Where to stay when you're in Disney is a very critical part in the experience. Now most people think..."It's just a place to lay my head," but I'm here to disagree. You MUST stay on Disney property at least once!! It offers so much more to the overall vacation. There are a couple of benefits for staying on property such as; extra magic hours, free parking in the parks (saves you $10/day), free transportation to anywhere on property, and when staying on property you can buy the vacation packages that include tickets/accommodations/food. We've only done the vacation package once, and for a long vacation I would recommend and the food package gives you more than enough meals than you'll ever eat!!
Okay, the question...where to stay? There are three types of resorts-deluxe, moderate, and value. We have never stayed in the value resorts, but mostly because I think we got spoiled staying at the deluxe resorts first...hense something to think about when planning your first trip. We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom, Polynesian, Port Orleans French Quarters, Port Orleans Riverside, Carribean Beach, and both Swan and Dolphin Hotels (although not owned by Disney they are on property and offer most of the same benefits). I can only review the ones I've stayed at so I'll begin there.
Wilderness Lodge (deluxe resort)-one of the more reasonably price in the deluxe category where rooms can be found for less than $200/night. We have been able to stay there for around $150 a night. This hotel is beautifully themed and has a very rustic mountain atmosphere. There are several nice places to eat (you must eat at the Whispering Canyon Cafe even if you're not staying there), a great pool that the kids will enjoy, and very convenient to The Magic Kingdom. You can take a boat right from the hotel and be dropped off at the main gate to Magic Kingdom. Room are fairly spacious and we were placed in a room that had lake view and through the trees, we could see the fireworks from Magic Kingdom at night from our balcony. (All deluxe hotel rooms have a balcony or patio). Although convenient and beautiful; it is not our favorite, but we liked it and will stay again.
Animal Kingdom Lodge (deluxe resort)-our favorite!! Where can you possible go and see animals outside from your balcony and throughout the entire hotel? Kids will love this hotel!!!! It is also very beautifully themed with an African flair. The lobby is breath-taking. We have stayed here more than any other resort because it is so unique and full of things to do. The price for this hotel is very comparable to that of the Wilderness Lodge. The restaurants here will appeal greatly to some and disdain for others. My husband loved it, I did not. I really liked the breakfast, but not dinner at the Boma. The dinner just had too many African dishes that did not appeal to me. If you love trying different and unique food, you may love this! The pool is great with lots of secluded spots for adults. It's very tropical feeling. The one disadvantage to this hotel, it's way out. It is a little drive away from everything, so you have to get in your car more often or take the transportaion; but in my opinion it's worth it.
Polynesian (deluxe resort)-an amazingly beautiful hotel that is right on the monorail track to The Magic Kingdom. This resort however is not very economical; with prices being closer to $350/night; not worth it in my opinion. We love to visit this resort when we are down, because it's so nice and has a great restaurant (O'hana's) that we love to eat at, but it's just a little to much for our pocketbooks to stay there that often. I would encourage you to visit this hotel at night and go out unto the beach and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks and watch the water parade that goes through the lake every night!! That's a free night of entertainment that the kids would love and very romantic if your with your loved one.
Swan/Dolphin (deluxe resorts)-owned by Sheraton and the Westin both of these hotels are gorgeous and quite reasonable with rooms less than $200/night. They offer teacher discounts too-so don't forget to mention that. These resorts are SO convenient to both Epcot and Disneys Hollywood Studios, you could walk to either (for some a steep walk) or take the boat. We took the boat to both. They have several pools between the two and are beautiful, kids will love them. We have stayed here many times and is probably our next favorite place to stay on property. We prefer the Dolphin, it's a little more modernized in our opinion.
Port Orleans/Carribean Beach (moderate resorts)- are quite reasonably priced and most rooms are around $120-150/night. These resorts are a little scaled down from the deluxe resorts, but are nicely themed and very clean. I preferred the Riverside (Mansion style) and my husband preferred French Quarter (New Orleans style). Neither of us enjoyed the Carribean Beach. These hotels are a little smaller in space and have outside rooms. They have no balconies or patios and have no big restaurants. They have food courts that serve a variety of food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner-all priced fairly.
Off property hotels that we have stayed at are numerous, but I'll tell you our favorite. The Marriott Village right down the road from Disney property close to Downtown Disney. We are Marriott reward members so we prefer Marriott hotels, and this village of hotels include the Courtyard, Springhill Suites, and Fairfield Inn. We like the Courtyard, they have a nice buffett breakfast that they sometimes throw in free with stay. The village has a foodcourt with an ice cream shop, sub shop, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and a few others. This is property is gated, just like the properties on Disney so you always feel safe.
One last thought---if staying for a long trip or traveling with a large group, rent a house. We've done that several times and it is very cheap to split with a group, saves money on food, and most have private pools and spas that are great for relaxing in on days off. There are thousands of houses that are rented out for Disney visitors, so you will not have a hard time finding one for any family size or family budget.
That's it for now, I could go on and on...but that's the jist of it for now. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions for more information. Next time...the parks. Where to go, when to go, what to see, and how to tackle them!!! See ya next time!!
