MAGICAL ROOMS
After leaving the parks, Disney World offers range of themed hotel and resort experiences to help continue the fantasy
Whether you prefer Walt Disney World’s former slogan “Where Dreams Come True” or the new “Most Magical Place on Earth,” it’s easy to see the resort embraces both. From enchanting makeovers for both children and adults to four theme parks filled with awe-inspiring attractions, decadent treats and entertainment in the form of character interactions and parades, Disney has put immense effort into making each visit dream fulfilling and magical.
And that experience continues once guests leave the parks, as the hotels continue the fantasy.
“Walt Disney envisioned Disney Resorts as an extension of the magical theme park experience, and that’s more true today than ever,” said Elizabeth
Mullins, Walt Disney World’s vice president of hotels and resorts, in an email. “Each resort is a destination unto itself, with dining, recreation and entertainment. Regardless of room type, staying at a Disney Resort means you’re staying in the middle of the magic.”
Guests usually book rooms based on a specific interest or celebration, according to Mullins.
“That makes it especially fun to step into these themed environments and discover all the details,” she said. “It’s all about being enveloped in a story and a unique sense of place.”
And there’s a magical room to fit every budget, from the more economical offerings at Disney’s Art of Animation and Caribbean Beach Resort to more expensive accommodations at Disney’s Riviera Beach Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
“Whatever unique experience you’re craving, we have just the right magical room,” she said.
Let’s take a closer look at a few rooms recommended by Disney and some theme park experts.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort provides a chic and elegant getaway.
Michele Atwood, CEO of The Main Street Mouse, said the one-bedroom villa at Disney Vacation Club’s newest resort provides the comforts of home with magic mixed in.
“If you request a preferred view room, you get a gorgeous view of Disney property,” she said in an email. “You can see Hollywood Studios and Epcot, depending on your location. Not to mention a view of the Disney Skyliner. Speaking of, there’s a Skyliner station at the resort, which is super convenient.”
The Riviera boasts beautiful Disney artwork throughout — take time near the elevators to see if you can spot Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Pluto in the designs on the floor.
Guests can rent one-, twoor three-bedroom villas, each complete with a full kitchen, dining area and living room. And though it’s billed as a one-bedroom villa, there are actually two hidden pull-down beds with Disney artwork as
a backdrop — including a black-and-white picture of Mickey lounging with Pluto and Peter Pan taking flight with the Darling children.
“You pay more for the one-bedroom, but you can save some of that money back by utilizing a few meals in the full kitchen,” said Matt Roseboom, editor and publisher of Attractions Magazine, in an email.
But the Riviera’s food is also fantastic, Atwood said.
Among the dining options is a themed character breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera in which Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy parade through the eatery in artistic attire.
Fun fact: Despite popular belief, anyone can book a stay at Disney Vacation Club resorts, so long as rooms are available.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This Magic Kingdom resort is a favorite of both Atwood and Roseboom.
The roomy offerings are updated with modern bathrooms. Another benefit of Disney’s Contemporary Resort: You can walk or hop the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. For extra pixie dust, Atwood recommends a park-view room.
“When we stayed there in the fall, I spent a lot of time on the balcony,” she said. “You can see Magic Kingdom perfectly, plus all the hustle and bustle of the entire area, like the Monorail and other transportation.”
Roseboom echoed that sentiment.
“It’s just about the best view you can get of any of the Disney theme parks,” he said. “It’s especially great when the fireworks shows are happening nightly. The music from the fireworks show can be heard in the room, so you’re not missing anything.”
Disney’s Art of Animation
Mullins recommends Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for those with younger children. It’s also a more affordable option for those working on a budget.
The resort features suites themed for “Finding Nemo,” “Cars” and “The Lion King” as well as hotel rooms inspired by “The Little Mermaid.” All rooms are brightly colored, practical and scream Disney and Pixar.
“Accommodations like ‘The Little Mermaid’ rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort put a charming, fun twist on a standard hotel room,” Mullins said.
