Disney World Deluxe Resort Rankings
This post ranks all of the Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World, the highest tier of hotels there, based on theme, value for money, amenities, location, and more. These luxury-class accommodations have a lot to offer, and are great for a splurge. Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are easy to love…so long as you don’t get sticker shock. (Updated January 13, 2020.)
All of the Deluxe Resorts are nice, high-end hotels, and each bring something unique and special to the table. This makes it difficult to rank them, since the rankings really can vary based on what you need or want. Due to this, it might make sense to group the hotels by areas, and first determine if you want to be close to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or somewhere else, and go from there. It also means which might be right for you depends more upon what type of theme appeals to you, which amenities matter most, and the “style” of your vacation.
Again, we want to emphasize that the Deluxe Resorts are really difficult to rank. This is something we’ve discussed between the two of us from time to time in the past, and we have never really been able to agree on anything. Worse yet, our rankings seem to change from day to day. As such, you’ll probably find more value in parsing the descriptions to see what matters to you than simply looking at the numbers and using those as a hard guide with your own planning…
We’re also hopeful that others share their experiences with these Deluxes in the comments, so you might look to those for a range of opinions if you’re trying to plan a Walt Disney World vacation and are wondering at which Deluxe Resort you should stay.
Finally, before we get started, it’s worth noting that there’s decent overlap between the hotels on this list and those on our Disney Vacation Club Resort Rankings…but with that list reaching very different results. That focuses specifically on the villas emphasizing rooms over the resorts as a whole. (This list also excludes Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Riviera Resort, as they’re Deluxe Villas rather than Deluxe Resorts.)
With that out of the way, let’s dig into our list of the best & worst Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World…
8. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
One thing that has been constant throughout all my agonizing over this list, and that’s last place. There are two types of Walt Disney World fans: those who love the Grand Floridian, and those who don’t. Actually, there are more than just those two types of fans, but those are two distinct categories, it seems. I’m firmly in the “don’t love it” camp.
Even if the Grand Floridian were at a significantly lower price point, it would not be at the top of this list. For starters, the regular guest rooms are among the dullest at Walt Disney World, and you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish them from a mid-range Hilton or Marriott. This cuts to the crux of my problem with the Grand Floridian: it does not live up to its flagship, luxury hotel status.
Beyond the rooms, it thematically misfires and comes across as having an early-1990s take on Victorian instead of an actual Victorian theme. Refurbishments in the last couple of years have been all over the place, with some refreshes retaining thematic integrity and nicely modernizing whereas others (like the Beauty and the Beast bar) have been totally incongruous.
This shouldn’t be read to sound like the Grand Floridian is a weak option, as it is not. The dining here is some of the best at Walt Disney World, the grounds are lovely, and the location near the Magic Kingdom is convenient. For me, though, each of the areas where it delivers well (dining, location, and beauty) is delivered upon better by other hotels at lower price points.
It’s also difficult to overlook the absurd price points, which are higher than the Four Seasons at Walt Disney World, a nicer hotel by just about every criterion that doesn’t use the word “magical” or “monorail.” The Grand Floridian is going to appeal most to those who want the status of staying in the nicest Disney hotel at Walt Disney World or those who really like the Victorian theme.
7. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
I like the Yacht Club and think it’s generally underrated (especially the new rooms). The resort has a certain masculine look to its common areas and feels refined almost in a flagship-esque way that the Grand Floridian should feel. At the same time, it just doesn’t have the inviting sense of fun and charm of its sister resort, the Beach Club.
I don’t want to call Yacht Club stuffy, because I think that’s definitely extreme, but to me, the way this resort “feels” just doesn’t jive with the overall character of the Yacht & Beach Club (which might as well be lumped together for common area purposes). It falls in this slot of its list not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because I think the Beach Club is the clearly superior option, and it’s easy to stick the Yacht Club towards the bottom of the list as a bit of a cop-out.
Aside from theme, the strengths of Yacht Club are shared with Beach Club, and are its location near Epcot (especially nice during Food & Wine Festival or if you plan on stumbling back from World Showcase after adult evenings in the park), its incredible pool, and a great selection of on-site dining options. Yacht Club is a strong option for guests who love the Epcot Resort Area, but want a hotel with a more adult or sophisticated tone than Beach Club or BoardWalk Inn.
6. Disney’s Contemporary Resort
In isolation, Disney’s Contemporary Resort isn’t exactly our favorite hotel at Walt Disney World. The cluttered atrium is a hodgepodge of 1970s and 1990s styles that does the otherwise grandiose space no favors. Then there’s the style itself, which positions the hotel thematically alongside real world luxury hotels. While nice enough, the Contemporary doesn’t have the amenities or quality that would be found in real world competitors.
