Where to Stay at Disney World
Choosing where to stay is one of the biggest decisions you'll make for your Disney World holiday. With over 25 Disney resort hotels plus hundreds of off-property options, it can feel overwhelming – especially when you're booking from the UK!
This guide breaks down everything UK visitors need to know about Disney accommodation, from budget-friendly value resorts to luxury villas, plus off-property alternatives that might save you serious money.
Disney Resort Hotels: The Magic of Staying On-Property#
Disney's resort hotels are more than just places to sleep – they're themed experiences that extend the magic beyond the parks. Here's what UK visitors need to know about the benefits and costs.
The Big Benefits of Disney Resort Hotels
Early Theme Park Entry Stay in any Disney resort and you get into the parks 30 minutes before they officially open to day guests. This is brilliant for UK visitors who are naturally early risers due to jet lag!
Extended Evening Hours Select deluxe resorts get extra hours in certain parks after closing. These "Extended Evening Hours" are typically 2 hours and only available to deluxe resort guests.
Free Transportation No need for rental cars or expensive taxis. Disney's buses, monorails, boats, and Skyliner gondolas connect all resorts to all parks for free.
Advance Dining Reservations Resort guests can book dining reservations 60 days in advance for their entire stay (vs 60 days for individual days if staying off-property).
Package Delivery Buy souvenirs in the parks and have them delivered to your resort room – no carrying bags around all day!
Resort ID Your MagicBand or phone serves as your room key, park ticket, and payment method if you link a card.
Disney Resort Categories and Pricing#
Value Resorts (£150-280 per night)
Best For: Budget-conscious families, first-time visitors, Disney fans who want the magic without the premium price
What You Get:
- Disney theming and immersion
- All the resort benefits listed above
- Food courts with reasonable prices
- Fun themed pools
- Character experiences
The Downsides:
- Smaller rooms (around 260 sq ft)
- Can feel crowded and busy
- Limited dining options
- Furthest from most parks (30-45 minute bus rides)
Our Top Value Picks:
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
- Theme: Disney/Pixar films with stunning larger-than-life theming
- Room Types: Standard rooms plus family suites (sleeps up to 6)
- Why We Love It: The theming is incredible, and the family suites are great value for larger families
- UK Visitor Note: The Little Mermaid rooms are the most budget-friendly option
Disney's Pop Century Resort
- Theme: Pop culture from the 1950s through 1990s
- Room Types: Recently refurbished standard rooms
- Why We Love It: Excellent value, fun theming, and great food court
- UK Visitor Note: Connected to Art of Animation via the Disney Skyliner
Moderate Resorts (£280-450 per night)
Best For: Families wanting more space and theming without deluxe prices, couples seeking a more relaxed atmosphere
What You Get:
- Larger rooms (around 314 sq ft)
- Better pools with water slides
- Table service restaurants
- Quieter atmosphere than value resorts
- Better transport connections
Our Top Moderate Picks:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
- Theme: Tropical Caribbean islands
- Room Types: Standard rooms and preferred rooms closer to amenities
- Why We Love It: Disney Skyliner connection to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- UK Visitor Note: Feels like a proper Caribbean holiday resort
Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter
- Theme: New Orleans' French Quarter
- Room Types: Standard rooms only
- Why We Love It: Compact resort, easy to navigate, beautiful theming
- UK Visitor Note: Boat transportation to Disney Springs for shopping and dining
Deluxe Resorts (£450-800+ per night)
Best For: Special occasions, couples, families who prioritize convenience and luxury
What You Get:
- Premium locations (walking distance or monorail to parks)
- Multiple restaurants and lounges
- Larger rooms and better amenities
- Extended Evening Hours access
- Concierge services available
Our Top Deluxe Picks:
Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Theme: Sleek, modern design with monorail running through the hotel
- Room Types: Standard rooms and suites
- Why We Love It: Walk to Magic Kingdom or quick monorail ride
- UK Visitor Note: Home to Chef Mickey's character breakfast
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
- Theme: South Pacific paradise
- Room Types: Standard rooms, studios, and villas
- Why We Love It: Monorail to Magic Kingdom, beautiful beaches, excellent dining
- UK Visitor Note: Perfect for a romantic getaway feel
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Theme: Victorian elegance inspired by seaside resorts
- Room Types: Standard rooms, suites, and villas
- Why We Love It: Disney's flagship resort, monorail to Magic Kingdom
- UK Visitor Note: Most upscale option, perfect for special celebrations
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas
Best For: Longer stays (5+ nights), larger families, repeat visitors
What You Get:
- Kitchenettes or full kitchens
- Separate living areas
- Washer and dryer in most villas
- All deluxe resort benefits
UK Booking Options:
- Rent DVC points from existing members (often 30-50% cheaper than rack rates)
- Book directly through Disney (more expensive but guaranteed)
- Consider DVC membership if planning multiple Disney trips
Popular DVC Resorts for UK Visitors:
- Saratoga Springs: Largest DVC resort with Disney Springs location
- Old Key West: Spacious villas with Key West theming
- Bay Lake Tower: Modern villas adjacent to Contemporary Resort
Off-Property Hotels: More Space for Less Money#
Budget Off-Property (£30-80 per night)
Best For: Families on tight budgets, road trip stopover, longer Florida holidays
What You Get:
- Much larger rooms for the money
- Often better pools and amenities
- Close to other Orlando attractions
- Free breakfast at many properties
The Trade-Offs:
- Need rental car or expensive transportation
- No Disney resort benefits
- Less magical atmosphere
- Booking dining only 60 days out (day by day)
UK Visitor Recommendations:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld: Reliable chain, good location
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive: Modern, clean, good value
- Comfort Suites Maingate East: Close to Disney, includes breakfast
Mid-Range Off-Property (£80-200 per night)
Best For: Families wanting resort amenities without Disney prices
Top Picks:
- Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Mid-century modern theming, excellent pools
- Gaylord Palms Resort: Spectacular atrium, multiple restaurants, shuttle to Disney
- Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate: Golf resort with luxury amenities
Luxury Off-Property (£200-500+ per night)
Best For: Adults-only trips, special occasions, extended Florida holidays
Top Picks:
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando: Ultra-luxury with Disney views
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando: Golf resort with world-class spa
- Ritz-Carlton Orlando: Luxury with easy Disney access
Vacation Rentals: Like Having Your Own Florida Home#
What UK Visitors Need to Know
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Much more space (3-7 bedrooms common) | Need rental car for transportation |
| Full kitchens and laundry | No daily housekeeping |
| Private pools at many properties | Miss out on Disney resort benefits |
| Often cheaper per person for groups | Quality can vary significantly |
| Multiple bathrooms (crucial for families!) |
Best Areas for UK Visitors:
- Windsor Hills Resort: 10 minutes from Disney, resort amenities
- Reunion Resort: Upscale community with golf and water park
- Champions Gate: Luxury homes with resort facilities
Booking Platforms:
- Airbnb and VRBO for individual owners
- Specialized companies like RedAwning for verified properties
- Resort rental companies for guaranteed quality
Making Your Decision: Key Questions#
How Long Are You Staying?
- 3-4 nights: Disney value resort or nearby off-property hotel
- 5-7 nights: Disney moderate resort or quality vacation rental
- 8+ nights: DVC villa rental or spacious vacation home
What's Your Budget Priority?
- Lowest cost: Off-property budget hotel with car rental
- Best value: Disney value resort or moderate resort
- Pure luxury: Disney deluxe resort or Four Seasons
How Important Are the Parks?
- Parks are everything: Stay on Disney property for maximum convenience
- Mixing Disney with other Orlando attractions: Consider Universal area or I-Drive
- Relaxed holiday pace: Vacation rental with private pool
Family Dynamics?
- Young children (under 8): Disney resort for character experiences and early park access
- Teenagers: Consider off-property with better pools and nearby shopping
- Multi-generational: Vacation rental with space for everyone
UK-Specific Accommodation Tips#
Booking Strategies
- Book 11-12 months ahead for best Disney resort availability
- Consider package deals from UK tour operators (Virgin Holidays, British Airways Holidays)
- Use Disney's UK website for exclusive UK promotions
- Monitor exchange rates and book when the pound is strong
What to Expect
- Room sizes are smaller than typical UK hotel rooms
- Air conditioning is essential (and included everywhere)
- Tipping is expected for housekeeping (£3-5 per day)
- Resort fees are rare at Disney properties but common off-property
Transportation Planning
- Disney resort guests: No car needed, save £150+ per week
- Off-property guests: Budget £200-300 for car rental plus parking fees
- Taxi/Uber from off-property: Can be £25-50 each way during busy times
Special Accommodation Experiences#
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Sleep over the water in overwater bungalows (from £2,000+ per night). Pure luxury with Magic Kingdom views.
Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground
Cabins and RV sites for outdoor enthusiasts. Unique Disney experience with campfire sing-alongs and outdoor recreation.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Wait, that's Disneyland! For Disney World, the Grand Floridian is your luxury flagship option.
Our Recommendations by Travel Style#
First-Time UK Visitors
Best Choice: Disney's Art of Animation or Pop Century Why: Full Disney experience, great value, easy transportation
Families with Teenagers
Best Choice: Disney's Caribbean Beach or quality vacation rental Why: Better pools, more space, Skyliner access to parks
Couples' Romantic Getaway
Best Choice: Disney's Polynesian or Grand Floridian Why: Adult-focused atmosphere, premium location, luxury amenities
Large UK Families (6+ people)
Best Choice: Art of Animation family suites or vacation rental Why: Actual space to spread out without paying for multiple rooms
Budget-Conscious Families
Best Choice: Off-property hotel with free breakfast plus rental car Why: Significant savings, flexibility to explore beyond Disney
Disney Superfans
Best Choice: DVC villa rental at any Disney resort Why: Home-like amenities with full Disney immersion
Summary: Your Accommodation Strategy#
- Decide your priorities: Cost, convenience, space, or luxury?
- Calculate total costs: Include transportation, parking, and dining differences
- Book early: Popular Disney resorts and vacation rentals fill up fast
- Consider package deals: UK tour operators sometimes offer excellent value
- Read reviews: Especially important for vacation rentals and off-property hotels
Remember, there's no "wrong" choice – just different trade-offs. A budget hotel with a rental car might give you more flexibility and spending money for experiences. A Disney deluxe resort might cost more but create magical memories that last a lifetime.
The key is matching your accommodation to your holiday priorities and budget, then fully embracing whichever option you choose!
Next Steps:
- Book Disney Dining 60 days in advance
- Plan Your Park Days with reservations
- Budget for Extras beyond accommodation costs
Last updated: 2024-06-19