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Disney World Resort List: Everything You Need to Know about Every Disney Resort

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Which Disney World Resort Hotel Is Right for You – a Comprehensive Disney World Resort List

When it comes to Disney World Resort hotels, there are many options, resulting in a lengthy list of on property hotels. Given the number of options, determining which hotel fits your budget, your group or even the location where you want to stay can be challenging.

Disney has 25 immersive, elaborately themed hotels across the property, each one different from the last. They fall into three different categories: Value, Moderate and Deluxe. And while you can find a number of Disney World resort options across Florida, few compare to the convenience and amenities of an onsite property.

To narrow things down, use our handy online tool below to find the best resort for you. Then keep reading to for detailed information and descriptions of each resort in this complete list of Disney World Resort hotels.

Looking for a Disney World Resort hotel? Take our quick quiz below to find your perfect match. Then, keep reading for all the in-depth details on all Disney World resorts!

What You’ll Find in this Article

Why Choose a Disney World Resort Hotel?

Theming at Disney World Resorts

While there are plenty of offsite hotel options, we are firm believers that staying onsite is the most convenient, and the best way to stay right in the middle of the magic. When staying offsite, you are forced to leave the Walt Disney World bubble, often experiencing views of backstage areas, having to transport yourself to and from Disney’s property.

Grand Floridian from afar
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Offsite hotels typically lack Disney’s depth of theming as well. Disney World resort hotels feature immersive themes such as a Polynesian island, with leis handed out at check in and hotel buildings shaped like Polynesian longhouses. Being able to walk through the palm trees and beaches of the Polynesian resort while making your way to the volcano waterslide is the type of essential experience that makes a trip to Disney World so memorable! Better yet, you’ll find a wealth of other theming experiences on the Disney World resorts list.

Complimentary Transportation to and from Disney Theme Parks

Besides the aesthetics of a Walt Disney World resort, convenience is a huge factor when booking onsite. A Disney World resort hotel stay includes transportation of all kinds, starting right with your trip from the airport. Some of you may not know that the journey from Orlando International airport to Walt Disney World typically takes about 30 minutes. There are many shuttle services, as well as the option to use Uber, Lyft, or rent a car.

Bus decorated in a Minnie Mouse theme, part of the Disney World transportation system
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Onsite Disney World resort hotels also offer complimentary park transportation to all 4 main theme parks, the 2 water parks, and Disney Springs. While some offsite hotels offer transportation, and there is always Uber and Lyft, Disney’s transportation is the only one that can drop you off right at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.  All guests not arriving by Disney transport options, are required to be dropped off at the Transportation Ticket Center, and then take a monorail or boat to the park.

Extended Hours

Another perk of selecting accommodations from the Disney World resort list is extended evening and morning hours. Each day, resort guests are admitted up to a half an hour early into any of the four major theme parks. While not as generous as its predecessor, Extra Magic Hours, Early Theme Park Entry does allow you to get on a ride or two with less wait and fewer crowds. Guests of Disney deluxe resorts may also visit select theme parks for a few hours after closing, providing lower crowds and less wait.

Some Disney Resorts are located right near EPCOT
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Understanding Disney World Resort Tiers

When looking for Disney World resorts, Orlando offers many options from the ultra-cheap to the extravagant. You’ll find the same range when staying on Disney World Property.

Disney resorts are offered in four tiers:

  • Value resorts: At a value resort, you can expect elaborate theming, with clean and comfortable accomodations. These resorts offer some of the smallest rooms on Disney property, but who spends time in their room anyway? If this fits you, then you’ll enjoy a stay at a value resort. With plenty of dining options onsite and the lowest rack rates at Disney, it’s hard to beat. Value resorts sleep 4 people. Suites available at some locations my sleep up to 6 people.
  • Moderate resorts: The moderate resorts fall at the center of Disney’s pricing tier. Grounds are richly themed and expansive, providing ample opportunities for strolling, multiple pools to enjoy and readily available dining options. Rooms tend to be larger than those found at value resorts, but not as large as rooms at a deluxe resort. Value resort rooms sleep 4-5 people.
  • Deluxe resorts are at the top of the tier when it comes to staying at Disney. They offer larger rooms and a more upscale feel, but grounds are more compact. These resorts feature some of the best theming and can transport you to the tropics, an African savanna or even back in time to a bygone era. Disney deluxe resorts sleep 5 guests.
  • Disney deluxe villas: Disney villas are part of the Disney Vacation Club, a timeshare option that makes rooms available for rent. In most cases, these resorts share grounds, theming and ameniteis with one of Disney’s deluxe properties. The advantage to booking a villa is that many room types are offered, including 1 and 2-bedroom options.

Now that we have discussed the resort tiers, stay tuned for a complete list of Disney World Resort hotels, as well as descriptions and detailed information.

Disney World Value Resorts

At the lower end of the cost spectrum in the list of Disney World Resort hotels, Disney’s value resorts offer basic motel-style rooms at a fair price with an added perk. All are elevated through elaborate theming and magical experiences only realized at a Disney resort. Family suites are even available at select resorts, accommodating up to 6 guests in a room.

  • Room Size: the smallest rooms, averaging 260 sq ft with standard room sleeping up to four guests plus a crib. Suite rooms sleep up to 6 (including a crib).
  • Beds: standard rooms have either two queens or one king. Suites, called “Family Suites” have a queen bed, a full-size sleeper sofa, a double pull out table bed. Other suites have a queen bed, full sleeper sofa, twin size sofa, and a twin sleeper ottoman.
  • Bathrooms: one shower, one toilet, and one sink. The shower and toilet are in their own separate room.
  • Onsite Dining: food court and evening pizza room deliveries and bar by the pool.
  • Pools: cartoony themed pools with no water slides, some water play elements.
  • Décor: large cartoony elements or brightly colored theming on exteriors. Rooms are accessed via external doors, check in and main building contain no rooms.
  • Interior décor: minimal theming and basic accommodations, some themed after Disney characters
  • Room views: Overlooking a parking lot, themed elements or swimming pool.
  • Entertainment Options: Playground, pools, poolside games, movie under the stars.
  • Transportation options: Buses to all locations, or the skyliner from select resorts

Disney’s All Star Movies Resort

The Art of Animation features the 1010 Dalmatians
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Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is the first on our list of list of Disney World Resort hotels in the value resort category. All Star Movie’s puts you in the middle of some of your favorite animated Disney movies. With extra large size decorations of the 101 dalmatians or Andy’s toys from Toy Story, you’ll feel like a star.

Accommodations at this tier of the Disney World resorts list boast a main Fantasia themed pool, a kiddie pool and a second slightly smaller Mighty Ducks themed Duck Pond pool. The grounds are expansive and rooms are clustered into buildings with different themes:

  • Fantasia: Right outside the main building you will find the Fantasia Cluster of rooms, with larger than life reprsentations of Disney’s classic Fantasia characters.
  • 101 Dalmatian: To the right of the Fantasia building are the 101 Dalmatian themed rooms, adorned by Giant Pongo and Perdita statues and one puppy watching a large tv.
  • Mighty Duck: Continue down the pathway past Pongo and Perdita, and you’ll run into the Mighty Duck themed rooms. They’ll be easily recognized by the large hockey decorations and real live duck pond.
  • Toy Story: Woody and Buzz welcome you to this sector, in a larger-than-life size that really makes you feel like a toy.
  • Love Bug Rooms: If you’re under 20, you might not recognize this classic film, but children of the 70s and 90s know Herbie the Love Bug all too well. Even if you aren’t familiar with this self-driving auto, who can resist a racing Volkswagen beetle? You’ll find Herbie out front, ready to greet you.

Views from All Star Movies Resort

Technically, rooms at this point on the Disney resort list offer two views: resort and water. You’ll find that in many cases, that means looking out over parking lots or roadways, with some rooms positioned to look out over the grounds.

Dining options at All Star Movies

Dining is located in the main building in the World Premiere Food Court. Food options range from omelets to pasta and other America classics. Additional dining options can be found at the Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar. located as name would suggest, poolside.

Room layouts at Disney All Star Resorts

Room layouts come in 2 varieties:

  • King size bed
  • 1 Queen size bed and a table pull down bed

These rooms sleep up to 4 adults. The rooms in All-Star Movies are the smallest of the All Star resorts, specifically the bathrooms. Room configurations vary depending upon their  proximity to the main building.

All-Star Movies resort is located closest to the Animal Kingdom park, as are all other All-Star resorts.

Travel styles most suited to Disney All Star Movies Resort

Guests who are enjoying a shorter stay, or those who would otherwise spend most of their time in the parks, will benefit from the cost savings of a value resort. Budget-conscious travelers who prefer to spend their vacation dollars on experiences rather than an eleborate hotel room will also appreciate the price-friendly point of All Star Movies. If you have children who are big fans of any of the moview represented at the resort could also enjoy a stay at All Stars Movies.

Pros of staying at Disney All Stars Resort

  • Budget-conscious accomodations
  • Food court dining with multiple options caters to picky eaters
  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Pool with Scorceror Mickey
  • Kiddie pool and splash pad
  • Easy walking distance to other All Star Resorts expands your dining options
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible

Cons of staying at a Disney All Stars Resort

  • No pool slide
  • Small rooms accommodate only 4 people
  • All Stars resorts often host large youth groups which can be noisy at times
  • Expansive grounds could mean a lot of walking to bus stops or dining
  • Bus transportation may be shared with All Star Music resort, resulting at longer wait times for pick up during non-peak travel times
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

The All-Star Music Resort is another on the Disney World Resort list with larger than life theming. It is located right next to All-Star movies, and even shares a parking lot.

Disney’s All Star Music Resort immerses you in a world of song and memories. The aptly named Melody Hall is the main building, housing resort check-in, dining and other essentials. A guitar shaped pool, invites guests to rock the night away.

The room clusters are themed for different genres of music with cartoonish large relevant props outside each building. The music genres featured are: calypso, jazz, rock, country fair, and Broadway.

Views from All Star Music Rooms

As with All Stars Movies Resort, rooms feature standard views looking out onto parking lots or roadways. Garden views can be booked for a slight upcharge and let you peep out your window at pathways, grass and the elaborate theming.

Dining options at All Star Music

All-Star Music’s dining is also food court style. Options include burgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken tenders and a plethora of desserts. Meals can be ordered ahead of time on your phone. And as with all value and moderate resorts, pizza can be ordered and delivered directly to your room.

Room Layouts at Disney All Star Music

Room configurations for this Disney World resort hotel are available in two options:

  • Standard Rooms: Standard rooms have two double beds, making room for up to four adults. One bed is a pull-down table bed with regular mattress, allowing you to tuck away the sleeping accomodations during the day, in favor of a table and chairs.
  • Family suites sleep up to six adults and offer 2 rooms and a small kitchenette. You’ll find a bedroom with one queen size bed. The main room features a queen bed and queen pull-down bed.

