Are you trying to figure out Disney Resort Levels and Pricing so that you can make the best resort choice for your Disney vacation? Disney Resort Tiers can get confusing! The struggle is real, we totally get it. If you go too cheap you might miss out on something. But why go expensive when you’ll be in the parks all day anyway? While some of these decisions you’ll have to figure out on your own, we pulled together this guide and Disney Resort Tier List so you know which resorts are in which Disney Resort Category and what to expect at each of the Disney World Resort Tier Levels, to help you make the best choice for Choosing a Disney Resort.
Contents
- 1 Disney Resort Tiers at Walt Disney World
- 2 Disney Resort Categories
- 3 Disney Resort Tiers List by Price
- 4 Disney Value Resorts Tier
- 5 Disney Value Plus Resorts Tier
- 6 Disney Moderate Resorts Tier
- 7 Disney Deluxe Resorts Tier
- 8 Disney Deluxe Villas Tier
- 9 Disney Resorts with Club Level
- 10 Disney Good Neighbor Hotels Off-Site
Disney Resort Tiers at Walt Disney World
What are Disney World Resort Tiers? Separated into three levels of Disney resorts, these groups or tiers of Disney Resorts are divide hotels by price ranges, amenities, location to the parks, and transportation options. As such, the higher the Disney Resort tier, the better. However, since we all can’t afford $1000+ per night at a Deluxe villa, many of us will have to make to do with the best we can afford. That’s where this Disney Resort Tier List comes in. Staying at a resort on Disney Property, no matter the cost comes with certain perks you can depend on. Transportation on the Disney bus system, use of the resort pool, and access to the resort gift shop, cafeteria, and laundry building are all included. But one of the biggest perks is Early Theme Park Entry and early Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane access. These things are included in a Disney Resort stay regardless of the Disney World resort tier. Nevertheless, there may be things that you really need on vacation, like on site access to a coffee shop at your resort.
Does where you stay at Disney World Really Matter?
When we travel, there are usually a few things we’re aiming to do, and most of it involves food, and parties. As a result, we most like the resorts are close to the parks. Mainly so we don’t have to wait in hour long lines at the Disney buses at midnight. That said, when we choose Disney Resort Tiers now, we typically assess transportation FIRST. Yes, you read that right, the very unattractive topic of “transportation” is what determines the Disney Resort category we choose. Our go to Disney Resorts as a result tend to be Pop Century and Caribbean Beach, both on the Disney Skyliner line for easy access to EPCOT and festivals. Fort Wilderness Resort and Disney Wilderness Lodge, both close to Magic Kingdom and accessible via boat transportation. And any of the hotels on the Disney Boardwalk, within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
For us, making vacation easy is important. But for you, perhaps staying on budget is more important, at which point you’d choose a Value resort instead. Note that all Disney Resorts are good in some way, and each offers a great Disney experience. So, lets dive into this Disney Resort Tier List so you can choose the best resort for your next family vacation.
Disney Resort Categories
Resort Categories at Walt Disney World separate Disney hotels based on price, quality, theme, amenities, restaurants on property, transportation options, and more. Choosing your Disney Resort can be both easy and complicated, but these categories can help. For instance, Disney Value Resorts typically offers bus-only transportation. As such if you’re looking for alternate ways to get to the parks, you may want to choose a different category. Alternatively, Deluxe Resorts at Disney are the most expensive. So, if you’re on a budget, or plan to spend all day in the parks, a deluxe resort may not be a good choice. We’ll break down the Disney World Resort Tiers by categories; Value, Value Plus, Moderate and Deluxe.
What are the Disney World Resort Tiers Categories?
The Resort Categories at Disney World are separated into three Disney resort tiers or levels; Value and Value Plus, Moderate, and Deluxe. The Deluxe category also includes Villas and Disney Club-Level Options. These Disney World Resort Tiers differ in price, amenities, location, transportation options, and perks. They also differ in theme! For example, you’ll see from this Disney World Resort Category list that the Value Resorts are by far the most kid-friendly, with large Disney statues and character themes! Whereas the Deluxe Resorts are best for adults looking to feel like they’re on vacation, but not necessarily at Disney.
What are the Best Disney Resorts in each Disney Resort Tier Category?
Choosing the best Disney Resort at each of the Disney World Resort Tiers is simply a matter of preference. And many people will differ in their opinions of what makes a Disney Resort the “Best”. But for our money, we do have favorites. In our opinion, these are the best Disney Resorts in each category.
