Traveler's Guide to Every Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort is expansive. With more than 30 hotels on the property, it can sometimes be a guessing game as to which resort will work best for you and your family. With four different levels-Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa-to choose from, oftentimes it's the price and availability that may dictate where you need to book. But with so many options in each category, it's nice to know what sets each of these resorts apart.

All of Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer in-room celebrations, childcare services, merchandise delivery and pickup, resort transportation, complimentary Wi-Fi and online check-in through the My Disney Experience App. And although there is parking allowed at each resort, it does come with an extra fee.

Here's a list of all Walt Disney World Resort properties and what you need to know about them.

Bay Lake Tower is the closest you can stay to the Magic Kingdom, and it's within easy walking distance to the main entrance. Plus there is a private security screening area, so you don't have to wait in the long lines to have your bags checked before going into the park.

Try and snag a view with Cinderella's Castle, perfect if you have little ones that might not be the best at waiting in large crowds. You may not be able to see the light show on the castle, but you can definitely enjoy the nightly fireworks from the comfort of your own space. Even if you can't get one of these rooms, there are beautiful views of Bay Lake.

Being one of Disney's Deluxe Villas, you'll enjoy at-home amenities like a kitchen, living area and multiple bedrooms. A few studio rooms even feature a kitchenette.

Enjoy the benefits of Disney's Contemporary Resort with a short walk across the Sky Way Bridge, where you can easily hop on the monorail to take you to Epcot. Make sure to check the event calendar as many specialty celebrations take place here around the holidays.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that you're only a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom at Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. You'll feel as if you've been transported to the old American West, but with plenty of modern-day amenities and luxuries including in-room washer and dryers. Outfitted with the characteristics of a deluxe villa-like a kitchen or kitchenette, living area and separate bedrooms-Boulder Ridge is a perfect reprieve after a day at the parks.

There's a heated pool with a waterslide, great for those traveling in the winter. But the real showstopper at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is the Storybook Dining, where you can enjoy a delicious meal with your family and meet Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Also themed as the American West Wild Frontier, Fort Wilderness Resort is an expansive property with 750 acres. The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are ideal for those who want to do more than just enjoy the theme parks during their vacation. Experience archery, horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides, wagon rides, rent canoes or motorized boats, go fishing, head to the arcade or enjoy the multiple jogging trails across the property.

The cabins may be themed as 'rustic', but these private lodges are like walking into your very own home, with enough room to accommodate six adults. Each comes with its own kitchen, microwave, stovetop, refrigerator, dishwasher, living area, bedroom, bathroom and private porch. An added bonus, Disney offers a service where you can pre-order your groceries and walk into a fully stocked kitchen upon check-in. The Magic Kingdom can be reached in just 10 minutes by boat.

For those families who love camping in the great outdoors, need to save a little cash or like traveling around in their very own RV, the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is a great option.

Guests still get to enjoy all the conveniences of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, from renting golf carts to a pool with a waterslide to roasting marshmallows with fellow campers. Enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant, a water taxi service to the Magic Kingdom and bus transportation to the other theme parks.

Ready to experience the Pacific Northwest in Florida? Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge offers a great stay for extended families with plenty of room, at-home amenities and even a wraparound porch to sit back and relax on. Choose between a deluxe studio and lakeside cabins.

Located on Bay Lake, visitors can easily reach the Magic Kingdom by a short water taxi ride or hop on one of the multiple buses to bring them to one of the other parks.

Disney's All-Star trio of resorts is great for families with small children looking to save a little extra money on their accommodations. The resorts are outfitted in themed statues around the property-like giant broomsticks from Fantasia at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort-and basic hotel rooms.

Disney's All-Star Movie Resort has a Fantasia-themed pool, complete with a little kid's area, and a food court where you can find unique resort treats like specialty desserts. There are even occasional nightly Disney movies shown near the pool area.

The rooms at Disney's All-Star Resorts are all about the same and offer rooms with convertible murphy beds to help save on space. There is also a mini-fridge and desk area (when one of the beds is stowed away). There are even family suites that can accommodate six for larger families.

Disney's All-Star Music Resort has a guitar-shaped pool, themed facades like a giant jukebox and is currently undergoing renovations. Like all Walt Disney World Resort properties, guests will be treated to "Extra" Extra Magic Hours in the newest land-Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge-for a limited time, and in-room celebrations that help to bring that extra bit of magic to your stay.

For the sports fan, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort is a must. Kids will love running around the football field with giant helmets on and swimming in the surf-themed pool. Equipped with its own food court, you can get your fill of fresh Mickey waffles before hopping on one of Disney's buses to the theme parks. As all the Disney All-Star Resorts are right next to each other, the bus route will make a stop at each resort before heading to the theme park.

