Planning a Vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort

A Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel to Fit Any Vacation Budget

Surrounding your decision as to which one of the more than twenty Walt Disney World resorts fits within your vacation budget are really two prime considerations. The time year you will be traveling and the category of resort you are considering. Walt Disney World has segmented the calendar year into four separate categories and priced their hotel rooms accordingly
Walt Disney World Resort 2005 Seasons
 

Walt Disney World Resort does not arbitrarily set these dates. These dates like all economics are driven by supply and demand. Starting with the Value Season, which are the least traveled dates and progressing through to Holiday Season, which are the most popular date’s guests will find an incremental price increase in the cost of their resort stay.

A little planning, a little savings, a lot of fun
Great room rates and great touring conditions can be found during Disney’s “Value Season”. This may require that the kids be pulled out of school for a few days, but with some advance school work and effort on the part of the kids, along with the motivation of a Family Disney Vacation anything is possible.


Walt Disney World Resort Classifications
In addition they have classified their resorts into essentially three basic categories that will further influence the cost of your stay.

Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts

Among these four different groupings Walt Disney World Resorts has made a home for every vacation budget. While many of the overall Walt Disney World Resort amenities will be made available to all guests regardless of their selection there are some distinct differences and ultimately different experiences.

Those Walt Disney World Resort amenities shared by all guests staying at one of the Walt Disney World resorts include:

Extra Magic Hours Benefit*
One of the Disney Theme Parks opens an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours, so Guests of Disney Resorts have the opportunity to get extra time in the parks.

Disney Transportation
Guests are provided with complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, including motor coaches, water taxis and the Monorail.

Package Delivery
Guests can enjoy the convenience of having purchases from select Disney shops delivered to their Disney Resort.

Charging Privileges
Guests can charge select Disney purchases (i.e. meals, merchandise and tickets) right to their rooms.

So what are the differences?
Some of the differences experienced by guests staying in one resort classification as opposed to another may be inconsequential to some and of a major concern to others. Only you know what is important to you and how much you are willing to spend to get it.

Disney’s Value Resorts

All-Star Sports
All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
Pop Century

Rooms from $77 to $131 per night
Rates vary depending on season and room type

What your Disney dollars will get you
Each value room will offer you exterior corridors and rooms that feature:
Size - 260 square feet
Beds - two double beds, or one king-size bed
Furnishings – a dresser, TV, nightstand, table with two chairs, a small room safe, clock radio
Bathroom – single sink, mirror, open vanity area, toilet and tub/shower in separate area

So what’s not to like?
The minuses encounter at the value resorts will be felt in the areas of check in, dining, and transportation.

So what’s to like?
What makes these four Walt Disney World Resorts so popular?

Value
Guests at the All-Star resorts enjoy all the amenities and privileges of a Walt Disney World Resort guest, including Extra Magic Hours (early entry into the theme parks) and guaranteed theme park admission even at the busiest times of the year all for a room rate that won’t require a second mortgage.

In this second installment of our series about selecting a Walt Disney World resort we will focus on Disney’s moderate resorts.

These four Disney resorts will cost you the same amount of Disney Dollars. And, while each carries its own wonderfully distinctive theme, there are also some subtle differences that can influence your vacation experience.

For a closer look at what you will find before you check in to one of these moderately priced resorts

Disney's Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Rooms from $134 to $209 per night
Rates vary depending on season and room type


What your Disney Dollars will get you
Each room will offer you exterior corridors and standard rooms that feature:
Size - 314 square feet
Beds - two double beds, or one king-size bed
Furnishings - an armoire, TV, nightstand, table with two chairs, in wall safe
Bathroom – pedestal sinks, large mirror, open vanity area, toilet and tub/shower in separate area
Extras - a coffee maker.

So what’s not to like?
The minuses encountered at the moderate resorts will be felt in the areas of check in, transportation and dining.

So what’s to like?
What makes these four Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels so popular?

Value
Guests at any of Disney’s moderate resorts enjoy all the amenities and privileges of a Walt Disney World Resort® guest, including Extra Magic Hour (early entry into the theme parks) and guaranteed theme park admission even at the busiest times of the year, and, all for a room rate that won’t require you to cash in your IRA.


Rooms from $199 to $645 per night
Rates vary depending on resort, season and room type


Disney's Deluxe Resorts

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Contemporary
Polynesian
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht & Beach Club
BoardWalk Inn
Animal Kingdom Lodge

Rooms from $199 to $645 per night
Rates vary depending on resort, season and room type

What your Disney Dollars will get you

The deluxe resorts offer more services, recreation, tantalizing restaurants, beach access, and unique transportation.

Each room will offer you interior corridors and standard rooms that feature:
Size – 350 to 400 square feet
Beds - two double beds, or one king-size bed
Furnishings - an armoire, TV, nightstand, table with two chairs, in wall safe
Bathroom – pedestal sinks, large mirror, open vanity area, toilet and tub/shower in separate area


Why So Much?

Location, Service & Amenities
Along with a level of service that will afford guests a vacation to remember there is without a doubt something undeniably special about staying in one these deluxe resorts.