Deluxe Resorts
(Updated 9/1/2022)
Here’s how Disney World Deluxe resorts work.
There are 8 Deluxe Resorts on property that, by and large, are destinations in and of themselves. These resorts are more about atmosphere than animation, like the Moderate resorts. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t kid appealing as well.
Deluxes are, for the most part, closer to the parks, have more transportation and restaurant options, as well as larger rooms and more storage space. However, you do have to pay a premium for those “perks” AND not all Deluxes are equal in terms of those perks.
Each of the Deluxe resorts has a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) area as well as Club Level rooms (not re-opened at Beach/Yacht, Grand Flordian or Polynesian resorts yet). For our purposes here, I’m sticking to the basics of the more standard forms of Disney World on property resort accommodations.
Beginning in October 2021, Deluxe Resort guests will be eligible for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. Resort guests at all levels are eligible for Early Theme Park Entry.
Below is just an overview in terms of rooms, pools, food, sundries & transportation.
It should answer the most important of the basic questions when selecting a resort: what room(s) can we fit in comfortably, is there a pool to cool off in, where can we eat, where can I buy sunscreen and how the heck do we get where we need to go.
Understanding how Disney World Deluxe resorts work is a great starting point. There are many, many YouTube videos, room tours as well as reviews out there for you to dig deeper once you know what’s what.
Keep in mind that these resorts are big and for this reason cover a lot of ground. Consequently, the distance from your room to each mode of transportation will differ.
BEACH/YACHT CLUBS | BOARDWALK INN
CONTEMPORARY |GRAND FLORIDIAN | POLYNESIAN
Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you are going to spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom, in particular, or you want a little bit of Animal Kingdom every day, this is the resort for you. Book a savanna room and you basically have your own Animal Kingdom right outside your balcony.
This resort is a little off the beaten path as well as having only ONE form of transportation. In fact, it is not even close enough to it’s namesake Animal Kingdom to be walkable, which is a common misconception. However, I have taken the Disney World buses to and from this resort and the parks several times, even in the middle of the afternoon near Spring Break season, and never had a super long wait.
Rooms
Up to 4 adults: (2 Queens) OR (1 King) OR (1 pull down sofa bed & 1 King)
Bathrooms
Sink split from toilet/shower area with a door between
Pools
Uzima Springs Pool & Samawati Springs Pool
Food & Drink
Signature Dining. Dinner and breakfast buffet. Quick Service. Grab and Go. Lounges. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Zawadi Marketplace
Transportation
Bus (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Beach Club / Yacht Club
These resorts are PERFECT if you are going to spend a lot of time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios in particular. In fact, you can walk to both Hollywood Studios AND Epcot from these resorts as well as take a boat.
The Beach Club, in addition to the Yacht Club, is located in the Epcot resort area. They are actually two separate resorts BUT really act as one. Beach Club and Yacht Club are right next to each other, look the same on the outside except for a slight difference in paint color as well as share pools and buses. The only real difference is that the Yacht Club has a nautical bent whereas Beach Club has a more trip to the shore feel. All in all, you can’t go wrong with either of these resorts as each of their amenities is within walking distance of the other.
Some folks will make the argument that Yacht is more “formal” than Beach Club. However, I think that can be misleading since both sides are family friendly and I don’t find Yacht club to be as stuffy as the “formal” designation can imply. What’s more, the pool shared by these resorts is considered, by most, to be the BEST pool on property.
Rooms
- Up to 5 adults: (1 King) OR (2 Queens) OR (1 Queen, 1 pull down sofa bed & 1 twin pull down chair bed) OR (2 Queens & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 King & 1 pull down sofa bed)
- Up to 6 adults: (2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen pull down sofa bed)
Bathrooms
Sink split from toilet/shower area with a door between
Pools
Stormalong Bay & 3 leisure pools
Food & Drink
Signature Dining Steakhouse. Breakfast and dinner seafood buffets. Quick Service. Grab and Go. Lounges. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Beach Club Marketplace (BC)/Market at Ale & Compass (YC)
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Boardwalk Inn
Boardwalk Inn is also in the Epcot resort area. The nearby Beach/Yacht Clubs have a slight edge on Boardwalk Inn because their pool is far superior. However, this is also a great place for folks who will spend a lot of time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. In fact, you can walk, boat or take the Skyliner to both Hollywood Studios AND Epcot from this resort.
Boardwalk Inn also doesn’t have as many in-house dining options BUT it does have the boardwalk area right outside. Along the boardwalk area you will find seafood and Italian restaurants (one with a Character breakfast) as well as a piano bar, a magic themed cocktail lounge, a Deli/bakery and many food carts. There are also different entertainment options along the boardwalk in the evenings such as jugglers and musicians. Boardwalk Inn is very close to the dining options at both Beach and Yacht Club resorts, as well as the Swan and Dolphin resorts.
