Updated March 6, 2024
There are more than 20 resorts you can stay in on Disney World property. But where should you be staying on your next Disney vacation? And which resorts give you the most bang for your buck?
It can definitely be a tricky decision when it comes to picking your Disney World accommodations — but we want to help. We’re ranking ALL of the Disney World Resort hotels so you know which is truly the best of the best.
There are over 20 different Disney World resorts on property, each with their own distinct personality and specialty offerings. But where should you be staying on your next Disney vacation? And which resorts give you the most bang for your buck? I get it — it’s a tough choice. But we wanna help you out — which is why we’re ranking ALL of the Disney World Resort hotels (from worst to best) so you know which is truly the G.O.A.T.
Now, before we let the games begin, we’ve got a couple of important crucial notes we wanna mention real quick:
Despite where all of these resorts end up ranking in OUR personal line up, each Disney hotel has its own pros and cons. And for your personal trip, the pros may end up outweighing the cons for you, and vice-versa. So even if the hotel you HAD been considering ends up being placed further down in our rankings, that doesn’t mean it’s a resort you need to kick to the curb altogether. Just be sure to conduct your own research alongside your travel group to see if it’s still gonna be the right fit for you or not.
17. Caribbean Beach
Sorry, Caribbean Beach — but you’re at the bottom of our list today. (And, if we were to be honest with ourselves, you’ve probably been at the bottom of our list for a while now.)
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Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort that some folks really DO love for several solid reasons. For starters, Caribbean Beach is where you’re gonna find the main hub for the Disney Skyliner. From here, you’ll be able to quickly travel via sky gondola over to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and other resorts placed along the Skyliner (which you’ll learn more about later on).
However, because this resort IS so spread out, some hotel rooms will actually be closer to the Riviera Skyliner station rather than the Caribbean one — so you’ll just have to check your resort map and see which one your room is closest to.
While having the Skyliner hub right there at your resort can be pretty nifty, the hub can also be pretty hoppin’ with guests — especially at the beginning and end of the park day. So if you’re trying to rope drop a park, or leave right after one of the nighttime spectaculars, don’t expect these gondolas to be a walk-on wait. As far as getting to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you’re also gonna have to plan for travel time — since you’ll be relying on Caribbean Beach’s bus system.
Again, I’ve gotta stress just how SPREAD OUT this resort is — which can make getting around the property more of a hassle (especially if you’re placed in a standard room instead of a preferred room, which might put you WAY out in the boonies, possibly 15-20 minutes away from the resort’s main amenities).
Because of all the different buildings that make up Caribbean Beach, the shuttles have to use an internal bus loop — which basically means it has multiple bus stop locations around the entire hotel. That’s great when it comes to not having to worry about walking too terribly far from any particular hotel room to reach a stop near you, but these buses will pick up guests at every single one of these stops. And that means if a bus is already getting pretty packed by the time it reaches your stop, there’s a good chance it’ll only be able to take a couple more guests before moving right along, leaving you to have to wait for the NEXT bus and HOPE that it’ll have less people aboard.
You will need to budget in extra time for your itinerary to factor in these internal loops — ESPECIALLY if you’re trying to make it to rope drop or make it on time to a dining reservation. Because internal bus loops WILL take longer to get from place-to-place.
Dining
As far as dining is concerned, the restaurants featured at Caribbean Beach have seen SLIGHT improvements over the past few years, but none have really WOWed us. That being said, Sebastian’s Bistro does have one of the most affordable prix-fixe menus on property, and Banana Cabana is a fun, quirky pool bar with lots of fruity drink options that you’ll wanna try during your next visit.
Otherwise, if the Caribbean Beach options aren’t doing it for ya, you can always hitch a ride on the Skyliner and hit up other restaurants at those nearby resorts. While Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort, it can still be a pretty pricey option, thanks to its Skyliner convenience.
New Rooms
But if you’re traveling with a bigger group, you may wanna try booking one of the brand new Little Mermaid rooms here. These new rooms can accommodate up to FIVE guests and now have a color-scheme that’s very under-the-sea-worthy (so expect lots of tropical vibes and fishy friends hiding out in the artwork).
As far as the standard Caribbean Beach rooms are concerned, many guests in the past have expressed that they feel a bit “outdated,” and not exactly worth the asking price. Not to mention, Caribbean Beach also doesn’t have ELEVATORS that can help ya get up to those above floors. So if you have someone in your group with mobility issues — or you know having to lug your kiddos up and down the stairs each and every day, with your stroller and diaper bags in tow, is gonna be a daily/nightly struggle — then you’ll want to go ahead and put in a request for a room on the bottom floor. You can make requests while checking into your room via the My Disney Experience app, but it’s also a good idea to call up the resort directly and file your request with a real-live human being (to make sure they know just how CRUCIAL this room request is). While Cast Members won’t always be able to guarantee a requested room, they’ll do their best to make it happen for ya, if possible.
One of our FAVORITE parts about this resort is the super-cool Fuentes del Morro feature pool, themed to look like a colonial Spanish fortress. However, in 2024, the pool will be closed for refurbishments from January to late March, which could be a major bummer if you were looking forward to that.
All in all, Caribbean Beach can be a fun, beach-themed getaway with lots of quirky colors and steel drums aplenty, but depending on what you’re looking for in a hotel stay, this resort could end up fighting against you the entire time instead of being the team player you need it to be.
PROS
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- Some rooms close to main Skyliner hub
- Neat-o feature pool
- Reimagined Little Mermaid rooms
- Food is starting to see SOME improvement (though it’s still not our absolute favorite)
CONS
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- No elevators for second floor
- SUPER spread out (and can be hard to get around)
- Some rooms/lobby feel outdated
Read all about Disney’s Caribbean Beach here!
16. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs could wind up being your favorite DVC resort IF you’re all about those late 1800s upstate New York vibes when horse racing was all-the-rage.
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It’s also a solid resort for those who are planning on spending a LOT of time around Disney Springs (since you’ll have a water taxi service that’ll deliver you right up to the shopping district whenever you’re ready to spend a day/night out on the town).
But remember how we talked about Caribbean Beach’s dreaded internal bus loops? Yeah, you’re gonna have to deal with those at Saratoga Springs too…for EVERY SINGLE PARK. This resort is also super spread out, which — depending on where your room is located — could make it difficult to quickly hop over to the lobby or main pool or even the limited dining options (and, trust me, those dining options are VERY limited. Good thing you’ve got Disney Springs nearby, though!).
Once upon a time, Saratoga Springs used to be one of two Disney-owned resorts that featured a full spa, but ever since the 2020 closures, it’s been M.I.A.
Click here to see more of Saratoga Springs!
15. Disney’s All-Star Resorts
We’re grouping the three All-Star value resorts together for this one — Music, Movies, AND Sports — since they all have very similar offerings (with one or two MAJOR discrepancies in the mix that we’ll make sure to highlight for ya). If we were just going off of affordability alone, the All-Star Resorts would be at the TOP of our list — since they have the lowest-priced rooms on property.
