Walt Disney World Resorts

Each of Disney’s 25 resorts are individually themed and budgeted for your vacation. With so many choices, it is hard to pick out just one hotel or resort that I find to be the "highlight" of them all. I think that with each vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, I bring home a special moment.

To make your own special moments, you first need to think about why you are going; is this a trip for your kids, or is it just the two of you? Making this decision will set the pace for your entire vacation. Will you select a resort that is geared more towards the family and close to the Theme Parks, or will you take the leisurely route and find the resort that has the best amenities to offer?

A good way to get started is by researching what Disney has to offer in comparison to what you would like to experience while on vacation. The internet is the most powerful tool in your vacation-planning arsenal. There are countless different web sites that offer information on planning your Disney vacation.

There are also a number of different books that you can read when planning your trip. Barnes & Noble.com is currently returning 680 titles with the keywords "Disney guide." After looking through some of the results:

• The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World by Alex Wright & Parke Godwin
  This book seems to be the most affordable at .95.
  
  
• Passporter Walt Disney World 2006 Deluxe: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Journal, Organizer, and Keepsake! By Jennifer Watson & Dave Marx
  This book is listed at .76 and appears to be the most expensive.

There is another option that you can find, both on eBay and off: e-books. Sometimes you can find some great titles on e-books for half the cost. For instance, A Complete Guide To An Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation by CnCTravel.com is both available on eBay and on their web site. The prices seem to change from time to time on eBay, usually between .50 and .95. The e-book is 114-pages long, and has a lot of money-saving information that you can use when booking your Disney vacation. The advertisement even has two quotes on it, where people have saved over ,000 with the information inside the guide.

Quick Tips:

To make the most of your Disney Vacation, you need to make a few decisions. First thing is to think about why you are going; is this a trip for your kids, or is it just the two of you? Making this decision will set the pace for your entire vacation. Will you select a resort that is geared more towards the family and close to the Theme Parks, or will you take the leisurely route and find the resort that has the best amenities to offer?

Either way, if you plan on visiting more than one Disney World theme park during your stay in Orlando, look into purchasing DISCOUNTED DISNEY PARK HOPPER TICKETS. These passes let you enter and leave all four parks at your leisure, and you will find it to be an invaluable option during your stay.

Best Way To Get Around:

Transportation can differ depending on what your plans are while in the Orlando area. We like to travel around to different restaurants, theme parks, stores, what have you, so we like to rent a car.

However, if you are reading this journal then you are looking to stay in a Disney Resort on property, and plan on having the ultimate Disney experience. In that case you don’t need a car. Disney's Magical Express Service will pick you and your luggage up at the airport and take you to your resort. After your vacation is complete, the service will take you back for your flight home.

This resort is ranked #61 out of 281 resorts in the Orlando area on TripAdvisor.com. As I toured the resort, I noticed  the All-Star Music Resort offers it’s guests the opportunity to live life to the beat of a different drum.

One of the exciting options I found was that guests can stay in one of five musical themed areas: Broadway, Country, Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, and Calypso. These five areas make up the 1,920 standard guest rooms at the resort. Each 260 square feet room offers two double beds, a small table and chairs, and a bathroom with a vanity area and sink. They can accommodate up to four guests and a child under the age of three in a crib. The All-Star Music Resort will allow guests to check in at Melody Hall at 3pm and check-out at 11am or earlier. One of the benefits of staying at this Value Resort is the cost per night; between $79 and $139 before tax.

Personally, I find that the affordable rates more than make up for the lack of resort amenities and activities. This resort was designed to give guests, who don’t plan on spending a lot of time in their room, a more affordable opportunity to visit the Walt Disney World Resort area. However, for those guests who are traveling with the kids, they can enjoy their extra free time at the video arcade.
Places To Eat & Drink
Once inside Melody Hall guests of the All-Star Music Resort can experience a medley of food options. Guests can also enjoy pizza, salads, beer and wine delivered to the guest rooms from 4:00pm until midnight.

