spend lots of time in Magic Kingdom. If luxury and convenience to Magic Kingdom are your top priorities, you should definitely consider the Grand Floridian.

• Resort: Grand Floridian
• Nearest Disney park: Magic Kingdom
• Theming: Victorian seaside resort
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Walk, monorail, or boat to Magic Kingdom; bus to other parks and Disney Springs. Monorail to Epcot, transferring at the Transportation & Ticket Center
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including Victoria & Alberts – one of Orlando’s top restaurants. Character dining at 1900 Park Fare.
• Pools: Beach pool with 181-foot waterslide, quiet courtyard pool
• Notable Room Types: Magic Kingdom view, Signature suites (including one with Walt Disney’s personal memorabilia)
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Grand Floridian prices and availability on TripAdvisor
• Click here to see the spectacular Grand Floridian during Christmas

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower

One of the original Disney World hotels, the Contemporary exudes mid-century flair and boasts a monorail station inside the lobby. Guests can choose from the main hotel building or the villas in the neighboring Bay Lake Tower. Both are high-rise design and many rooms offer sweeping views of the Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake.

• Resort: Contemporary
• Nearest Disney park: Magic Kingdom
• Theming: Mid-Century Modern
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Walk or monorail to Magic Kingdom, bus to other parks and Disney Springs. Monorail to Epcot, transferring at the Transportation & Ticket Center
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including the 15th floor California Grill. Character dining at Chef Mickeys.
• Pools: Beach pool with waterslide, quiet courtyard pool
• Notable Room Types: Magic Kingdom view
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Contemporary Resort prices and availability on TripAdvisor

Polynesian Village Resort and Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

This classic Disney property has its own stop on the Magic Kingdom monorail and features one of the most entertaining lounges on property: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. The Polynesian Village resort has recently been given a Moana-themed facelift.

• Resort: Polynesian Village
• Nearest Disney park: Magic Kingdom
• Theming: Polynesian tropical with a Moana flair
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Monorail or boat to Magic Kingdom, bus to other parks and Disney Springs. Monorail to Epcot, transferring at the Transportation & Ticket Center
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. Character dining at ‘Ohana.
• Pools: Lava pool with volcano, waterfall, and waterslide; quiet oasis pool
• Notable Room Types: Bora Bora-style overwater bungalows, Cinderella castle view
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Polynesian Resort prices and availability on TripAdvisor

Wilderness Lodge and Villas

Situated on a huge wooded property on the shore of Bay Lake, the Wilderness Lodge and neighboring Fort Wilderness are like a trip to a Western US national park. The lodge features rough-hewn wood and a soaring eight-story lobby with an enormous fireplace. Although Wilderness Lodge is located just a quick boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, the atmosphere here is tranquil and imbued with nature.

• Resort: Wilderness Lodge
• Nearest Disney park: Magic Kingdom
• Theming: Palatial National Park Lodge
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Boat to Magic Kingdom, bus to other parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including the raucous Wild West themed Whispering Canyon Cafe. Character dining at Artist Point.
• Pools: Two pool areas in natural settings – one with water slide
• Notable Room Types: Waterfront Copper Creek cabins (also see the moderately priced Fort Wilderness cabins located on adjacent property)
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Wilderness Lodge prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort and Villas

The Yacht Club and Beach Club are adjoining resorts within a leisurely 10 minute walk to Epcot’s International Gateway entrance. They share a spectacular pool complex which is essentially a small water park. Theming is low-key New England coastal. It is also possible to walk to Hollywood Studios from Yacht & Beach Club, or catch the Disney Skyliner near the Epcot entrance for an elevated ride.

• Resort: Yacht and Beach Club
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: New England beach resort
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Walk or boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, bus to other parks and Disney Springs. Nearby Disney Skyliner to Hollywood Studios.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including the delightful Beaches & Cream soda shop. Character dining at Cape May Cafe.
• Pools: Stormalong Bay water park with lazy river, pirate shipwreck, and 230 foot waterslide. Three additional pools throughout resort.
• Notable Room Types: Water view of Crescent Lake
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Yacht Club prices and availability on TripAdvisor here
• Check Beach Club prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

You can rent boats and even go fishing at many Disney World resorts. Learn more in this post I wrote for my friends at Disney Parks Princess.

BoardWalk Inn and Villas

Located mid-way between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, the BoardWalk Inn resembles the turn-of-the-20th-century Atlantic City boardwalk. With an abundance of dining and entertainment along the lakeshore, this resort offers plenty of diversions beyond the neighboring theme parks.

• Resort: BoardWalk Inn
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Turn-of-the-century Atlantic City
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, bus to other parks and Disney Springs. Nearby Disney Skyliner to Hollywood Studios.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including signature seafood at Flying Fish. Character dining at Trattoria al Forno.
• Pools: Carnival themed Luna Park pool with 200-foot-long waterslide. Two additional leisure pools.
• Notable Room Types: Two-story garden suites
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check BoardWalk Inn prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is arguably the most unique resort on the property. Themed as an African safari lodge, the expansive lobby features rough-hewn wood, an open fireplace, and a huge window to the savanna beyond. African wildlife roams (seemingly) freely in the savanna, and guests can watch the animals from their rooms. The lodge, and the neighboring Kidani Village DVC villas, are adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom but guests must take a bus to the park entrance.

• Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Nearest Disney park: Animal Kingdom
• Theming: African safari lodge, complete with live roaming animals outside
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including African-inspired dishes at Boma and Sanaa.
• Pools: Two pools with waterslides, plus a water play area.
• Notable Room Types: Book a savanna view room to watch animals roam right outside your window.
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$$
• Check Animal Kingdom Lodge prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

Riviera Resort Villas

Disney World’s newest resort, this all-villas DVC high-rise offers rooms ranging from small studios to 3-bedroom condos (“villas” in Disney-speak). Exquisite European Riviera theming and fine dining lend an elegant air. While this is considered an Epcot-area resort, guests will need to hop on the Skyliner to get there.

• Resort: Riviera
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Luxury European Riviera
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Disney Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, bus to other parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Rooftop dining at Topolino’s Terrace (watch the Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks from here), plus a couple of cafes. Character dining at Topolino’s Terrace.
• Pools: Two pools plus a splash-zone modeled after European public fountains.
• Notable Room Types: Avoid the tiny Tower Studio rooms
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$$
• Check Riviera Resort prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

A purely DVC resort, Saratoga Springs offers the full range of Disney villa accommodations. This means every room is apartment-style, many with full kitchens. The resort is adjacent to the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and houses the five-star Senses Spa. Theming is inspired by the legendary Saratoga Springs horse racetrack.

• Resort: Saratoga Springs
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Victorian Horseracing
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks. Boat to Disney Springs.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options
• Pools: Two large pools with waterslides
• Notable Room Types: Secluded 3-bedroom treehouse villas
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$$
• Check Saratoga Springs Resort prices and availability on TripAdvisor here

Old Key West Resort

Like Saratoga Springs, Old Key West is an all-DVC property. Here you’ll find beachside architecture surrounding a beautiful golf course. Old Key West has the most spacious accommodations on the property, without a premium price. Disney Springs is just a quick boat ride away.

• Resort: Old Key West
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Florida Keys Caribbean
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks. Boat to Disney Springs.
• Dining: One table-service restaurant and several bar/quick-service dining options
• Pools: Main pool features a waterslide through a giant sandcastle. Three additional leisure pools.
• Notable Room Types: Villas at Old Key West are noted for their spacious size
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$$
• Check Old Key West Resort prices and availability on TripAdvisor here