Selecting the right resort hotel is key—it can turn an okay experience into a magical one, much like when booking hotels for a Disney World trip. Whether you prefer to stick with a favorite hotel that suits your taste and style or are open for more luxurious accommodations, Disney World Resort has just about everything the whole family needs. This ultimate guide will help you find the Disney World resort hotel you’ll absolutely love!
Disney’s Deluxe Resort Hotels Luxury and Elegance
Deluxe Resort Hotels: If you are looking to experience Disney World in all of the luxury, then Deluxe Resorts is for you. Featuring dazzling theming, delightful dining, and an array of amenities to create a magical experience for guests
1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Grand Victorian elegance overlooking Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom. Guests and Disney fans alike can revel in luxury at dining spots like the award-winning AAA Five Diamond restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, or frequent afternoon tea festivities at Garden View Tea Room. Relax at the lavish spa, beachside pool, or stroll along Seven Seas Lagoon. And there is only one monorail stop from the Magic Kingdom.
2. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Get transported to a tropical paradise at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. In the spirit of its location in the South Pacific, this Hawaiian-themed resort Lush greenery, tiki torches, and traditional music use callbacks to the Hawaii landscape. Dine on the flavors of the islands at ‘Ohana, grab a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai, or watch fireworks sparkle over the ocean. The resort features easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via monorail, a huge perk for park lovers.
3. Disney Contemporary Resort
This one is for those who like modern aesthetics and can’t live without prime location. This hotel, which is a short walk from the Magic Kingdom and loved for its A-frame architecture that mandates where you stay, will be partially inside of it due to how the monorail runs through. Partake in the nightly fireworks spectacle from a rooftop restaurant at California Grill or lounge by one of the hotel’s pools.
Disney’s Moderate Resort Hotels: Themed Fun
Moderate resorts at Disney are where you get just a little bit more comfort, theming, and affordability. With thematic pools, dining choices, and bigger rooms compared to the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels, it is an experience on its own.
1. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
Welcome to the Magic of Southern Hospitality at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside. This resort, inspired by the antebellum south, is centered on grand mansions and rustic cottages set along the Sassagoula River. Take a leisurely boat ride to Disney Springs or enjoy the more modern waterslide at one of its 4 pools, including an old-fashioned, mill-inspired slide. It’s also where Yehaa Bob Jackson plays his boisterous live piano performance at River Roost Lounge.
2. All Boardwalk B. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort — This one brings on the island vibes with plenty of spots to relax and unwind. The Moscow: 400 colorful rooms; tropical gardens embrace a lake on 45 acres. We walked to a nearby hotel that was perfect for families, where we had pirate-themed rooms and the most delightful pool facility with an entire shipwrecked water slide. But nobody can argue that the opening of Disney’s Skyliner gondola system makes two terms hotter than ever right now at Walt Disney World.
3. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney Coronado Springs Resort is designed around the Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American cultures, making it a perfect choice for those who want to have that luxurious feeling provided by deluxe category resorts but with all the added benefits of staying at a moderate resort. In a gorgeous lakeside setting, this resort has the newly refurbished Gran Destino Tower with contemporary rooms and rooftop dining (and excellent views of fireworks from multiple parks).
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Value Resorts: Best for the Budget Disney-goer The resorts provide fun, family-friendly theming along with comfortable rooms and the same Disney benefits as above (transportation to all of their parks).
1. Disney Pop Century Resort
Step back in time to relive some of the most notable decades of the 20th century at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Ideal for families that enjoy the fun, high-spirited ambience with all of its oversized 50- to 90-era decor ↑ Additionally, the hotel is attached to Disney Skyliner for direct transportation to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
2. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Art of Animation has two areas: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which celebrates four classic animated Disney movies. There are different kinds of family suites themed around “The Lion King,” “Finding Nemo,” and even “Cars,” which makes the resort an excellent option for families. Largest pool of any Disney World Resort hotel with a ‘Finding Nemo’ theme for fun times (Hours open daily in the Sun Fun Pool.)
3. All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports—Disney)
The All-Star Resorts are perfect for families looking to save money but not skimp on the magic of a magical Disney Resort. 3 themes available: Movies, music, and sports, with corresponding pool styles A mid-range hotel option that is frequented by families and large groups because of the low cost of lodging compared to Disney resort hotels.
