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Choosing Your Hotel for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

Staying on-site in one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels in Florida is one of the best ways to enjoy the magic of the Disney Parks. The hotels are conveniently situated for visiting the theme parks, and even better, they’re linked by a free transportation system, which makes getting around a breeze.

We know that where you stay is one of the most important elements of your holiday, and with over 30 accommodation options to choose from, finding the right Disney hotel

for you can seem like a daunting task.

Our simple guide to choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for Orlando first-timers will give you all the information you need to choose the best hotel for you and your family.

Donald Duck dressed in his blue sailor style suit with his arms extended open in front of a Hawaiian themed hotel.

What is a Disney hotel?

A Disney hotel or Walt Disney World Resort hotel is a hotel which is owned and operated by Disney. You may also hear them called on-site hotels. Although there are lots of accommodation options in Orlando, a Disney hotel is the perfect choice for Disney fans and those who want to be close to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Family getting off of a small boat wearing mickey ears and holding merchandise. In the background there is a white building hotel.

What are the benefits of staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel?

As we’ve already alluded to, there are lots of benefits to choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for your trip of a lifetime. Here are just some of them:

  • Disney Dining Plans
  • Book dining early
  • Early Theme Park Entry
  • Extended evening hours
  • Free parking
Mum sat next to her daughter who is looking out the windows with binoculars at the animals. They have healthy dishes on the table including a salad. The theming is safari themed.

Disney Dining Plans

Disney Dining Plans are only available to those staying in Disney accommodation. A Disney Dining Plan is one of the most cost-effective ways of eating during your Walt Disney World Resort holiday.

Minnie Mouse dressed in a chef hat and costume meeting a girl with pink sparkly mickey mouse headbands. There are different dishes on the table from the buffet.

Book dining early

Any guest can make dining reservations up to 30 days in advance, but Disney Resort hotel guests can book reservations for their entire stay (up to 10 days at a time) 60 days out from the first day of their holiday.

Mum holding the hand of her daughter who is dressed as Princess Tiana and holding a Mickey shaped bubble wand. In the background there's Cinderella Castle.

Early Theme Park Entry

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels can enter the Disney theme parks up to 30 minutes before the gates open to regular guests on every day of their stay1. This means you can ride some of the most popular attractions before the lines start to build, or you can just enjoy more magic!

Select attractions, shops, and restaurants at each park are open during this time.

Huge statue made of grass and plants of Tefiti from Moana. A girl is stood looking at it dressed as Moana with matching Mickey Ears and holding her dads hand.

Extended evening hours

You can enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks with a stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort1. Again, select attractions, shops, and restaurants at each park stay open after the theme park closes to regular guests.

P icon with a yellow circle around it and yellow sparkles.

Free parking

Disney hotel guests benefit from free parking at the hotel and at the Disney theme parks. This makes staying at a Disney hotel a great option if you’re hiring a car to get around during your trip.

Walt Disney World Resort hotel categories

Walt Disney World Resort hotels are split into four categories to help you narrow down your search: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas, with each category increasing in cost, but also in amenities and proximity to the theme parks.

Hotel category

Description

Features

Hotels

Disney Value Resort Hotels

Disney magic without a huge price tag

  • Bright and fun Disney theming
  • Quick service dining
  • 30-minute early theme park entry1
  • Swimming pool(s)
  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney Moderate Resort Hotels

Hotels with a few added extras but still with a great value price tag

  • Refined Disney theming
  • Quick service or table service dining options
  • 30-minute early theme park entry1
  • Swimming pool(s) with slide
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels

A little luxury on your Disney holiday

  • Luxurious Disney theming
  • Quick service or table service dining options
  • Character dining in select hotels
  • 30-minute early theme park entry1
  • Extended evening hours in theme parks on select days in select parks1
  • Swimming pool(s) with slide
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts

More space, luxury, and the ability to self-cater

  • Luxurious Disney theming
  • Quick service or tale service dining options
  • Character dining in select hotels
  • 30-minute early theme park entry1
  • Extended evening hours in theme parks on select days in select parks1
  • Swimming pool(s) with slide
  • Full kitchen, spacious living and dining areas, separate bedrooms, washer and dryer
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Villas
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo Villas
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Things to consider when choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel

Summary – things to consider when choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel

  • Budget
  • Distance from theme parks
  • Transport
  • How much time you’ll spend at the hotel
  • Food options
  • Facilities and amenities
  • Who is travelling?
  • Theming
Mum with her two kids sharing a tub of ice cream in front of the statue of a shipwreck on a tall mountain.

Budget

When it comes to choosing a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, one of the most important considerations will be your budget. Our advice is to have a think about what you can afford and what you’re willing to spend on accommodation before you start looking.

 

How much does it cost to stay in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?

The cost to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel varies depending on which one you choose and when you travel. The cheapest options are Disney Value Resort Hotels, so if you have a tight budget, be sure to check this category first.

