Once you decide that a Disney trip is in your future, you will most likely turn your thoughts to where you’ll call home for the duration of your trip. But, how do you choose? Aside from Disney’s own 20+ Resorts, there are many nearby hotel offerings, some with “on-site” perks (aka “good neighbor hotels.”) There are also vacation rental homes driving distance from the magic available on a variety of different platform. The options, while not endless, are extensive.
For the purposes of today, I’m going to focus on those interested in staying “on-site” in what many of us affectionately refer to as “The Disney Bubble.”
Disney has three categories of on-site Disney owned properties.
As you can imagine, when you go from Value to Deluxe you will see pretty significant price differences. Let me reassure you that there are Pros and Cons to every resort, and you will find an accommodation that meets your family’s needs. Also, fun fact about Disney Resorts, you can visit even if you aren’t staying there. You can enjoy dining, shopping, and a variety of activity options when visiting a Disney Resort. The only thing off limits for non-guests are pools and splash pad areas. For Resorts with Fireworks viewing opportunities, access may be limited to paying guests at certain times of the year such as the 4th of July.
Whether you stay Value or Deluxe, there are perks for ALL on-site guests. They include:
All that being said, let’s dive in. If you know for sure that your heart (or wallet) lies with a particular resort category, feel free to skip directly to that type as I break down what the categories mean and identify the Resorts that qualify within each category.
Value Resorts
The Value Resorts are some of the cheapest per night offerings on Disney Property. They are, with a few notable exceptions, standard hotel rooms that sleep 4 people aged 3 and up. They are laid out motel style, with exterior facing doors. You have to walk outdoors to access the main lobby, arcade, food options, etc. Rooms are the smallest of the on-site options, but the second queen sized bed can be stored in the wall to make more living space during the day.
Food court style dining serves a variety of kid friendly eats. There are pool bars, playgrounds, arcades, and fun souvenir shopping as well. If you are looking for sit down dining, you will have to seek those offerings in the Parks or at other resort locations.
All offer bus transportation to the Parks. POP Century and Art of Animation have the added perk of Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Those staying at Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort (which has some Value offerings, in the form of camping) have boat access to Magic Kingdom.
The main pools are staffed with lifeguards and, at certain times of day, an entertainment director encouraging kids to join in games, trivia, and dance party-type activities. Each Value Resort also has quiet pools which do not have activities or lifeguards in attendance. Pools do not have water slides, but all pools offer complimentary life vests so you can leave your flotation devices at home.
Of note, one of my biggest pet peeves about Disney Feature (main) pools is their opening times. Many pools stay open later in the evening (typically 10p.m.) so they can be enjoyed after park time or on a rest day. However, most do not open until 10 a.m. I’ve lived almost a whole day by 10 a.m. with my early-to-rise 5 year old. So, just double check Pool Hours and know that a quiet pool may be a better option for you.
Value Resort theming is over the top, in your face Disney. You will find bright colors, hidden Mickeys, and walkways featuring larger than life characters from Disney’s many beloved animated films. The Value Resorts include:
(home to Standard rooms and All Star Music Family Suites)&
& (home to Standard Little Mermaid rooms and Family Suites: Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars)&
If you want to touch base and get a more detailed breakdown by resort, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Pros: Pricing, these will be the most budget friendly options for your stay; kids love the over the top theming, it’s very Disney; the Values offer some accommodations for larger families (6 guests 3 and up)
Cons: the motel style set up forces you into the weather; can be louder due to room style and guest make-up (the All Stars are where Cheer, Dance and Sport teams frequent on their Disney trips); some only offer bus transportation & slightly longer transportation time to the parks; 
food options are more bland (though great for your less adventurous eaters)
Moderate Resorts
The Moderate Resorts have slightly larger rooms than those at the Values. Rooms sleep 4 (some up to 5) guests aged 3 and up via the same two queen bed set-up, including one fold-down bed. Caribbean Beach Resort and Port Orleans Riverside are the only ones to offer the 5th sleeper. A 5th Sleeper Rooms offer an additional, smaller than twin sized hideaway bed. There are no Family Suite offerings. With the exception of Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, these rooms still have the motel style exterior door set up.
Theming here is not as in your face Disney, but still evident. Depending on where you choose to hang your hat, you will find yourself transported to a Caribbean oasis; taking in the sights, sounds and smells (I’m talking beignets folks) of New Orleans, or enjoying the pace and beauty of South America and Mexico.
While the Moderate Resorts have quick service food options, you will also find sit down restaurants and lounges that offer more variety than the Food Courts at Value Resorts. The Feature pools have lifeguards and kid friendly activities, just like the Value Resorts. They also have slides for members of your party that will appreciate that added thrill. As with Values, you will find shopping opportunities, arcades, and playgrounds.
