Understanding value, moderate, and deluxe resort hotels

To date, there are 25 Walt Disney World resorts, and that number will grow over the next few years as Disney is continuing to create and launch different themed resorts for everyone’s enjoyment.

There are different resorts to choose from depending on your budget – from value to deluxe.

• Value resorts consist of: Disney’s All-Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, Art of Animation (Value Plus), Pop Century, and the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

• Moderate resorts consist of: Disney’s Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.

• Deluxe resorts consist of: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club Resort.

• Deluxe villas consist of: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House and Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The difference between each of the categories that Walt Disney offers is exactly as their wording depicts: “value, moderate, and deluxe.” Let’s us explain:

The value resorts offer you the basic with a bit of Disney flare. These resorts tend to be very whimsical and embrace the characters of Disney that we know and love. Generally speaking, you have a standard room with either one King bed or two double beds (some value resorts offer family suites), pools with a pool bar, activities such as a playground, and an arcade. In value resorts, there is a food court offering only versus a full sit-down served restaurant. As in the moderate and deluxe categories, the value resorts also have a well-stocked gift shop onsite, which includes a range of souvenirs and essentials that you may need during your vacation, like medications, snacks, and clothes.

The moderate resorts offer you more than the value. These resorts still consist of themes, but they tend to be less character focused. The overall theme of the resort is really felt throughout the resort in the décor, the food, the rooms, and the layout. The building style has more of an appeal to them than the basic structure of the value resort buildings. Moderate resorts have slightly larger rooms with a King bed or 2 queen beds (some also offer a murphy bed) in their standard rooms. A great example is Port Orleans Riverside where you will feel like you are right in the middle of the Alligator Bayou or Magnolia Bend with the southern charm. The resorts have a food court and a table service restaurant, and most of the moderate resorts have a lounge bar, pool bar, and a broader range of activities such as playgrounds, arcade, some have other fun on-site activities like fish and release and bicycle rentals.

Deluxe resorts offer you more upgrades than you will find at the moderate resorts. Most of the deluxe resorts are closer to the main attractions, offer club level access and benefits, have elaborate themes, and many upscale dining experiences. There are many types and sizes of rooms to choose from. Most standard rooms have a king bed or 2 queen beds, but some will also have a twin daybed. Some have health clubs, spas, world-class dining and many activities.

Deluxe villas (Disney Vacation Club) offer some of the additional amenities of home such as 3-bedroom units with kitchens, washers, and dryers. Some of these are used for the timeshare Disney Vacation Club, but are also available to guests that are not part of the club. You can use all the amenities of the deluxe resort, but most of the villas are further away from the main resort.

Whether you choose a value, moderate, or deluxe, you will be sure to love all of the magic and perks of staying at a Walt Disney World resort.

Happy planning!

*Be sure to check the Walt Disney World website for full details on what is and is not available at your hotel.