There are twenty-four places to stay at WDW and they are split into five price-based categories. Disney is all about storytelling, so it's no surprise to anyone that they have extended their imaginative tales to their resorts through themes. Staying at a WDW resort helps you escape your everyday routine life and makes you feel like you're getting away to a fantasyland. All that's left is to choose which fantasy appeals to you and your budget. The five categories of places to stay at WDW are:

• Campground facilities and cabins range from $35 to $250 per night.

• Value hotel rooms range from $80 to $150 per night.

• Moderate hotel rooms range from $150 to $250 per night.

• Deluxe hotels range from $250 to $920 (and up) per night.

• Home Away From Home/Disney Club Vacation hotel rooms range from $250 to over $1,800 per night.

Besides creating memories for a lifetime by staying at a Disney-owned and -operated resort, you may be asking yourself what are the real perks for digging so deep into your pockets? Well, for one, when you stay at one of the Disney resorts, you'll be treated to the world-class service and hospitality that Disney is known for. Listed below are the other perks:

• Complimentary transportation to and from the airport. Disney's Magical Express air-conditioned motor coach will pick you up at the Orlando International Airport and take you to your WDW resort. They even carry your bags to your room. Make sure you make reservations for the bus at least six weeks in advance.

• Complimentary access to the WDW Transportation. Disney offers guests free bus service, water taxis, and monorail.

• Complimentary parking. Resort guests simply show their resort ID cards to receive free parking in the parks and free valet parking at Downtown Disney.

• Advance dining reservations. Resort guests can make advance dining reservations for priority seating up to sixty days before their arrival at many of the more than 200 restaurants throughout the WDW Resort. Call (407) WDW-DINE to make reservations.

• Child care services. Enjoy a break away from your kids! Resort guests can drop off their kids at a resort Kid's Club, or arrange in-room baby-sitting services.

• Guaranteed entry into the theme parks. Even on the busiest days, when the parking lots are full and gates have been shut to the public, resort guests using Disney transportation are guaranteed entry to all WDW theme parks and water parks.

• Lifeguards. WDW overstaffs pools and water parks at the WDW resorts. The security of having lifeguards watching your children is comforting and results in a more relaxing time for you.

• Complimentary package delivery. When you purchase items in the parks that you'd prefer not to carry around, simply have it sent to your resort.

• Preferred tee times. You'll receive preferred tee times at Disney's five courses.

• Schedule updates. You are in-the-know for all times for every show at every resort or park on WDW property.

• Central billing. The one WDW Resort identification card/room key/park ticket is used to charge food and merchandise, open the door to your room, get you entrance into the parks, and is used for the FASTPASS machines. You can choose to have as many active or nonactive charging ability cards (for merchandise and food) for the rest of your family. The resort ID cards are issued upon check-in, and all purchases are charged to guests' resort hotel accounts.

• Extra Magic Hours. Each day, one of the four WDW theme parks opens for Disney resort guests one hour early, providing exclusive time in the parks to experience select attractions and meet and greet Disney characters. During this hour, the parks are less crowded, allowing people to experience the most popular attractions in less time. During peak seasons there are also late-night Extra Magic Hours.

• Security. Staying on WDW property gives you and your family an overall sense of security because every inch of WDW is security controlled. Of course, you don't see this tight but invisible security force, but just know that it's there.

• Information. Cast members are trained to provide you with all the information that you need about practically anything. If the cast member gets busy with other guests, simply ask for a manger and he or she will accommodate you.

• Satisfaction. Cast members are trained to overexceed your expectations. If you have any complaint whatsoever about anything small or large, simply ask for a manager and your problem will be resolved.

• Mickey wakes you up. When you stay at WDW Resort and arrange a wake-up call for the morning it's the big cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, who calls you.

To make reservations to stay within “the heart of the magic” or to request color brochures for WDW Resort properties, a free Disney vacation video, or other information about any of the WDW Resort hotels, call (407) W-DISNEY or visit www.disneyworld.com.

WDW Campground Facilities

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground can be the least expensive place to stay on WDW property. In addition to providing 784 campsites (between 25 and 65 feet in length), Fort Wilderness offers 408 Wilderness Homes and Cabins (which have air conditioning and full amenities). Many of the sites offer cable TV connections (for RVs), electricity and water hookups, and sanitary disposal. The sites also feature a picnic table, a paved driveway pad, and a charcoal grill. Restrooms, showers, ice machines, telephones, and a laundry room are available at the campsites.

