(Again, all images in this post are (c) Disney - No infringement intended)
Disney's Old Key West Resort
This resort is modeled after the vacation destination Key West, with its tropical island feel. I've actually never been to this resort, but it is one of the oldest resorts, and it sounds beautiful!
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
This is also one of the newer resorts in the Disney portfolio, opening in 2003. I've never been to this resort either, but I know it's modeled after the Saratoga area of upstate New York, bringing the feel of the Hamptons and the horse-races. A friend of mine enjoyed working at Saratoga Springs a few year back, and I'm excited to see this resort.
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
The Yacht and Beach Club resorts are twin resorts in the Epcot area. They are both resorts that draw the essence of the yacht clubs of Upstate New York. Each of these resorts has beachfront on the lake, great pools, and there's a really fantastic Ice Cream shop at the Beach Club...I just can't recall the name of it :-).
Disney's Boardwalk Inn
Across the lake from the Yacht and Beach Clubs lies the Boardwalk, an entertainment and nightclub district that I was never old enough to really see and enjoy...until now :-). Along the Boardwalk there are different restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and a dance hall. Above these is the Boardwalk Inn. It's really cool to see from the outside, because you would never know the buildings were all connected.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
This is Walt Disney World's newest super-deluxe resort. The inside is like an African tribal community house, and there are animal references everywhere. From the back, you can look out onto a savanna with live animals. There's also a restaurant inside that features animal view seating.
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
This magnificent resort evokes images of the great hunting lodges of the Canadian north, but on a major scale. From the inside, it looks like the world's largest log cabin. Behind the lobby is a beautiful waterfall structure leading down into one of the pools. During Christmas, this is one of the resorts that boasts an enormous Christmas tree smack in the middle of the lobby.
Disney's Polynesian Resort
The Polynesian Resort is the first of the three original hotels around Bay Lake, which is front of the Magic Kingdom. It's centered around the Ceremonial House, which is full of Tiki tribal references, and also features a beautiful beach (just look at that picture!). The restaurant in the ceremonial house is apparently quite good for dinner and a luau-esque program.
Disney's Contemporary Resort
The shape of this building is what really makes it impressive - the two sides of the building make up the guestrooms, and leave the center of the building open to an enormous atrium, through which the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom runs. There is a restaurant at the very top - California Grill - that is supposed to be amazing for watching the nighttime fireworks coming over from the Magic Kingdom.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
This hotel is massive, gorgeous, and regal - that's one of the reasons it's my favorite. It's literally a stone's throw from the Magic Kingdom, and features Victorian architecture and style. It's got beautiful white sand beaches, and it's just an incredibly beautiful, romantic place.
And so there you have it! I hope these two posts have given you some thoughts about things to look for outside of the parks - and keep in mind, all of these resorts are accessible from the parks. Granted, it will take you a while to get from the Magic Kingdom to the All-Star resorts on the other side of the property, but you can use the maps I'll be posting in the coming days to help plan those transitions!
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