- Best Disney Value Resort: All-Star Movies
- Best Disney Value Plus Resort: Pop Century Resort
- Best Disney Moderate Resort: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Best Disney Deluxe Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Best Disney Club-Level: Coronado Springs Resort
Disney Resort Tiers List by Price
A Disney Resorts List by Price can be helpful in helping you decide between resorts. But you should add your resorts to the Compare Disney Resorts Calculator, so you can get a detailed look at the price differences for your specific vacation dates. The resorts are listed from cheapest to most expensive. Keep in mind that choosing the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World gets you on the lower end of the price range.
Disney Value Resorts
Value Resorts at Disney World are wonderful hotels. Complete with Disney theming, if you’re looking for something that helps you feel like you’re at Disney, then these resorts do that. Be sure to grab a refillable mug at the commissary, so that you can get refills throughout your stay!
- Disney Value Resorts $100-400/ night, $220/ night average
- All-Star Sports
- All-Star Music
- All-Star Movies
- The Campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
Disney Value Plus Resorts
Both Pop Century Resort and the Art of Animation Resorts are included in the Disney Value Plus Category. Offering the amazing Disney Skyliner as alternative transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you can also find Disney’s Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms at this level.
- Disney Value Plus Resorts $150-580/ night, 250/ night average, 500/ night for a Family Suite
- Pop Century
- Art of Animation – Little Mermaid Standard
- Art of Animation Family Suite
Disney Moderate Resorts
The Disney Moderate Resorts are often some of the best. With deluxe level amenities, and a better price point, this Disney Resort Level is one we like best for families looking to feel like they’re on vacation. Less crazy than the value resorts, these Disney hotels often include multiple pools, restaurants, and a quieter atmosphere. This level also includes the Royal Princess Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort as well as the New Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney Carribbean Beach Resort.
- Disney Moderate Resorts $190- 600/ night, 300/ night average
- Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
- Port Orleans Resort Riverside
- Coronado Springs
- Caribbean Beach
- Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Disney Deluxe Resorts
If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay while you’re at Disney World, then a Deluxe Resort is just the ticket. With hotels close to Disney parks, and a variety of special amenities, a Deluxe stay can make your trip easier. With convenient transportation options, fewer groups, and restaurants on site, these resorts offer alot of options.
- Disney Deluxe Resorts $400-$800/ night, 600/night average
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
- Beach Club Resort
- Boardwalk Inn
- Contemporary Resort
- Fort Wilderness Cabins
- Grand Floridian Resort
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Yacht Club Resort
- Disney Deluxe Villas $600- $4000/ night
- Disney Deluxe Villas have a large price range dependent not only on the resort but also on the number of bedrooms in the villa; 1, 2, or 3-bedroom suites are available. Check out the section below for resorts and details.
What’s the Difference Between Disney Resort Levels?
We’re going to share the price range for each level just so you have an idea of how these prices can fluctuate throughout the year. Believe us when we say these ranges are HUGE! It makes such a difference when you go, and how far in advance you’re booking. And if you’re wondering if your resort experience will still be magical if you only pay 120/ night for a room. Chances are it will. The things that differentiate Disney resorts are price, location, transportation options, amenities, and services. Some Disney Resorts are Within Walking Distance of the Parks, making them even more attractive as an option. This quick guide is just to help you get a lay of the most magical land on earth.
Disney Value Resorts Tier
Value Resorts at Walt Disney World is just that, a value. We’ve written about the All-Stars Resorts before and our very first Disney resort experience was at All-Stars Music Resort, so we have some experience with these.
- Transportation: Mostly Buses, The Campgrounds also offer a boat to Magic Kingdom
- Cost Range: 100-400/ per night
The primary thing to consider when choosing these resorts is that everyone chooses these resorts. Everyone wants to get to Disney on the cheap. They have the largest set of buses for that reason. This means these resorts will host schools, organizations like the beauty pageant toddlers and cheerleaders, and football teams. Closest to the ESPN complex, these resorts are busiest during tournaments. Needless to say, the sound, atmosphere, and chaos is “more” at these resorts. But other than that the rooms are just as nice, the buses just as frequent (though packed), and the cafeteria offers decent food. In fact, All-Star Movies has some of the best food, praised by Disney Dining, so you’re not missing out on going cheaper. Overall it’s a very “Disney” experience. It’s a lot to take in if you were hoping for a relaxing vacation, but if you weren’t going for relaxing these are perfect. You do however still get all the resort amenities; laundry, pools, food court, arcade, gift shop, movies on the lawn, and kids’ programming to keep the kids and teens occupied throughout the day. Check out all the Disney Value Resorts.
