Disney Resorts Part 3- Deluxe Resorts and Villas

The deluxe resorts and villas- the shining stars of the Walt Disney World resorts. These resorts feature grand theming, multiple dining locations including signature restaurants (some of Disney’s best), fun pools with waterslides and hot tubs, and more! If a deluxe resort or villa is within your budget, I definitely recommend staying at one- you will not regret it!

(Hanging out on the beach at Yacht & Beach Club Resort)

Now that summer is here, I know that some of you are planning to go to Disney within the next couple of months while the kids are on break from school. Summer is definitely a busy time at Walt Disney World, but there are ways to make the most of it. Since the theme parks are usually open later in the evening, I suggest taking a break during those HOT summer afternoons to go back to your Disney resort hotel for a swim/lunch/nap break. The water parks are also a great place to cool off during those hot summer months. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks offer fun water activities for all ages!

(The Paddock area pool at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa)

Speaking of going back to your Disney resort hotel for a mid-afternoon break- all Disney resort properties offer fun swimming pools, but the deluxe resorts really outdo themselves in this category. The theming is amazing, all deluxe resorts offer a fun waterslide, and one pool even has a sand-bottom (I’m looking at you, Yacht and Beach Club)! My family typically does not travel during the summer (travel is easier at other times of the year due to our jobs), but if we did, I think that we would seriously consider staying at a deluxe resort. The deluxe resorts are closest to the theme parks, making going back to the resort for a break relatively easy, the pools, as I have stated, are top-notch, and all the deluxe resorts have a quick-service location close to the swimming pool, so grabbing a pool-side lunch is easy and fun.

(Stormalong Bay pool area at Yacht & Beach Club Resort- photo from www.disneyworld.com)

Come along with me as I tell you my favorite feature and dining experience at each deluxe resort. Let's go!

Magic Kingdom Resort Area-

Resort: Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Theme: Luxury/ Florida in the early 20^th century

Dana’s Favorite Feature: The resort is just gorgeous- it’s Disney’s Flagship Resort, and everywhere you look, you see beauty- from the manicured rose gardens, to the pristine Tea Room, to the open-air cage elevator in the lobby

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Narcoossee’s- it’s set on the water, the service is fabulous, and the lobster and filet mignon dinner is outstanding (Update: Citrico's is our new favorite restaurant in all of Walt Disney World, with Narcoosee's being a close second!)

(Filet and lobster, anyone?)

(After a wonderful dinner at Narcoossee's, my family went outside to the balcony to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!)

Resort: Polynesian Village Resort

Theme: The South Seas

Dana’s Favorite Feature: I love the tropical atmosphere, and the Dole Whip stand here is the only place outside of the parks where you can grab the infamous Dole Whip (Update: Rumor has it that the Dole Whip is now available at Art of Animation resort as well)

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Cap’n Cooks- This quick service spot offers the famous ‘Tonga Toast’ for breakfast, which can also be enjoyed for nearly double the price at the sit-down restaurant here- I prefer to save my money, and I take my Tonga Toast outdoors, which I can enjoy poolside, with a view of Cinderella Castle in the distance

(The view from an outdoor table at Cap'n Cook's)

Resort: Contemporary Resort

Theme: Modern

Dana’s Favorite Feature: The monorail actually goes inside this resort, which is ALWAYS fun to watch

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet- The breakfast here isn’t bad, though if you are paying out-of-pocket (vs the dining plan), it’s a lot of money for pancakes, fruit, and omelets- the real draw here is the characters- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy greet guests, and every so often, a fun song is played overhead, and guests are encouraged to sing out and wave their napkins in the air- it’s just a fun environment, and in my opinion, well worth 1 credit on the dining plan

(Meeting Mickey Mouse!)

(High atop the Contemporary Resort at California Grill celebrating a first birthday!)

Resort: Wilderness Lodge Resort
Theme: Pacific Northwest/ National Parks

Dana’s Favorite Feature: The majestic grand lobby- it’s especially gorgeous at Christmastime, when the fire in the fireplace is roaring, and the resort is decorated for the holiday

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Whispering Canyon Cafe- this fun restaurant offers and all-you-care-to-eat BBQ platter with various meats, baked beans, corn on the cob, and more- and all the antics (not to mention the Moonshine Margaritas) make for a fun night out!

