The Walt Disney World Resort has a plethora of resort accommodations, ranging from deluxe resorts to value hotels, and some of the best are right outside the Downtown Disney Area! Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter – are all Downtown Disney-affiliated hotels, and you can’t go wrong with a stay at any of them!
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa re-opened in the spring of 2004 after formerly being known as The Villas at the Disney Institute. This resort, modeled after the spirit of Saratoga, New York, overlooks the lakefront district of the Downtown Disney area and is within walking distance or a short boat ride away from all of the Downtown Disney fun. This resort is the largest Disney Vacation Club resort on the Walt Disney World Resort property, and it offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and grand villas (that sleep up to 12 people). While mainly DVC members only stay here, this hotel is also opened up to all guests when vacancies are available. While staying here, you can expect to find a health club, babysitting and child services, several dining options and lot of recreation activities, among other highlights.
Also part of the Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s Old Key West Resort channels Florida’s Key West region throughout the hotel, from the brilliant landscapes to the Victorian themes on the buildings. Each vacation villa features amenities not usually found in standard hotel rooms, including kitchens and living rooms in these studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom villas. And, just like at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, there are exceptional guests services available to complete the luxury home-away-from-home experience.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is modeled after New Orleans’s historic French Quarter district. This moderate category hotel has over 1,000 guest rooms located in seven three-story buildings. Kids will love the dragon-themed pool and adults will love the affordable price and the great location at the Walt Disney World Resort!
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is right next door to the French Quarter hotel, and while many of the amenities and characteristics of the two are the same, the feel is totally different! Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is inspired by the days of Mark Twain and makes you feel as if you were in a Louisiana town on the river. Guests will enjoy Cajun and American cuisine here, along with unique recreations options, and, of course, all of the special privileges that come with being a Walt Disney World Resort hotel guest!
Among the privileges resort guests receive are Extra Magic Hours (admittance into the theme parks before they open to the public and after they close on select days), in which resort-only guests get to experience the best attractions with much lesser crowds. If you are flying into Orlando International Airport, you can also take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express Transportation, which picks you up and takes you to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel free of charge. Transportation is also complimentary on-site at your resort hotel, as you can hop on a bus and be shuttled anywhere on property without ever having to spend a dime to park or worry about how to get where. There are other resort benefits as well, such as the Disney Dining Plan, an offer where you can save 40 percent on dining on over 100 restaurants across property, as well as complimentary package delivery and amazing facilities that only Walt Disney World Resort guests can enjoy.
