This ranks every single hotel at Walt Disney World–Values, Moderates, Deluxes, and Villas–from worst to best for those planning vacations this year or in 2027. These resort rankings consider theme, amenities, location, transportation, pools, dining, guest rooms, and more to determine the top accommodations near the theme parks in Florida.
Notably, this gives significant weight to value for money. That not only levels the playing field–otherwise this would pretty much be a boring list of least expensive to most expensive hotels–but also provides practical planning usefulness. It helps you determine which Walt Disney World resorts are “worth it” for a splurge, what’s overpriced, and which ones are good budget picks.
Objective criteria is mixed with subjective, aimed at answering: which resorts would we recommend to family & friends taking a first-time trip or infrequent trip Walt Disney World? That seems logical, and the goal here is coming up with a list of resort recommendations for a variety of vacationers looking to book their dream Walt Disney World resort–and everyone’s dream differs!
Fair warning: this is not aimed at longtime Walt Disney World fans. If you bought into Disney Vacation Club in the 1990s or saw the infamous Castle Cake, this list is not for you. The preferences and priorities of longtime fans are very different from a first-timer to Walt Disney World.
It’s difficult enough to rank all of the resorts at Walt Disney World for first-timers or infrequent visitors. It would be impossible to do so for those demos plus diehard fans. How on earth do you compare All Star Sports to Grand Floridian given the many differences and huge gap in pricing?! Should someone taking a rite of passage trip splurge on their resort or spend more time in the parks?
To those points, you might prefer to consult our rankings of each resort tier if you already have set your budget and know which level of accommodations you want:
Those lists are more focused, and actually do have rankings that differ from this since they’re skewed less towards first-timers and take our personal preferences into account to a greater degree.
We’ve stayed at every Walt Disney World resort numerous times, and there is not a single hotel that we dislike. Literally. All of them have pros & cons and each brings something special to the table.
Consequently, which resorts you prefer can vary based on what you need, want, or how much you value the unique quality of each resort. It can even differ from visit to visit based upon priorities of that particular trip. Ultimately, we’ve enjoyed our stays at almost every resort, making this an especially tough task.
Everyone is going to grant different weight to those objective criteria based upon subjective preferences. Moreover, since we love so many of these hotels, our actual list could–and does–change by the time of year, depending upon mood or where we haven’t stayed lately.
We do have a couple of quirky ground rules that made the list significantly easier for us to put together. First, most Deluxe Resorts with Disney Vacation Club wings are combined. This is mostly as a matter of practicality, since most Walt Disney World first-timers or infrequent visitors aren’t renting DVC points. As such, the subtle differences between Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge don’t matter that much.
Second, when two distinct resorts are substantially similar in many regards, this can be used to give a significant ranking advantage to our favorite of the two. It’s not that the Port Orleans Resorts or Yacht & Beach Club are really that different from one another, but each has an option that’s better for first-timers.
Having a wide variety of resorts represented in the top 10 was a priority of this list. We made every effort to avoid this simply being a list of Walt Disney World’s hotels from least to most expensive. It instead purposefully highlights the top options with distinct advantages and selling points. (You’ll understand what we mean when you get to the top 10!)
With that out of the way, let’s dig into our list of the best & worst hotels at Walt Disney World…
23. All Star Movies
All Star Movies was the first of the trio to get entirely reimagined rooms, which means these are now the oldest of the bunch. These rooms have slightly more wear and tear, but are still a huge upgrade from the previous design, which was more minor leagues than all-star caliber.
The new rooms are definitely a step in the right direction, but All Star Movies could still use more help. Beyond having the oldest rooms of the All Stars, Movies feels the most dated of the trio. Still, it’s cheaper than Pop Century or Art of Animation, and that counts for something.
22. All Star Music
The All Star Resorts are the cheapest hotels at Walt Disney World, and by far the most barebones accommodations. Their location isn’t great, you need to take buses to all of the parks, the food is basic, and they’re missing amenities found at higher caliber hotels. Still, for a family on a tight budget focusing on the theme parks, they’re perfectly fine–you won’t be spending tons of time at your resort, anyway.
