Hotels – EverythingMouse

Top 10 Disney World Hotel Resorts

January 7, 2012 By Alison 4 Comments

There are so many Disney World hotel resorts to choose from that it can get overwhelming when deciding where to stay for your vacation. Which Disney hotels are the very best? Of course it depends upon many things, which theme,location and of course budget suit you best. Here is my own Top 10 Disney World hotel selection.

Photo by expressmonorail

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

This has to win the top spot for unique hotels not just in Disney World but in the whole of North America. There really aren’t many places where you can step out on to your balcony and watch a giraffe or a zebra walk on by. This Deluxe Disney hotel is built around around a huge savannah where animals freely roam. As soon as you step into the lobby you feel as though you have stepped into a very different, and very relaxing world. It is a perfect haven away from the non stop activity of the theme parks.

Rooms in Animal Kingdom Lodge are not the largest at an average of 344 square feet, but if you get a savannah view this really makes up for the smaller space. The only downside is the location of the hotel as it is the most remote of all the Disney hotels. It is next to Animal Kingdom park but you have to take Disney transportation or rent a vehicle to drive there – there is no walking path.

If you are looking for something very different then Animal Kingdom Lodge should certainly be very close to the top of your list.

For a complete guide, lots of pictures and advice on how to pick the best rooms:

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

If you are looking for a Disney hotel with a great location and sleek modern design then look no further than Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is one of the original Disney World hotels and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. You can’t get any closer to the Disney Magic Kingdom monorail – it actually runs through the hotel lobby! The rooms have contemporary design and are a generous size at an average of almost 400 square feet. Many of the rooms have great views of Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, or of course the most coveted of Magic Kingdom.

The downside for some is that it simply isn’t ‘Disney’ enough. The decor lacks those essential Disney touches for some.

To learn more go to:

Disney Contemporary Resort

Art of Animation Resort

This one doesn’t even open until May 2012 but this is already in this Top 10. The much awaited new Disney Value resort is themed around some of the most popular recent Disney movies: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Disney Pixar Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The Value resorts are a great choice for guests on a budget. Here you will find great motel style accommodation at a reasonable price, with all the advantages of staying on a Disney resort.

The Art of Animation Resort is likely to be the most popular not only because of it’s beautifully themed rooms but also because it offers a new kind of accommodation. The relatively budget friendly family Suites which will sleep up to 6 guests.

All of the Value resorts are very popular. They have a huge amount of rooms and are spread out over a big area. You can walk a long way to the pool, the bus stops and the counter service restaurant. But if you can live with all of these things you will get a Disney resort room at a budget price.

To find out more

Disney Art of Animation Resort Hotel

Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Photo by express monorail

The Grand Floridian is the most luxurious of the Disney hotels. Located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon it is ideally placed for access to the Magic Kingdom. Style and elegance are the influences here. Themed around the magnificent Victorian sea side resorts you will feel as if you belong whether you are wearing a dinner jacket or a Goofy Hat.

The rooms at the Grand Floridian are a very generous 440 square feet on average, and many have great views over the Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. The resort has 2 beautiful swimming pools, tennis courts and of course the full service spa.

The Grand Floridian has some of the best restaurants in Disney World including Victoria and Alberts and Citricos. It is also home to one of the best character buffets at 1900 Park Fare.

Here is a guide to this deluxe Disney Hotel

Disney World Grand Floridian

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

The Wilderness Resort is another deluxe Disney hotel. This is perhaps the most architecturally stunning of all of the Disney resorts. It is modeled after the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park and has a wonderful welcoming and relaxing atmosphere as soon as you arrive. It makes you feel as though you are in one of the great National Park lodges even though you are only minutes away from Magic Kingdom by bus or boat.

The rooms are beautifully furnished but at 340 square feet on average are the smallest of all the deluxe Disney resorts. The Wilderness Resort has all the features that you would expect from a luxury resort including 2 great swimming pools one of which has a water slide.

Artist Point is an excellent restaurant which has a great setting at Wilderness Lodge. There are other casual dining choices too although these are not as extensive as at other deluxe resorts.

Whilst it is a beautiful setting and close to Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge is the most isolated of all of the Magic Kingdom resorts. The access to the theme parks is by boat (to Magic Kingdom) or bus. If you are looking for the most convenient in terms of transportation then consider one of the Disney monorail resorts.

For a complete guide with full details of rooms and facilities click here:

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs resort is a great option for those guests looking for a Disney moderate hotel. With almost 2,000 rooms in three themed beautifully landscaped areas the resort is set around a 15 acre lake Lago Dorado. Originally designed to attract conference business this resort does have a slightly different feel to it than other Disney moderate resorts.

The rooms at 314 square feet are a good size (not much smaller than standard rooms at the deluxe Wilderness Lodge). All of the rooms are located in motel style buildings. All rooms were renovated in 2009.

The Coronado Springs main pool has a wonderful Mayan pyramid theme and features a 123 foot long Jaguar Water Slide. There are also 3 other quieter pools.

All of the Disney theme parks and attractions are within a short drive, with Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom being the closest. The eating choices are rather limited though. The Maya Grill is probably one of the most disappointing of all of the Disney resort restaurants. The Pepper Market offers counter service dining.

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

Disney Beach Club Hotel and Resort

The Beach Club is themed around a turn of the century New England style resort. It is ideally located within walking distance to Epcot, a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios and a bus ride to all other Disney World attractions. At 381 square feet the rooms are not the largest of the deluxe resorts but they are a good size.

One of the major attractions of Disney’s Beach Club is Stormalong Bay which it shares with it’s neighbor The Yacht Club. Stormalong Bay is regarded by most as the very best swimming pool of all of the Disney hotels and resorts. The pool, with it’s lazy river and water slide, became so well known that Disney had to impose extra security measures so non guests couldn’t use it! Now Stormalong Bay has a fence around it and you need your room key to access the area.

Disney’s Beach Club resort has it’s own restaurants including the very lively Cape May buffet restaurant. You are within very easy walking distance of many of Disney World’s best restaurants including all of the Epcot World Showcase dining choices and The Board Walk restaurants.

Here is a complete guide with pictures and more details

Disney Beach Club

Disney Caribbean Beach Hotel

The Disney Caribbean Beach hotel is another great choice if you are looking for a moderate hotel. It is well located close to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. This Caribbean themed hotel has a very up beat feel about it – it is an idea family orientated Disney hotel which has great motel style accommodation.

Like the Coronado Springs it is a very large resort with 2112 rooms on a 200 acre site. And just like Coronado Springs all the buildings are located around a 45 acre lake. This is perhaps a better choice for families for a moderate resort as it is rather more lively and colorfully themed than Coronado Springs. The disadvantage over the Coronado is that most of the Caribbean Beach rooms have 2 Full beds and not 2 Queens like the Coronado.

A major attraction of the Caribbean Beach resort is the Pirate themed rooms. These are in one of the buildings only and are of course priced at a premium.

Kids will love the Pirate themed central pool, and the adults may appreciate the quieter pools scattered around the resort.

For a complete guide go to:

Disney Caribbean Beach

Disney Polynesian Hotel Resort

Yes this is yet another of the deluxe Disney monorail resort hotels. They just can’t be beaten on location because of the easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the monorail. The Polynesian is located next to the Grand Floridian on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The theme of the lushly landscaped Polynesian is the South Seas and so you will find lots of tropical landscape, a sandy beach, and exotic waterfalls.

The Polynesian Resort has the largest rooms of all the Disney hotels at 410 to 476 square feet. A disadvantage though is that not all of the rooms have balconies. The Polynesian rooms also have great views. Some over the tropical pool, but others have great views over the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom.

The pool is small but very nicely themed and landscaped. The Nanea Volcano Pool is one of the nicest of any of the Disney World resort hotel pools with a waterfall, a slide and even a volcano.

There are some good restaurant choices both within the resort and of course within easy access by taking the monorail to the parks or the other resorts close by. The Polynesian is also home to the very popular dinner show The Polynesian Luau.

For a complete guide which includes how to find the very best rooms see

Polynesian Resort Disney World Florida

Disney Boardwalk Villas

Photo by express monorail

No Top 10 of Disney World Hotels would be complete without at least one of the Disney Villa Resorts included on the list. The Disney villas are a great choice if you have a larger party or are just looking for more space.

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas have an excellent location within easy walking distance of Epcot and a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios. You can reach all of the Disney World theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney by bus.

There are 383 Boardwalk Villas including studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom Grand Villas. They are part of the Disney Vacation Club but they can also be booked by non DVC members.

The Luna Park Pool has a 200 foot water slide, there is a health and fitness facility and clay tennis courts available for use of Boardwalk Villa guests. There are lots of great Disney World restaurants within very easy reach on The Boardwalk, at Epcot World Showcase and in the other neighboring Disney resorts.

Whichever Disney World Hotel Resort you choose you can be sure of excellent themes, attention to detail and that very special Disney service.

Walt Disney World Free Dining 2011 and 2012

August 3, 2011 By Alison 2 Comments

Disney World has just announced the new free Disney Dining offer for the rest of 2011 and early 2012. Free Disney Dining is a huge reason to stay at one of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels as it offers big savings.

2011 has been a great year for the Disney Free Dining offers and this one is a great deal. Even more of a reason to stay in a Walt Disney World hotel! It had been expected that another free dining deal would be announced but this one is more extensive than most thought.

Starting from today until October 29 Disney guests can book free dining packages for select arrival dates from October 2 2011 until March 31, 2012. There are some block out dates (the busy times of course like Thanksgiving, Christmas and certain select events such as the PGA Tournament).

Here are the Disney free dining package dates for 2011:

October 2 to 8
October 30 to November 5
November 13 to 19
November 27 to December 3
December 11 to 17

For 2012 the Free Dining dates are:

January 8 to 14
January 22 to February 4
February 12 to 18
March 4 to 10
March 25 to 31

So what makes the free Disney dining plan so attractive? Simple. It saves you a lot of money! Guests staying in Value hotels will get the Quick Service Dining Plan, and those staying in Moderate and Deluxe Disney resort hotels will get the standard Dining Plan.

