The more deluxe WDW properties include the two original resorts built around the Magic Kingdom (the Polynesian and the Contemporary), plus the most elegant one, the Grand Floridian, all serviced by monorail. Each of the deluxe resorts offers business services and a gym or workout facility. On the concierge-level floors (a premium rate), families can enjoy a lounge stocked with continental breakfast fixings, snacks, beverages and evening desserts, in addition to the helpful concierge staff. Most of these resorts have a supervised childcare facility (for a fee) for ages 4 to 12-years that operates a themed dinner show so parents can go out. While these are staffed by trained Disney cast members, private babysitting service is available through the local Kids Nite Out service of Orlando (407/828-0920). The deluxe hotels have fantastic lobbies, costumed staff, and a variety of restaurants ranging from fine dining venues to ethnic outlets, family-style places where character breakfasts and dinners are held, and a fast food/deli with take-out or eat-in snacks. Larger rooms with two queen beds and a seating area with daybed typically accommodate families of five.

Disney's Contemporary

The Contemporary was designed in a slick urban style back in 1971 to play up the arriving and departing monorails of the "future" which still pull right into the fourth floor. With time it added convention facilities but grew less contemporary, and a 2007 renovation has brought its 664 rooms up to par with stylish four and five-star hotels the world over. Spacious rooms with two queen beds have plush cream duvets, a work desk and a seating area with a comfy daybed. Large bathrooms with marble floor tiles have twin vanities; art glass and sculpture are the minimalist decor; and high-tech touches such as plasma TVs and a computer in each room (keyed to Disney online planning tools) seem, well, contemporary. Rooms range from ground floor garden-view ones whose patio makes them smoker-friendly, to one and two-bedroom suites with balconies and Magic Kingdom views to high-rise "urban" units in the central tower. The low north block of rooms is being demolished and rebuilt for 2008. According to Disney executives, future Contemporary renovations will move the sophisticated ground floor gaming arcade and fast food court upstairs near Chef Mickey's Buffet, site of the character breakfast where Pluto and other friends parade around in aprons. The 15th floor California Grill is known for its celebratory meals, thanks to excellent California cuisine and great Disneyworld views. Also fun and unique is the active marina, where one person Sea Raycers, pontoon boats, speed boats, and adult or kids' fishing trips can be arranged; expert waterski and wakeboard instruction is available through the on-site Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre (407/939-0754). People may complain about its tastefulness, or lack of theme when compared to the other Disney resorts, but this is the first stop on the monorail after the Magic Kingdom, so after a long day, you'll be the first ones back.

Disney's Polynesian

With its luau theme, atrium lobby with waterfalls, thatched roofs and lush gardens, this South Seas wonderland delivers great visuals. However, its sprawling size means your guest room may be quite far from the central Great Ceremonial House and commercial space. While the second story food court overlooks the busy lobby and hosts the pleasant Kona Cafe coffee bar, other dining facilities are noisy and crowded. Families flock from other resorts to the nightly Luau or "Spirit of Aloha" Dinner show, where food is said to be secondary to the showmanship of music and dance from Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Hawai'i and New Zealand. The in-house 'Ohana is a family-oriented all-you-can-eat grill buffet around an 18-foot wide fire pit -- fun at dinner, especially when the coconut races begin. Disney characters do appear at certain meals but we'd save that treat for the Grand Floridian. Recently, renovations have brought carved native woods, "rattan" wallpaper, bark bedposts, totem lampposts and tapa cloth decorations to the spacious rooms, and a fun volcano pool with grotto slide. Many rooms overlook the large marina, Seven Seas Lagoon or a small sand beach, where you can watch nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom. The cleverly Peter Pan-themed Neverland Club hosts supervised activities and a dinner buffet for ages 4-12 each night from 4pm to midnight ($11/hour). For more information 407/824-2000.