All Star Music offers recently-imagined rooms as well as the cheapest family suites in all of Walt Disney World. Other upsides are the refurbished food court, decent pools, that it’s rarely (if ever) overrun with pre-teen athletic groups, and the decor is good–and not too dated by All Star standards. Basically, All Star Music gets the job done in pretty much every regard, without excelling at anything.
It probably won’t surprise anyone to see two of the All Star Resorts at the bottom of the list, but for those on a tight budget who are worried about seeing them so low, fear not. To put your mind at ease, check out: Are Walt Disney World’s Cheapest Hotels Actually Good?!
21. Old Key West Resort
There’s a lot to love about Old Key West, and longtime fans will hate this ranking. OKW’s sprawling layout provides ‘breathing room’ from other guests, lovely grounds to explore, and ample space for a morning stroll. It offers spacious rooms in a variety of styles. The dining is also good, with unheralded gems, especially for fans of comfort food.
All of that requires viewing Old Key West in the most favorable light. The layout is a double-edged sword that can be inconvenient and a hassle to navigate. The rooms have a lot of wasted space and relatively boring styles. If you’re looking for something more ambitious than comfort food, the restaurants leave a lot to be desired. Old Key West is beloved by many DVC owners, but for a first-time trip to Walt Disney World, it’s the resort we’d be least likely to recommend to friends or family.
20. Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
This is where we stayed on the trip we took together as adults when we fell in love with Walt Disney World. It’s the resort we eventually chose as “home” for our Disney Vacation Club purchase. That Saratoga Springs still manages to rank low speaks to the difficulty of these rankings, and our attempt to set aside personal preferences.
While Saratoga Springs lacks the lush setting and charming environments of Old Key West, its new rooms are better. That coupled with all of the superlative dining and shopping options within walking distance at Disney Springs pushes Saratoga Springs up a slot.
Nevertheless, we can admit Saratoga Springs’ shortcomings, which are pretty much identical to those of Old Key West. It’s not a resort we’d recommend to friends or family who aren’t Walt Disney World regulars due to the location, layout, and lack of anything that we’d consider distinctly Disney.
19. Coronado Springs Resort
With Gran Destino now open, our position is that you should stay in that tower or at a different resort entirely. In fact, we view the two elements of this single resort so differently, that we’re actually separating it into two entries. (That might seem like a dubious decision given that we’re lumping DVC wings with their hotel side, but it’s a matter of practicality; this list’s target audience is not DVC owners, it’s average guests.)
This isn’t to say Coronado Springs Resort is weak. It’s not. The rooms are among the nicest of all standard Moderate Resorts as they utilize space well, are modern, and have subtle upgrades absent from other resorts. Coronado Springs also has an excellent pool, the most robust dining options of any Moderate Resort, and other amenities not found at other hotels on this list.
Staying in one of the outlying buildings is a good way to save money while having access to the amenities of the tower. We do this ourselves quite often, but we are not first-timers or infrequent visitors. We’ve heard from too many friends that the buses are overcrowded and slow, the resort is too large, and the pool can be packed with people. All of that is true, and often exacerbated by conventions. As such, another personal pick falls pretty significantly.
18. All Star Sports
In the last few years, I’ve stayed at the #18 hotel more than anywhere else at Walt Disney World. That should tell you just how competitive these rankings are. All Star Sports has the newest rooms of the trio, and the common areas also are in great shape.
I can’t completely put my finger on why, but All Star Sports just seems like it’s better-managed than the other All Stars. Here’s a rundown of all the reasons why I love it for quick ‘commando’ WDW trips: My Favorite Hotel for Cheap Walt Disney World Weekend Getaways.
One thing to keep in mind is that All Star Sports is frequently the home base for youth sporting groups that can be large and loud in the winter and spring months. Consult the ESPN Wide World of Sports Calendar and only book if there are no events during your travel dates. During my stays at All Star Sports in the last few years, it’s been lovely and quiet, but it’s definitely a budget motel.
17. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
It breaks my heart a little to rank Riverside so low. Port Orleans Riverside used to be our favorite Moderate Resort. That hasn’t been true for about a decade, and if I’m being honest, I love the idea of Port Orleans Riverside more than the actual resort. We still love to visit and spend time at this thematic exemplar, but when push comes to shove and we’re actually doing a stay for practical purposes, Riverside ranks low on our list of choices.
