Are the most expensive resorts on Disney World property worth the splurge? We’re breaking down the benefits and drawbacks for you.
Deluxe Resorts are considered the top tier of Disney World’s various hotels. With more amenities, more exclusive perks, and a bit more in the way of general luxuries, these hotels do come with a higher price than Value or Moderate Resorts. But is that higher price really worth paying?
Like any hotel, Disney’s Deluxe Resorts have their own pros and cons. To help you decide if these high-end resorts are worth your money, we’re highlighting some of their biggest advantages – and drawbacks – below.
The Pros of Staying at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts
The Hotel Rooms Are Bigger
If you’re looking for more space to spread out, Deluxe Resorts offer it. Disney’s Deluxe Resorts typically offer more space inside each standard room than Value or Moderate Resorts.
Across all of Disney World’s hotels, Value Resort rooms run under 300 square feet (or about 260 square feet) in size, while Moderate Resort rooms are right around 300 square feet (about 315, generally.) Deluxe Resort rooms, on the other hand, can be as spacious as 340 to 440 square feet in size, depending on the room type you choose.
While there are of course some outliers, that means you can typically count on any Deluxe Resort room to offer more space than your average room at other resorts.
There are a few exceptions, like the rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. But overall, you can expect more space for people and luggage, even if you don’t opt for a villa.
Access to Extended Evening Hours in the Parks
One of the coolest pros of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts? It’s Extended Evening Hours.
Extended Evening Hours are a perk offered only to guests at Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Shades of Green, and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Guests who book a room at these hotels get to enjoy extended hours in one theme park at night after the park has closed to regular guests.
You’ll get two extra hours of park time with Extended Evening Hours, and the smaller crowds mean you can easily get on numerous attractions. It’s a chance to really maximize your bang for your buck – in our experience, you can easily get on four or more attractions, including popular ones like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Frozen Ever After during that time.
Those extra hours alone can make a Deluxe Resort well worth the cost!
Standout Resort Amenities
Hands down, the amenities across Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are incredibly nice. Whether you’re staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or Disney’s Riviera Resort, you’ll be immersed in standout theming, have a variety of restaurant choices right onsite, and be able to explore some seriously cool pools, lounges, and other spaces right on the resort grounds.
Overall, Deluxe Resorts offer more amenities – and fancier ones at that – than Value or Moderate Resorts. From sprawling pools featuring cool slides and features (like the famed Stormalong Bay shared by Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts) to tropically-inspired beaches with theme park views (like those along the shoreline of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) to recreational spaces for kids and adults alike.
As a result, Deluxe Resorts are the perfect place to plan a resort day (or two!) during your stay. There’s so much to do, see, and explore across each one of these immersive resorts that you can really take in what’s available and have just as much fun as you would at the theme parks – yes, even if you’re just relaxing by the pool.
The Cons of Staying at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts
A Higher Per-Night Price
Hands down, the number one con of any Disney World Deluxe Resort? It’s the higher price per night.
As the highest tier of resort and most luxurious accommodations on property at Disney World, Deluxe Resorts are undeniably more expensive than both Value and Moderate Resorts. You can expect to pay hundreds of dollars per night – and during peak seasons, demand can drive the price quite high.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the higher price is a tradeoff for all of the perks we mentioned above. You’re paying for those extra theme park hours, the larger rooms, and the extra-special theming. So, for some guests, those perks do have plenty of added value that offset the higher price per night.
Longer Transportation Routes
This is a con that applies only to some of Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts (and for many guests, it’s a relatively minor one!). You’ll want to consider your Deluxe Resort’s location carefully, as some of the resorts sit pretty far away from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
Resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort aren’t nearly as conveniently located as options like Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The farther-flung resorts do require longer transportation routes, and they may not offer as many transportation options. For example, you may only be able to use Disney World bus transportation, and the trip to and from your Deluxe Resort to a theme park may take some time (and include a few stops.)
You’ll want to keep the transportation options of each Deluxe Resort in mind and the bus routes in mind if you’re going to potentially stay at one that’s a bit of a distance from where you’d like to spend your days.
Is a Disney World Deluxe Resort Right for You?
If a Deluxe Resort is in the budget for your next Disney World vacation, we think it’s a worthwhile splurge. With all of the extra perks –like those Extended Evening Hours in a theme park and the incredibly themed pools, restaurants, and resort grounds – they’re really one-of-a-kind.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to balance details like your preferred mode of transportation, your interest in different resort amenities, and theme park proximity as you’re searching for the perfect Disney World Resort hotel. Need help deciding? The Vacationeer’s team of experts can offer the inside knowledge you need for any and every type of vacation.
