Disney World Resorts Archives

Disney Vacation January 20, 2021

Best Disney World Resorts for Your Family Reunion

5 Disney World Resort Options for Your Family Reunion or Large Family

If you are planning a large family vacation or family reunion, Walt Disney World Resorts are one of the best locations to vacation in together. However, as with any vacation destination, finding accommodation to fit your whole family in can be tricky. While you can book multiple hotel rooms, sometimes multiple generations want to spend more time together in a shared unit.

Now I’m going to share with you some of my favorite resorts in Walt Disney World that

are ideal for larger families
offer accommodation options for groups of six or more.
offer options for different size families who want to stay near each other

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites

If you are vacationing on a budget, my top choice for larger families would be the Art of Animation Resort’s family suites. Up to six adults can stay in one unit, and it offers a separate master bedroom and two bathrooms in each unit. The family suites offer fun Disney theming based around The Lion King, Cars (my favorite), and Finding Nemo.

Kids of all ages will love the theming in these rooms and appreciate the three large onsite pools. A recent additional benefit to staying at this resort is Disney’s Skyliner transportation system, which will make traveling to Hollywood Studios and Epcot even easier.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground – Wilderness Cabins

For a unique vacation, consider staying at the cabins in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Comparable to the amenities you’ll find at the other moderate resorts, these cabins can sleep up to six adults and have one queen bed, a set of bunk beds, and a double sleeper sofa in each unit. The kitchen facilities in the cabin can also be helpful for saving money on dining, as these costs can quickly add up for large groups.

You’ll be immersed in the woods of the resort, and the cabins afford more privacy and space than you would get from a typical hotel room. Kids and teens will love the facilities at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, and there’s so much to keep you entertained here without even visiting the theme parks. The Hoop-De-Doo Revue is a terrific dinner show and buffet at Ft. Wilderness, perfect for large family get-togethers.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

If you are looking for the ultimate family vacation accommodation, consider splurging on the three-bedroom Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. They each have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. But the coolest thing is that they are suspended off the ground in the woods. They are one of the most unique accommodation options on Disney property and so they book up quite quickly due to the limited number of these treehouses.

Alternatively, this resort offers one, two, and three-bedroom units, so there’s plenty of options for different accommodation layouts to fit your family’s needs. One of my favorite things about staying at this resort is its close proximity to Disney Springs, which you can access by boat or even by walking directly from your resort. Put this on the list of possible Disney resorts for your next family reunion!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

Split between two different buildings, you’ll get to choose between the original Jambo House or the newer Kidani Village when booking a stay at this resort. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my all-time favorite Disney resorts, and the theming here is second to none. Kids and adults of all ages will love waking up to the animals on the savannah each morning, and grandparents will enjoy sitting out on the balcony and admiring the incredible views.

Offering villas with one, two, or three bedrooms, as well as standard hotel rooms, there’s an accommodation offering to suit every family’s needs. Don’t miss out on the resort’s fantastic onsite dining. Sanaa at Kidani Village has a bread service that is one of my favorite appetizers at Walt Disney World, and Boma at Jambo House has a buffet that will please the whole family for breakfast or dinner.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

As the newest resort at Walt Disney World, expect modern accommodation offerings at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Elegantly themed after the European Riviera, this resort offers studios, two-bedroom and three-bedroom accommodation options. The studios are ideal for couples in your family who may require a little more privacy but still want to stay nearby the rest of the family.

You’ll enjoy the beautiful grounds and pool that this resort offers, as well as Topolino’s Terrace restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner daily. This resort benefits from Disney’s Skyliner transportation system and is located within walking distance of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Walt Disney World is one of the best vacation locations for families to gather, and regardless of your party size, there are plenty of accommodation options available to you.

For more Disney World family reunion planning tips see this post.

If you have any questions about your upcoming trip or need help choosing one of the Disney World Resorts for your next family reunion, don’t hesitate to contact me today.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney Vacation October 13, 2020

Awesome Pools at Disney World Resorts

The pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Bungalows, a Deluxe Resort.

When you think of staying at a Disney World Resort it probably isn’t necessarily for the resort. Most people think of their resort as a place to lay their head in between park days. BUT, your Disney World Resort can be so much more. There is so much to see and do at Disney World Resorts that you could almost plan a vacation to stay solely at the resort and never step foot in the parks. How do awesome pools at Disney World Resorts fit into this? Let’s find out!

