Walt Disney World Hotels
A Brilliant Guide from Wishful Thinking
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In our Brilliant Guides, we simplify things. Get expert tips for first-timers & returning guests. Perfect for Disney newcomers & travelers from abroad, we cover the basics & highlight what matters most.
In our Brilliant Guides, we simplify things. Get expert tips for first-timers & returning guests. Perfect for Disney newcomers & travelers from abroad, we cover the basics & highlight what matters most.
QUICK JUMP:
Walt Disney World Hotels
It’s the toughest decision of your Orlando trip. Let’s narrow down the right choice.
2023 / 2024 update | The information on this page reflects the newest Disney resort hotel benefits and perks.
Will you regret it if you don’t stay at a Disney resort? Let’s peek behind the magic and see what makes Disney resort hotels so enchanting.
Walt Disney World owns and operates more than 30 different resort hotels with a wide range of prices, amenities, and services.
When you stay in an official Disney Resort Hotel, you gain these valuable benefits:
● Extended Theme Park Hours — All Disney Resort guests enjoy Early Park Entry, the exclusive benefit of entering each theme park at least 30 minutes before other guests. Guests who stay in Deluxe-level hotels also enjoy Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, with 2 hours of extra time (on select nights) at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios after the parks close to regular guests. | Why this matters: Those extra minutes mean you can ride some of the park’s most popular attractions without a long wait.
● Early Dining & Experiences Booking Window — Anyone can book a Walt Disney World restaurant (or experience) reservation 60 days in advance. However, those with confirmed Disney resort stays can also book all the reservations for their entire vacation — up to ten days after they arrive. | Why this matters: the most sought-after reservations – like character meals, Savi’s Workshop Custom Lightsabers, and many of the best restaurants like ‘Ohana, Space 220, Story Book Dining with Snow White & Cinderella’s Royal Table will fully book up with Disney resort guests before the general public even has the chance to reserve them.
● Early Access for Individual Lightning Lane Reservations — Resort guests who book Individual Lightning Lane attraction reservations may book their first selection before all other guests. Learn more about Disney Genie Service ▸ | Why this matters: on many days, especially during peak season, all the windows for attractions like TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will fully book up with Disney resort guests before the general public even has the chance to reserve them.
● Complimentary Resort Transportation — Unlimited use of buses, monorails, gondolas, ferries, and shuttle boats throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. As of 2022, parking is free for Disney resort hotel guests. | Why this matters: those who stay off-property will need to pay for theme park parking each day ($25) and contend with potential traffic on the way. If you stay to watch the fireworks, a 15-minute drive can stretch well beyond an hour. Maybe longer.
● Walt Disney Travel Package — Those who stay in Disney resort hotels can pay off their vacation cost over time, and enjoy especially generous modification and cancellation / refund terms. | Why this matters: those who stay off-property often must pay for their whole vacation right when they reserve, and many components — like Disney’s theme park tickets — are non-refundable. We explain the payment options and policies here ▸
Which specific hotels are considered Disney Resort Hotels?
Aside from the new Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience, these are the hotels that are both owned and operated by Walt Disney World, and their respective resort category. (See explanations for each category below)
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Deluxe resort hotel
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort | Value resort hotel
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort | Value resort hotel
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort| Value resort hotel
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | Value resort hotel
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort | Moderate resort hotel
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort | Moderate resort hotel
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort | Value resort hotel
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter | Moderate resort hotel
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside | Moderate resort hotel
- Disney’s Riviera Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | Deluxe resort hotel
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort | Deluxe resort hotel
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | Moderate resort hotel
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort| Moderate resort hotel
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | Deluxe resort hotel
DELUXE, MODERATE & VALUE CATEGORIES
As you’ll see above, Disney divides each resort hotel into Deluxe, Moderate and Value categories. Because the price of the individual rooms themselves can vary widely — even within the same resort — these categories tell us more about the resort itself, rather than simply about the cost.
DELUXE | At Walt Disney World, the Deluxe category tells us a few big things about the resort hotel:
- CLOSEST TO THEME PARKS | At least one (and sometimes two) of the 4 theme parks will be located very nearby.
- MOST CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION | Resort buses come more frequently. Most Deluxe resorts offer multiple forms of transportation, like the monorail, Disney Skyliner gondolas, ferry boats / water launches, or walking paths to the parks. (All transportation is complimentary)
- BEST POOLS | They’ve all got more than one type of pool. At least one feature pool that’s designed for families & kids, with water slides, splash pads, and activity zones. Additionally, you’ll enjoy up to 4 more quiet pools — located around the resort — meant for restful relaxation. (Value resorts don’t have water slides or quiet pools.)