Top tip: If you can, try to book outside of high season like summer holidays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

Two cable cars, one orange and one blue, moving along cables in front of Spaceship Earth, a giant golf ball looking building.

Distance from the theme parks

If getting to the theme parks is one of the most important aspects of your decision (and, let’s face it, that’s probably why you’re here!), then there’s no need to worry. All of the Disney Resort hotels offer easy transport to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, and – even better – it’s all free.

 

Transport options include:

  • Bus
  • Skyliner (cable car)
  • Monorail
  • Water taxi or ferry boat

Disney Resort hotel

Location

How to get to theme parks

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Disney Skyliner to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Disney Skyliner  to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

EPCOT Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Disney Skyliner  to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Magic Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water taxi to Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Disney Springs Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water taxi to Disney Springs

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Disney Springs Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water taxi to Disney Springs

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (including Jambo and Kidani Villas)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation

Disney’s Beach Club Resort (including villas)

EPCOT Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water Taxi to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Walking paths to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn (including villas)

EPCOT Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water Taxi to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Walking paths to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Contemporary Resort (including Bay Lake Tower)

Magic Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Walking path to Magic Kingdom Park
  • Monorail to Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (including villas)

Magic Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Monorail to Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT
  • Water taxi to Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (including villas and bungalows)

Magic Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Monorail to Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT
  • Water taxi to Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (including villas)

EPCOT Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water Taxi to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Walking paths to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (including Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek villas and cabins)

Magic Kingdom Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water taxi to Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney Springs Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Walking path to Disney Springs

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Disney Springs Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Water taxi to Disney Springs

Disney’s Riviera Resort

EPCOT Resort area

  • Complimentary Disney bus transportation
  • Disney Skyliner to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Group of guests sat on grass watching a movie at night outside. They're watching The Princess and the Frog

How much time you’ll spend at the hotel

If you’re someone who will likely spend more time in the hotel than just sleeping there, you might want to choose a Moderate or Deluxe resort with more facilities. By contrast, if a hotel room is just somewhere to rest your head after a busy day of exploring, then a Value resort might work better for you.

Man taking a selfie with his girlfriend smiling at a restaurant. In the background Minnie Mouse is posing with an artist outfit on.

Food at the resort

Food is available at all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, but each hotel category offers different options.

The two categories for food at the hotels are Quick Service and Table Service:

  • Quick Service: Think of Quick Service like fast food. You order at the counter, you’ll get a tray of food and you’ll take it to a table to eat
  • Table Service: A typical restaurant experience where you’re served at your table. You’ll be given a menu to choose your food and your server will bring the food over to you when it’s ready

Hotel Category

Restaurant type

Disney Value Resort Hotels

Quick Service food court

Disney Moderate Resort Hotels

Quick Service food court

At least one Table Service restaurant

Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels

Quick Service restaurant

At least one Table Service restaurant

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Quick Service restaurant

At least one Table Service restaurant

Dad lifting daughter up in the resort pool, both smiling. There are giant statues of musical instruments.

Facilities and amenities

Again, this will depend on how much time you’re planning to spend in your hotel. On the one hand, it’s sometimes nice to have a bit of downtime at your resort to relax, on the other hand, there’s so much to see in the theme parks!

While all the Disney Resort hotels offer fantastic facilities, these do vary based on the categories. All of the hotels have at least one swimming pool, but the pools at the Moderate and Deluxe hotels have slides, while the pools at the Value hotels are a little more basic.

Disney hotels with some of the best pools:

  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort/Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas

At some of the hotels, you’ll find facilities such as a spa, activities for children, play areas, and more. 

Man wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt holding two girls who are wearing safari style outfits and Mickey Mouse ears.

Who is travelling?

Different Disney hotels will suit different types of travellers. There are some that kids will love and some that are perfect for adults on honeymoon.

If you’re travelling as a multi-generational family or with someone that has additional needs, you will need to consider things like whether the accommodation is accessible.

Here are some of our suggestions:

Best for children

Best for adults

Best for couples

Best for multi-generational families

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

Disney’s All-Star Resorts

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Girl sat on a sunbed holding an Ariel bubble wand in front of a giant statue of Ariel sat with flounder on the side of the hotel.

Theming

Once you’ve narrowed your choice down to one of the categories, it’s time to whittle the hotels down to your final decision, and this is where theming becomes important. Have a good look at the photographs of each hotel to see which one will appeal the most to you and your family.

All of the Disney hotels offer immersive theming, regardless of their category, so it’s just down to what appeals to you the most. Whether you’re a music-lover, you’ve got a favourite Disney movie, or you want to stay at a tropical beach resort, there’s a Disney Resort hotel for everyone.

Now you have all the information you need, it’s time to start planning. Book your Walt Disney World Resort hotel now, and let the magic start!

1 Valid theme park admission required in addition to your hotel booking