For more on how the dining package works check out this article:

Disney World Dining Plan

There are rules and restrictions of course. You have to stay a minimum of 3 nights and a maximum of 14. The free dining is available as part of a Disney Magic Your Way Package therefore you do have to buy tickets. To get the free dining plan you have to arrive on a date which is not a blackout date. But if part of your stay will be on blackout dates and some on free dining you can book 2 separate packages.

If you want to book a package then you can ask us here at EverythingMouse Travel for completely free advice and assistance.

Walt Disney World Themed Hotel Rooms

April 26, 2011 By Alison 2 Comments

Walt Disney World Resorts have just announced that they will be introducing new themed rooms to some of their hotels. The 2 new room types are Royal Guest Rooms and Health and Wellness Suites.

It is planned that 512 Royal Guest Rooms will be available from March 2012 at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. The idea behind the design of the rooms is that Princess Tiana is having a vacation getaway with her Princess friends. The rooms will feature Princess themed art work, a magical headboard and royally lavish furnishings. What more could a little Princess want than a sleep over with all her Disney favorites?

This is sure to be a hugely popular concept and although Disney has not announced this yet I would expect that there will be a premium for these rooms. There are Pirate rooms already available at Disney Caribbean Resort and these are very popular and priced at up to $30 a night more than the non themed rooms.

There is something for the grown ups too at Disney Contemporary Resort. This fall Disney is introducing the new Health and Wellness Suites.

Located on the 14th floor of the Contemporary Resort with excellent views of Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake these new rooms will offer rain water showers, bamboo flooring, pure cotton sheets, and hypo allergenic mattresses. Those staying in a Health and Wellness Suite won’t have to go far to exercise as there will also be select fitness machines right there in the room. Traditional spa services and yoga sessions will also be available in the suites.

“All Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms and suites are completely renovated on a regular cycle,” said Mark Rucker, vice president of lodging for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Our new Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and the new health and wellness suites at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are examples of how we use our scheduled renovation time to look for new opportunities to ‘plus up’ the guest experience.”

There will be more Specialty Rooms added when Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opens in May 2012.

Walt Disney World Resorts are sure to have hit on a very successful concept here – particularly with the Royal Guest Rooms. This announcement is part of a general trend which we are seeing for Disney to tap in to select niche markets of customers to make their resorts, particularly their moderate hotels even more attractive places to stay. The guest experience is extremely important and of course having themed rooms as well as themed resorts is taking this to the next level.

It will be interesting to see how popular the Health and Wellness Suites in the Contemporary Resort are. This is much more of a narrow market but with only 14 suites at the moment Disney is perhaps just using this as a testing ground and we will see more in the future if this concept works for the Disney Resorts.

If you want to book one of the new rooms Disney has said that booking will open mid summer with no exact date yet announced.

All images are Disney Concept Art

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Hotels, Hotels Tagged With: disney health and wellness suites, disney world theme rooms, walt disney world hotels, walt disney world princess theme rooms

Universal Studios Orlando Hotels

April 21, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

What are the choices of Universal Studios Orlando Hotels and which ones offer the best rooms and choice for your family? If you want to combine all the fun and thrills of Universal Orlando with a great hotel then you need look no further than the Universal Studios resort hotels. You can stay right in the heart of Universal Orlando in one of three magnificent resort hotels.

There are 3 hotels to choose from. The Portofino Bay Hotel,Hard Rock Hotel, and the Royal Pacific Resort. Each has their very own unique theme and all are of an excellent standard. They are all part of the Loews Hotel Group and offer some of the very best accommodation in the area. And of course the perks of staying onsite.

If you stay in a Universal Studios Orlando hotel you will also have some very valuable extra benefits including Universal Express Priority Access. So let us take a tour of the hotels and find out more about the extra perks. And even find out some ways that you can make big savings on the cost of a Universal Studios hotel room.

There are some excellent discounts on Universal hotels at the moment so now is a great time to think about a visit.

Advantages of Being a Universal Studios Orlando Hotel Guest

Early Entry To Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This is one of the biggest advantages for a Universal Studios hotel guest.
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens. This is a huge benefit. Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the best theme park experiences in Orlando and you know what that means? It can get crowded. So to get a head start on entry is a huge benefit.

Close to Universal Studios Orlando

You are within very easy reach of both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You can drive if you want to but there are much easier and definitely more fun ways. You can walk to both parks. It is only a 6 minute pleasant walk from The Hard Rock hotel to Universal Studios Orlando. CityWalk is around 10 minutes walk from The Royal Pacific.

By far my preferred way to arrive at the parks from the resort hotels is to take the boat. There are free buses but it is so much more fun and relaxing to hop on board a boat and take the short journey from the hotels to CityWalk. From there you can easily walk to either park.

