![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL002.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort map
\r\n\r\nThere are a dozens of restaurants in Magic Kingdom that have a range of quality. On this page you'll find restaurant ratings submitted by our readers after their own vacations, along with quick descriptions and links to each restaurant's menu. But first, some quick Magic Kingdom dining tips:\r\n
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Before you begin eating your way through Magic Kingdom, you need to know:
\r\n\r\n\r\nMagic Kingdom table service restaurants are extremely popular, and many\r\nof them book up with Dining Reservations months in advance. If you want a quick-service meal, or you want to sit down and be waited on for lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant, read our content on Dining Reservations.\r\n
\r\nLines at Magic Kingdom counter service restaurants can become massive at peak lunch (12:30 PM) and dinner (6:30 PM) dining times. To avoid these lines eat an early breakfast, early lunch, or late dinner.
\r\nColumbia Harbour House'ss menu offers the most variety within the Magic Kingdom. Beyond these, the Magic Kingdom’s fast-food eateries are undistinguished, not to mention about twice as expensive as McDonald’s, for about the same quality. On the positive side, portions are large, sometimes large enough for children to share.
\r\nBe Our Guest is one of the most\r\npopular dining establishment in all of Walt Disney World. at popular meal times are often gone close to 60 days in advance.\r\n
\r\nTake the monorail to one of the hotels for lunch. The trip takes very little\r\ntime, and because most guests have left the hotels for the parks, the resorts’ restaurants are often uncrowded. The food is better than the Magic Kingdom’s, the service is faster, the atmosphere is more relaxed, and mixed drinks are available.
\r\nIf you're dining in a table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom and cost is an issue, make lunch your main meal. Entrees are similar to those on the dinner menu, but prices might be lower.
Food carts can be found around the Magic Kingdom. They typically sell everything from ice cream novelties to corn dogs, popcorn, and egg rolls.
\r\nOf the park's seven full-service restaurants, Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square is the best, followed by Be Our Guest (lunch and dinner) in Fantasyland and The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street. Skipper Canteen is above average. Cinderella’s Royal Table in the castle and The Crystal Palace on Main Street serve a decent but expensive character buffet. Avoid Tony’s Town Square Restaurant on Main Street.
\r\nA frequent area of confusion for Disney guests is the topic of tipping at Magic Kingdom. See our page dedicated to everything you need to know about tipping at Walt Disney World.\r\n
Every Magic Kingdom table service and quick service restaurant ranked by reader survey responses.
| Name | \r\n\t\t\t\tQuality | \r\n\t\t\tDisney Dining Plan? | \r\n\t\t\t\tReader Ratings | \r\n\t\t \r\n
|---|---|---|---|
| The Crystal Palace \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t92% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Pancakes layered with fresh fruit for breakfast; prime rib, roast pork, and peel-and-eat shrimp for dinner; Thai curry mussels; grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze; pasta with wild mushrooms and chicken; shrimp; and a sundae bar. All-day character dining featuring Winnie the Pooh and friends. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Liberty Tree Tavern \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLiberty Square - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t89% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor lunch: New England–style pot roast, roast turkey, and sandwiches. Family-style dining at dinner, with all-you-can-eat turkey, carved beef, and smoked pork loin. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Be Our Guest Restaurant (lunch,dinner) \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t89% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Price Fixe 3-course dinner with choices including filet mignon, lamb chops, bouillabaisse and others. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| The Plaza Restaurant \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Street, U.S.A. - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t88% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVeggie sandwich, club sandwich, chicken-strawberry salad, and ice-cream desserts such as the Plaza banana split or sundae. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAdventureland- Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t85% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Asian, African, and South American flavors. Dishes include Char sui Pork, Steak with Yuca Fries, Stir Fry, Falafel with a Cucumber Salsa, and Pineapple Coconut Cake. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Cinderella’s Royal Table \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t86% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCreamy lobster soup; seared Scottish salmon; grilled New York strip steak; Chocolate Wave dessert. For kids: fish of the day, fried shrimp, cheesy pasta, and grilled chicken breast. All-day character dining with princesses. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Tony’s Town Square Restaurant \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Street, U.S.A. - Table Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPoor | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t73% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor lunch: sausage-and-pepperoni flatbread and spaghetti with meatballs. For dinner: cioppino, braised short rib, and New York strip. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t |
| Name | \r\n\t\t\t\tQuality | \r\n\t\t\t\tDisney Dining Plan? | \r\n\t\t\t\tReader Ratings | \r\n\t\t \r\n\r\n\r\n
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street Bakery \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Street, U.S.A. - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t94% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCroissants, muffins, danishes, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, cakes, brownies, cookies. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Sleepy Hollow Refreshments \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLiberty Square - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t93% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWaffles, funnel cakes, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and waffle sandwiches. | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n | ||
| Columbia Harbour House \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLiberty Square - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t92% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHealthful options such as grilled salmon with couscous and broccoli and the Lighthouse Sandwich with hummus and broccoli slaw. Other choices: fried fish and shrimp; lobster rolls; chicken nuggets; child’s plate with macaroni and cheese, PB&J sandwich, chicken nuggets, or tuna sandwich with grapes; New England clam chowder; vegetarian chili; coleslaw; garden salad; chocolate cake, seasonal cobbler, strawberry yogurt.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Gaston's Tavern \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t92% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Hummus with chips, cinnamon rolls, chocolate croissants, LeFou's Brew (frozen apple juice flavored with toasted marshmallow).\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Golden Oak Outpost \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrontierland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t88% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSpecialty fries; chicken nuggets, and cookies.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrontierland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t88% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Steak or chicken burritos; rice bowls; chicken or spicy beef southwest salad; roasted vegetables; chili; churros and Greek yogurt.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Casey's Corner \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMain Street, U.S.A. - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t86% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Hot dogs, corn-dog nuggets, fries, and brownies.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTomorrowland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t83% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRotisserie chicken and ribs; burgers (and vegetarian burgers); hot dogs; Greek salad; chicken, turkey and vegetable sandwiches; chicken-noodle soup; chili-cheese fries; strawberry yogurt for dessert. Kosher choices available by request.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| The Pinocchio Village Haus \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t83% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonal pizzas; chicken nuggets; fries; Caesar salad with chicken; meatball sub sandwiches; Mediterranean salad; kids’ meals of pizza, mac and cheese, or PB&J.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| The Lunching Pad \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTomorrowland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t82% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSweet cream-cheese pretzel, frozen sodas, hot dogs.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| The Friar’s Nook \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFantasyland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGood | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t82% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t Hot dogs, specialty macaroni and cheese (bacon cheeseburger, blue cheese with balsamic vinegar), veggies and chips with hummus, freshly made potato chips, lemonade slush.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTomorrowland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t79% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOne-third-pound Angus bacon cheeseburger; fried-chicken sandwich; chicken nuggets; pasta alone or with shrimp or chicken; lobster roll; beef-and-blue-cheese salad; citrus shrimp salad; chocolate cake, carrot cake, or yogurt for dessert. Only open seasonally.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t | ||
| Tortuga Tavern \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAdventureland - Quick Service\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFair | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t74% | \r\n\t\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBarbecued pork, chicken, or beef brisket sandwich; roasted corn and vegetable salad; Uncrustables and mac and cheese for kids.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t |
Food carts come and go in Magic Kingdom, but in most lands you'll be able to find bottled beverages, popcorn, and ice cream novelties. Special items include turkey legs (Frontierland), churros, and egg rolls (Adventureland). Don't worry, you're never far from a food cart in Magic Kingdom. While these carts move from time to time (that's why they have wheels), we do try to keep up with them on our comprehensive list of Magic Kingdom food spots.
\r\n\r\nThere are some dining locations at Magic Kingdom that are only open during busier times of year (even then may only open for lunch). These include:\r\n
When we research the Magic Kingdom, we study its traffic\r\npatterns, asking:
\r\n\r\n\r\n1. WHICH SECTIONS OF THE PARK AND WHICH ATTRACTIONS DO GUESTS\r\nVISIT FIRST? When the park opens, guest traffic to Fantasyland and\r\nTomorrowland is heaviest, followed by Frontierland. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train pulls\r\npeople into the back reaches of the park, while\r\nSpace Mountain pulls people to the right.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n| Frontierland | \r\n\t\r\n\t \tSplash Mountain \r\n\t \tBig Thunder Mountain Railroad\r\n\t | \r\n\t
| Fantasyland | \r\n\t\r\n\t \tEnchanted Tales with Belle \r\n\t \t\r\n\t \tSeven Dwarfs Mine Train \r\n\t \tPeter Pan's Flight\r\n\t\t\t | \r\n\t
| Tomorrowland | \r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\tSpace Mountain \r\n\t\t\t\tBuzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin \r\n\t\t\t\tTomorrowland Speedway\r\n\t\t\t | \r\n\t
2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE PARK TO FILL UP? HOW ARE THE\r\nVISITORS DISPERSED IN THE PARK? A surge of early birds arrive\r\nbefore or around opening time but are quickly dispersed throughout\r\nthe empty park. After the initial wave is absorbed, there’s a lull lasting\r\nabout an hour after opening. Then the park is inundated for about\r\n2 hours, peaking between 10 a.m. and noon. Arrivals continue in a\r\nsteady but diminishing stream until around 2 p.m. The lines we sampled\r\nwere longest between 1 and 2 p.m., indicating more arrivals than\r\ndepartures into the early afternoon. For touring purposes, most attractions\r\ndevelop long lines between 10 and 11:30 a.m.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom late morning until early afternoon, guests are equally distributed\r\namong all the lands. However, guests concentrate in Fantasyland,\r\nLiberty Square, and Frontierland in late afternoon, with a decrease of\r\nvisitors in Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Adventureland’s Jungle\r\nCruise and Tomorrowland’s \r\nvisitors in Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Adventureland's and Tomorrowland's Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain continue\r\nto be crowded, but most other attractions in those lands are\r\nreadily accessible.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. HOW DO MOST VISITORS TOUR THE PARK? Many first-time visitors\r\nare guided by friends or relatives familiar with the Magic Kingdom;\r\nthese tours may or may not follow an orderly sequence. First-timers\r\nwithout personal guides tend to be more orderly in their touring, but\r\nthey also tend to be drawn to Cinderella Castle upon entering the\r\npark, and thus they begin their rotation from Fantasyland. Repeat\r\nvisitors usually head straight to their favorite attractions.
\r\n\r\n4. CROWD DISTRIBUTIONS We tested a\r\nfrequent claim that most people turn right into Tomorrowland and\r\ntour the Magic Kingdom counterclockwise. We found the claim to be\r\nbaseless. Neither do most people turn left and start in Adventureland.
\r\n\r\nHere’s why: Magic Kingdom headliner attractions are located\r\nintentionally at opposite points around the park to distribute crowds evenly: Space Mountain on the east side, Splash Mountain and Big\r\nThunder Mountain Railroad on the west, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to\r\nthe north, and so on.
\r\n\r\nIf, therefore, you were to start touring by heading left, you’d have\r\nlow crowds in Adventureland and moderate crowds in Frontierland—\r\nbut by the time you got to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, you’d run\r\ninto the largest crowds of the day. A similar scenario would await you\r\nif you started by bearing right into Tomorrowland: packed crowds in\r\nthe rest of the lands you visit.
\r\n\r\nAvoiding the biggest crowds in the park, then, requires the following:\r\n
5. HOW DO SPECIAL EVENTS, SUCH AS PARADES AND LIVE SHOWS,\r\nAFFECT TRAFFIC PATTERNS? Parades pull huge numbers of guests\r\naway from attractions and provide a window of opportunity for experiencing\r\nthe more popular attractions with less of a wait. Castle Forecourt\r\nStage shows also attract crowds but only slightly affect lines.
\r\n\r\n6. WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS NEAR AND AT CLOSING TIME?\r\nOn our sample days, in busy times and off-season at the park, departures\r\noutnumbered arrivals beginning in midafternoon. Many visitors\r\nleft in late afternoon as dinnertime approached. When the park closed\r\nearly, guests departed steadily during the 2 hours before closing, with a\r\nhuge exodus at closing time. When the park closed late, a huge exodus\r\nbegan immediately after the early-evening parade and fireworks, with\r\na second mass departure after the late parade, continuing until closing.
\r\n\r\nBecause Main Street and transportation services remain open after the\r\nother five lands close, crowds leaving at closing mainly affect conditions\r\non Main Street and at the monorail-, ferry-, and bus-boarding areas. In\r\nthe hour before closing, the other five lands are normally uncrowded.
\r\n","opening_date":"1971-10-01","category_code":"theme_park","fastpass_content":null,"meta_description":null,"address":"1180 Seven Seas Dr","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079395277","themeparks_obj":"WaltDisneyWorldMagicKingdom","primary_color":"#801BC3","themeparks_id":"75ea578a-adc8-4116-a54d-dccb60765ef9","basics_arriving":"FROM INSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD If you're staying at the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower, it's a short walk to the Magic Kingdom.
If you're staying at the Grand Floridian Resort or Polynesian Village, use the Magic Kingdom monorail.
If you're staying anywhere at Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness you can take a boat or bus. (Note that monorails and boats don't run when lightning is in the area; Disney will provide bus service instead.)
Guests at other Walt Disney World resorts can reach the park by bus.
All Disney resort guests are dropped off at the park's entrance, bypassing the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), except those at the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin. Guests at these hotels are dropped off at the\n TTC and must take the monorail or ferry to the park.
DRIVING If you're thinking about driving to the Magic Kingdom, consider having a taxi or ride-hailing service drop you off at either the Contemporary or the Grand Floridian Resort instead, especially if you are arriving after park opening.
It may cost slightly more this way, but it's significantly faster. Otherwise, you'll encounter lines for parking, trams, security, and the monorail or ferry. This can take an hour or more on busy days.
","basics_getting_around":"You'll find stroller, wheelchair, ECV/ESV rentals, and locker rentals are on your right, just inside the entrance.
On your left as you enter Main Street, U.S.A., is City Hall, the center for information, lost and found, and guided tours.
Main Street, U.S.A. ends at the Central Plaza, also known as \"The Hub\". From here are paths to five other lands: (clockwise from the left) Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
'Rope Drop' refers to cast members using a length of rope to hold back crowds until the park opens. After the rope is dropped, guests can head to their first ride.
Arriving at the Magic Kingdom 30-60 minutes before official opening ensures the shortest possible waits for rides.
On-site guests who want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry should arrive at the park entrance 60 minutes before official opening (that is, 30 minutes before Early Entry) on all days.
Once in the park, you'll find most of the rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland running. Rides in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square may start operations closer to the park's official opening time.
Off-site guests (who aren't eligible for Early Theme Park Entry) should arrive 30 minutes before official opening on all days.
","basics_fastpass":"The Magic Kingdom might be the easiest park to recommend using Genie+ for. We think Genie+ is worth the cost here if you meet any of these criteria:
\r\nDon't know where to eat in Epcot? On this page you'll find recommendations on where to eat, and where to avoid, as well as links to each restaurant's menu.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nSince the beginning, dining has been an important part of Epcot’s entertainment product. World Showcase has many more restaurants than attractions, and Epcot has added bars, tapas-style eateries, and full-service restaurants faster than any park in memory.
\r\n\r\nIf cost is an issue, make lunch your main meal. Entrees are similar to those on the dinner menu, but prices are significantly lower.
\r\n\r\nEach pavilion (except United States) has a beautifully seductive ethnic restaurant or two. While the food isn’t always compelling, the overall experience is great. If you fail to dine in World Showcase, you'll miss one of Epcot's more delightful features.
\r\n\r\nOver 120,000 families subscribe to TouringPlans.com every year.
Join us and start planning your perfect Disney Trip.
\r\nIf you want to sample the ethnic foods of World Showcase without eating in restaurants requiring advance reservations, we recommend these counter-service specialties:\r\n
\r\n\r\nBelow you'll find links to menus for every restaurant, bar, and food cart in Epcot.
","byline":"Home to World Showcase and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure","operator_id":80007838,"operator_index":1,"operator_name":"Epcot","traffic_patterns_content":null,"opening_date":"1982-10-01","category_code":"theme_park","fastpass_content":null,"meta_description":"Save time and money at Disney World's Epcot. Here you'll find a Epcot crowd calendar, touring plans, info about Epcot attractions, and more.","address":"200 Epcot Center Dr","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078244321","themeparks_obj":"WaltDisneyWorldEpcot","primary_color":"#242389","themeparks_id":"47f90d2c-e191-4239-a466-5892ef59a88b","basics_arriving":"ENTRANCES EPCOT has two entrances. The larger one is in World Celebration at the front of the park, and it's the one you'll use if you arrive by car, bus, or monorail. The other, the International Gateway (IG), is in the rear of the park, between the France and United Kingdom in World Showcase.
The World Celebration entrance can handle more people and is closer to headliner rides such as Soarin' Around the World, Test Track, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
However, the IG entrance will put you closer to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, which is important if you're touring with small children.
DRIVING Arriving by car is easy and direct. EPCOT has its own parking lot, and unlike the Magic Kingdom, doesn't require you to take a monorail or ferry to reach the park entrance. Take a tram or walk from the parking lot to the front gate.
Monorail service connects EPCOT with the Magic Kingdom (transfer required), the Magic Kingdom resorts (transfer required), and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
If you want to drive and use the IG entrance, you'll need to pay for parking at the resorts closest to EPCOT: the Swan, Dolphin, or Swan Reserve. It may be cheaper and/or easier to use a ride-hailing app.
","basics_getting_around":"Navigating EPCOT is unlike getting around in the Magic Kingdom, where nearly every 'land' is discrete and visually distinct from its neighbors - for example, Liberty Square and Main Street, U.S.A.
EPCOT, by contrast, is visually open. And while it might seem odd to see a Japanese pagoda and the Eiffel Tower on the same horizon, getting around is fairly simple.
The park's architectural anchor is Spaceship Earth, a shiny 180-foot geosphere that's visible from almost everywhere in the park. Like Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth can help you keep track of where you are in EPCOT. But it's in a high-traffic area and isn't centrally located, so it's not a good meeting place.
Any World Showcase pavilion makes a good meeting place, but specifics matter. Each pavilion is a town in miniature, with buildings, gardens, and plazas. So instead of just saying Let's meet in Japan, pick a specific place — for instance, the sidewalk side of the pagoda.
If you'd like to get from the front of World Showcase (where it meets World Celebration) to the back of World Showcase (near Morocco), take a Friendship Boat near the Port of Entry store. The boats run continuously until just before the fireworks.
","basics_rope_drop":"'Rope Drop' refers to cast members using a length of rope to hold back crowds until the park opens. After the rope is dropped, guests can head to their first ride.
ALL OF EPCOT'S LANDS typically open and close at the same time. On-site guests who want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry should arrive 60 minutes before official opening (that is, 30 minutes before Early Entry) on all days.
Off-site guests (who aren't eligible for Early Theme Park Entry) should arrive 30 minutes before official opening on all days.
Once the park opens, you'll be admitted on to your first ride. The ride you want to see first may the EPCOT entrances you choose to use.
WHICH EPCOT ENTRANCE TO USE? The IG is about 10 minutes closer to the family-friendly Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, located in World Showcase's France Pavilion, than the park's front entrance is. That's a huge head start.
But if seeing Ratatouille isn't a priority, then enter at World Celebration instead for easier access to Soarin' Around the World, Test Track, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
","basics_fastpass":"We think Genie+ is worth the cost at EPCOT if you meet any of these criteria:
\n Regardless of the time of year you visit, arriving at park opening should allow you to see at least one of EPCOT's headliner attractions without significant waits.
Because so few EPCOT attractions participate in Genie+, and they're far apart, it's unlikely you'd use than five to seven ride reservations per day.
On days of heavy attendance, though, you'll be competing with lots of other people for reservations, which pushes out return times and limits how many reservations you can obtain.
","basics_other":null},{"id":3,"name":"Disney's Hollywood Studios","abbreviation":"hs","created_at":"2009-07-13T15:28:25.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-07-18T08:55:10.000-07:00","short_name":"Hollywood Studios","property_id":1,"time_zone":"Eastern Time (US & Canada)","permalink":"hollywood-studios","intro":"The Magic Kingdom entertains, modeling its attractions on Disney movies and TV. Epcot educates, pioneering exhibits and rides that teach. Disney's Hollywood Studios does both. All three parks rely heavily on Disney special effects and audio-animatronics (robotics) in their entertainment mix.","dining_overview":"Dining at Hollywood Studios is less exotic than at Epcot and possibly less interesting than at any other park. The upscale Brown Derby is by far the best restaurant at the Studios. For simple Italian food, including pizza, Mama Melrose’s is fine; just don’t expect anything fancy. At the Sci-Fi Dine-In, you eat in little cars at a simulated drive-in movie from the 1950s. Though you won’t find a more entertaining restaurant in Walt Disney World, the food is hit or miss. Somewhat better is the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, where you sit in Mom’s time-warp kitchen and scarf down meat loaf while watching clips of classic sitcoms. It’s fun and the food is a step up. The best way to experience either restaurant is to stop in for dessert or a drink between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Hollywood & Vine features singing and dancing characters from the Disney Channel during breakfast and lunch.
\r\n\r\nOne TouringPlans staffer sums up the food situation at Hollywood Studios thusly:
\r\nThere's nothing sadder than finding yourself hungry at the Studios.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The park has five restaurants where dining reservations are recommended or required: The Hollywood Brown Derby, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, and the Hollywood and Vine Cafeteria. See our WDW Dining Reservation page for information on how to make reservations.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe receive considerable mail from readers recounting their DHS dining experiences. The 50’s Prime Time Cafe, for instance, is always a hot topic. First, from a Maryland reader:
\r\n50’s Prime Time Cafe was fun, but the food was mediocre at best. If my mom cooked that way, I would’ve run away from home.\r\n\r\n
But a West Newton, Massachusetts, family loved it:
\r\nWe decided to go against your recommendation and give it a shot. We’re so glad we did! For the five of us (ages 16–20), it was a blast. “Leroy,” our waiter and “big brother” for the meal, came and sat at our table and helped us set our places so we wouldn’t get in trouble with “Mom.” When one member of our party cursed, “Mom” arrived to punish him, making him clear the table onto her tray, which he did shamefully. It was a total kick that we talked about for the rest of the trip.\r\n\r\n
If you arrive at the Studios without having arranged Advance\r\nReservations for meals, you can make them at the restaurants. The Hollywood Brown Derby, expensive but tasty, is usually among the last to fill. The companion Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is far less crowded and offers a small-plate and dessert menu, including the famous grapefruit cake.
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\nIf you purchase a \"dining package\" to eat at one of the table-service restaurants at Hollywood Studios, you can obtain a ticket/voucher for the members of your dining party to enter the night's first showing of Fantasmic! without waiting in line and sit in a section of seats (one of the best in the theater) reserved specifically for dining package patrons.
\r\nHere are the rules: You may call 407-WDW-DINE (or book online) up to 60 days in advance and request the Fantasmic! Dining Package for the night you want to see the show. This is a reservation and must be guaranteed with a credit card at the time of booking. There's a 48-hour cancellation policy.
\r\nTo keep guests from coming in and ordering the cheapest thing on the menu just to get Fantasmic! vouchers, Disney includes a fixed price meal in the package. Sample 2022 prices (excluding park admission, taxes, and gratuity) are roughly as follows:
\r\n| \r\n | Hollywood Brown Derby (Lunch or Dinner) | \r\n Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano (Lunch or Dinner) | \r\n Hollywood & Vine Buffet (Breakfast) | \r\n Hollywood & Vine Buffet (Lunch or Dinner) | \r\n Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner) | \r\n 50s Prime Time Cafe (Lunch or Dinner) | \r\n
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | \r\n$73 | \r\n$54 | \r\n$54 | \r\n$71 | \r\n$49 | \r\n$51 | \r\n
| Child (3-9) | \r\n$29 | \r\n$22 | \r\n$36 | \r\n$47 | \r\n$22 | \r\n$29 | \r\n
The price covers all you care to eat at the Hollywood & Vine Buffet or entree and dessert at the other restaurants. Nonalcoholic drinks are included. Allow yourself a minimum of two hours to eat and make your way to the Fantasmic! show. If you have made ordinary reservations for any of the participating restaurants, they will not include reserved seats for Fantasmic!. You have to buy the package to get the good seats.
\r\nYou will receive your tickets/vouchers at the restaurant. 30-45 minutes before the first Fantasmic! show of the night, report to the VIP seating entrance on Sunset Boulevard next to Beauty and the Beast. A cast member will collect your vouchers and direct or escort you to the seating reserved for dining package guests. Though you're required to arrive early, you can be seated immediately and won't have to stand in any lines. You will not have specific assigned seats in the reserved section. It's first-come/first-served, so arrive early for the best choice.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf Fantasmic! is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, you won't receive a refund, but you will get a voucher good for another performance within 5 days (you'll also need another day of park admission). Here's what happened to one reader:\r\n
\r\nOn my last visit to WDW this May I booked the Fantasmic! dinner package at Mama Melrose and ate there and received my show voucher but the show was rained out. I thought I was out of luck but asked and was told the vouchers are good for 5 days for another show. I went to the show 4 days later and was able to use the voucher with no problem.\r\n\r\n\r\n","byline":"Home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge featuring Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance","operator_id":80007998,"operator_index":2,"operator_name":"Disney's Hollywood Studios","traffic_patterns_content":"","opening_date":"1989-05-01","category_code":"theme_park","fastpass_content":"","meta_description":null,"address":"351 S Studio Dr","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079395277","themeparks_obj":"WaltDisneyWorldHollywoodStudios","primary_color":"#BB4F24","themeparks_id":"288747d1-8b4f-4a64-867e-ea7c9b27bad8","basics_arriving":"
ARRIVING FROM INSIDE DISNEY WORLDIf you're staying at an EPCOT resort, it'll take you 20-30 minutes to walk the mile or so from your hotel to the Studios' entrance.
Boat service is also available from the EPCOT resorts to the Studios, and it's about a 20-minute ride on the Skyliner system, which links the Studios to Disney's Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century, and Art of Animation resorts.
In addition to the Skyliner, Disney may offer bus service to the Studios from these hotels on days with high attendance.
Guests at other Disney resorts will get to DHS by bus.
If you're staying at Pop Century and Art of Animation and see a Skyliner wait of more than an hour, use a Disney bus (if available), a taxi, or a ride-hailing app to get to the park instead - that hour is not a great use of your time.
DRIVING The DHS parking lot is located next to the park. The parking lots open about an hour before official park opening.
Once you've parked, take a tram or walk from the parking lot to the front gate. There can be traffic delays in the morning while everyone waits for the lot to open.
","basics_getting_around":"AT THE PARK ENTRANCE Guest Relations will be on your left. Go here for a park map, to report lost persons, or to access the Baby Care Center.
To the right of the entrance are locker, stroller, and wheelchair rentals plus the park's Lost and Found.
As in the Magic Kingdom, you enter the park and then pass down a main street. In this case, it's the Hollywood Boulevard of the 1930s and '40s. At the end is a replica of the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre, home of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.
As you face the Chinese Theatre, two themed areas, Sunset Boulevard and Animation Courtyard, branch off Hollywood Boulevard to the right. Branching left off Hollywood Boulevard is Echo Lake.
Beyond that, Grand Avenue holds Muppet-Vision 3-D and Mama Melrose's, a full-service Italian restaurant.
Toy Story Land's attractions are located behind the Chinese Theatre and to the left of Animation Courtyard.
'Rope Drop' refers to cast members using a length of rope to hold back crowds until the park opens. After the rope is dropped, guests can head to their first ride.
ALL RIDES START RUNNING as soon as guests are admitted into the park. Shows normally begin running an hour or more after the rest of the park.
On-site guests who want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry should arrive 60 minutes before official opening (that is, 30 minutes before Early Entry) on all days.
Off-site guests (who aren't eligible for Early Theme Park Entry) should arrive 30 minutes before official opening on all days.
You almost certainly don't need Genie+ or Individial Lighting Lane at Holywood Studios if:
Otherwise, you may want to consider Genie+ or Individual Lighting Lane if any of the following apply to you:
Regardless of the time of year you visit, arriving at park opening should allow you to see at least two headliner attractions without significant waits.
Since only around Hollywood Studios attractions participate in Genie+ (and it's not useful for some of those), it's unlikely you'd need more than three or four reservations per day.
On days of heavy attendance, though, the lack of attractions means you'll be competing with lots of people, which pushes out return times and limits how many Genie+ reservations you can obtain.
","basics_other":null},{"id":4,"name":"Disney's Animal Kingdom","abbreviation":"ak","created_at":"2009-07-13T15:28:25.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-07-10T09:30:58.000-07:00","short_name":"Animal Kingdom","property_id":1,"time_zone":"Eastern Time (US & Canada)","permalink":"animal-kingdom","intro":"At 500 acres, Disney's Animal Kingdom is five times the size of the Magic Kingdom and more than twice the size of Epcot. But like Disney's Hollywood Studios, most of the Animal Kingdom's vast geography is only accessible on guided tours or as part of attractions. Animal Kingdom consists of six sections, or \"lands:\" The Oasis, Discovery Island, DinoLand U.S.A., Africa, Asia, and Pandora - the World of Avatar. (An additional section, Rafiki's Planet Watch, is touted as a land by Disney but doesn't really qualify as such in our eyes.
\r\n\r\n\r\nPandora - the World of Avataris the newest \"land\" in Walt Disney World, with an opening date of May 27, 2017. It's based on James Cameron's blockbuster 2009 film Avatar. The project began when Disney signed Avatar filmmaker James Cameron to a development deal in 2011. It turned into the largest expansion in the park’s history. Besides two new headliner rides - Avatar: Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey — Disney has brought to life the floating mountains and glow-in-the-dark plant life of Cameron’s blockbuster film.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIts size and expansion notwithstanding, Animal Kingdom features a limited number of attractions. To be exact, there are nine rides, several walk-through exhibits, an indoor theater, three amphitheaters, a conservation exhibit, and a children's playground.
","dining_overview":"Tiffins, the Animal Kingdom's newest sit-down restaurant, is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Walt Disney World. The food, which includes Wagyu beef, lamb, and duck, is comparable to that found on the menus at Disney's best resort restaurants. Service is excellent.
\r\n\r\nThat said, food at the Animal Kingdom isn't particularly exotic. You'll find a lot of counter service fast food, along with Tusker House, a buffet-style restaurant,\r\nand Yak and Yeti, a table-service restaurant, in Asia. You’ll also find plenty of traditional theme park food—hot dogs, burgers—but even the fast food is superior to typical Disney fare. Our two counter-service favorites: Flame Tree Barbecue in Discovery Island, with its waterfront dining pavilions, and Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes (just outside\r\nthe full-service Yak and Yeti) for casual Asian dishes, from egg rolls to crispy honey chicken.\r\n
\r\nThe Harambe Market, to the right as you approach Kilimanjaro Safaris, has four windows, each serving a different specialty, such as spice-rubbed ribs, batter-fried sausages, and chicken or beef kebabs. Beer and South African wines are also available.
\r\n\r\nAnother full-service restaurant in Animal Kingdom, Rainforest Cafe, has entrances both inside and outside the park, meaning you don’t have to buy park admission to eat there. Both Rainforest Cafes (the other is at Disney Springs) accept Advance Reservations.
\r\n\r\nA frequent area of confusion for Disney guests is the topic of tipping at Walt Disney World. International guests may be unfamiliar with American tipping in general. Gratuities are a part of life when you travel in the United States. We have a page dedicated to everything you need to know about tipping at Walt Disney World.
","byline":"Home of the Spectacular Pandora: The World of Avatar","operator_id":80007823,"operator_index":3,"operator_name":"Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park","traffic_patterns_content":"\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom's main draws are Pandora (Avatar - Flight of Passage and the Na'Vi River Journey), Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, and Expedition Everest in Asia. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDuring busy times of year, guests will start lining up outside the\r\nAnimal Kingdom entrance an hour before opening to be close to the\r\nfront of the standby line for Flight of Passage. For now, plan on arriving\r\n45–60 minutes before park opening.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPandora, the Safaris, and Everest are at opposite sides of the park,\r\nwhich allows for even guest distribution. Waits at Dinosaur remain\r\nlow until 10:30 or 11 a.m. Likewise, crowds don’t peak at Expedition\r\nEverest until about an hour after park opening, and even later than\r\nthat at Kali River Rapids. As the day wears on, guests who’ve experienced\r\nthe headliners turn their attention to other rides, animal exhibits,\r\nand shows, further distributing crowds\r\nacross the entire park.\r\n
\r\n\r\nMany guests who arrive at opening will leave\r\nafter having completed their tour of the park by\r\nlate afternoon. Wait times at the headliners historically\r\ndip as the afternoon wears on, usually\r\nbottoming out between 3 and 6 p.m. If evening\r\nhours return to the Animal Kingdom, crowds\r\nwill pick back up after sunset for the nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris\r\nand for Pandora’s attractions as guests stay to see the land’s “bioluminescent”\r\nlandscaping.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n","opening_date":"1998-04-22","category_code":"theme_park","fastpass_content":"\r\n\r\n\r\n","meta_description":"Save time and money at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here you'll find a Animal Kingdom crowd calendar, touring plans, attractions and more.","address":"2901 Osceola Pkwy","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079395277","themeparks_obj":"WaltDisneyWorldAnimalKingdom","primary_color":"#2B5424","themeparks_id":"1c84a229-8862-4648-9c71-378ddd2c7693","basics_arriving":"FROM INSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD, Disney buses are the only free option for getting to Animal Kingdom from on-property resorts, but service from many resorts is erratic.
DRIVING Animal Kingdom is in the southwest corner of Walt Disney World; from I-4, take Exit 65 for Osceola Parkway, then follow the signs. The Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel is about a mile from the park on its west side; Blizzard Beach, Coronado Springs Resort, and the All-Star Resorts are also in the vicinity.
Animal Kingdom has its own vast paid parking lot with close-in parking for guests with disabilities. Disney usually opens the parking lot about an hour before official park opening. Once parked, you can walk or catch a tram to the entrance.
","basics_getting_around":"Animal Kingdom is arranged somewhat like the Magic Kingdom, in a hub-and-spoke configuration. You enter the park through The Oasis, a set of lush, green, pathways past waterfalls, streams, and forests.
All of the paths get you to the same spot: a bridge to Discovery Island. Dominated by the park's central icon - the 14-story hand-carved Tree of Life - Discovery Island is the park's retail and dining center.
From Discovery Island, guests fan out to access the themed areas: Africa, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A., and Pandora.
Discovery Island also hosts a theater attraction in the Tree of Life and several short nature trails. You should be able to take in all of Animal Kingdom in one day—but we encourage you to take your time.
","basics_rope_drop":"'Rope Drop' refers to cast members using a length of rope to hold back crowds until the park opens. After the rope is dropped, guests can head to their first ride.
ANIMAL KINGDOM is usually the first Disney World park to open in the morning, and the first to close. Expect it to open around 8 a.m. daily, and earlier during holidays and other times of peak attendance.
Disney resort guests who want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry should arrive 60 minutes before official opening (30 minutes before Early Entry).
Off-site guests (who aren't eligible for Early Theme Park Entry) should arrive 30 minutes before official opening on all days.
Once you're in the park, you'll usually find all of Pandora, along with It's Tough to Be a Bug, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and TriceraTop Spin already open. Kilimanjaro Safaris usually opens when the park opens to the public.
During slower or colder periods, the park may delay opening its secondary attractions: Kali River Rapids and Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia, as well as The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A.
The Wildlife Express Train and Conservation Station may either open late or remain closed for the day.
","basics_fastpass":"You almost certainly don't need Genie+ or Individial Lighting Lane at Animal Kingdom if:
Otherwise, you may want to consider Genie+ or Individual Lighting Lane if any of the following apply to you:
\n Regardless of the time of year you visit, arriving at park opening should allow you to see at least two headliner attractions without significant waits.
Since only around a dozen Animal Kingdom attractions participate in Genie+, it's unlikely you'd need more than three or four reservations per day.
On days of heavy attendance, though, the lack of attractions means you'll be competing with lots of people, which pushes out return times and limits how many Genie+ reservations you can obtain.
","basics_other":null}]],["hotels",[["Campground",[{"id":434,"property_id":1,"name":"The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort","code":"ORL329","address":"4510 North Fort Wilderness Trail","city":"Orlando","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078242900","url":"http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/","off_site":false,"permalink":"fort-wilderness-campsites","created_at":"2020-10-05T03:21:19.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-11-30T20:40:47.000-08:00","overview":"Fort Wilderness (also home to over 400 individual cabins) has over 800 campsites spread among many different \"loops.\"","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":false,"water_sports":true,"marina":true,"beach":true,"tennis":true,"biking":true,"suites":false,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":false,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":800,"theme":"Camping","cost_range":"$82 - $348","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"mk","category_code":"campground","check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":100,"show_map":false,"meta_description":"Exclusive interactive floor plans, with details, rates, and images for every single room at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins. A Disney Moderate, the Disney Fort Wilderness Cabins Resort is a pleasant option for your Walt Disney World vacation. Use your Disney Dining Plan at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Meadow Snack Bar, Trail's End Restaurant, and Trail's End Restaurant - To Go Counter.","survey_update_hash":"0ca5bc47c3222faff918e26092551508","author_user_id":2,"fax_number":"4078243508","hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"fort-wilderness-campsites","property_owned":true,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"campsites at disneys fort wilderness resort","club_name":null,"operator_id":80010392,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":"https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/","opened_on":"1971-11-19","extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":"fwcamp","refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":true,"pool_play":true,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":10,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":167,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":"Some of the nicest campsites you'll find, with water, electricity, and cable TV hookups, plus clean, comfortable comfort stations. Picnic tables, waste containers, grills, and free WiFi are standard. We've camped here several times and had a blast.","dining_overview":"It's a hike to most dining locations. There's also a general store, a lounge, full-service restaurant, and dinner theater.","good_for":"Campers who love Disney","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":10,"hotel_category_recommended":true,"pet_friendly":null}]],["Deluxe",[{"id":228,"property_id":1,"name":"Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House)","code":"ORL002","address":"2901 Osceola Parkway","city":"Bay Lake","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079383000","url":"http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-lodge/","off_site":false,"permalink":"disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:30.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-12-20T20:40:57.000-08:00","overview":"Among the best themed hotels anywhere, Disney's Deluxe Animal Kingdom Lodge allows you to stay in a room with views of real African animals such as zebras and giraffes. Adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, Animal Kingdom Lodge opened in 2001. Designed by Peter Dominick of Wilderness Lodge fame, the resort fuses African tribal architecture with the rugged style of grand East African national-park lodges. Five-story, thatched-roof guest-room wings fan out from a vast central rotunda housing the lobby. Public areas, and about half the hotel rooms, offer panoramic views of a private 43-acre wildlife preserve populated with some 200 free-roaming animals and 130 birds.
\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge is divided into two primary areas, the main Jambo House, which is comprised of standard hotel rooms, club level concierge rooms, and a small percentage of \"villa\" style rooms, and the adjacent Kidani Village, which is comprised entirely of studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom villas which function as small apartments with in-room kitchen facilities.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort map
\r\nMost of the 972 Jambo House guest rooms measure 344 square feet and boast hand-carved furnishings. Standard amenities include a flat-panel TV, desk with two chairs, minifridge, and coffeemaker. Behind each headboard sits faux mosquito netting. Bathrooms have animal-themed wallpaper, two sinks, and a large mirror. Most rooms have full balconies.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe unique feature that separates Animal Kingdom Lodge from not only all the other Walt Disney World resorts, but almost any hotel in the world, is the animals. Many rooms have a view of the hotel's savanna with various wild animals roaming around. You may wake up one morning and have a giraffe looking in your window. The nightly price for rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge fall in to the middle of the other WDW deluxe resorts. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is located near the Animal Kingdom theme park. It is however, somewhat removed from the other Disney theme parks. If you have small children and aren't drawn to the animal views, a better choice at a similar price point might be the Wilderness Lodge, which also has an outdoorsy theme but much easier access to the Magic Kingdom.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's lobby.\r\n
\r\nReal African animals graze outside your bedroom window.
\r\nMost Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo rooms are 344 square feet and have two queen-size beds, a daybed, and a table and two chairs. Both Jambo House and Kidani Village have studios and one, two, and three-bedroom villas. Most rooms at Kidani Village are larger, however, and the difference is anywhere from 50 square feet for a studio to more than 200 square feet for a two-bedroom unit. (The three-bedroom Grand Villas at Jambo House, 148 square feet larger than those in Kidani Village, are the exception.) Because of the difference in area, one-bedroom units in Kidani Village can accommodate up to five people and two-bedroom units, which include a sleeper chair in the living room, can hold up to nine guests. At Jambo House, the one-bedroom \"value\" rooms sleep four, while the standard, savannah and club-level rooms sleep five.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA typical Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo room with two queen beds.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEach room has a table with two chairs, and a coffee maker with coffee.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Standard Room Layout\r\n
\r\nEach Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House bathrooms are modestly-sized for a Disney deluxe resort, but they are larger than those at the moderate or value levels. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks and ample counter space. Combined with the shower/toilet rooms, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House rooms are priced depending on the view from the room. (Note: the classification system is different at the adjacent Kidani Village.):
\r\n\r\nSavanna view rooms overlook giraffes, water buffalo, and other animals.\r\n
\r\nThe deluxe Disney hotels all include a subset rooms offered with addition amenities and more personalized serivce. These \"concierge level\" or \"club level\" rooms have a different name at each hotel. At the Animal Kingdom Lodge they are known as the Kilimanjaro Club. The Kilimanjaro Club is comprised of about 70 rooms. Though most of the Kilimanjaro rooms are physically similar to the standard Animal Kingdom Jambo hotel rooms, there are also a handful of suites with additional bedrooms, significantly larger square footage, or features such as in-room kitchen facilities.
\r\n\r\nConcierge Level guests receive additional amenities and personalized service beyond that available to regular guests. These include:
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort have around 50 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\nThe Animal Kingdom Lodge has table service, buffet, fine dining, lounge, and quick service dining options on site. Depending on whether you're staying in Jambo House or Kidani Village, some dining venues will be slightly more convenient than others. However, with the two sections of the resort just a 5-10 minute walk, or 2 minute shuttle ride, away all are easily accessible wherever your room is.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
A view of Boma from Victoria Falls Lounge
\r\nThe atmosphere at Jiko is relaxed but elegant.
\r\n\r\n
Silver Creek Spring's hot tub.
\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's playground.
\r\n\r\n
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 3 - W Osceola Pkwy. Follow Osceola Pkwy for about 5.5 miles and Animal Kingdom Lodge will be on your right.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Animal Kingdom Lodge's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at the Animal Kingdom Lodge overnight will be charged $25 per day for standard self-parking or $33 per day for valet parking.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport If you're arriving at Orlando International Airport, Disney's free Magical Express bus service will take you and your luggage directly from the airport to your hotel, then back to the airport when it's time for your flight home. For more information see our Disney's Magical Express Frequently Asked Questions page.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere alongthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service.
\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's bus stop.
\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Animal Kingdom Lodge's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Animal Kingdom Lodge's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 15-20 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 12 to 37 minutes for a ride.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service is faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi or ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Rates are generally in the $15-25 range, depending on your destination, and Uber and Lyft are usually much cheaper than a taxi. A taxi can typically get you to most points in Disney World within 20 minutes (often much less), versus the one to two hours it might take using Disney's free transportation system. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for about $20 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe health club is fully equipped with cardio equipment and weights.
\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge has laundry rooms available for guest use.
\r\nA family of four from Lincoln, England, gives Animal Kingdom Lodge a mixed, though mostly positive, review:
\r\n\r\nWe had a fab holiday, but we wouldn't recommend people paying the extra money to have a savanna room. The animals are scarce, and you don't really spend much time in your room. The pool was fantastic and the hotel stunning. We visited Boma: Flavors of Africa, but my children found the food very different and spicy. The food court was fine, although we wished they'd change the menu as after two weeks you're fed up of the same choices.\r\n\r\n
A Portage, Indiana, family begs to differ with us:
\r\n\r\nWe disagree with your assessment that the Giraffe Trail is the least desirable wing of Animal Kingdom Lodge. We stayed in a pool-view room and loved it. The view was beautiful, even without the animals (which you can view elsewhere). The proximity to the pool, lobby, and restaurants was great, and a bonus was the direct exits from the hallway to the outside, which were very close to where Disney transportation picks up. And we saved about $500 over what we would've spent on a savanna view.\r\n\r\n
A British mum had safety concerns:
\r\n\r\nThe room was very small and not very child-safe (REALLY high beds), but the hotel itself was fantastic in all other aspects.\r\n\r\n
Finally, from a Chandler, Arizona, couple:
\r\n\r\nSpecifically wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We weren't disappointed! Fantastic resort. We loved sitting on our balcony in the afternoon and watching the animals. Found the transportation to be easy and convenient from this location as well.","good_not_so_good_rooms":"
TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney Resort room on property. Click here for the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nA glance at the resort map tells\r\nyou where the best rooms and villas are. Kudu Trail and Zebra Trail,\r\ntwo wings branching from the rear of Jambo House, form a semicircle\r\naround the central wildlife savanna. Along each wing are seven fivestory buildings, with accommodations on floors two through five. Five\r\nbuildings on each wing form the semicircle, while the remaining two buildings jut away from the center. The best rooms—on floors three and\r\nfour, facing into the circle—are high enough to survey the entire savanna\r\nyet low enough to let you appreciate the ground-level detail of this amazing wildlife exhibit; plus, these rooms offer the easiest access to the lobby\r\nand restaurants. Second-floor rooms really can’t take in the panorama,\r\nand fifth-floor rooms are a little too high for intimate views of the animals. Most of the fourth-floor rooms in Jambo House are reserved for\r\nClub Level guests, and the fifth and sixth floors house the DDV units
\r\n\r\n![\"2356\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl002/thumbs/2356.jpg\")
\r\n![\"2281\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl002/thumbs/2281.jpg\")
\r\nMost rooms in the outward-jutting buildings, as well as rooms\r\nfacing away from the interior, also survey a savanna, but one not as\r\ncompelling as that of the inner circle. On the Zebra Trail, the first two\r\nbuildings plus the first jutting building provide savanna views on one\r\nside and look onto the swimming complex on the other.
\r\n\r\nLess attractive still are two smaller wings, Ostrich Trail and Giraffe\r\nTrail, branching from either side of the lodge near the main entrance.\r\nSome rooms on the left side of Ostrich Trail (see map on page 175)\r\noverlook a small savanna. Rooms on the opposite side of the same\r\nbuildings overlook the front entrance. Least desirable is Giraffe Trail,\r\nextending from the right side of the lobby: Its rooms overlook either\r\nthe pool (water view) or the resort entrance (standard view). A Portage,\r\nIndiana, family begs to differ with our assessment, however:
\r\nWe stayed in a pool-view room in Giraffe Trail and loved it. The view\r\nwas beautiful, even without animals (which you can see elsewhere).\r\nThe proximity to the pool, lobby, and restaurants was great, and we\r\nsaved about $500 over what we would’ve spent on a savanna view.\r\n\r\n
![\"1468\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl002/thumbs/1468.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n![\"3138\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl002/thumbs/3138.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Magnificent lobby | \r\nFew counter-service dining options | \r\n
| Along with Wilderness Lodge, it’s\r\nthe least expensive Disney Deluxe resort | \r\nRooms are among the smallest of the\r\nDeluxe resorts | \r\n
| Best theming of any Disney hotel | \r\nJambo House villas are smaller than those\r\nat Kidani Village | \r\n
| Amazing savanna views | \r\nNo direct non-bus transportation to any\r\ntheme park | \r\n
| Excellent on-site sit-down dining options | \r\n\r\n |
| Large, beautiful feature pool | \r\n\r\n |
| On-site cultural and nature programs | \r\n\r\n |
This five-story Deluxe resort has clapboard facades with whitewashed-wood \r\n\r\ntrim and is painted a bright blue. The Beach Club is embellished with beach \r\n\r\nscenes in foam green and white. The resort has a themed lobby, with sea-horse \r\n\r\nfixtures. The resort faces 25-acre Crescent Lake and has an elaborate swimming \r\n\r\ncomplex that it shares with the Yacht Club Resort.
\r\n\r\nThere are 576 guest rooms at the Beach Club, and 282 studio and one- and \r\n\r\ntwo-bedroom villas at the Beach Club Villas, part of the Disney Vacation Club \r\n\r\ntime-share program. Most of the hotel rooms are 381 square feet and have two \r\n\r\nqueen-size beds, a daybed, and a desk and a chair. Like the Grand Floridian's, \r\n\r\nrooms have a lot of drawer space. Beach Club rooms are decorated in soft green \r\n\r\nand blue tones. Some rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/overview/bcmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe Beach Club consists of a long main building with several wings \r\n\r\nprotruding toward Crescent Lake. Looking at the resort from Crescent Lake, the \r\n\r\nBeach Club adjoins the Yacht Club on the left and spreads toward Epcot on the \r\n\r\nright. The main building and the various wings range from three to five \r\n\r\nstories. Most rooms have balconies or, on the ground floor, patios. Balconies \r\n\r\nare either big enough for a couple of chairs, or about 6 inches deep (stand at \r\n\r\nthe rail or sit in a chair inside the room). Top-floor rooms often have \r\n\r\nenclosed balconies inset into the roof. Unless you'e standing, visibility is \r\n\r\nsomewhat limited from these dormer balconies.
\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club Resort shares restaurants, pools, and other amenities with \r\n\r\nthe Yacht Club Resort and Beach Club Villas. A small business center serves \r\n\r\nguests' work needs for both the Yacht and Beach Clubs and Beach Club \r\n\r\nVillas.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAs a Disney Deluxe resort, the Beach Club provides excellent service. \r\n\r\nWithin the Yacht and Beach Club are nine restaurants and lounges and are \r\n\r\nwithin walking distance of Epcot and the BoardWalk. Transportation to other \r\n\r\ndestinations is by bus or boat. Walking time to the transportation loading \r\n\r\nareas from the most remote rooms is 7 minutes.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club (and its neighbor Yacht Club) have two major advantageous \r\n\r\nover other hotels. One, you can walk to the International Gateway entrance of \r\n\r\nEpcot in less than 10 minutes. And Two, it has the best pool of all the Walt \r\n\r\nDisney World resorts. The nightly price for rooms at Yacht & Beach Club fall \r\n\r\nin to the middle of all the other WDW resorts. Yacht Club does offer a fitness \r\n\r\ncenter, salon, barber shop, and a spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/BC-CampfireBeach(B).JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach portion of the Beach Club Resort.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Beach Club's grounds. If you arrive \r\n\r\nby car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to \r\n\r\nprovide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Beach Club is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. Beach \r\n\r\nClub participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nBeach Club's gift shop sells MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. \r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/BC-Lobby(B).JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club's lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/BC-SunriseBeach(B).jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club beach is especially nice at sunset.\r\n
\r\nMost of the Beach Club rooms are 381 square feet and have two queen-size \r\n\r\nbeds, a daybed, and a desk and three chairs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Disney's Beach Club Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nBeach Club's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't as \r\n\r\nsmall as the ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. \r\n\r\nLuckily you won't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure \r\n\r\nin the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still \r\n\r\nenough to get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. There are \r\n\r\nalso two shelves under the sink that provide a small amount of storage. A \r\n\r\n1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; \r\n\r\nbring your own if you've got lots of hair.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nThe concierge level of a deluxe resort can also be referred to as club \r\n\r\nlevel. Each one throughout the property has a name for their concierge level. \r\n\r\nAt the Beach Club it is called the Stone Harbor and it’s located on the fifth \r\n\r\nfloor. Here guests willing to pay a premium are treated to special services \r\n\r\nincluding a lounge, complimentary food and drink, and personalized service. \r\n\r\nThere are about 70 Stone Harbor rooms most of which are similar to regular \r\n\r\nrooms throughout the resort, but there are also suites available. Club level \r\n\r\nprices can be up to $100 more than standard rooms at the Yacht & Beach \r\n\r\nClub
\r\n\r\nUpon arriving to Yacht & Beach Club, concierge guests are taken to an \r\n\r\nexclusive area to be checked in and taken care of. Once guests are brought to \r\n\r\nthe club level they will be introduced to the cast members on hand at two \r\n\r\ndesks set up to be the resource for any special services they may need. These \r\n\r\nCMs are there to help folks with whatever they might need including ADRs, park \r\n\r\ntickets, and transportation options.
\r\nAnother special service provided to concierge level guests is a nightly \r\n\r\nturn down. Housekeeping cast members come to your room in the evening to \r\n\r\nprepare your bed for you to fall into it after a long day in the parks and \r\n\r\nleave chocolates.
\r\n\r\nA more exciting benefit to staying in the Stone Harbor Club is access to \r\n\r\nfree food for most of the day. The breakfast offerings are relatively light so \r\n\r\ndon’t expect to fuel up for a full day here. Later in the day snacks are \r\n\r\navailable along with an assortment of drinks including soda, hot drinks like \r\n\r\ncoffee, and beer (much to my enjoyment). In the late afternoon/early evening \r\n\r\nthe menu changes but appetizers are put out for guests to enjoy before they \r\n\r\nbegin their evening. Wine and liqueurs along with desserts area served \r\n\r\nthroughout the evening as well.
\r\nThe selection of food and drink is laid out in the lounge only accessible \r\n\r\nto club level guests. There are several tables and chairs set up for folks to \r\n\r\nyou use throughout the day. The area is busy a breakfast time, but can be a \r\n\r\nquiet place to relax and maybe even get some work done if guests happen to be \r\n\r\nbusiness travelers. There are also a few couches in the mix where friends can \r\n\r\ngather to chat. Kids have their own area here with child sized table and \r\n\r\nchairs and a TV running cartoons and other Disney favorites.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort have around 22 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms \r\n\r\nwith roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower \r\n\r\nrooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed. Use our hotel room \r\n\r\nfinder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Beach Club's hotel rooms based on what you see from inside \r\n\r\nthe room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nBeach Club has two pools. The largest, Stormalong Bay, sits along Crescent \r\n\r\nLake and is the best pool in all of Walt Disney World. The main \r\n\r\nfeature of the pool is the large shipwreck along the outside the houses a \r\n\r\nwaterslide. A must-experience feature of this pool is the sand that covers the \r\n\r\nbottom of much of the pool. There is also a hot tub, kiddie pool and water \r\n\r\nplayer area.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe other smaller pool is located on the end of the resort closest to Epcot. This pool \r\n\r\nis also a basic concrete pool and is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that \r\n\r\nloud play and splashing around are discouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nBeach Club's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Yacht Club also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Stormalong Bay Pool.
\r\n\r\nStormalong Bay has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests \r\n\r\ncan find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Stormalong Bay Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\nStormalong Bay's shipwreck\r\n
\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club has some excellent dining options, including three quick service \r\n\r\nrestaurants, two table service restaurants and one lounge.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCape May Cafe Dinner Menu - Cape May Cafe, Goofy's Beach Club Character Breakfast
\r\n\r\nCape May has been a favorite for years because of its consistently good \r\n\r\nfood and efficient service. While the restaurant is large and tables turn over \r\n\r\nrapidly, Advance Reservations are recommended. Because Cape May is within easy \r\n\r\nwalking distance of the World Showcase entrance to Epcot, it's a convenient \r\n\r\nand affordable place to dine before IllumiNations. The natural-finish wood \r\n\r\nfurniture and padded booths are in a clean, nautical New England style.
\r\n\r\nThe buffet features peel-and-eat shrimp, tasty (albeit chewy) clams, \r\n\r\nmussels, snow-crab legs, fish of the day, hand-carved flank steak, barbecued \r\n\r\nribs, chicken, corn on the cob, Caesar salad, and a good dessert bar. The \r\n\r\nkids' bar includes chicken nuggets and mac-and-cheese.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeaches & Cream Lunch/Dinner Menu - Beaches & Cream Kid's Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nCasual eats with a retro soda-fountain decor. There's often a line as \r\n\r\nguests in bathing suits and flip-flops queue up for the hearty burgers (veggie \r\n\r\nburgers, too) and piles of hot fries.
\r\n\r\nSignature items include burgers (singles and doubles) and fries; giant hot \r\n\r\ndogs; hand-scooped ice cream including the gargantuan Kitchen Sink dessert, \r\n\r\nwith five flavors of ice cream smothered in topping.
\r\nBeaches & Cream also has a quick service counter \r\n\r\nwith a smaller menu.
\r\n\r\nThe legendary Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae.
\r\n\r\nHurricane Hanna's Lunch/Dinner Menu - Hurricane Hanna's Kid's Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nHurricane Hanna's Grill is a quick service restaurant located poolside at \r\n\r\nStormalong Bay. Besides the usual assortment of Disney burgers Hanna's has a \r\n\r\nLobster, Shrimp and Scallop Roll that we've received positive feedback about. \r\n\r\nAll seating at Hurricane Hanna's is outdoors.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace Breakfast Menu - \r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace Kids' Breakfast \r\n\r\nMenu - Beach Club Marketplace Lunch/Dinner \r\n\r\nMenu - Beach Club Marketplace Kid's \r\n\r\nLunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nBeach Club Marketplace is small counter service restaurant with a limited \r\n\r\nmenu. Prices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. \r\n\r\nThe standout items here are the fresh made pastries.
\r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace.
\r\n\r\n Beach Club Marketplace and Hurricane Hanna's Grill also participate in \r\n\r\nDisney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Beach Club participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMartha's Vineyard Lounge is Beach \r\n\r\nClub's lounge. Martha's Vineyard has indoor seating and a full drink menu, \r\n\r\nwith several beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. Lounges are usually open 4 PM to 11 PM daily.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Beach Club Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Turn right onto World Drive \r\n\r\nand then left on Epcot Resorts Blvd. Follow Epcot Resorts Blvd and Beach Club \r\n\r\nwill be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Beach Club Resort. If you're not renting a car, \r\n\r\nbe aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Yacht Club \r\n\r\nResort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-\r\n\r\npassenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Beach Club Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Yacht Club Resort to Magic \r\n\r\nKingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, \r\n\r\nTyphoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. No bus transportation is \r\n\r\nprovided to EPCOT's main entrance. \r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, \r\n\r\nbetween the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus \r\n\r\nstop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice. Disney's Beach Club Resort shares bus service with Yacht Club.\r\n
\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can also be accessed by boat from the \r\n\r\ndock near Stormalong Bay. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, \r\n\r\nso if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses.
\r\nWhy take a bus to EPCOT or Disney's Hollywood Studios when you can take a \r\n\r\nboat?
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Beach Club's bus schedule, and they'll tell you \r\n\r\nthat buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Beach Club's bus schedule \r\n\r\nvaries considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the \r\n\r\nsame early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-13 minutes, on average. \r\n\r\nBus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less \r\n\r\nfrequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 19 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and \r\n\r\nDowntown Disney. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney’s Skyliner is an elevated, cable-driven gondola system that connects EPCOT and the EPCOT resorts – Beach Club and Beach Club Villas, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn and Villas, and the Swan and Dolphin - to Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and the Art of Animation resorts. \r\n
\r\n\r\nEach gondola is an enclosed, 10-person cabin with bench seats and lots of windows. Ventilation is provided by windows and vents that can be opened or closed depending on the temperature.\r\n
\r\n\r\nSkyliner Hubs\r\nDisney’s Caribbean Beach Resort serves as the central hub for most Skyliner routes. If you’re trying to get to a theme park from a resort using the Skyliner, you’ll almost always have to disembark at Caribbean Beach to board another gondola going to your destination.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Skyliner is most useful if you’re near its station at EPCOT’s International Gateway, and you want to go to one of the destinations it serves. Travel time from the International Gateway station to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is around 35-44 minutes during the busiest times; of that, only around19 minutes is spent in transit – the rest is in line waiting to board. In most cases, the Skyliner is at least as fast as Disney’s bus service, with a much better view.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Beach Club Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake the Disney Skyliner (if you're going to a resort it serves). A second option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Beach Club Resort to Disney Springs (or an \r\n\r\nopen theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. \r\n\r\nDo the reverse to get back to Disney's Yacht Club Resort. While that's free, \r\n\r\nit can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination \r\n\r\nis \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Beach Club to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from Beach Club, and often less. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's BoardWalk Resort or \r\n\r\nthe Swan & Dolphin hotels. This option can also take some time depending on \r\n\r\nwhere you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nShip Shape Health Club is Beach Club's fitness center and \r\n\r\nspa. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 6:00 AM \r\n\r\nto 9:00 PM. Massage, facial, and body treatment services are available.
\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available in Crescent Lake 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. \r\n\r\nKayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices \r\n\r\nvary.
\r\nBeach Club's gift shop is Beach Club Marketplace. As you'd expect from a \r\n\r\nDisney gift shop, Everything Pop has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging \r\n\r\nfrom small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and \r\n\r\nDisney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in \r\n\r\nthe theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the \r\n\r\nlike. And Beach Club Marketplace has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail \r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort. It is a scenic 0.8-mile course around around \r\n\r\nCresent Lake. Thanks to bridges over Cresent Lake guests are able to make a \r\n\r\nfull circle while passing by the Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Resort, and the \r\n\r\nSwan & Dolphin Resorts.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Beach Club \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407)934-3090.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney Resort room on \r\n\r\nproperty. Click here for the Disney's Beach Club Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club’s better views\r\nare from rooms that have full balconies, and from those that overlook\r\nthe lake. Other good rooms include those facing woods, with EPCOT in the background. The woods-facing rooms are the resort’s\r\nmost peaceful accommodations, both in terms of lack of noise and\r\nattractive scenery. These rooms are also the nearest to EPCOT’s International\r\nGateway entrance if you’re walking, but the farthest from the\r\nresort’s main pool area, lobby, and restaurants.
\r\n\r\nOf the remaining rooms, most face courtyards, with some of these\r\nproviding oblique views of the lake and others overlooking parking\r\nlots and the resort’s front entrance.
\r\n\r\nThe following are our recommendations for good rooms at the\r\nBeach Club Resort. All room numbers are four digits, with the first\r\ndigit specifying the floor and the remaining three digits specifying the\r\nroom number.
\r\n\r\nHeads-up: The Beach Club will charge you for a water view if there’s\r\nso much as a birdbath in sight. If you’re going to spend the money, get\r\na real water view.
\r\n\r\nWater-view Rooms with Full Balconies Facing the Lake: Odd numbered\r\nrooms 2641–2645; suite 2647; 3501–3507; 3699–3725; 4607–4623;\r\nor Club Level rooms 5699–5725
\r\n\r\nStandard-view Rooms with Full Balconies Facing the Woods and EPCOT: Even-numbered rooms 2512–2530, 2578–2596, 3512–3530, or\r\n4532–4596
\r\n\r\n![\"1643\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/thumbs/1643.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1602\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/thumbs/1602.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1532\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/thumbs/1532.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Walking distance to Epcot’s\r\nInternational Gateway | \r\nLack of good quick-service dining | \r\n
| Best pool complex of any WDW resort | \r\nViews and balcony size are hit-or-miss | \r\n
| Walk, boat, or Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios | \r\nBus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| Close to many BoardWalk and\r\nEpcot dining options | \r\n\r\n |
On Crescent Lake across from the Yacht & Beach Club, the Board-\r\nWalk Inn is another of Disney’s Deluxe resorts. The complex is a detailed\r\nreplica of an early-20th-century East Coast beach boardwalk. Facades of\r\nhotels, diners, and shops create an inviting and exciting waterfront skyline.\r\nThink HBO’s Boardwalk Empire minus the icky criminal element.
\r\n\r\nIn reality, the BoardWalk Inn & Villas comprise a single integrated\r\nstructure behind the facades. Restaurants and shops occupy the boardwalk\r\nlevel, while accommodations rise to six stories above. The inn and\r\nvillas share a pool featuring an old-fashioned amusement park theme;\r\nthere are also two quiet pools for adults.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe BoardWalk Inn’s 378 Deluxe rooms measure 371 square feet\r\neach. Most contain two queen-size beds with hardwood headboards,\r\nan upholstered daybed, a cherry desk and chair, a minifridge, a coffee\r\nmaker, and ceiling fan. Decor includes yellow-and-white-striped wallpaper,\r\ngreen carpet, and blue-and-gray curtains. Closet space exceeds\r\nthat of rooms in other Deluxe resorts. Most rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\nReaders give the inn high marks for room quality and check-in efficiency.\r\nService is excellent. The complex is within walking distance of\r\nEPCOT and is connected to other destinations by bus and boat. Walking\r\ntime to transportation loading areas from the most remote rooms is\r\n5–6 minutes. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the Skyliner’s International\r\nGateway station at EPCOT, if you’d rather use that to get to the Studios.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe Boardwalk Inn and Villas are well staffed and offer excellent service. The BoardWalk complex is a detailed replica of an early 20th-century Atlantic coast seaside boardwalk. Restaurants and shops occupy the street-level boardwalk. Painted bright red and yellow, alternating with paler blue and green, the BoardWalk resort is the only Disney hotel that uses neon signage as an architectural detail.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
The majority of BoardWalk Inn’s 378 rooms measure 371 square feet. Most contain two queen-size beds with hardwood headboards, an upholstered sleeper sofa, a cherry desk and chair, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a ceiling fan. Decor includes yellow-and-white-striped wallpaper and striped green curtains. Closet space exceeds that of other Disney deluxe-level rooms. Most rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\nEach Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort rooms is furnished with the following:\r\n
Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\nBoardWalk Inn's bathrooms are modestly-sized for a Disney deluxe resort. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks and ample counter space. Combined with the shower/toilet rooms, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time.
\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort Bathroom\r\n
\r\nBoardWalk Inn rooms are priced depending on the view from the room. (Note: the classification system is slightly different at the adjacent BoardWalk Villas.):\r\n
The deluxe Disney hotels all include a subset rooms offered with addition amenities and more personalized serivce. These \"concierge level\" or \"club level\" rooms have a different name at each hotel; at the BoardWalk they are known as the Innkeepers Club. The Innskeeper Club is comprised of about 60 rooms, located on two floors. Though most of the Innskeeper rooms are physically similar to the standard BoardWalk hotel rooms, there are also a handful of suites with additional bedrooms, significantly larger square footage, or features such as in-room kitchen facilities.
\r\n\r\nConcierge Level guests receive additional amenities and personalized service beyond that available to regular guests. These include: \r\n
Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort has approximately 20 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, countertop, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard two queen-sized beds; however, all rooms with roll-in showers have one king-sized bed. A small number of roll-in shower rooms have both one king bed and one double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nA key benefit of staying at the BoardWalk Inn is the close proximity to the dining opportunities at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with park admission). Additionally, the many restaurants at the Swan & Dolphin and Yacht & Beach Club resorts are easily accessible on foot. Guests staying at the BoardWalk can be at more than 100 dining venues within 15 minutes. If you're staying at a Disney value resort, you might only have two or three options within that time frame.
\r\n\r\nThe Boardwalk itself has a variety of dining options including:
\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center Dr.. Take Buena Vista Dr for about 1.2 miles to Epcot Resorts Blvd. Turn right on Epcot Resorts Blvs and BoardWalk Inn will be on your left.\r\n
\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to BoardWalk Inn's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. Guests keeping a car at the Boardwalk Inn overnight will be charged $25 per day for standard self-parking or $33 per day for valet parking. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive to Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot.