Rooms/Family Suites
While most rooms are pretty standard (with the average two queen beds, one bathroom layout), All-Star Music also has an affordable Family Suite option — which can sleep up to 6 guests, and also has a separate bedroom/living room area, a kitchenette, and TWO bathrooms (AKA: something that could keep a family from starting their day arguing over who gets to take the first shower).
Recently, most of the standard rooms across the All Star resorts have been updated with new floors, new furniture, and new beds that can fold up into the wall during the day (if you need some more wiggle room). These rooms have fun character accents decorating the walls and headboards, matching the spirit of the resorts themselves.
And OUTSIDE your hotel room, expect to find lots of BRIGHT colors and larger-than-life statues that go along with the theme of the hotel. So… famous Disney movie characters at All Star Movies, oversized sports equipment at All Star Sports, and ginormous instruments at All Star Music.
Fair warning! These hotels are popular with sports and youth groups — and if you’re not a part of one of these groups, you might not be a fan of the crowds or the noise. Remember — these hotel walls are thin, so you’re going to be able to hear that group of giggling teens or bed-jumping kiddos. Just make sure to pack earplugs or a white noise machine, just in case — especially if you’re a light sleeper.
Transportation
Each of the All-Stars only has one seldom complimentary transportation option — and that’s the Disney buses. There’s no Skyliner, no monorail, and no boat — only buses. And, there’s only one bus stop at each hotel, located outside of each lobby.
While, yes, this does mean the whole internal bus loop isn’t an issue here, it can still take a while to get on a bus, especially if you’re trying to catch a ride at the very beginning of the day or end of the night, when the bus lines are incredibly too long. (Depending on the situation, you may be better off driving yourself over to the parks, OR paying a little extra for a rideshare to save time.)
Dining
When it comes to dining, the All-Stars have one food court location…and that’s pretty much it. No fancy dining, no character dining, no table services whatsoever. The food at these food courts is pretty basic (chicken strips, burgers, pizza), with a few surprise entrees here and there (like seasonal desserts in the bakery display cases), but none of the food is gonna be super memorable, by any means. That being said, the items are more affordable than most Disney World restaurants AND they’ve got a lot of options that kiddos will enjoy.
PLUS, these food courts stay open AFTER the parks close (like up until 11PM). So if you’re getting back late and you didn’t get a chance to eat before leaving the parks, these All Star food courts have got your back.
PROS
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- The most affordable Disney rooms
- All Star Music has the family suites
- Standard rooms have been recently updated
CONS
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- Standard rooms don’t give you a whole lot of wiggle room
- Bus transportation can get super crowded
- Tends to be the hotels where school groups stay — so expect a bit of noise
Click here to learn more about the All-Star Resorts!
14. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Old Key West is all about the Florida vibes OUTSIDE Orlando’s theme parks. So think: beaches, spacious golf courses, and those frozen concoctions worthy of a Jimmy Buffet song. Old Key West isn’t too far away from Saratoga Springs, so it has many of the same transportation benefits and downfalls — you’ve got boat access to Disney Springs, but internal bus loops to everywhere else.
Dining
The one thing this classic DVC resort DOES have the upperhand on (when comparing it to Saratoga Springs) is better dining options.While, yes, the dining is still rather limited at Old Key West, its table service option — Olivia’s Cafe — helps make up for that. (Especially since this restaurant has brunch offerings available all week long.)
We also love to pay a visit to Good’s Food To Go whenever they’ve got their seasonal Key Lime Pie dole whip available — because that’s honestly one of the BEST Dole Whip flavors on property, when it’s around.
Rooms
Out of all the DVC resorts, Old Key West has the biggest rooms to offer, making them more comfortable for groups to share. And, honestly? If you wanted to take a full break day away from the parks, there’s a lot around this resort that you can fill your day with.
Old Key West has several pools, three tennis courts, pickleball courts, shuffleboard, golf, fishing, bike rentals, and lots of additional outdoor recreation options for you to choose from. So you don’t have to worry about ever being bored (even if the overall theming of this resort may not be too thrilling for the kiddos in your group).
I like to consider Old Key West as the resort that gives you Disney vibes, while also giving you space away from all the Disney-ness, if it’s getting to be a bit too much for ya. That being said, if you’re traveling to Disney with the soul purpose of being right in the middle of all the Disney action, then Old Key West ain’t the resort option you’ll wanna turn to.
PROS
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- Great for golf fans
- Boat transportation to Disney Springs
- Has a community/neighborhood vibe (thanks to long term DVC members)
- Key lime dole whip and daily brunch
CONS
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- Theming isn’t the most exciting
- Resort very spread out/can make transportation to parks a looooong venture
- Rooms are expensive, but will give you a lot of space!
To see more of Old Key West, click here!
13. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation is the EXACT opposite of Old Key West. As in you’re never gonna escape the Disney factor here. Ever.
Rooms
Art of Animation highlights four popular Disney films all throughout its rooms, lobby, pools, and giant statues that you’ll find stationed pretty much everywhere you turn. (Don’t look giant Ursula in the eyes. Don’t DO IT.)
What Art of Animation is most well known for are its highly-themed family suites. You can choose one of three styled rooms: Finding Nemo, The Lion King, or Cars. But no matter which room you choose, the suite’s decor will go above and beyond to really capture the colors, characters, and all-around vibes from whatever film its modeled after.
These are definitely those hotel rooms where you’ll open the door for the first time and your kids will scream out in excitement — they’re just THAT IMMERSIVE. But that immersion comes at a rather steep price. Y’see, although Art of Animation is labeled as a value resort, the family suites can still be well over $500+ per night, depending on the season.
There is a cheaper standard room option available here too, themed after The Little Mermaid, which’ll be more in that typical value resort price range (yet still more expensive than all the other standard rooms across all the other value resorts).
And although the Little Mermaid room does have cute under the sea details, the room hasn’t been updated like the other value resorts. So you’re basically paying more for a less updated room here. (Not exactly ideal.)
Transportation
Art of Animation also has Disney Skyliner access — making it one of two value resorts with this game-changing, complimentary transportation perk. But let’s not forget — that Skyliner can take you to OTHER resort restaurants in a jiffy, if you want it to! So you don’t HAVE to go super out of your way to find dining options that are much more adventurous.
Dining
Much like all the other value resorts, Art of Animation only has one food court dining option available called Landscape of Flavors.When Art of Animation first opened back in 2012, Landscape of Flavors actually featured a LOT of unique international cuisines that made it WAY more appealing. But nowadays, options are kept pretty basic. (Again — more burgers, more pizzas, more chicken tendies.)
With all that being said, there’s more than a few reasons why this resort is so well loved by guests. If you want THE Disney experience, this is THE Disney experience your after (and the rooms here are still more afforable than many other rooms property-wide, depending on what you book and what time of year you book it for).
Pool
And then, of course, there are the THREE character pools that you can check out here too (which your kiddo may wanna spend ALL DAY at — even over the parks themselves). The Big Blue Pool, over in the Finding Nemo section of the hotel, is actually the LARGEST feature pool across ALL of the Disney World resort area. (Pretty impressive, right?)
