Best Disney world hotels and why
What are the best Disney World hotels? Are you dreaming of a well-deserved vacation after the pandemic? Walt Disney World Resort has reopened its magical doors to all visitors. Relive that kid in you and share a few nights with your favorite Disney friends.
Disney hotels offer one-of-a-kind experiences with a wide range of food choices and amenities that provide a life-changing adventure. Here’s an overview of the best Disney World hotels.
- Disney Port Orleans Resort -Riverside
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Boardwalk Villas
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Disney resort hotel experience is still enjoyable as ever, even after its months of closure. It’s not a secret that Walt Disney Hotels are scattered all around the world. Each hotel offers packages for every budget and theme.
So to narrow down your choices, we have compiled only the best Disney World Hotels.
1. Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Category: Moderate Resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $179/$267
- Amenities: Pool with waterslide, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Royal Guest Rooms, Dog-Friendly Accommodations
Extending from the white mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s wood cottages, get enchanted in the picturesque surroundings of this deluxe resort that highlights romantic rural Louisiana. Walk along the river to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and enjoy some gumbo, beignets, and jambalaya.
If you get hungry from exploring, Boatwright’s dining hall offers Southern-inspired hearty cuisines. Eat out in a shipbuilding yard setting. The pool area has an old-fashioned swimming pool with a sawmill slide.
Have a good night’s sleep at their refurbished rooms with fun accents from Tiana and her prince.
2. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Category: Moderate resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $178/290
- Amenities: Pool with waterslide, Fitness centers, Club-access ( when staying in a Club-access room )
With the distinct combination of Mexican, Spanish, and Southwest American culture, you’ll love Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The lakeside setting will sweep you away to a romantic feeling while you relax and energize.
Get that tan you’ve always wanted at their impressive aquatic area. As a 50-foot Mayan pyramid replica surrounds it, you can enjoy swimming like you’ve been transported to Mexico. When you choose a Club-access room, you are entitled to personalized vacation planning service and access to Chronos club.
3. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $534/$1002
- Amenities: Beach pool with waterslide, Casual dining, Gourmet restaurants, Disney family night dinner, Magic Kingdom, Park, Health club gym, Disney salon and spa, Disney deluxe villa (home-like accommodation for families)
Enjoy your stay at the lavish Disney Grand Floridian Resort with a unique modern sophistication of Victorian style. While there’s so much, you can do here, start with relaxing outdoors. Come evening, feast your eyes with the fireworks display at Cinderella Castle. When tired, indulge yourself in a posh massage.
A great food choice awaits you at Gasparilla Island Grill, Narcoossee’s, and Grand Floridian Cafe. Then end the night with a glass of wine at Enchanted Rose. Also, Disney has set up a new Disney Family Night Dinner you can enjoy with the whole fam bam.
Calm your mind and body at Senses, a Disney Spa and Salon. With the complimentary Resort Monorail, you can enjoy a fun-filled adventure at Magic Kingdom Park, which is now connected through a lovely walking park. Never miss your fitness goals while here with the Spa health club, complete with high-tech workout facilities.
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $294/$405
- Amenities: Pool with a thrilling waterslide, African wildlife safari, Award-winning restaurants, Disney deluxe villa (home-like accommodation for families)
There is no need to go as far as Africa to experience a safari vacation as Disney will let you experience that in this magnificent resort hotel. Walk your way into the heart of Africa as this place is designed based on the traditional African kraal.
Four lush savannas are home to 200 animals and birds. Interact with safari animals through their exciting animal programs with Disney magic flair
Swim your way on their massive 11,000-square-foot pool with an adventure-filling waterslide. The entry is gently sloping and similar to a natural watering hole. Let your palates savor the African cuisines at their award-winning restaurants.
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5. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Category: Value resort
- Starting/Peak rates: &179/$267
- Amenities: Largest pool in all Walt Disney World Resort, Spacious family suites accommodation, Disney Skyliner transportation (en-route to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Restaurant serving made-to-order cuisine, Dog-friendly accommodation
Delight in the enchantment and magic with artistic designs of Walt Disney and Pixar movies. Relive the kid in you while you stay at this resort with storybook landscapes of the Disney classics The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo.
Let yourself be part of the famous Disney favorites as you stay in Disney’s Art of Animation. The family suites are designed with themes, and the courtyards are amazingly detailed. There are also days when you can meet the cast members of these Disney famous stories.
With the new gondola system, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the scenery on your way to the nearby Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Rest up in their spacious and Disney-animated themed rooms that can accommodate up to 6.
