I have received quite a few questions lately asking which Disney World resort is the best. Of course I have a few favorites, but the truth is, the answer is going to be different for every family. It might even be different for each trip a family takes to Disney World. We have stayed at seven of the Disney World Resorts. Each one has been a wonderful experience and just right for the given trip we were on.
That being said, there are a few questions to consider before deciding which resort is right for your family on your next Disney vacation.
Questions to Think About When Choosing a Disney Resort
- What is your resort budget? The Disney World resorts are broken into four main categories; Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Villas. The value resorts can be as low as $145 a night depending on the time of year you are traveling. The nightly prices increase with each category. With the increased pricing comes added amenities that should be considered when making your decision.
- Which of the 4 parks is the most important to your family? If your family is psyched for Hollywood Studios, than you may want to consider staying at one of the resorts that would allow your family to walk. If Magic Kingdom is your favorite, consider one of the five resorts on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. By staying closer to your preferred Disney World park, you will cut down on travel time to and from the resort throughout the day. Our family LOVES the Animal Kingdom Resort, but it takes a while to get to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. So, when we have stayed there, we knew to plan our days differently.
- What transportation options are offered at each of the resorts? The more transportation options that are offered at the resort, the more quickly you will get to and from the parks. All of the resorts offer bus transportation the the park. However, if you stay at the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary or the Polynesian Village Resort your family will have an option to ride the monorail or a take a boat the Magic Kingdom. The monorail also offers your group a quick way to get to Epcot and the Transportation and Ticket Center. These three resorts, as well as the Wilderness Lodge and the Campsites and Fort Wilderness provide a boat ride to The Magic Kingdom. If you stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort, the Art of Animation Resort, the Pop Century Resort or the Riviera Resort your family will have the wonderful option to ride the Skyliner. Each of these resorts have a Skyliner station that will conveniently take your family to Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway to Epcot.
- What kind of dining experiences are you looking for? Each resort will have a quick service dining option. Here you will find kid friendly favorites and easy meals that you can take back to your room or eat at the tables nearby. The value resorts only offer the quick service dining options. The moderate resorts offer quick service and table service options. The deluxe resorts and villas offer quick service, table service and signature table service (some offer character meals!). You can make reservations at any of the resort restaurants, regardless of where you are staying. Learn more about the restaurant options at each resort here.
Being together and making memories is the most important part of your trip. No matter which resort you choose, you will find that it is a great adventure and lots of fun! And, while you’re at Disney, don’t hesitate to check out some of the other resorts. Maybe one of those will be the place you choose for your next magical adventure!
~One thing to note is that if something is wrong with your stay, please don’t hesitate to kindly say something to the cast members at the resort. They will do everything they can to help make you stay wonderful. Remember that kindness goes a long way when sharing your concerns~
