Walt Disney World Room View Categories – Do They Matter at Value and Moderate Resorts?

Walt Disney World has numerous room categories at all of their Resort Hotels. In this post we’ll look at which matter and which don’t at the Value and Moderate Resorts.

There are many different room categories at the various resorts, and they all have a corresponding price point. The goal of this post is to help you decide if it is worth upgrading or not.

Types of Room Categories

At Disney World there are several types of room categories, the distinction of these types is mine, not Disney’s:

• View – What you see when looking out your windows
• Location – Generally what your room is located in close proximity to
• Room Amenities – The number your room sleeps or any special decoration
• A combo of any of the above

View

At most resorts, Disney World offers several levels of Views. The types of views and what they are called vary by resort and what they have to offer. A Water View at one resort might not mean exactly the same thing at another resort.

A word on paying for an upgraded view, solely for the view: Disney World’s Value and Moderate Resorts do not have internal hallways. All guest room doorways are external doors. Your room door opens on the walkway around the building. All windows for these rooms face the exterior walkway as they are next to the door.

Other guests will be walking by inches to feet in front of your window(s). Almost everyone keeps at least the thin privacy curtain closed at these resorts if not the regular light blocking curtains at all times.

We do not recommend paying more for a ‘view” unless it gets you a desired location!

There is no outdoor seating area for your room outside the door. The back of your room opposite the door is against the back of the room on behind yours (on the other side of the building).

At some resorts the “View” speaks more to the location than to what is outside your window.

We’ll get all of this more in depth, resort by resort in a minute.

Location

Some more expensive room categories will get you a better location, such as closer to the main building. These may be worth your while paying for as most of these resorts are big and spread out. You could be quite a walk from dining options or refillable mug refill locations. Or a location might get you closer to a pool

Room Amenities

Room amenities often deal with the bed situation and how many the room sleeps. Does the room have 2 queens, a king, or perhaps a fold-down sleeper for a 5th person.

Room amenities could also speak to how the room is decorated, for instance a Royal (princess) Room or a Pirate Room.

A Combination

Often two of these types are combined, for instance there are 3 levels of views for the Royal Rooms.

Now it’s time to take a closer look.

Note: In this post room types will be listed in ascending price order, cheapest first, most expensive last. We also will not get into all of the numerous pricier suite options at the Moderates. 

The Value Resorts

The Value Resorts are the All-Star Sports, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Music, the Pop Century, and Art of Animation Resorts. We’ll talk about the All-Stars as a group and then the other 2.

All Values have a main building where you will find the only dining, merchandise, and bus transportation. Pop Century and Art of Animation have the Skyliner Station located between the resorts (at the back of each resort).

All-Stars

The All-Stars have 3 room types:

• Standard Room – Views of parking, courtyard, or pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 double beds
• Preferred Room – Same as Standard Room, but closer to the main building for food, shopping, and bus transportation
• Family Suite (only at Music) – Views of parking, courtyard, or pool – Sleeps up to 6 on 1 double bed, 1 double sleeper sofa, and 1 twin sleeper ottoman

So you see, at the All-Stars your view will always be a roll of the dice. The only upgrade possible is to be closer to the main building if that matters to you.

Pop Century

At Pop there are 4 room Types:

• Standard Room – Views of parking or the resort hotel – Sleeps up to 4 on 1 king or 1 queen and 1 queen table bed
• Standard Pool View – Views of the Bowling Pool or Computer Pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 1 king or 1 queen and 1 queen table bed
• Preferred Room – Same as Standard Room, but closer to the main building for food, shopping, and transportation
• Preferred Pool View – Views of the Hippy Dippy Pool, which is closest to the main building for food, shopping, and transportation

Here at Pop the pool view really isn’t about what is on the other side of your closed curtains, rather how long the walk is to the pool. So opt for the Standard pool view (cheaper than the Preferred Room) if you want to be closer to one of the outer pools and either of the Preferred if that matters to you.

Art of Animation

At Art of Animation the rooms are all labeled by their interior decoration, which also affects location. Here we have:

• Little Mermaid Standard Rooms – Views of parking, courtyard, or pool – Furthest from main building – Sleeps up to 4 on 1 king or 2 double beds – Little Mermaid decoration theme
• Lion King Family Suites – Views of parking or courtyard – Mid distance to main building – No dedicated pool – Sleeps up to 6 on 1 queen, 1 double table bed, and 1 double sleeper sofa – Lion King decoration theme
• Cars Family Suites – Views of parking, courtyard, or pool – Mid distance to main building – Sleeps up to 6 on 1 queen, 1 double table bed, and 1 double sleeper sofa – Cars decoration theme
• Finding Nemo Family Suites – Views of parking, courtyard, or pool – By main building and associated pool – Sleeps up to 6 on 1 queen, 1 double table bed, and 1 double sleeper sofa – Finding Nemo decoration theme

Here if you are in a suite it’s all about what characters your kids love! For suites the Lion King is the least desirable option as they are priced the same as the Cars Suites, but have to walk to the Little Mermaid or Main Nemo Pools.

