Disney Resorts - Where to Stay at Disney World

-Disney World Resorts, by Location

Five resorts are near the Magic Kingdom, and three of them -- the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, and the Contemporary -- are connected to the theme park, and to each other, by a monorail. The monorail also extends to Epcot. Very convenient!

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a flagship property, a Deluxe resort in the style of classic Victorian beach resorts, with showpiece lobby; spa, and concierge category rooms and suites. The Grand Floridian has a beach, marina, boat rentals; evening kids club; character meals; many kids' activities.

Location: prime spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, across from Magic Kingdom; boat or monorail to MK; view of nightly fireworks. Monorail provides quick access to Epcot theme park also.

A Deluxe resort with South Pacific theme, with beaches, tropical landscaping, waterfalls, torch-lighting ceremony. Volcano pool; evening kids club; Character Breakfast; luau dinner show; marina, sailboats; views of fireworks. Concierge service.

Location: on the Seven Seas Lagoon, across from Magic Kingdom; take a boat or monorail to MK; views of nightly fireworks. Monorail provides quick access to Epcot theme park also.

A Deluxe resort, with large rooms and suites, and concierge category. Boat rentals at the marina; water skiing, tubing, wake-boarding; beach area (no swimming, though.) Large freeform pool with slide. Views of fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant.

Location: on the Seven Seas Lagoon, with access by boat or monorail to Magic Kingdom, and to the Grand Floridian and Disney's Polynesian Resort. Bay Lake is on the other side of the Contemporary. Note that the Monorail provides quick access to Epcot theme park also.

Modeled on the wonderful Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park, with rustic exterior, 82' fireplace, and a 120' geyser. A Deluxe property, with spa, health club, concierge services, junior suites. Sandy beach, boat rentals, boat cruises; evening kids club; bike rentals, horse-drawn carriage tours. Pool has a water fall and water slide; kids pool, too.

Location: on Bay Lake, near Magic Kingdom; guests can take a boat to MK, or to Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (for dinner shows or recreation.)

Sharing this location are the Villas at Wilderness LodgeVillas at Wilderness Lodge, part of the Disney Vacation Club, but can be booked by any guests.

The only place to camp at Disney World; or rent a cabin that sleeps six and has a kitchen.Fort Wilderness has huge grounds with lots of recreation, dinner shows, free campfire and evening outdoor movies.Two pools; canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, wagon rides, pony rides, horseback rides... A very fun resort! Pet-friendly, too.

Location: on Bay Lake, near Magic Kingdom; guests can take a boat to MK.

A Deluxe resort, with astonishing African architecture and decor; six-story lobby; best of all are the savannas where African animals roam. Spa fitness center, concierge floors, fine dining; large zero-entry pool with slide; kids pool; kids activities and evening kids club.

Location is very near the Animal Kingdom theme park. Sharing this location are the Animal Kingdom Villas, part of the Disney Vacation Club, but can be booked by any guests.

A large Moderate-priced resort,with beautiful grounds and 15-acre man-made Lage Dorado, nature walk, themed Dig Site pool with Jaguar water-slide, children's pool, playground, health club. Theming is American Southwest/ northern Mexico, with plazas and a courtyard. Marina, open seasonally on on Lago Dorado, rents kayaks, pedalboats, and other boats; bikes and surrey-bikes for rent as well. Market-style food court.

Location: Classified as "Near Animal Kingdom", but driving time is shorter (about 10 minutes) to Epcot and to Disney's Hollywood Studios (less than 10 minutes); Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom are an estimated 20 minutes away.

A Value resort with colorful and fun theming, and all the perks of staying at a Disney World resort. Food courts; two swimming pools.

Location: in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, but also close to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach Water Park.

More All-Star Resorts: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort; Disney's All-Star Music Resort. Both are in the same area.

The theme is 1930s Eastern Seaboard; the lakeside boardwalk has restaurants, shops, and nightspots. This Deluxe resort has evening kids' club, Concierge Service, health club, spa. Activities include bike-rides on the boardwalk, Surrey bikes, tennis,games, seasonal fun such as jugglers, magic shows, midway games. Luna Park carnival-themed pool area has a 200' water slide.

Location: a top spot! 5-minute walk to Epcot, through the International Gateway; after the Illuminations Show at Epcot, stroll back to the boardwalk scene lit up beside Crescent Lake. Disney's Hollywood Studios is a 20-minute walk away; or take a boat to DHS or Epcot.

Sharing the location is Disney Vacation Club BoardWalk Villas (-can be booked by any guests.)

The Beach Club and adjacent Yacht Club -- both Deluxe resorts -- have suites and concierge level, and share Stormalong Pool, over 3 acres in size, with several different areas, sandy wading area, waterslide. (Access is limited to BC and YC guests.) Activities might include campfire sing-a-long or Movie Under the Stars. Bayside Marina has cruise excursions. IllumiNations cruises are pricey but popular; guests can also see Epcot's IllumiNations fireworks from the beach.

Location: same prime location as BoardWalk Inn, above. All three are on Crescent Lake; the boardwalk's a great place to stroll, day or night. Five minutes walk to Epcot, and close to Disney's Hollywood Studios too - take a boat, or even walk if you like.