Nevertheless, for Walt Disney World fans, there is something special about staying in that A-frame. Opening the door to your room and seeing a monorail zoom past is one of those quintessential “magic moments” and standing on your balcony watching the Electrical Water Pageant or gazing off at Cinderella Castle in the distance is something special.
Moreover, walking distance proximity to the Magic Kingdom is a huge advantage. Disney’s Contemporary Resort also has some excellent dining options. Contempo Cafe, the Wave, and California Grill all are solid options. Chef Mickey’s is overrated, but it’s certainly a draw for anyone wanting to meet the characters while eating. In terms of its position on this list, the Contemporary is for people who want to be closer to Magic Kingdom and don’t care that much about theme.
5. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
In analyzing its main strengths, let’s compare BoardWalk Inn to the Beach Club. First, there’s the design and style. While thematically different than the Beach Club, they are pretty similar. Most people are probably going to consider this a wash unless personal preference skews towards one or the other.
Next up is location. Both are close to Epcot, and you’d probably need a stopwatch to calculate which is closer. Rooms aren’t different enough from one another to really move the needle, although BoardWalk Inn’s are probably a bit better. Dining is another consideration. Both offer solid high end choices and leave something to be desired for counter service.
I think Beach Club has the edge. Pools are another factor, and unless you have a fetish for creepy clowns, the Beach Club pool is going to win there by a wide margin. This really leaves BoardWalk Inn’s selling point as an inarticulable “X factor”, which is a tough basis for ranking a hotel.
Our personal take is that BoardWalk Inn has a lot of this X factor. There’s a sort of vague romanticism about strolling along the BoardWalk, then heading up through the hotel, which balances the elegance and whimsy of a bygone Atlantic City inn, and to your room. Serious bonus points if that room has a balcony overlooking the BoardWalk. In other words, objectively I feel like I can’t support why I love the BoardWalk Inn so much, but I just do.
4. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Poly does an excellent job at keeping one foot in the past, paying homage to both its own legacy and those of kitschy tiki resorts of a bygone era. Since its reimagining a few years ago, it also feels like a modern luxury resort, with updated amenities, grounds, dining, and an improved pool, among other things.
Not all of the changes at the Poly were for the better. The removal of the waterfall in the lobby was a mistake, and the grounds lost some of their lushness in the process. However, the modernization of the resort has done wonders for it. My major hesitations with the resort are its high price point, loudness of the lobby during peak times at ‘Ohana, and the lack of a true Signature Restaurant at the Poly. Dining at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is solid, it could use something high end.
The Polynesian brings a lot to the table with its theme, which feels like a dose of tropical tiki culture in a laid-back, high-end setting. From Trader Sam’s to ‘Ohana to the vibrant, kitschy decor abounds throughout the Poly. It just exudes a sense of island fun that is unique among Walt Disney World hotels and has led the Poly to have a loyal following. Its location near the Magic Kingdom makes it appealing to families, but really, it’s an alluring hotel for just about any demographic from kids to retirees.
3. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
I love the Beach Club. From the grounds to color palette of the hotel to the pool and beyond, I feel like the Beach Club has the perfect vibe for a relaxed vacation. While I used the “to a fault” line up there, which might indicate that maybe my current mood is leading to a bit of bias that might be giving Beach Club a slightly favorable position, I feel like it’s entirely grounded in the reality of what the hotel offers for the reasons touched upon in the ranking of BoardWalk Inn.
In terms of the main draws of Beach Club, the incredible Stormalong Bay really can’t be overlooked. I am a total sucker for lazy rivers–as is just about every person who likes things that are awesome–and this pool with that and sand at the bottom really can’t be beat (my look in the photo above is one of pure bliss–another Disney “SERENITY NOW!” moment).
The Yacht & Beach Club dining is generally strong, with standout options in Cape May Cafe and Crew’s Cup Lounge. The highlight is Yachtsman Steakhouse–steaks bigger than your head being another thing people who are awesome like. Beaches & Cream is also beloved among fans, but the reputation is better than the reality. The lack of a compelling counter service option is the major downside to the dining scene.
Walking distance proximity to Epcot’s World Showcase is another big draw. In the end, unlike the Magic Kingdom Area Resorts, which are all clearly distinguishable from one another in objective terms, so much of the Epcot Area Resorts comes down to personal preference due to shared amenities and walking distance proximity to one another.
If we’re being honest: my infatuation with Beach Club is probably part of why it sits in the #4 spot here, whereas both Yacht Club and BoardWalk Inn–very similar resorts–rank lower. Just goes to show both how good all of Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts are, and how much personal preferences come into play.
2. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If I could only stay in one resort for the rest of my life, Wilderness Lodge would be my pick. No doubt about it whatsoever. This is my personal favorite at Walt Disney World, and that’s based almost entirely on my thematic preferences and the feeling I get sitting in a rocking chair in the lobby sitting by the fireplace.
Setting aside my strong personal feelings, Wilderness Lodge still makes this list as the best Magic Kingdom Area Resort. Considering the heavy hitters in the area this is probably both high praise and a bit surprising. As hinted at above, the key to Wilderness Lodge is the mood its theme evokes. While other hotels in the Magic Kingdom area convey their themes effectively, I don’t think you can get lost in those themes.
At Wilderness Lodge, all it takes is a walk outside on the walkway through the thick woods and past the geyser, or sitting in an alcove by a fireplace, and you are instantly someplace else. Then there’s Christmas at Wilderness Lodge, which is totally next-level and unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere. The main advantage Walt Disney World’s highly “Imagineered” resorts have over their real world counterparts is theme, and Wilderness Lodge is top-notch there.
The other big strength of Wilderness Lodge is the price. In terms of value for money, no other Magic Kingdom Area Resort comes even remotely close. Add to this some truly great (and often overlooked) dining options, plus great boat transportation, and I think you have a hotel that is tough to beat. Mind you, the rustic, outdoorsy theme of Wilderness Lodge isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like that theme and want to be close to the Magic Kingdom, this is a can’t miss choice–and not just at Christmas.
1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge brings a lot to the table. First, let’s focus on what it doesn’t bring: location. Just about any valid knock on Animal Kingdom Lodge can be summed up as having to do with its remote location away from any theme park that isn’t Animal Kingdom. Given that many guests identify location as a main reason to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, location is important and really can’t be overlooked. Location and lack of a nostalgic fan base (it’s the newest hotel on this list) is probably why Animal Kingdom Lodge isn’t on the radar of most Disney fans.
Now let’s take a look at everything it brings to the table. First, it’s arguably the best themed Walt Disney World hotel. From the meticulous design that makes it feel like an extension of the Animal Kingdom theme park to the art collection that you can see by perusing the common areas, Animal Kingdom Lodge is a hotel that really rewards those guests who are willing to spend the time drinking in its details. Oh, and that doesn’t even address the living, breathing animals that graze on the 4 savannas outside of the hotel.
Then there’s the dining situation. With the Mara, Victoria Falls Lounge, Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko, Animal Kingdom Lodge literally has one of the best dining options are every single dining tier. In fact, I would put it ahead of the Grand Floridian in terms of overall dining quality, and that’s really saying something. Then there are rooms that wonderfully toe the line between theming and luxury (skewing, as always, towards theming), which are some of the best at Walt Disney World.
Finally, there’s the price point; while expensive, Animal Kingdom Lodge is often the least expensive of the Deluxe Resorts. All of this makes Animal Kingdom Lodge my current pick for the #1 Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World. This is especially true if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your hotel (this would be our easy pick for a “hotel weekend” that would involve no park time), albeit considerably less true if you’ll be spending a lot of time in the parks and little time in your hotel.
At the end of the day, depending upon the day and our moods, almost any of these hotels could climb or fall the list. We cannot reiterate enough how much this list can vary based upon what’s important to you or the focus of your trip. We mentioned three categories at the beginning of this post: Magic Kingdom Area, Epcot Area, and Other Area, and you might notice the top 3 have a hotel from each, which is deliberate, as you should definitely keep these zones in mind when considering which hotel to book.
Like we said, this list is more about weighing the strengths of each Walt Disney World Deluxe hotel, and we really hope those of you who have stayed in or visited Deluxes will weigh in the comments below with your own take on which Deluxes are the best and worst!
If you need personalized help with planning any aspect of your vacation, including hotel–we recommend contacting a no fee “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” (Disney’s term for a travel agent) to get a quote and to help you plan. They get their commission from Disney, so none of the authorized (key word) planners will charge you for booking their trip and helping. Here’s one such recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Which Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World do you think is best? Worst? Have your own rankings? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
The author must be really bothered by the price. Otherwise the flagship Grand Floridian couldn’t be last. Consumers are willing to pay the highest price out of the many alternatives, because of its theming, location, food, and amenities.
And yet, Universal’s flagship resort has more amenities and dining, and almost half the price. One trip I did a split with both resorts, and I have to admit Portofino has it over GF. I’ll only stay at GF when I get a really good discount. I do think WDW really gouges on the room rates across the board.
@Sue…Universal doesn’t charge less than Disney for their flagship to be nice. It’s simply people voting with their checkbook. People like the Grand Floridian the most, and that’s why Disney can charge the most. Otherwise, people would go somewhere else for that price. The Grand Floridian is packed. People simply like it better and are willing to pay more for it. It’s just math.
We stayed a week at the Poly a few months ago, and I honestly can’t imagine staying anywhere else now! The location, the pool, and just the overall feel of the resort was incredible!! My kids still rave about the pool and getting to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks during their nightly swims, they also loved the monorail! I loved being able to take a quick ride to the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary for more dining options. We also had a couple meals at The Wilderness—took the monorail to Contemporary or MK and then a short boat ride to the Wilderness. So awesome!
My all time favorite which isn’t even mentioned is Bay Lake Towers. So beautifully done and if you can snag a room overlooking the Magic Kingdom, you get a great view of the fireworks. Same if you go up to the top of building bar. It’s a great place.
I have been a DVC member for just over 20 years and have stayed in almost all of the resorts at one time or another. Dining at Victoria and Albert’s at the GF is the epitamy of luxe but very expensive. But also excellent.
Kinda shocked Grand Floridian was number 8, to me it is hands down number 1. Best restaurants by far, first stop to Magic Kingdom on Monorail, best grounds by far, best service, gonna have a BBB Boutique, live bands, etc. Animal Kingdom all bus and you have to like their food type and it gets number 1. Cmon!
I agree, love GF. And rooms are some of the largest.
Not to mention from my room in Boca Chica I had views of the castle, contemporary, Polynesian, and the water parade from my balcony!
Yes…We always stayed at the Grand Floridian because of the location !!! We love riding the open air boat and we can watch the fireworks from our room. The best !!
I’ve only stayed at 2 of the deluxe hotels. Animal Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge. Animal Kingdom was my favorite. We stayed there last March and I didn’t mind the distance to the parks. I loved the lobby of Wilderness Lodge but our room was outdated. It’s been over 10 years so maybe it’s been updated since then, I also found it crowded. Each time we go, we try a different resort, would love to try them all.
We were so thoroughly disappointed with Animal Kingdom Lodge that I feel shocked to see it on this list. It was over-priced and run down. We enjoyed every moderate resort we’ve stayed at (Coronado Springs and the cabins at Fort Wilderness) much more so than Animal Kingdom Lodge.
First, either they changed the lighting at Animal Kingdom Lodge, or your picture isn’t a very accurate portrayal of the resort. It’s main areas are very dark. At least, it was when we went 10 years ago. The lighting is dim, and the “wood” throughout the resort is clunky, heavy, and dark. It’s very fake wood. It looks plastic. When we went, the carpets were very worn in the hallways. The rooms were the biggest disappointments of all. I know they’ve been refurbished since, but the furniture was also all oversized, clunky, plastic, dark, fake wood furniture. The fabrics on the bed were like those at a cheap motel off the highway. We paid for a savanna room, but it was under construction. While we saw some animals, we mostly saw neon orange cyclone fencing all around. The buses are the worst part part about Animal Kingdom Lodge. I’ve stayed at multiple Disney resorts, and the buses were by far the worst at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Plus, when we went, there were basically no dining options unless you wanted a sit-down restaurant. You could get a few pre-packaged food items from a convenience store, and that was it. The pool area was SO CROWDED we had to wait in a line to use the hot tub. Like, we stood in line, and the people watched you soak. It was the worst. Seriously, seriously, I would rather just stay at an All-Star Resort than stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge again. It was the biggest waste of money. There were no redeeming qualities about Animal Kingdom Lodge at all. I seriously would hestitate to give it one star.
The transportation was the worst….. Expect an hour each way , going and coming from each park , except the animal Kingdom Park.
I really like the rooms in the hotels and the dining restaurants .
With that said, because of the transportation , next year we will stay at a different hotel.
Wow! Funny how people have such differences of opinion about resorts. I had 3 stays at AKL and never felt it was run down or plastic looking. Obviously that type of furniture isn’t to your taste. Seems many people don’t like dark furniture.
As for transportation I think you can have bad days at any resort. We’ve always had good bus service at AKL. I do think it’s unfair they pick up at Kidani first for all 4 parks.
We stayed at Pop once and same thing, worst ever bus service. Very long waits. I don’t think it’s resorts, I think the bus problem has been resort wide.
@John…I agree. Grand Floridian transportation is unacceptable taking into account what people pay to be there. The boat wait times are completely unacceptable, and Disney needs to fix it.
I’d love to know whether the closure of Artist Point would move Wilderness Lodge down in your ratings. The lack of a signature puts it in the company of the Poly, but at least that has multiple signatures a walk or monorail away!
I personally find it very hard to separate Beach and Yacht Club, so I’d probably have ranked them jointly. That’s just me though…
Where is Old Key West? We absolutely love the large 2br units! We often are 8 or 9 people.
Did you remove it from the deluxe category?
We’ve stayed at poly, yacht club and contemporary. I’m torn a bit but I think yacht club is actually #1. The rooms are fantastic. Modern and highly functional. Great location also although I maybe prefer the poly location. We did not have any business conventions going on as far as I could tell however. Bucket list is animal kingdom but more so wilderness lodge. The problem with those unless I’m wrong is that the standard room only fits 4. We need to for 5. The lodge looks awesome and I’d love to have those restaurants right there and the national park theme is awesome.
#1, Poly
serenity now-can be found here, at park close, on the docks, when the fireworks go off
you can see the whole show. It’s a lot bigger than what you see when you are inside of Magic Kingdom. Also, some rooms do have impressive views of Magic Kingdom.
Not enough for you? Two words, and two words only Dole Whip.
Enough Said.
#2, Animal Kingdom Lodge The staff and service here, are second to none. We took the wrong bus, after a day of partying hard at Epcot F&W festival with the obligatory “Downtown Disney” chaser (they call it Disney Springs now) and ended up here instead of the Poly. Staff at this hotel were sweet, kind, and concerned about our well being enough to call a cab (the last bus had left us there) to the Poly gratis, even though it was probably our fault for being a little bit more out of it than we should have been during vacay.
#3. Grand Floridian. Haven’t stayed here yet, but been meaning to do so, just so I can cross it off of my list.
#4. Contempo resort. Too noisy. The walk would be OK for me, but for the rest of my family, it’s a deal breaker. Also, rooms were just so-so.
If we were mixing classes here, I would have to put in Carribean Beach Resort as being the strong #2 position. We only like staying at the Poly better than the Carribean Beach Resort. Staff here at the Carribean Beach Resort is just as customer focused as the Poly or the Lodge. We even met the property manager once, because of an issue, and he redressed the matter in a most generous fashion. That happened ages ago (I forget what the issue even is) but I still remember their excellent customer service.
We absolutely adore Animal Kingdom Lodge! We have stayed here multiple times in addition to other resorts and have noticed that they go out if their way to treat guests special! We always get free upgrades and treats delivered to our rooms. There is just something amazing about the smells, sounds, and authenticity of this place. You aren’t even sad to leave the parks because you can come back and enjoy the luxury and amenities of the lodge! They have tons of activities and arts and crafts for kids and families! Also, they have quick service and fine dining and one of the best buffets in Disney. They are very accommodating to people with allergies! A drawback to the deluxe resorts and especially Yacht Club and Boardwalk is that they have no quick service options. If you aren’t on the deluxe dining plan and you want a quick breakfast or early lunch you are out of luck. And if you are gluten free or have food allergies a muffin isn’t going to cut it. Boardwalk only offers pastries for breakfast and Yacht Club shares a quick service with Beach Club. For the $$ AKL offers everything and more that the other deluxe resorts can’t deliver. If you have food allergies Polynesian is a scary option between the nuts, soy, sesame, gluten and pineapple.
Thanks for sharing such an amazing article. After reading the article, I decided to stay in this resort because of look like is amazing.
Thanks!
Biggest point for me in looking at these hotels are the transportation factor. The monorail cuts your travel down time considerably. And the fact that the Polynesian has easy access to both monorails makes it a huge draw for me. I wish other hotels could somehow be connected to it.
Love GF. I wasn’t sure I would until I stayed. My first visit I did a split stay with YC just in case. Didn’t want to commit entire vacay to GF. Next trip was GF the entire stay. It’s so relaxing, and love the pools.
I enjoy Poly, but the out buildings or long houses vs GF out buildings just seem shabby. Biggest dissapointment of Poly is the recent reclassified standard room category. Goodbye Samoa my fav location but not paying an extra $100/night for pool view.
We are a grand floridian all the way. “The Flo” was built to mimic main street USA which it does perfectly and after a day of being bombarded by everything Disney it’s nice to come back at the end of the day to rewind with a little less theming around.
I’d love to see your rankings for deluxe resorts if price was not a factor
That’s an interesting question. Quickly, off the top of my head (so don’t hold me to this if I change my mind later!)…
1. Polynesian
2. Grand Floridian Villas
3. Beach Club (or perhaps a Yacht Club room nearer the Beach Club side of the building)
4. Animal Kingdom Lodge
5. Wilderness Lodge