The simple fact is that each of the alternatives offer actual advantages to improve the quality of your vacation. That comes via location, transportation, layout, pools or rooms. Riverside excels at none of those things. Those downsides and lack of a compelling selling point have become too big to ignore, and are the reason we find ourselves visiting Riverside rather than staying here–even though we love it.
Nevertheless, Port Orleans Riverside is hardly a poor pick. It has underrated restaurants, from the food court to the hidden gem table service restaurant to the lounge. It offers the theming of a Deluxe Resort for the price of a Moderate. It also has the entertainment and recreation of a Deluxe Resort for the price of a Moderate.
Riverside is divided into the rustic Alligator Bayou and more stately Magnolia Bend mansions; this gives it more variety, and richness in detail and design. The grounds are stunning, with wilderness in the bayou and perfectly manicured gardens around the mansions.
The quiet pathways make Riverside a great place to take a romantic stroll or evening surrey bike ride. Despite being fairly spread out, it’s intimate and romantic, and offers the most immersive themed environments of any Moderate Resort. As a result, Riverside owns a special place in our hearts, but is difficult to recommend for practical purposes.
16. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Fort Wilderness has both primitive campsites and rustic-but-modern DVC cabins. Obviously, those two types of accommodations don’t share a ton in common. The campsites are campsites, no explanation needed. The cabins are a different beast. Although controversial among Disney fans, we love the new cabins.
Focusing on the campground amenities, we’re huge “Fort Fiends.” The theming is natural: an undisturbed bastion of wilderness, with just enough artifice carved out so that Disney guests never are truly “roughing it.” It feels a world away from Walt Disney World, despite being a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom.
Fort Wilderness offers fishing, boat rentals, and a myriad of other activities that families with high-energy children will enjoy, and has great dining, too. This gives guests the best of both worlds: the ability to enjoy the natural world while staying in a nice hotel room.
However, we have to warn that Fort Wilderness is very taste-specific; you probably already know whether it is or isn’t for you based simply on the word “campground” in the name. We’d also warn that the Disney Lakeshore Lodge construction will loom over the Settlement area until 2027; that visual and audible blight could impact trips.
15. Riviera Resort
The newest Deluxe accommodations, Disney’s Riviera Resort is a mixed bag, with high highs and low lows. The biggest downside is that Disney has taken a region rich in beautiful architecture and lavish design, and made one of the most thematically boring and uninspired resorts. That’s a huge disappointment, and it feels like so much potential has been squandered here. It also shares grounds with a Moderate Resort, which hardly screams “luxury hotel.”
The biggest upsides are all inside the tower. The common areas and rooms are luxurious, well-appointed, and have high-end finishings. Beyond that, the rooms are comfortable and highly functional in addition to being pretty, which is a big selling point. The restaurant slate is also formidable, and Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is huge.
The location is less appealing than Crescent Lake or Magic Kingdom resorts, but Riviera Resort is still incredibly well-rounded and checks a lot of the right boxes, especially for those who don’t really care about themed design or larger resort campuses. When it comes to objective guest satisfaction scores, Riviera Resort would be top 5.
14. Yacht Club Resort
This is where things really get tough. We’re actually big fans of Yacht Club and think it’s underrated, especially the stately new rooms. The resort has a masculine look to its common areas and feels refined and luxurious; commensurate with the cost. However, it also doesn’t have the inviting sense or charm of its sister resort, Beach Club.
Yacht Club is sometimes derided as “stuffy,” but we’d call it sophisticated. Either way, it’s the convention side of the hotel and caters more to business travelers than tourists. It falls in this slot of its list not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because Beach Club is the more fun and family-friendly option for first-timers to Walt Disney World. That makes it easy to rank Yacht Club lower as a bit of a cop-out since picking best resorts is like choosing favorite children. Personally, I prefer Yacht Club and would put it higher if these were solely my preferences.
Aside from theme, the strengths of Yacht Club are shared with Beach Club, and include its incredible pool and great selection of on-site dining options. Another big highlight is its location near the International Gateway entrance of Epcot and within walking or boat distance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Yacht Club is a strong option for guests who love the Epcot Resort Area, but want a hotel with a more adult or sophisticated tone than Beach Club or BoardWalk Inn.