Universal Orlando Express Priority Access

This is an excellent perk for Universal Studios hotel guests. Guests have free priority access to most of the attractions at both Universal Orlando parks. Others pay up to $60 a day for this perk – so if you have a family of 4 staying at the hotel these savings can add up almost to the cost of the hotel room itself.

So what is Universal Express Plus. It is often called “front of line access”. This term can be a bit confusing. You aren’t guaranteed to get to the front of the line. But what you do get is access to the Express Line – so you are going to cut down your waiting time at all the attractions considerably.

Priority Seating

Another valuable resort guest benefit. This gets you priority seating at the shows at the parks as well as access to the best seating in some restaurants at CityWalk Sunday through Monday.

Universal Studios Orlando Tickets

Look out for offers which may be available for reduced ticket prices for hotel resort guests.

Charging Privileges and Package Delivery

You can charge all Universal park and resort purchases to your room. There is also free package delivery right to your room. These perks aren’t a reason to stay at a Universal Studios hotel but they are a nice add on.

Universal Studios Orlando Portofino Bay

Photo by jlbruno

You could be forgiven for thinking that you have traveled to a different continent when you arrive at this hotel. Welcome to Portofino Italy. Well not quite but this hotel does do a great job making you fell as though you have just arrived on the Italian Riviera.

One of the best ways to arrive is by boat. Travel in style to arrive at Universal Portofino Bay and you will be struck by how good a reproduction it is of the look of the real Italian town. Beautifully themed and with a very laid back atmosphere, even if you are not staying here it is a great idea to explore and perhaps enjoy an al fresco cup of cappuccino.

The Universal Portofino hotel has several different room types ranging from the standard 450 square rooms to huge suites. Room rates range from around $200 a night and upwards.

The hotel has 3 beautiful swimming pools which range from the relaxing to all out family fun. You have a great choice of restaurants too. All serve Italian cuisine and range from the find dining Bice to the casual Mama Della’s Ristorante.

Universal Studios Hard Rock Hotel

Photo by monkeyworlduk

If you are looking for lavish luxury,plenty of rock memorabilia,distinctive but surprisingly tasteful accommodation right next to Universal Studios then the Hard Rock Hotel may be the one for you. I always tell visitors to the parks to check out the Hard Rock if only to see some of the most extravagantly decorated restrooms I have ever seen in my travel!

The emphasis is on over the top fun. You may not actually see Steven Tyler there but you can imagine that he would certainly enjoy staying there.

This is the smallest of the Universal Studios Orlando hotels with 650 hotel rooms and suites. Rooms are smaller than the Portofino at just 375 to 400 square feet. But the prices are generally lower too. You may be disappointed to hear that there is no rock memorabilia in the rooms but you do have some black and white pictures of rock history on your hotel room wall.

If you want to splurge on one of the best rooms available at the Hard Rock there is a Graceland Suite. This 2,000 square foot suite has a grand piano and surprisingly tasteful decoration – but be prepared to pay upwards of $2,000 a night. Fortunately the rest of the rooms are rather more affordable starting at around $170 a night.

The Hard Rock only has one swimming pool but it is 12,000 square feet. And as you would expect it has a 30 foot high guitar at one end.

Dining here is a little limited with just 2 full service restaurants available. But all of the restaurants of the other Universal resort hotels and of course Universal Orlando CityWalk are within very easy reach.

Universal Royal Pacific Hotel

Step back in time to the 1930′s South Pacific. The theme of the hotel is designed to invoke the grandeur of a bygone Golden Age of travel – and take you to a paradise somewhere in the South Pacific. The overall effect is a tasteful and relaxing hotel which is of course within very easy reach of Universal Studios.

The Universal Royal Pacific was built to be a convention hotel. The result of this is that the rooms are rather on the small side (some also describe them as rather dark). There are no deluxe rooms. If you want an upgrade from a standard then it is straight to a suite (with the resulting price upgrade too). The Jurassic Park Suites are an affordable alternative for families with children. At 650 square feet with a separate bedroom for the children you will have room to spread out.

The Royal Pacific, like the Hard Rock, has only one swimming pool. But what a swimming pool. The Lagoon Pool has a wonderful tropical theme and of course just what you would expect in the South Seas – a sandy beach.

The restaurants are worth checking out at the Royal Pacific. One of my favorites is the Orchid Court Lounge. And of course there is Emeril’s excellent Tchoup Chop.

Is a Universal Studios Orlando Hotel Really Worth It?

Photo by StuckinCustoms

Most definitely if you want very high standard hotels at a reasonable price, offering a lot of perks then consider the Universal Studios Hotels for your next stay in Orlando. There is something to suit everyone and for many the Express Pass and the early entry to Wizarding World of Harry Potter may just turn that vacation from just great to the most memorable experience you have had in a very long time.

Filed Under: Disney Tips, Hotels, Universal Studios Tagged With: universal orlando hotels, universal studios, universal studios hotels, universal studios orlando hotels

Walt Disney World Hotels

April 14, 2011 By Alison 6 Comments

Are you wondering which of the Walt Disney World Hotels you should choose? There are many reasons to stay in a Disney World resort but actually finding which one is the best for your family vacation can be a difficult process. So here is a guide and quick overview to help you choose between the resorts and hotels which Walt Disney World offers.

Walt Disney World Deluxe Hotels

If you are looking for the best locations and the largest, most luxurious rooms then the place to start is the Disney World Deluxe hotels. There are 8 different resorts to choose from, and each has their own very distinctive theme and character.

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

This has to be one of the most unique hotels in North America. How many hotels give you the chance to see a giraffe from your balcony? This deluxe Disney hotel is set in a 40 acre savannah where over 200 species of animals and birds roam freely. There are 1,293 guest rooms most of which are 344 square feet in size.

The savannah view rooms are of course the ones which are the most sought after.

The one downside of this amazing hotel is it’s location. It is located right next to Disney’s Animal Kingdom so is on the edge of Disney property and therefore the least convenient for the other parks and attractions. However it is an amazing hotel with excellent facilities and of course those very unique views.

Click here for a comprehensive guide to Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

This is an excellent choice if you want to be within walking distance of Disney’s Epcot theme park and The Boardwalk restaurants and entertainment. It is also well placed for boat and bus access to the other Disney parks.

This friendly upscale resort is designed to be reminiscent of a turn of the century New England style resort. The standard rooms are a generous 380 square feet and sleep up to 5 guests. Disney’s Beach Club Resort also has one of the very best swimming pools on Disney property, Stormalong Bay.

Here is a guide to the Disney Beach Club hotel.

Disney Boardwalk Inn

The Disney Boardwalk Inn is very conveniently located within walking distance of Epcot and just a boat ride away from Disney Hollywood Studios. The setting for the Boardwalk Inn is alongside the beautiful Crescent Lake. The theme for this 378 room hotel is the elegant 1940s Atlantic City era.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The theme of Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a modern future and the exterior design is certainly very different – a monorail runs through this futuristic A Frame design.

The Contemporary Resort is one of the Disney Monorail Hotels so very conveniently placed for access to Magic Kingdom. You can even walk to Magic Kingdom from the hotel.

The Contemporary has recently been renovated so all of the 394 square feet rooms are newly decorated in a modern style. Each room will sleep up to 5 guests and also accommodate a child under 3 in a crib. Some guests feel that the resort is not quite ‘Disney’ enough as the furnishings are contemporary with few hints of the Mouse. But if you are looking for a great location with good facilities then this is an excellent choice.

For more information you can check out this Disney Contemporary Resort guide.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

This is Disney’s flagship premier resort hotel so if you are looking for the most luxurious (and yes the most expensive) Disney resort then the Grand Floridian is the one for you.

Themed for a Victorian grand sea side resort hotel the Grand Floridian is located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Many of the rooms have views of the Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has 867 rooms including 25 suites. The average standard room size is 440 square feet so a very generous size.

It is another Disney monorail hotel so access to Magic Kingdom is quick and easy. You can also travel by monorail to Epcot, or take a bus to Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney Animal Kingdom.

Even though it is a luxury resort it is very much a family hotel and everyone will feel welcome.

Here is a guide to Disney World Grand Floridian

Disney Polynesian Resort

The Polynesian Resort is also located on the monorail loop at the side of Seven Seas Lagoon so it offers very easy access to Magic Kingdom.

This luxury Disney hotel not only has a great location but also offers some of the largest hotel rooms in Disney World. The theme is a relaxed South Seas location with a welcoming tropical atmosphere. The Polynesian offers excellent restaurants and also hosts the very popular Polynesian Luau Dinner Show.

If you want to know more then see our guide to the Polynesian Resort Disney World Florida

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

If you want to feel as though you have escaped completely to a luxurious National Park Lodge then the Wilderness Resort is the place for you. It has an excellent location just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom but once you step through it’s doors you feel as though you have entered a land a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the Disney parks.

The Wilderness Lodge has 728 rooms which at 340 square feet in size are some of the smallest of the Walt Disney World hotels deluxe resorts. But they are beautifully furnished. Disney Wilderness Lodge has a wonderfully themed swimming pool and a good choice of restaurants including the very popular Artist’s Point.

For more details on this excellent deluxe resort here is a guide to Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort.

Disney Yacht Club Resort

The Disney Yacht Club is the sister hotel to the Disney Beach Club Hotel and they share the very popular Stormalong Bay resort pool. The Yacht Club is very conveniently located within walking distance of Epcot. You can also take the boat to Disney Hollywood Studios or the bus to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

The theme is of course a nautical one with a relaxed East Coast sea side theme running through the resort. The Yacht Club has 630 rooms and the standard rooms are around 380 square feet, so a good size. Each room sleeps up to 5 guests.

The attraction of the Disney Yacht Club Resort is of course the location, the luxurious rooms, and Stormalong Bay swimming pool. You are within very easy reach of lots of restaurants including of course the Epcot World Showcase offerings.

Walt Disney World Moderate Hotels

If you are on a more moderate budget then the Walt Disney World Moderate hotels can be an excellent choice. Rooms are smaller than the deluxe resorts, and their locations, whilst still convenient, are not as amazingly ideal as the luxury hotels. It can be a great choice for a family to experience all the advantages of a good Disney World hotel.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Colorful and fun are two words which best describe Disney’s Caribbean Beach Hotel. It is a large resort with 2112 rooms on a 200 acre site. The rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach are 314 square feet. Most rooms have 2 full size beds although some have a King. The resort is very large so be aware that you may have to walk a long way from your room to the central Old Port Royale where the restaurants and lobby is located.

All rooms are motel style with outdoor corridors. The swimming pools are a lot of fun and there are plenty to choose from as each of the buildings has it’s own pool. The Caribbean Beach Hotel does have it’s own full service restaurant and a food court.

For more details check out our Disney Caribbean Beach guide.

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the newest of the moderate resorts and it’s basic design was based on the Caribbean Beach. The Coronado Springs has 1,921 rooms located in three themed beautifully landscaped areas set around a 15 acre lake Lago Dorado. The theme is Spanish Colonial Mexico. Lots of bright colors, and even a Mayan ruin themed pool.

Just like Caribbean Beach the resort is very large and you may be located a long way from El Centro with the restaurants and shops. There are 1917 rooms at the Disney Coronado Springs. All were renovated in 2009 and most are 314 square feet and have 2 Queen beds.

The location is good but perhaps not quite as good as Caribbean Beach as it is more towards the edge of Disney property closer to Disney Animal Kingdom. Really though there is not much difference and you should pick the theme which you prefer.

Here is a comprehensive guide to Disney Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

This moderate Disney resort takes it’s inspiration and theme from New Orleans French Quarter. The location of Port Orleans is close to Downtown Disney, so convenient for all the parks and attractions. The resort has just over 1000 rooms which are 314 square feet. The resort has motel style rooms with outdoor corridors.

Port Orleans is very nicely landscaped and has a great choice of swimming pools. The one downside is that there are no full service restaurants, only a food court.

Disney Port Orleans Riverside Hotel

Photo by Express Monorail

This is the sister hotel to Port Orleans French Quarter. It is a larger resort with just over 2000 rooms. The theme is the Mississippi Old South. Again the rooms are motel style and most have 2 double beds.

The Disney Port Orleans Riverside does have a full service restaurant so for some this gives it the edge of convenience over the French Quarter.

Walt Disney World Value Hotels

If you are looking for a very reasonably priced way to stay on Disney property then the value resorts are a great way to go. Expect a good standard motel type room with over the top Disney theming and you won’t be disappointed!

At the moment there are 4 Disney Value Resorts with a 5th planned for 2012 (Disney’s Art of Animation Resort).

The basic idea of all the value resorts is the same, but of course the theme of each is very different.

Disney Pop Century Resort

The theme is pop culture from the 50s to the 90s so here you will find giant Lady and the Tramp characters, a giant Rubik Cube and a huge Mickey Mouse telephone. At 260 square feet the rooms are comfortable but can be a tight fit for a larger family.

There is a food court area for a quick snack, but you will need to travel for full service dining. The swimming pools are a lot of fun but can of course get very crowded and as this a resort which attracts families with young children, rather loud!

Disney’s All Star Movies Resort

Larger than life and a whole lot of fun is the best way to describe Disney All Star Movie Resort. With a 35 foot tall Buzz Lightyear and a 40 foot tall Dalmation, this hotel is definitely designed to be fun!

The rooms are the smallest of the Disney World hotel value resorts at just 260 square feet so don’t expect a whole lot of space. The almost 2000 rooms are in one of 5 areas: 101 Dalmations, Fantasia, Toy Story, Herbie:The Love Bug and The Mighty Ducks.

As with all the Disney Value Resorts there is no full service dining, just a food court.

Here is a complete guide to Disney All Star Movies Resort

Disney’s All Star Music Resort

Not surprisingly the theme for this Disney hotel is music. The design is basically the same as All Star Movies but the buildings are themed on Calypso, Jazz Inn, Rock Inn, Country Fair, and the Broadway Hotel.

A great feature of Disney’s All Star Music Resort is that it has some family suites available. These are a great option for larger budget conscious families as they offer 520 square feet of space including a kitchenette which will sleep up to 6 guests.

Disney’s All Star Sports Resort

The theme is of course sports so you will find giant tennis racquets, footballs and surf board and the like at this motel style Disney resort. There are almost 2000 rooms each sleeping up to 4 in a 260 square foot room.

Again you will not find full service dining, just a food court. As with all of the value resorts if you expect a good motel style room, located very conveniently for all the parks with the advantages of the special Disney Magic then you will not be disappointed. Luxury it is not, but they are most definitely good value.

Disney Cabins and Campgrounds

This is sometimes an option which is overlooked but you can stay on a camp site in a tent or recreational vehicle, or even rent your own log cabin on the Walt Disney World resort.

