What is the difference between a Disney Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resort?

When planning your vacation to Disney World, one of the first things you’ll want to think about is what Disney Resort you’ll want to stay at. The Walt Disney World Resort offers 25 hotels to choose from! So how do you choose the perfect resort?

When having that first conversation with your White Glove Destinations Travel Advisor, we will ask you a series of questions to help find the right resort for your family’s wants and needs. One of the questions we ask is “What resort category do you want to stay in? Value, Moderate, or Deluxe?” Most people will want the cheapest option, then when they arrive at their resort are disappointed to find some amenities that are not at the resort. What they wanted was truly a Moderate or Deluxe.

So what’s the difference between Value, Moderate, and Deluxe? There are a variety of ways each travel advisor explains the difference. One of our agents explains that the Value and Moderate are going to be more of a “motel layout.” Meaning you enter your room from an outside corridor. If you want a true hotel feel a Deluxe will be worth looking at.

When I have conversations with my clients I like to ask them what is important to them out of six main amenities offered. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Room Size

Value Resorts - The standard room type will sleep a family of four, plus a crib/pack n’ play if needed. These rooms will be about 260 square feet. The Family Suites sleep up to six guests plus a crib. These rooms will be about 520 square feet.

Moderate Resorts - The standard room type at Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans sleep up to four guests plus a crib and are 314 square feet. Some rooms at Port Orleans Riverside can accommodate up to five guests plus a baby in a crib. There are some suites at Coronado Springs. The Fort Wilderness cabins, which sleep up to six guests plus a baby, are approximately 504 square feet.

Deluxe Resorts - There are a variety of room types and sizes at the deluxe hotels. These range from standard rooms of about 344 square feet depending on the resort. Standard rooms at the Grand Floridian sleep up to 5 guests plus a baby in a crib and are about 440 square feet.

2. Bathroom Layout

Value Resorts - Standards rooms will have one sink, one toilet, and one shower/tub combo. The toilet and shower are in a room with a door, while the sink is located in the open. The Family suites at All-Star Music and Art of Animation have two bathrooms. They also will have a bar sink in the kitchenette area.

Moderate Resorts - Most rooms will have two sinks, one toilet, and one shower/tub combo. The toilet and shower are in a room with a door, while the sinks are outside the door. Sometimes the sink area can be separated from the sleeping room with a curtain, sliding door, etc.

Deluxe Resorts - Standard rooms will have two sinks, one toilet, and one shower/tub combo. At some resorts, the toilet/tub is behind a door. In some cases, the toilet will be in its own doored room. The Upgraded Suites may have several bathrooms in a variety of combinations.

3. Bedding Type

Value Resorts - Standard rooms will have either two double size beds or one king-size bed. Family suites at Art of Animation have one queen-size bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one double pull-down table bed. Family suites at All-Star Music have a queen-size bed, a double sleeper sofa, a twin size sleeper chair, and a twin size sleeper ottoman.

Moderate Resorts - Standard rooms will have two queen size beds or one king-size bed. Some rooms at Port Orleans Riverside offer a twin-size trundle bed or Murphy bed.

Deluxe Resorts - Standard rooms have two queen-size beds or one king-size bed. Many standard rooms will also have a twin-size daybed.

4. Pool Options

Value Resorts - These resorts will have the main themed pool. Select Resorts small interactive water play areas.

Moderate Resorts - In addition to the main pool, these resorts will offer a “quiet pool,” and select resorts will have interactive water play areas. Moderate Resorts will also have a waterslide! Select resorts will have a hot tub.

Deluxe Resorts - In addition to all of the above, Deluxe Resorts will have at least one waterslide, a hot tub, and may have bonus water features such as waterfalls or sand play areas.

5.Dining Options

Value Resorts - There will be a food court, poolside bar, and in-room pizza delivery in the evenings.

Moderate Resorts - In addition to all of the above, there will also be at least one table service restaurant (except Port Orleans French Quarter) and one indoor bar/ lounge.

Deluxe Resorts - In addition to all of the above, there will be multiple table service dining options, full room service options available all day. Some resorts will have Character Dining experiences located on-site!

6. Transportation Options

Value Resorts - All Resorts will offer complimentary Disney bus transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs. Several resorts will offer transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the new Skyliner!

Moderate Resorts - All Resorts will offer complimentary Disney bus transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs Some resorts will offer boat transportation to Disney Springs. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will also offer transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the new Skyliner.

Deluxe Resorts - All Resorts will offer complimentary Disney bus transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs. There are three resorts located along the “Monorail Loop.” Resorts located on the Monorail Loop will be able to take the monorail to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. There are a handful of resorts that you can walk to one (sometimes two) theme parks as well. Disney’s Rivera Resort will also offer transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the new Skyliner.

These are just a few of the amenities you might want to consider when choosing your next Walt Disney World Resort. While some of these differences may seem small or insignificant, there are a few that a big and very noticeable. Your White Glove Destinations Travel Advisor will consider your stance on these offerings as well as your desired budget. Our travel advisors are always happy to give you our favorite recommendations!.

Contact Hallie for your complimentary Disney Vacation Consultation or for more information on Walt Disney World Resort categories!