Maybe your family doesn’t want to spend every waking moment in the parks but would like to have a couple of down days at the resort. If you want relaxation days at the resort then picking out your resort becomes a bit more important. It is important to consider what each resort has to offer. And, one of the big things is the POOLS at your Disney World Resort!

Important note: Pool hopping between resorts is not allowed so this is one reason resort selection is very important! There are two exceptions: All-Star resort guests may hop between All-Star pools and those staying at Disney’s Port Orleans can use both Riverside and French Quarter pools.

Pools vary by Disney World Resort type

While all the pools are very nice at the Disney World Resorts they are certainly not all equal. You can start narrowing things down just by the type of resort you choose:

Value Resorts: These pools are just a very large open pool more like a community swimming pool. The area around the pool has some really fun decor surrounding the pool, but the pools themselves are fairly simple. There will be at least two large pools at each value resort. You might also find a small splash area for little ones at some of the value resorts.
Moderate Resorts: The pools at moderate resorts are a definite step up. The awesomeness of the pool areas vary from resort to resort. The pool area is unique to each resort, beautifully fitting the theme of the resort. The pool is large with a waterslide or two and fun water elements. You will also find a splash area. Since these resorts are larger there are also a simple, quiet pools or two around the resort.
Deluxe Resorts and Villas: These resorts have the best pool areas. You could spend the day at these pools and have fun all day. They have multiple slides and at some resorts, they are quite long. You also will find beach areas at some and zero-entry for little ones.

Using the Disney World Resort pools in 2020/2021

Due to COVID-19 there are a few changes at the pools.

Pools will have reduced capacity.
Since park hours aren’t as long many guests are wanting to go to the pools later in the day, so plan accordingly.
Featured pools (the big ones near the main building with the cool slides) may have reduced hours
Leisure pools (the quiet ones away from the main building in Moderate and Deluxe Resorts) are open 24 hours.
Masks for guests 2 and up are required in all public areas including the pool area.

BUT, GUESS WHAT! If you are swimming you don’t have to have your mask on making this one of the only places you can go mask free. That is an awesome benefit of going to the pools at your Disney World Resort.

3 Awesome Pools at Disney World

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

The pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, called Stormalong Bay, is one of the best on Disney World property. You will love the zero-entry beachy area and the wrecked pirate ship waterslide. This waterslide is one of the longest you will find. Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas is a Deluxe Resort.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

The pirate ship waterslide at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort makes this one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — The pirate ship waterslide is a long journey of fun across the walkway and into the pool on the other side.

A quiet pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach pool is a great place to spend a day out of the park. If you stay at this resort you will love the large pool with fun slides. Your young kids will love the nearby pirate ship splash area. Something fun for everyone! In each “country” there is a also a smaller simple pool. While the main pool area isn’t too far away it is really convenient to have a pool just steps from your room. Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort.

The slides and Caribbean feel at Disney's Caribbean Beach make it one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — One of the fun slides at the pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach.

Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

The pirate ship splash area at Disney's Caribbean Beach is one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — Pirate ship splash area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

One of the quiet pools at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

Disney’s Pop Century

The value resort, Disney’s Pop Century, has three different pools to choose from. They are big and open and there is lots of room for everyone. Around the pool areas, you will find some fun activities and games as well as lots of chairs for lounging around. The giant Twister is a ton of fun! Disney’s Pop Century is a fantastic value resort option.

The Computer Pool at Disney's Pop Century is one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century

Unfortunately, the Hippy Dippy Pool is not pictured because it was under construction when I visited. The Hippy Dippy Pool is a fun flower shape and has some really nice water elements and a small splash area for little ones.

One last awesome feature of Disney World Resort Pools…

The pools at the Disney World Resorts are all heated to 82 degrees. This means that they can stay open all year round. They do close them during bad weather and really low temperatures but you wouldn’t want to be out there then anyway.

Do you have a favorite pool at a Disney World Resort? Do you have a question about the pools at one of the other Disney World Resorts? Please let me know in the comments below!

Would you like help picking out the perfect Disney World Resort for your family vacation in 2021? Contact me and we can get started planning a fabulous Disney World vacation right away!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

A Guide to Disney World Resort Categories

At Walt Disney World there are 20+ resorts you can choose to stay at. It can be mind-boggling trying to figure out which one is best for your family. There are different price points, different amenities, different dining choices, different locations ect. You might be wondering how do I narrow down my choices? You don’t want to make a mistake and pick the wrong place to stay but how do you know which one is right. This guide to Disney World resorts is going to help clear up some of your confusion. Read on as the Walt Disney World resort types are explained!