\r\n\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can also be accessed on foot or by boat from the dock near on the BoardWalk. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, so if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney cast member about bus schedules, and they will tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, BoardWalk Inn's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're going. For example, if you're headed to a theme park between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait approximately 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are less frequent. Buses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotel. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have access car, it's faster to drive to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service is faster to the Magic Kingdom. Walking is the fastest way to Epcot. Walk or take the boat to Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney’s Skyliner is an elevated, cable-driven gondola system that connects EPCOT and the EPCOT resorts – Beach Club and Beach Club Villas, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn and Villas, and the Swan and Dolphin - to Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and the Art of Animation resorts. \r\n
\r\n\r\nEach gondola is an enclosed, 10-person cabin with bench seats and lots of windows. Ventilation is provided by windows and vents that can be opened or closed depending on the temperature.\r\n
\r\n\r\nSkyliner Hubs\r\nDisney’s Caribbean Beach Resort serves as the central hub for most Skyliner routes. If you’re trying to get to a theme park from a resort using the Skyliner, you’ll almost always have to disembark at Caribbean Beach to board another gondola going to your destination.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Skyliner is most useful if you’re near its station at EPCOT’s International Gateway, and you want to go to one of the destinations it serves. Travel time from the International Gateway station to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is around 35-44 minutes during the busiest times; of that, only around19 minutes is spent in transit – the rest is in line waiting to board. In most cases, the Skyliner is at least as fast as Disney’s bus service, with a much better view.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort If you have dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort to Disney Springs or an open theme park, and then transfer to another bus heading to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option to get from the BoardWalk Inn to another hotel is almost always to drive, or use a taxi or ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Rates are generally in the $15-25 range depending on your destination. A taxi can typically get to most points in Disney World within 20 minutes (often much less), versus the one to two hours it might take using Disney's free transportation system. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for about $20 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach from Disney's Beach Club Resort \r\n\r\nDisney does not make it particularly easy to get to and from their water parks. For Typhoon Lagoon, guests must take a bus to Disney Springs and switch to a Typhoon Lagoon bus. For Blizzard Beach, the transfer must be made at Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you're averse to waiting, your best bet may be a taxi or ride share.
\r\nReader comments about the BoardWalk Inn & Villas include the following. \r\n\r\nFrom an Iowa City, Iowa, family:
\r\n\r\n\r\nWe were surprised that so relatively few rooms at the BoardWalk \r\n\r\nInn have interesting views. We were in a group staying there before a Disney \r\n\r\ncruise, and the one couple who actually had a view of the boardwalk said it \r\n\r\nwas noisy.\r\n\r\n\r\n
As is the case with several other Disney resorts, readers report that\r\nthe BoardWalk’s bus service is inefficient. This comment is typical:
\r\nThe bus to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom was the worst. We\r\nalmost missed a dinner reservation for which we’d left 1½ hours early.\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans.com offers pictures of the view from any Disney Resort room on \r\nproperty. Click here for the Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThe complex consists of several\r\nwings that radiate from the lobby complex, in a rough H shape. Crescent\r\nLake and the pedestrian BoardWalk itself are to the north, the entrance is to the south, and the canal that runs to Disney’s Hollywood\r\nStudios is to the west. If you book a BoardWalk room through\r\nDisney’s agents or website, water view means Crescent Lake and the\r\nBoardWalk area only; views of the canal or pool are considered standard\r\nview. But if you book a villa through a DVC member or the DVC\r\nwebsite, the same canal and pool are called garden or pool view, and\r\nthe view of the BoardWalk is cleverly called a BoardWalk view.
\r\n\r\nMost rooms have a balcony or patio, although balconies on the\r\nstandard upper-floor rooms alternate between large and medium. The\r\nBoardWalk Inn & Villas each share about half the frontage on the\r\npromenade, which overlooks Crescent Lake. The promenade’s clubs,\r\nstores, and attractions are spread about equally between the two sections,\r\nleading to similar levels of noise and commotion. However, the\r\ninn side is closer to EPCOT and the nearby access road; this means\r\neasier access to that theme park, but also more road noise.
\r\n\r\n![\"1332\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/thumbs/1332.jpg\")
\r\nOtherwise, the inn is actually less noisy than the more expensive villas;\r\nthere’s one tranquil, enclosed courtyard, and another half-enclosed\r\narea with a quiet pool (where BoardWalk’s Garden Suites are). There\r\nare many rooms to avoid at the inn, starting with rooms overlooking\r\naccess roads and parking lots, and rooms looking down on the roof\r\nof the adjacent conference center. And although the aforementioned\r\nquiet rooms face courtyards, the views are pretty ho-hum. When you\r\nget right down to it, the only rooms with decent views are those fronting\r\nthe promenade and lake, specifically odd-numbered rooms 3213–\r\n3259 and 4213–4259. We’re told by Disney insiders that most of these\r\nrooms are reserved more than 10 months ahead.
\r\n\r\n![\"1353\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/thumbs/1353.jpg\")
\r\nWhen you get right down to it, the only rooms with decent views are those fronting the promenade and lake, specifically odd-numbered rooms 3213–3259 and 4213–4259. We’re told by Disney insiders that most of these rooms are reserved more than 10 months in advance, so snagging one requires advance planning and a lot of luck. As for the others, you’re more likely to get a better view at the far less expensive Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, or Coronado Springs Resorts.
\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Walking distance to Epcot’s International\r\nGateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios | \r\nLong, confusing hallways | \r\n
| Vast selection of dining options for adults | \r\nSome may find room theming overly fussy | \r\n
| Fitness center is larger than Yacht & Beach\r\nClub’s | \r\nLimited quick-service dining options\r\nsuitable for children | \r\n
| \r\n | Clown pool may freak you out | \r\n
| \r\n | Bus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| \r\n | Boardwalk-facing rooms can be noisy | \r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/overview/contempmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort map\r\n
\r\nThis 655-room Deluxe Resort on Bay Lake is unique in that its\r\nA-frame design permits the Magic Kingdom monorail to pass through\r\nthe structure’s cavernous atrium. A 90-foot mosaic depicts American\r\nIndian children and nature. The off-white central tower is augmented\r\nby a three-story Garden Wing fronting Bay Lake to the south and by\r\nBay Lake Tower, a 295-room, 15-story Disney Deluxe Villa development,\r\nto the north.
\r\n\r\nStandard rooms in the A-frame afford fantastic views of Bay Lake\r\nor the Magic Kingdom, and all have balconies. At 394 square feet\r\neach, they’re only slightly smaller than equivalent rooms at the Grand\r\nFloridian Resort.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRooms in the Contemporary’s main building were refurbished in\r\nthe summer of 2021, adding characters from Pixar’s The Incredibles\r\nfilms. Off-white walls, bedspreads, and flooring are joined by carpets\r\nand couches in bold reds and other accent colors. Bathrooms have been\r\nremodeled as well, with a continuous countertop featuring two sinks\r\nand plenty of storage. The shower–tub combination remains standard,\r\nand it’s all enclosed by glass sliders. References to The Incredibles are\r\nfound on soft goods and posters and in hidden spots around the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nOur main criticism of the Contemporary’s refurbishment is that it’s\r\ndevoid of style, taste, and imagination. It’s no secret that Disney tries\r\nto shoehorn characters into every available space around the World,\r\nwhether they’re needed or not. It’s also not a secret that Disney cuts corners by standardizing everything, from the same white bedspreads\r\nin every room in every resort to common bathroom designs. In some\r\ncases, like the new rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, those\r\ntwo forces can still produce interesting rooms whose design melds with\r\nthe resort’s overall look and feel.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIn the case of the Contemporary, Disney had a chance to make\r\nthis into one of America’s great midcentury-themed hotels, and they\r\ndidn’t—even though there are plenty of places they could have drawn\r\ninspiration from. Take the TWA Hotel at New York City’s JFK International\r\nAirport, for instance: Its rooms are miniature masterpieces of\r\nmidcentury modern design in small spaces. And a 2-hour drive from\r\nDisney’s headquarters in Burbank puts you in Palm Springs, the spiritual\r\nhome of the midcentury modern aesthetic, where you can’t walk a\r\nblock without running into fabulous retro architecture and furniture.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat Disney has “designed” for the Contemporary is just lazy—\r\nit’s the same generic ideas they’ve been putting into every recent hotel.\r\nCompare the look of the Contemporary’s restyled rooms with those of\r\nthe TWA Hotel (twahotel.com) or even the Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate,\r\nnear Disneyland (tinyurl.com/anaheimmotel6), and ask yourself\r\nif the Contemporary is $400–$600 better per night. If you ask us, it’s\r\nnot. What Disney’s really selling these days at the Contemporary is\r\njust walking-distance access to the Magic Kingdom.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDining options abound at the Contemporary. On the first floor is\r\nSteakhouse 71, a new restaurant specializing in grilled meats. Contempo\r\nCafe, a counter-service restaurant on the fourth floor’s Grand Canyon\r\nConcourse, serves upscale sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizzas.\r\nChef Mickey’s, also on the fourth floor, hosts a popular character buffet\r\nat breakfast. On the 15th floor, the award-winning California Grill serves\r\ncontemporary American cuisine.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe pool has slides for kids and cabanas for rent. The resort also\r\nhas a few shops. The Contemporary is within easy walking distance\r\nof the Magic Kingdom; monorail transportation is available to both\r\nthe Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Other destinations can be accessed\r\nby bus or boat. Walking time to transportation loading areas from the\r\nmost remote rooms is 6–9 minutes.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe major advantage of Contemporary is that is a short walk to Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld's flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom. If you don't want to make the 10 \r\n\r\nminute walk you can also take a Monorail, which has a station in the \r\n\r\nContemporary's lobby. The same Monorail can be also be used to ride to the \r\n\r\nTransportation And Ticket Center, here guests can tranfer to another Monorail \r\n\r\nand ride to the front gate of Epcot. In terms of room size, Contemporary's \r\n\r\nrooms are in the upper end of Disney's other deluxe resorts. At 394 square \r\n\r\nfeet they are smaller than Grand Floridian's 440 sf, and Polynesian's 415 sf, \r\n\r\nbut larger than rooms in every other resort. These factors come at the cost of \r\n\r\na high nightly price. Rooms at Contemporary fall in to the upper end of all \r\n\r\nthe other WDW deluxe resorts.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Contemporary's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Contemporary is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nContemporary participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nContemporary's gift shops will sell you MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Grand Canyon Concourse is home to Contemporary's lobby, as well as shops \r\n\r\nand dining.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/DSC_5946.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nThe famous Mary Blair mural in The Grand Canyon Concourse.
\r\nThe Contemporary’s rooms are, in our opinion, among the nicest of any Disney resort. Rooms were refurbished in 2021 and now are lightly themed to the Pixar film The Incredibles. While we were a little dubious about the change, the touches are light and the mid-century look fits the Contemporary nicely. Amenities include flat-panel LCD TVs, built-in closets, stylish soft goods, and comfortable beds. Wood accents in warm tones are a welcome relief from the bland beige that dominates so many hotel palettes.
\r\n\r\nThe old work desk has been replaced by a very large sofa, part of which converts to a daybed in case of a 5th person in the room. Lighting is superb, with top scores in the bathroom grooming, reading, and work areas. Small, stylish overhead lights are more than ample for reading in bed.
\r\n\r\nThe Contemporary’s beds are topped with 250-thread-count sheets and down-filled pillows. The air-conditioning system is a little louder than most. If you like to sleep with a bit of white noise in the background, however, you’ll be in heaven.
\r\n\r\nMost of the Contemporary rooms are 394 square feet, which makes them some \r\n\r\nof the largest standard rooms in Walt Disney World.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA standard Contemporary room lightly themed to The Incredibles.\r\n
\r\nEach Disney's Contemporary Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\nA lot of thought went into the bathroom design, too. You enter the bath through a sliding pocket door instead of a traditional hinged model. The pocket door provides plenty of room and makes it easy to move around inside. (It’s such a great idea that Len has adopted it in his own home.) The rectangular, extremely inefficient sinks are gone, replaced with still modern, yet very usable oval versions.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWater pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get \r\n\r\nat home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. There are \r\n\r\nalso two shelves under the sink that provide a small amount of storage. A \r\n\r\n1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; \r\n\r\nbring your own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a \r\n\r\nsliding door that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the \r\n\r\nbathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe concierge level of a deluxe resort can also be referred to as club \r\n\r\nlevel. Each one throughout the property has a name for their concierge level. \r\n\r\nAt the Contemporary it is called the Atrium Club and it’s located on the \r\n\r\ntwelfth floor. Here guests willing to pay a premium are treated to special \r\n\r\nservices including a lounge, complimentary food and drink, and personalized \r\n\r\nservice. There are about 60 Atrium Club rooms most of which are similar to \r\n\r\nregular rooms throughout the resort, but there are also suites available. Club \r\n\r\nlevel prices can be over $100 more than standard rooms at the \r\n\r\nContemporary
\r\n\r\nUpon arriving to Contemporary, concierge guests are taken to an exclusive \r\n\r\narea to be checked in and taken care of. Once guests are brought to the club \r\n\r\nlevel they will be introduced to the cast members on hand at two desks set up \r\n\r\nto be the resource for any special services they may need. These CMs are there \r\n\r\nto help folks with whatever they might need including ADRs, park tickets, and \r\n\r\ntransportation options.
\r\nAnother special service provided to concierge level guests is a nightly \r\n\r\nturn down. Housekeeping cast members come to your room in the evening to \r\n\r\nprepare your bed for you to fall into it after a long day in the parks and \r\n\r\nleave chocolates.
\r\n\r\nA more exciting benefit to staying in the Atrium Club is access to free \r\n\r\nfood for most of the day. The breakfast offerings are relatively light so \r\n\r\ndon’t expect to fuel up for a full day here. Later in the day snacks are \r\n\r\navailable along with an assortment of drinks including soda, hot drinks like \r\n\r\ncoffee, and beer. In the late afternoon/early evening the menu changes but \r\n\r\nappetizers are put out for guests to enjoy before they begin their evening. \r\n\r\nWine and liqueurs along with desserts area served throughout the evening as \r\n\r\nwell.
\r\nThe selection of food and drink is laid out in the lounge only accessible \r\n\r\nto club level guests. There are several tables and chairs set up for folks to \r\n\r\nyou use throughout the day. The area is busy a breakfast time, but can be a \r\n\r\nquiet place to relax and maybe even get some work done if guests happen to be \r\n\r\nbusiness travelers. There are also a few couches in the mix where friends can \r\n\r\ngather to chat. Kids have their own area here with child sized table and \r\n\r\nchairs and a TV running cartoons and other Disney favorites.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort have around 31 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms \r\n\r\nwith roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower \r\n\r\nrooms have both 1 king bed. Use our hotel \r\n\r\nroom finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Contemporary's hotel rooms based on what you see from \r\n\r\ninside the room. Luckily both sides of the main Contemporary tower offer great \r\n\r\nviews.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nThe Contemporary has two pools. The largest, The Feature Pool, sits sits in the \r\n\r\nmiddle of the Contemporary tower and the Garden Wing. There is also a hot tub, \r\n\r\nkiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe other smaller pool, the Bay Pool is located near the Feature. This pool \r\n\r\nis considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are \r\n\r\ndiscouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nContemporary's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Contemporary also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Silver Creek Springs Pool.
\r\n\r\nFeature Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests can \r\n\r\nfind showers, storage lockers, and\r\n restrooms. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Feature Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDining options abound. On the first floor is Steakhouse 71, a restaurant with Floridian flares and throwbacks to Disney history. The Contempo Cafe, a counter-service restaurant on the fourth floor’s Grand Canyon Concourse, serves upscale sandwiches, salads, and flatbread pizzas. Chef Mickey’s, also on the fourth floor, hosts a popular character buffet at breakfast, brunch, and dinner. On the 15th floor, the award-winning California Grill serves contemporary American cuisine.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCalifornia Grill Dinner Menu - California Grill Kids Menu
\r\n\r\nHigh atop the Contemporary Resort, the award-winning California Grill sets \r\n\r\nthe standard for Disney dining. But expect a boisterous crowd-the noise level \r\n\r\nmakes quiet conversation difficult. Still, the view from the 15th floor is \r\n\r\nstellar, one of the best spots for watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks. It's \r\n\r\nso popular that the Grill no longer allows just anyone on the elevator for a \r\n\r\nride to the top - you must have a dinner reservation. A show kitchen is the \r\n\r\ncenterpiece of the airy dining room.
\r\n\r\nThe California Grill still is one of Disney's top dining experiences, more \r\n\r\nlike a hot spot in L.A. or New York City than Disney World. We like the seats \r\n\r\nat the bar in front of the kitchen, or a coveted window seat. Though it's a \r\n\r\nsophisticated dining experience, be warned that you'll see plenty of kids in \r\n\r\nthe dining room.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFun Time Buffet Breakfast - Chef Mickey's Fun Time \r\n\r\nBuffet Dinner\r\n
\r\n\r\nChef Mickey's is a all-you-can-eat restaurant with that features a colorful, \r\n\r\nopen dining room with the monorail running overhead, this is one of the most \r\n\r\npopular Disney-character restaurants-mostly because you're guaranteed an \r\n\r\naudience with Mickey Mouse, who dons a chef's toque and poses for socially-distant photos. (Goofy, Minnie, Donald, and Pluto are on hand, too.) It's loud, crowded, busy, and fun for \r\n\r\nfamilies. We rarely see anyone here without kids in tow.
\r\n\r\nGo hungry, and this all-you-can-eat setting is a good value for families; \r\n\r\nthere's plenty for picky eaters, and you can start or end the day with a full \r\n\r\ntummy and photos of the top Disney characters already checked off your to-do \r\n\r\nlist.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSteakhouse 71 Breakfast Menu -\r\nSteakhouse 71 Lunch Menu - \r\nSteakhouse 71 Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nOn the first floor of the Contemporary just past the front desk, Steakhouse 71\r\nputs a spin on some of Walt Disney's favorite meals in a modern setting.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nContempo Cafe Breakfast Menu - Contempo Cafe Kids Breakfast Menu - Contempo Cafe Lunch/Dinner Menu - Contempo Cafe Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nContempo Cafe is the resort's counter service restaurant. It has faster \r\n\r\nservice and is less expensive than Steakhouse 71, but still has its quirks. For \r\n\r\none, you place your order on an ATM-like touch-screen kiosk, leaving one to \r\n\r\nwonder whether dining at a $300 per night resort is supposed to feel like the \r\n\r\nself-checkout aisle at the grocery store. If you want to modify your order in \r\n\r\nany way - say, hold the onions on the flatbread - you have to walk to the \r\n\r\npick-up window and instruct the staff. The food is fresh and tasty, but the \r\n\r\nordering process is a bit convoluted. Noise from the nearby Chef Mickeys can \r\n\r\ndrown out all but the most enthusiastic conversationalist.
\r\n\r\n\r\nContempo Cafe participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Contemporary participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan (when it's offered); meals cost 1 credit at Steakhouse 71, Chef Mickey's and Contempo \r\n\r\nCafe, and 2 credits at California Grill. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOuter Rim Lounge is located amid \r\n\r\nthe busy dining and shopping on the 4th Floor of the main tower at the \r\n\r\nContemporary. Outer Rim Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu, with \r\n\r\nseveral beers, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is usually open 4 \r\n\r\nPM to 12 AM daily. The The Sand Bar is \r\n\r\nlocated adjacent to the Feature Pool at the Contemporary. It also has a \r\n\r\nselection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Plus a small menu of burgers, hot \r\n\r\ndogs, sandwiches, salads, and desserts is available.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Contemporary Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on World Drive. Take World Dr. for about 5.6 \r\n\r\nmiles, and Contemporary will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Contemporary Resort. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's \r\n\r\nContemporary Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV \r\n\r\nservice or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Contemporary Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Contemporary Resort to \r\n\r\nDisney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon \r\n\r\nLagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's Contemporary Resort's bus \r\n\r\nstops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in \r\n\r\nparking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nMagic Kingdom is accessed via Monorail via the station inside the resort's \r\n\r\nGrand Canyon Concourse. Monorail service may be suspended at any time. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nEpcot is accessed by taking the Monorail via the station inside the \r\n\r\nresort's Grand Canyon Concourse to the Transportation And Ticket Center. There \r\n\r\nguests travel to Epcot via the Epcot Monorail.\r\n
Contemporary Resort's bus stop.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Contemporary's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Contemporary's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Animal Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 13 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, \r\n\r\nwith a bus arriving every 8-17 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water \r\n\r\nparks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait \r\n\r\nanywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's Contemporary \r\n\r\nResort's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be \r\n\r\nfound below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Contemporary Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake a Disney bus from Disney's Contemporary Resort to Disney Springs (or an \r\n\r\nopen theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. \r\n\r\nDo the reverse to get back to Disney's Contemporary Resort. While that's free, \r\n\r\nit can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination \r\n\r\nis \r\none of the other Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is \r\n\r\nstill open hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or \r\n\r\ntake a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We \r\n\r\nsuggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from Contemporary to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from Contemporary, and Uber and Lyft are often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Bay Lake to Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, \r\n\r\nFort wilderness, and the Magic Kingdom. This option can also take some time \r\n\r\ndepending on where you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nOlympiad Health Club is Contemporary's fitness center and \r\n\r\nspa. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 8:00 AM \r\n\r\nto 7:00 PM. Swedish, Aromatherapy, and Firm Pressure massage treatment \r\n\r\nservices are available.
\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available for use in Bay Lake 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. \r\n\r\nKayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices vary. \r\n\r\nAll rentals can be purchased in a booth near the Feature Pool.
\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Thursday, Yoga is available 7:00 to 7:30 AM at Village Green. Participation is free but limited to the first 20 Guests. Mats and towels are provided.
\r\n\r\n\r\nContemporary's gift shop is Fantasia Market. It is located on the fourth \r\n\r\nfloor. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Fantasia has a decent \r\n\r\ncollection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and \r\n\r\npens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these \r\n\r\nitems are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nFantasia Market also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Fantasia Market has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlso located near Fantasia Market is the The Game Station \r\n\r\nArcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.89-mile jogging trail. The trail is located on the northern end \r\n\r\nof the resort between Bay Lake Tower and the Garden Wing.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use on Floor 2 of the Garden Wing Building. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"Contemporary](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/contemporary_laundry_201908.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Contemporary \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-1000.\r\n
\r\nThe Contemporary has two\r\nhotel buildings: the A-frame tower and the Garden Wing. Rooms in\r\nthe A-frame overlook either Bay Lake and the marina and swimming\r\ncomplex on one side or the parking lot, with Seven Seas Lagoon and\r\nthe Magic Kingdom in the background on the other. Except for most\r\nsecond- and third-floor rooms in the Garden Wing, each room has a\r\nbalcony with two chairs and a table. If you stay on the Magic Kingdom\r\nside of the A-frame, ask for a room on the ninth floor or higher.\r\nThe parking lot and connecting roads are less distracting there (see\r\ntinyurl .com/cr-room4848 as an example). On the Bay Lake side, the\r\nview is fine from all floors, though higher floors are preferable.
\r\n\r\n![\"View](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/4848.jpg\")
\r\n![\"4626\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/4626.jpg\")
\r\n![\"View](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/4616.jpg\")
\r\nIn the Garden Wing, all ground-floor rooms have patios. Only end\r\nrooms on the second and third floors facing Bay Lake have full balconies;\r\nall other rooms have balconies only a foot deep. Also, keep in mind that the Garden Wing is a fair walk from the restaurants, shops,\r\nfront desk, guest services, and monorail station in the A-frame.
\r\n\r\nThere’s a lot of boat traffic in the lake and canal alongside the\r\nGarden Wing. Nearest the lake, and quietest, are rooms 6116–6123,\r\n6216–6223, and 6316–6323. At the water’s edge, but noisier, are rooms\r\n6107–6115, 6207–6215, and 6307–6315. Flanking the canal connecting\r\nBay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon are rooms 5128–5151, 5228–5251, and\r\n5328–5351. All of these have nice canal and lake views, which subject\r\nthem to some daytime noise from passing watercraft, but the whole\r\narea is exceptionally quiet at night.
\r\n\r\nThe Garden Wing also has rooms facing the marina, pool, and playground;\r\nthese work well for families with kids. The views don’t compare\r\nwith views from the rooms previously listed, but ground-floor\r\nrooms 5105–5127 and 6124–6130 provide easy access to the pool.
\r\n\r\nIn addition to offering some of the most scenic and tranquil guest\r\nrooms in Disney World, the Garden Wing likewise contains some of\r\nthe most undesirable ones. Avoid rooms ending with numbers 52–70—\r\nalmost all of these look directly onto a parking lot.
\r\n![\"5121\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/5121.jpg\")
\r\nThe Garden Building also has rooms facing the marina, pool, and\r\nplayground; these work well for families with young children. The view\r\nisn’t comparable to views from the rooms previously listed, but ground floor\r\nrooms 5105–5125 provide easy access to the pool.
\r\n![\"6121\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/6121.jpg\")
\r\nIn addition to offering some of the most scenic and tranquil guest\r\nrooms in Disney World, the Garden Building likewise contains some\r\nof the most undesirable ones. Avoid rooms ending with numbers 52\r\nthrough 70—almost all of these look directly onto a parking lot.
\r\n![\"5164\"](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl008/thumbs/5164.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Iconic architecture; the only hotel that\r\nthe monorail goes\r\nthrough | \r\n“Magic Kingdom view” rooms mostly look\r\nout at parking lots and are overpriced | \r\n
| Easy walk to the Magic Kingdom | \r\nBus transportation\r\nis shared with Wilderness Lodge | \r\n
| Large, very attractive guest rooms with\r\nnice lake views | \r\nSterility of theme and decor in public areas | \r\n
| Rooms in the Garden Wing are very large and can be\r\na relatively good value | \r\nLong walk from transportation to Garden Building | \r\n
| Recreation options on Bay Lake | \r\nAtrium can be exceptionally noisy | \r\n
| Boat service to Fort Wilderness Resort &\r\nCampground | \r\n\r\n |
Walt Disney World's flagship hotel was inspired by grand Victorian\r\nresorts such as the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and Mount\r\nWashington Resort in New Hampshire. A complex of four- and fivestory\r\nwhite-frame buildings, the Grand Floridian integrates verandas,\r\nintricate latticework, dormers, and turrets beneath a red-shingle roof to\r\ncapture the most distinctive elements of 19th-century ocean-resort architecture.\r\nCovering 40 acres along Seven Seas Lagoon, the Grand Floridian\r\noffers lovely pools, white-sand beaches, and a marina.
\r\n\r\nThe 867 guest rooms, with wood trim and soft goods (curtains, linens,\r\ntowels, and the like) in tones of deep red, gold, and tan, are luxurious,\r\nthough we think the mocha-colored walls are a little dreary at\r\nnight. The woodwork, marble-topped sinks, and ceiling fans amplify\r\nthe Victorian theme. Large by any standard, the typical room is 440\r\nsquare feet (dormer rooms are smaller) and furnished with two queen\r\nbeds, a daybed, and a small desk with chair. Many rooms have a balcony.\r\nAll rooms have a Keurig coffee maker, a large dresser with minifridge,\r\nand a wall-mounted TV.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort map\r\n
\r\nWith a high ratio of staff to guests, service is outstanding. The hotel\r\nis connected directly to the Magic Kingdom by monorail, boat, and a\r\npedestrian walkway, and to other Disney World destinations by bus.\r\nWalking time to the monorail-, boat-, and bus-loading areas from the\r\nmost remote guest rooms is about 7–10 minutes. It takes about 15−20\r\nminutes on the pedestrian walkway to get to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles\r\nfrom the farthest points of the Grand Floridian.
\r\n\r\nThe resort has several full-service restaurants. Others are a short monorail\r\nride or walk away.
\r\n\r\nThe Grand Floridian’s Senses spa, modeled after the spas on the\r\nDisney Cruise Line ships, is one of the best in the Orlando area, but\r\nit was still closed as we went to press. In addition, the resort’s pools\r\nare among the nicest on Disney property. The\r\nCourtyard Pool, large enough that local waterfowl\r\nmistake it for a lake, has a zero-entry\r\nramp for small children to splash in. Cabanas\r\nare available to rent here too. An Alice in\r\nWonderland–themed splash area sits between\r\nthe main building and the Villas. If your kids\r\nlike water, this is the place to be.
\r\n\r\nThe rest of the Grand Floridian’s grounds\r\nare maintained to an extremely high standard. It’s a lovely place to\r\nwalk around during the evening, with romantic light levels and charming\r\nbackground music. A stroll from the marina, past the resort’s main\r\nbuildings, and over to the Polynesian Village for a nightcap is a nice\r\nway to end the evening.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe major advantage of Grand Floridian is that is a short boat, walk, or Monorail ride to Walt Disney World's flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom. The same Monorail can be also be used to ride to the Transportation And Ticket Center, here guests can transfer to another Monorail and ride to the front gate of Epcot. At 440 square feet, Grand Floridian's rooms are some of the largest in all of WDW. These factors come at the cost of a high nightly price. Rooms at Grand Floridian fall in to the upper end of all the other WDW deluxe resorts.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Grand Floridian's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Grand Floridian is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nGrand Floridian participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGrand Floridian's gift shop sells MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and \r\n\r\ndining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\nGrand Floridian's front desk.
\r\nMost of the Grand Floridian rooms are 440 square feet, which makes them \r\n\r\nsome of the largest standard rooms in Walt Disney World, and have two queen-\r\n\r\nsize beds, a daybed, and a desk with chair.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA standard Grand Floridian room. \r\n
\r\nEach Disney's Grand Floridian Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\nBathrooms are large, with plenty of counter space and fluffy towels.\r\nTwo shelves under the sink provide a small amount of storage.\r\nA 1,500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it’s not very\r\npowerful, so bring your own if you have lots of hair. Water pressure in\r\nthe shower is probably less than what you get at home but still enough\r\nto rinse out shampoo suds. A separate dressing area next to the bathroom\r\nincludes two sinks and enough counter space to fit most of your\r\ntoiletries. Combined with the bathroom, this allows three people to get\r\ndressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\nA typical Grand Floridian bathroom.\r\n\r\n
\r\nThe concierge level of a deluxe resort can also be referred to as club level. Each one throughout the property has a name for its concierge club(s).\r\n
\r\n\r\nAt the Grand Floridian there are two concierge lounges. The first is called the The Royal Palm Club, and it's located on the fourth floor of the Main Building. A second concierge lounge is located in the Sugar Loaf Key building of the resort. This lounge has amenities and services similar to Royal Palm Club in the Main Building.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGuests willing to pay a premium for a concierge-level room are treated to special services including a lounge/club, complimentary food and drink, and personalized service. There are about 175 Royal Palm Club rooms and around 90 Sugar Loaf Key rooms, most of which are similar to regular rooms throughout the resort, but there are also suites available. Club level prices can be over $100 more than standard rooms at the Grand Floridian.
\r\n\r\nUpon arriving to Grand Floridian, concierge guests are taken to an exclusive area to be checked in and taken care of. Once guests are brought to the club level, they will be introduced to the cast members on hand at two desks set up to be the resource for any special services they may need. These CMs are there to help folks with whatever they might need including ADRs, park tickets, and transportation options.
\r\n\r\nAnother special service provided to concierge level guests is a nightly turn down. Housekeeping cast members come to your room in the evening to prepare your bed for you to fall into it after a long day in the parks and leave chocolates.
\r\n\r\nA more exciting benefit to staying club level is access to free food for most of the day. The breakfast offerings are relatively light, so don’t expect to fuel up for a full day here. Later in the day snacks are available along with an assortment of drinks including soda, hot drinks like coffee, and beer. In the late afternoon/early evening the menu changes, but appetizers are put out for guests to enjoy before they begin their evening. Wine and liqueurs along with desserts area served throughout the evening as \r\nwell.
\r\n\r\nThe selection of food and drink laid out in the lounges is only accessible to club level guests. There are several tables and chairs set up for folks to use throughout the day. The area is busy at breakfast time, but can be a quiet place to relax and maybe even get some work done if guests happen to be business travelers. There are also a few couches in the mix where friends can gather to chat. Kids have their own area here with child sized table and chairs and a TV running cartoons and other Disney favorites.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort have around 31 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms \r\n\r\nwith roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower \r\n\r\nrooms have both 1 king bed. Use our hotel \r\n\r\nroom finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Grand Floridian's hotel rooms based on what you see from \r\n\r\ninside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nGrand Floridian has two pools. The Courtyard Pool, sits east of Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian's Main Building. There is also a hot tub, kiddie pool and water \r\n\r\nplay area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe other pool, the Beach Pool is located between the Main Building and the \r\n\r\nVillas. The Beach Pool is a 111,261-gallon pool overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon. \r\n\r\nIts main feature is a 181-foot water slide. The Beach Pool also has cabanas \r\n\r\navailable for rent.
\r\n\t\r\nGrand Floridian's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Grand Floridian also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near the Courtyard Pool.
\r\n\r\nBeach Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests can \r\n\r\nfind showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Feature Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGrand Floridian's Beach Pool and Alice in Wonderland-themed water play area.\r\n
\r\nGrand Floridian's Courtyard Pool has a chair-lift device that can lower \r\n\r\nguests in wheelchairs into the shallow end of the pool. Check with any \r\n\r\nlifeguard for assistance on using the lift.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrand Floridian has a number of fine dining options available, including \r\n\r\nWDW's flagship signature restaurant Victoria & Albert's.
\r\n\r\n\r\nVictoria & Albert's Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nWith only 18 tables in the main dining room and Queen Victoria's Room, a \r\n\r\nnew private space with seating for eight, this is the top dining experience at \r\n\r\nDisney World. A winner of AAA's Five-Diamond Award (the only restaurant in \r\n\r\ncentral Florida so honored), Victoria & Albert's is civilized, lavish, and \r\n\r\nexpensive. Waitstaff in the Queen Victoria Room expertly revive the European \r\n\r\nart of tableside finishes for each dish.
\r\n\r\nThe menu changes daily, but chef Scott Hunnel's favorites include Jamison \r\n\r\nFarm lamb, Florida seafood, and Japanese Kobe beef. Any of master pastry chef \r\n\r\nErich Herbitschek's desserts are divine. Hunnel and his team prepare modern \r\n\r\nAmerican cuisine with the best of the best from around the world. While the \r\n\r\nmain dining room and Queen Victoria's Room are whisper-quiet, the convivial \r\n\r\nChef's Table is a whole other experience. For foodies, it's a bargain. Note \r\n\r\nthat the Tables in Wonderland discount card is only accepted for standard \r\n\r\ndining here (not Chef's Table or Queen Victoria Room).
\r\n\r\nVictoria & Albert's has a strict dress code, which is enforced. From \r\n\r\nDisney's website:
\r\n“Men: Dinner jackets with dress pants/slacks and shoes. Ties are \r\n\r\noptional (Please no jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops, or tennis shoes)\r\nLadies: Cocktail dress, dressy pant suit, skirt/blouse or nice dress. (Please \r\n\r\nno jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis \r\n\r\nshoes)”\r\n\r\n
\r\nCítricos Dinner Menu - Cítricos Kids Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nThis is one of the best-kept dining secrets at Disney World - it's \r\n\r\ngenerally easy to get Advance Reservations here. For an extra-special night, \r\n\r\nreserve the Chef's Domain, a private room for up to 12 guests where the chef \r\n\r\ncreates a special menu.
\r\n\r\nThe golds and yellows of the Mediterranean color this stylish dining room \r\n\r\non the second floor of the Grand Floridian. Diners often find chef Phillip \r\n\r\nPonticelli working his culinary magic in the full-view show kitchen. \r\n\r\nSelections include sauteed shrimp with lemon, feta cheese, tomatoes, and white \r\n\r\nwine; oak-grilled filet of beef; braised veal shank.
\r\n\r\nA Tallahassee, Florida, reader thinks we underrate Cítricos at the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian:
\r\nHow come you gave Cítricos only 3½ stars? We had the most amazing \r\n\r\nmeal ever there! The service was the most outstanding I have ever received, \r\n\r\nand the food matched. My grandmother had some dietary\r\n446 part 10 di di ning in and around Walt alt dis ney world restrictions; the \r\n\r\nchef came to our table to talk with her about what she could eat, then sent \r\n\r\nher out a side dish free of charge. They even let her order from the kids’ \r\n\r\nmenu even though she’s way over the 9-year-old limit.\r\n
(For the record, Cítricos is one of the TouringPlans team’s favorite \r\n\r\neateries. The food is indeed excellent, and it’s one of the most quiet and \r\n\r\nsedate restaurants at Walt Disney World.)
\r\n\r\n\r\nGrand Floridian Cafe Breakfast Menu - Grand Floridian Cafe Kids Breakfast Menu - \r\n\r\nGrand Floridian Cafe Lunch Menu\r\n - Grand Floridian Cafe Dinner Menu - Grand Floridian Cafe Lunch/Dinner \r\n\r\nMenu\r\n
\r\n\r\nThink of the Grand Floridian Cafe as an upscale coffee shop, the large dining \r\n\r\nroom - with high ceilings and decorative windows - looking out on the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian's pool and center courtyard.
\r\n\r\nBreakfast includes eggs prepared virtually every way known to mankind; \r\n\r\nwaffles; French toast. For lunch, there's Cobb salad and the Grand sandwich \r\n\r\nwith ham, turkey, and Boursin-cheese sauce. For dinner, choose from salmon, \r\n\r\nshrimp pasta, or grilled pork chop.
\r\n\r\n\r\nNarcoossee's Dinner Menu - Narcoossee's Kids Dinner \r\n\r\nMenu\r\n
\r\nStroll through the grounds of the Grand Floridian and toward the waterfront \r\n\r\nto this freestanding octagonal building at the edge of Seven Seas Lagoon. The \r\n\r\natmosphere is upscale casual, though hardwood floors make it noisy. Diners \r\n\r\nhave great views of the Magic Kingdom and the boats that dock nearby to pick \r\n\r\nup and drop off guests after a day at the park.
\r\nNarcoossee's offers excellent service, a very good wine list-and steep \r\n\r\nprices. But it is one of the few places at Disney with a seafood-centric menu, \r\n\r\nand one of the few places where you can get fresh steamed lobster. A splurge \r\n\r\nfor grown-ups.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1900 Park Fare Supercalafragilistic \r\n\r\nBreakfast - 1900 \r\n\r\nPark Fare Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner \r\n
\r\n\r\nAn OK choice for character dining, but too bright and loud for adults \r\n\r\nwithout children. The prime rib is 1900 Park Fare's major draw at dinner, but \r\n\r\ngo someplace else if you prefer your beef on the rare side of medium.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGarden View Tea Room Afternoon Tea Menu - Garden View Tea \r\n\r\nRoom My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party Menu\r\n
\r\nGarden View Tea Room is home to traditional afternoon tea, served in grand \r\n\r\nBritish style. The menu includes a selection of international teas and an \r\n\r\nassortment of sandwiches and pastries.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGasparilla Island Grill Breakfast Menu - Gasparilla Island Grill Lunch/Dinner Menu - Gasparilla Island Grill Late Night \r\n\r\nMenu\r\n
\r\nGasparilla Island Grill is the resort's counter service restaurant. It has \r\n\r\na decent selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas. There's also kid \r\n\r\nfriendly items like chicken nuggets and hot dogs. Gasparilla is unique in that \r\n\r\nit is open 24 hours a day. But past 11:00 PM the menu is very limited.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGasparilla Island Grill participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Grand Floridian participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan (when it's offered); meals cost 1 credit at Grand Floridian Cafe, 1900 Park Fare \r\n\r\nand Gasparilla Island Grill, and 2 credits at Citricos and Narcoossee's. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEnchanted Rose is located on \r\n\r\nthe second floor in Grand Floridian's Main Building. Enchanted Rose has indoor \r\n\r\nseating and a full drink menu, with several beers, wines, and a selection of \r\n\r\nspirits. \r\n\r\nThe lounge is usually open 4 PM to 10 PM daily. The Courtyard Pool Bar is located \r\n\r\nadjacent to the Courtyard Pool at the Grand Floridian. It also has a selection \r\n\r\nof beers, wines, and cocktails. Plus a small menu of burgers, flat bread \r\n\r\npizzas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts is available. Beaches Pool Bar & Grill is \r\n\r\nlocated next to the Beach Pool. It also has a selection of alcoholic beverages \r\n\r\nand a dining menu of burgers, sushi, and salad.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is just \r\n\r\noff of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on World Drive. Take World Dr. for about 2.1 \r\n\r\nmiles, and turn left on Seven Seas Drive. After .8 miles, turn right on to \r\n\r\nFloridian Way. Grand Floridian will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service \r\n\r\nor 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort to \r\n\r\nDisney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon \r\n\r\nLagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort's \r\n\r\nbus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-\r\n\r\nin parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nMagic Kingdom is accessed via pedestrian walkway (it's about a 10-15 minute walk) or Monorail via the station on the second floor \r\n\r\nin the Main Building. Monorail service may be suspended at any time.
\r\n\r\nEPCOT is accessed by bus or by taking the Monorail via the station on the second \r\n\r\nfloor in the Main Building to the Transportation And Ticket Center. There \r\n\r\nguests travel to Epcot via the Epcot Monorail.\r\n
Grand Floridian Resort's Monorail station.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Grand Floridian's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Grand Floridian's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Animal Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, \r\n\r\nwith a bus arriving every 8-17 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water \r\n\r\nparks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait \r\n\r\nanywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Grand Floridian \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort \r\n\r\nto Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there \r\n\r\nto your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 \r\n\r\nhours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the other Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is \r\n\r\nstill open, walk or hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Contemporary), or take a \r\n\r\nboat (to Fort Wilderness, the Polynesian, and the Contemporary). We suggest \r\n\r\nyou still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from Grand Floridian \r\n\r\nto wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab \r\n\r\nride to get to most Disney hotels from Grand Floridian, and Uber and Lyft are often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nSenses - A Disney Spa is Grand Floridian's spa. Senses \r\n\r\nincludes 15 treatment rooms offering a multitude of treatments and featuring \r\n\r\nFlorida citrus and botanicals. A unique touch to this spa is that each \r\n\r\ntreatment, or \"Journey\" as they call them, includes a small glass of a fruity \r\n\r\nelixir. Each Journey has its own flavored drink and this flavor carries \r\n\r\nthrough to the end of your Journey when you receive a very small gel that \r\n\r\ncontains the same flavors. Guests are encouraged to book ahead, they may do so \r\n\r\nby calling 407-WDW-SPAS (407-939-7727).
\r\n\r\nSenses Spa.
\r\nSenses also has a fitness center. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants \r\n\r\nare only available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
\r\n\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available for use in Seven Seas Lagoon 10:00 AM to \r\n\r\n5:00 PM. Kayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices \r\n\r\nvary. All rentals can be purchased in a booth near the Sugarloaf Key and Conch \r\n\r\nKey buildings.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGrand Floridian has a number of gift shops. Including Sandy Cove. As you'd \r\n\r\nexpect from a Disney gift shop, Sandy Cove has a decent collection of \r\n\r\nsouvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to \r\n\r\nembroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are \r\n\r\nabout what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSandy Cove also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy \r\n\r\nand cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And \r\n\r\nFantasia Market has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOther shops include M. Mouse Mercantile, it features \r\n\r\nsouvenirs, character plush, toys, and Disney apparel. Commander \r\n\r\nPorter's sells men's apparel and some Grand Floridian-branded \r\n\r\nmerchandise. Basin is a bath and body store that specializes \r\n\r\nin high quality soaps. Finally, Summer Lace is a store on the \r\n\r\nfirst level that sells women's apparel.\r\n\r\n
Walkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 1-mile jogging path located near the Main Building. The trail \r\n\r\nstarts at Grand Floridian and ends at the Polynesian Resort.\r\n
\r\nGrand Floridian's Beach.
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Grand Floridian \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-3000.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. click here for the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThe resort is spread over a peninsula\r\nthat juts into Seven Seas Lagoon. In addition to the main building,\r\nthere are five dispersed rectangular buildings. Most of the rooms have\r\na balcony, and most balconies are enclosed by a rail that affords good\r\nvisibility. Dormer rooms, just beneath the roof in each building, have\r\nsmaller enclosed balconies that limit visibility when you’re seated.\r\nMost dormer rooms, however, have vaulted ceilings and a coziness\r\nthat compensates for the less-desirable balconies.
\r\n\r\nThe main building used to be a hub of activity well into the night,\r\nhosting everything from jazz bands to life-size gingerbread houses at\r\nChristmas. All of those activities have been suspended during the pandemic,\r\nwhich makes the main building much quieter.
\r\n\r\n![\"4307\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/4307.jpg\")
\r\n![\"4414\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/4414.jpg\")
\r\nIf you want to be near the bus and monorail, most of the restaurants,\r\nand shopping, ask for a room in the main building (all Club Level\r\nrooms). The best rooms are 4322–4329 and 4422–4429, which have\r\nfull balconies and overlook the lagoon in the direction of the beach and\r\nthe Polynesian Village. Other excellent main-building rooms are 4401–\r\n4409, with full balconies overlooking the marina and an unobstructed\r\nview of Cinderella Castle across the lagoon.
\r\n\r\n![\"6101\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/6101.jpg\")
\r\nOf the four lodges, two—Boca Chica and Conch Key—have one\r\nlong side facing the lagoon and the other facing inner courtyards and\r\nswimming pools. At Conch Key, full-balcony rooms 7229–7231, 7328,\r\n7329, 7331, 7425–7429, and 7431 offer vistas across the lagoon to the\r\nMagic Kingdom and castle. Room 7427 is just about perfect. Lessexpensive\r\nrooms in the same building that offer good marina views\r\nare 7212, 7312, 7412–7415, 7417, 7419, 7421, 7513–7515, and 7517. (Grand\r\nFloridian room numbers are coded. Take room 7213: 7 is the building\r\nnumber, 2 is the floor, and 13 is the room number.) In Boca Chica,\r\nask for a lagoon-view room on the first, second, or third floor. A few garden-view rooms in Boca Chica have views obstructed by a poolside\r\nbuilding. These are the worst views from any Grand Floridian room.
\r\n\r\n![\"5106\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/5106.jpg\")
\r\n![\"5145\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/5145.jpg\")
\r\nThe two remaining buildings, Sugar Loaf Key (Club Level) and Sago\r\nKey, face each other across the marina. The opposite side of Sugar Loaf\r\nKey faces a courtyard, while the other side of Sago Key faces a finger of\r\nthe lagoon and a forested area. These views are pleasant but not in the\r\nsame league as those from the rooms listed previously. Exceptions are\r\nend rooms in Sago Key that have a view of the lagoon and Cinderella\r\nCastle (rooms 5139, 5144, 5145, 5242–5245, and 5342–5345).
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/8120.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl010/thumbs/8113.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Can walk, boat, or monorail to the Magic Kingdom | \r\nMost expensive WDW resort | \r\n
| High staff-to-guest ratio | \r\nPublic areas often blocked by wedding parties | \r\n
| Excellent dining options for adults | \r\nNoise from Magic Kingdom, boat horns, and whistles | \r\n
| Very good on-site spa | \r\nBus transportation to DHS, Animal Kingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs is shared by the Polynesian Resort | \r\n
| Large rooms with daybeds | \r\n\r\n |
| Fantastic kids’ Alice in Wonderland-themed splash area | \r\n\r\n |
| Lovely views of the lagoon and parts of Magic Kingdom | \r\n\r\n |
| Diverse recreational options | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail Golf Courses | \r\n\r\n |
South Pacific tropics are re-created at this Deluxe resort, which\r\nconsists of two- and three-story Hawaiian longhouses situated around the four-story Great Ceremonial House, which contains restaurants, shops,\r\nand an atrium lobby with slate floors and many species of tropical plants.\r\nBuildings feature wood tones, including exposed roof beams and tribalinspired\r\ngeometric inlays in the cornices.
\r\n\r\nSpread across 39 acres along Seven Seas Lagoon, the resort, which\r\nhas fewer than 500 standard hotel rooms, has three white-sand beaches,\r\nsome with volleyball courts. Its pool complex likewise captures the\r\nSouth Pacific theme. There is no dedicated fitness center, but guests are\r\nwelcome to use the Grand Floridian’s facilities, just a quarter-mile walk\r\nor 2-minute monorail ride away. Landscaping is superb—garden-view\r\nrooms are generally superior to equivalent rooms at other resorts.
\r\n\r\n
\r\nDisney's Polynesian Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe resort opened\r\nwith the Magic Kingdom in 1971. The most recent room refurbishments\r\nwere completed in summer 2021, adding bright, island-themed murals\r\nand subtle references to characters from Disney’s Moana.
\r\n\r\nWe’re always suspicious when Disney adds characters to anything,\r\nas it’s often an attempt to distract from something else. But this is one\r\nof Disney’s better room-renovation projects in recent memory, and the\r\nMoana additions work well with the resort’s theme. As before, most\r\nrooms have two queen beds, a sofa, a reading chair, a large dresser with\r\nplenty of shelf space, and a wall-mounted TV. A minifridge and coffee\r\nmaker sit between two large closets near the doorway and opposite the\r\nbathroom area. The closets are spacious and light. Lighting throughout\r\nthe room, including that for the desk and beds, has improved.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Polynesian Village has an on-site monorail station, and all\r\nrooms are within easy walking distance of the monorail station at\r\nthe Transportation and Ticket Center. Easily accessible by monorail\r\nare full-service restaurants at the Grand Floridian and Contemporary\r\nResorts, as well as restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. Bus service is\r\navailable to other Disney destinations, and boat service takes you to\r\nthe Magic Kingdom. Walking time to the bus and on-site monorail\r\nstations from the most remote rooms is 8–11 minutes. The pedestrian\r\nwalkway between the Poly and Grand Floridian continues to the\r\nMagic Kingdom—it’s about 1.5 miles from the farthest point at the\r\nPoly to the Magic Kingdom turnstiles.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Poly’s transportation options are a major draw for some readers:
\r\nWe stay at the Polynesian Village because it offers the best transportation.\r\nYou can walk to a direct monorail to both the Magic Kingdom\r\nand EPCOT, the water taxi can be a fast option, and the bus service\r\nto other parks is fairly direct.\r\n\r\n
A Maryland family found the room soundproofing lacking, confirming\r\nour own research:
\r\n\r\nWe took towels from the pool and stuffed them under the door to\r\ndeaden the noise coming from the connecting room.\r\n\r\n
TouringPlans and Unofficial Guide correspondents Dawn and Taylor gave us this\r\nscoop about self-parking:
\r\n\r\nThe parking situation here was INSANE! People were circling like\r\nvultures—like what you’d see at the mall on Black Friday.\r\n\r\n\r\n
The Polynesian Village has two lounges, with Trader Sam’s Grog\r\nGrotto being the more themed. Modeled after the famed bar of the\r\nsame name at the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam’s serves whimsical (and\r\npotent) cocktails and tasty appetizers, along\r\nwith interactive art and “artifacts” stuffed into\r\nevery available inch of space. We love it ourselves,\r\nalthough in this Hartford, Wisconsin,\r\nreader’s eyes, it’s not special enough to warrant\r\na stay at the resort:
\r\n\r\nAfter I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge in a savanna-view room, the\r\nPolynesian Village was a letdown. The proximity to the Magic Kingdom\r\nis nice, and Trader Sam’s was awesome, but otherwise it was nothing\r\nextraordinary. They need to step it up for what they charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n
The major advantage of Polynesian is that is a short boat or Monorail ride (or slightly longer walk)\r\n\r\nto Walt Disney World's flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom. The same Monorail \r\n\r\ncan be also be used to ride to the Transportation And Ticket Center, here \r\n\r\nguests can transfer to another Monorail and ride to the front gate of Epcot. At \r\n\r\n415 square feet, Polynesian's rooms are some of the largest in all of WDW and the DVC rooms are even larger, making them the largest Studios in the DVC\r\n\r\ncollection. These factors come at the cost of a high nightly price. Rooms at Polynesian \r\n\r\nfall in to the upper end of all the other WDW deluxe resorts. There is no on-\r\n\r\nsite fitness center, but Disney officially lists Grand Floridian’s facility as an amenity of the Polynesian. Grand Floridian’s fitness center is located at the southern end of the resort, near the Grand Floridian Villas building. The closest Polynesian longhouses are Tuvalu, Fiji, Aotearoa, and Tonga. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Polynesian's grounds. If you arrive \r\n\r\nby car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to \r\n\r\nprovide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Polynesian is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nPolynesian participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPolynesian Village's gift shop sells MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMost rooms have two queen beds, a sofa, a reading chair, and a large dresser with a built-in flat-panel TV cabinet. A mini-fridge and coffeemaker sit between two large closets near the doorway and opposite the bathroom area. The dresser includes two horizontal shelves above and below the TV for extra storage capacity. The closets are spacious and light. Lighting throughout the room, including that for the desk and beds, is among the best on Disney property.
\r\n\r\nSeafoam–colored walls are offset by the dark wood of the desk and beds and by lighter woods used as accents on the remaining furniture. The color scheme is brightened by the use of white bed comforters. Woven straw headboards and carved wood tikis provide texture throughout the room.
\r\n\r\nKing beds were added to some rooms in Fiji, Rarotonga, and Samoa. These can be booked directly through Disney’s website or by phone. All are categorized as garden-view rooms.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA standard Polynesian room.\r\n
\r\nThe Tokelau, Moorea, and Pago Pago longhouses hold DVC studio\r\nrooms that sleep five and are the largest studios in Walt Disney\r\nWorld’s DVC inventory. They also have two bathrooms: The smaller\r\nbath has a small sink and step-in shower; the larger has a toilet, sink,\r\nand bath–shower combination. This allows three people to get ready\r\nsimultaneously. The studios also include kitchenettes.
\r\n\r\nWhile these studios are functionally similar to the Poly’s standard\r\nrooms, they have enough small touches to make them different, including\r\nrecessed ceilings, more stone and tile work in the baths, and a\r\nslightly darker color scheme.
\r\n\r\nThe Polynesian’s 20 over-the-water Bora Bora Bungalows sit in front\r\nof Hawaii, Tokelau, and Moorea. Connected to land by a wood walkway,\r\nthese two-bedroom bungalows offer stunning views of the Magic\r\nKingdom fireworks and of Seven Seas Lagoon and its nightly Electrical\r\nWater Pageant. Not surprisingly, those stunning views come with stunning\r\nprices—up to $5,528 per night.
\r\n\r\nLet’s start with the positives: The bungalows are well built, with topnotch\r\ndesign elements from top to bottom. The bedrooms are spacious,\r\nthe beds are the best on Disney property, the bathrooms are gorgeous,\r\nand the showers will make you feel as happy as anything nonsentient is\r\ncapable of. The open kitchen design works wonderfully, and you could\r\neasily host a good-size party inside. The floors are spotlessly clean, with\r\ninteresting slate and rug textures, so you’ll want to run around barefoot.\r\nHell, the doorbell plays a different chime every time you ring it.\r\nAnd yeah, the views are spectacular.
\r\n\r\nThe bungalows’ two fatal flaws: price and location. First of all,\r\n160 DVC points for a one-night stay is equivalent to about $3,000 in\r\ncash at the time of this writing. Check-in is at 4 p.m. and checkout at\r\n11 a.m., so a 19-hour stay costs about $158 an hour.
\r\n\r\nProblem was, we couldn’t check in at 4—we never got our room\r\nassignment by text, email, or phone. It wasn’t until we walked back to\r\nthe front desk at 5 p.m. that we finally got our bungalow. The 75 minutes\r\nwe couldn’t use it amounted to about $200 in lost time—almost enough to pay for an entire night at Saratoga Springs. And nobody\r\nsaid a word about it.
\r\n\r\nThe first “Are you out of the room yet?” knock on our door came\r\nbefore 9 a.m. We’re not kidding.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThen there’s the ferry horn. We were in 7019, the second-closest bungalow\r\nto the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) ferry dock. A ferry\r\nleaves here about every 12 minutes, from about 30–45 minutes before\r\nthe park opens until an hour after closing. Every time a ferry departs,\r\nit has to sound a warning horn so that nearby craft know it’s coming.
\r\nThe sound of the horn is akin to an air-raid siren: loud enough to\r\nstop indoor conversation in its tracks. Reading, watching TV, getting a\r\nbaby to nap? Forget it. You simply can’t hear or think above the noise.
\r\nIf the bungalows were on the other side of the Poly’s marina, we\r\ncould almost justify selling a gently used organ to stay here again, but\r\nbetween the stratospheric prices and that hellish horn, we just can’t.\r\nIf you’re determined to stay here anyway, shoot for one of bungalows\r\n7001–7005, which are farthest from the TTC.
\r\n\r\nThe Polynesian Villas have a separate parking lot close to their longhouses.\r\nDining and transportation are shared with the main resort.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA Polynesian Villa Studio room with the sofa bed closed and open.\r\n
\r\nEach Disney's Polynesian Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
\r\nA desk and daybed in a standard Polynesian room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nKitchen area found in a Polynesian Studio Villa (left) Closet (right)\r\n
\r\nThe mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\nDisney's Polynesian Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\nThe Poly’s bathrooms were redone in 2021. Two large sinks offer\r\nplenty of counter space. A spacious, glass-enclosed shower provides\r\ngood-to-excellent water pressure. (Note: We’re pretty sure that most\r\nbathrooms have only showers, not bathtubs, so if a tub is important to\r\nyou, ask your travel agent or Disney about it when booking.) The new\r\nbathroom layout includes a door between the toilet and sink area, plus\r\nanother separating the entire bathroom from the rest of the room. This\r\nallows three people to get dressed at once—an improvement over the\r\nold bathroom design.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA special Polynesian bathroom with walk-in shower.\r\n
\r\nThe concierge level of a deluxe resort can also be referred to as club \r\n\r\nlevel. Each one throughout the property has a name for their concierge level. \r\n\r\nAt the Polynesian it is called King Kamehameha Club and it’s located in the Hawaii and Tonga Longhouse. Here guests willing to pay a premium are treated to \r\n\r\nspecial services including a lounge, complimentary food and drink, and \r\n\r\npersonalized service. There are about 108 King Kamehameha Club rooms most of \r\n\r\nwhich are similar to regular rooms throughout the resort, but there are also \r\n\r\n6 suites available. Club level prices can be over $100 more than standard rooms \r\n\r\nat the Polynesian
\r\n\r\nUpon arriving to Polynesian, concierge guests are taken to an exclusive \r\n\r\narea to be checked in and taken care of. Once guests are brought to the club \r\n\r\nlevel they will be introduced to the cast members on hand at two desks set up \r\n\r\nto be the resource for any special services they may need. These CMs are there \r\n\r\nto help folks with whatever they might need including dining reservations, park tickets, and \r\n\r\ntransportation options.
\r\nAnother special service provided to concierge level guests is a nightly \r\n\r\nturn down. Housekeeping cast members come to your room in the evening to \r\n\r\nprepare your bed for you to fall into it after a long day in the parks and \r\n\r\nleave chocolates.
\r\n\r\nA more exciting benefit to staying in The King Kamehameha Club is access to \r\n\r\nfree food for most of the day. The breakfast offerings are relatively light so \r\n\r\ndon’t expect to fuel up for a full day here. Later in the day snacks are \r\n\r\navailable along with an assortment of drinks including soda, hot drinks like \r\n\r\ncoffee, and beer. In the late afternoon/early evening the menu changes but \r\n\r\nappetizers are put out for guests to enjoy before they begin their evening. \r\n\r\nWine and liqueurs along with desserts area served throughout the evening as \r\n\r\nwell.
\r\nThe selection of food and drink is laid out in the lounge only accessible \r\n\r\nto club level guests. There are several tables and chairs set up for folks to \r\n\r\nyou use throughout the day. The area is busy a breakfast time, but can be a \r\n\r\nquiet place to relax and maybe even get some work done if guests happen to be \r\n\r\nbusiness travelers. There are also a few couches in the mix where friends can \r\n\r\ngather to chat. Kids have their own area here with child sized table and \r\n\r\nchairs and a TV running cartoons and other Disney favorites.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Polynesian Resort have around 71 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers or tubs with rails, while others include assistive hearing or visual devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our hotel room \r\n\r\nfinder to see which rooms have which features.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Polynesian's hotel rooms based on what you see from inside \r\n\r\nthe room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nThe Polynesian Village Resort has 2 pools. The largest, Lava Pool, sits behind theGreat Ceremonial House and near the Samoa, Niue and Rarotonga Longhouses. The pool \r\n\r\nfeatures a lava rock structure and a waterslide. There is also a \r\n\r\nhot tub, kiddie pool and water play area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe other smaller pool, the Oasis Pool, is located between the Samoa, Niue, Hawaii, Tokelau, and Rarotonga Longhouse.
\r\n\r\n\t\r\nPolynesian's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Polynesian also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Lava Pool.
\r\n\r\nLava Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests can \r\n\r\nfind showers, storage lockers, and\r\n restrooms. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 10 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Feature Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPolynesian has a number of excellent dining options, including one counter service restaurant and two table service restaurants.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n'Ohana Best Friends Breakfast Menu - 'Ohana Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\n'Ohana, which means \"family,\" gets high marks from our readers. The food is \r\n\r\ngood but not superior, but if you love meat and you go hungry, it's a great \r\n\r\nplace to fill up. The method of service and the fact that it just keeps coming \r\n\r\nmake it all taste a little better. Insist on being seated in the main dining \r\n\r\nroom, where the fire pit is.
\r\n\r\nA large open pit is the centerpiece of the room. Here the grilled foods are \r\n\r\nprepared with flair - as well as flare: from time to time the chef will pour \r\n\r\nsome liquid on the fire, causing huge flames to shoot up. This is usually in \r\n\r\nresponse to something one of the strolling entertainers has said, evoking a \r\n\r\nsign from the fire gods. At any given moment, there may be a hula-hoop contest \r\n\r\nor a coconut race, where kids are invited to push coconuts around the dining \r\n\r\nroom with broomsticks.
\r\n\r\nSkewer service is the specialty here-there's no menu. As soon as you're \r\n\r\nseated, your server will begin to deliver food. First comes bread and a green \r\n\r\nsalad, followed by honey-glazed chicken wings, pork fried dumplings, \r\n\r\npineapple-coconut bread, and fresh pineapple. The main course is steak, pork \r\n\r\nloin, chicken, and grilled peel-and-eat shrimp, accompanied by stir-fried \r\n\r\nvegetables and lo mein noodles placed on a lazy Susan in the center of the \r\n\r\ntable.
\r\n\r\nDuring breakfast hours (7:30 AM to 11 AM), 'Ohana is a character meal with \r\n\r\nMickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKona Cafe Breakfast Menu - Kona Cafe Kids Breakfast Menu - Kona Cafe Lunch Menu\r\n - Kona Cafe Dinner Menu - Kona Cafe Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe casual Kona Cafe has a postmodern decor, with arched railings and \r\n\r\ngrillwork on the ceiling. If you want to escape the Magic Kingdom for a quiet \r\n\r\nlunch, hop on the monorail or take the resort launch to the Polynesian. This \r\n\r\nisn't a fancy dining room, but the food is on a higher plane than your average \r\n\r\njava joint's.
\r\n\r\nHouse Specialty for breakfast is the Tonga toast, a decadent French toast \r\n\r\nlayered with bananas. For lunch we recommend stir-fried Asian noodles, \r\n\r\nbarbecued-pork taco, and sticky wings. For dinner try the pomegranate \r\n\r\nbarbecued pork chop, ginger-crusted rib-eye with tamarind jus, and sustainable \r\n\r\nfish.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBar Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nFans of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the\r\nDisneyland Hotel couldn’t wait for Disney World to get a version of its own. But while the two share nostalgic interactive props and animatronics\r\n(the ones here are a nod to the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction)\r\nand even a few menu items, the Grog Grotto has its own vibe. Off the\r\nPolynesian Village’s main lobby and featuring views of the marina and\r\nSeven Seas Lagoon, this tiki bar has its own lore built in: It was started by\r\nTrader Sam, Adventureland’s famous “head” salesman, who welcomes you\r\nto his enchanted South Seas hideaway to explore a menu of “magical\r\ntropical drinks and food.”\r\n
\r\nCocktails are the big draw, with names like Castaway\r\nCrush, Tahitian Torch, and the over-the-top Uh-Oa!—Myers’s and Bacardi\r\nrums mixed with various fruit juices and served in a communal tiki bowl\r\nwith straws all around; there are also “No Booze Brews” for teetotalers.
\r\n\r\n\r\nKona Island Breakfast Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nKona Island is very casual, imitating the tones and textures of Kona Cafe but placed in an area of high traffic for the Polynesian. the small eatery seats about 20 diners. When eating in, guests can sit right at the bar, or be stationed against a glass wall with views of the resort's monorail stop, tropical gardens, and the ceremonial lighting of the torches on most nights. Kona Island currently serves coffee and pastries. Any of the menu items from Kona Cafe can be ordered here.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCapt. Cook's Breakfast Menu (Kids) — Capt. Cook's Lunch & Dinner Menu (Kids)\r\n
\r\n\r\nCapt. Cook's is Polynesian's counter service eatery. You'll find Tonga \r\n\r\ntoast, flatbreads, chicken sandwich, pork sandwich, turkey club, salads, baked \r\n\r\ngoods.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCapt. Cook's participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Polynesian participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan (when it's offered); meals cost 1 credit at 'Ohana, Kona Cafe, and Capt. Cook's, \r\n\r\nand 2 credits at Spirit of Aloha. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nTambu Lounge is located on the second \r\n\r\nfloor in Polynesian's Great Ceremonial House, next to 'Ohana. Tambu has \r\n\r\nindoor seating and a full drink menu, with several beers, wines, and a \r\n\r\nselection of spirits. The Barefoot Pool \r\n\r\nBar is located adjacent to the Lava Pool at the \r\n\r\nPolynesian. It also has a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Barefoot \r\n\r\nPool Bar also has a few non-alcoholic selections such as the Lava Smoothie \r\n\r\nwith Raspberry Puree and Piña Colada Mix.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Polynesian Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on World Drive. Take World Dr. for about 2.1 \r\n\r\nmiles, and turn left on Seven Seas Drive. After .4 miles, turn right and \r\n\r\nPolynesian will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Polynesian Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Polynesian Resort. If you're not renting a car, \r\n\r\nbe aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Polynesian Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Polynesian \r\n\r\nResort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-\r\n\r\npassenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Polynesian Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Polynesian Resort to Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, \r\n\r\nand Disney Springs. Disney's Polynesian Resort's bus stops sit \r\n\r\nalong the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. \r\n\r\nEach theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nThe Polynesian Resort is served by the Magic Kingdom monorail and is an \r\n\r\neasy walk from the transportation center. (It's also possible to walk to the Magic Kingdom via the Grand Floridian - the route takes 20 to 25 minutes depending on where you start.) At the center, you can catch an \r\n\r\nexpress monorail to Epcot. This makes the Polynesian the only Disney resort \r\n\r\nwith direct monorail access to both Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. To minimize \r\n\r\nyour walk to the transportation center, request a room in the Pago Pago, \r\n\r\nMoorea, or Tokelau guest buildings. You can also catch a Monorail on the \r\n\r\nsecond floor of the Great Ceremonial House. The Monorail will make a stop at \r\n\r\nDisney's Grand Floridian Resort, and then the Magic Kingdom. The same Monorail \r\n\r\nalso makes stops at the Contemporary Resort and the Transportation and Ticket \r\n\r\nCenter.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Polynesian's bus schedule, and they'll tell you \r\n\r\nthat buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Polynesian's bus schedule \r\n\r\nvaries considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Animal Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, \r\n\r\nwith a bus arriving every 8-17 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water \r\n\r\nparks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait \r\n\r\nanywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Polynesian Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake a Disney bus from Disney's Polynesian Resort to Disney Springs (or an \r\n\r\nopen theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. \r\n\r\nDo the reverse to get back to Disney's Polynesian Resort. While that's free, \r\n\r\nit can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the other Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, hop on the Monorail (to the Grand Floridian and Contemporary), or exit the Monorail at Magic Kingdom and transfer to a boat to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary. We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Polynesian to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from Polynesian, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nPolynesian Resort's beach is a great place to watch Magic Kingdom's \r\n\r\nfireworks show>. We recommend you find a spot on the \r\n\r\nbeach at least 15 minutes before show time to guarantee a spot.
