Deluxe Resorts are the height of comfort and luxury in a Walt Disney World hotel. They offer premium locations, luxurious rooms and a wealth of amenities not found in other Resort Hotels. However, all this added magic comes with an added cost, and these Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are the most expensive rooms to be found on property, and many people wonder whether these Deluxe Resorts are really worth all the extra cost.
If you don’t include the Deluxe Villa Resorts, there are currently 7 Deluxe Resort Hotels on Disney Property, and each one offers slightly different theming, amenities and experiences. But what factors are there to make you consider paying the extra to stay in a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotel?
Location, Location, Location!
All of the Deluxe Resort Hotels have a special location. You’ll find most Deluxe Resorts in either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot Resort Areas, and as such are incredibly close to these Theme Parks. It is understandable that Hotels with such a premium location will command a premium price, and if you are considering not hiring a car for your full holiday, putting that money into upgrading to a Deluxe Resort could work out very worthwhile. Being close to the Theme Parks will cut down on your travel time and really allow you to maximise the amount of time you can spend there. It is also handy when trying to wrestle your way to your transport at Park Close; being on a Resort Monorail or Water Taxi will really cut down the time it takes you to get back to your Hotel at the end of the day, as well as avoiding the stress of the exit crowds! You also increase the possibility of little luxuries like being able to watch fireworks displays from your room! For something a little different, the only Deluxe Resort not in these prime locations is Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is situated on its own private Savannah; and again, it is easy to see why this location is also deemed a premium spot!
Extra Space
Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotels boast the largest rooms on property (not including the 1 and 2 Bedroom Villas!). If you are planning a longer stay, travelling with older kids, or maximising the room’s guest capacity, choosing one of these rooms with a larger square footage can be the best option. Deluxe Resort Rooms star at 344 Sq Foot in Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, and can give you as much space as 440 Sq Foot in the Grand Floridian. With many of these rooms having space for a sofa as well as your beds, the extra space can allow for some luxuries. While you may not necessarily miss this extras, you will certainly enjoy the convenience of having them. You’ll also find that your Deluxe Resort room will come with a balcony, adding even more space to your room for your stay. Having a balcony is a great addition to your room, giving you outdoor space to dry wet clothing, or simply somewhere to sit and relax if you have kids asleep in the room.
Free Dining
If Walt Disney World is offering a Free Dining package if you choose to stay at their Resorts, opting to stay in a Deluxe Resort Hotel will entitle you to the full Disney Dining Plan. If you enjoy Disney’s Table Service Restaurants and know you’ll be eating at quite a few, it can definitely worthwhile to choose a Deluxe Resort and avail of this offer. While it can take quite a lot of maths to figure out whether this option will work out best value for your travel party, opting for a Deluxe Resort along with a Free Dining Plan will give you an incredible experience; both with your hotel and your dining.
Restaurants
Every Deluxe Resort Hotel has the benefit of being home to at least 2 Table Service Restaurants. For any food lover, having these restaurants at your easy disposal is a fantastic added perk. Many Deluxe Hotels also offer a Signature Restaurant (check out our restaurant guide for more information), which is the perfect experience for any foodie. Many of these dining experiences are themed, unique and offer a wealth of different cuisines, blending perfectly with your Free Dining Plan if you’ve managed to avail of that offer! While not everyone will be excited about trying new restaurants and cuisines, it can still be worthwhile considering a Deluxe Resort for the convenience of having table service restaurants handy for breakfast. It can be a relaxing change to sit down and be served for breakfast before a crazy day in the parks as opposed to standing in line at a food court.
Added Luxury
The standard rooms at Deluxe Resort Hotels come with some little added luxuries to make your stay more comfortable. We’ve already ready mentioned the space-adding balcony and convenient added sofa, but you’ll also notice luxuries such as upgraded toiletries and the option for in-room dining. Some of the newly refurbished rooms also include handy upgrades such as USB charging points for your media devices (saves space on packing a travel adaptor!) At these Resorts, you also have the option of upgrading to a Club Level Room, where you’ll enjoy benefits such as a turndown service and a private lounge (extra fees do apply for a Club Room). All these added luxuries may not appeal to everyone, but it is something to consider if you are choosing to celebrate a birthday or special occasion while in Walt Disney World.
Extra Services
Outside of the extras you’ll find in-room, Deluxe Resort Hotels will offer a wealth of extra amenities over Value or Moderate Resorts. All Deluxe Resorts have a gym or ‘Fitness Centre’ and offer extras such as a concierge service and valet parking. The decor of these Resorts is also finished to a higher standard, and they will also tend to be more highly decorated for seasonal holidays, such as Christmas (check out the Gingerbread House in the Grand Floridian!). All Deluxe Resort pools will include at least one water slide, and many of these Resorts will have extras such as Spas, Massage Centres, Hairdressing Salons and high-end boutique shops. If you are looking for a more refine service, or are planning on spending a lot of time at your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, then a Deluxe Resort is the perfect place to stay and explore!
In reality, the extra cost can work out very good value if you feel you will make the most of all the extras included with your Deluxe Resort Hotel. If there is a free dining offer available, it is always worth doing the maths to work out if upgrading to a Deluxe Resort to avail of the full Dining Plan will work out better value for your party. Many factors will dictate whether or not a Deluxe Resort will work out good value for you, and it is always worth remembering that what is good value for some will not necessarily work out the same for others. While there is no getting around the fact that these Deluxe Resorts are expensive, for many people, they are more than worth the price paid for a stay in them. And if you have some extra cash to spare, or are heading on holiday to celebrate a special occasion, then a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotel is the perfect place to stay.
