Where to stay? Three Disney World hotel options

By Erin Kregor

There are so many hotel options when you’re planning a Disney World vacation, it can be daunting, even to those who have been before. If you’re a first timer or haven’t been in a while it can be hard to choose where to stay.

The first question is whether to stay inside the park or outside at other Orlando hotels. Staying in the park is going to cost a little more, but the advantages make up for it. Each of the 22+ Disney World hotels offers bus service to the theme parks. If you stay in a Disney World resort you’re also able to use your room keys as sort of a passport to the parks. Not only will it be your ticket, but you can also use it to charge anything bought in the parks including food and merchandise (it’s accepted at all Disney restaurants, stores, etc.) which is great for teenagers who want to split off from the group and allows you to review all purchases upon check-out.

Here are a few options — places I’ve stayed in the past few years — but don’t take it from me, check out the user reviews for Disney World Resorts.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

One of the newer resorts, located across the lake from Downtown Disney, this is a great hotel for those who want things to do after they’ve hit the parks or those with shopping on the mind. The grounds are very relaxing and sprawling (you’ll forget you’re on the park property) with an upstate New York look and feel.

The suites are perfect for larger families or those with older children; westayed in a 2-bedroom villa which had a nice sized bedrooms and baths in each. The villas include a kitchenette and living area as well as a dining table. Avid golfers will be happy with the close proximity to the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. There is also a children’s play area and clubhouse activities such as movies, shuffleboard, and tennis. It also got a perfect 5.0 customer review from Orbitz users.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Animal lovers will enjoy the short trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom from this resort, which is Spanish-themed with ‘haciendas’ and a five-story Mayan pyramid along the pool (complete with slide).

This resort is bright and active, very high energy, and it takes you out of Orlando to Mexico and the Southwest. Great for families with smaller children, it offers two-bedroom suites which can hold up to 6 people, but do not have kitchens. On-siteis delicious Latin American cuisine at the Maya Grill, a full-service restaurant.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Located down the river from Epcot, and located alongside Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Beach Club Resort is another great option. It has a New England beach look and feel, and has a beachfront promenade providing access to Epcot as well as the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin resorts, which have great dining options including Todd English’s Blue Zoo.

There are also fun boats that will take you to and from Epcot, with lively drivers. This resort has great dining options for kids including character breakfasts with Minnie and the rest (be sure to book well in advance) as well as a ’50s-themed ice cream shop near the pool.

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