Considered one of Disney's Deluxe Resorts, it's easy to relax at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Located adjacent to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the quiet serenity of the park is extended to the hotel and makes you feel like you're on your own safari. Don't be surprised to see tropical birds flying around or other exotic animals you can interact with. Check out the Wanyama Safari and Dinner for a memorable dining experience that will put you up-close to the animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has multiple on-site pools to help you cool down after a day in the Florida sun, a playground where you can see flamingos, an arcade and even campfires for roasting marshmallows.

To really highlight the magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom, stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas: Jambo House. Here is where you'll get to see animals roaming freely right from your room! Try to spot over 200 different animals as you relax after a long day in the theme parks and enjoy all the amenities of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Journey to the heart of the savanna at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas: Kidani Village. Watch as African wildlife roam past your bedroom window and enjoy the space and amenities of home with the Deluxe Villa level of service. Guests get to enjoy all the conveniences of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge as well as Sanaa, a delicious resort restaurant with African cooking. Feast on flavorful meals as you watch zebras, giraffes and more walk around outside of the restaurant.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort just may be the fan-favorite among Disney's value resorts, offering large scale sculptures of animated classics, a Nemo inspired pool that happens to be the largest at any Walt Disney World Resort, two more resort pools and even access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios aboard the Disney Skyliner. The Disney bus service is available for easy access to all other theme parks.

Enjoy comfortable hotel rooms, suites for larger families, movies under the stars, a playground and an arcade.

Disney's Beach Club Resort is located at the Epcot resort area and is fully themed as an iconic New-England seaside resort. Located on Crescent Lake, guests can enjoy renting mini-powerboats; exploring a 3-acre water area with pools, lagoons, a lazy river and miniature waterslides; a health club; on-site dining; and easy access to the fun amenities at Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's BoardWalk Inn. Guests can travel to and from the theme parks by bus, water taxi or the brand new Skyliner. What's more, the resort is walking distance to Epcot.

Wanting to upgrade your Disney's Beach Club Resort experience? Opt for one of their Club Villas where you'll be rewarded with extra space and in-room amenities like a washer and dryer, perfect for those staying for an extended period of time. In addition to enjoying the amenities of Disney's Beach Club Resort, you'll also be treated to Disney Signature Services.

Also located within the Epcot Resort Area is Disney's BoardWalk Inn, perfect for those with kids who love carnivals. There is a Coney-Island inspired boardwalk overlooking Crescent Lake, a pool with a waterslide, plenty of on-site restaurants and food carts and easy access to the amenities at Disney's Beach Club Resort and Disney's Yacht Club Resort, expanding your resort amenities to that of three properties instead of just one.

Enjoy the nearby Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, movies under the stars, bike rentals, fishing, tennis, yoga on the lawn, arcade games and easy access to the parks. You can opt to enjoy the short walk Epcot or choose to fly overhead on the new Skyline. You can also hop aboard a water taxi or one of the Disney buses which will service all Disney theme parks.

Once again, guests can choose to upgrade their stay at Disney's BoardWalk Inn by staying at Disney's BoardWalk Villas. You'll enjoy all the amenities of Disney's BoardWalk in addition to Disney's Beach Club Resort and Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Whether you have a walk-up cottage studio or full Grand Villa that sleeps 12, you'll enjoy spacious accommodations as well as at-home amenities.

With quick access to the parks and enough fun on the property to keep you entertained for days, it's no wonder that properties in the Epcot Resort Area are a favorite among guests.

While technically still considered part of the Epcot Resort Area hotels, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is located across the busy street of E Buena Vista Drive. However, the new Skyliner can transport guests to both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, while Disney's bus service allows easy access to the rest of their theme parks.

The entire resort is themed to remind you of a tropical Caribbean paradise-think the islands of Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba. There are colonial forts, hammocks, a pool with a waterslide and even pirate-themed rooms. Kids aged 4-12 and 10-16 can participate in scavenger hunts across the property for hidden treasure.

Disney's Contemporary Resort might be one of Walt Disney World's most recognized hotel structures on the property. The iconic A-frame building with the monorail tracks sits just outside of Magic Kingdom.

With an on-site pool complete with waterslide, restaurants-including California Grill where you can watch the nightly firework display at Magic Kingdom-lakeside yoga and motorized boat rentals, this is a great resort for families who want to spend the majority of their time at Magic Kingdom. The monorail, which stops in the middle of the hotel, offers easy access to Epcot. Or, depending on your preference, you can choose to catch a bus to one of Walt Disney World's other parks.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort just underwent a massive renovation, opening the Gran Destino Tower this past summer. Located close to Disney's Animal Kingdom resort area, you won't be able to enjoy views of the savanna here, but guests do benefits from the centralized amenities. Enjoy tapas, fitness centers, a pool with a waterslide, an arcade, playground, jogging trail and easy access to the theme parks with Disney's buses.

Perhaps the first hotel that jumps to mind when booking a Walt Disney World vacation is Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, known for its Victorian-style architecture, live orchestra, wedding pavilion, special events and now a new Beauty and the Beast-themed bar. Conveniently, the hotel sits majestically beside the Magic Kingdom on the lake.