Travel styles most suited to All Stars Music

Guests traveling in a larger group will appreciate the chance to spread out across a 1-room suite at a budget-respecting price. The guests most suited to stays in regular room are solo travelers or groups of 4 our less who don’t plan to spend much time in their room. If you’re traveling with a large youth group for events such as cheerleading, dance or football, odds are, you will be staying in an All Star resort.

Pros of staying at Disney All Stars Music

  • Budget-conscious accomodations with available suites
  • Food court dining with multiple options caters to picky eaters
  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • 2 pools and a playground make this resort exceptionally kid-friendly
  • Calypso pool features statues of Donald Duck and friends spraying water
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Easy walking distance to other All Star Resorts expands your dining options
  • Free self parking

Cons of staying at Disney All Stars Music

  • Small rooms (260 square feet) if not staying in a suite
  • No table service dining
  • All Stars resorts often host large youth groups which can be noisy at times
  • Expansive grounds could mean a lot of walking to bus stops or dining
  • Bus transportation may be shared with All Star Music resort, resulting at longer wait times for pick up during non-peak travel times
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

Transportation to the Parks

Transportation to and from the parks is included in your resort booking, utilizing the Disney World bus fleet.


Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

When it comes to the list of Disney World Resort hotels, the All Stars are some of the best value. This entry on the Disney World resorts list is in the same complex as the other two All-Star resorts, and within walking distance. Just as the other two resorts put you into the world of music and movies, this resort places you into the world of sports with the same large cartoon style décor and statues.

The building layout is the same as the All-Star Movies Resort, just mirrored. The main building, named Stadium Hall contains the check in area, a gift shop, an arcade and the food court.

The room building themes in this resort are: surfs up, the hoops hotel, center court, touchdown, and the homerun hotel. The Surfboard Bay pool is perfectly placed outside of the Surf’s up buildings and right behind Stadium Hall. The pool area does have a kiddie area, but no water slide.

All Star Sports Disney World reosrt hotel
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Views from All Star Sports

As with other Disney All Stars hotels, you’ll find that your room presents you with a nice opportunity to watch traffic on the nearby roadway or cars in the parking lot. For a small upcharge, you can view the grounds, internal walkways or pool.

Dining at All Star Sports

The End Zone food court features American inspired meals such as burgers, pizza and smoothies. TVs in the food court play sporting events and Disney cartoons. Pizza can also be delivered directly to your room.

Room layouts at All Star Sports

All-Star Sports’ room configurations are identical to the All Star Music standard rooms, with one queen bed and one pull-down bed, featuring a regular mattress. The latter folds out of the way during the day to provide guests with a small table and chairis. All-Star Sports does not have any family suites.

Travel styles most suited to All Star Sports

Solo travelers who don’t need a lot of room or luxurious accommodations will enjoy what All Star Sports has to offer. Likewise, if you like saving your vacation budget for more notable experiences than those realized at your hotel, All Stars Sports is a clean and comfortable option.

Pros of staying at All Star Sports

  • 2 pools
  • Colorful buildings
  • Typically the first stop when All Stars Resorts share buses
  • Food court with many options
  • Jogging trail to get your morning run in
  • Budget-friendly accomodations on Disney property
  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Easy walking distance to other All Star Resorts expands your dining options
  • Free self parking
  • Guests consistently rate All Stars Sports high for comfortable beds, according to Trip Advisor Reviews
  • Guests report ample seating at the pools

Cons of staying at a Disney All Star Sports

  • No table service dining
  • Rooms can be loud when large groups are booked into the resort
  • Rooms are on the small side at 260 square feet
  • No waterslides in the pools
  • Every other day housekeeping may be standard
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

Transportation options at All Star Sports

Transportation to and from the parks is included in your resort booking, utilizing the Disney World bus fleet.


Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

A giant Little Mermaid figure adorns the exterior of  Disney's Art of Animation, a hotel on the Disney resort list.
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Similar to All-Star Movies, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort also puts you in the middle of an animated movie. This Disney World Resort Hotel focuses on Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The décor features large and life-sized props and characters from the movies adorning the entrances and walkways outside the different buildings.

The main pool outside the Finding Nemo rooms is called The Big Blue Pool and also features a children’s water play feature. The Big Blue Pool is the largest resort pool out of any resort on the whole property. The resort also features two more smaller quiet pools, one outside the cars themed rooms, and another outside the Little Mermaid Themed rooms.

This resort is located in the World Wide of Sports area of Walt Disney World, which is not too far from Hollywood Studios.

Views from Disney Art of Animation Rooms

Views from Disney’s Art of Animation feature lookouts onto parking areas, or for an upcharge, courtyards or pools.

Room Layouts at Art of Animation

Disney’s Art of Animation features two room types

  • Standard rooms with 2 queen-sized beds
  • Family suites, some themed to Disney movies

Family suites offer spacious accommodations that sleep up to 6. The rooms are configured to have a separate bedroom offering a queen sized bed, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a living room. Other beds include a double table bed, and a double sleeper sofa.

The Little Mermaid building is the only building in this resort to hold standard rooms. These rooms consist of two double beds or one king size bed and one bathroom.

Dining at Art of Animation

Dining options for this Disney World Resort hotel include a poolside bar, pizza delivery, and a food court called Landscape of Flavors. The food court has five different counter service restaurants with different themes.

Travel styles most suitable to Art of Animation

Given that most of the rooms at this resort are suites sleeping up to 6, this resort offers a great option for multi-generational parties or larger families. Given its price point, well below that of a deluxe resort, Art of Animation is also a solid option for families with 3 children. However, don’t expect the same budget prices as you’ll find at other value resorts, despite the fact that Art of Animation falls within that tier on the Disney resort list. This resort is also a good option for smaller families where children do not wish to share a bed.

Disney’s Art of Animation is also dog-friendly, allowing up to two dogs per room.

Pros of staying at Disney Art of Animation

  • Large family suites offer ample room for large parties or groups wishing to spread out a little
  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Sketch art adorn the common spaces featuring Disney animation
  • Rooms themed to popular Disney movies, including The LIttle mermaid, Cars, Lion King and Finding Nemo, delight younger travelers who are fans of the movies
  • Vanity separate from tub and shower
  • 3 pools, all with lifeguards
  • Splashpad and playground for younger children
  • Jogging trail circling the Hourglass Lake

Cons of staying at Disney Art of Animation

  • Large expansive resort may require walking to reach bus stops or dining
  • No pool in the Lion King section
  • No pool waterslide
  • No table service dining
  • More expensive than many guests expect for a value resort

Transportation to the parks

Besides buses, Art of Animation boasts the option of riding on Disney World’s new skyliner.


Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is one of the most uniquely themed value resorts on the list of Disney World Resort hotels. Themed after varioussdecades from 1950-1990, there are two buildings representing each decade, with the exception of the 90’s, which only has one building. The décor and props outside each building are large props representing the fads and trends of the time.

The resort has one main pool located in the 60’s, the hippy dippy pool, and a kiddie pool right beside it. Two quiet pools are also in the resort, located by the 50’s and 80’s buildings. The main building holds check in, an arcade, shopping and a food court.

Views from Disney’s Pop Century

As with all value resorts, you’ll find the least expensive accommodations peer out ove parking lots and roadways. If you’re willing to splurge on an upgrade, you can rest your peeper on the more pleasing site of pool or gardens.

Dining options at Disney Pop Century

The Far Out food court has 7 different food stations with popular options like pizza, waffles, flatbreads, salads and pasta. If you’d rather eat in your room, pizza delivery is available.

Room layouts at Disney Pop Century

Pop Century rooms have either one king bed, or one queen bed and a queen table bed. The room options are all based on location and views. Preferred rooms, or rooms that are the closest to the lobby, are most costly. Rooms with pool views also have higher rates than rooms with parking lot views.

Travel styles most suited to Pop Century

As with most value resorts, guests who are minding their wallet will appreciate staying at Pop Century. While rates are slightly higher than those found at the All Stars Resorts, you do receive Skyliner transportation in exchange for the upcharge. Rooms are updated and modern but basic, welcoming guests who don’t plan to spend much time there but enjoy a clean and comfortable space to rest their head.

Pros of Disney Pop Century Resort

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Wallet-friendly pricing
  • Skyliner transportation to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT
  • Queen pull-down bed converts to a table during the day
  • Zero entry kiddie pool with bubbling underwater currents
  • Pool bar serving adult beverages
  • Playground for young children
  • Lush grounds and walkways

Cons of Disney Pop Century Resort

  • Guests report long waits for buses during peak travel times
  • Rooms are a tight squeeze for more than 2 adults
  • Grounds are large, so your room may be located at a distance from dining and other amenities
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

Transportation to and from the parks

Pop Century is located across the lake from Disney’s Art of Animation. These resorts are both in the World Wide of Sports area of Disney World, not too far from Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is the second value resort to have the new Skyliner as a transportation option to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Other parks are reached by bus.


Disney World Moderate Resorts

Bigger rooms and lush grounds differentiate the moderates from value resorts on the Disney World resort list, giving you a little more space to spread out and stretch your legs.

Main Building in the Disney World Resort Hotel Port Orleans
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  • Room size: averaging 314 square feet with sleeping up to four, with certain resorts sleeping five. As always, cribs are available for all rooms.
  • Beds: standard rooms feature either one king size bed or 2 queen size beds. Some resorts such as Port Orleans also have a twin trundle or murphy bed.
  • Bathrooms: One shower/tub, one toilet, and two sinks. The toilet and shower share a room, and the sinks can be divided from the main area with a curtain or door.
  • Onsite Dining: Food court, poolside bar, pizza delivery, one table service restaurant, one (or more) indoor bars or lounges.
  • Pools: Main pools and quiet pools, some resorts have small water slides.
  • Décor: Exterior décor and architecture matches resort theme, with more upscale theming ideas than value resorts. Rooms are accessed via external doors, check in and main building contain no rooms.
  • Interior Décor: Basic theming inside, some rooms are character themed.
  • Room Views: Parking lots, pools, natural waterway, or theming elements.
  • Entertainment options: Pools, movie nights, playground, poolside games, bike rentals or gyms at select moderate resorts. Horse carriage rides at Port Orleans as well as fishing.
  • Transportation options: Buses, possibly boats to Disney Springs, depending on the resort. The new Skyliner now transports from select moderate resorts.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Caribbean Beach Resort, a Moderate Disney World resort hotel on the Disney World resorts list
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This EPCOT area Disney World resort hotel is themed after five different Caribbean islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba. The airy building exteriors paired with the tropical landscapes offer a relaxing and immersive place to stay.

The Caribbean Beach Resort has comfortable hammocks to enjoy the pristine sand beaches and brightly colored florals. The “port of entry,” Old Port Royale, features check in and Caribbean inspired shops and eateries.