\r\nThe view from Polynesian's Beach.
\r\nPolynesian has no spa or fitness center, but guests are allowed to use the \r\n\r\nfacility over at Grand Floridian. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are \r\n\r\nonly available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
\r\n\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available for use in Seven Seas Lagoon 10:00 AM to \r\n\r\n5:00 PM. Kayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices \r\n\r\nvary. All rentals can be purchased in a booth near the Great Ceremonial \r\n\r\nHouse.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl012/Poly-\r\n\r\nMarina1.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nPolynesian Resort's Marina.
\r\nPolynesian has a number of gift shops, including Moana Mercantile. Moana Mercantile sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and food and drink items to make simple meals from. Moana Mercantile also has Disney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, \r\n\r\nand similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items \r\n\r\nare considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe other side of Moana Mercantile sells an assortment of Disney merchandise. As \r\n\r\nyou'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Moana Mercantile has a decent collection of \r\n\r\nsouvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to \r\n\r\nembroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are \r\n\r\nabout what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n
Other shops include BouTiki, it features men's and women's \r\n\r\napparel and some Polynesian-branded merchandise.
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 1-mile jogging path located near the resort's marina. The trail \r\n\r\nstarts at the Polynesian Resort and ends at Grand Floridian.\r\n
\r\nPolynesian's Beach.
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Polynesian \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-2000.\r\n
\r\nThe Tokelau, Moorea, and Pago\r\nPago longhouses hold DVC studio rooms that sleep five and are the largest\r\nstudios in Walt Disney World’s DVC inventory. They are also the first\r\nDVC studios to feature two bathrooms: The smaller bath has a small sink\r\nand step-in shower; the larger has a toilet, sink, and bath/shower combination.\r\nThis allows three people to get ready simultaneously.
\r\nWhile these studios are otherwise similar to the Poly’s standard\r\nrooms, there are enough small touches to make them different, including\r\nrecessed ceilings, more stone and tile work in the baths, and a\r\nslightly darker color scheme.
\r\nThe Polynesian’s 20 new two-bedroom Bora Bora bungalows sit in\r\nfront of the Hawaii, Tokelau, and Moorea buildings; they’re connected\r\nto land by a wood walkway. The bungalows offer very good views of\r\nthe Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, at some astounding prices\r\n(up to $3,400 per night). They’re nice rooms, and we’re sure that Disney\r\nwill sell them, but we can’t say that the view is worth that cost.
\r\nThe Poly Villas have a separate parking lot on the east side of the resort. Dining, child care, and transportation will be shared\r\nwith the main resort.
","good_not_so_good_rooms":"The Polynesian Village’s 11\r\nguest-room buildings, or longhouses, are spread over a long strip of\r\nland bordered by the monorail on one side and Seven Seas Lagoon on\r\nthe other. All buildings have first-floor patios and third-floor balconies.\r\nThe older buildings, which comprise more than half of the resort’s\r\nrooms, have faux balconies on their second floors. (The newer buildings\r\noffer full balconies on both the second and third floors, and patios\r\non the first.) A small number of patios in the first-floor rooms have\r\nviews blocked by mature vegetation, but these patios provide more\r\nroom than do the balconies on the third floor. If views are important\r\nand you’re staying in one of the eight older longhouses, ask for a thirdfloor\r\nroom.
\r\n\r\nThe Great Ceremonial House contains most of the restaurants and\r\nshops, as well as the resort lobby, guest services, and bus and monorail\r\nstations. The longhouses most convenient to the Great Ceremonial\r\nHouse—Fiji, the Tonga suites, Rarotonga, Niue, and Samoa—offer\r\nviews of the swimming complex, a small marina, or inner gardens (possibly\r\nwith the monorail). There are no lagoon views except for oblique\r\nviews from the upper floors of Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu; Aotearoa; and\r\na tunnel view from Tonga. Samoa, however, by virtue of its proximity\r\nto the main swimming complex, is a good choice for families who plan\r\nto spend time at the pool. If your children are under age 8, request a\r\nfirst-floor room on the volcano-pool side of Samoa.
\r\n\r\nYou can specifically request a lagoon- or Magic Kingdom–view room\r\nat the Polynesian Village, provided you’re willing to pay extra. The best\r\nof these rooms are on the third floor in Tuvalu and, if you’re staying in\r\na Club Level (concierge) room, the third floor in Hawaii.
\r\n\r\nIn addition to second-floor rooms in the older buildings (the ones\r\nwith fake balconies), we also advise against booking the monorail-side\r\n(south-facing) rooms in Rarotonga and Aotearoa. Garden-view rooms\r\nhere are especially nice, but the monorail, though quiet, runs within\r\nspitting distance.
\r\n\r\n\r\nMany first-floor rooms in Hawaii (1501–1518) are garden- or lagoonview\r\nrooms; their scenery is blocked by the over-the-water bungalows.\r\nThese rooms still offer a chance to see the evening fireworks, however,\r\nand are a little less expensive than similar rooms on higher floors.
\r\n\r\nTuvalu, Fiji, and Aotearoa are the most distant accommodations\r\nfrom the bus stop. For large strollers or wheelchair access, take the\r\nferry to the Magic Kingdom.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTonga is home to some of the resort's suites. Rooms facing south look out on to vegetation, but you may catch a glimpse of the Monorail. Rooms facing North have a view of the resort's Marina. If you squint you may be able to see Magic Kingdom. With all that being said, none of the rooms in Tonga have what we would consider bad views.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"6\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/6_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nAotearoa Rooms facing south look out on to vegetation and landscaping. The Monorail is also visible but this may cause higher than usual noise levels. Rooms facing north have a view of landscaping and foliage. But there are a hand full of Lagoon and Theme Park View rooms. However, we wouldn't call these the best Theme Park View rooms as Magic Kingdom is quite far in the distance.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1226\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1226_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nFiji rooms facing west look out on to vegetation and landscaping. Rooms facing east look on to the resort's marina, but this may cause higher than usual noise levels.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1312\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1312_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nTuvalu rooms facing north have mostly unobstructed views of Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Grand Floridian. Rooms facing south look on to foliage and landscaping.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1408\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1408_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nThe Hawaii Building is home to Polynesian's Club Level rooms. Rooms facing north have mostly unobstructed views of Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Polynesian's beach. Rooms facing south look on to foliage, landscaping, and the resort's Lava Pool.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1516\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1516_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nThe Samoa Building the Lava Pool and the Oasis Pool. Because of the pools these rooms may have higher than usual noise levels.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1607\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1607_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nRooms in Niue have views of landscaping and foliage. The major advantage of this building is that it's next door to the Polynesian's lobby, the Great Ceremonial House.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nRarotonga is also next door to the Polynesian's lobby, the Great Ceremonial House. Rooms in Rarotonga have views of landscaping and foliage. Some rooms have a view of the Monorail.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1813\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1813_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nRooms in Tokelau have views of landscaping and foliage. The building is next to the resort's Oasis Pool, but most views of it are blocked by large plants or trees.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1910\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1910_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost rooms in Moorea facing north are facing the Polynesian bungalows. Rooms facing south have views of landscaping and foliage.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPago Pago has the least amount of good views thanks to rooms facing southeast that look on to a parking lot. The other half of the rooms face landscaping and foliage. The major advantage of this building is that it is a short walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center. At the Transportation and Ticket Center you can catch a Monorail to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian Resort, and the Contemporary Resort.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![\"1108\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL012/1108_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nRelated blogs:
\r\nResort Exploring Vol 7 - The Polynesian\r\n
| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Most family-friendly resort and dining on the\r\nmonorail loop | \r\nNo spa or exercise facilities (guests can\r\nuse those at the Grand Floridian) | \r\n
| Boat and monorail transportation to\r\nthe Magic Kingdom | \r\nNoise from boat horns and whistles | \r\n
| Walking distance to Epcot monorail | \r\nBus transportation to DHS, Animal Kingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs is shared by the Grand Floridian | \r\n
| Fun south seas theme with lovely views of the lagoon and parts of Magic Kingdom | \r\n\r\n |
| On Magic Kingdom monorail | \r\n\r\n |
| Multiple dining and bar options | \r\n\r\n |
| Pool has one of the most elaborate child play areas | \r\n\r\n |
| Among the best Club Levels of the\r\nDeluxe resorts | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail\r\nGolf Courses | \r\n\r\n |
This is our page covering the main Wilderness Lodge Resort building. Wilderness Lodge also has two Disney Vacation Club wings, which we cover in-depth on their own pages. See Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins for more information.
\r\n\r\nis inspired by grand, rustic Arts and Crafts\r\nlodges of the early 20th century—think The Ahwahnee in Yosemite\r\nNational Park and the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.\r\nSituated on the shore of Bay Lake, the lodge consists of an eight-story\r\ncentral building augmented by two seven-story guest wings, a wing\r\nof studio and one- and two-bedroom condominiums, and 26 lakeside\r\ncabins. The hotel features exposed timber columns, log cabin–style facades, and dormer windows, along with an 82-foot-tall stone fireplace\r\nin the lobby. Outside, there’s a beach and a delightful pool modeled\r\non a mountain stream.
\r\n\r\nThe lodge’s guest rooms were last refurbished in 2012. Darkly\r\nstained Mission-style furniture is complemented by soft goods in burnt\r\number and blue, accented with American Indian–inspired patterns.\r\nCarved-wood headboards, rough-hewn armoires, and rustic light fixtures\r\ncreate a log cabin atmosphere.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort map\r\n
\r\nTypical rooms have two queen-size beds; some rooms have one\r\nqueen plus bunk beds or two queens plus a queen sleeper sofa. Rooms\r\nwith a single king-size bed are also available. All rooms have a table\r\nand chairs, a dresser, a TV, a two-sink vanity just outside the bathroom,\r\na minifridge, and a coffee maker. Rooms on the ground floor have\r\npatios; rooms above have balconies.
\r\n\r\nThe pool area features a children’s water-play area and a pool bar.\r\nDining choices encompass two full-service restaurants plus the outdoor\r\nGeyser Point bar and restaurant. More dining options are available\r\nvia a short boat ride to the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness.
\r\n\r\nThe resort is connected to the Magic Kingdom by boat and to other\r\nparks by bus. Your best bet for catching the first boat is to send someone\r\nout to the boat dock about 90 minutes before the Magic Kingdom’s\r\nofficial opening time. If a line has started to form but has fewer\r\nthan 30 people, get in line. If the line is longer than that, consider\r\ntaking a bus or ride-hailing service to the park. Boat service may be suspended during storms, so if it’s raining or rain looks likely, Disney\r\nwill provide buses. Walking time to buses and boats from the remotest\r\nrooms is 5–8 minutes.
\r\n\r\nA Boone County, Indiana, reader thinks transportation is a weak spot:
\r\nTo paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors that Wilderness Lodge’s transportation\r\nproblems have been resolved are greatly exaggerated—it’s\r\nan easy boat ride to the Magic Kingdom, but bus trips to the Studios\r\nand Animal Kingdom take nearly an hour, which is just inexcusable.\r\n
A mom from Oklahoma City concurs:
\r\nDuring our most recent stay, transportation from Wilderness Lodge to\r\nthe parks was the worst we have ever experienced in all our trips to\r\nWDW. We waited more than an hour for a boat to the Magic Kingdom;\r\nthen, after it finally showed up and loaded, we made an unexplained\r\ntrip to Fort Wilderness and loaded 26 more people. It took 90 minutes\r\nto get to the Magic Kingdom! The bus system wasn’t much better—it’s\r\nnearly impossible to get to the parks before opening.\r\n\r\n
The major advantage of Wilderness Lodge is that the Magic Kingdom is short \r\n\r\nboat ride away. Wilderness Lodge's rooms are slightly smaller than some of \r\n\r\nDisney's other deluxe resorts. At 344 square feet they are smaller than \r\n\r\nBoardWalk Inn's 371 sf, Yacht & Beach Club's 381 sf, Grand Floridian's 440 sf, \r\n\r\nand Polynesian's 415 sf. The nightly price for rooms at Wilderness Lodge fall \r\n\r\nin to the lower end of all the other WDW deluxe resorts. Wilderness Lodge does \r\n\r\noffer a fitness center, salon, and a spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Wilderness Lodge's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Wilderness Lodge is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows you to provide name, address, and credit card informationup to 60 days before your arrival. \r\n
\r\nIf you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether. Wilderness Lodge's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2355.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge's lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and \r\n\r\ndining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2306.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nMost of the Wilderness Lodge rooms are 344 square feet and have two queen-\r\n\r\nsize beds, a daybed, and a desk and two chairs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort room is furnished with the following:\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/overview/wllayout.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't \r\n\r\nas small as the ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. \r\n\r\nLuckily you won't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure \r\n\r\nin the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still \r\n\r\nenough to get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. There are \r\n\r\nalso two shelves under the sink that provide a small amount of storage. A \r\n\r\n1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; \r\n\r\nbring your own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a \r\n\r\nsliding door that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the \r\n\r\nbathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe concierge level of a deluxe resort can also be referred to as club \r\n\r\nlevel. Each one throughout the property has a name for their concierge level. \r\n\r\nAt the Wilderness Lodge it is called the Old Faithful Club and it’s located on \r\n\r\nthe seventh floor. Here guests willing to pay a premium are treated to special \r\n\r\nservices including a lounge, complimentary food and drink, and personalized \r\n\r\nservice. There are about 75 Old Faithful Club rooms most of which are similar \r\n\r\nto regular rooms throughout the resort. \r\n\r\nClub level prices can be up to $100 more than standard rooms at the \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge
\r\n\r\nUpon arriving to Wilderness Lodge, concierge guests are taken to an \r\n\r\nexclusive area to be checked in and taken care of. Once guests are brought to \r\n\r\nthe club level they will be introduced to the cast members on hand at two \r\n\r\ndesks set up to be the resource for any special services they may need. These \r\n\r\nCMs are there to help folks with whatever they might need including ADRs, park \r\n\r\ntickets, and transportation options.
\r\nAnother special service provided to concierge level guests is a nightly \r\n\r\nturn down. Housekeeping cast members come to your room in the evening to \r\n\r\nprepare your bed for you to fall into it after a long day in the parks and \r\n\r\nleave chocolates.
\r\n\r\nA more exciting benefit to staying in the Old Faithful Club is access to \r\n\r\nfree food for most of the day. The breakfast offerings are relatively light so \r\n\r\ndon’t expect to fuel up for a full day here. Later in the day snacks are \r\n\r\navailable along with an assortment of drinks including soda, hot drinks like \r\n\r\ncoffee, and beer. In the late afternoon/early evening the menu changes but \r\n\r\nappetizers are put out for guests to enjoy before they begin their evening. \r\n\r\nWine and liqueurs along with desserts area served throughout the evening as \r\n\r\nwell.
\r\nThe selection of food and drink is laid out in the lounge only accessible \r\n\r\nto club level guests. There are several tables and chairs set up for folks to \r\n\r\nyou use throughout the day. The area is busy a breakfast time, but can be a \r\n\r\nquiet place to relax and maybe even get some work done if guests happen to be \r\n\r\nbusiness travelers. There are also a few couches in the mix where friends can \r\n\r\ngather to chat. Kids have their own area here with child sized table and \r\n\r\nchairs and a TV running cartoons and other Disney favorites.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort have around 51 handicap-accessible rooms. \r\n\r\nSome feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. \r\n\r\nA subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms \r\n\r\nwith roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower \r\n\r\nrooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Wilderness Lodge's hotel rooms based on what you see from \r\n\r\ninside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nCheck MouseSavers.com for Disney hotel room discounts. If you're ready to book, we recommend and use Small World Vacations.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge has two pools. The largest, Copper Creek Springs Pool, \r\n\r\nsits sits in the middle of the resort's courtyard. The pool is surrounded by \r\n\r\nrock work and lush vegetation, the entire complex looks great. There is also a \r\n\r\nhot tub, kiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe Boulder Ridge Cove Pool is located on the far right of the resort, next to \r\n\r\nthe Boulder Ridge Villas.
\r\n\t\r\nWilderness Lodge's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Wilderness Lodge also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Copper Creek Springs Pool.
\r\n\r\nCopper Creek Springs has one water slide that all ages are free to use. \r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Copper Creek Springs Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating \r\n\r\nhours. \r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/WL-Geyser(B).JPG\")
\r\n\r\nCopper Creek Spring's geyser.
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/WL_boulderridgecove_glover.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe entrance to Boulder Ridge Cove Pool
\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge has some excellent dining options, including three quick \r\n\r\nservice restaurants, two table service restaurants and one lounge.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist Point Dinner Menu - Artist Point Kids Menu
\r\n\r\nThe character meal at Wilderness Lodge features Snow White, the evil Queen, and a few dwarfs as well as an enchanted forest setting.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBreakfast Menu\r\n- All Day Menu\r\n- Beverage Menu \r\n
\r\n\r\nAt Geyser Point you'll find picturesque views of the resort’s geyser and pool area along with Bay Lake. Geyser Point is a hybrid quick service and table service lounge venue, with both sharing the same lovely seating area. The main food offerings are counter service, but there is a substantial bar menu with imaginative drinks and hearty snacks.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/WL_geyserpointshrimp2_glover.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhispering Canyon Cafe Breakfast Menu\r\n- Whispering Canyon Cafe Kids Breakfast Menu\r\n- Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch Menu\r\n- Whispering Canyon Cafe Dinner Menu\r\n- Whispering Canyon Cafe Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nJust off the hotel's atrium lobby, the restaurant looks out on the lobby on \r\n\r\none side and a mountain prairie, created by Disney landscapers, on the other. \r\n\r\nTables have a barrel-top lazy Susan where food is placed.
\r\n\r\nIf you're hungry, the real value here is in the family-style service, with \r\n\r\nall-you-can-eat servings brought to you on platters and in crocks to pass \r\n\r\naround to your family. You can always order off the regular menu if you don't \r\n\r\nfeel like sharing, but you may end up paying more for the privilege. Lively \r\n\r\ndining room with servers who encourage kids to be rowdy - all in good fun.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2362.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nRoaring Fork Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n- Roaring Fork Breakfast Menu\r\n
\r\nRoaring Fork is small counter service restaurant with a limited menu. \r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. The \r\n\r\nmenu is made up of burgers, sandwiches, and flatbread pizzas.
\r\n\r\n\r\nRoaring Fork participate in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Wilderness Lodge participate in the Disney Dining Plan (when it's offered); meals cost 1 credit at Roaring Fork and Whispering Canyon, \r\n\r\nand 2 credits at Artist Point. Tables \r\n\r\nin Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTerritory Lounge is Wilderness Lodge's \r\n\r\nlounge. Territory Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu, with \r\n\r\nseveral beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is \r\n\r\nusually open 4 PM to 10 PM daily.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is just \r\n\r\noff of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on World Drive. Turn right onto World Drive and \r\n\r\nthen right on to Timberline Dr. Finally, make a left on to W Wilderness Rd and \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. If you're not renting \r\n\r\na car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Wilderness \r\n\r\nLodge Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or \r\n\r\n10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort to \r\n\r\nMagic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom, \r\n\r\nBlizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, \r\n\r\nbetween the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus \r\n\r\nstop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nMagic Kingdom can also be accessed by boat from the dock near Copper Creek \r\n\r\nSprings. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, so if it's \r\n\r\nraining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses. Boats to Magic Kingdom start running 30 minutes before the scheduled opening of the park and close 90 minutes after the park closes.
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2246.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nWhy take a bus to Magic Kingdom when you can take a boat?
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Wilderness Lodge's bus schedule, and they'll \r\n\r\ntell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Wilderness Lodge's \r\n\r\nbus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 14-20 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little \r\n\r\nless frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2103.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We \r\n\r\nevaluate Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort's bus service annually, and the \r\n\r\nlatest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Wilderness Lodge \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort \r\n\r\nto Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there \r\n\r\nto your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's Wilderness \r\n\r\nLodge Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 \r\n\r\nhours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from Wilderness Lodge \r\n\r\nto wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab \r\n\r\nride to get to most Disney hotels from Wilderness Lodge, and Uber and Lyft are often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nSturdy Branches is Wilderness Lodge's fitness center and \r\n\r\nspa. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 6:00 AM \r\n\r\nto 9:00 PM. Massage, facial, and body treatment services are available.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2538.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2540.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available for use in Bay Lake 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. \r\n\r\nKayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices vary. \r\n\r\nAll rentals can be purchased in a booth near Copper Creek Springs Pool.
\r\n\r\n| Type of Rental | \r\n\tCost - Length of rental | \r\n\t\r\n
|---|---|
| Sea Raycer | \r\n\t$32 for 30 Minutes - $40 for 45 Minutes - $45 for 60 minutes | \r\n
| Montauk | \r\n\t$45 for 30 minutes | \r\n\t\r\n
| Pontoon | \r\n\t$45 for 30 minutes | \r\n\r\n
| Bike | \r\n\t$9 for 60 minutes - $18 for 24 hours | \r\n\t\r\n
Wilderness Lodge's gift shop is Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. It is located \r\n\r\non the right side after you enter Wilderness Lodge's lobby. As you'd expect \r\n\r\nfrom a Disney gift shop, Mercantile has a decent collection of souvenirs \r\n\r\nranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets \r\n\r\nand Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay \r\n\r\nin the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge Mercantile also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the \r\n\r\nlike. And Wilderness Lodge Mercantile has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.75-mile shaded fitness trail and bike path that connects Disney's \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2534.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort's Lost and Found department by calling (407)824-4245.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on \r\n\r\nproperty. Click here for the Disney's Wilderness Lodge resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThe lodge is shaped like a very\r\nblocky letter V. The main entrance and lobby are at the closed end\r\nof the V. Next are middle wings that connect the lobby to the parallel\r\nend sections, which extend to the open part of the V. The V’s open end\r\nflanks pools and gardens and overlooks Bay Lake directly or obliquely.\r\nAvoid rooms on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors numbered 67–99;\r\nthese overlook the main lobby and pick up every whoop, holler, and\r\nshout from the boisterous Whispering Canyon Cafe downstairs. The\r\nnoise makes it difficult to get to sleep before Whispering Canyon closes,\r\nusually at 10 p.m.
\r\n\r\n![\"1168\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/1168.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1141\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/1141.jpg\")
\r\nThe better rooms are on floors four, five, and six, toward the V’s\r\nopen end. On the very end of the northernmost V, rooms 4000–4003,\r\n5000–5003, and 6000–6003 offer a direct frontal view of Bay Lake\r\nthrough some tall trees. Toward the end of the V on the parallel wings\r\nbut facing inward, odd-numbered rooms 4005–4023, 5005–5023,\r\nand 6005–6023 face the courtyard but have excellent oblique lake\r\nviews. Even-numbered rooms 5004–5034 and 6004–6034 face the\r\nCascade Cabins, woodlands northwest of the lodge, and, beyond the\r\nwoodlands, the Magic Kingdom.
\r\n\r\n![\"4091\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/4091.jpg\")
\r\n![\"7058\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/7058.jpg\")
\r\nOdd-numbered rooms 5035–5041 and 6035–6041, on the lake end\r\nof the parallel middle wings, offer a direct but distant view of the lake,\r\nwith pools and gardens in the foreground.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"7035\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/7035.jpg\")
\r\n![\"4007\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/4007.jpg\")
\r\nStandard-view rooms X042–X066 are some of the cheapest in the\r\nmain building, with views of parking lots, service areas, and such, and\r\nthe Cascade Cabins in the foreground. Avoid these on the fourth floor.\r\nOn the fifth and sixth floors, however, these rooms afford views of\r\nthe Magic Kingdom fireworks and are more expensive. (Seventh-floor\r\nrooms are Club Level—that is, expensive.)
\r\n\r\n![\"1148\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/thumbs/1148.jpg\")
\r\nThe rooms listed previously afford the most desirable views, but if\r\nyou can’t score one, you’re pretty much assured of a woodland view\r\nor a room fronting the faux rocks and creek in the V’s inner courtyard.\r\nClub Level rooms on the seventh floor aren’t recommended:\r\nOnly those facing the Magic Kingdom have nice views, and even those have a service area in the foreground. Almost all rooms at Wilderness\r\nLodge have balconies.
","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| National-park-lodge theme is a favorite\r\nof kids and adults alike | \r\nNoise from main building’s lobby can be\r\nheard inside nearby rooms | \r\n
| Along with Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s\r\nthe least expensive Disney Deluxe resort | \r\nBus transportation\r\nshared with the Contemporary Resort | \r\n
| Boat transportation to Magic Kingdom | \r\nSmallest rooms and baths of Disney’s\r\nDeluxe resorts | \r\n
| Exceptionally peaceful location and\r\npublic areas | \r\n\r\n |
| Great views from many guest rooms | \r\n\r\n |
| Excellent bars for adults | \r\n\r\n |
| Elaborate Child Play area near main pool | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to recreational options at\r\nFort Wilderness | \r\n\r\n |
This five-story Deluxe resort has clapboard facades with whitewashed-wood trim. The Yacht Club is painted a subdued gray and has a nautical theme with model ships and antique navigational instruments in public areas. The resort has a themed lobby, with a giant globe. The resort faces 25-acre Crescent Lake and has an elaborate swimming complex.
\r\n\r\nThere are 635 guest rooms and 21 suites at the Yacht Club. Most of the hotel rooms are 381 square feet and have two queen-size beds, a daybed, and a desk and two chairs. Like the Grand Floridian's, rooms have a lot of drawer space. Yacht Club rooms are decorated in blue and white. Some rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Yacht Club Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe Yacht Club Resort shares restaurants, pools, and other amenities with the Beach Club Resort and Beach Club Villas. A small business center serves guests' work needs for both the Yacht and Beach Clubs and Beach Club Villas.
\r\n\r\nAs Disney Deluxe resorts, the Yacht Club and Beach Club provide excellent service. They offer nine restaurants and lounges and are within walking distance of Epcot and the BoardWalk. Transportation to other destinations is by bus or boat. Walking time to the transportation loading areas from the most remote rooms is 7 minutes.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nThe exterior and lobby of Disney's Yacht Club Resort.\r\n
\r\nMost of the Yacht Club rooms are 381 square feet and have two queen-size beds, a daybed, and a desk and two chairs. Most rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\nMost Disney's Yacht Club Resort rooms are furnished with the following:\r\n
Disney's Yacht Club Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\nYacht Club's bathrooms are modestly-sized for a Disney deluxe resort, but they are larger than those at the moderate or value levels. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks and ample counter space. Combined with the shower/toilet room, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs.\r\n\r\n
A typical Yacht Club bathroom.\r\n
\r\nYacht Club rooms are priced depending on the view from the room. \r\n
The deluxe Disney hotels all include a subset rooms offered with addition amenities and more personalized serivce. These \"concierge level\" or \"club level\" rooms have a different name at each hotel; at the Yacht Club they are known as the Regatta Club. The Regatta Club is comprised of about 70 rooms, located on the resort's fifth floor. Though most of the Regatta rooms are physically similar to the standard Yacht Club hotel rooms, there are also a handful of suites with additional bedrooms, significantly larger square footage, or features such as in-room kitchen facilities.
\r\n\r\nConcierge Level guests receive additional amenities and personalized service beyond that available to regular guests. These include:\r\n\r\n
Disney's Yacht Club Resort has approximately 25 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome accessible rooms have the standard setup of two queen-sized beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have one king-sized bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both one king bed and one double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\nFor a nightly fee of $75 on top of the room charge, up to 2 dogs are allowed in Yacht Club rooms. A check-in package of dog-friendly items comes with the extra fee, but so do several special rules. Housekeeping will only enter the room while the human guests are present, special Do Not Disturb tags are mandatory, and guests may be called to come to their room if the dog is being too noisy. \r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Yacht Club (and its neighbor Beach Club) have two major advantages over other hotels. One, you can walk to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot in less than 10 minutes. And Two, it has the best pool of all the Walt Disney World resorts. If you or your children like to spend time poolside, there is no better place at Walt Disney World to do this. If you are planning to skip visiting the theme parks during one or more of your vacation days, then the Yacht and Beach Club resorts make an excellent hotel choice. The exceptional pool and quick access to the dining on the Boardwalk make the Yacht Club it easy to have fun without visiting the parks.
\r\n\r\nThe nightly price for rooms at Yacht & Beach Club fall in to the middle of all the other WDW resorts. Yacht Club does offer a fitness center, salon, barber shop, and a spa.
\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOne of the key benefits of staying at the Yacht Club is the close proximity to all of the dining opportunities at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with park admission). Additionally, the many restaurants at the BoardWalk and Swan & Dolphin resorts are easily accessible on foot. Guests staying at the Yacht Club can be at more than 100 dining venues within 15 minutes. If you're staying at a Disney value resort, you might only have two or three options within that time frame.
\r\n\r\nThe Yacht Club, and its adjacent sister the Beach Club, have a variety of dining options including:
\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
Stormalong Bay's shipwreck\r\n
\r\n\r\n
Disney's Yacht Club Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center Dr. and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Turn right onto World Drive and then left on Epcot Resorts Blvd. Follow Epcot Resorts Blvd and Yacht Club will be on your right.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney's Yacht Club Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to the Yacht Club's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at the Yacht Club overnight will be charged $25 per day for standard self-parking or $33 per day for valet parking. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Disney's Yacht Club Resort. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Disney's Yacht Club Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Yacht Club Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Yacht Club Resort. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Yacht Club Resort to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. No bus transportation is provided to Epcot's main entrance. Disney's Yacht Club Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along the wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. Disney's Yacht Club Resort shares bus service with Beach Club.
\r\n\r\nEPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios can also be accessed by boat from the dock near Stormalong Bay. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, so if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses.
\r\n\r\nWhy take a bus to Epcot or Disney's Hollywood Studios when you can take a \r\n\r\nboat?
\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Yacht Club's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Yacht Club's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. For example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-13 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 19 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service is faster to the Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's Yacht Club Resort's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney’s Skyliner is an elevated, cable-driven gondola system that connects EPCOT and the EPCOT resorts – Beach Club and Beach Club Villas, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn and Villas, and the Swan and Dolphin - to Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and the Art of Animation resorts. \r\n
\r\n\r\nEach gondola is an enclosed, 10-person cabin with bench seats and lots of windows. Ventilation is provided by windows and vents that can be opened or closed depending on the temperature.\r\n
\r\n\r\nSkyliner Hubs\r\nDisney’s Caribbean Beach Resort serves as the central hub for most Skyliner routes. If you’re trying to get to a theme park from a resort using the Skyliner, you’ll almost always have to disembark at Caribbean Beach to board another gondola going to your destination.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Skyliner is most useful if you’re near its station at EPCOT’s International Gateway, and you want to go to one of the destinations it serves. Travel time from the International Gateway station to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is around 35-44 minutes during the busiest times; of that, only around19 minutes is spent in transit – the rest is in line waiting to board. In most cases, the Skyliner is at least as fast as Disney’s bus service, with a much better view.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Yacht Club Resort to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's Yacht Club Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi, Uber, or Lyft from Yacht Club to another hotel. \r\n Rates are generally in the $15-25 range depending on your destination, and Uber and Lyft are usually cheaper than a cab. A taxi can typically get to most points in Disney World within 20 minutes (often much less), versus the one to two hours it might take using Disney's free transportation system. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's BoardWalk Resort or the Swan & Dolphin hotels. This option can also take some time depending on where you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for about $20 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nWe receive a lot of mail about the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, most of it positive. First, these remarks from a Wayland, Massachusetts, mother of two:
\r\n\r\nThis was the first time we stayed at the Yacht & Beach Club, and for us the amazing pool complex was worth the extra money. Several nights we climbed up to the top of the waterslide as the sun was setting, and it was an incredible sight—truly a memorable experience!\r\n\r\n\r\n
This mom from Brownsville, Texas, however, has some issues with the Yacht & \r\n\r\nBeach Club:
\r\nThe room doors at the Yacht & Beach Club don’t fit very snugly, so any noise from the hall was practically broadcast into our room. The room was close to the elevators, so it sounded like everyone in the hotel was stampeding past our door in the morning. I like the Yacht & Beach Club very much, but if we go back I’ll ask for a more remote room way at the end of the hall.\r\n\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"
Touringplans offers pictures of the view from any disney resort room on property. click here for the disney's yacht club resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nWhen you look at the Yacht Club from Crescent Lake, the resort is connected to the Beach Club on the right and angles toward the Dolphin hotel on the left. all Yacht Club rooms offer full balconies or, on the ground floor, patios. Rooms with the best views are as follows (the higher the last three digits in the\r\nroom number, the closer to lobby, main pool area, and restaurants):
\r\n\r\nFifth-floor rooms with full balconies facing the lake, with the boardwalk inn in the background club-level rooms 5161, 5163, 5241
\r\nFifth-floor rooms directly facing Epcot rooms 5195–5199, 5153
\r\nStandard-view fourth-floor rooms facing epcot rooms 4195–4199, 4153
\r\n\r\n![\"4228\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl019/thumbs/4228.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1111\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl019/thumbs/1111.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1005\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl019/thumbs/1005.jpg\")
\r\n![\"3185\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl019/thumbs/3185.jpg\")
\r\nSome other rooms face the Boardwalk or Epcot across Crescent Lake, but they’re inferior to the rooms just listed.
\r\nAvoid standard-view rooms at either resort except for rooms 3512–3536 and 4578–4598 at the Beach Club; these overlook a dense pine thicket. in addition to offering a nice vista for a standard-view rate, these\r\nare the closest rooms to epcot available at any resort on crescent lake.
\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Walking distance to Epcot’s\r\nInternational Gateway | \r\nLack of good quick-service dining | \r\n
| Best pool complex of any WDW resort | \r\nViews and balcony size are hit-or-miss | \r\n
| Walk, boat, or Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios | \r\nBus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| Close to many BoardWalk and\r\nEpcot dining options | \r\n\r\n |
Originally owned by Disney, Shades of Green was called The Golf\r\nResort when it opened in 1973 and renamed The Disney Inn in 1986.\r\nIn 1994 Disney reached an agreement with the U.S. Army Family and
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl022/overview/sogmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nShades of Green Hotel map\r\n
\r\nShades of Green is open to active and retired US servicemembers\r\n(including reservists) and their families, among other qualifying groups.\r\nCivilians may accompany eligible military personnel as their guests.\r\n(For details, see shadesofgreen.org/about-shades\r\n-green/eligi bility.) If you’re planning a holiday\r\nvisit or a long weekend here, we recommend\r\nbooking as early as possible—up to seven months\r\nin advance. Guests at Shades of Green are eligible\r\nfor Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry and\r\nExtended Evening Hours.
\r\n\r\n\r\nShades of Green consists of one three-story\r\nand one five-story building nestled among three golf courses that are\r\nopen to Disney guests. At 455 square feet each, the 586 guest rooms at\r\nShades of Green are larger than those at the Grand Floridian.
\r\n\r\nOn its Frequently Asked Questions page, the website states that\r\n“Shades of Green would be comparable to the Disney Deluxe Resorts.”\r\nWhile the rooms are certainly large, nicely appointed, and immaculately\r\nmaintained, not to mention a great value for those who qualify to stay\r\nhere, they’re indistinguishable from the rooms at any number of decent\r\nmidpriced hotels. There’s no discernible theming or “wow” factor. The\r\ndining options are fine but not amazing. Service, on the other hand, is\r\nsuperb—definitely up to the Deluxe standard.
\r\n\r\nStandard rooms have two queen-size beds, a single sleeper sofa, a\r\nminifridge,\r\na table and two chairs, and a TV. Junior suites sleep six with\r\nthree queen beds, one in the living area. Family suites sleep eight with\r\nthree queen sleeper sofas and a king bed; these suites also have two\r\nbathrooms. All rooms have a patio or balcony.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA military mom from Loganville, Georgia, wishes we loved Shades\r\nof Green as much as she does:
\r\n\r\nWe loved our stay at Shades of Green. I know it’s only for military\r\npersonnel, but I feel like you could say a little more about it. The\r\nrooms are huge. The pools are fantastic. Kids 4 and younger eat for\r\nless than $4, and the buffet is better than a typical chain—when I\r\ncan feed my family of five for about $60, that’s pretty awesome. They\r\nhave fun themed nights all week and occasional kids’ activities too.\r\n\r\n
Another mom, this one from Plainfield, Indiana, makes the case for\r\nexploring all of your lodging options:
\r\nWhile it’s true that SOG is often a good deal, military families should\r\nstill do some comparison shopping. Room rates are tiered based on\r\nrank—the higher your rank, the higher the rate. Definitely check into\r\nmilitary rates at Disney properties, and also check out the Armed\r\nForces Vacation Club for condos near WDW [see afvclub.com for participating\r\nOrlando-area properties]. We rented a two-bedroom, twobath\r\ncondo with a full kitchen and pool for seven nights, and it cost\r\nus less than two nights at a Disney hotel.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Shades of Green isn't run by Disney, and its service is less sugarcoated \r\nthan at Disney-run resorts. Shades of Green guests CANNOT park for free at theme parks. The resort offers its accommodations at rates based on a service member’s rank, as well as attraction tickets to the theme parks. For rates and other information, call (888) 593-2242 or see shadesofgreen.org.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Shades of Green's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in. Hotel guest parking (there's a garage) at Shades of Green costs $17 per night.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Shades of Green is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 \r\n\r\nAM.
\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to \r\n\r\nprovide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAt 455 square feet each, the 586 guest rooms at Shades of Green\r\nare larger than those at the Grand Floridian. Decor is pleasant though\r\nthoroughly unremarkable—pretty much the same as at any midpriced\r\nhotel. Most rooms have two queen-size beds, a daybed, and a table\r\nand four chairs, as well as a television in an armoire. All rooms have\r\na patio or balcony.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA standard Shades of Green room (images provided Mindy Goldman)\r\n
\r\nEach Shades of Green room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nShades of Green's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't \r\n\r\nas small as the ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. \r\n\r\nLuckily you won't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure \r\n\r\nin the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still \r\n\r\nenough to get your hair clean. Eventually. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair \r\n\r\ndryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've got \r\n\r\nlots of hair.
\r\n \r\n\r\nA standard Shades of Green bathroom\r\n
\r\nShades of Green has two pools. The Mill Pond Pool features a tiered\r\nwaterslide, while the Magnolia Pool has a zero-entry feature as well as\r\na splash-and-play area and hot tubs.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThere is also a smaller pool located on the east side of the resort. This \r\n\r\npool is a basic concrete pools with minimal theming, but it does have plenty \r\n\r\nof lounge chairs and tables around the pool.
\r\n\t\r\nShades of Green's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Shades of Green also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Mil Pond Pool.
\r\n Pool hours are at least 10 AM to 10 PM. Both pools will have \r\n\r\nlifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n\r\n\r\nYou may need to bring your towels from your room to use at the pool - \r\n\r\nShades of Green sometimes stocks extra towels poolside, and sometimes they \r\n\r\ndon't. Our advice is to send someone\r\n down to the pool to check the towel situation before you go. If you end up \r\n\r\nusing your room towels at the pool, just call Housekeeping when you get back \r\n\r\nand request more.
\r\n\r\nPool toys are permitted in Shades of Green's pools, \r\n\r\nincluding \"pool noodles,\" and basic toys that would\r\nbe appropriate for water use such as rubber duckies and bucket & shovel sets. \r\n\r\nSome of us will occasionally bring something like a whiffle ball for playing \r\n\r\ncatch in the pool. As\r\nlong as you’re not disturbing other guests, you’ll be fine. Also note that \r\n\r\nkids with pool toys become very popular with other kids in the pool who want \r\n\r\nto play too. If you’re \r\ntraveling with an only child and want him to have some age cohort interaction \r\n\r\nduring your vacation, a nice strategy is to bring some extra toys. Chances are \r\n\r\nhe’ll make a buddy.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\nA small playground is also available at Shades of Green. The set has a small \r\n\r\nplastic slide and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Shades of Green's concern here - there \r\n\r\nare no swings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber \r\n\r\nsurface and sand.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPlayground at Shades of Green\r\n
\r\nRestaurants include Mangino’s, an Italian eatery; the Garden Gallery\r\nbuffet; three quick-service options (Bistro to Go, Express Café, and Java Café); and Evergreen’s, a sports bar and grill.\r\nThe Army & Air Force Exchange Service, comparable to a convenience\r\nstore or hotel gift shop, sells Disney merchandise in addition to snacks,\r\nsoft drinks, alcohol, tobacco, and over-the-counter medicines.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTransportation to all theme parks is by bus; a transfer is required\r\nto almost all destinations. Walking time to the bus-loading area from\r\nthe most remote rooms is about 5 minutes. Readers including this Lancaster,\r\nOhio, woman report that bus service is a sore spot:
\r\n\r\nPlease, please, please stress to your readers how awful the transportation\r\nsystem is—there is no direct access to the Magic Kingdom or\r\nEPCOT, and the buses that go directly to the other parks run only once\r\nan hour. If you want to go back to your room midday, plan for an hour\r\nto an hour and a half of travel time there and then back to the park.\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nDriving Your Own Car Shades of Green is just off of I-4 in \r\n\r\nLake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot/Downtown Disney. \r\n\r\nExit onto World Drive. Take World Drive for about 2.1 miles and then turn left \r\n\r\nonto Floridian Way. Turn left onto Magnolia Palm Drive and Shades of Green \r\n\r\nwill be on your left.\r\n
\r\nShades of Green's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Shades of Green. If you're not renting a car, be aware \r\n\r\nthat Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nShades of Green will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Shades of Green \r\n\r\nfor around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger \r\n\r\nvan is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Shades of Green. At those prices, it may \r\n\r\nbe less expensive to rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Shades of Green runs continuous shuttles from the resort to \r\n\r\nthe Transportation and Ticket Center, where guests can transfer to their final \r\n\r\ndestinations. Shades of Green's bus stops sit along the front wall of the \r\n\r\nlobby. From the Transportation and Ticket Center guests can take a Monorail or \r\n\r\nFerry boat to Magic Kingdom and a Monorail to Epcot.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Shades of Green If you've \r\n\r\ngot dining plans at another Disney hotel that is on the Monorail loop \r\n\r\n(Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), the cheapest \r\n\r\noption is to take the bus from Shades of Green to Transportation and Ticket \r\n\r\nCenter, then ride a Monorail from there to your destination hotel. Do the \r\n\r\nreverse to get back to Shades of Green. While that's free, it can take \r\n\r\nanywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Shades of Green \r\n\r\nto wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab \r\n\r\nride to get to most Disney hotels, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nShades of Green's fitness center is located near Manglno's \r\n\r\nBistro.
\r\n\r\nMagnolia Spa is Shades of Green's full-service spa. \r\n\r\nMassages, body therapies and facials are available. Spa treatments are \r\n\r\navailable 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail at \r\n\r\nShades of Green. A jogging path runs from Shades of Green to Disney's \r\n\r\nPolynesian Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCoin-operated washers and dryers are in laundry facilities \r\n\r\nlocated on the first floor in the Magnolia Rooms or Palm Rooms building. The \r\n\r\nmachines take quarters, and a change machine is provided. A small selection of \r\n\r\nsoap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold. A typical wash cycle \r\n\r\ntakes 20 to 30 minutes, and a typical dry cycle takes 40 to 50.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Shades of Green's \r\n\r\nLost and Found department by calling (407) 824-3400.\r\n
\r\nThe Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel is unlike any other Disney resort experience. The fully enclosed building uses video screens to simulate space and the Cast Members are not only totally in-character, but lead guests on missions and quests. Each experience is 2 nights, no more, no less. Think of it more like a cruise than a regular hotel stay, in both activities and price.
\r\n\r\nPart hotel, part role-playing game. Galactic Starcruiser has rooms that you can sleep in for two nights as well as dining venues and other hotel-like things. There are many Cast Members acting out roles that keep the experience as Star Wars as you want to be.
\r\n\r\nEvery Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser vacation package includes a 2-night stay in a cabin or suite, meals (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages), and exclusive experiences, missions and activities. The vacation adventure also includes entry to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for your planetary excursion to Batuu. Valet parking is also included.
\r\n\r\nA sample itinerary has been posted to Disney's website. It includes activities like Sabacc lessons (card game), a Captain's Reception, Lightsaber Training, and several hilariously-scheduled \"unexpected story moments.\"
\r\n\r\nYep. This is where the Starcruiser really comes alive. These are things that are sprung on you like hiding a stowaway, joining a smuggling ring, or organizing and pulling off a heist. We are anxiously waiting on details like how much say the guest has in their story moments and whether, as part of the smuggling ring, we get to shoot a Rodian.
\r\n\r\nWell... it's a lot. Full price lists are not out yet, but Disney has given us a sample of a weekday price during one of the cheapest seasons. Sample Standard Cabin Rates for weeknights, August 20 through September 17, 2022 will run two guests $4,809, three guests $5,299, and four guests $5,999. The good news is that is for the entire two night stay. The bad news is that if you want a weekend, a busier time, or an upgraded room like a Galaxy Class Suite or Grand Captain Suite it will be more than that.
\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":false,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":false,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":100,"theme":"Ultra-themed Star Wars Hotel","cost_range":"$4,809+","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"hs","category_code":"deluxe","check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":250,"blog_slug":"star-wars-galactic-starcruiser","property_owned":true,"extra_hours":false,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":null,"sort_name":"star wars galactic starcruiser","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":"https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/star-wars-galactic-starcruiser/overview/","opened_on":"2022-03-01","extinct_on":"2023-10-01","opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":"swgs","refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":2022,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":"queen","max_guests_std":4,"child_bed_std":true,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":"The Galactic Starcruiser is a live-action role-playing game that just happens to come with a hotel room. Think of it as a cruise ship that doesn't float, and lives in the Star Wars universe.","dining_overview":"The one dining location, Crown of Corelia, serves cafeteria-style breakfast and lunch, and sit-down dinners. The food is better than we expected, some of it in unusual shapes and colors.","good_for":"Intense Star Wars fans","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":11,"hotel_category_recommended":false,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":182,"property_id":1,"name":"Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel","code":"ORL020","address":"1500 Epcot Resort Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079347639","url":"http://www.swandolphin.com","off_site":false,"permalink":"dolphin-at-walt-disney-world","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:24.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-12-14T20:41:01.000-08:00","overview":"\r\nAlthough these resorts are inside the World and Disney handles\r\ntheir reservations, they’re owned by Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin\r\n(Swan) and can be booked directly through their parent companies,\r\ntoo. Both are served by Disney transportation to the theme parks, but neither participates\r\nin the Disney Dining Plan.
\r\n\r\nOpened in 1990, the Swan and Dolphin face each other on either\r\nside of an inlet of Crescent Lake. The Swan Reserve is located across\r\nthe street from the Swan and Dolphin. Although they’re inside Walt\r\nDisney World and Disney handles their reservations, they’re managed\r\nby Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin (Swan), and the Swan Reserve is\r\npart of the Autograph Collection. As such, they can be booked directly\r\nthrough Marriott as well as through Disney.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl020/overview/swan_dolphin_area.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nWalt Disney World Dolphin Area Map\r\n
\r\nAll three resorts are served by Disney transportation to the theme\r\nparks and participate in Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening\r\nHours, but they don’t participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
\r\n\r\nThe Dolphin’s main building is a 27-story turquoise triangle. This\r\ncentral A-frame, with large wings extending from both sides and four\r\nsmaller arms from its rear, is attached to a large conference center.\r\nPerched on the roof, at the edge of each main wing, are two 56-foottall\r\ndolphins balanced vertically, with their tails in the air.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhereas the Dolphin is pointy, the Swan is rounded: Its gently arching\r\nmain building rises 12 stories and is flanked by two 7-story towers,\r\nwith two 47-foot-tall swans adorning its roof.
\r\n\r\nThe last renovation of the hotels’ guest rooms and lobby areas was\r\ncompleted in 2018. Key upgrades included new bedding and carpets,\r\nmore electrical outlets, new AC units, and new TVs. In addition to\r\nupdated decor, the Dolphin lobby has a larger bar area, Phins, and a\r\ngrab-and-go restaurant, Fuel.
\r\n\r\nThe Swan’s standard rooms are similar to but are, in our opinion,\r\nmore attractive than the Dolphin’s. Heavenly Beds make for ultracomfy\r\nsleeping. The reading light is great in or out of bed. A flat-panel TV sits on the dresser. The bathrooms, small for Disney, have step-in showers\r\nand limited counter space.
\r\n\r\nBecause these hotels aren’t run by Disney, service is less relentlessly\r\ncheerful than elsewhere on-property. Readers rate the Dolphin’s\r\ncheck-in service as below average.
\r\n\r\nBe warned: Both resorts will nickel-and-dime you to death. Each\r\ntacks on a $35-per-day resort fee (plus tax) and another $29 per day (plus tax)\r\nfor self-parking. Whatever rate you’re quoted at either resort, count on\r\nanother $75 per day in miscellaneous costs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe two hotels collectively house more than a dozen restaurants\r\nand lounges and are within easy walking distance of EPCOT and the\r\nBoardWalk. They’re also connected to other destinations by bus and\r\nboat. Walking time from the most remote rooms to the transportation\r\nloading areas is 7–9 minutes. These readers from Houston say the\r\nSwan is the slightly easier of the two to navigate:
\r\n\r\nWhile the Dolphin is closer to EPCOT, we prefer the Swan because\r\nit’s easier and more straightforward to walk from the hotel to the\r\npark and vice versa. The Dolphin has a very narrow, winding sidewalk\r\nthat doesn’t look like it gets much traffic.\r\n\r\n\r\n
This Nashua, New Hampshire, couple gives the shared pool complex\r\nhigh marks:
\r\nNeither the Disney nor the Swan and Dolphin website depicts how\r\ngreat the pool complex is. Not only are there multiple pools, a waterslide,\r\nand maybe the best poolside bar in all of Disney World, there’s\r\nalso a wonderfully green, restful grotto-in-tropical-forest theme.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Because the Swan and the Dolphin aren’t run by Disney, service is\r\nless relentlessly cheerful than at other on-property resorts. They’ll also\r\nnickel-and-dime you to death. For example, both tack on a $35-per-day\r\nresort fee and another $25 per day for self-parking. Even more shocking\r\nis the price the Dolphin’s gift shop charges for sundries: We paid\r\nalmost $10 for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—roughly $3 more than\r\nDisney charges in its gift shops (and twice as much as Publix). Whatever\r\nrate you’re quoted at the Swan and the Dolphin, temper your expectations\r\nby adding another $50 per day in miscellaneous costs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\nDolphin's exterior.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Dolphin's grounds. If you arrive by \r\n\r\ncar, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to \r\n\r\nprovide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Dolphin is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 12:00 PM. Swan & \r\n\r\nDolphin charge hefty fees for late check outs. Checking out between 12:00 PM \r\n\r\nand 2:00 PM will cost $40. Checking out between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM costs 1/2 \r\n\r\nDay's Rate. If you check out after 5:00 PM you will be charged a full day's \r\n\r\nrate.
\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to \r\n\r\nprovide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Swan and Dolphin hotels charge a daily resort fee. \r\n\r\nGuests are charged $35 plus tax. There are some perks that this fee brings. \r\n\r\nGuests receive in room high-speed internet, unlimited local and domestic calls, use of the hotel's fitness club, and two bottles of water. Dolphin also charges a daily self-parking fee of $25 per a day. Valet parking is $35.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMost of the Dolphin's rooms are 360 square feet and have two full-size \r\nbeds. The current design incorporates light-colored\r\nwoods, glass surfaces, blue carpeting, and gray draperies. The plush Heavenly\r\nBeds are buttressed by oversize upholstered headboards. A 42\" high definition rests on a large dresser that also holds the mini-fridge. An oval, contemporary desk and chair complete the furnishings. Some rooms have\r\nbalconies. Westin’s Heavenly Beds make for ultra-comfy sleeping. The\r\nreading light is great in or out of bed.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Dolphin room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits in the dresser. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDolphin's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't as small \r\n\r\nas the ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. Luckily \r\n\r\nyou won't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure in the \r\n\r\nshower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough \r\n\r\nto get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\n\r\nA separate sink area is located next to the bathroom, it has enough counter \r\n\r\nspace to fit most of the toiletries you would need. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted \r\n\r\nhair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've \r\n\r\ngot lots of hair.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA bathroom in a standard Dolphin room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin have handicap-accessible rooms that are furnished with one \r\n\r\nking bed and are situated next to an optional connecting room with either two \r\n\r\nqueen beds at the Swan or two double beds at the Dolphin. Handicap-accessible \r\n\r\nrooms may include altered counter-tops, and dresser drawer height, door \r\n\r\nwidths, wheelchair ramps, and more. All handicap-accessible rooms include a \r\n\r\nfire alarm which contains a strobe light if activated, flashing door knocker, \r\n\r\nvibrating alarm clock, and a TDD machine for the room's telephone.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin has three pools. The largest, Grotto Pool, sits near the \r\n\r\nhotel's convention center. There is also a hot tubs, kiddie pool, and water play \r\n\r\narea.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThere are also two smaller pools located outside of each building. These \r\n\r\npools are basic concrete pools with minimal themeing, but they do have plenty \r\n\r\nof lounge chairs and tables around the pool.
\r\n\t\r\nSwan and Dolphin's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Dolphin also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Grotto Pool.
\r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 9 PM, extending to as much as \r\n\r\n8 AM to 12 AM during busy times.\r\n Grotto Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nInfants and children in diapers are welcome in all of Swan and Dolphin's \r\n\r\npools, as long as they're wearing swim diapers. Water wings \r\n\r\nare allowed at all pools, and\r\n every pool has free life vests in a variety of sizes:\r\n
You may need to bring your towels from your room to use at the pool - Swan \r\n\r\nand Dolphin sometimes stocks extra towels poolside, and sometimes they don't. \r\n\r\nOur advice is to send someone\r\n down to the pool to check the towel situation before you go. If you end up \r\n\r\nusing your room towels at the pool, just call Housekeeping when you get back \r\n\r\nand request more.
\r\n\r\nPool toys are permitted in Dolphin's pools, including \r\n\r\n\"pool noodles,\" and basic toys that would\r\nbe appropriate for water use such as rubber duckies and bucket & shovel sets. \r\n\r\nSome of us will occasionally bring something like a whiffle ball for playing \r\n\r\ncatch in the pool. As\r\nlong as you’re not disturbing other guests, you’ll be fine. Also note that \r\n\r\nkids with pool toys become very popular with other kids in the pool who want \r\n\r\nto play too. If you’re \r\ntraveling with an only child and want him to have some age cohort interaction \r\n\r\nduring your vacation, a nice strategy is to bring some extra toys. Chances are \r\n\r\nhe’ll make a buddy.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\nA small playground set is located near the pool on the Swan side of the \r\n\r\nresort. The set has a small plastic slide and a couple of sections with a few \r\n\r\nsteps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Swan and Dolphin's concern here - there \r\n\r\nare no swings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber \r\n\r\nsurface and sand.\r\n
\r\nSwan and Dolphin has a good variety of dining options, including five \r\n\r\ndifferent table service restaurants.
\r\n\r\n\r\nShula's Dinner Menu - Shula's Kids Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nIf we had to describe Shula's in one word, meat - really expensive but very \r\n\r\nhigh quality meat. Only certified Angus beef is served: filet mignon, \r\n\r\nporterhouse (including a 48-ounce cut), and prime rib. This is part of the \r\n\r\nchain owned by former Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula. It's classier \r\n\r\nthan it is kitschy, though printing the menu on the side of a football and \r\n\r\nplacing it on a kickoff tee in the center of the table is a bit much. They \r\n\r\ncould also do without the rehearsed spiel from the waiters, who sound \r\n\r\ncompletely bored as they present raw examples of the beef selections and a \r\n\r\nlive lobster at each table. Once you get past that, however, you're in for \r\n\r\nsome wonderful steaks.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBluezoo Dinner Menu - Bluezoo Kids Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nCelebrity chef Todd English opened this stylish Florida outpost, frequented by conventioneers who don't mind the high prices ($2.75 for a single oyster, $60 for the 2-pound lobster) or the expensive wine list. Food is sophisticated, but you can make a meal of the simple bowl of clam chowder with salt-cured bacon and the roasted-beet salad with greens, goat-cheese fondue,and walnut vinaigrette.
\r\n\r\nThe dreamy dining room is swathed in blues with iridescent bubbles suspended from the lights. The name is courtesy of chef Todd English's young son, who saw an under-the-sea movie and said it looked like a \"blue zoo.\" Open kitchen, raw bar, and \"dancing fish\" on a circular rotisserie.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nountain Eats and Sweets Lunch/Dinner Menu - Eats and Sweets Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nFountain Eats and Sweets is the place for Dolphin guests to get a quick bite. Create your own sundae at The Fountain Sweet Treats. Specialties include build-your-own burgers and hot dogs, BLTs, shakes, and ice-cream cones. The peanut-butter-and-jelly milk shake is worth every calorie.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPicabu Lunch/Dinner Menu - Picabu Kids Lunch/Dinner \r\n\r\nMenuPicabu Breakfast Menu - Picabu Kids Breakfast Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPicabu buffet/cafeteria restaurant that is open around the clock. We like the Loaded Nachos and Chicken Pot pie for lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu is a lot smaller than the lunch/dinner menu, but you can never go wrong with an omelette.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFresh Mediterranean Market Breakfast Menu - Fresh Mediterranean Market Breakfast Buffet Menu - Fresh Mediterranean Market Lunch Menu
\r\n\r\nFresh Mediterranean Market is a pleasant, quiet spot for breakfast or lunch, with a menu that's more healthful than many. Breakfast specialties include fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices, made-to-order omelets. For lunch there's pasta, fish, beef sliders, and generous salads.
\r\n\r\nCabana Bar and Beach Club is Dolphin's \r\n\r\nmain lounge. Cabana Bar and Beach Club has indoor and outdoor seating and a full drink menu with several beers, wines, and a selection of spirits. It also has an assortment of appetizers and entrees. The lounge is usually open 11 AM to 10 PM daily.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Dolphin is just off of I-4 in Lake \r\n\r\nBuena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot/Disney Springs. Take Buena \r\n\r\nVista Dr for about 1.2 miles to Epcot Resort Blvd. Turn right on Epcot Resorts Blvd and Dolphin will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDolphin's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Dolphin. If you're not renting a car, be aware that \r\n\r\nSanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDolphin will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Dolphin for around \r\n\r\n$140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around \r\n\r\n$190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Dolphin. At those prices, it may be less \r\n\r\nexpensive to rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Dolphin to Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon \r\n\r\nLagoon, and Disney Springs. Dolphin's bus stops sit along \r\n\r\nthe front wall of the lobby. Each \r\n\r\ntheme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can be accessed by boat from the \r\n\r\ndock located in between the Swan and Dolphin buildings. Boat service may be suspended during \r\n\r\nthunderstorms, so if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will \r\n\r\nprovide buses.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Castmember about Swan and Dolphin's bus schedule, and they'll tell you \r\n\r\nthat buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Swan and Dolphin's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Animal Kingdom is about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-15 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little \r\n\r\nless frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom. We evaluate Dolphin's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Dolphin If you've got \r\n\r\ndining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney \r\n\r\nbus from Dolphin to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take \r\n\r\nanother bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back \r\n\r\nto Dolphin. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 \r\n\r\nhours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the BoardWalk , the Polynesian, and the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Dolphin to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's Boardwalk or the Yacht & Beach Club hotels. This option can also take some time depending on where you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nThe Health Club is the Dolphin's fitness center. It is located on the west side of the first floor. At the Swan, the Health Club is located near the pool. Both fitness centers are open daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
\r\n\r\nMandara Spa is Dolphin's full-service spa and salon. Massages, body therapies and facials are available. Mandara also offers spa packages that range from $240 to $585. For reservations call 407-934-4772
\r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin's has a large amount of shopping options in it's two buildings. Daisy’s Garden in the Dolphin, and Disney Cabanas in the Swan, have a decent collection of Disney souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such \r\n\r\nas keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. \r\n\r\nPrices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPicabu is a 24-hour convenience store that sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay at home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLamont’s is a boutique that specializes in men and women's apparel. Other items include Florida souvenirs, candles, lotions, and other gifts.
\r\n\r\nFor candy lovers there's Sugar3 in the Dolphin hotel. Here you'll find a huge selection of candy and candy-related objects.
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail at \r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin. It is a scenic 0.8-mile course around around Cresent Lake. Thanks to bridges over Cresent Lake guests are able to make a full circle while passing by the Yacht & Beach Club and BoardWalk resorts.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTwo companies provide in-room sitting in Walt Disney World and surrounding \r\n\r\nareas. They're Kid's \r\n\r\nNite Out\r\nand Fairy Godmothers (no kidding). Both provide sitters older \r\n\r\nthan age 18 who are insured, bonded, \r\nscreened, reference-checked, police-checked, and trained in CPR. In addition \r\n\r\nto caring for your kids in your room, the sitters will,\r\nif you direct (and pay), take your children to the theme parks or other \r\n\r\nvenues. Neither service will transport your children in private \r\nvehicles or give baths. Both offer bilingual sitters.\r\n
\r\n\r\n| Kid's Nite Out | \r\n\tFairy Godmothers | \r\n
|---|---|
| \r\n\t\t407-828-0920 or \r\n\t\t800-696-8105 \r\n\t\tkidsniteout.com\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\t407-277-3724\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tHotels Served \r\n\t\tAll WDW and Orlando-area hotels\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tHotels Served \r\n\t\tAll WDW and Orlando-area hotels\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tSitters \r\n\t\tMen and women\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tSitters \r\n\t\tMothers and grandmothers, female college students\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tBase Hourly Rates \r\n\t\t1 child, $18 \r\n\t\t2 children, $21 \r\n\t\t3 children, $24 \r\n\t\t4 children, $26 \r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tBase Hourly Rates \r\n\t\t1 child, $16 \r\n\t\t2 children, $16 \r\n\t\t3 children, $16 \r\n\t\t4 children, $18 \r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tExtra Charges \r\n\t\tTransportation fee, $10; starting before 6:30 AM \r\n\t\tor after 9 PM, +$2 per hour; additional fee for holidays\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tExtra Charges \r\n\t\tTransportation fee, $14; starting after 10 PM, \r\n\t\t+$2 per hour\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tCancellation Deadline \r\n\t\t24 hours before service when reservation is made\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tCancellation Deadline \r\n\t\t3 hours before service\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tForm of Payment \r\n\t\tAE, D, MC, V; gratuity in cash\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tForm of Payment \r\n\t\tCash or traveler's check for actual payment; gratuity in cash\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tThings Sitter Won't Do \r\n\t\tTransport children in private vehicles, \r\n\t\ttake children swimming, give baths\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tThings Sitter Won't Do \r\n\t\tTransport children, give baths; swimming \r\n\t\tis at sitter's discretion\r\n\t | \r\n
\r\nCoin-operated washers and dryers are in laundry facilities \r\n\r\nlocated on the first floor. Cost is around $2 per wash, and \r\n\r\nanother $2 per dry cycle.\r\nThe machines take quarters, and a change machine is provided. A small \r\n\r\nselection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold, for\r\naround $1 each. A typical wash cycle takes 20 to 30 minutes, and a typical dry \r\n\r\ncycle takes 40 to 50.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Dolphin's Lost \r\n\r\nand Found department by calling (407) 934-7639.\r\n
\r\nThese sprawling hotels are configured very differently, and their irregular\r\nshapes mean it’s easier to discuss groups of rooms in relation to\r\nexterior landmarks and compass directions rather than by room numbers.\r\nWhen speaking with a Disney reservationist, use our tips to ask for\r\na particular view or area.
\r\nConsisting of a central A-frame with large wings jutting off each side and four smaller arms extending from the rear of the building, the Dolphin is attached to a large conference center, which means that the majority of guests are ostensibly there on business. The same amenities found at Disney Deluxe resorts are found at the Dolphin. All parks are accessible from a shuttle stop or a boat dock between the Dolphin and the Swan.
\r\nIf you want a room with easy access to shopping, dining, and transport to and from the parks, almost any Dolphin room will do. The shuttle (outside the main entrance) and the boat dock are equidistant from the main front and rear exits. Restaurants and shopping are primarily on the first and third floors. If you also want a view of something other than parking-lot asphalt, your choices narrow considerably. Rooms in the Dolphin with pleasant views are in the four arms on the rear of the building. Rooms on all the arms sport balconies from the first through fourth floors, then offer balconies or windows alternately on floors five through nine.
\r\nOne of the Dolphin's best views overlooks the Grotto pool on the far west side of the building. An artificial beach with a small waterfall is visible from rooms at the very end of the large west wing. None of these rooms has a balcony, but that might be a blessing, since the pool comes with canned tiki music and a bar. A better bet would be to ask for a room on the far west side of the first rear arm. These outer rooms have balconies and are more removed from the pool. Rooms on the inner, west part of that arm overlook a bladderwort-encrusted reflecting pool; these aren't recommended. Nor are the facing rooms on the next arm.
\r\nBetween the second and third arms looms the monstrous Dolphin fountain, and the better choices here are on the top two floors. There, from arm two you can see the BoardWalk (including any nighttime fireworks), and from arm three the Grotto pool. Otherwise, you may find you have a view of massive, green-concrete fish scales. The noise from the water is loud, and the fountain geysers continuously. Depending upon your personality, this is either soothing or maddening.
\r\nArm three and arm four are situated around a reflecting pool. A concern for rooms in this area is that the ferry toots its horn every time it approaches and departs the dock. Its path runs right by these rooms, and the horn blows just as it passes. The first time that happens, it's quaint. By the 117th, your hair will be coming out in clumps.
\r\nThe Crescent Lake side of arm four, and the small jut of the large Dolphin wing perpendicular to it, offer arguably the best views. You have an unobstructed view of the lake and Epcot fireworks, a fine BoardWalk view for people-watching, and, from higher floors, a view of the beach at Beach Club. There's ferry noise, but these rooms still have the most going for them. The best of the best in this arm are Rooms 8015, 7015, 5015, 4015, and 3015. Balcony rooms at the Dolphin generally run $40 a day more than rooms without balconies.
\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Usually cheaper than Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk | \r\nConventioneers may be off-putting to\r\nvacationing families | \r\n
| Participates in Marriott Rewards program | \r\nDaily resort and parking fees | \r\n
| Walking distance to both Epcot\r\nInternational Gateway and Hollywood Studios | \r\nNo Disney’s Magical Express or\r\nDisney Dining Plan | \r\n
| Good on-site and nearby dining | \r\nBus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| Very nice pool complex | \r\nArchitecture that was on the cutting edge\r\na few decades ago now seems dated | \r\n
| On-site car rental through National\r\nand Alamo | \r\n\r\n |
Although these resorts are inside the World and Disney handles\r\ntheir reservations, they’re owned by Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin\r\n(Swan) and can be booked directly through their parent companies,\r\ntoo. Both are served by Disney transportation to the theme parks, but neither participates\r\nin the Disney Dining Plan.
\r\n\r\nOpened in 1990, the Swan and Dolphin face each other on either\r\nside of an inlet of Crescent Lake. The Swan Reserve is located across\r\nthe street from the Swan and Dolphin. Although they’re inside Walt\r\nDisney World and Disney handles their reservations, they’re managed\r\nby Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin (Swan), and the Swan Reserve is\r\npart of the Autograph Collection. As such, they can be booked directly\r\nthrough Marriott as well as through Disney.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalt Disney World Swan Area Map\r\n
\r\nAll three resorts are served by Disney transportation to the theme\r\nparks and participate in Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening\r\nHours, but they don’t participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
\r\n\r\nThe Dolphin’s main building is a 27-story turquoise triangle. This\r\ncentral A-frame, with large wings extending from both sides and four\r\nsmaller arms from its rear, is attached to a large conference center.\r\nPerched on the roof, at the edge of each main wing, are two 56-foottall\r\ndolphins balanced vertically, with their tails in the air.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhereas the Dolphin is pointy, the Swan is rounded: Its gently arching\r\nmain building rises 12 stories and is flanked by two 7-story towers,\r\nwith two 47-foot-tall swans adorning its roof.