13. BoardWalk Inn
We love Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and have a lot of sentimental attachments to this particular hotel. It’s located across Crescent Lake from the Yacht & Beach Club, and thus is a natural comparison to those resorts. Despite being distinct from those sister properties, it is very similar to them.
Let’s start with the subjective. BoardWalk Inn’s main selling point and distinction from its Crescent Lake counterparts is an inarticulable “X factor”, which it has in spades. I can’t explain why I love the BoardWalk Inn so much, but I just do. There’s a sort of vague romanticism about strolling along the BoardWalk, then heading up through the hotel, which balances the elegance and whimsy of a bygone Atlantic City inn, and to your room. Serious bonus points if that room has a balcony overlooking the BoardWalk.
They’re all close to Epcot and DHS, and you’d probably need a stopwatch to calculate which is closer on balance. Rooms aren’t different enough from one another to really move the needle, but we do like the redone rooms at BoardWalk. Dining is another consideration. Both offer solid high end choices and leave something to be desired for counter service.
It’s when we get to pools and pricing where Beach Club pulls away. Stormalong Bay beats the BoardWalk pool by a colossal margin, and yet, BoardWalk is inexplicably more expensive. Love it as we might, those key drawbacks make it easy for us to recommend a better-on-paper alternative to BoardWalk.
12. Contemporary Resort
As parents to a toddler, the short walk from Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary–especially Bay Lake Tower–is an almost insurmountable selling point. We recently explained all of the upsides in Our Favorite Hotel for Disney World Trips as Parents with a Toddler. Insurmountable as it might be for us, the Contemporary has other weaknesses that make it less appealing for others.
The hotel’s cluttered atrium is a hodgepodge of 1970s and 1990s styles that does the otherwise grandiose space no favors. It desperately needs to be modernized. Then there’s the theme itself (or lack thereof), which essentially positions the hotel thematically alongside real world hotels. While nice enough, the Contemporary doesn’t have the amenities or quality to compete in that regard. Then there are the new Incredibles rooms, which have grown on us but still aren’t nearly as good as Grand Floridian or the Polynesian.
There’s nevertheless something special about staying in that A-frame. Opening the door to your room and seeing a monorail zoom past is one of those quintessential “magic moments” and standing on your balcony watching the Electrical Water Pageant or gazing off at Cinderella Castle in the distance is magical. Although we quibble with their style, the rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are also spacious.
Conversely, there’s the Garden Wing, which is the cheapest way to stay within walking or monorail distance of Magic Kingdom. The rooms in that outlying building are significantly less expensive than the Grand Floridian (less than half the price most dates), almost making them a category unto themself and undermining the comparison. All in all, some big selling points.
11. Port Orleans French Quarter
Fans of French Quarter are most likely to point to its size as the primary reason why it’s a great option. They’re right. We were reminded of this during our most recent stay at the redone Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, during which we fell in love with POFQ all over again.
Port Orleans French Quarter manages to strike the perfect balance between spacious and compact property. It’s an immersive and engaging themed resort, while also having a smaller footprint. It’s not as compact as a tower hotel–it’s still multiple buildings and not all under one roof–but it’s close enough. Most importantly, it’s a stark contrast to the huge and sprawling complex at Port Orleans Riverside, about which we frequently hear complaints from first-timers.
Again, Port Orleans French Quarter excels at balance. The theme is a romanticized take on New Orleans, and it’s given room to breathe and be unique and special. The grounds are intimate, with beautiful fountains and wrought-iron details, plus its own alligator band (who doesn’t love a musically-inclined ‘gator?!).
French Quarter just falls outside the top 10 for us due to its lack of certain amenities and the need to take bus transportation to all 4 parks, but POFQ has a lot going for it, and ends up being one of the more well-rounded resorts at Walt Disney World. It’s a good pick if you’re looking for a fun resort, don’t want to break the bank, and aren’t concerned with using the bus to get everywhere. It’s also worth noting that Port Orleans has the highest guest satisfaction score among all Value and Moderate Resorts. So objectively speaking, most guests rank it higher than we do!
Top 10 Hotels at Walt Disney World
When it comes to the best resorts that earn our highest recommendation, it’s difficult to choose favorites–or even make comparisons. It almost feels silly comparing and contrasting $150/night hotels with $850/night ones, because they’re aiming for two different audiences and have obviously different strengths.
To that point, YOU matter more in ranking the remaining resorts than do their specific pros and cons. All of these are elite accommodations in their own ways, with what’s best varying for particular parties. Accordingly, we’re going to help narrow your options even further by providing ‘personalized’ prompts that should help give you an idea of the guests for whom each of these resorts will be the best fit. (Hopefully that makes sense…)
10. Swan & Dolphin
We want a Deluxe Resort at a lower price.
Opening up the list to third party hotels, even on-site ones, is a whole can of worms. Does this mean we should also consider Bonnet Creek, Flamingo Crossings, Disney Springs, Shades of Green, or the Four Seasons? Possibly. All of those are technically on Disney-owned property and many offer certain on-site perks.
However, we’re going to limit the list to just the Swan & Dolphin (and Swan Reserve). The reason is that this trio of hotels is literally within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offers both Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours, and is treated by Walt Disney World as pretty much an official hotel. The only other entry on the above list with a comparable status is Shades of Green, and that’s not bookable by the general public.
In addition to the location and on-site perks, the biggest strength of the Swolphin is the price. These hotels are typically significantly cheaper than alternatives around Crescent Lake–often less than half or one-third of the price. They also have a formidable restaurant roster, excellent pools, and other amenities. For the best rooms, you’ll want to stay at the Swan Reserve. The postmodern architecture by Michael Graves is taste-specific, but I happen to like the look. It’s quirky, provocative, and adult–even if it is an eyesore from across World Showcase Lagoon.
9. Art of Animation Resort
We want our kids to have their dream Disney stay.
This one is difficult to rank, because it features both spacious suites in the Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo sections, plus traditional rooms in the Little Mermaid section. The former constitute the majority of the resort, and are absolutely fantastic for families. The latter leave a lot to be desired, falling short of their counterparts at Pop Century.
The common areas, amenities, transportation, and aforementioned suites make Art of Animation a big winner, especially among larger families. The grounds have fun decor and interesting design touches, especially the Cars wing, which feels like a low-budget Radiator Springs. Art of Animation also scores points for its pools and food court. Then there’s the Skyliner, which is a huge asset for getting to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios; bus transportation is also surprisingly solid for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
The biggest downside is the price, as the family suites at Art of Animation usually cost more than two standard rooms at other Value Resorts. Likewise, the Little Mermaid rooms are very expensive as compared to their counterparts at Pop Century. Nevertheless, Art of Animation is like a dream come true for kids, and the convenience of the Skyliner makes it a great option for families.
8. Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort
We want real-world luxury for adults without breaking the bank.
If we had to make a recommendation for honeymooners without knowing anything more about their interests or budget, Gran Destino Tower would be our pick. The Las Vegas style hotel is an excellent option for adults or anyone wanting consolidated accommodations with everything they need under one roof and who want to visit Walt Disney World without being bombarded with characters.
The biggest upside to Gran Destino Tower is price. The slate of amenities make this hotel tower comparable to many Deluxe Resorts, but with a price point only slightly above the average Moderate Resort, and even better with the discounts that are frequently available. Upsides include a robust restaurant lineup, fitness centers, sophisticated styling, and tastefully-done rooms.
The biggest downside is that Gran Destino Tower is not located near any theme park and requires often-inefficient bus transportation to get everywhere. Not a huge deal for those with vehicles or anyone who will be spending a significant amount of time at the hotel. Even then, you’ll save so much money by staying here instead of the Grand Floridian or other “luxury” resort that can easily be put towards multiple daily Uber, Lyfts, or even Minnie Vans.
7. Beach Club Resort
We are parks and pools people.
I love the Beach Club. From the grounds to color palette of the hotel to the pool and beyond, Beach Club has the perfect vibe for a relaxed vacation. The biggest downside is guest rooms, but those were just refreshed and now have more personality.
In terms of the main draws of Beach Club, the incredible Stormalong Bay pool complex is the unequivocal highlight. This pool with its lazy river, sand at the bottom, waterslide, and sprawling layout really can’t be beat. Stormalong Bay offers something for everyone–from kids to older adults.
The Yacht & Beach Club dining is generally strong, with standout options at every level, all of which edge or clearly surpass those at BoardWalk Inn. The highlight is Yachtsman Steakhouse–steaks bigger than your head being another thing people who are awesome like. Beaches & Cream is also beloved among fans, but the reputation is better than the reality. The lack of a compelling counter service option is a downside to the dining scene, but even that has improved of late with upgrades to Beach Club Marketplace.
Walking distance proximity to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s World Showcase is another big draw. In the end, there’s little that separates Yacht and Beach Club, and it really comes down to personal preference. Nevertheless, we’ve found that first-timers, especially families, far prefer Beach Club over Yacht Club. Hence these rankings.
6. Caribbean Beach Resort
Our family wants to splurge slightly on simulated serenity and a superlative Disney experience.
We’ve been calling Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort the “Poor Person’s Polynesian” for a long time. There are so many ways that Caribbean Beach emulates the Poly. The island atmosphere, pool areas, waterfront locales, relaxed lobby, and more. Even Sebastian’s Bistro has serious ‘Ohana vibes…except it’s better and cheaper. There are also the new Little Mermaid-inspired rooms that are shockingly nice, DVC caliber accommodations.
Speaking of dupes that are better than the real thing, the Skyliner gondolas are substantially similar to the monorail. Caribbean Beach Resort is the hub for the Skyliner, with two stations offering aerial access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, plus Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Riviera Resorts. This is a game-changer for easily accessing those parks within minutes, which is great for Early Entry and midday breaks. Not having to rely on buses to get to these two parks is huge, the value of which cannot be overstated.
Like any dupe, the “Poor Person’s Polynesian” doesn’t live up to the real thing in every regard. Multiple bus stops, lesser rooms, and the lack of luxuriousness will weigh on it for some guests. The sprawling layout of the resort also leads to lower guest satisfaction scores than CBR otherwise deserves. We love everything about Caribbean Beach, and for a fraction of the price, we’ll take this dupe over the real thing just about any day.
5. Wilderness Lodge
We want to know the Brickers’ favorite way to do Disney.
Sometimes, people just want to know how we would do Walt Disney World, and our personal favorites based on doing this for decades. For me, the answer is obvious: Wilderness Lodge. If they’d let me, I’d move in tomorrow and never leave, happily staying at Wilderness Lodge and nowhere else. This choice is based almost entirely on my thematic preferences and the feeling I get sitting in a rocking chair in the lobby sitting by the fireplace.
Setting aside my strong personal feelings, Wilderness Lodge is still a strong contender thanks to its unrivaled atmosphere. All it takes is a walk outside on the walkway through the thick woods and past the geyser, or sitting in an alcove by a fireplace, and you are instantly someplace else. Then there’s Christmas at Wilderness Lodge, which is totally next-level and unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere. The main advantage Walt Disney World’s highly “Imagineered” resorts have over their real world counterparts is theme, and Wilderness Lodge is top-notch there.
The rustic theme of Wilderness Lodge isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but even the recent room design does a good job of balancing the outdoorsy style with modern luxury and features. (See our Review, Photos & Video: Wilderness Lodge New Rooms.) Add to this great dining options, good pools, and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, and Wilderness Lodge is an incredibly well-rounded resort.
The final great strength of Wilderness Lodge is the price point. It’s cheaper than all other Magic Kingdom area resorts by a wide margin, offering the best bang for buck among the hotels that offer non-bus transportation to Walt Disney World’s flagship park. If you like its guest rooms, the resort’s theme as a whole, and want to be convenient to Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge is a can’t miss choice–and not just at Christmas.
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge
We want a resort-centric experience that’s uniquely and distinctly Disney, and unlike anything anywhere else.
Imagine rolling out of bed, making a cup of coffee, and stepping out onto your balcony to be greeted good morning by a living, breathing giraffe grazing on one of the 4 savannas outside Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is the resort’s main draw and selling point, and these savannas are something you won’t find at any real world hotel in the United States. They’re largely why Animal Kingdom Lodge is a “destination” resort unto itself.
