Last updated on March 22nd, 2024 at 08:32 pm
Looking for the best Disney Deluxe Resort to help plan your Walt Disney World vacation?
With dozens of hotels in Orlando to choose from, deciding where to stay is one of the toughest choices you’ll have to make! But if you’ve got the budget, staying at one of the Disney Deluxe Resort hotels is a splurge you should consider.
We’ve been to Walt Disney World dozens of times, and almost always stay on-property. Based on our experience staying at Value, Moderate, and Deluxe properties, I’ve created this list of top Disney Deluxe Resorts to help you compare the pros and cons of each and decide if Disney Deluxe Resorts are worth it when it comes to the price. (Spoiler alert – the answer is yes!)
List of Disney Deluxe Resorts
Let’s start with the basics! Here is a list of all the deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
Deluxe Disney World Resorts for a Luxurious Vacation
Without a doubt, Disney Deluxe Resorts are the nicest hotels at Walt Disney World, and they offer the most perks when you consider locations, pools and amenities, room décor and more. Disney Deluxe Resorts are the best Walt Disney World resorts for families looking for a luxurious experience.
Here’s why.
Disney World Deluxe Resorts are detailed in their style and architecture – from the Victorian grandeur of the Grand Floridian to the modern Contemporary Resort to the elegant new Riviera Resort. Deluxe resorts will give you the largest rooms, the most luxurious bath products, and many include balconies or patios with outstanding views (hello giraffes grazing outside your window at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!)
Disney Deluxe resorts also have the best pools with the biggest water slides and the nicest restaurants and lounges on-property.
If there is one thing all Disney World Deluxe Resorts have in common, it is that they go big in every way! On top of all the standard perks you’ll find at all Disney Resort hotels, Deluxe Resorts offer some amazing amenities that you just won’t find at Value and Moderate Resorts.
Of course, Deluxe Disney Resorts do not come cheap. But they are worth the money if you’re willing to splurge.
Here’s what you’ll find at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
- Lavish theming with fantastic lobbies and gift shops
- Spacious rooms with private balconies
- Club Level rooms available
- Rooms that open to inside hallways (as opposed to Value and Moderate resorts, which for the most part have exterior hallways)
- Unique and gorgeous landscaping
- Lobby entertainment and kids activities
- Multiple dining options, including upscale and casual table service restaurants, as well as Quick Service dining and room service
- A main feature pool with a water slide, spa, pool bar, entertainment and activities for kids
- Additional quiet pools onsite
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and the Grand Floridian each feature a full-service salon & spa
- The Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary resorts all have stops for the monorail
- Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, and BoardWalk Inn are within walking distance to and have boat access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- Some Deluxe Resorts offer Character Dining opportunities
- Onsite fitness centers
- Onsite childcare centers
- Superb service
- Valet parking
The Best Disney Deluxe Resorts
A lot of websites like to rank Walt Disney World Resorts, and that’s fine! But I truly believe that where you stay is highly subjective. And really, when it comes to Disney Deluxe Resorts, they are all pretty awesome! It just really depends on what style you’re drawn to and what your family is looking for in a Disney luxury resort.
So with all things considered, we’ve selected what we think are the five best Disney Deluxe Resorts, listed here in no particular order or rank!
1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
With its stunning savanna setting, exotic animals, phenomenal pools, restaurants and activities, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is easily among the best deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most meticulously themed resorts at Disney World.
From the moment you enter, you are entrenched in the motif. The lobby is soaring, vast and bright, with a 4-story tall wall of glass overlooking the resort’s Savanna. It features cozy sitting areas, a massive fireplace, and a large collection of African art.
Outside, over 30 species of African wildlife graze by. The hotel lobby and adjacent patio overlook the 46-acre savanna, as do many of the rooms. At night, the resort offers night vision binoculars so you can watch them when the sun sets.
There are two pools at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – one at Jambo House and one at Kidani Village. The main pool if you are staying at Jambo House is Uzima Springs. At more than 11,000 square feet, it is the largest pool at any of the Disney World resorts. There is a nice zero-entry section, a 67-foot winding waterslide and plenty of lifeguards on duty.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge At-A-Glance
- Resort Theme: African Culture
- Unique Feature: There are over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos, roaming free at the resort.
- Transportation Options: Bus
2. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Located in the Magic Kingdom resort area, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a Victorian-style deluxe resort hotel. One of the most opulent of the Disney Deluxe Resorts, the Grand Floridian combines first-class service, elegance, fun and convenience. Its design is inspired by the Victorian era beach resorts built along Florida’s east coast during the late 19th century.
The hotel’s main building features a five story lobby with Italian marble floors featuring inlays of various Disney characters. A pianist performs in the main lobby during the daytime hours.
The Grand Floridian features amenities unlike any other Disney World resort, from the 52-foot yacht available for hourly rentals on Bay Lake to the gorgeous pools to some of the best dining options in all of Walt Disney World. Victoria & Albert’s, a luxurious and intimate dining experience, is Disney World’s only AAA five-diamond rated restaurant.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa At-A-Glance
- Resort Theme: Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication
- Unique Feature: Disney’s Grand Floridian has a world-class spa and salon onsite.