\r\n\r\nThe last renovation of the hotels’ guest rooms and lobby areas was\r\ncompleted in 2018. Key upgrades included new bedding and carpets,\r\nmore electrical outlets, new AC units, and new TVs. In addition to\r\nupdated decor, the Dolphin lobby has a larger bar area, Phins, and a\r\ngrab-and-go restaurant, Fuel.
\r\n\r\nThe Swan’s standard rooms are similar to but are, in our opinion,\r\nmore attractive than the Dolphin’s. Heavenly Beds make for ultracomfy\r\nsleeping. The reading light is great in or out of bed. A flat-panel TV sits on the dresser. The bathrooms, small for Disney, have step-in showers\r\nand limited counter space.
\r\n\r\nBecause these hotels aren’t run by Disney, service is less relentlessly\r\ncheerful than elsewhere on-property. Readers rate the Dolphin’s\r\ncheck-in service as below average.
\r\n\r\nBe warned: Both resorts will nickel-and-dime you to death. Each\r\ntacks on a $35-per-day resort fee (plus tax) and another $29 per day (plus tax)\r\nfor self-parking. Whatever rate you’re quoted at either resort, count on\r\nanother $75 per day in miscellaneous costs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe two hotels collectively house more than a dozen restaurants\r\nand lounges and are within easy walking distance of EPCOT and the\r\nBoardWalk. They’re also connected to other destinations by bus and\r\nboat. Walking time from the most remote rooms to the transportation\r\nloading areas is 7–9 minutes. These readers from Houston say the\r\nSwan is the slightly easier of the two to navigate:
\r\n\r\nWhile the Dolphin is closer to EPCOT, we prefer the Swan because\r\nit’s easier and more straightforward to walk from the hotel to the\r\npark and vice versa. The Dolphin has a very narrow, winding sidewalk\r\nthat doesn’t look like it gets much traffic.\r\n\r\n\r\n
This Nashua, New Hampshire, couple gives the shared pool complex\r\nhigh marks:
\r\nNeither the Disney nor the Swan and Dolphin website depicts how\r\ngreat the pool complex is. Not only are there multiple pools, a waterslide,\r\nand maybe the best poolside bar in all of Disney World, there’s\r\nalso a wonderfully green, restful grotto-in-tropical-forest theme.\r\n\r\n\r\n
Because the Swan and the Dolphin aren’t run by Disney, service is\r\nless relentlessly cheerful than at other on-property resorts. They’ll also\r\nnickel-and-dime you to death. For example, both tack on a $35-per-day\r\nresort fee and another $25 per day for self-parking. Even more shocking\r\nis the price the Dolphin’s gift shop charges for sundries: We paid\r\nalmost $10 for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—roughly $3 more than\r\nDisney charges in its gift shops (and twice as much as Publix). Whatever\r\nrate you’re quoted at the Swan and the Dolphin, temper your expectations\r\nby adding another $50 per day in miscellaneous costs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl023/DSC_9559.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSwan's exterior.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Swan's grounds. If you arrive by \r\n\r\ncar, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to \r\n\r\nprovide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Swan is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 12:00 PM. Swan & \r\n\r\nDolphin charge hefty fees for late check outs. Checking out between 12:00 PM \r\n\r\nand 2:00 PM will cost $40. Checking out between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM costs 1/2 \r\n\r\nDay's Rate. If you check out after 5:00 PM you will be charged a full day's \r\n\r\nrate.
\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to \r\n\r\nprovide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Swan and Dolphin hotels charge a daily resort fee. \r\n\r\nGuests are charged $35 plus tax. There are some perks that this fee brings. \r\n\r\nGuests now receive in-room high-speed internet, unlimited local and domestic calls, use of the hotel's fitness club, and two bottles of water. Dolphin also charges a daily self-parking fee of $25\r\n\r\nper a day. Valet parking is $35.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMost of the Swan's rooms are 360 square feet and have two queen-size beds, \r\n\r\nand a desk and one chair. The current design incorporates light-colored\r\nwoods, glass surfaces, blue carpeting, and gray draperies. The plush Heavenly\r\nBeds are buttressed by oversize upholstered headboards. A 42\" high definition rests on a large dresser that also holds the mini-fridge. An oval, contemporary desk and chair complete the furnishings. Some rooms have\r\nbalconies. Westin’s Heavenly Beds make for ultra-comfy sleeping. The\r\nreading light is great in or out of bed.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Swan room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits in the dresser. \r\n\r\nIt's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSwan's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't as small as \r\n\r\nthe ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. Luckily you \r\n\r\nwon't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure in the \r\n\r\nshower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough \r\n\r\nto get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\n\r\nA separate sink area is located next to the bathroom, it has enough counter \r\n\r\nspace to fit most of the toiletries you would need. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted \r\n\r\nhair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've \r\n\r\ngot lots of hair.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin have handicap-accessible rooms that are furnished with one \r\n\r\nking bed and are situated next to an optional connecting room with either two \r\n\r\nqueen beds at the Swan or two double beds at the Dolphin. Handicap-accessible \r\n\r\nrooms may include altered counter-tops, and dresser drawer height, door \r\n\r\nwidths, wheelchair ramps, and more. All handicap-accessible rooms include a \r\n\r\nfire alarm which contains a strobe light if activated, flashing door knocker, \r\n\r\nvibrating alarm clock, and a TDD machine for the room's telephone.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin has three pools. The largest, Grotto Pool, sits near the \r\n\r\nhotel's convention center. There is also a hot tubs, kiddie pool, and water play \r\n\r\narea.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThere are also two smaller pools located outside of each building. These \r\n\r\npools are basic concrete pools with minimal themeing, but they do have plenty \r\n\r\nof lounge chairs and tables around the pool.
\r\n\t\r\nSwan and Dolphin's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Dolphin also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Grotto Pool.
\r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 9 PM, extending to as much as \r\n\r\n8 AM to 12 AM during busy times.\r\n Grotto Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nInfants and children in diapers are welcome in all of Swan and Dolphin's \r\n\r\npools, as long as they're wearing swim diapers. Water wings \r\n\r\nare allowed at all pools, and\r\n every pool has free life vests in a variety of sizes:\r\n
You may need to bring your towels from your room to use at the pool - Swan \r\n\r\nand Dolphin sometimes stocks extra towels poolside, and sometimes they don't. \r\n\r\nOur advice is to send someone\r\n down to the pool to check the towel situation before you go. If you end up \r\n\r\nusing your room towels at the pool, just call Housekeeping when you get back \r\n\r\nand request more.
\r\n\r\nPool toys are permitted in Dolphin's pools, including \r\n\r\n\"pool noodles,\" and basic toys that would\r\nbe appropriate for water use such as rubber duckies and bucket & shovel sets. \r\n\r\nSome of us will occasionally bring something like a whiffle ball for playing \r\n\r\ncatch in the pool. As\r\nlong as you’re not disturbing other guests, you’ll be fine. Also note that \r\n\r\nkids with pool toys become very popular with other kids in the pool who want \r\n\r\nto play too. If you’re \r\ntraveling with an only child and want him to have some age cohort interaction \r\n\r\nduring your vacation, a nice strategy is to bring some extra toys. Chances are \r\n\r\nhe’ll make a buddy.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\nA small playground set is located near the pool on the Swan side of the \r\n\r\nresort. The set has a small plastic slide and a couple of sections with a few \r\n\r\nsteps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Swan and Dolphin's concern here - there \r\n\r\nare no swings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber \r\n\r\nsurface and sand.\r\n
\r\nSwan and Dolphin has a good variety of dining options, including four \r\n\r\ndifferent table service restaurants and one counter service restaurant.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGarden Grove Weekday Breakfast Menu - Garden Grove Weekend Character \r\n\r\nBuffet Breakfast Menu - Garden Grove Kids' \r\n\r\nMenu-Weekday Breakfast Menu - Garden Grove Lunch Menu - Garden Grove Kids' Menu-Lunch Menu - Garden Grove Dinner Character Buffet \r\n\r\nMenu-Mediterranean - Garden Grove \r\n\r\nDinner Character Buffet Menu-Seafood Sensation - Garden Grove Dinner Character \r\n\r\nBuffet Menu-Southern Barbecue
\r\n\r\nGarden Grove's dependable fare isn't worth a special trip unless you want \r\n\r\nsome time with the Disney characters - and it's a bargain compared to other \r\n\r\ncharacter-dining experiences. The spacious dining room has a 25-foot faux oak \r\n\r\ntree as its centerpiece, and sunlight streams in from the restaurant's tall \r\n\r\nwindows. At night, the lights are dimmed, the oak tree is full of lanterns and \r\n\r\ntwinkling lights, and street lamps create the pleasant ambience of a nighttime \r\n\r\ngarden.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIl Mulino Dinner Menu - Il Mulino Kids Dinner Menu - Family Style Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nA spinoff of the New York City restaurant, II Mulino takes an upscale-\r\n\r\ncasual approach to Italian cuisine, with family-style platters for sharing in \r\n\r\nthe noisy dining room. Tables are dark wood. An open kitchen creates a bustle. \r\n\r\nYou can request private dining in one of the smaller rooms.
\r\n\r\nThe tried-and-true menu never changes. Dinner starts with a complimentary \r\n\r\ntaste of Parmesan-topped roasted eggplant, along with ciabatta and foccacia \r\n\r\nbreads and cacciatorini sausages, and ends with a complimentary sip of \r\n\r\nlimoncello, the lemon-flavored Italian liqueur. The dining room's hardwood \r\n\r\nfloors and faux-exposed-brick walls create a contemporary space but don't \r\n\r\nbuffer the noise.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKimonos Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nMore and more diners are discovering this little out-of-the-way spot for \r\n\r\npristine sushi. The skill of the sushi artists is as much a joy to watch as is \r\n\r\neating the wonderfully fresh creations. There are no full entrees here, just \r\n\r\ngood sushi and appetizers. The Swan resort hosts many Japanese tourists, and \r\n\r\nyou'll find many of them here on any given night.
\r\nAlthough sushi and sashimi are the focus, Kimonos also serves hot \r\n\r\nappetizers, including tempura-battered shrimp and vegetables; Kobe beef and \r\n\r\nduck satays; spicy Thai egg-drop soup; and miso soup. The decor consists of \r\n\r\nblack-lacquered tabletops and counters, tall pillars rising to bamboo rafters \r\n\r\nwith rice-paper lanterns, and elegant kimonos that hang outstretched on the \r\n\r\nwalls and between the dining sections. The chefs will greet you with a \r\n\r\nfriendly welcome, and you'll be offered a hot towel to clean your hands.
\r\n\r\n\r\nJava Bar All Day Menu\r\n
\r\nJava Bar is located near the rear entrance of the Swan building. Its menu \r\n\r\nincludes a variety of coffees, pastries, and other beverages. As well as \r\n\r\nbagels, croissants, and paninis.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCabana Bar and Beach Club \r\n\r\nis Dolphin's main lounge. Cabana Bar and Beach Club has indoor and outdoor \r\n\r\nseating and a full drink menu with several beers, wines, and a selection of \r\n\r\nspirits. It also has an assortment of appetizers and entrees. The lounge is \r\n\r\nusually open 11 AM to 10 PM daily.
\r\n\r\nAt the pool located next to the Swan building there is Splash Terrace. It also \r\n\r\nincludes a selection of alcoholic beverages. Splash Terrace dining menu is \r\n\r\nmade up of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and ice cream.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Swan is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena \r\n\r\nVista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot/Disney Springs. Take Buena \r\n\r\nVista Dr for about 1.2 miles to Epcot Resort Blvd. Turn right on Epcot Resorts \r\n\r\nBlvd and Swan will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nSwan's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Swan. If you're not renting a car, be aware that \r\n\r\nSanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nSwan will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Dolphin for around \r\n\r\n$140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around \r\n\r\n$190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Swan. At those prices, it may be less \r\n\r\nexpensive to rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Swan to Magic Kingdom and Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Swan's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby. Each theme \r\n\r\npark has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can be accessed by boat from the dock \r\n\r\nlocated in between the Swan and Dolphin buildings. Boat service may be \r\n\r\nsuspended during thunderstorms, so if it's raining or looks like it's about \r\n\r\nto, Disney will provide buses.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Cast Member about Swan and Dolphin's bus schedule, and they'll tell you \r\n\r\nthat buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Swan and Dolphin's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Animal Kingdom is about the same early in the day, with a bus \r\n\r\narriving every 10-15 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from \r\n\r\n20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom. We evaluate \r\n\r\nDolphin's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be \r\n\r\nfound below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Swan If you've got dining \r\n\r\nplans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus \r\n\r\nfrom Swan to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus \r\n\r\nfrom there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Dolphin. \r\n\r\nWhile that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. \r\n\r\nIf your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the BoardWalk , the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). \r\n\r\nWe suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Swan to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's Boardwalk or the \r\n\r\nYacht & Beach Club hotels. This option can also take some time depending on \r\n\r\nwhere you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nThe Health Club is the Dolphin's fitness center. It is \r\n\r\nlocated on the west side of the first floor. At the Swan, the Health Club is \r\n\r\nlocated near the pool. Both fitness centers are open daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 \r\n\r\nPM.
\r\n\r\nMandara Spa is Swan and Dolphin's full-service spa and \r\n\r\nsalon. Massages, body therapies and facials are available. Mandara also offers \r\n\r\nspa packages that range from $240 to $585. For reservations call 407-934-\r\n\r\n4772
\r\n\r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin's has a large amount of shopping options in it's two \r\n\r\nbuildings. Daisy’s Garden in the Dolphin, and Disney \r\n\r\nCabanas in the Swan, have a decent collection of Disney souvenirs \r\n\r\nranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets \r\n\r\nand Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay \r\n\r\nin the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPicabu is a 24-hour convenience store that sells basic pharmacy items such as \r\n\r\nsunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, \r\n\r\nshampoo, cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what \r\n\r\nyou're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about \r\n\r\ndouble - than what you'd probably pay at home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLamont’s is a boutique that specializes in men and women's \r\n\r\napparel. Other items include Florida souvenirs, candles, lotions, and other \r\n\r\ngifts.
\r\n\r\nFor candy lovers there's Sugar3 in the Dolphin hotel. Here \r\n\r\nyou'll find a huge selection of candy and candy-related objects.
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail at \r\n\r\nSwan and Dolphin. It is a scenic 0.8-mile course around around Cresent Lake. \r\n\r\nThanks to bridges over Cresent Lake guests are able to make a full circle \r\n\r\nwhile passing by the Yacht & Beach Club and BoardWalk resorts.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTwo companies provide in-room sitting in Walt Disney World and surrounding \r\n\r\nareas. They're Kid's \r\n\r\nNite Out\r\nand Fairy Godmothers (no kidding). Both provide sitters older \r\n\r\nthan age 18 who are insured, bonded, \r\nscreened, reference-checked, police-checked, and trained in CPR. In addition \r\n\r\nto caring for your kids in your room, the sitters will,\r\nif you direct (and pay), take your children to the theme parks or other \r\n\r\nvenues. Neither service will transport your children in private \r\nvehicles or give baths. Both offer bilingual sitters.\r\n
\r\n\r\n| Kid's Nite Out | \r\n\tFairy Godmothers | \r\n
|---|---|
| \r\n\t\t407-828-0920 or \r\n\t\t800-696-8105 \r\n\t\tkidsniteout.com\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\t407-277-3724\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tHotels Served \r\n\t\tAll WDW and Orlando-area hotels\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tHotels Served \r\n\t\tAll WDW and Orlando-area hotels\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tSitters \r\n\t\tMen and women\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tSitters \r\n\t\tMothers and grandmothers, female college students\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tBase Hourly Rates \r\n\t\t1 child, $18 \r\n\t\t2 children, $21 \r\n\t\t3 children, $24 \r\n\t\t4 children, $26 \r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tBase Hourly Rates \r\n\t\t1 child, $16 \r\n\t\t2 children, $16 \r\n\t\t3 children, $16 \r\n\t\t4 children, $18 \r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tExtra Charges \r\n\t\tTransportation fee, $10; starting before 6:30 AM \r\n\t\tor after 9 PM, +$2 per hour; additional fee for holidays\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tExtra Charges \r\n\t\tTransportation fee, $14; starting after 10 PM, \r\n\t\t+$2 per hour\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tCancellation Deadline \r\n\t\t24 hours before service when reservation is made\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tCancellation Deadline \r\n\t\t3 hours before service\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tForm of Payment \r\n\t\tAE, D, MC, V; gratuity in cash\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tForm of Payment \r\n\t\tCash or traveler's check for actual payment; gratuity in cash\r\n\t | \r\n
| \r\n\t\tThings Sitter Won't Do \r\n\t\tTransport children in private vehicles, \r\n\t\ttake children swimming, give baths\r\n\t | \r\n\t\r\n\t\tThings Sitter Won't Do \r\n\t\tTransport children, give baths; swimming \r\n\t\tis at sitter's discretion\r\n\t | \r\n
\r\nCoin-operated washers and dryers are in laundry facilities \r\n\r\nlocated on the first floor in the Dolphin building. Cost is around $2 per wash, and another $2 per dry \r\n\r\ncycle. The machines take quarters, and a change machine is provided. A small \r\n\r\nselection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold, for\r\naround $1 each. A typical wash cycle takes 20 to 30 minutes, and a typical dry \r\n\r\ncycle takes 40 to 50.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Swan's Lost and \r\n\r\nFound department by calling (407) 934-3000.\r\n
\r\nThese sprawling hotels are configured very differently, and their irregular\r\nshapes mean it’s easier to discuss groups of rooms in relation to\r\nexterior landmarks and compass directions rather than by room numbers.\r\nWhen speaking with a Disney reservationist, use our tips to ask for\r\na particular view or area.
\r\nEast-facing rooms offer prime views, particularly in the upper\r\nhalf of the seven-story wing above Il Mulino New York Trattoria. From this vantage point, guests overlook a canal and the BoardWalk, with Epcot\r\nin the distance. EPCOT fireworks enliven the view nightly. Balcony\r\nrooms are available on floors five, six, and seven for an additional $50 and\r\nup per night. However, rooms in the wing nearest the hotel’s main section\r\nhave the southern portion of their view obscured by the building’s easternmost\r\nportion, which juts east beyond the seven-story wing. There are some\r\neast-facing rooms on that portion of the main section, sans balconies.\r\nLofty palm trees obscure the view from east-facing rooms below the fourth\r\nfloor. The best rooms with an Epcot view are 626 and 726.
\r\n\r\nNorth-facing rooms afford views of the Dolphin and (generally) of the courtyard. Exceptions are the north-facing rooms on the easternmost portion of the main section, which look across Crescent Terrace to the BoardWalk. These afford angled views of Epcot and are buffered by palms on the lowest three floors. The few north-facing rooms at the end of the Swan's two eight-story wings directly overlook Crescent Lake. However, the bulk of north-facing rooms are in the main section and overlook the courtyard, with greenery, fountains, and an indoor cafe in its center. Courtyard-facing rooms are subject to noise from below, though never much.
\r\n\r\nAbove the eighth floor, north-facing rooms in the main section overlook roofs of the shorter wings. In these rooms, height enhances the vista from your window, but only near the center of the hotel is the view not seriously marred by rooftops below.
\r\nNorth-facing main-section rooms have a more direct view of the Dolphin across the lake than the courtyard-facing rooms in either eight-story wing. However, most wing rooms can view the lake at an angle. Those on the northern edge of the western wing also view the BoardWalk at an angle.
\r\n\r\nMost courtyard-facing rooms have balconies; 224 rooms are so equipped, and these balconies offer panoramic 180-degree views. Of course, from most rooms at the Swan, part of any 180-degree view will include another section of the hotel.
\r\n\r\nThe Swan's worst views are from west-facing rooms above the fourth floor, which overlook the unsightly roof of the hotel's western wing. The northernmost rooms in the wing directly above Kimonos restaurant are an exception to this, as their balconies overlook the pool and the beach on Crescent Lake's western shore. Rooms 680-691 offer nice pool views.
\r\nAbove the Swan's main entrance, south-facing rooms overlook the parking lot, with forest and Disney's Hollywood Studios in the distance. However, the canal is also visible to the east. These rooms lack balconies.
\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Usually cheaper than Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk | \r\nConventioneers may be off-putting to\r\nvacationing families | \r\n
| Participates in Marriott Rewards program | \r\nDaily resort and parking fees | \r\n
| Walking distance to both Epcot\r\nInternational Gateway and Hollywood Studios | \r\nNo Disney’s Magical Express or\r\nDisney Dining Plan | \r\n
| Good on-site and nearby dining | \r\nBus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| Very nice pool complex | \r\nArchitecture that was on the cutting edge\r\na few decades ago now seems dated | \r\n
| On-site car rental through National\r\nand Alamo | \r\nTiny bathrooms | \r\n
| \r\n | Spotty front-desk service and\r\nhousekeeping | \r\n
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is a brand new tower being built near the Swan and Dolphin area on Crescent Lake. The Swan Reserve is a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, which means it should be a \"sharply-designed boutique hotel.\"
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalt Disney World Swan Reserve Area Map\r\n
\r\nOpened in 2009, Bay Lake Tower is\r\na 15-story, 295-unit DDV resort consists of studios\r\nand one- and two-bedroom villas as well as two-story, three-bedroom\r\nGrand Villas with views of Bay Lake and the Magic Kingdom. Laid out\r\nin a semicircle, Bay Lake Tower is connected to the Contemporary by\r\nan elevated, covered outdoor walkway and shares the main resort’s\r\nmonorail service.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort map\r\n
\r\nBay Lake Tower has its own check-in desk as well as its own private\r\npool and pool bar, plus a small fire pit on the beach. Its Top of the World is the best bar on Disney property,\r\nbut, alas, it admits only DVC owners and their guests. If need be, offer\r\nto buy an owner a round of drinks in exchange for an invite.
\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease see our description of the Contemporary for more \r\n\r\ninformation about the amenities shared with that resort.
\r\nBesides room quietness, readers give Bay Lake an A rating for room\r\nquality and staff service. This Minnesota family of four loved it:
\r\nWe had a studio with a Magic Kingdom view. The balcony was a private\r\noasis where my husband and I would relax and watch the fireworks\r\ntogether after the kids were asleep. On our second night he\r\nlooked at me and said, “We’re always going to stay here.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The major advantage of Bay Lake Tower is that is a short walk to Walt \r\n\r\nDisney World's flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom. If you don't want to make \r\n\r\nthe 10 minute walk you can also take a Monorail, which has a station in the \r\n\r\nContemporary's lobby. The same Monorail can be also be used to ride to the \r\n\r\nTransportation And Ticket Center, here guests can transfer to another Monorail \r\n\r\nand ride to the front gate of Epcot.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/BC-Lobby(B).JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower exterior.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Bay Lake Tower's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Bay Lake Tower is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nContemporary/Bay Lake Tower participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether. Registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if \r\n\r\nyou don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and dining reservations \r\n\r\nat the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRooms are well appointed, with flat-panel TVs, DVD players, minifridges,\r\nmicrowaves, and coffee makers. Brightly colored accessories,\r\npaintings, and accent walls complement an otherwise-neutral color\r\nscheme. Wood tables and granite countertops add a natural touch. Each\r\nroom has a private balcony or patio. The rooms we’ve stayed in tested\r\nas the quietest on Disney property.
\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower Studios:Studios sleep up to four people and include one queen-size bed\r\nand one double sleeper sofa. The part of the studio with the bed, sofa,\r\nand TV measures about 170 square feet and feels small with just two\r\npeople; four would be an adventure.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/20170825_152108.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA bedroom in a Bay Lake Tower 1-bedroom villa.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/blt1bk.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/20170825_151910.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA kitchen and living room in a Bay Lake Tower 1-bedroom villa.\r\n
\r\nBay Lake Tower 1-Bedroom Villa: One-bedroom villas sleep five people (the living room’s chair and\r\nsofa fold out to sleep three) and provide a formal kitchen, a second\r\nbathroom, and a living room in addition to the studio bedroom.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower Two-bedroom villas: The two-bedroom villas—our pick for the best of the standard\r\nrooms—sleep nine and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a\r\none-bedroom, plus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached\r\nto a second bedroom with two queen beds or a queen plus a sleepersize\r\nsofa. As with the one-bedrooms, a sofa bed and sleeper chair in\r\nthe living room provide extra places to snooze, though they’re best\r\nsuited for small children. Bathrooms in the two-bedroom villas are a bit more spacious than those in the one-bedrooms. One odd feature in\r\nthe baths (also found at other DVC resorts) is a folding door separating\r\nthe tub from the master bedroom.
\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower Grand Villas: The two-story Grand Villas sleep 12 and include four bathrooms, the\r\nsame master-bedroom layout, and two bedrooms with two queen beds\r\napiece. An upstairs seating area overlooking the main floor provides a\r\nsleeper sofa and chair. Two-story windows offer unparalleled views of\r\nBay Lake or the Magic Kingdom—with unparalleled prices to match.
\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower Room Layout\r\n
\r\nA lot of thought went into the bathroom design. You enter the bath through \r\n\r\na sliding pocket door instead of a traditional hinged model. The pocket door \r\n\r\nprovides plenty of room and makes it easy to move around inside. The curved \r\n\r\nshower-curtain rod is inspired. Combined with the pocket door, the curtain rod \r\n\r\nmakes the bathroom feel much bigger than it is. Another thoughtful touch: A \r\n\r\nsmall motion sensor detects when you’re up and moving at night, and turns on a \r\n\r\ndimmed bathroom light to help you find your way.
\r\nBay Lake Tower's bathroom sinks have an avant-garde flat-bottom design. If \r\n\r\nyou can name a single Belgian architect or you own shoes made in Scandinavia, \r\n\r\nyou’ll probably love them; other folks think they look like lab equipment. \r\n\r\nWhen brushing your teeth, spit directly over the drain; otherwise, the \r\n\r\ntoothpaste glob doesn't move. One minor gripe: You have to scoot around one of \r\n\r\nthe sinks to get in the shower. (We’re sure George Clooney has his quirks, \r\n\r\ntoo.)
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWater pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get \r\n\r\nat home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. There are \r\n\r\nalso two shelves under the sink that provide a small amount of storage. A \r\n\r\n1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; \r\n\r\nbring your own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a \r\n\r\nsliding door that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the \r\n\r\nbathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Bay Lake Tower has around 44 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature \r\n\r\nroll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of \r\n\r\nthese rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have \r\n\r\nwhich feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Contemporary's hotel rooms based on what you see from \r\n\r\ninside the room. Luckily both sides of Bay Lake Tower offer great views.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nTheme Park view rooms give great views of Magic Kingdom's fireworks.
\r\nOne pool is for use exclusively by guests of Bay Lake Tower. Bay Cove Pool \r\n\r\nsits sits in the middle of the courtyard in the middle of Bay Lake Tower. \r\n\r\nThere is also a hot tub, kiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower guests may also use the Feature Pool and Bay Pool over at \r\n\r\nthe main Contemporary Resort tower.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/DSC_4071.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower's Bay Cove Pool.\r\n
\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 \r\n\r\ninches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during \r\n\r\nwinter. The pools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Contemporary also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Bay Cove Pool.
\r\n\r\nBay Cove Pool and Feature Pool each have one water slide that all ages are \r\n\r\nfree to use. Guests can find showers, storage \r\n\r\nlockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Feature Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBay Lake Tower has no dedicated dining of its own, but it does have an \r\n\r\nexclusive lounge. Top of the World Lounge is \r\n\r\nlocated at the top of Bay Lake Tower, where both indoor and outdoor areas \r\n\r\nprovide excellent views of Magic Kingdom fireworks. Access to Top of the World \r\n\r\nLounge is limited to Disney Vacation Club members staying on Bay Lake Tower \r\n\r\nusing points.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCalifornia Grill Dinner Menu - California Grill Kids Menu
\r\n\r\nHigh atop the Contemporary Resort, the award-winning California Grill sets \r\n\r\nthe standard for Disney dining. But expect a boisterous crowd-the noise level \r\n\r\nmakes quiet conversation difficult. Still, the view from the 15th floor is \r\n\r\nstellar, one of the best spots for watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks. It's \r\n\r\nso popular that the Grill no longer allows just anyone on the elevator for a \r\n\r\nride to the top - you must have a dinner reservation. A show kitchen is the \r\n\r\ncenterpiece of the airy dining room.
\r\n\r\nThe California Grill still is one of Disney's top dining experiences, more \r\n\r\nlike a hot spot in L.A. or New York City than Disney World. We like the seats \r\n\r\nat the bar in front of the kitchen, or a coveted window seat. Though it's a \r\n\r\nsophisticated dining experience, be warned that you'll see plenty of kids in \r\n\r\nthe dining room.
\r\n\r\nChef Brian Piasecki takes advantage of seasonal produce, fish, and meats. \r\n\r\nSushi chef Yoshie has been there for more than 16 years, creating sublime, \r\n\r\nartful sushi that's a meal in itself. Oven-fired flatbreads are always on the \r\n\r\nmenu, as well as grilled pork tenderloin with creamy polenta and Zinfandel \r\n\r\nglaze, a favorite since day one.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFun Time Buffet Breakfast - Chef Mickey's Fun Time \r\n\r\nBuffet Dinner\r\n
\r\n\r\nChef Mickey's is a all-you-can-eat buffet with that features a colorful, \r\n\r\nopen dining room with the monorail running overhead, this is one of the most \r\n\r\npopular Disney-character restaurants-mostly because you're guaranteed an \r\n\r\naudience with Mickey Mouse, who dons a chef's toque and visits every single \r\n\r\ntable for photos. (Goofy, Minnie, Donald, and Pluto are on hand, too.) The \r\n\r\nbuffet circles the center of the room. It's loud, crowded, busy, and fun for \r\n\r\nfamilies. We rarely see anyone here without kids in tow.
\r\n\r\nGo hungry, and this all-you-can-eat buffet is a good value for families; \r\n\r\nthere's plenty for picky eaters, and you can start or end the day with a full \r\n\r\ntummy and photos of the top Disney characters already checked off your to-do \r\n\r\nlist. Selections at both breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared and served \r\n\r\nin casseroles and platters on special heated countertops - a small step up \r\n\r\nfrom chafing dishes.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBreakfast Menu - Brunch Menu - Lunch Menu\r\n - Dinner Menu \r\n
\r\n\r\nSteakhouse 71 is located on the first floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort, replacing the hilariously named The Wave... of American Flavors. It is a casual steakhouse serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with decorative reminders of 1971, the year the hotel opened.
\r\n\r\n\r\nContempo Cafe Breakfast Menu - Contempo Cafe Kids Breakfast Menu - Contempo Cafe Lunch/Dinner Menu - Contempo Cafe Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nContempo Cafe is the resort's counter service restaurant. It has faster \r\n\r\nservice and is less expensive than Steakhouse 71, but still has its quirks. For \r\n\r\none, you place your order on an ATM-like touch-screen kiosk, leaving one to \r\n\r\nwonder whether dining at a $300 per night resort is supposed to feel like the \r\n\r\nself-checkout aisle at the grocery store. If you want to modify your order in \r\n\r\nany way - say, hold the onions on the flatbread - you have to walk to the \r\n\r\npick-up window and instruct the staff. The food is fresh and tasty, but the \r\n\r\nordering process is a bit convoluted. Noise from the nearby Chef Mickeys can \r\n\r\ndrown out all but the most enthusiastic conversationalist.
\r\n\r\n\r\nContempo Cafe participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Contemporary participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit at Steakhouse 71, Chef Mickey's and Contempo \r\n\r\nCafe, and 2 credits at California Grill. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own \r\n\r\ndelivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and \r\n\r\nsodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below \r\n\r\naverage. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or \r\n\r\ncalling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 PM to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs \r\n\r\naround $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will \r\n\r\ntack on an 18% tip, \r\n$3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you \r\n\r\n$40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\nOuter Rim Lounge is located amid \r\n\r\nthe busy dining and shopping on the 4th Floor of the main tower at the \r\n\r\nContemporary. Outer Rim Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu, with \r\n\r\nseveral beers, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is usually open 4 \r\n\r\nPM to 12 AM daily. The The Sand Bar is \r\n\r\nlocated adjacent to the Feature Pool at the Contemporary. It also has a \r\n\r\nselection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Plus a small menu of burgers, hot \r\n\r\ndogs, sandwiches, salads, and desserts is available.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Contemporary Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on World Drive. Take World Dr. for about 5.6 \r\n\r\nmiles, and Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Contemporary Resort. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Contemporary Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's \r\n\r\nContemporary Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV \r\n\r\nservice or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Bay Lake Tower. At those prices, \r\n\r\nit may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Contemporary Resort to Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, \r\n\r\nand Disney Springs. Disney's Contemporary Resort's bus stops \r\n\r\nsit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking \r\n\r\nlot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice. Bay Lake Tower does not have its own bus stop or Monorail station. \r\n\r\nGuests must use the stations at the Contemporary.\r\n
\r\nMagic Kingdom is accessed via Monorail via the station inside the \r\n\r\nContemporary Resort's Grand Canyon Concourse. Monorail service may be \r\n\r\nsuspended at any time.
\r\n\r\nEpcot is accessed by taking the Monorail via the station inside the \r\n\r\nresort's Grand Canyon Concourse to the Transportation And Ticket Center. There \r\n\r\nguests travel to Epcot via the Epcot Monorail.\r\n
Contemporary Resort's bus stop.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Contemporary's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Contemporary's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Animal Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 13 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, \r\n\r\nwith a bus arriving every 8-17 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water \r\n\r\nparks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait \r\n\r\nanywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's Contemporary \r\n\r\nResort's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be \r\n\r\nfound below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Contemporary Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake a Disney bus from Disney's Contemporary Resort to Disney Springs (or an \r\n\r\nopen theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. \r\n\r\nDo the reverse to get back to Disney's Contemporary Resort. While that's free, \r\n\r\nit can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination \r\n\r\nis \r\none of the other Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is \r\n\r\nstill open hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or \r\n\r\ntake a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We \r\n\r\nsuggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Contemporary to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from Contemporary, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Bay Lake to Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, \r\n\r\nFort wilderness, and the Magic Kingdom. This option can also take some time \r\n\r\ndepending on where you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nNote: All the fitness center, recreational activities, and \r\n\r\ngift shops are available in the Contemporary Resort's main building. \r\n\r\n
Olympiad Health Club is Contemporary's fitness center and \r\n\r\nspa. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 8:00 AM \r\n\r\nto 7:00 PM. Swedish, Aromatherapy, and Firm Pressure massage treatment \r\n\r\nservices are available.
\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available for use in Bay Lake 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. \r\n\r\nKayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices vary. \r\n\r\nAll rentals can be purchased in a booth near the Feature Pool.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/DSC_4131.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nFireworks viewing deck at Top of the World Lounge.\r\n
\r\nContemporary's gift shop is Fantasia Market. It is located on the fourth \r\n\r\nfloor. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Fantasia has a decent \r\n\r\ncollection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and \r\n\r\npens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these \r\n\r\nitems are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nFantasia Market also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Fantasia Market has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlso located near Fantasia Market is the The Game Station \r\n\r\nArcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.89-mile jogging trail. The trail is located on the northern end \r\n\r\nof the resort between Bay Lake Tower and the Garden Wing.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Contemporary \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-1000.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/DSC_4041.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Sky Way Bridge connects Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney Resort room on property. Click here for the Bay Lake Tower map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nIf you’re paying for a Magic Kingdom\r\nview, request a room on an upper level—above the seventh floor, at\r\nleast—if you don’t want to look out on the parking lot. Even-numbered\r\nrooms XX06–XX16 have the best viewing angle of the park. Rooms\r\nXX24–XX30 may technically be described as having Magic Kingdom\r\nviews, but they’re oriented toward the Contemporary, and you have to\r\nturn the other way to see the park.
\r\n![\"8220\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/thumbs/8220.jpg\")
\r\n![\"8512\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/thumbs/8512.jpg\")
\r\nRooms on the south side of the tower face the contemporary resort's main building. again, you'll see a lot of the parking lot in these rooms. beyond the parking lot you'll see seven seas lagoon and disney's grand floridian resort.
\r\n\r\n![\"8018\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/thumbs/8018.jpg\")
\r\nLow level rooms around the resort are usually tagged as standard view rooms. Views include landscaping, foliage, the courtyard and pool complex, and service areas.
\r\n\r\n![\"7142\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/thumbs/7142.jpg\")
\r\nWe mentioned that Bay Lake Tower is laid out in a semicircle. Inside the semicircle you'll find views of the resort's Bay Cove Pool. Upper level rooms also have good views of Bay Lake.
\r\n\r\n![\"8225\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/thumbs/8225.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Easy walk to the Magic Kingdom | \r\nSterility of theme and decor | \r\n
| Boat service to Fort Wilderness Resort &\r\nCampground | \r\nVery small studios sleep\r\nno more than 2 people comfortably | \r\n
| Extremely nice 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas | \r\nBus transportation \r\nis shared with the other monorail resorts | \r\n
| Beautiful views of Bay Lake from upper floors | \r\nNot so great views of your neighbors' decks from some rooms inside the C-shaped building | \r\n
| Best lounge at Walt Disney World\r\n(Top of the World) | \r\n\r\n |
| Recreation options on Bay Lake | \r\n\r\n |
This is our page covering the Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Wilderness Lodge also has a main building, as well as second Disney Vacation Club wing, which we cover in-depth on their own pages. See Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins for more information.
\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge resort is inspired by national-park lodges of the early \r\n\r\n20th century. The Wilderness Lodge ranks with Animal Kingdom Lodge as \r\n\r\none of the most impressively themed and meticulously detailed Disney resorts. \r\n\r\nSituated on the shore of Bay Lake, the hotel features exposed timber \r\n\r\ncolumns, log cabin– style facades, and dormer windows. The grounds are \r\n\r\nlandscaped with evergreen pines and pampas grass. The lobby in the main \r\n\r\nbuilding boasts an 82-foot-tall stone fireplace and two 55-foot Pacific \r\n\r\nNorthwest totem poles. Timber pillars, giant tepee chandeliers, and stone-, \r\n\r\nwood-, and marble-inlaid floors accentuate the lobby’s rustic luxury. Although \r\n\r\nthe resort isn’t on vast acreage, it does have a beach and a delightful pool \r\n\r\nmodeled on a mountain stream.
\r\n\r\nThe the 136 Boulder\r\nRidge Villas are studio and one- and two-bedroom units in a freestanding building to the right of the lodge. Studios have kitchenettes; one- and\r\ntwo-bedroom villas have full kitchens. The rustic decor features pine furniture,\r\ntextured rugs, curtains, and woodland creatures from Disney’s\r\nBambi decorating the pillows and bedding. Boulder Ridge has its own\r\npool but shares restaurants and other amenities with the main lodge.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/wlvmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge Villas map\r\n
\r\nThe villas’ studios have fold-down sleeper sofas. All villas have\r\narmoires and flat-panel TVs, and one- and two-bedroom units have\r\nstainless-steel kitchen appliances.
\r\n\r\nWe think more updates are needed. This reader from Buffalo, New\r\nYork, agrees:
\r\n
A Plymouth, Massachusetts, family found a way to make the room\r\nmore comfortable:
\r\nThe major advantage of Wilderness Lodge Villas is that the Magic Kingdom is \r\n\r\nshort boat ride away. Wilderness Lodge does offer a fitness center, salon, and \r\n\r\na spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Wilderness Lodge's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Boulder Ridge is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBan\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Wilderness Lodge's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your \r\n\r\nstay (free MagicBands were discontinued in January 2021), if you don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoulder Ridge Studios: Studios sleep up to five people following 2014 renovations; they now include one queen-size bed, and a queen-sized sofa bed. The total Studio room size is 356 square feet, with about half of that being dedicated to the kitchen and bathroom area
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoulder Ridge One-Bedroom Villa: The one-bedroom villa sleeps 4 and provides a formal kitchen and a living room in addition to the studio bedroom, which contains a king bed. The living room's sofa folds out to provide a queen bed. One-Bedrooms Villas are 727 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoulder Ridge Two-bedroom villas: Two-bedroom villas sleep 8 and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, plus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with two queen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-bedrooms, a sofa bed in the living room provides an extra place to snooze. Two-Bedroom Villas are 1,080 square feet.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/wlvlayout.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoulder Ridge Villas room layout.\r\n
\r\nFor dining, shopping, recreation, and other amenities, see our main Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on \r\nproperty. click here for the disney's wilderness lodge resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"4561\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/thumbs/4561.jpg\")
\r\nExcept for a few rooms overlooking the pool, these rooms offer woodland\r\nviews. The best are odd-numbered rooms X531–X563 on floors\r\nthree through five, which open to the lake (northeast) side of the resort\r\n(you usually can’t see the lake, though). Rooms on the opposite side of\r\nthe same wing offer similar views, but with some roads and parking\r\nlots visible, and with traffic noise.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe view from your window for the most part includes landscaping and trees. but some rooms look on to a walking path or a the resort's pool.
\r\n\r\n![\"1542\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/thumbs/1542.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| National-park-lodge theme is a favorite\r\nof kids and adults alike | \r\nBus transportation is shared with the Contemporary Resort | \r\nBoat transportation to Magic Kingdom | \r\nSmallest rooms and baths of Disney’s\r\nDVC resorts | \r\n\r\n
| Exceptionally peaceful location and\r\npublic areas | \r\nNo 3 BR Grand Villa units | \r\n
| Great views from many guest rooms | \r\n\r\n |
| Smaller lobby area is understated and charming | \r\n\r\n |
| Boulder Ridge has their own separate pool | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to recreational options at\r\nFort Wilderness | \r\n\r\n |
| Very nice 1- and 2 BR villas with full kitchens | \r\n\r\n |
| Good on-site dining at Wilderness Lodge | \r\n\r\n |
This is our page covering the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. Wilderness Lodge also has a main building, as well as second Disney Vacation Club wing, which we cover in-depth on their own pages. See Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Boulder Ridge Villas for more information.
\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge resort is inspired by national-park lodges of the early \r\n\r\n20th century. The Copper Creek, along with Wilderness Lodge and Boulder Ridge, ranks with Animal Kingdom Lodge as \r\n\r\none of the most impressively themed and meticulously detailed Disney resorts. \r\n\r\nSituated on the shore of Bay Lake, the hotel features exposed timber \r\n\r\ncolumns, log cabin– style facades, and dormer windows. The grounds are \r\n\r\nlandscaped with evergreen pines and pampas grass. The lobby in the main \r\n\r\nbuilding boasts an 82-foot-tall stone fireplace and two 55-foot Pacific \r\n\r\nNorthwest totem poles. Timber pillars, giant tepee chandeliers, and stone-, \r\n\r\nwood-, and marble-inlaid floors accentuate the lobby’s rustic luxury. Although \r\n\r\nthe resort isn’t on vast acreage, it does have a beach and a delightful pool \r\n\r\nmodeled on a mountain stream.
\r\n\r\n\r\nOptions include studios and one-, two-,\r\nand three-bedroom villas. The studios have kitchenettes, while most\r\none- and two-bedroom villas have full kitchens (the one-bedroom we\r\nstayed in had a galley kitchen). All rooms have vinyl “hardwood” floors,\r\nmodern furniture including a table and chairs, a coffee maker, and a\r\nmicrowave. Bathrooms are spacious, although sink space is limited;\r\nstorage is plentiful otherwise.
\r\n\r\nCopper Creek rooms have less theming than those in the rest of the\r\nlodge—with another color of paint and different knickknacks, they\r\ncould be rooms at Saratoga Springs or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Nonetheless,\r\nreaders give these rooms an A for quality. In fact, they’re so\r\nwell appointed and comfortable that they highlight the need for refurbishments\r\nat the older Boulder Ridge Villas.
\r\n\r\nWe’ve also stayed at the lakeside Cascade Cabins. Their floor plan\r\n(see page 110) is similar to that of the Bora Bora Bungalows at Polynesian\r\nVillage. Room quality and views are excellent—and they’d better\r\nbe at these prices: more than $4,400 per night in peak season.
\r\n\r\nWe prefer the cabins over the bungalows, as does this Iowa City,\r\nIowa, reader:
\r\n\r\nLoved the cabin at Copper Creek—better value than the Polynesian\r\nbungalows. Quiet and well arranged, but close to everything.\r\n\r\n
The major advantage of Wilderness Lodge Villas is that the Magic Kingdom is \r\n\r\nshort boat ride away. Wilderness Lodge does offer a fitness center, salon, and \r\n\r\na spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\nStudios: Studios sleep up to four people. They include one queen-size bed, and a queen-sized sofa bed. The total Studio room size is 345 square feet, with about half of that being dedicated to the kitchen and bathroom area
\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\nOne-Bedroom Villas: The one-bedroom villa sleeps 4 and provides a formal kitchen and a living room in addition to the studio bedroom, which contains a queen bed. The living room's sofa folds out to provide a queen bed. One-Bedrooms Villas are 761 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTwo-bedroom Villas: Two-bedroom villas sleep 8 and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, plus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with two queen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-bedrooms, a sofa bed in the living room provides an extra place to snooze. Two-Bedroom Villas are 1,105 square feet.
\r\n\r\nThree-bedroom Grand Villas: Grand villas sleep up to 12 in a total of 3204 square feet. Grand Villas contain three bathrooms, one of which you'll find in a master bedroom containing a king size bed. Another bedroom, which holds two queen beds, is also connected to a bathroom. The final bedroom also contains two queen beds. A couch in the living room converts in to a queen bed as well.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA typical bathroom found in some Copper Creek Villas.\r\n
\r\nCabins: Copper Creek cabins sleep up to 8 and provides a kitchen, living room with queen size sofa bed and twin sleeper chair, bedroom with king bed and bathroom, a second bedroom with queen bed and pull down bunk-size bed, and bathroom next door to the kitchen. Cabins are 1737 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA Copper Creek's Cascade Cabin.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Wilderness Lodge's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Wilderness Lodge is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nWilderness Lodge's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor dining, shopping, recreation, and other amenities, see our main Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort page.
\r\n\r\nPost from RICOH THETA. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"
These\r\nrooms are in the main building’s southeast wing. Avoid rooms X100–\r\nX106, which overlook the lobby. Odd-numbered rooms X107–X133\r\nface the interior courtyard and pool. Studios X119 have a nice view\r\nof the lake in the distance. Even-numbered rooms X108–X134 face the\r\nBoulder Ridge Villas, a garden area, and woods. Rooms on the sixth\r\nfloor are high enough for you to see the lake past Boulder Ridge and\r\nthe Cascade Cabins in the foreground.
\r\n\r\nGuests in\r\ncabins 8001–8006 get to watch boats glide to the Magic Kingdom,\r\nwhile cabins 8023–8026 offer excellent fireworks views.
","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| National-park-lodge theme is a favorite\r\nof kids and adults alike | \r\nNoise from main building’s lobby can be\r\nheard inside nearby rooms | \r\n
| Along with Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s\r\nthe least expensive Disney Deluxe resort | \r\nBus transportation\r\nshared with the Contemporary Resort | \r\n
| Boat transportation to Magic Kingdom | \r\nSmallest rooms and baths of Disney’s\r\nDeluxe resorts | \r\n
| Exceptionally peaceful location and\r\npublic areas | \r\n\r\n |
| Great views from many guest rooms | \r\n\r\n |
| Excellent bars for adults | \r\n\r\n |
| Elaborate Child Play area near main pool | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to recreational options at\r\nFort Wilderness | \r\n\r\n |
Lakeshore Lodge is a Disney Vacation Club property located on Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resorts. It is scheduled to open in 2027.
\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":true,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":false,"num_rooms":900,"theme":null,"cost_range":null,"shuttle_to_parks":false,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"mk","category_code":"deluxe_villa","check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"lakeshore-lodge","property_owned":true,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":null,"sort_name":"disney lakeside lodge","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":"2027-03-01","extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":"2027","extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":"ll","refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":"Lakeshore Lodge is a Disney Vacation Club property located on Bay Lake between Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resorts. It is scheduled to open in 2027.
\r\n\r\n","dining_overview":null,"good_for":"People who want to sleep on dirt","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":4,"hotel_category_recommended":false,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":433,"property_id":1,"name":"Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House","code":"ORL328","address":"2901 Osceola Parkway","city":"Bay Lake","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079383000","url":"http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-lodge/","off_site":false,"permalink":"animal-kingdom-villas-jambo","created_at":"2020-10-05T03:21:18.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-12-19T20:40:43.000-08:00","overview":"Portions of Floors 5 and 6 of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge are Deluxe Villa / Disney Vacation Club accomodations dubbed \"Jambo House.\"","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":true,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":214,"theme":"African Game Preserve","cost_range":"$476 - $4,971","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"ak","category_code":"deluxe_villa","check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":100,"show_map":false,"meta_description":"Everything you need to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House hotel: map, room descriptions with photos (including club level rooms), pool information, restaurants and dining options, and guest reviews. ","survey_update_hash":"b2c7e674c3f7860975914fa6caabcc55","author_user_id":null,"fax_number":"4079384799","hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":316,"blog_slug":"animal-kingdom-villas-jambo","property_owned":true,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"disneys animal kingdom villas jambo house","club_name":"Kilimanjaro Club","operator_id":5,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":"https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas-jambo/","opened_on":"2007-07-02","extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":"akvj","refresh_year":2018,"renovation_year":2018,"pool_slide":true,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":"queen","max_guests_std":4,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":228,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":"The Animal Kingdom Villas fuse African tribal architecture with the style of East African national park lodges. Thatched-roof guest-room wings fan out from the lobby. Savannah-facing rooms overlook animal grazing areas.","dining_overview":"The Villas share all of the Animal Kingdom Lodge's restaurants, and that's a huge plus. Room service is available too.","good_for":"Animal views, theming","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":4,"hotel_category_recommended":false,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":241,"property_id":1,"name":"Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village","code":"ORL238","address":"2901 Osceola Parkway","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079383000","url":"http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas-kidani/","off_site":false,"permalink":"disneys-animal-kingdom-villas","created_at":"2011-03-11T12:24:58.000-08:00","updated_at":"2024-12-17T20:41:09.000-08:00","overview":"\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Villas are found in both Kidani Village and Jambo House. If you are looking for a room in Jambo House, we have a separate Room Finder for Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House.\r\n
\r\n\r\nNear the popular, and beautiful, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House Disney built an all Disney Vacation Club property called Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village. The two resorts share an overall design aesthetic, but Kidani Village is more intimate with a significantly smaller lobby. That is not to say that Kidani is somehow less than Jambo House: the design and details at Kidani are fantastic and many prefer the quieter, calmer feel of Kidani. Like Jambo House, Kidani Village borders the savanna and about half of its rooms have spectacular, animal-filled views.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL238.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village map\r\n
\r\nConsisting of a separate freestanding building shaped like a backward 3,\r\nKidani Village has 324 DDV units, a dedicated savanna, a well-themed\r\npool and splash zone, and Sanaa, a top-rated sit-down restaurant combining Indian and African cuisines. Other amenities include a fitness\r\ncenter; an arcade; a gift shop; and tennis, shuffleboard, and basketball\r\ncourts. Kidani Village is connected to Jambo House by a half-mile\r\nwalking trail; DDV guests at either resort can use the facilities at both.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKidani Village has studios and one-, two-,\r\nand three-bedroom villas. Except for the three-bedroom units, most\r\nrooms are larger than their counterparts at Jambo House by anywhere from 50 square feet (for a studio) to more than 200 square feet (for a\r\ntwo-bedroom unit). Kidani’s villas also have one more bathroom for\r\nthe one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Because of the difference in\r\narea, one-bedroom units in Kidani Village can accommodate up to\r\nfive people, and two-bedroom units can hold up to nine with a sleeper\r\nchair in the living room.
\r\n\r\nHaving stayed at Kidani Village more than a dozen times, we think\r\nit’s quiet and relaxed. The lobby and rooms have a smaller, more personal feel than Jambo House’s. The exterior isn’t anything special:\r\nIt’s basically a set of green rectangles with oversize African-themed\r\ndecorations attached. Kidani’s distance from Jambo House makes it\r\nfeel especially remote. The bus stops are a fair distance from the main\r\nbuilding, too, and it’s easy to head in the wrong direction when you’re\r\ncoming back from the parks at night.
\r\n\r\nThe unique feature that separates Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas from not only \r\n\r\nall the other Walt Disney World resorts, but almost any hotel in the world, is \r\n\r\nthe animals. About half the rooms have a view of the hotel's savanna with \r\n\r\nvarious wild animals roaming around. You may wake up one morning and have a \r\n\r\ngiraffe looking in your window. Animal Kingdom Lodge does offer a fitness \r\n\r\ncenter.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Animal Kingdom Lodge's grounds. If \r\n\r\nyou arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not \r\n\r\nnecessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is \r\n\r\n11:00 AM. Animal Kingdom Lodge participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. \r\n
\r\nIf you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's gift shop sells MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park \r\n\r\ntickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\nBoth Jambo House and Kidani Village have studios and one-, two-,\r\nand three-bedroom villas. Most rooms at Kidani Village are larger,\r\nhowever, and the difference is anywhere from 50 square feet for a studio\r\nto more than 200 square feet for a two-bedroom unit. (The threebedroom\r\nGrand Villas at Jambo House, 148 square feet larger than\r\nthose in Kidani Village, are the exception.) Kidani’s villas also have one\r\nmore bathroom for one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Because of the\r\ndifference in area, one-bedroom units in Kidani Village can accommodate\r\nup to five people, and two-bedroom units can hold up to nine via a\r\nsleeper chair in the living room. At Jambo House, one-bedroom “value”\r\nrooms sleep four; standard, savanna, and Club Level rooms sleep five.
\r\n\r\nHaving stayed at Kidani Village more than a dozen times, we think it’s\r\nquiet and relaxed. The lobby and rooms have a smaller, more personal\r\nfeel than Jambo House’s. The exterior isn’t anything special—essentially\r\na set of green rectangles with oversize African-themed decorations\r\nattached. Kidani’s distance from Jambo House makes it feel\r\nespecially remote. The bus stops are a fair distance from the main\r\nbuilding, too, and it’s easy to head in the wrong direction when you’re\r\ncoming back from the parks at night.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKidani Village Studios: Studios sleep up to four people \r\n\r\nand include one queen-size bed and one double sleeper sofa.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKidani Village 1-Bedroom Villa: The 1-bedroom villa sleeps \r\n\r\n5 and provides a formal kitchen, a second bathroom and a living room in \r\n\r\naddition to the studio bedroom. The living room's chair and sofa fold out to \r\n\r\nprovide beds for 3 more people.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKidani Village Two-bedroom villas: Two-bedroom villas \r\n\r\nsleep nine and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, \r\n\r\nplus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with \r\n\r\ntwo queen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one- \r\n\r\nbedrooms, a sofa bed and sleeper chair in the living room provide extra places \r\n\r\nto snooze, though they're best suited to small children. Bathrooms in the \r\n\r\ntwo-bedroom villas are laid out a bit better than those in the one-bedrooms, \r\n\r\nwith more room to move about.
\r\n\r\n\r\nKidani Village Grand Villas: The two-story Grand Villas \r\n\r\nsleep 12 and include four bathrooms, the same master-bedroom layout, and two \r\n\r\nbedrooms with two queen beds apiece. An upstairs seating area overlooking the \r\n\r\nmain floor provides a sleeper sofa and chair. These rooms have two-story \r\n\r\nwindows offering unparalleled views of the resort's savanna.
\r\n\r\nA Grand Villa living room.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Villas Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's bathrooms spacious, especially in the \r\n\r\n1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and Grand Villas. Water pressure in the shower is \r\n\r\naverage - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get \r\n\r\nyour hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. A 1500-\r\n\r\nwatt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring \r\n\r\nyour own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a sliding door \r\n\r\nthat separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this \r\n\r\nmeans that 3 people can get dressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Villas have around 20 handicap-accessible rooms. \r\n\r\nSome feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. \r\n\r\nA subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our hotel \r\n\r\nroom finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas's hotel rooms based on what you see from inside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Villas has one pool. Samawati Springs Pool sits \r\n\r\nsits near the outside of the lobby at the front of the resort. There is also \r\n\r\na hot tub, kiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n\t\r\nSamawati Springs Pool ranges in depth from around 3 feet 6 \r\n\r\ninches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. The pool is open every day, including during \r\n\r\nwinter. The pools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Animal Kingdom Lodge also has a \r\n\r\nhot tub located near Samawati Springs Pool.
\r\n\r\nSamawati Springs Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests \r\n\r\ncan find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Samawati Springs Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSanaa Lunch Menu - Sanaa Dinner Menu - Sanaa Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu - Sanaa Wine List\r\n
\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village has one restaurant located downstairs from the lobby. Sanaa (sah-NAH) is not as upscale as Jiko, the resort's African restaurant, \r\n\r\nbut the kitchen offers diners a chance to sample and share a variety of \r\n\r\nIndian-African creations. Diverse Old and New World wines match the \r\n\r\ncuisine.
\r\n\r\nOne floor down from the Kidani Village lobby, Sanaa's dining room is \r\n\r\ninspired by Africa's outdoor markets, with baskets, beads, and art on the \r\n\r\nwalls. It's a cozy space, with 9-foot-tall windows that look out on the \r\n\r\nresort's savanna - giraffes, water buffalo, and other animals wander within \r\n\r\nyards of you as you dine.
\r\n\r\nAll of Animal Kingdom Lodge's other restaurant's can be found in the resort's Jambo House building.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoma Breakfast Menu - Boma Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nThe menu rarely changes, as Boma-Flavors of Africa is a favorite of locals \r\n\r\nand visitors who return time and again for the salads, roasted meats, and \r\n\r\ninteresting sauces. While Disney calls this a buffet, it's very different from \r\n\r\nwhat you'd typically expect (there are no steam tables, for starters). If you \r\n\r\nlike a major bang for your buck, try Boma.
\r\n\r\nA big dining room with side-by-side food stations that encourage diners to \r\n\r\nroam about and graze, just like the animals that wander about outside the \r\n\r\nlodge. The house specialties are watermelon rind salad; Moroccan seafood \r\n\r\nsalad; roasted meats, Durban spiced roasted chicken, and vegetable \r\n\r\nskewers.
\r\n\r\n\r\nJiko Dinner Menu - Jiko Kids Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nJiko has been winning awards and accolades (including AAA's Four Diamond \r\n\r\nAward) for its interesting fare and stellar wine list - one of the largest \r\n\r\ncollections of South African wines in any North American restaurant, with more \r\n\r\nthan 1,800 bottles. Dishes are beautifully spiced and full of flavor. Start \r\n\r\nwith some flatbread and wrap up with the Tanzanian chocolate crèmeux - a \r\n\r\nmousselike concoction with chocolate crunch, chocolate-cherry mascarpone, and \r\n\r\ncocoa nibs.
\r\n\r\nJiko has a special ambience, from the young African exchange students who \r\n\r\ngreet guests as they enter to a menu of unusual tastes. Jiko's spacious dining \r\n\r\nroom is inspired by the opening scenes of The Lion King. A pair of large \r\n\r\nwood-burning ovens dominates the center of the room.
\r\n\r\nHouse specialties are the wood-fired flatbreads; trio of dips with house-\r\n\r\nmade naan (Indian flatbread); oak-grilled filet mignon with red-wine sauce and \r\n\r\nsweet-corn risotto; maize-crusted corvine.
\r\n\r\n\r\nMara Breakfast Menu - Mara Kids Breakfast Menu - Mara Lunch/Dinner Menu - Mara Kids Lunch/Dinner \r\n\r\nMenu\r\n
\r\nThe Mara is small counter service restaurant with a limited menu. Prices \r\n\r\nrange from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. The standout \r\n\r\nitems here are the chicken or falafel pitas.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Mara participate in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit at The Mara, Boma, and Sanaa, and 2 \r\n\r\ncredits at Jiko. Tables in \r\n\r\nWonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge has one lounge and two pool bars to consume adult \r\n\r\nbeverages at. \r\nVictoria Falls Lounge is Animal Kingdom \r\n\r\nLodge's main lounge. Victoria Falls Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu \r\n\r\nwith several beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is \r\n\r\nusually open 4 PM to 9 PM daily.
\r\nUzima Springs Pool Bar is located \r\n\r\nadjacent to the Uzima Springs Pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. Uzima \r\n\r\nSprings Pool Bar has a small selection of specialty drinks, African beer and \r\n\r\nwine.
\r\nMaji Pool Bar is located near the pool at \r\n\r\nKidani Village. It also offers a selection of specialty drinks, African beer \r\n\r\nand wine, as well as limited grab-and-go dining options.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort is \r\n\r\njust off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 3 - W Osceola \r\n\r\nPkwy. Follow Osceola Pkwy for about 5.5 miles and Animal Kingdom \r\n\r\nLodge will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. If you're not \r\n\r\nrenting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort will cost between $120 and $150, \r\n\r\ndepending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Animal \r\n\r\nKingdom Lodge Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV \r\n\r\nservice or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. At \r\n\r\nthose prices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort to \r\n\r\nMagic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, \r\n\r\nBlizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, \r\n\r\nbetween the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus \r\n\r\nstop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice. Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village and Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House have their own their own bus stations but share bus service. Because of this busses will fill occasionally with people at Jambo House and then head to Kidani Village.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Animal Kingdom Lodge's bus schedule, and they'll \r\n\r\ntell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Animal Kingdom \r\n\r\nLodge's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and \r\n\r\nwhere you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 15-20 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little \r\n\r\nless frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 12 to 37 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge \r\n\r\nResort to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from \r\n\r\nthere to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's Animal \r\n\r\nKingdom Lodge Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes \r\n\r\nto 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and\r\nGrand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from Animal Kingdom \r\n\r\nLodge to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute \r\n\r\ncab ride to get to most Disney hotels from Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Uber and Lyft are often \r\n\r\nless.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nSurvival of the Fittest Fitness Center is Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas's fitness \r\n\r\ncenter and spa. It is open 24 hours a day.
\r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom Lodge's gift shop is Johari Treasures. It is located on \r\n\r\nthe right side after you enter Animal Kingdom Lodge's lobby. As you'd expect \r\n\r\nfrom a Disney gift shop, Johari Treasures has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging \r\n\r\nfrom small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets Disney Vacation Club exclusive merchandise. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in \r\n\r\nthe theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nJohari Treasures also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Johari Treasures has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.5 mile path that connects \r\n\r\nDisney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House and Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani \r\n\r\nVillage.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Animal Kingdom \r\n\r\nLodge Resort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) \r\n\r\n938-3000.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney Resort room on \r\nproperty. Click here for the Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Villas map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\n![\"7212\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl238/thumbs/7212.jpg\")
\r\nThe best views in Kidani Village are from the north-facing rooms near the bottom and middle\r\nof the backward 3. Try rooms 7X38–7X44, 7X46–7X52, 7X06–7X11,\r\n7X68–7X82, and 7X61–7X67 (X indicates numbers 0–9). These overlook\r\nthe savanna next to Jambo House’s Kudu Trail rooms and beyond into\r\nundeveloped woods. West- and south-facing rooms in the bottom half\r\nof Kidani Village overlook the parking lot; west-facing rooms in the top\r\nhalf have either pool or savanna views.
\r\n\r\n![\"7244\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl238/thumbs/7244.jpg\")
\r\n![\"7235\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl238/thumbs/7235.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Beautiful, understated lobby | \r\nSavanna views can be hit-or-miss | \r\n
| Amazing savanna views | \r\nNo quick-service dining options other\r\nthan pool bar | \r\n
| Beautiful Grand Villas sleep 12 | \r\nMust walk through parking area to get to pool | \r\n
| Sanaa restaurant is one of our favorites | \r\nNo direct nonbus transportation to any\r\ntheme park | \r\n
| Close to Jambo House amenities and\r\nrestaurants | \r\n\r\n |
| Nice pool with excellent splash area | \r\n\r\n |
| Under-building parking close to elevators | \r\n\r\n |
| Great fitness center | \r\n\r\n |
This Disney Deluxe Villa property is purportedly inspired by\r\ngrand Atlantic seaside homes of the early 20th century. In point of fact,\r\nthere’s little to differentiate the Beach Club Villas from the Yacht &\r\nBeach Club Resorts, or from the parts of the BoardWalk Inn & Villas\r\nthat don’t front the BoardWalk.
\r\nConfigured roughly in the shape of a fat Y or slingshot, the Beach\r\nClub Villas are set back away from the lake adjoining the front of the\r\nBeach Club Resort. Arrayed in connected four- and five-story taffyblue\r\nsections topped with cupolas, the villas are festooned with white\r\nwoodwork and slat-railed balconies. The effect is clean, breezy, and\r\nevocative . . . though of what exactly we’re not sure.
\r\n\r\nAccommodations include studios, which have a kitchenette, a queen\r\nbed, a single pull-down bed, and a sleeper sofa, and one- and twobedroom\r\nvillas with full kitchens. The rooms are a bit small but attractively\r\ndecorated in neutral shades accented by seashore-themed art.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl004/overview/bcvmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort map\r\n
\r\nA Springfield, Illinois, reader found her studio villa somewhat lacking\r\nin terms of space and amenities:
\r\n\r\n\r\n(1) There’s very little space to unpack and store clothes. Drawer space\r\nis minimal, which left me living out of my suitcase. (2) No full-length\r\nmirror, which is inconvenient not to have when you have one at home.\r\n(3) The pullout vanity mirror is not height-adjustable.\r\n\r\n
Regarding her last point, we’ve also seen the vanity mirrors mounted\r\nat different heights in different bathrooms.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club Resort Villas share restaurants, pools, and other amenities \r\n\r\nwith the Yacht Club Resort and Beach Club Villas. A small business center \r\n\r\nserves guests' work needs for both the Yacht and Beach Clubs and Beach Club \r\n\r\nVillas. Please read our description of the Yacht & Beach Club resorts for information \r\n\r\nabout amenities shared with that resort.
\r\n\r\nWe don't like the Beach Villas as well as the Copper Creek\r\nVillas, which are newer and better appointed, or the villas of Disney's Old Key West Resort which are roomier, more luxurious, and more private. The\r\nBeach Club Villas have their own modest swimming pool but otherwise\r\nshare the restaurants, facilities, and transportation options of the\r\nadjoining Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. The villas’ strengths and weaknesses\r\ninclude all of those listed for the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.\r\nAdditional strengths include laundry and kitchen facilities in the oneand\r\ntwo-bedroom units, and self-parking directly adjacent to the building.\r\nThe villas’ one additional weakness is that they offer no lake views.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club Villas have two major advantageous over other hotels. One, you can walk to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot in less than 10 minutes. And two, the Beach Club Resort has the best pool of all the Walt Disney World resorts. Unlike other DVC resorts, there are no Grand Villas at Beach Club Resort Villas.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach portion of the Beach Club Resort.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Beach Club Villa's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Beach Club Villas is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nBeach Club participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nBeach Club's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort Villas's registration staff can provide MagicBands \r\n\r\nfor your stay, if you don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and \r\n\r\ndining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Beach Club beach is especially nice at sunset.\r\n
\r\nBeach Club Villas Studios: Studios sleep up to five people and include one pull out bed, one queen-size bed and one double sleeper sofa. The total Studio room size is 356 square feet, with about half of that being dedicated to the kitchen and bathroom area.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Villas 1-Bedroom Villa: The 1-bedroom villa sleeps 4 and provides a formal kitchen and a living room in addition to the bedroom. The living room's sofa folds out to provide beds for 2 more people. 1-Bedrooms Villas are 726 square feet.