Disney’s Deluxe Resort Hotels

This guide introduces Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, a deluxe resort option at Disney World. — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

The Deluxe resorts are Disney’s most luxurious resorts on property. These resorts are some of the most conveniently located places to stay in Disney World.

Check out the awesome features:

Nearby transportation that makes navigating Disney World easier
Multiple themed table-service restaurants at the resort
Signature dining onsite
Room Service available
A small, quick-service marketplace
Spacious rooms (larger than other resorts)
Best pool areas
Amazing theming all throughout the resort
Rooms are accessed inside the building
Balconies and patios in some rooms

The Deluxe Resorts are:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Let me just talk about the transportation for a moment. I think that the easy transportation from some of the Deluxe resorts is one of the big reasons to stay at one of these resorts.

Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Polynesian, and Disney’s Grand Floridian are all on the Monorail route. There is a Monorail station almost inside the resort with direct access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot with one quick transfer. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has water taxi access right to Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club as well as Disney’s BoardWalk Inn are a quick walk to Epcot’s International Gateway. These deluxe resorts are also within walking distance to Hollywood Studios. Connecting these resorts and these two parks is also the Friendship Boats and the Skyliner.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only resort that doesn’t have a mode of quick transportation to a park. BUT, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge there are animals in the Savannah right outside your balcony. That’s pretty awesome!

Disney’s Deluxe Villas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas with safari animals

The next resort category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Deluxe Villas. At each of the deluxe resorts, a villa resort is attached. Disney’s Riviera, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Old Key West Resort are stand-alone villa resorts. The villas are mainly for Disney Vacation Club but you can book rooms in these resorts when available. The villa resorts are fabulous for larger groups and families because they have 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites, multiple bathrooms, living area, dining area, kitchen, washer, and dryer. The villas can use the resort pools, restaurants, and other amenities.

The Villa Resorts are:

Bay Lake Towers at Disney’s Contemporary
Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas–Jambo House and Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Moderate Resorts

A guide to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, a moderate category option at Disney World. — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The moderate resorts on Disney World property and a really nice middle of the road option. Moderate resorts are large, spread out resorts with some great features.

Some of the Moderate features:

Beautiful landscaping
Fun themes
Very nice pool areas
One table-service restaurant
Large, quick-service dining hall
Activities such as fishing, biking, etc.
Moderate sized rooms
Multiple bus stops
Enter rooms from outside (many smaller buildings make up resort)
Parking a little more convenient to your room as there are multiple parking lots
Convenient transportation to one or two parks or Disney Springs (except Coronado Springs)

The moderate resorts are:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans–Riverside and French Quarter
Disney’s Coronado Springs
Cabins at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground

Many guests really like this resort category. You feel like you are staying somewhere special but its not quite as expensive. Moderates have things to do at the resort that make a stay-and-play-day a bit more fun. It is also nice to have dining options at your resort. I especially love Disney’s Caribbean Beach because of the Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Value Resorts

A guide to Disney's Pop Century, a value resort that has a simple computer pool. — The Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

The last category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Value Resorts. At Disney World, these are the least expensive option. This category is well-loved by families that are only looking for a place to sleep. They spend most of their time and the parks and the place to stay isn’t nearly as important. They want most their budget to go to the parks, dining and souvenirs and not where they lay their head.

Here are a few of the Value Resort features:

Spread out with multiple large buildings
Covered stairwells are outside the building and the entrance to the room is also outside (except at Art of Animation).
Larger than life outdoor
Pools are large but simple (no slides, small splash area).
Only a quick-service dining hall but it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you won’t go hungry.
Rooms are simple without too much decor unless you are at Art of Animation.
One bus stop

The Value Resorts are:

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort

If you have a larger family the value resorts might be a great option for you. The Art of Animation has quite a few family suites that have 1-bedroom/2 baths (not full) and sleep 6. The All-Star Music also has family suites that sleep 6.

The All-Start Resorts are quite far away from all of the parks and require bus transportation everywhere. Art of Animation and Pop Century are on the Disney Skyliner route. They were already the favorites of the value category but now they are going to be in even more demand. It will be important to book these early, especially during the busy times of year.

Well, I hope that helps you not be quite as confused about which type of resort would be best for your family. Have more questions? Want info to book a Disney World stay? Click the button above and contact me!