(The beautiful Wilderness Lodge Resort- photo from www.disneyworld.com)

Epcot Resort Area-

Resort: Boardwalk Inn

Theme: Early 20^th Century Atlantic/ Ocean City

Dana’s Favorite Feature: No visit is complete without a stroll on the Boardwalk- grab a drink or an ice cream cone and enjoy people-watching, midway games, and my favorite resort gift shop on property!

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Big River Grille & Brewing Works- I’m a sucker for outdoor dining, and this location doesn’t disappoint- give me a burger and a brew with a view of the Boardwalk, and I’m one happy lady (bonus points- if you time it right, you can catch a glimpse of the Epcot fireworks here!)

(This photo was actually taken along the walkway between Epcot and the Yacht & Beach Club, but you can see the Dance Hall and the Boardwalk in the background)

Resort: Yacht & Beach Club

Theme: Martha’s Vineyard/ Newport Beach Cottage

Dana’s Favorite Feature: The amazing pool here has a huge waterslide, a sand-bottom, and is the closest thing to a water park that you can find at a Disney resort

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Beaches and Cream Soda Shop- While the burgers, dogs and fries are delicious, the real knock-outs here are the ice cream sundaes- I love the No Way Jose sundae with chocolate and peanut butter, but the Kitchen Sink sundae can easily feed a small army, as it’s ingredients feature, among other things, an entire can of whipped cream

(The No Way Jose sundae at Beaches & Cream)

Animal Kingdom Resort Area:

Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge

Theme: An African Wildlife Preserve

Dana’s Favorite Feature: Strolling out on the savanna overlooks where you can watch the animals in their habitat

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Boma- Not everyone in my family would agree, but I love the dinner here- while some of it is ‘African-inspired’, I found it to be enjoyable, and not too spicy- I also enjoy interacting with the cast members, who have come to work here from Africa

(The beautiful and majestic Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby)

(Checking out the African masks in the gift shop)

All of the above resorts (with the exception of the Yacht Club) have a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) section, with vacation villas that, in addition to being available to DVC members, are also available to anyone paying cash. There are two resorts which have no standard hotel rooms- these resorts are strictly DVC villas, and I will cover these resorts below.

Disney Springs Resort Area:

Resort: Old Key West

Theme: Key West (Disney’s first Vacation Club resort)

Dana’s Favorite Feature: The laid-back island vibe, and the water taxi service over to Disney Springs

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Olivia’s Café- While it has been quite a few years since my family has eaten here, we always enjoyed the cool environment, yummy entrees, and delicious desserts at Olivia’s

(Old Key West Resort- photo from www.disneyworld.com)

Resort: Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Theme: Upstate New York in the 1800’s

Dana’s Favorite Feature: My family fell in love with this resort this past winter- we love the laid-back atmosphere, and the walkway to Disney Springs makes trips very convenient and quick- there also is a boat launch with water taxis over to Disney Springs for those who fancy a relaxing boat ride

Dana’s Favorite Restaurant: Turf Club Bar & Grill- Enjoy a New York strip steak at this hidden gem of a restaurant, which overlooks the golf course (you may choose indoor or outdoor seating)- our service has always been outstanding, the food and drinks are delicious, and there never seems to be much of a wait to get in

(The view of the lake from our 3-bedroom grand villa at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa)

(My friends and family enjoying a drink outdoors at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa)

You truly can't go wrong with any of these deluxe resorts. Enjoy, and happy travels!

Disney Resorts Part 2- Moderate Resorts and Cabins & Campgrounds

Hello and happy spring! It’s time to write about my absolute favorite level of resorts- the moderate resorts! I will also be covering Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for you camping and outdoors lovers! Let’s go!

(Disney's Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center- a moderate resort)

I love the moderates for many different reasons. The first reason, and to me, the most important reason, is that they are sentimental to me. My family has stayed at Port Orleans Riverside Resort (formerly Dixie Landings) and Caribbean Beach Resort dozens of times, and so every time I stay at one of these resorts, I am reminded of the fun times I’ve had in the past with my family. When we stay at these resorts together, my family often talks about my late Uncle Bob, who was particularly fond of Caribbean Beach Resort. Uncle Bob was a HILARIOUS man, and whenever he comes up in conversation, my family and I share a lot of laughs. Every so often, my brother Justin and I will reflect on previous stays and the fun we had there as a family of five (with our parents and other brother) ‘back in the day’.


