5 Walt Disney World Resorts To Check Out On Your Next Vacation
The resorts are divided into a few options:
Value - Normally your cheapest resorts
Moderate - More expensive than value but still affordable
Deluxe and/or Deluxe Villas - Most expensive and most accommodating.
Typically the prices vary at the resorts based on size of room and/or proximity to the resorts. Some resorts you are able to walk to the parks from your room and others require transportation such as a bus or monorail. Though all the resorts are going to provide excellent services and a comfortable stay, the theming varies at every single resort so I recommend researching the best fit for your party's needs. The themes range anywhere from a campground, to the Polynesian, to the African safari and so much more.
Though there is a gate at the entrance to each property, entry into the resorts is currently free of charge when you go to visit. Simply show your ID to the security officer and they can let you in. During peak seasons however, some resorts may restrict access to only guests of the hotel or people with dining reservations so please take this into consideration. Here are a few resorts that I suggest at least checking out, if not staying at during your next visit.
1. Art of Animation
Disney's Art of Animation is one of the value resorts at Walt Disney World. This is one of the coolest resorts in my opinion because it is one of the few that actually has a Disney theme to its rooms and decor. There are 4 different style rooms you can chose to stay in when you are here; The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King. They also have separate pools designed with the movies in mind so that everyone is not crowded around one big pool. I have stayed in The Little Mermaid rooms and they are adorable! The room itself has pictures from the movie on the walls and the bathroom shower curtain is a picture of Ariel. Once you step inside the shower, the decoration is that of Ariel's underwater grotto from the movie. So cool!This resort I recommend to people who have smaller children or people who just love one of these 4 movies. It is however, one of the farthest resorts from the parks so taking a bus or driving is your best means of transportation to and from. I would not recommend coming back to your resort during the day for a break though since it can add an extra hour just in commute and waits.
Make sure to walk around the outside of the buildings, as you can run into some of your favorite heroes and villains!
Hanging out at the Finding Nemo play-set they have for children.
The Cars section is honestly my favorite to roam around. Since Disney World has yet to build a Cars land in Florida (so jealous of Disneyland), this is as close as you can get to feeling like you really are in Radiator Springs. Including a Cozy Cone motel swimming pool with Cones you can lounge under to beat the heat.
2. Wilderness Lodge and Campground
The Wilderness Lodge and Campground are actually two separate locations. The Lodge is a deluxe resort and the Campgrounds just down the road are a value site. Both are insanely gorgeous if you enjoy the outdoors. Think Colorado or the Rocky Mountains.
The main resort is stunning with its waterfalls around the grounds, a creek that runs through the lobby and even a geyser that goes off multiple times throughout the day. Wilderness Lodge is one of the Magic Kingdom resorts and you can take a boat to Magic Kingdom from the hotel in under 20 minutes.
The Lodge recently completed construction of their newest addition, the Cascade Cabins. This is an extension of the resort itself and offers guest the opportunity to rent out an entire cabin for their stay. I peeked through the open curtains the other day and they are spectacular. However, these will cost you a pretty penny if you are considering staying in them.
The Campgrounds, on the other hand, is typically for people that bring motor homes and campers with them, though there are also cabins you can rent if you enjoy nature. You can canoe, fish, horseback ride and attend campfires at the campfire sing-a-long, all without ever having to leave! There is also a boat service that takes you to Magic Kingdom from the Campgrounds.
3. Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort that you can probably guess by the name, is closest to Disney's Animal Kingdom. This resort is unlike any other resort on property due to its other special guests. This is the only place on Disney property where you can wake up to views of giraffes out your window. The safari style of the hotel is breathtaking as you watch the zebras and other African animals graze in the Savannah or listen to the live music in the lobby of the hotel.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is only close to Animal Kingdom but even then you have to take a 5 minute bus ride to the park. There is no other way to travel to the other properties except Uber/cab. This resort is a hidden slow paced gem among an otherwise busy vacation destination.
4. BoardWalk Inn
The BoardWalk Inn is a deluxe resort at Disney, themed as turn-of-the-century in Atlantic City. From my post "10 Free Things To Do At Disney..." I talk about the activities to do at the boardwalk including... "You can stroll along the boardwalk and play carnival style games, watch street performers or purchase something from the concession stands selling anything from funnel cakes to margaritas."
The rooms are extremely pricey here but worth the proximity to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, which is opening 2 new lands in the next few years. Simply take a boat or walk to both parks. This allows you to take a break and go back to your resort for an hour or two without feeling like you are wasting money taking a long bus ride and waiting in long lines to get back.
5. Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside
Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside are moderate resorts that are sister properties. The French Quarter gives more of a New Orleans city feel whereas Riverside is the deep south where you can stay in white-columned mansions. Both offer beautiful views and fun things to do. You can take horse ride carriages through the resort, eat beignets or catch a boat ride to Disney Springs. This resort is located closest to Epcot but you would still have to take a bus or drive to all 4 parks.
Comments
Post a Comment