Six Walt Disney World Resorts The Experts Choose (And WHY!)

Sooooo…you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, and with so many places to choose from (close to thirty Disney resorts last time we counted!)  it can feel a bit like rappelling down Big Thunder Mountain without a safety net trying to pick the right one! Even when you’ve made your selection, you’ll likely have to fight off some serious FOMO about the resorts you didn’t select!)

Cinderella Castle

So how do you make the best decision for you, your fam, and your budget? You call the experts! We’ve got the skinny on these six Walt Disney World Resort hotels that the pros always choose — and here’s why!

Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

You’ll often see Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts lumped together as one single entity, but they’re actually a secret Disney World two-for-one!  These two adjacent resorts are more than just close neighbors; they share many amenities and some tasty dining options, too. By choosing one of these resorts, you actually get to have the best of both worlds!

Stormalong Bay

Both Yacht and Beach Club are deluxe resorts and share an exclusive pool (it’s actually more like a water park!) called  Stormalong Bay! This “pool” — (again, we use the term “pool” loosely here since this place is totally bonkers!) has a lazy river; a totally decked out shipwreck-themed waterslide; a sandy bottom pool with zero entry; and tons of other stuff you’ll just have to see for yourself! It’s super fun for all ages (especially the littles!) and it’s only for guests who stay here! If you’re hip to giving yourself a “Resort day” to rest between trips to the Disney parks, you’ll have a blast chillin’ out at Stormalong Bay!

Stormalong Bay Slide

The Yacht and Beach Club is also super close to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas (just a quick walk or Friendship Boat ride away!) AND Disney’s Swan and Dolphin hotels — yet ANOTHER reason the pros choose Yacht and Beach Club — you’re literally just steps away from tons of great restaurants that these neighboring resorts have to choose from!

Disney’s Yacht Club

Oh, and can we take a sec to rave about  Beaches & Cream? It’s conveniently located right near Stormalong Bay and is THE BEST place to get some classic diner eats (we’re talkin’ burgers, grilled cheese, chili cheese fries…even their tomato soup is delish). And you’re not going to believe your eyes when you see some of the fantastic ice cream confections they have — namely the magical Beaches & Cream creature dubbed the Kitchen Sink!  Find out what you’re missing here!

Kitchen Sink

Remember the BoardWalk Inn we mentioned earlier? Well, this place is home to some awesome nightly entertainment at hotspots like Jellyrolls ( oh hello, dueling pianos!) and Atlantic Dance Hall! Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT’s International Gateway also make the Yacht and Beach Club’s locale amazingly convenient for hopping over to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for a nightcap at Oga’s or a quick jaunt around the World Showcase!

There’s so much to see and do!

And now the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are just a short walk away from the Disney Skyliner, too! They’re linking up with several other resorts, including Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, so now you’ll have MORE Resorts to explore. Riviera’s rooftop Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera offers a great view of nearby fireworks shows, and Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach shows off some tasty Caribbean eats!

Skyliner

Disney pros know timing is everything, and from Yacht and Beach Club, you have convenient, easy access to just about everything you could need or want! Staying here means you can you’ll be able to get around a lot more freely and not have to rely so much on the sometimes unreliable Disney bus transportation to get around. The Friendship Boats connect the resorts to BoardWalk Inn, the Swan and Dolphin hotels, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT — or you could just do what we do, and hoof it!

Yacht and Beach Club Resorts on Crescent Lake

That’s right: Disney’s put in several handy-dandy walkways to connect the two Parks and five Resorts, putting you literally just steps away from near-limitless dining and entertainment options! Just make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes!

Wilderness Lodge

In the pantheon of Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge is beloved for many reasons. Its warm and rustic feel is eternally welcoming and SO COZY! Its location is top-notch, and it tends to be a little less expensive than other Deluxe resorts. (And aside from its year-round National Parks cabin feel — which we love — you’ve GOT to see this Resort during the Christmas holidays, too! GORG!)

Wilderness Lodge Creek Bridge — in the Lobby

Wilderness Lodge is located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, and it’s just a short little boat ride away from the iconic park. This means if you’re planning to spend a lot of time cruising “it’s a small world”, you’ll be conveniently located to do that to your heart’s content! (Um, translation: at least five times each!)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Main Pool

From the Wilderness Lodge marina, you can also embark on a guided fishing excursion on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Disney World practices catch-and-release, and excursions are booked for two or four hours. If you’ve ever wanted to live that outdoorsy life but just can’t bring yourself to leave the Disney bubble, this is your chance!

Fishing at Disney World

Likewise, if you want to get behind the wheel of a small boat during your Wilderness Lodge vacation, you can live your best boat captain life at Disney World, too! There are boats of up to two, up to six, and up to ten passengers, so there’s an option for just about everyone.

Sea Raycers are a popular choice!

The dining at Wilderness Lodge is also great across the board. Whispering Canyon Cafe is a fun, family-oriented restaurant where asking for a straw might mean you get twenty, or downing a glass of soda might get you a GIANT refill and a fast pass to the restroom (literally)! The hijinks here are part of the appeal, and guests from all over Walt Disney World travel to Wilderness Lodge to experience it. Stay at Wilderness Lodge, and you’ll only have to cross the lobby!

Whispering Canyon Cafe

Storybook Dining at Artist Point lets guests dine with Snow White, some of her Dwarf friends, and the Evil Queen — and it actually has great food, unlike a lot of other character meals! And the Resort’s Quick Service spot, Roaring Fork, serves up some awesome Mickey Waffles (and it’s one of the only places to get them LOADED with toppings!). Oh hai, Dopey!

Storybook Dining at Artist Point Desserts

There’s even great nearby dining at Fort Wilderness, which is an easy walk or boat ride away. Trail’s End Buffet is a satisfying belt buster and tends to be a little less crowded and chaotic (and much less expensive) than other buffet options on property. And Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is a rip-roarin’ guest favorite dinner show, which can be highly enjoyed by all ages. Note that we recommend booking Tier 1 or 2 tables versus Tier 3 (which doesn’t have as good a view of the stage) — trust us, you’re gonna want a good seat for this party!

Waving Napkins at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue entertainers urging all the guests to wave their napkins over their head during a performance at Pioneer Hall in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

But the tipping point for a lot of families when it comes to Wilderness Lodge is the price. For the location, amenities (the pools are so fun!), and dining options, this Deluxe Resort usually comes in under the price of comparable Resorts — by as much as $200 or more per night for standard view rooms. (The only Deluxe that regularly costs less is Animal Kingdom Lodge.) For that reason, the pros know Wilderness Lodge is a great value.

Coronado Springs Resort

If a Moderate Resort is more your style, you can’t do better than the value of Coronado Springs. This Resort is a favorite of convention-goers, so it often goes under the radar for families and couples. But being popular for conventions also means Coronado Springs has Deluxe Resort-level amenities for way less money! Gotta save that paper where we can, people!

Coronado Springs

We’re talking two spas and fitness centers (one brand new in the lower level of Gran Destino Tower!), a full-service salon, and SO. MUCH. FOOD!!!

Gran Destino Fitness Center

Since the opening of Gran Destino Tower in 2019, the Resort has featured Toledo — Tapas, Steak, & Seafood, its rooftop restaurant, and Dahlia Lounge, its rooftop lounge. These spots offer sweeping views, Spanish-inspired cuisine, and lots of exclusive signature drinks, bb! They also feature incredibly artful interior designs that must be seen IRL to be truly appreciated — and you don’t even have to be staying in the Tower to enjoy these prime spots!

Toledo – Tapas, Steak, & Seafood

In addition to Gran Destino Tower, guests will also find recently renovated rooms in the rest of the Resort, too. Such luxury!

Gran Destino Hotel Room

And if you’re traveling with someone who’s less of a Disney fan than you are, Coronado Springs rooms offer just a touch of Disney — a hidden Mickey here, a fun print there. So if you get burnt out on all the characters, color, and chaos of the Parks, you can really find a retreat here!  Is that the three Caballeros we spy?

Small Disney touches

Another perk of Coronado Springs Resort? The club-level amenities in Gran Destino Tower mirror those of the Deluxe Resorts — but you don’t have to pay the Deluxe BUCKS to enjoy them! Chronos Lounge is stunning, has expansive views, and offers a stylish getaway within the Tower.

Chronos Club Lounge

The pros know you get more for your money at Coronado Springs, so even though it’s a trek from the parks, it can be just the budget-friendly (for Disney World, anyway!) oasis you’re looking for.

Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

Another Moderate Resort the pros pick is Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. This Resort is one of the smallest Moderate Resorts in terms of guest rooms (only the Cabins at Fort Wilderness have fewer rooms, and that Resort’s sort of in a class of its own) with just over 1000. But the charm of the Resort is what makes this Resort a HUGE Pro PICK!  It’s a BIG ol’ dose of the BIG EASY in a little package!

Port Orleans French Quarter Icons

Styled after New Orleans’ classic exteriors, you’ll find colorful buildings, endless wrought iron, and distinctive hardscape and landscape. Guest room buildings are even given a multi-layered, thoughtful design to give them that New Orleans vibe — and also we just think the pastel colors are soooo pretty!!

Port Orleans – French Quarter

The size of French Quarter is also part of its charm. Being on the small side, it has just one bus stop (the other Moderates have two or more), which means you get to the parks FASTER. Dining can be found in one convenient location — and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, the Resort’s quick service food court, offers flavorful food that you won’t find everywhere else! (Did somebody say Mickey Beignets?)

POFQ Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

Yup! This is the one spot on Disney World property where you can sink your teeth into the deliciousness that is the Mickey Beignet! Other popular dishes here include traditional New Orleans recipes like Po’Boys and Jambalaya, gumbo, and barbecued ribs.

Additional dining includes Scat Cat’s Club Cafe where guests (and visitors) can order up some of the Resort’s specialty Mickey Beignets — as if they couldn’t get any better, somehow they did! Must be because you can get them with BOOZE too!

Mickey Beignets at Port Orleans

And Scat Cat’s Club offers dining, drinking, and entertainment — all fabulous in the Moderate Resort category. A few years ago,  Scat Cat’s moved to a larger space, meaning there’s even more space to laissez les bons temps rouler!

Scat Cat Club’s New Location

But if that’s not enough dining and fun for you, French Quarter’s sister resort (just a quick walk or boat ride away), Port Orleans — Riverside, brings guests to the bayou in its Riverside Mill food court.

Port Orleans Riverside

Looking for a table-service meal that’s priced right and close-by? Port Orleans — Riverside offers dinner at  Boatwright’s Dining Hall, a down-home restaurant with southern and bayou classics like jambalaya, corn bread, and some seriously good butter cake (here’s hoping it’s on the menu when you’re there!).

Boatwright’s Dining Hall

And don’t forget — while you’ve got an incredible Sea Serpent pool and splash pad at Port Orleans — French Quarter, you’re also welcome to swim over at Ol’ Man Island, Port Orleans — Riverside’s pool, where they also have a little dock for pole fishin’ in the river! Two pools for the price of one Moderate Resort? Yup, that’s yet another reason why the pros love to dip their toes here! Us pros are all ’bout the TWOFERS!

Sea Serpent Pool

Plus, it’s never a bad idea to spend an evening exploring Riverside’s winding pathways with views of the Sassagoula River! So beautiful!

There’s so much to explore!

Speaking of which, one of the sweetest amenities at French Quarter is the Sassagoula River Cruise, a water taxi that connects the Port Orleans Resorts with Disney Springs. This relaxing boat ride is the perfect way to unwind before enjoying all that the dining, shopping, and entertainment district has to offer. And it’s free to use.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

Want to really drive home the historic New Orleans charm? French Quarter also offers carriage rides (for a fee) that will roll you around the Resort for a relaxing ride — perfect for riding in with your Prince Charming!

Carriage Rides at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter

Basically, this resort has a lot of fun and unique charms!

Caribbean Beach Resort

Caribbean Beach Resort is another terrific Moderate Resort option that the pros know just seriously raised its stock!

Caribbean Beach Resort

With the 2019 opening of the Disney Skyliner gondola system, Caribbean Beach is now a hub connecting EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts, and Riviera Resort.

Skyliner Hub at Caribbean Beach Resort

This system can transport guests from station to station in as few as three minutes, and guests have reported appreciating the system’s efficiency and views. (Skyliner has not been without its snags, however. Click here to read about one such incident.)

Gliding over Caribbean Beach Resort en route to Riviera Resort

Caribbean Beach Resort is also a spacious resort. It’s spread waaay out, with guest rooms in smaller themed buildings strewn across 200 acres. That means some areas of the Resort can be very quiet and secluded which we LOVE. For travelers looking for that kind of atmosphere, this is a great choice! The two-story buildings of Caribbean Beach definitely have a Resort feel, like somewhere you’d call home in the real Caribbean. But, you know, with more Hidden Mickeys. 😉

Caribbean Beach

Thanks to a recent refurbishment of the entire Resort, guest rooms have a fresh feel, and dining options were refreshed, too! Table service restaurant Sebastian’s Bistro offers some terrific, Caribbean-inspired cuisine, while Banana Cabana is easily a destination-worthy pool bar. I mean, even the name makes us giggle with delight!

Banana Cabana

Speaking of which, the Fuentes del Morro Pool is loads of fun. It’s themed to a Caribbean-style fortress, and its design means even the smallest pirates in your party can enjoy it!

Fuentes del Morro Pool

Low cost? Check. Great pool? Check. Direct (and FAST) access via Skyliner to two Disney World theme parks? Check. Updated and refreshed dining options? Check. Yep, Caribbean Beach has come a long way from the under-construction-and-people-had-to-eat-in-a-huge-tent past few years… and the Disney pros know it.

Art of Animation Resort

When the pros stay at a Value Resort at Walt Disney World, they stay at Art of Animation.

Art of Animation Resort

This Resort is a combination of typical Value Resort rooms and family suites. Those suites will fit six (plus an under-3 in a portable crib!), so your whole crew can stay together — and can we just say how totally in love with the Cars-theming we are. Yeah, Disney, you really brought it with this one!

Lion King Room

Even better: the family suites at Art of Animation have two full bathrooms (one with a tub-shower combo and one with a luxurious walk-in shower) and a true master bedroom with a door that closes to the rest of the family suite (cue: putting on a Disney movie for the kids in the living area and taking a nap in the master bedroom). Anyone who’s traveled with kids knows what a gem it is to be able to escape to an actual room with actual LIGHTS ON after bedtime instead of sitting in the bathroom with the door closed to read our book and sip a glass of chardonnay. (Sound familiar?)

Finding Nemo Art of Animation

Art of Animation has convenient access to everything a family needs, too. The Landscape of Flavors food court serves up a wide variety of eats from classic chicken nuggets and fries to fresh-made Asian-style stir fry. The Ink & Paint Shop sells souvenirs and essentials like toothbrushes, diapers, and sunscreen, just in case you’ve forgotten something at home — and all of this is just a short walk from your room!

Landscape of Flavors

The amenities at this Value Resort aren’t as extensive as you find at Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, but the pools here are fantastic. The Resort as a whole is meticulously themed (from buildings to landscaping!) to celebrate four classic Disney animated movies: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars. Three of these have associated pools, the most lauded of which is the Big Blue Pool. This Nemo-themed pool is the largest at Walt Disney World and also has an adjacent splash pad and play area. It’s fun for the whole family.

Big Blue Pool

Another great feature: Art of Animation and its sister Resort Pop Century share a Skyliner station (located at Generation Gap Bridge between the two Resorts). This means the large Resorts and their many guests can access Hollywood Studios and EPCOT without using the Disney bus system. This alleviates some of the pressure these Resorts experience at their bus stops. And the pros know if you can avoid waiting in a long bus queue and awkwardly standing with your folded stroller all the way to EPCOT, your day is already off to a great start!

Art of Animation Skyliner Station

Are you ready to vacation like a Disney World pro? You got this, baby!

Let us know which of these Resorts you love and why you’ll be staying there on your next trip! Comment below!

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Sarah is a former high school English teacher, mom of three, and a (nearly) life-long writer. She's worked with AllEars.net since 2018 and loves sharing the Disney magic with AllEars.net readers.

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9 Replies to “Six Walt Disney World Resorts The Experts Choose (And WHY!)”

  1. Ugh. Coronado Springs??
    Literally one of the bottom resorts
    1. AKL
    2. Contemporary
    3. Ft Wilderness
    4. Carribean Beach
    5. Art of Animation
    6. Boardwalk

  2. We stayed Caribbean Beach preferred in October. No hot water despite multiple service calls. Will never stay again.

  3. I once counted the table service restaurants one could walk to from Epcot resorts such as Yacht and Beach Club. It came out to almost exactly HALF of all table service restaurants in Disney World!

  4. If a pro is staying at Art of Animation is a standard room I wouldn’t listen to their advice. Both the farthest away and most expensive standard rooms. Stay at either All-Star Sports for cost and proximity to Animal Kingdom or stay at Pop Century for rooms with Skyliner access.