This part of the guide is all about finding the right Disney World Resort accommodations for your trip. With decisions to be made about whether to stay on site at Walt Disney World or off site in the surrounding area, it’s a big topic.
Our comprehensive approach covers the on site / off site decision, Disney resorts, off site choices, and making accommodation decisions based on trip needs for UK visitors.
On site or Off site
The first decision you need to make is whether to stay in on site or off site accommodation. Onsite accommodation is found on Disney resorts, whereas offsite accommodation is off Disney property. The following guide pages will answer all your questions.
On Site Disney World Resorts: Pros and Cons for Brits
Staying on site at Disney
Choosing to stay in a Disney World Hotel is a great choice for UK travellers. You can make the most of complementary transport around the resort, extra park hours, free parking, and so much more. With over 25 different resort accommodations to choose from, across 3 different resort standards, Disney has something for everyone.
Value Resorts
These Disney World Resort accommodations cost the least but have all the amenities you need for a magical holiday. All resorts have a minimum of two Disney-themed pool areas and one quick-service dining option. Holidays include guest perks such as early theme park entry, free use of resort transport, free pool towels, and more.
All Star Resorts
Disney have 3 value resorts on 1 gated complex. The resorts interlink and it is possible to walk between the 3. Each resort is themed differently, but standard and preferred rooms are identical inside.
All Star Sports
This is the resort for you if you love sports. The first of the All Star Resorts as you enter the complex, Sports is the same size as Movies with 1,920 rooms. Guest rooms are found in 5 themed areas:
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Surfing
All Star Music
It’s the resort in the middle at All Stars, but the smallest capacity Value resort with 1,604 rooms. All Star Music has, you guessed it, a musical theme and offers guests a value option for Disney World holidays. Guests stay in 1 of the 5 resort areas which have the following themes:
- Rock Inn
- Calypso
- Jazz Inn
- Country Fair
- Broadway Hotel
All Star Movies
Located at the far end of the complex is All Star Movies this resort bookends Sports in size with 1,920 rooms. The whole resort has Disney movie theming and guests stay in one of 5 buildings:
- 101 Dalmatians
- Toy Story
- Fantasia
- Mighty Ducks
- Herbie
Pop Century
Offering a little more luxury than the All Star resorts with two free transport options for guests to get to the parks, the sky liner and the buses. Guests have access to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT which takes approximately 10 minutes.
This Value resort is themed with the ‘fads’ of the 1950s to the 1990s. The fourth of the Value hotels to be built, with 2,880 rooms this site is bigger than an All Star’s Resort hotel. Although you will find the rooms look and feel identical, with the last cycle of renovations completing in Summer 2018.
Guests stay in areas with theming from:
- The 1950s
- The 1960s
- The 1970s
- The 1980s
- The 1990s.
Art of Animation
Linking with Pop Century via skyliner, this is the newer of the Value Resorts, offering guests themed accommodation at a reasonable price. Closest to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, with free skyliner transportation that will get you to the park entrance in 25 minutes.
The newest of the Value hotels, opening on May 31st 2012, the 1,984 rooms had a light refurbishment in 2020. Guest stay in 1 of 4 themed areas from Disney Animated films:
- Cars
- Finding Nemo
- The Lion King
- The Little Mermaid
Moderate Resorts
Moderate Resorts are the middle ground when choosing Disney World Resort accommodations. Rooms get slightly larger, no more animated over-sized theming, and buildings are centred around lagoons (it reminds us of large village ponds pleasantly themed). You will find that there is a table service dining option in your resort, as well as a quick service option.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
You can see the fireworks from areas in this resort, which is a great perk if you don’t fancy heading to the parks. With bus and skyliner transportation to the parks, a
6 island themed resort areas containing 1,536 guest rooms, including:
- Jamaica
- Aruba
- Trinidad
- Martinique (preferred rooms)
- Barbados (preferred rooms)
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This moderate resort has a different vibe than other Disney resorts, offering guests the chance to stay in a tower style hotel building, rather than the Value resort buildings you find in most locations. Centred around Lago Dorado this resort has a higher class vibe and is a great middle ground for guests. Onsite complementary transport to the parks is by bus.