Unique Experiences: Specialty Resorts
Disney World also has unique resorts for guests who are looking for more themed and unforgettable experiences.
1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Experiencing a stay like no other, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best at delivering a real vacation. With architecture that has been designed to represent a traditional African lodge, this resort sits in its own savanna and is home to more than 200 animals and birds. From their balconies, guests can enjoy watching zebras, giraffes, and gazelles or join a guided safari. The authentic African fare at the resort’s signature restaurants—Jiko—The Cooking Place and Boma—Flavors of Africa—and its proximity to Animal Kingdom also earn it a spot on any adventurous family or animal-loving fan, too.
2. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
If you love the great outdoors, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers a more rustic way to get back to nature with just enough touch of that Disney magic. The resort lies within 750 acres of pine and cypress woods, so together with the campgrounds, there are additionally log cabins available to lease on location in addition to an assortment of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, archery study courses, fishing, etc. They can also partake in campfire sing-a-longs with Chip ‘n’ Dale, outdoor movies, and carriage rides. Another must is the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a rootin’ tootin’, highfalutin’ dinner show.
3. Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club & Beach Club
Smack in the middle of Kennebunk’s most popular attraction—Downtown Dundee—a Victorinox KOA is a good choice for exploring some classic Maine scenes without having to wray-too-fartogo-live-on-UIC-10,000-miles-from-Maine. KDK has an outdoor water park complete with serially-sloshed waterslides and simulators; Mount Washington (Belgarian Hopped Ale); plus gourmet hot dogs from Patronsenburg. Before bedtime beachfront bonfires at Home Grove Park or lunchtime gurasmented roses on Burns Beach, take your pick between two sister resorts that are all about turning parkas into covers for rally sheets. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are both positioned around Crescent Lake, near enough to walk from one of them to Epcot and just a short water taxi ride over to Disney Hollywood Studios. Guests share Stormalong Bay, a three-acre water wonderland featuring a sand-bottom pool and the highest waterslide at any Disney resort, along with an inverse-cone-shaped “typhoon” slide for solo riders. The resorts also feature must-visit restaurants like the fan favorite Beaches & Cream Soda Shop and Yachtsman Steakhouse.
Why Stay at a Disney Resort Hotel?
1. Proximity and convenience
The Disney World Resort hotel boycott is that you can never be too far from the magic. Some of these hotels also feature direct transportation to the parks on monorails, boats, and buses, as well as via the Skyliner gondola system. And that can keep you from wasting time moving around.
2. Extra Magic Hours and Early Entry to the Parks
Important things to note: Guests at Disney Resort hotels enjoy special benefits such as Extra Magic Hours (additional time in select parks) and early entry, giving them the chance to visit popular attractions with little-to-no wait. These benefits are ideal for maximizing your park days.
3. Experience rooms and themed areas
Whether you want to sleep in a room based on Disney’s “Cars” or wake up with views of animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the theming doesn’t stop just because it’s where nightly heads hit pillows. However, each hotel has a different vibe, so there’s something to suit everyone.
4. Unmatched Guest Services
Disney is known for famous visitor benefits, and a stay at a Disney Resort means that you can exploit 24-hour registration administrations, baggage conveyance, and Magical Express (from Orlando International Airport).
How to Decide if a Disney Resort Hotel is Right for Your Family
Choose a Disney World Resort hotel by budget, location to points of interest or theme that you like. Here are some guidelines to be followed prior to choosing:
For Families with Young Children: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are all family-friendly locations featuring themed rooms suitable for kids and also pools.
For the Romantically Minded: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and BoardWalk Inn feature nostalgic Victorian elegance or African savannas; grown-up dining; and world-class spas.
Nature Buffs—Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offer unique opportunities to connect with nature.
For Budget Travelers: Disney’s All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Pop Century Resort offer value accommodations with lots to love for more budget-conscious travelers.
Final Thoughts
Your choice of Disney World Resort hotel means more than just a place to rest your head. Disney World has a resort for everyone, from luxury accommodations to themed rooms and value options. Use the exclusive themes, special benefits, and world-class services to make your accommodation as memorable as conceivable.
Now you are equipped with your ultimate Disney Resort hotel guide. Over time, Disney has long been consistent in presenting the magical experience not just for first-timers but also those returning—and these resorts are no exception, as each of them has always something special to offer.