Note: the suites at Art of Animation are the exception to the external room doors at Values. At Art of Animation the suite buildings all have internal hallways that your room door opens off of.

Value Skyliner Access

As noted above the Disney Skyliner Station that serves Pop Century and Art of Animation is located between the resorts, at the rear of each (they are back to back with a lake and bridge between them.

Proximity to the Skyliner station has not been incorporated into room pricing (other than the roughly $30 boost per night at these values when it opened). If you desire to be near the station, opt for a non-preferred room and ask to be near the station when making your reservation. Disney will honor your request if possible.

The Moderate Resorts

For the Moderates, we’ll start easy and work up in complexity.

There are 5 Moderate Resorts, the Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resorts.

Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

French Quarter is the smallest Moderate and has main building where you will find the only dining, merchandise, and transportation options.

French Quarter is the simplest Moderate with only 5 room types:

• Standard View – Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 queen beds
• Garden View – Views of internal resort area – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 queen beds
• River View – Views of the River running past the Resort – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 queen beds
• Pool View – Views of the single resort pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 queen beds
• King Bed – Sleeps up to 2 on 1 king bed

So here at French Quarter, all rooms are internally the same except the kings, which are an obvious choice if that’s what you want.

The other various “views” will determine your location. And remember you’ll most likely keep your curtains closed, so what does the view matter?

The layout of the resort as a whole is essentially a rectangle with the river running down the long right side and parking lots on the other 3. The main building is about on the center of the long side opposite the river.

The Standard View offers rooms closest to parking. If you will be using a vehicle while there, this might be your best option. These rooms by their nature could be anywhere from closest to or furthest from the main building.

The Garden View rooms by facing into the resort could be anywhere from the closest to a medium distance from the main building.

The River View by being on the opposite side of the resort from the main building offer a distance that is from medium to the furthest from the main building. I see no reason to pay the increased price for these rooms.

A Pool View will put you in one of the 2 buildings which have a side facing the pool. A close to medium distance to the main building and right by the pool.

Note: this is a smaller resort and so the furthest distance from the main building here is more like a medium distance at a bigger resort.

Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Here at Riverside we find many more room types, 12 to be exact.

The room types consist of Royal Rooms, rooms that sleep 5, and view categories as well a combinations of these.

The resort layout here is a central island that has the resort’s main pool and pool bar, with the river running around it. Across the river and arranged around the island are the main building and the guest room buildings.

What is usually called a Garden View at other resorts is called a Woods view here.

Our Room Types here are :

• Standard View – Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Woods View – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Standard View – 5th Sleeper –  Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Woods View – 5th Sleeper – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Pool View – Views of a Courtyard Pool- Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• King Bed – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 3 on 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Preferred Room – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Close to main building – Sleeps up to 5. on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• River View – Views of the Riverfront – Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed or 2 Queen Beds
• Royal Guest Room – Standard View – Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Royal Guest Room – Woods View – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Royal Guest Room – River View – Views of Riverfront – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Royal Guest Room – Pool View – Views of Courtyard Pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds

Because of how spread out Riverside is, it is hard to generalize across categories, but here are a few things to consider. These comments are based on View, but will be applicable when the view is combined with 5th Sleeper or Royal Room.

Riverside has 4 bus stops spread through the resort, 1 at the main building and 3 around the perimeter of the resort. There is no room type which will guarantee your being near one of the bus stops except Preferred which puts you near the main building.

The Standard View offers rooms closest to parking. If you will be using a vehicle while there, this might be your best option. Almost all of these rooms by their nature could be anywhere from closest (there are a couple lots near the main building) to or furthest out. Most will be furthest from the main building.

Garden View Will be the middle of the road, walk wise to the main building.

At Riverside the River View rooms will mostly be the closest to the main building.

Caribbean Beach Resort

The Caribbean Beach is the most spread out of the Moderate Resorts.

The Caribbean is laid out along the shores of 2 long, narrow lakes connected by a vary narrow channel. The lakes run north-south, with an island in the middle of the northern lake. A playground is situated on the island.

There are 5 named resort room areas: Aruba and Jamaica, located on the western side of the northern lake. Martinique and Barbados, are located on the eastern side of the northern lake along with the main building. And Trinidad is located by itself on the eastern side of the southern lake, this is the furthest area from the main building and has it’s own very limited snack bar for dining convenience.

There are 8 room types at the Caribbean Beach:

• Standard View – Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Standard View – 5th Sleeper –  Views of parking lots – Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Water or Pool View – Views of Lake or Pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• King Bed – Views Lake, Pool, or of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 3 on 1 King Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Water or Pool View – 5th Sleeper – Views of Lake or Pool – Sleeps up to 5 on 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed
• Pirate – Standard View – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Pirate – Water View – Views of Lake or Pool – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• Preferred Room – Views of the interior of the resort, landscaping etc. – Close to main building – Sleeps up to 5. on 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Child-Size Pull-Down bed

As we’ve seen at the other Moderates, Standard Views will be the rooms closest to parking.

