Resort FAQs

The BEST resort at Disney World depends on what is best for you and your family. Which park will you spend the most time? Plan to go back to the resort in the afternoons, or spend all day in the parks? Which is more important to you, convenience or cost? Below are some answers to commonly asked questions to guide you in choosing a Disney Resort.

Which resort…

IS CLOSEST TO THE PARKS?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower are the only resorts in walking distance to Magic Kingdom. Boats from Wilderness Lodge or monorail resorts also provide convenient access. For Hollywood Studios and Epcot, the boardwalk resorts - Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Resorts - are within walking or boating distance. This is great for early morning Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance fans or the various festivals at Epcot, including the Food & Wine Festival. The new Disney Skyliner also drops directly to Epcot and Hollywood Studios - see below for list of resorts.

IS ON THE MONORAIL?

Monorail resorts include Disney’s Grand Floridian, Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower, and Polynesian Resorts. Each of these is a Deluxe Resort Hotel or Villa with Signature Dining and other deluxe amenities. The monorail is especially fun for the little ones excited by trains, and super convenient for kid strollers. Buses require the strollers to be fully collapsed.

IS ON THE DISNEY SKYLINER?

Disney Skyliner is the new gondola system which connects Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of the Animation Resorts to both Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

HAS THE BEST POOL?

Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club share access to Stormalong Bay, a 3 acre water recreation area with a lazy river, large water slide, and sandy bottom pool. It’s fantastic. Disney’s Polynesian has a great water play area, zero entry pool, and volcano feature that is a hit with the kids. At the Moderate Resort level, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort features a 50 ft water slide down a replica of a Mayan pyramid and the Ol’ Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside has an expansive pool and play area.

HAS THE BEST DINING?

California Grill, located in Disney’s Contemporary, is my personal favorite. After a great meal and fireworks, it is so nice to only have to take an elevator back to your room for bed. Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the new Riviera Resort offer great dining options, too. Disney Springs, a walk away from Disney’s Saratoga Springs or boat ride from Disney’s Port Orleans, offers so many dining options as do the countries of Epcot which is in walking distance to Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Resorts.

CAN VIEW THE FIREWORKS FROM YOUR ROOM OR RESORT?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower by far have the best view of Magic Kingdom fireworks. From a longer distance, fireworks can also be viewed from Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Four Seasons Orlando. Disney’s Yacht Club and other boardwalk resorts do have limited views of Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks. Disney’s Riviera Resort offers rooftop dining with Epcot fireworks views at Topolino’s but from a distance as well.

HAS A SPA?

Senses Spa has two full-service locations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort including massages, facials, exercise facilities, and more.

HAS CLUB LEVEL?

Club Level provides several additional amenities with the most popular being access to Club Level Lounge with food and beverage service. This is great for a quick breakfast or a post-park snack. Participating resorts include the Deluxe Resorts - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club Resorts - and the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, the only Moderate Resort.

IS THE CHEAPEST?

The Value Resorts - Disney’s Pop Century, All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports Resorts - are the lowest cost options. They are also large complexes with plenty of rooms so ideal for large school groups or multi-room requests. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge offers tent and camper locations as well. Disney’s Art of Animation is also considered a Value Resort but room sizes are larger and more expensive than the others listed above.

IS THE BEST FOR TODDLERS?

Monorail locations offer the easiest access to Magic Kingdom - great for early morning park entry or an afternoon nap. Alternatively, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great resort to entertain little ones with free roaming animals, splash pads, and excellent on-sight dining. Be sure to check for S’mores campfires and outdoor movie nights at many resorts. Chip’N’Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is the most popular.

IS THE BEST FOR FAMILIES OF 5 OR 6?

Most Standard Disney rooms include 2 queen beds and sleep up to 4 guests. For larger families, it can seem challenging to find 5+ guest accommodations but you do have options.

For families of 5, the twin pull down bed is a great option for younger kids with their own little nook and can be found at: Disney’s Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge, Caribbean Beach Resort, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Villas, Port Orleans - Riverside, and Riviera Resorts. Day beds can accommodate a fifth guest at Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian Village Resorts. I personally prefer the pull down option.

For families of 6, the family suites at Art of Animation or All-Star Music are your lowest cost option. Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk, and Wilderness Lodge offer Deluxe Rooms for up to 6 guests, with a queen-sized sleeper sofa. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort provide for 6 guests in a unique bunk bed arrangement.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a few non-traditional Club Level suite configurations that sleep 5, 6, 7, or 8 guests. Disney’s Coronado Springs and Gran Destino Tower also have 6 and 8 guest rooms.

The Cabins at Copper Creek at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian are the most spacious, home-like option for up to 8 guests.

In addition to these, every Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort has multi-room suites that can accommodate up to 12 guests. And in many resorts, you can book two adjoining rooms to meet your family’s needs.

IS A DVC PROPERTY?

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) properties offer larger Villas with kitchenettes or full kitchens, additional bathroom(s), washer/dryer, and generally more living space. These rooms are available to non-DVC members and great for larger families. One Bedroom Villas sleep up to 5 or 6 guests, Two Bedroom Villas up to 8 or 9, and the Three Bedroom Villas up to 12 depending on the resort. DVC Resorts include: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake Tower at The Contemporary, Beach Club, BoardWalk, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Polynesian, Riviera, and Saratoga Springs Resorts.

HAS UNIQUE ROOMS?

Treehouse Villa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort sleeps up to 9 and is literally in a tree. Bunk beds at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are another fun option for the kids, with horses, archery, and other unexpected adventure at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch on site.

CAN I BOOK WITH POINTS?

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and the new Swan Reserve are all associated with Marriott hotel chain and can be booked with points. Four Seasons Resort Orlando is another option. Each of these is on Disney property but more of a nice hotel feel than Disney magic. That being said, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is so nice and has a pretty incredible pool area.