The treehouses opened in 1975 and were open to guests through 2002, though from 1996-2002 they were part of the Disney Institute. Beginning in 2002 the treehouses were used as homes for the international cast members that work in world showcase. In 2004 Hurricane Charley did a good bit of damage to the treehouses. Because of wetlands issues the property use in this area is very resrticted so Disney was not able to just demolish the tree houses and build something different. In 2008 it was announced that Disney would  reconstruct 60 treehouse units as part of the Saratoga Springs DVC resort.

While at Walt Disney World for the Florida Mom Blogger Mixer we stopped in at the new treehouses. I was excited to see how they looked today. They are beautiful! Very reminiscent of the original treehouses. The decor is beautiful and rustic at the same time. The only thing that disappointed me, and others who had stayed in the original treehouses, was the lack of the 2nd story loft and spiral staircase. They were beautiful parts of the original that, for some reason, were left out of the new design. The new design is 3-bedroom, 2-bath, sleeps nine so it is still a great option for a trip with extended family. Since this is a DVC resort you may rent a treehouse if there is availability, the per night cost for a treehouse villa is $545-$900 per night depending on the “season“.

Did you ever stay at the original treehouses? What is your favorite memory? Leave me a comment and let’s talk.

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This amazing resort boasts 295 spacious rooms ranging from studios to the 3 bedroom, 4 bath, multiple balconied  grand villas. Due to the resort’s location, guests have a choice of the standard view, Bay Lake view or the awe inducing Magic Kingdom view.

The crescent shaped resort beautifully compliments the A-framed Contemporary Resort to which it is attached. Bay Lake Tower is connected to The Contemporary Resort by the Sky Way Bridge (not the one in St. Petersburg). This room key accessible, covered walkway connects Bay Lake Tower to the restaurants, shops and monorail station of The Contemporary.

Sky Way Bridge

The resort lobby is modern and warm. The color palate used throughout the resort is very contemporary yet warm and inviting.

lobby

We toured a Grand Villa Suite with Magic Kingdom View. When we stepped into the suite there was a collective gasp as we saw the view from the 2-story window. I actually got goosebumps when I entered!

The View

The Kitchen

The loft sitting area

The master bedroom

The Disney artwork that hangs on the walls of this resort is very modern yet classy.

View from jaccuzzi tub

This picture doesn’t do it justice but you can sit in the jaccuzzi tub with the sliding wall open to the master bedroom and have the curtains open and watch the fireworks over Cinderella Castle! Turn your surround sound television to channel 20 and you can even listen to the narration and music for Wishes! I’m thinking add some chocolate covered strawberries and it could be the perfect evening

Bay Lake Tower offers a Mickey shaped pool, a kids splash fountain and awesome looking pool slide as part of it’s recreational features.

We are not DVC (Disney’s Vacation Club) owners, though we have dreamed about it. A stay at Bay Lake Tower will cost you anywhere from 12 points per night for a standard view studio to 153 points per night for this spectacular grand villa with Magic Kingdom View, depending on the season. Non-DVC owners can stay here on rented points or, when there are rooms available, they may stay here for anywhere between $395-$2000 per night depending on the room size, view and season. The #magicalmoms I toured with discussed each chipping in $167 + tax and having a one night reunion in this incredible suite.* I think it’s worth it!

*Disney does have minimum length of stay rule on most DVC resort stays so unfortunately this dream probably won’t become a reality.

Next time I’ll show you the very exclusive Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower.

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Last week we talked about the “seasons“ of Walt Disney World resorts. This week we are going to check out the different categories of resorts. As I said last week Disney basically has four different categories of resorts, Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club.

Starting with the Value Resorts we find these 5 resorts are geared to families on a budget. I have stayed in all four of these resorts over the years. The Value Resorts are All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Most of the rooms in these resorts are like a typical hotel room. They sleep a family of 4 comfortably, though 4-Adults in one Value room will feel cramped. For families with 5-6 people you can request adjoining rooms or All-Star Music offers some family suites that sleep up to 6 people and, depending on the season the suite runs anywhere from $239-$445 a night. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a “mostly family suite” resort with 3 of the 4 sections dedicated to family suites. These suites run $298-$511 a night. The Value Resorts all have fun themes, cool swimming pools, arcades, food courts and a shop. A main benefit of staying in a Value Resort is the ability to take Disney transportation to and from the parks. If you stay off site you will pay $12 per day to park on Disney property. On-site guests get a free parking pass and/or can take Disney transportation.

All-Star Sports

Next are the Moderate Resorts. The Moderate Resorts at Walt Disney World are Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs and the Wilderness Cabins. I have stayed at all of these resorts except for the Wildreness Cabins. The rooms are slightly bigger and the resorts, for the most part are larger and better themed than the Values. The Moderate Resorts all have pools with a slide, hot tubs, full service restaurants, food courts, arcades and access to Disney transportation. All of the Moderate Resort rooms house 4 people except for the Wilderness Cabins which can house up to 6 people at a cost of $330-$520 a night.

Port Orleans French Quarter Swimming Pool

Deluxe resorts is where the pricing gets complicated. A few years ago Disney stopped lumping all of the Deluxe Resorts into one price structure. The Deluxe Resorts are beautiful, roomy and full of amenities. The Deluxe Resorts are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, Boardwalk Inn, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge,  Yacht Club and Beach Club. I have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Polyesian, Grand Floridian, Yacht Club and Beach Club. Amenities include full-service restaurants, room service, valet parking, swimming pools, beach access, on-site recreation, on-site childcare, and Disney transportation.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Next we have the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Properties. These are primarily a time share where you can purchase points and own a week of lodging. The DVC properties are studios and villas and they sleep anywhere between 4-12 people depending on the room and resort. Because these are time share properties you have kitchen facilities, full service restaurants, front door parking, on-site events and amenities, pools, and Disney Transportation. The DVC Resorts are Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas, Kidani Village at The Animal Kingdom Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary.  I have yet to stay at a DVC resort. I did stay in the treehouses, which are now part of Saratoga Springs, back in the 80’s when they were a resort unto themselves. I loved staying in the treehouses, they slept 12 people on multiple levels and we had the kitchen so we could eat breakfast at the resort and keep snacks there too. The DVC porperties are available to be rented by non-DVC owners when the rooms are not in use.

I didn’t mention camping at Ft Wilderness yet. If you like to camp this is the place to stay. Partial hook up spots for tent camping and tent trailers cost between $55-$113 a night while the full hook up spots cost $74-$50 a night. All campsites are for up to 10 people and have a paved driveway, sand pad, picnic table, charcoal grill and electricity.

That is an overview of the Walt Disney World Resorts. Which one(s) have you stayed at? Which one(s) would you like to stay at? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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