What’s the Difference Between Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts at Disney World?

Disneyworld, Florida

Trying to pick a resort at Disney World can sometimes be overwhelming. Disney World hosts 32 unique resorts so there’s something truly for everyone. Disney resorts have three categories-Value, Moderate and Deluxe. What exactly makes a deluxe well deluxe? What is moderate anyway? Does value mean not a lot of Disney magic? Each family has different needs and desires. Maybe you like spending time at your resort and enjoying the amenities or maybe you just need a place to sleep while you’re at the parks non stop. You’re travel agent (ME) will give you recommendations based on your personal style so make sure you discuss your travel style with them!

Let’s first look at what resorts fall under what category at Disney!

Deluxe-Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk and within this category there are also resort with strictly villas-Saratoga Springs (including the Tree House Villas), Old Key West and Riviera.

Moderate-Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter and the cabins section of Fort Wilderness.

Value-All Star Movies. All Star Music, All Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century and the campgrounds at Fort Wilderness.

Let’s break down the different areas where you can see the difference between all three categories.

Room Size

Deluxe-Deluxe rooms sizes range from 344-440 square feet. The villas range from 316-2500 square feet.

Moderate-Moderate room sizes range from 314-510 square feet. 510 square feet would be exclusively with the Fort Wilderness cabins.

Value-Value room sizes range from 260-520 square feet. The 520 square feet would be available in the family suites.

Bathrooms

Deluxe-Deluxe rooms have a bathroom with a light blocking sliding door, 2 vanities, one toilet and a shower and tub combo this area is typically more spacious that other resort levels and guest receive lotion, shower caps, and a vanity kit. Villas have up to 2 full bathrooms, a shower and a jetted tub based on which option you choose.

Moderate-Moderate rooms have a bathroom with a light blocking sliding door, 2 vanities, one toilet and a shower and tub combo.

Value-Value rooms have a bathroom with a light blocking sliding door and may have 1 or 2 vanities, one toilet and a shower tub combo.

Accessible rooms with accessible are available but must be requested when booking.

Bedding

Deluxe-Deluxe rooms have the option between a king bed or 2 queen beds and may have a fifth twin pull down sleeper. Villas may have a king bed, queen beds, sleeper sofas, chair sleepers, etc. based upon the level of villa selected.

Moderate-Moderate rooms have the option between a king size bed, 2 queen beds and also offer the option of a fifth pull down sleeper when booking.

Value-Value rooms have a standard queen bed and a pull down queen bed that doubles as a table when the bed is stored. Suites have options such as a queen bed, pull down queen bed, queen and twin sleeper sofas and a twin sleeper chair.

Dining

Deluxe-Deluxe resorts have small food courts, poolside bars, multiple sit down dining options, room service, a lounge and some resorts have character dining.

Moderate-Moderate resorts have medium sized food courts, poolside bars, in room pizza delivery and at least one sit down dining option.

Value-Value resorts have a large food court and in room pizza delivery.

Transportation

Transportation varies greatly from resort to resort even within the three categories.

Deluxe-Deluxe hotels all have bus access and some have monorail, ferry and Skyliner access based on their locations. Buses typically come faster, have less people boarding and bus stops are closer to the park entrances.

Moderate-Moderate resorts all have bus access and some have Skyliner and ferry access based on their locations. Busses go to each section of the resort and pick up guest before heading out to the parks.

Value-Value resorts all have buss access and some have Skyliner access based on their locations. Buses are typically shared amongst all ALL STAR resorts-so keep this in mind when booking.

Pools

Deluxe-Deluxe resorts have themed pools and quiet pools, splash pads and waterslides and hot tubs.

Moderate-Moderate resorts have themed pools and quiet pools. Some may have splash areas and they all have medium sized waterslides.

Value-Value resorts have themed pools and may have some interactive elements.

Extras-

Deluxe-Deluxe resorts have access to 2 after hours events on a weekly basis. One night at Magic Kingdom and one night at EPCOT. The dates for these rotate so make sure to ask your travel agent. These extra evening hours last from 9-12pm and only deluxe guest can get onto ride, order food and purchase item at the stores. Deluxe resorts also have characters that randomly come to the lobby to visit. Look for the caravanning around the world RV outside your resort. That means characters are there! You’ll also find hot chocolate and specialty treats for sale in the lobby during holidays. Some resorts have kids clubs as well! You’ll also find daily events posted in the lobby. Rooms are attached to a main building area with access to a main lobby or smaller lobby based on the resort. Doors do not open directly to the outdoors but rather inside the resort.

Moderate-Moderate resorts host daily events! Check in the lobby. Rooms are housed outside the main meeting building and doors open to the outside.

Value-Value resorts host daily events! Check in the lobby. Rooms are housed outside the main meeting building and doors open to the outside.

There’s such a wide variety of resorts and they all allow you to experience that Disney bubble. Which one will you chose?

Need help planning your Disney vacation? You can find me on Facebook at Callie at Wanderkeep Travel or you can email me at callie@wanderkeep.com and as always my services are complimentary when you book through me!