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Which Disney World Resort Hotel is Best for YOU?

UPDATED December 17, 2024

There is a lot to consider when planning a Walt Disney World vacation… and right at the top of the list is WHERE to stay in Orlando. If you’re hoping to stay in a Disney-owned-and-operated Resort hotel right on Disney World property, you have a myriad of options (over 25!) available to you — along with Disney Resort-exclusive perks and benefits.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

This page is packed with resources that we hope will be of assistance as you choose the Disney World Resort hotel that best fits the needs of your traveling party.

Disney World Resort Hotel Inclusions and Benefits

All Disney World Resort Hotel guests have access to exclusive benefits. These include:

… and MORE!

Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag?

Disney World Resort Categories

Walt Disney World offers three Resort hotel levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Disney Vacation Club Villas are also available at select Deluxe Resorts, offering more room for larger parties, or different amenities to make your Resort more of a “home away from home” (such as a kitchenette or even a full kitchen and, in many cases, several bedrooms). There is even a campground which just so happens to be one of the ORIGINAL Disney World Resorts.

Disney’s Art of Animation is a Value Resort

Those assigned Resort levels are indicative of both amenities and of the hotel’s price range, with Value Resorts presenting the lowest price options (for standard rooms) and Deluxe Resorts — as well as Villas — presenting the highest.

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Now let’s dive into the individual Resorts by category:

Walt Disney World Value Resorts

Disney has five Value Resort hotels to choose from: Disney’s All-Star Sports, Disney’s All-Star Movies, Disney’s All-Star Music, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Learn more about Disney’s individual Value Resorts by clicking any of the links or watching the videos from our DFBGuide YouTube channel below!

Disney’s All-Star Resorts: Sports, Music, and Movies

Disney All-Star Resorts encompass THREE side-by-side hotels featuring a similar set-up and design, but each with their own individual theme — All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, and All-Star Movies. All-Star Music is unique in that it offers Family Suites in addition to standard guest rooms.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s All-Star Resorts!

You’ll be surrounded by colorful, whimsical, larger-than-life icons themed to your chosen Resort (Sports, Music, or Movies) in addition to reasonably priced rooms, huge food courts with plenty of options, gigantic pools, and much more. Because of their kid-friendly design (bright, vibrant colors and fun theming), it’s likely you’ll see a lot of families with children at any of the Value Resorts.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Celebrate the characters, colors, and creativity of Disney animated films at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

In addition to fours area meticulously themed to classic Disney and Pixar animated films —  Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort also stands out by offering Family Suites as the primary room option, offering more space and amenities for families than standard rooms.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Get ready to roll through the decades and celebrate everything fab, nifty, and altogether GROOVY from the 1950s through the 1990s at Disney’s Pop Century Resort! With buildings whimsically themed to various decades, reasonably priced rooms, enormous pools, access to the Disney Skyliner and much more, there are many reasons why Pop Century is a POP-ular choice for many guests!

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Pop Century Resort!

All room types at Pop Century are suitable for up to four people (any more than that, and things might feel cramped). Each room has a queen-size table bed (it’s a Murphy bed that folds up into the wall and becomes a table) and a queen bed or a king bed.

Here are a few resources to help you consider if a Value Resort is right for you:

Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts

Learn more about Disney’s Moderate Resorts by clicking any of the links or watching the videos below!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

You’re on ISLAND TIME at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!  With its centralized location and relaxing island vibe, this Resort sets a calypso tone for a vacation within a vacation! The centerpiece of the resort, Barefoot Bay, is a 45-acre lake surrounded by a mile-long promenade dotted with running trails, relaxing hammocks and beach chairs, and small white sandy beaches.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is perhaps best known these days as serving as the Hub for Disney World’s newest transportation system: the Disney Skyliner! The gondolas traveling from the Hub offer direct service to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney Coronado Springs Resort reflects the beauty of Spain, Mexico, and Southwest America, and celebrates these vibrant cultures.

Click HERE for the Complete Guide to Dining at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort!

In 2019, this Moderate Resort was expanded with the opening of the stunning Gran Destino Tower, bringing with it Signature Dining (and even ON-the-water dining!), rooftop views of Disney World, and Disney Vacation Club Tower rooms and suites!

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort — Cabins

Did you know that a Moderate Resort option exists within Disney World’s very own campground? While the campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground are a category of their own, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are considered part of the Moderate Resorts!

