There are 3 different types of rooms to choose from at Walt Disney World Resorts: Standard, Preferred and Club Level Rooms (this does not include the different views and location options).
Standard – A standard room is the first category level. It does not cost any extra and can be located anywhere in the resort. It is usually not as close to the lobby and restaurants as a preferred or club level room.
Preferred – A preferred room is the same size as a standard room, but it is in a preferred location near the lobby and transportation. Depending on the layout of the resort, a preferred room might also be located close to the main pool. The going rate for a preferred room is approximately $16 more per night than a standard room.
Club Level – A club level room runs approximately $100 – $150 more per night than a standard room and is available in the following deluxe resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club. When you arrive for your stay, you will be escorted to the club level floor to handle check in.
Benefits of the club level room include personal itinerary planning services at the private concierge desk, nightly turn down service, complimentary robes for the length of your stay, additional toiletries and even a DVD player with complimentary DVD rentals available at the club desk. Each club level room comes with access to the club level lounge which serves complimentary refreshments including a continental breakfast, snacks, appetizers, desserts and select spirits throughout the day.
Club Level Guests can also pay an additional $50 per person per night for additional benefits including a 90 day Fastpass window, 3 additional fastpasses per day and more!
So which one should you choose? Here are some reviews to help you decide:
I should have just stayed in a regular room at Pop instead of paying extra for a preferred room. It was right by the Hippy Dippy Pool and it was so loud!
Every time I have visited Walt Disney World and not paid extra for a preferred room, I have ended up on the outskirts of the resort far from transportation. That’s a long walk with tired, cranky kids!
I have stayed in both standard and preferred and I will always pay the extra money to stay in the preferred rooms. Being close to the food court is so much better if you take advantage of the refillable mugs plus it is nice not to have a long walk back to your room after a day in the parks.
I paid extra for a preferred room once but it was not worth the extra money. Next time just request a room close to transportation and 9 times out of 10 your room will be as close as the preferred room.
We stayed at All Star Movies and paid extra for the preferred. We were not that close to the lobby. It was a waste of money.
I say save your money! You might have to walk a little further to your room but it is not that bad. Plus $16 a day can buy your breakfast.
We always stay in the standard room and it doesn’t bother us. We drive ourselves to the parks and eat breakfast offsite.
The preferred rooms at the value resorts are so close to the pool that the noise level is loud! I have a hard time falling asleep.
If you are staying at Caribbean Beach, a preferred room is a must! That resort is huge and it can be a looooooong walk to restaurants and transportation.
Check out this article on the 5 biggest differences between a Value and a Deluxe Resort.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Resorts and contact Destinations in Florida to help you book your perfect resort.
I always do standard but at some resorts I ask to be close the hospitality house