Military Disney Tips

By Military for Military

Home » Walt Disney World Resorts » Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Overview

Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Overview

by

Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts Overview

The most immersive, convenient, and amenity-rich resorts at Walt Disney World—perfect for families who want exceptional comfort and a premium location.

Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are the top tier of Walt Disney World accommodations. Known for their beautiful theming, spacious rooms, interior hallways, luxurious pools, expanded dining, and unmatched proximity to the parks, they offer the highest level of comfort and convenience on property.

For military families using the Disney Armed Forces Salute, Deluxe Resorts can become surprisingly affordable—sometimes even less expensive than Moderates during strong discount windows. For families who value comfort, location, and downtime between park days, the Deluxe category is often the best fit.

Below is a complete overview of what Deluxe Resorts offer, how they compare to Moderates and Values, and where Shades of Green fits as a “Deluxe Minus / Moderate Plus” alternative.

Quick Facts About Disney Deluxe Resorts

  • Category Positioning: Highest tier of Walt Disney World resorts
  • Room Entry: Interior hallways
  • Room Sizes: Approximately 344–440 sq. ft. (varies by resort)
  • Full housekeeping service: every day
  • Transportation: Monorail, boats, Skyliner access (via EPCOT-area resorts), buses, and often short walks to one or more parks
  • Dining: Extensive dining selections, including fine dining and signature restaurants
  • Ideal For: Families wanting premium convenience, larger rooms, and expanded amenities
  • Eligible for Military Discounts: Yes, with limited availability depending on the resort and season

Location Overview

Deluxe Resorts are typically located within minutes of at least one theme park:

  • Magic Kingdom Area: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • EPCOT / Disney’s Hollywood Studios Area: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Area: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Proximity is a major part of what you’re paying for. Walking paths, monorail access, boat launches, and the Skyliner make these resorts the most transportation-friendly locations on property.

This is especially valuable for:

  • Families with strollers
  • Guests with mobility considerations
  • Those who like taking afternoon breaks
  • Park veterans who want the easiest logistics possible

Theme & Atmosphere

Disney’s Deluxe Resorts feature rich, immersive theming grounded in architecture, storytelling, and atmosphere:

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Victorian elegance with luxury touches
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: South Pacific–inspired tropical retreat
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Sleek modern design with the monorail running through the lobby
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Pacific Northwest–inspired grand lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: African-inspired design with savannas and wildlife views
  • Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts: New England coastal themes
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn: 1900s seaside amusement atmosphere
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: Deluxe-level amenities with a modern, stylish feel

These resorts offer the deepest immersion outside the theme parks themselves. Many guests consider this level of atmosphere to be part of the vacation experience—not just a place to sleep.

Room Types & Capacity

Deluxe rooms are significantly larger than those at Value and Moderate Resorts.

Most Deluxe Resort rooms offer:

  • Two queen beds (many also have a daybed or sleeper chair for five-person occupancy)
  • Spacious bathrooms with multiple vanity configurations
  • Mini-fridge, coffee maker, dresser, and upgraded furnishings
  • Balconies or patios in most rooms
  • Interior hallway access

Variations include:

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Smaller standard rooms than some other Deluxes, but unmatched savanna theming
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Slightly smaller Deluxe rooms; often considered “Deluxe Minus” in terms of room size
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Among the largest standard Deluxe rooms
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: Deluxe-quality amenities with non-Disney management

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are generally lower in price than the other Deluxe Resorts, while still offering rich theming and strong amenities.

Transportation Options

One of the biggest advantages of staying in a Deluxe Resort is improved transportation access:

  • Monorail service at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Walking paths to Magic Kingdom from Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian (and to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from several EPCOT-area resorts)
  • Skyliner access via nearby EPCOT-area resorts (walking paths to stations)
  • Boats to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from select resorts
  • Buses to all Disney destinations

Deluxe Resorts often provide multiple ways to get to the same park—if boat lines are long, you can walk; if it’s raining, you can use the monorail or bus. That flexibility makes park touring much less stressful.

Dining Options

Dining is a major upgrade at the Deluxe level. Resorts typically feature:

  • Signature dining (some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World)
  • Multiple Table Service restaurants
  • Quick Service dining for grab-and-go meals
  • Lounges and bars with expanded menus
  • Character dining at locations such as Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Military families who enjoy high-quality dining or want character meals within walking distance of their room will appreciate what the Deluxe Resorts offer.

Pools & Recreation

Deluxe Resorts feature some of the most elaborate pool complexes on property, with amenities such as:

  • Sand-bottom pools (at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts)
  • Beach areas and zero-entry pools
  • Water slides and hot tubs
  • Cabanas at select locations
  • Theming tied closely to the resort’s story

Recreation often includes:

  • Marinas with boat rentals
  • Evening fire pits
  • Guided activities or tours
  • Fitness centers
  • Spas at select resorts
  • Nighttime entertainment and community halls

If resort time is a major part of your vacation, the Deluxe category truly shines.

