Walt Disney World Hotel Categories
To keep things simple we're only going to include the hotels at Walt Disney World and not the DVC locations (Disney's Timeshare program). There are three categories of hotels - Value, Moderate and Deluxe.
Disney Value Resorts
Disney's Value resorts are the affordable hotels at Walt Disney World. There are 5 resorts (although one resort is split into three resorts) that fall into the Value category.
Disney's All Star Movies Resort, Disney's All Star Music Resort and Disney's All Star Sports Resort are Disney's lowest-cost hotels. They're themed as the name suggests and all have newly refurbished rooms, pools, dining, housekeeping every other day and bus transport to all the parks. Disney's Pop Century Resort is themed to the decades between 1950s through the 1990s. It has newly refurbished rooms, pools, dining, housekeeping every other day and bus and Disney Skyliner transport to the parks. Disney's Art Of Animation Resort is themed Disney animation with Lion King, Nemo, Cars areas and more. Disney's Art Of Animation Resort has some standard rooms (themed to The Little Mermaid) but also suites which are priced higher but might be more suitable for larger families.
Our pick would be Disney's Pop Century Resort because of the Disney Skyliner - which is Disney's gondala system which gives an extra transport option to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios - it's theming and proximity to the other parks. If you're looking for the cheapest then choose one of the All Star Resorts, you can't go wrong with any of them and the only real difference is a long bus ride to the parks due to its location.
Disney Moderate Resorts
Disney Moderate Resorts are a step up from the value resorts in a few ways. They offer slightly larger rooms, two bathroom sinks, better pools and a table-service restaurant onsite.
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is a Caribbean-themed resort that is on the Disney Skyliner route, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort celebrates a unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures. Disney's Port Orleans Resort (Riverside and French Quarter) are themed to look like New Orleans and the Old South.
Our pick would be Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort due to its theming, slightly larger rooms than the other moderate resorts and the Disney Skyliner transport option. A close second would be Port Orleans due to its quieter atmosphere and single bus top.
Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney deluxe resorts are the top-tier hotels. They offer fantastic and amazingly themed rooms but priced to match.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design provides spectacular views of 4 lush savannas that over 200 hoofed animals and birds call home. Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Resort are New England-style resorts. Disney's BoardWalk Inn is themed to the turn-of-the-century Atlantic City. Disney's Contemporary Resort is Disney's most iconic hotel tower which offers a short walk to the Magic Kingdom. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is Disney's flagship Victorian-themed resort. Disney's Polynesian Village Resort celebrates the spirit of the South Pacific at this oasis of tropical palms, lush vegetation and so much more. Disney's Wilderness Lodge is inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges.
Our pick is Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for its amazing theming and savannah view rooms, although the only transport option is buses and it is quite far from the parks. Disney's Wilderness Lodge is incredibly themed as well and offers boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort also offer monorail transportation to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, as well as boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom. Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Resorts and Disney's BoardWalk Inn are within walking distance of EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.
You can explore the hotels we have stayed at on our Walt Disney World reviews page, or if you're ready to see pricing for each resort, use the link below.
Click here to search dates for pricing information direct with Disney >
