We strongly believe in staying on Disney property when visiting Walt Disney World. There is just something different about going back to a Disney World Resort after a day at the parks. Or spending a day between park days at a Disney hotel pool. It provides a continuity to the vacation – you remain inside of the so called “pixie dust” for your whole trip!
Of course, not everyone is comfortable paying the premium price to stay on property. We are of the opinion that any Disney vacation is better than no Disney vacation at all. Any way that your family can make that happen is great! For those wanting to stay on property, though, here is our top ten list.
Ranking Our Favorite Disney World Resorts
A few things to note before we get into the list. Any Disney owned and operated hotel is being considered – value, moderate, and deluxe. Also note that Disney uses the word “resort” in favor of the word “hotel”. I will use the two words interchangeably. Lastly, I am not listing DVC deluxe villas separately from associated hotels. For example: Wilderness Lodge might be on the list, but Copper Creek Villas will not.
10 – All Star Resorts
The number 10 spot is more of an honorable mention. There are certainly hotels that didn’t make the list that will give you a better experience than the All Star offerings. That being said, my earliest memories at Disney World are of All Star Sports. I would guess that the same is true for a lot of us Disney fanatics. There is something to be said for a Disney World Resort offered at a relatively accessible price point that still delivers on excellent theming.
Of the three options, All Star Movies is our favorite. We’d suggest Sports to anyone with boys. All star Music offers family suites that can be a great option for larger families. The variety, theming, and affordability earned the All Stars a spot on our list.
9 – Coronado Springs
The only moderate resort on our top ten, Coronado Springs has a lot going for it. For starters, it is often priced lower than the other moderates. It has a great pool, unique dining options, and access to the amenities of the new Gran Destino Tower.
There are some cons to consider here as well. The resort is large and buildings are spread out, meaning long walks to access hotel amenities. There is also no special transportation options – it’s all buses here. In addition, the rooms are nothing to write home about. Overall, Coronado Springs is what you’d expect in a moderate – reasonable pricing, better pools and dining than a Value resort, but missing some key amenities that Deluxe resorts have.
8 – Art of Animation
Disney’s Art of Animation is undoubtedly the best Value resort on property. The theming is excellent, despite being a bit over-the-top. It certainly appeals to children more than adults, but then again, can’t the same be said for Disney World in general?
We think that any younger family will have a great time with Art of Animation. The quick service restaurant is quite good, the rooms are clean and new, and family suites are available. Best of all, Skyliner access means quick and easy rides to two of the four parks. This is a perk that many Moderates and Deluxes don’t enjoy.
7 – Old Key West
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the rest of this list will be Disney’s deluxe hotels. These are the resorts with the best pools, multiple dining options, balconies, and much more. That being said, Old Key West bridges the gap between the Moderate and Deluxe categories. It has pricing and availability closer to what you’d find in a Moderate.
This Disney World Resort has a laid back atmosphere that will appeal to anyone who also enjoys a beach vacation. The rooms here are very large and comfortable. The dining is below average in comparison to some other Deluxe resorts, but still very good. It also lacks transportation options to the parks.
6 – Grand Floridian
If your family loves Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian is one of the best Disney World Resorts to visit. With direct monorail access as well as a walking path you can be looking at Cinderella Castle within minutes of leaving your room. Grand Floridian is also home to some of the best dining locations on Disney World Property.
5 – Yacht Club
You can’t rank Disney World Resorts without showing some love to the Crescent Lake resorts. Located in the geographic center of Disney World and with quick transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, these resorts are in a great location.
Yacht and Beach Club share the most exciting pool on property – complete with a lazy river and a sand bottomed section. We included Yacht Club on this list out of the two because we prefer its theming. You also get a great steakhouse with Yachtsman and some of the biggest ice cream sundaes you’ve ever seen at Beaches and Cream.
4 – Riviera
Riviera is the newest Disney World Resort. It is on the Skyliner, has great dining options, and beautiful theming. Having a Skyliner stop at the resort is great for easy access to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. The signature dining at Riviera, Topolino’s offers character dining for breakfast and a more traditional signature fine dining experience for dinner. One of our favorite things about Riviera is the theming, it is very Disney but a more elegant updated version of traditional theming.
3 – Polynesian
Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort is not only beautiful and relaxing but also has great dining and fireworks/Cinderella Castle views. If you like the idea of watching Happily Ever After while enjoying a Dole Whip by the pool this is the resort for you.
2 – Boardwalk
Disney World’s Boardwalk Inn & Villas is such a unique Disney World Resort. It has a great location, cool theming, and good entertainment options. Boardwalk is located on Crescent Lake with walking paths available to EPCOT’s International Gateway and the Skyliner as well as Hollywood Studios. Alternatively, you could use the Friendship Ferry to get to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
The theming at Boardwalk is so different than anything else Disney World has to offer, it really feels like you’ve been transported to the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The feature pool at has one of the coolest slides on property looking like an old wooden roller coaster. Walking into then lobby is really a different experience than you get from somewhere like Beach Club that feels a bit generic. The entertainment is so different than any other resort, you get fun carnival style games and street performers in the evenings. Just sitting on the patio at AbracadaBar as the sun goes down with an ice cream from the Boardwalk Ice Cream shop and a cocktail is one of our favorite Disney World leisure activities.
1 – Animal Kingdom Lodge
We have written a lot about Animal Kingdom Lodge and it is no surprise that it comes in at number one on this list. Check out our DVC financial analysis breakdown, our full resort review, or our Animal Kingdom Lodge vs Saratoga Springs comparison. Among so many great options, this hotel is really in a league of its own.
The strong suits here are dining, theming, and entertainment. Many people have ranked the signature dining location, Jiko – The Cooking Place, as the best restaurant at Disney World. Even better, though, is the variety of options available. Boma, Sanaa, the Mara, two pool bars, and lounges are all great choices. The theming here is excellent – you are transported onto a completely different continent, complete with authentic artwork, multiple savannas with real life animals, and cultural representatives. To top things off, this is a place where you’ll never get bored. There are two excellent pools, movies screened nightly, campfires for s’mores, nighttime safaris, and much more.
Final Thoughts
Disney World has so many great things to offer. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with any of the resorts, it just depends what you’re looking for. What’s your favorite place to stay?
