Certain things are exactly the same at all Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. You have access, for an extra charge per every 24 hours, to high speed Internet service. Each Deluxe Resort offers suite options (at a premium price) and concierge services (suite not necessary). Concierge services offer itinerary planning and limited food service throughout the day. Deluxe resorts have amazing theming where no stone is left unturned, and most rooms sleep five, plus a child under the age of 3. The rooms are larger by far than value or moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. There is a variety of dining—upscale sit-down, moderate sit-down, counter service, room service and bars (pool and traditional). There is no doubt about it, the best resorts at Walt Disney World are the deluxe resorts.
Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is located adjacent to the Animal Kingdom theme park. The theme of the resort is followed throughout the property both inside and outside the resort. You are meant to feel as though you are in a South African Village, and you do, in fact, feel transported to Africa. Outside the resort the gardens resemble what you would find in an Africa village. The Resort itself is made of darker wood, extensively carved, and is of Kraal African village design. The bedspreads, curtains, and carpeting are reminiscent of an African Hotel. The rooms are the smallest of the deluxe resort rooms at 344 square feet.
There are different “Savannahs” filled with animals you would find on an Africa Savannah. Even if you do not have a Savannah view room, you will find plenty of look-out areas to see and enjoy the animals. The resort offers plenty of activities for you to check-out the culture and keep yourself entertained. Some of the best restaurants in all of Walt Disney World are located at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort also sports a kids club for kids ages 4-12 (and potty-trained) to hang-out (for an additional charge) from 4 PM to midnight. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a dedicated bus system.
Walt Disney World’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts are located in the Epcot Area on Disney’s Boardwalk. The Beach Club and Yacht Club are sister resorts, connected in the middle by Stormalong Bay, a large pool and splash park complete with water slide, sandy bottom, whirlpools, and water currents. Each resort shares transportation and is within walking distance to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Yacht Club has a kids club available for potty-trained children ages 4- 12 for an additional charge. Being on the Boardwalk, there are plenty of restaurants, nightlife, and water activities available.
The Beach Club is designed to follow the seaside of New England near the turn of the century (20th not the 21st). The seashore theme is clear throughout the resort. The Yacht Club is fashioned after seaside hotels of the turn of the century. There are hardwood floors, brass accents to give a strong nautical feel. The Beach Club would be considered more relaxed, while the Yacht Club has more formal feel. Each has rooms that average 381 square feet.
Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Inn is located in the Epcot Area, directly across Crescent Lake from the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts, and is within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. If you choose to stay at the Boardwalk Inn, you would be within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Boardwalk is themed to take you back to Atlantic City in the 1940s.
The Boardwalk uses the entire Boardwalk as its amenities, as far as dining goes. It does also have a bar/lounge area that serves breakfast. The hallways are narrow (not good for a stroller) and the resort is spread out. The Boardwalk Inn also has DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Villas on one portion. It is subtly and tastefully decorated, and has a unique gingerbread display of a life-sized carousal during the Christmas season. The Boardwalk Inn also has business/conference facilities.
Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort is located in the Magic Kingdom Area on the monorail, and is also within a 5 minute walk to the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort is meant to be themed as a futuristic look at modernism. In reality, it looks like a fairly campy version of a 70s sci-fi movie. The dining is good; having the ever popular Chef Mickey’s located on the ground floor and the Californian Grill on the 15th floor. This is the one monorail resort where the monorail actually runs through the resort—reason enough to stay there! The Cotemporary Resort has some of the largest rooms of all the deluxe resorts.
Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian is located in the Magic Kingdom Area on the monorail and is considered the flagship resort. The Grand Floridian is themed in Victorian Age style and has a total of 6 buildings. The building with the main lobby is concierge rooms only. If you are attending or having a wedding at Walt Disney World, it is most likely going to be at the Grand Floridian Resort. There are two pools, a spa and Walt Disney World’s only adult-only restaurant: Victoria and Alberts. Many people will describe the Grand Floridian as stuffy, but you will find many children staying there.
Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort is located in the Magic Kingdom Area on the monorail. With a little ingenuity, you can take the monorail directly to the Magic Kingdom (from the resort) or to Epcot (by first walking to the Ticket and Transportation Center). There are two pools—the Volcano Pool and the Quiet Pool. There is plenty for children to do, including the Neverland Kids Club. The Spirit of Aloha dinner show also takes place at the Polynesian Resort.
The theme is to make you feel as though you are in the Polynesian Islands. There are several 2 or 3-story longhouses that resort rooms are located in. The Polynesian Resort is a huge favorite among guests. At 409 square feet for an average room, you will find yourself with plenty of space.
Walt Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge is located in the Magic Kingdom Area, but not on the monorail. There is a boat that will take you directly to the Magic Kingdom, but you will need to take busses to all other theme parks. Being in the Wilderness Lodge is meant to feel as though you are close to the national parks; there is even a geyser that you can see go off frequently.
Amenities abound at the Wilderness Lodge. There is some of the most unique dining, Roaring Forks Café, plenty for children to do, a playground with a beach (swimming not allowed). You can rent a bike, hike on over to Fort Wilderness to partake in the amenities over there, or sit by the pool all day. There is also a Kids Club, Cub Den, at Wilderness Lodge.
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