Disney World planning tips: There are types of resorts at Disney World?

Absolutely!  And before you make a reservation, it would be best if you knew the difference in the types of resorts.  That's what we will work on in this section so you will be well informed when you make that big first step.  By now, you have probably realized the discounts on rooms and packages are different for the different types of rooms.  These differences in discounts could mean it's only a few dollars more for you to actually stay in your dream resort.  That's important!

First is the value resorts.  Value just means inexpensive, not cheap on decor or fun.  Actually, I love the value resorts.  There are four value resorts right now with another one being completed to be opened in the future.  The four are All Star Music, All Star Movies, All Star Sports, and Pop Century.  The decorations at the value resorts is over the top!  There are huge icons outside the buildings, such as huge dalmations (as in three stories high!) in front of the dalmations buildings at All Star Movies, huge footballs at All Star Sports, and huge Rubik's Cubes outside Pop Century.  All of the value resorts have atleast two pools that are themed to go with the resort, such as the guitar pool and the piano pool at All Star Music,  These pools are huge, but do not have slides like the Moderate and Deluxe resorts.  If you need a slide, then a value may not be for you.  Each of the value resorts have a food court with many options for quick, tasty dining.  Each room sleeps up to four people, unless you reserve a Family Suite.  Did I tell you how much fun I have and how much I love the value resorts?  My favorite for teens is All Star Music and All Star Movies for smaller children.

Second is the moderate resorts.  The moderate resorts are a little larger than the value resorts and have a slide at the main pool.  The decorations are not so over the top and childlike but have a theme that unlike any other.  The moderate resorts are Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside.  The decorations are a beach theme for Caribbean Beach, an Mexican theme for Coronado Springs, New Orleans Mardi Gras for Port Orleans French Quarter, and an antebellum theme for Port Orleans Riverside.  Each resort has it's own pools as well as food court and restaurant.  Both Port Orleans resorts have access to boat docks for a relaxing trip to Downtown Disney or you can rent smaller boats or bicycles to tour the resorts.  All of the moderate resorts sleep four people except for the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside which sleeps five.  My favorite moderate resort is Port Orleans Riverside for it's relaxing river right outside the rooms and Old South theming.

Third is the deluxe resorts.  The deluxe resorts are Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and the Boardwalk resorts.  The deluxe resorts have everything you would expect them to have including valet parking, over the  top pools, plush rooms, queen beds (as oppose to the full size ones at the value and moderate resorts), several table service restaurants, room service, and children's "daycare" style activities.  To eat at the resort table service restaurants, please be sure to make a reservation so that you are not disappointed when they are booked up.  There are character meals that book quickly, like Chef Mickeys, as well as Boma and Ohana.  The most over the top pool, Stormalong Bay, on site is at the Beach and Yacht Clubs and you must have a resort ID to enter.  The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk are the closest to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, while Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary are the closest to the Magic Kingdom.  My favorite deluxe resort is Beach Club for it's awesome pool, proximity to EPCOT, and character breakfast at Cape May Cafe.

Lastly is the deluxe villa.  The deluxe villas are Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Treehouse Villas,  and Wilderness Lodge Villas.  The villas are super deluxe resorts with all the comforts of home including a kitchen and laudry area.  Each villa resort either has it's own pools and restaurants or share with the parent resort.  The rooms are furnished with queen beds and some have awesome views of the parks similar to what the deluxe resorts have.  My favorite of the villas is the Treehouse Villas because they were originally designed by Walt Disney.

So there you have a broad overview of the resort types.  There is so much more to tell about the resorts that will have to wait until we do a more comprehensive look at the resorts.  Keep checking back to learn all about the special parts of each resort;)