Disney's Story Rooms, Are They Right For You?

POSTED: Tue, 01/13/2015 - 06:00 | POSTED BY: Kristen Kirk

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping immersed in your favorite Disney movie? While all Disney Resort Hotels have unique themes and decor that transports you to another time and place, tucked away within a few are several sweet opportunities for resting your head in a world of even more fantasy and wonder. Story Rooms are available for Guests to book a stay in at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Riverside, and Disney's Art of Animation Hotels.

Pirate Rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Pirate-themed rooms opened at the Caribbean Beach Resort so that even your resort room can make you feel like you're in the middle of a Disney movie! Captain Jack Sparrow would feel right at home in these rustically nautical rooms that are fit for your whole crew.

Disney's Carribean Beach Pirate Room

Pros: These are fun for Pirates of any age. The rooms feature beds that look like pirate ships, dressers themed as shipping crates, Spanish Caribbean lanterns, and a "navigation" table!

Cons: A Pirate room will cost between $25-$50 more than a regular room at the resort, depending on the view. All of the themed rooms are located in the Trinidad South Village. That is pretty much as far as you can get from buses, dining, and the themed pool at Old Port Royale, be sure to pack your walking shoes. While the rest of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is undergoing a remodel that will include Queen size beds in the standard rooms, the Pirate Rooms will continue to have Double beds.

Alternatives: The Disney Florist offers a Pirate Themed In-Room Celebration that can be delivered to any room on property. Packages can turn any room into a pirate's lair. At $395 the add-on isn't for the faint of heart, but at least you get to go home with the booty.

Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Princess Tiana threw a party and invited all her friends to come and stay with her. These 512 themed story rooms are hidden jewels that feature ornate beds trimmed with dazzling crystals and gold accents, and "magical fireworks" burst and swirl about for sweet dreams. Guests will find details from classic Princess movies such as Aladdin's Lamp and Magic Carpet, Belle's Footstool!

Royal Guest Room at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside

Pros: Fit for the whole royal family, these may be the most elegant rooms on property, outside of the Grand Floridian. The moderate price tag and overall romance of the resort makes the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside a real treat. Excellent central location with just a short walk to the Sassagoula Steamboat Company.

Cons: The Princess focus brings some serious "girl power" and may not appeal to more masculine travelers. If you're traveling with a young boy, the rooms at the Art of Animation may be more his speed.

Alternatives: The Disney Florist offers Royal Celebrations for Princesses in three different age groups. In-Room Celebration that can be delivered to any room on property, so adding this on can create and elegant addition for your Princess.

Cars, Finding Nemo, and Lion King Family Suites, and Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is the newest complete property at Walt Disney World Resort, and rooms here fall into the Value category. Entirely dedicated to immersing Guests in the world of Disney and PIXAR animation the bright and vibrant decor here is straight out of the movies. Wings dedicated to Disney classics Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid surround a central building called Animation Hall.

Cars Family Suite Bedroom at Disney's Art of Animation

Pros: The Family Suites at Disney's Art of Animation sleep six and offer two bathrooms to accommodate larger families. The modular decor allows for flexibility in sleeping and dining - and with a lower price point it can be more affordable than and equivalent Vacation Villa. Small children will absolutely love being surrounded by their animated friends all vacation long.

Cons: Standard rooms are only located in the Little Mermaid Wing of the Resort and it's the furthest away from shopping, dining, and the bus station. The distance makes for a rough hike at the end of the night.

Alternatives: There are a limited number of less expensive family suites available at the All Star Music, but honestly it's not the same.

Disney's Story Rooms can add a lot of fun to a Disney vacation, and there's nothing quite like the look on your little one's face when they realize that they even get to sleep with their favorite Characters. However the additional cost and distance away from the main buildings for some of them make it a little less magical. Ultimately only you can chose the Disney Resort that works best for your family.

Have you stayed in a Disney Story Room? Did you think it was worth it? Would you book again? Leave a comment and share your story!

In:

Melissa W wrote on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:04:

We haven't stayed in one but I know my kids would love them. I think it's something we would do one time.

Sami B wrote on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:37:

We stayed in The Little Mermaid standard room at Art of Animation for our honeymoon last year, and it was amazing! We loved being immersed in the Disney magic 24/7. We stayed at Pop this year for our one year anniversary, and we loved it as well. The theme isn't as immersive, but the short walk to our room at the end of a long day in the Parks was awesome. I agree with this entire article, it really depends on what your looking for. Price against distance of the room to amenities. I would Definitely stay at Art of Animation again. I also would stay at Pop again, just depending on what I'm looking for on that trip.

Kelly L wrote on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 17:21:

We have stayed in the Pirate room, we loved it. Even though we were at the end of the resort, the buses come frequently enough that it wasn't a huge problem. The only thing we wished was that we had been closer to the main pool, but again, we had our own pool nearby also, just not themed. Our family would definitely do it again, we loved that vacation!

Mary wrote on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 21:00:

January 2014 we stayed at Art of Animation in a standard Little Mermaid room. We were in the one before last room in the last building on the property near the fence that separated the property from a overgrown lot. It was a horrible walk. We asked to be moved closer to the resorts entrance. We were moved just a lil more closer to the resort. The room was nicely decorated but a little tight for a family of three. We were walking over our luggage. I suggest a suite if you will be with three or more people. Next visit in November will be at Pop Century.

Julie S wrote on Tue, 01/13/2015 - 22:52:

We regularly stay at The Art of Animation, we love the family suites. We are an all adult family, my parents brother and myself, my brother the youngest being 28. We love the 3 distinct sleeping areas and the two bathrooms. It allows us to share a room and save money while having enough space to spread out. The resort itself is wonderful, big nice pools and an excellent food court. Overall a great value.

Kristen K. wrote on Wed, 01/14/2015 - 17:53:

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts everyone! Kelly, it's good to hear that there are lots of buses for the Pirate Rooms.

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