Shades of Green: A Deluxe Minus / Moderate Plus Option for Eligible Military Families

Although Shades of Green is not a Disney-owned resort, it is located on Walt Disney World property and originally operated as a Deluxe Resort. It still retains many of its Deluxe characteristics, even though its pricing and amenities place it between traditional resort tiers.

Where Shades of Green Fits

Shades of Green is best described as:

  • Deluxe Minus in terms of amenities and theming
  • Moderate Plus in terms of pricing and dining variety
Walt Disney World Military Discounts

Shades of Green

Why Shades of Green Is Comparable to a Deluxe

  • Largest standard rooms on Walt Disney World property
  • Location: Near Magic Kingdom, with a short bus ride to the Transportation and Ticket Center for transfers to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
  • Spacious, well-maintained grounds
  • Two large pools
  • Standard rooms sleep five plus a crib
  • Rates set annually and based on military rank, not seasonal demand

Shades of Green Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center

For many eligible military families, Shades of Green provides Deluxe-like room size and comfort at a price point that often compares favorably with Moderate or lower-priced Deluxe Resorts.

Pros & Cons of Deluxe Resorts

Pros

  • Best locations on Walt Disney World property
  • Larger and more comfortable rooms than Value or Moderate Resorts
  • Multiple transportation options, often including monorail or walking access
  • Unmatched variety and quality of dining, including signature restaurants
  • Most elaborate pools and recreation offerings
  • Ideal for families who take midday breaks or enjoy resort time
  • Often quieter and less hectic than Value or Moderate Resorts
  • Shades of Green offers huge standard rooms and can sleep five plus a crib

Cons

  • Highest room rates of all resort categories
  • Military discounts are more limited and vary by season and resort
  • Some Deluxe Resorts (such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) require longer bus rides despite their Deluxe theming
  • Dining reservations at popular restaurants can fill quickly
  • Larger resort footprints at some locations can still mean plenty of walking

Who Deluxe Resorts Are Best For

Deluxe Resorts are an especially good fit for:

  • Military families who want maximum convenience and comfort
  • Guests who value walking or monorail access to the parks
  • Families traveling with young children or strollers
  • Those who enjoy resort days with premium pools and amenities
  • Visitors who want the richest theming and atmosphere Disney offers
  • Larger families (five or more) who need extra sleeping space
  • Guests planning longer stays or more relaxed touring styles

Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts

There are eight different Deluxe Resorts on Walt Disney World Property.

The Deluxe Resorts are the premier hotels of Walt Disney World. They are decorated exquisitely based on their overall resort theme.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts (Also Deluxe Resorts)

The Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s take on timeshares. Members buy into a property and use points for stays at DVC properties worldwide.

DVC resorts offer Deluxe accommodations in studio, one, two, and three-bedroom suites. These suites can also be rented through the regular Walt Disney World reservation process and are eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute 30% off room discount, though the number available is very limited.

DVC Resorts can also be rented at up to 65% off through a rental service that matchs Disney Vacation Club Members who want to rent DVC points with Guests who would like to book accommodations at one of Disney’s 17 exclusive DVC resorts.. Using this totally approved and safe process, you can save up to 65% on Deluxe DVC Resort stays! We recommend the DVC Rental Store, part of The World of DVC. They have the largest selection of DVC Points for rent in the world, giving you more options, better availability, and the best chance to book your dream Disney vacation. You can count on the DVC Rental Store to handle the DVC rental process from start to finish and deliver a customer experience that’s simple, straightforward, and 100% stress-free.

There are currently nine DVC resorts at Walt Disney World that are co-located with a Deluxe Resort and share facilities with that resort.

The Colocated Resorts are:

There are three standalone resorts that are not paired with a Disney World Deluxe Resort.

The Stand-Alone Resorts are:

Let Military Disney Tips’ Recommended Travel Agent Assist You

Choosing a Deluxe Resort can be overwhelming because each one offers its own style, transportation mix, and unique perks. My recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can help you compare options, apply military discounts, and secure the best rooms at no additional cost to you.

I recommend using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (travel agent)! Doing so can take the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Cruise Line Vacation, which can be a complicated and overwhelming task.
You have probably seen elsewhere on the site that I recommend The Mouse Experts powered by The Curated Travel Collection as my preferred Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.

The Mouse Experts - Military Disney Tips Recommended Disney Only Travel Agent


Wrap-Up

Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts offer a premium experience defined by comfort, location, atmosphere, dining, and transportation convenience. They are ideal for military families who want a more relaxed, immersive, and luxurious stay—especially when the Disney Armed Forces Salute brings the price closer to Moderate levels. Whether you’re watching fireworks from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, strolling to EPCOT from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, or gazing at giraffes outside your balcony at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Deluxe category can elevate every moment of your vacation.

 Walt Disney World Resort Overviews

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.
Check out Steve's Bio
Find Steve on Facebook.
Subscribe to Steve's Free Email Newsletter
Buy Steve a Cup of Coffee!

See Steve and His Family's Content
That Disney Family 
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
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: Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:
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!