The Best Disney World Deluxe Resort You Should Book A Stay At

Disney World has 3 resort categories: Value, Moderate and Deluxe. The largest category is Disney World deluxe resorts.

So, if you’ve set your heart on staying at one of the deluxe Disney resorts, it can be especially hard to decide which one.

This is particularly true, as it’s extremely difficult to dislike a Disney World deluxe resort.

After all, they are part of “the most desirable” (and most expensive) category of hotels at Disney World.

Today, we will be reviewing all the Disney World deluxe resorts, and discussing their best qualities – to help you to decide which one you should stay at on your next Disney World vacation!

This post is all about the best Disney World deluxe resort you should stay at.

Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts

To make things even more confusing, Disney World has two types of deluxe resorts:

1. Regular Deluxe Resorts – You can book these directly through Disney or from authorised third-party sites.
2. Deluxe DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Resorts – these can be booked if you’re a DVC member, renting DVC points or they can also be booked through Disney directly or third-party sites.

Disney Deluxe Resorts List:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Est. 1971)
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Est. 1971)
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Est. 1988)
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (Est. 1990)
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort (Est. 1990)
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Est. 1994)
• Disney’s Boardwalk Resort (Est. 1996)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Est. 2001)

Deluxe DVC Disney Resorts List:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort (Est. 1991)
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Est. 1994)
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas (Est. 1996)
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas (Est. 2002)
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs (Est. 2004)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House (Est. 2007)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village (Est. 2009)
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Est. 2009)
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Est. 2013)
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (Est. 2015)
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Est. 2017)
• Disney’s Riviera Resort (Est. 2019)

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• The Contemporary Resort is one of two opening-day Disney World resorts. It opened on October 1st, 1971 – just like the Magic Kingdom

• This resort is within walking distance to the Magic Kingdom – just a short 5-10 minute stroll away from the most iconic park
• The Contemporary is on the Monorail loop – providing easy access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot
• Not only is it on the Monorail loop, but the Monorail actually goes through the main hotel building. I bet you’ve never seen that at another Disney resort!

• There are two pools:

1. The Feature Pool – the main pool
2. The Bay Lake Pool – the leisure pool

• If you or someone in your travel party is a fan of The Incredibles, you’ll love the theming of the rooms
• There are quick service and table service restaurants (including character dining) – as well as bars and lounges

RELATED POST: 8 Reasons Why Disney World Quick Service Dining Is Better Than Table Service

• You can get a room in the Main Tower or in the Garden Wing – which are known for being more peaceful and secluded
• You can book rooms with Club Level access
• There are 4 room view types:

1. Standard View
2. Garden View
3. Lake View
4. Theme Park View – which is perfect if you want to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks without leaving your room!

• You can view the Electrical Water Pageant from the Contemporary
• The Olympiad Fitness Center is located at the Contemporary Resort

Why You Should Stay At Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• You also benefit from the proximity to Magic Kingdom and being on the Monorail loop
• If you’re renting or using your own points, it’s the cheapest resort on the Monorail loop
• You have access to both pools at The Contemporary
• You can book different types of accommodation, including:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleep up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
3. Two-BedroomVillas – which sleep up to 9 guests
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• There are 3 studio/villa view types, including:

1. Standard View
2. Lake View
3. Theme Park View

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Like the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian opened on the opening day of Disney World, on October 1st, 1971
• It is on the Monorail loop – making it easy to travel to the Magic Kingdom
• It is the only Disney resort where you can get Dole Whips – obviously the best thing about this resort!