- MOST DINING OPTIONS | Value resorts only offer quick service restaurants. The Deluxe resorts, however, feature quick service restaurants which are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, casual poolside cafes, coffee shops & bakeries with grab-and-go items, and fine dining Signature restaurants. In addition to quick service or grab & go, you can also enjoy delicious breakfasts at table service restaurants, many of which also offer character dining. Some offer culinary experiences like wine tastings or cocktail mixology workshops!
- ROOM TYPES INCLUDE VILLAS & CLUB-LEVEL ROOMS | Deluxe resorts offer standard hotel rooms, but also include villas (i.e., condos) which are multi-room units with living rooms, dining areas, full kitchens, and a patio or balcony. Additionally, several Deluxe resorts offer Club Level rooms, which provide access to an exclusive Club Level lounge from 7 AM to 10 PM each day. Most standard rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests. Villas can accommodate 4, 8, or 12 guests.
- GYMS & OUTDOOR RECREATION | All Deluxe resorts feature their own gyms with workout facilities. Most resorts also offer outdoor recreation like tennis courts, jogging paths, a marina with fishing expeditions, fireworks cruises, or early morning yoga workshops.
- VALET PARKING & BELL STAFF | Guest may enjoy valet parking service (for a fee), or rely on helpful bell services staff to assist with portering bags to and from your room.
- CONCIERGE STAFF | Deluxe resorts have more Front Desk area agents to assist with your vacation.
- NICER AMENITIES | Bed linens, towels, pillows, room furnishings and finishes are Disney’s highest quality within the Deluxe resorts. Many offer business centers, lounge bars with live entertainment, and spas or hair salons. Additionally, most Deluxe resorts feature guest room entryways in internal indoor hallways, which are quieter and more peaceful than the Moderate & Value resorts’ exterior-facing ‘motel style’ entryways. Bell staff will secure your bags before check-in and after check-out, and will porter bags to your room upon request.
MODERATE | At Walt Disney World, here’s what the Moderate category tells us about the resort hotel:
- SHORTER COMMUTE TO THEME PARKS | Moderate resorts are centrally located, but none of the theme parks are within walking distance.
- MORE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS | Most — but not all — Moderate resorts offer more than one types of transportation. In addition to Resort buses, some offer Disney Skyliner gondola access or water launches. (All transportation is complimentary)
- ENHANCED POOLS | They’ve all got more than one type of pool. At least one feature pool that’s designed for families & kids, with a water slide and a dump-bucket / splash pad. Additionally, you can enjoy additional smaller, quieter pools located around the resort. One resort (Coronado Springs) has a lap pool for early morning exercise.
- CASUAL & QUICK SERVICE DINING OPTIONS | Moderate resorts offer affordable quick service restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also offer casual dining table service restaurants for dinner service. Menus are moderately priced throughout the resort. One resort (Coronado Springs) also offers a fine dining Signature restaurant. Comfortable lounge bars offer additional relaxation areas, which may also include live entertainment (Port Orleans – French Quarter). There is no character dining at Moderate resorts, and breakfast is only served in quick service restaurants.
- ROOM TYPES MAY INCLUDE SUITES & CLUB LEVEL | One Moderate resort — Coronado Springs — offers larger suites and Club Level rooms. There are no villas / condos or units will full kitchens in the Moderate resort hotels. Most standard rooms can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests, but some rooms can accommodate a 5th guest (sleeping in a child-sized murphy bed). Some suites at Coronado Springs can accommodate up to 6 guests.
- LIMITED RECREATION | One Moderate resort — Coronado Springs — has an on-site gym. Fort Wilderness Campground offers extensive outdoor recreation, including archery, canoeing, trail exploration, volleyball, and fishing.
- LIMITED AMENITIES | Room furnishings, flooring, bedding and storage has been renovated in recent years, but linens and finishes are not as upscale as the Deluxe resorts. Still, rooms are well-appointed and beds are very comfortable. Most rooms at Moderate resorts have outdoor-facing guest room doors, ‘motel style,’ which can be a bit noisy during pre-park hours. (Coronado Springs does offer internal doorways in its Destino Tower.) There is no valet parking. Bell staff will secure your bags before check-in and after check-out, but will not porter bags to your room.
VALUE | At Walt Disney World, here’s what the Value category tells us about the resort hotel:
- LONGER COMMUTE TO THEME PARKS | The Value resorts are located furthest from the theme parks, and Resort buses arrive less often. Additionally, the Value resorts have just one bus depot for the whole resort hotel, which may be a 15-minute walk from your room.