However, this pool can get PACKED OUT by the afternoon — so it’s also worth checking out the two other leisure pools, The Cozy Cone Pool and the Flippin’ Fins Pool (which are also both neat-o and well themed, but just a little bit smaller than their feature pool counterpart).
PROS
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- Skyliner access
- Immersive rooms (that your kids will love)
- Three character pools (with Big Blue Pool being the BIGGEST)
CONS
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- Little Mermaid rooms are cramped/have yet to be updated like the All-Stars
- Family Suites aren’t really a “value” price
- Landscape of Flavors isn’t as exciting as it used to be
12. Disney’s Riviera Resort
Riviera Resort is the most EXPENSIVE resort that you’re gonna find stationed along the Disney Skyliner. Buuuut that’s because it’s Disney’s newest DVC resort. And with those deluxe prices, you’re gonna get a modern, luxurious stay inspired by the artistic elegance of 20th century Europe.
Even if you’re not planning on staying here, this resort is worth a visit, just to walk around and take in the scenery. The sparkling waters, the cute little coffee shop, the STUNNING Tangled and Peter Pan mosaics??! I could spend a whole day here and never get tired of it. It’s really a gorgeous spot to spend a leisurely afternoon.
Dining
Not to mention, Riviera is the home of Topolino’s Terrace — a popular character dining breakfast by day, and a signature Italian restaurant by night. Bar Riva is also worth a visit, if you’re looking for a quiet pool bar setting with refreshing cocktails and unique savory eats (like the baked brie and veggie skewers).
So if this resort really IS as impressive as I’m claiming it to be, why oh WHY is it so far down on today’s list and not featured in the top 5?
Rooms
Because the cost of those Riviera rooms still isn’t worth the asking price. Riviera Resort is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE if you’re not using DVC Points to book a room here. Even the ultra-tiny studio rooms — which only sleep up to two guests — can be as pricey as $700 per night.
So honestly, you could easily stay at any of the other more affordable Skyliner options, take a ride over to this resort to visit it for the day, and AVOID paying $700+ per night for a room (yet still get most of the Riviera experience regardless).
If you’re not a DVC member, it may be worth reaching out to a DVC rental service (like David’s DVC Rentals) and booking a Riviera room that way instead of directly through Disney’s website to potentially save ya the big bucks so you can still live out your “suite life dreams” here.
Learn all about David’s DVC Rentals here!
PROS
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- Absolutely stunning. Vibes are immaculate; peaceful
- Great places to hang out and dine
- Has its own Skyliner station
CONS
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- Most expensive resort on the Skyliner route
- TINY studio rooms at a REALLY high price
- Not exactly the most whimsical place to stay for kiddos (though Topolino’s Terrace breakfast helps make up for that)!
11. Contemporary Resort
Alright, now we’re starting to get into the resorts that have treated us well for many-many-MANY years now (though they aren’t, by any means, without their faults). The Contemporary Resort is one of Disney’s first-ever hotels, originally opening back when Magic Kingdom did — on October 1st, 1971.
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This is also the first resort on this list where I get to talk about the ever-beloved MONORAIL — which takes resort guests right up to the front gates of Magic Kingdom, or (after transferring at the Transportation and Ticket Center) over to EPCOT. The monorail drives DIRECTLY THROUGH Contemporay’s A-frame building, which is a fun, unique touch — and even MORE convenient for guests who are staying in rooms within the Main Tower.
That being said, because the monorail’s station is inside the resort, there’s a whole lotta foot-traffic here. So your hotel stay might not be AS quiet as, say, a room over at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West.
Dining
One of the BEST parts about staying at the Contemporary Resort is how many AWESOME dining options you’ve got within steps of your room.
Looking for something fancy? Book a reservation for California Grill on the 15th floor (which also has a private balcony where you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks). Want a nice, big, JUICY steak? Make dinner ressies for Steakhouse 71.
Ready to meet ALL of the Fab Five in one setting (without waiting in multiple theme park queue lines)? Reservations for Chef Mickey’s are a MUST. Or if you just want something quick, easy, cheap(ish), yet still satisfyingly filling, Contempo Cafe can make that happen.
Rooms
Yes, the Contemporary is another high-priced deluxe option that isn’t the greatest fit for travel parties on a budget. But if your heart is set on staying here, you can always check out rates for the Contemporary’s Garden Wing rooms — which are in a separate building from the main Contemporary tower, but are still adjacent to the main building.
One of the main complaints that guests tend to have against the Contemporary is how the resort doesn’t seem to have one set personality, but SEVERAL personalities going on at all times. While resorts like Art of Animation are inspired solely by popular Disney films, and Old Key West stays true to its classic Floridian vibes through and through, Contemporary Resort is a smorgasboard of… well… everything.
You’ve got Incredibles-themed rooms in the Main Tower, signature dining upstairs, giant artsy Mary Blair murals, early Magic Kingdom inspo inside Steakhouse 71 — there’s just a LOT going on here. And that’s not a BAD thing, necessarily, but if you’re looking for a classier stay with your hunny-bunny, the napkin-twirling party happening over at Chef Mickey’s and the Jack-Jack collage hanging out in the Main Tower bathrooms may not be the vibe you’re after.
In the same breath, having all of these different options just means there’s a little something for EVERYONE to enjoy here. So it just all depends on what you’re after! (And maybe what you’re after is a little bit of EVERYTHING.)
PROS
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- Lots of dining options!
- Monorail access
- Options that are fun for the WHOLE family
CONS
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- Has a bit of an identity crisis
- Don’t accidentally book a room outside the main tower if you want to be close to all the action!
- Lots of foot traffic here
10. BoardWalk Inn
And NOW, for a deluxe resort with high-end nostalgia and hip-happenin’ nightlife shindigs — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is an EPCOT area resort — which is a crucial piece of information for those who are planning on spending a lot of time at EPCOT during their next visit… since the BoardWalk Inn is literally STEPS away from the International Gateway (also known as EPCOT’s back entrance).
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Because the BoardWalk Inn is THAT close to EPCOT, it’s also equally as close to EPCOT’s Skyliner station — meaning you can hitch a ride aboard a gondola to get over to Hollywood Studios, too! BoardWalk Inn also has FriendShip Boats — which is just an alternative way to get over to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, if you’d rather float on over to the parks instead.
As for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you’ll have to take one of the Disney buses — BUT, because this resort is so centrally-located, it shouldn’t be THAT long of a trip to make it over to those other parks. (Still — plan for that extra travel time anyways, just in case the bus stop lines wind up extremely long in the morning/evening.)
Dining
The BoardWalk Inn has a few decent dining and drink stops that you can check out during your next visit, but what we’re REALLY EXCITED to try are the two NEW options opening up in 2024 — Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs AND The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers.
The Cake Bake Shop will require Advance Dining Reservations once it opens, so be sure to keep checking back with us to find out when, exactly, those ADRs will go live on the Disney World website.
