Feeling overwhelmed by your Disney World trip planning? Not sure where to start when it comes to selecting a hotel for your trip? Been to Disney a hundred times and looking for a new place to stay to spice things up a bit? What hotel should you stay at in 2022? It’s okay. Take a deep breath. We’re here to help.

There are a LOT of hotels to pick from in Disney World — from Value Resorts all the way up to the Deluxe Resorts (✨ fancy ✨). Which one(s) might you want to stay at specifically in 2022? Well if you’re wanting to book the best, most magical, hotels in 2022, you’re going to need to know some things first. And we’ve got you covered!

So here are our picks for some of the best of the best — these are some top hotels you’ll want to consider booking a stay at in 2022.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (A.K.A. The Star Wars Hotel)

If you’re a Star Wars fan, there’s one hotel you’ll seriously want to consider staying at in 2022 (IF you’ve got the budget for it) and that’s the Galactic Starcruiser, aka the Star Wars hotel.

The first big disclaimer we have to give is that it isn’t REALLY a hotel. Instead, you’ll want to think of this more as a cruise-type experience. Galactic Starcruiser is a two-night interactive experience aboard a “spaceship cruising among the stars” that will let you live out your wildest Star Wars dreams.

This interactive stay includes a whole bunch of stuff that’s likely on your Star Wars bucket list –– roleplaying as a character IN the Star Wars universe, interacting with OTHER characters in the Star Wars universe, training with lightsabers, training on the bridge of a starship, and having your actions affect EVERYTHING else on the ship.

There are unique dining experiences too, including some BLUE SHRIMP?!

Your experience will also include an excursion to Batuu in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (park ticket, Park Pass, and even some Lightning Lane passes all included), the opportunity to shop for some special merchandise, a fireworks show on the ship(?!), and so much more.

Of course, this first-of-its-kind experience doesn’t come cheap — a two-night stay for 2 people starts at around $4,809 total, BUT for hardcore Star Wars fans, the price may very well be worth it. That’s up to you and your group’s passions, wants, and needs when it comes to a hotel stay!

The Star Wars Hotel opened in March 2022! We covered it ALL, and brought you full dining reviews, photos of the inside, and all of our thoughts about the experience.

Click here to see our COMPLETE guide to the ‘Star Wars’ hotel! 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

You may have stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the past, but if you haven’t been here within the past few months, you really haven’t been here at all. This resort has recently undergone some serious renovations and it’s got an updated vibe you’ll want to check out.

When you step inside, you’ll immediately get to see the completely refurbished lobby — it’s drastically different compared to what it used to look like.

The elevators have even gotten a makeover — we love the nod to the Monorail in them now!

But that’s not all. Perhaps the biggest change here is in the ROOMS!

Many of the rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are looking shiny and new — and they’ve got an Incredibles-inspired theme. And dare we say that these rooms look pretty…incredible? 😉 (Sorry, we couldn’t resist!)

Note that the refurbishments are ongoing so you’ll want to make sure that the room you’re booking does in fact feature the updated design!

Finally, a fantastic new restaurant has opened at the Contemporary. We’re talking about Steakhouse 71! This spot took the place of The Wave…of American Flavors. If you’re looking for a new restaurant to try in Disney World (and especially if you love burgers and French Onion Soup), you’ll want to add this to your list! We’ve been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we keep coming back! Seriously, their dinner is already one of our favorites in Disney World.

If you’re wanting to splurge for a special occasion, you can also check out the 50th Anniversary Prix Fixe menu at California Grill. It ain’t cheap but it can be nice for a special occasion (especially with that gorgeous fireworks view).

Between the updated lobby, incredible rooms, and new dining experiences, the Contemporary has a lot going for it in 2022 (on top of its access to the Monorail and walking path directly to Magic Kingdom).

Click here to see why Steakhouse 71’s dinner is already one of our favorites!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The Contemporary isn’t the only resort that got an upgrade recently. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has had a bit of a facelift, too! Although the lobby itself hasn’t changed much since the last refurbishment, the entryway has a whole new look…

…and there’s a brand NEW monorail station to enjoy!