- LIMITED TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS | Most Value resorts only offer Resort bus transportation. Two Value resorts offer Skyline Gondola access — Art of Animation and Pop Century.
- KID-FOCUSED POOLS | Although Value resorts have more than one pool, they’re all considered feature pools with a focus on play areas for kids. There are no water slides or dump buckets. There are no quiet pools for adults to relax.
- LIMITED DINING | Value resorts all feature just one large quick service food court, which may be located as far as 15-minute walk from your room. There are no table service restaurants and no character dining. There are no lounges and bars, and no public lobby spaces for relaxation. There are, however, simple poolside bars which are open during evening hours.
- STANDARD ROOMS OR FAMILY SUITES | The Value resorts have two room types. A standard room will have 2 queen beds or 1 King bed, with a maximum of 4 guests. Family Suites feature a queen bed, a queen pull-down murphy bed, a queen pullout sofa, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette. Family suites can accommodate a maximum of 6 guests.
- LIMITED RECREATION | Value resorts do not have on-site gyms or outdoor sport recreation. Daily activities for kids, however, may include arts & crafts, pool games, and obstacle courses.
- LIMITED AMENITIES | Room furnishings, flooring, bedding and storage have been renovated in recent years, but linens and finishes are not as upscale as the Deluxe resorts. Still, rooms are well-appointed and beds are very comfortable. All rooms at Value resorts have outdoor-facing guest room doors, ‘motel style,’ which can be a bit noisy during pre-park hours. There is no valet parking. Bell staff will secure your bags before check-in and after check-out, but will not porter bags to your room.
GET A PERSONALISED HOTEL PROPOSAL
Wishful Thinking will send you a free, personalized proposal — full of high-resolution images and detailed descriptions — featuring honest breakdowns on the pros & cons of each property.
DISNEY SPRINGS HOTELS
Stop getting stuck in daily traffic jams. The lovely Disney Springs hotels are right on property.
Walt Disney World includes 8 resort hotels located within the Disney Springs district. These hotels are technically on property, but they’re not owned and managed by The Walt Disney Company. Rather, they’re owned and managed by nationally-recognized hotel chains. In a nutshell, here are the upsides of staying in the Disney Springs area hotels:
- Value. The nightly rates at these hotels are usually notably cheaper than Disney resort hotels. You can often score great rates through third-party travel agencies.
- Location. The hotels are a short drive from the Disney Parks, and just moments from the Disney Springs shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Free transportation to the parks. The buses which serve Disney Springs don’t arrive as often as those which serve the official Disney resort hotels. They typically arrive about once per hour (while the Disney resort hotels buses arrive about every twenty minutes).
- Early Park Entry. You’ll have exclusive access to the parks along with Disney resort hotel guests. 30 minutes early, every day.
Here are the downsides to keep in mind:
- No resort charges on a MagicBand. You can purchase one to link your tickets and reservations, but you cannot link a credit card for contactless payment purchases throughout the resort.
- No complimentary airport transportation. You’ll need to get a taxi / ride-share (usually about $40 USD each way) or rent a car. There are no public transportation options between the airport and Walt Disney World.
- The buses to / from the parks come less often. The buses are scheduled to arrive every 30 minutes.
- Standard dining booking window. You will not benefit by having the chance to book dining for your entire length of stay when it’s 60 days before your check-in date. Your access to dining reservations will be the same as any other guest to Walt Disney World, including local residents.
That said, for many travelers, the excellent value of the Disney Springs Resort Hotels makes it all worthwhile. And, if you’ve got a rewards program through one of these brands, you may get even greater benefits.
Here are the Disney Springs Resort Hotels:
- B Resort and Spa
- Best Western Lake Buena Vista
- Doubletree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
- Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Yes, there are three Hilton-brand hotels and two Wyndham-brand hotels within Disney Springs. And each of these hotels is unique and distinct from the others.
Wishful Thinking will send you a free, personalized proposal — full of high-resolution images and detailed descriptions — featuring honest breakdowns on the pros & cons of each property.
PARTNER HOTELS
Few people know about the exclusive partner hotels on property. They’re some of most luxurious in all of Florida.
Here are the Disney World partner hotels, which are located on property, but not in the Disney Springs area:
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Springhill Suites at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center
- Townplace Suites at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel
OFF-PROPERTY GOOD NEIGHBOR HOTELS
Some untrustworthy hotels may have pretty websites but awful accommodations. Disney’s Good Neighbor Hotels are hand-picked by the Mouse for quality and reliability.
