Ranking Deluxe Resorts at Disney World
Our rankings of all Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World, the top tier of hotels, weigh themed design, value for money, amenities, location, pools, and more to determine the best, worst, and everything in between. These luxury accommodations can be great for a splurge and are all easy to love…if you don’t get sticker shock first! (Updated March 17, 2024.)
Honestly, it’s really difficult to rank the Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. There are pros & cons to each, all have downsides & upsides nice, and ultimately each bring something unique and special to the table. Consequently, the rankings really can vary based on what you need, want, or how much you value that unique quality.
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.
Alternatively, if you’re starting from square one and don’t know which level of hotel is right for you, the resort ‘district’ that might be best, and more, we’d recommend first reading our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Hotels from Worst to Best. With over 30 different on-site resort options and hundreds of hotels in and around Walt Disney World in Orlando, choosing the best resort can be overwhelming–especially since it varies with each party’s priorities.
If you’re just getting started planning and don’t know where to start, that’s a great practical planning post. This is more of a ‘just for fun’ ranking of Deluxe Resorts, based on our own priorities and preferences. Again, 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 change a lot. 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.
Finally, it’s worth noting that this list excludes Deluxe Villas, which are a different category. That means you won’t find Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, or Riviera Resort on this list at all (spoiler: the first two would be at the bottom). If you’re looking for a list that includes those and the Disney Vacation Club wings of Deluxe Resorts, see our Deluxe Villas or DVC Resort Rankings.
That list is most useful if you’re planning on renting DVC points to save money on top tier resorts at Walt Disney World. It’s also fun and is hotly contested–many DVC members are very passionate about their home resorts, having a vested interest in the ranks as they feel a sense of ownership (literally). The results are often very different from here, too.
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 Yacht Club Resort
Yacht Club falling in last place pretty much gives up the ballgame, so to speak. We’re actually big fans of Yacht Club and think it’s underrated, especially the rooms. It falls in the last slot of this list not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because I think Beach Club is the superior option, and it’s easy to rank Yacht Club low as a bit of a cop-out since its sister resort still scores highly.
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). One big plus, in our view, is that service at Yacht Club tends to be a cut above because it caters to more demanding conventioneers.
Other strengths of Yacht Club are shared with Beach Club, and are its location near EPCOT (especially nice during festival season 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 Crescent Lake, but want a hotel with a more adult or sophisticated tone than Beach Club or BoardWalk Inn.
Downsides are that Yacht Club now has the oldest rooms of any Crescent Lake Resort, it’s farther from EPCOT or the Skyliner station than Beach Club, its hosting of conventions can make it feel too “business-y” (especially when paired with the refined theme), and the labyrinthine hallways can be a bit much. There are other cons to Yacht Club, but the rest are shared with Beach Club.
7. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
For the 2024 update, I’ve struggled for an excuse to move BoardWalk Inn up the list. The new rooms are a welcome and overdue refresh, even if they’re not thematic stunners or as good as other recently-redone resort rooms on this list. Regardless, these reimagined rooms make us want to stay at BoardWalk Inn more than we did before, and that’s the true test.
Nevertheless, the resort reimagining is still ongoing, with Cake Bake shop slated to open this year–maybe/hopefully. That construction plus the unevenness of the new rooms is part of why BoardWalk doesn’t move up. The bigger reason, though, is simply that there’s no good basis for moving any other resorts down!
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 near EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance, and you’d probably need a stopwatch to calculate which is closer. However, BoardWalk is closer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, should you want to walk. Dining is another consideration. Both offer solid high-end choices and leave something to be desired for counter service.
On balance, Beach Club has the edge. Pools factor heavily into that, and Stormalong Bay at Yacht & Beach Club wins that by a colossally 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. Objectively I feel like I can’t support why I love the BoardWalk Inn so much, but I just do. 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.