The second reason I love the moderate resorts is that they are a perfect balance of value and indulgence. Like the value resorts, the moderate resorts all feature large food courts and a main feature pool, but when you pay the extra money to stay at a moderate resort, you are now getting a themed water slide, an outdoor whirlpool, a sit-down restaurant located at your resort, and a larger room with larger beds (value resorts offer double beds, whereas moderates and deluxe resorts offer queen beds).

(More amenities are offered for guests at the moderate resorts than at the value resorts- at Port Orleans Riverside, fishing excursions are offered)

The third and final reason to LOVE the moderate resorts is the theming. I LOVE the theming throughout Walt Disney World (almost as much as I love the food!). There are four resorts in this category, and there are four great themes to enjoy- the Caribbean Islands, the Southwest United States/ Mexico, the Antebellum South, and New Orleans French Quarter. These resorts are beautifully themed, and there are beautiful photo opportunities around every corner.

(Speaking of beautiful photo ops- I just love this photo I took with my DSLR camera at Coronado Springs)


Since I love the moderate resorts so much, I am going to rank them in order of my least favorite to my favorite, and I’ll explain what gives them that ranking. When I say ‘least favorite’, please take that lightly- I love all of the moderate resorts, and I would stay at any of them again! Let’s begin!


4: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Convention Center- The last two words of the resort title are what rank this Southwest United States/ Mexico-themed resort the lowest, in my opinion. When I am on vacation, I’m excited to be away from the hustle and bustle of real life. When we stayed here in January 2015, there was a nurses’ convention going on (for those of you who don’t know, I am a Registered Nurse). Imagine my surprise when I am on the bus one afternoon, heading to Epcot with my family, and I hear talk of Foley catheters, medication administration, and IV insertion techniques. No thank you! I realize that this is a very specific instance, and we were just unlucky to be staying there during this convention, but for me, this was unpleasant. It certainly didn’t ruin my day, my stay, or anything else, but it made my husband and I realize that we prefer a resort where EVERYONE is on vacation, rather than half a crowd who is there for work. On the flip side, because this is a convention resort, there are more amenities than the other three moderate resorts. Coronado Springs features a day spa and a fitness center, and is the only moderate resort with these amenities. Coronado Springs also features two table service restaurants (the only moderate resort to do so), an indoor lounge, two outdoor watering holes- one right off the main lobby next to the lake, and one at the main pool, and a café in the main lobby (in addition to the large food court). The rooms at this resort are comfortable and pretty, the food court offers delicious Mexican fare, in addition to American favorites, and the hot tub near the main feature pool is the largest on Disney property!

(The pretty architecture in the Casitas section of Coronado Springs)

(The outdoor Laguna Bar at Coronado Springs)

(Our room at Coronado Springs)

3: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter- This New Orleans French Quarter-themed resort is the smallest of the moderate resorts, and it is important to mention that it’s the only moderate with just one bus stop (the other three each have multiple bus stops). This can be both a pro and a con- pick-up and drop-off are quicker and more simplified, but then again, unless you have a room very close to the main lobby, you’ll have further to walk to get to the bus depot. This resort does not offer a table-service restaurant- Port Orleans Resort- Riverside is where the table-service restaurant is located at this resort (I still, however, think of these two sister resorts as two separate locations- each offer different theming, and the check-in locations are located in two different lobby areas, one for each resort). Port Orleans- Riverside is, however, accessible via a walkway along the scenic Sassagoula River- it’s about a 15 to 20-minute walk depending on how fast of a walker you are. Port Orleans- French Quarter has a neat food court with a Mardi Gras theme- the standout snack here is the New Orleans-inspired beignets, which are available all day at the bakery! The pool is also very cute, and kids and adults alike seem to really enjoy the Mardi Gras theming (please also note that this is the only moderate resort which does not feature any quiet pools, as all of the other moderate resorts do). The guest rooms at this resort are beautiful, and many state that they enjoy the more compact size of this resort as opposed to the larger resorts in this category.