The sublime savannas are not all that Animal Kingdom Lodge brings to the table. The inside is every bit as good as the savannas, making Animal Kingdom Lodge arguably the best-themed Walt Disney World hotel. From the meticulous design that makes it feel like an extension of the theme park to the art collection that you can see by perusing the common areas, Animal Kingdom Lodge is a hotel that really rewards those guests who are willing to spend the time drinking in its details.
This continues with the awesome recently-redone guest rooms that balance theme and modern touches. Then there’s the dining situation. With the Mara, Victoria Falls Lounge, Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko, this resort has one of the best restaurant rosters in all of Walt Disney World.
Finally, there’s the price point. Although expensive, Animal Kingdom Lodge is often the least pricey of the Deluxe Resorts. There’s a reason for that, which brings us to the main downside: location. Animal Kingdom Lodge has an isolated location away from any theme park that isn’t Animal Kingdom. Since many guests identify location as a main reason to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, this can’t be overlooked.
This location also means there are no novel forms of transportation–boat, monorail, Skyliner, etc–between AKL and the parks. It’s all buses. We think the location “issue” is overblown, but it’s definitely the big asterisk that prevents Animal Kingdom Lodge from being significantly more popular.
Nevertheless, we view Animal Kingdom Lodge as the most novel resort at Walt Disney World, and one that would rank highly even without the savanna and its live animals. With that, Animal Kingdom Lodge is very difficult to beat, especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your hotel, and want a truly special hotel that will be a highlight of your Walt Disney World vacation.
3. Polynesian Village Resort
Our family wants the quintessential Walt Disney World vacation.
If you want the Walt Disney World vacation “like in the commercials,” this is it. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a tropical paradise a short monorail ride from Magic Kingdom. It’s a fan-favorite resort with calming and crowd-pleasing “vacation mode” quality.
The Poly ranks so highly because it does an excellent job at keeping one foot in the past, paying homage to both its own legacy and those of kitschy tiki resorts of a bygone era. It also feels like a modern luxury resort, with updated amenities, grounds, dining, and an improved pool, among other things.
The Polynesian brings a lot to the table with its theme, which feels like a dose of tropical tiki culture in a laid-back, high-end setting. Kitschy decor abounds throughout the Poly, and it exudes a sense of island fun. Its location near the Magic Kingdom makes it appealing to families, but really, it’s alluring for just about any demographic from kids to retirees.
Guest rooms are also spacious and nice, and have been given Disney character. Thanks to the new Island Tower, there’s also now a greater variety of room options, although that expansion is a good distance from the Great Ceremonial House, meaning the monorail station and main building’s restaurants.
The resort’s biggest shortcomings are the loudness of the lobby during peak times, and the lack of a true Signature Restaurant. Dining at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is solid, but could use something high end. That’s especially true given the Poly’s astronomical rack rates; those prices make it the second most expensive hotel at Walt Disney World after only the Grand Floridian.
Crowds are another issue. The Poly gets a lot of visitors, and on top of that, Walt Disney World has increased its room count over the years, most recently with the new Island Tower. This adds a lot of strain to the infrastructure, from the beach to the pool to the monorail line.
The Poly also can come across as disjointed thematically due to the mix of 1970s and contemporary styles. Walt Disney World has done a mostly good job of modernizing the resort, but it can feel a discordant. While we still love the Poly, we’ve found that we enjoy visiting more than staying here. We also now favor staying at the Island Tower, even though we hate the hideous exterior (among other things).
Whether the Poly is “worth it” is debatable. Nevertheless, if you told me you wanted the laid back rite-of-passage Walt Disney World vacation and money were no issue, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is what I’d recommend. There’s something special about this hotel and its ability to leave an indelible mark on guests, making many lifelong fans in the process. More than any other resort, the Poly is the essence of the magic of Walt Disney World. And that counts for a lot.
2. Grand Floridian Resort
We want the best of the best.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is the flagship hotel at Walt Disney World. With that comes its most considerable downside, which is that the rack rates at the Grand Floridian start at over $800 per night pre-discount. That makes the Grand Floridian unaffordable for most families; there’s nothing that can be said about this hotel that can overcome its cost.