Once inside the hotel and headed over to your room, you’ll notice a very distinct Moana vibe going on.

And that’s because parts of the resort, including the guest rooms, have received a Moana makeover!

And trust us when we say, the new rooms are so BEAUTIFUL. Again, be sure and check that the room you’re booking has received all of the updates.

Once you’re done admiring your gorgeous room, you can head over to a massive fan-favorite, ‘Ohana, which has also reopened. And yes, despite some initial concerns, the famous ‘Ohana noodles have returned!

You may also be able to get those noodles and even some of the ‘Ohana bread pudding at Tambu Lounge WITHOUT a reservation. SCORE! Just be sure to check and see if they’re available there during your trip as availability can vary.

Plus, if you stay at the Polynesian Village, you can have DOLE Whips EVERY day from Pineapple Lanai (and sometimes there are super cool creations here!). Or you can opt for a drink in one of the most unique bars to ever exist — Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which has also reopened.

Overall, there’s a lot to enjoy here — from old classics that have reopened to new touches.

Here’s what Trader Sam’s looked like when it reopened!

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Wilderness Lodge isn’t a new hotel, and maybe it didn’t get the kind of more massive renovations that other hotels have had recently in Disney World, but we think it’s seriously one of the most underrated deluxe hotels on property.

First, this hotel is just BEAUTIFUL. It’s inspired by the turn-of-the-century lodges from U.S. National Parks. From the impressive lobby to the gorgeous grounds all around the hotel rooms, this resort is breathtaking!

And one part of the hotel DID recently get a renovation — the rooms! The guest rooms now have faux wood laminate floors, a new wardrobe furniture piece…

…theming with characters like Bambi and Chip ‘n’ Dale, and more!

Plus Story Book Character Dining at Artist Point has reopened, giving guests the chance to dine while saying “hello” to Snow White, the Evil Queen, and more! It’s a unique character dining experience with some more different characters than you’re used to normally seeing at other spots and some seriously incredible food!

There have always been lots of reasons to love Wilderness Lodge (like its design, its location — being not too far from Magic Kingdom with boat access to the park, and other things), but now there are just a few more reasons why you might want to stay here!

Click here to see our FULL review of the Story Book Dining!

Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

If you want to stay in a brand NEW hotel at Disney World, you may want to book a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, which officially opened its doors in late 2021! This hotel is SWANKY, and we mean that in the best possible way.

The Swan Reserve is a boutique hotel that is NOT owned by Disney, but is instead owned by by Marriott Bonvoy. And yes, that means you can use Marriott Bonvoy Rewards points to book a stay here! Like the Swan and Dolphin, it counts as a deluxe hotel at Disney World, which means guests get deluxe perks, like Extended Evening Hours at the parks.

It’s a very GRAND hotel and when it comes to location, it can’t be beat. It’s within walking distance of EPCOT, as well as the other EPCOT-area hotels and Disney’s BoardWalk. It’s a bit of a longer walk, but you can also walk from here to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The rooms also deliver on views since EVERY room has floor-to-ceiling windows!

And if it’s food you’re after, there are FOUR new dining spots here — the full-service restaurant Amare, a poolside bar called Tangerine, a grab-and-go option called Grounds, and a lobby lounge called Stir.

Plus this hotel is close enough to the other EPCOT-area hotels that their dining options are easily available, too!

Click here to take a FULL TOUR of the Swan Reserve!

If you’re booking a stay at Disney World in 2022, these are some of the hotels you might want to add to your short list! Hotel reservations can be pretty hard to come by right now (at least for some spots), so you’ll want to get booking early for your trips.

Want more hotel ideas? Check out our video below for more details about picking the BEST Disney World hotel for you in 2022.

We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney World hotel news, so stay tuned!

Click here for info on all of the discounts and deals that could help you SAVE on your next Disney World hotel stay!

Do you have a Disney World hotel stay booked for 2022? Where at? Let us know in the comments!