(The fun serpent waterslide at Port Orleans French Quarter)

(I know my son looks absolutely thrilled to be here! You can find fun Mardi Gras theming all throughout Port Orleans French Quarter)

(The pretty rooms at Port Orleans French Quarter- photo from disneyworld.com)

2: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort- The tranquility of the Caribbean Islands on Walt Disney World property- what’s not to love? My family will be staying here again this fall, and from what I have heard, the rooms have all been remodeled. When I stayed here last in 2013, the rooms had a hint of Finding Nemo to them, and I thought they were very cute. Now, however, the rooms have a laid-back island vibe, as seen in photos on www.WaltDisneyWorld.com. One of my favorite places at this resort is the island located in the middle of the lake (accessible via a walkway)- I have spotted all kinds of wildlife here, and there are many peaceful spots to sit and relax when you need a break from the craziness of the theme parks! The pool here has a cool Spanish-fortress theme- I am excited to check out the waterslides (yes, 2 waterslides!) this year, as I was pregnant on my last visit and could not ride. There is also a fun kiddie splash area with a mini-waterslide, which my son will be trying out this year! This resort is the only moderate without an indoor lounge, which is definitely a con for those of us who like to enjoy a nightcap- however, the outdoor Banana Cabana lounge is typically open until midnight, and there are plenty of outdoor tables nearby to sit and enjoy a beverage lakeside. One of my favorite things about the food court at this resort as a kid was that the kid’s meals came served in a sand pail, which you can use on the beaches here! I am really looking forward to introducing these fun meals to my son!

(Checking into the Custom House at Caribbean Beach- our last trip as a family of two before our son was born!)

(The lighthouse near the main lobby at Caribbean Beach)

(The redesigned guest rooms at Caribbean Beach- photo from disneyworld.com)

1: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside- This, to my family, is ‘home’. We love checking out other resorts, and lately, we have been, but to us, the Antebellum South-themed Port Orleans Riverside is comfortable, familiar, and just simply, our favorite. There are actually two sections to this resort- Alligator Bayou, and the Magnolia Bend Mansions. I prefer the mansions, as the rooms are just beautiful in my opinion, but the rustic Alligator Bayou rooms are fun, too (and many of these rooms are closest to the food court!). What do I love about this resort? Well, first off, my family loves this food court- at dinnertime, the River Mill Food Court offers a freshly-sliced turkey dinner plate which usually is served with potatoes, corn, and a piece of cornbread. On our trip last fall in which we stayed at Port Orleans, my mother, brother and I were especially looking forward to this dinner on our arrival day! At lunchtime, we enjoy the create-your-own salads, the pasta bar (also create-your-own), and the sandwiches, including a New Orleans muffuletta, which my husband really enjoyed. The main pool area is called Ol’ Man Island, and features small waterfalls, a really cool twisting waterslide, a hot tub, a small children’s wading pool, and Muddy Rivers pool bar, which serves refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There are dreamy gazebos, manicured flower gardens, a pretty boat ride to Disney Springs, and horse-drawn carriage rides in the evening, making this one of Walt Disney World’s most romantic resorts. The stroll over to Port Orleans- French Quarter is perfect if you love to explore, and the riverside walkway offers plenty of photo opportunities along the way! Finally, the live entertainment at River Roost Lounge is unbeatable. Beginning at 8:30pm from Wednesday through Saturday night, Ye Haa Bob Jackson performs a family-friendly piano sing-a-long show.

(Port Orleans Riverside is such a picturesque resort!)

(Riverside gazebo at Port Orleans Riverside)

(An Alligator Bayou guest room at Port Orleans Riverside)

(A Magnolia Bend mansion room at Port Orleans Riverside)

One final thing that I’d like to mention about these resorts is that two of them offer themed rooms. Caribbean Beach offers Pirate-themed rooms, complete with pirate-ship beds and a skull-and-crossbone curtain separating the bathroom area from the sleeping area. Port Orleans Riverside offers Royal Guest rooms, which feature framed photos of the Disney Princesses, a welcome note from Tiana (from ‘The Princess and the Frog’), and fiber-optic headboards showcasing fireworks when a button is pushed! These specialty rooms cost a bit extra, but if you have swashbuckling pirate lovers in the family, or Disney Princess lovers, these rooms are sure to be a hit!

(A pirate room at Caribbean Beach- photo from disneyworld.com)

(A Royal Guest room at Port Orleans- Riverside- photo from disneyworld.com)

The Campgrounds and Cabins are in the Magic Kingdom Resort area and could be perfect for a larger family, as the cabins sleep six people. Fort Wilderness is a lot of fun, and though my family doesn’t typically stay here, we love to trek over for dinner at Trail’s End, to do some exploring, and to watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom from the beach here! There is a bedroom in the cabin which offers a queen bed and bunk beds, as well as a double sleeper sofa in the family room. The cabins offer a small kitchen and dining table, as well as a porch with a picnic table. The campgrounds offer sites for both RV’s and tent camping, and I do know that there are partial hook-up sites, and full hook-up sites for those bringing/ renting an RV.

