My Obsessive Quest for the Best Disney World Hotel Room

I have stayed at every single Disney World hotel!

From the new Polynesian Island Tower to the classic All-Star Resorts, I have some pretty strong opinions when it comes to Disney accommodations. I’ve been endlessly searching for the best Disney hotel room, and I think I might have my official ranking ready.

There are 25 Disney World hotels, and they aren’t all made equally. You can choose a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe resort when staying on property, so I’m going to break down my ranking by resort type so you can see what’s my favorite for any Disney budget.

Value Resorts

Disney World’s least expensive tier of hotels is the Value Resorts. There are 5 options, and with each one, you’ll find primarily external hallways, a family-friendly (and large group-friendly) atmosphere, and larger than life theming. 

If you’re looking for the best value, none of these hotels will be your best option. Check out good neighbor hotels for a way to save some money! You can even find rooms at the much nicer Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels for a similar price. However, I’m focusing on Disney resorts today, starting with #5 — All-Star Sports. 

All of the value resorts have limited dining options with just one food court and pool bars. The All-Stars in particular rank lowest due to their less-popular theming, their reliance on the Disney bus system, and their tendency to host large school and sports groups, making for a crowded and often loud environment.

They are the least expensive for a reason! All-Star Sports, in particular, is lowest for having a less “Disney” theme. If you have a large group and you’re going to be in the parks a lot, this one will be just fine. 

#4 takes us to All Star Music, which is slightly higher on the list thanks to its affordable family suites that sleep up to 6 people! These are actually some of my favorite rooms to book on Disney property! 

Similar to All Star Sports, this is good for big groups and people who aren’t spending much time at their resort.

 #3 is going to All Star Movies thanks to the Disney theming! There are areas themed around Toy Story, Fantasia, 101 Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks, and Love Bug.

If you want over-the-top Disney theming, this is the one!

#2 goes to Pop Century Resort! The main reason this one gets the second spot is the convenience of the Disney Skyliner!

The Skyliner can get you to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resort with ease. Plus, there’s a fun throwback theme here that a lot of people really appreciate! 

Finally, my number 1 spot for value resorts goes to Art of Animation! Not only does Art of Animation also access the Skyliner, but it also has incredible theming based on beloved characters – The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars.

While this is not my personal favorite because I think the furniture feels a bit run down, a lot of people adore this resort, and thus, it gets the top spot. For family suites, I prefer the more recently updated All-Star Music suites, and for Skyliner, I prefer Pop Century. 

That wraps up the value resorts, so let’s move on to the next category —  Moderate Resorts!

Moderate Resorts

The bottom spot for this category goes to Caribbean Beach Resort! It’s ranked last due to the more outdated feel to the rooms, even with the new rooms that were recently updated. 

It’s not unpopular, it’s just not a favorite compared to the other moderate hotels. There’s an infamously troublesome internal bus route, but it has the bonus of being the main Skyliner Hub. It also has underrated dining at Sebastian’s Bistro and a particularly beautiful theme. Plus, it’s SUPER spread out, so it can mean long walks to the room. 

#4 goes to Port Orleans – French Quarter, and I was shocked it was this low! It’s super popular with our audience, but there’s a real lack of amenities at this spot. I think this is a testament to how most of the options in the moderate category are winners!

This one is loved for its dining (beignets, baby!) and its small size. BUT be warned, it’s very low on dining options and amenities because it is so small and often shares a bus with the other Port Orleans resort. Hence the lower rating – but still a loved hotel!

#3 is Port Orleans – Riverside! This is an AllEars favorite with a lot of the same pluses as French Quarter, minus the beignets. This is a much larger resort (so beware that internal bus loop), but expect more recreation and amenities as well as dining compared to the French Quarter.

Truly, this is a matter of preference because it’s walkable between the two hotels, and they often share buses. 

Fort Wilderness snags the #2 moderate resort spot! This one was kind of a tricky one because Fort Wilderness is half campground in the value category and half cabins in the moderate category. We’re classifying it as moderate since campgrounds aren’t really hotels.

This spot offers an absolutely amazing and unique hotel experience! The cabins are comfortable and sleep six. Plus, they serve as a much larger space than a typical hotel room for a fair price. The resort also has enough to do even without going to the parks, even free stuff. We particularly love the Chip and Dale Campfire Sing-Along, AND there’s a boat straight to Magic Kingdom. 

#1 goes to our tried and true, Coronado Springs! This hotel has been pulled way up into first place with the addition of Gran Destino Tower. Though many of the rooms remain spread out across the hotel in the casitas, Gran Destino Tower offers deluxe-level accommodations at a moderate price.

On top of that, all guests have access to Gran Destino amenities like dining, the amazing Dahlia Lounge (which is a favorite of mine), a fitness center, and a coffee bar that becomes a regular bar at night! This hotel truly feels like a deluxe option at a cheaper price and is one of my favorites out of any of the categories. 

Finally, we’re making our way to the Deluxe resorts!

Deluxe Resorts

Finally, we land in Disney’s luxury deluxe category. There are 11 options, and with each one, you’ll find a LOT of amenities, impeccable theming, and often high prices. As a note, I will be including Disney Deluxe Villas here. These are Disney Vacation Club offerings – that’s Disney’s timeshare program. These can be booked by members with points or by non-members, which is why we’re including the theme here in the regular ranking. 

In 11th place, we have Old Key West! Though very popular with DVC folks, it’s not as exciting to those not in the timeshare program. The rooms are large but are fairly outdated, and the resort is sprawling, making it difficult to get around.

While the theme is relaxing, it isn’t the most thorough. I, however, have rented DVC points to stay in a two-bedroom suite with my family, and that was absolutely an EXCELLENT value. 

#10 goes to Saratoga Springs! Similar to the ranking of Old Key West but with slightly nicer rooms (they’ve been updated!)

It has a nice proximity to Disney Springs, too. This hotel also has offered a spa in the past, but it has been closed since the 2020 park closures. This one runs into the same situation of being very worth it for DVC point rentals, but NOT in cash.

For numbers 8 and 9, they are actually paired together! Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club are two separate resorts, but are often lumped together by fans and by Disney. It surprises me to see Yacht Club so low on this list until you consider what other hotels are available.

The Yacht and Beach Club are connected and share many amenities. They also sit at what is probably the best hotel location in Disney World! You can reach EPCOT in fewer than 200 steps from Beach Club. You also have access to walk to Hollywood Studios, or you could even boat to either theme park. PLUS, you can use the Skyliner.

The themes are not the most unique, but they are well done with upscale beach and yacht vibes. Plus, the hotels share the best hotel pool in Disney World with the mini-waterpark Stormalong Bay. Don’t forget to stop by Beaches and Cream for some amazing ice cream! 

In the #7 spot, you’ll find Riviera Resort! Riviera Resort is low on value as another DVC offering, but it is new and well-liked. Some criticize the lackluster theming in parts of the hotel (I am definitely unimpressed with the lobby), but the dining makes up for it.

Many of the restaurants at Riviera Resort are worth going out of the way for, and the rooms are absolutely gorgeous, but they are on the pricy side. 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is coming in at #6! This resort is a personal favorite of mine. It’s ranked well for its prime location, just steps from Magic Kingdom and its opening day status. Some dislike the more austere feel of the Contemporary’s theming, and others (myself included) are not the biggest fans of the Incredibles room rethemes.

But this is an iconic Disney hotel with nightly views of the fireworks and some of the best dining on property. Plus, there’s a monorail stop IN the concourse! That’s pretty cool. 

We finally made it to the top 5! The Boardwalk is taking the #5 spot and for good reason. The BoardWalk benefits from the same great location as the Yacht and Beach Club but features even more dining and recreation offerings. This hotel might have had outdated rooms during my first stay, but it received a full update to the rooms and common spaces, which we have loved.

Plus, it’s situated right on the BoardWalk – one of Disney’s largest out-of-park recreation areas. There is more dining here than almost anywhere else, and you can walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. A little fun fact – BoardWalk was my bucket list hotel as a teen! 

The Polynesian Resort is coming in at #4! Now things are getting heated! Polynesian Village Resort is an incredibly popular hotel due to its impeccable theming, famous dining, sand beaches, fireworks views, Dole Whip, and more.

You even get a lei when you check in! The rooms have recently been updated to add a slight Moana theme, and character dining is available at the famous ‘Ohana. This spot also has Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – an INTERACTIVE bar, which is a must for your Disney bucket lists. This resort also just received an extension with the Island Tower expansion. 

Disney’s Grand Floridian is coming in at #3 on our deluxe list! This is Disney World’s most expensive and flagship hotel. It’s known for stunning theming and a luxury feel while still being approachable. There’s amazing dining, like a Beauty and the Beast-themed bar and one of the best fine dining restaurants in all of Florida, thanks to Victoria and Albert’s.

There’s even more shopping at this resort with a Basin right in the lobby. You can enjoy live music at many times of day, walk to Magic Kingdom, experience serious magic around the holidays, and sleep in as close to luxury as you can get in Disney World. The only reason this hotel isn’t ranked higher is because it is so, so expensive for what you get that it is inaccessible and maybe not worth it for many people. 

#2 might surprise people, but it’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and it pulls ahead for a very good reason. Not only does Animal Kingdom Lodge have the same level of amazing dining, incredible theming, comfortable rooms, and more amenities, it also offers a savanna view across the resort, and it does it all at a more reasonable price.

This resort simply wins out in value for money! The rooms are still expensive, but not nearly as much as the ones on the monorail loop near Magic Kingdom. Plus, you can indulge in amazing African eats, see stunning artwork, and watch the animals go about their days on the savannah. The biggest downside is that it’s located far from everything but Animal Kingdom and only has bus transportation.

If you’ve made it this far, first off, wow! Finally, the #1 spot goes to Wilderness Lodge! This hotel offers the same level of deluxe amenities as the other hotels at the top of this ranking, but it has more reasonable pricing similar to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

On top of that, it’s located in the Magic Kingdom resort area and is only a short boat ride away from Disney World’s flagship park. Fans of this resort love the variety of restaurants, like the relaxing Geyser Point on the water, a Snow White character meal, and the antics-filled Whispering Canyon. The lobby is grandiose, and the theming is so involved that there’s even a geyser you can watch! 

Did you guys get all of that?! It’s taken me years, but I think this is my current ranking of the best Disney World hotel rooms. That’s a lot of bed science, resort walks, and fun! As always, be sure to keep following AllEars for more Disney rankings.

I Stayed in Disneyland’s $1,400 Hotel Room, and I Wish I Could Say I’d Do It Again

Tell me which resort is your favorite in the comments! 

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