By Diane Todd
Disney parks--Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and Disneyland in
Anaheim, California, offer guests a virtual cornucopia of options for overnight lodging. Disney World categorizes its hotels by price range, while Disneyland features three on-site mega-hotels. Hotel features vary to suit party size, budget and age.
Walt Disney World Value Resorts
The Value resorts are the most economical. They consist of The All-Star Movie, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports and Disney's Pop Century resort. These hotels are great for families with small children. The themes are whimsical. The All-Star Resorts are located near Disney's Animal Kingdom Park and Pop Century is just outside Disney's Hollywood Studios. Amenities include pools, an arcade, a food court, child care, pizza delivery and laundry room.
Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts
The moderate resorts in Disney World are Disney's Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness and Caribbean beach. These hotels differ from the Value Resorts in that they include additional dining options, carriage rides, watercraft rental and a hiking trail. The rooms are slightly larger and the hotels are located closer to the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts
The Deluxe Resorts are The Grand Floridian, The Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Resort and The Polynesian. These hotels are the pinnacle of Disney Entertainment. They feature character dining, shows, direct links to the monorail and health clubs and spas.
Disneyland's Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
The Disney Grand California Hotel is a luxury, 745 room structure. It is located strolling distance from Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney. The rooms are sophisticated, enveloped in cherry-wood and elegant fabrics. There is a grand pool in the center and Disney's monorail roars through the hotel lobby. Amenities also include a restaurant, a gym, activities for children, care for children, spa, business center and a hotel tour.
Disneyland's Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland hotel was the first to appear on the property. This hotel lies close to Downtown Disney and sprawls upward in three towering, enclosed structures. You can request a themed room like Princess or Pirates. Amenities include a restaurant, an arcade, gym, activities for children, care for children, spa, pools, business center and a hotel tour.
Disneyland Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
The Paradise Pier Hotel is located next to California Adventure Park. This hotel is smaller than the other two and has a more casual atmosphere. Amenities include a restaurant, an arcade, gym, activities for children, care for children, spa, pools and a business center.
About the Author:
Diane Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from North Carolina State University and is a former video and web producer for a North Carolina multimedia agency. She also spent several years as a media specialist/graphics designer for the Cumberland County school system in Fayetteville, N.C.
