Disney 101~ Accommodations Part 2

Welcome back to Disney 101! Now that you are an expert on the HOT Special Events around Walt Disney World you may start to have an idea of what time of year you would like to travel to Disney. The next step in planning your Disney vacation is picking where you would like to stay.

*If you missed part 1 of accommodations click here. To see all Disney 101 posts click here.

This choice is going to impact your trip tremendously, from cost to size to proximity to comfort. While both Jenn and I feel that cost is a HUGE deciding factor as to where families stay when they travel to Disney World that information is generic because people really want to know the value of each resorts as well as  the proximity of the resorts. Together, Jenn and I have broken up the resorts by area. It is our hope that based on proximity and value you will be able to pick an accommodation that fits the needs of your family.

Downtown Disney Area Resorts

When you stay at the Downtown Disney area resorts you are going to find yourself close to the central shopping district on Walt Disney World property as well as fairly close to many of the parks.

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Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter specialized in southern comfort by recreating an historic New Orleans district at French Quarter while Riverside  captures the feel of sprawling mansions and picturesque Louisiana along the Mississippi River.

Perks: 

•  playground
• river with kayaking
•  bike rental
•  surrey-bikes
• arcade
• Disney movies under the stars
• fishing and marina with watercraft rentals
•  themed pool with bridge and slide
• 0.7-mile paved jogging trail runs parallel to the Sassagoula River
• Water launch service to the Downtown Disney area.
• Nightly carriage rides
• Jacuzzi

 

Room Type:

• Most rooms can accommodate up to four Guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib.
• All rooms have two queen-sized beds on one king size bed.
• Up to five Guests, including one  (ages 3-9) in a fold-down bed, can be accommodated in the Alligator Bayou rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
• Brand new in 2012 Royal Themed Guest Rooms at Disney Port Orleans Riverside.  (This is an additional charge)

Best Area of the Resort: 

Riverside

If you would like to be close to the main building then request Oak Manor or Magnolia Terrace in Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou buildings 14, 15, 16 or 18. If you would like to be close to the main pool then request the Acadian House or Magnolia Terrace in Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou buildings 14, 18, 27 or 38.

French Quarter

For a quiet room ask for buildings 1 or 6. Building 4 is close to everything while building 5 has a great view of the courtyard.

Tips:

If you are staying at either one of the Port Orleans Resorts visit PortOrleans.org for a VERY extensive review of the resort. Everything you need to know about it is on this website. It is amazing!

Distance to the Parks:

Magic Kingdom: 5 miles
Epcot: 1 mile
Hollywood Studios: 5 miles
Animal Kingdom: 9 miles

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Disney’s Old Key West Resort this is a beautiful Disney Deluxe Villa Resort community that is themed after the Florida Keys. Here you can enjoy a deluxe studio or a spacious 1-2 bedroom vacation villa featuring everything you need to make this your Disney home.

Perks:

• Babysitting/Childcare Services
• Valet Service Cleaning
• Free Laundry facilities
• Free Wireless Internet
• Express Check-out
• Refillable Mugs (at Good’s to Go)
• Bell Services
• Poolside Bar
• ATM Machine
• Shop: Conch Flats General Store (souvenirs, snacks, beverages, sundries, and microwavable foods) Voice Mail Wheelchairs (a limited number are available for use around the resort free of charge)
• Disney Discovery Club (An activity club for kids aged 6 to 14, with themed activities such as scavenger hunts and eco-exploration. Check with Guest Services to register and for times and dates.)

Room Type:

• Two Bedroom Villas can accommodate up to eight Guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom, two full bathrooms, DVD player and private porch or balcony.
• One Bedroom Villas accommodate up to five Guests, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, king-size in master bedroom and a queen-size sleeper sofa in living room, and a private porch or balcony.
• Deluxe Studios accommodate up to four Guests, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib, and have a kitchenette, one queen-size bed, double-size sleeper sofa, TV and private porch or balcony.

Tips:

Old Key West is very large just be prepared to walk.

Best Area of the Resort: 

Buildings 62, 63 and 64 are the best buildings at Old Key West.

Distance to the Parks: 

Magic Kingdom: 5 miles
Epcot: 1 mile
Hollywood Studios: 3 miles
Animal Kingdom: 7 miles

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Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Treehouse Villas 

Those that stay at Saratoga Springs will be treated with Victorian architecture and meticulous landscaping.

Perks:

• Bell Service
• Complimentary laundry facilities
• Daily maid service (DVC guests refer to your guide)
• The Artist’s Palette featuring self-serve meals as well as sundries, groceries and souvenirs
• On the Rocks poolside bar
• Free Wireless Internet
• Voice Mail
• “Extra Magic Hour” early entry to select Disney theme parks with paid admission
• Express check out
• Fitness center
• Full service Spa
• In house complimentary motorcoach and waterferry transportation

Room Type:

• Two Bedroom Villas can accommodate up to eight Guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom, two full bathrooms, DVD player and private porch or balcony.
• One Bedroom Villas accommodate up to five Guests, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, king-size in master bedroom and a queen-size sleeper sofa in living room, and a private porch or balcony.
• Deluxe Studios accommodate up to four Guests, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib, and have a kitchenette, one queen-size bed, double-size sleeper sofa, TV and private porch or balcony.

Treehouse Villas

Three bedroom villas can accommodate up to nine Guests, plus one child under the age of 3 in a crib, and features modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite countertops, two full bathrooms and flat-panel TVs.

Best Area of the Resort:

Due to the size of this resort you can expect to do a lot of walking but the best two areas are The Springs and The Grandstand area.

 

Distance to Parks: 

Magic Kingdom: 5 miles
Epcot: 1 mile
Hollywood Studios: 5 miles
Animal Kingdom: 9 miles