Labels

Disney Deluxe Hotels - Pros and Cons for Solo Travel to Disney World

Should you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort on your solo trip to Walt Disney World?

Here are some pros and cons for staying solo at the Deluxe resorts on the Walt Disney World property.



As I discussed in the Solo Magic podcast, the Walt Disney World Resort property has 25 Disney hotels to accommodate whatever kind of solo trip you may want to take. Because Walt Disney World is essentially a city-sized hotel (the same size as San Francisco!) choosing based on location doesn't always work. For example, Grand Floridian is 15 minute walk away from Magic Kingdom, but you'd still need to take a bus to Hollywood Studios!

Therefore, choose based on price and vibes when you are choosing a hotel for your solo trip. Ask yourself: which hotel is in your budget and speaks to you the most? Note that all Disney hotels are very safe, have a recreation program (like pools and activities), include transportation to and from the Parks, allow you early morning entry to the Parks, and have food and beverage options. So you'll never be stuck at a hotel and be hungry!

To help make your hotel decision, Disney has categorized their hotels into three categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. 

Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts are the most expensive hotel category with a range of room options including standard two queen/one king room, studios, and multi-bedroom suites/villas. The theming and food options are the most sophisticated at the Deluxe resorts and are designed for adult sensibilities (and $) more so than children's. Deluxe and Deluxe Villas also may include (but are not constituted by) Disney Vacation Club (DVC) rooms, which is the Disney time share program. I won't be making the distinction between these two types of accommodations in this post, but will in future posts. 

There are eleven Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts:

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
Pros for Solos

  • Close to the Parks: All the Deluxe resorts are situated close to at least one Park. This is very convenient for a solo trip because you get more more time to enjoy the Parks, and maybe get to enjoy a slower, quieter trip to or from the Parks, like a walk to Epcot from the Boardwalk! 
  • Many food and beverage options, which are often more "adult": Like the Value and Moderate resorts, Deluxe resorts all have a quick service restaurant. However, even the quick service restaurants have more "deluxe" options, such as an acai bowl from the Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney's Grand Floridian. However, there are also multiple bars and restaurants at Deluxe resorts, including Signature restaurants. If you want to have some fancy meals during your solo vacation, you have them very close by when you stay at a Deluxe resort. And maybe you even want to dress up during these fancy meals/drinks! This dress and this purse would be perfect for a Belle-bound at the Enchanted Rose Lounge at the Grand Floridian! (Amazon paid link)
  • Rooms are more sophisticated: Rooms and room furnishings are sophisticated in theming and quality. For example, often the bathrooms have a walk-in shower rather than a bath/shower combo. If your ideal solo trip to Disney is about #luxelife and you want to feel adult and grown up, then you'll feel that more in these rooms than the other hotel categories. 
  • More adult spaces: If spending time at the hotel is a key part of your solo trip, then Deluxe hotels have many options for both lounging and doing: Lobbies with big comfy chairs, outdoor gardens, fully stocked gyms for a great workout. This is in addition to the many bars, lounges, and restaurants you can visit. If you want to get back to the hotel at the end of the night, and sit with a glass of wine and a book, then Deluxe resorts have so many spaces to appreciate this #solomagic! 
  • More transportation options: Because the Deluxe hotels are closer to the Parks, there will be more ways to get to the Parks: Walking, boats, buses, monorail. You have more choices for transportation, which may be a bonus for you when you're doing the to-ing and fro-ing on your own. 
  • Sophisticated disconnect from the whimsical nature of Disney: Sometimes the best part of a solo trip to Disney World is just being an adult without being a Mom or a Dad. Or it is being in a place you can practice being an adult separate from friends and family who still think of you as a 16 year old. Or maybe it is a place where you can safely push yourself outside your comfort zone and try something new. Deluxe resorts can be places where you can be ADULT because they are more sophisticated and less whimsy than many Disney elements. This could be a 'con' too, but know that this option if this is what you want for your solo trip.   

Cons for Solos

  • Price point: Deluxe resorts are expensive. There is no getting around that. And this higher price point may be difficult to rationalize as a solo since you're not splitting the cost of a hotel. Deluxe resorts may be so expensive that you can stay two nights at a Moderate resort for the price of one night at a Deluxe resort. That may be a good trade off for you - and if you have the budget for it - then go for it!  
  • Busy public areas: Deluxe resorts have great options for eating and drinking. And you don't have to stay at those hotels to eat and drink there! What this means, however, is that the public areas are often very busy because people will come to that lobby/lounge/restaurant to see/experience/eat at these great places. Places like pools and gyms are inaccessible to non-hotel guests, but the rest of the place will be open to others. 
  • Limited pool options: I am always surprised by the lack of pool options at the Deluxe resorts. Some Moderate resorts have five pools! Deluxe resorts will often have one large pool with a water slide and an adjacent space for kids, and then one large "quiet" pool. If it is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) hotel, the hotel may also have a pool that are only accessible to DVC members. Deluxe pools often have a more fully-stocked pool bar and restaurant than the Moderate resorts (sometimes with service right to the pool deck!), but if you want your solo trip to include a quiet luxurious day, sunbathing by a pool with cool lounge music playing in the background, you (surprisingly!) won't find it at the Deluxe resorts.
  • Sophisticated disconnect from the whimsical nature of Disney: Sometimes the best part of a solo trip to Disney World is indulging your inner kid with the whimsical nature of Disney. Deluxe resorts can take you out of this, which may be counterintuitive to your solo trip. Think about what you really want to experience during your solo trip and then decide if a Deluxe resorts can enhance that or detract from that.

So should you stay at a Deluxe resort if you're solo?

If you're used to luxury hotels and comfortable with the Deluxe price point, then there are so many Deluxe resorts you can choose from that will vibe with the type of vacation you want to have! So, if this is you, then of course stay in one of them!
However, if the Deluxe price point is out of reach for you on your solo trip, then check out the Moderate resorts. The Coronado in particular, has regular Moderate rooms (in style and price point), as well as a Tower with more luxurious furnishings and great views. The Coronado also has many bars and lounges and quiet pools to relax in. It could be the best middle ground for a Deluxe trip on a Moderate budget.

----------------------------------------

Solo Magic Podcast

Connect on Social 

----------------------------------------

Like this post? You may also like

Labels:

Popular Posts