Point of View Regarding Walt Disney World Resorts
My strongest argument for staying at a Walt Disney World Resort is you are inside the Disney Bubble. It is a consistent experience at the hotel, restaurants and parks. It is an element of the Disney Magic. The Disney Bubble, in a sense, is magical to me.
Walt Disney World Resorts (WDW) are my version of an all inclusive vacation. The meal plan and park hopper tickets help me feel that way. I don’t cook and I don’t drive during my vacation. So staying on a WDW Resort property is a hug benefit.
For sure there are great places to eat all around Orlando. But I do admit it is daunting to choose a place to eat at the parks. There are so many novelty options and that might not be what you are looking for. The WDW Resorts always has good meal options. Especially first thing in the morning or a late night snack.
The free transportation get me everywhere I need to be. This includes travel to wide variety of dining options at other WDW Resorts and Disney Springs. Most locations are severed by bus but there are fun options like the monorail, skyline, boats and water taxis.
There is no great story behind to this but I am not a regular drinker of alcohol. So I am not a great source of knowledge regarding the bars. The WDW Resorts have bars at the pools and some dining locations have separate bars.
Full disclosure I have been visiting the parks since the 1980s. Those visits were day trips coming from other parts of Florida. More recently I am an annual visitor from Montreal. I travel with my daughter and we stay for about 1 week.
Resort Areas and Costs
The the resorts are distributed into different areas. They are also classified by cost as value, moderate and deluxe.
Magic Kingdom Area
The Magic Kingdom Area has three deluxe resorts that are on the Monorail loop. They are the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. There is also the Wilderness Lodge that is not on the monorail loop but transportation is still available by water taxis and bus. This area is probably the most desirable in terms of variety of non-park activities. The resorts are beautiful.
EPCOT Area
The EPCOT Area has a mix of deluxe and moderate resorts. Also, there are three non-Disney hotels in the area that are really good neighbours. The Disney Resort are the Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Yacht & Beach Club, and Boardwalk Inn. The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are the non-Disney Resorts. There is a variety of transportation including the Disney Skyline, water taxis and buses. I have heard many good things about staying in this area.
Disney Springs Area
The Disney Springs Area has 2 moderate and 2 deluxe resorts. There are the two Port Orleans resorts (French Quarter and Riverside), Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West. The proximity of Disney Springs is probably the best area to be in if you will not go to the parks every day.
Animal Kingdom Area
The Animal Kingdom Area has three value resorts, one moderate, and one deluxe. They are the three All Stars (Movies, Music, and Sports) all value resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge a deluxe, and Coronado Springs a moderate. Bus service gets you to any park. The Animal Kingdom Lodge’s restaurants and lobby worth visiting. There are also waterparks in this area.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Area
The ESPN Wide World of Sport Area has two value resorts. They are the Pop Century and the Art of Animation. These are considered by many to be the best Value resorts. This may be because the resorts have access to the Disney Skyline.
Value Resorts
- All-Star Movies, Music & Sports
- Art of Animation
- Pop Century
Moderate Resorts
- Caribbean Beach
- Coronado Springs
- Port Orleans French Quarter & Riverside
Deluxe
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Boardwalk Inn & Villas
- Contemporary
- Disney Riviera
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Polynesian Village
- Wilderness Lodge
- Yacht & Beach Club
- Old Key West
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa