Best On-Site Resort Accommodations At Disney World
Disney World property is the most beautiful well-groomed property I have ever seen and has over 25 of the best on-site accommodation resorts. There is something for every budget and taste, from the classic charm of Disney World Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the fun and whimsical decor of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. In this guide, we’ll look at the resorts, and help you choose the perfect hotel for your next vacation. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of Disney!
Benefits Of Staying On Site At A Disney Resort Hotel
Immersing Yourself In Disney Magic
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the magic of Disney than by staying at one of Disney themed resorts on property. You will be transported, once you step foot in your resort, to the world of enchantment and wonder. Each resort hotel is uniquely themed from the rustic charm of Fort Wilderness Lodge, the elegance of Grand Floridian, to one of the captivating All-star or Pop Century Resorts, and take a stroll around the property, which are adorned with whimsical Disney oversized statues, amazing beautiful art, and decorations. The resorts also have plenty of amenities that cater to all guests and those with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the magic of Disney.
So, whether you are traveling with a significant other or family and friends staying at a Disney Resort will start your magical Disney experience the minute you get there!
Ease of Transportation
Staying on property at Disney World Florida is a delightful and magical experience that offers the ultimate relaxation and fun for all ages. Disney World resorts are conveniently located close to parks, but staying at on-site properties gives you the full Disney World experience you are looking for.
Enjoy complimentary transportation that is offered when staying at a Disney World theme park resort. You can choose to take a complimentary bus, monorail, skyliner, watercraft, depending on which hotel you stay at, or drive yourself to each of the 4 parks and Disney Springs. All Disney World transportation options are accessible to our guests that use scooters (ECV) and wheelchairs and strollers. Let’s not forget that if you decide to drive yourself to the parks or Disney springs, you receive free parking while staying at a Disney World Resort on property.
Do not underestimate the stress-free ease of getting to a theme park or Disney Springs while staying at a Disney World Resort. If you are looking to increase your relaxation and fun, staying on the property is the way to go!
The Perks of Staying on Disney World Property
Staying on property at Disney World Florida offers perks that off-site guests miss out on. Not only can you get complimentary transportation to all of the Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney, but you also get:
• early access hours at the parks
• extended evening hours at the parks
• on-site free transportation to all parks
• purchase MagicBands at a special pre-arrival price,
• use bands to unlock hotel rooms,
• provide entrance to the parks,
• charge food and merchandise,
• Pin Trading at lobby desks
• collect your photo passes for DisneyPhotoPass images
• themed resort pools
• variety of dining options from grab and go to fine dining
• access to Genie+ attractions earlier
• some resorts have characters that come out to play
• outside activities onsite at resorts: ping pong etc..
• games at the pool directed by cast members
• community hall for indoor activities for children and adults
• lifeguards at pools
• extremely clean hotel rooms
• some rooms hold up to 5 people
• free movies at night under the stars
• campfires with s’mores
• splash pads for young children and/or baby pools
And lets’ not forget the friendly and fun cast members who go above and beyond to make your stay at Disney World Resorts magical and memorable!
DISNEY RESORTS
The most wonderful thing about Disney Resort hotels is that there is a magical resort within your budget.
Disney budget-friendly themed resort options are:
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sport Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Moderate Resorts themed resort options are:
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts – Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarters
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Deluxe Resorts themed options are:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort
On-site Resorts are themed in different ways
Disney’s All Star Movie Resort
This is the most quintessentially Disney of all of the budget friendly resort options. This Disney Resort hotel feels like its own theme park right in your room. The enormous central pool has a Fantasia theme complete with iconic Sorcerer Mickey presiding over the water. There are also Andy’s toys from “Toy Story” decorating the property, huge statues of Pongo and Perdita from “101 Dalmatians,” and 2 additional pools, one is Mighty Ducks-themed. How fun! This is a great budget friendly option for families who want to be fully immersed in Disney magic.
Disney’s All Star Music Resort
This resort has large style music inspired icons on all buildings. It is a very whimsical and fun atmosphere with a guitar shaped pool. The three caballeros spouting water fountains and the pool are some of the fun things to see. Each building has a fun musical icon on them.
Disney’s All-Star Sport Resort
Enjoy the feel of competitive sports upon walking into this resort. There are large statues and features of basketballs, footballs and gear. There is a pool shaped like a baseball diamond with a Goofy fountain in the middle!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
If you’re looking for Disney but not overly themed, then the Pop Century Resort is just what you’re looking for. In this fun hotel each building at Pop Century has a different decade of the 1900s. It's nostalgia at its finest. It’s a great way to introduce your kids to the history of Pop Culture in the United States and the price point is great for families.
Disney’s Art Of Animation Resort
A great budget friendly option for families is the Art Of Animation Resort. It's been voted the best value of any of the Disney Resort hotels. The rooms here are themed after Disney classics. Themed rooms include “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” and “Finding Nemo.” While this is not the most luxurious of Disney properties, it’s a great option for larger families who are looking for perks and easy access to the park.
