Wading Through the Disney Lodging Choices

Disney All Star Movies Resort at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom Park Area

Disney All-Star Movies Resort

Thinking of staying in Disney lodging? There's so many to chose from, how do you know which one is right for your vacation? Here's a quick and easy overview of Disney hotels, to maybe help you decide.

Disney All-Star Movies Resort VS. Disney All-Star Music Resort

Disney All-Star Movies Resort is, obviously geared towards movie fanatics. Particularly, Disney movie fanatics of all ages. It's located in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park area, and offers movie-themed guest rooms and a movie-themed food court. Disney All-Star Music resort, is just down the street from the All-Star Movies Resort, and it offers basically the same thing just with different themes. The guest rooms are music-themed, as well as the food court. The All-Star Movies Resort has a Fantasia Pool, "Mighty Ducks" pond and a kiddie pool. The All-Star Music Resort has a guitar shaped pool, a piano pool, and a kiddie pool. Both resorts have arcades, and both offer childcare services. The All-Star Movies resort offers in-room pizza delivery and a children's playground. Mostly, these two hotel are identical in services and amenities, the only real factor in making a decision is which theme appeals to you and your family more.

Disney All-Star Sports Resort

This resort is much like the other two mentioned above, except obviously, with a sports theme. It's located in the same area, with sports-themed guest rooms, and an End Zone food court. It also has an arcade and children's playground. It also features Surfboard Bay swimming pool. Childcare services are also available at this resort.

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge VS.Disney Beach Club Resort

These are two very different resorts, located only about 3 miles apart, with some very different services and amenities. Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African inspired resort, whereas Disney Beach Club Resort is obviously inspired by the beautiful sandy beaches of Florida. Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge offers safari-themed guest rooms, and the rooms at Disney Beach Club Resort, while they may not be directly beach-themed, are decorated with light colors and materials for a fresh, breezy feel. For dining, Animal Kingdom Lodge has three different dining areas that serve African and American food. Disney Beach Club Resort has several choices for dining, even an authentic clambake at one of their on-site cafe's. Both resorts have arcades, childcare services, courtesy shuttles, and room service. Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge has a giant pool with an enormous 67 foot long water slide and wading pools. Disney Beach Club Resort features Stormalong Bay, a 3 acre, swimmers dream. The pools have sandy bottoms, lagoons, a heated kiddie pool, and small and large water slides. Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge offers their guests a guided safari, where they can see real animals like giraffes, elephants, and more, in their natural habitats, right there at the resort! While Disney Beach Club Resort has a 24-hour children's playground, white sandy beaches, and tropical cabanas. The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a fitness and massage center, along with a sauna, but the Beach Club Resort has tennis courts.

Disney Beach Club Villas

These villas are part of the Disney Beach Club Resort, so they offer all the same services and amenities. However, with a villa, you do have more space, and sometimes, little extra amenities that standard guest rooms don't usually have. Villas have kitchens, living rooms, and all the comforts of a summer home.

Disney Boardwalk Inn

This hotel really does have something for everyone. It's more of a 20th century-themed hotel, and it's full of nostalgia. The guest rooms are beautiful decorated in neutral tones, and offer private patios or balconies. There are sports bars, shopping opportunities, family cafes, and elegant nightspots. It has an arcade, as well as a swimming pool with a water slide. You can even take a boat ride or cruise, visit the health club, or participate in a tennis match.

Disney Boardwalk Villas

These villas are located on the Disney Boardwalk Inn property, so once again, they offer all the same services and amenities, plus a little extra. They have kitchens, living rooms, and all the other comforts of home.

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort VS. Disney Contemporary Resort

These two resorts probably couldn't be much more different in style and decor. Disney Caribbean Beach Resort is a beach bunnies paradise. The guest rooms have a tropical feel, and there are six different heated pools for your enjoyment. There's a volleyball court available, as well as watercraft rentals. There are several places to dine at inside this resort, serving both American and Caribbean cuisine.
Disney Contemporary Resort is full of bold colors and sleek angles, both are present in their tastefully decorated guest rooms. This resort offers it's own sandy beaches for volleyball and other types of fun in the sun. There's a 24 hour playground across from the marina, a fitness center, multiple dining options, tennis courts, childcare services, an arcade, enormous pools with fountains, hot tubs, and massage services are available.