But there are several other fairly NEW offerings that are available at BoardWalk Inn RIGHT NOW that you can check out if you’re planning on visiting SOON. Carousel Coffee and BoardWalk Deli opened back in 2022 to give guests more quick service eats and on-the-go drinks. That said – there really isn’t much here by way of counter service that you can sit and eat (since BoardWalk Deli doesn’t have any indoor seating which has been a huge issue for my family specifically).
They do have quite a few restaurants within easy walking distance, though — like Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, Yacht and Beach Club restaurants, Swan and Dolphin restaurants (over at those nearby Good Neighbor Hotels), and even EPCOT’s plethora of restaurants — which you can access just as long as you’ve got a park ticket.
Rooms
Many of the BoardWalk Inn’s rooms (as well as main lobby area) were recently refurbished to incorporate new flooring and furniture (without getting rid of that turn-of-the-century flair this resort is so well known for).
BoardWalk Inn gives you the best of three worlds — it’s fancy AND beachy AND vintage-y, all wrapped up into one hotel stay. (Although if you’re not a huge fan of the latter of the options, you might feel as if your room is more outdated rather than “vintage,” even with those most recent updates.)
Quick word of warning — even though the BoardWalk Inn is just steps away from Yacht and Beach Club (more about THOSE resorts later on), you will NOT be able to check out the wildly popular mini-waterpark that these resorts share. That being said, you’ll still be able to hit up the Mickey Mouse-theme Luna Park feature pool — or one of the two leisure pools — made for BoardWalk Inn guests only.
(Oh, and another word of warning — keep an eye out for the Nanny Chairs around the lobby. They’re always watching you. Always waaaaaatching…)
PROS
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- New restaurants on the horizon!
- Updated rooms
- Within walking distance to EPCOT
CONS
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- Vintage style rooms aren’t for everyone
- Despite being near Yacht and Beach, you can’t go to Stormalong Bay
- The nanny chairs are probably haunting you
- Very few hearty counter service offerings with seating
9. Polynesian Village Resort
Aloha! And WELCOME to the oh-so-tropical Polynesian Village Resort!
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Polynesian Village is the other deluxe Disney World hotel that’s been around since Magic Kingdom’s opening day — with monorail access to both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. (Or, if you don’t mind adding a few extra steps into your day, you can also WALK right on up to the Magic Kingdom front gates. Or maybe you wanna take a boat there instead. Whatever you decide, you’ll be saying “hi” to Cinderella Castle in no time.)
Polynesian Village is so close to Magic Kingdom, in fact, that you can watch the Happily Ever After fireworks on the resort’s beachside (for absolutely FREE). And be sure to stick around for the Electric Water Pageant that makes its way across the Seven Seas Lagoon each night, too.
Dining
Polynesian has a LOT going on at all times throughout the day — and it’s dining/drink/snack options are nothing short of memorable. You’ve got Hawaiian-style all-you-care-to-enjoy dining at ‘Ohana (with a Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto character meal during breakfast). Interactive tiki bars at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Lapu Lapu cocktails — served in full pineapples — over at Tambu Lounge. LOTS of Dole Whip goodies at Pineapple Lanai. And SEVERAL OTHER quick services, restaurants, and drink destinations where you can sit back, relax, and go, “Yes, THIS is what it means to be on vacation.”
Rooms
Once again, I’ve gotta bum you out by mentioning just how stinking expensive this deluxe resort is. While the Moana-themed rooms are beautiful and fit in so well with the Polynesian atmopshere, you’re rarely ever gonna pay under $600 per night for a stay here.
And expect to pay triple (maybe even QUADRUPLE) that amount if you book one of the ultra-exclusive Bora Bora Bungalows. The Bora Bora Bungalows sit atop the Seven Seas Lagoon and have a beautiful, distant view of Cinderella Castle. You’ll have a private deck and plunge pool, a full kitchen, living area, multiple bedrooms, two bathrooms, and enough room to sleep up to 8 guests. Buuuuuuut you’re also looking at paying, like, $3000-$5000+ per night to stay at them. PLUS there’s not very many of these rooms, so — much like the Saratoga treehouses — they tend to book up over a year in advance.
Now HERE’S some exciting news about this deluxe resort! Later on in 2024, Polynesian Village will be opening up their new DVC building — which’ll include a variety of fresh DVC accommodations, including 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom villas. Along with these new waterfront rooms, the building will also receive new dining and swimming areas. (Disney hasn’t released much about these new amenities YET, but we’ll definitely let ya know when they do!)
Although DVC members will have first dibs on rooms here, EVERYONE will get the chance to book ‘em eventually. (But, again, we’ll probably have to wait a while until room reservations ACTUALLY go live on the site.) You can still stay at Polynesian Village while this MAJOR construction is taking place, but keep in mind that there’s a LOT of torn up spots around the Seven Seas Lagoon right now, making this resort not as picturesque as it usually is.
Not to mention, since construction work happens during the day, you might hear drills and hammers and cranes working on the DVC building around the afternoon. And, depending on where your room is located, this construction might make it hard to do any midday cat napping. So just brace yourself for that IF you’re the type who likes to take breaks from the parks and rest for a bit back in the room — because a stay at the Polynesian right now could be less restful than you were expecting it to be.
PROS
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- Beautiful tropical theming
- Lots of fun and unique places to snack/eat
- Moana rooms!
- Monorail access
CONS
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- Lots of construction currently (but that’ll eventually give us a new DVC building)
- Ohana has been more of a hit or miss lately
- Lots of traffic from monorail
8. Fort Wilderness
It’s hard to figure out where, exactly, to place Fort Wilderness on this list right now — but I think smack-dab in the middle of things is a good illustration of how we feel about it in its current state.
Rooms
Fort Wilderness used to be a moderate resort with fairly affordable and spacious cabins. And while those cabins aren’t exactly going away, they have been swept under the wing of the DVC — meaning they’re going to be reimagined into a more modernized resort option with updated furnishings and amenities.
These cabin facelifts should all be finished up by summer 2024. And while it’s exciting to see these cabins receive some much-needed love and attention, the fact that they’re going to now be considered as “DVC” resorts means those moderate price points we used to go ga-ga over are more than likely gonna be tossed out the window. Which is a real shame.
Transportation
That being said, there’s still a lot to love about Fort Wilderness. While this resort is rather spread out — making it hard to get around anywhere quick without renting a golf cart and driving place-to-place yourself (which is actually pretty fun, just kinda costly), you CAN take a boat over to Magic Kingdom as an alternative to the much-much-MUCH slower bus system.
Folks tend to love the seclusion-factor out here — and if you’re looking for a more affordable place to stay inside the Disney bubble, you can always check out the Fort Wilderness campgrounds to pitch a tent or park your RVs!
Dining
Fort Wilderness is home to the ONLY dinner theater show currently on property, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. AND, not too long ago, Trail’s End Restaurant was reimagined as a marketplace concept with expanded quick service options. While I do miss the affordable all you can eat skillets, this is a good place for guests to pick up both hot and chilled Grab-and-Go eats, as well as reasonably-priced meals that’ll feed the whole family.
