Disney World Resorts: Which Is Right For Your Holiday From The UK?

Choosing the right Disney World Resort for a holiday from the UK is about picking what works so you can have the Disney World experience you want. Disney's hotels range from relatively affordable Value Resorts to Moderate and Deluxe properties, plus larger villa-style accommodation.

What’s The Difference Between Value, Moderate and Deluxe?

The main features that matter when comparing Disney hotel tiers are:

What isn’t different, no matter what resort tier you pick?

Some options and extras remain the same no matter what Disney World hotel you choose, including:

• Core guest benefits such as Early Entry, free hotel parking and free towels

• Resort Refillable mugs are available

• The option to pay to add on a dining plan

• Rooms with better views or closer to hotel amenities cost more

• You’ll have access to one or more forms of free transport to get to the 4 theme parks, open water parks and Disney Springs

• Mousekeeping services which is the Disney term for housekeeping

Which Disney World Resort Should You Choose?

There is not a universally best Disney World hotel to choose and I choose based on the type of Disney stay I’m planning.

Top Tip For Choosing A Disney Hotel

Picking a hotel at Disney World means you’re choosing from a long list. They’re not cheap options, and the reality when picking a Disney Hotel often isn’t which is best, because we’d all be in Deluxe resorts. It’s about deciding what you’re willing to pay more for and whether you’ll use extra amenities in more expensive hotels while you’re on holiday. If you can answer that, the shortlist of Disney hotel options tends to reduce quickly.

I ask 3 questions first to get an outline of what’s needed from my Disney hotel for the holiday I’m planning. It’s how I approach Disney World hotels every time as there is such a wide range of hotels and room options.

1. How much time do you plan to spend at the resort?

If you plan to be out all day and eating out mainly quick service food all the time, a Value Resort may be all you need. Paying hundreds of pounds more for elaborate grounds, additional restaurants and a better pool may not be worth it. Whereas, when you're planning rest days, afternoon breaks and slower mornings, the hotel becomes much more important.

2. What kind of room does your party need?

A couple has very different requirements from a family of five, so consider:

• number of beds;

• storage space;

• bathroom arrangements;

• how much time you'll spend there;

• whether you need cooking or kitchen facilities;

• if laundry facilities in the room would make life easier.

Sometimes the space and amenities are the reason to choose the Disney hotel.

3. How much are you spending by upgrading?

Look at the difference in cost between the types of hotel you like. For instance the price difference between staying at All Star Music for two weeks between 8th March and 22nd March 2027 and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort with Disney Holidays is £1,440. The question to ask yourself is whether this money is better spent on other Disney experiences or on your hotel experience. The decision you make will depend on what you want from your holiday. Sometimes the resort wins.

Once you have answers, add the information to your budget, and you will usually have a shorter list of options.

When To Choose Value Resorts?

Disney World Value Resorts cost the least but have all the amenities you need for a holiday where you don’t spend much time in the room. They give you access to all the Disney guest benefits and these hotels can work out the same price as some off-site options, making them a good choice for UK holidaymakers looking to spend most of their holiday at Disney World.

All Value resorts have a minimum of two Disney-themed pool areas and one quick-service dining option. Holidays include Disney guest perks and are a great option for small families, couples, and first-timers. Value resorts are located further away from the parks and no Value resorts are within walking distance to any of the theme parks. However Value resorts are not all the same and comparing them is often the best way to narrow down which option works best when you know you want to stay in a Value hotel:

• Compare All Star Resorts if you’re not sure which one is best for your trip

• If you want to stay in a Value Disney Skyliner hotel compare Pop Century and Art of Animation

• Staying in a suite works well for families looking for more space at Value hotels, but comparing the two suite options at Art of Animation and All Star Music is key to knowing which works for your holiday.

Upgrading To Moderate Resorts

The decision between upgrading to Moderate from Value resorts can be affected by the UK’s free dining plan offer, which is more comprehensive at Moderate Resorts and the need for a calmer atmosphere, as Moderate rooms and hotels tend to feel less stimulating than Value options. But if moving from an All-Star to a more expensive resort adds £1,000 or £2,000 to your holiday, ask whether you're genuinely going to get that amount of additional value from the hotel.