• If you’re a fan of Moana, you will love the theming of the rooms
• There are several room view types, including:

1. Standard View
2. Water View
3. Lagoon View
4. Theme Park View

• There are suites and Club Level options
• There are 2 pools:

1. The Lava Pool – the feature pool
2. The Oasis Pool – the quiet pool

• If you’re a fan of The Beatles, you may be interested to know that John Lennon was staying at the Polynesian when he signed the paperwork that broke up the band
• Quick-service and table-service dining options – as well as bars and lounges

• You can walk from Polynesian to Magic Kingdom (and to the Grand Floridian)
• You can get a boat from the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom
• You can watch the fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

• The types of accommodation include:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 5 guests
2. Two-Bedroom Bungalows – which sleep up to 8 guests

This will change when the new DVC tower opens in late 2024, as it’s thought that there will be an addition of one and two-bedroom villas

• There are 2 types of views available:

1. Standard View
2. Lake View

• The current Deluxe Studios have been recently renovated and contain: a queen-sized bed, a Murphy bed and a pull-down single bed

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• As the name suggests, the Grand Floridian has a spa
• There is a 24-hour Fitness Center
• The Grand Floridian is the only 5-star resort at Disney World
• This resort is on the Monorail loop

• You can walk to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian
• There are 2 pools:

1. The Beach Pool – the feature pool
2. The Courtyard Pool – the leisure pool

• You can view the Electrical Water Pageant from this resort
• There is a variety of different room views, including:

1. Resort View
2. Water View
3. Garden View
4. Theme Park View

• If you’re a fan of the Royal Family, you may be interested to know that Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry stayed at the Grand Floridian in 1993. So, if you want to feel like royalty, this is the resort for you!
• There are rooms and suites, for larger parties
• There are also rooms with Club Level access
• If you are staying here at Christmas, you will be close to the life-sized gingerbread house and gargantuan Christmas tree

Why You Should Stay At The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Since the conversion of the existing rooms in the Big Pine Key building to DVC resort studio rooms, there has been more availability.
• Following on from this, the new Mary Poppins themed rooms (AKA the Resort Studios) are simply breathtaking. They might just be the best Disney World deluxe villas
• There are several types of accommodation, including:

1. Resort Studios – which sleep up to 5 guests
2. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 5 guests
3. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
4. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests
5. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• The room view types are:

1. Standard View
2. Lake View
3. Theme Park View (for some Resort Studios)

Why You Should Stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• You can also take a boat or the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios

• This resort is potentially best known for its feature pool, Stormalong Bay (which is shared with Disney’s Beach Club Resort). Stormalong Bay has a sand-bottomed pool and a lazy river!
• Yacht Club and Beach Club also have 3 leisure pools
• There is a Fitness Center, share with Beach Club
• It is close to Disney’s Boardwalk, which is a great place for entertainment and some additional dining options
• There are Club Level rooms
• There’s a selection of rooms and suites
• There are a number of room view types, including:

1. Standard View
2. Resort View
3. Garden or Woods View
4. Water View

• This resort is more sophisticated than its sister resort, Beach Club Resort, making it arguably the best Disney World deluxe resort for adults
• There’s a selection of table-service and quick-service dining, as well as lounges

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Beach Club Resort

• If you stay here, you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios

• Alternatively, you can take a boat or the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios
• Beach Club is also known for its feature pool, Stormalong Bay (which is shared with Disney’s Yacht Club Resort). Stormalong Bay has a sand-bottomed pool and a lazy river!
• Beach Club is still a deluxe-feeling resort but less sophisticated than Yacht Club. This arguably makes it the best Disney deluxe resort for families – especially with slightly older children, who can enjoy Stormalong Bay
• Beach Club and Yacht Club also have 3 leisure pools
• There is a Fitness Center, share with Yacht Club
• It is close to Disney’s Boardwalk, providing additional options for entertainment and dining

• There are Club Level rooms
• Additionally, there is a selection of rooms and suites
• There are a number of room view types, including:

1. Standard View
2. Resort View
3. Garden or Woods View
4. Water View

• There’s a selection of table service (including character dining) and quick-service dining, as well as lounges

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Beach Club Villas

• The villas are being refurbished, and the sofa beds are being replaced with Murphy beds
• There are 3 types of accommodation:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 8 guests

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom

• Sturdy Branches Health Club is located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Wilderness Lodge has 2 pools, including:

1. The Copper Creek Springs Pool – the feature pool
2. The Boulder Ridge Cove Pool – the quiet pool

• This resort provides a peaceful escape from the chaos of the parks. If you like to be immersed in nature, Wilderness Lodge may be the best Disney World deluxe resort for you

• There are Club Level rooms at Wilderness Lodge
• There are a variety of different room view types, including:

1. Standard View
2. Resort View
3. Water View
4. Fireworks View

• There are table-service and quick-service dining options, as well as lounges

Why You Should Stay At Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• The villas are being refurbished, and the sofa beds are being replaced with Murphy beds, and they are looking SO MUCH BETTER
• There are 3 types of DVC accommodation:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 5 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 4 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 8 guests

Why You Should Stay At Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• The Copper Creek villas are newer than Boulder Ridge (though they don’t seem significantly better, since the Boulder Ridge refurbishments)
• There are 5 different types of accommodation, including:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 4 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 8 guests
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests
5. Two-Bedroom Cabins – which sleep up to 8 guests

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is currently being refurbished, so it will feel “new” again, even though it opened in 1996)
• If you stay at Boardwalk, you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• Alternatively, you can take a boat or the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios
• You could also take a boat to Epcot
• The Boardwalk Inn is home to the Muscles & Bustles Health Club
• Boardwalk has 3 pools, which are:

1. The Luna Park pool – the main pool (which was recently refurbished)
2. A leisure pool at the Community Hall
3. Another leisure pool at the opposite end of the resort

• It is located at Disney’s charming Boardwalk, providing great options for entertainment and dining

• There are Club Level rooms
• There’s a selection of both rooms and suites
• There is an impressive selection of room view types, which are:

1. Standard View
2. Resort View
3. Garden View
4. Water View

• There’s a selection of table service (including character dining) and quick-service dining, as well as lounges

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

• It is one of the cheapest DVC resorts to stay at (when renting points or using DVC points)
• If you don’t care about Stormalong Bay, the Boardwalk Villas are the cheapest accommodation in the Boardwalk area
• The villas are being refurbished, and the sofa beds are being replaced with Murphy beds
• There are four categories of accommodation here:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 5 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 4 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• There are three different view categories:

1. Standard View
2. Garden / Pool View
3. Boardwalk View

• You get the other Disney World deluxe resort perks by staying here

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

• It is the only Disney World resort to have a literal Savanna! If you stay here, you’ll be sharing a resort with over 30 African animal species, including: giraffes; zebras; and flamingos!

• Not only do they have a Savanna, but they have rooms that overlook the Savanna. You don’t have to go and see the animals; instead, they come to visit you!
• A cheaper alternative is a Standard View. If you book a Standard View room at Animal Kingdom Lodge, it might be worth requesting a partial Savanna view (which means the view of the Savanna is partially obstructed)
• Animal Kingdom Lodge has a Fitness Center
• It is close to the Animal Kingdom park, which is perfect if that’s one of your favourite theme parks and you plan on spending a lot of time there

• Despite being arguably the most unique hotel, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the cheapest Disney deluxe resorts
• Some of the best on-property dining can be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge – with a variety of table service and quick service dining, as well as bars and lounges. If you’re a Disney foodie, this may be the best Disney World deluxe resort for you!

• There are 2 pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge:

1. Uzima Springs Pool
2. Samawati Springs Pool

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

• Jambo House is the main building (which can be easier to navigate than Kidani Village)
• If you stay at Jambo House, you’re close to a number of dining locations, including:

1. Jiko – The Cooking Place
2. Boma – Flavors of Africa
3. The Mara
4. Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
5. Victoria Falls Lounge

• There is a fabulous pool, Uzima Springs, at Jambo House
• There are 4 types of accommodation at Jambo House:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – they all sleep up to 4 guests, and most sleep up to 5
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – they all sleep up to 8 guests, and most sleep up to 9
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• Guests can choose between:

1. Value Accommodation – which has very limited availability 
2. Standard View
3. Savanna View
4. Kilimanjaro Club Concierge – which also has extremely limited availability 

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

• Luckily, great dining is not exclusive to Jambo House. The dining locations at Kidani Village include:

1. Sanaa
2.  Maji Pool Bar

• The Samawati Springs pool is located in Kidani Village
• There are also 4 types of accommodation at Kidani Village:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – they all sleep up to 4 guests, and most sleep up to 5
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – they all sleep up to 8 guests, and most sleep up to 9
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• At Kidani Village, guests can also choose between:

1. Value Accommodation – which has very limited availability 
2. Standard View
3. Savanna View
4. Kilimanjaro Club Concierge – which has very limited availability 

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort offers some of the largest studios/villas on property. If you travel with larger parties and value your space, Old Key West may be the best Disney World deluxe resort for you.
• Old Key West is usually the least expensive of the Disney World deluxe villas to stay at
• This is arguably the most iconic DVC resort, as it was the first Disney Vacation Club Resort – which opened in 1991
• You can catch a Water Taxi to Disney Springs from Old Key West
• There’s a Fitness Center at R.E.S.T. Beach
• There are four pools:

1. The Sandcastle Pool – the main pool
2. The Old Turtle Pond Pool – a leisure pool
3. The Miller’s Road Pool – another leisure pool
4. The South Point Road Pool – the final leisure pool

• This resort provides beautiful Key West theming
• Old Key West offers quick service and table service dining, as well as lounges

• There are bike and surrey bike (for 2 or 4) rentals – which allow you to take a fun ride around the beautiful resort
• A perfect place to play sports, such as:

1. Basketball
2. Tennis
3. Volleyball

• Old Key West has 4 categories of accommodation, which are:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort transports you back to New York (Saratoga Springs) in the late 1800s
• It’s perfect if you want to play golf at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
• Saratoga Springs is one of the least expensive Disney Vacation Club resorts to stay at
• There is a spa at Saratoga Springs. Please note that this is currently unavailable.
• There are bars, quick service and table service dining locations at Saratoga Springs
• The rooms have been recently refurbished
• There are 5 categories of accommodation:

1. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 4 guests
2. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
3. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests
4. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests
5. Three-Bedroom Treehouse Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests. You can only find treehouse villas at Saratoga Springs Resort!

• Saratoga Springs has Standard and Preferred accommodation
• There is a 24-Hour Fitness Center

Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Riviera Resort

• The Riviera is the newest DVC resort (which opened in 2o19)
• It is the only Deluxe DVC resort on the Skyliner – providing guests with easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• You can walk over to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – for more dining (and shopping!) options

• There are bars, quick service and table service dining options – including character dining!

RELATED POST: 9 Reasons Why Disney World Table Service Dining Is Better Than Quick Service

• Disney’s Riviera Resort is a small, compact resort – so this might just be the best Disney World deluxe resort for you, if you hate large resorts and internal buses
• You feel like you’re transported to Europe (as someone who lives in Europe, I can attest to that)
• There are 2 pools at Riviera:

1. The Riviera Pool – the feature pool
2. The Beau Soleil Pool – the leisure pool

• You can work out at the Athlétique Fitness Center
• There are 5 types of accommodation at the Riviera Resort:

1. Tower Studios – which sleep up to 2 guests (and are perfect for solo travellers or couples)
2. Deluxe Studios – which sleeps up to 5 guests
3. One-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 5 guests
4. Two-Bedroom Villas – which sleep up to 9 guests
5. Three-Bedroom Grand Villas – which sleep up to 12 guests

• There are Standard and Preferred rooms at the Riviera

Ta Ta For Now

Which is your favourite deluxe resort? Let me know in the comments!

This post was all about helping you to find the best Disney World deluxe resort for you! 

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Daisy Allen

Hi there! I'm an English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Disney fan who drinks a lot of iced green tea ☕️ with lemon 🍋 and spends most of my time missing the Disney parks! ✨

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