When it comes to choosing a Disney World hotel, how do you know which is right for you?
Port Orleans Riverside Resort
We’ve done the research and know that just because a few hotels might be more popular than the rest — that doesn’t always mean they’re the ones you want to stay at on your vacation! Sure, some Disney World hotels are popular for a reason, but what if we told you there could be some even BETTER alternatives?
You hereby have permission to SKIP these Disney World hotels and stay at the alternatives we recommend instead!
SKIP All-Star Resorts and STAY at Pop Century or Art of Animation
Listen, we know that the BEST part of staying at Disney’s All-Star Resorts is the price, but for just a little bit more money, you can stay at a Value Resort that has the added bonus of Skyliner access!
All-Star Music
At the All-Stars, you’ll be relying on buses for all your transportation needs, and the lines can be seriously long. Not to mention the large sports team groups that stay here, you might have to deal with!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Instead, consider booking a room at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or the Art of Animation Resort. They’re still Value Resorts in that they’re some of the cheapest on property, but they both provide access to the Disney World Skyliner, which can take you to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and some other hotels as well.
The PROS And CONS Of Staying At Disney World’s Value Resorts
SKIP Caribbean Beach Resort and STAY at Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside
When it comes to Moderate hotels, many folks choose the Caribbean Beach Resort due to its location along the Skyliner route — which is a great benefit of this hotel. But, this is a HUGE resort with rooms spread out all over, meaning you could be doing lots of extra walking at the end of an already long day.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside Resorts both offer similar Moderate Resort vibes — but they’re smaller, so you won’t have to waste extra steps to get to transportation or dining.
Port Orleans French Quarter
The Port Orleans hotels are themed after New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole, and they’re SO charming. You’ll have boat transportation to Disney Springs from here, and it’s one of the only places at Disney World you can get Mickey beignets!
FULL ROOM TOUR: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
SKIP EPCOT Hotels and STAY at the Swan & Dolphin
Surprise! You don’t even have to stay at a Disney World-owned hotel to still be within walking distance of EPCOT. Sure, the EPCOT area hotels are nice, and the location is really top-notch, but, you can actually stay in another Deluxe-style resort within walking distance of EPCOT at a cheaper price.
Stormalong Bay
That’s right — the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is also in the same area, plus you get the same perks as you would at other Disney Deluxe hotels, including Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Not only that, but the Swan and Dolphin is home to some of the BEST dining you’ll find on Disney property, like Rosa Mexicano, Todd English’s bluezoo, and more. It typically costs less to stay here than at the other EPCOT resorts, and Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and redeem points here!
The 4 Disney World Hotels That Still Have Room Service
SKIP Riviera Resort and STAY at Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort is absolutely gorgeous and is one of the newest hotels at Disney World. And, while we love the theming and dining here, the standard rooms are some of the smallest rooms of any Disney World hotel. Considering this is an expensive Deluxe hotel, this can be disappointing.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
But, over at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which is a Moderate hotel, the Gran Destino Tower feels anything but. The vibes are still immaculate, and it really feels like you’re staying in a Deluxe Resort at Moderate prices when you’re here.
Coronado Springs
The rooms are larger and generally cheaper than what you’d find at Riviera, and the dining is just as fantastic. Three Bridges Bar & Grill is underrated, as is Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood — and don’t miss out on the lounges like Barcelona Lounge and Dahlia Lounge.
I Stayed in the Disney World Hotels Experts Like to Gatekeep — Is a $730 Room Worth It?
SKIP Grand Floridian and STAY at Old Key West Resort
The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the most expensive Disney World-owned hotel on property, but if you’re looking for Florida vibes — you won’t really find them here. The hotel was inspired by Victorian-era beach resorts that were built along Florida’s east coast in the late 19th century, but it doesn’t scream “Florida.”
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Courtyard Pool
However, Disney’s Old Key West Resort is absolutely where you want to be if you’re after those classic, laid-back, Florida beach vibes. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s themed after Key West — with some of the largest rooms on property. Make sure you stop by Olivia’s Cafe for some classic Florida eats before hopping on a boat to Disney Springs!
Old Key West
We’ll be on the lookout for more hotel info you need to know about for your next Disney World trip. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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What’s your favorite Disney World hotel to stay at on your vacation? Let us know in the comments.
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As someone who always stays at French Quarter… don’t give out our secrets! It’ll get too busy! Lol
My favorite is the Polynesian, hands down. I stayed there on my very first Disney World vacation, and I can’t wait to go back. My favorite value resort is Pop Century, though I haven’t stayed at Art of Animation – maybe I’d like that better. As for moderate resorts, I’ve only ever stayed at the Caribbean Beach, and I have no complaints (mostly because I always had a room in Barbados, right next to Old Port Royale), but I really want to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. I have a feeling that will become my favorite moderate resort.
My only argument against Grand Destino Tower, the rooms don’t have balconies. That’s not luxury to me.
I’ve stayed at Old Key West and will again. The rooms are very large, the balconies are large, but it isn’t Grand Floridian. Plus at Old Key West, you have to take a bus to get to the bus to go to a park.
Riverside id just as large as Caribbean.
We love Fort Wilderness Resort. We pitch a tent and camp, but they also offer cabins with everything from tv and movie rentals to full stocked fridge ( at a fee) , sleep up to 10 ( sites or cabins). The sites range in price depending on what you get – tent, camper ,etc. most camper sites have a place to put a tent up as well. They have pools, playground, movie nights,s’mores with chip n dale,horse back riding,canoe rental, catch and release fishing , bass fishing excursion , golf cart rental to get around the resort. General stores with supplies and souvenirs, all you can eat buffet restaurant, character dining,hoop dee doo revue, pizza and wings quick service. Sóooooo much to do, calm relaxing. And the best part it’s a Magic Kingdom resort so you can hop on a boat to the park and go down to the beach for the firework show and electric water boat parade at night. You can also boat over to contemporary or grand Floridian . Take a bus to Wilderness Lodge or any of the other theme parks or resorts as well. The bathrooms and showers are kept to Disney standards and if you have to call “maid service” they are on it immediately, there are even laundry facilities if needed. Just keep in mind the seasons and Florida weather- but you are probably going to consider some of that when planning your trip anyway –
Oh I got so wrapped up in Fort Wilderness i didn’t mention other favs…. Port Orleans – love the pool, pop century – the classic decor from Fisher Price to the bowling pool. .. and if you are going to All Star resort we love Movies – not sure if it is an opinion or fact but always seems to have fewer school or sports groups there than the other 2 ( think they try to send sports to sports resort and music to the music resort – I marched in high school and we went to Disney every year for Magic music days to march down main street and were at Music resort for the 3 days when we went – it was awesome and one of my best memories from High School )
What do you say about Polynesian and contemporary