Treat your child to a special spa day at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where they can become a princess or knight, enjoy the adult world-class spa, relax by one of the resort's pools or hop on the monorail to take you to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

Modeled to reflect a Key West atmosphere, Disney's Old Key West Resort offers a leisurely stay with spacious villas, deluxe studios, golfing, campfire activities, on-site pools and a restaurant and pool-side snack bar. Located in the Disney Springs Resort Area, it's only a short water taxi away from Disney Springs and there is a dedicated bus service for the property so guests can easily access each of the theme parks.

Dreaming of visiting Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii but just can't seem to justify the flight? Good news: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort brings the South Pacific to Florida. Although the resort has gone through some changes, it's actually been on the property long before Moana arrived on the scene-since 1971, in fact. And offers guests an Aloha Dinner show featuring hula dancing and even a knife performer.

The property offers an Aloha Dinner show featuring hula dancing and a knife performer, multiple pools, campfire activities and all the attractions of the Seven Seas Lagoon, including boat rentals and the Electrical Water Pageant. The Disney Monorail transports guests quickly to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, or you have the option to take a water taxi to the Magic Kingdom. Disney Bus Transportation offers quick access to other theme parks.

Once again, Disney offers guests the choice to upgrade to a secluded space with more room and at-home conveniences with Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Opt for a lake view or your very own plunge pool and enjoy all the amenities of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Recently renovated Disney's Pop Century Resort is great for families who want a quick getaway to Walt Disney World Resort and plan to mainly enjoy the theme parks during their visit. Each building is themed in its own decade, so guests can enjoy walking through a Disney timeline from the 1950s to the 1990s. Enjoy a large resort pool, shopping, dining-with specialty treats you can only find at this hotel-and Disney Skyliner access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I'm not sure which is more popular at Disney's Port Orleans Resort: French Quarter-the fun New Orleans theme or the Mickey-shaped beignets. Adults will enjoy the liqueur-infused beignets served in the afternoons at the Scat Cat's Club, while regular beignets can be picked up anytime at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.

You'll think you've joined a Mardi Gras parade walking along the cobblestone alleys featuring jazz playing sculptures of alligators as you make your way to the resort pool. There are instructor-led paint class, horse-drawn carriage rides, an arcade and even a water taxi to take you to Disney Springs. The theme parks can be reached by Disney's bus service.

Sitting next to the French Quarter is Disney's Port Orleans Resort: Riverside. Guests will have the benefit of enjoying both resorts while staying in the Disney Springs Resort Area. The buildings here are themed to look more like the deep South, with white columns and cottages rather than the Cajun architecture of New Orleans.

There's another pool with a waterslide that is inspired by Tom Sawyer, royal guest rooms where you might want to check for Tiana and Prince Naveen in their frog forms, bike rentals, campfire activities, movies under the stars, jogging trails and quick access to the theme parks.

Disney's Riviera Resort is the newest resort on property and will not open until mid-December, although you may go ahead and book reservations now. Reminiscent of Walt Disney's trips to Europe, this European-style hotel offers studios, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom grand villas and tower studios, the all-new class of hotel rooms that are great for couples.

Enjoy European fair at the upscale rooftop eatery, Topolino's Terrace. There are already special events planned at the brand new restaurant for New Year's Eve, including an Italian Masquerade. The property has a family-friendly pool and fitness center as well as Disney Skyliner access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The other theme parks can be reached by the Disney bus service.

Located just across the lake from Disney Springs is Disney's Saratoga Spring Resort & Spa. Evocative of the famed New York sanctuary, the hotel has its own golf course, a renowned spa, multiple pools, sunrise yoga, tennis and a basketball court. From studios to villas, the rooms offer plenty of space no matter what size your party is. Plus you'll have the added convenience of all the Disney Springs nightlife within walking distance. The theme parks can be reached by the Disney bus service.

Located in the Magic Kingdom Resort area, Disney's Wilderness Lodge is like staying in a giant cabin with hundreds of your closest friends. The National-Park inspired lodge has nature trails, bike rentals, on-site pools, an arcade and campfire activities. Guests can take Disney Bus Transportation to each of the parks or hop on a water taxi to head over to the Magic Kingdom.

Disney's New England-styled Yacht Club Resort is nestled next to Disney's Beach Club Resort and the BoardWalk Inn in the Epcot Resort Area. Guests get to enjoy amenities of these neighboring resorts as well as on-site pools and cabanas, movies under the stars, tennis, fishing and close access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios theme parks.

Stay in true luxury at The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, featuring deluxe studios and multiple bedroom accommodations. Take time to pamper yourself at the resorts renowned spa after a long day of walking through the theme parks or enjoy delicious on-site dining at one of the hotel's restaurants. Hop on the Disney Monorail for a quick ride to the Magic Kingdom or to Epcot.