Outdoor Activities
But our absolute FAVORITE part about this resort are all the outdoor activities you can take part in.
And no, I’m not just talking about its resort pools. I’m talking:
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- A FREE Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Sing-a-Long
- Archery classes
- The entirety of the Tri-Circle D Ranch (with all its cutesy Disney horses and ponies)
- Fishing
- Bike rentals
- Canoe and Kayak Rentals
- Wilderness Back Trail Adventures (on segways)
- And SO MUCH MORE.
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So… in a nutshell, while we’re a little apprehensive about the future of Fort Wilderness and its bougie DVC cabins-to-be, we still can’t help but love this place and all its rustic outdoor entertainment.
PROS
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- Cabins AND campsites available
- LOTS of outdoor activities
- Has the only dinner theater show
CONS
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- Lots of construction
- While the updated DVC cabins will be nice and sleek, they’ll be a lot more expensive than before
- You’re WAY out in the boonies here
7. Pop Century
And now, for our FAVORITE place to stay along the Skyliner route…Pop Century Resort. This is the MOST AFFORDABLE resort to stay at IF you’re wanting that nearby Skyliner access all trip long.
Transportation
Art of Animation and Pop Century do share a Skyliner station, so BEWARE (beware, be very very ware) of those rope dropping crowds. Speaking of crowds, Pop Century houses a LOT of guests at all times and has the MOST rooms available for guests to book at a single Disney hotel. (We’re talking 3,000 rooms here, people!) And while that helps when it comes to actually being able to book an affordable room — even during the busier times of year — this is *by no means* going to be a quiet, relaxing getaway.
Instead, it’ll be a flurry of energy and excited kiddos, who are all mesmerized by the bold colors and EVEN MORE mesmerized by the oversized props decorating this resort. (When it comes to decor, all of the value resorts are the textbook definition of, “Go big or go home.”)
Dining
Another way Pop Century is just like its value resort companions? It’s got a food court…and ONLY a food court. And, yeah, that food court does have the same theme park offerings as all the others, but it’s ALSO got this specialty tie dye cheesecake that’s been one of our favorite Disney desserts for a while now. So I’ll hedge it above the other value resort food courts, just because it likes to surprise us with a fun and different item every now and then.
Rooms
The rooms have all recently been renovated here — so you will be able to stay in a standard room with one of those beds that folds up into the walls. But the only style of room you can book here is a standard one — with one bathroom, and either two queen beds OR one king bed. No family suites at Pop Century. Sorry.
Now, Pop Century ain’t called Pop Century for no reason. Each hotel building reflects a different 1990s era — so we’ve got the 50’s, 60’s 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s all represented. The decor throughout is definitely a blast from the past. Even the lobby has a gallery of shadowboxes featuring paraphernalia from all the represented decades.
While your kiddos will recognize SOME characters and themes featured throughout — like the classic Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and Jungle Book friends — you might start feeling REAL old when they ask why that laptop looks so clunky or why Mickey Mouse is holding such a weirdly-shaped device (ie: a phone).
I dunno. Some folks might think the over-the-top decor across the value resorts looks a little tacky and in-your-face, but I think it’s charming. Is it the perfect resort fit for EVERYONE? Absolutely not — especially all you honeymooners out there, looking for a stay that’s a little more sophisticated. But, y’know, in a day and age when Disney’s getting really caught up in making things look “sleek” and “modernized,” it’s nice to be reminded that we don’t always need to take ourselves too seriously — and bold colors, goofy props, and wacky decor isn’t a crime. It’s actually a lot of fun!
- PROS
- Best value Skyliner resort
- Recently renovated rooms
- Tie dye cheesecake
- CONS
- One of the busier resorts (that holds the most people)
- The larger than life characters may be nostalgic for parents, but leave kids scratching their heads
- Standard rooms only
6. Port Orleans French Quarter/Riverside
What better way to celebrate the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (slated for 2024) than by booking a stay at one of these Louisiana-inspired resorts? Port Orleans hosts two different hotels (but we’re grouping them together today, since they have very similar theming AND they share a lot of amenities with one another).
The French Quarter resort focuses more on the Mardi Gras vibes of New Orleans — with quick services that offer Cajun and creole specialities, and live jazz music at the Cat Scat’s Club on the weekends. While Riverside focuses more on the rural parts of Louisiana — with hotel buildings reminiscent of the white-columned mansions and backwoods cottages.
Transportation
Much like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, the Port Orleans resorts have riverboat access over to Disney Springs. It’s not a SPEEDY ride over to the shopping district, by any means, but it is a leisurely and picturesque one. So you’ll wanna take advantage of the amenity while you’ve got it.
Otherwise, you’ll be hopping on a bus to get over to all four parks — and these buses are shared with BOTH sides of the resort.
Dining
As far as dining’s concerned, there are major pros and cons for BOTH resorts. Pros for French Quarter? Their food court, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, is way more adventurous with their options than you’ll find at the other value resort food courts. Granted, these more “adventurous” items alongside all the standard food court eats do rotate out seasonally, but you may be able to find options like shrimp and grits, create your own protein bowls, or gumbo and cornbread (depending on when you visit).
French Quarter is also our go-to spot for warm and fluffy beignets.You’ve got sweet, savory, and even BOOZY options between Scat Cat’s Club Lounge and Scat Cat’s Club Cafe. The main difference between the two? The lounge is a sit-down spot only open in the evenings, while the cafe is open all day long for beignets on the go.
While, honestly, you could just fill me up with beignets and beignets alone and I’d be good to go, it is worth mentioning that French Quarter doesn’t have a full on table service restaurant here. So you’re either gonna have to take a stroll over to Riverside to eat at Boatwright’s Dining Hall, OR take a boat over to Disney Springs for their hundreds of unique dining options.
Along with Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Riverside Resort does also have a food court option much like French Quarter — but if you’re not too keen on standard theme park eats or good ol’ southern cooking, then you’re not gonna find many options between the two resorts that really satisfy your tastebuds.
Rooms
Neither French Quarter nor Riverside offers family suites (you’ve got standard room set-ups only – though some do sleep five guests), BUT what Riverside CAN offer you is a swanky stay in one of their Royal Guest Rooms.
These rooms are heavily themed around Disney’s royal posse — with Magic Carpet flooring, beautiful wall art of fan-favorite Disney princesses, a personalized letter from Tiana welcoming you as her distinguished guest, sinks shaped like magic lamps, and even headboards that burst to life with LED fireworks!
And best of all? They’re still not gonna be nearly as expensive as a stay in one of the deluxe resorts. So you can still live out your bougiest Disney dreams without having to break the bank.
Amenities
Now, remember how I told you these two resorts share a lot of the same amenities? That’s even true of the POOLS too!
While you’re not allowed to pool hop as a Disney Resort guests at ANY other time, the Port Orleans resorts are the only exception to this rule — meaning you can check out BOTH feature pools across BOTH resorts, as well as access all of Riverside’s leisure pools, whether you’ve got a room over there or on the French Quarter side of things.