6. Disney’s Contemporary Resort
There is something special about staying in that A-frame for Walt Disney World fans. 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. After being mesmerized by gliding through this “fancy” resort on the monorail as a child, staying at the Contemporary for the first time as an adult was magical–true wish fulfillment for a lifelong Walt Disney World fan.
Then there’s the Garden Wing. It was the last section of the resort to be redone with the Incredibles-inspired room reimagining. When we stayed in the main tower’s version of these rooms, we were not impressed. However, the Garden Wing version makes little iterative improvements and the rooms are nicer, even if they’re still a mixed bag.
What I also love about the Garden Wing is the price–it’s often $100 to $200 per night cheaper than the A-frame, making it the cheapest resort along the monorail loop. (The tradeoff is a less convenient location–but still a short walk to Magic Kingdom!) Point being, you either get an unbeatable location and pure Disney magic in the A-frame or a lower price and slightly nicer rooms in the Garden Wing.
Despite all its 50 year old magic that persists to this day, Contemporary Resort has a number of modern day faults. The cluttered atrium is a hodgepodge of 1970s and 1990s styles that does the otherwise grandiose space no favors. It and other areas around the Contemporary desperately need to be modernized, as they do not hold a candle to other Deluxe Resorts at this point.
Other recent changes have been made at Disney’s Contemporary Resort that are unequivocally positive. The lobby looks fantastic, paying tribute to the Vacation Kingdom of the World via historical photos as well as artist Mary Blair. This is a huge upgrade, showcasing how the hotel could marry mid-century modern with Disney themed design.
Convenient monorail access and being walking distance proximity to the Magic Kingdom are big selling points. Disney’s Contemporary Resort also has some strong dining options with Contempo Cafe, Steakhouse 71, and California Grill. Chef Mickey’s is overrated, but it’s certainly a draw for anyone wanting to meet the characters while eating.
5. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Grand Floridian used to rank dead last on this list, which was a contrarian take that was honestly easy to make and wasn’t the least bit made for the sake of being provocative or whatever. In our view, the “insurmountable obstacle” to a higher ranking was that the regular guest rooms were among the dullest at Walt Disney World. You’d be hard-pressed to distinguish them from a mid-range Hilton or Marriott. Well, that obstacle is now being surmounted!
Grand Floridian has taken massive leaps forward with new rooms that transform them into something both distinctly Disney and luxurious. We love these new rooms, which are identical to the Resort Studios that have been added on the DVC side. See Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort for a look inside.
Then there are restaurant reimaginings and the likelihood of more improvements to come in 2024. The only wildcard that could throw a monkey wrench into all of this is an overhaul of the lobby or other common areas. If that occurs and is a massive project, it’ll definitely dampen our enthusiasm. But that’s a big “if” at this point. Regardless, the new rooms cause the Grand Floridian to move up considerably.
However, the Grand Floridian still isn’t perfect. Refurbishments have been all over the place, with some refreshes retaining thematic integrity and nicely modernizing whereas others have been incongruous and inert. This cuts to the crux of the problem with the Grand Floridian: it does not live up to its flagship, luxury hotel status.
There are still areas of the otherwise luxurious and well-appointed common areas that come across as an early-1990s take on Victorian instead of an actual Victorian theme. In other areas, theme has been eschewed entirely for the sake of modernity. Not to be overly dramatic, but it has a bit of an identity crisis and feels like ‘too many chefs in the kitchen’ with some of these changes. Most guests won’t notice all of this, though–or it won’t be overly bothersome.
Grand Floridians strengths are numerous. The dining here is some of the best at Walt Disney World, the grounds are lovely, and the location near the Magic Kingdom is a strong selling point. This last one in particular is huge, as the ability to walk, take the monorail, or a boat to Magic Kingdom is huge, and the convenience cannot be overstated, especially for those with small children or who enjoy midday breaks.
For me, though, most of the areas where the Grand Floridian excels is delivered upon similarly 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 Walt Disney World’s flagship hotel or those who really like the Victorian theme.
4. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
I love the Beach Club. From the grounds to color palette of the hotel to the pool and beyond, Beach Club has the perfect vibe for a relaxed vacation. Its common areas are inviting, feeling comfy and cozy and welcoming in a way that’s difficult to articulate. Regardless, it’s ideal for a Walt Disney World vacation.
The rooms have been refreshed at Beach Club within the last year, but the overhaul was not as dramatic as the one at BoardWalk Inn. Still, it replaced the soft goods while also–critically–adding more personality and Disney details. They’re still not perfect, but the last generation of rooms at Beach Club was downright dull, and that’s no longer (completely) the case.
In terms of the main draws, 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. This is the best pool at Walt Disney World and a shared strength of Yacht and Beach Club.
The Yacht & Beach Club dining is generally strong, with standout options at every level, all of which edge or clearly surpass those at BoardWalk Inn. 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 a downside to the dining scene, but even that has improved of late with upgrades to Beach Club Marketplace. It’s now better than the marketplace at Yacht Club.
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.
3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
This is the ranking that has us the most anxious. As of right now, the Poly is our #3 resort at Walt Disney World, and that’s even as construction on the new tower at the Polynesian occurs on the periphery of the current resort’s grounds. However, there’s nothing to say that’s the only construction that’ll occur at the Polynesian now or in the future.
The resort infrastructure will need to accommodate hundreds of additional rooms, and it’s likely other modernizations will occur to the existing buildings to help them blend together better. If those changes aren’t made, the resort could become even more crowded and overwhelmed than it already is. So for now, the Polynesian remains our third-favorite Deluxe Resort, and #1 monorail loop option.
The Poly ranks so highly because it 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. Guest rooms are also spacious and nice, and have been given Disney character–quite literally–during the recent redesign. (See our Review, Photos & Video: New Moana Rooms at Polynesian Village Resort.)
Not all of the changes at the Poly in the last several years have been 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. The resort’s biggest shortcomings are its high price point, loudness of the lobby during peak times, and the lack of a true Signature Restaurant. 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.
All of this is arguably enough to elevate the Polynesian into the #2 slot–and for many Walt Disney World fans, it’s #1. If you stay here during the off-season, only visit, or have memories of the resort going back a decade, I get that. But I also think fans view the Poly with rose-colored glasses, glossing over the crowds, changes, and other shortcomings. It’s still the quintessential Walt Disney World resort, though.
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. 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. This “cheaper” pricing is due to Wilderness Lodge not being on the monorail loop, which is going to be a big downside for some. I’d push back against that, as–in our experience–boat transportation is almost as efficient, while also being more pleasant and reliable. I’ve never been on a boat that has broken down and caused me to miss an ADR. Add to this some truly great (and often overlooked) dining options, and I think you have a hotel that is tough to beat.
The rustic theme of Wilderness Lodge isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but even the recent room design does a good job of balancing the outdoorsy style with modern luxury and features. (See our Review, Photos & Video: Wilderness Lodge New Rooms.) If you like those rooms, the resort’s theme as a whole, and want to be convenient to Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge 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. Many guests identify location as a main reason to stay on-site at Walt Disney World, so that can’t be overlooked.
This location also means there are no novel forms of transportation–boat, monorail, Skyliner, etc–between AKL and the parks. It’s all buses. As much as I hate bus transportation, I think this complaint is overblown. Unlike other bus-only resorts, Animal Kingdom doesn’t have an internal loop with a half-dozen stops. The bus stop is easy and access to the parks is relatively efficient.
Now let’s take a look at everything it brings to the table. First, the rooms were recently redone and Disney did an awesome job balancing theme and modern touches. Second, AKL is 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. This is the resort’s main draw and selling point, and the tradeoff for Animal Kingdom Lodge being relatively isolated. These savannas are something you won’t find at any real world hotel in the United States, and are the reason Animal Kingdom Lodge is a “destination” resort unto itself. You could sit and watch the wildlife for a long weekend, never even venturing to the parks. That’s what ultimately gives Animal Kingdom Lodge the edge over Wilderness Lodge, even if we personally favor the latter.
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 5 have hotels from each, which is deliberate, as you should definitely keep these zones in mind when considering which hotel to book.
To that end, if you need personalized advice about which resort is best for your family–since there’s no one size fits all answer—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 most of the authorized (key word) planners will charge you for booking their trip and helping. Here’s one such fee-free Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that we highly recommend. Request a quote from them, and then discuss your specific priorities and preferences so they can help you choose the Deluxe Resort that’s perfect for you!
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!
I agree with AKL being on the top spot, it’s simply gorgeous. That’s the main reason why I purchased DVC.
And I cannot agree more with the comment about dining: Boma is the second best buffet in the world (second only to the Bellagio in Las Vegas). Mara is the only counter service to offer Zebra Domes, should I say anything else? And Sanaa is a great table service with some wonderful unusual flavors. Never tried Jiko, but I read great reviews as well. I could stay at AKL and never venture to eat outside for a full vacation.
I really love this list, and couldn’t agree more with your top 3. The poly used to be my 2nd favorite resort but getting rid of the waterfall was a real deal-breaker for me. It just doesn’t feel as special anymore. Now the lobby seems plain and uninspired– not really up to Disney deluxe standards.
My only major disagreement is with the Contemporary being at the #4 spot. Yes, being a short walk to Magic Kingdom is awesome, and I like it’s dining options, too. But to me that is all the Contemporary has going for it. The theme is awful– it looks like an airport. The atmosphere is completely cold and uninviting. The pool is a disgrace compared to all of the other deluxe resorts. Plus, the rooms are loud from all of the hard surfaces in such a cavernous design. Location is important but at Disney especially I think theming is #1, and in my opinion every Magic Kingdom resort has better theming and still solid dining options.
The Contemporary Resort has been on my bucket list ever since I first went to WDW in 1980. The Monorail running through the middle was awe-inspiring to a 7-year-old, and the giddyness I feel when I go through it on the monorail hasn’t dampened with age. Feels like an airport? No. Spaceport, maybe. Which doesn’t make me less excited.
AKL, Wilderness Lodge, and the Poly are not far behind it. Beach Club/Yacht Club/Boardwalk, despite the excellent location, have never appealed to me, theme-wise. (Although Stormalong Bay makes BC/YC tempting.)
The monorail aspect is super cool, I’ll give you that. But I’m perfectly content getting my fix of building-entering monorails while doing a character breakfast at Chef Mickey’s.
I think the contemporary is phenomenal if you get a room in the tower with a great view. Otherwise it can be underwhelming. Still- I find it to be the most “disney” of anywhere you can stay.
In total agreement about the pool. It is worse than all moderate resorts and a disgrace for a “deluxe” hotel. I can deal with the lack of theming and the slight ‘coldness’ of the resort but that darn pool keeps me from booking. The monorail and dining (despite chef mickeys) are all top notch though. My kids really don’t about Disney theming (I do!) but my twin boys would love to see this “train” in the lobby. But that gawd awful pool…..:(
Tom: thank you very much for all of the info on your blog – it has been invaluable in our planning.
Haven’t stayed at all of the Deluxe resorts (we fit into the “once every five years” demo), however the energy in and around the BoardWalk is a lot of fun, and AKL is outstanding in all aspects. My big hesitation with Wilderness Lodge is the similarities between it and Great Wolf lodge (of course, without the “Disney Magic.”) We’re not big touring people, so the travel time between hotel and parks is not a premium, which is why we tend to lean towards AKL.
That said, I can understand the difficulty in ranking these – sort of like having to rank supermodels…
You are right, personal preference plays a big role in a list like this. We have stayed at all but Boardwalk so I couldn’t really place that on a list but I’d have a hard time putting AKL in my top five. It is a great resort and the theme is spot on. I’m just not wowed by the food. Maybe too much hype but Jiko was a disappointment to us. Probably a tie at number one for Wilderness and Beach Club for sure just depends on the day of the week and either one could be number 1 for me. After a stay in a MK view Contemporary room that would be number 2. I never thought we would spend soo much time sitting on the balcony just staring at the 7 Seas Lagoon/MK. We ate a lot of meals up there haha. Anything after those 3 could be anywhere on the list. Like you said, it is what ever theme/preference you like. All of these resorts are well done and you can really go wrong with any of theme.
“SERENITY NOW!” moment for me is sitting down drinking coffee and watching the animals in room balcony at AKL in the very early morning while family wakes up. Soooo relaxing…
Totally agree with the rankings btw. 😊
We stayed at the Grand Floridian every time we visited WDW when I was growing up (and the costs were significantly cheaper in the early 2000s). I agree, the price point is pretty steep, but it holds so many memories for me personally and there is nothing better than sitting in that lobby listening to the sounds of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra play above you. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s well worth coming to listen to the music and walk through the grounds. The Cast Members are also the most friendly and courteous that I’ve met and truly make you feel at home.
I agree about the AK being way out of the way, and the buses, after several stops, can take a lot of time to get anywhere. AK is great if you have a car to drive to your destinations or you plan on spending most of your time at the resort. We visit WDW monthly and have stayed at all of the WDW hotels, and depending on which park is our focus for the trip, I always look to book these resorts first: for MK Wilderness lodge (the price is usually good and the automosphire of the hotel is fun, the employees are the nicest of all of the properties, boat ride away from MK) Epcot area resorts: I like the Yacht club ( if I pay a lot for a Disney resort why not expect class, boat ride or walk to Epcot or Hollywood studios….and the AWESOME pool!) Beach Club (which is connected to the Yacht Club) is my SECOND choice for Epcot. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of Disney’s delux resorts, there’s not a bad one, this list is personal to the writer, chose your resort depending on your needs and personal taste. When we take our grandkids to MNSSHP we stay at the contempory just for the sheer convenience of be able to walk to MK. I do agree with the writer about the Grand Floridian, beyond it beautiful appeal, it really doesn’t offer anything extra special to justify it higher prices. Best concierge levels in my opinion are at AK and wilderness.
Personally I would have Beach Club below Boardwalk. There’s just something about walking back to your room at night along the Boardwalk. The Beach Club doens’t have much ambiance to me. Also, Boardwalk has more accessiable dining options. I found the quick service at the Beach Club to be very lacking, as opposed to Boardwalk Bakery which is good anytime of the day. I’m not a big buffet person so at Beach Club that leaves Beaches and Cream. Which is great, but at Boardwalk there are more options and I’ve never had a bad meal at any Boardwalk resturant.
I do love AKL, but the locaiton would knock it down a couple spots for me. It’s just not easy to get to. Plus I try to avoid buses as much as possible if I can and that’s not possible at AKL. The atmosphere and dining can’t overcome that huge red flag for me.
Boardwalk is easily the most underrated resort at WDW. If the clown pool was re-themed you’d see this resort jump to the top of many of these lists.
Totally agree with this. I’m interested in Boardwalk but that clown pool weirds me out. I know it isn’t really a big deal, but I’ll probably wind up staying at Boardwalk for visits when I don’t care about the pool.
Jokes aside, I actually rather like the pool at BoardWalk Inn. It’s just not nearly as good as the Y&BC pool.
I couldn’t agree more! Having toured several of the Deluxes during our Feb trip to WDW we were absolutely awestruck by AKL. We visited the resort out of curiosity on our last day of holiday and instantly fell in love -so much so that we booked our next holiday then and there. What I was struck with is the wide range of activities and offerings making us vow to actually spend less time at the parks and more time at the resort on our next visit. My DD and DH went for a wee tour of the grounds and came running back five minutes later to say they got to pet a giraffe. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.
I’m surprised they don’t charge admission just to visit AKL. There’s so much to appreciate even when you are not a guest.
My family and I have stayed at AKL both times that we’ve been to WDW. Honestly, each time that we went, it was hard to choose a hotel because all of them are similar in price and seem to offer different amenities. But, I have to say, nothing can beat waking up in the morning to see giraffes and zebras eating breakfast outside your balcony. There’s truly nothing like it. I find most other hotels in WDW are quite similar to each other. The bed sheets, wallpapers and lobbies might look different, but most hotels in WDW seem like they were all designed and built by the same person. I don’t want to generalize what I don’t know, but I just think AKL is terrific, especially if you have kids. Now if you are out of your hotel most of the time you’re at the parks, that’s another story.
AKL rooms are certainly the most unique but also the most attractive on property.
I worked at the beach club front desk for a year and absolutely love the resort! I’d love to see you and Sarah do a review of the new rooms/the club level! I personally love the updated areas and I want to know your experience with them!
I agree that the blog should cover the new rooms… but it should also do a review of the four seasons that opened recently!
Lol, I could *never* justify the cost of Club Level at any Disney hotel, but the Four Seasons is on our radar. We planned a visit in November, but then Sarah was unable to join me on the trip, and the Four Seasons seemed extravagant for just me.
I could go on and on and on about deluxe resorts, but instead I’ll say these few things…
Wilderness Lodge’s weakness is its rooms. I think the recent refurbishment helped, but they have to be the “worst” of the deluded. However, I can overlook it because everything else is perfect.
Room types is another way to complicate the situation. I wonder what it would be like to compare the rates of the lowest category I’d find acceptable. Example- I’d never do standard view at Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Outer building garden is fine at Grand Floridian, but garden wing at Contemporary is a different experience than tower.
Not deluded…deluxes
Boardwalk has four restaurants: one is a sports bar, one is a brewery, there’s the traditional sit down casual and one of the best signatures on property. Beach Club has a diner and a buffet. I just don’t see how in any logical comparison you can make on the dining basis alone leans towards Beach Club. In addition, there’s one of the most unique bars in Disney in Jellyrolls and the only Paradise Island-like holdover left in the footprint in Atlantic Dance Club, neither of which has anything near an analogue in Beach. Quantity diversity and quality are all significantly in favor of Boardwalk. Explain yourself, good sir.
I count all of the restaurants at Yacht and Beach Club as dining options in either hotel, separately. Have you been in Atlantic Dance Hall recently? It’s really, really sad.
We barely spend any time in the room, so I cannot justify the deluxe price point. But one of these days I’m going to stay at AKL and just sit on my balcony for a day reading a book and watching zebras and giraffes.
AKL is the only resort we make a point of visiting for the ambiance/dining, so I agree with your #1. I haven’t stayed at the others and so cannot definitively rank, but I’d have either Beach Club or Contemporary at #2 just for being able to walk to a park.
We stayed at Grand Floridian last fall. It was a conference rate, and was a screaming screaming deal. For what we paid, it was totally lovely. Being with small children and having easy access to the Magic Kingdom was nice. The refurbed rooms were pleasant, and we were off in a very quiet corner which I loved. I really have no complaints and overall it was a great stay.
That being said, if I had paid rack rate, I would have probably been, well, disappointed. It wasn’t as amazing as I expected. It is crazy to me that you can’t walk from the GF to MK (when you look down on the monorail, I could swear there’s a brick walkway). The lobby is lovely, but pretty bland. The counter service is fine, but we often stopped at the Poly or the Contempo for take out.
I totally agree that it’s low on the list, but I wonder if that’s because expectationsare so high? For the price they are charging, I think I would expect rose petals to be sprinkled at my feet as I walked back to my room. Since I wasn’t paying that, I wasn’t disappointed that I got an experience pretty similar to other high end hotels I’ve stayed at (for much much less money, BTW). But because they’ve priced it so high, there’s no way to meet expectations?
There is a brick walkway, it just stops at the drawbridge over the canal. (Guess who had diner reservations at the Grand Floridian and decided to try walking there on the nice brick path…)
Ahh…the famous “Walkway to Nowhere.” What’s really deceiving is that they have street lamps and everything up!
People almost never pay rack rate at the grand Floridian but it’s still very expensive even at $400 a night. We stayed for several nights on a travel agent discount a few years ago and felt like royalty. It is difficult to fault the resort.
I just purchased a dvc membership at AKV and we have reservations in November. I agonized over which resort to purchase and in fact lost 2 bids at Saratoga to rofr 🙁 I can’t wait for my first visit as a dvc member. Although I will wax nostalgic for my stays at the Riverside….
Of the deluxe hotels, I’ve only stayed at the AK Lodge. It was a great experience from start to finish. My 5 year old daughter would have been happy staying at the pool and never visiting parks. She also enjoyed the Simba kids club.
On another note, one rainy day during our stay at AK Lodge, we took a monorail tour of the deluxes. We visited the gift shops, lobbies, arcade, quick service etc. We even took the boat to Wilderness Lodge. Great way to spend a rainy day. My wife love the Grand Floridian. I was partial to Wilderness Lodge but if my little girl gets her way it will be the AK Lodge, again. Apparently, nothing beats waking up to giraffes.
Mom and I are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge in September of this year and we are just SO EXCITED. we never dreamed that we could afford a deluxe but i found a sweet spot at the very end of the month when the price was just perfect. I’m almost in tears just thinking about how awesome it will be to walk into that lobby for the first time.
‘Opening the door to your room and seeing a room zoom past is one of those quintessential “magic moments”’ – Tom on the magical Contemporary. Harry Potter has moved down south to Disney!
It would be quite impressive to see a room zoom past my room!! Haha 😉
Good rankings I’d say. Obviously others will always have different opinions as objective rankings are hard to do. Not surprised AKL took #1, it’s super sweet. If I weren’t going for Flower and Garden this year and wanted to be close to Epcot, I would’ve highly considered it.
…Ha, and this is why I should *not* watch TV while writing these posts, and also proofread them! Thanks for pointing that out.
Haha I mean having a zooming room would definitely demand a price premium. Disney should obviously introduce flying rooms. They can theme them like Star Wars TIE fighters, X-wings, Naboo Starfighters, etc. Adults and kids alike would love it, and who doesn’t want to fly to the park…monorails are so last century.
Of the deluxe hotels, we’ve only stayed in Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I am in de facto agreement on your number 1 pick! Seriously though, AKL was superb and I think the theming and resort “x factor” make up for the poor location (but I mean we all know when Avatar Land opens AKL will be the primest real estate on property).
That said I’m really looking forward to trying out several hotels in the other zones. Beach Club, Polynesian, Boardwalk, & Contemporary are at the top of our list to try.
I assume you’re kidding about Avatar, but I do wonder whether there will be a big spike in popularity for Animal Kingdom Lodge once that opens. It’ll be interesting to see how much Animal Kingdom (the park) increases in popularity…
I agree with Spencer. When Avatar opens, Animal Kingdom will become hugely popular.It will blow people´s minds.
I don’t doubt the Disney Imagineering team’s ability to do something as amazing as Pandora. However, Avatar as a movie has faded somewhat 5 years after raking in nearly 3 billion in box office receipts, and the popularity of Avatar-Land in AKL will depend greatly on how well Avatar2&3 sell at the box office.
Yes, that was definitely tongue in cheek there on the Avatar comment. Though I wouldn’t be surprised to see AKL get a bump out of whatever big marketing campaign they cook up. Since the name is the same as the park I bet folks will book it and wonder why there aren’t 10 foot tall blue people walking out in the savannas.