Whether you want to engage on an African safari, or enjoy a week in the south seas, Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts will give you an amazing experience on your next vacation. Many ears go closed when they hear “deluxe”, because to them, that means “out of my price range”. One thing to remember about Walt Disney travel, is that your resort is part of your experience.
Disney has Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe Resorts, all meant to target families of various budgets and vacation experiences. Take my family for example. We do not fly to Florida! No, in fact, we make the 16 hour trip in the car, just so we can save that money on airfare so we can stay in a Deluxe Resort.
Having enjoyed moderate and deluxe tier resorts on our past trips, we continuously are booking at Deluxe resorts for our trips. But why? Why do families love these? Well, today I am going to give you the inside scoop on these fantastically magical resorts at Walt Disney World!
There are fourteen resorts in Disney’s Deluxe and Deluxe Villa categories. They are Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, located near Animal Kingdom Park. Then in the Epcot area, you have Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, Yacht & Beach Club, and the Beach Club Villas. In the Bay Lake area, right across from Magic Kingdom, you have Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Bay Lake Tower, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Bungalows, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian. Then, in the Downtown Disney area you have Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resorts.
Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are built with larger families in mind. Most of these have two queen beds, as well as a day bed or they will bring you a rollaway bed. All of these can fit 5 guests in a standard rooms the exception of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. For larger families, these two properties offer villas that will house more than 4 guests. The Villas are equipped as studios, one, or two bedrooms. The one and two bedrooms have a full washer and dryer, as well as a fully equipped kitchen.
Location, location, location is a huge perk of these resorts. The draw of the Deluxe Resorts is location for many people. When we were at the Grand Floridian, it was FANTASTIC to board the monorail each day to get to and from the Magic Kingdom. We spend 3 of our 5 park days usually at Magic Kingdom….so being close to that is important to us. Also, when you want to return for a break in the afternoon with little ones before heading back to the park in the evening, the less time you spend getting back to the resort the better! At the Beach & Yacht Club, as well as the Boardwalk Inn, you are walking distance to Epcot AND Hollywood Studios! Double win! Another great aspect of the location is you are in prime dining location. There are so many great restaurants around the Bay Lake and in the Boardwalk area. When you stay at resorts in these locations, you are in the midst of most of your dining experiences!
The theming of these resorts is calm, with special Disney touches. For example, the Grand Floridian is Victorian themed. In your room, you will find soft blues and silhouettes of Alice in Wonderland on your room coasters. Or at the pool, there is a new Alice and Mary Poppins themed child play area. At the Wilderness Lodge is a huge totem pole in the lobby, with faces of Disney characters. The main pool at the Contemporary is a Mickey head. The theming is there, but it is understated and still very magical!
There are multiple pools at the Deluxe Resorts, as well as quiet pools. Like the Moderate Resorts, the Deluxe resorts have both a main pool, as well as several quiet pools. The main pool has a water slide, with the Beach Club Resort’s Stormalong Bay being the best on Disney property in this category. The quiet pools are meant for families or couples who prefer a quieter atmosphere, with no water slide and often not a lot of children around. Not only do they offer multiple pools, but at the main pool, the CastMembers will often lead guests in games and fun poolside entertainment.
Dining options are very plentiful at the Deluxe Resorts. Not only do the resorts themselves have plentiful dining options, but the Deluxe resorts are situated close enough to each other, that you can easily visit a neighboring resort for a great meal. For example, if you stat at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, you have the Contemporary Resort to enjoy California Grille or Chef Mickey’s and the Grand Floridian for 1900 Park Fare, Narcoosee’s, or Citricos both a monorail ride away. In that same area, but via boat, you have the Wilderness Lodge with Artist’s Point and Whispering Canyon Cafe to enjoy. The Deluxe Resorts are also home to Signature Dining, Table Service Dining, Quick Service, and often a bar or lounge as well.
Concierge level rooms are available at the Deluxe Resorts. If you are looking for a very personalized, family friendly, extra special vacation experience, consider booking a room at the Concierge Level at one of these resorts. Concierge Level is a separate keyed off area of the resort. In this area, are guest rooms, as well as a personal concierge desk to meet all your needs.
You will also find a lounge, accessible only to guests on this floor. They serve a full breakfast in the morning, snacks and appetizers throughout the day, dessert, and cordials in the evening. You also have access to the lounge all day, to enjoy as much water, soda, and later in the day alcohol as you would like. They will also make dining reservations for you, etc.
So why choose a Deluxe Resort? You want more space in the room, your budget is flexible, you prefer to be closer to the parks, themed pools with great slides and entertainment for your family, and an all around Disney magical experience!
Carrie is a vacation specialist with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She is ready to help your family make magical vacation memories at Walt Disney World, Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line at no cost to you! Contact her at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com or at 937.209.9473 to book your next Disney vacation!