\r\n\r\nBeach Club Villas Two-bedroom Villas: Two-bedroom villas \r\n\r\nsleep eight and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, plus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with two queen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-\r\nbedrooms, a sofa bed in the living room provide extra places to snooze, though they're best suited to small children. It should be noted that dedicated two-bedroom villas sleep eight, while lockoff two bedroom villas sleep nine thanks to an extra pullout bed. Bathrooms in the two-bedroom villas are laid out a bit better than those in the one-bedrooms, \r\nwith more room to move about. Two-Bedroom Villas are 1,083 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\nKitchen area in a Beach Club Villas.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nBeach Club's bathrooms aren't big, but they also aren't as \r\n\r\nsmall as the ones you'll find in Disney's moderate or value resort rooms. \r\n\r\nLuckily you won't feel claustrophobic in your room's bathroom. Water pressure \r\n\r\nin the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still \r\n\r\nenough to get your hair clean. Eventually.
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, and \r\n\r\nenough counter space to fit most of the toiletries you would need. There are \r\n\r\nalso two shelves under the sink that provide a small amount of storage. A \r\n\r\n1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; \r\n\r\nbring your own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a \r\n\r\nsliding door that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the \r\n\r\nbathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort Villas have around 20 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Dunes Cove Pool is 55,350-gallon pool exclusively for use by guests of Disney’s Beach Club Villas. While it is a nice pool, you'll probably want to spend most of your time at Yacht & Beach Club's Stormalong Bay.
\r\n\r\nYacht & Beach Club has three pools. The largest, Stormalong Bay, sits along Crescent \r\n\r\nLake and is arguably the best pool in all of Walt Disney World. The main \r\n\r\nfeature of the pool is the large shipwreck along the outside the houses a \r\n\r\nwaterslide. A must-experience feature of this pool is the sand that covers the \r\n\r\nbottom of most of the pool. There is also a hot tub, kiddie pool and water \r\n\r\nplay area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nTwo other smaller pools are located on the far right and left of the resort. These pools \r\n\r\nare basic concrete pools and are considered \"quiet pools,\" meaning that \r\n\r\nloud play and splashing around are discouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nYacht & Beach Club's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82F/28C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40F/4C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock.
\r\n\r\nStormalong Bay has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests \r\n\r\ncan find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much \r\n\r\nas 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n Stormalong Bay Pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\nStormalong Bay's shipwreck\r\n
\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Villas has no restaurants of its own, but there are plenty of excellent dining options located at Yacht & Beach Club.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCape May Cafe Goofy's Beach Club Character Breakfast - Cape May Cafe Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nCape May has been a favorite for years because of its consistently good food and efficient service. While the restaurant is large and tables turn over rapidly, Advance Reservations are recommended. Because Cape May is within easy walking distance of the World Showcase entrance to Epcot, it's a convenient and affordable place to dine before IllumiNations. The natural-finish wood furniture and padded booths are in a clean, nautical New England style.
\r\n\r\nThe buffet features peel-and-eat shrimp, tasty (albeit chewy) clams, mussels, snow-crab legs, fish of the day, hand-carved flank steak, barbecued ribs, chicken, corn on the cob, Caesar salad, and a good dessert bar. The kids' bar includes chicken nuggets and mac-and-cheese.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeaches & Cream Lunch/Dinner Menu - Beaches & Cream Kid's Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nCasual eats with a retro soda-fountain decor. There's often a line as guests in bathing suits and flip-flops queue up for the hearty burgers (veggie burgers, too) and piles of hot fries.
\r\n\r\nSignature items include burgers (singles and doubles) and fries; giant hot dogs; hand-scooped ice cream including the gargantuan Kitchen Sink dessert, with five flavors of ice cream smothered in topping.
\r\nBeaches & Cream also has a quick service counter with a smaller menu.
\r\n\r\nThe legendary Kitchen Sink ice cream sundae.
\r\n\r\nHurricane Hanna's Lunch/Dinner Menu - Hurricane Hanna's Kid's Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nHurricane Hanna's Grill is a quick service restaurant located poolside at Stormalong Bay. Besides the usual assortment of Disney burgers Hanna's has a \r\n\r\nLobster, Shrimp and Scallop Roll that we've received positive feedback about. \r\n\r\nAll seating at Hurricane Hanna's is outdoors.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace Breakfast Menu - \r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace Kids' Breakfast \r\n\r\nMenu - Beach Club Marketplace Lunch/Dinner \r\n\r\nMenu - Beach Club Marketplace Kid's Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nBeach Club Marketplace is small counter service restaurant with a limited \r\n\r\nmenu. Prices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. \r\n\r\nThe standout items here are the fresh made pastries.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Beach Club Marketplace and Hurricane Hanna's Grill also participate in \r\n\r\nDisney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Beach Club participate in the Disney Dining Plan; meals cost 1 credit. Tables in Wonderland cardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own \r\n\r\ndelivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and \r\n\r\nsodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below \r\n\r\naverage. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or \r\n\r\ncalling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 PM to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs \r\n\r\naround $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will tack on an 18% tip, \r\n$3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you $40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\n\r\nMartha's Vineyard Lounge is Beach \r\n\r\nClub's lounge. Martha's Vineyard has indoor seating and a full drink menu, \r\n\r\nwith several beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. Ale and \r\n\r\nCompass Lounge and Crew's Cup Lounge are usually open 4 PM to 12 AM daily.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Beach Club Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr. and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Turn right onto World Drive \r\n\r\nand then left on Epcot Resorts Blvd. Follow Epcot Resorts Blvd and Beach Club \r\n\r\nwill be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Beach Club Resort. If you're not renting a car, \r\n\r\nbe aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Yacht Club \r\n\r\nResort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-\r\n\r\npassenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Beach Club Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Yacht Club Resort to Magic \r\n\r\nKingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, \r\n\r\nTyphoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. No bus transportation is \r\n\r\nprovided to Epcot's main entrance. \r\nDisney's Beach Club Resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, \r\n\r\nbetween the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus \r\n\r\nstop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice. Disney's Beach Club Resort shares bus service with Yacht Club.\r\n
\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can also be accessed by boat from the \r\n\r\ndock near Stormalong Bay. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, \r\n\r\nso if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses.
\r\nWhy take a bus to Epcot or Disney's Hollywood Studios when you can take a \r\n\r\nboat?
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Beach Club's bus schedule, and they'll tell you \r\n\r\nthat buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Beach Club's bus schedule \r\n\r\nvaries considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the \r\n\r\nsame early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-13 minutes, on average. \r\n\r\nBus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less \r\n\r\nfrequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 19 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Beach Club Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake a Disney bus from Disney's Beach Club Resort to Disney Springs (or an \r\n\r\nopen theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. \r\n\r\nDo the reverse to get back to Disney's Yacht Club Resort. While that's free, \r\n\r\nit can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination \r\n\r\nis \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Beach Club to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from Beach Club, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's BoardWalk Resort or \r\n\r\nthe Swan & Dolphin hotels. This option can also take some time depending on \r\n\r\nwhere you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach from Disney's Beach Club Resort \r\n\r\nDisney does not make it particularly easy to get to and from their water parks. For Typhoon Lagoon, guests must take a bus to Disney Springs and switch to a Typhoon Lagoon bus. For Blizzard Beach, the transfer must be made at Disney's Animal Kingdom. While the double bus trip is annoying on the way there that's nothing to returning while wet and tired. We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that or attempt to find another way.
\r\n\r\nShopping, recreational activities and the resort's health club are all found at the main Yacht & Beach Club building.
\r\n\r\nShip Shape Health Club is Beach Club's fitness center and \r\n\r\nspa. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 6:00 AM \r\n\r\nto 9:00 PM. Massage, facial, and body treatment services are available.
\r\n\r\nWatercraft Rentals are available in Crescent Lake 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. \r\n\r\nKayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, and Sea Raycers can be rented. Prices \r\n\r\nvary.
\r\nBeach Club's gift shop is Beach Club Marketplace. As you'd expect from a \r\n\r\nDisney gift shop, Everything Pop has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging \r\n\r\nfrom small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and \r\n\r\nDisney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in \r\n\r\nthe theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeach Club Marketplace also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the \r\n\r\nlike. And Beach Club Marketplace has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAlso located near Stormalong Bay is the Lafferty Place \r\n\r\nArcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\nWalkers, joggers, and runners can find a jogging trail at Disney's Beach Club Resort. It is a scenic 0.8-mile course around around Crescent Lake. Thanks to bridges over Crescent Lake guests are able to make a full circle while passing by the Yacht & Beach Club, BoardWalk Resort, and the Swan & Dolphin Resorts.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n
\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Beach Club \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 934-3090.\r\n
\r\nAlthough the studios and\r\nvillas are attractive and livable, the location of the Beach Club Villas—\r\nbetween parking lots, roads, and canals—leaves much to be desired.\r\nRooms facing the pool offer a limited view of a small canal but are\r\nsubject to traffic noise. Ditto for the rooms on the northeast side, but\r\nthey don’t face the pool. Only southeast-facing rooms provide both\r\na scenic landscape (woods) and relative relief from traffic noise. The\r\nnearby road is two lanes only, and traffic noise probably won’t bother\r\nyou if you’re indoors with the balcony door closed, but for the bucks\r\nyou shell out to stay at the villas, you can easily find nicer, quieter\r\naccommodations elsewhere on Disney property. If you elect to stay at\r\nthe Beach Club Villas, go for odd-numbered rooms 225–251, 325–351,\r\n425–451, and 525–551.\r\n\r\n Click here for the Disney's Beach Club Villas map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"172\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl004/thumbs/172.jpg\")
\r\n![\"102\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl004/thumbs/102.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl004/thumbs/166.jpg\")
\r\n![\"145\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl004/thumbs/145.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Walking distance to Epcot’s\r\nInternational Gateway | \r\nLack of good quick-service dining | \r\n
| Best pool complex of any WDW resort | \r\nViews and balcony size are hit-or-miss | \r\n
| Walk, boat, or Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios | \r\nBus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| Spacious villas with kitchens or kitchenettes | \r\nNo 3 BR Grand Villas | \r\n
| Close to many BoardWalk and\r\nEpcot dining options | \r\nFewer baths\r\nper bedroom than newer DVC properties | \r\n
On Crescent Lake across from the Yacht & Beach Club, the Board-\r\nWalk Inn is another of Disney’s Deluxe resorts. The complex is a detailed\r\nreplica of an early-20th-century East Coast beach boardwalk. Facades of\r\nhotels, diners, and shops create an inviting and exciting waterfront skyline.\r\nThink HBO’s Boardwalk Empire minus the icky criminal element.
\r\n\r\nIn reality, the BoardWalk Inn & Villas comprise a single integrated\r\nstructure behind the facades. Restaurants and shops occupy the boardwalk\r\nlevel, while accommodations rise to six stories above. The inn and\r\nvillas share a pool featuring an old-fashioned amusement park theme;\r\nthere are also two quiet pools for adults.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe BoardWalk Inn’s 378 Deluxe rooms measure 371 square feet\r\neach. Most contain two queen-size beds with hardwood headboards,\r\nan upholstered daybed, a cherry desk and chair, a minifridge, a coffee\r\nmaker, and ceiling fan. Decor includes yellow-and-white-striped wallpaper,\r\ngreen carpet, and blue-and-gray curtains. Closet space exceeds\r\nthat of rooms in other Deluxe resorts. Most rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\nReaders give the inn high marks for room quality and check-in efficiency.\r\nService is excellent. The complex is within walking distance of\r\nEPCOT and is connected to other destinations by bus and boat. Walking\r\ntime to transportation loading areas from the most remote rooms is\r\n5–6 minutes. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the Skyliner’s International\r\nGateway station at EPCOT, if you’d rather use that to get to the Studios.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/overview/bwvmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Villas Map\r\n
\r\nThe inn and villas are well staffed and offer excellent service. They’re also home to some of Disney World’s better restaurants and shops, including the BoardWalk Bakery, serving lunch sandwiches and salads along with morning pastries and coffee. The complex is within walking distance of Epcot and is connected to other destinations by bus and boat. Walking time to transportation loading areas from the most remote rooms is 5–6 minutes.
\r\n\r\nReader comments about the BoardWalk Inn & Villas include the following. From an Iowa City, Iowa, family:
\r\n\r\n\r\nWe were surprised that so relatively few rooms at the BoardWalk Inn have interesting views. We were in a group staying there before a Disney cruise, and the one couple who actually had a view of the BoardWalk said it was noisy.\r\n\r\n
A number of readers have complained about the bus service at the BoardWalk Inn. This comment is typical:
\r\nThe transportation by bus (to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom) was the worst. We waited at least 40 minutes every time and almost missed a dinner reservation (for which we had left 1½ hours early).\r\n\r\n
The unique feature that separates BoardWalk from other resorts is the \r\n\r\nattached BoardWalk shopping and dining district. It contains a number of \r\n\r\nunique restaurants and lounges. Also, being able to walk or ride a boat to \r\n\r\nEpcot is a huge advantage.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to BoardWalk's grounds. If you arrive \r\nby car, you'll need to provide photo id at the gate; it's not necessary to \r\n\r\nprovide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at BoardWalk Villas is 4:00 pm, and check-out time is 11:00 am. \r\n\r\nBoardWalk participates in Disney's \r\nonline check-in program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nBoardwalks's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nregistration/check-in area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nid and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, \r\n\r\nif you don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and dining reservations \r\n\r\nat the concierge desk, to the \r\nright of the registration desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The concierge desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\nThe 532 BoardWalk Villas are decorated in similar pastels—lots of\r\nlight green, pink, and blue—with bright tiles in the kitchens and bathrooms.\r\nVillas range from 412 to 2,491 square feet (studio through\r\nthree-bedroom) and sleep 4–12 people. Many villas have full kitchens,\r\nlaundry rooms, and whirlpool tubs. the villas tend to be more expensive\r\nthan similar accommodations at other Disney resorts—you pay\r\nfor the address.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_0.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\nA BoardWalk 1-Bedroom Villa.\r\n
\r\nBoardWalk Studios: Studios sleep up to five people and \r\n\r\ninclude one queen-size bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one small fold-down bed suitable for a child or small adult. BoardWalk studios are \r\n\r\n412 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk One-Bedroom Villa: The 1-bedroom villa sleeps 4 \r\n\r\nand provides a formal kitchen, a second bathroom and a living room in addition \r\n\r\nto the studio bedroom. The living room's sofa folds out to provide \r\n\r\nbeds for 2 more people. BoardWalk one-bedroom villas are 814 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Two-Bedroom Villas: Two-bedroom villas sleep \r\nnine and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, plus an \r\nextra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with two \r\nqueen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-bedrooms, a sofa bed and sleeper chair in the living room provide extra places to snooze, though they're best suited to small children. Bathrooms in the two-bedroom villas are laid out a bit better than those in the one-bedrooms, with more room to move about. BoardWalk two-bedroom villas are 1,236 square feet.
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Grand Villas: The two-story grand villas sleep \r\n\r\n12 and include four bathrooms, the same master-bedroom layout, and two \r\n\r\nbedrooms with two queen beds apiece. An upstairs seating area overlooking the \r\n\r\nmain floor provides a sleeper sofa and chair. BoardWalk grand \r\n\r\nvillas are 2,491 square feet.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/overview/bwvlayout.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort room layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn resort has around 27 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our Hotel Room \r\n\r\nFinder to see which rooms have which feature.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people want \r\n\r\nsomething\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of BoardWalk Inn's hotel rooms based on what you see from \r\n\r\ninside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:
\r\nBoardWalk Inn has three pools. The largest, Luna Park pool, sits in the \r\n\r\nBoardWalk Villas section of the resort near the the lobby. There is also a hot tub, kiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe other smaller pool is located at the far east side of the resort wing \r\n\r\nof the resort. This pool is also a basic concrete pool and is considered a \r\n\r\n\"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are discouraged. the final quiet pool is located near the southern tip of the BoardWalk Villas building.
\r\n\t\r\nBoardWalk's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pools are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. BoardWalk also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Luna Park pool.
\r\n\r\nLuna Park pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests \r\n\r\ncan find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much \r\n\r\nas 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located near Luna Park pool. The set has a small \r\n\r\nplastic slide and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no \r\n\r\nswings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber surface.\r\n
\r\nThe BoardWalk area of the BoardWalk resort has a large variety of \r\n\r\nrestaurants and lounges. BoardWalk bakery, BoardWalk joe's, BoardWalk Pizza \r\n\r\nwindow, and BoardWalk To Go are all counter service \r\n\r\nrestaurants for those looking for something quick. If you're looking to sit \r\n\r\ndown and have a meal there's Big River Grille & Brewing Works, ESPN Club, \r\n\r\nand Flying Fish Cafe.
\r\n\r\n\r\nFlying Fish Cafe dinner menu -\r\nFlying Fish Cafe kids dinner menu -\r\nFlying Fish Cafe Dine with an Imagineer Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nFlying Fish has a contemporary setting inspired by a 1930s Coney Island \r\n\r\nroller coaster (The coaster was actually called The Flying Turns, and one of \r\n\r\nthe cars on the ride was dubbed the Flying Fish). Booth backs resemble the \r\n\r\nclimbs and swoops of a coaster. On the far wall is a stylized depiction of \r\n\r\nferris wheel, and whimsical fish fly overhead on a parachute ride. Diners may \r\n\r\nchoose to sit at the counter that overlooks the bar or the open kitchen.
\r\nLocals love the Flying Fish Cafe, and for good reason. Though this is food for \r\n\r\ngrown-ups, you'll often see children in the noisy dining room because of the \r\n\r\nBoardWalk location (their menu includes fish of the day and a grilled steak). \r\n\r\nIf you can't get a table, check on seating availability at the counter - Chef \r\n\r\nKeating also has a special menu at the \"chef's counter,\" but you have to book \r\n\r\nthat in advance.
\r\n\r\nChef Tim Keating, a repeat James Beard Foundation finalist, is a big \r\n\r\nproponent of Florida products, from seafood to meats, fruits, and vegetables. \r\n\r\nThe fare here changes frequently, but you'll always find the potato-wrapped \r\n\r\nsnapper, the restaurant's signature dish, served with creamy leek fondue and a \r\n\r\nred wine-butter sauce; char-crusted New York strip steak; and the lump crab \r\n\r\ncakes. Desserts are seasonal, but the house-made sorbets and caramelized-\r\n\r\nbanana napoleon are divine.
\r\n\r\nFor a special experience, you can book the chef's tasting wine dinner. \r\n\r\nSitting at the chef's counter, you can watch the chef create the six courses \r\n\r\nfor your meal. Each course is paired with a wine that is selected by the \r\n\r\nmanager. This experience is designed for ages 14 and up, and you must make \r\n\r\nreservations at least one day in advance.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTrattoria al Forno Dinner Menu - Trattoria al Forno Kids Dinner Menu - Trattoria al Forno Breakfast Menu - Trattoria al Forno Kids Breakfast Menu
\r\n\r\nThe big dining room feels a little more personal, with three different “dining areas” and a private room at the back and an open kitchen for watching the action, including a wood-burning oven. Our favorite spot is the “formal dining room” right in front of the kitchen, where it’s a little less noisy (and carpeted), or one of the booths at the back. Servers tend to be a little overattentive. There’s also a quickservice window streetside to soothe the urgent pizza craving.
\r\n\r\nThe kitchen is doing things right—making mozzarella and ciabatta daily, rolling out fresh pasta (cavatelli), slicing cured meats with a beautiful Italian flywheel. The wine list is carefully curated, with labels from all of Italy’s major regions and more than 30 available by the glass or quartino. Breakfast is one of the best on Disney property.
\r\n\r\nBeginning in spring 2017, Trattoria Al Forno will offer a character breakfast featuring \"royal couples\" such as Rapunzel & Flynn Rider and Ariel & Prince Eric.
\r\n\r\n\r\nESPN Club Lunch/Dinner Menu - \r\nESPN Club Lunch/Dinner Menu -\r\nESPN Club Kids Complete Meals\r\n
\r\n\r\nA sports bar to the nth degree, with basketball-court flooring, sports \r\n\r\nmemorabilia, and more television monitors than a network affiliate. The bar \r\n\r\narea has satellite sports-trivia video games. A large octagonal room with a \r\n\r\nwall of TVs serves as the main dining room.
\r\n\r\nESPN Club is family-friendly and one of the cheapest dining spots on the \r\n\r\nBoardWalk. Service is a little more brusque than at other Disney restaurants. \r\n\r\nPortions are large, and the quality is in line with the price. A good choice \r\n\r\nfor late-night dining or when you have to choose between going out for a bite \r\n\r\nand staying in the room to catch the big game.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/DSCF3229.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBig River Grille Lunch/Dinner Menu - \r\nBig River Grille Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\nRun by a Tennessee company, Big River Grille seems like an afterthought along the \r\n\r\nBoardWalk and competes with nearby ESPN Club for the burger-and-brew crowd. \r\n\r\nBut if you're looking for handcrafted beers, this is the place - they serve \r\n\r\nfive beers, including a light lager, a robust ale, and seasonal choices. A \r\n\r\ngood late-night dining choice.
\r\n\r\nIndustrial cubist murals of factories, machinist-metal and wood chairs and \r\n\r\ntables, and a midnight-blue neon river that flows along the ceiling of the \r\n\r\nrestaurant set a working-class atmosphere. The place is small - it seems like \r\n\r\nthe huge copper brewing tanks take up more room than that allotted to the \r\n\r\ndiners. Outside seating and service is available, weather permitting.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Bakery Lunch/Dinner Menu - BoardWalk Bakery Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu - \r\n\r\nBoardWalk Bakery Breakfast Menu
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Bakery is small counter service restaurant with a limited \r\n\r\nmenu. The menu is made up of sandwiches, salads, and a selection of pastries. \r\n\r\nDuring breakfast hours BoardWalk Bakery sells a popular bread bowl filled with \r\n\r\nscrambled eggs and potatoes.
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/DSCF3234.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Joe's is a counter with a small selection of margaritas. You can \r\nalso grab a pretzel or a bag of roasted almonds for a snack.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Pizza window Lunch/Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Pizza window sells whole pizzas or by the slice.
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk To Go sells hot dogs, corn dogs, ravioli, mozzarella sticks, \r\n\r\nchicken, meatball sub, nachos, fries, onion rings, beverages. Grab a footlong \r\n\r\ncorn dog, you won't be sorry... actually your stomach may be sorry.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk Bakery, BoardWalk Joe’s, and BoardWalk Pizza Window \r\nparticipate in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe break-even point for the refillable mug program seems to \r\n\r\nbe around 3 visits on the 1-day plan; 4 visits on the 2-day plan; 5 on the 3-\r\n\r\nday plan; and 6 visits for stays of 4\r\n or more days. Keep in mind that if you buy a regular $3 fountain soda at any \r\n\r\nmeal, you get unlimited refills during that meal. So for the refillable mug \r\n\r\nprogram to make sense,\r\n you'll need to drink soda with at least 3 separate meals on the 1-day plan, \r\n\r\nor 5 separate meals on the 2-day plan. In those cases, it would be hard to get \r\n\r\ntoo far from a bathroom,\r\n let alone all the way to the parks.\r\n
\r\nRestaurants at BoardWalk participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 2 credits at Flying Fish and 1 credit other \r\n\r\nrestaurants. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own \r\n\r\ndelivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and \r\n\r\nsodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below \r\n\r\naverage. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or \r\n\r\ncalling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 pm to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs \r\n\r\naround $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will \r\n\r\ntack on an 18% tip, \r\n$3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you \r\n\r\n$40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBoardWalk has one lounge and two pool bars to consume adult beverages \r\n\r\nat. \r\nBelle Vue Lounge is BoardWalk \r\n\r\nInn's main lounge. Belle Vue Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu \r\n\r\nwith several beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is \r\n\r\nusually open 4 pm to 12 am daily.
\r\n\r\nLeaping Horse Libations is located \r\n\r\nadjacent to the Luna Park pool. Leaping Horse Libations has a small selection \r\n\r\nof specialty drinks, beer and wine, as well as limited grab-and-go dining \r\n\r\noptions.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nDriving your own car Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort is just \r\n\r\noff of i-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take i-4 exit 67 - Epcot Center \r\n\r\nDr.. Take Buena Vista Dr for about 1.2 miles to Epcot Resorts Blvd. \r\n\r\nTurn right on Epcot Resorts Blvd and BoardWalk Inn will be on your left.\r\n
\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Villas GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport it's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's BoardWalk \r\n\r\nInn resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-\r\n\r\npassenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort to Magic \r\n\r\nKingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard \r\n\r\nBeach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Disney's BoardWalk \r\n\r\nInn resort's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the \r\n\r\nlobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere \r\n\r\nalong\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice.\r\n
\r\nEpcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios can also be accessed by boat from the \r\n\r\ndock near on the BoardWalk. Boat service may be suspended during \r\n\r\nthunderstorms, so if it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will \r\n\r\nprovide buses.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about BoardWalk Inn's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, BoardWalk Inn's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 am and 11 am, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-15 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little \r\n\r\nless frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 am to around 4 pm, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort's bus service \r\n\r\nannually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's BoardWalk Inn \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's BoardWalk Inn resort to \r\n\r\nDisney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to \r\n\r\nyour destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's BoardWalk Inn \r\n\r\nresort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours \r\n\r\neach way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the Polynesian, and the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from BoardWalk Inn to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from BoardWalk Inn, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nYou can also take a boat in Crescent Lake to Disney's BoardWalk Resort or \r\n\r\nthe Swan & Dolphin hotels. This option can also take some time depending on \r\n\r\nwhere you are going and how frequent the boats are running.
\r\nTo Universal Orlando if you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nMuscles & Bustles Health Club is BoardWalk's fitness \r\n\r\ncenter. It is open 24 hours a day but attendants are only available from 6:00 \r\n\r\nam to 9:00 pm.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoardWalk's main gift shop is Screen Door General Store. It is located \r\n\r\non the BoardWalk near the boat dock. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, \r\n\r\nit has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such \r\n\r\nas keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. \r\n\r\nPrices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nScreen Door General Store also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the \r\n\r\nlike. Screen Door General Store has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\nLocated next to Muscles & Bustles Health Club is the Slide Show \r\n\r\nGames Arcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent \r\n\r\nvideo and arcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail at \r\n\r\nDisney's BoardWalk Inn Resort. Tt is a scenic 0.8-mile course around around \r\n\r\nCrescent Lake. Thanks to bridges over Cresent Lake guests are able to make a \r\n\r\nfull circle while passing by the Yacht & Beach Club and the Swan & Dolphin \r\n\r\nresorts.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nEvery Monday and Wednesday, Yoga is available 8:15 to 8:45 AM at Village Green. Participation is free but limited to the first 20 Guests. Mats and towels are provided.
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's BoardWalk Resort's \r\nLost and Found department by calling (407) 939-6200.\r\n
\r\nGuests over 21 can enjoy Jellyrolls, a bar with dueling \r\n\r\npianos and audience sing-alongs. The stage is raised and has large mirrors \r\n\r\nbehind the performers and a lightshow happens as the pianists take turns \r\n\r\nplaying and engaging the audience. This location is very popular so it is \r\n\r\nrecommended that you show up early if you want a table.
\r\nGuests 21 and over who enjoy dancing should check out the Atlantic \r\n\r\nDance Hall, which is nightclub that plays songs from the '80s, '90s \r\nand today. Atlantic Dance Hall's hours depend on the season but they are \r\nusually open 9:00 pm to 1:45 am.
","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on \r\n\r\nproperty. Click here for the Disney's BoardWalk Villas map and to choose a room \r\n\r\nto see the view.
\r\n\r\nMost\r\nvillas overlook a canal to the west, with the Swan resort and its access\r\nroad and parking lots on the far side. Worse are the rooms that front\r\nBoardWalk’s entrance and car lots. As at the inn, the villas offer only a\r\nhandful of rooms with good views. Odd-numbered rooms 3001–3047,\r\n4001–4047, and 5001–5047 afford dynamic views of the promenade\r\nand Crescent Lake, with EPCOT in the background. Rooms X05, X07,\r\nX13, X15, X29, and X31 are studios. They’re a little noisy if you open\r\nyour balcony door but otherwise offer a glimpse of one of Walt Disney\r\nWorld’s more happening places.
\r\n\r\n![\"1121\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1121.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1127.jpg\")
\r\nMost Villas overlook a canal to the west\r\nwith the Swan resort and its access road and parking lots on the far\r\nside. Worse are the rooms that front BoardWalk’s entrance and car\r\nlots. As at the inn, the villas offer only a handful of rooms with good\r\nviews. Odd-numbered rooms 3001–3047, 4001–4047, and 5001–\r\n5047 afford dynamic views of the Promenade and Crescent Lake,\r\nwith Epcot in the background. Rooms X05, X07, X13, X15, X29,\r\nand X31 are studios. They’re a little noisy if you open your balcony\r\ndoor but otherwise offer a glimpse of one of Disney World’s more happening places. Unless you bag one of these rooms, however, you’ll\r\nspend a bundle for a very average (or worse) view.
\r\n\r\n![\"1001\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1001.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1004\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1004.jpg\")
\r\nPromenade-facing villa rooms have noise issues identical to those\r\nof their inn counterparts. The midsection of the canal-facing villas looks out onto the Luna Park Pool, which gets extremely noisy during\r\nthe day. Some quieter villas located away from the promenade have\r\nviews of the canal and a partially enclosed quiet pool. Rooms on the\r\nopposite side of this wing are almost as quiet; their downside is that\r\nthey face the BoardWalk’s parking lot.
\r\n\r\n![\"1046\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1046.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1026\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/thumbs/1026.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Walking distance to Epcot’s International\r\nGateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios | \r\nLong, confusing hallways | \r\n
| Vast selection of dining options for adults | \r\nSome may find room theming overly fussy | \r\n
| Fitness center is larger than Yacht & Beach\r\nClub’s | \r\nLimited quick-service dining options\r\nsuitable for children | \r\n
| \r\n | Clown pool may freak you out | \r\n
| \r\n | Bus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal\r\nKingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs\r\nis shared with other Epcot resorts | \r\n
| \r\n | Boardwalk-facing rooms can be noisy | \r\n
Although the resort is a\r\ntime-share property, units not being used by owners are rented on a\r\nnightly basis. Old Key West Resort is a large aggregation of two- to\r\nthree-story buildings modeled after Caribbean-style residences and\r\nguesthouses of the Florida Keys. Set subdivision-style around a golf\r\ncourse and along Bonnet Creek, the buildings are arranged in small,\r\nneighborhood-like clusters. They feature pastel facades, white trim, and\r\nshuttered windows.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOld Key West has centralized many of its services and amenities into two adjacent\r\nareas. The Hospitality Area includes Hospitality House for resort registration; Olivia's Cafe restaurant and Gurgling Suitcase bar; and Conch Flats General Store for gifts and sundries. \r\n
\r\nThe Recreation Area sits next to the Hospitality Area, and includes Community Hall for socializing, a modest fitness center, and a marina.
\r\n\r\nEach cluster of resort buildings has a quiet pool; the resort's main pool - The Sandcastle Pool - is at the Hospitality Area. (A waterslide in the shape of a giant\r\nsand castle highlights the pool.)
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort map\r\n
\r\nOld Key West boasts some of the roomiest accommodations at\r\nWalt Disney World, with all rooms having been refurbished in 2018.\r\nStudios are 376 square feet; one-bedroom villas, 942; and two-bedroom\r\nvillas, 1,333. Studios contain two queen-size beds, a table and two\r\nchairs, and an extra vanity outside the bathroom. One-bedroom villas have a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size sleeper\r\nsofa in the living room, a laundry room, and a full kitchen with coffee\r\nmaker. Two-bedroom villas feature a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size sleeper sofa and fold-out chair in the living room,\r\nand two queen beds in the second bedroom. Closets are large enough\r\nto hold your entire wardrobe\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n Studios and villas are tastefully decorated. The latest refurbishment\r\ntoned down the Key West beach theme while adding subtle Disney\r\ncharacters—we like it. Kitchen cabinets and TVs, along with the living\r\nroom and bedroom furniture, were also upgraded. One-bedroom and\r\nlarger villas have wood flooring instead of carpet.
\r\n\r\nTransportation to other Disney World destinations is by bus. Walking\r\ntime to transportation loading areas from the most remote rooms\r\nis about 6 minutes.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn Erie, Pennsylvania, reader thinks it’s Walt\r\nDisney World’s best-kept secret:
\r\nOld Key West has the most spacious rooms and the easiest access\r\nto your car—right outside your door! There are a number of small,\r\nalmost private pools, so you don’t have to go to the main pool to swim.\r\n\r\n
Old Key West is different because of its location. The resort is located \r\n\r\ndownstream from Disney Springs, and can be \r\n\r\naccessed via a short boat ride. If you like larger rooms, you’ll probably be a \r\n\r\nfan of Old Key West. Likely due to it being the first Disney Vacation Club \r\n\r\nresort, rooms here are larger than at all other Disney Vacation Club \r\n\r\nresorts.
\r\n\r\n\r\nTransportation and lack of on-site dining options are Old Key West’s\r\nmain weaknesses with readers. This family from Basingstoke, England,\r\nalso found that the groundskeepers often get started early in summer:\t
\r\nWe enjoyed our stay at Old Key West, but we would not return as\r\nwe found it a bit noisy. Crews were leaf-blowing at 6:40 one morning, and the rooms are not soundproofed well at all. We also found\r\nthe quick-service breakfast offerings very limited.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Old Key West's grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Old Key West is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. Old \r\n\r\nKey West participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n\r\nOld Key West's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOld Key West' lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets while another adult is wrapping up the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Key West Studios: Studios sleep up to four people and \r\n\r\ninclude two queen-size beds. The total Studio room \r\n\r\nsize is 376 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Key West one-Bedroom Villa: The one-bedroom villa \r\n\r\nsleeps 5 and provides a formal kitchen and a living room in \r\n\r\naddition to the studio bedroom. The living room's sofa and chair both fold out to provide \r\n\r\nbeds for up to 3 more people. One-Bedrooms Villas are 942 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Key West Two-bedroom villas: Two-bedroom villas sleep \r\n\r\neight and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, plus an \r\n\r\nextra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with two \r\n\r\nqueen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-bedrooms, \r\n\r\na sofa bed in the living room provide extra places to snooze. Two-Bedroom \r\n\r\nVillas are 1,333 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Key West Grand Villas: The two-story Grand Villas \r\n\r\nsleep 12 and include four bathrooms and the same master-bedroom layout. One bedroom has 2 queen beds, while the other has 2 double beds. An upstairs seating area overlooking the \r\n\r\nmain floor provides a sleeper sofa and chair. Grand Villas are 2,202 square \r\n\r\nfeet.
\r\n\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort has around 64 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which \r\n\r\nfeature
\r\n\r\n\r\nBecause it's a Disney Vacation Club property, some room locations are available only to Members. There are only elevators in 3 buildings and most buildings go up to 3 stories. Specifying room requests for medical reasons is highly recommended.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Key West has four pools. The largest sits sits near the outside of the \r\n\r\nresort's lobby, Hospitality House. There is also a hot tub and kiddie pool.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West's sandcastle-themed water slide.\r\n
\r\nThe other smaller pools are located in near buildings 19 and 20, buildings \r\n\r\n39, 40 and 41, and another one near building 55.. These pools are basic \r\n\r\nconcrete pools and are considered \"quiet pools,\" meaning that loud play and \r\n\r\nsplashing around are discouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nOld Key West's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Old Key West also has a hot \r\n\r\ntubs located near the main pool.
\r\n\r\nThe main pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. Guests \r\n\r\ncan find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 10AM to 10 PM, extending to as much \r\n\r\nas 8 AM to 12 AM during busy times.\r\n The main pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSmall playground sets are located near the Sandcastle Pool at the Hospitality Area, the Old Turtle Pond Pool near buildings 41 and 42, and the Southpointe Pool near buildings 55 and 56. Each set has a small plastic slide and a couple of sections with a few steps for \r\n\r\ntoddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no \r\n\r\nswings, and the entire area is covered in sand.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West's playground.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West has one table service and two counter service restaurants. If \r\n\r\nthese don't fit your needs you can hop on a DVC Ferry boat near the Hospitality House \r\n\r\nand ride over to Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nOlivia's Breakfast Menu - Olivia's Kids Breakfast Menu - Olivia's Cafe Lunch Menu - Olivia's Cafe Dinner Menu - Olivia's Cafe Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nOlivia's is a fun out-of-the-way dining spot if you have a little extra \r\n\r\ntime to navigate out to Old Key West Resort. Service is excellent and the \r\n\r\ntheme is a Disneyfied Key West: lots of pastels, tile floors, and tropical trees in the center of the room. There is some outside \r\n\r\nseating, which looks out over the waterway. Tile, wood siding, and no \r\n\r\ntablecloths add up to a very noisy dining room that's getting a little worn \r\n\r\naround the edges. Disney Vacation Club member photos decorate the walls - \r\n\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort was one of the first DVC resorts, so members \r\n\r\nconsider Olivia's their home kitchen.
\r\n\r\nAt breakfast, try the eggs with shrimp and conch cakes; banana-bread French \r\n\r\ntoast; and Cuban sandwich with scrambled eggs, ham, Swiss cheese, and pork \r\n\r\nloin. At lunch, try the Key West burger topped with grilled shrimp and \r\n\r\npepper-jack cheese. At dinner, prime rib, sustainable fish with black beans \r\n\r\nand rice, and coconut-encrusted mahimahi.
\r\n\r\n\r\nTurtle Shack Lunch/Dinner Menu - Turtle Shack Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nTurtle Shack has a small menu made up of hot dogs, pizza, salads, and sandwiches. \r\n\r\nThere is also a small selection of beers and cocktails. This is also a great\r\nplace to use your refillable mug (see below).
\r\n\r\n\r\nGood's Food to Go Breakfast Menu - Good's Food to Go Kids Breakfast Menu - Good's Food to Go Lunch/Dinner Menu - Good's Food to Go Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nGood's Food to Go offers a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and \r\n\r\nsides like french fries and onion rings. For breakfast Good's sells a \r\n\r\nbreakfast platter and a selection of pastries.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGood's Food to Go participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Old Key West participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own \r\n\r\ndelivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and \r\n\r\nsodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below \r\n\r\naverage. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or \r\n\r\ncalling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 PM to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs \r\n\r\naround $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will \r\n\r\ntack on an 18% tip, \r\n$3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you \r\n\r\n$40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Old Key West Resort is just off \r\n\r\nof I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 Epcot Center Dr. \r\n\r\nTake the exit toward Downtown Disney Resort Area. Keep left at the fork, \r\n\r\nfollow signs for Port Orleans/Eagle Pines and merge onto Disney \r\n\r\nVacation Club Way. Old Key West will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Old Key West Resort. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Old Key West Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Old Key \r\n\r\nWest Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10\r\n\r\n-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Old Key West Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and \r\n\r\nDisney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Old Key West Resort to Magic \r\n\r\nKingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard \r\n\r\nBeach and Typhoon Lagoon. Disney's Old Key West Resort's bus stops sit along \r\n\r\nthe front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each \r\n\r\ntheme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach. Disney Springs is accessed via a boat that can be loaded near the \r\n\r\nCarriage House.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Old Key West's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Old Key West's bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 15-20 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks are a little less frequent, and you \r\n\r\ncould wait anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Old Key West Resort \r\n\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to \r\n\r\ntake a Disney bus from Disney's Old Key West Resort an open theme park (or \r\n\r\nride the boat to Disney Springs), then take another bus from there to your \r\n\r\ndestination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Disney's Old Key West Resort. \r\n\r\nWhile that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. \r\n\r\nIf your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Old Key West to \r\n\r\nwherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride \r\n\r\nto get to most Disney hotels from Old Key West, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West's gift shop is Conch Flats General Store. It is located in the \r\n\r\nHospitality House near the lobby. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, \r\n\r\nConch Flats has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets \r\n\r\nsuch as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess \r\n\r\ndresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nConch Flats also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Conch Flats has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLocated near the lobby is the Electric Eel Gameroom, which \r\n\r\nhas a decent collection of relatively recent video and arcade games. Most \r\n\r\ngames\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in. There's a similar Flying Fish Gameroom adjacent to the Old Turtle Pond Pool (buildings 41/42).\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 1.37-mile path along the golf greens and water canals.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West features several sports courts, including shuffleboard, tennis, volleyball, and basketball. Equipment is available for free at Hank's Rent and Return.\r\n
\r\nBesides socializing, Community Hall offers crafts, a pool table and for-rent movies and board games.\r\n
\r\nThe resort also offers a complimentary walking tour of the history and storyline for Disney's Old Key West Resort. The tour is every Wednesday and Saturday morning at 10 am and is called \"The Legend of Conch Flats.\" No advanced registration is required and begins in Papa's Den, adjacent to the Lobby.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThere is a non-advertised walkway to Disney Springs inside Old Key West. The walkway is paved along the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and is only open from dusk to dawn. The path begins by buildings 54 & 55 in Southpointe.\r\n
\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Old Key West \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 827-7700.\r\n
\r\nOld Key West is huge,\r\nwith 49 three-story villa buildings spread over about 100 acres. Views\r\nare nice from almost all villas; all multiroom villas and some studios\r\nhave a large balcony furnished with a table and chairs.
\r\n\r\nBecause the resort is bordered by busy Bonnet Creek Parkway and\r\neven busier Buena Vista Drive, the best villas are those located as far\r\nfrom the road noise as possible. For quiet isolation and a lovely river\r\nview, ask for building 46 or 45, in that order. For nice lake and golfcourse views away from roads and close to restaurants, recreation, the\r\nmarina, the main swimming complex, and shopping, ask for building\r\n13. Nearby, buildings 12 and 11 are likewise quiet and convenient; they\r\noffer primarily golf-course views. The next-best choices are buildings\r\n32 and 34; the former looks onto a lake, with the golf course in the\r\nbackground, while the latter faces the golf course, with tennis courts to\r\nthe left and a lake to the right. Avoid buildings 19–22, 38, 39, 41, 42, and\r\n49–54, which border Bonnet Creek Parkway and Buena Vista Drive\r\nand get their attendant noise.
\r\n\r\n\r\nFinally, if you want to use your balcony without the sun in your\r\nface, use the map on page 167 to check out the position of your building relative to sunrise and sunset. If you want to use your balcony in\r\nthe afternoon, ask for an east-facing building. Conversely, request a\r\nwest-facing building if you primarily want to use your balcony in the\r\nmorning. We like to enjoy a drink on the balcony in the afternoon or\r\nevening, so we ensure shade by asking for an east-facing villa.
\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Largest villas of the DVC resorts | \r\nSeveral bus stops means longer travel times | \r\n
| Full kitchens in villas | \r\nNo elevators in many buildings | \r\n
| Quiet, lushly landscaped setting | \r\nHighway noise | \r\n
| Often available at discounted rates or\r\nas DVC rental | \r\nFewer baths per bedroom than newer\r\nDVC properties | \r\n
| Boat service to Disney Springs | \r\nExtreme distance of many guest rooms to dining and services | \r\n
| Several pool options | \r\nMediocre on-site dining | \r\n
| Close to Lake Buena Vista Golf Course | \r\n\r\n |
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is a Disney Vacation Club addition at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, which is on the Seven Seas Lagoon opposite Magic Kingdom.
\r\n\r\nIt offers 360 Deluxe Studio Villas and 20 on-the-water, two-bedroom Bora Bora Bungalows with private plunge pools.\r\n
\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":false,"water_sports":true,"marina":true,"beach":true,"tennis":true,"biking":true,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":380,"theme":"Hawaii-South Seas Islands","cost_range":"$1,220 - $6,519","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"mk","category_code":"deluxe_villa","check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":true,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":"88843800bfbf7664a2ae2c59abf9fc5a","author_user_id":null,"fax_number":"4078243174","hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"polynesian-villas-bungalows","property_owned":true,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"disneys polynesian villas bungalows","club_name":null,"operator_id":17797842,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":"https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-villas-bungalows","opened_on":"2015-04-01","extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":"pvb","refresh_year":2015,"renovation_year":2015,"pool_slide":true,"pool_play":true,"typical_bed_code":"queen","max_guests_std":5,"child_bed_std":true,"parent_hotel_id":86,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":"The Villas and Bungalows keep the Polynesian's tropical theme and offer larger rooms with more amenities, plus a private pool. The 2-bedroom bungalows have excellent views of the nightly fireworks and water pageant.","dining_overview":"Lots of good dining options are found in the Polynesian's main building. If staying longer, more great options are a short walk away at the Grand Floridian.","good_for":"Tropical theme and larger rooms","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":4,"hotel_category_recommended":false,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":260,"property_id":1,"name":"Disney's Riviera Resort","code":"ORL252","address":"1080 Esplanade Ave","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078287030","url":"https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/riviera-resort/","off_site":false,"permalink":"disneys-riviera-resort","created_at":"2018-04-18T08:59:29.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-12-20T20:40:57.000-08:00","overview":"\r\nThe Riviera is the newest DVC resort at Walt Disney World.\r\nThemed to evoke glamorous beach resorts in the South of France, it has\r\n300 guest rooms, including studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom\r\nvillas, spread over nine floors. Though it’s on land that used to belong\r\nto Caribbean Beach, a Moderate resort, Disney has positioned the Riviera\r\nto be as upscale as the Grand Floridian—with service, amenities,\r\nand prices to match.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRooms at the Riviera are some of our favorite at Disney World, with\r\nwhite walls and off-white accents, beige carpets, and furniture in neutral\r\ntones. Faux-wood vinyl laminate covers the floors, except in the\r\nbedrooms, which have carpet. As with other DVC resorts, deluxe studio\r\naccommodations have kitchenettes, while the one-, two-, and threebedroom\r\nvillas have full kitchens. We like the villas quite a bit—they’re\r\nbright, comfortable, and modern, even if the theme is understated.
\r\n\r\n![\"Rivera](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl252/riviera_porte_cochere.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nRiviera Resort's lobby entrance.\r\n
The Riviera has a unique room type among DVC resorts that we like\r\nconsiderably less: the tower studio, which accommodates two guests.\r\nThese rooms measure about 225 square feet—the smallest on Disney\r\nproperty, and small enough that they require the room’s single bed to\r\nfold into the wall when not in use. Disney may have found a lower\r\nlimit on how small it can make hotel rooms, and these are too small.\r\nIn fact, when Len visited two friends staying in one of these rooms, one\r\nof them stood in the bathroom to maintain what felt like normal social\r\ndistance—there’s just not a lot of space here.
\r\n\r\nBeyond the size, the tower studio rooms are dim during the day and\r\ndismal at night. The most cheerful space in the studio is the bathroom because of the better lighting. There’s little doubt that these are the\r\nworst rooms for the money in Walt Disney World.
\r\n\r\nIn addition to otherwise-posh rooms and amenities and high-end\r\nrestaurants, the Riviera boasts easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s\r\nHollywood\r\nStudios. The resort sits about 1,500 feet from World Showcase,\r\naffording park-facing rooms on high floors excellent views of\r\nboth EPCOT’s and the Studios’ evening entertainment. The Riviera’s\r\nrestaurants have similar views.
\r\n\r\nOf course, Disney charges a premium for these views: Rack rates run\r\n$429–$738 per night for tower studios; $642–$1,025 for deluxe studios,\r\ndepending on the date and the view; $911–$1,415 for one-bedroom\r\nvillas; $1,443–$2,541 for two-bedroom units; and $2,892–$4,677 for\r\nthree-bedroom villas.
\r\n\r\nThe Riviera’s restaurants include Primo Piatto, an excellent counterservice\r\neatery with grab-and-go options; Le Petit Café, a morningcoffee-\r\nand-pastry bar that serves wine in the evening; and Bar Riva, a\r\npool bar. Topolino’s Terrace, the sit-down restaurant, is a Disney Signature\r\nvenue that serves fixed-price character breakfasts for kids and\r\nupscale dinners for grown-ups.
\r\n\r\nOther amenities include two pools and a fitness center. The main\r\nRiviera Pool offers play areas for children, while the Beau Soleil Pool\r\nis the quiet pool. The Riviera Resort is connected to EPCOT and Disney’s\r\nHollywood Studios by Skyliner and to the rest of Walt Disney\r\nWorld by bus.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Riviera's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated lot near the front of the hotel serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Riviera is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. Disneys Riviera Resort participates in Disney's Online Check-In program, which allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information up to 60 days before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.
\r\n\r\nThe resorts's gift shop sells MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Note: The free MagicBand program was discontinued in early 2021.
\r\n\r\nIf you have not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card when you register.
\r\n\r\nIf you do not already have theme park tickets, theme park reservation, or dining reservations, you can make them at the lobby Concierge Desk. (We strongly recommend that you make all these arrangements online in advance.) If you need to both check in and obtain theme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after another adult starts the registration process.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRiviera is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort, with apartment-like accommodations rather than traditional hotel rooms. It features a mix of Tower Studio, Deluxe Studio, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 3-Bedroom \"villas.\" Deluxe Studio villas look much like regular hotel rooms, but with one Queen bed and a fold-down Murphy bed and the addition of a small kitchenette featuring an extra sink, microwave oven, and toaster. The 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas all include a full size kitchen with a larger refrigerator, microwave oven, standard oven, cooktop, a laundry washer and dryer, dishwasher, and a supply of cookware and dishware. Making real meals is certainly possible in a DVC full kitchen.
\r\n\r\nThe Tower Studio rooms are a new type of accommodation, introduced at Riviera. These smaller rooms are designed for two, which is how many they sleep. They still include balconies but they are more compact and intimate (meaning smaller).
\r\n\r\nOne-bedroom and 2-bedroom DVC units have a living-room area with pull-down sleeping surfaces and a bedroom or bedrooms with regular beds. There is at least full bathroom for every bedroom with a shower and a soaking tub. The 3-bedroom Grand Villa units include all of the above, plus an additional bedroom and bathroom, as well as other amenities like an expanded living room or a dining room. The Grand Villa can sleep up to 12.
\r\n\r\n![\"Rivera](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl252/riviera_tower_studio_room1_8521.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![\"Rivera](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl252/riviera_studio_bed.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nTop: Riviera Resort Tower Studio Room
\r\nBottom: Riviera Resort [non-Tower] Studio Bed\r\n
Disney's Riviera Resort has easy access to Walt Disney World's Skyliner gondola transportation system, which takes guests to and from the Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios theme parks. With its own Skyliner station, the Riviera also has easy access to Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. Walt Disney World bus transportation to the remaining theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs is also available.
\r\n\r\n![\"Art](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl252/riviera_art1.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nBeautiful artwork can be found on the Riviera Resort's grounds.\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe showpiece restaurant is Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera perched on the roof of the Riviera tower with amazing views of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Other dining options include the Primo Piatto quick service, Le Petit Cafe coffee and wine bar, and Bar Riva at the pool.
\r\n\r\nRiviera contains three pool areas. The feature pool sits between the building and the lagoon, with S'il Vous Play, the child play area, adjacent to it. Nearby is the quiet pool, called Beau Soleil. \r\n\r\n
For more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ. There is also a fitness center available for resort guests.
\r\n\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Skyliner connection to Hollywood Studios and Epcot | \r\nTower rooms are small and dark | \r\n
| Easy walk through Caribbean Beach for its views | \r\nExpensive | \r\n
| Good dining and bar options | \r\n\r\n |
| Elaborate Child Play area near main pool | \r\n\r\n |
Saratoga Springs, a Disney Deluxe Villa resort, is described by Disney as recalling\r\na Victorian-era retreat in upstate New York. A DDV resort, its 1,260\r\nstudio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas are located across the\r\nlake from Disney Springs. Most buildings were constructed around\r\n2004, while the fitness center and check-in building are older. An\r\nadjacent 60-unit DDV complex, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga\r\nSprings Resort & Spa, opened in 2009.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe color scheme of the villas’ newly renovated rooms tends toward\r\nneutral earth tones, with faux-teak vinyl floors in the living rooms and\r\ndark-brown patterned carpets in the bedrooms. Kitchen cabinets are\r\nwhite, while appliances are stainless steel. New furnishings and soft\r\ngoods are more refined than the last iteration. Chairs, sofas, and tables\r\nare likewise more modern and less bulky, though you’d be hard-pressed\r\nto identify even the slightest bit of theming; this decor could be at any\r\none of a dozen Disney hotels. A fold-down child’s bed sits beneath the\r\nwall-mounted TV in the living room. Bathrooms, with color accent\r\nwalls, are spacious in all but the studios, where they compare with those\r\nin any other hotel room.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nReaders tend to be more critical of Saratoga Springs than other Disney\r\nresorts. The positive comments frequently mention the quiet rooms,\r\nproximity to Disney Springs, and quality of the spa and fitness center.\r\nThose were enough for this reader:
\r\n\r\n\r\nWe loved Saratoga Springs! It was comfortable, beautiful, and quiet,\r\nwith a quick walk to the dock for the boat to Disney Springs.\r\n\r\n
This reader from Mount Holly, New Jersey, agrees:
\r\nWe were absolutely floored at how much we loved our stay at Saratoga\r\nSprings. Our first couple of days were in Congress Park, which was perfectly\r\nlovely. Then we moved (because we had two reservations) to a\r\nPaddock building immediately next to the pool, the bus stop, and the\r\nwalkway to the main building. We truly enjoyed the time we spent there.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Saratoga Springs is different because of its location. The resort is \r\n\r\nlocated across the lake from Disney Springs, and \r\n\r\ncan be accessed via a short boat ride. Golfers rejoice, Saratoga Springs is \r\n\r\nalso the home to Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. \r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs offers a salon, spa, and the largest fitness center at a Disney World resort hotel.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe revamped Disney Springs has markedly increased Saratoga Springs’ appeal to readers and to us. Within a short walk of this resort are a week’s worth of good dining options, plus enough people-watching and entertainment for everyone. We wouldn’t be surprised if Disney started raising Saratoga’s prices because of this. If you’ve got a car to help avoid SSR’s sometimes slow bus service to the theme parks, we recommend giving this resort a try.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Saratoga Springs' grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Saratoga Springs is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information in advance of your arrival. If you have checked-in online the resort will send you a text or email with your room number when it is ready. Then you can go straight to the room and use your SmartPhone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether. Saratoga Springs's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning January 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.
\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs' lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind in a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television showing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n Get theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the right of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain theme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also make Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them online prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs Studios: Studios sleep up to four people \r\n\r\nand include one queen-size bed and one murphy beds with double mattresses. The total Studio \r\n\r\nroom size is 355 square feet, with about half of that being dedicated to the \r\n\r\nkitchen and bathroom area
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA Standard Saratoga Springs Studio Bathroom.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs one-Bedroom Villa: The one-bedroom villa \r\n\r\nsleeps 5 and provides a formal kitchen, a second bathroom and a living room in \r\n\r\naddition to the studio bedroom. The living room's chair and sofa fold out to \r\n\r\nprovide beds for 3 more people. One-Bedrooms Villas are 714 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs Two-bedroom villas: Two-bedroom villas \r\n\r\nsleep eight and include all of the kitchen amenities found in a one-bedroom, \r\n\r\nplus an extra bathroom. One of the baths is attached to a second bedroom with \r\n\r\ntwo queen beds or a queen bed plus a sleeper-sized sofa. As with the one-\r\n\r\nbedrooms, a sofa bed and sleeper chair in the living room provide extra places \r\n\r\nto snooze, though they're best suited to small children. Two-Bedroom Villas \r\n\r\nare 1,075 square feet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs Grand Villas: The two-story Grand Villas \r\n\r\nsleep 12 and include four bathrooms, the same master-bedroom layout, and two \r\n\r\nbedrooms with two queen beds apiece. An upstairs seating area overlooking the \r\n\r\nmain floor provides a sleeper sofa and chair. Grand Villas are 2,113 square feet.
\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort has around 100 handicap-accessible rooms. \r\n\r\nSome feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. \r\n\r\nA subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs has four pools. The largest, High Rock Spring Pool, sits sits near the outside of the resort's lobby, Carriage House. There is also a hot tub and kiddie pool.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs' High Rock Spring Pool and The Grandstand's water play area.\r\n
\r\nThe other smaller pools are located in The Grandstand (with child-friendly water play area), The Paddock, and \r\n\r\nCongress Park sections sections of the resort. These pools are basic concrete pools and are considered \"quiet pools,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are discouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nSaratoga Springs' pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The pools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout the year. Saratoga Springs also has a hot tubs located near each pool.
\r\n\r\nHigh Rock Spring Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. \r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much \r\n\r\nas 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The main pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located near the pool in the Congress Park section \r\n\r\nof the resort. The set has a small plastic slide and a couple of sections with \r\n\r\na few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no \r\n\r\nswings, and the entire area is covered in sand.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs has one table service and one counter service restaurants. \r\n\r\nIf these don't fit your needs you can hop on a boat near the Carriage House \r\n\r\nand ride over to Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Turf Club Dinner Menu - The Turf Club Kids Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nThere's rarely a crowd at this out-of-the-way spot, so it's nice to request \r\n\r\nan outdoor table on a sunny day and enjoy a drink and appetizers on the shady \r\n\r\nterrace. The grilled Caesar salad is the best salad at Disney World.
\r\n\r\nWhen the weather's nice, ask for an outdoor table; you can spot golfers on \r\n\r\nthe adjacent Lake Buena Vista golf course and look across the way to Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney. Tucked off the lobby of the Saratoga Springs Resort, the dining room \r\n\r\nis equestrian-themed.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette Breakfast Menu - Artist's Palette Kids Breakfast Menu - Artist's Palette Lunch/Dinner Menu - Artist's Palette Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Artist's Palette is small counter service restaurant with a limited menu of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Prices range from $8 to $15 for an entree, so you won't break the bank.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Saratoga Springs participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit at Artist's Palette and The Turf Club Bar \r\n\r\n& Grill. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own delivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and sodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below average. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or calling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 PM to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs around $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will tack on an 18% tip, $3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you $40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs has one lounge and three pool bars for guests to consume adult beverages at. \r\nThe Turf Club Lounge is Saratoga Springs' main \r\nlounge. The Turf Club Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu with several beers, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is usually open 4 PM to 12 AM daily.
\r\n\r\nThe Paddock Grill is located adjacent to the quiet pool in The Paddock. Paddock Grill has a small selection of specialty drinks, beer and wine.
\r\n\r\nBackstretch Pool Bar is located near the pool at The Grandstand. It also offers a selection of specialty drinks, beer and wine. This bar is seasonal and operates a limited amount of hours.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is just \r\n\r\noff of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 68 toward Apopka Vineland \r\n\r\nRd/Kissimmee Vineland Rd N. Turn left on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Turn right \r\n\r\nonto Buena Vista Dr and Saratoga Springs will be on your left.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. If you're not renting \r\n\r\na car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Saratoga \r\n\r\nSprings Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or \r\n\r\n10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort to \r\n\r\nMagic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, \r\n\r\nBlizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort's bus \r\n\r\nstops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in \r\n\r\nparking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach. Disney Springs is accessed via a boat that can be loaded near the \r\n\r\nCarriage House.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe top reader complaints about Saratoga Springs have to do with\r\ntransportation. These comments from an Arlington Heights, Illinois,\r\nfamily are typical:
\r\nBuses started running just 45 minutes before park opening. We had\r\nto make multiple stops inside the resort, and because of Saratoga’s size and distance to the parks, we arrived at the park only about\r\n15 minutes before opening. We faced instant 60-plus-minute waits\r\nfor the top attractions despite our best efforts.\r\n
A couple from Peru, Indiana, had a variety of complaints:
\r\nSaratoga Springs is our least favorite resort. We didn’t enjoy the theming,\r\nand unless you have a car, getting around by bus is a real hassle.\r\nThe food court is very small and the food expensive. Also, checkout\r\nwas very slow, and our room seemed smaller than comparable rooms\r\nat BoardWalk Villas and Old Key West.\r\n\r\n
\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Saratoga Springs' bus schedule, and they'll \r\n\r\ntell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Saratoga Springs' \r\n\r\nbus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 15-20 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks are a little less frequent, and you \r\n\r\ncould wait anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios. We evaluate Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort's bus service \r\n\r\nannually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Disney's Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort \r\n\r\nan open theme park (or ride the boat to Disney Springs), then take another \r\n\r\nbus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to \r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from \r\n\r\n90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Saratoga Springs to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from Saratoga Springs, and often less. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs is home to Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf \r\n\r\nCourse. This 18-hole course has hosted PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour and \r\n\r\nUSGA events in the past and one of it trademark features is its 7th hole with \r\n\r\nan island green. Prices range from $39.00 to $165.00. Call (407) WDW-GOLF to \r\n\r\nreserve a tee time.
\r\n\r\nSenses Spa is Saratoga Springs' spa. Senses Spa is open \r\n\r\n8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Massage, facial, and body treatment services are \r\n\r\navailable. A 24-Hour fitness center is also available at Senses Spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs' gift shop is Artist's Palette. It is located in the \r\n\r\nCarriage House near the lobby. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Artist's Palette \r\n\r\nhas a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as \r\n\r\nkeychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices \r\n\r\nfor these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Artist's Palette has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLocated near spa and fitness center is the Win, Place Or Show \r\n\r\nArcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.8 or 1.44-mile loop along the greens of Disney’s Lake Buena Vista \r\n\r\nGolf Course.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 827-1100.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on \r\n\r\nproperty. click here for the Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort map \r\n\r\nand to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThis resort’s sprawling\r\nsize puts some of its best rooms very far away from the main lobby,\r\nrestaurants, and shops. If you don’t have a car, the best rooms are those\r\nin The Springs, numbered 3101–3436 and 3501–3836. Ask for a room\r\ntoward the northeast side of these buildings (away from the lobby), as\r\nthe southwest rooms border a well-traveled road. Avoid rooms 4101–\r\n4436—a pedestrian walkway running behind the patios gets a lot of use\r\nin the early morning from guests who are heading to breakfast.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCongress Park sits on the edge of the lake that Separates Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nand Disney Springs. Rooms facing south, southeast, and southwest face \r\n\r\nDisney Springs but most direct views are partially blocked by trees. rooms \r\n\r\n1101 - 1436 and 2501 - 2836 in Congress Park offer quietness, a view of \r\n\r\nDisney Springs, and a relatively short walk to the bus stop. rooms 1101 - \r\n\r\n1436 have the closest walks to Disney Springs shops, restaurants, and \r\n\r\nentertainment.
\r\n\r\n![\"2132\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/2132.jpg\")
\r\n![\"2114\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/2114.jpg\")
\r\nThe Springs is located directly next to the resorts lobby and pool complex, \r\n\r\nCarriage House. This is convenient if you want to be near dining and other \r\n\r\namenities but it may cause higher than usual noise levels.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"3125\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/3125.jpg\")
\r\n![\"3507\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/3507.jpg\")
\r\nBuildings 9 and 10 are located next to the Paddock pool and transportation. \r\n\r\nthis may cause higher than usual noise levels. building 12 is also located \r\n\r\nnear a bus stop. in addition to being quiet, rooms 6101 - 6436 and 6501 - 6836 \r\n\r\nof the paddock afford the closest walks to Disney Springs shops, restaurants, \r\n\r\nand entertainment. avoid rooms on the northeast side of the 5101 - 5435 \r\n\r\nbuilding of the paddock, as well as the northwest side of the 5501 - 5836 \r\n\r\nbuilding; these border a swimming pool and bus stop.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"6123\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/6123.jpg\")
\r\nBuildings 13 and 14 are located near a bus stop, but are a bit far from the \r\n\r\nresort's lobby. A walk to the lobby will take around 7 minutes, while a walk \r\n\r\nto the nearest pool will be around 5 minutes.
\r\n\r\nThe Grandstand is positioned next to the Lake Buena Vista golf course. \r\n\r\nbuildings 15 and 16 are located next to a pool. Buildings 17 and 18 are most \r\n\r\nremote from from the resort's lobby and require about a 7 minute walk.
\r\n\r\n![\"8123\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/8123.jpg\")
\r\n![\"8536\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/thumbs/8536.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Often available at discounted rates or as\r\na DVC rental | \r\nOn-site dining is limited for a resort\r\nof this size | \r\n
| Closest resort to Disney Springs and\r\nTyphoon Lagoon | \r\nTheme is dull compared with those of\r\nother Disney resorts | \r\n
| Only WDW-owned resort with dedicated\r\ngolf (Lake Buena Vista Golf Course) | \r\nFewer baths per bedroom than newer\r\nDVC properties | \r\n
| Attractive main pool; multiple well-themed\r\nquiet pools with snack bars | \r\nLong distance from some rooms to dining and services | \r\n
| Very nice spa and fitness center | \r\nBus service can take some time to get out\r\nof the (huge) resort | \r\n
| Hiking, jogging, water recreation | \r\n\r\n |
This Disney Deluxe Villa property opened in the fall of 2013.\r\nReaders have rated it the best Disney World resort for seven years in a row.\r\nIf the Average designation for the Villas’ “would stay again” and “would\r\nrecommend to\r\na friend” survey results seems to contradict the high percentages,\r\nthat’s because we receive relatively few surveys about this resort\r\ncompared with others. Thus, the margin of error for the Villas’ survey\r\nresults is slightly higher than for other properties. Put another way: We’re\r\npretty sure that readers think the Villas are fantastic—we just don’t have\r\nenough surveys to prove it with math.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Grand Floridian Villas share the amenities such as restaurants, transportation, recreation, pools, and shopping with the main Grand Floridian hotel next door. Check our Grand Floridian Resort and Spa page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\nDecorated in neutral tones, with mostly green and red accent colors,\r\nthe rooms are the nicest at any DDV property. Most have vaulted\r\nliving-room ceilings and faux-wood balconies or porches. Those balconies\r\nstretch the entire length of the room, giving everyone enough\r\nspace for a good view.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nStudios have a kitchenette with minifridge, sink, and drip coffee maker,\r\nwhile the larger rooms have full kitchens. Those feature a stainless-steel\r\noven range, with the dishwasher and refrigerator tucked behind white\r\nwood panels that match the glass-door cabinets. Other amenities in the\r\nfull kitchens include a full-size drip coffee maker, a toaster, frying pans,\r\nand the usual set of plates, glasses, cups, and cutlery. Also in the kitchen\r\nare a banquette seat and a table with room for six.\r\n
\r\nGrand Floridian Villa kitchen.
\r\n\r\nThe living room has a sofa that seats three comfortably; an upholstered\r\nchair and ottoman; a coffee table; and a large, flat-panel TV. The\r\nsofa converts into a bed that sleeps two; a cabinet below the TV hides a\r\nsmall pull-down bed. We’d use these beds for kids, not adults.\r\n
\r\n\r\nStudio rooms have a queen bed in addition to the folding options\r\nlisted above. One-bedroom villas have a king bed along with the folding\r\noptions; two-bedroom villas have a king bed in one room and two\r\nqueen beds in the other, plus the folding options; the Grand Villa’s third\r\nbedroom has an additional two queen beds.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe one- and two-bedroom units and the Grand Villa bedrooms are\r\noutfitted with a large writing desk, a flat-panel TV with DVD player,\r\ntwo nightstands with convenient electric plugs, and a side chair. They\r\nalso have large walk-in closets.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBathrooms are large, with marble tile and flat-panel TVs built into\r\nthe mirrors. Studio bathrooms have a separate toilet and shower area;\r\nin the one-bedroom configuration, a tub and dressing area sit adjacent\r\nto the bedroom. The bathroom and shower are connected by a pocket\r\ndoor, allowing two groups of people to get dressed at the same time.\r\nThe tiled shower looks as if it could comfortably hold eight people\r\nshould the need arise. It also has a rain showerhead mounted in the\r\nceiling in addition to a wall-mounted faucet.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe villas have their own parking lot next to the building but no\r\non-site dining. Within walking distance, however, are the restaurants\r\nof both the main Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Village, giving\r\nyou a bit more variety than at other Magic Kingdom resorts. Room\r\nservice is available from the Grand Floridian’s in-room dining menu.\r\nRates are high, as you might expect, but renting DVC points helps in\r\nthat regard.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\n\r\nThanks to Anthony Caselnova for Grand Floridan Villa room images.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":"Rooms 1X14, 1X16, and 1X18\r\nface the Magic Kingdom and have views of Space Mountain and the\r\ncastle; 1X14 has probably the best views of any room in all of the Villas.\r\n(X indicates a floor number.)