Of course, the Caribbean Beach resort would have a phenomenal pool and play area. A Spanish inspired fort surrounds the main zero-entry pool. The fortress contains water canons and two different waterslides. The longest waterslide drops you a whopping 82 feet right through the fort wall!

The main pool also has a hot tub and another pool with a large water feature pirate ship for kids under 48”. The pirate ship water playground includes sprinklers, three smaller water slides, and a giant bucket which sporadically dumps water.

Dining options at Caribbean Beach Resort

Dining options include two counter service restaurants, the Spyglass Grill and Centertown Market. Spyglass Grill has American food options with a Caribbean twist. The Centertown Market has all the typical food court options you would expect: salads, sandwiches, bakery items and more. Centertown Market also has a grab and go section with premade food items.

The Caribbean Beach Resort also offers 2 table service dining options that will satisfy all your cravings. Sabestian’s Bistro features a limited Caribbean-inspired menu served prix fixe style. You’ll choose from entrees like oven-roasted citrus checken or slow-cooked mojo pork and team it up with island sides like cilantro rice and beans or vegetable curry. The restaurant’s atmosphere is calm, inviting and inspired by the tropics with waterfront views.

Banana Cabana offers tropical libations (thinking Pineapple Mule or seasonal margarita) on a walk up basis or in-restaurant dining featuring a menu strong on island flavors. You can also grab your daily cup of Java at a Joffrey’s kiosk located at the Main Skyliner station.

Room layouts at Caribbean Beach Resort

Rooms at Caribbean Beach are offered in multiple types and can be booked in two different view categories. With a standard view room, you could look out onto parking lots, courtyard or woodlands. There is no longer an option to pay more to recieve a non-parking lot view of your room, so if this is important, make sure you send a request to the property. There is no guarantee that requests will be honored, but in our experience, Disney does do everything they can to honor location requests when possible. Of course, you can always bump up in cost to a water or pool view room.

Within these view categories are 3 different room configurations, and these can be booked to assure you receive the room type you want. Rooms are available in the following configurations:

  • 1 king bed
  • 2 queen beds
  • 2 queen beds and 1 child size pull down bed (5th sleeper room)

If you’re booking a 5th sleeper room or one with 2 queen beds, you may also opt for a preferred room. By booking this room category, you will receive a room near Old Port Royal where check-in, restuarants, shops and the feature pool are located.

Prices for rooms vary based on configuration, theming and views. Rooms with the added children’s pull down bed stir up a higher rack rate than a room with 2 queen beds. Other price variations are due to views and location to the lobby. Generally, rooms with better views and closer proximity to the lobby have higher nightly rates.

Transportation to the parks from Caribbean Beach

Caribbean Beach is a Skyliner hub, meaning guests may travel to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT directly from their resort. Travel time is about the same as taking a bus, but the views are much better. To reach Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, buses run every 10 to 20 minutes and stop at 6 pick up points throughout the resort. Each of the 5 different “islands” will have their own bus stop, and buses entering the resort will stop at each.

Pools at Caribbean Beach Resort

The Fuentes del Morro pool at Caribbean Beach Resort is a kid’s paradise with spraying man-of-war cannons and not one, but 2 waterslides, one measuring 102 feet long. LIttler ones won’t be left out of the slipping and sliding fun either. The shipwreck play area offers mini slides, a crows nest and barrels of water that coninuously refill and tip to drench guests below. Poolside parties and activities are offered daily, conducted by Disney cast members.

Adults will enjoy the 12-person hot spa and ordering drinks from the nearby Banana Cabana pool bar. If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere, head to one of 5 leisure pools. They’re located near each of the island areas, so no matter where you stay in this vast resort, you’ll have a pool nearby.

Travel Styles Most Suited to Caribbean Beach Resort

With the Skyliner onsite and laid back island vibes creating a relaxing vacation atmosphere, it’s hard to go wrong with the Caribbean Beach resort, but this hotel is particularl well suited to:

  • Families of 5 or less will enjoy the additional space to spread out over the value resorts.
  • Wallet-conscious travelers will feel secure knowing they are getting some great perks without a tremendous added cost when compared to offsite or value resorts.
  • With connecting rooms available, Caribbean Beach resort is also a great option for multi-generational travel or families who want to spread out over 2 rooms to get extra space or beds.

Pros of staying at Disney Caribbean Beach

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Skyliner transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Sandy beaches with chairs and hammocks for relaxing
  • The zero entry Fuentes del Morro pool with 2 water slides
  • Connecting rooms available
  • 5th sleeper rooms available
  • Laid back island atmospher abounds
  • Prime location, close to EPCOT and equidistant to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
  • Close proximity to Riviera Resort offers additional dining options
  • Joffrey’s coffee kiosk located onsite at the Main Skyliner Station

Cons of staying at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort

  • Some guests have experienced inconsistent cleanliness. In our experience, a quick call to Housekeeping resolved the issue immediately.
  • The resort is large, so you may have a long walk to restaurants or the feature pool
  • The size of the resort can also contribute to long waits for buses during non-peak times as it can take 15 to 20 minutes to circle the resort
  • Buses may be full by the time they reach your stop during peak travel times if you are staying at one of the last pick up points. HINT: request a room near one of the first pick up points.
  • Views of the nearby and very visible Riviera Resort are jarring to the island atmosphere carried out so well at Caribbean Beach
  • There are 2nd floor rooms at Caribbean Beach but no elevators
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs is the best resort for families and business visitors alike on our list of Disney World Resort hotels. This Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest (American) inspired resort is the only Disney World moderate hotel to feature a convention center. The sprawling resort has a traditional hotel tower as well as sprawling walkways that lead to many building clusters featuring the resort rooms.

The plethora of buildings all surround Lago Dorado (Durado Lake), which offers stunning views and gives the feeling of privacy from the other buildings. The building clusters follow three different themes. Besides the Gran Destino Tower, there are the Casitas, themed after colonial cities in Mexico, The Ranchos, which are inspired by the American Southwest, and The Cabanos, which are designed to give the feeling of being in a small Mexican coastal village.

coronado fountain night
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Coronado Springs also boasts a large gym, for all your workout needs, and jogging paths that crisscross the expansive resort. The only downside to this resort is the amount of walking you will have to do to see it all. The pool is on the opposite side of the lake from the main lobby building, but many paths that cross the lakes will get you there.

Many consider the Coronado a deluxe resort at a value price. While rooms in the Casitas, Ranchos and Cabanas sections offer your standard motel style accommodations with some well appointed perks, rooms in the newer Gran Destino Tower are quite a step up and do provide some added perks.

Gran Destino Tower Lobby with Christmas tree at Disney Coronado Springs Resort
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Coronado Springs Resort lobby at Gran Destino Tower

Dining options at Coronado Springs Resort

Placed perfectly inside the picturesque lake is the Bridges Bar and Grill. This table service lakeview eatery is all about shared plates, sandwiches and a new upscale take on traditional foods such as corndogs and fries.

Toledos- Tapas, Steak and Seafood has, well, tapas. The Spanish inspired menu offers a delicious, themed sit down experience. The food style is a little avant-garde, but don’t let that scare you away.

The Maya Grill, another table service dining option, serves traditional Mexican dishes with a modern take. The dining room is themed to ancient Mexico, and the atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a delicious plate of fajitas. The Maya Grill is only open for dinner.

Cafe Rix rounds out the table service dining options at Coronado, offering bar and grill food in an accompanying atmosphere. If you’re there on game day, expect a lot of hollaring and cheering from fans watching the games.

Counter service and quick food options at Coronado Springs include El Mercado de Coronado, and four different bars and lounges. All counter service and quick dining options are Spanish or Mexican inspired with many traditional American dishes. A full room service menu is also available.

Pools at the Coronado

The feature pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs resides at the Dig Site. Themed to resemble Mayan ruins, this expansive complex features a 123-foot long slide through a 50-foot tall pyaramid and waterfalls. The Dig Site also holds the largest hot tub on Disney property, with room for 22 guests. For a quieter atmosphere, guests have the option to visit one of 3 leisure pools.

Room Layouts and Views

Rooms at Coronado Springs vary greatly in layout, depending on where you stay. However, view categories are consistent across all locations and include water views of lake or pools and resort views. This latter can be anything from parking lot to courtyard or gardens, so make a request if the picture outside your window is important to you.

Room layouts at either the Casitas, Cabanas or Ranchos sections include one of the following options:

  • 2 queen beds
  • 1 king bed
  • Casitas bedroom suite with two queen beds and one queen sleeper sofa
  • A king suite: one king bed and a separte living area with one queen sleeper sofa
  • Cisitas 1 bedroom suite: 2 queen beds and a separate living area with a queen sofa bed
  • Casitas executive suite: 1 king bed in a bedroom with adjoining bathroom, 2 queen beds in separate room, 1 queen sleeper sofa in main living area, dining room

Rooms in the Gran Destino Tower offer more luxurious finishing touches and an upscale vibe. Rooms are accessed via interior hallways for a true hotel feel and come in the following configurations:

  • 2 queen beds
  • 1 king bed
  • Tower One Bedroom Suite: 1 king bed and a sleeper sofa in separate living space
  • Tower Presidential Suite: 1 room with 2 queen beds, 1 room with 1 king bed, large separate living area

In addition, select rooms in the Gran Destino Tower are available as a club level booking. The Club level at Disney is an exclusive booking category, offering guests personal concierge and planning services as well as access to private lounge that serves food and beverages throughout the day. Club level rooms are available in the following configurations

  • Deluxe suite: 1 king bed and 1 queen size sleeper sofa
  • Tower standard view: 2 queen beds

Room prices depend on room size, room location, and room views. Obviously, bigger rooms cost more, as do better views, and better locations (closer to the lobby).

Transportation to the parks from Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs is considered an Animal Kingdom area hotel. All transportation to and from the parks is via bus.

Travel styles most suited to Coronado Springs Resort

Guests looking for a bit of a luxury vibe who don’t want to pay the upscale price of some of Disney’s deluxe resorts will appreciate a room in the Gran Destino Tower. One bedroom suites are perfect for families who plan to spend some time in their room or at the hotel and want extra space. Grandparents traveling with children and grandchildren, who don’t expect to spend every day in the park will fit this bill well. Just be prepared for a more premium price tag to accompany the premium room size.

Since all rooms are spacious and offer simple touches such as a drink cooler, USB charging ports and Hey Disney, a service similar to Alexa, families will also enjoy a stay anywhere at the Coronado.

Pros of Staying at Coronado Springs Resort

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Multiple dining options
  • Opportunity to step up to more upscale rooms
  • Wallet-friendly pricing available, particularly when discounts are offered
  • Gym onsite
  • Elevators are available

Cons of Staying at Disney Coronado Springs Resort

  • Resort size: Expansive grounds means you could have a long walk to restuarants and a wait for bus service during peak travel times
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness – not to be confused with the Fort Wilderness Resort (read more about Fort Wilderness below.) – offer a private, family-friendly experience in the American frontier. Each family can have their own cabin surrounded by trees and wildlife.

As of this writing, cabins are undergoing renovation, with reservations set to open on March 21, 2024 on a completely reimagined experience.

queen sized bed takes center stage in Cabin at Fort Wilderness with 2 bunk beds built into the wall behind it.
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Each cabin at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will include a main bedroom with a large queen-size bed, wall-mounted television and two bunk beds, adorned with whimsical artwork featuring Mickey and his friends. Each cabin will sleep up to six people. (Disney) ©Disney

Attached to the cabin area is the expansive Fort Wilderness Campground with many spaces for traditional camping, or RV and camper trailer parking. With the massive size of the campground and cabin area, golf carts are available for rental to help you get around with ease.

Dining options at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

For entertainment and dining during your stay at the cabin, try the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a two-hour frontier styled dinner show. This interactive, hilarious show has songs and skits in between main courses of unlimited fried chicken, barbecue, salad, cornbread, and baked beans all finished off with strawberry shortcake.

Tickets for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue must be purchased ahead of time and cancellations must be made with sufficient notice or you will be charged. Reservations are hard to come by, so they should be made 180 days in advance. Learn more about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue here.

Since the campistes at Fort Wilderness are nearby, guests may also partake of the available dining options here, including Trail’s End Restaurant. Cast Members and chefs regularly rustle up barbecue and all the fixins’ for lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu features traditional meals with a southern twist, such as Chicken and egg biscuit.

For quick service dining, guests can visit either teh Meadow Snack Bar located in the pool area, or for a fun twist, visit The Chuck Wagon. It’s exactly what the name suggests, but this wagon is a camper serving hot dogs and assorted snacks.

Room layouts at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

The information below is subject to change when renovations are complete.

Rooms at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness offer plenty of space for the whole family with room for 6. The rustic cabins are more like a hotel suite, with a living room, bedroom, bathroom, patio and full kitchen with fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and 2 stovetop burners.

One of the best things about the cabin is that housekeeping does your dishes for you. In addition to dishes being magically washed, dried and put away, your pantry also magically stocks itself. Before your arrival, simply select your pantry elements from a list of common items, and they will be there waiting upon your arrival. Pantry items do incur an additional fee.

Room configurations for the cabins are one queen bed, one set of bunk beds, and one double sleeper sofa. The separate bedroom houses both the queen bed and the bunk beds. The sleeper sofa can be found in the living room which is attached to the full kitchen. Room rates can be found here.

Pools at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

The cabins have their own waterslide and water play area for cabin guests. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool has a spa hot tub and a corkscrew water slide. For younger kids, there is a fort themed kids water play area with small slides. In addition, there is also a quiet pool and a quiet hot tub separate from the main pool.

Transportation options at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

A short boat ride will take you to the Magic Kingdom, while buses will transport you to all other parks. The only downside is that the bus rides does take a little longer than most as they do need to stop at many stations around the campground.

Pros of staying at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

  • Pets are allowed in The Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Up to two dogs are allowed per room, with no cats.
  • Ample room for larger groups
  • Lovely wooded grounds perfect for nature lovers

Pros of staying at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

  • Large grounds require golf carts to get around
  • Bus transportation can take quite a long time to cover all of the stops within the resort and get to the parks

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside

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Photo by Miguel Joya on Unsplash

The next on our list of Disney World Resort hotels is Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. This resort immerses you right into the bayou of Louisiana. From the large white columns themed after the plantation houses, to the cottages in rural Louisiana, a walk through Port Orleans Riverside is like walking through the real deal. The grounds of this resort are stunning and elaborately themed.

As you walk through the walkways the plant life gives a feel of intimacy and the Sassagoula river offers a picturesque backdrop as well as entertainment. On the river you can fish or rent boats for a fun activity. Port Orleans Riverside is the perfect escape for those who enjoy being surrounded by nature and visiting new locales.

Dining at Port Orleans Riverside

Dining options are vast at this Disney World resort hotel. Riverside Mill Food Court offers pizza, sandwiches and other entrees as well as a grab and go section. Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a table service restaurant offering the delicious flare of southern Louisiana taste. Port Orleans Riverside also has two bar lounges, as well as in-room pizza delivery.

Pools and recreation at Port Orleans Riverside

The river surrounds Ol’ Man Island where you can find the Tom Sawyer themed pool complete with a sawmill slide. Here you will also find the Muddy Rivers pool bar, a hot tub, and a fishing hole where you can fish for real fish! Port Orleans Riverside also offers 5 leisure pools for those seeking a more quiet experience.

In addition to water activities, Port Orleans Riverside has a playground, bike rentals and jogging paths. In the evenings behind the lobby you can find horse drawn carriage rides for a romantic starlit adventure. Also, in the evenings marshmallow roasting can be done on the campfire on de’ Bayou.

Room layouts and view at Port Orleans Riverside

Exterior of Port Orleans REsort a Disney World resort moderate hotel
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Rooms at Port Orleans rooms are laid out in 2 sections, Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. Alligator Bayou is where you’ll find the more rustic feel of the dep south, while Magnolia Bend feels a little more stately. Royal Guest rooms are located in Magnolia Bend, and for an over the top princess experience, this is the room to choose, complete with elaborately curtained windows and intricate murals.

Whether you’re opting to live like a princess or enjoy a more sedate experience on the byaou, rooms are available in standard (parking lot) river, woods or pool views. Guests may also elect to upgrade to a preferred room for closer proximity to restaurants and the main lobby. Room configurations include:

  • 2 queen beds
  • 2 queen beds and a child pull down bed (5th sleeper)
  • King bed
  • King bed and a child pull down bed
  • Royal Guest Room with 2 queen beds

Prices for rooms vary based on views, themes and location. Rooms located closer to the lobby, better views, and Princess rooms go for a higher price. Pets are allowed in this Walt Disney World resort hotel, but only 2 dogs permitted per room. Port Orleans Riverside is a Disney Springs area resort.

Transportation to the parks from Disney Port Orleans Riverside

Transportation from this resort is provided via bus. You’ll find 4 bus stops located across the resort. Boat transportation is available to Disney Springs.

Travel styles most suited to Disney Port Orleans Riverside

Certainly, any child or adult who wants to spend a few nights like royalty will enjoy a stay in a royal room. Keep in mind, you’ll have none of the hand and foot waiting on that would typically accompany a royal experience, but you’ll have all of the atmosphere for pretending.

Families of 5 will also feel at home at Port Orleans Riverside thanks to the option to book a room with a third twin bed (5th sleeper room). This room configuration is equally as advantageous to families of 4 where children don’t want to share a bed.

Since Port Orleans Riverside does offer a number of connecting rooms, extended families traveling together may also enjoy this resort and the opportunity to open up space between accommodations.

Overall, Port Orleans is perfect for travelers who like to kick back and relax amidst the dripping moss and relaxing feel of the old south.

Pros of staying at Port Orleans Riverside

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Multiple dining options
  • Evening carriage rides
  • Fishing on the lake

Cons of staying at Port Orleans Riverside

  • Only rooms in the Magnolia Bend section have elevators
  • Some reports indicate that food court options are limited and don’t change from day to day
  • The main bus stop at the front stop depot is typically crowded with a line at peak travel times
  • Rooms do not have balconies or patios
  • Grounds are large, so your room may be located at a distance from dining and other amenities

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

For more of the Lousiana feels on a compact scale, Port Orleans French Quarter may be more your style. Themed to historic New Orleans and Mardi Gras, you’ll find old French style buildings dripping with southern charm. Iron balconies and magnolia lined streets really bring the atmosphere of old New Orleans to life. This is one of the Disney World resorts on the moderate scale, so the lobby is large – like being in the middle of New Orleans with bright colors, cobblestone streets, and gas lamps.

While Riverside is sprawling with organically laid out pathways, French quarter is condensed with walkways laid out mathematically like a real town.

Dining at Port Orleans French Quarter

Dining includes the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, a table service restaurant themed to Mardi Gras. Sassagoula Floatworks serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, bakery items, and drinks. Also located in Port Orleans French Quarter are two bars and pizza delivery right to your room. For more dining, you can also take the short walk over to Port Orleans Riverside.

Pools and Recreation at Port Orleans French Quarter

The Mardi Gras pool features King Neptune with a giant sea serpent that doubles as the pool’s water slide. A hot tub near the pool offers a place to relax for the guests who aren’t into slip sliding. For the youngest guests, there is a kiddie water feature. For additional entertainment, horse drawn carriages can be taken every evening.

Room Configurations and Views at Port Orleans French Quarter

Rooms at French Quarter offer river, garden or pool views. Rooms are 314 square feet, the standard for most moderate hotels on the Disney resort list. Room configurations for this Disney World resort hotel include:

  • 2 queen beds
  • One king bed

Room rates depend on the view from your room.

Travel styles most suited to Port Orleans French Quarter

Like most moderate resorts on Disney’s resort list, French Quarter will appeal to anyone wanting a larger room than those found at value resorts without the higher price tag found at Disney deluxe resorts. However, since French quarter rooms will accommodate only 4 people, their appeal is limted to small families or adults traveling without children.

Pros of staying at Port Orleans French Quarter

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Close proximity to Riverside offers additional dining options
  • Boat transportation to Disney Springs offers a beautiful and peaceful ride

Cons of staying at Port Orleans French Quarter

  • Rooms last refurbished in 2018 may feel dated
  • No patios or balconies

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Disney deluxe resorts have spacious rooms and elegant accommodations. This tier on the Disney resort list offers the parks’ flagship selection of hotels.

  • Room size: rooms average 356 sq ft and typically sleep 5 (plus a crib.) Suites at this level of resort can be as big as 1000 sq ft.
  • Beds: One king bed or 2 queen beds, with additional day bed.
  • Bathrooms: Two sinks, one shower/tub, and one toilet. Sinks are always separate from shower and toilet. In some resorts, the toilet is separate as well. Suites at this tier have more than one bathroom.
  • Onsite Dining: No food courts, but typically at least one counter service option, multiple table service options, often one is a buffet. Also, full room service menu, poolside bar, and more than one interior bar/ lounge. Character dining is also usually available.
  • Pools: One main themed pool with upscale amenities and an elaborate water slide. Quiet pools and hot tubs are also available. Also, some sandy areas for building sandcastles and play may also be offered.
  • Décor: Upscale and immersive theming with high-end architecture. Lobbies are elegant and created for gathering. Most rooms have balconies.
  • Interior Décor: Rooms are chic, spacious, and made to immerse you in the hotel’s theme. Rooms are accessed via an interior hallway.
  • Room Views: Overlooking trees, bodies of water, pools, theming, or views of wildlife (animal Kingdom Lodge). At lower rates, rooftop or parking lot views may be provided.
  • Entertainment options: Pools, arcades, spas, gyms, movies, poolside games, bike rentals, jogging paths, gardens, waterslides, sandcastle building, and boat rentals.
  • Transportation options: Buses, boats, monorails, and even walking, depending on your resort and which park you are visiting.

Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge

Lobby covered in vines with African architecture at the Disney World Resort hotel Animal Kingdom Lodge
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One of the best views on our list of Disney World Resort hotels is the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Savannah views and African animals right in your backyard? The Animal Kingdom Lodge has all that and more. This African inspired hotel on the Disney resort list is decorated to the smallest detail, and over 200 hundred animals call the savannas home. It’s proximity to Animal Kingdom means animals are regularly rotated between the park and the resort.

When it comes to Disney World resorts, Animal Kingdom area hotels are some of the most immersive. The resort is U-shaped to give as many rooms as possible views of one of the 4 savannas. The animals brought into each savanna vary greatly, and often rotate. During a stay at the lodge, you can expect to see at least giraffes, zebras, African birds, antelope, and more.

The gift shops feature handmade figurines and gifts made in Africa, or by African artists.

Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge

The dining in Animal Kingdom is award winning and a must try. Boma- Flavors of Africa is a buffet table service restaurant with an African marketplace theme. The food options are expansive and based on African dishes. Even picky eaters will find more than enough to eat here, and this remains one of our favorite restaurants on Disney property.

Other dining in this Disney World resort hotel include:

  • Jiko- The Cooking Place- a table service restaurant with dishes and wines from the heart of Africa, Jiko does have a dress code. Find it here.
  • Sanaa- African cooking with Indian flavors and views of the African wildlife
  • The Mara- a quick service dining option with dishes like half chickens, African stew and flatbreads. The Mara serves all three meals.
  • Full menu room service
  • Many bars and lounges

Pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge

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The pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a zero-entry, 11,000 sq ft pool themed to an African watering hole. The water slide is an exciting journey of zigzags. Jetted spa tubs flock the pool, as well as a wading pool for kids. A playground is also located nearby for additional fun.

Room views and configurations at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Zebras in the Savanna at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
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Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are available in 3 different view categories: resort, water and savanna. Expect roof tops and parking lots with a standard room, because all of the better views are reserved for the other two categories. Water view rooms primarily face the pool, which is quite pleasant given the rich level of detail going on in this section of the resort. However, your best view will be had from a room facing the savanna. You’ll watch animals right out side your room, both night and day. In our opinion, this opportunity is the main reason to book this resort. Rooms are average, featuring carved African inspired headboards and long curtains with African-inspired prints, but you’ll hardly notice the interior when the savanna beckons.

Club level rooms are also available at Animal Kingdom Lodge but availability is limited. Club level offers guests an upgraded level of service, with personal concierge to help you with planning and a private lounge offering food and beverages throughout the day.

Room configurations at Animal Kingdo Lodge include:

  • 2 queen beds
  • 1 king bed
  • 1 queen bed and one bunk bed
  • 1 bedroom suite- 2 queen beds and one queen sleeper sofa
  • 2 bedroom suite- 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, and one queen sleeper sofa

Room prices vary based on views and size. Obviously, larges rooms bring in a higher price, and rooms with savannah views cost more than those without.

Despite the ultra-immersive theming, Animal Kingdom Lodge was originally designed to provide a lower cost deluxe hotel option on the Disney World resorts list. As such, rooms are not on the same level in some ways as other deluxe resorts on Disney property. Cinder block walls offer a value feel, which is likely realized more keenly in a standard view room. Let’s face it, when you can look out your balcony and see giraffes, you’re probably not noticing much else.

Transportation to the parks from Animal Kingdom Lodge

Transportation to all parks is provided by bus.

Travel styles most suited to Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge is an excellent resort for solo travelers, particularly animal lovers, as there are many solitary nooks and crannies to settle in, read a good book or watch the animals on savanna. However, due to the ultra-immersive theming and ready animal viewing opportunities, Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect vacation resort for families. Just keep in mind that rooms sleep a maximum of 4.

Pros of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Close proximity to Animal Kingdom park
  • Elaborate and immersive theming
  • Tremendous dining opportunities
  • All rooms have balconies, some overlooking the animals on savanna

Cons of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge

  • Far distance from Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
  • Quick service dining and grab and go options are limited

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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Disney’s Beach club is an EPCOT area hotel on our list of Disney World Resort hotels, themed after the elegant establishments of the New England beach towns from the turn of the 20th century. Hands down, this remains one of our favorite resorts year after year for fun throwback theming and close proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Pools at Beach Club Resort

This Disney World resort hotel features a full water park, including multiple pools, a lagoon, beaches and spas. The waterpark lineup includes a lazy river, a zero-entry pool, kiddie pools, spa tubs, and 2 water slides exiting right off a pirate ship. The pool area is shared with the Beach Club’s sister hotel, the Yacht Club.

Dining options at Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Beach Club offers so many dining options, it’s hard to choose (especially if you factor in the restaurants in the Yacht Club.) Cape May Café offers character dining for breakfast and an expansive seafood buffet for dinner. Beaches and Cream is a 50’s style soda shop with a full menu, but the ice cream is the star! As a favorite on the Disney World resorts list, The Beach Club has three different lounges and bars. A limited quick service menu, as well as grab and go items can be found at the Beach Club Marketplace. Additional quick service food may be found poolside at Hurrican Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill.

Room views and configurations at Beach Club

Room options sleep up to 6 people with room views that include rooftops and parking lots or pool and water. Rooms are available in the following types and configurations at the Beach club:

  • Standard rooms include one of the following configuations:
    • Two queen beds
    • Two queen beds and one day bed
    • One king bed
    • One king bed and one day bed

Deluxe room (larger than a standard room)

  • Two queen beds and one queen sleeper sofa
  • One-bedroom suite- one king bed and one queen sleeper sofa
  • Presidential Suite- one king bed, two double beds, and one day bed

Club level rooms

  • 1 king bed
  • 2 queen beds
  • 2 queen beds with daybed

Club level 1 bedroom suite

  • 1 king bed with 1 aueen size sleeper sofa in separate room

Club level 2 bedroom suite

  • 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, 1 day bed

Transportation to the parks from Beach Club

You can really travel the world in style from the Beach Club, with multiple modes of travel available. Also, due to its proximity to EPCOT, you can walk to the back entrance into the World Showcase in less than five minutes.

  • Travel to EPCOT: walk to the World Showcase Entrance or take a Friendship boat
  • Travel to Hollywood Studios board the Skyliner for a slightly roundabout trip to Hollywood Studios; take a walkway to Disney Studios for a pleasant 20-minute stroll; board a boat for easiest transport
  • Travel to Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom: bus

Travel styles most suited to Beach Club

With larger rooms available and bed space up to 5, the Beach Club is a solid fit for larger families, particularly travelers who are looking for a more upscale accomodation that Disney’s moderate resorts. Given the resort’s close proximity to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, guests who like to always be in the action will enjoy this prime location. Overall, the Beach Club appeals to guests who don’t mind the luxury price tag but like a little extra outdoor space to move around than some of Disney’s other deluxe properties.

Pros of Staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

  • Disney World complimentary bus transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Onsite water park
  • Easy walking distance to EPCOT
  • Multiple transportation options
  • Balconies or patios available
  • Sandy beach for sitting and relaxing
  • Close proximity to the Boardwalk dining options
  • Close proximity to the Yacht Club for additional dining options
  • Character breakfast onsite

Cons of staying at Beach Club Resort

  • Not all rooms have patios or balconies
  • Some guests might find that rooms overlooking the water park are noisy
  • Some standard view rooms look out onto roof tops

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Exterior of the Boardwalk Inn, a Deluxe hotel on the Disney World resorts list
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Across the lagoon from The Beach Club, you will find the next resort on the complete list of Disney World Resort hotels. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is an EPCOT area resort themed to an Atlantic City waterfront boardwalk hotel. The boardwalk in front of the resort is not just for show or décor, it is a real functioning beachfront boardwalk. As you stroll along, you will find many restaurants, carnival games and places to experience the nightlife. As with many deluxe resorts, the lobby is also rich in detail, bringing alive the spirit and energy of the east coast in the early 20th century.

Dining at Boardwalk Inn

The Boardwalk Inn has more than a plentiful amount of dining options. The options range from fish and steak to burgers and pizza as well as ice cream. The restaurants themselves vary from upscale to quick service. The list is so expansive it takes a post in and of itself, but you can find it here. Along with these options, you can also pop over to Beach Club, Yacht Club, or take the quick walk to EPCOT to dine in the World Showcase.

Pools at Boardwalk Inn

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The pool in this Disney World resort hotel is carnival themed with a wooden coaster waterslide. The pool area also has a kiddie pool and two whirlpool spas for all ages. Here, you will also find a striped circus tent quick service restaurant. Seating is ample in both the shade and sun.

Room views and configurations at Boardwalk Inn

Boardwalk Inn floor plan
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Rooms for the Boardwalk vary a bit and are not to be confused with the Boardwalk Villas, which you can find below. The room from your room may have you looking out over the lake, the boardwalk or gardens. A small selection of rooms will look out over parking areas. As with most deluxe resorts on Disney World property, club level rooms are available, providing you with personal planning services and access to a lounge that offers food and beverage throughout the day.

Room configurations sleep anywhere from 2 to 6 adults and offer one of the following:

  • One king bed
  • One king bed and one day bed
  • Two queen beds
  • Two queen beds and a day bed
  • Deluxe rooms- two queen beds and one queen sleeper sofa
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Transportation to the parks from Boardwalk Inn

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is an EPCOT resort. As such, it offers the same transportation amenities as the nearby Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts.

  • Travel to EPCOT: walk to the World Showcase Entrance or take a Friendship boat
  • Travel to Hollywood Studios board the Skyliner for a slightly roundabout trip to Hollywood Studios; take a walkway to Disney Studios for a pleasant 20-minute stroll; board a boat for easiest transport
  • Travel to Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom: bus

Travel style most suited to the Boardwalk Inn

With rooms that sleep 5, the Boardwalk Inn is a perfect match for larger families or those where children might not want to share a bed. However, the Boardwalk Inn seems to have a particular appeal to retirees and young couples with no children.

Pros of Staying at the Boardwalk Inn

  • Disney World complimentary transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Beautifully themed grounds and ample walking areas
  • Onsite water park
  • Easy walking distance to EPCOT
  • Multiple transportation options
  • Balconies or patios available
  • Sandy beach for sitting and relaxing
  • Close proximity to the Boardwalk dining options
  • Close proximity to the Yacht and Beach Club for additional dining options

Cons to a stay at Boardwalk Inn

  • Confusing layout, requiring guests to go up and down stairs or elevators to get to different areas of the resort
  • You must make your way to the boardwalk area to access dining, meaning you will need to walk outside even if the weather is bad
  • Rooms overlooking the boardwalk are can be noisy, particularly at night

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Contemporary lit up at night, the modern DIsney World resort hotel
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Next on the list of Disney Resort hotels is a Magic Kingdom resort which sits at a sweet spot on the Disney World resorts list. As one of the first hotels to open, it seems to have a cult following.