For many years, the Grand Floridian did not live up to its flagship status and struggled to crack our top 10. That’s all changed as of 2026, thanks to the material completion of a multi-year reimagining. One big improvement is that Grand Floridian now has modernized rooms that are distinctly Disney and luxurious. We love these new rooms.
The main building and lobby reimagining is also finished, and also fantastic. There are a number of ways the Grand Floridian looks and feels fresh, and is once again worthy of being considered the crown jewel of WDW resorts. See our Review: Walt Disney World’s Flagship Hotel Finally Fits Its Status & Sky-High Prices.
Otherwise, Grand Floridian is opulent and luxurious. It’s the only high-end hotel that you enter and can feel the price point. Whereas the Poly is more fun and charming, some might see the 1970s style and wonder what justifies those astronomical nightly rates. As soon as you step foot into the Grand Floridian, it’s easy to see why it’s so expensive. Which is right for you really comes down to this: fun vs. fanciness.
Grand Floridian’s dining is among of the best at Walt Disney World, the grounds are lovely, and the location near the Magic Kingdom is a strong selling point. Walking, riding the monorail, or a boat to Magic Kingdom is huge. The convenience cannot be overstated, especially for those with small children or who enjoy midday breaks.
Service and attention to detail still are best at the Four Seasons or Conrad Orlando, both of which are real world luxury hotels that are a stone’s throw from Magic Kingdom. However, Grand Floridian belongs in the conversation along with them for its distinctly Disney quality, on-site perks, more. It’s once again a top-tier hotel worthy of its status as Walt Disney World’s flagship. Only the sky-high price drags its ranking down from the #1 spot.
1. Pop Century Resort
Our family wants the definitive Disney experience without breaking the bank.
“If money were no object” is a colossal caveat–a qualification that overshadows everything else, practically undermining a recommendation for everyone but the wealthy or those planning to win the lottery in the near future. The vast majority of visitors to Walt Disney World do have budgets and must make tough decisions about how to allocate their funds.
We have a tough time recommending splurges on resorts. To the contrary, we’re more inclined to recommend downgrading resorts for the sake of improving other aspects of the vacation. This is precisely what I would recommend to my family and friends, and what we’ve done ourselves. There are ways to cut corners on accommodations, allocating that money elsewhere to still have a top notch vacation.
Enter Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This is in the Value tier, and is the fourth cheapest hotel at Walt Disney World on average. With its food court, exterior hallways, and oversized icons, no one will mistake Pop Century for a luxury resort. Yet, it is more than “good enough” for the vast majority of Walt Disney World guests, especially those visiting for the first time who will be prioritizing the parks.
This is why Pop Century is the long-time top pick for Value Resorts among Walt Disney World fans. Pop Century punches above its weight, delivering strong accommodations, efficient transportation, convenience to Art of Animation via Generation Gap Bridge, and relatively reasonable price points. There’s something special about Pop Century, and it has plenty more “little touches” that longtime fans appreciate.
If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime rite-of-passage Walt Disney World vacation with a sky-high or unlimited budget, Pop Century is not for you. For those whose travel budget requires tradeoffs, it belongs in the conversation of potential resorts.
Whether upgrading to Caribbean Beach, Gran Destino, or one of the other hotels on this list is a question worth debating and depends on just how much money you have to spend. As Walt Disney World becomes increasingly expensive with each passing year, we find the phrase “Pop Century is perfect” becoming more and more common.
If all of this is overwhelming and you need one-on-one help, we highly recommend requesting a free quote from Be Our Guest Vacations, a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They can assist with personalized recommendations, finding the best discounts for your travel dates, and much more.
If it’s not overwhelming and you somehow made it to the end of this list thinking “more please,” check out our rankings of all 87 attractions at Walt Disney World. Just as with this list, our aim there is to make an inherently subjective process as objective as possible, putting rides that “score well” on our objective metrics ahead of personal favorites.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Which resort at Walt Disney World do you think is best? Worst? Have your own rankings? How do you feel about our top 10 picks? Anything we snubbed or included that isn’t worthy? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!