NOTE: If you’re planning on staying at Port Orleans between January-April 2024, keep in mind that French Quarter’s Doubloon Lagoon will be closed for maintenance during that time. However, you’ll still be more than welcome to hit up Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island pool to still get your splishin’ and splashin’ fix
And if it weren’t for the more limited dining options and strict bus transportation over to the parks, I’d say these resorts are near perfection.
PROS
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- BEIGNETS
- Live music lounges
- Guest have access to BOTH feature pools
- Royal Rooms
CONS
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- Can only take buses over to the parks
- No sit down restaurant at French Quarter (but you can take a boat over to Disney Springs for more options!)
- No suite options here — standard rooms only
5. Wilderness Lodge
YAY!! We’ve made it to the TOP, y’all! The next few resorts are some of our all-time FAVORITE places to stay (though there’s always a CATCH, even with the really good ones).
While some folks get Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge confused with one another, these resorts offer VERY different hotel experiences (with one similar theme — the great outdoors).
Transportation
Wilderness Lodge keeps you in-sync with nature while also providing you with a comfy and upscale stay. While this deluxe resort is considered to be a Magic Kingdom-area resort, you’re not gonna have access to the monorail like the other three deluxe Magic Kingdom resorts have. But that comes with its own set of pros and cons. While, yes, it can be a bummer to not have that super-speedy convenience taking you up to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT gates daily, you do still have boat access over to Magic Kingdom, if you’d like to opt for that over the bus system.
And, because Wilderness Lodge doesn’t have the additional benefit, it’s actually the cheaper of the deluxe resort Magic Kingdom options to book. (I’m not saying it’s CHEAP. Just cheapER.)
However, Wilderness Lodge is kinda out of the way (since you’re out in the forest and whatnot), so be prepared for longer travel times to the other three parks.This resort is absolutely STUNNING, y’all — by day AND by night. You’ve got a babbling brook in the lobby, a real-working geyser outside, lots of sweeping rustic decor and woodwork, and — by nightfall — you can watch the Electric Water Pageant parade across Bay Lake (and maybe even catch a glimpse of a fireworks spectacle if you’re hanging out around the boat dock during the time they shoot off at Magic Kingdom).
Dining
Whether you’re looking for a character meal, or a nice place to lounge and drink, or quick service eats, or maybe even an interactive dining experience with lots of server shenanigans — Wilderness Lodge has it ALL.
But my two FAVORITE places to eat at this resort have gotta be Story Book Dining at At Artist Point with Snow White (which takes place inside this enchanted forest setting and has a PHENOMENAL prix fixe menu of options), as well as Geyser Point Bar and Grill (which has TWO separate menus, depending on whether you’re in the mood to lounge and hang out in their open air establishment for a bit… or if you wanna take your eats on the go).
Honestly, I don’t have a whole lotta negative things to say about this resort — and it’s definitely worth checking out even if you decide NOT to stay there during your next visit. Its main downfall is just how far away it is from the other parks — which means factoring in a lot of extra travel time into your daily itinerary.
PROS
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- Peaceful and serene
- Lots of dining
- Only a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom
- The most AFFORDABLE deluxe hotel in the Magic Kingdom area
CONS
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- No monorail access
- Traveling to other parks can be rather long (since you’re out in the wilderness, and all)
- Pool is lovely, but not the most exciting
4. Coronado Springs/Gran Destino Tower
Does it SURPRISE you that a moderate resort found its way to be in our TOP FIVE favorite Disney World hotels? To tell ya the truth, Coronado Springs hasn’t always ranked this high on our list. Not until Gran Destino Tower showed up in 2019 and changed EVERYTHING.
Gran Destino Tower feels like you’re staying at a deluxe resort for a more moderate price point. It’s just so…ARTISTIC and ELEGANT and DRIPPING with those classic Mexican, Spanish, and Southwest American influences.
Transportation
Now before I get into everything I LOVE about this resort, I’ve gotta warn you — the transportation here is really a headache.
Once again, we’re dealing with an internal bus loop — something you’ll have to navigate on the daily to get to all four parks PLUS the Disney Springs shopping district. This is one of those resorts that’s grand and beautiful, but its MAJOR downfall is simply getting from place to place without having to wait forever and a day to make it happen. So save back for uber and lyft rides, just in case — ESPECIALLY if you’re gonna be making Advance Dining Reservations and need a safety net option to get you over to the restaurant as quickly as possible.
If you’re not staying in Gran Destino Tower — and you’re staying in one of the classic Coronado Springs rooms instead — this resort is super spread out, so you may have to walk a good distance to reach all those main hotel amenities and offerings. However, when you stay in the Gran Destino Tower, all those main amenities are pretty close by at all times — including a handful of different dining options.
Dining
By far and away, Coronado has the BEST dining options across the moderate resorts. With multiple lounges, a rooftop restaurant, a sports bar, a table service option on the lake, a food court, and more — all your dining needs will more than likely be satisfied all vacation long.
Coronado is also the ONLY moderate resort with multiple gyms AND club level room options (which are usually strictly reserved for deluxe hotels). But don’t let this FOOL you. Because, as much as Gran Destino LOOKS and ACTS like a deluxe resort doesn’t mean it IS one.
When you stay at a LEGIT Disney Deluxe Resort, you’ll have the Extended Evening Hours benefits — which allows you to stay for a couple of extra hours at select parks on select nights AFTER the parks close for everyone else. But if you book a room at Gran Destino — even a CLUB LEVEL room, at that — you still won’t have access to that deluxe resort perk.
However, you WILL still be able to use the Early Theme Park Entry benefit — which lets ALL Disney World resort guests enter ANY of the parks on ANY days 30 minutes before they officially open for the rest of the public. But I digress: Let’s get back to Coronado Spring specifically.
Amenities
When you stay here, you’ll have access to the REALLY cool Dig Site area — which has a feature pool themed around the Mayan Ruins, as well as the LARGEST hot tub across all of the Disney World resorts. (So let the relaxation BEGIN.)
Note: Coronado Springs is more of a conference resort, complete with its own business center. So if you’re here for work OR you’re on a honeymoon and you don’t really NEED Mickey plastered all over the walls and decor, then this might be the right fit for all your needs.
PROS
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- Feels like a deluxe stay at a moderate price point
- Awesome pool with large hot tub
- Lots of dining
- Only moderate with club level rooms
CONS
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- Not every room will put you in Gran Destino tower, so be careful with what you book
- Transportation can take FOREVER
- No extended evening hours (despite it feeling like a deluxe resort)
- They took away the best cheese dip eveeeeer from Three Bridges Bar and Grill X0
3. Yacht and Beach Club
Here’s another resort combo coming atcha! Yacht Club and Beach Club are both two separate deluxe resorts that are often confused as the SAME resort because they’re literally RIGHT NEXT to each other in the EPCOT area.
But even though the LOOK like twins, they both take on two different themes: While Beach Club is lighter, brighter, and a whole lot more beach-driven, Yacht Club has a finer air about it for those looking for a more sophisticated stay. Since BoardWalk Inn is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from either resort, that means EPCOT is the same. (Thank you, International Gateway!)
