Today I continue my series on Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation from beginning to end. We have already discussed the Value Resorts and Moderate Resorts, and next in the series is the Deluxe Resorts. If you’ve been reading this blog you know that the Disney Park Princesses love the Deluxe Resorts! We love the rooms, the pools, and of course the Club Level amenities! There are eight resorts in the Deluxe Resort category. These do not include the Villa resorts, which I’ll get to next week.
One of the best things about the Deluxe Resorts is that they are so much closer to the theme parks! From some of the resorts you can walk to one or two theme parks. Even without walking there’s always a quick mode of transportation, such as a monorail or boat (or both). There is also Valet Parking at the Deluxe Resorts. The pool areas have water playgrounds in addition to slides and hot tubs. Most of the Deluxe Resorts have a great room service menu too!
Magic Kingdom Area Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is unique because the monorail runs right through the tower, but it’s also a great resort due to the room size and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. There are two sections of the hotel- the Tower and the Garden Wing. The Tower is where the lobby, restaurants, monorail, and shops are located, but the Garden Wing is closer to the pool, boat dock, and bus stop to the theme parks and other guest areas.
Several restaurants can be found at the Contemporary including Chef Mickey’s, Contempo Café, the Wave, and California Grill.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests, with 2 queens and a day bed, or 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via monorail, boat, or bus.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The Wilderness Lodge is located right on the shores of Bay Lake, and a quick boat ride from the Magic Kingdom. This peaceful resort has one of the most spectacular lobbies at Walt Disney World, with a large fireplace being the focal point. There are other features as well, such as quiet seating areas off of the main lobby (and a secret fireplace on the second floor). The Wilderness Lodge has a beautiful pool with a river that flows all the way from the lobby down into the pool and then down into Bay Lake. And keep an eye out for their very own geyser that will spurt every hour.
There are several restaurants at Wilderness Lodge- Artist Point, Whispering Canyon Café, Roaring Fork Snacks, and Geyser Point Bar and Grill.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 4 guests; some rooms have 2 queen beds, some have 1 queen and 1 bunk bed, and there are some rooms with 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via boat or bus.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Polynesian Village Resort is another monorail resort- with easy monorail access to the Magic Kingdom as well as to Epcot. The Great Ceremonial House (lobby) has many restaurants and shops. There are several buildings with rooms called longhouses, all named after different islands of Polynesia. The main pool area has a kids splash pad as well as a water slide through a volcano. The Polynesian is home to Ohana,
Kona Café, and Captain Cook’s, as well as the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests, with 2 queens and a day bed, or 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via monorail, boat, or bus.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
If you love the Victorian Era, you’ll love the Grand Floridian. If you don’t love the Victorian Era you’ll still love the Grand Floridian! It’s a beautiful hotel filled with so much beauty and elegance, yet it still has a wonderful feeling of a casual atmosphere. The lobby often has live music, either a small orchestra or a grand piano playing. There are several buildings with rooms offering views of the lagoon or the Magic Kingdom. Quite a few restaurants can be found at the Grand Floridian such as 1900 Park Fare, Narcoosee’s, Citricos, The Grand Floridian Café, Gasparilla Island Grill, Mizner’s Lounge, and Victoria and Albert’s.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests, with 2 queens and a day bed, or 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via monorail, boat, or bus.
Epcot Area Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Whether you want to relax in your hotel or spend your vacation on the go, Disney’s Beach Club Resort or Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a great choice! Because it is located within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s a great choice for a more active vacation.
But because it also has some amazing amenities, including Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park. While these two resorts are mirror images of each other in terms of lobby and rooms, they are very different in décor. The Beach Club looks more like Cape Cod, while the Yacht Club is more of a sailing, nautical décor.
Restaurants at the Beach Club include Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, Hurricane Hannah’s, Beach Club Marketplace, and Cape May Café.
Restaurants at the Yacht Club are Ale and Compass (including Lounge and Market), Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Crew’s Cup Lounge.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests, with 2 queens and a day bed, or 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via boat or bus.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Located across Crescent Lake from the Beach & Yacht Club, the Boardwalk Inn is also walking distance from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One of the fun parts of the Boardwalk Inn is its proximity to the Boardwalk- with all of the shops and restaurants there. The hotel is themed like Atlantic City at the turn of the century. The main restaurants of the hotel are down on the Boardwalk area. They include Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno, Big River Grill, and Abracadabar.
There’s also the Boardwalk Bakery and Belle Vue Lounge (inside the hotel), and of course Ample Hills Creamery with amazing ice cream. If you’re feeling like a late night, visit Atlantic Dance Hall or Jellyrolls night club.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests, with 2 queens and a day bed, or 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via boat or bus.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Area Deluxe Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Outside of the continent of Africa, where else but Animal Kingdom Lodge can you get a room overlooking a savanna with giraffes, zebras, impalas, and wildebeests just to name a few. Even if you don’t have a room that overlooks the savanna you can still see the animals just by walking outside. Just one look around this amazing resort will surely make you fall in love!
Some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World are here- including Jiko and Boma, and the quick service restaurant the Mara.
Most rooms can accommodate up to 4 guests; some rooms have 2 queen beds, some have 1 queen and 1 bunk bed, and there are some rooms with 1 king bed.
Transportation to Theme Parks and other guest areas is available via boat or bus.
That’s it for the Deluxe Resorts! Next week will be the final segment of how to choose a resort with the Deluxe Villa (DVC) resorts.
2 comments
Sally Jones
Hi, cancelled trip (like everyone else)but planning again for 2022 My husband and I will be 73 and not good walkers. This is for 12 people adults and kids. What would you recommend. We won’t be doing much for rides and probably would have to get scooters. (Husband and I) Suggestions to stay?
Sara Varney
Hi Sally, I’m sorry to hear about your cancelled trip! Be sure to check out our article on multi-generational trips as well: https://www.disneyparkprincess.com/disney-world-tips-for-multi-generational-family-trips/
I would recommend a resort that has easy access to the parks you think you will spend the most time at. For the Magic Kingdom, the monorail resorts offer so much convenience and make it very easy to get back to your resorts for a break or a swim! For Epcot or Hollywood Studios, the Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk are great choices.
Have a great time! -Sara