Transportation at the Moderates is primarily buses, with the exception of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort which is located at the Skyliner hub for easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter also offer boat transportation to Disney Springs.
With the exception of Port Orleans French Quarter, the moderate resorts are larger (some would even say sprawling) Resorts that have internal bus systems and walking paths to get you from your room to dining options and Park transportation. Room requests, while never guaranteed, may be beneficial depending on you and your family’s priorities. Paying extra for preferred rooms at these locations may be more “worth it” than at other Resorts, as they can allow you to skip an internal bus and more quickly access food and/or transportation options.
Your Moderate Resort choices include:
& (has 5th Sleeper Catergory) (has Fitness Center, Grand Destino Tower more moderately priced) & to Disney Springs & to Disney Springs (has 5th Sleeper Category)If this category feels more your speed and you would like to explore your options further, feel free to reach out as I’d be more than happy to review the choices in greater detail.
Pros: more upscale feel/theming; 
pools have slides; more varied dining options than Value Resorts; some can accommodate a family of 5 aged 3 and up; larger room size than Value Resorts
Cons: most of these resorts are large, leading to more walking and longer transportation time; motel style set up forces you into the weather; most still only have transportation to the 4 Main Parks
Deluxe Resorts
Lastly, we have Disney’s Deluxe resort category. As with all of the other on-site options you will find arcades, shopping opportunities, included transportation to the parks, and theming (though often more elegant and subtle than in your face.) The Feature pools offer slides, scheduled entertainment, life vests and lifeguards. Some locations have cabanas you can rent for the day. For those who like to work out even on vacation, another perk to Deluxe resorts are their Fitness Centers. Transportation is often more convenient, and Deluxe Resorts are geographically closer to one or more parks.
The standard/studio rooms are larger and aside from Standard rooms, you will find Duo Studios, 1 Bedrooms, 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bedroom Grand Villas and even free standing 2 Bedroom Bungalows (located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort) and Treehouse Villas (located at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.) You can find rooms to accommodate 2 people (in the Duo Studios), 4-5 people (in Studios and some 1 Bedrooms), and party sizes of 8 to 9 people (in 2 Bedrooms.) Lastly, those 3 Bedroom Grand Villas will max out at 12 occupants aged 3 and up.
Dining during your Deluxe stay distinguishes these Resorts from others. There are still quick service offerings, lounges and bars, but also more varied food offerings at upscale sit-down dining locations. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to a Michelin Star Restaurant, Victoria and Albert’s, if that is something your group is looking for. Other locations may offer you views of Fireworks or unique Character Dining opportunities.
If this all is sounding appealing and fits your budget, the Deluxe Resorts include:
& & Walkways to EPCOT & H.S. & & & Walkways to EPCOT & H.S. & 
& to some Resorts & & to parks & or walking path to Disney Springs & & & to parks & or walking path to Disney Springs & to Magic Kingdom & The Contemporary & & & Walkways to EPCOT & H.S. & to Magic Kingdom & The Contemporary
You may notice when searching with the Deluxe Category filter on, some other names come up that are similar to those listed above. They may have Villas in the name, or Deluxe Studio instead of Studio as the listing. This is because the Deluxe Resorts are also home to Disney’s timeshare, The Disney Vacation Club (or DVC.) You can pay cash for these rooms, but Members use a point system. Many of the standard studio rooms are located within the main hotel. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows have separate free standing buildings. The Cabins along the waterfront of Bay Lake belong to The Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge.
For the purposes of your trip, a room’s status as a DVC lodging doesn’t make a difference to you when you book with cash through Disney. They all share the same perks of Deluxe hotels. With that being said, let’s talk about Pros and Cons.
Pros: proximity to parks & varied Transportation options; pools have slides; more varied and upscale dining options; more elegant and upscale theming; Deluxe Resort guests qualify to access the Theme Parks for Extended Evening Hours when offered
Cons: the biggest con here is the cost of a Deluxe stay (some room types are over $1,000 a night, though others may be closer to half that per night); for those who want more obvious Disney in their theming, some Deluxe Resorts won’t scratch that itch; despite being Deluxe some resorts only have transportation to the 4 Main Parks (something to be aware of.)
If you stuck through this whole post, I hope you are feeling more informed than overwhelmed. Remember, this is a jumping off point. Once you know which category fits your budget, which amenties will be most useful and appealing to you, and what kind of theming fits your style you can book your Home Away from Home with renewed confidence.
Wishing you a magical day, and Happy Planning!
Jody
