With over 25 resorts on Walt Disney World property alone, choosing the perfect accommodation for your magical getaway can be overwhelming. When we think of it, Disney is known for their extremely well-theming and attention to detail. Whether you’re a family of four or a couple seeking a romantic retreat, we’ve got you covered. From budget-friendly options to luxurious escapes, the possibilities are endless. But you Disney dreamers have nothing to worry about! We’ve curated a list of the top 20 Disney World resorts, considering factors like budget, amenities, location, and overall experience. Get ready to discover the ultimate Disney resort for your dream vacation!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Top dining options – From delectable quick-service restaurants to sit-down dining experiences, providing Asian flare and American-style dishes
- Near theme parks such as Epcot & Magic Kingdom while also providing easy transportation
- Perfect for kids with the plethora of kid activities scheduled throughout the day
Cons:
- Very expensive, average price of a standard hotel room is about $600
- Hotel is in high demand and will book out extremely fast
Best For: Families with young children
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Located equal distance between the Disney theme parks and Disney Springs
- Able to see three different fireworks shows with certain rooms
- There is a great pool, and guests can access the lazy river at the Hilton next door
- Guests can take advantage of early access to Disney Parks
Cons:
- The hotel is pretty expensive, especially for those looking to stay more than a few nights
- No Disney theming so you don’t feel like you are actually on Disney property
Best For: Those who are older and looking for a luxury stay without tons of Disney theming but who can still utilize the Disney perks.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Central location: The Yacht Club is within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios and a short boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Stormalong Bay pool: This is one of the largest and most popular pools on Disney property, featuring a sandy beach, a shipwreck slide, and a lazy river
- Dining options: The Yacht Club has a variety of restaurants, including fine dining, casual dining, and poolside dining
Cons:
- Shared bus service: The Yacht Club shares bus transportation with other Disney resorts, which can add to travel time
- Lack of theming: The Yacht Club has a nautical theme, but it is not as heavily themed as some other Disney resorts
- Cost: The Yacht Club is a deluxe resort, one of the most expensive places to stay on Disney property
Best For: Families looking to utilize the pools a decent amount and who want to be close to EPOCT and Hollywood Studios
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Luxurious Accommodations: The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa offers spacious, elegantly appointed rooms and suites, providing a comfortable and upscale stay
- Prime Location: Conveniently located near Walt Disney World, this resort offers easy access to the theme parks while providing a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle
- World-Class Amenities: Guests can enjoy various amenities, including multiple swimming pools, a spa, a fitness center, and several dining options.
Cons:
- Cost: As a luxury resort, the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa can be pretty expensive, especially during peak seasons
- Limited Transportation Options: While the resort is located near Disney World, guests may need to rent a car or use shuttle services to explore other attractions in Orlando
- Resort Fees: The resort imposes a mandatory resort fee, which can add to the overall cost of your stay.
Best For: Families looking to stay on property but crave a little more luxury.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Price Point: Moderate Resort
Pros:
- Intimate Atmosphere: French Quarter’s smaller size and quaint layout create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere compared to larger Disney resorts
- Unique Theming: The resort’s New Orleans-inspired theming is charming and immersive, with cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, and Mardi Gras-inspired decor
- Convenient Location: French Quarter is conveniently located near Disney Springs, offering easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Cons:
- Limited Dining Options: The resort only has one on-site restaurant so guests may have limited dining choices compared to larger resorts
- No Pool Slide: While the pool is enjoyable, it lacks a water slide, which may be disappointing for families with children
- Limited Recreation Activities: Compared to other Disney resorts, the French Quarter offers fewer recreational activities and amenities.
Best For: Families looking for a more inexpensive hotel while immersing themselves in the culture of New Orleanes.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Price Point: Moderate Resort
Pros:
- Unique Experience: Staying in a cabin at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers a unique and immersive experience reminiscent of a rustic camping trip
- Privacy and Space: The cabins are standalone units, providing guests with a high degree of privacy and personal space
- Outdoor Amenities: Each cabin features a private patio with a picnic table and grill, perfect for enjoying meals and relaxing outdoors
Cons:
- Transportation: While the resort offers transportation to the parks, it can sometimes be slower than other Disney resorts due to the distance and traffic
- Limited Amenities: Compared to some of the larger Disney resorts, Fort Wilderness offers fewer on-site amenities, such as dining options and shops
- Higher Cost: Due to their unique accommodations and location, the cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort are generally more expensive than the standard Disney hotels.
