Where to Stay - The Easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit 2015 - page 37

CHAPTER 5

Where to Stay

In this chapter we suggest that you stay in a Disney-owned resort hotel, either a value, mod-
erate, or deluxe resort, based on your budget. Specifically, we recommend:
• VALUE : Art of Animation, Pop Century
• MODERATE : Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside
• DELUXE : Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian (for ar-
rivals after its main pool has re-opened)
The chapter begins by addressing the advantages and disadvantages of staying on-site in a
Disney-owned hotel. We then discuss the key differences between Disney's value, moder-
ate, and deluxe classes, and take a look at what specifically differentiates resorts within each
class. Next we provide detailed reviews by resort class. The chapter finishes with alternat-
ives to staying in a Disney resort.

Stay at a Disney World Owned Resort
More than 20 Disney-owned resorts dot the 40+ square miles that comprise Walt Disney
World.
Another dozen hotels owned by third parties are also on Disney World property. Most are
located in the far southeast corner of Disney World near Downtown Disney. Third-party ho-
tels closer to the parks include the Swan and Dolphin, both about a 10-minute walk to Epcot
and about 15 minutes away from Hollywood Studios. Another is Shades of Green, an armed
forces recreation center with lodging for military personnel and their families, located right
across the street from the Polynesian. Finally, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando opened in
August 2014 in Disney World's Golden Oak area between Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans
Riverside. The first five-star resort on property, it offers luxurious amenities (with pricing
to match), including the best pool complex in all of Disney World. There's more on these
non-Disney owned hotels on Disney World property, and also off-site options, near the end
of this chapter.
The Disney-owned resorts are usually more expensive than hotels operated by third
parties, but they are also typically:
• Much more fun

• Much more convenient

• Much more “Disney”