Moderate Resorts
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This budget friendly Disney Resort hotel takes its inspiration from Southwest, Spanish, and Mexican cultures. There is even a large pool area that features a 50 ft replica of a Mayan Pyramid.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The resort is styled in Caribbean themes. This resort enjoys the transportation using the skyliner and a pool in an old spanish theme with 2 slides and a jacuzzi.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
This resort has many southern mansion themed buildings and a pool with a waterslide that is on an island of its own. It is truly delightful and serene when you are walking around the area and it is located on a river.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
The Port Orleans French Quarter hotel is more New Orleans and Mardi Gras themed then its Riverside counterpart. There are fun and festive Mardi Gras touches throughout the property so keep your eyes out for them.
Disney’s Cabins
The feel of pioneer life and all the amenities of being at home. You can rent a golf cart to get around. There is a corkscrew pool for you pool enthusiasts and you can bring your furbaby to stay with you here.
The Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you want your family to feel like they are on an African Safari, then you need to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wake up to zebras outside your window, giraffes meander by, or hear the song of exotic birds right away in the morning. The pool is massive at 11,000 square feet and it even has a waterslide.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Consistently rated as the best resort at Disney since it opened in 2019 and the newest Disney property with a minimalistic yet elegant resort. Themed after the French and Italian Riviera, and was actually inspired by Walt Disney’s vacations to the South of France. Make sure to pay attention to the beautiful inlaid murals with scenes from Disney favorites like Tangled. There are a wide range of rooms making it perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers. At Topolino’s Terrace you will find the best dinner and an outside rooftop viewing area.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The inspiration for the Wilderness Lodge comes from America’s beautiful National Parks. Being wilderness themed, the hotel also offers an array of outdoor activities and even the dining options are National Parks themed. There are rocking chairs in the lobby to sit in front of the large fireplace.This is the most affordable Resort hotel in the deluxe or luxury category at Disney World.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
This resort is inspired by classic New England yacht clubs and its waterfront location fits perfectly with the nautical theme. A huge bonus to staying at this resort is the Stormalong Bay Waterpark pool that’s right on the property, making this resort perfect for families. Stormalong Bay Waterpark pool is everyone';'s favorite. Another bonus at this resort is it is home to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
When you see Boardwalk Inn you will immediately think of the charm of Atlantic City. This resort is fantastic for adults and couples because the boardwalk has so much to offer. Just outside your door is a lively nightlife, bars and restaurants, and even fun carnival games. It is close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Make sure to stroll in the Abracada Bar for a delightful magic experience.
The Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
Known as the most regal of the Disney World resorts, The Grand Floridian’s Victorian theme is one of the most beautiful places to stay on property. This resort is also incredibly close to the Magic Kingdom, one monorail stops to be exact. This elegant property caters to families, weddings, and couples looking for a romantic getaway. They have a hidden area in the Enchanted Rose lounge bar area that has an outside balcony. The Enchanted Rose is themed after Beauty and The Beast and is a sight to see, just look up at the lighting its beautiful!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The contemporary resort had the monorail going right through the middle. It is themed in very modern decor. You can walk to the magic kingdom from here. There is a viewing area to watch the fireworks at the California Grille located on the top floor. There are two pools in this resort, one with a slide and one without.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Themed in a South Pacific style of tropical palms trees and so much wonderful vegetation. Everywhere you look is green with beautiful flowers surrounding you. This resort is where you can find Ohana’s Restaurant that everyone loves. It is located on the Seven Seas Lagoon and has access to the monorail for convenience to parks.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Styled in the elegance of New England this resort also enjoys the use of Storm-a-long Bay pool, which is considered the best pool in disney with it boat themed slide and the lazy river, and more. This resort is within walking distance of Epcot, which is very convenient.
Star Wars: Galactic Star Cruiser
Star wars themed and you take an experience to the next level with Star Wars Characters and a trip to Galaxy’s Edge. The reviews on this have not been great and thinking it is because it is very expensive and an all indoor experience.
Deluxe Villas
You can definitely stay in the resorts listed below even though they are all Disney Vacation TimeShare Resorts. They have all the same amenities along with deluxe rooms and one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom apartment-like areas, with full kitchens and living rooms, some with 1 bathroom, some with two bathrooms. You can reserve through Disney World reservations online or call or you can email Davids Rental. David’s Rental rents out timeshares people own and this is a less expensive way to stay at these resorts.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Boulder Ridge Resort
Disney’s Copper Creek Villas
Cabins at Disney Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Bay Lake Towers at Disney Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villa – Kidani Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
Disney Beach Club Villa
Disney’s Rivera Resort
Staying at any of the Disney World Resorts will make for an unforgettable and magical experience, regardless of where you stay. Every resort has numerous amenities to offer and is always themed in a fun-filled or elegant style. You can fully immerse yourself in the magic of Disney by staying at one of the enchanting resorts.
Start your Disney vacation planning early to build the excitement. Plan your dates you wish to go. Start creating your must-do’s and give everyone a choice of one attraction to do. Book your hotel and room type, and make your dining reservations. So pack your bags and get ready for a fun-filled, memory packed adventure that will last a lifetime!
