Accomodations

One of the first decisions that needs to be made when planning a trip to Walt Disney World is where you will stay. The prices vary drastically, depending on which category of resort you want: value, moderate, deluxe, or deluxe villa. And also which season you visit Disney World: value, regular, peak, summer, or holiday. Basically, anytime the kids are out of school, it's more expensive.

I am a huge supporter of staying on property. Here are all the reasons why!!

Reason #1: Disney transportation! The minute you step off your plane, Disney is already catering to you. You don't have to retrieve your bags from baggage claim and you proceed directly to the Magical Express counter, a free bus/shuttle service only for resort guests. They drop you right at the front door to your resort. Then, when you're ready to hit the parks, simply hop on the next bus, monorail, or boat. Disney makes sure you always have a way to get where you need to go....for free.

Reason #2: Disney Dining Plan! Only resort guests can take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan, a meal plan based on credits (see my Dining page!) The plan has saved us tons of money in the past and it's so easy! I love having all our meals paid for before we get there (aside from gratuities).

Reason #3: Ability to book Fastpasses at 60 days prior instead of 30. This is a HUGE perk if you want to experience some of the most popular attractions without a long wait.

Reason #4: Magic Bands! These are super cool! They are a bracelet type of thing much like a Fitbit. It's your room key and park pass. Your dining credits and Fastpasses are linked to it. You can link a credit card and make purchases with it. Your Memory Maker/Photo Pass is linked to it. Really really convenient! Magic Bands are free for all resort guests.

Reason #5: Package delivery! Anything you purchase in the parks can be delivered to your resort...no need to carry your bags around the park!

Reason #6: Extra Magic Hours! Each day, a select Disney park opens early or stays open late, just for resort guests! Experience many of the most popular attractions with little to no wait.

Reason #7: Quality. If you've ever been to Disney World, you know what I mean. If you haven't, well, be prepared for first class all the way. Even the value resorts. While the rooms are the smallest on property, they still surpass any of the basic chain hotels out there.

Reason #8: The magic! Disney resorts are like no other resorts. The value resorts are fun and bright and whimsical. Where else can you stand next to huge Mr. and Mrs. Potato Heads, or climb a staircase inside a gigantic football? Each resort is wildly themed and so much fun. The moderate resorts do a fantastic job of transporting you to the Caribbean, Mexico, or New Orleans. Rooms are a little more subdued than the values, and have a few more amenities. The deluxe resorts are the epitome of style, class, and luxury with a Disney flair.


Resort Reviews

Values Resorts

All Star Movies






The All Star resorts are a cluster of three individually themed resorts. Movies, Music, and Sports. The decor is fun with lots of Disney characters. There are 5 themed areas at All Star Movies: 101 Dalmatians (and there are exactly 101 pups in that section. You an count them!), Toy Story, Fantasia, Herbie the Love Bug, and the Mighty Ducks. Tons of great photo opportunities all around the property. Rooms are 260 sq. feet and have two full-size beds or a king, night stand, small table with 2 chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, single sink with separate toilet and shower. These rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play. Resort has several pools, a poolside bar, and a food court. There are poolside activities all day and movies at night.

Pros: Fun Disney movie icons, price, immersed in Disney
Cons: Most kids don't know many of the movies showcased there. Rooms can be a little snug for four people, the All Stars often share buses and Movies is last for pick up and drop off, full size beds, no table service restaurant


All Star Music





This is our absolute favorite of the All Stars! We felt this resort is themed almost like a moderate, with each section being distinctly themed to the music genre it represents. There are 5 themed areas at All Star Music: Calypso, Jazz, Country, Rock n Roll, and Broadway. Tons of great photo opportunities all around the property. Rooms are 260 sq. feet and have two full-size beds or a king, night stand, small table with 2 chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, single sink with separate toilet and shower. These rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play.

There are family suites in the Calypso and Jazz buildings. These suites sleep 6 plus a baby in a pack n play. There is a master bedroom with a queen bed, nightstand and tv stand with drawers, a living area with a sleeper sofa, a pullout chair, and an ottoman that converts into a cot, a small table with two chairs, and a tv stand with drawers. There is a kitchenette with microwave, coffee maker, fridge, and sink. There are two full bathrooms.

The resort has several pools, a poolside bar, and a food court. There are poolside activities all day and movies at night.

Pros: Adorable theming, price, immersed in Disney
Cons: Standard rooms can be a little snug for four people, sometimes the All Stars share buses and Music is second to be picked up and dropped off, pull out couch in suites is not real comfy, full size beds in standard rooms


All Star Sports 




All Star Sports is Disney sports-lover's paradise. Tons of Disney characters playing all your favorite sports. There are 5 themed areas at All Star Sports: Surfing, Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, and Football. Tons of great photo opportunities all around the property. Rooms are 260 sq. feet and have two full-size beds or a king, night stand, small table with 2 chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, single sink with separate toilet and shower. These rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play. Resort has several pools, a poolside bar, and a food court. There are poolside activities all day and movies at night.

