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Health & Fitness

Walt Disney World Resorts

When you think of Walt Disney World, you think of the Theme Parks. What about the Resorts, they are just as important.

When you think of Walt Disney World you usually think of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. What about the Resorts at Walt Disney World, do you ever think about them. Did you know that there are 33 hotels on property and 24 of them are operated by the Walt Disney company!

There are different tiers to them as well: Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas.  Whether you like larger than life icons, themed swimming pools, or a Resort right on the monorail, there is something for everyone.

I am going to break down the different Resorts for you, to better help you understand each one. I have stayed at a Value Resort,  a Moderate Resort as well as a Deluxe two bedroom Villa! I will tell you which one is my personal favorite and why. 

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Let's start with the Value Resorts: There are four of them, All Star Movie,  All Star Sports, All Star Music, and Pop Century. First and foremost, anyone taking children to Walt Disney World, regardless of their economic means, should give serious consideration to the Values. The "Giant Icons" at these resort will make anyone smile! The vibrant colors, attention to detail, and the childlike feeling you get is like no other when you step foot onto a Value Resort property.  The rooms are 260 square feet, offer a King size bed or two double beds, maximum occupancy is 4 people, you have themed pools, gift shop and a food court. They have exterior corridors, and shared transportation (exception of Pop Century, which has it's own transportation). Rates for 2011 start at $89.00 per night. I have stayed at All Star Movie when my daughter was turning four and we had the Toy Story section. She loved it, a three story Buzz and Woody and Andy's room to play in!!

Next I am going to move onto the Moderate Resorts: There are four of them as well, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Campground. Each Resort has it own interesting and beautiful theme. Whether you want a Beach atmosphere with sandy beaches, or a Southwest theme that invokes the spirit and romance of Spanish-colonial Mexico. Also you can sit back and relax in a hotel inspired by the historic French Quarter in New Orleans. Or a hotel inspired by rural Louisiana that flows alongside a picturesque river.  The rooms are 314-340 square feet (standard rooms), two double beds  (updating to two queens in 2011)  maximum occupancy: 4 people, themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, food court, and other amenities.  Wide range of transportation, Understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance,  exterior corridors 2011 rates starting at $154/night. I have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside on my anniversary with my husband a few years back. We loved the themed swimming pool with the water slide. We also really enjoyed the boat ride to Downtown Disney in the evenings. 

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Last but not least are the Deluxe and Deluxe Villa's: There are a lot of them, where you can experience ultimate in Disney luxury, style and service! The Resorts are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club Resort, Bay Lake Towers at Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa! Each of these Themed Resorts pays such attention to detail. The architecture in each one is stunning! The pools offer some of the most amazing water slides I have ever seen, with whirlpools near by. Deluxe Resorts offer 344-440 square feet (standard rooms), two queen beds or one king bed, maximum occupancy: 4-5 people. With themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, health clubs, food court, and other amenities. Interior corridors, wide range of transportation, understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance, 2011 rates starting at $250/night. Deluxe Villa Resorts offer 355-412 square feet (standard rooms), beds dependent on number of rooms, maximum occupancy: varies, themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, health clubs, food court, and other amenities. Wide range of transportation, understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance2011 rates starting at $280/night. Last year we stayed at Saratoga Springs 2 bedroom Villa. It was truly amazing, two seperate bedrooms and baths, a balcony, full kitchen, livingroom, washer and dryer, and jacuzzi tub!! My daughter loved the pool, she couldn't get enough of the water slide! 

In the end, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of which resort is “best.”  It’s highly subjective, and even those to whom money is no issue may find that the delightful oversized set pieces of the Value Resorts are more magical to their young children than the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Which resort is right for your party is a something only you can determine, but I hope this post has helped provide you with some objective information to assist you in making the decision.

Here is a list of the Non Disney Hotels: Doubletree Guest Suite Resort, Regal Sun Resort, Hilton Walt Disney World, Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort, Royal Plaza, Shades of GreenBuena Vista Palace Resort & Spa, Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan. 


For more information on pricing and packages please visit: www.mickeytravels.com

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