The Wilderness Homes are designed to hold up to six people (four adults and two children). The log cabins are more rustic in design than other Disney Resort hotel accommodations, but each has a private deck.

Transportation to and from the other theme parks is available via the WDW Transportation bus system. Transportation to Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge is available by water taxi. Golf carts can also be rented for use around the campground facility and other activities include an arcade, carriage rides, bike rentals, horseback riding, pony rides, petting farm, wagon rides, and haunted wagon rides in October.

Fort Wilderness also has free outdoor movies every night (weather permitting). It also showcases the number one dinner show on WDW property, The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue.

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 824-2900 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

WDW Value Resorts

The All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Sports Resort, All-Star Movies Resort, and Pop Century Resort have thousands of rooms starting around $79 per night. Each of these complexes has at least 1,920 nice but no-frills rooms, consisting of two double beds, a color TV, a small amount of furniture, and a bathroom. The rooms aren't large (260 square feet), but if you're looking to stay on Disney property and don't want to spend a fortune, these no-frills hotels are your best bet. The All-Star resorts also have family suites available, so make sure you inquire about them if you like. The décor of the resorts includes oversized icons of each one's theme. These resorts have in-room pizza delivery, baby-sitting and child care services, laundry facilities, arcades, playgrounds, and their pools, pool bars, and food courts stay open until midnight.

You can also purchase a refillable mug at the food courts to use throughout your stay.

Transportation is limited to the WDW Transportation buses (unless you drive or take a taxi). Expect to spend between thirty and forty-five minutes (each way) traveling from these WDW hotels to most of the Disney attractions.

To reach guests staying at the All-Star Music Resort, call (407) 939-6000. Guests staying at the All-Star Sports Resort can be reached by calling (407) 939-5000. To reach guests at the Pop Century Resort, call (407) 938-4000. You can reach people at the All-Star Movies Resort by calling (407) 939-7000, or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Moderate WDW Resorts

The moderate resorts at WDW have pools with slides, full-service dining, pizza delivery, marinas with watercraft rentals, whirlpools, laundry facilities, arcades, jogging trails, volleyball, and bike rentals.

Caribbean Beach

The Caribbean Beach Resort is a 200-acre resort consisting of many two-story buildings that are divided into clusters named after islands in the Caribbean. Everything has a tropical island feel. It has six heated pools throughout the resort and one large pirate-themed pool with waterfalls and water slides at Old Port Royale. To be near the large pool and facilities try to book a room in Martinique or Trinidad North. Caribbean Beach also has the only resort pool bar that stays open until midnight. There is one full-service restaurant named Shutter's and one quick-service food court. The 2,000-plus rooms offered here are pretty basic. Most rooms contain two double beds and are designed to sleep four people. Transportation is limited to the WDW Transportation buses (unless you drive or take a taxi). Expect to spend between thirty and forty-five minutes (each way) traveling from these WDW hotels to most of the Disney attractions.

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 934-3400 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the Spanish culture. It features 1,967 guest rooms that encircle a 15-acre lagoon. It was built to accommodate guests visiting large conferences, as they have 95,000 square feet of meeting, function, and ballroom space. This resort is divided into three two-story guest buildings, each with its own pool. The hotel also features a food court area, a full-service restaurant, a lounge, a salon, a business center, wireless Internet, and a health club. Transportation is limited via the WDW Transportation buses (unless you drive or take a taxi). Expect to spend between thirty and forty-five minutes (each way) traveling to the Magic Kingdom. The other parks are a bit closer and require less time.

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 939-1000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

Modeled after the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, the Port Orleans resort offers 1,008 rooms located in seven three-story buildings complete with black wrought-iron trim, making you feel that you're staying on Bourbon Street. The French Quarter pool is fun and whimsical, with saxophone-playing alligators and a Mardi Gras sea serpent water slide. The sea serpent's tongue is the slide into the pool.

The French Quarter does have a quick-service food court and a lounge (Scat Cats) that is open until midnight, but it does not have a full-service restaurant. However, you can eat at Port Orleans Riverside's full-service restaurant, Boatwright's Dining Hall (a half-mile walk along the river or water taxi ride). You can also take a water taxi (weather permitting) to Downtown Disney until 11:00 P.M., which lets you off at Rainforest Café. Overall, it's very easy to get around this resort. The Mardi Grogs pool bar closes at sunset, but the pool stays open until midnight. Transportation buses take guests to and from all of the Disney theme parks. To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 934-5000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Port Orleans Riverside

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside is divided into two primary sections, the Mansion area and the Bayou. The resort has a very Tom Sawyer feel about it. There are 2,048 spread-out rooms within this property. There is a main pool, which stays open until midnight, and smaller pools around each group of buildings, which are open twenty-four hours. Muddy Rivers pool bar stays open until sunset. A water taxi will take you to the French Quarter and to Downtown Disney. Fishing, watercraft rentals, and horse-drawn carriage rides are available too. Transportation buses take guests to and from all of the Disney theme parks.