This Disney hotel is similar to Walt Disney Hong Kong International theme park with its Disney character theme. Dive in at the largest pool of Disney resorts and eat out at Landscape of Flavors with five distinctive food shops and made-to-order cuisines. Also, let your furry dog pets join you. The family suites are designed with themes, and the courtyards are amazingly detailed as pests are allowed here to stay with you. This is also one of the hotels near Walt Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
6. Bay Lake Tower at Disney Contemporary Resort
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $487/$839
- Amenities: Pool with waterslide, Restaurant and bars, Resort monorail (en-route to Magic Kingdom)
Relax in this modern Disney world hotel and dine out in their award-winning California Grill restaurant, beautiful pools, and awesome views. Their two pools are located just along the shore of Bay Lake. Whenever you’re staying in the A-frame Contemporary tower or at the Garden Wing, you can walk the pathway to Magic Kingdom. Or you can ride the Resort Monorail as it passes in the tower.
7. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Category: Moderate resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $341/$445
- Amenities: Pool with corkscrew waterslide and whirlpool spa, Fully-equipped cabins, Golf-cart rental, Dog-friendly accommodations, Restaurants
Situated on 750 acres of cypress and pine forest, the American frontier in you will be awakened in this Disney world resort. Whether you enjoy immersing in the wildlife with deers, armadillos, rabbits, and deers or trekking on scenic trails, you don’t have to choose, as you can do both here. Dive in on their Meadow Swimming pool with slides and whirlpool spa.
Since the cabins are home-like and fully equipped with a kitchen, you can pre-order fresh groceries before your arrival. If you get tired but still want to explore the wilderness, you can always rent their golf car for 4. Pass by the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue for some side-splitting musical event and country music.
8. Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Category: Deluxe Villa Resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $373/$687
- Amenities: 2 pools, Disney Skyliner Transportation, Rooftop restaurants and bars, Fitness center
Disney’s Riviera Resort has a European style and artistry that Walt Disney once fell in love with. Retreat in their stylish accommodations and delight in their rooftop restaurant – Topolino’s Terrace.
Indulge in exciting activities while staying in their stylish accommodations. You can choose from their spacious villas (up to 3 bedrooms) to their cozy Tower Studios. You also have access to their new gondola system, the Disney Skyliner Transportation.
9. Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
- Category: Deluxe Villa Resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $458/$761
- Amenities: Carnival-themed pool with waterslides, Disney Skyliner, Disney deluxe villa (home-like accommodation for families)
The old-fashioned charm of this waterfront Resort Hotel all takes you back in time. Enjoy your day at their scenic courtyards, taffy-colored cottages, and amazing garden views. Walk outdoors while enjoying the ragtime sounds and carnival theme of the Coney-Island style boardwalk. Like Atlantic City, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas is located just a few walks away from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Plunge at their carnival-themed pool and dine out at their exquisite Italian restaurant – Trattoria al Forno. With the Disney skyline, you can enjoy strolling from one area to another without any fuss.
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10. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Category: Deluxe resort
- Starting/Peak rates: $614/$937
- Amenities: 2 pools with waterslide, Restaurants and bars, Resort Monorail, Overwater bungalow (with home-like amenities)
Can’t go as far as the South Pacific? This Disney world hotel will take you to the lush tropical palms of the Southeast with teeming vegetation. Experience your next nights under the moon with an island ambiance. Indulge your palates at the savory island delights of their restaurant – Savor the Succulent Tastes of the Islands.
While it’s been a favorite Disney destination since 1971, additional attractions like the resort monorail will make your tour to Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot an easy ride.
The Advantages of Picking a Disney World Hotel vs. a Normal Hotel
If you’re planning to visit a Disney theme park, and you’re contemplating on what hotel to stay at, consider these advantages as to why Disney World Hotels are your best bet.
- You can still enjoy the adventure after leaving a Disney theme park, that is, if you still have the energy to.
- Disney World Hotel will let you enjoy an early park admission if you’re checked in with them.
- The bus will take you to any Disney resort so that you can get to Disney’s Magical Express bus free of charge at Orlando Airport.
- You can go to and from the theme parks with the Disney hotel’s monorails, boats, buses, and the newest Disney Skyliner.
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Key Takeaway
Whether you’re a child or a child-at-heart, it’s hard to leave the Walt Disney resort hotels once you’re already in. Disney’s International Theme Parks Limited offers various attractions and is mostly situated near a hotel and or Disney hotels.
The villas at Disney World hotels are perfect if you’re planning to come with the whole family as they’re fully equipped with a kitchen, washer, dryer, and private bedrooms.
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