These Disney World hotels are beloved by many — for good reason — but I still tend to avoid them.
We’ve stayed at EVERY Disney World hotel, and while we find value in all of them, we certainly have our favorites. With that said, there are three really incredible hotels loved by Disney fans that I struggle to stay at. Let me explain…
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa showing up on this list is probably controversial. This resort has a PRIME location next to Magic Kingdom and even features a walkway, boat access, and a monorail station. It’s got some literal award-winning restaurants and exudes elegance. However, it’s a hotel I won’t stay at.
As one of the top Deluxe Resorts at Disney World, the Grand Floridian is wildly expensive. When I travel to Disney World, I want most of my budget spent on park tickets, souvenirs, and great dining opportunities. Unfortunately, that means I’m usually ruling out the Grand Floridian during the budgeting process.
Additionally, this resort has more of an upscale vibe and isn’t as loud in style when it comes to Disney theming versus other hotel options. For many, a Disney World vacation includes total immersion of the Disney IP, and you won’t get that kind of dramatic theming here.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
What is the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and what sets it apart from other Disney resorts? Disn...Deluxe Resort 3 - 8 Person Capacity Bus Boat Monorail
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge just might be the most unique/prettiest hotel at Disney World. Where else can you see African animals right outside your hotel window? And the eats here are TREMENDOUS, with fantastic restaurants like Sanaa and Jiko. If someone tells me this is the best hotel in Disney World, I won’t put up an argument.
Like the Grand Floridian, it’s easy to get priced out. Unlike the Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge is far from anywhere not named Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
While the hotel is beautiful and worth a stay, getting anywhere is a hassle — especially without any transportation aid aside from buses and rideshares. When a trip is all about theme park practicality, the isolation can be annoying.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jambo from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort, where the wilds of an African savanna meet the comfort...Deluxe Resort 2 - 8 Person Capacity Bus
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
I just brought up the uniqueness of Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds is just as unique — albeit for totally different reasons. This location lets you camp out at Disney World at a more affordable rate.
You can opt for cabins or campsites, bringing along RVs and tents as you “glamp” at Disney World! There are plenty of arguments for staying here. The site features tons of unique recreational activities like horseback riding, archery, and canoeing, and it’s even pet-friendly. And yet…
Fort Wilderness is not for everyone. Typically, I prefer a more traditional hotel stay and need amenities available late, as I’m a night owl. It can be tough to come by a snack or shops open late here, which is super tough to swallow if you spend all day at the parks and want a nightcap when you get back to your resort. However, if you come prepared, this shouldn’t be an issue.
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Fort Wilderness Resort Highlights: Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground opened in November 1971....Deluxe Resort Bus Boat
All of these hotels are great for their own reasons. In fact, many consider them to be some of the best Disney World has to offer! If you think I’m dead wrong on any of these hotels, let me know why I should reconsider my stance in the comments below!
As always, continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World tips, tricks, reviews, updates, and more!
I Love This Disney World Hotel, But You Definitely SHOULDN’T Stay There
If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
Need a vacation from planning your vacation?
Feeling overwhelmed planning your dream Disney vacation? Our friends at MouseFanTravel.com have got you covered! They’ll wait on hold for HOURS to get discounts you haven't even read about yet. Plus, they'll help you create an itinerary that's absolutely perfect for you, because their agents are Disney pros and know ALL the inside tips. I mean they are friends with us after-all.
The best part? They take all the stress off your shoulders, so you can kick back and truly enjoy your vacation. Their services are 100% free, so what are you waiting for? Get a quote from their amazing team today!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
What is your favorite — and least favorite — Disney World hotel? Let us know in the comments!
I get the point about the price of AKL and GF, especially with the less than luxurious accommodations they have become. The one problem I did have with GF beyond the price was the monorail service. I have already seen the line for the monorail go back into the hotel to the entrance to Citrico’s (it was raining, maybe that was it). It’s the last stop on the resort monorail before MK, so it often arrives quite full. It is also the last resort stop at the end of the night from MK.
I would suggest that 2026 might be the perfect time to indulge in these hotels. Why? Three of the four parks will be under significant construction during this time. There will be fewer rides and, most likely, longer lines for the ones that remain open. This means it would be the perfect time to enjoy all those non-park attractions that exist at resort hotels that are remote from the parks, but have their own extraordinary features. Take a nighttime safari from the Animal Kingdom Lodge; enjoy viewing the animals from your room or lobby; take a tour of the exhibits in the lobby; partake of the great dining at Jiko’s, Boma and Sanaa. At the campgrounds, take a Sego backcountry tour, paddle a canoe, enjoy Hoop de Doo; take a horse or carriage ride, paddle a canoe, visit the new stables, enjoy fireworks from the beach, try out archery lessons, go fishing, and enjoy the Chip & Dale nighttime movies and campfire S’mores; have an extra special dinner at the Grand Floridian’s Victoria & Albert, watch the Electric Parade from the beach, rent a boat at the marina to tour Seven Seas Lagoon, ride the monorail to visit the other monorail resorts, and enjoy a poolside cabana.