Transportation
And, much like BoardWalk Inn, you’ve also got access to the Friendship Boats AND Skyliner system, but you’ll need to take a bus to reach Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
Dining
There are a lot of underrated restaurants shared between Yacht and Beach Club:
Yacht Club has classier dining options like Yachtsman Steakhouse, Ale and Compass, and the Crew’s Cup Lounge (which just RECENTLY brought back my beloved Prime Rib Sliders — HALLELUJAH). And Beach Club has some more charismatic dining options — like the retro-themed Beaches and Cream and the character buffet, Cape May Cafe.
Amenities
But the reason — and I mean THE REASON — to stay at either Yacht OR Beach Club during your next visit is to gain access to the COOLEST Disney pool around: Stormalong Bay.
Stormalong Bay is the ONLY Disney resort swimming area you could technically classify as a mini-waterpark. It has a sand-bottom pool, a 230-foot water slide, a lazy river, and three whirlpool spas. So if you’re planning on staying here, be SURE to factor in one or two FULL days to just ENJOY this pool to its fullest. (Because, believe me, you’ll want to. And so will your kids. And your spouse. And your Great Aunt Mildred. Literally EVERYONE’S gonna want to check this pool out.) And you’ll be able to visit Stormalong Bay as either a Yacht OR a Beach Club guest.
This pool does get pretty packed out — especially in the summer with the heat of the day — but you’ll also have a few leisure pools to escape to if you’d rather have a more peaceful day floating and staying cool.
RED ALERT! RED ALERT! If you’re planning on visiting Disney World in 2025 — sometime between January through May — please be aware that Stormalong Bay WILL BE CLOSED during this time for refurbishments. So if you’re booking a room at either resort JUST for the mini-waterpark area alone, you’re gonna be MIGHTY disappointed if your trip just so happens to fall during the pool’s extended closure.
Rooms
So — aside from the main pool — what are the Yacht and Beach Club rooms like? Eh…pretty simple. Nothing too over-the-top — though Beach Club did just receive some nice-and-shiny room renovations recently, featuring new artwork, multi-colored curtains, and glass door showers.
But even with the Beach Club’s recent renovations, I think I still prefer the room decor over on the Yacht Club side, just for those Disney character constellation curtains alone. (Still wanting to put these in my own home, thank you very much.)
Needless to say, Yacht and Beach Club is a sleeper hit resort for us. But the steep prices may not be worth it for you — especially if you plan on being in the parks more than you plan on hanging around and swimming the days away all vacation long.
PROS
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- Stormalong Bay!
- Within walking distance to EPCOT
- They brought back the prime rib sliders!!
- Several Beach rooms recently renovated
CONS
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- Stormalong will be closed for renovations in 2025
- Yacht side can feel a bit “stuffier”
- Pricey-pricey
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge
Earning the silver medal today is Disney’s deluxe resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge! (WOOOOO! Way to GO, AKL!)
Rooms
When you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to book a room with views of this resort’s FOUR savannas. According to the Disney website, Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to over 200 different animals.
But even if you don’t end up with a savanna view from your room, there are still SEVERAL opportunities to ooh and aah over the giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and many other wildlife creatures who call this resort “home” during your table service meals (which are an additional cost), or Starlight Safaris (which are also an additional cost), or even gazing out through those massive resort windows from the comfort of a rocking chair (free of charge).
Transportation
Animal Kingdom Lodge’s main downside is its transportation. Again, you’ve got another sprawling resort with an internal bus loop and no other complimentary transportation options available. However, your bus ride over to Animal Kingdom shouldn’t take you too terribly long — since it’s only a stone’s throw away from the park… which makes perfect sense.
Dining
This might be a mighty big claim to make, but I’m pretty sure Animal Kingdom Lodge has the BEST dining across all of the Disney World resorts.
The African-inspired cuisines available at Boma, The Mara, Sanaa, and Jiko are as memorable as they are delicious. Even if you’re not staying at this resort during your next trip, you may still wanna book a reservation for one of these restaurants (minus The Mara — which is the main quick service option here) for a meal that’s incredibly unique in a setting that’s picturesque and vibrant and filled with traditional African memorabilia.
PROS
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- Some of the BEST restaurants resort-wide
- Rooms with views of an ENTIRE savana
- Starlight Safari Tours!
CONS
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- Not every room is guaranteed savana view
- Only bus transportation available
- Food may feel too adventurous for pickier eaters (though there’s definitely some more familiar foods that they can order too)
1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
And now, for the BEST resort of the bunch…. Give it up for…….GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT AND SPA. Whoa whoa whoa whoa WHOA. Now HOLD UP. Don’t start typing scathing arguments into the comments JUST YET. I know this isn’t the most POPULAR first choice opinion for everyone — but give me a chance to explain why we’ve put this resort on top today.
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is gonna be your PRICIEST deluxe hotel option. (Which is why it’s earned itself quite the “meh” reputation over the years.) And understandably so! After all, not everyone wants to majorly splurge on a resort when the majority of their vacation is gonna be spent inside the parks anyways.
But if you consider the resort stay as a bigger factor in your Disney vacation — even over the parks themselves — then you could spend several days just hanging out at Grand Floridian and really TREATING yo’self to some major pampering, fine dining, and relaxation.
Many folks choose this resort to celebrate those special life occasions…especially weddings or vow renewals, since Grand Floridian is the home of Disney’s Wedding pavilion — where you can get married to your soulmate in a white-and-gold chapel with a breathtaking view of Cinderella Castle.
And let’s just take a minute to appreciate how much WORK has gone into IMPROVING Grand Floridian over these past few years.
Rooms/Dining
So many aspects of this resort have been completely reimagined to improve guests’ experiences:
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- We’ve got more whimsical (yet still classy) Mary Poppins themed rooms
- Lots of extra DVC options in the Big Pine Key building
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- Restaurant decor and menu updates for the fancy table services, Narcooses and Citricos — as well as even MORE updates at the AAA 5-Diamond Restaurant, Victoria and Albert’s
- And lobby makeovers (with even MORE facelifts to come in 2024)
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Transportation
Grand Floridian is the third and final Magic Kingdom area resort with monorail access — so you can hitch a ride over to Magic Kingdom OR walk there, if you prefer.
Amenities
But, again, even if you wanna stick around your resort and never step foot into one of the parks, you’ll still have TONS to do here, like…
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- Book a massage at the Grand Floridian Spa
- Snack on the BEST mac and cheese of your life (from Gasparilla Island Grill)
- Enjoy a cocktail in the Enchanted Rose Lounge
- Catch the Electrical Water Parade/Happily Ever After fireworks in the evening
- Rent a boat to take out across Seven Seas Lagoon
- Enjoy a nice brunch at Grand Floridian Cafe
- Reserve a private cabana over at the feature pool
- Or even kick back in the lobby, just to listen to a professional pianist tickling the ivories
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PROS
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- Lots of work has been done here, with refreshed restaurants, Mary Poppins rooms, etc.
