What to expect: This unique Lake Buena Vista resort is reminiscent of a wildlife-reserve lodge on the African savannah. Arriving guests are greeted in a three-story lobby with a crackling fireplace, hand-carved wood furniture, and authentic African artifacts. As the sun sets, two outdoor patios flanking the lobby provide close-up views of exotic animals, including giraffes, ostriches, impalas, and zebras.

Amenity highlights: Simba's Clubhouse provides supervised children's activities for ages 4-12 (surcharge), while the resort also has a children's pool, playground, and game arcade. The Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center has exercise equipment, a sauna and steam room, and offers additional spa services (surcharge). The resort also offers a zero-entry outdoor pool, which has a 67-foot-long slide and two spa tubs. Two restaurants provide African-inspired multi-cultural cuisine.

Insider tip: Public viewing areas in the early morning and just before sunsets allow guests to watch the animals of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge gathering to graze on the savannah. Guest services provides advice on the best times for wildlife viewing.

What to expect: Evoking an Eastern Seaboard seaside resort from the early 20th century, Disney's Beach Club Resort provides a casual beachside welcome to arriving leisure travelers. The lobby has tall ceilings, striped curtains, nautical touches, wood furnishings, and tile floors; an outdoor patio provides a view of the 25-acre Crescent Lake.

Amenity highlights: The centerpiece of this Lake Buena Vista resort is the three-acre lakeside water park Stormalong Bay, with an outdoor pool, water slides, spa tubs, two quiet pools, and white-sand beach. Kids gravitate toward the playground, game arcade, and Sandcastle Club, which offers supervised activities. Boat rentals are available at the resort marina. Disney's Beach Club Resort shares some facilities with its adjacent companion property, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Insider tip: Each evening, guests in Disney Resort Hotels can tune in to channel 14 on their in-room TVs and hear a Disney bedtime story. Story options include The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc.

What to expect: The casual elegance of early 20th-century, mid-Atlantic seaside homes was the inspiration for the nautical charm and character of this Cape May–style villa resort. The lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, where arriving guests check in, provides a seafarer welcome with its striped curtains, nautical-themed furnishings, and panoramic lake view. Disney’s Beach Club Villas are adjacent to Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Amenity highlights: At the center of the fun is a three-acre water park called Stormalong Bay, with water slides, spa tubs, a children’s pool, three quiet pools, and a sandy white beach. Boat rentals are available at the marina, and the Sandcastle Club offers daily supervised children’s activities. Ship Shape Health Club provides fitness equipment, and offers massages and facials. The Villas also enjoy private reading rooms.

Insider tip: Spending the day in the theme parks is a lot of fun, but it can get hot and a bit exhausting. A great midday cool-down trick is to head back to the hotel for a splash in the pool, and then return to the theme parks later in the day for nighttime festivities.