This article and video published February 2021 and information about resorts are current as of original posting date
For the past two weeks, we have focused on the 3 different categories of resorts at Walt Disney World. We mentioned that Value Resorts were lower on amenities but higher on theming. We told you Moderate Resorts provide the feel of a deluxe resort without the same price while getting the theming of value resorts with more room. But what are our thoughts when we go up to our final level of resorts?
Welcome to Believe Vacations’ Weekly Post where today, we finish our 3-week series looking at the different category levels for resorts at Walt Disney World. For each article, we are coupling the answers with a fun interview video featuring me (Brian Pavlick) and one of the talented agents within the Believe Vacations family. Today, we will look at Deluxe Resorts and Brian has invited the owner of Believe Vacations, Mary-Morning Radcliffe (Plano, TX) to share her experiences. The full interview is in the video above but highlights and answers of the more commonly asked questions are below:
The Basics
Deluxe Resorts are the higher end of the three categories of Disney Resorts. They feature 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 Village Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Families of four can sleep comfortably for around $450 to 750 per night and most standard rooms feature two standard queen-sized beds, a bathroom and limited living space. Deluxe Resorts can sleep families of 5 or more and the average size of a standard room is around 400 sq. ft.
Will kids enjoy Deluxe Resorts?
Kids are more apt to gravitate towards the cartoonish resorts (Value resorts) or maybe enjoy a princess or pirate themed room (Moderate resorts). The big question parents ask, “are these deluxe resorts too fancy for my kids?” Fancy may not be bad! Imagine your kids seeing Cinderella’s Castle from their room? Maybe catching the fireworks from their resort? Or looking outside your window and seeing animals on the savannah? You can experience all the magic you want staying close to the parks. These resorts have easy access the will maximize the fun for your kids and minimize the travel and the crankiness! Forget if the kids will enjoy it; parents will love the proximity to limit those steps for little ones.
Anything good to eat?
Food courts are fine. Quick-service and a table-service option are great! Deluxe Resort offer character meals and signature dining as well. The food options are numerous. The quick-service options will provide a variety of menu choices for a new dish everyday. There are casual table-service locations that will feature classic fare like decent burgers, chicken and pasta options. There are fine dining locations like California Grill where you may have to dress up for the finest cuisine at the Contemporary. Then there are the Character Meals which are currently modified due to COVID restrictions. These meals allow you and your family to dine “family-style” while your favorite Disney characters interact with you from a distance and create wonderful photo opportunities. Finally, check out the lounge options. If you’re one who likes to take his/her time and have a beverage or two, you’ll appreciate the slower pace that the watering holes at the Deluxe Resorts provide.
Disney without kids?
Yes, believe it or not, you can go to Disney without kids. And if you want to go to Disney at a lower cost, enjoy the signature dining, sample the lounge areas, and maybe upgrade to a room with a view, these resorts provide the perfect backdrop for a couples romantic getaway. The unique theming and locations will allow you to discover the neighboring resorts with romantic strolls around Crescent Lake or riding the “Highway in the Sky” on the Monorail loop. Who would have thought the hustle and bustle of Disney could have quiet and calming areas and resorts for couples? That’s what you get in Deluxe Resorts.
How would you do a “day-off” at a Deluxe Resort?
If you are staying at Deluxe Resort for a lengthy vacation, you may want a day built in to explore your own resort or visit similar resorts with amazing amenities. If you did bring the kids, the heat of the days provide great opportunities to take advantage of the amazing pools and the underrated arcades! We advise you to take advantage of these resorts on days off because of that higher price point. Check out the cabanas by the pools or boat rentals and evening cruises on the water. Deluxe Resorts will also offer many of the traditional higher end resort accommodations like spas, salons and other pampering services for all ages. Of course, you can just hang out in your room. Whether it’s a couple’s trip or a family vacation, you want your space once you get in the rooms and Deluxe Resorts offer the largest standard rooms at Walt Disney World. These rooms feature the nicest beds, mattresses, linens, furniture, bathroom fixtures, shower areas, balconies/window views and more.
Transportation Options
Buses and Monorails and Skyliners and boats! Bottom line, you have options. Going back to why kids will love Deluxe resorts, you’ll enjoy the fact that you do not have to fold up your strollers on the Monorail, the boats or sometimes, the Skyliner. That means you can let the child sleep and you do not have to stress about the magical adventures of waking up the child, holding the child, folding up the stroller the child was in and then reversing the process when you arrive at your resort. Don’t forget, walk when you can as “walking distance” truly is a value you receive at these resorts.
The importance of theming
From high-end luxury to the savannahs of Africa, from nautical touches to the great outdoors, each Deluxe Resort is truly unique, so much that we actually go one step further and recommend certain resorts for certain occasions. Our favorite Deluxe Resort during Christmas is Wilderness Lodge, featuring it’s incredible fireplace that makes you feel “home for the holidays!” During the seasonal festivals at EPCOT, a stay at Beach, Boardwalk or Yacht Club Resorts is a must due to the walking distance and the theming of being on vacation somewhere in the upper Atlantic United States. For those hot summer days, imagine going out onto your balcony and watching the gazelles, giraffes and zebra drinking at the watering hole. Different times call for different deluxe resorts! Finally, feel the nostalgia with the amazing tropical feel of the Polynesian and the Contemporary Resort which gets a ton of love due to the fact that the MONORAIL ACTUALLY GOES THROUGH THE HOTEL!!!
Ultimately, why a Deluxe Resort?
If you want to be the closest to the magic, Deluxe Resorts offer the perfect combination. With the closest proximity to the parks, the most transportation and dining options, the largest rooms, the most amenities and the finest in hospitality, you truly are getting what you pay for. Is the price within everyone’s range? No. Then again, not every resort is for everyone anyways. But if you are ready for the ultimate vacation at a Walt Disney Resort, we highly recommend any deluxe resort and know you will be a #believer!
