How to Pick a Disney World Resort Without the Stress
😵💫 Too Many Disney World Resorts? That’s Actually a Good Thing
If you’ve ever typed “best Disney World resort” into a search bar and instantly regretted it—you’re not alone.
With over 30 Disney World Resorts to choose from (plus nearby options), it can feel like you’re swimming in opinions, photos, and Facebook comments that say every single resort is the best one. 🙃
But here’s the good news:
Having lots of choices means there’s a perfect resort for every family, every budget, and every vacation style. You just need to know how to narrow it down.
Let’s take it step by step.
💰 Step 1: Start with Your Budget & Length of Stay
Before you get your heart set on a certain resort, take a look at your total trip budget. Not just for the hotel—but for the whole experience:
- Park tickets
- Food
- Travel
- Extras like souvenirs, Lightning Lanes, or special events
Also, consider how many nights you’re staying. A quick weekend getaway might justify a splurge, while a weeklong stay might need a more budget-friendly option.
Knowing what you can comfortably spend helps you narrow in on the right resort category, which brings us to…
🏷️ Step 2: Choose a Disney World Resort Category
Disney World Resorts come in three main categories—Value, Moderate, and Deluxe—each with its own pros and cons. Here’s the breakdown:
🎈 Value Disney World Resorts
- Best for: Budget-conscious families, park commandos (aka just using the room to sleep)
- Perks: Fun theming, lower prices, early park entry
- Considerations: Smaller rooms, fewer amenities
📌 Great if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the parks!
🏊 Moderate Disney World Resorts
- Best for: Families wanting a bit more comfort without a huge price jump
- Perks: More dining options, slightly larger rooms, pools with waterslides
- Considerations: More spread out, still mostly bus transportation
✅ A happy medium for longer stays or when you want to enjoy more downtime at the resort.
🌟 Deluxe Disney World Resorts
- Best for: Families looking for top-tier comfort and amenities (or traveling with a bigger budget)
- Perks: Spacious rooms, high-end dining, walking distance or monorail access to parks, Extended Evening Hours for deluxe guests
- Considerations: $$$
💡 Want deluxe perks without the deluxe price? My favorite way to save is by renting DVC points—you’ll get access to villas (many with kitchens!) and save money on food by reheating leftovers or making simple meals.
👉 Check out my DVC Rental Guide
🏝️ Step 3: Explore the Disney World Resort Options Within Your Category
Once you’ve picked a category, start browsing the resorts in that tier. But don’t fall into decision overload!
If you ask a big Facebook group, you’ll get 400 different opinions and likely walk away more confused than before. Everyone has their favorite, and that’s okay.
Instead, I suggest:
- Watching room tours and walkthroughs on YouTube to get a feel for the atmosphere
- Thinking about what appeals to your family: Do your kids love animals? Art? Princesses?
- Asking yourself: Which resort “calls to you”?
I haven’t stayed at every single resort yet, but I’ve got room tours with honest reviews of the ones we have stayed at, and I share exactly what worked (and didn’t).
👉 Watch My Honest Disney Resort Room Tours
And remember—it will be great. You can always try a different one next trip.
📍 Step 4: Factor in Disney World Resort Location
Location can make a big difference, especially depending on which parks you plan to spend the most time in.
Here’s a quick overview of the main resort areas:
- Magic Kingdom area: Quick access to MK via monorail or boat (includes Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge)
- EPCOT/Skyliner area: Great for EPCOT + Hollywood Studios fans. The skyline is a relaxing way to get to the parks.
- Animal Kingdom area: Peaceful and beautiful, but farther from other parks
- Disney Springs area: Great access to dining and shopping
💡 Pro tip: If you’ve got littles and Magic Kingdom is your top priority, staying nearby can save so much time and stress.
💡 Step 5: Compare Prices—You Might Be Surprised!
Sometimes, a moderate resort is only a little more than a value, or a deluxe isn’t much more than a moderate, especially during deals or promos. It’s always worth checking a few options across categories.
If you’re using a travel agent (which should be 100% free!), they can easily pull quotes across different resorts to help you compare. We’ve worked with some great ones and I’m always happy to share recommendations!
🏁 Final Thoughts: There’s No Wrong Resort
When it comes to Disney World Resorts, here’s what I always tell people:
👉 Don’t stress about choosing the “perfect” one.
They all have magic. They all come with Disney perks. And you can’t go wrong.
Pick the one that works best for your family this time—and know that you can try another one on your next visit. Who knows? You might even discover a new favorite.