Offering 748 camp sites, RV hook ups and 409 log cabins Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is spread over 740 acres of mainly pine forest, within easy reach of all the magic of Disney World.

Here is a complete guide to Disney World Fort Wilderness Cabins

As you will see there is a lot of choice of Walt Disney World Hotels. There are also a number of Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts if you are looking for larger accommodation. Each Disney World Hotel has it’s own character, and of course price level. Have fun choosing!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Hotels, Hotels Tagged With: disney hotels, Disney World Hotels, walt disney world hotels

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel

April 6, 2011 By Alison 3 Comments

If you are looking for the most luxurious place to stay for your vacation then Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel is the perfect choice. The Grand Californian is Disneyland resort’s premier hotel and was designed by Peter Dominick in the Arts and Crafts style of the 1900′s. You truly do feel as though you have stepped into a bygone age when you enter the lobby of the hotel. Aside from the outstanding design and comfort of the hotel another major advantage is that it is located within Disney California Adventure Park – you even get your own private entrance to the park! You really cannot be more conveniently located than in Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel. It gives very easy access not only to the California Adventure Park but also Disneyland and Downtown Disney.

Image by ExpressMonorail

The atmosphere of the hotel evokes images and feelings of a National Park Lodge such as the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Whilst the hotel has 745 rooms the lobby feels cosy with it’s spectacular six story high atrium with a huge welcoming fireplace with comfy chairs – the perfect place to take a break from the parks.

The hotel was built in 2001 and the new Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Villas have recently been added to give even more choice for those wanting larger, more flexible accommodation.

Disney Grand Californian Hotel Rooms

The original building has 745 hotel rooms and suites. Each standard room is 353 square feet so certainly larger than most hotel rooms in the Anaheim area but not exactly huge either. Rooms have either a King size bed and sleeper sofa, 2 Queens (some with an additional daybed). The most popular rooms are the Queen sized bed with a bunk bed set and a trundle bed. These bunk bed rooms are the perfect solution for a family of 5. Room types can be requested but are not guaranteed.

The rooms have a split bathroom so that the sink and vanity is located outside of the bathroom. This is an added convenience when traveling with a family.

One and two bedroom suites are also available at the Grand Californian Hotel. These will give you plenty of additional room as they range from 694 to 1990 square feet.

If you are looking for a ‘Disney’ feel to the rooms then this may be a disappointment. The design really is the Arts and Crafts theme and for the kids (and of course) some adults the rooms may lack those special Disney touches that you are looking for. Some guests feel that the rooms are rather small for the price and somewhat dark. I have stayed in this hotel many times and do agree that for a family of 5 the rooms do seem a little small. But for me the location wins every time if the price is right compared to the other hotels of Disneyland resort. You do pay a price for convenience but sometimes I wish they rooms lived up to the expectation of the lobby architecture a little more!

Concierge Rooms are also available at the Grand Californian Hotel. These are all located on the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel. The Craftsman’s Club concierge lounge is located on the sixth floor and has snacks available from 6.30am to 10pm. A particularly nice feature is that you can see the fireworks from the patio. Is the concierge service worth the extra money? The standard rooms are the same as on the non concierge floors and of course you do pay quite a large premium for access to the lounge, priority check in and concierge services. Only you can make the choice as to whether it is worth it but if you really have to think about whether it is worth the splurge then perhaps it really isn’t worth it. Many feel that the benefits offered are not that great.

There are various views on offer at the hotel. The best and of course the most expensive are the theme park/pool views. These are particularly spectacular at night. Downtown Disney views are also available. These can be interesting for people watching but some, particularly on the lower floors, can be a little noisy. Standard views look out over the entrance or the interior courtyard.

One great feature of the Grand Californian Hotel is that it has it’s own private entrance to California Adventure Park. So you are literally steps away from the park. This entrance can be used by any Disneyland Resort Hotel guest. Early in the morning the security people do check your room key ID but later in the day this seems to be overlooked. It is also useful to be able to exit the park in this way. If you are a non Disney resort guest and want to use the restaurant or other facilities at the hotel then you can leave the park by this exit. Rarely is ID ever checked on the exit and it can prove to be a nice short cut.

Disneyland Grand Californian Vacation Villas

The recently added Grand Californian Villas are the only Disney Vacation Club rooms available at Disneyland. There are open to everyone, not only Disney Vacation Club Members. There are studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom villas available.

The Studio Villa is 379 square feet and sleeps up to 4 guests. Each has a Queen bed and Queen sleeper sofa. There is a kitchenette with a microwave, refrigerator and toaster. The room also has a small dining table with 2 chairs. Each room includes a television and DVD player. Also all the villas has either a patio or a balcony.

The One Bedroom Villa has a very generous 865 square feet of space. This is a great option for a family of up to 5 guests as is includes a King bed, a Queen sofa bed and a pull down bunk bed. Another great feature is that the villa has 2 bathrooms one of which has a whirlpool tub. This villa has a full kitchen with full size appliances. Having a kitchen is a great time and money saver. You can prepare and eat a quick breakfast and hit the parks earlier in the morning!