Food Court Eateries
Intermission
The Intermission Food Court features several different menus with offerings of barbecue, burgers, pizza and pasta. There is even a bakery inside.
Lounge
Unfortunately the All-Star Music Resort does not have a lounge. You can however enjoy a drink or two throughout the day at the Singing Spirits pool bar in the main Calypso Pool area.

The Pools
The All-Star Music Resort has two themed pools and a child pool. Guests can relax and unwind in a giant guitar shaped pool at the Calypso Pool or take a dip inside the baby grand at the Piano Pool.

Disney Transportation
Motor coach service is available from Melody Hall to each of the four theme parks, both water parks and Downtown Disney.

Approximate Driving Distance

• Magic Kingdom - 7 miles
• EPCOT - 4 miles
• Disney's MGM Studios 2 miles
• Animal Kingdom - 3 miles  

This resort is ranked #30 out of the 281 resorts in the Orlando area on TripAdvisor.com. As are all guests of All-Star Movie Resort, I was encouraged to walk amongst the larger than life Disney stars of the silver screen.

As with the other All-Star resorts, the one feature I liked about this resort was the ability to stay in one of five different Disney classic, movie-themed areas: Toy Story, The Mighty Ducks, 101 Dalmatians, Fantasia, and The Love Bug. These five areas make up the 1,920 standard guest rooms of the All-Star Movies Resort. Each 260 sq. ft. room offers two double beds, a small table and chairs, and a bathroom with a vanity area and sink. They can accommodate up to four guests and a child under the age of three in a crib. Guests with disabilities can request a king-sized room that has a larger bathroom, which is equipped for wheelchair access. This resort will allow guests to check in at Cinema Hall at 3pm, and check-out is 11am or earlier. One of the benefits of staying at this Value Resort is the cost per night; somewhere between $79 and $139 before tax.

I think most of the resort guests will agree with me that the affordable rates make up for the lack of amenities and activities. This resort was designed to give guests an affordable opportunity to visit Disney who don’t plan on spending a lot of time in their rooms. There is a video arcade on site that will entertain the kids or even those of us who are still kids at heart.

Places To Eat & Drink
Resort guests will check in at Cinema Hall upon arrival. There they will also find the resorts food court. Guests can also enjoy pizza, salads, beer and wine delivered to the guest rooms from 4pm until midnight.

World Premiere –
The World Premiere Food Court features several different menus with offerings of barbecue, burgers, pizza and pasta, as well as assorted baked goods.

Lounge
Unfortunately the All-Star Movie Resort does not have a lounge. You can however enjoy a drink or two throughout the day at the Silver Screen Spirits pool bar in the main Fantasia Pool area.

The Pools
The All-Star Movie Resort has two themed pools and a child pool. Guests can enjoy a day in the Florida sun while swimming in a pool shaped like Sorcerer Mickey at the Fantasia Pool or relax in the smaller Duck Pond Pool, which was inspired by the movie The Mighty Ducks.

Disney Transportation
Motor coach service is available from Cinema Hall to each of the four theme parks, both water parks and Downtown Disney.

Approximate Driving Distance

• Magic Kingdom – 7 miles
• EPCOT – 4 miles
• Disney’s MGM Studios – 2 miles
• Animal Kingdom – 5 miles

This resort is ranked #80 out of the 281 resorts in the Orlando area on TripAdvisor.com. At the All-Star Sports Complex, I didn’t have to sit on the sidelines or watch the game from the room; here I felt as though I was part of the action.

Just like the other two All-Star Resorts, Sports Complex guests can enjoy their stay in one of five themes based on, what else, sports! Baseball, football, tennis, surfing, and basketball are the themes that make up the 1,920 standard guest rooms of the All-Star Sports Complex. Each 260 sq. ft. room offers two double beds, a small table and chairs, and a bathroom with a vanity area and sink. They can accommodate up to four guests and a child under the age of three in a crib. Guests with disabilities can request a king sized room that has a larger bathroom which is equipped for wheelchair access. The All-Star Sports Complex will allow guests to check in at Stadium Hall at 3pm, and check-out is 11am or earlier. One of the benefits of staying at this Value Resort is the cost per night; somewhere between $79 and $139 before tax.

