Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Blue Loop. Today we are sharing some tips to help you plan your Disney vacation.
Deciding to stay at one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels is an exciting and overwhelming choice. With so many different options available, how to you pick the one that’s best for your family?
Budget
When we start looking for somewhere to stay during our vacation, we have an overall budget for the trip in mind. Each family’s decision will be different about how much of that budget will be spent on the resort versus the other things in your budget. (Not sure what to include in your Disney budget? We can help you with that!)
Who’s Going?
The number of guests in your travel party can have a direct affect on your reservation options. For a family of four or less, you’ve got your pick of resorts and rooms. Families with five or more (in the same room), your choices are more limited but not impossible.
How Are You Spending Your Days?
When you’re looking for time to relax by the pool, it makes more sense to stay at a resort with the amenities, like an amazing pool or spa, you desire for those days. All of the Disney resorts have great pools with fun theming. Moderate and deluxe resorts will offer additional things, water slides for example, that you might not find at a value resort.
Guests spending their days in the parks from sun up to sun down will be more likely to spend less on their resort since they won’t be spending near as much time in their rooms.
Location, Location, Location
As with many things, your location is everything! If your vacation plans have you spending lots of time at the Magic Kingdom, consider one of the resorts closest to the Magic Kingdom. The time saved traveling to and from the resort may be worth the bit of additional cost for the resort room.
Personal Taste
I feel like there really is a Disney resort for every taste. When choosing a resort, consider what kind of surroundings you would prefer. Value resorts offer most “in your face” theming with lots of fun gigantic familiar symbols throughout the resorts. Moderate resorts still have elaborate theming but may be a bit more relaxed in the touches around the property. Deluxe resorts also have their own take on Disney magic with a more upscale take on the theming.
There’s really no wrong choice when picking a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Go with your gut. Do a bit of research online and talk with friend who’ve visited some of the different resorts if you’re able. Everyone will have a different opinion and their personal experiences while at those resorts and during the vacation will play in to their lasting opinions. Your travel agent is also able to give you feedback and you can always contact Disney reservations to ask questions about different resorts before making your decision to book your accommodations for your upcoming vacation.
What things do you consider when selecting your Disney resort?
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Blue | Disney 101 Loop:
- 1st Stop – My Pixie Dust Diary | Choosing a Resort
- 2nd Stop – Trips with Tykes | Tips for Flying to Walt Disney World
- 3rd Stop – Disney with Toddlers & Preschoolers | Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- 4th Stop – Family Travel Escapades | Benefits of Staying on Disney Property
- 5th Stop – This Roller Coaster Called Life | Tips for Driving to Walt Disney World
Great job with the video and your site looks GREAT! 🙂 Thankfully, we are a family of 5 and can’t really stay Value (the kids and I tried it once and it wasn’t the best experience). We love Port Orleans Riverside, but we enjoy trying new places too.
This is a good guide on how to choose where to stay. We have honed in on our favorites, but these are all good factors to think about; esp. for someone who hasn’t been a lot.
Such a great tip about families of 5 or more!
So many resorts, so little time. I love trying a new one each time but have to admit that I’m partial to the Poly and to the Yacht Club.
I agree that there is a a resort for everyone! Sometimes, I find myself in value and sometimes even in moderate or deluxe depending on what type of trip I have planned. This next trip is just a short post-cruise, so we are staying value.
These are all great things to consider when choosing a resort! I spend pretty much all of my time in the parks; since I’m only at the resort to sleep, I usually pick one of the value resorts.
I think one of my favorite things is there are so many styles of resorts that each visit can be completely different.
Budget is our #1 priority and sometimes we will splurge for one night and stay at a deluxe and then the rest of the vacation stay at a value 🙂