Budget Guide: Disney Resorts

Disney World in Orlando has an overwhelming amount of options to tailor your trip to your budget and your family, but can be confusing for new visitors or even seasoned magic-enjoyers. Here is my top 3 recommendations for Disney World resorts to match your budget that I have personally stayed in.

Budget Level: Appealing

My #1 recommendation for Disney visitors on a budget is a trip to nostalgia’s nest on Hourglass Lake, Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Pop is a great price-point stay with a playful theme bringing you through decades of trends from bowling in the 50s, to Pac-Man in the 80s.

Pop Century’s attractive pricing is amplified even more by its access to the Skyliner, Disney’s gondola-style transportation to 2 of its 4 theme parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The Skyliner grants you easy access to more dining opportunities as well at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. For a few dollars/night you could upgrade to Art of Animation across the pond, but that is purely up to which theming you prefer, and I’ll be sticking to Pop for now.

Budget Level: Upgraded

My mid-tier recommendation is going to be one near to my heart (although possibly controversial!). I’ve had some very fond memories at the Skyliner’s home resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

The Skyliner is definitely pulling some weight here. I love having direct access to my two favorite parks, and the relaxed, tropical-theme of CBR has me feeling fully in vacation mode from the moment I step into the lobby. SIZE is the biggest complaint here, as this resort is spread far and wide horizontally, and even has its own internal bus loop just to get around the resort!

But I’m not at Disney to relax, I’m there to walk (or run a marathon!) anyway, so what’s a few extra steps around the resort?! Plus getting a room request in early can help improve your chances of being placed next to the main Skyliner hub, or the Riviera connection.

Budget Level: Lux

Disney World has some incredible Deluxe tier resorts, especially around the Monorail Loop by Magic Kingdom, and it is hard to narrow one down as the top-tier recommendation. For me it comes down to views, and nothing adds more magic to your Disney Vacation quite like viewing Magic Kingdom Fireworks from your own private balcony at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Resort View Rooms at Contemporary are shockingly reasonable, especially compared to other resort offerings on the Monorail track! We stayed here during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2021 and were able to enjoy the special firework show from our balcony on our arrival night.

Step outside the door of your room and you are in the jaw-dropping atrium inside the resort, complete with its indoor monorail station, and beautiful Mary Blaire mural. Add the amazing dining opportunities of Steakhouse 71 and California Kitchen, as well as walking distance to and from Magic Kingdom (or Monorail access too) and it is tough to beat Contemporary for the extra magic on your trip.

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Do you agree with my picks? What is the most important factor for your resort choice on your next Disney trip? Price? Perks?

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