Disney World Hotel Reviews (An Insider’s Perspective)

Deluxe Villa Resorts

Deluxe Villas are also known as Disney Vacation Club Resorts (DVC). However, guests do not have to be DVC members to rent rooms. Instead, Disney makes these resort rooms available to all guests. These resorts are either separate sections of a larger deluxe resort or separate stand-alone resorts. Units at these resorts will have a variety of upgrades ranging from kitchenettes to full-size kitchens, laundry rooms, and more.

Related: The Complete Guide to Disney World Villa Resorts

Disney’s Riviera Resort Review

Disney’s Riviera Resort is a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Resort with a stop on the Skyliner. This resort falls into the deluxe villa category and offers high-end finishes like bow tie marble and oversized guest baths in even the smallest accommodations. It’s a nice one.

However, what we love most about the Riviera is its boutique layout and incredible dining options. We dine at this resort more than any other. From quick service to rooftop dining, you can’t go wrong here. The only negative factor–it costs a pretty penny to stay here. This high-end resort is at the top of the most expensive hotel list, similar to the Grand Floridian.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: French Theming, Marble, Modern Elegance
• Closest Park: Skyliner Ride Away from Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• Dining: Signature Dining, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bar/Lounge, and Cafe
• Pools: Two Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Buses, Disney Skyliner, Walking Path to Caribbean Beach Resort
• Learn More: Disney’s Riviera Resort Review

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Review

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Resort. This resort is inspired by New York’s Saratoga Springs during the 1800s. Expect to find a comfortable retreat with a welcoming feel like you’ve come in from a day at the horse races.

Saratoga Springs is gorgeous but also massive, which might make it challenging for some to get around. Its layout is similar to one of the larger moderate resorts. However, many recreational activities are available at the resort. Regarding location, the resort sits across the lake from Disney Springs. You can walk or take a boat over to the venue.

For you, this means you can take advantage of the best restaurants at Disney Springs and shops if you like. Then, back at the resort, you might enjoy playing a round of golf or lounging at one of the many pools.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Minimal Disney Horse Theming, Neutral Colors
• Closest Destination : Within Walking Distance of Disney Springs
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slides, Aquatic Play Area, Splash Pad, Playground
• Transportation: Buses, Walking Path to Disney Springs
• Learn More: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Review

Disney’s Old Key West Review

Disney’s Old Key West is a beautiful Disney Vacation Club Resort inspired by the Florida Keys. Expect an island vibe with a friendly feel. We love dining at Olivia’s Cafe, the resort’s casual table-service restaurant. After a hearty breakfast, you can head to the parks or spend the day taking a bicycle tour. We’ve done both!

On the positive side, Old Key West’s rates are reasonable, considering the room upgrades. However, similar to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West is a vast resort that requires a lot of extra walking or a good know-how of how to use the bus stops to get around the resort. You will also need to know that multiple bus stops means longer travel time to and from the parks, which is common at several resorts.

As much as I love the pretty look and vibe of Old Key West, there is one other factor that some might consider a deal-breaker. The majority of the buildings do not have elevators. While we enjoyed our last stay, dragging our luggage up a flight or two of stairs was a headache. So it’s something you might want to consider.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Subtle Classic Characters, Beach-y
• Closest Destination: Short Boat Ride Away from Disney Springs
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bar and Lounge
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slide, Playground, Loads of Recreation
• Transportation: Boat to Disney Springs, Buses Elsewhere
• Learn More: Disney’s Old Key West Review

Grand Floridian Villas Review

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is home to the Villas of Grand Floridian. The resort has two buildings that house these particular room types. If you love the Grand Floridian but need a few of the comforts of home or have a larger party, the villas are worth your consideration.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Mary Poppins, Princess, Subtle Elegance
• Closest Park: Within Walking Distance of Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Fine Dining, Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Two Feature Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Monorail, Walking, Boats, Buses
• Learn More: Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas Review
  

Polynesian Villas Review

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is home to the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. This resort is comprised of an Island Tower (interior hotel), two-bedroom bungalows on the water, and deluxe studios in select buildings at the resort.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Lilo and Stitch theming, Tropical Modern with a Touch of Moana in the new Island Tower
• Closest Park: Within Walking Distance of Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Monorail, Walking, Boats, Buses
• Learn More: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review
• Extra: Bora Bora Bungalows at the Polynesian Villas

Bay Lake Tower Review

Bay Lake Tower is a dedicated tower hotel adjacent to the Contemporary. While the tower is independent of the Contemporary Resort’s structure, a large bridge connects them on the fourth floor. The tower offers stunning views of Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom. Our last stay was in a theme park view room, which was fun, especially for the fireworks, but we can’t deny that the views of Bay Lake are our favorite.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Newly Updated
• Closest Park: Within Walking Distance of Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Signature, Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Pools, Water Slide, Splash Pad Area
• Transportation: Monorail, Walking, Buses, Boats (Limited Resort Boat Service)
• Learn More: Disney’s Bay Lake Tower Review

Copper Creek Villas Review

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is unique because it’s home to two Disney Vacation Clubs–Copper Creek Villas and Boulder Ridge Villas. Copper Creek Villas is the newer of the two villa resorts. This section of the resort offers deluxe studios conveniently located off the lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It also offers full-size cabins along Bay Lake. Of course, a cabin rental at this resort is fairly exclusive and expensive.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: National Parks, Subtle Disney References
• Closest Park: A Boat or Bus Ride from Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Two Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Buses, Boats
• Learn More: Copper Creek Villas Review

Boulder Ridge Villas Review

Boulder Ridge Villas is the original Disney Vacation Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It’s a short walk down a covered walkway from the resort’s main lobby.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Chip and Dale, Disney Nature, Newly Updated
• Closest Park: A Boat or Bus Ride from Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Two Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Buses, Boats

Beach Club Villas Review

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is home to the Beach Club Villas. This section of the resort is located between the main building and the parking lot, which makes it reasonably private. Beach Club Villas are somewhat distinguishable because their exterior is a pretty mint green compared to the rest of the Beach Club’s soft blue paint color. In addition, a statue of Ariel, The Little Mermaid, sits outside the main entrance.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Classic Characters, Beach Theming
• Closest Parks: Within Walking Distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• Dining: Table Service, Character Dining, Quick Service, Pool Bar, and Lounge
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slide, Kiddie Pool with Slide
• Transportation: Boats, Buses, Walking Paths, Within Walking Distance of the Skyliner
• Learn More: Disney’s Beach Club Villas Review

Boardwalk Villas Review

Like many other villa resorts, Boardwalk Villas is an extension of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. This villa’s wing has a private pool at the Community Hall in addition to the feature pool. Of course, most will want to spend time at the Luna Park Pool with its fun waterslide that mimics a wooden roller coaster! We love this resort and always enjoy our time there!

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Classic Characters, Subtle Pastel and Neutrals
• Closest Park: Within Walking Distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• Dining: Signature Dining, Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Pools, Water Slide, Kiddie Pool, and Playground
• Transportation: Boats, Buses, Walking Paths, Within Walking Distance of the Skyliner
• Learn More: Disney’s Boardwalk Villas Review

Kidani Village Review

Kidani Village is a separate resort adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Compared to the main lodge, Kidani has a smaller lobby and only a few dining options. However, guests can walk or take a shuttle up to Jambo House. Kidani Village also has an excellent pool area with a tremendous water play area for children. It’s the perfect place to relax in the shade and spend an entire resort day!

Did we mention animals? Like Jambo House, some rooms at Kidani Village face savannas. The resort also has multiple public viewing areas where you can see animals roaming.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Deluxe Villa Resort
• Rooms: Neutral with Wood Tones
• Closest Park: Short Bus Ride to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Two Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Buses Only
• Learn More: Disney’s Kidani Village Review

Next Up: Moderate Resort Category