Nemo suites have painted floors that mimic the ocean, bubble ceiling lights, a shark shower curtain, a mirror with the saying “Fish are friends … “and a kitchen table that transforms into a bed with artwork of Marlin and Nemo snuggling at the headboard.
Step into the mechanic shop, but without all the grease, upon entering a “Cars” suite. Find traffic-cone lamps, car wash sign mirrors, artwork from the Pixar film, workbench-inspired furniture, a
couch reminiscent of a car seat and a kitchen murphy bed-kitchen table hybrid that reveals an image of Mater sleeping when folded down.
One of the best amenities at the Art of Animation is the trail by Hourglass Lake that provides a safe way to exercise while maintaining social distance.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge/Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Wilderness Lodge cabins and Polynesian
bungalows are higher-end Disney Vacation Club properties with similar layouts.
These accommodations are an immersive experience. At Fort Wilderness, you feel as though you’re on a camping trip that couldn’t possibly be within minutes of Magic Kingdom. At the Polynesian, step into Hawaiian paradise. Both have subtle Disney touches: hidden Mickeys, a “Brother Bear” totem in the cabin and framed Enchanted Tiki Room artwork in the bungalows.
“Over-the-water bungalows at Disney’s
Polynesian Village and cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge take that immersion to a completely different level,” Mullins said.
Both have a full kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a living room, an outdoor hot tub, a master bedroom and bathroom complete with a hidden TV in the mirror, extra pull down beds featuring hidden Disney art and more.
They also have gorgeous views, though the cabins offer rustic glimpses of Bay Lake, while the bungalows overlook Magic Kingdom, a particularly great place to watch the park’s fireworks.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
If it’s a swashbuckling stay ye seek, say aye to the pirate rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
“The pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort are super fun for pirate fans, but the location can be difficult — they’re far away from dining and the lobby,” said AJ Wolfe, The Disney Food Blog owner and editor, in an email.
The resort’s 384 pirate rooms are located in the Trinidad area, which is a bit of a walk from the lobby. But for fans of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films or just pirates in general, this is a bucket list item.
From the treasure map carpeting to ship beds, barrel furniture, a compass table, a cargo box dresser, pirate coin embellishments on the bathroom mirror and a skull-and-swords privacy curtain, this room will have patrons bellowing “Yo, Ho! Yo-Ho!” in no time.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Embark on an African adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Spot more than 30 species of animals — including zebras, giraffes, gazelles and flamingos — while wandering the grounds. Or sample flavors of Africa with Boma’s all-you-caneat buffet or Jiko’s fine dining.
For the best experience, opt for a savanna-view room that guarantees glimpses of the animals.
“There’s nothing like waking up with a giraffe outside your room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge,” said Mullins.
As these rooms can be expensive, set aside time to enjoy the resort itself, Wolfe recommends.
“Animal Kingdom
Lodge is great if you’ve got an animal fan in your party,” she said. “It can backfire, though, if you’re hanging out at the parks all day long and don’t really get to enjoy the expensive savanna view upgrade, so think about your schedule before you splurge.”
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Those who want to incorporate the great outdoors into their Disney vacation should consider the cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
“Even though you’re just a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, you feel like you’re staying out in the woods,” said Roseboom. “The cabins are similar in size to one-bedroom hotel rooms and have all the Disney touches to make you feel like you’re camping away from it all.”
Atwood compared the grounds and experience to “glamping.”
“You’re definitely not roughing it!” she said.
Pro tip: Roseboom and Atwood recommend renting a golf cart, which makes navigating the campground a cinch.
Regardless of which Disney World resort guests select, it’s sure to be an enchanted trip.
“Staying at a Disney Resort really does feel like a magical escape. Between the theming, shops, food and courteous cast members, it truly is the best,” Atwood said. “Disney makes guests feel like the outside world doesn’t exist; it’s a welcomed break.”
Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel. com. Want more theme park news? Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/ attractions/theme-parkrangers-podcast.