The Contemporary has earned its name with theming that can be described in one word: modern. Here you won’t find Disney princess rooms or nods to historical trends, but you will find elegance and amazing views.

The Contemporary Resort may not be the most Disney themed resort, but it does bring all the Disney experience and attention to detail. With its A frame shape, and monorail breezing right through it, the Contemporary is architecturally interesting and exciting.

Pools at Contemporary Resort

The pool area is large with a big waterslide and views of Bay lake. An additional quiet pool is located right on the shore of the lake. Two whirlpool spa tubs and a kids playground provide fun for those of all ages. Poolside cabanas are also available for rent.

Dining at Contemporary Resort

Dining at this Disney World resort is award winning and popular. The highlight is the California Grill, which is located on the top floor of the hotel. Three meals a day are served here and are based off of Pacific Coast flavors. While the food is upscale and delicious, be prepared to pay a premium. A dress code is required.

Other dining options are Chef Mickey’s, a character dining buffet experience, and the Contemporary Grounds, a quick service grab and go restaurant. Steakhouse 71 has recently premiered to satisfy beef lovers and the Contempo Cave is always ready with tasty quick service meals. Along with restaurants there are two bar lounges as well as a poolside bar.

Room views and configurations at Contemporary Resort

Half of the Contemporary’s rooms overlook the pool and pristine landscapes, while the other half give a view of The Magic Kingdom or parking areas. Rooms hold anywhere from 3-8 people depending on the room you pick and are some of the largest at Disney World at around 400 square feet..

Room configurations include:

  • Standard rooms
    • One king bed and one day bed
    • Two queen beds and one day bed
    • Deluxe room
      • One king and one queen sleeper sofa
  • Club Level Rooms
    • One bedroom suites- One king bed, one queen sleeper sofa, and one twin sleeper sofa
    • Hospitality suite- one king bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one day bed
    • Hospitality suite 2- two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa, one day bed
    • Two bedroom suite 1- four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Two bedroom suite 2- two queen beds, one king bed, and one queen sleeper sofa

Transportation to the parks from Contemporary Resort

The Contemporary provides many transportation options. First off, you can always take a bus to the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Disney Springs. To get to Magic Kingdom, you can simply hop on the monorail, or walk across the street right up to the entrance. An additional way to get to EPCOT is to ride the Disney monorail to the transportation and Ticket Center and then switch monorails to the EPCOT line. Boats also run to Magic Kingdom on a regular basis.

Travel styles most suited to Disney Contemporary Resort

As the first Disney resort, the Contemporary has strong appeal to Disney enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to commune with history. Families with young children will appreciate the larger rooms and access to the monorail, making it easy to reach the Magic Kingdom. Larger families or those wishing to spread out a little will also appreciate the fact that some rooms offer 2 queen beds and a daybed.

Pros of staying at the Contemporary Resort

  • Disney World complimentary transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Monorail runs right through the resort, providing easy access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
  • Balconies or patios available
  • Character dining onsite
  • Magic Kingdom is an easy 5 minute walk

Cons of staying at the Contemporary Resort

  • Pool area is lackluster compared to other deluxe resorts
  • Nightly rates are higher than some deluxe resorts, such as those found in the EPCOT area
  • Guests must use an elevator to access the monorail platform

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

grand floridian lobby
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The most prestigious and sought-after hotel on the Disney resort list is the Grand Floridian. Themed to a Victorian era Floridian beach resort, this hotel surrounds you in complete elegance. The lobby is multiple stories tall with chandeliers bigger than many cars. Everything about this hotel oozes style and glamor.

Pools at the Grand Floridian

The Beach pool features a 181-foot curving and thrilling waterslide. Alongside it, you will find a kiddie waterplay area. In addition, the Grand Floridian has a large quiet pool and two whirlpool spa tubs. If pools aren’t your thing, you can always lounge in a chair on the sandy shores of the peaceful Bay lake.

Dining at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

For dining, try the Mediterranean flavors of Citricos, a fine dining table service restaurant. For coastal seafood cuisine, try yet another fine dining establishment, Narcoossee’s.

Victoria and Albert’s is an elegant American AAA Five Diamond Award winning dining experience. Reservations and big wallets are required, but you will get VIP treatment. If eating in the regular dining area is too mainstream for you, Victoria and Albert’s has a private dining hall available for private parties. If you’d like to see how your food is made, reserve an exciting seat at the Chef’s table.

The Garden View Tea Room is for elegant tea parties. Afternoon tea is served daily, as well as princess themed tea parties and tea parties fit for the queen of England. For more dining options, try the casual dining experience of the Grand Floridian Café or the counter service Gasparilla Island Grill. The grand Floridian also boasts many bars, lounges, poolside snack areas, and a full room service menu.

Transportation to the parks from Grand Floridian

Getting to the parks from the Grand Floridian is also elegant with a monorail stop right on the second floor. The monorail will take you to the Magic Kingdom as the next stop. If you’d rather, you can also take a boat to the Magic Kingdom. To get to EPCOT use the monorail system. All other parks can be accessed via bus.

Room views and configurations at Grand Floridians

It’s hard to find a bad view at the Grand Floridian. It seems that no matter where you are, you’ll be able to see water, pools or gardens, though some rooms will face the monorail track. From some rooms, you’ll be able to see the Magic Kingdom and watch the nightly fireworks. Rooms in the Grand Floridian come in these configurations, including club level rooms which offer additional perks to guests:

  • Two queen beds
  • Two queen beds and one day bed
  • One king bed and one double sleeper sofa
  • One bedroom suite- two queen beds and one double sleeper sofa
  • Two bedroom suite- one king bed, two queen beds, and one double sleeper sofa

Room prices at the Grand Floridian vary based on size and views. Better views and bigger rooms have higher nightly rates. Room rates and details can be found here.

Travel styles most suited to Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

If you’re fond of tank tops and cut-off shorts, this may not be the resort for you. Some restaurants onsite do have a dress code, so you’ll find plenty of men in jackets and women wearing dresses or nice pants milling around the lobby. Given the nightly price point, the Grand Floridian is popular with the deep pocket set, though families are readily known to flock to its larger than average rooms.

Pros of staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

  • Disney World complimentary transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Monorail access from the resort
  • Balconies or patios available
  • Walkway to the Magic Kingdom
  • Theme park view rooms available
  • Prestige of staying at Disney’s premier resort
  • Multiple restaurant options
  • Watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach

Cons of staying at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

  • Price may be out of reach for many guests
  • This is the last stop on the monorail, so it can be hard to find a seat

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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Stay right in the middle of a tropical oasis surrounded by palm trees and white sand beaches at the Polynesian Resort. Here, enjoy village styled buildings, water parades on the lagoon each night, and Dole Whips served right outside the lobby! No trip to Magic Kingdom necessary to find this coveted snack.

Dining at Polynesian Village

For dining, most guests try for the coveted Ohana, a restaurant with Polynesian flavors offered family style at night. For breakfast, Lilo and Stitch join the experience. The Kona café, another table service restaurant, serves American dishes with Asian flair as well as Sushi.

For quick meals, there is Kona Island, Capt Cook’s, poolside bars and many bars and lounges. The most noteworthy drink stop is Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto where each specialty drink brings the bar to life in a different, magical way. In addition, restaurants at the nearby Contemporary resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are only a short monorail ride away.

Pools and recreation at Polynesian Village

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At the Polynesian you can shop for authentic island style merchandise, rent a boat to explore the lagoon, or swim in one of the two pools. The zero-entry main pool seems be coming right out of a volcano. The volcano serves as a large waterslide. Near the main pool is a kid’s water area. Located not too far away, you will find the all ages quiet pool with an additional snack bar.

Other entertainment options at the Polynesian include movies under the stars, poolside games, campfires, volleyball games and fishing opportunities.

Rooms at Polynesian Village

Rooms at Polynesian Village come in two options: one king bed and one day bed, or two queen beds and one day bed, and sleep up to five. Room prices vary based on view and whether or not you are on club level. Club level comes with complimentary breakfast, snacks throughout the day, evening appetizers, and a club level concierge who can bring you anything you need. Plan for water views, theme park views or garden views depending on where you book.

Transportation to the parks from Polynesian Village

Offering both monorail and boat transportation, this entry on the Disney resort list is just a short ride from all the fun at both the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT . The monorail is located on the second floor of the lobby and is only one stop away from Cinderella’s Castle. The boat or monorail will also take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center where you can grab a second monorail to EPCOT. An enjoyable bus ride will take you anywhere else you need to go!

Travel styles suited to Polynesian Village

Polynesian Village offers some of the largest rooms at any Disney resort, making them ideal for families. Rooms for 5 will even accommodate larger partiers. Overall, this resort tends to attract vacationers looking to splurge on an iconic and popular Disney resort.

Pros of staying at Polynesian Village

  • Disney World complimentary transporation to and from parks
  • Early theme park entry
  • Charge food and merchandise to your room
  • Door locks are MagicBand compatible
  • Free self parking
  • Monorail access from the resort
  • Balconies or patios available
  • Beautiful lush grounds
  • Theme park view rooms available
  • Prestige of staying at Disney’s premier resort
  • Watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach or pool
  • Spacious bathrooms
  • Buildings near the transportation ticket center have expedited access to the EPCOT monorail

Cons of staying at Polynesian Village

  • Rooms near the Great Ceremonial House can be noisey in the late evening for those who retire early
  • Not all rooms have patios or balconies
  • View of new construction can be jarring since it does not conform to the tropical theming
  • Rooms near construction may be noisy during the day – we strongly suggest requesting a room in a building on the side of the resort closest to the Transportation Ticket Center
  • Rooms are some of the most costly at Disney World

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Inspired by the 1904-era Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge transports you to a different time and place. The grandiose, wood-adorned eight story lobby is made from wood imported from Oregon. Endless wood floors lead your eye directly to the largest fire place you will ever see. A creek runs through a portion of the lobby and leads outside to tumble over large rocks surrounded by pine trees.

While staying at Wilderness Lodge, be sure to catch Fire Rock Geyser, the resort’s answer to Yellowstone’s Old Faithful. Mimicking Old Faithful’s former punctuality, the geyser erupts on the hour, shooting water over one hundred feet into the air.

Pools and recreation at Wilderness Lodge

Copper Creek cascades into Copper Creek Springs, the main pool with an 87-foot rock waterslide. Beside the pool, are two whirlpool spas and a kid’s waterplay feature. In addition to Copper Creek Springs is The Boulder Ridge Cove quiet pool.