(My beautiful family enjoying dinner at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground)

(Not the best photo, but horse and carriage rides are offered here at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground)


Fort Wilderness has a lot to offer, including a boat ride over to the Contemporary and the Magic Kingdom, horseback riding, lakeside viewing of the Electrical Water Pageant at night, archery, a campfire sing-a-long, fishing, and boat rentals. There is a dinner show every night called the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue, which is very popular with guests staying at all resorts! As I stated previously, my family loves the buffet at Fort Wilderness (Trail’s End)- it is a casual buffet featuring many comfort foods such as fried chicken, pizza, ribs, chili, and peel-and-eat shrimp. There are also a few quick-service locations offering takeout. Please note that due to the size of this resort, multiple buses may be needed to get to the theme parks- there are internal buses which are on different loops, taking guests to the main bus depot. From the main bus depot, buses are available to the theme parks and Disney Springs. Golf cart rentals are also available at this resort for guests staying here.

(My son enjoying the buffet at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground)

(Watching the Electrical Water Pageant from Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground after dinner)


I hope that this post has been helpful if you are considering a stay in a moderate resort! If you think of any other questions, please feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com. Happy Travels!

Disney Resorts Part 1- Value Resorts

Happy April, my friends!  Lately, I have been a bit obsessed with the Disney resorts (actually, that’s not just lately- I have always been a HUGE fan of the Disney resorts). I know that some people may think my obsession of  ‘HOTELS’ is odd, but Disney is different. Disney is magical. Their resorts are not only a place to shower and lie your head at night. Their resorts are truly an experience. You’re not simply staying in a room with a balcony overlooking a savanna where zebras and giraffes roam. You’re staying at a resort which houses one of the largest collections of African artwork in the United States. You’re staying at a resort which serves up the largest selection of South African wines outside of South Africa. You’re mingling with representatives born and raised in Africa on a daily basis, who spend their days teaching their guests about African traditions.

(A little blurry, but... interacting with the cast members at Boma restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge resort)

If you see yourself as more of a ‘New England in the 1920’s’ kind of person, then have no fear- Disney has a resort tailored to you as well! No matter what your taste and budget, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a resort that’s perfect for you. Please come with me as I lead you through the 20-or-so Walt Disney World owned resorts and villas. I will be splitting this topic into 3 posts: Value resorts, Moderate resorts & Campgrounds, and Deluxe resorts and villas.

(The lobby area of Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, a value resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

This post is going to cover the Value resorts and suites. While the values are not nearly as strongly themed as the moderates and deluxe resorts, they are a lot of fun for kids, as I saw firsthand on my most recent trip with my 2-year old son. There are 5 value resorts: All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. Each value resort features a rather large food court, two swimming pools, and bus transportation to and from all theme parks and Disney Springs.

The 3 All-Stars resorts are located in the ‘Animal Kingdom Resort Area’. Sports and Music opened in 1994, and they are the original two value resorts, with Movies opening in 1999. Personally, I think the larger-than-life icons are cute, and the pool themes are a lot of fun. The two pools at All-Star Sports are themed to resemble a ‘surf city’, and a baseball diamond. At all value resorts, the larger main pool is located near the food court and lobby area, and a smaller pool is located further into the resort. I know that some don't like the Value Resorts (and that is why Disney has so many resorts to choose from- there is truly something for everyone!); however, the rooms are clean (they are, of course, the smallest of the Disney resort rooms, unless you are staying in a suite, which I will get to shortly), transportation is complimentary, just as it is at all Disney resorts, and the staff has never been anything but friendly and professional in my experience staying at a value.

(A standard room at an All-Star Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

(One of two swimming pools at All-Star Movies Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

Pop Century resort is located in the ‘ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area’, along with Art of Animation resort, which is located across a man-made lake from Pop Century. There is a bridge connecting the two resorts, or if you feel like a stroll, you may walk around the lake as well (FYI, swimming is not allowed in any lake on Disney property). Pop Century opened in 2003, and features larger-than-life icons depicting various years from 1950 through 1990. Art of Animation, Disney’s newest value resort, opened in 2012. Each value resort boasts larger-than-life icons throughout the resort, which are a lot of fun for kids. The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Cars are the themes here, and my son and I had such a fun time exploring each area on our most recent trip. As a 30-something-year-old, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King take me back to my childhood, and these two resort sections don’t disappoint! There is even a ‘boneyard’ play area for kids resembling that famous area from The Lion King! Finding Nemo and Cars aren’t quite as sentimental to me, but to a toddler who is obsessed with anything that moves, the Cars area is a dream come true! We were able to take pictures with Mater, Sarge, Sally, and of course, Lightning McQueen himself! The Cozy Cone pool is also a neat area- it features Cozy Cone cabanas to enjoy during your downtime! The feature pool at this resort is Finding-Nemo themed, is the largest resort pool on Disney property, and features an underwater sound system!