Which Resorts are Value Resorts at Walt Disney World?
- Disney’s All-Stars Music
- All-Stars Movies
- All-Stars Sports
- The Campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
Disney Value Plus Resorts Tier
The Value Plus class of resorts is slightly higher in cost per room than the All-Stars, but not by much. These resorts will still have crowds because they are still pretty cheap.
- Transportation: Disney Buses and the Disney Skyliner
- Cost Range: 150-580/ per night
They will also have more families, so lots of suite options at Art of Animation in particular. These resorts will also house a gondola station that serves both resorts so we’re expecting the price to increase at these locations simply for the convenience of using the gondola instead of the buses. Here you get access to a beautiful walking path that connects both resorts and resort bikes to use on-site. Multiple pools, laundry, movies on the lawn, and just a gorgeous atmosphere make these resorts fun to stay at.
Which Resorts are Value Plus Resorts at Walt Disney World?
What’s the Difference Between Disney Value and Moderate Resorts?
The main Differences between Disney Value and Moderate Resorts are price, theme, food and transportation options. Disney Value Resorts are cheaper and limited to Disney Bus transportation to the parks, with the exception of Pop Century and Art of Animation, both of which have access to the Disney Skyliner. Value Resorts are also heavily themed with Disney elements highlighting film, characters, music, and sports. While some Disney Moderate Resorts only offer bus transportation, others offer boat transportation and skyliner access. Moderate Resorts are also typically less “Disney” themed. Additionally, Moderate Resorts typically have a resort table service restaurant, and a lounge also on the property, whereas Disney Value Resorts only have a central commissary.
Disney Moderate Resorts Tier
Once you hit the moderate level of Disney Resorts you can expect fewer guests, pretty much no school groups, and better everything. The food in the Resort’s restaurants is better, the rooms nicer and the amenities more. Check out all the Differences Between a Disney Value Resort and a Moderate Resort.
We did however notice that since there are fewer guests, hence more relaxing, the buses to these resorts don’t tend to run as frequently as the Value resorts do. So you may experience more waiting for the complimentary Disney buses to arrive at your location. Of these, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the hub of the Skyliner system and will have that as an alternate transportation option. Check out all the Disney Moderate Resorts.
- Transportation: Disney Skyliner, Bus, Boat
- Cost Range: 190- 600/ per night
Which Resorts are Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World?
- Caribbean Beach
- Coronado Springs
- Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower
- Port Orleans- French Quarter
- Port Orleans- Riverside
- Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
What’s the Difference Between Disney Deluxe and Moderate Resorts?
Differences between Disney Deluxe and Moderate Resorts are again price, theme, food, and transportation options. Disney Moderate Resorts are cheaper and with limited transportation to the parks which include the Disney Skyliner, Bus, or Boat Transportation. Disney Deluxe Resorts, however, are the most expensive and often closest to the parks. Some offer monorail access and are sometimes within walking distance of the parks. Disney Deluxe Resorts typically include only slight Disney details, favoring themes that lend to a resort feel. Rooms at Disney Deluxe Resorts are often bigger and offer a separate vanity area.
Disney Deluxe Resorts Tier
At the deluxe resort level, you have access to both Villas and Disney Concierge Club Level, and the higher prices for those add-ons. You also get access to a variety of better transportation, and perks in the parks. Such as Early Theme Park Entry, AND Extra Evening Hours. Including an Extra Virtual Queue Boarding Pass attempt at 6 pm, to use during your extra evening hours.
- Transportation: Monorail, Bus, Within Walking Distance of the Parks
- Cost Range: 450- 3500/per night
As Deluxe Resorts go, they are perfectly themed, house the top-tier restaurants found at Walt Disney World and the best gift shops. They are true “resorts” for many also having things like a spa, gym, or business center, and often with additional amenities only open to those resort guests. You can also count on the movies on the lawn in the evening often including s’mores or popcorn or in the case of the Beach Club, a Chip and Dale meet and greet.
Which Resorts are Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World?