Disney's Grand Floridian

This white Victorian grand, inspired by San Diego's Hotel del Coronado and other classic oceanfront resorts from the turn of the century, delivers classy service with the grace of yesteryear. Between its grand double staircase and waterfront chapel it has been the site of countless weddings. Expensive but terrific seven-course dining at the gourmet Victoria and Albert's, rooms elegant enough to satisfy guests with or without kids, a wellness and beauty spa, and a perfect location -- a brief boat or monorail ride from Magic Kingdom -- make it WDW's top resort. Bright airy rooms, some with Magic Kingdom views, feature white wicker, crisp patterned wallpaper, and ornate carpets. Garden view rooms are the cheapest category, but some such as the lovely #7218 have a wonderful view and an extra spacious layout. The real splurge here are the suites, with one-bedrooms units with a king, a pullout sofabed, and two baths from $975-$1740/night and two-bedroom suites from $1525-$2,430/night.

This resort can boast about a luxurious concierge level, 24-hour pool, and lots of organized family activities, like a two-hour lunch pirates' cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Among the several dining venues is one which does a daily Perfectly Princess Tea Party and an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party, and another which hosts a Mary Poppins Breakfast and a Cinderella prime rib dinner. In addition to cooking classes two mornings per week, there are afternoon pool games, evening story times, drop-in crafts in the gift shop, an afternoon orchestra in the lobby, and private tennis clinics for all ages. The adorable Mouseketeer Club hosts up to a dozen kids daily from 4:30pm-midnight to arts n'crafts, snacks, games and a movie, for a fee of $11/hour.

Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas

This resort, built in 1996, may be the most popular for families with teens because of its location, within walking distance of Epcot and a short ride by bus or ferry away from Disney's Hollywood Studios, formerly known as Disney-MGM. Young children especially will be entranced by the lobby's huge model carousel which rotates every hour. Nearly 900 rooms face the star -- the boardwalk -- a lake, and across it, the Swan, Dolphin, Beach and Yacht Club resorts. Prettiest when illuminated at night, the boardwalk meanders from an Atlantic City stroll-or-sun-along-a-boardwalk theme to the carny atmosphere of Asbury Park, with jugglers and other street performers. This is one of the few deluxe properties with "villa" or Disney Vacation Club units, 532 compact one-bedroom (sleeps 4) or two-bedroom (sleeps 6) units with kitchenettes, washer/dryer, and queen-size sofabeds. The 371 traditional hotel rooms with their unfussy decor are easier to rent; many are connecting but if you have lots of family, go for the three-bedroom units that sleep 12. The second floor tea and coffee lounge plays old radio dramas while guests try their hand at classic board games, but the real action is out on the boardwalk. The popular Flying Fish Cafe for seafood, an ESPN Club with TVs at each booth, WDW's only micro-brewery and the lively Jelly Roll's dualing piano bar are among the hotspots after dark.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

The thatch-roofed Animal Kingdom Lodge is stunning, with public spaces that pay homage to the folk arts and fabrics of Africa. Surrounded by an elaborate, 33-acre wildlife habitat, the 1,200 rooms have upscale safari decor with splashes of "The Lion King," hand-carved furniture and mosquito netting. Public areas and balconies face a tropical savanna dotted with herds of grazing giraffe, gazelle and flocks of birds. DVC executives confirm that its 5th and 6th floors will soon be converted into 134 Disney Vacation Club ownership units, and a 324-unit DVC annex will rise next door. Deluxe facilities include a wellness spa; zero-entry pool with a 67-foot-long waterslide; large arcade and daily wildlife programs, such as flamingo feeding and nature talks. In addition to lobby storytelling and character meals, cast members at the dining outlets are "Africa Ambassadors" who answer guests' questions. The front desk distributes an Wildlife Field Guide for check-off viewing; bring binoculars and a flashlight for night-time "safaris." The mobility-challenged will prefer rooms in the central lodge. Some doubles have a queen bed and two bunks, and two-bedroom suites (from $1145/night) sleep up to eight. Concierge level guest rooms have extra perks, including exclusive access to special early morning safaris or guided wildlife excursions, for an additional fee. Keep in mind that you don't need to pay a premium to visit the hotel's many animal viewing areas, and its Animal Kingdom location puts the lodge far from the other theme parks. Simba's Cubhouse holds nightly movie and play events for ages 4-12 so parents can dine out; restaurants downstairs include the undistinguished Mara quick service outlet, and the more upscale Boma and Jiko.