Disney has created a resort hotel system that offers something for every budget. Where you want to stay depends much on what you're personal likes and dislikes are and how much you want to spend. There are three resort categories: Deluxe, Moderate and Value. I've tried them all and even thought I'm somewhat of a hotel snob, I found the value resort to be clean and comfortable. So if you are looking for the least expensive room and just a place to shower and sleep, a value resort is a good choice.
I prefer a moderate or deluxe mainly because of the added amenities. Value resorts are farthest from the parks. Moderates and deluxe resorts are closer, so it's a shorter car or bus ride if you use Disney transportation. Moderates and deluxe resorts also have a spa near their pool which is a nice place to soak aching muscles after walking all day in the parks.
There are also the subtle amenities in the moderate and deluxe catagories such as thicker towels, firmer mattresses, and bus stops that are covered to keep that hot Florida sun from beating on you while you wait.
Spoiling yourself to the deluxe resorts is truly a treat. Watching animals roam a Savannah off your balcony at Animal Kingdom Lodge is hard to beat. But the Wilderness Lodge with it's close proximity to the Magic Kingdom, allows for a short 5 minute boat ride to the park and if you have a room that's positioned overlooking Bay Lake, you can watch the Wishes Fireworks from your balcony.
And though I always intend to return to return to resorts I've already visited, I usually try a new one to continue my quest to try every resort on Disney property.

Planning Disney vacations have always been a lot of fun in my family. It usually begins with plotting when to go. Most of our trips have been during the summer months because we didn't want to take our teenage daughters out of school. Summers are hot in Disney, so if you can't take the heat and humidity, go during months when it's cooler in Florida, (typically November through April). We often go in August because the crowds are a little smaller since many schools in the south begin in early August. It's also a value season in Disney which means you can get a better rate staying at a Disney resort. If you have AAA, you can get an even better rate. Some people can't decide whether to stay in a resort hotel on Disney property or to stay off-site. I stay on-site which allows me to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express service. The free service to guests staying in a Disney resort, shuttles you from the airport to your resort and then back to the airport at the end of your trip. This saves you the expense of a rental car. Another great service provided by Disney is the ability (through participating airlines) to drop your luggage at your home airport and when it arrives in Orlando, is shuttled to your Disney resort and brought right to your room! So when you arrive in Orlando, you just bypass baggage claim and head to the lower level where Disney Magical Express cast members greet you and get you on the bus to your resort. The buses stop at several resorts so yours may not be the first stop, but it gives you a glimpse of other Disney resorts you may want to visit in the future.

Now is the time when everyone's thinking about vacation. That one week everyone wants to squeeze in as much fun, sun and relaxation as possible. While annual trips to Walt Disney World don't allow for much relaxation (though, they can if you choose!) it brings everyone's hectic schedule to a halt and allows our family quality time together in a place we all love.
In this blog I will share my best tips for saving money, getting around the parks, using the fast-pass ticket system and creating a fun-filled affordable vacation.