Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Ranked Cheap to Expensive
The magic of Walt Disney World doesn’t have to stop at the theme parks. You can experience the incredible customer service offered by the stellar cast members during your hotel stay as well. Simply choose to stay at one of the many Walt Disney World resorts. There’s resorts for every budget, to make things easier the resorts are split into four categories: value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas. Within each of these categories there’s a variety of resorts ranging in price and amenities. Today we’re looking at the resorts found in the deluxe category and ranking them from cheapest to most expensive. Under each resort heading there’s a description of the resort and what is offered there. This should help you decide which resort makes the most sense for your Disney World vacation.
*The costs per night as based on value season. Cost per night ranges based on the time of year.*
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
$439/night
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is found in Disney’s Magic Kingdom resort area. It’s a stunning resort modelled off the great lodges of the Pacific Northwest. With deep woods, waterfalls, train tracks running through the grounds. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the least expensive of the deluxe resorts. It has one pool with a small waterslide. It hosts a character restaurant, Artist Point, two table service restaurants and a quick service restaurant. There’s bus transportation to all parks and water transportation to the Disney’s Magic Kingdom. For a full review of the resort click here.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
$450/night
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge resort area. This resort surrounds a savanna that is home to zebras, giraffes, flamingoes, and more. It hosts some incredible dining, with Jiko- The Cooking Place being a top ranked Signature restaurant and Boma, a destination buffet restaurant. The Mara, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s quick-service restaurant, serves the well sought after zebra domes and other delicious items you can’t find anywhere else on property. The pool here is huge, with a waterslide and zero-depth entry. There’s even a pool side bar. Another animal viewing area is found a stones throw away from the pool, as are two playgrounds.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
$522/night
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is found on Crescent Lake in the Disney’s Epcot resort area. In amongst several resorts, Disney’s Beach Club Resort has a classy beachy design and is within walking distance of both Disney’s Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Beach Club Resort shares the best pool at Walt Disney World with Disney’s Yacht Club resort: Stormalong Bay. The pool has a massive waterslide, quick sand, a lazy river, water falls, several hot tubs and an actual whirlpool. Disney’s Beach Club Resort also has some fan favourite dining choices: Beaches and Cream Soda Shop and Cape May Cafe. For a full review of the resort click here.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
$522/night
Disney’s Yacht Club resort is also found on Crescent Lake in the Disney’s Epcot resort area. Disney’s Yacht Club is the Beach Club’s posh sister. The design is naval, with many maps and dark wood adorning the walls. The Yacht Club has two fantastic restaurants: Yachtman’s Steakhouse and Ale & Compass Restaurant. The Yacht Club has a quiet pool as well as access to the sought after Stormalong Bay. There’s also a tennis court on the property.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
$531/night
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the first ever Walt Disney World resorts. It was open when Walt Disney World opened. Disney’s Contemporary is a monorail resort, with the monorail running right through the resort. Guests can use this monorail to access the Magic Kingdom or use the pathway. Guests can also use the water taxi to get to the Magic Kingdom. So many choices! Disney’s Contemporary Resort is home to two iconic restaurants: California Grill and Chef Mickey’s Restaurant. Both are on many guests’ list of must visit restaurants. Disney’s Contemporary Resort has one main building and a couple of buildings housing rooms to the south. Be sure you are booking the location you want when making your reservation.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
$574/night
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is located on Crescent Lake in the Epcot Resort area. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a beautiful resort mocked up from Atlantic City in the 20’s. The Boardwalk hosts multiple restaurants, night life and faire games. The resort has a celebratory and joyous atmosphere. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is within walking distance of both Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The resort has three pools: Luna Park Pool and two quiet pools. This resort is great for guests who want to enjoy a full vacation in and outside of the parks. For a full review of the resort click here.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
$633/night
Disney’s Polynesian Resort is found in Disney’s Magic Kingdom resort area. It sit on the monorail and has beautiful views of the Magic Kingdom. Guests can even watch the nightly fireworks from their beach. The resort has a Hawaiian theme, with several gift shops selling apparel to match the decor. Disney’s Polynesian is one of only two resorts hosting a dinner show: Spirit of Aloha. The Polyenesian resort is made up of several buildings surrounding the main area. There’s a marina, amazing feature pool and a quiet pool. There’s also several dining locations here: ‘Ohana, Kona Cafe, Capt. Cook’s and the popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
$763/night
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is another Magic Kingdom resort. It’s on the monorail giving guests quick and easy access to the Magic Kingdom. It also has a walkway to the Magic Kingdom and boat access to the magical park. This iconic resort is so grand, with multiple buildings gracing the grounds, a marina, a lobby open for many floors with a large chandelier. There are several restaurants at this resort for guests to choose from: Grand Floridian Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, Victoria & Albert’s, Citrico’s, Narcoosee’s. There are two pools found at the Grand Floridian, one with a waterslide and the other with some water features. The resort has incredible landscaping with beautiful flowers covering the grounds. For a full review of this resort click here.
8 resorts make up this category, and each of them are so very different beyond their price difference. One thing they have in common is quick and easy access to at least one theme park. Any of these resorts are an incredible choice, the only resort I have yet to stay at is the Polynesian, so I can say first hand that each of these resorts is stunning. Well worth the extra cost for staying at a deluxe resort. They elevate your Disney World vacation to another level. For tips on planning your Disney World vacation check out these previous posts:
5 Ways to Choose your Disney World Resort
What’s the Difference between a Deluxe Resort and a Deluxe Villa Resort
Disney World Resorts We’ve Stayed at Again and Again
6 Differences Between Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts
What is a Disney World Multiple Resort Stay?
