There is a wonderful range of resort options for guests at Walt Disney World, but which resort category should you choose? Sometimes the price helps your decision, but what about those times when you’re on the cusp of a resort category? Will the differences be worth the upgrade? This post takes a closer look at the room and amenities differences at Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts. Compare the details below with my Moderate Resort and Value Resort posts.

DELUXE RESORTS

Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resort category includes the largest number of resorts. Because of this, it is the most complicated to summarize. There are technically two Deluxe categories: Deluxe and Deluxe Villa. The Deluxe Villa properties are Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts, Disney’s timeshare arm, but they can also be booked by the public. A few Deluxe Villas are stand-alone resorts (Riviera, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West), but most co-exist with another Deluxe resort. For the sake of simplicity in this post, because so many of them co-exist, I’m going to speak about Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts together as a whole. I will call out differences when I feel like it affects a guest’s experience.

Generally, as explained above, you can consider that there are eleven Deluxe Resorts: Grand Floridian Resort (and Villas), the Polynesian (and Villas), the Contemporary (and Bay Lake Tower Villas), the Boardwalk Inn (and Villas), the Beach Club (and Villas), the Yacht Club, Animal Kingdom Lodge (with Jambo House Villas and Kidani Villas), Wilderness Lodge (with Copper Creek Villas and Boulder Ridge Villas), Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West. These resorts boast immersive themes with upscale amenities… more of everything! Each resort offers more room types, rooms themselves are larger with plush furniture, and the resorts include recreation and dining options aplenty. Most Deluxe Resorts feature a large, beautifully themed lobby and are located very close to at least one theme park.

STANDARD ROOMS

• Standard rooms at Disney Deluxe Resorts range from 344 – 394 square feet and include two Queen beds or one king bed. Most Standard rooms also include a day bed to sleep up to five adult guests (plus an infant).
• Most Deluxe Resort room doors open to interior hallways. These provide an extra layer of security and more of a hotel feel. At many Deluxe resorts, these hallways provide easy access to shops, guest services, and dining without braving the elements. Some Deluxe Resorts are made up of several separate buildings but guest room buildings still offer interior hallways. The exceptions to the hallway rule are Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, where all rooms open to the outside.
• Standard room bathrooms are larger and don’t face directly into the sleeping area like they do at Value and Moderate resorts. The vanity area provides two sinks, and additional bath and body products for guests. Closets are large with a hanging bar and door.
• Furnishings in Deluxe rooms are plush and substantial, closer to what you might find in a home. Rooms are themed to their resort by color palette, subtle characters that match the theme (for example, Bambi at Wilderness Lodge), and in details such as accessories and artwork.
• Deluxe Resort rooms also feature a patio (1st floor rooms) or balcony with furniture. These provide a wonderful private spot for morning coffee or evening drinks and conversation while the children fall asleep.

SUITES

• A limited number of Suites are available at all non-DVC Deluxe resorts. If the resort lists Villas in its room options, it does not offer Suites, and vice versa.
• Suites are different from Villas in that Suites include a wet bar instead of a full kitchen and do not include laundry machines. They are usually quite large and have a more formal feel. Compared to Villas, Suites resemble an upscale hotel while Villas are more like a vacation home.
• Some Suites do not appear in the online inventory and must be called in to book.

VILLAS, CABINS & BUNGALOWS

• Villas are located in DVC resorts and are defined as 1, 2, or 3-Bedroom. Deluxe Studios (and Tower Studios at Riviera) are the single room option at DVC resorts and are somewhat similar to Standard Rooms.
• Villas are vacation home-like accommodations and include a king bed in the master bedroom, full kitchen, dining area, living area, and laundry machines. Villas also provide at least one patio (1st floor) or balcony.
• One-Bedroom Villas sleep up to 4 or 5 guests, depending on the resort. Two-Bedroom Villas sleep up to 8 or 9 guests, depending on the resort. Three-Bedroom Villas sleep up to 12 guests.
• Old Key West was the first DVC resort and boasts the largest Villas.
• Copper Creek Cabins at Wilderness Lodge are large waterfront 2-Bedroom Luxury Cabins that sleep up to 8 guests. They offer similar amenities to 2-Bedroom Villas with the addition of a private porch and hot tub.
• The Polynesian Bungalows are large over-the-water 2-Bedroom Luxury Bungalows that sleep up to 8 guests. They offer similar amenities to 2-Bedroom Villas with the addition of a private deck and plunge pool.