For recreation besides swimming at this Disney World resort hotel, rent bikes, go for a jog through the landscapes, take a fishing charter out, or try one of the delicious dining options. For quick meals head to the Roaring Fork or the waterfront Geyser Point Bar & Grill.

Wilderness Lodge Disney World resort hotel
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Dining at Wilderness Lodge

For a fun dining experience with as much food as you can enjoy, try Whispering Canyon. Funny waitstaff paired with endless BBQ make this restaurant as unforgettable as it is delicious. Fort Wilderness Lodge also offers a unique character dining experience with Snow White and the dwarfs.  Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is a magical experience with food fit for royalty.

Quick service dining will be found at Roaring Fork, offering a variety of barbecue, burgers and sandwiches for lunch and dinner, this takeout eatery is also keen on breakfast. You’ll find standard egg dishes as well as Mickey waffles for your first meal of the day.

Geyser Point Bar & Grill provides al fresco dining for lunch and dinner. Disney may classify this eatery as a table service experience, but you’ll need to order up your food from the window, before finding a seat on the deck. A lounge is also available for those seeking a quiet respite.

Room views and configurations at Wilderness Lodge

Standard rooms at Wilderness Lodge are similar to other deluxe entries on the Disney resort list, offering either one king bed, two queen beds. Unlike other deluxe resorts, you won’t find a day bed at Wilderness Lodge. Club level rooms are available in many of these configurations, and slightly larger deluxe rooms are also available, offering 2 queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa.

Rooms at Wilderness Lodge generally look out onto a deeply wooded grounds, though some rooms will have views of parking areas. For premium rates, guests may book a resort view room and catch a glimpse of the night fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

Transportation to the parks from Wildernss Lodge

Transportation from Fort Wilderness is offered via bus or boat. A boat will take you to Magic Kingdom, while a bus will take you to any other parks or Disney Springs.

Travel styles suited to Fort Wilderness Lodge

Given the quiet ambience and the National Parks feel, this resort is very popular with older adults looking for a place to wile away hours of the day while the rest of the family enjoys the hubbub of the parks. Adults visiting Disney on their own also favor Wilderness Lodge.

Families certainly do stay at Wilderness Lodge, but the smaller room size and corresponding price make this resort a less likely choice when compared to other deluxe resort options

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Exterior of Yacht Club at night taken over the water
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A sister to Disney’s Beach club, the Yacht Club features the same old world theme dipped with nautical flair. Offering the elegance and posh amenities of a world-class sailing club, this hotel on the Disney resort list is no stranger to pampering guests.

Pools at Yacht Club

The Yacht Club shares a waterpark pool, Stormalong Bay, with the Beach Club. Here you’ll find a lazy river, a sandy beach, small whirlpools and a slide through a shipwreck.

Dining at Yacht Club

As the sister resort to the Beach Club, Yacht Club has access to all of the dining options at this resort as well as two of their own venues. The Ale & Compass Restaurant is a table service casual dining place which serves New England Comfort food and of course, seafood. Here you will also find a lounge for delicious drinks.

Yachtsman Steakhouse is the second offering exclusive to the Yacht Club. You’ll find sophisticated touches at this nautically inspired dining establishment, where high quality grain-fed beef is prepared over an open flame and fine dining yacht club attire is required.

For those who don’t feel like dressing up, quick service or grab and go items are availableat the Market at Ale & Compass. In-room dining is also available.

Transportation to the parks from Yacht Club

Transportation options for the Yacht club are identical to the Beach Club. In fact, the resorts share park buses. Buses will take you to all parks besides Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. For those parks, a short boat ride will get you there. You also have the option of a short (five minute) walk to EPCOT. From here, you can also hitch a ride on the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. A walkway along the water and a short 20 minute walk will also take you there.

Room views and configurations

Rooms at the Yacht Club offer stately touches and dog-friendly accommodations in a sedate but confortable atmosphere. While the stated room categories indicate views of gardens or water, most of the former rooms will also provide you with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a Disney resort, with ample views of roadways or parking. Water view rooms look out over Crescent Lake or the pool. Rooms are available in the following configurations:

  • Two queen beds
  • Two queen beds and one day bed
  • One king bed
  • One king bed and one day bed
  • Two bedroom suite- two king beds and one queen sleeper sofa

Club level rooms, offering priority concierge services and a lounge for resort guests are also available.

Travel styles suitable for the Yacht Club

While the theming may sound a bit on the stuffy side, the Yacht Club appeals to guests of many travel sensibilities. Larger families will enjoy the amply-sized rooms with extra bedding space, as well smaller families with children hoping to avoid sharing a bed. Sun seekers will enjoy spending a day or 2 poolside, with plenty of activities to keep them busy at Stormalong bay.


Disney Deluxe Villas

Deluxe Villas are actually part of Disney’s Vacation Club (DVC) and reserved for owners. They gain a category spot on the list of Disney World Resort hotels because leftover rooms are offered for booking to the general public. Since most DVC resorts are located on the grounds of an existing deluxe hotel, they share amenities and public spaces.

  • Room size: Averages are the same size as the deluxe resorts, with some suites being as large as 2500 sq ft. Average rooms sleep 4. The largest suites can sleep up to 12.
  • Beds: 2 queen beds with a sleeper sofa. Or one queen bed and sleeper sofa. Two bedroom villas offer two queen sized bed and a sleeper sofa (some an additional sleeper chair), or one king bed in place of the two queen beds.
  • Bathrooms: Many standard rooms have the same bathroom arrangements as the deluxe resorts. A few offer two bathrooms, one with toilet sink and shower, the other with only a shower and sink. Suites have more than one bathroom with layouts varying.
  • Onsite Dining: Options vary greatly, from table service, including buffets, to counter service restaurants. With the exception of the newly constructed Riviera Resort, restaurants will be located in the onsite deluxe resort. Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom also offers one table-service restaurant within the hotel.
  • Pools: They vary based on the hotel the villas are in.
  • Décor: Varies based on the resort. Usually mimics the sister deluxe resort.
  • Interior Décor: Varies based on the resort and usually mimics the sister deluxe resort. Rooms are accessed via internal doors.
  • Room Views: Parking lot, trees, waterways, pools, or theming.
  • Entertainment options: Same as the deluxe resorts.
  • Transportation options: bus, boat, monorail, or walking

Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Villas are located in the Kidani Village section as well as the main Jambo House of the resort. Kidani Village is its own separate building located a short drive down the road from Animal Kingdom Lodge, but the amenities and restaurants at the Animal Kingdom Lodge can be used. Read more about the Animal Kingdom Lodge above under Deluxe resorts.

Kidani Village shares Savanna views with the lodge, so you won’t miss out on rooms with a view of animals frolicking. The villas do have their own pool, whirlpool spas, and animal themed kid’s water play area. The pool has a 128 foot waterslide. Sanaa serves delectable slow cooked meats with a view of the savannah.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa room configurations

Rooms in the villas (either Kidani  Village or Jambo House) range from studios to three-bedroom units.

  • Studio sleeps up to four
    • one queen bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • kitchenette
  • One bedroom
    villa- sleeps up to five
    • one king bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • kitchen
    • two bathrooms
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • Kitchen
    • Three full bathrooms
  • Three bedroom villas- sleeps up to 12
    • Kitchen
    • One king bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Four bathrooms
    • Two stories

Room rates and booking without DVC points can be found here. Larger rooms and rooms with savanna views cost more per night.

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

While Bay Lake Tower is attached to The Contemporary via a walkway to the monorail, they are separate resorts. Bay Lake Tower does follow the modern theme of its sister resort, and guests can enjoy all amenities the Contemporary has to offer. Bay Lake is one of only a handful of hotels on the Disney resort list that offers theme park views overlooking Cinderella’s castle.

Bay Lake does have an exclusive pool with water slide and one restaurant, the Cove Bar. For all other dining needs, a short walk to the Contemporary is in order. Read about the Contemporary above to learn about the restaurants.

Transportation to the parks from Bay Lake Tower

Getting to Magic Kingdom from Bay Lake Tower is a breeze. Just cross the covered skybridge to the Contemporary Resort, where you can hop onto the monorail to the park. You can also walk across the street directly to the park’s entrance. A boat will also bring you to Magic Kingdom across Bay Lake but will be the longer option. From the monorail, you can also switch trains at the Transportation and Ticket Center and head to EPCOT. All other parks can be accessed via bus.

Room Configurations at Bay Lake Tower

Rooms in Bay Lake Tower sleep anywhere from 4-12 guests. Room rates without points can be found here. Larger rooms and rooms with better views have higher nightly rates.

Room layouts are as follows:

  • Studio sleeps up to four
    • one queen bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to five
    • one king bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • kitchen
    • two bathrooms
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • Kitchen
    • Three full bathrooms
  • Three bedroom villas- sleeps up to 12
    • Kitchen
    • One king bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Four bathrooms
    • Two stories

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Boulder Ridge Villas hit a unique spot on the Disney resort list as one of the few hotels to mimic the rustic theming of America’s national park lodges. You’ll find Boulder Ridge Villas located on the same property as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and another DVC resort, Copper Creek. Boulder Ridge Villas share all amenities with Wilderness Lodge. This includes pools, shops, restaurants, pathways, and recreational activities. To read about Wilderness Lodge read above under “Deluxe resorts.”

Wilderness Lodge
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Room configurations at Boulder Ridge Villas

Boulder Ridge rooms can fit anywhere from five to eight adults with three different configurations. Rooms with more square footage and amenities, as well as those with better views go for higher nightly prices. For prices, click here.

Room layouts are:

  • Studio- sleeps up to five
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one single pull down bed
    • Kitchenette
    • Located on first floor
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to four
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer/dryer
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to eight
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Two  bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer dryer

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Disney’s Beach Club Villas are a part of the Beach Club resort and share common areas, amenities and restaurants with the Beach Club. The Villas do have their own exclusive quiet pool, but share the main pool and water park with the rest of the resort as well as the nearby Yacht Club resort. Transportation and dining options can be found above under Beach Club.

Room configurations at Beach Club Villas

Rooms in the Beach Club Villas sleep between four and eight adults. Three different room configurations exist for the villas in this Disney World resort hotel and prices can be found here.

Room configurations are:

  • Studio- sleeps up to five
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one single pull down bed
    • Kitchenette
    • Located on first floor
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to four
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa or one king bed and one double sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to eight
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer dryer

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

The Boardwalk Villas are part of the Boardwalk Inn at Walt Disney World. They share pools, restaurants, recreation and transportation with the Boardwalk Inn, which you can read all about above under Deluxe Resorts.

These Villas on the Disney World resorts list are within walking distance to EPCOT and have their own quiet pool. The Boardwalk itself has enough dining and entertainment options to keep you busy for a full day!

Boardwalk Villas room configurations

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas have four different room options accomodating upt to twelve guests. Rooms vary in price depending on the room size and views. Room rates can be found by clicking here.

