Let’s take a look at the Disney World hotel rooms that might not deliver what you’re expecting for the price tag!

With more than 25 official Disney World hotels to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one is right for you! There are tons of factors to consider, from location to amenities to cost. And, for many people, cost is a HUGE piece of the puzzle when deciding on a hotel within their vacation budget. So, which Disney World hotels don’t necessarily live up to their price tags?

Here are three Disney World hotels that might not be worth what you’re paying!

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Victorian-style hotel inspired by the late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing.

It’s a peaceful resort surrounded by golf course greens and Lake Buena Vista, and it offers boat transportation directly to Disney Springs. With that in mind, this Saratoga Springs might be a tempting choice for guests who prefer a quiet, more upscale vibe and people who plan to spend lots of time at Disney Springs during their trip.

But, before you start budgeting for your Saratoga Springs stay, heads up — Saratoga Springs is a Disney Vacation Club Resort. And, while non-Disney Vacation Club members can still book a stay here, the prices for DVC Resorts tend to be super pricey for guests paying out of pocket, rather than booking with DVC points.

On top of the high price tag, Saratoga Springs is SUPER spread out, so depending on where your room is, it might be a loooong walk to the lobby, pool, or restaurants. Speaking of long trips, the resort also has an internal bus loop with multiple stops when taking guests to and from the parks, so plan for some extra transportation time as well!

Again, if you’re all about the upscale equestrian theme, easy access to Disney Springs, and a chill, quiet atmosphere, Saratoga Springs still might be your resort of choice, even if you’re paying the high price to book without DVC points! But if those aren’t selling points for you in themselves, you’ll probably get more bang for your buck at another hotel!

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Disney’s Old Key West Resort is ALL about the Florida vibes! Think: beaches, spacious golf courses, and those frozen concoctions worthy of a Jimmy Buffett song.

Old Key West is fairly close to Saratoga Springs, so the location offers similar benefits of boat transportation to Disney Springs and easy access to golf courses. Plus, it’s got several hidden gem restaurants and bars, like Olivia’s Cafe and Gurgling Suitcase, and fun outdoor activities like tennis courts, pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and bike rentals!

But, also like Saratoga Springs, Old Key West is a Disney Vacation Club Resort, so expect some expensive room rates if you aren’t booking with DVC points. On the plus side, the rooms here are HUGE, so if you’ve got a big group, the extra cost might be well worth it for the additional space!

The theme here isn’t the most exciting, since it’s a Florida-themed hotel that’s in…Florida. It’s also pretty spread out and has an internal bus loop, so getting around the resort and to and from the parks takes some extra time. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the parks and you’re going to be shelling out for a Deluxe hotel anyway, your money might be better spent on a hotel with easier access to the parks, like one on the Monorail or Skyliner route!

The extra space of the rooms in Old Key West alone might be a big enough perk for you to pick this hotel, not to mention the outdoor activities and boat transportation to Disney Springs. But if you’re all about getting to the parks FAST and want to be right in the middle of the action, we’d suggest spending your hotel budget elsewhere!

Riviera Resort

Speaking of a resort with quick access to the parks, Disney’s Riviera Resort is an upscale hotel that opened in 2019 and is home to a Disney Skyliner station — the gondola that connects four hotels (including Riviera) with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Riviera Resort is inspired by the artistic elegance of 20th-century Europe. It features deluxe amenities and excellent dining options, including Topolino’s Terrace — a popular character dining breakfast by day, and a signature Italian restaurant by night.

It’s also the most expensive hotel on the Skyliner route, and it’s a Disney Vacation Club Resort (are you sensing a pattern here?)! The hotel is seriously gorgeous, and we recommend stopping by to dine at one of the restaurants or just soak in the elegant atmosphere. But, even as pretty as it is, it’s hard to justify the cost if you aren’t booking with Disney Vacation Club points!

If you aren’t a Disney Vacation Club Member and still have dreams of staying at Riviera Resort (we don’t blame you!), or any of the DVC Resorts for that matter, it may be worth reaching out to a DVC rental service that allows you to rent points from a current Member for a single stay. Renting points for your trip could help you get a better rate than booking the room out-of-pocket.

These hotels all have plenty of positives, and they might even end up being your dream resort…but don’t just assume that a higher price tag=better across the board! Be sure to weigh the benefits against the other hotel options around Disney World to decide where you’ll get the most for your budget!

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What’s your favorite Disney World hotel? Share with us in the comments!