Disney Coronado Springs VS. Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney Coronado Springs is much like the other Disney Resorts, except with a Latin twist. It incorporates elements from Spain, Mexico, and New Mexico, into every inch of this resort. There are three heated pools, including one that was built to look like a Mayan-ruin dig site. There are several on-site dining choices, serving Latin American and American cuisine, and there's an outdoor market. It has all the usual amenities and services you've come to expect from Disney like, an arcade, childcare services, health club, sand volleyball, children's playground, and more.
Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa can do for you exactly what it says it will, offer you the ultimate Florida experience. The resort is decorated in a Victorian style, and is geared toward pampering you and your family. There are waterfalls at the Beach Pool, a courtyard pool, a kiddie pool, and obviously, a spa. There a few dining options, even a place for afternoon tea. They also offer all the Disney regulars like, childcare services, a fitness center, an arcade, tennis courts, and more. There are also scheduled children's events, that make time for things like having tea with Disney characters and more.

Disney Polynesian Resort

This resort is much like Disney Coronado Springs, in that is themed like another certain destination. This resort offers a Hawaiian twist to your Florida vacation. It has large palm trees and white sand beaches, much like the others, but this one also has koi ponds, volcanic rocks, and authentic Luau's. It has two heated pools, including the Nanea Volcano Pool, complete with a grotto slide, and a wet play area for kids. Of course, it has all the usual Disney amenities, too. There's the state-of-the-art fitness club, childcare services, a spa, an arcade, unique dining choices, and more.

Disney Pop Centure Classic Years

This is a unique resort, even for Disney. It celebrates the fashions, catch phrases, toys, dances, and other pop culture phenomena that have captivated the word over the years. Guest rooms, resort facilities, and decor are inspired by and themed in fads from the 50's through the 90's. Run around underneath the giant foosball playing field before heading off to one of many pools. There's the Computer Pool, a 60's Hippy Dippy Pool, a Bowling Pool, a kiddie pool, and a Pop jet water fountain. There's also an arcade, childcare services, food court, children's playground, restaurants, and lounges.

Disney Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter VS. Disney Port Orleans Resort

These two resorts are very much alike, both being themed after the Big Easy. The French Quarter Resort has cobblestone walks, ornate railings, and cajun-style cuisine. Winding through the property is the Sassagoula River, lined with beautiful New Orleans gardens. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage ride along the river. There's an outdoor pool, restaurants and lounges, an arcade, a sauna, childcare services, and all the other usual Disney amenities. 

Disney Port Orleans Resort, is a little less "fancy", and is supposed to be a little more like the Louisiana countryside. This is a waterfront resort, with leisurely boat rides available to take you down the river. The guest rooms are fashionable and comfortable. There are five heated pools located in Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. It also offers horse-drawn carriage rides down the riverside. There are many on-site dining options, featuring Cajun and Southern cuisine, one of which is located next to a 32-foot water wheel that operates a working cotton press. They also features an arcade and childcare services.

Disney Saratoga Springs

If you've ever dreamed about going back in time and visiting New York in the 1800's, this is the closest you'll probably ever get. It features Victorian architecture and lakeside plazas with guest rooms offering full kitchen, living area, and laundry facility. Here, you can play tennis, shuffleboard, basketball, and more.  The resort also has a video arcade and playground for children as several swimming pools. A community hall is also located on site and here guests can enjoy arts & crafts, board games, and other fun activities. There is also a full service restaurant inspired by an artist's loft where guests will enjoy a variety of dishes.

Disney Wilderness Lodge

This resort displays the rustic side of Disney. There are beaches, pools, games, a children's playground, and a beautiful lake. Sit down around a roaring campfire to a hearty meal served family-style overlooking a forested view serving smoked barbecue, seafood and an extravaganza of smoked meats with all the fixin's. The guest rooms are decorated with nature in mind. You can even catch a Disney movie after dark and under the stars. They also offer childcare services, an arcade, hot tubs, a fitness center, and a 24-hour children's playground.

Disney Yacht Club Resort

This is a nautical-themed resort, full of lush gardens. There are two pools, a kiddie pool, spa, sauna, lagoons, and a three-acre water park with sandy bottomed pools and water slides. There are many on-site dining options, childcare services, barber/beauty shop, tennis courts, and more.

There are a ton of options, when it comes to staying with Disney. However, no matter what you decide, every resort is dedicated to ensuring that you have an enchanting, magical, and delightful stay. Most of these resorts offer a lot of the same services and amenities, it really just comes down to which one fits your style. No matter what you chose, you're sure to have an amazing time.