\r\n\r\nEven-numbered rooms 1X02–1X12 face west, toward the Polynesian\r\nVillage and Seven Seas Lagoon, and afford a good view of the nightly\r\nwater pageant as it floats by.
\r\n\r\nRooms 1X15, 1X17, 1X19–1X22, 1X24, 1X26, and 1X28 face Disney’s\r\nWedding Pavilion, the parking lot, the monorail, and landscaping. Oddnumbered\r\nrooms 1X03–1X13 and 1X25, 1X27, and 1X29 look out onto the\r\npool facilities and landscaping.
\r\n\r\nSouth-facing rooms in Big Pine Key look out over the Seven Seas\r\nLagoon, although mature trees and landscaping partially block those\r\nviews from many upper-floor rooms. Rooms 9X41–9X47 may have\r\nviews of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| High staff-to-guest ratio | \r\nMost expensive WDW resort | \r\n
| Can walk, boat, or monorail to the Magic Kingdom | \r\nPublic areas often blocked by wedding parties | \r\n
| Excellent dining options for adults | \r\nNoise from Magic Kingdom, boat horns, and whistles | \r\n
| Very good on-site spa | \r\nBus transportation to DHS, Animal Kingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs is shared by the other monorail resorts | \r\n
| Large rooms with daybeds | \r\n\r\n |
| Fantastic kids’ Alice in Wonderland-themed splash area | \r\n\r\n |
| Diverse recreational options | \r\n\r\n |
| Close to Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail Golf Courses | \r\n\r\n |
This complex of 60 three-bedroom villas lies between Old Key West\r\nResort and the Grandstand section of Saratoga Springs proper, with a\r\nseparate entrance off Disney Vacation Club Way. The treehouses are\r\nbordered by Lake Buena Vista Golf Course to the northeast and a waterway to the southwest that feeds into Village Lake.
\r\n\r\nThe villas stand on stilts 10 feet off the ground, with ramps providing wheelchair access. Surrounded by a densely wooded landscape,\r\neach villa is an eight-sided structure with three bedrooms and two full\r\nbathrooms covering about 1,074 square feet.
\r\n\r\nVillas hold nine people, about the same number as comparably sized\r\nrooms at other DDV resorts. The master and second bedrooms have\r\nqueen beds; the third bedroom has bunks; and the living room has a\r\nsofa bed and sleeper chair, both more appropriate for kids than adults.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/overview/treehousemap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort map\r\n
\r\nThe interior of each villa is decorated with natural materials: stone\r\nfloors in the kitchen, granite countertops, and stained-wood furniture.\r\nEnd tables, picture frames, and bunk beds are made from rustic logs.\r\nBathrooms, outfitted in modern tile, have showers and tubs, along\r\nwith a decent amount of counter space.
\r\n\r\nThe three-bedroom Treehouses usually cost about $50–$300 more\r\nper night than a comparable two-bedroom villa and $700–$800 less\r\nthan a standard three-bedroom villa elsewhere at Saratoga Springs. The\r\ntrade-off for that third Treehouse bedroom is giving up some space elsewhere. In particular, beware the master-bath shower, next to the tub in\r\nan enclosed glass wall: Tilt down to shave your legs or grab a bottle of\r\nshampoo, and you could bang your head on the side of the tub.
\r\n\r\n\r\nBecause of its location, Treehouse Villas has few amenities of its own: \r\n\r\neach villa has a large wooden deck with charcoal grill, and all villas share a \r\n\r\nsmall central pool with spa. A walking path connects the complex to the main \r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs grounds, and Treehouse Villas guests can use all of the \r\n\r\nfacilities at Saratoga Springs.
\r\n\r\nA Columbus, New Jersey, family thinks a stay at Treehouse Villas\r\nis money well spent:
We give Treehouse Villas five stars for value. With nine people in our\r\nparty, our villa saved us about $700–$1,000 per night. The three bedrooms and pullout couch comfortably slept our group, plus having a\r\ngreat eat-in kitchen helped us save money on breakfast.\r\n\r\n
A walking path connects the complex to the rest of Saratoga Springs;\r\nTreehouse guests can use all of the main resort’s facilities. Two dedicated bus stops serve the Treehouses, but transportation is nevertheless\r\na weakness. This West Warwick, Rhode Island, reader felt stranded:
\r\nTransportation is abhorrent—and I actually had some idea what to\r\nexpect (i.e., taking one bus at the villas to another bus at the main\r\nresort). The Treehouses are nice in and of themselves, but I would\r\nsuggest not staying here if going to the parks is your main objective.\r\n\r\n
Even though the treehouses aren't really, you know, treehouses, they still \r\n\r\nare some of the most unique hotel accommodations in Walt Disney World. The \r\n\r\nbenefit of Saratoga Springs is its location. The resort is located across the \r\n\r\nlake from Disney Springs, and can be accessed via \r\n\r\na short boat ride. Golfers rejoice, Saratoga Springs is also the home to \r\n\r\nDisney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/7009.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nTreehouse exterior.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Saratoga Springs' grounds. If you \r\n\r\narrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary \r\n\r\nto provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as \r\n\r\ntemporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $25 per day. (This fee is waived for DVC members staying on points.)
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Treehouse Villas is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. \r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program, which allows \r\n\r\nyou to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival. If you've done this, look for an Online \r\n\r\nCheck-In sign near the Registration Desk. You'll be routed to one of the \r\n\r\nOnline Check-in staff and should\r\nbe on the way to your room in a few minutes.\r\n
\r\nIf you have checked-in online and already have a MagicBand, the resort will simply send you a text with your room number when it is ready. Then you can go straight to the room and use your MagicBand or your smartphone to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort's registration staff can provide MagicBands \r\n\r\nfor your stay (for a fee, free MagicBands were discontinued in January 2021), if you don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and \r\n\r\ndining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Treehouse Villa is made up of three bedrooms and a living room area \r\n\r\nwith attached kitchen and dining room. The Treehouses are 1,074 square feet \r\n\r\nand sleep up to nine people.
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\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/20170822_185645.jpg\")
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\r\n\r\n\r\nTreehouse Villa interior.\r\n
\r\nEach Treehouse Villa room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The full sized fridge is good enough to hold all the food and drinks you \r\n\r\nneed. It's also cold enough to make sure that raw meats and other perishables \r\n\r\nwill keep for your trip. The kitchen inside each cabin is small but most of \r\n\r\nthe tools to make and serve meals are there if you need them. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort has 4 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature \r\nroll-in showers or bathtubs with rails. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which feature.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Treehouse Villas have their own pool located near Treehouses 7035, \r\n\r\n7036, 7037, 7055, 7056 and 7060. The Treehouse Villas pool is very small so it \r\n\r\ncan quickly become overwhelmed with guests. Luckily Treehouse Villa guests may \r\n\r\nuse Saratoga Springs' other pools
\r\nSaratoga Springs has four pools. The largest, High Rock Spring Pool, sits \r\n\r\nsits near the outside of the resort's lobby, Carriage House. There is also a \r\n\r\nhot tub and kiddie pool.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/ssr4.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/ssr7.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs' High Rock Spring Pool and The Grandstand's water play area.\r\n
\r\nThe other smaller pools are located in The Grandstand (with child-friendly water play area), The Paddock and \r\n\r\nCongress Park sections of the resort. These pools are basic concrete \r\n\r\npools and are considered \"quiet pools,\" meaning that loud play and splashing \r\n\r\naround are discouraged.
\r\n\t\r\nSaratoga Springs' pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to \r\n\r\n4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. We've swum in temperatures as cold as 40°F/4°C; the water \r\n\r\nwas fine, but getting out was a shock. Saratoga Springs also has a hot \r\n\r\ntubs located near each pool.
\r\n\r\nHigh Rock Spring Pool has one water slide that all ages are free to use. \r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much \r\n\r\nas 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The main pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located near the pool in the Congress Park section \r\n\r\nof the resort. The set has a small plastic slide and a couple of sections with \r\n\r\na few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no \r\n\r\nswings, and the entire area is covered in sand.\r\n
\r\nTreehouse Villas do not have their own dedicated restaurants, but there are \r\n\r\nplenty to be found at Saratoga Springs and Disney Springs. Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nhas one table service and one counter service restaurants. If these don't fit \r\n\r\nyour needs you can hop on a boat near the Carriage House and ride over to \r\n\r\nDisney Springs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Turf Club Dinner Menu - The Turf Club Kids Dinner Menu
\r\n\r\nThere's rarely a crowd at this out-of-the-way spot, so it's nice to request \r\n\r\nan outdoor table on a sunny day and enjoy a drink and appetizers on the shady \r\n\r\nterrace. The grilled Caesar salad is the best salad at Disney World.
\r\n\r\nWhen the weather's nice, ask for an outdoor table; you can spot golfers on \r\n\r\nthe adjacent Lake Buena Vista golf course and look across the way to Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney. Tucked off the lobby of the Saratoga Springs Resort, the dining room \r\n\r\nis equestrian-themed.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/ssr3.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette Breakfast Menu\r\n- Artist's Palette Kids Breakfast Menu\r\n- Artist's Palette Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n- Artist's Palette Kids Lunch/Dinner Menu\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Artist's Palette is small counter service restaurant with a limited \r\n\r\nmenu of sandwiches, salads and wraps. Prices range from $8 to $15 for an \r\n\r\nentree so you won't break the bank.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nRestaurants at Saratoga Springs participate in the Disney \r\n\r\nDining Plan; meals cost 1 credit at Artist's Palette and The Turf Club Bar \r\n\r\n& Grill. Tables in Wonderland\r\ncardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at most resort restaurants.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery is available to your room from Disney's own \r\n\r\ndelivery service. Besides pizza, chicken wings, desserts, beer, wine, and \r\n\r\nsodas are also available. However,\r\ndelivery can take up to 90 minutes, and the food quality is often below \r\n\r\naverage. You're probably better off either walking to the food court or \r\n\r\ncalling Domino's. Pizza\r\ndelivery hours are 4 PM to midnight daily. A medium (16\") cheese pizza costs \r\n\r\naround $14 and a pepperoni around $16. Minimum order is $15, and Disney will \r\n\r\ntack on an 18% tip, \r\n$3 delivery charge, and 7% sales tax. Thus, a $30 pizza order will cost you \r\n\r\n$40.50 delivered.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs has one lounge and three pool bars for guests to consume \r\n\r\nadult beverages at. \r\nThe Turf Club Lounge is Saratoga Springs' main \r\n\r\nlounge. The Turf Club Lounge has indoor seating and a full drink menu with \r\n\r\nseveral beers, wines, and a selection of spirits. The lounge is usually open 4 \r\n\r\nPM to 12 AM daily.
\r\n\r\nThe Paddock Grill is located adjacent \r\n\r\nto the quiet pool in The Paddock. Paddock Grill has a small selection of \r\n\r\nspecialty drinks, beer and wine.
\r\n\r\nBackstretch Pool Bar is located near the pool at The Grandstand. It also \r\n\r\noffers a selection of specialty drinks, beer and wine. This bar is seasonal \r\n\r\nand operates a limited amount of hours.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is just \r\n\r\noff of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 68 toward Apopka Vineland \r\n\r\nRd/Kissimmee Vineland Rd N. Turn left on Hotel Plaza Blvd. Turn right \r\n\r\nonto Buena Vista Dr and Saratoga Springs will be on your left.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. If you're not renting \r\n\r\na car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Disney's Saratoga \r\n\r\nSprings Resort for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or \r\n\r\n10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and the Treehouse Villas to \r\n\r\nMagic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, \r\n\r\nBlizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort's bus \r\n\r\nstops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in \r\n\r\nparking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach. Disney Springs is accessed via a boat that can be loaded near the Carriage House in Saratoga Springs or the dock near treehouses 7020 and 7021 in the Treehouse Villa section of the resort. The Treehouse Villas have their own two bus stops located at the east and west of the treehouse area of the resort.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Treehouse Villas' bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Treehouse Villas' bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 15-20 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks are a little less frequent, and you \r\n\r\ncould wait anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 30 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Typhoon Lagoon \r\n\r\nand Blizzard Beach water parks. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Disney's \r\n\r\nHollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Treehouse Villas and Disney's Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nResort If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort \r\n\r\nan open theme park (or ride the boat to Disney Springs), then take another \r\n\r\nbus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to \r\n\r\nDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort. While that's free, it can take anywhere from \r\n\r\n90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, or the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nto wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab \r\n\r\nride to get to most Disney hotels from Saratoga Springs, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nSaratoga Springs is home to Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf \r\n\r\nCourse. This 18-hole course has hosted PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour and \r\n\r\nUSGA events in the past and one of it trademark features is its 7th hole with \r\n\r\na island green. Prices range from $39.00 to $165.00. Call (407) WDW-GOLF to \r\n\r\nreserve a tee time.
\r\n\r\nSenses Spa is Saratoga Springs' spa. Senses Spa is open \r\n\r\n8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Massage, facial, and body treatment services are \r\n\r\navailable. A 24-Hour fitness center is also available at Senses Spa.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSaratoga Springs' gift shop is Artist's Palette. It is located in the \r\n\r\nCarriage House near the lobby. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Artist's Palette \r\n\r\nhas a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as \r\n\r\nkeychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices \r\n\r\nfor these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney.
\r\n\r\n\r\nArtist's Palette also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, \r\n\r\nallergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. \r\n\r\nAnd Artist's Palette has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLocated near spa and fitness center is the Win, Place Or Show \r\n\r\nArcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail. The \r\n\r\ntrail is a 0.8 or 1.44-mile loop along the greens of Disney’s Lake Buena Vista \r\n\r\nGolf Course.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Saratoga Springs \r\n\r\nResort's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 827-1100.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on \r\n\r\nproperty. Click here for the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort map \r\n\r\nand to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\n![\"7052\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/thumbs/7052.JPG\")
\r\nTreehouses 7024–7034 and 7058–7060 are closest to one of the villas’ two\r\ndedicated bus stops and the walkway to Saratoga Springs; 7026–7033\r\nalso have water views. Treehouses 7001–7011 and 7045–7054 are closest\r\nto the other bus stop; 7020–7023 are closest to the boat docks. Finally,\r\nTreehouses 7035–7037, 7055, 7056, and 7060 surround the pool.
\r\n\r\n![\"7020\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/thumbs/7020.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl240/thumbs/7035.JPG\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Spacious stand-alone 3-bedroom villas | \r\nComplicated bus system shared with Saratoga Springs that makes bus travel lengthy | \r\n
| Lushly landscaped setting, quiet secluded villas | \r\nLong distance from Saratoga Springs\r\nservices such as check-in and dining | \r\n
| Innovative round design feels more\r\nspacious than other villas with the same\r\nsquare footage | \r\nKids may find all that quiet boring | \r\n
| Boat transportation to Disney Springs | \r\nLackluster pool | \r\n
| Kids love bunk beds | \r\nOnly 2 baths per villa | \r\n
| Historical connection to the Treehouses\r\nfrom the 1970s | \r\n\r\n |
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/cbrmap.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach hotel map\r\n
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach was Disney's first Moderate resort when it\r\nopened in 1998. It consists of two dozen colorful, two-story motel-style\r\nbuildings, separated into five areas named for Caribbean islands: Aruba,\r\nBarbados, Jamaica, Martinique, and Trinidad.\r\n
\r\n\r\nMost of the 1,536 guest rooms measure 314 square feet and are\r\noutfitted with two queen beds; a fold-down Murphy bed is also available\r\nin select rooms. Except as noted below, decor is distinguished by\r\nneutral beach tones, bright tropical accent colors, and furnishings of\r\ndark wood and rattan. Sliding doors separate the grooming area from\r\nthe main room. Together with the bathroom, this allows three people\r\nto get ready at once. All rooms have a dresser, small table with chairs,\r\nminifridge, coffee maker, TV, and plenty of storage. Rooms don’t have\r\nbalconies, but the access passageways are external and have railings.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe refurbished Old Port Royale building houses the check-in desk,\r\nrestaurants, and shops. A food court has counter-service and graband-\r\ngo options; Sebastian’s Bistro is a sit-down restaurant with waterfront\r\ntables.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nOld Port Royale Check-in Area
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach’s on-site dining remains a weakness with readers.\r\nThis Bismarck, North Dakota, reader, for example, thinks the counterservice\r\ndining logistics need work:
\r\n\r\nNot a fan of the queue area in the food court—who thought that was\r\na good idea? Two checkout lanes for a resort that big? The grab-andgo\r\narea is way too small.\r\n\r\n
South and east of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach\r\noffers transportation to all Disney World destinations by bus and to\r\nEPCOT and the Studios by Skyliner. Caribbean Beach has access to two Skyliner stations: one south of Jamaica and one north of Aruba at\r\nthe Riviera Resort; bus service runs between the Skyliner stations and\r\nthe resort villages.
\r\n\r\nWalking time to the transportation-loading area from Caribbean\r\nBeach’s most remote rooms is 7–9 minutes, and readers rate Disney bus\r\nservice here as below average. Seriously consider bringing a car—this\r\n20-something couple from Kansas City, Missouri, wished they had:
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach’s bus service is horrendous. It often felt like there was\r\nonly one bus running at a time, and we experienced several 30-plusminute\r\nwaits. The bus circled the entire resort—which is huge—before\r\nit headed out, so if you were unlucky enough to be at one of the last\r\nstops during a rush to the parks, the bus would pass right by if it was\r\nfull. On multiple occasions, we arrived at the bus stop an hour or more\r\nbefore our dining reservations, but we still found ourselves running\r\npast the park gates to make it to the restaurant on time!\r\n
A mom from Fenton, Michigan, likewise found bus service lacking:
\r\nWe recommend renting a car and/or paying for a preferred room\r\nlocation, especially during the hotter months. The buses just take way\r\ntoo long with all the stops, and it was a long hike to the food court\r\nand pools in the heat.\r\n
We think Caribbean Beach is one of the prettiest resorts on property and it tends to run a little bit cheaper and has better scenery than Coronado Springs Resort. The many bus stops and lack of an indoor bar are the knocks against it. Caribbean Beach does not offer a fitness center; for that you'll have to go to any of the Deluxe resorts or the only Moderate to offer a fitness center, Coronado Springs.
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach is similarly priced to Port Orleans – French Quarter and Port Orleans – Riverside, both also Moderate Resorts. Fellow Moderate Resort Coronado Springs is a touch more expensive. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are also considered a Moderate Resort by Disney, but they are quite different and more expensive than the other four traditional-style resorts.\r\n
\r\n\t\r\nIf you are deciding between a Moderate-level resort and a Value Resort such as Disney's Pop Century, be aware that the resort layout varies considerably between the Moderate Resorts. The Value resorts have similar footprints, but the Moderates have vast size differences.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Most of the 1,536 guest rooms are 314 square feet. Most rooms have two queen-size beds; many rooms also have a slightly-smaller-than-a-twin-sized fold-down bed to many rooms. Rooms are decorated with neutral beach tones accented by bright tropical colors. All are outfitted with the same light-oak furniture. Rooms don’t have balconies, but the access passageways are external and have railings.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach Caribbean Beach room is furnished with the following:\r\n
Caribbean Beach bathrooms are modestly-sized, but larger than bathrooms found in Disney's value resorts. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. The shower and toilet are located in a room with door. A dressing area, which includes two sinks and a small amount of counter space, is separated from the sleeping area by a sliding door. Combined with the shower/toilet room, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CBR_bath1.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDressing area and sink in Caribbean Beach’s rooms.
\r\nCaribbean Beach has approximately 200 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more. Some of Riverside's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 queen bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/cbrroomlayout.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach Room Layout
\r\n\r\nCaribbean Beach Resort rooms are priced depending on the room view and locations:\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/dinings/orl267/ORL267_02.jpg\")
\r\nThe Banana Cabana Pool Bar is directly adjacent to the pool.
\r\n\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/cbrquiet.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nOne of Caribbean Beach's Quiet Pools.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/CBR-Pool%205%20(B).jpg\")
\r\n\r\nChildren’s Splash Area
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/Playground.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/DSCF3334.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nLeft: Part of the main playground on Caribbean Cay. Right: One of the ancillary playgrounds.\r\n
\r\n\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CARIBBEAN_BEACH_GIFTSHOP.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nCalypso Trading Post sells the standard Disney merchandise.
\r\nDisney's Caribbean Beach Resort is near I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide World of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 0.9 miles/1.5 km, then turn right on Victory Way. You'll see Caribbean Beach's sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have a GPS, here's Caribbean Beach's address and location:\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Caribbean Beach's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. Caribbean Beach’s check-in area is in the main Old Port Royale building. A dedicated parking lot across from Old Port Royale serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in. If you arrive by public transportation, the Caribbean Beach Resort will shuttle you and your bags from the lobby to your room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at Caribbean Beach Resort overnight will be charged $20 per day.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Caribbean Beach. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Caribbean Beach will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Caribbean Beach for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Caribbean Beach. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options.
\r\n\r\nThe Disney Skyliner gondola system has its main hub at Caribbean Beach, which makes the resort a good base for visiting Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, the two theme parks connected by the Skyliner. The station is located near the Jamaica section of Caribbean Beach, which makes that section more desirable, although guests in the northernmost Aruba buildings can also walk to the station at the Riviera hotel quite easily. For other guests there is an internal bus that will shuttle you to the Skyliner. From the station, the ride to EPCOT's International Gateway entrance is about 15 minutes while the ride to Hollywood Studios is about 7 minutes and although the Epcot line goes through the Riviera station there is no need to exit the Skyliner to get to either park from Caribbean Beach.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Caribbean Beach to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Caribbean Beach has a bus stop in each of the six villages and one at Old Port Royale. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. Caribbean Beach does not share bus service with any other resort, but the large size and seven bus stops make the trip somewhat long compared to some other resorts.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Caribbean Beach's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, the Caribbean Beach bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. For example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios average about 15 minutes early in the day. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 18 to 30 minutes for a ride. While these are the average times you will wait for a bus at Caribbean Beach, the six bus stops at the resort mean a longer ride on the bus without leaving the resort. This is the reason Caribbean Beach has some of the highest total bus transportation times despite its central location.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAt Caribbean Beach, Disney buses pick up and drop off in this order:\r\n
\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Downtown Disney. Disney's bus service is faster to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Caribbean Beach’s bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Caribbean Beach to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Caribbean Beach. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi or ride sharing service such as Uber of Lyft. Taxi rates are generally in the $15-20 range, depending on your destination, and Uber and Lyft are sigificantly cheaper. A taxi can typically get to most points in DisneyWorld within 20 minutes (often much less), versus the one to two hours it might take using Disney's free transportation system. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBelow is a video, shot in November 2017, that shows what the construction looks like at the Caribbean Beach Resort.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Caribbean Beach Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nThe five “islands,” or groups\r\nof buildings clustered around Barefoot Bay, are identical. The two-story\r\nmotel-style structures comprising each island are arranged in various\r\nways to face courtyards, pools, the bay, and so forth. Except for the\r\ntheme, the setup is very similar to the one at Coronado Springs Resort. The verdant landscaping features lots of ferns and palm\r\ntrees, especially in the courtyards.
\r\n\r\nIn general, corner rooms are preferable because they have more windows.\r\nStandard-view rooms face either parking lots or courtyards, and\r\nthe usual broad interpretation of water views is in play here. Beyond\r\nthat, your main choices will revolve around your preference for proximity\r\nto (or distance from) Old Port Royale’s check-in desk and restaurants,\r\npools, parking lots, or beaches on Barefoot Bay. Each\r\nisland has direct access to at least one beach, playground, bus stop, and\r\nparking lot.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5428.JPG\")
\r\nAll rooms in these buildings are considered preferred, so they are a little bit more expensive. The upside is that they are very close to Old Port Royale. Good views include the water views in building 24, rooms 2445-2448, building 25, rooms 2522, 2523, 2525-27, 2554, 2555, 2557-59.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 24, 25, and 26 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/2520.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/2554.JPG\")
\r\nThis group of buildings also contains preferred rooms and therefore are close to Old Port Royale. Good views include the water view rooms in building 32, rooms 3221-3228 and 3253-3260, and standard view rooms in building 33, rooms 3317-3320, 3226-3228, 3358-3360, and 3349-3352.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 31, 32, and 33 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3228.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3349.JPG\")
\r\nThere are several good water views in building 34, rooms 3438-3440 and building 35, rooms 3501-3504, 3513-3516, 3533-3536, and 3545-3548. There are also good standard view rooms in building 36, rooms 3633-3636.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 34, 35, and 36 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3401.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3516.JPG\")
\r\nGood views include the water view rooms in building 37, rooms 3749-3752, and some standard view rooms in building 39, rooms 3926-3928 and 3958-3960. Almost half of building 38 has good views as well, most of them water views. Specifically rooms 3818, 3819, 3821-3832, 3850, 3851, and 3853-3864.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 31, 32, and 33 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3719.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/3832.JPG\")
\r\nThese buildings are the further of the two Jamaica groups and can be a long walk to Old Port Royale, even cutting across the footbridge over the island. On top of that there are few good views although there aren’t too many bad ones either. Many rooms in this area look upon large amounts of foliage although the water view rooms in building 42, rooms 4217-4223 and 4249-4255, are excellent.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 41, 42, and 43 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/4249.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/4215.JPG\")
\r\nIf you’re not ready to pitch in the extra money for a preferred room, this group of buildings in Jamaica is a decent spot. While still a few minutes away from Old Port Royale, the close proximity to the footbridge across the lagoon makes it an easy and pleasant walk. There are no standout views from any of these buildings, but there are some pleasant garden views available, especially in building 45.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 44, 45, and 46 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/4559.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/4556.JPG\")
\r\nMuch like Jamaica buildings 44-46 above, this group of Aruba buildings are very close to the footbridge spanning the lagoon, which makes the walk to Old Port Royale pleasant if not necessarily shorter. There are several very nice views available here as well, namely the water views from building 52, rooms 5224-5226.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 54, 55, and 56 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5336.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5224.JPG\")
\r\nThis building group is closer to the Aruba bus stop, but that’s about it. It is quite far from Old Port Royale and contains few great views. Building 54 is unremarkable, with no very good nor very bad views. Half of building 56 faces the parking lot and much of the other half faces the other buildings. Building 55 is the only one of these three with great views, specifically the water view rooms 5509-5512, 5514-5516, 5541-5544, and 5546-5548.
\r\nBad views in Buildings 54, 55, and 56 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5513.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5512.JPG\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Colorful Caribbean theme and beutiful views | \r\nSome “villages” are a good distance\r\nfrom restaurants and shops | \r\n
| Skyliner connection to DHS and Epcot | \r\nSix bus stops means longer ride times | \r\n
| Child-size Murphy beds in select rooms\r\nincrease capacity to 5 people | \r\nNo elevators | \r\n
| Rooms with\r\nFinding Nemo\r\nthemes | \r\n\r\n |
| Elaborate Child Play area near main pool | \r\n\r\n |
| Several quiet pools available | \r\n\r\n |
Coronado Springs Resort is Disney’s only\r\nmidpriced convention property. Inspired by northern Mexico and the\r\nAmerican Southwest, the resort is divided into four separately themed\r\nareas. The two- and three-story Ranchos call to mind Southwestern\r\ncattle ranches, while the two-story Cabanas are modeled after Mexican beach resorts. The multistoried Casitas embody elements of Spanish architecture found in Mexico’s great cities.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Gran Destino Tower serves as the lobby for all of Coronado\r\nSprings, and the rooms in this 15-floor building are nicer than those\r\nin the rest of the resort. (The idea, we hear, is to appeal to companies\r\nreluctant to put their executives in Moderate hotel rooms.)
\r\n\r\nThe vast resort surrounds a 22-acre lake, and there are three small pools as well as one large swimming complex. The main pool features a reproduction of a Mayan step pyramid with a waterfall cascading down its side.
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/overview/orl009_map.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs hotel map\r\n
\r\nAdjacent to Gran Destino is El Centro, where you can find a gift shop, food court, and Rix Lounge. A separate area called The Dig Site, between the Ranchos and Cabanas, is where the main pool, play area, and arcade can be found. The walk between these two sites is only a few minutes, but the distance means that most rooms are reasonably close to one or the other.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs has some amazing vistas, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Coronado Springs’ grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot near Gran Destino serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in. If you arrive by Disney bus transportation, there is a bus stop outside of Gran Destino.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $20 per day.
\r\nCheck-in time at Coronado Springs is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. Coronado Springs participates in Disney's Online Check-In program, which allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information before your arrival. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card when you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind in a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television showing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\nCoronado's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. As of January 1, 2021, guests no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to purchase them.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-lobby.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Check-in.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs lobby and registration area in the Gran Destino Tower.\r\n
\r\nMost of the 1,839 rooms in the Ranchos, Cabanas, and Casitas measure 314 square feet and contain two queen beds, a desk with an excellent working area, a chair, a minifridge, a coffee maker, and a vanity\r\noutside the bathroom. Sliding doors divide the main living area from the\r\nsinks, allowing three people to get ready at the same time. Bathrooms\r\nhave plenty of storage. Rooms are decorated with a subtle Southwestern theme, in a desert-landscape palette. No rooms have balconies.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe 545 rooms in Gran Destino Tower range from standard issue to\r\ndeluxe, one-bedroom, and presidential suites. The public areas showcase a vibrant mix of Spanish and Moorish design, with bold colors and\r\nlarge, open spaces.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerhaps because Coronado Springs is geared to conventions, getting actual work done here is easier than at any other Disney Moderate\r\nresort. Lighting above the desk provides excellent illumination of the\r\nwork area. Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEach Coronado Springs room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits within the large door on the dresser. It's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep drinks cool, but you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. Every room in Coronado Springs has a coffee maker.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/overview/CBRLayout.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs Room Layout
\r\nDisney's Coronado Springs Resort - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA\r\n\r\n
\r\nCoronado Springs bathrooms are smaller than what most people are used to at home but they are at least larger than bathrooms found in Disney's value resorts. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub. One nice feature in the standard bathrooms is a shower curtain rod that curves outward, so you're not always elbowing the shower curtain while shampooing.\r\n
\r\nWater pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.\r\n
\r\nA separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes two sinks, decent counter space, and under-sink storage so an entire family can find places to keep their toiletries. A hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've got lots of hair. The dressing area includes a set of sliding barn doors that separate it from the sleeping area which are useful but loud to close. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 2 people can get dressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\nDressing area, sink, and bathroom in a Coronado Springs rooms.
\r\nGran Destino’s standard rooms are almost 20% larger than those\r\nin the rest of the resort. They have vinyl “hardwood” floors, large windows, good lighting, and lots of desk and storage space; rooms are\r\nalso equipped with a minifridge and a Keurig coffee maker. Bathrooms\r\nhave plentiful lighting and shelf space, two sinks, a huge shower, and\r\nseparate areas for grooming and the toilet, allowing three people to get\r\nready at the same time. Our one criticism is that there’s little theming:\r\nThe rooms barely differ from those at other Disney resorts.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOur favorite thing about Gran Destino is the relatively low cost of\r\nClub Level rooms, which get you access to the Chronos Club lounge.\r\nStandard rates for these rooms run $200–$300 per night less than the\r\nnext-cheapest Club Level room on-property, and limited-time discounts\r\nmade the price even better. The Chronos Club has fantastic views, good\r\nfood throughout the day, and a friendly staff. If you’re looking for\r\na little pampering on vacation, Gran Destino’s Club Level rooms are\r\nprobably the best value in Walt Disney World.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs has around 90 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome of Coronado Springs’ accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people prefer to be close to the lobby and dining, and want something pretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney categorizes all of Coronado Springs’ hotel rooms based on how long it takes you to walk to the lobby, and what you see from inside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:\r\n
Coronado Springs has 4 pools. The largest is found at the area called The Dig Site, which also contains the playground and arcade. The area is dominated by a 46 foot tall Mayan stepped pyramid that looks as if it’s been sitting on that spot for centuries and houses the 128 foot water slide.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Pool3.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe Mayan Pyramid
\r\nWhat the water slide empties into is one of the largest pools at Walt Disney World. The Coronado Springs pool, officially called the Lost City of Cibola Feature Pool, sits directly in the shadow of the pyramid. \r\n
\r\n \r\nAdjacent to the main pool is a water play area, where small children can play in a very shallow pool containing several water spouts. The pool area is also where you will find the Jacuzzi as well as a beach volleyball court.\r\n
\r\nIn addition to the large main pool, each of the three areas has its own “quiet” pool. Quiet pools are Disney’s name for their smaller pools, the noise level varies depending on the pool’s users. Each of these pools is smaller than the main pool and has no extras such as a child play area or slide.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\t\r\nCoronado Springs’ pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m and are open every day, including winter. Pools are heated to 82F/28C throughout the year. Guests can find showers, storage lockers, restrooms, and laundry facilities at each of the pools. Pool hours are at least 9 AM to 9 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times. The main pool will have lifeguards whenever they are open, but the quiet pools will not have lifeguards at any time.\r\n
\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ. \r\n
\r\n\r\nAn inventive playground area is found at The Dig Site, tucked off to the side of the pyramid. Also themed with statues and “stone,” the play area contains a large sandbox, a slide, and a climbing structure. Like all Disney playgrounds, the ground is made of a spongy material for safety although the entire area is pervaded by sand. \r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0275.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs has four full-service restaurants and a food court,\r\nplus two bars. One of those full-service restaurants, Toledo—Tapas, Steak\r\n& Seafood, is in Gran Destino Tower. An over-water bar called Three\r\nBridges Bar & Grill sits in the middle of Coronado Springs’ 22-acre lake,\r\nconnected to the resort by—drum roll—three bridges. Even with these\r\nadditions, though, dining capacity and choices may be just adequate for\r\na resort this big. We suggest having a car to expand your options.\r\n
\r\nMaya Grill is Coronado Springs’ full-service restaurant. Run by the same company that operates the restaurants at EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion, Maya Grill specializes in southwestern cuisine. Unfortunately, like too many Disney restaurants, Maya Grill doesn’t fully commit to the style and the results are a slightly bland version of authentic favorites. The restaurant mostly caters to convention customers who are both stuck at Coronado Springs and on an expense account. \r\n
\r\nThe dining room was designed to evoke the ancient world of the Maya, achieving \"a harmony of fire, sun, and water.\" But the idea falls short, with the fire taking the form of \"flames\" made of fan-blown fabric at the top of two large columns. The kitchen is open to view, but so is the barren and starkly lit walkway outside.\r\n
\r\nNotables on the menu include Chilorio Pork Sliders appetizer and the Arrachera, although much of the menu is under-flavored Tex-Mex at double and triple the prices of your local Mexican restaurant. Our experiences at Maya Grill and those of our readers are mediocre at best. On the bright side, Tables in Wonderland cardholders are eligible for a 20% discount at Maya Grill.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0175.JPG\")
\r\nIn our annual reader surveys, Maya Grill ranks towards the bottom of table-service restaurants in Walt Disney World with a “thumbs up” rating of 71%, well below the average of 87%. This puts it in the same class as often maligned restaurants such as EPCOT’s Nine Dragons, Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Café, and the now demolished Cap’n Jack’s. As you may imagine, we recommend heading elsewhere for that sit-down dinner.\r\n
\r\nMaya Grill Hours\r\n
If you are looking for breakfast, lunch, or a quicker meal, Coronado Springs also has the El Mercado de Coronado food court that's also in the same large building as Maya Grill. The food court area is fun and festive and contained in a large space that vaguely resembles and outdoor market. \r\n
\r\nThe overall setup is much like a food court at a mall. There are several different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells burgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to line up several times. The good news is that some of the food is prepared on demand, so you'll at least be getting your burger cooked to order.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $18 for an entree so you won't break the bank. Breakfast is the standard fare of egg and meat platters, omelets, and Mickey-shaped waffles. Some standout entrees from the Lunch and Dinner menu include the Crabcake Sandwich and Aztec Burger, both between $12 and $15. None of the desserts are particularly interesting but there is a nice assortment of ice cream sundaes and shakes. \r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0174.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0290.JPG\")
\r\nEl Mercado is set up like a mall food court. Different stations each serve a different type of food.
\r\nEl Mercado Food Court Hours\r\n
El Mercado participates in the Disney Dining Plan (when it's offered); meals cost 1 Quick Service credit, and there are a wide variety of snacks to use as Snack credits on the Dining Plan. El Mercado is unique among the moderate resorts in that it is a Quick Service venue where waiters bring and refill your beverages; as a result, guests are expected to provide a gratuity.\r\n
\r\nFor grab-and-go items or even quicker meals than El Mercado can offer, you will find Café Rix, also in El Centro. Meals here use 1 Quick Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan (when it's offered), and there are a wide variety of snacks to use as Snack credits on the Dining Plan. Café Rix offers simple things such as breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and doughnuts for breakfast and a small selection of hot or cold sandwiches for lunch and dinner. While the selection is minimal, it is fast and Café Rix opens at 6am, earlier than El Mercado, making it a good choice for a quick pre-park breakfast. There is no seating for Café Rix, but Rix Lounge has quite a bit of seating that is open for Café patrons. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFree refills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks (including juice and milk) during your meal. Both El Mercado and Cafe Rix will refill mugs purchased thorugh Disney's Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRix Sports Bar & Grill is an unusual spot, well for a Disney resort at least. \r\n It is the only bar or lounge at a Walt Disney World resort that could be considered a nightclub with DJs spinning the tunes most nights. \r\n The décor is upscale and reminiscent of a more urban club although it is decidedly not in line with the Southwestern motif of Coronado Springs. \r\n There are many interesting elements to Rix Lounge and a menu full of equally interesting drinks, but Rix Lounge is mostly a hive for the busy bees in \r\n town for a convention. When there are large meetings at Coronado Springs, Rix can be quite busy. Otherwise it is often uncrowded.\r\n
\r\n\r\n Rix serves breakfast from 7 AM to 12:30 PM\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nSiestas Pool Bar Directly abutting the main pool is Siestas Pool Bar. The pool bar has poolside seating with a breakfast and lunch menu, and drink menu, with several beer selections, a couple of wines, and a small selection of spirits. It's fine if you want a domestic light beer or a fruity cocktail to relax with by the pool, or to get a nightcap on the way back to your room for the night. Siestas Pool Bar is usually open 9 AM to 10 PM daily, weather permitting.\r\n\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/PoolBar.jpg\")
\r\nSiestas Pool Bar is directly adjacent to the pool.
\r\nThe lagoon-side Laguna Bar is one of our favorite places to unwind at Coronado Springs. It would be considered a pool bar except that it’s not near a pool. Rather, it is alongside the gorgeous vista supplied by Lago Dorado. Laguna Bar has a similar menu to Siestas Pool Bar, but the view is much, much better. If a casual drink or a snack is what you are seeking, choose Laguna Bar over any other Coronado Springs option.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nBarcelona Lounge offers breakfast and coffee by day and cocktails by night. Dahlia Lounge is a rooftop lounge at top of Gran Destino Tower with beautiful views of the entire resort. Three Bridges Bar & Grill is a unique floating bar and grill that unites traditional bar fare with Spanish flair. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is near I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 – Epcot Center Drive and you'll end up on Epcot Center Drive. Take the first exit onto Buena Vista Drive and make a left. Go about 2.3 miles/3.7 km down Buena Vista Drive, then turn right on to Coronado Springs’ entrance road. You'll see Coronado Springs’ sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\nIf you have a GPS, here's Coronado Springs’ address and location:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Coronado Springs. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Coronado Springs will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Coronado Springs for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Coronado Springs. At those prices, it may be less expensive to rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Coronado Springs to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Coronado Springs has a bus stop in each of the three room areas and one at El Centro. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. Coronado Springs does not share bus service with any other resort, but the large size and four bus stops make the trip somewhat long compared to some other resorts.
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to everywhere except the Magic Kingdom. Blizzard Beach is actually right across the street and could be walked to if not for the heavily-trafficked and pedestrian-unfriendly road in between. \r\n
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Coronado Springs’ bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, the Coronado Springs bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios average about 13 minutes early in the day. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 18 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\nWhile these are the average times you will wait for a bus at Coronado Springs, the four bus stops at the resort mean a slightly longer ride on the bus without leaving the resort. This is the reason Coronado Springs has some of the highest total bus transportation times despite its central location.
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the current order in which Disney buses pick up and drop off at Coronado Springs:\r\n
Getting to another hotel from Coronado Springs If you've got dining plans (when they're offered) at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Coronado Springs to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Coronado Springs. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Coronado Springs to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from Coronado Springs, and often less. Taxis are available outside of El Centro; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs’ gift shop is Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries, and sits within El Centro, just off the main rotunda. As you'd expect from Disney, Panchito’s has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Downtown Disney.\r\n
\r\nPanchito’s also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And the shop also has Disney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay at home.\r\n
\r\nAnother advantage of staying at a conference hotel is that Coronado Springs has a fitness center, unlike the other Moderate Resorts. The center is located near the quiet pool in the Casitas section, between buildings 3 and 4. It is a small center containing standard equipment such as treadmills, but it is handy if walking around the parks all day isn’t enough exercise for you. There is also a Beauty Salon in the same location for especially bad hair days.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0349.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs has a small fitness center.
\r\nIn the Dig Site area, near the main pool, is the Iguana Arcade, which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and arcade games. Most games cost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, although it’s tough to tell exactly how much because of Disney’s arcade points system. Rather than put money directly into the games, you purchase an arcade card that can be loaded with any number of points. The points are 50 per every $1.00 spent and the games requires various amounts of points. The points system allows you to easily set limits for children, but makes it a little hard to calculate exactly how much you’re spending on any given game.\r\n
\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners will find that one lap around the main part of Lago Dorado is a scenic 0.75-mile/1.2 km course. If you don’t take the bridge near the main pool and instead add the path around the smaller section of the lagoon the path extends to 1 mile/1.6 km. You won't find an indoor pool at Coronado Springs.\r\n
\r\nWhat you will find are other activities, many of which fit the Coronado Springs theme either on purpose or coincidentally. Bikes are available to rent at the marina, which is found near El Centro. If a little more activity is to your liking, there is a beach volleyball court in the Dig Site. Unfortunately swimming in Lago Dorado is not allowed.\r\n
\r\nCoronado Springs’ free Movies Under the Stars program shows a different Disney film every night of the week on a small outdoor screen set up at the Dig Site near the pool. Folding chairs are provided. The movie schedule varies based on when it gets dark, and may start as early as 7 PM during winter, or as late as 9 PM during summer. A sign near the pool will have the schedule for the week. \r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Lost and Found department by calling (407)824-4245.
","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Coronado Springs Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAs convention hotels go,\r\nCoronado Springs is kind of an odd duck. Whereas at comparable\r\nhotels everything is centrally located and the guest rooms are in close\r\nproximity to each other, the rooms here are spread around a huge lake\r\ncalled Lago Dorado. If you’re assigned a room on the opposite side\r\nof the lake from the meeting area and restaurants, plan on an 11- to\r\n15-minute hike every time you leave your room.
\r\n\r\nCoronado Springs’ main lobby is inside Gran Destino Tower. To its\r\nwest is El Centro, which contains shops, restaurants, and a conference\r\ncenter. There are three accommodation “communities.”
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8127.JPG\")
\r\nThis building is by far the closest to El Centro as well as the Convention Center, which means that all rooms are considered Preferred. If you are staying here with a family be prepared to be surrounded by business people, especially when a convention is in town. The nicest views are on the third and fourth floors facing the courtyard and the lagoon beyond, rooms 1372-1390 and 1470-1490.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 1 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/1477.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/1191.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 2 is still all Preferred rooms, but is further away from El Centro than either Building 1 or much of Building 3. The location also means not many good views, almost all of which face other buildings or the parking lot. The second and third floor rooms 2261-2263 and 2361-2363 have an off-center view of the quiet pool, and are about as good a view as you can get in this building.
\r\nBad views in Building 2 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/2362.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/2160.JPG\")
\r\nIf you want a great view and are willing to pay for a Preferred room, building 3 is your best bet. About half of the building faces the lagoon and the East side of it is very close to El Centro. The best lagoon views are rooms on the second and third floors numbered 3X20-3X23, 3X25, and 3X27 and rooms on floors 2-4 numbered 3X66-3X69. There really aren’t many bad views in building 3 as the rooms that don’t face the lagoon simply face other buildings, although there are a handful that look over hallways.
\r\nBad views in Building 3 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/3324.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/3323.JPG\")
\r\nIf ponying up extra money for a Preferred room doesn’t sound appealing to you, Casitas building 4 is one of the closes buildings to El Centro that isn’t Preferred. This building contains just about every type of view from the parking lot to a pool to the lagoon. The best lagoon view rooms are on floors 2-4, rooms 4X61-4X65.
\r\nBad views in Building 4 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/4360.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/4361.JPG\")
\r\nBy building 5 you start getting a little far away from El Centro and you are still a bit of a walk to the main pool area as well. The good news is that there are a few excellent views from the rooms of building 5. The water view rooms on floors 2-4, room numbers 5X10-5X13 and 5X60-5X63, are the best. If you would rather not pay for a water view room, about half of building 5 faces a pleasant, fountain-centric courtyard.
\r\nBad views in Building 5 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/5136.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/5311.JPG\")
\r\nNext come the Ranchos, set back from the lake. The desert theme translates to lots of cactus and gravel, not much water or shade, and almost no good views. The Ranchos are a hike from everything but the main swimming area. Rooms 6X00–6X04 afford the best views.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 6X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 6 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1, 2, and 3 while building B’s floors are listed as 5, 6, and 7. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 6A include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/6124.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/6100.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 6B is a very unremarkable building, although that may not be a bad thing. It contains no official “water view” rooms, although rooms 6X72 and 6X73 have views of the quiet pool. Building 6B also contains no parking lot views, with most of the views either of woods or desert landscaping. If you prefer the woods pick rooms on the South side, numbers 6X00-6X03, 6X30-6X36, and 6X50-6X63. If you would rather the desert choose rooms 6X10-6X13, 6X20-6X27, or 6X40-6X47.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 6X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 6 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1, 2, and 3 while building B’s floors are listed as 5, 6, and 7. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 6B include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/6773.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/6647.JPG\")
\r\nThis building is as far away as you can get from El Centro and still be at Coronado Springs. On the bright side, it is close to the Ranchos quiet pool as well as the bus stop.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 7X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 7 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1, 2, and 3 while building B’s floors are listed as 5, 6, and 7. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 7A include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7111.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7270.JPG\")
\r\nAlthough far from El Centro, building 7B is not a bad spot if you like to swim. The building wraps around the Ranchos quiet pool and is reasonably close to the Dig Site and its massive themed pool. There are several water view rooms in this building, but they are all of the quiet pool and several of them are heavily obstructed by trees and plants. Most of the non-water view rooms face a parking lot, although the rooms facing away from the pool in the South wing face nice greenery, specifically rooms 7X90-7X92 and 7X94-7X97.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 7X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 7 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1, 2, and 3 while building B’s floors are listed as 5, 6, and 7. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 7B include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7754.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7596.JPG\")
\r\nThis building, along with building 8B, are good choices of location if you are going to be taking the bus to the parks, want to use the main pool, and don’t want to pay Preferred room prices. They are reasonably close to the bus stop, fairly close to the Dig Site, and, while still a few minute away, not as far from El Centro as the Ranchos buildings. The Cabanas buildings are only two stories tall and while building 8A faces the water, the first floor rooms are often obstructed views. The second floor water view rooms have some of the nicest views at Coronado Springs, specifically rooms 8224-8226, 8228-8231, 8241-8243, and 8245-8247. If you really want a bargain, rooms 8220-8222 have lovely views of the lagoon, but are not technically considered “water view” for some reason.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 8X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 8 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1 and 2 while building B’s floors are listed as 5 and 6. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 8A include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8231.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8222.JPG\")
\r\nMuch like building 8A above, 8B is close to the bus stop although 8A is a little closer to the pool and 8B is a little closer to El Centro. About half of the rooms in building 8B are water view and the other half look at a parking lot. There are several good water view rooms, namely the second floor rooms 8650-8653.
\r\nA quick note on room numbers: The rooms are listed as 8X21, where you can insert the floor number for X. Because building 8 is split into A and B however, building A contains floors 1 and 2 while building B’s floors are listed as 5 and 6. It is unclear why on Earth they didn’t just add extra building numbers.
\r\nBad views in Building 8B include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8560.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8652.JPG\")
\r\nReader opinions concerning Coronado Springs are split. A family\r\nfrom Cumming, Georgia, was disappointed:
\r\n\r\nThe convention center really interferes with a family vacation—everyone\r\nwe met there was working and wanted to talk about work while\r\nwe were trying to get away from work!\r\n\r\n
A Chester, Virginia, mother had a very different experience:
Coronado Springs was absolutely fabulous. The staff was friendly, the\r\nkids loved the pool, and we all loved Pepper Market. It was nice and\r\nquiet at night. There were many convention guests, but they did not\r\ninterfere with our trip.\r\n\r\n
For a family from Kansas City, Kansas, Coronado Springs was\r\ntheir first accommodations in a Disney Moderate resort:
This was the first time we stayed at Coronado Springs. On our previous\r\nthree trips, we stayed at Pop Century, and I was curious if the\r\nModerate resorts were worth the extra money. At first, the size of the resort was daunting, and having the main building so far away from\r\nthe rooms was a challenge at first. But we quickly settled into a routine\r\nand figured out the bus routes—for some of the buses, the main\r\nbuilding was the last stop, and for other routes, the first. Maybe it\r\nwas our bad luck, but finding the internal shuttle was like spotting\r\na unicorn! The bus service was really the only major drawback. The\r\nroom at Coronado was more spacious and came with a ceiling fan.\r\nThe door separating the living area from the bath vanity was very\r\nuseful because I was able to get ready in the morning without waking\r\nthe kids. The kids really enjoyed the pool area, and I thought it\r\nwas better themed than Pop Century. The size of the resort meant\r\nthat we had more walking to and from the pool and main areas, but\r\nthat also meant it felt less crowded. Overall, I thought the resort was\r\nworth the price difference.\r\n\r\n
A family from Indianapolis liked the swimming pools:
The pool at Coronado Springs was excellent—the kids loved the\r\nslide! Also utilized smaller pool close to our room—was good for\r\nkids to relax before bedtime.\r\n\r\n
Finally, a Canvey Island, England, reader was fair and balanced:
\r\nWe stayed at Coronado Springs and were very satisfied overall. The\r\nPepper Market food court was overly complicated (stamping tickets\r\nto pay at the end, multiple tickets per party), but the quality was\r\ngood. The Maya Grill was a disappointment, overpriced for the quality\r\nof the food. The walk around the lake on a nice day is a delight.\r\n","strengths_weaknesses":"
| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Most sophisticated room decor of the\r\nModerate resorts | \r\nConventioneers may be off-putting to\r\nvacationing families | \r\n
| Beautiful vistas day and night | \r\nSome rooms are a long distance from\r\ncheck-in, lobby, and restaurants | \r\n
| Far more sit down dining and bar options than other Moderates | \r\nFour bus stops means longer ride times | \r\n
| Especially fun pool area with large feature pool | \r\n|
| Only Moderate Resort with a Fitness Center and a Business Center | \r\n\r\n |
| Only Moderate Resort with Club Level rooms | \r\n\r\n |
| Best public Wi-Fi at any Disney resort | \r\n\r\n |
\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter hotel map\r\n
\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter is a moderately priced hotel at Walt Disney World with 1,008 guest rooms. The resort is themed to resemble New Orleans’s Vieux Carré, but sanitized. Consisting of seven three-story guest-room buildings next to the Sassagoula River, prim pink-and-blue structures are festooned with wrought-iron filigree, shuttered windows, and old-fashioned iron lampposts. In keeping with the Crescent City theme, French Quarter is landscaped with magnolia trees and overgrown vines.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe centrally located Mint contains the registration area and food\r\ncourt. The registration desk features a vibrant Mardi Gras mural and\r\nold-fashioned bank-teller windows. Doubloon Lagoon surrounds a colorful fiberglass creation depicting Neptune riding a sea serpent.
\r\n\t\t\r\nIn terms of architecture and facilities, Port Orleans French Quarter is similar to Disney's other Moderate resorts: 3-story, motel-style buildings with a central pool, food court, and registration area. French Quarter is smaller and more compact than the other Moderates.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNew Orleans-style decorations can be found throughout Port Orleans French Quarter.\r\n
Left: The hotel's lobby. Right: Kids can watch classic Disney cartoons in a waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\nWe think Port Orleans French Quarter is one of the best moderate-level resorts at Walt Disney World. The resort is a manageable size, with beautiful landscaping, and a fun pool. The food court serves one of our favorite desserts at WDW, fresh made beingets. Port Orleans French Quarter is an easy walk to its sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside, expanding the nearby dining options, and the many restaurants at Disney Springs are a pleasant boat ride away. Port Orleans French Quarter is a little more expensive - and a little bit better - than the Caribbean Beach Resort. We also enjoy that both Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside resorts offer better scenery than Coronado Springs Resort. French Quarter does not offer a fitness center, for that you'll have to go to any of the Deluxe resorts. The only Moderate to offer a fitness center is Coronado Springs.
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French Quarter rooms measure 314 square feet. Most contain two queen beds, a table and two chairs, a dresser–credenza, a mini-fridge, a coffeemaker, and a vanity outside the bathroom. No rooms have balconies, but ornamental iron-railed accessways on each floor provide a good (though less private) substitute.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA standard Port Orleans French Quarter room.\r\n
\r\nEach Port Orleans French Quarter room is furnished with the following:\r\n
Port Orleans French Quarter Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter bathrooms are modestly-sized, but larger than bathrooms found in Disney's value resorts. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. The shower and toilet are located in a room with door. A dressing area, which includes two sinks and a small amount of counter space, is separated from the sleeping area by a sturdy curtain. Combined with the shower/toilet room, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter bathroom and sink/dressing area.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter has approximately 200 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nSome of French Quarter's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen-sized beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 queen bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter rooms are priced depending on the room view and location:\r\n
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\r\nMouseSavers.com has a list of discounts and deals available at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOnsite dining options at Port Orleans Riverside include a counter service food court, two bars, and in-room pizza delivery. The closest table-service eatery is in the adjacent Riverside section of the resort.
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Depending on your location within Port Orleans French Quarter the dining options at Port Orleans Riverside are also a quick walk away.
\r\n\r\n\r\nSassagoula Floatworks is set up like a mall food court. Different stations each serve a different type of food.\r\n
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![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl014/IMG_2120.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nFrench Quarter's Doubloon Pool\r\n
\r\nPlayground area for children ages 2-12
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![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl014/IMG_2115.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 toward Epcot and you'll end up on Epcot Center Drive. Stay on Epcot Center Drive for 0.8 miles, then Take the exit toward Disney Springs Resort Area. Go about 0.3 miles and keep left at the fork, making the left turn onto Bonnet Creek Pkwy. Port Orleans French Quarter will be on your right.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPort Orleans French Quarter's GPS address and location are:\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Port Orleans French Quarter's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservatios number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at Port Orleans French Quarter overnight will be charged $20 per day.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Port Orleans French Quarter. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Port Orleans French Quarter will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Port Orleans French Quarter for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Port Orleans French Quarter. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about French Quarter's bus schedule, and she'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, French Quarter's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. For example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 8 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 8-14 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 14 to 30 minutes for a ride.
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.
\r\n\r\nIf you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to everywhere except the Magic Kingdom, where Disney's bus service can get you closer to the park.
\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi or ride-share service from French Quarter to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from French Quarter, and Uber and Lyft are often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nMost readers really like Port Orleans French Quarter. This comment from a Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, father of two is typical:
\r\n\r\nI highly recommend Port Orleans French Quarter. We stayed at All-Star Movies on our last trip and didn’t think it made sense to stay anywhere else. Well, we were wrong. The price difference wasn’t that big, and what we got for the difference was well worth it: uncrowded pool, bellhop service, front-door greeters with great tips for touring, and\r\na bigger, more comfortable room. Totally worth the extra money.\r\n\r\n
One Philadelphia Gen Xer wasn’t flush with joy about his stay:
\r\n\r\nThe in-room toilets seem to be powered by jet thrusters. We were woken up far too many times in the night when someone in a neighboring room would flush.\r\n\r\n
An unidentified e-mailer backs him up:
The reader comment about the toilets is 100% correct. They're air-pressure-forced rather than water-flow-and-gravity-operated—like an airplane toilet, only MUCH louder. Every morning I was woken up at 7:30 a.m. with an hour’s worth of whoooshing.\r\n\r\n
Special thanks to our friends at PortOrleans.org for help validating information about rooms at this resort!
\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nSeven\r\nguest-room buildings flank the pool, Guest Relations building, and\r\nbus stop. The best views are from rooms facing the river and pine\r\nforest on the opposite bank. Wings of buildings 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 flank\r\nthe river and provide the best river views in all of Port Orleans. Riverview rooms in buildings 1, 6, and 7 are a long walk from French\r\nQuarter public facilities, but they’re the most tranquil. Families with\r\nchildren should request river-view rooms in buildings 2 and 5, nearest\r\nthe swimming complex. Make sure the reservationist understands that\r\nyou’re requesting a room with a river view, not just a water view. All\r\nriver-view rooms are also water-view rooms but not vice versa. Note\r\nthat standard-view rooms look onto a courtyard or a parking lot.
\r\n\r\nBuilding 1 is a bit of a long walk from the lobby, but some rooms do offer nice views of the Sassagoula River. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1X27-1X32, which face a river. Other good views include 1X24-1X26, 1X34-1X40 and 1X42-1X48.
\r\n\r\n![\"1230\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/1230_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBad views in Building 1 include:\r\n
![\"1110\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/1110_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost rooms in Building 2 look on to landscaping and other buildings. This building does have the advantage of being right next to the pool. Good views in Building 2 include rooms 2X01-2X15, 2X18-2X26 and 2X42-2X48 which face landscaping. 2X27-2X32 face the Sassagoula River. Rooms 2X34-2X40 face a pool but the view is mostly blocked by large trees.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 2 include:\r\n
![\"2238\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/2238_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 3 is located directly next to French Quarter's lobby. Rooms either face a parking lot or landscaping. Good views in building 16 include rooms 3X03-3X07, 3X16-3X23 and 3X26-3X32.
\r\nBad views in Building 3 include:\r\n
![\"3116\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/3116_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"3133\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/3133_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 4 is also located next door to the hotel lobby. Rooms either face a parking lot or landscaping. Good views in building 4 include rooms 4X05-4X09 and 4X30-4X39.\r\n \r\n
Bad views in building 4 are 4X23-4X26, which face a maintenance building. Rooms 4X01-4X04 face a parking lot
\r\n\r\n![\"4205\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/4205_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"4126\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/4126_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost rooms in Building 5 look on to landscaping and other buildings. This building does have the advantage of being right next to the pool. Good views include rooms 5X02-5X07, 5X27-5X31 and 5X34-5X48. Rooms 5X10-5X16 face a pool but the view is mostly blocked by large trees. Rooms 5X17-5X26 face the Sassagoula River.
\r\nBad views in Building 5 include:\r\n
![\"5101\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/5101_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"5316\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/5316_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nAbout half of the rooms in building 6 face the Sassagoula River. The other half look on to landscaping and other buildings. Good views in building 6 include rooms 6X01-6X14 and 6X18-6X22. Rooms 6X24-6X48 have a view of Sassagoula River.
\r\nBad views in building 6 are 6X17.
\r\n![\"6108\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/6108_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"6125\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/6125_thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost of Building 7 faces a parking lot, but a handful also look on to Sassagoula River. Good views include rooms 7X25-7X31 and 7X33-7X40. Rooms 7X42-7X48 face the Sassagoula River.
\r\nBad views in building 7 are 7X01-7X24.
\r\n![\"7115\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/7115_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"7141\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL014/7141_thumb.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Attractively themed lobby and peaceful courtyards | \r\nNo full-service dining | \r\n
| Boat service to Disney Springs | \r\nDoes not have discounted rooms as often as other Moderate Resorts | \r\n
| One bus stop | \r\n\r\n |
| Most compact of the WDW\r\nModerate resorts | \r\n\r\n |
| Live entertainment in Scat Cat’s Club | \r\n\r\n |
| Beignets in food court! | \r\n\r\n |
| Short walk to Port Orleans Riverside’s\r\nrestaurants and bars | \r\n\r\n |
| Good place to walk or run for fitness | \r\n\r\n |
| Elaborate Child Play area near main pool | \r\n\r\n |
Port Orleans Riverside is a moderately priced hotel at Walt Disney World, with most rooms sleeping up to four or five guests. The resort is themed to resemble the old South - Mississippi River communities in antebellum Louisiana. Port Orleans Riverside is subdivided into two sections: the mansion area, which features plantation-style architecture, and the bayou area, with tin-roofed rustic (imitation) wooden buildings. Mansions are three stories tall, while bayou guesthouses are a story shorter. Port Orleans Riverside is adjacent to Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter hotel. French Quarter is smaller with a New Orleans specific theme.
\r\n\r\nRiverside has six pools. One, Ol' Man Island, is highly themed with a water slide and afternoon entertainment. The other five pools are smaller \"quiet\" pools designed for relaxation.
\r\n\r\nThere are table service, quick service, lounge, and room service options at Port Orleans. The food court at Port Orleans Riverside houses a working cotton press powered by a 32-foot waterwheel. The food options at Riverside's sister hotel, Port Orleans French Quarter, are also easily accessible.
\r\n\r\n\r\nPort Orleans Riverside hotel map\r\n
\r\nThe Oak and Parterre buildings in the Magnolia Bend area of Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort contain princess–themed Royal Rooms, with illuminated headboards, a \"magic carpet\" inlay on the floor, and Disney princess imagery on the walls. The Royal Room pricing is higher than other rooms.
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Left: The Port Orleans hotel lobby features decorative period rugs, furniture. Right: Children can watch classic Disney cartoons in a waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nLouisiana-style decor can be found throughout Port Orleans Riverside.\r\n
\r\nEach of Riverside’s 2,048 rooms is 314 square feet. All rooms provide two queen-size beds, a table and two chairs, a mini-fridge and coffeemaker, and two sinks. Many rooms also include a child-sized single Murphy bed. Rooms in the Alligator Bayou section of Riverside feature brass bathroom fixtures, hickory-branch bedposts, and quilted bedspreads. Rooms in the plantation-themed Magnolia Bend section of Riverside are more conventional, with light walls and chestnut-colored wood furnishings.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDisney refurbished rooms in Alligator Bayou in 2019. These rooms,\r\nalong with those at Caribbean Beach, are unique among Disney Moderates in that they sleep five people; the fifth bed is a Murphy-style\r\nfold-down, more suitable for kids than adults. Rooms feature hickory branch tables, and all have vinyl “hardwood” floors. Bathrooms have\r\nincreased shelf space and a curtain separator that allows three people\r\nto get ready at once.
\r\n\r\nRooms in Magnolia Bend are more conventional, with light-green\r\nwalls, chestnut-colored wood furnishings, and olive carpets. Bathroom\r\nlighting seems to have been improved, and a small shelf above the\r\ndual-sink countertop provides additional storage space.
\r\n\r\nEach Port Orleans Riverside room is furnished with the following:\r\n
Port Orleans Riverside bathrooms are modestly-sized, but larger than bathrooms found in Disney's value resorts. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub. Water pressure in the shower is adequate, but probably less than what you're used to at home. The shower and toilet are located in a room with door. A dressing area, which includes two sinks and a small amount of counter space, is separated from the sleeping area by a sturdy curtain. Combined with the shower/toilet room, this means that three people can have private dressing space at the same time. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs.
\r\n\r\n\r\nPort Orleans Riverside Room\r\n
\r\nPort Orleans Riverside Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\"Royal Rooms\" are themed for Princess Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog film) and feature ornate beds with a fiber optic light show in the headboard and unique in-room artwork featuring Disney Princesses. There are decorative elements that allude to many of the other Disney princesses. For example, the bathrooms taps are in the shape of Aladdin's lamp. All of the Royal Rooms come equipped with two queen size beds. \r\n
\r\nYou may think these princess rooms appeal only to young children but our reviewer had positive things to say:
\r\n\r\nWhat I found when I stepped through the door was an extremely pleasant surprise. Rather than a room covered with glitter and lace, I found a very lavish yet classy room that was much more delicately decorated than I had assumed possible. Using a color palette of primarily gold and blue (royal blue, obviously) and an abundance of woods makes the space feel rich. Although, much like Walt Disney World itself, what makes the room special and different is the details.\r\n\r\n
Disney uses the enhanced themeing of the Royal Rooms to justify the $50-100 increase in price over the same size non-Princess room at Port Orleans Riverside. However, if you don't feel the need to live the Disney princess life, then choosing a traditional room is an easy way to save money.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA Royal Room at Port Orleans Riverside.\r\n
\r\nPort Orleans Riverside has approximately 200 handicap-accessible rooms in a variety of configurations to accommodate guests with hearing or mobility issues. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nSome of Riverside's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 queen bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor a nightly surcharge of $50, up to 2 dogs are allowed in some of the rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. A check-in package of dog-friendly items comes with the extra fee, but so do several special rules. Housekeeping will only enter the room while the human guests are present. Special Do Not Disturb tags are mandatory and guests may be called to come to their room if the dog is being too noisy. \r\n
\r\n\r\nPort Orleans Riverside Rooms are priced depending on the room view and location:\r\n
MouseSavers.com has a list of discounts and deals available at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.\r\n
\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\nOnsite dining options at Port Orleans Riverside include a table service restaurant, a counter service food court, two bars, and in-room pizza delivery.\r\n
Depending on your location within Port Orleans Riverside, the dining options at Port Orleans French Quarter may also be a quick walk away.
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Fulton's can be entered from the outside or through the hotel's lobby.
\r\nTypical guest laundry room with washers, dryers, and vending machines for detergent.\r\n
\r\nWe think Port Orleans Riverside is one of the best Moderate-level hotels on property. Riverside a little more expensive - and a little bit better - than one of Disney's other Moderate resorts, the Caribbean Beach Resort. We also enjoy that both Port Orleans resorts offers better scenery than Coronado Springs Resort. Riverside does not offer a fitness center, for that you'll have to go to any of the Deluxe resorts or to Coronado Spring, the only Moderate to offer fitness facilities. Also note that Coronado Springs is home to a convention center. The many guests staying at the resort for meetings gives Coronado less of a family feel that than other moderates. In terms of layout, architecture, and facilities, Port Orleans Riverside is similar to Disney's other Moderate resorts: 3- and 4-story, motel-style buildings with a central pool, food court, and registration area.
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nDisney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 toward Epcot and you'll end up on Epcot Center Drive. Stay on Epcot Center Drive for 0.8 miles, then Take the exit toward Disney Springs Resort Area. Go about 0.3 miles and keep left at the fork, making the left turn onto Bonnet Creek Pkwy. Port Orleans Riverside will be on your right in 1/2 mile.\r\n
\r\nPort Orleans Riverside's GPS address and location are:\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Port Orleans Riverside's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at Port Orleans Riverside overnight will be charged $20 per day.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Port Orleans Riverside. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Port Orleans Riverside will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. \r\n\r\nMears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Port Orleans Riverside for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Port Orleans Riverside. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney cast member about Riverside's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Riverside's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. For example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 8 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 8-10 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 14 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus serviceis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate Port Orleans Riverside's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Port Orleans Riverside. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\n\r\nHowever, the fastest option is almost always a taxi or ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Rates are generally in the $15-20 range, depending on your destination. A taxi can typically get to most points in Disney World within 20 minutes (often much less), versus the one to two hours it might take using Disney's free transportation system. The cost of an Uber or Lyft is usually much less than a taxi. Taxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe main reader gripe about Riverside is its bus service. First from a Shildon, UK, woman:
\r\n\r\nWe have stayed at POR three times and love it. The buses, however, are a nightmare. They run very erratically, and there never seem to be enough of them. Buses to water parks and MK were the worst.\r\n\r\n
From a Delmar, Delaware, mom:
\r\n\r\nPort Orleans Riverside has one of the worst bus services on property. Unfortunately, we forgot about that from our last stay here. One day a bus to a park takes 20 minutes; two days later, going to the exact same park, you will experience a long, tranquil drive around the loop...followed by finally getting to the park about 45 minutes later or more. Utter madness!\r\n\r\n
Special thanks to our friends at PortOrleans.org for help validating information about rooms at this resort!
