A Disney World vacation is a luxury, plain and simple. Even Disney’s lower priced hotels cost hundreds of dollars per night, and the cost of admission rises annually. While a Disney World vacation costs a pretty penny, families visit from far and wide to experience the Most Magical Place on Earth and set money aside for months, if not years, to make that dream vacation a reality.
For travelers looking to splurge and enjoy Disney’s top-tier accommodations, there are more than enough options to drain your piggy bank. When it comes time to choose your resort hotel, Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts offers the most amenities, comfort, and, in many instances, close proximity to the parks.
What makes an expensive Disney World hotel worth the cost?
- Added Amenities. Deluxe Resorts are where you’ll find fitness centers, spas, multiple on-site dining options (some even offering character dining), etc. Some Deluxe Resorts have Disney Vacation Club Villas, Club Level accommodations, and more.
- Proximity to the Parks. By design, many of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are within walking distance of some of the parks. The Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary – three of the priciest hotels around – are all a short walk or Monorail ride from Magic Kingdom.
- Larger, More Comfortable Rooms. If you want your hotel room to be more than a place to crash in between days in the parks, you may want to consider upgrading from Value Resorts. Rooms at the Deluxe Resorts are often bigger, with more in-room amenities. Villas will come equipped with some kitchen basics as well, like microwaves, coffee makers, etc.
Ways to save on accommodations at Disney World
- Shop Around for Disney Promotions. Disney almost always has some sort of promotion or sale going on. While the rates I’m sharing are the rack rates, you may be able to score a discount by booking directly through Disney.
- Rent Disney Vacation Club Points. While joining Disney Vacation Club is a significant expense, anyone can rent vacation points from members, typically at a lower rate than the per-night cash cost.
- Don’t forget you can visit any resort during the day! Guests are welcome to visit any of the resort hotels – you do not need to be an overnight guest to walk around the resort grounds and dine at the on-site restaurants. If the budget doesn’t allow for a Deluxe resort, but you still want to visit, carve out an afternoon to grab lunch or a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney World’s flagship resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, is the definition of opulence and extravagance when it comes to accommodations. Located along the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop, you have easy access to that park, plus additional service to EPCOT and the other Monorail resorts.
The Grand Floridian is home to some of the best dining at Disney World, including Narcoossee’s, Citricos, and Victoria and Albert’s, which has received the AAA Five Diamond Award since 2000.
READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY VACATION
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is my definition of a vacation away from the vacation. If you’re looking for true island vibes, look no further.
The Polynesian is surrounded by lush tropical foliage and home to fan-favorite restaurants like ‘Ohana. Don’t forget to stop by Pineapple Lanai and grab a Dole Whip! Located along the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop, you’re just a few minutes away from the park entrance.
The recently opened Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows offers even more Deluxe Villa accommodation options for Disney Vacation Club Members. Don’t forget that these rooms are also available to book with cash if you aren’t a DVC Member!
READ MORE: THE HARDEST DINING RESERVATIONS TO GET AT DISNEY WORLD
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The third resort along the Monorail loop, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is actually the closest to the park gates. It’s so close that you might actually get to the park quicker on foot. The Contemporary has been around as long as Walt Disney World has, opening on October 1, 1971, along with the Polynesian.
The Contemporary is where you’ll find Chef Mickey’s and California Grill, two of the most popular restaurants on property. Rooms at the Contemporary were recently renovated with new designs inspired by the Disney Pixar film The Incredibles.
READ MORE: EVERY CHARACTER DINING LOCATION IN DISNEY WORLD WHERE YOU CAN MEET MICKEY MOUSE
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a quick boat ride away from Magic Kingdom. It’s a great Deluxe resort option if you love the great outdoors, as Wilderness Lodge gives you all of those cozy lodge vibes in a quiet atmosphere.
Personally, I think the fact that it’s not on the Monorail loop helps to give it a more serene vibe, as it’s slightly less accessible for Magic Kingdom guests to hop over and visit. That said, if you are visiting Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge is a quick boat ride from the park and includes great dining options.
READ MORE: A 10-STEP GUIDE TO START PLANNING THE PERFECT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are sister properties located right next to one another, literally linked together by a hallway. They also share amenities, including the pool area known as Stormalong Bay. It is one of the top-rated pools on property, complete with a lazy river, sand-bottom floors, jacuzzis, a slide, and more.
Yacht and Beach Club are just steps away from EPCOT’s International Gateway, meaning you’re just a short walk (literally, like, five minutes) from the park. And, though they are not officially considered resorts along the Disney Skyliner route, their proximity to EPCOT’s station essentially makes them Skyliner-accessible hotels.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is located across the lagoon from Yacht and Beach Club. This means Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is also a short walk away from EPCOT’s International Gateway, along with the EPCOT Skyliner station. The close proximity makes it a highly desirable resort option.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a resort filled with nightlife, home to popular bars like Abracadabar. Expect to find a lot of visiting guests once the sun goes down!
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Disney’s Riviera Resort
The newest Disney World Resort hotel, opening in December 2019, is Disney’s Riviera Resort. Inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, this resort features picturesque grounds and plenty of great dining options like Topolino’s Terrace.
Riviera has its own dedicated Disney Skyliner station, making it easily accessible from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
READ MORE: SHOULD YOU BUY TICKETS TO A DISNEY AFTER HOURS EVENT ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION?
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Did you know there is a Four Seasons resort on Disney World property? The Four Seasons Orlando is the epitome of luxury when it comes to on-site accommodations. Expect to find all of the usual suspects that guests come to expect when staying at a Four Seasons, including pristine resort grounds, spacious rooms, on-site spas and other amenities, and great dining.
It even has its own character dining experience at Ravello. In terms of proximity to the parks, Four Seasons offers transportation via a “luxury motor coach” to all four theme parks, though it is closest to Magic Kingdom.
READ MORE: LOOKING TO SAVE ON YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS? THESE DISNEY WORLD HOTELS COST LESS THAN MOST!
Disney World’s Highest-Priced Hotels: What You Need to Know was originally published on The World of Spark.