1,951 rooms make-up this resort which separates into 4 areas each with unique theming.
- Gran Destino Tower
- Ranchos
- Cabanas
- Casitas
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
This is a unique kind of resort, and Disney does have a few. Offering the only camping option, this resort area has a campsite where you can bring your tent, camper or caravan and stay on a pitch. There are 4 different areas to do this, and Disney have camping providers they partner with to offer UK guests the chance to experience Disney Parks and Resort in this style of accommodation.
Campsites vary in size and number of services provided. Some pitches even feature sewage hook-up. From tent pitches to RV pitches, you can choose to camp in whatever way you like.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
This is the sister hotel to Riverside and both hotels are linked by the waterway that runs through them. Offering South-Western charm, this 2,048 room resort has two areas: South Quarter and North Quarter. With seven buildings, this resort offers guests an experience filled with Southern charm.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
The southern charm continues in Riverside, where 1,008 guest rooms are spread across in two areas: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend.
Deluxe Resorts
The highest standard of Disney World Resort accommodations includes more guest-exclusive park hours, luxury accommodation close to the theme parks and all the guest perks value and resort guests enjoy. Costing the most, this is the luxury option for UK guests heading to Walt Disney World.
With 8 deluxe resorts to choose from, a 5* Disney experience is unlike any other.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you are looking to open your curtains and come face-to-face with a giraffe then this is the resort for you. A luxurious experience with nearly every room boasting a balcony, this resort hotel is near Animal Kingdom and has 1,307 rooms and 708 villas. The main guest area is Jambo House, with a second area Kidani Village mainly for DVC members.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Exuding deluxe New England charm from the light blue facades, this resort has more of a conventional English hotel vibe. With 583 rooms and 282 villas for DVC members. All rooms have balconies, albeit some are small and ‘Juliet style’. You can sit and watch the EPCOT fireworks in the grounds and EPCOT is less than a 10 minute walk away from every room. Hollywood Studios is a short skyliner journey away and there are buses to the other parks. You can even catch a resort boat to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Near to EPCOT, this hotel is within walking distance of Walt’s second park, benefitting from free views of the fireworks. With a range of deluxe room options, this hotel has villas and club level accommodations.
With 378 rooms and 582 DVC villas, this hotel offers a luxurious hotel experience for guests. Most rooms have a balcony or patio. If you long to be wandering into EPCOT for your morning coffee, this hotel is for you.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
If you love the monorail and long for luxury infused with an Incredibles theme, this is the hotel for you. The monorail track runs through the centre of the resorts A-shape frame. It’s only a 15-minute walk to Magic Kingdom and views across the Seven Seas Lagoon can be found from some rooms.
All 655 rooms have balconies and boast 422sq feet of luxury. With on site character dining, it is also possible to see the fireworks for free every evening from this resort.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
This is the most iconic of Disney hotels, the hotel with a spa and wedding pavilion, it exudes 19th century luxury in a prime location overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom. Walking down the sweeping staircases will make transport anyone into that dream prince or princess moment.
Transportation is available via resort boat, monorail, and bus direct from the hotel which has a selection of table-service dining options and a quick-service offering. With seasonal events held in the lobby area, this 867-room resort will add luxury to any holiday.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
It is the home of the table-service Stitch breakfast, where you can enjoy views over the Seven Seas Lagoon and watch Happily Ever After fireworks from the man-made beach every night. Inspired by Polynesian culture, as you enter this resort you will more often than not find a lei of flowers placed around your neck as you check-in.
With 847 rooms across 11, 2 and 3 storey, buildings this resort offers a different deluxe vibe on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Disney transportation is by boat, monorail, and bus to other resort areas.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Inspired by Americas Great North West this resort provides perfect escapism from the Disney overwhelm. With a river running from the lobby down to the lake, it feels very relaxing inside even with the grand foyer.
