The Villas at the Disney Institute

The Disney Institute and its resort villas are located on 250 acres of woodland near the Buena Vista Lagoon and Bonnet Creek. This is a very quiet area for accommodations and they range from one-bedroom townhouses to fully equipped Treehouse Villas and even Grand Vista Homes. The Grand Vista Homes and the Fairway Villas border the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and are nestled along quaint tree-lined roadways. The Treehouses are located within a wooded area where peace and quiet are easy to come by. The single bedroom townhouses accommodate 4-6 people each. They have one bedroom with a queen … Continue reading →

Walt Disney World Swan

Like the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the Swan is not owned by Disney. It is on Disney property but owned and operated by Westin Hotels. The Dolphin and the Swan are both located on Crescent Lake. As a guest at the Swan or Dolphin, you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours and the Walt Disney Word transportation system. The Swan and the Dolphin, are connected by an outdoor bridge. From this bridge, you can catch a boat to Epcot or Disney-MGM Studios. Bus service is provided to all other Disney resorts and attractions. Other Disney resort guest perks are … Continue reading →

Walt Disney World Dolphin

The Walt Disney World Dolphin resort is located on Crescent Lake and shares recreational options, convention facilities, restaurants and shopping with it’s sister site, the Walt Disney World Swan. These hotels are not owned by Disney but by Westin Hotels. Through a reciprocal agreement, they are considered Walt Disney World resorts. The Dolphin is within walking distance of Epcot, Disney’s Boardwalk and the Yacht & Beach Club. This 27 story, triangular tower with 1,509 units (136 are suites and 77 are concierge rooms) is crowned by two 56-foot dolphin statues. Just a note – if you’re expecting the usual dolphin … Continue reading →

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

This resort was designed with Coronado’s view of colonial Mexico and the American southwest in mind. You are greeted by a sunny plaza leading to the large lobby complete with beamed, mosaic ceilings, columns, inlaid floors and a beautiful fountain. The resort has three themed areas that are situated around Lago Dorado (Lake Dorado). This resort is located near the Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach parks. There are 1,921 guest rooms at the Coronado Springs resort. The three themed areas are Ranchos, Cabanas, and Casitas. Ranchos is located along a dry streambed and has buildings that resemble cattle ranches. This … Continue reading →

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This is by far my favorite of all the Disney resorts. The Grand Floridian was inspired by the turn-of-the-century Victorian resorts of the Florida coast. It is complete with verandas, latticework, dormers, and turrets and will easily transport you back to a time when everything about vacationing was elegant. The five-story main building houses the Grand Lobby which is decorated in perfect Victorian furnishings. There is an open-cage elevator and the ceiling is decorated with stained-glass domes and glittering chandeliers. Outside is the Seven Seas Lagoon and a white sandy beach. If the lobby doesn’t transport you, the 900 guest … Continue reading →

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

I’ve always loved this resort. The image of this massive, concrete A-frame building with a monorail going through the middle of it was the epitome of modern when I was a kid. This 15 story 1,041 room monstrosity is in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area and is bordered by Bay Lake. Its rooms have fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks from Cinderella’s Castle. Standard rooms at the Contemporary offer guests two queen sized or one king sized bed and a daybed, table and chairs, ceiling fan, data-port, in room safe and voicemail. Many of the rooms here … Continue reading →

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

So you wanted a Rocky Mountain getaway and the kids wanted a Disney vacation? No need to lose any sleep over the decision! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is surrounded by huge pine, cypress and oak trees and is made to look just like what you’d find on a vacation to Yellowstone National Park. With an eight story lobby complete with an 82 foot, three sided stone fireplace, this resort sets out to impress it’s guests and does the job like only Disney can do. Inside the lobby is what appears to be a hot spring that goes outside the hotel and … Continue reading →

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The 45 acre Barefoot Bay is surrounded by six Caribbean islands: Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Jamaica, and Trinidad North and South. Buildings are painted in pastel colors like you’d find in the Caribbean and the islands have nothing but white sand on their beaches, well, you will find a comfortable hammock to relax on as well. Some beaches have playgrounds for the kids and the little island in the center of Barefoot Bay, Parrot Cay, has plenty to keep young water lovers amused. There are 2,112 guest rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort and each measures a spacious 340 square feet. … Continue reading →

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

The fun and fancy of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk in the 1930’s is what you’ll find at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. Whether you prefer to relax by the pool, in the gardens or enjoy the carnival of the Boardwalk, this resort has something for you. Like most of the other guest rooms at Walt Disney World, the 372 rooms at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn will comfortably accommodate a family of five. Guests will have a small table and chairs, TV, hair dryer, coffee maker, daily newspaper and turn down service (on request). Most rooms here have either a balcony or a patio with … Continue reading →

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

The Yacht Club is on 25-acre Crescent Lake. Like the Beach Club, it was designed by Robert A. M. Stern and meant to bring to mind the New England shore of the 1880s. Also a five-story deluxe resort, the Yacht Club has a gray clapboard facade with whitewashed-wood trim. A nautical theme is carried throughout the resort with brass, millwork and hardwood floors. This resort even comes complete with a lighthouse to guide you home from the parks every night! There are 621 rooms at the Yacht Club and each measures 380 square feet. These rooms are made to comfortably … Continue reading →