Ex-Disney World Cast Members Are Sharing the Popular Hotels They Never Stay at and Why

We love staying in a Disney hotel!

When it comes to staying on Disney World property, we are huge fans! From value resorts to deluxe stays, there’s something for almost everyone around the resort. That being said, not every hotel is created equally, so Ex-Disney World Cast Members are finally spilling the tea on which popular hotels they avoid.

Before we really dive in, if you see a hotel listed that you love — that’s okay! Our opinions come straight from ex-Disney World cast members, but they’re still just opinions.

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

We’re prefacing this because the first hotel we never stay in is the Grand Floridian! Hear us out, though.

Disney’s Grand Floridian hotel is arguably the most famous of the hotels on property. It has amazing dining options like Narcoosee’s, 1900 Park Fare, Victoria and Albert’s, Citricos, and more. It is also super close to the Magic Kingdom and is a stop on the monorail loop, so why do we avoid it?

This resort might be famous for everything we mentioned, but it’s also infamous for its price. For example, a theme park view room for a Friday night in November 2025 costs roughly $1,122.17 a night. It’s commonly known that Disney can get pricey, but that’s a bit more than pricey. We get that this price comes with park proximity and awesome dining options, but we still think this hotel is a bit too dated for that price tag. 

Several of the rooms on the Disney Vacation Club side of the resort have been updated to a subtle Mary Poppins theme, which is beautiful. That being said, not every room has been updated, and a lot of the resort itself feels dated. In fact, one person who helped with this list said, “Hot take, but all I see is nursing home, and I can’t unsee it.”

Luckily, this resort is getting a big update in the lobby with a brand new bar, but we don’t think that will convince us to stay there. We love spending time at this resort, but we will most likely never stay here because of that price tag.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

The next hotel we actively avoid is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This hotel is going to receive some similar compliments and critiques as the Grand Floridian. We love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but there are certain aspects of it we aren’t willing to pay for.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has some of the best dining options in all of Disney World, thanks to Sanaa, Boma, Jiko, and more. This resort offers gorgeous views of a savannah with live animals and even some views of Animal Kingdom, which is nearby. The value rooms at this resort range in price, but for a Friday night in November, prices begin at $875 per night.

Almost $900 a night is a bit more than we’re willing to pay for the rooms that most likely look out into the parking lot. While we do love this resort, we also still understand that a majority of people going to Disney World are going for the parks. Plus, the only transportation option at this hotel is the buses. That price is just a bit more than our ex-cast members think is worth it, especially if you’re not planning on being in the room a lot.

Saratoga Springs Resort

Finally, Saratoga Springs has landed on our avoid list for a few reasons, but it isn’t about the price! Saratoga Springs Resort is a  Disney Vacation Club Resort that’s located by Disney Springs. This resort is made to feel like your home away from home and offers a variety of amenities, like a kitchen or kitchenette. Some rooms even have a washer and dryer! Depending on your type of room, you might be able to fit the whole family, which is a really great perk.

That being said, this resort is massive and offers limited transportation compared to the others. They do offer watercraft to Disney Springs, but other than that, it’s just buses around this huge resort, which can be an issue. There are lots of perks in the rooms, which can be nice if you’re there with a large group or if you’re staying for a long trip. Other than that, those perks don’t really stand out or make the long walks worth it.

After long park days and lots of walking, the last thing you want to do is more walking! It also means that there’s a big possibility that your room is far away from food, drinks, and more. It can be hard to pick from over 30 hotels at Disney World, so let someone else do it for you!

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!

Are we saying you should never stay at these hotels? No! If you love them, then go for it! For us, though, we think we’ll stick to the other spots around Disney World. As always, be sure to keep following AllEars for more Disney tips, news, and more!

My Obsessive Quest for the Best Disney World Hotel Room

 

Which hotel is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

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