Walt Disney World Resort Categories

Planning a Walt Disney Resort vacation can be overwhelming! There’s a lot of options when it comes to staying on site and you want to make sure that you pick the right one. No worries though! This post is to help you research on what the differences are in the different hotel categories, then this post is for you. While any Disney hotel you choose to stay at is going to give you the top-notch Disney customer service that they are known and loved for, the size of your room and resort layouts can vary in the different categories.

All About Disney World Resort Categories

All hotels include:

These items are included in all Walt Disney World Hotels regardless of category level.

Magic Bands
A pool- some of the coolest hotel pools you’ll see at a hotel!
Retail Shop
Mini-fridge in room
Extra Magic Hours
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Transportation

Value Resorts:

The Value Resort Categories inlclude

Standard Size: 260 sqft
Fun, bright, kid-friendly themed with large icons
Double Beds Standard
Food Courts and pizza delivery but no table service restaurants
Spread out
Rooms open to outside corridors
Art of Animation has mostly suites, a larger food court and their standard rooms are 277 sqft.
Bus Transportation to all parks and Downtown Disney
Themed Pool

These resorts offer big bright themes and character images throughout the hotels. If you are going to be spending the majority of your time at the park and just need a place to sleep then this is probably ideal. My favorite value resort is the Art of Animation. The themed rooms are adorable, the only downside is the resort is quiet spread out. Check out my post on Disney Story Rooms for more on the bright themes and character images!

Moderate Resorts:

The Moderate Resort Categories include

Standard Size: 314 sqft
Beautiful themes, more subtle themes than the Value Resorts.
Standard Queen beds
Lush landscaping
Table Service Restaurant, Food Court, Pizza Delivery
Main feature pool (with waterslide) and other quiet pools
On-Site Recreation options
Spread out layout
Caribbean Beach Resort- 340 sqft
Riverside and Caribbean Beach can accommodate up to 5 people
Themed Rooms available at Caribbean Beach and Riverside

These resorts offer a little of an upgrade in the resort decor. My favorite Moderate Resort is Gran Destino Towers at Coronado Springs. It feels more like a deluxe resort. I also LOVE Port Orleans- Riverside and their Royal Rooms but depending on how many kids there are and their ages the rooms can feel a little cramped.

Deluxe Resorts:

The Deluxe Resort Categories include

Standard Size: 437 sqft
Impeccable Theming with lobbies and gift shops
Queen Beds Standard, pull out sofa beds
Rooms open to inside corridors
Table Service Restaurant (Including 1 upscale option) and Quick Service Restaurants
Main pool with water slide and other quiet pools
Accommodate up to 5 people in a standard room
Onsite gym, salon and valet parking available

Although it is more, for families of 4+, the deluxe resorts offer you more room for your stuff and typically also offer a sofa bed. It’s not a big deal for everyone but for us it makes a big difference. The Magic Kingdom deluxe resorts offer the benefit of being right at the park which is so helpful when you have little ones and such a stress reliever. My favorite deluxe resort is the Polynesian, followed by the Wilderness Lodge which is typically better priced and easier to find a room at. All of the Magic Kingdom deluxe resorts are nice and I can’t say I have a complaint about any of them. Check out our stay at the Contemporary Resort.