Where Should I Stay? Exploring the Best Walt Disney World Resorts for First Timers

Where do I stay? Another top question for Walt Disney World First Timers. This is a complex question. Walt Disney World offers 31 on property resorts and 21 Good Neighbor resorts. That’s a lot to choose from, right? Just looking at the numbers alone is pretty overwhelming. 

On-Site Resorts

On-site resorts seems to me like the easiest place to start. The Walt Disney World resorts are divided into three categories to help find something for your budget. These resort categories are Deluxe, Moderate, and Value resorts. Staying on Disney property has perks including free theme park parking, free transportation to and from theme parks running every 20 minutes, early Lightening Lane booking access, early morning entry to all theme parks every day, as well as Evening Extra hours for select parks on select days for Deluxe resort guests. This isn’t even including the perks of being closer to the parks and the wonderful theming that only Disney can provide.

Resort Levels and Perks

What are the differences between these different level of Walt Disney World resorts? Deluxe resorts are what you would imagine they are. They are the top of the line resort offerings. These resorts have Gyms, villas, full service and quick service restaurants, gift shops, and pools. Some will offer valet parking, room service and club levels. Some also have multiple transportation options including monorail, boats/ferries, and skyliner. All of these resorts are amazing properties. 

For the purposes of trying to keep my information a little less overwhelming for Walt Disney World First Timers, let’s take a look at the Deluxe Resorts.

Magic Kingdom Resorts

Location is everything when you have littles and plan on taking a break throughout the day at your resort. The closest Deluxe resorts to the Magic Kingdom are The Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian Resort, and The Grand Floridian. These three resorts are also known as the monorail resorts since the monorail actually stops at all three of the resorts (and through The Contemporary). 

The Contemporary Resort

The Contemporary resort is based on a futuristic theme and has rooms themed with The Incredibles and offers views of the Magic Kingdom. Have you actually visited the future? The monorail runs through the resort lobby. It is home to Chef Mickey’s character dining as well as The Towers at Bay Lake. It offers standard rooms, as well as suites with studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom offerings. This resort is so close to the Magic Kingdom you can literally walk to the park.

The Polynesian Resort

The Polynesian is the appropriately themed on the Polynesian islands and feels as though you’ve actually landed on the islands. It offers rooms themed with Moana and offers views of the Magic Kingdom. The resort offers standard rooms, theme park views, villas studio, 1 bedroom options, as well as bugalows.  The monorail stop is outside the main lobby and the restaurant is home to O’Hana breakfast character dining (sadly, no characters at this time). O’hana is our families favorite character dining option, so we’re hoping it returns soon!

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a Victorian era themed resort that stands alone in its upscale beauty. Stepping into this resort feeling like taking a step back in time. Here you have the standard rooms, theme park views, suites with the studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom option. This resort is home to the 1900 Park Fare character dining (closed at this time), Garden Tea, Wonderland Tea Party, Princess Afternoon Tea (also closed at this time). The Grand Floridian Spa has now also reopened for guests.

The Wilderness Lodge

Also in the Magic Kingdom area resorts is the Wilderness Lodge. This resort has a cozy warm cabin like feel to it with roaring fireplaces in the lobby. This resort again offers standard rooms as well as villas and cabin offerings including Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge with studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom options. This resort is home to the Storybook Dining at Artist Point character dining and Whispering Canyon restaurants that are both packed with lots of fun for the entire family.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you’re looking to be closer to the Animal Kingdom Park then Animal Kingdom Lodge is the resort for you. Animal Kingdom Lodge has a warm feel of Africa throughout. It offers standard rooms as well as villas with 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, or even 3. Room offerings include the option for a view of the savannah of the park. This resort is home to the beloved Boma buffet dining.

EPCOT Resorts

Say you want your resort to be closer to Epcot as your park of choice. There are several resorts in the Epcot area that would be great for you. The Boardwalk Inn, Rivieria Resort, Yacht Club, and Beach Club. The Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all within walking distance of the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. The Disney Skyliner can also be caught near the International Gateway for transportation to Hollywood Studios.

The Boardwalk Inn

The Boardwalk Inn just like you would suspect is the home of the Disney Boardwalk. It’s perfect for anyone that enjoys nightlife after a day at the parks. They offer basic rooms with studio room, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites. The Boardwalk itself has multiple restaurants, gaming, and shopping. The Boardwalk faces one of the many lakes on the Disney property.

The Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is located just across from the Boardwalk Inn.  The Yacht Club is one of the few pet friendly resorts on Disney property. The Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts are walking distance to each other as well as the Boardwalk. They are themed after Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Again, these resorts have the standard rooms and villa’s with studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites. The rooms offer views of the lake that separates them from the Boardwalk. The Yacht Club and Beach Club are home to Cape May character dining (no characters at this time) and Beaches and Cream the onsite location to dive into the Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae. 

The Riviera Resort

The Riviera Resort is the newest of the Deluxe resorts. This resort is also home to one of the skyliner stops. This resort is a wonderful celebration of the grandeur of Europe. Riviera Resort offers studio suites, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites. It also is the home to the popular Topolino’s Terrace character breakfast.  Have breakfast here and then hop the skyliner to Hollywood Studios or Epcot.

Disney Springs Area Resorts

If you’re at Walt Disney World for the shopping, there’s so much of it! Do you need to be close to the shopping? If you do, then the Disney Springs Area Resorts are for you! Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are the deluxe resorts for the Disney Springs area.

Old Key West Resort

Like its name Old Key West is themed like Key West. As with the other deluxe resorts they offer standard rooms and suites with studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, or 3 bedroom options. Old Key West is home to Olivia’s Café.

Saratoga Spring Resort and Spa

Saratoga Spring Resort and Spa is our last deluxe resort we’ll be visiting in today’s blog post for Walt Disney World First Timers. At the time of the post the Spa is still currently closed. This resort is well themed after Saratoga Springs the late 1800’s retreat. This resort again is home to the suites. Studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom suites. It also is host to the Treehouse villas also studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom options. Saratoga Springs is also home to the Paddock Grill which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

WOW! That’s so much information! Let’s stop here for now, then you can read more about moderate and value resorts at Disney World in my blog for Walt Disney World First Timers.