Why a deluxe resort is a necessity-- not a luxury

I just got back from Walt Disney World and this was my seventh stay in a deluxe resort… the things I learned during this day really surprised me.

When I stayed at the grand Floridian and the Polynesian in February 2025, I learned that there is a right way in the wrong way to Disney. But this visit reminded me that location matters based on the type of trip you’re going on.

My trip was a girls trip and we were mostly focused on going to Epcot. But if I was taking my family, there would be a mix of things we would be doing including having time to relax at the resort and the pool, eating all of the food and going to each park. The kids would likely want to sleep in most days whereas when I was going on my girls trip we automatically wake up at 6:45 so walking into EPCOT for early entry and having breakfast in France wasn’t really a feat. We were already up.

Over the last several months, I’ve come to realize that Disney really has designed your vacation to start at a deluxe resort. Boardwalk was a prime example. With it’s location, the amenities the design of the rooms, the feeling is really and truly Distinctly Disney.

Do these things really warrant the steep price tag? You may think that the price tag is outrageous. Maybe it is. But here’s a true story.…

I visited Disney World with my family in February in a split stay at a Deluxe Resort and a Value Resort. I thought I would be able to compare the two options easily and honestly in the back of my head, I thought I was just saving money,

After 1 night, less than 24 hours, I was ready to upgrade and go back to any Deluxe Resort and pay the difference. It wasn’t because I am a snob and I’m just used to staying Deluxe. It’s because the resort was loud, the room was loud in both design and actual noise from other guests that could be heard. The room was small, not a single place to relax except in your actual bed and I didn’t want to be there. I literally wanted to leave after waking up. I didn’t want to sleep in or lounge or check out the rest of the resort. Then came the walk to transportation. An 11 minute walk to the front of the resort had done me in, just to get quick-service breakfast. Breakfast was great, I got Mickey Waffles, but the eating area was so loud (again) I couldn’t stand to stay to eat. We took it to go.

This sounds like a lot of complaints, but compared to the calmness felt in a Deluxe resort, the Value Resort felt chaotic and stressful. The purpose of my trip was to reconnect with my small humans, husband and relax- I couldn’t do either of those things. I still paid good money to stay at the Value Resort, it wasn’t free. And I can honestly say, the money I paid wasn’t worth it.

Weighing the experiences, I’m glad I could compare them back to back. I know that you CAN have a larger room with a sitting area and a split bathroom which allows more than 1 person to get ready at a time. There are rooms where you can open your patio door, get fresh air or sit on the balcony and actually relax for a few minutes in the morning with your coffee. 

On my most recent trip, I stayed at the Boardwalk and boy did I LOVE the location.           I love that in seven or eight minutes. I can exit my hotel room and be at the entrance gate of Epcot. I love that I can take the friendship boats to Hollywood Studios in about 12 minutes. And I love that either way it is calm and peaceful. 

I haven’t even spoken about the restaurants, snack shops, bars, ice cream shops, retail shops or quiet areas to sit and enjoy… At the Value Resort, we had one option for a cafeteria and two pool bars. At Boardwalk, we ate at a different spot every meal. We popped into the Carousel Coffee for lattes and hot chocolate and a butter croissant in the morning, Cake Bake Shop for desserts, got a Margarita and Pizza on the Boardwalk late at night and an ice cream one afternoon. We watched live music on the Boardwalk coming back from the parks in the evening, saw a movie on the lawn and when we wanted quiet, we had a zillion options for little sitting areas all over the hotel. Even the Lobby had tons of couches and the balcony beyond the lobby had rocking chairs to chill in. Calm and quiet live here and I’m here for it. 

My experience was worth the price tag in my opinion. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself.