For those looking to go “all out” for their once-in-a-lifetime vacation, staying at Deluxe Resorts at Disney World is the number one way to do that! With elaborate theming, luxurious amenities, and awesome guest perks, it’s easy to be drawn to these hotels when deciding where to stay. But, which Deluxe Resort is best for your family’s vacation? We’re breaking down all the details on Deluxe Resorts at Disney World including the pros, the cons, and more!

What Is a Disney Deluxe Resort?

There are over 25 hotels on Disney World property, which can be overwhelming for families planning their first Disney vacation. Currently, Disney World categorizes its resorts into four different groups — Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and Deluxe Resort Villas. And, the ones offering the most for guests? It’s the Deluxe Resorts, of course!

Deluxe Resorts are the highest category of hotels offered at Walt Disney World (accompanied by Deluxe Resort Villas, which are usually available as part of the Disney Vacation Club at Deluxe Resorts). These resorts offer the most amenities, feature signature dining restaurants, and an almost-literal life of luxury. However, they do come at a higher price tag with standard rooms at Deluxe Resorts starting around approximately $500/night.

Which Resorts are Considered Deluxe Resorts?

The following resorts are Deluxe Resorts on Disney World property:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney Deluxe Resort Guest Benefits

A lot of perks come with staying at Disney World Resort hotels — especially Deluxe Resorts! This includes perks such as Early Theme Park Entry (gaining access to the parks 30 minutes prior to park opening), Disney Transportation (to/from all four theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs), free theme park and overnight parking, and the ability to book dining reservations a little earlier than regular day guests. (60 days in advance, PLUS the length of your stay).

On top of this, an extra perk that only guests staying at Deluxe Resorts get is Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. With this perk, guests can take advantage of an extra 2 HOURS after the park closes at select theme parks on select nights. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for dates and details.

What Accommodations Do Deluxe Resorts Offer?

Deluxe Resorts offer more than other resort categories in every aspect, and room size is no different. The average size of a Standard Deluxe room is approximately 380 square feet. This is roughly 120 square feet larger than a Standard Value room which can be a significant amount of extra space in a small area.

Room setup for Deluxe Resorts is also a huge difference from other resorts on property. While Value and Moderate Resorts usually have exterior hallways set up “motel style,” deluxe resorts all have interior hallways with indoor entry to your room. This can be a great perk if you’re visiting during inclement weather. Plus, many rooms feature a balcony as well!

It’s also worth noting that many Deluxe Resorts offer more than just standard rooms thanks to the Disney Vacation Club (DVC). While the DVC Villas are usually a bit of a further walk from the main lobby at each Deluxe Resort, you can take advantage of even larger rooms including studio suites, and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom suites. And, you don’t have to be a DVC member to book these rooms!

Club Level is offered at Deluxe Resorts, which includes access to a concierge lounge with included food and drinks during certain hours of the day. These rooms are going to be more expensive than any standard room but come with perks.

Deluxe Resort Pricing

Prices for Deluxe Resorts are the highest on Disney property. On average, a Deluxe Resort standard room will cost guests anywhere from $500-$700 per night. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will typically be the cheapest deluxe resort, where guests can sometimes find rooms in the $400 per night range. On the other hand, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is typically the most expensive deluxe resort, topping out on the higher end of roughly $700-$800+ per night for a standard room.

Differences Between Deluxe Resorts and Other Categories

If you haven’t caught on yet, deluxe resorts offer many more amenities than any other resort category on Disney property. The more you pay, the more you get! We know that the differences between the resort categories can impact which hotel is right for you and your family. So, here’s a breakdown of how the deluxe resorts compare to the other resort categories!

Pools

Pools at deluxe resorts top all other categories in all aspects. Value resort pools do not offer water slides or hot tubs, while moderate resorts offer a small slide and one hot tub at each pool.

Deluxe resort pools, on the other hand, offer the longest water slides and some of the best views. Each resort pool brings something different to the table. And, most deluxe resort pools have an aquatic kids’ play area with kids’ slides, waterfalls, water cannons, and more. The only exceptions are Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Contemporary Resort which offer a small splash pool. Quiet Pools are also located around each resort, giving guests multiple options.

Each resort offers at least one pool bar within the pool grounds, featuring a menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as quick service snacks.

And, for the ultimate pool day, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club offer poolside cabana rentals. These rentals include cocktail service, padded furniture, televisions, mini-fridges with complimentary soft drinks, a ceiling fan, and more. Advance reservations are recommended for cabanas.

Dining

Dining options are a HUGE perk of staying at a deluxe resort. Not only does every deluxe resort offer your standard quick service dining option, but each resort will also offer multiple table service options as well, AND lounges.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort all offer some type of character dining experience, whether that be breakfast, dinner, or both! Storybook Dining at Artist Point, located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, is the only place in Disney World to meet The Evil Queen and some of the seven dwarfs from Snow White.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers the most dining options, including the world-renowned Victoria and Alberts, winner of the AAA Five Diamond Award every year since 2000.