POOLS

• Each Deluxe resort boasts at least two pools, with the main pool featuring at least one water slide.
• Pools are shaped and themed to the resort, and include fountain/splash features, hot tubs, decorative structures, and/or a zero entry.
• Splash areas for little ones are located at each resort near the feature pool. Many Deluxe resorts also feature a themed splash play structure with slides for guests 48″ and under.
• Pool decks at most Deluxe resorts include fabric loungers, although cushioned loungers may also be found. Some pool decks also include cozy cushioned seating areas. Several Deluxe resorts offer private poolside cabanas available to rent with luxurious lounge furniture and snacks.
• The Beach Club and Yacht Club are sister resorts and share the largest pool complex on property, Stormalong Bay. Guests of Bay Lake Tower have access to a private pool area as well as the Contemporary’s pools.

SHOPPING & DINING

• Each Deluxe Resort features at least one Quick Service dining option and at least one Table Service restaurant, along with a lounge (or two or three).
• About two-thirds of the Deluxe Resorts offer a character dining experience.
• About half of the Deluxe Resorts offer a fine dining Signature Restaurant, with steak and seafood selections along with a mild dress code.
• A pool bar provides refreshments for guests near the feature pool.
• The main building of each resort also houses at least one gift shop with a wide variety of souvenirs, snacks, a selection of grocery items, and pharmacy-type products.

RECREATION

• As expected, Disney Deluxe Resorts offer the most recreation options of the resort categories. Beyond the recreation included at all resorts (pool-side games, Movies Under the Stars, a playground, and an arcade), you’ll find activities such as: evening campfires, fishing or fishing excursions, a fitness center, volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, bocce ball, pool, shuffleboard, jogging trails, yoga, painting classes, surrey bike or bike rentals, boat rentals and specialty cruises. Double check the Recreation tab at each resort’s link (top of page) to find out what recreation is included at each resort. Some activities require an additional fee.
• DVC resorts include Community Halls which offer complimentary ping-pong, foosball, arts and crafts, video games, DVDs, board games and more.

TRANSPORTATION

• Deluxe Resorts offer the most variety of transportation options for guests.
• No resort is close to all parks and so bus service is offered at every resort. Three Deluxe Resorts only offer bus service to the theme parks: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West.
• Three resorts enjoy monorail access to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot: the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian.
• The Riviera Resort is on the Skyliner route which provides access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot (along with Caribbean Beach, Pop Century and Art of Animation Resort). Note that the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk are in walking distance to the Epcot Skyliner station.
• Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary provide boat service between each other and to the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness.
• The Polynesian and Grand Floridian provide boat service between each other and to the Magic Kingdom.
• Contemporary guests and Grand Floridian guests enjoy a walkway to the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary offers the shorter walk.
• Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club guests are in walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, or they can relax and enjoy Disney’s boat service to these parks.
• Saratoga Springs and Old Key West feature boat service to nearby Disney Springs. Saratoga Springs also offers a walkway to Disney Springs.

LOCATION

• Most Deluxe Resorts enjoy prime locations on property and are close to at least one theme park.
• The Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge are close to the Magic Kingdom.
• The Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club are centrally located, sitting right between Epcot and Hollywood Studios (in walking distance to both).
• Animal Kingdom Lodge is near Animal Kingdom theme park, a short 5 minute bus ride away. This is the farthest Deluxe resort from the Magic Kingdom.
• The Riviera is located near Epcot, a short Skyliner ride away.
• Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are very close to Disney Springs instead of a theme park.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES

• The Grand Floridian Resort offers a large onsite spa with a variety of services.
• About half of the Deluxe Resorts offer Business Centers.

CLUB LEVEL

• Club Level Service is available for a variety of room types at each non-DVC resort (those that do not offer Villas).
• Guests have access to an exclusive Club Level lounge offering a breakfast selection, heavy appetizers, snacks, desserts, and drinks (both alcoholic and non) throughout the day.
• Club Level Service includes evening turndown service. It also includes personal assistance from Signature Services for help securing your dining and activity reservations.

Deluxe Resorts offer the best amenities and locations on property. When proximity to a theme park, larger rooms, and extra amenities are on your list, you’ll most likely enjoy a Deluxe resort the most.

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