DISNEY 101 is an ongoing series designed to walk you through the basics of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. In this installment, weâre breaking down the different types of accommodations available at Walt Disney World, including Disneyâs terminology, the perks associated with each option, and how they compare to one another.
If youâre short on time, be sure to scroll to the summary at the bottom of the article, where we outline each resort category and the benefits that come with it. Helpful information guaranteed… or your money back đ
“On Property” vs “Off Property”
Two of the most common terms youâll hear when discussing Walt Disney World hotels are âon propertyâ and âoff property.â
- On property refers to resorts located within Disney property and owned/operated by Disney (with a few notable exceptions).
- Off property refers to all hotels located outside of Disney property.
Why Stay On Property?
Disney offers several incentives to encourage guests to stay at a Disney-owned resort:
- Full Disney theming and immersion, often called the âDisney bubbleâ
- Complimentary Disney transportation within Disney property
- Free parking at theme parks is you choose to drive
- Early Theme Park Entry which grants access to the parks 30 minutes before official opening
- Extended Evening Hours on select days at select parks for Deluxe Resort guests
- Dining reservation advantage: Disney Resort guests can book dining for their entire stay (up to 10 days) starting 60 days before check-in (commonly referred to as the â60+10â rule)
- Lightning Lane booking advantage: On property guests can book Lightning Lanes for their entire stay (up to 14 days) starting 7 days before check-in; off property guests must wait until 3 days before their first park day
Disney sets a high standard for guest experience, and that standard carries over to its resorts. The tradeoff?
Cost!
On property resorts are generally more expensive than comparable off property hotels. Whether the perks justify the price is ultimately up to you.
Categories of WDW Resorts
In order to cater to people with varying budgets, Disney has different categories of resorts within their portfolio.
Value Resorts
- Pop Century Resort
- All-Star Music Resort
- All-Star Movies Resort
- All-Star Sports Resort
- Art of Animation Resort
Value resorts are Disneyâs most affordable on property options. In keeping with the goal of being budget-friendly, amenities are limited. Buildings are motel-style with exterior entrances, and rooms are compact and fairly basic.
- Best suited for short stays or smaller groups
- Family suites are available at select resorts, though they can be pricey compared to booking two standard rooms
- Dining is limited to quick service food courts
- Pools are simple, with no slides or elaborate features
- Transportation is primarily bus-based, though Pop Century and Art of Animation benefit from Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Summary:
Clean, well-maintained rooms with minimal amenities at the lowest price point.
Moderate Resorts
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Port Orleans Resort: Riverside and French Quarter
- Coronado Springs Resort
- Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (Disney classifies the cabins as a Moderate Resort, but honestly, they are kind of their own thing)
Moderate resorts offer a noticeable upgrade from Value resorts, with larger rooms and more amenities, while still remaining mid-tier in pricing.
- Rooms are larger and more comfortable, though still fairly standard
- Theming is more subtle and âgrown-upâ
- At least one table service restaurant per resort, plus bars and lounges
- Feature pools include water slides and hot tubs
- Transportation is mainly bus-based, with Skyliner access at Caribbean Beach
Summary:
More space, better dining, and upgraded pools… a solid middle ground.
Deluxe Resorts
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort
- Wilderness Lodge
- Beach Club Resort
- Contemporary Resort
- Yacht Club Resort
- Boardwalk Inn
Deluxe resorts represent the highest level of Disney theming, amenities, and convenience. These resorts are destinations in themselves, with stunning lobbies and immersive designs.
- Large, well-appointed rooms comparable to upscale hotels
- Multiple dining options, including some of Disneyâs best restaurants
- Elaborate pools (Stormalong Bay at Beach & Yacht Club is practically a water park)
- Prime locations, often within walking distance or with direct transport to parks
- Extended Evening Hours at select parks
Summary:
Premium locations, top-tier amenities, but some of the highest price tags.
Other Select Deluxe Resorts
Though located on Disney property, the Swan and Dolphin resorts are owned and operated by Marriott. Despite this, they offer nearly all the same perks as Disney Deluxe Resorts, including Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, and Lightning Lane advantages. This is why Disney officially classifies them as “Other Select Deluxe Resorts”.
Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
- Saratoga Springs Resort
- Old Key West Resort
- Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (including the Island Tower)
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Villas at Grand Floridian Resort
- Animal Kingdom Villas
- Boardwalk Villas
- Beach Club Villas
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Riviera Resort
Deluxe Villas are part of Disney Vacation Club (DVC), Disneyâs timeshare program, but they are also available to book with cash.
- Studio rooms resemble standard deluxe hotel rooms
- One-bedroom and larger villas include full kitchens and in-room laundry
- Same perks as Disney Deluxe Resorts
- Ideal for larger families or longer stays
- Among the most spacious â and most expensive â rooms at Walt Disney World
Summary:
Deluxe perks plus significantly more space and home-like amenities.
Campgrounds
Fort Wilderness offers a unique experience, ranging from tent camping to full RV hookups. Guests enjoy access to pools, dining, a general store, and transportation â this is camping without âroughing it.â
The resort also features standalone cabins, which Disney classifies as Moderate but function more like spacious suites.
Summary:
A rustic, one-of-a-kind Disney experience.
Other On Property Resorts (Sort Of…)
There are a few resorts that require special mention. Technically, they are located on Disney owned land, so one might consider them to be on property. However, they are owned and operated by third-parties and they don’t share all of the perks that Disney owned hotel guests have.
Shades of Green
Shades of Green is special in that it is run by the US military (specifically the Armed Forces Recreation Center) for use by our brave men and women in uniform and their families.
- Significantly lower cost for eligible guests
- Deluxe-level rooms and amenities
- Access to Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, dining, and Lightning Lane advantages
- No free parking at parks, though transportation is provided
Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
Located along Hotel Plaza Boulevard near Disney Springs, these third-party hotels (Hilton, DoubleTree, Holiday Inn, etc.) are technically on Disney property but not Disney-operated.
- A good option for guests using hotel points or loyalty programs
- Amenities range from Moderate to Deluxe equivalents
- Early Park Entry is included
- No other Disney resort perks
Off Property
Everything else falls into the off-property category, including WDW Good Neighbor Hotels. While some of these hotels are marketed through Disney, most offer little to no Disney-specific perks, though some may offer Early Park Entry.
Resort Perks Summary
| Resort Type | Disney Operated | Early Park Entry | Extended Evening Hours | Dining Booking Advantage (“60+10”) | Free Parking at Parks | Lightning Lane Booking Advantage |
| WDW Value Resort Hotels | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WDW Moderate Resort Hotels | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WDW Deluxe Resort Hotels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WDW Deluxe Villas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WDW Campgrounds / Fort Wilderness | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swan and Dolphin | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shades of Green | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Good Neighbor Hotels | No | Some | No | No | No | No |
| Other Off Property Resorts | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Final Thoughts
Walt Disney World offers a wide range of accommodation options, each with its own balance of cost, convenience, and perks. Understanding Disneyâs terminology and resort categories can help you choose the option that best fits your travel style, budget, and priorities.
Hopefully, this guide helps make sense of it all… and makes planning your Disney vacation a little easier.
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