The Two Bedroom villas are a One Bed and a Studio connected together. They offer 1,257 square feet of space with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. These villas will sleep up to 9 people very comfortably.

If you are looking for the very best then then you can choose from one of just two available Three Bedroom Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel. They are two storeys high and at 2,426 square feet are the size of the average house in the US. The first bedroom has a King bed and the other two bedrooms each have a Queen. The villas will sleep up to 12 guests plus a child under 3 in a crib. All 3 bedrooms are masters with the first bedroom having a master bath with a whirlpool. The total number of bathrooms is 4. There is a full kitchen and even a washer and a dryer. So if you are looking for the largest, most comfortable option in Disneyland, and of course money is no object, then this has to be your best choice!

The Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Villas are part of the Disney Vacation Club. Although they can be booked by non DVC members they are the only Vacation Club rooms in Anaheim so they are not always available as they are often already booked.

Parking for both the Hotel and the Villas is charged at $15 per day for self parking or $17 for valet. The self parking facility is located across the street – not a great feature as this is a busy road to cross.

All of the hotels of Disneyland Resort now charge a resort fee. This fee does not include parking. It is $15 per day and covers newspaper delivery, local calls, internet access. I am not a big fan of parking charges and resort fees. I wish that hotels would just be honest and have a room price reflect the rate they actually want to charge you!

Grand Californian Hotel Restaurants

There is a good choice of places to eat at the resort ranging from Quick Service to the finest restaurant in Disneyland, Napa Rose.

If you are looking for a fine dining experience then be sure to make reservations for the ever popular Napa Rose which is located inside the Grand Californian Resort. The menu is distinctively Californian cuisine and the decor is just beautiful Arts and Crafts style. The menu is seasonal and the 4-course prix-fixe tasting menu changes every week. The award winning Napa Rose is thought by many to be the finest in Orange County. Even if you are not visiting the Mouse then this restaurant is well worth a visit. Perfection comes at a price though so expect to pay around $40 for an entree. The 4 course prix fixe menu is $85 without wine pairings. The wine flight is an additional $45 with no alcoholic pairings available for $15. There is also a children’s menu available.

Storyteller’s Cafe offers a character breakfast with Chip and Dale as well as lunch and dinner. The lunch menu offers favorites such as pizzas and burgers. Dinner is either from the menu or the buffet table. I have to be honest about Storyteller’s Cafe as I have eaten there on many occasions. Usually because I am tired after a long day at the parks and I just happen to be in the right place! The food is OK and they do offer good gluten free options which is great because my family has food allergy issues. The restaurant is styled wonderfully and should be a really pleasant place to be. However over the past couple of years the service has just been bad. Really bad on occasion. The wait staff just don’t seem very helpful or well trained. More than one could be described as grumpy to say the least! The wait for tables is often very much longer than you are told and then service is very slow. The food seems to be kept under the warmer for way too long. Getting the idea that I have had numerous bad experiences here? For me Storyteller’s Cafe misses a big opportunity as it really should be very good indeed. The decor is fabulous, the menu is fine. Just the service is terrible.

If you just want to pick up a quick bite to eat then head on over to White Water Snacks which is located next to the pool. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this is a counter service eatery which serves the usual cereal, breakfast items, pizza, sandwiches, ice-cream and snacks.

Recreation at Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel

There are 3 swimming pools side by side at the Grand Californian. The Redwood Pool has a slide, the Fountain pool is next to this with a small children’s pool shaped in the classic Mickey Mouse head design.

The Mandara Spa offers the usual spa services and also a special YSPA Teen Program. If you need a rest from the stresses of the theme parks then this is a great place to relax for a while. There is also a small fitness facility which offers aerobic and weights machines.

Is Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Really Worth It?

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Review

This is the most expensive of the Disneyland resort hotels and whilst sometimes you may see a discount you will usually pay at least $300 for a standard room per night. Demand tends to exceed supply in the Disneyland hotels so bargains are rare. Sometimes seasonal or Disneyland Annual Passholder discounts are available.

Is is worth it? The location and pure luxury feeling of this hotel are simply not available anywhere else in Anaheim. It is just stunning. Peaceful and relaxing. The rooms are nice – they could be better but they are of a very good standard. The location is unbeatable and this can mean a lot when you are visiting the Disneyland parks. You do get a lot more out of your visit if you can spend some of your time relaxing. And you simply get more time in the parks as you are not spending any time traveling to them! So if yu can then the Disneyland Grand Californian really should be experience at least once in a lifetime. And then you will want to return!

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel address

1600 South Disneyland Drive
Anaheim
CA 92803

Telephone 714 635 2300

If you are thinking about staying in a Disneyland Hotel then you may also want to look at this guide to Disney Paradise Pier

Filed Under: Disney Tips, Disneyland, Disneyland, Hotels Tagged With: disneyland grand californian hotel, disneyland grand californian review, disneyland hotel, disneyland hotel anaheim, disneylandy paradise pier hotel

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