","good_not_so_good_rooms":"TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Port Orleans Riverside Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nRiverside is so large that we use bicycles whenever we work there. All told, there are 20\r\nguest-room buildings (not counting flanking wings on two buildings). Divided into two sections, Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend, the resort is arrayed around two pine groves and a watercourse that Disney calls the Sassagoula River. Magnolia Bend consists of four three-story, grand plantation–style complexes named Acadian House, Magnolia Terrace, Oak Manor, and Parterre Place. Though Magnolia Bend is on the river, only about 15% of the guest rooms have an unobstructed view of the water. The vast majority of rooms overlook a courtyard or parking lot. Trees and other vegetation block the view of many rooms actually facing the river.
\r\n\r\nThe best views in Magnolia Bend are from the third floor river side of Acadian House (Building 80), which overlooks the river and Ol’ Man Island: rooms 8417–8419.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 14 of the Alligator Bayou Building 1 is also a short walk to the lobby and food court. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1412-1417 1444-1448, which face a river.
\r\nBad views in Building 14 include:\r\n
Good Rooms in Building 15 of the Alligator Bayou Most rooms in Building 15 face a parking lot. This building does have the advantage of being close to a bus stop and the hotel lobby. Good views in building 15 include rooms 1517-1520, 1530-1531, 1549-1552 and 1562-1564 which offer a view of foliage and low noise levels.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 15 include:\r\n
Good Rooms in Building 16 of the Alligator Bayou Some Building 16 rooms face once of the resort's quiet pools. Good views in building 16 include rooms 1609-1612, 1614, 1619, 1641-1644, 1646 and 1651.
\r\nBad views in Building 16 include:\r\n
![\"1608\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl015/thumbs/1608.jpg\")
\r\n![\"1610\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl015/thumbs/1610.jpg\")
\r\nGood Rooms in Buildings 17 in Alligator Bayou Building 17 is also directly next to a quiet pool but none of the rooms have a pool view. Good views in building 4 include rooms 1705-1706, 1710-1711, 1722 1737-1738, 1742-1743 and 1754.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 17 are 1704, 1712, 1720, 1736, 1744 and 1752, which face a hallway. Rooms 1725-1732 and 1757-1764 face a parking lot
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl015/thumbs/1737.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Buildings 18 in Alligator BayouBuilding 18 is sandwiched between the Sassagoula River and a quite pool but only a few rooms have a water view. The rest of the rooms face foliage and landscaping. Good views include rooms 1803-0804, 1806, 1812, 1822, 1825-1828, 1835-0836, 1838, 1844, 1854 ans 1857-1860.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 18 include:\r\n
Good Rooms in Buildings 24 of Alligator Bayou About half of the rooms in building 24 face a quiet pool. The other half face a parking lot. So either way if you stay in this building you might get higher than usual noise levels. Good views in building 6 include rooms 2417-2419, 2422-2423 2449-2451 and 2454-2455..
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 24 are 2401-2416, 2420, 2424, 2429, 2433-2448, 2452, 2456 and 2461.
\r\nGood Rooms in Buildings 25 of Alligator Bayou Most of Building 25 faces a foliage and landscaping, but a handful also face a quiet pool. There aren't very many good or bad rooms in this building, they're mostly unremarkable. Good views include rooms 2501-2504 and 2533-2536
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 25 are 2505, 2512, 2520, 2529, 2537, 2544, 2552 and 2561.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 26 of Alligator Bayou Building 26 is surrounded by vegetation and is one of the few buildings not located next to a pool. The handful of good views in Building 26 are in rooms 2634-2636 and 2647-2648.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 26 are 2605, 2613, 2621, 2629, 2637, 2645, 2653 and 2661.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 27 of Alligator Bayou Building 27 is not only close to a quite pool, but is also a short walk away from the resort's main pool. Good views in building include 2722-2723, 2725-2728, 2731-2732, 2754-2755, 2757-2760 and 2762-2764. Bad views in Building 27, 2705, 2712, 2720, 2729, 2737, 2744, 2752 and 2761 which face a hallway.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 28 of Alligator Bayou Building 28 is located next to a pool but only a couple of its rooms face it. This won't mean much for views but at least you'll get peace and quiet. Good views in Building 28 include rooms 2801-2803, 2829- 2833-2835, 2837-2832, 2840 and 2861-2864.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 28 are 2804, 2820, 2828, 2836, 2812, 2844, 2852 and 2860.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 34 of Alligator Bayou Building 34 is one of the few buildings at Riverside not located next to a pool, but you won't have trouble finding one after a short walk. It is also located next to a parking lot but none of the rooms face it. Good views in building 34 include rooms 3402-3403, 3425-3427, 3434-3435 and 3457-3459.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 34 are 3404, 3413, 3421-3423, 3428, 3436, 3445, 3453 and 3460.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 35 of Alligator Bayou Rooms in Building 35 face foliage, a pool or a parking lot. Good views in Building 35 include rooms 3525-3526, 3529-3530, 3532, 3546-3547, 3557-3558 and 3561-3564.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 35 are 3501-3508, 3513, 3528, 3533-3540, 3545 and 3560, which face a parking lot.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 36 of Alligator Bayou Like its neighbor, rooms in Building 36 also face foliage, a pool or a parking lot. Good views in Building 36 include rooms 3628, 3631-3632, 3652, 3660 and 3663-3664.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 36 are 3601-3608, 3621, 3629, 3633-3640, 3653 and 3661, which face a parking lot or a hallway.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 37 of Alligator Bayou Rooms in Building 37 mostly face foliage but there are a handful of rooms that face parking lot. Good views in Building 37 include rooms 3710-3711, 3713-3715, 3719 3742-3743, 3745-3747 and 3751.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 37 are 3702-3708, 3712, 3720, 3728, 3734-3740, 3744, 3752 and 3760 which face a parking lot or a hallway.
\r\nGood Rooms in Building 38 of Alligator Bayou Some rooms in Building 38 face the Sassagoula River and the rest look at foliage. Good views in Building 38 include rooms 3810, 3813-3819, 3821-3824, 3842, 3853-3856 and 3845-3851.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 38 are 3805, 3812, 3820, 3829, 3837, 3844, 3852 and 3861 which face a hallway.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 39 of Alligator Bayou Some rooms in Building 39 face one of the resort's quiet pools while the rest face foliage and landscaping. Good views in Building 39 include rooms 3905-3908, 3913-3915, 3937-3940 and 3945-3947.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 39 are 3904, 3912, 3920, 3929, 3936, 3944, 3952 and 3960, which face a hallway.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 80 of Magnolia BendBuilding 80 has the disadvantage of being the farthest away from Riverside's lobby and food court. Some rooms facing southwest have a view of either the pool or Sassagoula River. Good views in Building 80 include rooms 8X08-8X11 (Replace X with the floor number), 8X13-8X16, 8X41-8X45, 8X51 and 8X54-8X63.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 80 are 8X06, 8X12, 8X37, 8X40, 8X48-8X49, 8052, 8X64-8X65 and 8X84, which face a hallway, stairs or other parts of the building. Rooms 8X17-8X28 and 8X85-8X96 face a parking lot.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 85 of Magnolia Bend Building 85 also has a bit of distance between it and Riverside's lobby and food court. Some rooms facing west have a view of either the Sassagoula River, while some rooms facing north have a view of a pool. Good views in Building 80 include rooms 8X03-8X06, 8X31-8X35, 8X43-8X49, 8X64-8X70 and 8X74.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 85 are rooms 8X01, 8X12, 8X16-8X17, 8X28-8X29, 8X51-8X53, 8X56-8X57, 8X60-8X62, 8X72, 8X73, 8X84-8X85 and 8X96-8X97 which face a hallway, stairs or other parts of the building. Rooms 8X15-8X22 and 8X99-8X02 face a parking lot.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 90 of Magnolia Bend Good views in Building 90 include rooms 9X03-9X06, 9X31-9X35, 9X43-9X49, 9X64-9X70 and 9X74.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 90 are rooms 9X01, 9X12, 9X16-9X17, 9X28-8X29, 9X51-9X53, 9X56-9X57, 9X60-9X62, 9X72, 9X73, 9X84-9X85, 9X96-9X97 which face a hallway, stairs or other parts of the building. Rooms 9X15-9X22, 9X99-9X02 face a parking lot.
\r\n\r\nGood Rooms in Building 95 of Magnolia Bend Building 95 has some great views of the Sassagoula River. The rest of the rooms either look out at parking lot or landscaping. Good views in Building 95 include rooms 9X29-9X37, 9X40, 9X77-9X84.
\r\n\r\nBad views in Building 95 are rooms 9X18-9X20, 9X38-9X39, 9X74-9X75, 9X93-9X95, which face a hallway, stairs or other parts of the building. Rooms 9501-9511 and 9602-9612 face a parking lot.
\r\n\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Beautiful grounds and interesting narrative to theming | \r\nFour bus stops means longer ride times | \r\n
| A Moderate resort that can sleep five | \r\nLarge resort, so walks to lobby and food court can be long | \r\n
| Disney princess–themed rooms in\r\nMagnolia Bend | \r\n\r\n |
| Boat service to Disney Springs | \r\n\r\n |
| Live entertainment in River Roost Lounge | \r\n\r\n |
| Good place to walk or run for fitness | \r\n\r\n |
| Recreation options (bikes, boats, fishing hole) | \r\n\r\n |
| Close driving distance to the\r\nMagic Kingdom | \r\n\r\n |
\r\nDuring 2023-2024 the Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are transitioning from \"moderate hotel rooms\" to Disney Vacation Club (Disney's timeshare program) lodging. The DVC Cabins are slated to open in Summer 2024.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor those looking for something a little bit different with their Walt \r\nDisney World Resort stay, we present the cabins at Fort Wilderness. Think of log cabins at any resort mountain town around the country, except have them sanitized by Disney and insert 4 world-class theme parks, that's the Fort Wilderness experience. It's perfect if you want to give your vacation a rustic-but-not-too-rustic feeling.
\r\n\r\nThe prefab log cabins (classified as Moderate resorts in the Disney hierarchy) underwent refurbishments that were completed in early 2016. The rustic cabins have been modernized with a large screen TV and a new kitchen. The upgraded kitchen has new cabinets, solid surface counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. Hard floors are now found where carpet once was. Light fixtures have been replaced giving the dark cabins a brighter feel. A six drawer dresser was added for additional storage. Lighting, cabinets, and new fixtures spruce up the bathroom. The full-size beds were replaced with queen size beds and the murphy bed was replaced with a double-size sleeper sofa. The bedroom has bunk beds and an elevated queen bed; space under the bed is large enough to store luggage.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAll cabins offer air-conditioning, HDTVs, fully equipped \r\n\r\nkitchens, and dining tables. Housekeeping is usually provided daily, except during the pandemic. Most readers are crazy about the cabins. Some representative comments follow.
\r\n\r\nA Wappingers Falls, New York, family writes:
\r\n\r\n\r\nWe stayed at Fort Wilderness in a cabin because:\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\nThe cabins worked out just right for us. Although the kids didn't meet any other children to play with, they had a ball chasing the little lizards and frogs, kicking around pine cones, sitting on the deck to eat ice pops, and sleeping in bunk beds. We went to the campfire twice (we brought our own marshmallows and sticks). Our cabin was a short walk to our bus stop and two blocks away from the pool and laundry.\r\n- We wanted a separate bedroom area.
\r\n- We wanted a kitchen.
\r\n- Our kids are very lively and the cabins were apart from each other so we wouldn't disturb other guests.
\r\n- We thought the kids might meet other children to play with.
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nI loved the dishwasher, the generous storage space, the extra towels, the air-conditioning, and the daily cleaning service. There was no canned music or fake bird calls in the trees, just peace and quiet.\r\n
\r\nGuests check in at Fort Wilderness Reception Outpost, or use online check-in and go directly to your cabin.\r\n
\r\nFrom a Downers Grove, Illinois, family of five:
While we all \r\n\r\nenjoyed the cabins and resort, we spent a LOT of time waiting for buses and \r\n\r\nferries, more than we remember waiting a few years ago. They've recently made \r\n\r\nsome changes to the bus routes, and while we liked having a stop at the Meadow \r\n\r\narea, there was always a long wait for a purple bus to take us back to the \r\n\r\ncabin when returning from the parks (from both depots). They need a separate \r\n\r\nbus route just for the cabins, since many of the campers have cars and/or golf \r\n\r\ncarts, an expense we didn't want after spending so much for the cabin. This \r\n\r\nfactor may make us consider a different resort/villa for our next trip unless \r\n\r\nthe bus system for the cabins is improved.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A mother of two from Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers \r\n\r\nthis:
\r\n\r\nRegarding Fort Wilderness: We stayed in a cabin and liked \r\nhaving all the space and the full kitchen. I was very disappointed in the \r\npools, restaurant, and service, however. I had expected a Disney resort pool, \r\nand instead there were only two relatively small concrete holes in the ground. \r\n The pool nearest our cabin (still a quarter mile away!) never even had a \r\nlifeguard. I had hoped to be able to send the kids to the pool without us \r\nwhen we needed some adult time to ourselves, but with the distance and lack of \r\nlifeguards, there was no way to do that.\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
The restaurant (1 mile away) was good, but it was an all-you-can-eat buffet \r\nwith adult prices for ages 10 and over at about $25. I'm unwilling to pay $25 \r\nfor my 10-year-old daughter to eat one chicken wing and Jell-O very often. We \r\nonly ate there once. I guess they figured that if you had a kitchen or were \r\ncamping, you were committed to cooking every meal. It would've been nice \r\nafter a tiring day to get a light meal or salad.\r\n
These campers from Pickens, South Carolina love camping at Fort Wilderness:
Fort Wilderness is our Happy Place for sure. The best of both worlds. Taking the boat to Magic Kingdom and fairly easy access to the monorail is on par with deluxe resorts. Coming home after a long day in the parks to a more relaxed atmosphere is unbeatable. Although the rate is steep for camping, and getting steeper each year, we still feel like it is a good value.\r\n\r\n\r\n
The cabins at Fort Wilderness are in a different class from all of Disney's other Moderate resorts, for better or worse. We say that because there's nothing else really like them. The cabins are basically the equivalent to a 1-bedroom suite at any of the other resorts. \r\nFort Wilderness Cabins are a little more expensive than Disney's other Moderate resorts, but you do get some nice, unique accommodations. Fort Wilderness does not offer Fitness center, for that you'll have to go to any of the Deluxe resorts. The only Moderate to offer a Fitness center is Coronado Springs.
\r\n\r\nFort Wilderness Resort is a large resort spread across 750 acres. There is an internal bus system to move people around the resort and take them to transportation to other parts of Walt Disney World. Renting bicycles or a golf cart is a popular alternative to the internal bus. There is a boat launch to the Magic Kingdom and bus services to the other parks. Each cabin has its own parking space. If you have a car, other than the Magic Kingdom, driving yourself will be a faster option for getting around Disney World.
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nLeft: The exterior of a typical Fort Wilderness Resort \r\n\r\nCabins. Right: Each cabin has a porch with a patio table and \r\n\r\ngrill.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Fort Wilderness Resort's grounds. If \r\n\r\nyou arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not \r\n\r\nnecessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from Pioneer Hall lobby \r\n\r\nserves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $20 per day.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins is 3:00 PM, and check-out time \r\n\r\nis 11:00 AM. Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins like all Disney resorts, participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program. This service allows you to\r\n provide your name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival on disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience app. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email\r\n address, you will receive your cabin number electronically. Then you can go straight to the cabin and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, \r\n skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the \r\n\r\nRegistration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo \r\n\r\nID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind \r\n\r\nin a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture and a television \r\n\r\nshowing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins's registration staff can provide MagicBands for \r\n\r\nyour stay (for a fee), if you don't already have them. Get theme park tickets and dining \r\n\r\nreservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain \r\n\r\ntheme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line \r\n\r\nfor tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also \r\n\r\nmake Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them \r\n\r\nonline prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPioneer Hall is home to the Fort Wilderness lobby.\r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness rooms measure 504 square feet. Most cabins offer a queen bed and one bunk bed in the only bedroom, augmented by a sleeper sofa (sofa that converts to a double-size bed) in the living room. There's one bathroom with a bathtub with a shower. Cabin also contain air-conditioning, a large HDTV in the living room, a small HDTV in the bedroom, fully equipped kitchens, and a dining tables.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLiving room and kitchen found in the Fort Wilderness Cabins.\r\n
\r\nEach Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The full sized fridge is good enough to hold all the food and drinks you \r\n\r\nneed. It's also cold enough to make sure that raw meats and other perishables \r\n\r\nwill keep for your trip. The kitchen inside each cabin is small but most of the tools to make and serve meals are there if you need them. \r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\n Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins bathrooms are small. Also we shudder at the thought of six people \r\n\r\nstaying in a cabin and sharing one bathroom. If you get desperate you can go to one of the campground's comfort stations. Water pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. The bathroom includes one sink, average counter space, and two shelves. There are also cabinets under the sink that provide additional storage. \r\n\r\nA 1500-watt, hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've got lots of hair. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins have around 28 handicap-accessible rooms. Some \r\n\r\nfeature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A \r\n\r\nsubset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from \r\n\r\nbed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, \r\n\r\nand more.
\r\n\r\nFor a nightly fee of $50 on top of the room charge, up to 2 dogs are allowed in Fort Wilderness Cabins. A check-in package of dog-friendly items comes with the extra fee, but so do several special rules. Housekeeping will only enter the room while the human guests are present, special Do Not Disturb tags are mandatory, and guests may be called to come to their room if the dog is being too noisy. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFort Wilderness has two pools. The largest, Meadow Swimmin’ Pool, sits near \r\n\r\nthe Meadow Trading Post in the middle of the resort. Unlike Disney's other pools with \r\n\r\ntheir elaborate theming or statues of Disney characters, this one is a basic \r\n\r\nno frills concrete swimming pool. It does have a 67-foot-long waterslide, hot \r\n\r\ntub, kiddie pool and water player area.\r\n
\r\n \r\nThe other smaller pool, Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool, is located near loops 25, \r\n\r\n26 and 27. This pool is also a basic concrete square. The Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around \r\n\r\nare discouraged.
\r\n \r\nFort Wilderness' pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 \r\n\r\nfeet 9 inches/1.4m. Pool are open every day, including during winter. The \r\n\r\npools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Fort Wilderness also has a hot \r\n\r\ntub located near Meadow Swimmin’ Pool.
\r\n\r\n\r\nGuests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities. \r\n\r\nPool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, \r\n\r\nextending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The pool will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located between loops 1200 and 1300. The set has two \r\n\r\nsmall plastic slides and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no \r\n\r\nswings and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber surface.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nFort Wilderness has a large variety of dining options, including one food \r\n\r\ncourt, one all-you-can-eat restaurant, two dinner shows, and one lounge.
\r\n\r\n\r\nAt Fort Wilderness, next to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Trail’s End is what a restaurant would’ve looked like had America’s settlers \r\n\r\nbuilt one out of a log cabin. Lunch includes chili, pan-seared \r\n\r\ncatfish, and spicy grilled shrimp and andouille sausage as well as s’mores and \r\n\r\nwarm sticky-bun sundaes. The dinner lineup is fried chicken, ribs, pasta, \r\n\r\nfish, carved meats, pizza, and fruit cobbler. The fare isn’t much different \r\n\r\nfrom what you’d find elsewhere around the parks, and during slow times the \r\n\r\nfood sits quite a while on the steam tables and is not well tended.\r\n
\r\n\r\nTrail's End also has a To-Go Counter that has items like pizza, barbecue pulled pork, and fried chicken platters. The to-go menu is only available during dinner hours.\r\n\r\n
Trail's End Hours\r\n
Six Wild West performers arrive by stagecoach (sound effects only) to entertain the crowd inside Pioneer Hall. There isn’t much of a plot, just corny jokes interspersed with song or dance. The humor is of the Hee Haw ilk, but it’s presented enthusiastically.
\r\n\r\nAudience participation includes sing-alongs, hand clapping, and a finale that uses volunteers to play parts on stage. Performers are accompanied by a banjo player and pianist who also play quietly while the food is being served. The fried chicken and corn on the cob are good, the ribs a bit tough though tasty. With the all-you-can-eat policy, at least you can get your money’s worth by stuffing yourself silly.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMeadow Snack Bar is Fort Wilderness Cabins' quick service dining \r\n\r\nestablishment, located in the middle of the resort near the main pool. Prices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break \r\n\r\nthe bank. Some standout entrees from the Lunch and Dinner menu include the \r\n\r\nBarbecued Pulled Pork Sandwich and Wilderness \r\n\r\nDog.
\r\n\r\n Free refills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks (including juice and milk) during your meal. A huge beverage station sits just beyond the cash\r\n registers, and this station also provides toaster ovens, hot water, ice, condiments, and napkins. The Meadow Snack Bar also participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCrockett's Tavern is Fort \r\n\r\nWilderness' bar and lounge. The lounge has indoor seating and a full drink \r\n\r\nmenu, with several beer selections, wines, and a selection of spirits. \r\n\r\nCrockett's Tavern is usually open 4 PM to 12 AM daily.
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins \r\n\r\nResort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 67 - \r\n\r\nEpcot Center Dr. and you'll end up on Bonnet Creek Pkwy. Then Take \r\n\r\nthe exit toward Downtown Disney Resort Area. Turn left onto Bonnet Creek Pkwy, \r\n\r\nleft on Vista Blvd, and then right on to Fort Wilderness Trail. Turn right on \r\n\r\nSunny Sage Way and Fort Wilderness will be on your right.\r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute \r\n\r\ndrive from Sanford to Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins. If you're not renting a \r\n\r\ncar, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are \r\n\r\ngenerally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to \r\n\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins will cost between $120 and $150, depending on \r\n\r\ntraffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Fort Wilderness \r\n\r\nResort Cabins for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or \r\n\r\n10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and \r\n\r\n$380, plus tip, between Sanford and Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins. At those \r\n\r\nprices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Downtown \r\n\r\nDisney\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins to Magic \r\n\r\nKingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard \r\n\r\nBeach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs.\r\nFort Wilderness Resort Cabins's bus stops sit along the front wall of the lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme \r\n\r\npark has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while \r\n\r\nDisney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and \r\n\r\nservice. Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins does not\r\nshare bus service with any other resort.\r\n
\r\nMagic Kingdom can also be accessed by boat from Fort Wilderness Landing and \r\n\r\nto Epcot by bus, with a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) \r\n\r\nto the Epcot monorail. Boat service may be suspended during thunderstorms, so \r\n\r\nif it's raining or looks like it's about to, Disney will provide buses. An \r\n\r\nalternate route to the Magic Kingdom is by internal bus to the TTC, then by \r\n\r\nmonorail or ferry to the park. Motor traffic within the campground is \r\n\r\npermitted only when entering or exiting. Get around within the campground by \r\n\r\nbus, golf cart, or bike, the latter two available for rent.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Fort Wilderness's bus schedule, and they'll tell \r\n\r\nyou that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Fort Wilderness' bus \r\n\r\nschedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're \r\n\r\nheaded.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, \r\n\r\nyou'll wait around 15 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus \r\n\r\nschedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about \r\n\r\nthe same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 10-15 minutes, on \r\n\r\naverage. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little \r\n\r\nless frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness boat launch to Magic Kingdom and other resorts.
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people \r\n\r\nare already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme \r\n\r\nparks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back \r\n\r\nto their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should \r\n\r\naverage out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's \r\n\r\nAnimal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness bus stop.
\r\nGetting to another hotel from Fort Wilderness Resort \r\n\r\nCabins Boat service is available between Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary Resort. As with all boat service, hours are limited and may not operate during bad weather.
\r\nIf you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the \r\n\r\ncheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to \r\n\r\nyour destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Fort Wilderness Resort \r\n\r\nCabins. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours \r\n\r\neach way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still \r\n\r\nopen, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the \r\n\r\nContemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat \r\n\r\n(to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand \r\n\r\nFloridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from Fort Wilderness \r\n\r\nto wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab \r\n\r\nride to get to most Disney hotels from Fort Wilderness, and Uber and Lyft are often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out \r\n\r\nfront, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call \r\n\r\none for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney \r\n\r\nWorld and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your \r\n\r\nhotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at \r\n\r\nyour convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have \r\n\r\nthree to five people.\r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness arguably offers the most recreational facilities and \r\n\r\nactivities of any Disney resort. Among them are two video arcades, nightly \r\n\r\ncampfire programs, Disney movies, a beach, walking paths, bike, boat, canoe, \r\n\r\ngolf cart, and water ski rentals, a petting zoo, horseback riding, hayrides, \r\n\r\nfishing, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts.
\r\nA campfire and sing-along are held nightly (times vary with the season) \r\n\r\nnear the Meadow Trading Post. Chip 'n' Dale lead the songs, and a Disney film is shown.
\r\n\r\n\r\nFort Wilderness' main gift shop is The Settlement Trading Post and sits across from the lobby in Pioneer Hall. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, The Settlement Trading Post has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Downtown Disney. If you find yourself closer to the central Meadow Trading Post, they have many of the same items.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth Trading Posts also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, \r\n\r\naspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the \r\n\r\nlike. And Jackson Square has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's \r\n\r\nwhat you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - \r\n\r\nabout double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\nAlso located in Pioneer Hall is the Davy Crockett’s Wilderness \r\n\r\nArcade , which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and \r\n\r\narcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a \r\n\r\nbudget with your kids before they go in. A second arcade, Daniel \r\n\r\nBoone’s Wilderness Arcade is located near Meadow Swimmin' Pool\r\n
\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners can find a jogging trail at Fort \r\n\r\nWilderness Resort. It is a scenic 2.5-mile course. You'll find the start point \r\n\r\ncross the street adjacent to the Tri Circle D Farm. There is also a 0.75-mile \r\n\r\nshaded fitness trail and bike path that connects Disney's Wilderness Lodge and \r\n\r\nDisney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. You won't find a gym, fitness center, indoor \r\n\r\npool, or spa at Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins.\r\n
\r\nFort Wilderness bus stop.
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-4245.\r\n
\r\nTouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\n\r\nHands down the best cabins are 118 and 120 on loop 100. These two cabins are the only cabins located on this preferred campsite loop. Its only a three-minute walk to the boat dock and a two-minute walk to Pioneer Hall.
\r\nView from cabin 118 of cabin 120. They have a smaller decks with rocking chairs. The grills and picnic tables are at ground level.
\r\nMost views in Fort Wilderness be the same: trees, other cabins, and more trees. Because what makes a room good is its location. Loops 2200, 2300, 2800 and 2700 are all located next to a bus stop. On the flip side, these same loops have a bit of a walk to the nearest pool. Loops 2500 and 2600 are located next to a pool but have a longer than usual walk to the bus stop. Unfortunately, all of Fort Wilderness' loops that have cabins are at least a 10 to 15 minute walk from Pioneer Hall. You can take a bus to Pioneer Hall but we found it usually ends up taking the same amount of time, or less, to walk. Loop 2200 are nearest to Pioneer Hall (but is still a 15 minute walk).
","strengths_weaknesses":"| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Informal, quiet setting | \r\nComplicated bus service | \r\n
| Boat service to Magic Kingdom | \r\nConfusing campground layout | \r\n
| Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue\r\nshow | \r\nIsolated location | \r\n
| Best recreational options at WDW | \r\nVery limited on-site dining options | \r\n
| Children’s play areas | \r\nSmall baths in cabins | \r\n
| Special day and evening programs | \r\nCrowding at beaches and pools | \r\n
| \r\n | Extreme distance to store and\r\nrestaurant facilities from many\r\ncabins and campsites | \r\n
| \r\n | Small baths in cabins | \r\n
| \r\n | Extreme distance to store and restaurant facilities from many campsites | \r\n
Disney's version of a budget resort features three distinct themes executed in the same hyperbolic style. Spread over a vast expanse, the resorts comprise 30 three-story\r\n motel-style guest-room Buildings. Although the three resorts are neighbors, each has its own lobby, food court, and registration area. The All-Star Movies Resort showcases\r\n giant popcorn boxes and icons from Disney films. The lobbies of all the All-Stars are loud (in both decibels and brightness) and cartoonish, with checkerboard walls and photographs\r\n of famous film stars. Each resort has two main pools; one of Movies' is star-shaped. All pools feature plastic replicas of Disney characters, some shooting water pistols.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\tMousesavers.com has a current list of \r\n\tDisney hotel discounts available at\r\n\tAll-Star Movies.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/map/orl237_map.png\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Movies hotel map\r\n
\r\nInformation on the other All-Star resorts can be found at our pages for All-Star Music Resort and \r\n\tAll-Star Sports Resort.
\r\n\r\nThe All-Star Resorts are slightly cheaper - and a little bit worse - than Pop Century. The All-Star Resorts and Pop Century are slightly less expensive than the newer - and better - Art of Animation\r\n\tvalue resort.\r\n
\t\r\n\r\nIn terms of layout, architecture, and facilities, All-Star Music is similar to Pop Century, the All-Star and Art of Animation Resorts: 3- and 4-story, motel-style\r\n Buildings with a central pool, food court, and registration area.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to All-Star Movies' grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $15 per day.
\r\n\r\nCinema Hall is All-Star Movies' lobby. In it you will find the check-in counter, concierge, Reel Fun Arcade, Donald’s Double Feature shop, and World Premiere Food Court.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at All-Star Movies is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. All-Star Movies, like all Disney resorts, participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program. This service allows you to\r\n provide your name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival on disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience app. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email\r\n address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, \r\n skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind in a nearby play area decorated with child-sized furniture, and a television showing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Movies' gift shop has MagicBands for purchase, if needed. (They're \r\nnot free with your stay as of January 1, 2021.)\r\n
\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain theme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also make Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them online prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1602.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1603.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nLeft: The hotel's lobby, called Cinema Hall, is loosely themed after a movie theater features theater seats, and celebrity photos. Right: Kids can watch class Disney animation in a special waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\nGuest rooms at All-Star Movies are small at 260 square feet. Almost all All-Star Movies rooms sleep 4, plus one child in a crib. The decor is upbeat, with white bedspreads and wall art depicting classic Disney characters. Dark-finish wood furniture and wood-look vinyl flooring provide an upscale touch and the fold-up bed creates a surprising amount of space while the bed is against the wall.\r\n
\r\nAt 260 square feet, guest rooms at the All-Star Resorts are very small. They're so small that a family of four attempting to stay in one room might redefine \"family values\" by week's end. Luckily, the design of the room gives families some options. One of the room's two queen-sized beds folds into the wall leaving a small table behind. When the bed is down there is almost no extra room, but putting the bed up into the wall creates quite a bit of space. Each room has two queen beds or one king bed, a separate vanity area, and a table and chairs. No rooms have balconies.\r\nIf you're planning to save for a Disney vacation, you may want to save enough for a bigger room at another resort if space is an important consideration.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach All-Star Movie room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sit under a counter or desk. It's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep drinks cool,\r\nbut you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. What you won't find in your All-Star Movies room is a microwave (you'll need to stay at a Disney moderate resort or higher), or wired Internet access.
\r\n \r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/overview/AllStar-RoomLayout.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nAll-Star Movies Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\n All-Star bathrooms are tiny. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub.\r\n One nice feature in the standard bathrooms is a shower curtain rod that curves outward, so you're not always elbowing the shower curtain while shampooing.\r\n Water pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.\r\n
\r\n\r\n A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes one sink, but not much counter space. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful.\r\n The dressing area includes a curtain that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/ASMo_Bath_1.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/ASMo_Bath_2.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nBathroom and dressing area and sink in All-Star Movies' rooms.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAll-Star Movies has around 200 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome of Movies' accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds, one of them a Murphy-style folding bed; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed.\r\nUse our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people prefer to be close to the lobby and dining, and want something\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney categorizes all of All-Star Movies' hotel rooms based on how long it takes you \r\nto walk to the lobby, and what you see from inside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:\r\n
All-Star Movies has 2 pools. The largest, Fantasia pool, sits directly behind the Cinema Hall lobby and food court, between the two Buildings dedicated\r\n to the film of the same name. The pool features a sculpture of sorcerer Mickey that shoots out streams of cold water.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nThe two Buildings of the Mighty Ducks section contain the Duck Pond Pool. This pool area is themed like a like a hockey rink, and features goal posts and hockey sticks. The Duck Pond Pool is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are discouraged.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1731.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1732.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nThe Mighty Ducks Duck Pond Pool is a quiet pool, free from loud play.\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Movies' pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Movies' pools are open every day, including winter. Pools are heated to 82F/28C throughout\r\nthe year. All-Star Movies does not have a hot tub or jacuzzi; those are found at Disney's moderate and deluxe resorts.
\r\n\r\nThere are no water slides at All-Star Movies' pools, nor at any of the value resort pools, but guests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities at each of the three pools. Pool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The Fantasia pool will have lifeguards any time the pool is open. The Duck Pond Pool will not have lifeguards at any time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located between the Toy Story Building 9 and Cinema Hall. The set has two small plastic slides and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no swings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber surface.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1703.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1704.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nThere's no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including All-Star Movies. World Premiere Food Court is set up like a food court at a mall. There are 5 different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells\r\nburgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to line up several times. The good news is that some of the\r\nfood is prepared on demand, so you'll at least be getting your burger cooked to order.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. We haven’t received any strong good or bad feedback on the entrees from the Lunch and Dinner menu. The pizza was especially bland and tasteless. The sandwiches like the Hot Italian and Meatball Sub were good but not great, but at least both are under $10. None of the\r\ndesserts are particularly interesting but there is a nice assortment of ice cream sundaes and shakes.
\r\n \r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1626.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1627.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nWorld Premiere Food Court is set up like a mall food court. Seven different stations each serve a different type of food. A separate beverage station serves free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea.\r\n
\r\n\r\n Free refills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks (including juice and milk) during your meal at World Premiere Food Court. A huge beverage station sits just beyond the cash\r\n registers, and this station also provides toaster ovens, hot water, ice, condiments, and napkins. World Premiere Food Court also participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWorld Premiere Food Court Hours\r\n
\r\nGuests looking to snack or enjoy a meal at World Premiere Food Court are also encouraged to mobile order\r\nusing My Disney Experience app. After selecting an arrival window, you can scroll through the menu and build\r\nyour order, connect a method of payment, and then pick up your meal at a marked designated location at the\r\nfood court when notified.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nPizza delivery to your resort room is unavilable at this time. But guests can still order pizza from World Premier Food Court and take it to their rooms.
\r\n\r\nSilver Screen Spirits Bar Just outside of the food court and on the way to the Fantasia Pool is the Silver Screen Spirits Bar.\r\nSilver Screen has outdoor seating and a limited drink menu, with several beer selections, a couple of wines, and a small selection of spirits. It's fine if you want a Budweiser or\r\nstrawberry margarita to relax with by the pool, or to get a nightcap on the way back to your room for the night. Silver Screen Spirits Bar is usually open 12 PM to 9 PM daily, weather\r\npermitting.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's All-Star Movies Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide\r\nWorld of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 2.8 miles, then turn left on Buena Vista Dr. Go \r\nabout 0.9 miles down Buena Vista Dr, then turn right on to Premiere Way, which is All-Star Movies' entrance road. You'll see All-Star Movies' sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\nHere's All-Star Movies GPS address and location:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to All-Star Movies. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to All-Star Movies will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to All-Star Movies for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and All-Star. At those prices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from All-Star Movies to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs.\r\nAll-Star Movies' bus stops sit along the front wall of the Cinema Hall lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. All-Star Movies shares bus service with All-Star Sports and All-Star Music. \r\n
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Movies' bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Movies' bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 12-19 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 15 to 37 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate All-Star Movies' bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1598.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach theme park has its own stop on All-Star Movies' bus route.\r\n
\r\nGetting to another hotel from All-Star Movies If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from All-Star Movies to Disney Springs, then take another bus from Disney Springs to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to All-Star Movies. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from All-Star Movies to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from All-Star, and often less. Uber and Lyft rates are substantially less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the Cinema Hall lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAll-Star Movies gift shop is Donald's Double Feature, and sits just off the lobby, between the check-in area and the food court. As you'd expect from Disney, Donald's Double Feature has a decent\r\ncollection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay\r\nin the theme parks or Disney Springs.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1653.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nDonald's Double Feature also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And Donald's Double Feature has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile the Reel Fun Arcade is located just off the Cinema Hall lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners will find a 1-mile-long, paved jogging trail that connects All-Star Movies Resort, All-Star Music Resort and All-Star Sports Resort. This path is located at the front of Cinema Hall, along Buena Vista Drive. You won't find a gym, fitness center, indoor pool, or spa at All-Star Movies.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashers and dryers are in laundry facilities next to each pool. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n
If you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Lost and Found department by calling (407) 824-4245.\r\n
\r\n\r\n
Being a value resort means that All-Star Movies doesn't offer many spectacular views. But there are a few rooms that are better than a parking lot. There's no large body of water near the All-Star resorts so if you want a value resort with a lake view you should try Pop Century or Art of Animation.
\r\nBuilding 1 doesn't have much to offer in terms of views. This major advantage of this Building is the short walk to Cinema Hall. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1X01-1X09 (replace X with the floor number) offer nice views of the courtyard and giant 101 Dalmatians sculptures.
\r\nBad views in building 1 include:\r\n
![\"1701\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/1701.JPG\")
\r\n![\"1928\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/1928.JPG\")
\r\nGood views in Building 2 include rooms 2901, and 2X55-2X64. These rooms also offer nice views of The Duck Pond Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\nBad views in building 2 include:\r\n
![\"2709\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/2709.JPG\")
\r\n![\"2961\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/2961.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nBuilding 3 also offers nice views of The Duck Pond Pool. Good views in Building 3 include rooms 3902-3903, and 3X04-3X10.
\r\nBad views in building 3 include:\r\n
![\"3761\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/3761.JPG\")
\r\n![\"3902\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/3902.JPG\")
\r\nLike Building 1, Building 4 also has the advantage of being close to Cinema Hall. But on the downside there aren't many good views in this Building. Good views in Building 4 include rooms 4X01-4X10, and 4X58-4X64.\r\n
Bad views in building 4 include:\r\n
![\"4701\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/4701.JPG\")
\r\n![\"4911\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/4911.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 5 is closely located near Cinema Hall and The Fantasia Pool, but this does mean rooms will have higher noise levels. Good views in Building 5 include rooms 5X01-5X07, 5X09-5X10, 5X59-5X61, 5X64, and 5X51-5X54.
\r\nBad views in building 5 include:\r\n
![\"5810\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/5810.JPG\")
\r\n![\"5927\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/5927.JPG\")
\r\nGood views in Building 6 are hard to come by, mostly because it is flanked by 2 large parking lots. Good views in Building 6 (rooms 6X01-6X10, and 6X55-6X64) offer views of the courtyard with oversized Herbie The Love Bug icons.
\r\nBad views in building 6 include:\r\n
![\"6801\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/6801.JPG\")
\r\n![\"6733\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/6733.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 7 (like its neighbor Building 6) is also themed to Herbie The Love Bug. Good views in Building 7 include rooms 7X01-7X10 and 7X55-7X64.
\r\nBad views in building 7 include:\r\n
![\"7802\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/7802.JPG\")
\r\n![\"7716\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/7716.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 8 is located next door to Cinema Hall and the Fantasia Pool. It does have some good views but that comes at the cost of higher than usual noise levels. Good views in Building 8 include rooms 8X01-8X10, 8X55-8X64, 8X11-8X14, 8X25-8X32, and 8X55-8X64.
\r\nBad views in building 8 include:\r\n
![\"8955\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/8955.JPG\")
\r\n![\"8727\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/8727.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 9 and 10 are themed after Pixar's Toy Story movies and feature large Woody and Buzz Lightyear statues. These buildings also have the benefit of being located close to Cinema Hall. Good views in Building 9 include rooms 9X01-9X10 and 9X55-9X64.
\r\nBad views in building 9 include:\r\n
![\"9964\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/9964.JPG\")
\r\n![\"9735\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/9735.JPG\")
\r\nGood views in Building 10 include rooms 0X01-0X10 and 0X55-0X64.
\r\nBad views in building 10 include:\r\n
![\"0801\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/0801.JPG\")
\r\n![\"0755\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/views/0755.JPG\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| The All-Stars are the least expensive of the Disney resorts | \r\nFood courts often\r\noverwhelmed at mealtimes | \r\n
| Queen beds; stylish new room design | \r\nBus stop is often crowded and lacks shade | \r\n
| Just one bus stop | \r\n\r\n |
| Multiple Pools | \r\n\r\n |
| Good photo opportunities | \r\n\r\n |
Disney's version of a budget resort, the three All-Star Resorts (Music, Movies, and Sports) features each have distinct themes executed in the same hyperbolic style. Spread over a vast expanse, the resorts comprise 30 three-story motel-style guest-room Buildings. Although the three resorts are neighbors, each has its own lobby, food court, and registration area. The All-Star Music Resort features 40-foot guitars, maracas, and saxophones. The lobby is loud (in both decibels and brightness) and cartoonish, with checkerboard walls and photographs of famous musicians. There's even a photo of Mickey Mouse with Alice Cooper. Each All-Star resort has two main pools; Music's are shaped like musical instruments (the Piano Pool and the guitar-shaped Calypso Pool. The Calypso Pool features plastic replicas of Disney characters, some shooting water pistols.\r\n
![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL236.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Music hotel map\r\n
\r\nInformation on the other All-Star resorts can be found at our pages for All-Star Movies Resort and \r\n\tAll-Star Sports Resort.
\r\n\r\nDisney completed remodeling the All-Star Music rooms in 2021 to look similar to the rooms at Pop Century. \r\n\r\n
The All-Star Resorts are slightly cheaper - and a little bit worse - than Pop Century. The All-Star Resorts and Pop Century are slightly less expensive than the newer - and better - Art of Animation\r\n\tvalue resort.\r\n
\t\r\n\r\nIn terms of layout, architecture, and facilities, All-Star Music is similar to Pop Century, the All-Star and Art of Animation Resorts: 3- and 4-story, motel-style\r\n Buildings with a central pool, food court, and registration area.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/thumbs/IMG_1796thumb.jpg\")
\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/thumbs/IMG_1823thumb.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for Building-sized music-related icons.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to All-Star Music's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $15 per day.
\r\nMelody Hall is All-Star Music's lobby. In it you will find the check-in counter, concierge, Note'able Games Arcade, the gift shop Maestro Mickey's, and Intermission Food Court.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at All-Star Music is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. All-Star Music like all Disney resorts, participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program. This service allows you to\r\n provide your name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival on disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience app. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email\r\n address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, \r\n skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind in a nearby area and watch a television showing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Music's gift shop has MagicBands for purchase, if needed. (They're \r\nnot free with your stay as of January 1, 2021.)\r\n
\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain theme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also make Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them online prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/AsMuLobby_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/AsMuLobby_02.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nAt 260 square feet, standard rooms at the All-Star Resorts are very small—the same size as those at Pop Century Resort and slightly smaller than Art of Animation’s standard rooms. All-Star rooms are so small, in fact, that a family of four attempting to stay in one room might redefine family values by week’s end. The refurbished rooms have two queen-sized beds, one of which folds Murphy-style into the wall. All rooms have a mini-fridge, coffee maker, a separate vanity area, and a table and chairs. Bathrooms have curved shower rods, an improvement. Except for artwork and bathroom wallpaper, all three resorts’ rooms are furnished identically. No rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIn the Jazz and Calypso Buildings, the\r\n192 suites measure roughly 520 square feet, slightly larger than the cabins at Fort Wilderness but slightly smaller than Art of Animation’s\r\nFamily Suites. Each suite, formed from the combination of two formerly\r\nseparate rooms, includes a kitchenette with mini-refrigerator, microwave,\r\nand coffeemaker. Sleeping accommodations include a queen bed, two queen-size pull-down beds.
\r\n\r\nThe All-Star Music Family Suites also feature a HDTV\r\nplus two bathrooms—one more than the Fort Wilderness cabins.\r\nThe suites cost about 25% less than the cabins and about 20% less\r\nthan the Art of Animation Family Suites, but they don’t have the\r\nkitchen space or appliances to prepare anything more than rudimentary\r\nmeals. If you’re trying to save money by eating in your room,\r\nthe cabins are your best bet. If you just want a little extra space\r\nand somewhere to nuke your Pop-Tarts in the morning, the All-Star\r\nsuites are just fine.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach All-Star Music room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. It's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep drinks cool,\r\nbut you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. You will also find a microwave and coffee maker in the family suites, but not in the standard rooms.
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Music Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\n All-Star bathrooms are tiny. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub.\r\n One nice feature in the standard bathrooms is a shower curtain rod that curves outward, so you're not always elbowing the shower curtain while shampooing.\r\n Water pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.\r\n
\r\n\r\n A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes one sink, but not much counter space. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful.\r\n The dressing area includes a curtain that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe receive a lot of letters commenting on the All-Star Resorts.\r\nFrom a family group of 13 from East Greenbush, New York:
\r\nThe All-Star Resorts are perfectly family-oriented. Some nice touches\r\nthat were not mentioned in your guide—a small amphitheater set up\r\nin the lobby to occupy the kids while you check in, and soft sidewalk\r\nmaterial surrounding the kiddie pool. And the playground has two\r\nseparate jungle gyms—one for older kids and one for younger kids.\r\n\r\n
A Canadian family had a not-so-positive experience:
\r\nThe guide didn’t prepare us for the large groups of students who take\r\nover the resorts. They’re very noisy and very pushy when it comes to\r\ngetting on buses. Our scariest experience was when we tried getting\r\non a bus and got mobbed by about 100 students.\r\n
From a Massachusetts family of four:
\r\nI would never recommend the All-Star for a family. It was like dormitory\r\nliving. Our room was a long hike from the bus stop, and it was\r\ntiny—you needed to step into the bathroom, shut the door, then step\r\naround the toilet that blocked half the tub.\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Music has around 200 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in \r\n\r\nshowers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of these rooms \r\n\r\nhave been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, \r\n\r\ncounter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and \r\n\r\nmore.
\r\n\r\nSome of Music's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 double beds; all rooms \r\n\r\nwith roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms \r\n\r\nhave both 1 king bed and 1 double bed.\r\nUse our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people prefer to be \r\n\r\nclose to the lobby and dining, and want something\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney \r\n\r\ncategorizes all of All-Star Music's hotel rooms based on how long it takes you \r\nto walk to the lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:\r\n
\r\nThere are plenty of exceptions to Disney's room category system. Knowing what to \r\n\r\nlook for will help you get a better room at a cheaper price.\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Music has 2 pools. The largest, Calypso Pool, sits directly behind the Melody Hall lobby and food court, between the two buildings dedicated\r\n to the genre of the same name. The pool features a sculpture of The Three Caballeros that shoots out streams of cold water.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nThe other smaller pool, The Piano Pool, is located near buildings 2 through 8. This pool area is themed like a like a piano, and features large piano keys on the ground. The Piano Pool is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are discouraged.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1806.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1803.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nThe Piano Pond Pool is a quiet pool, free from loud play and splashing around.\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Music's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Music's pools are open every day, including winter. Pools are heated to 82F/28C throughout\r\nthe year. All-Star Music does not have a hot tub or jacuzzi; those are found at\r\nDisney's moderate and deluxe resorts.
\r\n\r\nThere are no water slides at All-Star Music's pools, nor any of the value resort pools, but guests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities at each of the two pools. Pool hours are at least 9 AM to 8 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The Calypso Pool will have lifeguards whenever the pool is open. The Piano Pool will not have lifeguards at any time. \r\n
\r\n\r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located between the Jazz Inn Building 9 and Calypso Building 10. The set has two small plastic slides and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no swings, and most of the area is covered in sand with small sections of a springy, poured rubber surface.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1829.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1828.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nThere's no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including All-Star Music. Intermission Food Court is set up like a food court at a mall. There are 5 different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells\r\nburgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to line up several times. The good news is that some of the\r\nfood is prepared on demand, so you'll at least be getting your burger cooked to order.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. We haven’t received any strong good or bad feedback on the entrees from the Lunch and Dinner menu. The pizza was especially bland and tasteless. The sandwiches like the Hot Italian and Meatball Sub were good but not great, but at least both are under $10. None of the\r\ndesserts are particularly interesting but there is a nice assortment of ice cream sundaes and shakes.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/AsMuFoodCourt_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/AsMuFoodCourt_02.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nIntermission Food Court is set up like a mall food court. Seven different stations each serve a different type of food. A separate beverage station serves free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea.\r\n
\r\n\r\n Free refills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks (including juice and milk) during your meal at Intermission Food Court. A huge beverage station sits just beyond the cash\r\n registers, and this station also provides toaster ovens, hot water, ice, condiments, and napkins. Intermission Food Court also participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIntermission Food Court Hours\r\n
\r\nGuests looking to snack or enjoy a meal at Intermission Food Court are also encouraged to mobile order\r\nusing My Disney Experience app. After selecting an arrival window, you can scroll through the menu and build\r\nyour order, connect a method of payment, and then pick up your meal at a marked designated location at the\r\nfood court when notified.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPizza delivery to your resort room is unavilable at this time. But guests can still order pizza from Intermission Food Court and take it to their rooms.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSinging Spirits Bar Just outside of the food court and on the way to the Calypso Pool is the Singing Spirits Bar.\r\nSinging Spirits has outdoor seating and a limited drink menu, with several beer selections, a couple of wines, and a small selection of spirits. It's fine if you want a Budweiser or\r\nstrawberry margarita to relax with by the pool, or to get a nightcap on the way back to your room for the night. Singing Spirits Bar is usually open 12 PM to 9 PM daily, weather\r\npermitting.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's All-Star Music Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide\r\nWorld of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 2.8 miles, then turn left on Buena Vista Dr. Go \r\nabout 0.7 miles/1 km down Buena Vista Dr, then turn right on to Melody Ln, which is All-Star Music's entrance road. You'll see All-Star Music's sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\nHere's All-Star Music's GPS address and location:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to All-Star Music. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to All-Star Music will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to All-Star Music for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and All-Star Music. At those prices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from All-Star Music to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs.\r\nAll-Star Music's bus stops sit along the front wall of the Melody Hall lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. All-Star Music shares bus service with All-Star Sports and All-Star Movies.\r\n
\r\nIf you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. We evaluate All-Star Music's bus service annually, and the latest transportation times can be found below.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1747.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEach theme park has its own stop on All-Star Music's bus route.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Cast Member about Music's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses \r\n\r\nrun about every 20 minutes. In reality, Music's bus schedule varies considerably \r\n\r\ndepending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll \r\n\r\nwait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for \r\n\r\nEpcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in \r\n\r\nthe day, with a bus arriving every 12-19 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the \r\n\r\nwater parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait \r\n\r\nanywhere from 15 to 37 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are \r\n\r\nalready in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' \r\n\r\nclosing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their \r\n\r\nhotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to \r\n\r\naround 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from All-Star Music If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from All-Star Music to Disney Springs, then take another bus from\r\nDisney Springs to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to All-Star Music. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from All-Star Music to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from the All-Stars, and often less. Uber and Lyft are significantly cheaper than taxis.\r\nTaxis are available outside the Melody Hall lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAll-Star Music's gift shop is Maestro Mickey's, and sits just off the lobby, between the check-in area and the food court. As you'd expect from Disney, Maestro Mickey's has a decent\r\ncollection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay\r\nin the theme parks or Disney Springs.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1752.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nMaestro Mickey's also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And Maestro Mickey has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhile the Note'able Games Arcade is located just off the Cinema Hall lobby.\r\n\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners will find a 1-mile-long, paved jogging trail that connects All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Music Resort and All-Star Sports Resort. This path is located at the front of Melody Hall, along Buena Vista Drive. You won't find a gym, fitness center, indoor pool, or spa at All-Star Music.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashers and dryers are in laundry facilities next to each pool. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n
If you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Lost and Found department by calling (407)824-4245.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBeing a value resort means that All-Star Music doesn't offer many spectacular views. But there are a few rooms that are better than a parking lot. There's no large body of water near the All-Star resorts so if you want a value resort with a lake view you should try Pop Century or Art of Animation.
\r\nBuilding 1 doesn't have much to offer in terms of views. The major advantage of this Building is the short walk to Melody Hall. Rooms facing south look out on to the Calypso Pool. All other rooms in Building 1 either face a parking lot or foliage. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1X01-1X09 (replace X with the floor number).
\r\nBad views in building 1 include:\r\n
![\"1433\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/1433.JPG\")
\r\n![\"1663\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/1663.JPG\")
\r\nViews in Building 2 mostly face foliage or a small courtyard with a fountain. Good views in Building 2 include rooms 2X01-2X10, and 2X55-2X63.
\r\nBad views in building 2 include:\r\n
![\"2446\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/2446.JPG\")
\r\n![\"2501\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/2501.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nBuilding 3 rooms facing west look out on to a courtyard and a giant jukebox icon. Good views in Building 3 include rooms 3X01-3X10 and 3X55-3X64.
\r\nBad views in building 3 include:\r\n
![\"3403\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/3403.JPG\")
\r\n![\"3601\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/3601.JPG\")
\r\nLike Building 3, Building 4 also is themed after rock and roll. Good views in Building 4 include rooms 4X01-4X10, and 4X58-4X64.\r\n
Bad views in building 4 include:\r\n
![\"4432\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/4432.JPG\")
\r\n![\"4509\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/4509.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 5 has the disadvantage of being the furthest away from Melody Hall, there's also not much to see in terms of views as most of the rooms face foliage. Good views in Building 5 include rooms 5X01-5X10 and 5X55-5X64.
\r\nBad views in building 5 include:\r\n
![\"5633\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/5633.JPG\")
\r\n![\"5502\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/5502.JPG\")
\r\nLike its neighbor, Building 6 is also far from Melody Hall. Good views in Building 6 include rooms 6X01-6X10, .
\r\nBad views in building 6 include:\r\n
![\"6417\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/6417.JPG\")
\r\n![\"6455\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/6455.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 7 rooms facing east look out on a courtyard themed after a Broadway theater. Good views in Building 7 include rooms 7X01-7X10 and 7X55-7X64.
\r\nBad views in building 7 include:\r\n
![\"7601\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/7601.JPG\")
\r\n![\"7554\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/7554.JPG\")
\r\nRooms facing West in Building 8 face a courtyard themed after a Broadway theatre. Good views in Building 8 include rooms 8X01-8X10 and 8X55-8X64.
\r\nBad views in building 8 include:\r\n
![\"8659\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/8659.JPG\")
\r\n![\"8443\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/8443.JPG\")
\r\nViews in Building 9 mostly face foliage or a small courtyard with a fountain. Good views in Building 9 include rooms 9X01-9X10 and 9X55-9X63.
\r\nBad views in building 9 include:\r\n
![\"9406\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/9406.JPG\")
\r\n![\"9408\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/9408.JPG\")
\r\nLike Building 1, Building 10's major advantage is the close distance to Melody Hall. Rooms facing North look out on to the Calypso Pool. All other rooms either face a parking lot or foliage. Good views in Building 10 include rooms 0X01-0X10 and 0X55-0X64.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 10 include:\r\n
![\"0432\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/0432.JPG\")
\r\n![\"0662\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/views/0662.JPG\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| The All-Stars are the least expensive of the Disney resorts | \r\nFood courts often\r\noverwhelmed at mealtimes | \r\n
| Family suites at All-Star Music are less\r\nexpensive than those at Art of Animation | \r\nBus stop is often crowded and lacks shade | \r\n
| Queen beds; stylish new room design | \r\n\r\n |
| Lovely landscaping in places | \r\n\r\n |
| Just one bus stop | \r\n\r\n |
| Multiple Pools | \r\n\r\n |
Disney's version of a budget resort features three \r\ndistinct themes executed in the same hyperbolic style. Spread over a vast expanse, the resorts comprise 30 three-story motel-style guest-room Buildings. Although the three resorts are neighbors, each has its own lobby, food court, and registration area. The All-Star Sports Resort features huge sports icons: bright football helmets, tennis rackets, and baseball bats—all taller than the buildings they adorn. \r\nAll-Star Sports has two pools, the Surfboard Bay pool at the Surf's Up! buildings and closest to the main lobby, and the Grand Slam pool, in the Homerun Hotel section. Guests at the All-Stars may use any pool at Movies, Music and Sports. Some rooms are closer to another resort's pools, lobby, and food court than its own. Sarah Stone's Mousesavers.com has a current list of \r\n\t Disney hotel discounts available at All-Star Sports.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL001.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Sports hotel map\r\n
\r\nInformation on the other All-Star resorts can be found at our pages for All-Star Movies Resort and All-Star Sports Resort.
\r\n\r\nThe All-Star Resorts are slightly cheaper - and a little bit worse - than \r\nPop Century. The All-Star Resorts and Pop Century are slightly less expensive than the newer - and better - Art of Animation value resort.\r\n
\t\r\n\r\nIn terms of layout, \r\n\r\narchitecture, and facilities, All-Star Sports is similar to Pop Century, the All-\r\n\r\nStar and Art of Animation Resorts: 3- and 4-story, motel-style\r\n Buildings with a \r\n\r\ncentral pool, food court, and registration area.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl001/thumbs/2209112544thumb.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for Building-sized sports-related icons.\r\n
\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to All-Star Sports' grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\nGuests keeping a car at the hotel overnight will be charged $15 per day.
\r\nStadium Hall is All-Star Sports' lobby. In it \r\n\r\nyou will find the check-in counter, concierge, Game Point Arcade, the gift shop \r\n\r\nSport Goofy Gifts & Sundries, and End Zone Food Court.
\r\n\r\nCheck-in time at All \r\n\r\nStar Sports is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. All-Star Sports, like all Disney resorts, participates in Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program. This service allows you to\r\n provide your name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival on disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience app. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email\r\n address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, \r\n skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you've not registered online, look for signs pointing you to the Registration/Check-In area. You'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID and credit/debit card\r\nwhen you register. While parents are completing the paperwork, kids can unwind in a nearby area and watch a television showing classic Disney animated films.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Sports' gift shop has MagicBands for purchase, if needed. (They're \r\nnot free with your stay as of January 1, 2021.)\r\n
\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the right of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain theme park tickets, \r\nyou can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after another adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also make \r\nDisney dining reservations, and you can avoid a wait there by making them online prior to \r\narrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLeft: The hotel's lobby, called Stadium Hall. Right: Kids \r\n\r\ncan watch class Disney animation in a special waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\nGuest rooms at All-Star Sports are small at 260 square feet. Almost all All-Star Sports rooms sleep 4, plus one child in a crib. The decor is upbeat, with themed-print duvet covers and wall art depicting athletes. Light-finish wood furniture and dark, patterned carpet provide an upscale touch, but these are not rooms you'll want to spend a lot of time in.\r\n
\r\nAt 260 square \r\n\r\nfeet, guest rooms at the All-Star Resorts are very small. They're so small that a family of four attempting to stay in one room might redefine \"family values\" by week's end. Each room has two double beds or one king bed, a separate vanity area, and a table and chairs. Most light fixtures are \r\nstar-shaped. No rooms have balconies.
\r\n\r\nIf you're planning to save for a Disney vacation, you may want to save enough for a bigger room at another resort if space \r\nis an important consideration.
\r\n\r\nWe receive a lot of letters commenting on the All-Star Resorts.\r\nFrom a family group of 13 from East Greenbush, New York:
\r\n\r\nThe All-Star Resorts are perfectly family-oriented. Some nice touches\r\nthat were not mentioned in your guide—a small amphitheater set up\r\nin the lobby to occupy the kids while you check in, and soft sidewalk\r\nmaterial surrounding the kiddie pool. And the playground has two\r\nseparate jungle gyms—one for older kids and one for younger kids.\r\n
A Canadian family had a not-so-positive experience:
\r\n\r\nThe guide didn't prepare us for the large groups of students who take \r\n\r\nover the resorts. They're very noisy and very pushy when it comes to getting on \r\n\r\nbuses. Our scariest experience was when we tried getting on a bus and got mobbed by \r\n\r\nabout 100 students. We didn't know if our children would come out alive from the \r\n\r\nexperience. We don't think we would go back to the All-Star Resorts for this reason \r\n\r\n(they offer packages to student groups). Also, the motel doesn't want to hear your \r\n\r\ncomplaints at all.\r\n\r\n
From a Massachusetts family of four: \r\n\r\n
I would never recommend the All-Star for a family. It was like \r\n\r\ndormitory living. Our room was about 1 mile from the bus stop, and the room was \r\n\r\ntiny. I'm in the hotel business, and it was one of the smallest I've been in. You \r\n\r\nneeded to step into the bathroom, shut the door, then step around the toilet that \r\n\r\nblocked half the tub.\r\n\r\n
A family with young children had nice things to say about All-Star Sports:
\r\nWe took our 1 year old son, 4 year old daughter (who turned 5 while we were there), and 9 year old son. We stayed at All-Star Sports and LOVED every single minute of our vacation. We will come again and we will stay at All-Star Sports again because it was very quiet, well maintained, and no problem getting to and from any place (we had our own car).\r\n\r\n
Each All-Star Sports room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sit under a counter \r\n\r\nor desk. It's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep \r\n\r\ndrinks cool,\r\nbut you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. What \r\n\r\nyou won't find in your All-Star Sports room is a microwave, \r\n\r\ncoffee maker\r\n (you'll need to stay at a Disney moderate resort or \r\n\r\nhigher), or wired Internet access.
\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll-Star Sports Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\n All-Star bathrooms \r\n\r\nare tiny. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-\r\n\r\naccessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub.\r\n One nice feature in the standard \r\n\r\nbathrooms is a shower curtain rod that curves outward, so you're not always elbowing \r\n\r\nthe shower curtain while shampooing.\r\n Water pressure in the shower is average - \r\n\r\nprobably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. \r\n\r\nEventually.\r\n
\r\n\r\n A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes one \r\n\r\nsink, but not much counter space. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, \r\n\r\nbut it's not very powerful.\r\n The dressing area includes a curtain that separates it \r\n\r\nfrom the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 3 people can get \r\n\r\ndressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n The most frequent complaint we hear from readers about All-Star resorts is on \r\n\r\nthe poor soundproofing between rooms, especially rooms connected by an interior \r\n\r\ndoor.\r\n A family of our readers (who only list themselves as \"Massachusetts family of \r\n\r\nfour\") had this to say about All-Star Sports:
I would never recommend the \r\n\r\nAll-Star for a family. It was like dormitory living - our room was about 1 mile from \r\n\r\nthe bus stop, and the room was tiny. I'm in the hotel business, and it was one of \r\n\r\nthe smallest I've been in. You needed to step into the bathroom, shut the door, then \r\n\r\nstep around the toilet that blocked half the tub\r\n \r\n\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Sports has around 200 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome of Sports' accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 double beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed.\r\nUse our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people prefer to be close to the lobby and dining, and want something\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney categorizes all of All-Star Sports' hotel rooms based on how long it takes you \r\nto walk to the lobby, and what you see from inside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:\r\n
All-Star Sports has 2 pools. The largest, Surfboard Bay \r\n\r\nPool, sits directly behind the Stadium Hall lobby and food court, between \r\n\r\nthe two buildings dedicated\r\n to the genre of the same name. The pool features a wavy look, although is not a wave pool.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nThe other smaller pool, \r\n\r\nThe Grand Slam Pool, is located near buildings 7 through 10. This \r\n\r\npool area is themed like a like a baseball diamond, and features large bats and \r\n\r\nbaseballs. The Grand Slam Pool is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play \r\n\r\nand splashing around are discouraged.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Grand Slam Pond Pool is a quiet pool, free from loud play and \r\n\r\nsplashing around.\r\n
\r\nAll-Star Sports' pools range in depth \r\n\r\nfrom around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Sports' pools are open \r\n\r\nevery day, including winter. Pools are heated to 82F/28C throughout\r\nthe year. We've \r\n\r\nswam in temperatures as cold as 40F/4C; the water was fine, but getting out was a \r\n\r\nshock. All-Star Sports does not have a hot tub or \r\n\r\njacuzzi; those are found at\r\nDisney's moderate and deluxe \r\n\r\nresorts.
\r\n\r\nThere are no water slides at All-Star Sports' pools, nor at any of the \r\n\r\nvalue resort pools, but guests can find showers, \r\n\r\nstorage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry \r\n\r\nfacilities at each of the two pools. Pool hours are at \r\n\r\nleast 9AM to 8 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n The \r\n\r\nSurfboard Bay Pool will have lifeguards whenever the pool is open. Grand Slam Pool \r\n\r\nwill not have lifeguards at any time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\nFor more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ.
\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is \r\n\r\nlocated between the Surf's Up Building 6 and Touchdown Building 7. The set has two \r\n\r\nsmall plastic slides and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up \r\n\r\nand down. There are no swings, and the \r\n\r\nentire area is covered in sand, so get ready to dump those sneakers out before you walk back into the room.\r\n
\r\nThere's no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including All-Star Sports. End Zone Food Court is set up like a food court at a \r\nmall. There are 5 different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells\r\nburgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to \r\nline up several times. The good news is that some of the food is prepared on demand, so you'll at least be getting your burger cooked to order.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. We haven’t received any strong good or bad feedback on the entrees from the Lunch and Dinner menu. The pizza was \r\nespecially bland and tasteless. The sandwiches like the Hot Italian \r\nand Meatball Sub were good but not great, but at least both are under $10. None of the\r\ndesserts are particularly interesting but there is a nice assortment of ice cream sundaes and shakes.
\r\n \r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl001/AsSpFoodCourt_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\tEnd Zone Food Court is set up like a mall food court. Seven different \r\n\r\nstations each serve a different type of food. A separate beverage station serves \r\n\r\nfree refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea.\r\n
\r\n\r\n Free \r\n\r\nrefills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks \r\n\r\nduring your meal at End Zone Food Court. A huge beverage \r\n\r\nstation sits just beyond the cash\r\n registers, and this station also provides toaster \r\n\r\novens, hot water, ice, condiments, and napkins. End Zone Food Court also \r\n\r\nparticipates in Disney's \r\n Rapid FillRapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\nEnd Zone Food \r\n\r\nCourt Hours\r\n
\r\n Guests looking to snack or enjoy a meal at End Zone Food Court are also encouraged to mobile order\r\n using My Disney Experience app. After selecting an arrival window, you can scroll through the menu and build\r\n your order, connect a method of payment, and then pick up your meal at a marked designated location at the\r\n food court when notified.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPizza delivery to your resort room is unavilable at this time. But guests can still order pizza from the food court and take it to their rooms.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrandstand Spirits Bar \r\n\r\nJust outside of the food court and on the way to the Surfboard Bay Pool is the Grandstand Spirits Bar.\r\nGrandstand Spirits Bar has outdoor \r\n\r\nseating and a limited drink menu, with several beer selections, a couple of wines, \r\n\r\nand a small selection of spirits. It's fine if you want a Budweiser or\r\nstrawberry \r\n\r\nmargarita to relax with by the pool, or to get a nightcap on the way back to your \r\n\r\nroom for the night. Grandstand Spirits Bar is usually open 12 PM to 9 PM daily, weather\r\npermitting.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's All-Star Sports Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide World of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 2.3 miles, then turn left on Buena Vista Dr. Go about 0.4 down Buena Vista Dr, then turn right on to Stadium Blvd, which is All-Star Sports' entrance road. You'll see All-Star Sports' sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\nHere's All-Star Sports' GPS address and location:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 50-minute drive from Sanford to All-Star Sports. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to All-Star Sports will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to All-Star Sports for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and All-Star. At those prices, it may be less expensive to rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\nGetting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs\r\nDisney provides free bus service from All-Star Sports to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. All-Star Sports' bus stops sit along the front wall of the Stadium Hall lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along the wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. All-Star Sports shares bus service with All-Star Music and All-Star Movies. \r\n
\r\nIf you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's bus service\r\nis faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\nEach theme park has its own stop on All-Star Sports' bus route.
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Sports' bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Sports' bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 11 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 12-19 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 15 to 37 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from All-Star Sports If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from All-Star Sports to Disney Springs, then take another bus from\r\nDisney Springs to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to All-Star Sports. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from All-Star Sports to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from the All-Stars, and often less. Uber and Lyft are significantly cheaper than taxis.\r\n Taxis are available outside the Melody Hall lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAll-Star Sports' gift shop is Sport Goofy Gifts & Sundries, and sits just off the lobby, between the check-in area and the food court. As you'd expect from Disney, Sport Goofy Gifts & Sundries has a decent collection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay in the theme parks or Disney Springs.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl001/thumbs/DSCF3077.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nSport Goofy Gifts & Sundries also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries has Disney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay at home.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile the Game Point Arcade is located just off the Cinema Hall lobby.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners will find a 1-mile-long, paved jogging trail that connects All-Star Sports Resort, All-Star Music Resort and All-Star Movies Resort. This path is located at the front of Stadium Hall, along Buena Vista Drive and you're mostly just seeing a road. You won't find a gym, fitness center, indoor pool, or spa at All-Star Sports.\r\n
\r\nDisney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashers and dryers are in laundry facilities next to each pool. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n\r\n
If you lose something during your stay, contact Disney's Lost and Found department by calling (407)824-4245.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBeing a value resort means that All-Star \r\n\r\nSports doesn't offer many spectacular views. But there are a few rooms that are \r\n\r\nbetter than a parking lot. There's no large body of water near the All-Star resorts \r\n\r\nso if you want a value resort with a lake view you should try Pop Century or Art of \r\n\r\nAnimation.
\r\nBuilding 1 doesn't \r\n\r\nhave much to offer in terms of views. This major advantage of this Building is the \r\n\r\nshort walk to Stadium Hall. Rooms facing southeast look out on to the Surfboard Bay \r\n\r\nPool. All other rooms in Building 1 either face a parking lot or foliage. Good views \r\n\r\nin Building 1 include rooms 1X01-1X07 and 1X55-1X64 (replace X with the floor \r\n\r\nnumber).
\r\nBad views in building 1 include:\r\n
Views in Building 2 mostly face foliage or a small basketball-themed courtyard. \r\n\r\nGood views in Building 2 include rooms 2X01-2X10, and 2X55-2X64.
\r\nBad views in \r\n\r\nbuilding 2 include:\r\n
Like it's neighbor Building 2, Building 3 is also surrounded by mostly \r\n\r\nfoliage. Good views in Building 3 include rooms 3X01-3X10 and 3X55-3X64.
\r\nBad \r\n\r\nviews in building 3 include:\r\n
Building 4 and 5 have a very small amount of good \r\n\r\nviews, there are a few rooms facing East that look out on to a small tennis court \r\n\r\nwith Disney characters. But other than that all rooms face foliage. Most of the \r\n\r\nviews in this building aren't bad, they're just uninteresting. Good views in \r\n\r\nBuilding 4 include rooms 4X01-4X05, 4X07-4X09 and 4X60-4X64.\r\n
Bad views in building \r\n\r\n4 include:\r\n
Good views in Building 5 \r\n\r\ninclude rooms 5X01-5X10 and 5X58-5X64.
\r\nBad views in building 5 include:\r\n
Like \r\n\r\nits neighbor Building 1, Building 6 also has the advantage of being next door to \r\n\r\nStadium Hall. It is also located next to the resort's main pool. This gives the \r\n\r\nrooms some nice views but some higher than usual noise levels. Good views in \r\n\r\nBuilding 6 include rooms 6X07-6X10 and 6X55-6X64.
\r\nBad views in building 6 \r\n\r\ninclude:\r\n
Building 7 rooms facing East look out on a courtyard themed after a Football \r\n\r\nfield. This does give some nice views but it also has the reputation of being loud \r\n\r\nas hoards of children play on the field. Good views in Building 7 include rooms \r\n\r\n7X01-7X10 and 7X55-7X64.
\r\nBad views in building 7 include:\r\n
Building 8 rooms facing North look out on to \r\n\r\nThe Grand Slam Pool. Good views in Building 8 include rooms 8X55-\r\n\r\n8X64.
\r\nBad views in building 8 include:\r\n
Building 9 also faces The Grand Slam Pool. Good views \r\n\r\nin Building 9 include rooms 9X55-2X63.
\r\nBad views in building 9 include:\r\n
Building 7 rooms facing West look out on a courtyard \r\n\r\nthemed after a Football field. This does give some nice views but it also has the \r\n\r\nreputation of being loud as hoards of children play on the field.. All other rooms \r\n\r\neither face a parking lot or foliage. Good views in Building 10 include rooms 0X01-\r\n\r\n0X10 and 0X55-0X64.
\r\nBad views in building 10 include:\r\n
| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| The All-Stars are the least expensive of the Disney resorts | \r\nMost likely Disney resort to host large\r\nschool groups | \r\n
| Just one bus stop | \r\nOlder rooms feel small and dated | \r\n
| Multiple Pools | \r\nFood courts often\r\noverwhelmed at mealtimes | \r\n
| Fun common areas | \r\nBus stop is often crowded and lacks shade | \r\n
| \r\n | \r\n |
Disney's Art of Animation is a highly-themed, value-level resort at Walt Disney World. Art of Animation includes both standard hotel rooms and \"family suites,\" which are indeed perfect for families. The suites are a reasonably priced option which include two rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette. If you have a family of five or six, or if you just don't want to sleep in the same room as your kids, the Art of Animation family suites are one of the best lodging options at Walt Disney World.
\r\n\r\nThe Art of Animation rooms, exterior spaces, and pools are themed to one for four Disney-Pixar films: Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid, Lion King, or Cars. The Landscape of Flavors food court is the best on Disney property, featuring a variety of customizable fresh food options.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL242.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nArt of Animation hotel map\r\n
\r\nThe majority of the resort’s accommodations are 1,120 \"family suites,\" each of which accommodate up to six guests. Additionally there are 864 standard rooms, each accommodating four guests. The suite buildings have interior hallways to the guest rooms instead of the exterior walkways found at the standard rooms and at Disney’s other value resorts and at Disney's moderate resorts.
\r\n\r\nThree of the four themed areas have pools; the Lion King complex has a playground instead. Like the other Value resorts, Art of Animation has a central building—here called Animation Hall—for check-in and bus transportation; it also holds the resort’s food court, Landscape of Flavors; a gift shop; and a video-game arcade.
\r\n\r\nThe theming incorporates characters from four Disney animated\r\nfilms: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. All but\r\nthe Little Mermaid–themed rooms are suites. As at Pop Century, large,\r\ncolorful icons stand in the middle of each group of buildings; here,\r\nthough, they represent film characters rather than pop culture touchstones. Giant murals stretch the length of each exterior structure—\r\nthe Cars buildings, for example, each display a four-story panoramic\r\nvista of the American desert, with the movie’s iconic characters in the middle, while the Lion King buildings capture a single verdant\r\njungle scene
\r\n\r\nAs at Pop Century, the Skyliner is the main Disney transportation\r\noption from AOA to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and in\r\nthe morning lines form to get to Hollywood Studios starting around\r\n90 minutes to 2 hours before park opening. (Disney adds bus service\r\nto EPCOT and DHS during busy times.) Your best bet is to drive or\r\ntake a ride-hailing service or taxi to the Studios. Access to the rest of\r\nWalt Disney World is on buses.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa24.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa23.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for Building-sized Disney and Pixar characters.\r\n
\r\n\r\n
Slightly larger than comparable rooms at other value-level resorts, standard rooms are 277 square feet and include two double beds or, by request, one king-sized bed, a flat-panel TV, a mini-fridge, and a table and chairs. Up to four guests may be booked into a standard room.
\r\n\r\nArt of Animation’s family suites are 565 square feet, about what you’d get by combining two standard rooms into one suite. Each suite has a master bedroom, a living room, two full bathrooms, and a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. Sleeping accommodations include a queen bed in the bedroom, a full-size sleeper sofa, and a living-room table that converts into a full-size bed. The bedroom and living room have flat-panel TVs. Up to six guests may be booked into a suite.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/AoA_king5.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa19.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nLeft: Little Mermaid themed standard hotel room. Right: Lion King themed family suite, outer room.
\r\nEach Art of Animation standard room is furnished with the following:\r\n
Standard Art of Animation bathrooms are tiny but functional. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub. Water pressure is adequate, but probably less than what you get at home. A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes one sink, but not much counter space. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided. Guests with long or thick hair may find that the dryer is underpowered for their needs. The dressing area includes a curtain that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\nArt of Animation Standard Little Mermaid Room Layout\r\n
\r\nArt of Animation Family Suite Layout\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/AoA_king4.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/AoA_bath2.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa21.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nBathroom and dressing area and sink in Art of Animation's rooms.\r\n
\r\nEach Art of Animation family suite is furnished with the following:\r\n
Family suites Art of Animation have two bathrooms. One is small and functional, nearly identical to the bathrooms in the standard rooms. The master bathroom is spacious, with a large glass-door shower. \r\n
\r\n\r\nArt of Animation has approximately 200 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. Mobility access rooms comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome of Art of Animation's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 double beds; all rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, and a small number of roll-in shower rooms have both 1 king bed and 1 double bed. Use our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor a nightly fee of $50 on top of the room charge, up to 2 dogs are allowed in some Art of Animation rooms. A check-in package of dog-friendly items comes with the extra fee, but so do several special rules. Housekeeping will only enter the room while the human guests are present, special Do Not Disturb tags are mandatory, and guests may be called to come to their room if the dog is being too noisy. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\tMousesavers.com has a current list of \r\n\tDisney hotel discounts available at\r\n\tArt of Animation.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThere is no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including Art of Animation. The food court, Landscape of Flavors, is organized like a food court at a mall. There are 5 different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells burgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to line up several times. The good news is that much of the food is prepared on demand, so you'll be getting your burger cooked to order.
\r\n\r\nAlso keep in mind that the food court at the nearby Pop Century resort is just a quick walk away.
\r\n\r\nThe full list of dining options at Art of Animation include:
\r\n\r\n\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/AoAFoodCourt_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/AoAFoodCourt_02.jpg\")
\r\nLandscape of Flavors is set up like a mall food court. Five different stations each serve a different type of food. A separate beverage station serves free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa07.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa06.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe Cozy Cone Pool and Flippin' Fins Pool are a quiet pool, free from \r\n\r\nloud play and splashing around.\r\n
\r\n\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/thumbs/AoALobby_03.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/thumbs/AoALobby_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe hotel's lobby, called Animation Hall, brightly colored and \r\n\r\nfeatures art from Disney and Pixar films.
\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa25.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nKids can watch class Disney animation in a special waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\nDisney's Pop Century Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide World of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 0.9 miles/1.5 km, then turn right on Victory Way. Go about 0.6 miles/1 km down Victory Way, then turn right on to Century Drive, which is Art of Animation's entrance road. You'll see Art of Animation's sign well before you need to turn.
\r\n\r\nIf you've got a GPS, here's Movies' address and location:\r\n
A security gate guards the entrance to Art of Animation's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation number or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGuests keeping a car at Art of Animation overnight will be charged $15 per day.
\r\n\r\nFrom Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nSanford International Airport is about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Art of Animation. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport offers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Art of Animation will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Art of Animation for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way. That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Art of Animation. You may also want to consult ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft for their pricing options.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Disney Skyliner gondola system has a station on the bridge in between Pop Century and Art of Animation, which makes these resorts a good base for visiting Hollywood Studios and Epcot, the two theme parks connected by the Skyliner. The hub station is located at Caribbean Beach Resort, so you have to take the Skyliner there first and then switch to either the Epcot or Hollywood Studios line. From the station, the ride to Epcot's International Gateway entrance is about 20 minutes while the ride to Hollywood Studios is about 12 minutes, although those times don't take any lines to get into the gondola into account.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Art of Animation to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. During busier times of the year, Disney will add bus service to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios to supplement Skyliner capacity. Art of Animation's bus stops sit along the front wall of the Animation Hall lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service.
\r\n\r\nIf you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's transportation system is faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Art of Animation's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. In reality, Art of Animation's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. For example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 8 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 12-23 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 15 to 37 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 21 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you have dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Art of Animation to Disney Springs, then take another bus from Disney Springs to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Art of Animation. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower), hop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least an hour for that.
\r\n\r\nHowever, the fastest option is almost always a taxi or ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft from Art of Animation.\r\n
\r\n\r\nIf you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. A one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa02.jpg\")
\r\nThe Cars area features life-size versions of Cars film characters.
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa27.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa28.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe Ink and Paint Shop sells a variety of Disney-themed merchandise.
\r\n\r\n
Most comments concerning Art of Animation have been positive.\r\nA Collingswood, New Jersey, reader says:
\r\nArt of Animation I was skeptical about. From pics it looked like it was going to be a child’s dream but not necessarily an adult’s. I was wrong—it’s incredible! For a Value resort, it feels more like a Deluxe. The room was awesome; great layout and having two bathrooms was so nice. The Big Blue Pool and the Cozy Cone Pool are great. Landscape of Flavors impressed me too—so many options for fresh, delicious, comfort food as well as exotic fare.\r\n\r\n
Readers complain, however, about the long walk from the Little Mermaid–themed buildings to the food court and front desk. Mobile reception was also singled out as a problem. A woman from Houston related the following:
\r\n\r\nThere was no AT&T service inside the building where our rooms were.\r\nThere was plenty of service outside the building, but the moment we\r\nstepped inside it was like a vacuum. It was very upsetting.\r\n\r\n
Noise and soundproofing are likewise issues. A Guyton, Georgia, mom comments:
\r\n\r\nThe room was very poorly soundproofed. I heard snoring and bathroom noises from other rooms that I should not have been able to hear. One afternoon my toddler and I returned to the room for a nap—I suppose housekeeping was cleaning the room above ours, but it sounded like someone was bowling up there.\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":"
The quietest suites are south and east-facing rooms in buildings 3 (Cars), 4 (Finding Nemo), and 6\r\n(The Lion King). The quietest standard rooms are east-facing rooms in building 8 and south-facing rooms in building 7 (both The Little Mermaid). Avoid northwest-facing rooms in building 1 and southwest facing rooms in building 10, which face the Disney bus route and Art\r\nof Animation’s bus stops.
\r\nBuilding 1 rooms facing south have great views of the Cars-themed courtyard. This major advantage of this Building is the short walk to Animation Hall. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1X01, 1X03, 1X05, 1X07, 1X09, 1X11, 1X13, 1X27, 1X29, 1X31, 1X33, 1X35, 1X37, and 1X39 (replace X with the floor number).
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 1 include:\r\n
![\"1505\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/1505.JPG\")
\r\n![\"1521\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/1521.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 2 also has a Cars theme. Rooms facing North have views of the Cars-themed courtyard. Some rooms facing East can see Hourglass Lake. Good views in Building 2 include rooms 2X01, 2X03, 2X05, 2X07, 2X09, 2X11, 2X27, 2X29, 2X31, 2X33, \r\n2X35, 2X37 and 2X39
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 2 include:\r\n\r\n
![\"2521\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/2521.JPG\")
\r\n![\"2527\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/2527.JPG\")
\r\n\r\nBuilding 3 rooms facing Southwest look out on to the Cars courtyard. Some rooms facing Northwest have a good view of Hourglass Lake. Good views in Building 3 include rooms 3X01, 3X03, 3X05-3X13, 3X22, 3X24, 3X26, 3X27, 3X29, 3X31, 3X33, 3X35, 3X37 and 3X39.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 3 include:\r\n
![\"3512\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/3512.JPG\")
\r\n![\"3529\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/3529.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 4 has the advantage of being close to Animation Hall. Northern facing rooms having good views of The Big Blue Pool. Good views in Building 4 include rooms 4X01, 4X03, 4X05, 4X07, 4X09, 4X11, 4X13, 4X27, 4X29, 4X31-4X34, 4X36, 4X38, 4X40.\r\n\r\n
Bad views in building 4 include:\r\n\r\n
![\"4504\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/4504.JPG\")
\r\n![\"4511\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/4511.JPG\")
\r\nLike Building 4, Building 5 is also themed after Finding Nemo. It is closely located near Animation Hall and The Big Blue Pool. Good views in Building 5 include rooms 5X01, 5X03-5X09, 5X12, 5X14, 5X20, 5X22, 5X24, 5X27, 5X29, 5X31, 5X33, 5X35, 5X37 and 5X39.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 5 include:\r\n
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/5507.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/5523.JPG\")
\r\nGood views in Building 6 (rooms 6X09, 6X11, 6X13 and 6X37) offer views of the courtyard with sculptures of characters from The Lion King. Other good views look out on to Hourglass Lake include rooms 6X06, 6X19, 6X21, 6X23, 6X25, 6X32, 6X34, \r\n6X36, 6X38 and 6X40.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 6 include:\r\n
![\"6511\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/6511.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/6518.JPG\")
\r\nBuilding 7 (like its neighbor Building 6) is also themed to The Little Mermaid. Rooms facing Northwest have a view of The Flippin' Fins Pool. Good views in Building 7 include rooms 7X01-7X12, 7X61-7X72, 7X13-7X19, 7X37-7X44 and 7X53-7X60.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 7 include:\r\n
The major disadvantage of Building 8 is that it is the farthest from Animation Hall. It also the building with the least amount of good views because the vast majority face a parking lot. Good views in Building 8 include rooms 8X61-8X72.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 8 include:\r\n
Building 9 is the third building themed after The Little Mermaid. Like Building 8, this building also suffers from most of its rooms facing a parking lot. Good views in Building 9 include rooms 9X01-9X09 and 9X61-9X72.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 9 include:\r\n
Good views in Building 10 are hard to come by, mostly because next to a large parking lot. It is also the only building in Art of Animation to not be located next to a body of water. Good views in Building 10 include rooms 0X07, 0X09, 0X11, 0X27, 0X33, 0X35 and 0X37.
\r\n\r\nBad views in building 10 include:\r\n
![\"0504\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/views/0504.JPG\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n|
|---|---|---|
| Great theming, particularly\r\nCars\r\nand\r\nLion King\r\nareas | \r\nMost expensive Value resort | \r\n|
| Skyliner connection to DHS and Epcot | \r\nThe number of made-to-order meals\r\navailable at the food court can mean long\r\nwaits in line | \r\n|
| Best pool of the Value resorts | \r\nThe resort’s standard rooms are\r\nrarely discounted | \r\n|
| Multiple Pools | \r\nPoor soundproofing | \r\n\r\n |
| Landscape of Flavors is one of the best food courts | \r\n\r\n | |
| Family Suites are innovatively designed\r\nand themed | \r\n\r\n | |
| Interior hallways in some buildings | \r\n\r\n | |
| Walking trail around Hour Glass Lake and\r\nconnecting bridge to Pop Century | \r\n\r\n | |
| Just one bus stop | \r\n\r\n |
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL013.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nPop Century hotel map\r\n
\r\nOn Century Drive, near the ESPN Wide World of Sports is Pop Century Resort. A near-clone of the All-Star Resorts—that is, four-story, motel-style buildings built around a central pool, food court, and registration area. Decorative touches make the difference. Where the All-Star Resorts display larger-than-life icons from sports, music, and movies, and Art of Animation is inspired by Disney cartoons, Pop Century draws its icons from decades of the 20th century and their attendant popular culture: building-sized Big Wheels, hula hoops, and the like, punctuated by silhouettes of people doing the jitterbug and the twist.\r\n
\r\nThe public areas at Pop Century are marginally more sophisticated than the ones at the All-Star Resorts, with 20th-century period furniture and decor rolled up in a saccharine, those-were-the-days theme. A food court, a bar, a playground, pools, and so on emulate the All-Star Resorts model in size and location. A Pop Century departure from the All-Star precedent has merchandise retailers thrown in with the fast-food concessions in a combination dining-and-shopping area. This apparently is what happens when a giant corporation tries to combine selling pizza with hawking Goofy hats. (You just know the word synergy was used like cheap cologne in those design meetings.) As at the All-Star Resorts and Art of Animation, there’s no full-service restaurant.
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe resort is connected to the rest of Walt Disney World by bus. In addition, the Disney Skyliner \r\ntransports guests to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach\r\nResort and the Disney’s Riviera Resort. During less busy times of year, the Skyliner may be the only transportation option offered\r\nbetween Pop Century and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; bus service may be added to those destinations during busier periods.
\r\n\r\nDue to the resort’s limited dining options, you may want to consider having a car.
\r\n\r\nGuest rooms at Pop Century are small at 260 square feet. The decor is upbeat, with white bedspreads and white walls. Wall art depicts pop art version of Mickey Mouse. Sleek modern furniture and hardwood flooring provide an upscale touch, but these are not rooms you’d want to spend a lot of time in. Bathrooms are tiny and counter space a scarce commodity. Worst of all, we’ve received many complaints from readers that the soundproofing between rooms is inadequate. A lake separating Pop Century from the Art of Animation Resort offers water views not available at the All-Star Resorts.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/PopCentury-8Track-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/BigWheelIcon2-DisneysPopCenturyResort-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLook for building-sized Big Wheels, 8-track tapes, and Disney characters, punctuated by silhouettes of people dancing the decade's fad dance.\r\n
\r\nThe biggest visual difference between Pop Century and the All-Star Resorts is the \r\n decorations in front of each building. The All-Star Resorts have larger-than-life icons from sports, music, and movies, while Pop Century\r\n draws its icons from the 1950's to 1990's. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nREVIEW – Disney’s Pop Century Really Pops with Family Fun and Convenience\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nPop Century is a little more expensive - and a little bit better - than Disney's 3 older value resorts, the All-Star\r\n Movies, Music and \r\n\tSports\r\n\tresorts; Pop Century is slightly less expensive than the newer — and better — Art of Animation\r\n\tvalue resort.
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA security gate guards the entrance to Pop Century's grounds. If you arrive by car, you'll need to provide photo ID at the gate; it's not necessary to provide your reservation\r\nnumber or paperwork. A dedicated parking lot across from the lobby serves as temporary parking for those who need it while checking in.\r\nCheck-in time at Pop Century is 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. Pop Century strongly encourages use of Disney's \r\nOnline Check-In program to assist with\r\nsocial distancing. The Online Check-In program allows you to you provide name, address, and credit card information\r\nup to 60 days before your arrival on disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience app. If you've checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPop Century's registration staff can provide MagicBands for your stay, if you don't already have them. Beginning\r\nJanuary 1, 2021, guests will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands but will still have the option to\r\npurchase them.\r\n
\r\n\r\nGet theme park tickets and dining reservations at the Concierge Desk, to the \r\nright of the Registration Desk. If you need to check in and obtain theme park tickets, you can save some time in line if one adult gets in line for tickets just after\r\nanother adult starts the registration process. The Concierge Desk can also make Disney dining reservations, and you can avoid a \r\nwait there by making them online prior to arrival.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Lobby2-PopCentury-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/LobbyKidsPlayArea-PopCentury-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nLeft: The hotel's lobby, called Classic Hall, features 20th-century period furniture, photos,\r\nand toys presented in a saccharine those-were-the-days theme. Right: Kids can play in a special waiting area while parents check in.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/DSC00742.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/DSC00743.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Room-9440-Standard-Room-at-Disneys-Pop-Century-Pull-Down-Bed-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nPop's rooms contain two queen beds. One can be folded up (becoming a table!) when not in use.\r\n
\r\nEach Pop Century room is furnished with the following:\r\n
The mini-fridge is a dorm-style unit that sits under a counter or desk. It's more like a beverage chiller than a refrigerator in that it'll keep drinks cool,\r\nbut you're not going to freeze popsicles or make ice cubes in it. What you won't find in your Pop Century room is a microwave.
\r\n \r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/PopCentury_FloorPlan.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nPop Century Room Layout\r\n
\r\n\r\n Pop Century bathrooms are tiny. Almost all feature a tiled tub with shower, while some wheelchair-accessible rooms have a roll-in shower without tub.\r\n One nice feature in the standard bathrooms is a shower curtain rod that curves outward, so you're not always elbowing the shower curtain while shampooing.\r\n Water pressure in the shower is average - probably less than what you get at home, but still enough to get your hair clean. Eventually.\r\n
\r\n\r\n A separate dressing area next to the bathroom includes one sink, but not much counter space. A 1500-watt, wall-mounted hair dryer is provided, but it's not very powerful; bring your own if you've got lots of hair.\r\n The dressing area includes a curtain that separates it from the sleeping area. Combined with the bathroom, this means that 3 people can get dressed at the same time. \r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Room-9440-Standard-Room-Vanity-Area-and-Bathroom-at-Disneys-Pop-Century-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Room-9440-Standard-Room-Bathroom-at-Disneys-Pop-Century-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Room-9440-Standard-Room-Vanity-Area-at-Disneys-Pop-Century-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nBathroom and deressing area in Pop Century's rooms.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPop Century has around 200 handicap-accessible rooms. Some feature roll-in showers, while others include assistive hearing devices. A subset of these rooms have been converted to comply with Florida's Accessibility Code, with changes to everything from bed, counter-top, and dresser drawer height, to door widths, wheelchair ramps, and more.
\r\n\r\nSome of Pop's accessible rooms have the standard setup of 2 queen beds; most rooms with roll-in showers have 1 king bed, although a small number of roll-in shower rooms have the normal 2 queen beds.\r\nUse our hotel room finder to see which rooms have which features.\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDisney knows that some hotel rooms are better than others. Most people prefer to be close to the lobby and dining, and want something\r\npretty to look at from their hotel room window. To capitalize on this, Disney categorizes all of Pop Century's hotel rooms based on how long it takes you \r\nto walk to the lobby, and what you see from inside the room.\r\n
\r\n\r\nHere's the system Disney uses:\r\n
\r\nThere are plenty of exceptions to Disney's room category system. Knowing what to look for will help you get a better room at a cheaper price.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, rooms 1x65 to 1x72 in Building 1 are Pool View because they face the 1950's Bowling Pool.\r\nHowever, room \r\n1163 also faces the pool, but it's a cheaper Standard/Standard because the rooms around it have\r\nunexceptional views. To find these kinds of rooms, use our Room Finder to search for Standard Rooms with Pool Views, and click on the rooms not highlighted in red, just\r\nnext door to the rooms which are highlighted in red. This will help you find the \"borderline\" cases where Disney was hesitant to upcharge for a better room.\r\n
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/DSC00739.JPG\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Room-9440-Standard-Room-at-Disneys-Pop-Century-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDresser, TV, and cabinet containing a fridge and coffee maker.\r\n
\r\nPop Century has 3 pools. The largest, The Hippy Dippy Pool, sits directly behind the Classic Hall lobby and food court, between the two buildings dedicated\r\n to the 1960's. The flower-shaped pool is painted in bright colors that match the surrounding buildings. Adjacent to the Hippy Dippy Pool is a water play area,\r\n where small children can play in gentle fountains of water bubbling up from the ground.\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nThe three buildings of the 1950's section contain the Bowling Pool. As its name suggests, this pool area is themed like a bowling alley, and features bowling\r\n ball racks and oversized shoe racks. The Bowling Pool is considered a \"quiet pool,\" meaning that loud play and splashing around are discouraged.\r\n
\r\nPop Century's third pool is The Computer Pool, found in the 1990's section. (We hoped for a pool shaped like \"The Rachel\"\r\n - Jennifer Aniston's haircut on Friends.) The Computer Pool is shaped like a gigantic laptop PC and, like the Bowling Pool, is considered a quiet pool.
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Pools-BowlingPool-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Pools-ComputerPool-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThe 1950's Bowling Pool and 1990's Computer Pool. Both are quiet pools, free from loud play and splashing around.\r\n
\r\nPop Century's pools range in depth from around 3 feet 6 inches/1.1m to 4 feet 9 inches/1.4m. Pop's pools are open every day, including during winter. Pools are heated to 82°F/28°C throughout\r\nthe year. Pop Century does not have a hot tub or jacuzzi; those are found at\r\nDisney's moderate and deluxe resorts.
\r\n\r\nThere are no water slides at Pop Century's pools, nor at any of the value resort pools, but guests can find showers, storage lockers,\r\n restrooms, and laundry facilities at each of the three pools. Pool hours are at least 9AM to 8 PM, extending to as much as 7 AM to 11 PM during busy times.\r\n All three pools will have lifeguards during the pools' operating hours. For more information on the pools at WDW resorts, including towels, entertainment programming, handicap access, kiddie pools, life vests, and much more, see our Walt Disney World Resort Pool Fact Sheet FAQ. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nA small playground set is located between the 1970's building 10 and Classic Hall. The set has two small plastic slides and a couple of sections with a few steps for toddlers\r\nto go up and down. Safety seems to be Disney's concern here - there are no swings, and the entire area is covered in a springy, poured rubber surface.\r\n
\r\nA small water play named Goofy Pop Jet Playground area sits at the end of Building 5 nearest Classic Hall in the 1960's section. This play area is also surfaced with poured rubber,\r\nand has water jets bubbling up from the ground. \"Surfer Goofy\" and 1960's sports car statues are nearby for photo opportunities.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Playground-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Playground2-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nThere's no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including Pop Century. Instead, Pop Century has the \r\nEverything POP food court that's unfortunately attached to Pop Century's gift shop. If you're walking through\r\nthe lobby, there's no way to get to the food court without going through the gift shop.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEverything Pop is set up like a food court at a mall. There are 7 different stations, each selling one set of meals. For example, one station sells pizza and pasta; another sells\r\nburgers; another is dedicated to sandwiches, and so on. If your kids each want something different, you'll have to line up several times. The good news is that some of the\r\nfood is prepared on demand, so you'll at least be getting your burger cooked to order.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPrices range from $6 to $15 for an entree so you won't break the bank. None of the\r\ndesserts are particularly interesting but there is a nice assortment of ice cream sundaes and shakes. One of the resort's few signature items is the\r\n Tie-dyed Cheesecake, which gets mixed reviews from our readers.
\r\n \r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/FoodCourt-Kiosk-medium.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n\t![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/PopFoodCourt_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nEverything Pop is set up like a mall food court. Seven different stations each serve a different type of food.\r\n
\r\n\r\nEverything Pop's breakfast menu has the usual combinations of eggs, potatoes, bacon, ham, waffles, pancakes, and biscuits, either alone or in various \"platter\" options. An omelet station serves veggie, egg white, and Western omelets, plus \"Floridian\" (with shrimp, tomatoes, and guacamole), \"Italian\" (with sausage, peppers, and mozzarella cheese), and \"Southwest\" (with shredded beef, black bean salsa, and chipotle sour cream). Other tasty breakfast options include corned beef hash, Spanish quiche, and a variety of yogurts. Kids' breakfast choices are essentially the same, only with smaller portions. There's also a breakfast turkey sandwich option.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor lunch and dinner, Everything Pop serves typical food court fare such as pizza, pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and salads. That menu is usually supplemented with nightly or weekly specials, such as burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, fish and chips, and other easily identifiable cuisine. Even the pickiest eaters should be able to find something on the menu. And, like at breakfast, kids' choices at lunch and dinner are generally the same as adults, with smaller portion sizes.\r\n
\r\n\t\r\n\r\nGuests looking to snack or enjoy a meal at Everything Pop are also encouraged to mobile order\r\nusing My Disney Experience app. After selecting an arrival window, you can scroll through the menu and build\r\nyour order, connect a method of payment, and then pick up your meal at a marked designated location at the\r\nfood court when notified.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nEverything Pop Food Court Hours\r\n
When the dining plans are offered, Everything Pop participates in the Disney Dining Plan; meals cost 1 Quick Service credit, and there\r\nare a wide variety of snacks to use as Snack credits on the Dining Plan. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Free refills are available for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fountain drinks (including juice and milk) during your meal at Everything Pop. A huge beverage station sits just beyond the cash\r\n registers, and this station also provides toaster ovens, hot water, ice, condiments, and napkins. Everything Pop also participates in Disney's \r\n Rapid Fill refillable mug program, where you purchase a souvenir plastic mug once, and get free\r\n refills for the remainder of your stay. The cost is a flat $19.99 for your length of stay.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPizza delivery service to your resort room is unavailable at this time. But guests can still order pizza from\r\nEverything Pop and take it to their rooms. The food quality is often below average, though, so you're probably better off with something else or calling Domino's. \r\n
\r\n\r\nPetals Pool Bar Just outside of the food court and on the way to the Hippy Dippy Pool is the Petals Pool Bar.\r\nPetals has outdoor seating and a limited drink menu, with several beer selections, a couple of wines, and a small selection of spirits. It's fine if you want a Budweiser or\r\nstrawberry margarita to relax with by the pool, or to get a nightcap on the way back to your room for the night. Petals Pool Bar is usually open 12 PM to 9 PM daily, weather\r\npermitting.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDriving Your Own Car Disney's Pop Century Resort is just off of I-4 in Lake Buena Vista. Take I-4 Exit 65 - Animal Kingdom / Wide\r\nWorld of Sports and you'll end up on Osceola Parkway. Stay on Osceola for 0.9 miles/1.5 km, then turn right on Victory Way. Go \r\nabout 0.6 miles/1 km down Victory Way, then turn right on to Century Drive, which is Pop Century's entrance road. You'll see Pop Century's sign well before you need to turn.\r\n
\r\nPop Century's GPS address and location are:\r\n
From Orlando International Airport See our Walt Disney World Transportation Options page for information about how to get to and from Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nFrom Sanford International Airport It's about a 40-minute drive from Sanford to Pop Century. If you're not renting a car, be aware that Sanford's airport\r\noffers fewer transportation options than Orlando's, and Sanford's options are generally much more expensive. A taxi from Sanford International Airport to Pop Century will cost between $120 and $150, depending on traffic. Mears\r\n Transportation offers 3-passenger towncar service to Pop Century for around $140 each way, plus tip; 5-passenger SUV service or 10-passenger van is around $190 each way.\r\n That means round-trip transportation will run you somewhere between $240 and $380, plus tip, between Sanford and Pop Century. At those prices, it may be less expensive to\r\n rent a car and park it at the hotel.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Disney Skyliner gondola system has a station on the bridge in between Pop Century and Art of Animation, which makes these resorts a good base for visiting Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, the two theme parks connected by the Skyliner. The hub station is located at Caribbean Beach Resort, so you have to take the Skyliner there first and then switch to either the EPCOT or Hollywood Studios line. From the station, the ride to EPCOT's International Gateway entrance is about 20 minutes while the ride to Hollywood Studios is about 12 minutes, although those times don't take any lines to get into the gondola into account.
\r\n\r\nDisney provides free bus service from Pop Century to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. During busier times of year, bus service to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios supplements the Skyliner.
\r\n\r\n\r\nPop Century's bus stops sit along the front wall of the Classic Hall lobby, between the lobby and check-in parking lot. Each theme park has its own bus stop somewhere along\r\nthe wall. Animal Kingdom's bus service is shared with Blizzard Beach, while Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon also share a stop and service. Pop Century does not\r\nshare bus service with any other resort, including Art of Animation.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAsk a Disney Castmember about Pop's bus schedule, and they'll tell you that buses run about every 20 minutes. \r\nIn reality, Pop's bus schedule varies considerably depending on the time of day and where you're headed. Due to social distancing measures, \r\nbus wait times may be longer than anticipated. This is especially true first thing in the morning.\r\n
\r\n\r\nFor example, if you're headed to the Magic Kingdom between 8 AM and 11 AM, you'll wait around 12 minutes, on average, for a bus to arrive. The bus schedules for EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios are about the same early in the day, with a bus arriving every 13-17 minutes, on average. Bus schedules to the water parks and Disney Springs are a little less frequent, and you could wait anywhere from 16 to 34 minutes for a ride.\r\n
\r\n\r\nBuses run a little slower from around 11 AM to around 4 PM, when most people are already in a park. Disney's evening buses are scheduled around the theme parks' closing times, where most of the fleet is deployed to get guests back to their hotels. Your waits to return to your hotel from a theme park should average out to around 20 minutes under most circumstances.\r\n
\r\nIf you've got your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's transportation system is faster to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. \r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nEach theme park has its own bus stop for Pop Century. Pop does not share bus service with Art of Animation.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nGetting to another hotel from Pop Century If you've got dining plans at another Disney hotel, the cheapest option is to take a Disney bus from Pop Century to Disney Springs (or an open theme park), then take another bus from there to your destination hotel. Do the reverse to get back to Pop Century. While that's free, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each way. If your destination is \r\none of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, and the Magic Kingdom is still open, you could take a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then either walk (to the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower),\r\nhop on the monorail (to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian), or take a boat (to Fort Wilderness, the Wilderness Lodge, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian). We suggest you still allow at least\r\nan hour for that.
\r\nThe fastest option, however, is almost always a taxi from Pop to wherever you're going; it's generally not more than a $20, 15-minute cab ride to get to most Disney hotels from Pop, and often less.\r\nTaxis are available outside the Classic Hall lobby; if a taxi is not already sitting out front, the bell services desk also serves as a taxi stand, and they'll call one for you.\r\n
\r\nTo Universal Orlando If you're staying at Walt Disney World and don't have a car, Mears Transportation will shuttle you from your hotel to Universal and back for $18 per person. Pickup and return times are at your convenience. \r\nA one-way taxi ride is around $36, and may be the cheapest option if you have three to five people.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPop Century's gift shop is Everything Pop and sits just off the lobby, between the check-in area and the food court. As you'd expect from a Disney gift shop, Everything Pop has a decent\r\ncollection of souvenirs ranging from small trinkets such as keychains and pens, to embroidered jackets and Disney princess dresses. Prices for these items are about what you'd pay\r\nin the theme parks or Downtown Disney.\r\n
\r\n\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/PopGiftShop_01.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nIn a remarkable coincidence of design, you've got to go
through the Everything Pop gift shop to get to the food court.
\r\nEverything Pop also sells basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. And Everything Pop has\r\nDisney-branded cookies, chocolate, coffee tins, and similar items, if that's what you're looking for. Prices for these items are considerably higher - about double - than what you'd probably pay\r\nat home.\r\n
\r\nAlso located just off the Classic Hall lobby is the Fast Forward Arcade. Fast Forward has a decent collection of relatively recent video and arcade games. Most games\r\ncost $0.50 to $2.00 per play, which can add up quickly. It's helpful to set a budget with your kids before they go in.\r\n
\r\nWalkers, joggers and runners will find that one lap around Hourglass Lake, which separates Disney's Pop Century Resort from the Art of Animation Resort, is a\r\nscenic 1.28-mile/2 km course. (Pop Century jogging trail.) Generation Gap Bridge cuts through the middle of the course. If you're looking\r\nfor a different distance, one lap around half the lake, including Generation Gap Bridge, is about 0.7 miles/1.2 km. You won't find a gym, fitness center, indoor pool, or spa at Pop Century.\r\n
\r\n\r\nPop Century's free Movies Under the Stars program shows a different Disney film every night of the week on a small outdoor screen set up near the 1960's buildings,\r\nbetween the Hippy Dippy Pool and Classic Hall. Folding chairs are provided. The movie schedule varies based on when it gets dark, and may start as early as 7 PM during winter, or as late as 9 PM\r\nduring summer. A sign near the pool will have the schedule for the next two days. In the event of rain, movies are usually shown in the small children's play area adjacent to the\r\ncheck-in desk in the Classic Hall lobby.\r\n
\r\n\r\nAll Disney Resort child care services are currently suspended at this time to promote safe social distancing\r\npractices.\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhen child care is available, Disney contracts with a third party company, Kids Nite Out, to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney resort childcare page for more information.
\r\n\r\nThere are on site washers and dryers available for guest use. For more information on guest laundry services at Walt Disney World hotels, see our WDW Laundry Information page.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you lose something during your stay, contact Pop Century's Lost and Found department by calling (407)934-3090.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n
A reader from Dublin, Georgia, thinks we underrate Pop:
\r\nI can’t believe you don’t like Pop Century. (1) It’s far superior to the\r\nAll-Star Resorts. (2) There’s a lake at a Value resort and a view of fireworks.\r\n(3) The courtyards have Twister games and neat pools for little\r\nchildren. (4) The memorabilia is interesting to us of a certain age. (5) I\r\nlove the gift shop, food court, and bar combo. The [dinner entrees are\r\namong] the best bargains and the best food anywhere. (6) Bus transportation\r\nis better than anywhere else, including Grand Floridian! (7)\r\nThe layout is more convenient to the food court. (8) I never hear construction\r\nnoise, and the noise from neighbors is not worse than anywhere\r\nelse. (9) Where else do the cast members do the shag to oldies?\r\n\r\n\r\n
Don’t know what it is about Pop Century fans, but they seem to\r\nhave a propensity for making lists—take this Waukee, Iowa, family:
\r\nWe loved Pop Century Resort: (1) It was cheap enough that we had\r\nplenty of money left over for other fun things at Disney. (2) A shrimp\r\n[entrée] was one of the most awesome fast-food items we’ve had at\r\nDisney. (3) Although the rooms are a little small and the lighting isn’t\r\nthe best, the resort is affordable enough that without tax two rooms\r\nat the Pop Century are in the same price range as one room at other\r\nresorts. (4) It’s not far from any park at Disney, nor from Disney\r\nSprings. (5) The combo food court–shopping area really works: My\r\ngrandparents can eat breakfast in the food court while my brother,\r\nsister, parents, and I shop. (6) Food is actually pretty affordable for\r\nDisney. (7) Great pools that are not too far from our rooms. (8) You\r\ncan request a room on the first floor, near the parking lot. They were\r\nreally accommodating when we explained that I had to have a rather\r\nheavy oxygen tank brought to our room, so it would be easier on us\r\nto stay on the first floor. (9) Check-in takes probably the least amount\r\nof time that I have ever seen at a Disney resort.\r\n\r\n\r\n
But a Springfield, Illinois, dad gives Pop Century a mixed review:
\r\nWe wanted something different from All-Star Movies (two stays in\r\nthe previous three years), so we gave Pop Century a shot. Believe\r\nthe noise complaints—they’re true. It’s like the walls were made of\r\npapier-mâché. Although the bus service was great and the pool (and\r\nsplash pools) were nice for a Value resort, we’ll be back at All-Star\r\nMovies the next time around.\r\n\r\n\r\n
A family from Spartanburg, South Carolina, was also disturbed by\r\nthe noise:
\r\nThe one thing I should have paid more attention to was the noise\r\nlevel rating at Pop Century. The resort itself was great, but it was hard\r\nto actually nap when we came back to the resort each afternoon due\r\nto music and games on the loudspeakers. Do not face the 1960s pool\r\nif you want some R&R.","good_not_so_good_rooms":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
TouringPlans offers pictures of the view from any Disney resort room on property. Click here for the Pop Century Resort map and to choose a room to see the view.
\r\nThe best rooms for both view and convenience are the lake-view rooms in buildings 4\r\nand 5 in the 1960s area. Another option, though\r\nwith a less compelling view, would be rooms in\r\nthe same building facing east, toward the registration and food-court\r\nbuilding. Next-best choices would be the east-facing rooms of building 3 in the 1950s, and of building 6 in the 1970s. Avoid south-facing\r\nrooms in 1980s building 7 and 1990s building 8; Both are echo chambers for noise from nearby Osceola Parkway
\r\nBuilding 1 rooms facing east are, unfortunately, looking over a parking lot. Most of the western-facing rooms, though, give views of\r\nThe Bowling Pool. Building 1 is also a short walk to Classic Hall. Good views in Building 1 include rooms 1X16-1X20\r\n (replace X with the floor number), and rooms 1X30-1X36. Rooms 1X64-1X72 also offer nice view of The Bowling Pool, \r\n but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\n![\"1169\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/1169thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBad views in Building 1 include:\r\n
\r\nFinally, rooms 1X18-1X27 at Pop Century would be considered a \"Woods View\" if they were at, say, Wilderness Lodge. They're not bad views, if you like nature.
\r\n![\"1136\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/1136thumb.jpg\")
\r\nGood views in building 2 include rooms 2X15-2X20, 2X38-2X40, 2X58-2X60, which offer good views and low noise levels.
\r\n![\"2138\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/2138thumb.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nRooms 2X01, 2X68, and 2X70-2X72 also offer nice views of The Bowling Pool, but these rooms have above-average noise levels because they face the pool and are \r\nnear the intersections of several pedestrian walkways.
\r\nOther high-traffic rooms to avoid in building 2 are rooms 2X02-2X07, 2X13, 2X24-2X28, 2X44-2X57, and 2X69.
\r\n![\"2101\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/2101thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 3 offers nice views of Hourglass Lake and The Bowling Pool. Like building 1, it also has the advantage of being close to Classic Hall. Good views in building 3 include rooms 3X14-3X21, 3X29-3X38, and 3X57-3X65. Rooms 3X02-3X13 also offer a nice view of The Bowling Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\nBad views in building 3 are 3X24-3X27, 3X42-3X55, and 3X66-3X72.
\r\n\r\n![\"3136\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/3136thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"3164\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/3164thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost rooms in Building 4 and 5 give nice views of either Hourglass Lake or Hippy Dippy Pool. These buildings also have the advantage of being closely located to Pop Century's lobby, Classic Hall. Good views in building 4 include rooms 4X35-4X43, and 4X54-4X65. Rooms 4X01-4X02, 4X04-4X12, and 4X69-4X72 also offer a nice view of The Hippy Dippy Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\nBad views in building 4 are 4X03, 4X17-4X32, 4X48-4X53, and 4X67-4X68.
\r\n\r\n![\"4206\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/4206thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"4160\"](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/4160thumb.jpg\")
\r\nGood views in building 5 include rooms 5X09-5X21 and 5X29-5X41. Rooms 5X01-5X05, 5X07-5X08, 5X61, and 5X63-5X72 also offer a nice view of The Hippy Dippy Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\nBad views in building 5 are 5X06, 5X24-5X27, and 5X43-5X55.\r\n
\r\n![\"5104\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/5104thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"5336\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/5336thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 6 is one of two buildings at Pop Century which doesn't have a pool out front. Some of the rooms have views of Hourglass Lake, though. Rooms not facing the lake have views of gigantic Foosball players and Big Wheel sculptures. Good views in building 6 include rooms 6X01-6X03, 6X08-6X09, 6X11-6X18, 6X32-6X45, and 6X53-6X60.
\r\nBad views in building 6 are 6X20-6X31, 6X46-6X53, and 6X61-6X65.
\r\n![\"6113\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/6113thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"6271\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/6271thumb.jpg\")
\r\nMost of Building 7 faces a parking lot. The north-facing rooms, however, offer a view of The Computer Pool. Good views in building 7 include rooms 7X04-7X07 and 7X09-7X13. Rooms 7X01-7X03 and 7X65-7X72 also offer a nice view of The Computer Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\nBad views in building 7 are 7X08, 7X21-7X32, 7X36-7X39, 7X42-7X56.
\r\n![\"7112\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/7112thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"7466\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/7466thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 8 is not only the farthest away from Classic Hall but it also offers few good views. The handful of good views in building 8 are in rooms 8X11-8X12, 8X61-8X66.
\r\nBad views in building 8 are 8X01-8X07, 8X13-8X14, 8X20-8X34, 8X37-8X41, and 8X46-8X53.
\r\n![\"8112\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/8112thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"8160\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/8160thumb.jpg\")
\r\nGood views in building 9 include rooms 9X61-9X70. Rooms 9X01-9X03, 9X05-9X11, and 9X71-9X72 also offer a view of The Computer Pool, but this comes at the cost of some higher than usual noise levels.
\r\n![\"9111\"](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/9111thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"9166\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/9166thumb.jpg\")
\r\nBuilding 10 is the only building at Pop Century not to have any water views, since it's not near Hourglass Lake nor does it have a pool in its courtyard. Good views in building 10 include rooms 0X01-0X08, 0X10-0X13, and 0X66-0X72.
\r\nBad views in building 10 are 0X09, 0X20-0X31, 0X47-0X53, and 0X64.
\r\n![\"0106\"](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/0106thumb.jpg\")
\r\n![\"0142\"](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/thumbs/0142thumb.jpg\")
\r\n| Strengths | \r\nWeaknesses | \r\n\r\n
|---|---|
| Skyliner connection to DHS and Epcot | \r\nTheming may be lost on younger visitors | \r\n
| Queen beds; stylish new room design | \r\nBus stop is often crowded and lacks shade | \r\n
| Theming is fun for anyone over 35 | \r\n|
| Just one bus stop | \r\n|
| Multiple Pools | \r\n|
| Our favorite pool bar of the Value resorts | \r\n\r\n |
| Walking trail around Hour Glass Lake and\r\nconnecting bridge to Art of Animation | \r\n\r\n |
This hotel closed in March 2020. It is being renovated and will reopen as Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista.
\r\n\r\nTHE 18-story, 325-room Best Western Lake Buena Vista has relatively few of the extras common to most other DSRA properties. The rooms are dull. Parking is a hike from many rooms, and to get to them you pass through hallways and areas that could use a good scrubbing. The most surprising thing was the attitude of general indifference from several of the staff when we needed help checking in.\r\n
\r\n\r\nA breakfast buffet and dinner service of American fare are available in the Trader’s Island Grill, while the Marketplace offers sandwiches and snacks. The poolside Flamingo Cove Lounge provides its own menu of pub standards as well as alcoholic refreshment. The pool is small though pleasantly landscaped, and there’s a kiddie pool as well. Other amenities include a fitness room and game room. Although there are no organized children’s programs, the resort can arrange child care.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":false,"num_rooms":325,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$80–$233","shuttle_to_parks":false,"cost_estimate":"$$$","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":2,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"best-western-lake-buena-vista","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":true,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"8.0","resort_fee":"13.99","sort_name":"best western lake buena vista disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":"2020-04-01","opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":"March 2020","abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":180,"property_id":1,"name":"DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs Area","code":"ORL067","address":"2305 Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4079341000","url":"http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/hotelpromo.jhtml?ctyhocn=MCOFHDT&promo=E_Events_Doubletree_Guest_Suites_WALT_DISNEY","off_site":false,"permalink":"doubletree-suites-lake-buena-vista","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:24.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-03-10T21:40:48.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nThis giant white bunker of a hotel is the only all-suite establishment on Disney property. What it lacks in atmosphere and creative attributes, it makes up for in convenience and comfort. Within walking distance of Disney Springs, the 229 suites are spacious for a family, although the decor is startling, with no apparent theme. No rooms have balconies, though ground floors offer patios.\r\nAmenities include a safe, hair dryer, refrigerator, microwave, coffeepot, fold-out bed, and two TVs (bedroom and living room).\r\n
\r\n\r\nChildren will enjoy their own check-in desk, the free chocolate-chip cookie, and the small playground. The heated pool, children’s pool, and whirlpool spa are moderate in size; a minus is that traffic noise from Interstate 4 can be heard faintly from the pool deck. The tiny fitness center (more like a fitness closet), pool table, four tennis courts, and outdoor bar are adjacent to the pool. High-speed Internet and a business center in the lobby are convenient for those on working holidays. The Market (open 7 a.m.–midnight) offers groceries, drinks, ice cream, and sundaes for those late-night munchies; the EverGreen Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Babysitting is available.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":true,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":true,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":229,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$119–$291","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$+","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"doubletree-suites-lake-buena-vista","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"22.0","resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"doubletree suites by hilton orlando disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":439,"property_id":1,"name":"Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs Area","code":"ORL332","address":"2000 Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4075606111","url":"https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/orlando-fl/drury-plaza-hotel-orlando","off_site":false,"permalink":"drury-plaza-hotel-orlando-disney-springs","created_at":"2023-01-15T14:32:37.000-08:00","updated_at":"2024-12-09T20:40:51.000-08:00","overview":"Owners took the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort and renovated and expanded it, resulting in the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando - Disney Springs Area that opened in late 2022. One of the official Disney Springs Resort Area hotels, the Drury offers complimentary shuttle service to the parks and access to Early Theme Park Entry. It's also somewhat unique on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in offering free breakfast and a free \"Kickback\" evening snack time every day, plus no resort fee.","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":false,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":false,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":604,"theme":null,"cost_range":null,"shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":"5d84b6a5d0b17077677a25397c3ed832","author_user_id":null,"fax_number":"4075606118","hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"drury-plaza-hotel-orlando-disney-springs","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"25.0","resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"drury plaza hotel orlando disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":"2022-12-08","extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":"December 2022","extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":null,"recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":254,"property_id":1,"name":"Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort","code":"ORL249","address":"10100 Dream Tree Blvd","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32836","phone_number":"4073137777","url":"https://www.fourseasons.com/orlando/","off_site":false,"permalink":"four-seasons-resort-orlando","created_at":"2018-03-22T14:36:23.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-03T13:51:01.000-07:00","overview":null,"good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":true,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":443,"theme":null,"cost_range":null,"shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":null,"lodging_area_code":"wdw","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"four-seasons-resort-orlando","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"42.0","resort_fee":"0.0","sort_name":"four seasons resort orlando at walt disney world resort","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Top-notch service, food, and spa","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":3,"property_id":1,"name":"Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Disney Springs Area","code":"ORL234","address":"1900 Buena Vista Drive","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078272727","url":"http://www.buenavistapalace.com/?src=ppc_google_brand&s_kwcid=1900%20buena%20vista%20drive|488669877","off_site":false,"permalink":"buena-vista-palace","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:18.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-05-25T21:01:03.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nThe Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is upscale and convenient. Surrounded by an artificial lake and plenty of palms, the spacious pool area comprises three heated pools, the largest of which is partially covered; a whirlpool and sauna; a basketball court; and a sand volleyball court. A pool concierge will fetch your favorite magazine or fruity drink. On Sunday, the resort hosts a character breakfast with Disney friends (extra costs apply). The 897 guest rooms are posh and spacious; each comes with desk, coffeemaker, hair dryer, satellite TV with pay-per-view movies, iron and board, and mini-fridge. There are also 117 suites. In-room babysitting is available. One lighted tennis court, a fitness center, an arcade, and a playground round out amenities. Two restaurants and a mini-market are on-site. Note: All these amenities and services come at a price—a hefty per-night resort fee will be added to your bill.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":true,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":987,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$139–$342","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$$-","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"buena-vista-palace","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"22.0","resort_fee":"35.0","sort_name":"hilton orlando buena vista palace disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":147,"property_id":1,"name":"Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Area","code":"ORL021","address":"1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Orlando","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078274000","url":"http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ORLDWHH-Hilton-Orlando-Resort-Lake-Buena-Vista-Florida/index.do","off_site":false,"permalink":"hilton-at-walt-disney-world-resort","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:20.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-16T21:01:01.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nAlthough the Hilton's resort fees are outrageous and the decor is dated, the rooms are comfortable and nicer than some others in the DSRA. On-site dining includes Covington Mill Restaurant, offering sandwiches and pasta; Andiamo, an Italian bistro; and Benihana, part of the Japanese steakhouse–sushi bar chain. Covington Mill hosts a Disney-character breakfast on Sundays. The two pools are matched with a children’s spray pool and a 24-hour fitness center. An exercise room and a game room are on-site, as is a 24-hour market. Babysitting is available, but there are no organized children’s programs.\r\n
\r\n\r\nA Denver family of five found the Hilton’s shuttle service lacking:\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe transportation, provided by a company called Mears, was unreliable. They did a better job of getting guests back to the hotel from the park than getting them to the park from the hotel. Shuttles from the hotel were randomly timed and went repeatedly to the same parks—skipping others and leaving guests to wait for up to an hour.\r\n\r\n","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":814,"theme":null,"cost_range":null,"shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$$","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"hilton-orlando-disney-springs","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"22.0","resort_fee":"35.0","sort_name":"hilton orlando lake buena vista disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":139,"property_id":1,"name":"Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area","code":"ORL110","address":"1805 Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078288888","url":"http://www.hiorlando.com/","off_site":false,"permalink":"holiday-inn-in-the-walt-disney-world-resort","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:19.000-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-03T13:15:07.000-07:00","overview":"
\r\nCompletely renovated in 2010, the Holiday Inn is modern and comfortable. The layout remains the same, with tower rooms grouped around an atrium and wing rooms overlooking the pool. The feel of the hotel is modern and contemporary yet relaxed and comfortable. Disney Springs is just a short walk away.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe totally upgraded rooms feature pillow-top beds with triple sheeting and firm or soft pillows. Each room has a 32-inch flat-panel HDTV and free high-speed Internet. The bathrooms are clean and well designed—the nicest in any DSRA resort. Amenities include granite countertops and showerheads with a choice of comfort sprays.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe Palm Breezes Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at reasonable prices. A breakfast buffet is available, as well as à la carte items. The Grab n Go Outlet in the lobby offers quick snacks and sandwiches. Other amenities include a large and well-kept zero-entry pool, along with a Jacuzzi in the pool area. A separate entrance brings you into the convention center, ballroom, and meeting room areas, with a business center nearby.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":false,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":true,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":323,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$104–$282","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$-","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":2,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"holiday-inn-in-walt-disney-world","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"18.0","resort_fee":"30.0","sort_name":"holiday inn orlando disney springs area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":252,"property_id":1,"name":"Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa","code":"ORL248","address":"1905 Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078282828","url":"https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcobu-renaissance-orlando-resort-and-spa/overview/","off_site":false,"permalink":"b-resort-spa-disney-springs","created_at":"2018-03-12T17:34:50.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-10-22T11:47:28.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nLocated within walking distance of shops and restaurants and situated 5 miles or less from the Disney parks, the 394-room Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa targets couples, families, groups, and business travelers.\r\n
\r\n\r\nDecorated in cool blues, whites, and grays, guest rooms and suites afford views of downtown Orlando, area lakes, and theme parks. Each room is outfitted with sleek modern furnishings and a large interactive flat-screen TV. Additional touches include a mini-fridge and gaming consoles (available on request). Some rooms are also equipped with bunk beds, kitchenettes, or wet bars.\r\n
\r\n\r\nOur most recent stay at Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa was in early 2015, and we enjoyed it quite a bit. Our standard room was spotlessly clean, and the room decor is fun without being faddish. The bathroom is spacious, with plenty of storage. The glass shower is well designed and has good water pressure. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this hotel at this price point, except for the terrible traffic you have to endure every night because of Disney Springs. And that’s a shame because it’s not the hotel’s doing. If the B were on the other side of Disney Springs, we’d gladly stay here again.\r\n
\r\n\r\nA mom from Tennessee also likes Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa, especially when it’s on sale:\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe vibe of the Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa was great—like a knockoff of the W, very bright and modern. The restaurant was great, and the zero-entry pool was good. The resort has a more adult feel, but I never felt out of place with my son. I found a deal on Orbitz for around $310 for three nights, with taxes and fees. If choosing between the Renaissance Orlando and Pop Century for a short stay, I’d take the Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa hands-down.\r\n\r\n
\r\nAmenities include free Wi-Fi, a spa, a beauty salon, and a fitness center. The main restaurant, American Kitchen, serves a modern upscale take on classic comfort food in regional styles. Guests can also choose from a poolside bar and grill; The Pickup, a grab-and-go shop off the lobby that serves breakfasts, snacks, picnic lunches, and ice cream; and 24/7 in-room dining.\r\nOther perks: a zero-entry pool with interactive water features; a kids’ area; loaner iPads; Monscierge, a touchscreen concierge and destination guide in the lobby; and more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and multiuse space. Though not served by Disney transportation, Renaissance Orlando Resort And Spa provides bus service to the parks and other Disney venues. A hefty daily resort fee applies.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":394,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$89-329","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$$-","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"b-resort-spa","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"22.0","resort_fee":"30.0","sort_name":"renaissance orlando resort and spa","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":162,"property_id":1,"name":"Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area","code":"ORL088","address":"1850B Hotel Plaza Boulevard","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078426644","url":"https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden/lake-buena-vista-florida/wyndham-garden-lake-buena-vista-downtown-disney-resort-area/overview?page=hotel-overview&hotel_id=49337&corporate_id=66955531&ref_id=WYNDHAMCORP","off_site":false,"permalink":"wyndham-lake-buena-vista-resort","created_at":"2010-07-16T12:02:22.000-07:00","updated_at":"2024-04-07T21:40:51.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nThe main reason to stay at the Wyndham is the short walk to Disney Springs. The lobby is bright and airy and check-in service friendly. Rooms are larger than most and have in-room refrigerators. Pool-facing rooms in the hotel’s wings have exterior hallways that overlook the pool and center courtyard; these hallways can be noisy during summer months. Elevators are available, but they’re unusually slow—it’s probably faster to walk to the second and third floors, assuming you’re up for the exercise. Disney-character breakfasts take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at LakeView Restaurant.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":394,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$104–$370","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$$$-","lodging_area_code":"dsra","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"wyndham-lake-buena-vista","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":"20.0","resort_fee":"25.0","sort_name":"wyndham garden lake buena vista disney springs resort area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null},{"id":437,"property_id":1,"name":"Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area","code":"ORL331","address":"1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd","city":"Lake Buena Vista","state_code":"FL","zip_code":"32830","phone_number":"4078284444","url":"https://www.wyndhamlakebuenavista.com/","off_site":false,"permalink":"wyndham-garden-lake-buena-vista","created_at":"2021-03-10T13:08:39.000-08:00","updated_at":"2023-05-02T11:38:38.000-07:00","overview":"\r\nThe main reason to stay at the Wyndham is the short walk to Disney Springs. The lobby is bright and airy and check-in service friendly. Rooms are larger than most and have in-room refrigerators. Pool-facing rooms in the hotel’s wings have exterior hallways that overlook the pool and center courtyard; these hallways can be noisy during summer months. Elevators are available, but they’re unusually slow—it’s probably faster to walk to the second and third floors, assuming you’re up for the exercise. Disney-character breakfasts take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at LakeView Restaurant.\r\n
","good_not_so_good_rooms":null,"strengths_weaknesses":null,"recommend_to_friends":null,"recommend_annual_change":null,"stay_again":null,"stay_again_annual_change":null,"fitness_center":true,"water_sports":false,"marina":false,"beach":false,"tennis":false,"biking":false,"suites":true,"concierge_floor":false,"room_service":true,"wired_internet":false,"wireless_internet":true,"num_rooms":232,"theme":null,"cost_range":"$104–$370","shuttle_to_parks":true,"cost_estimate":"$$$$$-","lodging_area_code":"ds","category_code":null,"check_rates":null,"percent_random_ads":30,"show_map":false,"meta_description":null,"survey_update_hash":null,"author_user_id":null,"fax_number":null,"hidden":false,"smallest_room_size":null,"blog_slug":"wyndham-garden-lake-buena-vista","property_owned":false,"extra_hours":true,"early_fastpass":false,"express_queue":false,"airport_transportation":false,"parking_fee":null,"resort_fee":null,"sort_name":"wyndham lake buena vista disney springs resort area","club_name":null,"operator_id":null,"operator_type":null,"operator_url":null,"opened_on":null,"extinct_on":null,"opened_on_uncertain":null,"extinct_on_uncertain":null,"abbreviation":null,"refresh_year":null,"renovation_year":null,"pool_slide":false,"pool_play":false,"typical_bed_code":null,"max_guests_std":null,"child_bed_std":false,"parent_hotel_id":null,"travel_request_quote_image":null,"travel_request_quote_overview":null,"travel_request_quote_image_tab":null,"overview_short":null,"dining_overview":null,"good_for":"Easy access to Disney Springs","recommendation":null,"hotel_category_id":null,"hotel_category_recommended":null,"pet_friendly":null}]]]],["property","Walt Disney World"],["permalink","walt-disney-world"]]![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/orl003_01.jpg\")
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\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl019/overview/yclubmap.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl022/87.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl022/75.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/overview/bltmap.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/D20170825_151835.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl239/20170825_151845.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2240.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl017/DSC_2123.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/BoulderRidgeStudio1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/BoulderRidgeStudio4.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/orl018_03.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/orl018_04.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/orl018_06.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/DSC00721.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/DSC00716.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/DSC00719.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl018/overview/DSC00718.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-exterior.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-living2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-master3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-patio4.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-pool.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl247/orl247_Cabin-bath1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/overview/stormalong_bay1_1500.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl003/overview/stormalong_bay2_1500.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/DSC_8313.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl005/DSC_8221.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_4.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/orl006_5.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl006/rl006_6.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl011/overview/okwmap.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl011/OKW1BR1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl011/OKW1BR2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl011/OKW1BR3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/overview/ssr_map.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/StudioRoom1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/StudioRoom6.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG_7350-scaled.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG_7407-scaled.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG_7377-scaled.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG_7395-scaled.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG-8206.jpeg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/IMG-8052.jpeg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/SSRGrandVilla4.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/SSRGrandVilla5.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl016/SSRGrandVilla8.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CBR_room6.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CBR_room.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CBR_room3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/CBR_room4.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/CBR-Pool%201%20(B).jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl007/overview/CBR-Pool%206%20(B).jpg\")
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\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Ranchos.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Cabanas.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009_01.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009_02.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Destino-Room-1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Destino-Room-2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Destino-Room-3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Destino-Bathroom-1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/orl009-Destino-Bathroom-2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Pool1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Pool5.jpg\")
![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0210.JPG\")
![](\"//cdn3.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0253.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/IMG_0359.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Rix1.jpg\")
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/Rix2.jpg\")
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/LagunaBar3.jpg\")
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl009/LagunaBar2.jpg\")
![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl014/overview/pofqmap.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"https://media.touringplans.com/static/hotels/maps/ORL015.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/AsMoGrounds_01.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/AsMoGrounds_02.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/AsMoGrounds_03.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/ASMo_Room_1.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/ASMo_Room_2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/ASMo_Room_3.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1660.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl237/IMG_1668.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_6039-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_6026-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/asm-family-couch-table.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/asm-family-beds.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/asm-family-tv2.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/asm-master.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_6036-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn2.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_6031-768x576.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/thumbs/ASMu-Pool(B).JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl236/IMG_1794.JPG\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl001/SportsRoom.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa13.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl242/aoa15.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Pools-HippyDippy2-medium.jpg\")
\r\n![](\"//cdn0.touringplans.com/static/hotels/orl013/overview/Pools-SplashArea-medium.jpg\")
\r\n![landscaping](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/4609.JPG\"){kind=link}
![parking lots](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/1109.JPG\"){kind=link}
![landscaping and plants](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/2503.JPG\"){kind=link}
![other buildings](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/2631.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a pool](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/2456.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a heavily obstructed lagoon view](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/1213.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a gorgeous lagoon view](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL007/5544.JPG\"){kind=link}
![landscaping and plants](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/3110.JPG\"){kind=link}
![other buildings](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/3291.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a parking lot](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/2185.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a pool](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/4126.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a heavily obstructed lagoon view](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8507.JPG\"){kind=link}
![a gorgeous lagoon view](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/8229.JPG\"){kind=link}
![landscaping](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7123.JPG\"){kind=link}
![parking lots](\"//cdn1.touringplans.com/static/room_views/ORL009/7167.JPG\"){kind=link}