- Transportation Options: Monorail, Bus and Boat
3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort combines all the Tiki goodness of a vintage Hawaiian vacation with the fun of visiting Disney parks. It is located in the Magic Kingdom area, right on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon and just a monorail’s ride away from all the action!
Opened in 1971, the Polynesian was one of the first resorts built at Walt Disney World and really embraces the kitschy culture of retro South Pacific. The resort’s rooms are divided among several ‘longhouses’ and the recently renovated Great Ceremonial House, which serves as the resort’s main lobby and reception area.
With a 3-story high atrium, rich tropical interior and themed music, the Great Ceremonial House will instantly transport you to another world. It houses many of the resort’s restaurants and shops.
The theming continues outside with white sand beaches on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Tiki torch-lit walkways and lush green landscaping.
The showpiece of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is its main pool. The Lava Pool sports a towering volcano, a waterfall and a thrilling 142 foot-long waterslide. A zero-depth entry point slopes gently into the pool making for easy entry and exit, and a great spot for young kids to splash around.
Wander over to the nearby beach and put your toes in the sand, relax in a hammock, or watch the nightly Electrical Boat Parade or fireworks from the shore. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can take the Magical Kingdom monorail line from the parks and stop by in the evening.
► Be sure to read this article for Everything You Need to Know About Disney Monorail Resorts!
There are many great places to dine or just grab a bite (or cocktail!) at Polynesian Village Resort. ‘Ohana offers a daily character breakfast. At night, enjoy a refreshing Pineapple Dole Whip for dessert at the Pineapple Lanai. I like to buy one right before the fireworks begin and take it out to the beach!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort At-A-Glance
- Resort Theme: South Pacific
- Unique Feature: The Polynesian is home to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, a family-style buffet and luau.
- Transportation Options: Monorail, Bus and Boat
4. Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts
Yes, I am cheating a little bit here, as technically these are two separate resorts! But they are adjacent in location and share many of the same awesome amenities, so it makes sense to group them together.
On my most recent visit to Walt Disney World we stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and truly enjoyed both properties.
One of the biggest draws of these resorts is their location. The Deluxe Disney Resorts are located in the Epcot resort area, a quick walk to Epcot’s World Showcase entrance, and a boat ride to Hollywood Studios. You are also just steps away from all the restaurants, shops and nightlife of Disney’s BoardWalk.
But location aside, Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts have some fantastic amenities. The most notable is Stormalong Bay, a three-acre water park with a sand-bottom pool, lazy river, and a 230-foot-long pirate ship water slide.
This is a great place to spend time in the afternoon while taking a break from the parks. Stormalong Bay alone makes this the best Disney resort for kids!
Disney’s Yacht Club has a nautical motif, and the Beach Club embraces the casual elegance of a charming, New England-style hotel. Onsite dining options at the resorts include the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Cape May Café and Ale & Compass Restaurant. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill is located at Stormalong Bay.
Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts At-A-Glance
- Resort Theme: Summer in New England
- Unique Feature: Stormalong Bay 3-acre water wonderland with pools, a lazy river, sandy play area and water slide.
- Transportation Options: Disney Skyliner, Bus and Boat
5. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
One of the most breathtaking of all Disney World hotels, the Wilderness Lodge is situated on Bay Lake, surrounded by towering pine trees and acres of woods. And while it feels secluded, you are actually in the Magic Kingdom area and just a short boat ride away from the park!
The resort’s rustic design is built to feel like a majestic mountain lodge. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates American craftsmanship and honors the beauty of the untamed wilderness.
The resort has a soaring, log-framed lobby, 82-foot-tall stone fireplace and a pair of 55-foot intricately carved totem poles. The resort’s Copper Creek Springs Pool has a 67-foot water slide built into rocks and is one of the best at Walt Disney World!
At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can enjoy the great outdoors, from nature trails through pine forests to rocking chairs that overlook a creek. There are waterfalls and a geyser. Archery, horseback riding, fishing excursions and canoeing are just some of the exciting activities available at this rustic resort.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge At-A-Glance
- Resort Theme: Pacific Northwest Mountain Lodge
- Unique Feature: A stay at this resort makes you feel like you’re getting back to nature.
- Transportation Options: Bus and Boat
Discount Disney World Tickets
Looking for discount Disney tickets? Check out these great discounts on Walt Disney World park tickets and vacation packages from authorized seller and our trusted partner, Get Away Today. Be sure to use code CFT10 an additional $10 savings.
Get Away Today sells discount theme park tickets as well as vacation packages for both on-property and off-property hotels. They will even assist with all your Disney World vacation plans with their free concierge service!
Save These Disney Deluxe Resorts for Later!
Planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World? Pin the image below for future reference!
Leave a Reply