5 Unexpected Reasons to AVOID Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts

They’re beautiful, they’re classic, and they’re historic: we’re talking about Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts. Obviously, there’s a lot to love about some of Disney’s fanciest hotels, but those high prices are hard to ignore.

Let’s be honest, for many families, it can be hard to justify the cost of a week-long stay at a Deluxe Resort. If you’re on the fence and can’t decide if staying at a Deluxe Resort is worth it, consider these five unexpected reasons to avoid Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. 

What is a Deluxe Resort?

First, we should probably start with some definitions. Disney Deluxe Resorts are known as the best of the best. They are located in prime areas and are often extremely close to a Disney park. That said, they are the most expensive hotels in Disney World, with prices ranging from about $400/night to $700/night.

Disney’s Deluxe Resorts include:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

In comparison, there are two other hotel categories in Disney World: Value Resorts and Moderate Resorts. Each resort category has its own pros and cons, and every family has its own preferences!

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Now that we know what’s what, let’s discuss some of the unexpected reasons you might not want to stay at a Deluxe Resort.

1. Refurbishments/Construction

Imagine walking into your Deluxe Resort and seeing…construction. Not exactly a pretty sight! Throughout the year, every Disney resort goes through a period of refurbishment, but unsightly scaffolding and bulky construction walls kind of ruin the atmosphere of elegance, wouldn’t you agree?

It’s a little harder to swallow the idea of construction at your hotel when you’re paying so much to stay there.

As another example, the EPCOT Skyliner route underwent a temporary refurbishment from January 23rd to January 28th. While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, guests staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, the Yacht and Beach Club Resort, and the Swan and Dolphin Resort lost out on a major transportation benefit for multiple days! 

Instead, guests had to take the bus or boat if they wanted to travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Additionally, the Grand Floridian Resort DVC villas are set for a makeover, which could lead to construction and closures at the resort. 

For most of the year, these Deluxe Resorts are construction-free, but every once in a while, a refurbishment is inevitable.

Click here to see all the refurbishments happening in Disney World

2. Some experiences/dining have not returned

There are still some restaurants and experiences that have not returned to Disney World yet. We’re still waiting on a few dining experiences to reopen at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is also still unavailable at this time. 

Here are a few of the experiences that have not returned to the Deluxe Resorts:

• Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)
• 1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort)
• Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort)
• Perfectly Princess Tea Party
• Pirate Adventure Cruises
• Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
• Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare
• Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you’re hoping to make the most of your resort stay or are interested in any of these experiences, you might want to wait until they return before staying at a Deluxe Resort.

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3. No traditional food court 

While the deluxe resorts offer lots of incredible dining options, many of these hotels don’t have a typical food court. Instead, you might find a grab-and-go refrigerator or a made-to-order food station. 

If you and your family prefer the convenience of the Moderate/Value resort food courts, which sell things like chicken nuggets, burgers, and fries, you might not like the more upscale grab-and-go areas at the Deluxe Resorts.

Admittedly, there are some great options at the Deluxe quick-service locations, but if you’re looking for a classic theme park snack, you might be better off elsewhere.

4. Size/layout

Some of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are so large that it could take a lot of extra steps just to make it back to your room! 

There are some looong hallways and spread-out buildings at places like the Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. After a busy day in the parks, a long walk back to your room can feel extra exhausting! 

Not only that, but at some hotels, the bus stop cab be pretty far away from your room! Raise your hand if you’ve walked all the way to the bus stop, only to realize you left something in your room…

5. Transportation

This may come as a surprise given the subject, but not all Deluxe Resorts have deluxe transportation like the Skyliner, boat, or monorail. Resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge offer fewer and less special transportation options (sorry, Disney busses, but it’s true!). 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is pretty far away from most of the Disney parks, making for a longer commute! 

As we’ve mentioned, every Disney resort has benefits and disadvantages, so it’s really up to you and your family to decide what’s best for your needs. We hope this list helps you plan your next Disney vacation! In the meantime, stay tuned for all the latest Disney news.

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Do you agree with this list? Let us know in the comments!

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