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Fort Wilderness Cabins can sleep up to six guests and come complete with a full kitchen… and it’s all just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom!

Click HERE to find out why you should STOP ignoring Fort Wilderness Resort!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

Let the GOOD TIMES ROLL at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter… where EVERY DAY is Mardi Gras! Our video below will show you exactly why almost EVERYONE loves this Resort!

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter!

Rooms sleep up to four adults, and guests can enjoy unique water taxi service to Disney Springs along the picturesque Sassagoula River.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

Riverside is the sister Resort to Port Orleans — French Quarter. (In fact, guests can walk from one Resort to the other by way of a path along Sassagoula River.) Where French Quarter celebrates the Mardi Gras spirit of New Orleans, Port Orleans Resort — Riverside transports guests to rural Louisiana.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside!

Guests might stay in the Magnolia Bend mansions (pictured) or the rustic Alligator Bayou (uniquely featuring rooms that offer a 5th guest sleeper). Port Orleans — Riverside also offers unique Disney Princess-themed Royal Rooms in Magnolia Bend!

These are the Pros and Cons of Staying at a Disney World Moderate Resort

Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts

Learn more about Disney’s Deluxe Resorts by clicking any of the links or watching any of the videos below!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

JAMBO! Welcome to Disney World’s uniquely beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge! This truly stunning Resort is unlike any other in Walt Disney World — or anywhere else, for that matter. What truly sets this Resort apart are the over 200 animals and birds that call the savannas of Animal Kingdom Lodge “home!”

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features standard guest rooms and Villas in the main building, Jambo House, along with options for rooms featuring Savanna views, as well as rooms with Club Level Concierge services. Animal Kingdom Lodge also offers Disney Vacation Club accommodations at Kidani Village, with villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room villas overlooking their own animal savanna.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

If you believe “Life is better at the beach,” then you may want to explore Disney’s Beach Club Resort! Seaside New England serves as the inspiration for Disney’s Beach Club.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Literally only steps away from EPCOT, this Resort is the sister to Disney’s Yacht Club. However, the Beach Club distinguishes itself with its more laid-back beach vibe, and it also offers Disney Vacation Club Villas. The Beach Club also boasts Stormalong Bay, a pool that is really much closer to a full-on water park!

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas transports visitors back to the 1940s in a whimsical East Coast-style boardwalk atmosphere. Much like a classic boardwalk experience, entertainment and eateries ABOUND at this Deluxe Resort!

Click HERE for the Complete Guide to Dining at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn!

BoardWalk Inn — which is complete with Disney Vacation Club 1-Bedroom Villas and Deluxe Studios as well as Club Level Suites — is within walking distance to EPCOT. 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort has some serious bragging rights as the closest Resort to the Magic Kingdom (as in, you can WALK there from the Contemporary). But it’s also home to one of the most popular Character Meals in Disney World, offers fantastic Magic Kingdom fireworks views, and has also recently been refurbished.

Click here for a Photo Tour of a Fireworks View Room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

Oh, and did we mention that the Monorail goes through it?! Yep! Check out the video above to see if the Contemporary is right for YOU!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

It’s Walt Disney World’s Flagship hotel: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Among several other amenities, this Resort boasts Victoria & Albert’s (Disney World’s AAA Diamond Award winning restaurant), The Grand Floridian Spa, and easy access (including a walking path) to Magic Kingdom.

Click HERE for a Photo Tour of a 2-Bedroom Villa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort!

The meticulously kept grounds and pristine white buildings with their brilliant red-tiled roofs definitely provide that grand allure you’d expect from a flagship resort, featuring accommodations from rooms that can sleep up 5 adults up to 3-Bedroom Disney Vacation Club Villas that can sleep 12.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

ALOHA! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort celebrates the Aloha Spirit of the South Pacific just steps (or a Monorail or boat ride) away from Magic Kingdom!

Take a Photo Tour of the Moana-themed rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!