Pros: Fun Disney characters, price, immersed in Disney, when they share buses, they are the first of the All Stars to be picked up and dropped off
Cons: Rooms can be a little snug for four people, the All Stars often share buses, full size beds, no table service restaurant


Art of Animation

 






Art of Animation is a really beautiful resort if you like Disney characters and animation. There are tons of unique photo opportunities all around the property. There are four themed areas: The Little Mermaid, Cars, Finding Nemo, and the Lion King. This resort is primarily family suites and there is only one area with standard rooms- The Little Mermaid. Standard rooms are 260 sq. feet and have two full-size beds, night stand, small table with 2 chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, single sink with separate toilet and shower. These rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play.

There are family suites in the Cars, Lion King, and Finding Nemo areas. These suites sleep 6 plus a baby in a pack n play. There is a master bedroom with a queen bed, nightstand and tv stand with drawers, a living area with a sleeper sofa, a table that converts to a bed, and a tv stand with drawers. There is a kitchenette with microwave, coffee maker, fridge, and sink. There are two full bathrooms.

Resort has several pools, a poolside bar, and a food court. There are poolside activities all day and movies at night.

Pros: Fabulous theming, price, immersed in Disney, has its own buses-no sharing, great food court with unique offerings, close to Pop Century- there is a bridge connecting them
Cons: Standard rooms can be a little snug for four people, full size beds in standard rooms, no table service restaurant

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Art of Animation was A. MAZE. ING!


Pop Century





Pop Century is a great resort for anyone who loves nostalgia. The theming focuses on decades of the 20th century and the iconic toys and games of each era with some Disney fun mixed in. There are 5 themed areas at Pop Century, all decades: 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Each area features a toy or game form that time plus a Disney movie icon of the decade. There are tons of great photo opportunities all around the property. Rooms are 260 sq. feet and have two full-size beds or a king, night stand, small table with 2 chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, single sink with separate toilet and shower. These rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play. Resort has several pools, a poolside bar, and a food court. There are poolside activities all day and movies at night.

Pros: Fun and bright, does not share buses, close to Art of Animation- there is a bridge connecting them
Cons: Rooms can be a little snug for four people, full-sized beds, no table service restaurant, kids might not know what the icons are


Moderate Resorts

Coronado Springs





Coronado Springs is a beautiful resort themed around the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. It's a huge resort that is also home to a conference center. There are several themed areas around the resort: Casitas, Cabanas, and Ranchos, sitting around a lake. There are several pools. The main has a Mayan pyramid, water slide, and the largest hot tub on Disney property. Guest rooms are 314 sq. feet and have two queen beds or a king, table with chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, bench, and a sink area that is separate from the toilet and shower. Standard rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play. There are suites as well. There are several options for dining- one table service restaurant plus a quick service location and a cafeteria style restaurant. There is also a lounge as well as two poolside bars. There is bus service to the parks as well as an internal bus system to transport you around the resort. This is the only moderate resort with a fitness center. The resort has entertainment options including bike rentals, watersports, and a children's playground.

Pros: Beautiful, great counter service, huge hot tub
Cons: Very large resort, long walk to refill mugs

Port Orleans French Quarter



Port Orleans French Quarter is a quaint resort perfect for families that want something peaceful. It is themed for the famed French Quarter section of New Orleans with brick "streets" and wrought iron fences. Everything is very close to the main building and pool. There is one pool with an elaborate children's water play area, a water slide, and a to tub. Guest rooms are 314 sq. feet and have two queen beds or a king, table with chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, bench, and a sink area that is separate from the toilet and shower. Standard rooms sleep 4 plus a baby in a pack n play. Port Orleans French Quarter is the only moderate resort without a table service restaurant. But they have a food court. There is also a lounge as well as a poolside bar. There is bus service to the parks as well as ferry service to Port Orleans Riverside and Disney Springs. This resort offers carriage rides around the resort as well as Port Orleans Riverside. There are bike rentals and a marina for watercraft rentals.

Pros: Beautiful theming, small and quaint, boat service to Downtown Disney
Cons: No table service restaurant

Port Orleans Riverside






Port Orleans Riverside is a beautiful resort themed after the opulent mansions of the Old South and rustic cottages of the Bayou. There are several pools. The main pool has a water slide and hot tub. Guest rooms are 314 sq. feet and have two queen beds or a king, table with chairs, tv stand with drawers, small refrigerator, bench, and a sink area that is separate from the toilet and shower. Standard rooms sleep 4 or 5 plus a baby in a pack n play. The fifth person sleeps in a murphy bed that folds out from the wall. There is a table service restaurant as well as a food court plus a lounge and poolside bar. There is bus service to the parks as well as an internal bus system to transport you around the resort. There is also ferry service to Port Orleans French Quarter and Disney Springs. The resort has entertainment options including bike rentals, watersports, and a children's playground.

Pros: Beautiful theming, boat service to Downtown Disney
Cons: Very large resort

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