Disney World Resorts - by Type

Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas

Built in the style of the great Victorian-era beach resorts, this flagship property has a showpiece lobby, beach and marinas, boat rentals, 40 acres,deluxe rooms, concierge category, character dining, Afternoon Tea Party for kids, evening kids club, and many other activities.

Location: prime spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, across from Magic Kingdom; boat or monorail to MK; view of nightly fireworks.

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

Location: on the Seven Seas Lagoon, with access by boat or monorail to Magic Kingdom, and the Grand Floridian and Disney's Polynesian Resort. Bay Lake is on the other side of the Contemporary.

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

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

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

Location: on the Seven Seas Lagoon, across from Magic Kingdom; take a boat or monorail to MK; views of nightly fireworks.

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

Location: a top spot, in a cluster of resorts along Crescent Lake; 5-minute walk to Epcot, 20-minute walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios; or take a boat to DHS or Epcot.

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

The Beach Club and adjacent Yacht Club have suites and concierge level accommodations, and share Stormalong Pool, considered one of the best at Disney World, with several areas, and a waterslide.

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

Personal fave: this luxury Disney World resort has astonishing architecture inside and out, but best of all are the giraffes, zebras, and other African animals in the savannas out back. Watch wildlife with a naturalist; then play with the kids in a big (life-guarded) zero-entry pool. Also on-site: family activities such as crafts, Simba's kids' club (evenings), spa.

The theme is down-south, at this Disney World resort: you can stay in Magnolia Bend (in the style of plantation houses) or Alligator Bayou. The main swimming pool has the Ol' Man Island play area. Paddleboats, surrey bike rentals, River Adventure Cruise. Take a walk to sister resort Riverside- French Quarter, or a free shuttle boat to Downtown Disney.

The theme here (at this sister resort to Port Orleans Riverside_ is the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, with Mardi Gras ambiance such as carnival masks. Kids love the pool's dragon-mouth water-slide and water-spraying "Alligator Band". Walk or boat to Disney's Riverside Resort; boat to Downtown Disney, too.

Location: near Downtown Disney; nearest theme parks are Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.