A simple way to understand where to stay—and why location matters more than you think.
One of the most confusing parts of planning a Walt Disney World vacation is figuring out where to stay.
Disney doesn’t just have “resorts”—it organizes them into something called Resort Areas. And once you understand how those work, choosing the right hotel becomes much easier.
This guide will walk you through what each resort area means, how transportation plays a role, and how to pick the best location for your trip—especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
What Are Disney World Resort Areas?
Walt Disney World groups its resorts based on location and proximity to the theme parks. Each area gives you a general idea of what you’ll be closest to—and how you’ll get around.
The main resort areas are:
- Magic Kingdom Resort Area
- EPCOT Resort Area
- Animal Kingdom Resort Area
- Disney Springs Resort Area
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Area
On top of that, there are also transportation-based groupings like the Monorail Resorts and Skyliner Resorts, which cut across multiple areas.
Understanding both the location and transportation options is key to making the right choice.
Why Resort Location Matters
At Walt Disney World, where you stay affects more than just your room—it impacts your entire daily experience.
Your resort determines:
- How long it takes to get to each park
- Whether you can walk, take a Skyliner, or rely on buses
- How easy it is to take mid-day breaks
- What your evenings feel like outside the parks
Two resorts at the same price point can offer completely different experiences depending on their location.
Overview of Each Resort Area
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
This area includes Disney’s most iconic resorts, located around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
It offers the best access to Magic Kingdom, with transportation options that include Monorail, boats, walking paths, and buses.
It’s one of the most convenient—and most expensive—areas on property, but it also includes Shades of Green, which offers a strong value option for eligible military families.
See our full Magic Kingdom Resort Area guide
EPCOT Resort Area
Located around Crescent Lake, this area is known for its walkability and access to EPCOT’s International Gateway.
You can walk to EPCOT and even to Hollywood Studios from some resorts, making it one of the most flexible areas on property.
See our full EPCOT Resort Area guide
BoardWalk Area
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
A subset of the EPCOT area, the BoardWalk area focuses on lifestyle, dining, and entertainment.
It offers walkable access to two parks and a lively atmosphere that continues after the parks close.
See our full BoardWalk Area guide
Animal Kingdom Resort Area
This area offers some of the most immersive theming and relaxing resort environments, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
All resorts here rely on bus transportation, which makes it less convenient but often more affordable.
See our full Animal Kingdom Resort Area guide
Disney Springs Resort Area
Centered around Disney Springs, this area offers a more relaxed pace and easy access to dining and entertainment.
It does not have direct access to any theme park, but it provides strong value and more spacious accommodations.
See our full Disney Springs Resort Area guide
ESPN Wide World of Sports Area
This area includes some of Disney’s Value Resorts and is one of the best places to stay on a budget.
It also benefits from Skyliner access, which gives it a major transportation advantage over other Value resorts.
See our full ESPN Wide World of Sports Area guide
Transportation-Based Resort Groups
In addition to location-based areas, Disney resorts are often grouped by transportation type.
These groupings can be just as important as the resort area itself.
Monorail Resorts
These resorts offer direct Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and easy connections to EPCOT.
They are among the most convenient—and most expensive—resorts on property.
See our full Monorail Resorts guide
Skyliner Resorts
Riviera Resort Skyliner Station
These resorts connect to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via the Disney Skyliner gondola system.
They offer one of the best combinations of convenience and value.
See our full Skyliner Resorts guide
How to Choose the Right Resort Area
The best resort area for your trip depends on your priorities.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Best for Magic Kingdom: Magic Kingdom Resort Area or Monorail Resorts
- Best for EPCOT and food lovers: EPCOT or BoardWalk Area
- Best for value + transportation: Skyliner Resorts
- Best for relaxation: Disney Springs or Animal Kingdom Areas
- Best for budget: ESPN Wide World of Sports Area
There’s no one “best” area—just the one that fits your trip.
Military Family Considerations
For military families, choosing the right resort area can have an even bigger impact.
Shades of Green
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Shades of Green: Located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area and often offers the best value for eligible guests
- Disney Armed Forces Salute: Available at many Disney-owned resorts, but availability varies by location
- Transportation tradeoffs: Important when comparing Shades of Green to Disney-owned resorts
Understanding how location affects transportation is especially important when comparing military lodging options.
If you want help choosing the right resort, we recommend working with a military-focused Disney travel specialist:
The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists
Final Thoughts
Once you understand how Disney World Resort Areas work, planning your trip becomes much easier.
Instead of just picking a hotel, you’re choosing how your entire vacation will flow—from transportation to park access to your downtime between park days.
Take a few minutes to think about what matters most to your family, and you’ll be able to find the perfect fit.
Still deciding? Check out the detailed guides linked below—or let me know your situation, and I’ll help you narrow it down!
- Magic Kingdom Resort Area Hotels
- EPCOT Resort Area Hotels
- Animal Kingdom Resort Area Hotels
- Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
- BoardWalk Area Resorts
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Area Resorts
- Disney World Monorail Resorts
- Disney World Skyliner Resorts
Walt Disney World Resort Overviews
- Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- Do WDW Room View Categories Matter?
- MDT Tested & Approved Resorts
- Walt Disney World Resort Guest Benefits
- Walt Disney World Resort Theming
|
This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the Military Disney Tips Founder. He is a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! He has been writing about Disney for the US Military Community here for 18 years. Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way possible. See Steve and His Family's Content |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Back to Basics Posts - A great place to start, offering basic topics!
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military-Only Resort
 The Mouse Experts is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!
|
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney World Resort Areas
What are Disney World Resort Areas?
Disney World Resort Areas are groupings of hotels based on where they are located on Walt Disney World property. They help you understand what each resort is closest to and what transportation options you will have.
How many Disney World Resort Areas are there?
The main Walt Disney World Resort Areas are Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and ESPN Wide World of Sports. In addition, some resorts are commonly grouped by transportation type, such as the Monorail Resorts and Skyliner Resorts.
Which Disney World Resort Area is best for Magic Kingdom?
The Magic Kingdom Resort Area is the best choice if Magic Kingdom is your top priority. It includes the Monorail Resorts, boat transportation resorts, and Shades of Green.
Which Disney World Resort Area is best for EPCOT?
The EPCOT Resort Area is best for EPCOT fans, especially if you want to walk to the park. Some nearby resorts also make it easy to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios by walking, boat, or Skyliner.
What is the difference between a Resort Area and a Monorail or Skyliner Resort?
A Resort Area is based on location, while Monorail Resorts and Skyliner Resorts are grouped by transportation type. A resort can belong to both a location-based area and a transportation-based group.
Are Disney World Resort Areas important when choosing where to stay?
Yes. Your resort area affects travel time to the parks, transportation options, how easy mid-day breaks will be, and the overall feel of your vacation.
Which Disney World Resort Area is best for military families?
The best resort area for military families depends on priorities. The Magic Kingdom Resort Area is important because it includes Shades of Green, while the Skyliner and ESPN Wide World of Sports areas often offer strong value through discounted Disney resorts.
Is Shades of Green in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area?
Yes. Shades of Green is considered part of the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, although it is not a Disney-owned resort and has its own transportation system.
Which Disney World Resort Area is best for budget trips?
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Area is one of the best choices for budget-conscious families because it includes Pop Century and Art of Animation, which combine lower prices with Skyliner access.
Which Disney World Resort Area is best for relaxation?
The Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom Resort Areas are often the best choices for a more relaxed trip because they tend to feel quieter and less hectic than the areas closest to the parks.
Leave a Reply