A Preferred Room will get you the shortest walk to the main building. The Caribbean has multiple bus stops spread through the resort, 1 at the main building and the rest around the perimeter of the resort. There is no room type which will guarantee your being near one of the bus stops except Preferred.

The Water – Pool View is the most problematic. You don’t know which you’ll get pool or lake view! Some of the lake view rooms could be quite a ways from the nearest pool.

Unless you are opting for Preferred or a specific room feature like King, 5th sleeper, or Pirate, I seen no benefit to opt for the Water or Pool View as you won’t be sure you’ll be by a pool.

Caribbean Beach Skyliner Access

The Caribbean is a very large and spread out Resort!

This resort sits on both sides of a very long narrow lake that runs north/south. In the middle of the lake it narrows considerably and there is a bridge across for local traffic. There are 5 sections of the resort named after Caribbean Islands: Aruba and Jamaica sit on the west side of the northern portion of the lake with Aruba being furthest north. On the east side from the north to south are Martinique, Old Port Royale (the lobby and main services area), and Barbados. On the southern portion of the lake the Skyliner Station sits on the west side and Trinidad is on the east.

The Riviera Resort which also has a Skyliner Station, sits on the very northern shore of the lake, with its station being on the north-west shore of the lake.

Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad are closest to the Caribbean Beach Station. While Aruba and Martinique are closer to the Riviera Station.

Those going to Epcot from Aruba and Martinique are better off walking to the Riviera station. Note that if you are going to Hollywood Studios from the Riviera when you arrive at the Caribbean Beach Station from the Riviera you will have to get off and get in line to go to DHS!

You may ask for a particular location when making your reservation and also to be close to the station. Disney will honor your request if possible.

Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado has recently finished a big renovation, removing some of their 2 story guest buildings and replacing them with a new multi-story tower.

The Coronado Springs Resort is located around a lake called Lago Dorado. On the south shore is El Centro, the old main building, now housing the Convention Center and some of the dining locations. To the west is the Casitas section, to the north is the main pool and kids play area, the Dig Site and the Rancheros section. To the east is the Cabanas section. Then on the southern end of the Cabanas, next to El Centro is the new Grand Destino Tower housing all front desk functions and many more of your dining options.

Also new with the renovation is a elevated dining area in the middle of the lake. Villa del Lago is connected to the rest of the resort by 3 bridges (walkways elevated over the lake) that connect it to the Grand Destino Tower, Casitas, and Dig Site areas.

With all of the new additions the only area which remains separated most from dining options if the Rancheros area, which has the Dig Site between it and the lake.

We’ll discuss Grand Destino Tower and the rest of the resort separately. First Grand Destino Tower.

With all interior halls here in the tower, views do matter. Rooms in the tower either face the lake or are on the opposite side of the building, which faces Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on the ends of the building Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Epcot. Some nighttime theme park shows should be visible from higher floors.

All rooms here are very close to dining, shopping, and transportation.

Grand Destino Tower Room types

• Tower –  Standard View
• Tower –  Water View
• Tower –  Standard View King
• Tower –  Water View King
• Tower –  Standard View Club

Now let’s look at the remainder of the resort.

The rest of the resort is the old moderate style of exterior walkways and room doors.

• Standard View – Views of Courtyard or Parking Area –  Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds.
• Water View – Views of Pool or Lake – Sleeps up to 4 on 2 Queen Beds
• King Bed – Views of Courtyard or Parking Area – Sleeps up to 2 with 1 bing bed
• Preferred Room – Views of Lake, Courtyard or Parking Area. Near El Centro, Dining, Shopping and Transportation –  Sleeps up to 4. on 2 Queen Beds
• Preferred Room – King – Views of Lake, Courtyard or Parking Area. Near El Centro, Dining, Shopping and Transportation – Sleeps up to 2 with 1 bing bed
• Water View – King – Views of Pool or Lake – Sleeps up to 2 with 1 bing bed

Like all the other Moderates, Standard Views will be the rooms closest to parking.

Again here any Lake Views will be out the window next to your door where people are walking right by.

The Coronado Springs Resort has 4 bus stops spread through the resort, 1 at the main building and the rest around the perimeter of the resort. There is no room type which will guarantee your being near one of the bus stops except Preferred.

Opt for Standard, King, or Preferred, based on your needs. Don’t bother with Water Views.

To Sum It All Up

Well… That was a long post, but there was a lot of info to cover.

I hope that I’ve given you some good information to base your room selection on.

As for me, given the option (all room categories available):

At the Values I go with a standard room, I don’t mind the walk to the main buildings.

At the Moderates I’ll often opt for a King as I’m tall, but if I don’t I would go with Standard if driving my car or a rental car, or the option that would get me closest to the main building (French Quarter – Garden; Riverside – River View; Caribbean – Preferred; Coronado – Preferred (king)) if I’m using Disney transportation.

Your key takeaway from this post: It’s often not about the view it’s about the location!

How about you? What are you thoughts on room type section, or do you have a question? Let us know in the comments section below!

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