With 721 rooms and over 300 villas and cabins, this resort as something to suit every luxury budget. Transportation to the parks is by boat from a resort launch and bus.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Found within the EPCOT area of the resort, The Yacht Club is the sister property to The Beach Club. A New England theme in white matches the blue of The Beach Club. With 630 rooms with 380sq ft of space as average, rooms are spacious and elegant.
EPCOT is a short walk away, Hollywood Studios a short skyliner ride and all other areas accessible by complimentary bus or boat transportation. Offering luxury rooms and free views of Luminous fireworks every night from the Boardwalk area, this hotel will add magic to any holiday.
Best Disney resorts for families
Any Disney World Resort accommodations will provide a family with everything they need for a magical holiday. Children and adults alike will find a Disney hotel to suit every budget that accommodates your family needs.
Best Disney resorts for adults only
Adults will be surprised by the level of luxury in deluxe resorts, and staying at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge provides a truly adult holiday. Escaping to a Disney resort as an adult is exciting and Disney do cater for adult only very well. With the spa onsite at the Floridian and a Michelin starred restaurant, to Coronado Springs where the views from Gran Destino Tower add magic to your mornings.
Best Disney resorts on a budget
If you are looking to do Disney on a budget your best onsite option is a Value resort. With 5 to choose from, all benefitting from money-saving perks there is bound to be something to match your Disney style. For some UK guests a Value Resort may provide better value than staying offsite.
Best Disney World Resorts for multi-generational travel
Looking for a resort that matches your multi-generational needs? That could be any Disney resort and will depend on the size of your party. A Value resort will provide rooms to accommodate up to 4 guests and there are rooms available with adjoining doors. Those rooms do go fast in a most Disney resorts, so book early.
The best way to travel in a multi-generational party to a Disney resort is to choose a resort that fits with everyone’s budget and book your rooms to suit. Then request to link the bookings direct through Disney and ask for rooms to be in the same location. If you don’t you could end up walking quite a long way to find your party. Although that may suit some of you!
If you are considering spending more a Villa or Bungalow in a Deluxe resort would offer more amenities and space for a larger multi0generational family group.
Best Disney World Resort Accommodations for Luxury
The ultimate luxury is to choose a deluxe resort, but a modern resort offers some good middle ground options. If you’re heading out to Disney with luxury in mind, we would avoid the Grand Floridian and Polynesian only because they get over-run with guests exploring and enjoying popular character dining experiences.
Our advice would be to head to Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney’s Wilderness Resort. Both feeling completely removed from the park atmosphere and Disney, they provide a luxurious peaceful escape for guests.
Staying off site
Offsite is great for guests of all ages. Providing an escape from Disney and providing a perfect base to explore not only Disney but also the rest of what Florida has to offer.
Room only
The room only option will provide you with simple accommodation and will likely have the lowest price tag. Offering a bed, an en-suite, and basic amenities, this option provides a perfect park base for those guests who plan to be out and about most of the day.
Suites
The happy medium for off site accommodation, suites are found in hotel style resorts but have the benefit of kitchenette areas, and even lounges in some instances. With more space than room only, but less than a villa, a suite is an ideal offsite option for families and those with a little bit more in their budget.
Villas
If you are travelling with a multi-generational party this accommodation option may prove the best. Allowing everyone to stay in the same space, but also providing more square feet in a lot of cases. Costs can be kept lower by sharing the costs amongst parties and there is no need to worry about hidden parking or resort charges which are common in offsite options.
Renting a villa with a pool, or other extras, provides a peaceful holiday haven away from the parks, where you can spend rest days. Villas provide the option to cook and wash, giving guests from the UK more flexibility in travel options and help keep your luggage allowance within weight restrictions.
Conclusion
No matter whether you choose Disney World Resort accommodations or something off site, your trip to Walt Disney World will be magical. Why not head to our Disney Experiences section next to start planning how to spend your days.
