Neighborhoods

Places to Stay in Walt Disney World -- These resorts are either Disney-owned or "official" Disney hotels that offer many of the same perks. All are on the Disney Transportation System, which means those of you who don't want to venture too far (and are okay with the occasional scheduling inconvenience) will be able to do without a car. If you do decide to bring or rent a car, you'll get free parking at your hotel and at the Disney parks.

If you do decide that Disney is your destination, come up with a short list of preferred places to stay, then call CRO (tel. 407/934-7639) for up-to-the-minute rates. Web surfers can get information at www.disneyworld.com.

Those who come by auto will find large signs along all of the major roads on Disney property pointing the way to the various resorts.

Individual resorts don't have their own golf courses, but WDW has 99 holes situated along the northern end of the property. The same goes for kennels; resort guests can board their pets overnight at the Transportation & Ticket Center on Seven Seas Drive, near Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Prices reflect the range available at each resort when this guide was published. Rates vary depending on season and room location, but the numbers should help you determine which places fit your budget.

Note: Most hotels and resorts, Disney or otherwise, have cribs (or portable cribs) available (though limited in number) at no extra charge. Rollaways or cots are usually available as well; however, many resorts will charge around $10 to $25 per night to use them. Refrigerators (mini ones, anyway) are sometimes available, though some hotels may charge up to $10 per night for the privilege. All Orlando hotels also offer at least some nonsmoking rooms, and all of Disney's hotels went smoke-free (except for some designated outdoor areas) on June 1, 2007.

"Official" Hotels in Lake Buena Vista -- These properties, designated "official" Walt Disney World hotels, are located on and around Hotel Plaza Boulevard, which puts them at the northeast corner of WDW. They're close to Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney West Side, and Pleasure Island. The boulevard has been landscaped with enough greenery to make it a contestant for Main Street, U.S.A.

Guests at these hotels enjoy some WDW privileges, including free bus service to the parks, but be sure to ask when booking which privileges you'll get because they do vary from hotel to hotel. Their locations put you close to the parks, and even closer to the action of Downtown Disney, but, unlike the resorts on WDW property, which occupy their own completely separate areas, the hotels here are set along the tree-lined boulevard. Traffic can be a frustration, as the boulevard is a main access route to Downtown Disney from the outside world. Also note that the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Walt Disney World Swan should be considered the eighth and ninth of the "official" hotels because they're not Disney-owned. The difference is they're located directly on the WDW property.

Another perk of the "official" hotels is that they generally offer a less intense Mickey ambience, although some do offer character breakfasts a few days each week (ask the person answering the reservation line for details and schedules). Decide for yourself if that's a plus or a minus.

You can make reservations for all of the below-listed properties through the CRO (tel. 407/934-7639) or through the direct hotel numbers included in the listings. To ensure you get the best rates, however, call the hotel or its parent chain directly to see if there are special rates or packages available.