Planning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming with over 20 different hotels to choose from. After visiting the parks multiple times and staying at 10 different Disney resorts I learned which ones offer the best value. Here is a breakdown of the hotels I highly recommend and the ones you might want to skip.
Worth It: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
This deluxe spot is right on the monorail line which makes getting to the parks super easy and the Hawaiian island theme really makes you feel relaxed. The food here is pretty good, with nice spots like ‘Ohana offering fun character breakfasts, though some folks might prefer simpler meals.
Not Worth It: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
You pay a really high price for this deluxe hotel but the old Victorian theme just feels a bit too boring for a family vacation. It has the same monorail perks as the Polynesian but it costs more money and the dining choices just did not excite me at all.
Worth It: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
This hotel is amazing because you get to wake up and look out your window to see real giraffes and zebras walking around the savanna right outside. The African inspired food is wonderful and it is a bit cheaper than other deluxe hotels even though you have to take a bus to the parks.
Not Worth It: Disney’s Boardwalk
I thought being able to walk right over to EPCOT would be incredible but the entrance places you way in the back of the park so you still have a massive walk ahead of you. The hotel layout is also really annoying and it lacks quick places to grab a fast bite to eat when you are in a rush.
Worth It: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Walking into this resort feels exactly like stepping into a cozy wooden mountain cabin complete with rocking chairs and a giant fireplace. You can easily take a quick boat ride right to Magic Kingdom and the dining experiences are super fun with characters that keep you entertained.
Not Worth It: Disney’s Riviera Resort
This newer hotel is very luxurious and formal but it honestly just does not feel like a fun Disney property to me. They even have a strict dress code at the rooftop restaurant which might appeal to some people but it was not what I was looking for on a theme park trip.
Worth It: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This moderate tier hotel has a beautiful Spanish and Mexican theme with a massive lake in the middle and an awesome pool that features a giant pyramid. It is much more affordable than the deluxe options and walking around the property at night when all the lights reflect on the water is just stunning.
Not Worth It: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Even though you can easily jump on the Skyliner transportation system here, the actual resort is so big that you might end up walking ten minutes just to reach your room. The tropical island theme felt a little bit minimal to me and the rooms seemed like they really needed an update compared to other options.
Worth It: Disney’s Pop Century Resort
If you want to save money, this value hotel is definitely the way to go because it has really fun oversized vintage toys and colorful decorations everywhere you look. It is cheap and features a solid food court plus you still get easy access to the Skyliner to help you get around the parks fast.
Not Worth It: Disney’s Art Of Animation Resort
This hotel looks great with huge Disney and Pixar characters outside but the standard rooms sell out so fast that you usually get stuck paying way more for a family suite. It is just too expensive for a value level hotel and the property is massive so you will be doing way too much walking after a long day.
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