Guests of this resort will have to agree with me when I say that this value resort is no different than the others when it comes to resort amenities and activities or the lack thereof. The All-Star Sports Complex was also designed to give guests an affordable way to visit Walt Disney World, by not spending a lot of time in their room. There is, however, a video arcade to entertain the kids.

Places To Eat & Drink
Sport Complex guests will check in at the Stadium Hall upon arrival. There, they will also find the food court. Guests may also enjoy a limited menu of pizza, salads, and beer and wine delivered to the guest rooms from 4pm until midnight.

Food Court Eateries

• End Zone –

The End Zone Food Court features several different menus with offerings of barbecue, burgers, pizza, and pasta as well as assorted baked goods.

Lounges
Again, just like the other two All-Star resorts, the Sports Complex does not have a lounge. You can, however, enjoy a few drinks at the Team Spirits pool bar in the main Surfboard Bay Pool area.

The Pools
The All-Star Sports Complex has two themed pools and a child pool. Guests can loose themselves in an ocean motif setting at the Surfboard Bay Pool or enjoy America’s favorite pastime at the smaller Grand Slam Pool.

Disney Transportation
Motor coach service is available from Stadium Hall to each of the four theme parks, both water parks and Downtown Disney.

Approximate Driving Distance

• Magic Kingdom – 7 miles
• EPCOT – 4 miles
• Disney’s MGM Studios – 2 miles
• Animal Kingdom – 3 miles

This resort is ranked #13 out of the 281 resorts in the Orlando area on TripAdvisor.com. While touring Disney’s Pop Century Resort, I found that guests do not have to sit back and dream of the popular icons of their past, but instead they can step back in time experience them for real.

Like the other value resorts, the Pop Century offers accommodations in five-themed areas: the 1950’s, the 1960’s, the 1970’s, the 1980’s, and the 1990’s. Each themed area pays tribute to the popular icons of their perspective times. The Pop Century is the largest value resort, and has a total of 2,880 rooms. Each room offers two double beds, a small table and chairs, and a bathroom with a vanity area and sink. They can accommodate up to four guests and a child under the age of three in a crib. Guests with disabilities can request a king-sized room that has a larger bathroom, equipped for wheelchair access. The Pop Century allows guests to check in at Classic Years Area at Classic Hall at 3pm, and check-out at 11am or earlier. One of the benefits of staying at this Value Resort is the cost per night; somewhere between $79 and $139 before tax.

Resort guests will find that this value resort is no different than the others when it comes to resort amenities and activities, walking around, shopping, and the pools are some of the highlights. There is, however, a video arcade to entertain the kids.

Places To Eat & Drink
The food court offers barbecue, burgers, pizza and pasta. Pizza, salads, and beer and wine delivery is available to the guest rooms from 4pm until midnight.

Food Court Eateries

• Everything Pop –

The Everything Pop Food Court features five different menus with offerings of barbecue, burgers, pizza, and pasta, as well as assorted baked goods.Lounge

• Classic Concoctions –

A first for the value resorts, as a cocktail and coffee lounge provides guests with a light appetizer menu and full bar.

Petals –
Petals is a free standing poolside bar that is located next to the Hippy Dippy pool in the center of the resort. They are a full bar, offering frozen and specialty drinks.

The Pools
Guests can relax and unwind in one of the three themed pools. The Hippy Dippy is the feature pool, and it is shaped like a giant flower. There are also two other pools; one shaped like a big bowling pin, and the other one is shaped like a computer.

Disney Transportation
Motor coach service is available from the Classic Hall and Legendary Hall to each of the four theme parks, both water parks, and Downtown Disney.

