At the heart of Central Florida lies one of the most beloved family vacation spots, Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World is not only a theme park with legendary rides and characters, but it is a family vacation experience from the wonderful restaurants and exhausting, yet exciting theme parks to the breathtaking scenery and fabulous lodging. Walt Disney World operates over twenty hotels, ranging from low cost and budget oriented to luxury. Also, the surrounding area of Lake Buena Vista offers plenty of choice hotels to accommodate you and yours.

If you are wanting to stay close to the theme parks during your stay at Walt Disney World, you have many Disney Resort hotels to choose from. These resorts can be broken up into three basic categories; luxury, moderate and value/discount hotels.

Resort/Luxury Lodging

Walt Disney World offers some of the best lodging you will come across in your lifetime. Disney World lodging is, not only, characterized by its desire to meet your needs and accommodate you in any way possible, but you will find a unique theme, exquisite landscaping and friendly, down home Orlando hospitality. A couple of the most popular and renowned resorts are Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Contemporary Resort. Both are priced from $199.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge features an African theme set on thirty-three acres of lush, tropical grounds. You will come across wildlife in its natural habitat amidst a backdrop of African artwork and music. Some features of this luxury resort include: Room Service, Guest Services, Health Club/Spa, Babysitting and Child Services, Pak-N-Play Cribs, Convenient Self-Parking, Valet Parking, Amenities for Guests with Disabilities and Laundry Facilities. Also, there are four resort restaurants to choose from with a wide range of cuisine. Standard guest rooms will accommodate up to four guests or family members and are decorated with an African theme. Prices are as follows:

? Savannah View from $275
? Water/Pool View from $260
? Standard View from $199

Deluxe guest rooms and Suites are available, also. The lodge's deluxe guest rooms accommodate up to five guests, while the suites accommodate six to eight guests. Prices are as follows:

? Deluxe Guest Room ? Savannah View from $350
? Deluxe Guest Room ? Water/Pool View from $340
? Suite ? One Bedroom from $635
? Suite ? Two Bedroom from $1,135
? Suite ? Vice Presidential from $1,690
? Suite ? Presidential from $1, 945

Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort offers the ultimate convenience if you are wanting to stay as close to the theme parks as possible. The Walt Disney World monorail runs right through this luxury hotel, leaving you only minutes away from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You can enjoy an exciting day at either park and know that the comfort of your hotel is right around the corner. Some features of this luxury hotel include: Room Service, Guest Services, Health Club, Babysitting and Child Services, Pak-N-Play Cribs, Convenient Self-Parking, Valet Parking, Amenities for Guests with Disabilities, Barbershop and Beauty Salon and Wireless Internet Access. Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort features four dining choices including Chef Mickey's, a buffet featuring table side visits by Disney characters, California Grill, which features American flavor, Concourse Steakhouse, which sits in a 90-foot high atrium and the Food and Fun Center, which offers cold sandwiches, salads and desserts by counter service. Standard guest rooms will accommodate up to five guests. The rooms are decorated with bright colors and bold patterns. Prices are as follows:

? Standard Guest Room ? Garden/Lake View from $275
? Standard Guest Room ? Standard View from $239

Tower guest rooms will accommodate up to five guests, while suites will accommodate three to eight guests. Prices are as follows:

? Tower Guest Room ? With Concierge from $395
? Tower Guest Room ? Without Concierge from $335
? Suite ? One Bedroom from $1,025
? Suite ? Two Bedroom from $1, 510
? Suite ? Vice Presidential from $1, 670
? Suite ? Presidential from $1, 750

Resort/Moderate Lodging

No matter what type of budget you have for your stay in Central Florida, the Walt Disney World resort has a hotel to accommodate your needs. If you are looking for a hotel that still offers the luxury living at a price that better suits your needs, perhaps you would be interested in Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort offers room starting at $133. The resort has a very tropical atmosphere and transforms even the most weary traveler into a relaxed beach bum, taking strolls along the sand. Some features of this moderate resort include: Limited Room Service, Guest Services, Babysitting and Child Services, Pak-N-Play Cribs, Amenities for Guest with Disabilities, Laundry Facilities and Convenient Self Parking. For dining, choose between Shutter's at Old Port Royale, which features chicken wings, smoked prime rib and oven-roasted chicken. Standard guest rooms are available with a variety of views to choose from. Room rates are as follows:

? Standard Guest Room ? Preferred Locations (Non-Smoking Only) from $148
? Standard Guest Room ? Water View from $148
? Standard Guest Room ? Standard View from $133

Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort features cobblestone paths, beautiful architecture and engaging landscaping that is reminiscent of downtown New Orleans. The features of this moderate, yet captivating, resort include: Limited Room Service, Guest Services, Babysitting and Child Services, Pak-N-Play Cribs, Amenities for Guests with Disabilities, Laundry Facilities and Convenient Self-Parking. You can choose between home-style dining or a convenient food court for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Rooms are standard guest rooms with a variety of views. Room rates are as follows:

? Standard Guest Room ? Water View from $148
? Standard Guest Room ? Standard View from $133

Resort/Value Lodging

Walt Disney World offers some of the best lodging you will ever come across, whether you stay at a finer, luxury resort or at a discounted, value resort. The reason is the service, cleanliness and hospitality you receive no matter where you go. Disney offers three "All Star" resorts, featuring movies, music and sports.

Disney's All Star Movie Resort, Disney's All Star Music Resort and Disney's All Star Sports Resort all feature the following amenities: In Room Pizza Delivery, Guest Services, Babysitting and Child Service, Pak-N-Play Cribs, Amenities for Guests with Disabilities, Laundry Facilities and Convenient Self-Parking. Room rates are as follows:

? Standard Guest Room ? Preferred Location from $87
? Standard Guest Room ? Standard View from $77

Area Lodging

The Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee areas offer a wide variety of lodging options ranging from luxury to discount resorts and time shares. These choices offer you the convenience of being within walking distance of area shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Luxury choices include the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa, an upscale resort on the waterfront, Sheraton's Vistana Resort, which caters to families by providing a wide array of daily activities, the Hilton in the Walt Disney World resort, which provides exclusive early access to Disney theme parks and the Gaylord Palms Resort & Spa, which features a huge glass atrium and beautiful architecture.

Some of the more discount resorts in the Lake Buena Vista area include the Comfort Inn, with rates starting at only $56 per night, the Days Inn at Lake Buena Vista, which is only two miles from the Walt Disney World resort and four miles from SeaWorld and Discovery Cove and the Hampton Inn, which boasts rates starting at only $52 per night. Please visit http://www.expedia.com for more information on these area resorts.

Best Lodging

It is no secret that Orlando, Florida and its surrounding areas offer guests the best variety in lodging and lodging specials. Whether you are visiting for business or for pleasure, you will surely find a resort to suit your needs. All Walt Disney World lodging caters to you and your family and offers complete guest service. No need to worry if you are making last minute travel arrangements! Visit http://www.expedia.com or http://disneyworld.disney.go.com for more information on accommodations and reservations. Booking your lodging will be fast and easy.

Art McCarty
Orlando Florida Lodging Expert
http://www.islandhideaway.net