Walt Disney Hotels - How to Choose?

When choosing a hotel to stay in during your visit to Walt Disney World, the options are endless. You also need to decide if you want to stay in a hotel within the resort itself, or if you'd like to stay a little further away, possibly paying a bit less for accommodation. Many people think that the Walt Disney World Hotels are very expensive. They actually have accommodation to suit all budgets. I would recommend staying at a hotel within the resort for the simple fact that you get numerous benefits staying within the resort.

Firstly, guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels are offered longer theme park times. Once the parks are closed to visitors not staying within the resort, guests of select hotels may enjoy Extra Magic Hours. You will have to present proof of your theme park admission and resort I.D. to remain within the theme park.

Another perk of staying within the resort is that you will receive complimentary transportation, to and from Orlando International Airport. This includes free baggage delivery to the hotel you'll be staying at. Within the resort, guests of these select Walt Disney Resort hotels will also receive free transportation via bus, boat and even monorail.

When booking your stay at one of these select hotels, you also have the option of including dining in your package. This will enable you to save up to 30% on adult dining. All you need to do is to include the Disney Dining Plan to your Magic Your Way ticket. You will also have over 100 select restaurants within the resort to choose from. Remember however, you will still have to book the restaurants you'd like to eat at before you get to Walt Disney World. It's important to plan your trip properly in advance, otherwise you might get stuck and not have anywhere to eat because the resort's restaurants do get very busy.

Staying at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel will also allow you to make use of your card that you receive when you check in. This card is the Key to the World card. This card is your room key and also your admission into the theme parks. It allows you make purchases of gifts and so on and charge them directly to your room. If you wish your gifts to be sent to your room so you can enjoy your fun time in the theme parks, your card will ensure that your purchases are sent directly to your hotel the same day of purchase. When enjoying the Extra Magic Hours you'll have to present this card to Disney officials. If you have included the Disney Dining Plan to your package, you'll use the same card to pay for your meals.

If you are looking for the ultimate in comfort away from home, then I'd suggest staying in one of the Deluxe Villas. The list includes the villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House and Kidani House, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Saratoga Resort and Spa, and Disney's BoardWalk Villas. Rate for these villas vary from $295 per night plus tax to $335 per night plus tax.

If you'd prefer a luxury room rather than a villa, you also have many options to choose from. The Deluxe rooms can be found in the following hotels, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney's Wilderness Lodge. The rates for these resorts range between $240 per night plus tax and $399 per night plus tax.

For more moderate resorts you can choose from Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside and French Quarter, Disney's Conorado Springs Resort, the Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Rates per night start at $149 plus tax up to $265 plus tax.

For cheaper accommodation you can choose from the value category. These resorts include Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort and finally Disney's All-Star Music Resort. Rates per night start $82 plus tax.

If you would like to rather get out of the hustle and bustle of city life, you even have the option of staying at the Campgrounds Disney has to offer. There are 4 different camping options on offer as well. You can stay in a tent/pop-up campsite, full hook-up campsite, preferred hook-up campsite and premium campsite. The cheapest rates per night start at $43 plus tax depending on the season and availability.

Disney World Hotels has such a variety to choose from. From the above you can see that there is something for everyone, making Disney World accessible for everyone. You also have the different options of staying closer to certain theme parks and in specifically styled resorts. You can stay at a beach resort, a boardwalk resort, an all-star resort and so on. The choices are endless. You need only to decide what your budget is and what type of accommodation you are looking for. Don't waste any time, start planning your trip to Disney World now!

By: Luis JJ Teixeira