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 934-6000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

WDW Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe resorts at WDW offer elaborate pools, several world-class restaurants, character restaurants, dinner shows, easy access to theme parks, room service, Kids' Clubs, valet parking, concierge services, fitness centers, spa services, baby-sitting, laundry facilities, tennis, marinas, and so much more.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

This is a 1,307-room, African-themed resort featuring deluxe guest rooms and luxury suites. The atmosphere alone makes these accommodations worth every penny. What makes this resort so special are the wild animals that coexist with the guests. Animal Kingdom Lodge has two full-service restaurants and one casual-dining food court. It features a zero-depth entry pool and a 67-foot-long water slide. It's located next to the Animal Kingdom Park for easy access.

Transportation buses take guests to and from all of the Disney theme parks. To reach guests staying at this unique hotel, call (407) 934-7639.

Beach Club and Yacht Club

Located along a lovely 25-acre lake, these are two of the nicest WDW Resort hotels, both inside and out. The Beach Club and the Yacht Club are modeled after New England seashore hotels from the 1880s. Both are full-service hotels that are within walking distance to and from the back entrance of Epcot. Both have water taxis to Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios. Transportation buses take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (unless you drive or take a taxi).

The Beach Club offers 583 guest rooms, while the Yacht Club offers 630 guest rooms. Both have a nautical theme and absolutely fabulous outdoor pool/beach areas. Whether or not you're staying at one of these two hotels, checking out these hotels' joint 750,000-gallon pool area is worthwhile; however, to use the pool requires that you show your Y&B resort ID card, so be prepared. Both hotels also offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, a full-service health club, business center, wireless Internet, full-service restaurants, and character dining at Cape May Café.

The Beach Club resort's phone number is (407) 934-8000. The phone number for the Yacht Club is (407) 934-7000. To reach a guest at one of these hotels, call the number directly or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or another WDW Resort hotel room phone.

BoardWalk Inn

This hotel is modeled after the boardwalk in Atlantic City. It offers only 378 rooms and room rates are based on the view offered. The hotel offers everything you'd expect a WDW deluxe resort to offer. There are several restaurants, including ESPN, Spoodles, Flying Fish Café, and Big River Grille & Brewing Works. There's even a dueling piano bar named Jellyrolls and a huge nightclub named Atlantic Dance. You can walk to Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios or take a water taxi. Transportation buses take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (unless you drive or take a taxi).

To reach guests staying at this resort, call (407) 939-5100 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Walt Disney Dolphin and Swan Resorts

Unlike many of the other official WDW Resort hotels that are owned and operated by Disney, the Swan is operated by Westin Hotels, while the Dolphin is operated by ITT Sheraton. Between them they have seventeen restaurants and bars. Shula's an award-winning steak house and Todd English's bluezoo rank among the top. Bluezoo also has a cocktail lounge that happens to be the only lounge on WDW property where you can get a handmade, fresh-squeezed cocktail. The Swan also has a fun sushi bar, Kiminos, which has nightly karaoke. You can walk to Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios or take a water taxi. Transportation buses take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (unless you drive or take a taxi). These hotels also have a special Web site: www.swandolphin.com.

To reach guests staying at the Swan or Dolphin, call (407) 934-4000, or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Contemporary Resort

This was the very first WDW Resort hotel and is the only resort that the Disney monorail system passes directly through. The best thing about the Contemporary is that it's close to Magic Kingdom. So close in fact that there is an award-winning restaurant on the top floor, California Grill, that takes reservations up to four months in advance. Perfect for a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. For adults to get a sneak peek of this sought-after glass room in the sky, go to the second floor of the Contemporary at the California Grill check-in desk and tell the elevator operator that you are simply going up to have a cocktail at the bar. They will escort you up. The other big attraction at the Contemporary is Chef Mickey's. This restaurant offers the most popular character meal for kids of all ages.

The monorail will take guests to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You can also walk to Magic Kingdom or take a water taxi. Transportation buses are available to take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (or you can drive or take a taxi).

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 824-1000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Polynesian Resort

This hotel is paradise in the tropics. The Polynesian has the best Kids Club on WDW property. It's called Never Never Land and is filled to the brim with activities. You'll want to experience dining at O'hana's, but make sure that you make a reservation. There's also a character meal called O'hana's Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch. And don't miss the best Luau show in Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show.