(I just had to take a photo with the Prince Eric statue in 'The Little Mermaid' section of Art of Animation resort!)

(How cool is the themed area of the 'Cars' section of Art of Animation?)

(A 2-year old boy's dream- checking out all of the characters at Art of Animation resort)

(Checking out the 'Cozy Cone' cabanas at the 'Cars' themed pool at Art of Animation resort)

(The 'Finding Nemo' themed pool area at Art of Animation resort)

Art of Animation is a bit different than the other resorts, in that 3 of the 4 sections feature suites rather than the typical value room for a party of 4 that is standard at the other value resorts. These suites sleep up to six and feature a queen bed, a double sleeper-sofa, and a double ‘table-bed’- this is used as a table during the day, and at night, a bed folds down! A kitchenette is included in each room, and each suite features two bathrooms. These suites are well-themed, and, unlike the other value resorts, you choose which section you’d like to stay in upon booking- Cars, Finding Nemo, or The Lion King (The Little Mermaid section features standard value rooms like you’d find at the other value resorts). All-Star Music also has suites available, which are less expensive than the suites at Art of Animation- they still sleep up to six, though the configuration of these rooms is just a bit different (a kitchenette and two bathrooms are also included with these suites).

(This table in the 'Cars' suite is also a pull-down bed!- photo from disneyworld.com)

('Finding Nemo' themed suite at Art of Animation Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, the food courts at these resorts are typically open from about 7am until 11pm. Hot and cold breakfast foods are available until about 11am, and then the menu switches over to lunch. Dinner options typically appear around 5pm. I’m not typically a big breakfast eater, but I do enjoy getting a muffin and a banana, along with coffee in my mug in the morning. My husband typically would enjoy a hot breakfast platter which includes waffles, eggs, bacon and a biscuit, along with orange juice. I’ve always enjoyed my lunches from the value food courts- I can still remember a turkey on focaccia sandwich I got several years ago at All-Star Sports’ food court- it is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had at Disney! This past trip, I grabbed a snack at Art of Animation’s food court- the cheesy pesto bread, which is only available at this location! It was well worth it! My parents have always enjoyed the create-your-own-salads made with shrimp or chicken from the food courts. The selection at any of the five food courts is great, and you may choose to eat indoors or outdoors at any location (my family loves to eat outdoors- it’s such a treat, especially when the weather at home is unfavorable).

(Plentiful indoor seating at All-Star Sports' food court- photo from disneyworld.com)

(Cheesy pesto bread from the 'Landscape of Flavors' food court at Art of Animation resort)

Each of these resorts is rather large, and connects to at least one other resort, so if you enjoy walking/ jogging, these resorts can make your daily workout a lot of fun! I suggest stopping to take some photos along the way, as you are never far from a great photo opportunity at Walt Disney World! I remember staying at the All-Stars resorts back when I was a high school athlete, and jogging daily around the resorts to keep in shape- it was always such an enjoyable run! There are even fun and informative signs around the lake at Pop Century and Art of Animation. The signs on the Pop Century side feature different fun facts about the second half of last century, and the signs on the Art of Animation side feature fun facts about the 4 movies featured.

(Fun signs on the path around the lake between Pop Century resort and Art of Animation resort)

Having stayed at all levels of resorts (value, moderate, deluxe), I can tell you that there is something enjoyable about each level. At the value resorts, I love the large food court, and the fact that there is plenty of outdoor seating at mealtime. Though the value resorts do not feature water slides, the pool areas are all fun and uniquely-themed. These resorts scream ‘Disney!’ to me, as you can find larger-than-life Disney character icons around nearly every corner, which, as I stated before, is a lot of fun for children. And finally, I love the price of these resorts! The All-Stars resorts start at $89 a night- prices do, however, vary depending on the time of year and even the day of the week.

(All-Star Movies resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

Please stay tuned for my ‘Moderate Resorts and Campgrounds’ post, coming soon! Feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com with any Disney travel questions. Happy Travels!