Rooms
- Up to 5 adults (2 Queens) OR (1 King) OR (2 Queens & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 pull down sofa bed & 1 King)
Bathrooms
Sink split from toilet/shower area with a door between
Pools
Luna Park Pool & 2 leisure pools
Food & Drink
Lounge only on location. Close to Boardwalk area as well as Yacht and Beach Club dining. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Screen Door General Store
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Skyliner/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Contemporary
One of the two original resorts, The Contemporary recently renovated room and common areas with a Mid Century Modern/Incredible theme. It’s also a short WALK to Magic Kingdom from this resort! It is also one of the 3 Deluxes that are on the monorail loop AND has boat service to the Magic Kingdom. This is a great choice all around but especially if you will be spending a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom.
By the way, you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort as well as the night time Electrical Water Pageant.
Rooms
- Up to 4 adults (1 King & 1 Queen pull down sofa bed)
- Up to 5 adults (2 Queens & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 King & 1 pull down sofa bed)
Bathrooms
Sink IS NOT split from toilet/shower area.
Pools
Feature Pool & Bay Lake Pool
Food & Drink
Signature Dining. Dining room and lounge. Character Buffet. Quick Service. Grab and Go. Lounges. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Bayview Gifts
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Monorail/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Grand Floridian
This is one of the 3 Deluxes that are on the monorail loop AND also has boat service to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a walking path from the resort to the gates of the Magic Kingdom. It is a great choice all around but especially if you will be spending a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom. Grand Floridan is the fanciest of the the resorts and the theming here is Victorian together with a little Mary Poppins flair here and there. Some of the rooms were recently converted to DVC villas and the lobby got a makeover.
By the way, you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort as well as the night time Electrical Water Pageant.
Rooms
- Up to 5 adults (2 Queens) OR (1 King) OR (2 Queens & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 King & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 King and 1 Double pull down sofa bed)
Bathrooms
Sink split from toilet/shower area with a door between
Pools
Beach Pool & Courtyard Pool
Food & Drink
Signature Dining. Quick Service. Grab and Go. Lounges. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Sandy Cove Gifts & Sundries
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Monorail/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Polynesian Village
The ambiance and theming at the Polynesian is so well done that you feel, without a doubt, like you are on a tropical vacation in the Pacific. As a result, it is a great resort choice if you need to escape from the DISNEY of Disney World.
The rooms have recently been refurbished with a tasteful Moana theme.
This resort has several dining options as well as a popular Character breakfast. The pool here is gorgeous and there is also a beach area along the water.
This is one of the 3 Deluxes that are on the monorail loop AND also has boat service to the Magic Kingdom. This is a great choice all around but especially if you will be spending a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom.
By the way, you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort as well as the night time Electrical Water Pageant.
Rooms
- Up to 5 adults (2 Queens) OR (1 King) OR (2 Queen & 1 pull down sofa bed) OR (1 King & 1 pull down sofa bed)
Bathrooms
Sink/toilet/shower area together with a door between sink/shower area and toilet
Pools
Lava Pool & Oasis Pool
Food & Drink
All You Care to Eat Dinner. All You Care to Eat Character Breakfast. Table Service. Quick Service. Grab and Go. Dole Whip Counter. Tiki Bar experience. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Boutiki
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Monorail/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)
Wilderness Lodge
This resort definitely makes you feel as if you left Florida and, all of a sudden, relocated to a national park in the west. Nevertheless, Wilderness Lodge is a hop skip and jump, well, boat ride, away from Magic Kingdom.
Wilderness Lodge is a great choice all around but especially if you will be spending a lot of time in the Magic Kingdom. The rustic decor is beautiful and above all, very relaxing. There are a couple of unique dining locations as well as the new Storybook Dining character dinner. In addition, there is a walking trail that leads to Fort Wilderness and a geyser that goes off throughout the day.
By the way, you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort as well as the night time Electrical Water Pageant.
Rooms
- Up to 2 adults (1 King)
- Up to 4 adults (2 Queens) OR (1 Queen & 1 bunk bed)
Bathrooms
Sink split from toilet/shower area with a door between
Pools
Copper Creek Springs Pool & Boulder Ridge Cove Pool
Food & Drink
Character Dinner with Snow White, the Evil Queen, Grumpy and Dopey. Outdoor Quick Service w/ a bar. Indoor Quick Service. Grab and Go. Lounge. (See Dining by Resort for a complete list)
Shopping & Sundries
Wilderness Lodge Mercantile
Transportation
Bus/Boat/Walk (See Transportation by Resort for more information)