The 1, 2, 3’s of Planning A Disney Trip: Step 4 (Part 2)

You’ve decided you’re going to Disney! Yay!!! How exciting! Especially if it’s your first trip. In this series, I’m walking you through the 1, 2, 3’s of planning your Disney trip.

Steps 1 and 2 walked you through deciding whether or not to use a travel agent and when to travel to Walt Disney World. Step 3 addressed making the decision of staying on property or off.

So, now that you’ve tackled those decisions, it’s time to make another big decision about your trip: Choosing where to stay.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Now, say to yourself:

“I will not feel overwhelmed. I will not get overwhelmed. I will not be overwhelmed.”

Now, open your eyes. Smile – you’re going to Disney!!!

Come on – let’s go through the 1, 2, 3’s of planning your Disney trip together.

Step 4: Choosing Where to Stay On Property (Part 2)

Now that you’ve made a decision as to whether you’re staying on property or off (and remember this all depends on your own family’s needs), let’s take a look at your options.

Orlando offers many options with wonderful accommodations. If you’ve decided to stay off property, here is a helpful website for additional information regarding Orlando-area accommodations.

If you’ve decided to stay on property at one of the Disney resorts, it’s time to decide which one.

Disney offers three categories of on-property resorts – Deluxe, Moderate, and Value – so I’ve separated Step 4 into three separate parts.

In Part 2, we’ll take a look at the moderate resorts and what they have to offer.

Disney’s moderate resorts have more amenities, have better theming, and have more dining options than the value resorts. These resorts are mostly priced the same, with the exception of the Coronado Springs Resort which is slightly more expensive. All feature quick service locations and most offer at least one table service restaurant.

Moderate Resorts –

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/caribbean-beach-resort/

The Caribbean Beach Resort is located in the Epcot area and is made up of over 50 buildings surrounding a lake which are painted different colors reminiscent of those found in the Caribbean islands. This resort has an internal bus since it can be as much as a mile from the main building to the farthest rooms at the resort. For an additional fee, you can request a room closer to the main building known as “preferred” rooms. This resort just underwent a massive refurbishment in 2014 and offers higher-priced rooms with a pirate theme in the Trinidad buildings which are located quite far from the main building. Its main pool is designed to look like a fort, and there are a total of six quiet pools spread through the different sections of the resort.

This resort offers the following restaurants:
Shutters – Table Service
Old Port Royale Food Court – Quick Service

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/

The Coronado Springs Resort is located in the Animal Kingdom area and near Hollywood Studios. This is a beautiful resort boasting a Spanish-colonial theme and surrounds the Lago Dorado with sandy beaches and hammocks for relaxing. Like the Caribbean Beach Resort, some rooms can be about a mile from the main building. Please note that this is a major convention resort, so it can be very crowded at times. This resort has a main pool which features a 50-foot tall Mayan temple, in addition to three quiet pools throughout its three different sections.

This resort offers the following restaurants:
Maya Grill – Table Service
Las Ventanas – Table Service
Pepper Market – Quick Service
Café Rix – Quick Service

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-french-quarter/

The Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is located in the Disney Springs area. It is the smallest moderate resort with the fewest rooms. This resort does not offer a full-service restaurant, but guests are welcome to walk, bus, or boat over to Boatwright’s at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. French Quarter and Riverside sometimes share buses with French Quarter being picked up and dropped off first for all parks. This resort also offers boat service to Disney Springs.

This resort offers the following restaurant:
Sassagoula Floatworks – Quick Service

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/

The Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is located in the Disney Springs area and is set on the Sassagoula River with a 35-foot water wheel. This resort is made up of two areas – Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. Riverside and French Quarter sometimes share buses, however, French Quarter is picked up and dropped off first for all parks. This resort also offers boat service to Disney Springs. This resort can officially sleep five people in the Alligator Bayou section.

This resort offers the following restaurants:
Boatwright’s – Table Service
Riverside Mill Food Court – Quick Service

So, now that I’ve walked you through Step 4 (Part 2), let’s do this once more:

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Now, say to yourself:

“I will not feel overwhelmed. I will not get overwhelmed. I will not be overwhelmed.”

Open your eyes. Smile – you’re going to Disney!!!

Now, one step at a time, let’s continue planning your trip.

~ Monica