In addition to the availability of rooms, you need to think about your budget, the type of vacation you will be taking (short or long, relaxing around the hotel room or focused on staying out in the parks), and the type of Disney resort where you would like to stay. The Deluxe Disney Resorts are at the top of the food chain of Disney lodging – they are the most expensive as well as having the most to offer.
Elizabeth over at the Take The monorail web site (Source) has written an interesting article about the pros, and yes the cons, of staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort.
Which Resorts Are Considered Deluxe?
The list includes:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
Disney also has a resort category called “Villas,” which offer even larger rooms that a typical Deluxe Resort – up to three bedrooms plus a kitchen. All the pros and cons generally apply to both the Deluxe Resorts and the Villas too.
First, The Advantages
There are plenty of advantages to these resorts – some you would expect, and others might be pleasant surprises.
Location – One of the biggest benefits of these resorts is their prime location. While some of the moderate and value resorts are further away from prime locations near theme parks, the Deluxe resorts are much closer. Some are very close – you can easily walk from the Contemporary Resort to the entrance gate of the Magic Kingdom. Others, such as the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, are just a short monorail ride from both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You can walk from the BoardWalk to the World Showcase entrance of Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you want to be close to the action, and minimize the time you need to spend in your car or on a Disney bus, then Deluxe Resorts can be a good choice.
Room and Bed Size – The Deluxe resorts offer the largest rooms. Most have a patio or balcony, and also a queen or king sized bed. This compares to value resorts that have no balcony and just a double bed. Deluxe resorts give your more room to stretch out.
Great Pools – The pools at the Deluxe resorts are terrific – with special touches like water slides and fun play areas. More than just a concrete hole with water in it, the pools at Deluxe resorts are destinations to themselves.
Excellent Restaurants – The dining options are Deluxe restaurants are amazing, diverse, and top notch. You can experience new flavors of African cooking at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, or splurge on the finest meal anywhere at Victoria and Albert’s inside the Grand Floridian – a restaurant that consistently receives awards for being among the best dining establishments in the world. In addition to the highest quality offerings, you also have a range of other options – from coffee bars to quick service dining.
Themeing – Something that Disney does especially well is creating total environments, complete with unexpected details, which truly take you to another place. From the architecture of the buildings to the landscaping, from the costumes of the cast members to the artifacts you will find in the lobbies, Disney’s deluxe resorts will immerse you. The Wilderness Lodge will truly make you feel like you are in the Pacific Northwest. The Polynesian will transport you to the South Seas. And the Animal Kingdom Lodge will take you on a safari – complete with real African animals outside your window.
Price – Deluxe resorts sound pretty nice, and they honestly are. Who wouldn’t want to stay there? Of course, all these fine touches come with a price – meaning a high price tag. Most rooms at these resorts start at $250 per night and can go up to well over $1,500 per night. Not everyone can afford, or wants to pay, such high prices. This is especially true if you don’t plan to spend much time in your room. If all you plan to do in your hotel room is take a quick shower and sleep between running off to the theme parks, you will need to decide if the expense is really worth it to you.
Formality – Many adults appreciate the fine architecture, excellent dining, and upscale feel of Disney’s Deluxe resorts. But these finer points may be lost on little ones. Children might just enjoy the huge colorful icons of a value resort like the All Start resorts.
No Bad Choices
Whether you decide to splurge on a Disney Deluxe resort with its many fine amenities or you opt for another resort on Disney property, you can’t really make a bad choice. They all provide excellent service and that little sprinkling of Disney magic that can make your stay extra special.