When To Choose Moderate Resorts?

Moderate Resorts are the middle ground when choosing Disney World Resort accommodations. Rooms get slightly larger, no more animated over-sized theming, and buildings are centred around lagoons (it reminds us of large village ponds pleasantly themed). You will find that there is a table service dining option in your resort, as well as a quick service option. It’s a calmer atmosphere and less stimulating than the Value resorts.

Upgrading To Deluxe Resorts

Upgrading to a Deluxe resort from a Moderate resort is often quite a big price jump, and is perhaps best done through a third party DVC reseller like David’s DVC Club Rentals opens in a new tabas you tend to save money rather than booking through Disney directly. An upgrade is great for a short stay and special occasion but not perhaps best for most UK visitors looking for 14-night holidays. When considering an upgrade, don’t be swayed by Extended Evening Hours especially when looking at a 14-night holiday.

When To Choose Deluxe Resorts

Disney World Deluxe Resorts are top tier including more guest-exclusive park hours, luxury accommodation close to the theme parks, the highest service levels, and most immersive theming. Costing the most, this is the luxury option for UK guests heading to Walt Disney World.

Expect premium locations, with some hotels within walking distance to theme parks, signature dining and lounges. Some Deluxe hotels are on the monorail loop, which can be a way of choosing which hotel to stay at. Spacious rooms are on offer with balconies and various resort-view options. If it’s a birthday or milestone celebration, a one-night stay in a deluxe resort as a UK visitor adds an even more memorable twist to your trip.

When To Choose Disney Deluxe Villas

If you’ve ever seen Disney Villas mentioned on UK booking sites there refer to the Deluxe Villa Resorts, part of Disney’s Vacation Club range. They combine the perks of a Deluxe hotel with the space and facilities of a villa or apartment on Disney property.

Disney villas can be booked without being a DVC member as part of a package. They offer space for big families or multi-generational stays but are an expensive option. They include:

• Disney’s Riviera Resort

• Animal Kingdom Villas

• Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort

• Beach Club Villas / Boardwalk Villas

• Old Key West Resort

Choosing the Best Disney Resort For Your Trip

Disney has over 25 accommodation options so if staying on-site is the choice you make, this is our breakdown of where’s best to stay on Disney World Resort.

Best for Families with Children

Disney’s Value and Moderate resorts are designed with families in mind, with pools food courts and easy transport. Plus there’s plenty of Disney theming to keep the magic alive all day long. For larger UK families, families looking to explore other places such as Universal, or families who need some relaxing downtime off-site villas are ideal. Providing coking and washing space, private outdoor space, and more sleeping space.

Best for Adults and Couples

Adults will be surprised by the level of luxury in deluxe resorts, and staying at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge provides a truly adult holiday. Escaping to a Disney resort as an adult is exciting and Disney do cater for adult only very well. With an on-site spa at the Floridian and a Michelin starred restaurant, to Coronado Springs where the views from Gran Destino Tower add magic to your mornings. Condos offer a home-from-home and a space to escape the busy atmosphere of the parks.

Best For Visitors On A Budget

If you are looking to do Disney on a budget your best onsite option is a Value All Star resort benefitting from money-saving perks and free on-site transport. For some UK guests who are happy to drive, off-site hotels can save money especially if parking is free and meals can be cooked at resorts. Avoid upgrading to Preferred location rooms and stick with standard to keep costs as low as possible.

Best For Multi-Generational Travel

Deluxe Villas offer full kitchens and multiple bedrooms, on trips which are about spending time together, but where space really matters. Disney Villas are ideal if you want to be in one space together. Off-site villas do provide more space and better value when costs are shared.

Best For Luxury and Special Occasions

The ultimate luxury is to choose a deluxe or deluxe villa resort. If you’re heading out to Disney with luxury in mind, I’d avoid the Grand Floridian and Polynesian because they get over-run with guests exploring and enjoying popular character dining experiences. Head to Animal Kingdom Lodge to feel removed from the park atmosphere, stay in the bubble , and still have a luxurious peaceful escape.

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Questions about which Disney Resort to choose