Approximate Driving Distance

Magic Kingdom – 7 mile
EPCOT – 3 miles
Disney’s MGM Studios – 3 miles
Animal Kingdom – 5 miles

DISNEY VALUE RESORTS
Before you make a decision as to which resort category is best for you, you should take a moment and review what each one has to offer. Surprisingly there are considerable differences between the location and the amenities offered within each category; these differences could really make a huge difference in your Disney experience. Each of the four current value resorts is rated as two star accommodations, with rooms that are accessible from the outside only.

Staying in one of the Disney Value Resorts will offer guests the world-renowned service that you would expect from staying on Disney World property, at a price that fits your budget. You can relax in one of four differently themed Disney Value Resorts:

All-Star Sports Resort
All-Star Movie Resort
All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s Pop Century ResortEach resort offers guests an on-site Walt Disney experience with comfortable 260 square foot room accommodations, convenient transportation to Disney attractions, casual food court dining and pizza delivery to each resort room.

Staying on-site in a Disney Value Resort is perfect for the budget conscious vacationer , whether you are a first time guest or traveling with the entire family. Guests who do not intend on spending a lot of time in their rooms will find that they can enjoy all the great Guest benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort for somewhere between $82 and $141 per night. Quite often Disney will run special promotions that will allow guests to reserve a room in a Disney Value Resort at a discounted rate allowing you to save up to $20 a night. These promotions are usually for a limited time only, so it is important to act of them when you see them.

Disney also has new Value Suites joining the four Value Disney Resorts. The 520-square foot suites will sleep up to six people. There will be two separate buildings within the All Star Suites – the Jazz and the Calypso, for a total of 192 suites. Each suite will sleep up to 6, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib. Each suite has a 27" flat screen TV, as well as high speed Internet access. There is a queen bed, full size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman and chair sleeper, as well as a microwave, small refrigerator, and a coffeemaker, and two bathrooms. Reservations are currently being accepted, and rates start at $179 per night in a value season. This certainly allows larger families to afford the opportunity to experience a Disney vacation on property without spending a lot of money.

So whether you choose the Value, Moderate, Deluxe or Home Away From Home Villas, I think you will find as I have, that the magic of Disney is sure to fulfill your every wish.

Please review our other Walt Disney World journals:
Walt Disney World Vacation - 2006
Walt Disney World's Character Dining Experiences
How To Save Money at Disney World
Dining Guide - Inside Disney World

DISNEY MODERATE RESORTS
I know I have said this before, but before you make a decision as to which Disney Resort category is best for your vacation, you should take a moment and review what each category has to offer. Surprisingly there are considerable differences between the locations as well as the amenities offered within each category and these differences could make a huge difference in your Disney experience.

The purpose of this particular journal is to give my readers the understanding of the differences between the Disney Resorts. So I will first give you and idea of what the Moderate Resorts are all about, then in separate entries I will give you my review of the individual resorts I have visited. If you don’t find the answer to what you are looking for within the IGoUgo.com community, then may I suggest a more tangible option:

Simply Disney: Vacation Planning Made Easy 2007
Lulu Publishing $12.99
A great book written by a pretty good guy that gives you all the information you need to make planning your Disney vacation easy.

PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007
PassPorter Travel Press $22.95
A Spiral-bound paperback travel guide and planning system.

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2007
Disney Edition $16.95
The Official WDW Guide

At a moderate resort you can stay in a Disney Resort for remarkably affordable rates. There are four different moderate resorts and they are all rated three star accommodations:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort

The Disney Moderate Resorts are perfect for repeat guests who are traveling with the entire family. Young family guests who intend on spending a mid-range length of time in the Walt Disney World Resort area will find that they can enjoy all the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. You can plan your vacation in one of four differently themed Disney Moderate Resorts that are inspired by cultural environments that offer guests an on-site experience with a comfortable balance of resort amenities and pricing. Each standard room is a comfortable 314 square feet, has a mini refrigerator, in room wall safe, an iron and ironing board, and coffee maker. Moderate resorts offer guests convenient transportation to Disney attractions, plus a combination of table service restaurants and casual food court dining.

