It’s not just the thrilling rides that make the world’s best theme parks so exciting, but the on-site hotels as well.
From staying in an African lodge to lazing on a Caribbean beach, it’s just as hard to choose which hotel to stay in as which ride to go on first. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer.
Walt Disney World
There are 24 Disney hotels at Walt Disney World Florida – not to mention 10 non-Disney properties – and another hotel is being built.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will have nearly 2,000 ‘units’ each designed around The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, or The Little Mermaid. Accommodation is split into deluxe, moderate, value and ‘campgrounds’.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa falls into the deluxe villas category. Guests can be elevated 10ft off the ground and into the forested glens when they check into one of the 60 new, three-bedroom Treehouse Villas.
Moderate category options include the 2,048-room rural Louisiana-style Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, while in the value category, there are four choices: the All-Star Movies, Music and Sports Resorts, and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
Clients who love the great outdoors can pitch up at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, where they can stay in their own tent or in one of the 409 Wilderness Cabins.
If clients intend to spend most time in Animal Kingdom, then where better than Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which offers 24-hour views of its own 33-acre savannah? Alternatively, Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers the best views and proximity to Magic Kingdom.
Proximity to the monorail is another consideration, especially for young families or the elderly. In such cases, recommend the ‘monorail resorts’: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Sample product: Kuoni offers seven nights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in September from £1,152. This is on a room-only basis and includes return flights with Virgin Atlantic. kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008
Disneyland Paris
A Victorian palace, a New York getaway, a wilderness retreat or a country lodge – these are just some of the worlds your clients can check into when staying at Disneyland Resort Paris.
There are seven Disney-themed hotels and the flagship property is The Disneyland Hotel, located at the entrance of Disneyland Paris. It has the most extensive facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and 24-hour room service.
Those looking for VIP treatment should stay at the Castle Club on the third floor. The luxurious suites, including the Cinderella Suite and Tinker Bell Suite, are perfect for wannabe princesses and fairies.
At the other end of the spectrum are the 535 log cabins at Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch.
Sample product: A three-day stay at the park in September starts from £560 per adult, £110 per child aged seven to 11. This is on a bed and breakfast basis and includes entry to the park. disneylandparis.co.uk, 0844 800 8222
Disneyland California
The original Disneyland opened in 1955 and the attraction now comprises two parks – Disneyland and California Adventure.
There are three Disney hotels to choose from: the landmark Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand California Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Disney’s Grand California Hotel has undergone major changes and added 203 guest rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas last year, bringing the hotel’s inventory to 948 rooms.
These improvements are all part of a larger expansion project throughout the resort culminating in 2012 with the opening of Cars Land in California Adventure Park.
Sample product: Three nights on a room-only basis at The Disneyland Hotel in September starts from £361 with US Walt Disney Travel Company. disneyland.disney.go.com, +1 714 520 5045
Universal Orlando Resort
Following the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort (see page 41), you should be busy conjuring up spells to whizz your clients to Hogwarts.
There are three hotels within the resort. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel promises pure Italian elegance.
Meanwhile, VIP treatment (of a more funky fashion) continues at the Hard Rock Hotel. Finally, the third hotel sees guests transferred to the South Pacific where orchids and Balinese hand carvings set the scene at Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Sample product: A seven-night break on a room-only basis at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in September starts from £1,319 with Travel 2, including return flights with Delta Airlines. travel2.com, 0800 0224 182
Resorts World Sentosa
The world’s newest theme park, incorporating Universal Studios Singapore, opened in March. Four of the six themed hotels are open offering 1,350 rooms.
Crockfords Tower is an all-suite hotel with butler service and a casino; Hotel Michael is more like an art gallery with every stroke a tribute to America’s contemporary architect Michael Graves; Hard Rock Hotel Singapore offers that unique Hard Rock twist and Festive Hotel is the family favourite.
The remaining two hotels, Equarius Hotel and Spa Villas, will add 500 rooms when they launch after 2010.
Sample product: The rack rate for a three-night stay at Festive Hotel is £577. rwsentosa.com, +65 6577 9900
Portaventura
This Catalan theme park has four on-site hotels, all great for families. Hotel Gold River takes guests back in time to the Gold Rush with its saloons and log cabins, while self-catering is available in bungalows, apartments and studios, and half board in the hotels.
Hotel Villa Mediterranea is designed as a Mediterranean village. Then it’s off to the Caribbean at Hotel Caribe or to Mexico at Hotel El Paso – the only hotel that offers all-inclusive packages.
Sample product: Seven nights on a half-board basis at Hotel Gold River in September starts from £655 with First Choice, including return flights with Thomson Airways. firstchoice.co.uk, 0871 200 4455
Ferrari World
The world’s first Ferrari theme park is due to open on October 28 on Abu Dhabi’s famed Yas Island. After experiencing the world’s fastest rollercoaster reaching speeds of up to 240km/h, your clients can slow down at one of seven hotels.
The flagship is The Yas Hotel, as famous for its design as its location overlooking Yas Marina Circuit.
Sample product: Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Yas Hotel starts from £899 in November with Premier Holidays, including return flights with Etihad and transfers. premierholidays.co.uk, 0844 493 7444
