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Whether traveling with your small family or planning a giant reunion, here's Family Travel Forum's complete guide to Walt Disney World hotels and resorts.

If touring Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios) is your family's goal, take some time to select the right Orlando hotel. Location is important: your on-site "official" Walt Disney World (also known as Disneyworld or WDW) hotel might be close to the Magic Kingdom so preschoolers can take a mid-day nap, within Animal Kingdom for that "on safari" feel, or in walking distance of Epcot so teens can find fun after dark.

Budget is important, too, and Disneyworld has thousands of hotel rooms in three basic price ranges: Deluxe, Moderately Priced and Value Hotels and Camping. Deluxe hotels range in price from $215-$510/night, Moderately priced hotels range from $145-$210/night, and Value Hotels range from $82-$131/night. These rates are per double room, depending on season and view, plus 12.5% in local taxes. The peak season winter holiday rates are 10%-15% higher.

At all properties, children 17-years-old and younger may stay free of charge in an adult's room. After two adults per room, there is a charge of $25 per person at deluxe hotels, $15 per person at moderate hotels, and $10 per person at value hotels; a rollaway bed costs $15/night and cribs are free of charge. Deluxe hotel rooms have a maximum occupancy of five people, and all others are typically four. The deluxe properties have one and two-bedroom suites in addition to hotel rooms that connect, and a few of these hotels plus two others, the Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort, have Disney Vacation Club interval ownership (timeshare) apartment units. We'll point out the exceptions to this rule in each review.

Benefits of Staying at a Disneyworld Property

Disney's expertise at theming extends to its hotels, and that makes them fun to visit even if you're not an overnight guest. Each hotel or resort is like its own mini-theme park tour, due to the attention to detail in the decor; well landscaped grounds and pool areas; original artwork; displays of authentic crafts or historic objects; period or native costumes for staff or "cast members;" and availability of ethnic food at many hotel restaurants. Hotels in the deluxe category are especially worth a visit.

Staying at a WDW resort grants you certain privileges which really come in handy if you're visiting during the high season. These include extended admission hours -- typically one hour earlier than the public, and up to three hours' later -- to selected rides and attractions within each park on alternating days; VIP privileges at Disney golf courses; advance dinner show and character breakfast reservations; a WDW I.D. card for charging all meals and purchases; seasonal bonus shows or activities at the resorts; or other perks.

There is also a lot to do at each hotel. Don't forget that for most families on a week-long vacation, spending all day each day in the parks is too exhausting. WDW has learned from experience that its guests enjoy and need at least one day back at the resort to relax, renew, and recharge for the continuing fun.