You can take the monorail to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You can also take a water taxi to Magic Kingdom. Transportation buses are available to take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (or you can drive or take a taxi).

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 824-2000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

This is the most expensive place to stay at WDW. Located along the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Grand Floridian is a 900-room resort with a Victorian theme that truly defines the word “elegance.” In addition to offering elegant décor, full-service restaurants, and top-quality Disney service, this resort also offers business services for guests, a health club, a luxurious full-service day spa, wedding pavilion, and plenty of on-site activities for adults and children. There are two character meals: Buffet Breakfast with Mary Poppins and Cinderella's Gala Feast. Other wonderful events for children include a tea party with Alice and the Mad Hatter, a Pirate Adventure, Grand Adventures in Cooking, and My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party.

During the holidays you'll find gentlemen wearing top hats, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, and a life-size gingerbread house. Year round, it's quite common to see a bride riding in Cinderella's glass pumpkin carriage complete with gold adorned white horses and footmen. Nightly you can view a water light show and the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Also know that 80 percent of the famous people that visit WDW stay at the Grand Floridian, so please be discreet and respect their visit by not behaving like a fanatical fan (the other 20 percent usually stay at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort). The Grand Floridian is located along the Disney monorail system, so getting to and from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center is easy and fun. Transportation buses take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (or you can drive or take a taxi).

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 824-3000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

This resort looks like a giant log cabin from the Northwest. It's a deluxe extension of the Fort Wilderness Campground and even offers a water taxi back and forth to the campground (as well as to the Magic Kingdom). It offers 728 rooms, many of which are equipped with queen-size beds and bunk beds, or two sets of bunk beds, which are a favorite among kids and teens. The lobby is very grand and sure to grab your attention with its huge totem poles and fireplace. The swimming area has a rock cliff pool and a beach. You can take a water taxi to Magic Kingdom and transportation buses take guests to and from all other Disney attractions (or you can drive or take a taxi).

Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

Formally known as the Disney Inn, this 288-room complex is located along one of Disney's popular PGA championship eighteen-hole golf courses and right next to the grand Floridian.

This resort is operated as an Armed Forces Recreation Center for the exclusive use of military members and their families. For reservations, call (407) 824-3600 (reservations for this property cannot be booked through (407) W-DISNEY).

WDW Home Away from Home/Disney Club Vacation Resorts

These accommodations are Disney's Vacation Club/time-share program and are typically available only to members; however, when vacancies exist (especially during off-peak times), they are offered as hotel rooms to the general public.

Disney's Beach Club Villas

These villas feature an ambiance of casual elegance. This 205-room property is situated next to Disney's Beach Club Resort. It offers studio, and one- or two-bedroom vacation villas. To reach guests staying here, call the Beach Club Resort at (407) 934-8000 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

BoardWalk Villas

Studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas include kitchenettes or kitchens are available, with amenities that typical hotel rooms don't offer. The BoardWalk Grand Villas offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury for families (up to twelve people). These Grand Villas are also among the most expensive accommodations you'll find anywhere within The WDW Resort complex.

To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 939-6200 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Old Key West Resort

Modeled to look like Key West, Florida, these villas have studios as well as one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. All offer a kitchenette, a living room, and a bathroom in addition to the bedroom(s). Guests also enjoy the villas' whirlpool tubs and oversize showers.

If you're not a member of Disney's Vacation Club, call the regular reservation number (407-W-Disney) for room availability. To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 827-7700 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Designed after Saratoga Springs, New York, the new resort occupies a 65-acre site overlooking the lakefront district of Downtown Disney and the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. This is the largest Disney Vacation Club resort to date, complete with 552 units, including studios, one- or two-bedroom villas, and Grand Villa units that sleep up to twelve guests. For information or to make a reservation, call (407) W-DISNEY.

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge offer more family-oriented Home Away from Home accommodations. To reach guests staying at this hotel, call (407) 824-3200 or ask the Disney operator to connect you if you're calling from a courtesy phone or WDW Resort hotel room phone.

WDW Resorts with Kids' Clubs

Disney's Kids' Clubs offer activities galore for resort guests. The resorts that offer this service are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Dolphin, Swan, Beach Club Villas, and Wilderness Lodge Villas.

If you're not staying at a WDW resort that provides a Kids' Club and would like to treat yourself to a night out, you can always contact Kid's Nite Out, Inc., at (407) 828-0920 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.