There are more than 45 different hotels with the Good Neighbor Hotel distinction. Each of them offers excellent value and a wide variety of amenities, and best of all, they are all eligible to be bundled together with a Walt Disney World vacation package.
Because there are so many options, it can be hard to know which hotels are the smartest choice. We’re here help you narrow things down, and our help is free. Schedule a free 15-minute Q & A ▸
GUEST HOMES
Larger group? Stop crushing everyone into cramped hotel rooms. Orlando’s guest homes offer private pools and a charming home away from home.
Private guest homes offer expanded space and comfort with the privacy of a home-away-from-home. Full kitchens, private swimming pools, recreation areas and charming neighborhoods welcome guests who want more room to relax. Sharing a guest home will usually cost less than booking multiple hotel rooms. But what are the tradeoffs?
Here are a few key things to keep in mind when considering a guest home rental:
- You have lots of options. AirBNB isn’t all there is; Expedia, VRBO, and many independently owned agencies rent guest homes throughout Orlando.
- Factor in the cost of transportation and parking. You’ll need to drive, rent a car, or depend on rideshares. You’ll also pay to park every time you visit a Theme Park ($25-30 USD per day).
- Many ‘guest homes’ are condos within large resort areas. You might benefit by having all the amenities of a large resort area (like a feature pool, exercise gym, nearby golf course, outdoor recreation, etc).
FLORIDA’S BEACHES
Travel all the way to Florida without seeing the ocean? Miles of gorgeous tropical beaches are only an hour away.
Many first-time Orlando guests mistakenly think that Orlando is along the coast. The ocean is an hour away. But if you’d like to combine an Orlando vacation with a trip to one of Florida’s beautiful beaches, which one should you pick? And how should you get there? It’s pretty easy to include a trip to the Florida coast, whether it’s just for a quick day trip out and back, or an extension to your Walt Disney World vacation. The most popular beaches within easy reach of Orlando are:
Cocoa Beach | Branded as the nearest beach to Orlando, it’s just about one hour east. In addition to the charming Cocoa Village and the world’s largest surf shop, this beach is also within an easy drive of the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.
Daytona Beach | This fun-loving resort beach town is about 90 minutes north and east of Orlando along the Atlantic coast. Famous for college spring breaks and a vibrant nightlife, you’ll also find full service resorts and spectacular beaches.
Clearwater Beach | About two hours southwest of Orlando, along the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater is often named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The readers of TripAdvisor think so — they’ve been ranking it #1 annually.
There are no public transportation options between Orlando and the coastal beaches. To visit, your best bet is rent a car and drive. You might even want to stay for a night or two.
Ready to plan an ideal beach escape? The most beautiful places book up early. Get a free, no-obligation quote ▸
BRILLIANT GUIDES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025
When is the best time to visit? How busy will it be in the theme parks?
Why should I book a hotel on-property vs. off-property?
What’s located at each theme park? What’s a must at Disney Springs?
What rides, dining, & experiences are most popular & need reservations?
How can I combine park tickets, dining, and hotel stays to save money?
What are realistic tips for transportation and getting places on time?
How much do park tickets cost? Which ticket options save money?
When & where do I use the smartphone app, Genie+ and MagicBand?
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Our trip planning is free. When you book a Disney vacation through us, you’ll pay the same price as if you booked it on your own, yet enjoy the bliss of a talented Wishful Thinking travel planner.
A Wishful Thinking travel planner is:
- Bright. We’re nerd-level experts on Disney’s past, present and future.
- Talented. We’ve been designing travel itineraries around the globe for 15 years.
- Realistic. We help you prepare for everything and set honest expectations.
- Whimsical. Spontaneous fun often produces our most treasured memories.
- Inspiring. We’re still kids at heart who believe in the power of dreams.
It’s never too early to start planning!
You do the wishing. We do the thinking.™
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Wishful Thinking is an affiliate of Looking Glass Travel, a Gold Authorized Disney Vacation Planning agency, and an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner..
Disney pays us to help plan your trip, from your first wish list until your departure. We’ll even assist you during your vacation until you’re happily back home.
Our trip planning is free. When you book a Disney vacation through us, you’ll pay the same price as if you booked it on your own, yet enjoy the bliss of a talented Wishful Thinking travel planner.
A Wishful Thinking travel planner is:
- Bright. We’re nerd-level experts on Disney’s past, present and future.
- Talented. We’ve been designing travel itineraries around the globe for 15 years.
- Realistic. We help you prepare for everything and set honest expectations.
- Whimsical. Spontaneous fun often produces our most treasured memories.
- Inspiring. We’re still kids at heart who believe in the power of dreams.
It’s never too early to start planning!