The average room cost for a moderate resort is between $145 and $225 per night . Just as it is with the Value Resorts, Disney will often run special promotions that will allow guests to reserve a room at a discounted rate. These rates will allow you to save up to $50 per night. Again, these promotions are usually for a limited time, so it is important to act on them when they’re available.

So whether you choose the Value, Moderate, Deluxe or Home Away From Home Villas, I think you will find as I have, that the magic of Disney is sure to fulfill your every wish.

Please review our other Walt Disney World journals:
Walt Disney World Vacation - 2006
Walt Disney World's Character Dining Experiences
How To Save Money at Disney World
Dining Guide - Inside Disney World

DISNEY DELUXE RESORTS
I know that this is where you are going to say "I have read this paragraph before" (this is also where the IgoUgo editors tell me that I will get more readers if I do not use the same material in multiple entries). However, I can not stress it enough; before you make your decision as to which Disney Resort category is best for your families vacation, you should take a moment and review what each and every category has to offer. When you do, you will be shocked to see that there are considerable differences between the locations, as well as the amenities offered within each resort category.

(And after you read all about them and become an expert, I will be out of a job)

Again, the purpose of the Walt Disney World Resorts journal is to give my readers the understanding of the differences between the Disney Resorts. In this section I will try and give you an idea of what the Deluxe Resorts are all about, and then in separate entries I will give you my review of the individual resorts that I have visited. However, if you don’t find the answer to what you are looking for within the IgoUgo.com community, then may I suggest a couple options in paperback:

Simply Disney: Vacation Planning Made Easy 2007
Lulu Publishing $12.99
A great book written by a pretty good guy that gives you all the information you need to make planning your Disney vacation easy.

PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007
PassPorter Travel Press $22.95
A Spiral-bound paperback travel guide and planning system.

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2007
Disney Edition $16.95
The Official WDW Guide

At a Disney Deluxe Resort you can experience the ultimate in Disney luxury and style, not to mention the unsurpassed levels of convenience, quality and personalized service. There are eight different deluxe resorts owned and operated by Disney:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & SPA
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
and two 5-Star hotels owned by Westin and Sheraton, but are treated as Disney Deluxe Resorts:
The Swan and Dolphin Hotels

The Disney Deluxe Resorts are perfect for frequent return guests who are looking to make the most of their Disney Vacation. Experienced guests looking for more upscale amenities will find that they can enjoy a definitive level of stature and grace while staying within a deluxe resort. Deluxe resort guests can enjoy the best resort amenities that Disney has to offer, such as concierge level service, world-renowned dining and elaborate shopping. Each standard room is between 344 and 440 square feet and comes equipped with a mini refrigerator, an in-room wall safe, an iron and ironing board, and coffee maker. Deluxe resorts offer guests the most convenient transportation to Disney attractions, plus a wide variety of specialty dining restaurants, as well as table service and quick service dining options.

The average room cost for a standard room in a deluxe resort is between $215 and $579 per night in a value season without a preferred view. Just as with the other resorts, Disney will often run special promotions that will allow guests to reserve a room at a discounted rate. These rates will allow you to save up to $70 per night. Again, these promotions are usually for a limited time (and more often for the annual pass holders), so it is important to act on them if they’re available. Contact a Travel Consultant to see what special offers are currently available.

In conclusion, whether you choose the Value, Moderate, Deluxe or Home Away From Home Villas, I think you will find as I have for nearly thirty years, that the magic of Disney is sure to fulfill your every wish.

Please review our other Walt Disney World journals:
Walt Disney World Vacation - 2006
Walt Disney World's Character Dining Experiences
How To Save Money at Disney World
Dining Guide - Inside Disney World