Room configurations are as follows:

  • Deluxe studio- sleeps up to five
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one single pull down bed
    • Kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to four
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one double sleeper sofa, one single pull down bed, and one bunk pull down bed
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Separate kitchenette
    • Two separate entrances
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • Formal dining room
    • Three bathrooms

Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Wilderness Lodge contains a second DVC resort in addition to Boulder Ridge. Copper Creek Villas are located in the main building of Wilderness lodge while the Cascade Cabins are located outside along the waterfront of Bay Lake. Both the villas and cabins share all amenities such as restaurants, pools, shopping and transportation with Wilderness Lodge. To learn more about these, find Wilderness Lodge located above under Deluxe Resorts.

Room configurations at Copper Creek Villas

Copper Creek Villas come in five different floorplans while the cabins come in one. The cabins may hold and sleep as many people as a two bedroom villa, but they come with privacy, better views, and a hot tub. The rates for cabins and all the villas can be found here.

Layouts for Copper Creek Villas and Cascade Cabins are:

  • Deluxe studio- sleeps up to four
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa
    • Kitchenette
  • Deluxe studio with walk in shower- sleeps up to four
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa
    • Kitchenette
    • Walk in shower
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to four
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to eight
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • Three bathrooms
    • Formal dining
      room
  • Cabins- sleep up to eight
    • One king bed, one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa, single pull down bed, twin sleeper chair
    • Full kitchen
    • Private porch
    • Hot tub
    • Exclusive Bay Lake views

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Hitting the highest price tier on the Disney resort list, the Villas at Grand Floridian join Disney’s flagship resort with the same grandiosity of the original resort. Simple luxuries include monorail transportation, exquisite dining, and elegant décor. For a list of all restaurants and amenities read the Grand Floridian section above.

Grand Floridian Villa room configurations

The villas are located a short distance from the Beach pool, and right next to the sand beach, with views of the Wedding Pavilion. Villas come in four different configurations. Prices for them can be found here.

Room layouts include:

  • Deluxe studio- sleeps up to five
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa, one pull down single bed
    • Kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to five
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa, one single pull down bed
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, one queen beds, two queen sleeper sofas, one single pull down bed
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • Four bathrooms
    • Formal dining room

Room prices vary based on room size and views. Larger rooms and better views command a higher nightly rate.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Old Key West, a Disney Springs Resort, is themed to the romance and serenity of the Florida Keys. This Disney World resort hotel is surrounded by palm trees, water, and a perfectly manicured golf course. Onsite you will also find full size tennis courts, a basketball court and a volleyball court.

For those not into sports, Old Key West has a large main pool with a sandcastle themed waterslide. Due to its proximity to Disney Springs, a boat will take you directly there. For all other transportation, you’ll have to take a bus.

Dining in the Disney World resort hotel is casual and delicious. For counter service meals, there is Good’s Food to Go and Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks. Both serve burgers, pizza, and sandwiches. Pizza can also be delivered directly to your room. For sit down dining, Olivia’s Café serves hearty comfort food.

Rooms in Disney’s Old Key West come in studio, one bedroom suites, two bedroom suites and three bedroom suites.

Interior shot of one-bedroom villa at Old Key West, a vacation villa on the Disney World resorts list
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Room layouts are:

  • Studio- sleeps up to four
    • Two queen beds
    • Kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to five
    • One king bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • Kitchen
    • Washer/dryer
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofas, one twin sleeper chair
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer/ dryer
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, two double beds, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • Full kitchen
    • Four bathrooms
    • Formal dining room
    • Two stories

Room prices vary based on size and views. Room rates can be found here.

Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows

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The Polynesian Villas and Bungalows is one of the few DVC properties on the Disney World resorts list to be constructed inside the original resort. To create this DVC haven, several rooms inside existing longhouses were commandeered to create the studio rooms that were then sold to shareholders. Separate larger villas are located in separate yet private buildings. To match the Polynesian theme, the bungalows even sit on the water of Bay Lake.

As part and parcel of the Polynesian Village resort, the DVC villas share dining, transportation, shopping and pools with the main resort. To learn about the amenities and recreation at Disney’s Polynesian read above under “Deluxe Resorts.”

The Villas come in studios with room for up to five with one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa, and one pull down bed. The bungalows have their own floor plan which sleeps eight with one king bed, one queen bed, one queen sleeper sofa, and two single pull down beds. Each bungalow also features a full kitchen and a private small pool on each deck. Rooms rates can be found here for the Polynesian bungalows and villas.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

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One of the newest hotels on the Disney World resorts list is the Riviera Resort. The Riviera is themed to the magic of Europe that inspired Walt Disney himself as well as the classic Disney films. The Riviera has quickly become known for its style and flexibility in room accommodations.

While this Disney World resort hotel offers the traditional villa options such as studios and one, two, and three bedroom rooms villas, the Riviera has a new type of studio room. The two-person Tower Studios are efficient with all the amenities from the microwave to the bed being able to fold into the wall. Room prices for all layouts can be found here.

Room configurations are:

  • Tower Studios- sleeps up to two
    • One queen pull down bed
    • Pull down amenities such as microwave
  • Deluxe studio- sleeps up to five
    • One queen bed, one queen pull down bed, one pull down single bed
    • Kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to five
    • One king bed, one queen pull down bed, one single pull down bed
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to nine
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen pull down bed, one single pull down bed
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer/ dryer
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • Three bathrooms
    • Formal dining
      room

Dining options at the riviera are delicious! A character dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera serves Italian and French dishes with views from the top of the tower. In the evenings, the classic Disney characters are not found, but you will be able to spot fireworks from the nearby parks: EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Le Petit Café is a quick service spot that serves coffee and fresh Paris inspired pastries in the morning and drinks and small plates from the evening to late night. For heartier counter service meals, try Primo Piatto, an upscale yet casual take on traditional favorites such as sandwiches, salads and desserts.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Treehouse Villas

A bus arrives to transport guests to Disney Parks from Saratoga Springs, a DVC hotel on the Disney World resorts list
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Themed to the 1800’s era resort and horse racing town in New York, Saratoga Springs resort and Spa is the only entry on the list of Disney World Resort hotels to feature its own golf course. Other amenities include a spa, several pools, a quiet atmosphere and several dining options. Just a short boat ride away is all the fun and fanfare of Disney Springs.

For additional fun in Saratoga Springs, book a spa day for massages, facials, body treatments, nails, or combination packages. For less low-key recreation, take a dip in one of the two main pools, each with their own waterslide and whirlpool spas. Three additional quiet pools are also located in this Disney World resort hotel, all with their own whirlpool spas. If you’re feeling waterlogged, try your hand at a round of golf on the onsite golf course.

Dining in Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort includes The Turf Club Bar and Grill. This grill is set in the racetrack clubhouse with both water and golf course views. American favorites are served here with large portions and specialties such as prime rib and grilled pork loin.

The grab-and-go Artist’s Palette serves sandwiches, salads and pizza as well as breakfast. The poolside Paddock Grill has juicy burgers, sandwiches and salads served counter service style. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Café is a perfect place to stop after a long day of golfing. Located next to the course, the café is a delectable sandwich shop. In addition, there are three bar/ lounges that serve quick bites and drinks.

Rooms in Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa come in studios as well as one, two and three bedroom suites. In addition to the villas, Saratoga Springs has an attached Treehouse Villas section. The treehouses are individual buildings situated up in the canopy that offer a private, comfortable setting for your whole family. This section of the resort even has its own quiet pool. You can find prices for studios, villas, and treehouse villas by clicking here.

Room layouts are:

  • Deluxe studio- sleeps up to four
    • One queen bed, one double sleeper sofa
    • Kitchenette
  • One bedroom villa- sleeps up to four
    • One king bed and one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
  • Two bedroom villa- sleeps up to eight
    • One king bed, two queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Washer/ dryer
  • Three bedroom villa- sleeps up to twelve
    • King bed, four queen beds, one queen sleeper sofa
    • Full kitchen
    • four bathrooms
    • two stories
    • Formal dining
      room
  • Treehouse Villas- sleeps up to nine
    • Two queen size beds, one bunk bed, one queen sleeper sofa, one twin sleeper chair
    • Three bedrooms
    • Two bathrooms
    • Full kitchen
    • Elevated off the ground

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

There is a brand new category on the list of Disney World resort hotels, and that is the one of a kind Galactic Starcruiser resort. The Starcruiser is a completely immersive experience, think of it as a themed “cruise,” but on land.

Guests stay inside the hotel for the majority of their 2 day experience, only leaving to experience an exclusive experience on Batuu after a quick transport from the ship.

The concept of the Galactic Starcruiser is to board a Halcyon starcruiser and stay aboard the ship. Here you can interact and even dine with characters from the Star Wars world.

You can take lightsaber training, learn how to run the ship’s bridge, and experience secret missions around the ship.

Room layouts are:

  • Standard Cabin
    • Queen bed, 1 bunk bed (sleeps 2), and one pull down bed.
  • Galaxy Class Suite
    • Queen bed, two pull down beds.
  • Grand Captain Suite
    • 2 queen beds, 1 bunk bed (sleeps 2,) and two pull down beds.

Disney World Resort Deals

When it comes to Disney World resorts, Florida is ripe with options. However, finding Disney World resorts on the cheap may seem like an exercise in futility given current Disney World resort prices. For certain, when looking for affordability in Disney World resorts, All Stars properties offer some of the best value. But what if you could reduce your nightly rate even further or even upgrade to a larger resort room with little cost difference overregular nightly rack rates? You can, if you take advantage of Disney World resort deals.

Disney World resort hotel deals make it possible to shave money off your Disney World budget by booking your onsite resort using a resort or package discount. These are available for booking through Disney World’s website, and we keep a running list of all available offers on our Disney World discounts page. Be sure to bookmark it and check it out for any available discounts before booking your vacation. Discounts are usually offered a few months before a window of travel dates to get rid of excess rooms, so you won’t be able to make your travel plans a year out using a discount.

You can, however, reserve your room from the Disney World resorts list, and if a discount is offered, call Disney and ask them to apply it to your existing reservation. If there is availability at your resort using the current offer, Disney will gladly do this for you.

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Mother daughter travel bloggers exploring the U.S.

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We're Kat and Ali, a pair of mother-daughter travel bloggers exploring the U.S. We're sharing our experiences, tips and insights to help you more easily get out and explore the beautiful landscapes and places of this nation.

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Ali Patton

Ali is a travel blogger for Seconds to Go, where she shares her experiences traveling the U.S. with her co-blogger Mom, Kathleen. She is also an avid Disney travel enthusiast, and with multiple Disney World trips under her belt, is a knoweldgeable resource for all things related to Disney vacations. Ali can be found managing the Seconds to Go social media accounts as well as the famed Double Z Farm pages on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

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