Favorite Disney Resorts in Each Category
Walt Disney World has over 25 resorts. With so many resorts to choose from it can be difficult to pick just one. Disney World has 3 resort categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. The resort category reflects the price and level of amenities. Once you pick a resort category then you can narrow down your resort selection. These are my favorite Disney resorts in each category.
Value Resorts
Value Resorts are the most affordable of all the Disney resorts. They offer the Disney magic at an affordable price tag. The value resorts are Art of Animation, Pop Century, All Star Music, All Star Sports, and All Star Movies.
My picks in this category are Pop Century and Art of Animation. Pop Century and Art of Animation both have Skyliner access. I love the Skyliner. It is quick and efficient and parents of young children will appreciate being able to roll your stroller right on.
Art of Animation is really fun for children. The Little Mermaid, Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars are all represented. Kids love the themed rooms. Art of Animation also offers family suites for families of 6 and standard rooms for families of 4.
Pop Century has themed sections based on decades. Each decade building has Disney characters representing those decades. Our kids loved the giant Lady and the Tramp characters in the 50’s section. Pop Century also has recently had room refurbishments. The rooms feature Disney characters but are also modern with lots of USB ports.
Moderate Resorts
I have to say that I love all the moderate resorts, so it is really hard to choose a favorite. Moderate resorts are Disney’s middle range priced resorts. The moderate resorts feature more amenities such as table service dining and water slides. Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, and Port Orleans French Quarter are the moderate resorts.
Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are connected to each other. French Quarter features a New Orleans vibe while Riverside features mansions and backwoods bayou cottages. French Quarter even serves beignets! Riverside features Royal Princess themed rooms popular with young girls. Boat transportation is provided to Disney Springs.
Caribbean Beach Resort is massive with several different sections. The main draw of Caribbean Beach is the Skyliner access and pool. It has one the best pools on property in my opinion with a water slide and kids splash area. The negative is the resort is so large that it can take a while to walk around the resort.
Coronado Springs is a great resort for adults. It has a romantic setting, and the new Gran Destino Tower can’t be beat. The tower reminds me of a deluxe resort but for a moderate price. The rooms are recently renovated and are stunning. The negative with this resort is that it only has bus transportation to the parks.
It’s a hard pick, but I will go with Caribbean Beach Resort as my favorite resort in this category.
Deluxe Resorts
Disney has the largest number of resorts in the deluxe category. Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach, Riviera, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge are all in this category. Each resort has a unique theme, table services restaurants, larger rooms, themed pools with water slides, and many even have character dining.
I truly love all the resorts in this category. They are all unique and beautiful resorts. The best themed resorts in my opinion are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge. The lobbies in these resorts are simply stunning. Wilderness Lodge has a National Parks lodge theme complete with a working Geyser. The rooms at Wilderness Lodge were just renovated in 2021. Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort at Christmas.
Animal Kingdom Lodge features an African Savannah complete with real animals. Nowhere in the United States can you stay at a hotel with views of African wildlife. Guests love being able to see Zebras, Giraffes, and Antelope can from their balcony. It’s simply stunning! You will not regret a day at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Deluxe Villas
My favorite deluxe villas are Grand Floridian Resort and Villas and Riviera Resort for their luxurious rooms, park access, and beautiful grounds. I love the elegance of these resorts.
The rooms at Riviera are stunning. They feature luxurious marble, Disney artwork, and European flair. The resort was finished in 2019 so the rooms look brand new. The resort also has two pools, a water slide, Topolino’s Terrace, and Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is modeled after the famous Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. The grounds are beautiful, and some rooms have views of Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian has several table services restaurants, monorail access, and even a walking path to Magic Kingdom. Two pools are also featured at the Grand. The resort also has a full-service spa that is reopening this month!
When planning your next Disney vacation, consider these favorite Disney resorts. You will not go wrong.
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