One of the first things you do when planning a vacation to Disney World is find a place to stay. Spend a few minutes browsing the internet or the Disney site alone and you will see there are endless options available. Disney has 20 resorts on the property and that is just the beginning. Start moving towards the end of Disney property and you will see an excessive amount of hotels and lodging options. From super cheap hotels to deluxe rental homes, the Orlando area has it all.

Some people debate whether it is better to stay on Disney property or not. I have done both many times and personally I am a fan of staying on Disney property. There is no way I could give you all the resort education you need in one post so I’ll stick to the basics and give you the broad choices you have. There will be plenty more discussing these in detail.  

On Disney Property

Disney categorizes their resorts into 4 groups plus a campground: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and Disney Vacation Club.  Each category has at least 4 resorts to choose from and different benefits, including a unique theme at every Disney resort.

Value Resorts - As the name implies these are the cheapest resorts with amenities including food courts, pizza delivery, gifts shops, luggage service, multiple swimming pools, and bus transportation.  Resorts in this category include Pop Century, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies.

Moderate Resorts - This category is a little more middle of the road with amenities including full-service restaurants, food courts, gift shops, room service, luggage service, multiple swimming pools, recreation, and bus or boat transportation. Resorts in this category include Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside.

Deluxe Resorts - These resorts are the nicest but they are also the most expensive with amenities including full-service restaurants, room service, convention centers, luggage service, valet parking, swimming pools, beach access, spas, recreation, on-site childcare, boat or bus transportation and some have monorail access. Resorts in this category include Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World Swan, and Walt Disney World Dolphin. 

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resorts - These are your home away from home resorts with amenities including full-service restaurants, kitchen facilities, pizza delivery, luggage service, swimming pools, spas, recreation, and bus or boat transportation. Resorts in this category include Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Villas. 

Camping - For the outdoor enthusiast Disney offers a campground for RV camping as well as cabin rentals. The Disney campground is Fort Wilderness.

Pros:

• Convenient 
• Good transportation including buses, boats, and monorail. Car is not required
• Complimentary transportation to airport via the Magical Express, you can even get your boarding passes right at the resort
• Extra Magic Hours that allow guests in get in early or stay late and certain parks each day
• Key to the World Card that acts as a room key, tickets, dining card, and credit card if you choose
• Excellent service
• Flexible check-out times
• Additional ticket options
• Refillable drink mugs (great way to save money)
• Best overall Disney experience

Cons:

• Price - can be more depending on what you choose
• No transportation off property
• Most rooms only accommodate up to 5 people

The Grand Floridian Resort

Off Disney Property

Off property accommodations vary drastically in type and price. You can find great deals if you start early and don’t care as much about convenience.  

Orlando Area options -

• Hotels and motels - everything from budget to deluxe is available
• Condos and Vacation Homes- there are an abundance of condos and vacation homes in the area that owners rent out it just takes a little searching. Try VRBO, Great Rentals, or just do a search for Disney or Orlando rentals. These are great for large groups that want to stay together and they work out to be a great deal. Many of them even come with private pools.
• Timeshares - there is no shortage of timeshares in the Orlando area. Most timeshares will offer ridiculously cheap packages for you to check out their property. Obviously they want you to buy so they do make you go to a sales presentation, but if you’re willing to do that you can get an amazing deal.

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