One of the original Disney World Resorts, Disney’s Polynesian Village has certainly seen a LOT of change over the years! These days, this Deluxe Resort not only offers recently renovated Moana-themed rooms that sleep up to five adults, but it also offers Club Level Rooms and Suites and Deluxe Studios. On top of that, on-the-water single-house Bungalows deliver enough room to sleep eight in Tiki style! And the new Disney Vacation Club Island Tower now offers even more accommodations (including select options that sleep up to 9), having opened on December 17, 2024.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Inspired by Europe — and, in fact, by Walt Disney and his wife Lillian’s own travels along the French Riviera — Disney’s Riviera Resort is Walt Disney World’s newest Disney Vacation Club Resort! Disney shares that “Disney’s Riviera Resort is designed to capture the magic of Europe that Walt Disney fell in love with once upon a time.” Here, sophistication is met with touches of Disney whimsy.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Riviera Resort!

Riviera Resort offers 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas as well as Tower and Deluxe Studios. It also happens to be home to one of the stations for the Disney Skyliner – a gondola connecting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with four Disney Resorts (including Riviera).

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Take in the rustic beauty of the Pacific Northwest (right in the heart of Florida) by way of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is inspired by the classic lodges of America’s National Parks with a turn-of-the-century influence.

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

The Resort features standard guest rooms with either 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed, as well as Club Level Rooms (including Deluxe Club Level). Studios or 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Disney Deluxe Villas are also an option, with the addition of Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek Villas. And single Copper Creek Cabins right on the waterfront offer two bedrooms, a full kitchen with an island, and a private porch with a hot tub.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

ANCHORS AWAY…. We’re setting sail towards Disney’s Yacht Club Resort! New England-style yacht clubs serve as the inspiration for Disney’s own Yacht Club Resort.

Disney’s Yacht Club

Steps away from both EPCOT and all of the dining and shopping options on the Disney BoardWalk (as well as the Yacht’s Club’s sister resort, the Beach Club), the Yacht Club also boasts Stormalong Bay, a pool that is really much closer to a full-on water park!

Click HERE to explore Disney’s Yacht Club Resort!

Here are a few resources to help you consider if a Deluxe Resort is right for you:

Walt Disney World Vacation Club Resorts

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

“WELCOME HOME!” Disney’s Old Key West is Walt Disney World’s original Disney Vacation Club Resort! (Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare-like membership for Disney Resorts.)

Opened in October 1991, Old Key West features a relaxed beach vibe. Picture yourself vacationing at a Caribbean-style guest house in small neighborhood-type structures. Exteriors are painted in soft hues reminiscent of the Florida Keys. Guests return here year after year because of the laid-back atmosphere and large rooms.

Click here to take a Photo Tour of an Old Key West Deluxe Studio Hotel Room!

Old Key West offers villa-type accommodations with studio, 1-bedroom (sleep up to five), 2-bedroom, or 3-bedroom layouts. Furnishings are generally a little bit more on the higher end. (Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people!)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Simultaneously fancy and free-flowing, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is an equestrian-themed Disney Vacation Club Resort located near Disney Springs!

PHOTO TOUR: Step INSIDE One of the Deluxe Villas in Saratoga Springs!

Studios at this resort are smaller providing a queen bed and pull-down bed. Two bedrooms sleep up to 8 people. However, the unique but very remote treehouse villas can accommodate up to nine guests.

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

In addition to the Cabins mentioned above, Fort Wilderness also offers accommodations for all sort of Happy Campers staying in everything from 2-person pop-up tents to full-size RVs!

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Click HERE for a Complete Guide on HOW TO CAMP at Fort Wildernes!

Located in the Magic Kingdom area, near Disney’s Wilderness Resort, the campsites are far and away the most economical way to stay on Disney World property! And that doesn’t even touch on the uniquely fun recreation and activities that Disney World’s campground offers. 

THIS Hotel versus THAT Hotel

See what I mean? There are a TON of options! We know it can be hard to decide. To that end, we have an ongoing series comparing one Resort to another to take a deeper dive into the commonalities and differences based on the following categories:

  • Common Ground
  • Theme/Rooms
  • Pools
  • Food
  • Transportation

All-Star Movies Resort versus…

All-Star Music Resort versus…

All-Star Sports Resort versus…

Animal Kingdom Lodge versus…

Art of Animation Resort versus…

Beach Club versus…

BoardWalk Inn versus…

Caribbean Beach Resort versus…

Coronado Springs Resort versus…

Contemporary versus…

Grand Floridian Resort versus…

Polynesian Village Resort versus…

Old Key West Resort versus…

Saratoga Springs Resort versus…

Wilderness Lodge versus…

Yacht Club versus…

MORE Resources for Choosing Your Disney World Resort Hotel

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