Choosing a Walt Disney World Resort: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value Options (Updated)

Disney's resorts fall into Deluxe, Moderate, and Value tiers. Deluxe hotels (Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, Yacht & Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge) offer proximity, signature dining, and more amenities. Moderates (Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans) combine themed style with midrange pricing and pool complexes. Value resorts (Pop Century, All-Star Resorts, Art of Animation) prioritize bold theming and affordability. Choose based on proximity, dining, and desired amenities. Verify current show and dining availability before booking.

When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, choosing the right resort shapes your experience. Disney organizes its on-property hotels into tiers - Deluxe, Moderate, and Value - each offering different themes, amenities, and proximity to the parks.

Deluxe Resorts: location, service, and signature amenities

Deluxe resorts sit closest to parks and offer the widest range of services. Examples include Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

These hotels emphasize immersive architecture, higher-end dining, and extensive recreation. The Grand Floridian houses the long-running signature restaurant Victoria & Albert's. The Contemporary sits on the monorail loop that also serves the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. The Yacht and Beach Club share the large Stormalong Bay pool complex, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge overlooks savanna habitats where hoofed animals can be seen from some rooms.

Moderate Resorts: themed comfort and family-friendly pools

Moderate resorts balance theme and value. Notable properties in this category include Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney's Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter and Riverside neighborhoods).

Moderate resorts deliver strong theming, larger pool complexes, and a mix of food courts and table-service dining. Coronado Springs also serves convention visitors and offers a variety of dining venues and meeting spaces.

Value Resorts: budget-conscious, bold theming

Value resorts provide the most affordable on-site options and focus on bold, family-friendly themes. The lineup includes Disney's Pop Century Resort, the All-Star Resorts (Music, Movies, Sports), and Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Value hotels offer large, themed pools, food courts, and family suites at Art of Animation. They keep transportation simple, typically via Disney bus service, and aim to deliver the Disney atmosphere at a lower nightly cost.

Picking the right resort

Decide what matters most: proximity and amenities (Deluxe), a balance of comfort and price (Moderate), or the lowest on-site cost with strong theming (Value). Consider transportation needs (monorail, Skyliner, buses), dining preferences, and whether seeing animals from your room or access to a resort pool complex matters to you.

Whichever tier you choose, staying on Disney property keeps you inside the Disney transportation and guest-services ecosystem and provides easy access to the parks and resort entertainment.

Note: some entertainment offerings and restaurant operations have changed since 2020; please verify current schedules and show status before booking.

1. Confirm current operating status of the Polynesian's luau/dinner-show often referred to as 'Spirit of Aloha'.
2. Verify any major post-2020 closures or permanent changes to restaurants and entertainment at the named resorts before publishing specific travel guidance.