Walt Disney World has more than 25 resort hotels, and the question I hear most often is, "Which one should we stay at?"
Resorts change. Rooms get refreshed, restaurants come and go, and construction pops up. I've stayed at all but two Walt Disney World resorts, but for some of them it had been five or six years. So I did what I always do and went to see for myself. It's the heart of my "I go so you know" approach.
I recently toured 10 resorts in 2 days with a few travel-advisor friends, and I shared all of it with my co-host Heidi on Theme Parks & Passports (Episode 38). Here's the recap.
The Four Resort Categories
Understanding the categories is the first step in choosing your home base.
- Deluxe Villas (Disney Vacation Club): Studios up to three-bedroom grand villas with kitchens or kitchenettes. You don't have to be a DVC member to book them, and they're great for families or groups who want extra space.
- Deluxe Resorts: Top-tier theming, full-service dining, and generally the closest proximity to the parks. Think Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
- Moderate Resorts: Mid-range pricing, themed pools, and most have table-service dining. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Coronado Springs, and Caribbean Beach are all here, and they're a great bang for your buck.
- Value Resorts: The most budget-friendly, with food-court-style dining and big, bold themed icons. All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.
My Favorites
- Overall favorite: Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know some people raise an eyebrow, but my family has stayed here since my kids were 3 and 5. Now that they're adults, it's the resort they ask for. Nothing beats having breakfast on your balcony with a giraffe or zebra wandering by.
- Favorite deluxe: BoardWalk Inn. Great location, good-sized rooms, and you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
- Favorite moderate: Coronado Springs. Book a tower room and it feels like a deluxe resort at a moderate price. There are multiple table-service restaurants and lounges, and you can watch fireworks from Dahlia's Lounge.
- Favorite value: Art of Animation. You get two modes of transportation, the Skyliner and buses.
The Surprise of the Tour: Port Orleans French Quarter
If one resort surprised me most, this was it. It's quiet, smaller in footprint, and gorgeous. There's table-service and quick-service dining, a great pool, and beignets that are the real deal, unlike the ones at Magic Kingdom. You also get boat service to Disney Springs, rocking chairs by the river, and even horse-and-carriage rides (I've had honeymooners do this!). I left asking, "Why haven't I stayed here?"
Caribbean Beach: One of My Best Sellers
Caribbean Beach was my first on-property stay as a teenager, and it's now one of the resorts I sell most. Here's why:
- Great price point
- Two modes of transportation (the Skyliner and buses)
- A food court area with multiple quick-service options plus a table-service restaurant
- A fantastic themed pool, plus additional pools if you want a quieter spot
- Room types that sleep a family of five in a standard room, so you don't have to upgrade to a suite or villa
Empty Nesters: Where I'd Go
Traveling without the kids? I'd choose a moderate or a deluxe. For a moderate, it's a Coronado Springs tower room. It has multiple lounges, and it offers a sangria tasting (additional charge). For deluxe, I love the Grand Floridian, and Animal Kingdom Lodge will always be a favorite. The Enchanted Rose lounge is a highlight. We walked right in for appetizers and drinks without a reservation, and the new lobby bar has such a luxe adult feel.
A Family-Friendly Note From Heidi
Location can matter more than you'd think. When Heidi stayed at All-Star Music with her 18-month-old, the walk to the bus stop meant her daughter napped in the stroller in the park. Resorts close to the parks, like the Contemporary (walkable to Magic Kingdom), make midday breaks easy with little ones.
An Honest Opinion
I'll be upfront: the Contemporary isn't my favorite. The location is unbeatable, and I love the Incredibles-themed rooms and the Garden Wing rooms that sleep up to five. But I've had some memorable stays (including a theme park view room that also overlooks the parking lot, complete with car alarms after fireworks). The lesson is that every resort has trade-offs, and this is where a travel advisor can help you pick the right room, not just the right resort.
Resort Hopping: What You Can and Can't Do
Exploring other resorts is one of my favorite things to do, but there are rules.
- No pool hopping. Pools are fenced and require a MagicBand or key card, and some, like the Beach Club and Yacht Club pool, have security.
- Hop by monorail or Skyliner. Monorail resorts (Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian) connect easily. On the Skyliner, you can hop between Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Art of Animation, and Pop Century.
- Buses and boats from Disney Springs are for guests staying at that resort or those with a dining or activity reservation there.
- Parking at a resort generally requires that you're staying there or have a dining reservation.
- Take transportation from a theme park. From Epcot, you can walk to Beach Club, Yacht Club, and BoardWalk.
- A reservation is your ticket in. Dinner, a spa appointment, or a purchased activity like a tasting all count.
You'll only have access to public spaces, and a little advance planning goes a long way.
My Top 5 Takeaways for Choosing a Resort
- Don't rule out a value resort. You can stay on property on a budget, and several value resorts offer two modes of transportation. Two have family suites.
- Think about your family's personality. Laid-back like Port Orleans French Quarter, or classic princess magic like the Grand Floridian?
- Decide what amenities you want. If you're at the parks rope drop to close, you may not need a lot. If you love lounges, dining, and fireworks views, look at moderates and deluxes.
- Consider transportation. Monorail, Skyliner, boat, walking, or bus? Each has its own rhythm.
- Location, location, location. Where will you spend the most time? Magic Kingdom-heavy trip with little ones? A monorail resort or Wilderness Lodge may be a fit.
Let's Find Your Perfect Resort
With this many choices, it helps to have someone who's been there. Tell me about your family, your budget, and what matters most, and I'll help you find your fit. Service fees may apply.
Listen to Episode 38 of Theme Parks & Passports
Melissa Sanchez is the owner of Spellbound Vacations, LLC, a Certified Travel Advisor, and co-host of the Theme Parks & Passports podcast.