- Monorail access
- Lots of solid restaurant options
- Fun extra amenities: pool cabanas, gingerbread houses, spa days, etc.
CONS
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- More construction updates in the future
- The most EXPENSIVE place to stay property-wide
- Still waiting to hear more about reopenings for 1900 Park Fare and Garden Tea Room
And there you have it! That’s ALL of the Disney World hotels ranked. So, what should your takeaways be? This ranking DOESN’T mean that Disney’s Contemporary Resort should be the ONLY resort you stay in from here on out, nor that the All-Star Resorts aren’t worth your time.
Rather, you should look at each of the breakdowns and consider what the best option is going to be for you and your travel party. Do the research and pick the resort that’s going to make the most sense for your vacation needs. And, keep an eye on DFB for all the help you need to have the BEST Disney World trip.
Want to know about the best hotel ROOMS in Disney World (and how to get them)? Watch our video!
Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels?
Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels
The “I’m So Tired; Just Tell Me What To Do” Guide To Choosing the Perfect Disney World Hotel
13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel
8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room
The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room
The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS!
What's New at the Disney World Hotels
All About Disney World's Resort Hotel Refillable Mugs
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Which Disney World hotel is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
Laurel Lane says
I can’t believe Riverside didn’t rank higher. I’ve stayed at the Contemporary and Polynesian and others and Riverside is my favorite. I love all the atmosphere and the grounds and the food court.
John says
I personally would not rank Grand Floridian #2. The hotel and lobby are gorgeous but the actual rooms are pretty basic and not well maintained. The last two times I stayed there I had to change rooms — once because there was no hot water and another time because the air conditioner was stuck on “high” resulting in a room that was like a walk in refrigerator. If you are in any of the outlying buildings there is a significant outdoor walk to the main building which houses all of the restaurants, the monorail, and the bus transportation — which is not pleasant if Florida is having one of their all too frequent summer rainstorms.
Lynn says
Over the years I’ve visited Disney World almost 100 times. Most of these visits were at All Star Hotels. In the early years they were the only ones I could afford. I enjoyed every stay and especially appreciated the attention and care each time, especially during a hurricane stay. I have also been treated by friends to stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge (a special birthday) which was wonderful but not economically in my plans otherwise. I’ve stayed at what Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter with friends, both were nice but the transportation took forever . I’ve also stayed at Coronado Springs and enjoyed it but again transportation and depending on the room walking to main buildings was a trek. I’ve also spent a visit in part at Caribbean Beach and was very disappointed on all fronts. I stayed at Pop Century a few times before the skyliner and enjoyed it. Ranking any hotel is a matter of what the individual thinks is important. Economics play a big part in choosing the hotel. Also transportation….I’ve never had a problem with the bus system. Staying on property always meant being able to park the car until it was time to leave.
Anna says
I agree with another comment that hotel preferences are highly subjective, though I appreciate the attempt at objective criteria here. I personally would have ranked the cabins at Fort Wilderness as much, much higher — but that would be for folks who really want to spend time at Fort Wilderness for 1-2 non-resort days during a longer trip. Fort Wilderness offers so much to do during the day, it was one of my favorite stays on property. I would almost not put it alongside the other resorts at all, it’s like apples to oranges.
c says
While I agree with a lot of the information here, I’d really like to see a more objective list. When basing resorts on extravagance and level of theming instead of actual quality of rooms and staff, it tends to paint an unfair picture based purely on cost (which really isn’t helpful to the roughly 85% of families looking to book a Disney trip without blowing their child’s entire college fund on the Grand Floridian, which imo is both overpriced and overrated). However, I do understand that taste is subjective.
ANNE says
It is not really appropriate to compare value to deluxe or moderate. If you want to do a proper comparison, do the rankings as compared to each other in EACH catagory. There is no swanky value in any of the value resorts as they are made for families and themed to the 10s for it. Because they are cheaper resorts the only transportation is going to be buses. Moderate are a little more money and themed by the destination they portray (port orleans, french quarter etc). They get a boat transport and buses. Delux on the other hand get all the new and exciting things because you pay a fortune to have them. Buses, boats, monorail, skyliner, you are paying for the convenience. But you are paying for everybody else to use them too. Again, not in the same catagory as value or moderate. Try comparing each resort to each other in the same catagories, then there might be a real comparison.
Mimi says
Wilderness Lodge is our family’s favorite by far. We’ve stayed there at least 15 times since the late 90’s and it’s just so beautiful and peaceful. We have loved our stays at Polynesian but it doesn’t have that same relaxing and peaceful feel. Contemporary and Grand Floridian are of course nice and we love being on the monorail but we still prefer the Wilderness Lodge. Our 3rd favorite resort is Beach Club.
Nicole says
We just returned from a stay at All Star Sports over Easter. We have stayed at Disney resorts at all price points over the years but almost exclusively choose the All Stars now. Their theming is incredible, especially the sports for my teenage boys, the food courts are tasty and super convenient hours, the gift shops offer a wide variety of items and the pools are beautifully landscaped. I literally just had this conversation with my kids – would you rather stay somewhere else next time? And they said other resorts are nicer, but are they 3x nicer? 5x nicer? As their prices are? No way. The buses were convenient, we got everywhere we wanted to at a busy time and I encourage families to think hard about their vacation style and priorities.
Richard Mercer says
“Animal Kingdom Lodge is EXPENSIVE, but it is the least expensive of the value resorts (closely tied with Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort).”
This is of course a typo. Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe Resort, but possibly the least expensive in that top category. BTW there is no simple access to Animal Kingdom theme park. You need to take a bus, drive your car, ot use some form of rideshare.
Richard Mercer says
BTW the “Epcot Resorts” (Yacht & Beach Clubs, Boardwalk, Dolphin & Swan) are ideal for transportation, or lack thereof! If you are in good physical condition, you can walk to two theme parks and nearly HALF of the Table Service restaurants in Disney World.
DFB Gigi says
Thank you for pointing that out, Richard. I have gone in and changed it to deluxe. Sometimes we may have small typos in these larger articles, but I’m always happy to go in and fix them. It would be so nice if they could add some fun transportation from Wilderness Lodge to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, like their own safari vehicle, but I’d rather see trams come back in all the parking lots. 😅
CJ says
Saratoga springs is my favorite! Love the rooms and the peaceful vibe The bus system isn’t bad; plus you can park for free at any park if you’re staying at a Disney resort. 🙂
RandyC says
We have stayed at many of the WDW resorts. We prefer the DVC Villas the best, mainly for the extra room, washer and dryers, and the ability for all to have breakfast and coffee in our room, saving both time and money, so we can get to the rope drop, Pronto! Anywhere my family is with me is a great stay and a great vacation.
Kirsten says
I always feel that Coronado gets a bad rap for that bus loop. But if you’re not the type to stay open to close (which my family isn’t) its really not that bad. Also its beautifully quiet for a theme park hotel. The only annoying bit was having to hoof it to the conference center for external Lyft pickup. (if you’re leaving the bubble)