On top of dining options, each resort features at least one lounge. These lounges offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as lounge bites. Be sure to check your My Disney Experience app to verify when the lounges are open, as some lounges don’t open until the evening.

In comparison to other resort categories, value resorts only offer quick service dining locations, and moderate resorts usually offer quick service locations along with one table service option.

Transportation

It doesn’t get much easier to use the complimentary Disney transportation if you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort! Each hotel, apart from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, offers multiple modes of transportation. Whereas, most value and moderate resorts only offer Disney bus transportation to all four theme parks (though it’s not uncommon for other transportation options to be available at certain resorts).

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club all offer transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios via Friendship Boat, Disney Skyliner, or walking path. And, both are within walking distance of EPCOT (though, Friendship Boats are also available)! For transportation to all other areas of Disney World property, Disney buses are available.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are all located on the Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop. This “highway in the sky” drops guests right at the entrance of Magic Kingdom, and also transfers to EPCOT. Each of these three resorts also offers boat transportation to and from Magic Kingdom. For transportation to all other areas of Disney World property, Disney buses are available.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers boat transportation to and from Magic Kingdom, and bus transportation to all other areas of Walt Disney World property.

And, lastly, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can take Disney bus transportation to the four theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney’s water parks.

Recreation/Amenities

Outside of the pools and poolside recreation entertainment, the value resorts don’t really offer any additional resort amenities. On the other hand, deluxe resorts offer the most entertainment on property! They all have standard amenities such as playgrounds, arcades, and campfires, but there is so much more!

All locations offer a fitness center for those looking to stay fit during their vacation. And, the fitness centers at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club offer additional spa services such as massages and facials. Fitness centers are open 24/7 with MagicBand or keycard access.

At Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can enjoy watching over 200 animals and birds roam the Savanna any time of day. And, there are also painting classes, scavenger hunts, and more available on certain days of the week.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge also offer boat and fishing excursions within Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. And, over at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht & Beach Club, you can book fishing and boat excursions along with EPCOT firework cruises.

All deluxe resorts offer jogging trails. And, the Boardwalk Inn and Yacht & Beach Club offer tennis and pickleball courts as well.

For a fun family activity or night out, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht & Beach Club are within walking distance of one of Disney’s miniature golf courses and Disney’s BoardWalk. The Boardwalk offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars that stay open late. Plus, guests can rent surrey bikes for a ride around the boardwalk.

Theming

All Walt Disney World resorts are heavily themed, regardless of their category. It’s part of the experience of staying in the “Disney bubble,” after all! However, while value resorts bring out the child in even the most stubborn adult with their larger-than-life portrayals of classic Disney movies, moderate and deluxe resorts transport guests to their specified “destinations.” And, deluxe resorts are even more immersive than moderate resorts.

For example, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most unique resort experiences a guest can find. Stepping foot into the grand lobby immediately immerses you in scenes of Africa. Once you step outside though, guests are in the Savanna! Free-roaming animals such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and more are located at this resort for viewing pleasure. How cool is it to sit on your balcony every morning and see giraffes outside?

And, at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you’re transported to the tropical islands of Hawaii. With waterfalls, smells of the ocean air, getting a Hawaiian Lei at check-in, and more, you’ll be immersed in your very own island vacation.

For those looking for a vacation of luxury, look no further than Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Themed after the Victorian Era, there is nothing short of “grand” at this resort. With a soothing baby grand piano being played in the lobby, luxury shopping, and an AAA award-winning restaurant, guests looking to be pampered will be happy when they stay here.

Who Should Consider Deluxe Resorts for Their Vacation?

As previously stated, there is a Disney resort for everyone — the important part is just finding the right one! Here are some key points to deciding if a deluxe resort is the right fit for your next vacation.

Deluxe Resorts are best for:

• Guests with no budget
• Guests planning to spend most of their time at the resort
• Guests looking for ease of access to parks, especially Magic Kingdom
• Guests looking for a resort that has everything
• Guests looking for fine dining
• Large parties looking for 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom suites

Deluxe Resorts are NOT the best fit for:

• Guests on a budget
• Guests planning to spend most of their time in the parks
• Guests looking for specific Disney movie theming
• Guests who don’t enjoy or plan to take advantage of table service dining

So, Should You Stay at a Deluxe Resort?

Deluxe resorts are nothing short of spectacular, but that does come with a price tag. There is a deluxe resort to satisfy everyone’s needs, it’s just about finding the right one! Whether you are looking for an African safari or a luxurious spa day, deluxe resorts have you covered. Deluxe resorts offer more dining, room space, transportation, and recreation than value or moderate resorts, but for guests on a budget, a deluxe resort may not be the best fit. And, hey, that’s the beauty of Disney, right? There is something for everyone!

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