Best For: Families who need a little more space for accommodations and want to experience a not so typical stay at Disney World.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Price Point: Value Resort
Pros:
- Affordable suites for bigger families
- Direct access to the Skyliner
- One of the best Disney hotels in regards to theming
Cons:
- Feels like the resort is in the middle of nowhere
- Extremely spread out and will require a lot of walking if you aren’t staying in a building near the main pool/food area
- Not many dining options
- The resort can get very crowded due to its price and room value
Best For: Families looking for larger rooms while staying budget-friendly
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Three-acre recreation area with some of the best pools within Disney World
- Guest rooms have been recently refurbished
- Direct transportation via boat and skyline to Epcot as well as walking distance to Hollywood Studios and Epcot
- Themeing creates a laid back atmosphere
Cons:
- More upscale restaurants than kid-friendly ones
- Room rates can get pricey at times
Best For: Guest interested in being within walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood StudiosRoom rates
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Price Point: Deluxe Resort (Marriott)
Pros:
- Deluxe style resort with moderate value pricing; perfect for those who are looking for budget-friendly options
- Located close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- Marriott Bonvoy members can use and earn their points at this hotel
- Can still receive Disney perks when staying here, like extra magic hours
Cons:
- The hotel has rarely any Disney theming
- Bus system to Parks and Disney Springs can take awhile since these hotels aren’t a part of the Disney resort shuttle buses
Best For: Guests looking to stay on Disney property without Disney theming
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Price Point: Moderate Resort
Pros:
- Very popular and exquisite dining options
- Big pool with exceptional theming
- The main tower gives off a luxurious vibe
- Rooms are reasonably priced
Cons:
- Only has bus transportation to parks and other resorts
- Rooms can be far away from the main dining/pool area
Best For: Adults on vacation or business trips looking for a modern hotel feel while also being near the parks
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Themeing is extremely on point; makes guests feel like they are on a safari
- Various dining options with delicious restaurants
- Lots of recreation spaces for activities: arcades, pools, playground, and, of course, the animal safari
Cons:
- Not as convenient to travel to the parks since it’s the furthest away
- Guest rooms are pretty pricey, with an average night being $500 for a standard room
Best For: Families with young children who love animals and want to be in close proximity to both Animal and Magic Kingdom
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Price Point: Luxury Disney Resort
Pros:
- High-end restaurants, spas, and golf course
- There are five pools on the property with an adult’s-only pool to a lazy river along with a splash pad for the kids
- Guests are still able to take advantage of Disney perks when staying here
Cons:
- It is very expensive; the average nightly price for a room is more than $1,200
- Provides its own shuttle to the parks, but the shuttle service changes every day
Best For: Families or couples looking for complete luxury while still being on Disney property
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Price Point: Value Resort
Pros:
- One of the most inexpensive Disney World hotel
- Theming at the hotel is spot on to the name
- Many activities centered around kids
Cons:
- Rooms are very small; some families might need two rooms to be comfortable
- The location is the furthest from the theme parks
- Not a lot of dining options
Best For: Families or guests looking to spend the least amount of money on accommodations
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Exceptional customer service; makes guests feel like they are living in luxury
- The best fine dining options and experiences are found at this resort
- Easy access to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail
- Centrally located where it only takes about 15 minutes to get to each park
Cons:
- One of the more expensive Deluxe resorts on Disney Property
- Rooms normally start at $700 a night, ranging up to $1,000 a night for club level
Best For: Guests looking for a fancier style Disney resort with impeccable service and is also very close to Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Price Point: Moderate Resort
Pros:
- Centrally located near the Skyliner
- There are a decent amount of dining options for a moderate resort, from quick service, grab & go, and a sit-down restaurant
- There are lots of kid-friendly activities and recreation areas, from sports to two big pools with waterslides and canyons, so no kid will ever get bored
Cons:
- This property is extremely spread out, and can take a while to get to the main attractions and buildings
- Only has rooms; there are no suite or club-level options here
Best For: Guests who prefer to be near the hub of the Skyliner and are looking for an exciting pool experience
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Price Point: Disney Vacation Club Resort
Pros:
- In walking distance to Disney Springs
- Very spacious suites, perfect for bigger families or bigger groups
- There are tons of recreational activities for all ages
Cons:
- Not close to any of the theme parks
- It is a huge resort area, which can mean lots of walking to pools, restaurants, and bus stops
- There is barely any Disney theming at this resort
Best For: Guests traveling with a large group and need more than one room
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Great location, within walking and monorail distance to Magic Kingdom
- Popular restaurant options, from quick service to character dining to fine dining options
- It is a very iconic building with tons of history for those Disney fanatics
- Guest rooms have recently been remodeled
Cons:
- One of the most crowded resorts on Disney property
- The pool area isn’t anything special compared to neighboring resorts like the Grand Floridan or the Polynesian
Best For: Those looking to spend the majority of their time at Magic Kingdom and those with younger kids
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Price Point: Disney Vacation Club Resort
Pros:
- Very spacious rooms can accommodate from 2 to 12 people
- Perfectly located near the Skyliner for transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- Intriguing restaurant options, with the most popular being their rooftop restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace
Cons:
- Very high price since it’s a DVC resort
- Next to a moderate resort where Deluxe resorts are normally situated closer to the theme parks
- Not too much Disney theming going on; it’s more of an upscale hotel vibe
Best For: Guests who prefer to be close to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios and crave a laid-back hotel experience
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- Has a wide variety of rooms, from standard guest rooms and villas to cabins in the woods, to fully achieve that wilderness vibe
- Close to Magic Kingdom with transportation from buses and boat
- Various dining options: Wilderness Lodge has five restaurants to choose from
Cons:
- Limited transportation to the three other theme parks
- Has smaller standard rooms for a Deluxe resort
- No monorail access even though it’s close to Magic Kingdom
Best For: Guest who want the Deluxe resort experience without the price tag that comes with it
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Price Point: Deluxe Resort
Pros:
- There are lots of entertainment options; many boardwalk games as it’s themed after Coney Island Amusement park
- In walking distance to four other resorts and Epcot & Hollywood Studios
- There is a wide variety of room choices, from standard guest rooms to villas
Cons:
- Rooms can get pricey since it’s in the Deluxe resort category
- With the boardwalk theming, it can get very noisy when it comes to night
- The Boardwalk is being refurbished at the moment, which can cause some guest inconvenience
Best For: Guests wanting to be close to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios while also being within walking distance of 4 other resorts
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