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Beach Club
- Boardwalk Inn
- The Contemporary
- The Grand Floridian
- The Polynesian
- Wilderness Lodge
- Yacht Club
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Swan Hotel
- Dolphin Hotel
- Swan Reserve Hotel
Note that the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are Marriott Bonvoy Resorts, meaning you can use points if you’re a loyalty member. As such, they’re also readily available at a discount on hotels.com.
Disney Deluxe Villas Tier
The Disney Deluxe Villas at Deluxe Resorts offer multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, living spaces, and often an amazing view. This is the highest level of the Disney Resort tiers. Note that the higher price range is for the most expensive days at Disney. Typically One-bedroom villas range from $540 to $1,200, two-bedroom villas are $1,200 to $2,300, and three-bedroom villas are $3,500 to $3,600 per night. The price per night is dependent on the resort chosen.
- Transportation: Bus, Skyliner Gondola, Boat, Monorail
- Cost Range: 600- 4000/ per night
Which Resorts are Deluxe Villas at Walt Disney World?
- Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
- Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Beach Club Villas
- BoardWalk Villas
- Old Key West Resort
- Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Grand Floridian
Disney Resorts with Club Level
While not necessarily part of the Disney World Resort Tiers, the Disney Deluxe Resorts, and one Moderate Resort, that offer Club Level, or Disney Concierge services. With a set of rooms at each resort specific to this room designation, it pays to know which resort offers what, and the Disney Club Level Benefits if you’re looking for something special.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level Kilimanjaro Club Review
- Beach Club Club Level Stone Harbor Club
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Club Level
- Coronado Springs Club Level Chronos Club Review
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort Club Level
- Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Club Level
- Polynesian Village Resort Club Level
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Club Level Old Faithful Club Review
- Yacht Club Club Level Regatta Club
Disney Good Neighbor Hotels Off-Site
Disney Good Neighbor hotels give you the perks of staying on-site like extra magic hours and shuttles to the parks, but the cost-friendliness and flexibility of just a regular off-site hotel. We shop all of our hotels through hotels.com to get the best deals. For us, we really enjoy being on the property so staying off-site would be mostly because we’d want to go cheaper or be close to Disney Springs.
- Transportation: Shuttle to the Parks
- Cost Range: 80- 400/ per night
Which Hotels are Good Neighbor Hotels at Walt Disney World?
While there are many, these ones are the nearest to Disney World Parks and Disney Springs. Plus, offer great reviews, amenities, and everything you’d need to upgrade your Disney Stay. And if you’re part of the loyalty programs, you can get even more savings.
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Disney Springs
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs® Area
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs® Area
- B Resort & Spa – Disney Springs® Resort Area
- Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort – Disney Springs® Area
- Four Seasons Resort Walt Disney World
Disney Resort Tiers Wrap Up
No matter which resort level we stay we’ve come to love them all in their own way. When we have money we definitely aim for the moderates as a sure bet for a nice vacation experience. When it’s about location and we need to be close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios instead we head for the Dolphin Hotel. We always love the Caribbean Beach Resort and Pop Century. And if you’re looking for some old-world charm in a quiet park-like setting Port Orleans- Riverside was an absolute dream resort for us. With super fast bus service to the parks, a boat to Disney Springs, and an all-around calm feeling we loved it and would highly recommend it if you don’t need the overly Disney feel.
If you’re tackling your first Disney vacation or your only Disney vacation and need to get the resort you choose right, feel free to reach out in the comments or via email and let us know what your big priorities are. We’ll be able to tell you which resort will match up best with your needs. Good luck with your resort choice!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
Hey there!
So exciting for you! So, if you’re looking for the ultimate Disney feel, we think Art of Animation is definitely the best in terms of Disney theming and we think your girls would love it! They have family suites if you’d like more space and depending on when you’re traveling and if there is a deal going on, you could potentially find rooms at that resort in your price range. They don’t have in room dining, but have a wonderful food court that you can bring food back to your room, you can order pizza from the resort or you can use a food delivery service like grubhub as well! To get to the Parks or Disney Springs, you would just need to take a bus. Another suggestion we would have is Port Orleans Riverside, which has special princess rooms! They are an additional cost, but they usually sleep 5, so you’d have plenty of space and it should also fall in your price range. They also have bussing to the Parks and a nice boat ride to Disney Springs. Their food court is one of our favorites in terms of resorts. As of right now, the only resorts with in room dining on property will be your deluxe resorts, which wouldn’t probably give you the “Disney feel” you’re looking for and would probably be out of your price range. I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions!