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!
We just booked the Polynesian for October 17. I am surprised to see it so low on this list as many other blogs listed it as #1 or #2 in the deluxe category. My daughter also loves Moana far and above any other Disney characters and this felt like the resort that would come closest to having a “Moana theme” I am wondering if they will be switching out Lilo and Stitch themed decor in favor of Moana?
We stayed at the Polynesian November 2016. We absolutely loved it. The rooms were spacious and comfy. The pool was amazing. My daughter absolutely loved it and the water slide. You can see Cinderella’s castle which she thought was fabulous. :). Definitely make reservations at Ohanas for the character breakfast. It was so full. And the food was delicious. I highly recommend the Polynesian. I think you’ll love it
I don’t agree with any of this at all, except for the part about the removal of the waterfall (and the entire tropical planter) in the lobby to be a mistake. That was just another example of Disney reducing it’s beauty for space because they know that in today’s USA people will come anyway and more space means more profits.
With that said, I think that the best resort on Disney World property is in fact the Grand Floridian with the Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary resorts following closely behind. The next group are the Beach Club, Boardwalk and Yacht Club with the Animal Kingdom Lodge being the last of the Deluxe Resorts.
Oh, and I also think it’s immature (i.e. uncool) to call the Polynesian the “Poly.” Perhaps it’s a generational thing. (My God… what are they teaching our young people?!?!?!)
Whatevs. (I am fifty plus.)
A pedant: “a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.”
Your final paragraph keeps any of us from taking you seriously, William. What are they teaching our young people? Haha, yes they go to school and focus on how to shorten Disney deluxe resort names. I “Poly” should just stop now though.
Thanks for another great article! Of the deluxe hotels, I have stayed at Yacht Club and AKL. I agree with your rankings in this article. My family did not like Yacht Club. While table service meals were wonderful, it lacked on counter service dining. They were small and far from the the yacht club side. Buses took forever to get there the entire week, and shared with Beach Club and Boardwalk.
AKL was wonderful! The bus rides were never more than 20 minutes, and they were never that crowded. I feel like the people who warned me about the bus service have never really stayed at AKL. The entire resort was gorgeous and peaceful. Though I’ve never stayed on a Magic Kingdom area resort, I feel AKL is hard to beat!
Hi Tom, I am a little picky but not THAT picky. I have a 2 and 7 year old that we are taking to WDW and I just don’t know if which resort to pick. I know the kids would love all the decor at AoA but I hate that people describe it as a “Cheap Motel”. I have even read a review about a person having bed bugs in their room! Should I just suck it up and take them to AoA or shell out more money for a better quality hotel? It is truly more about them I want them to just have a great time all around including the hotel rooms. Please help. Which would you pick in a situation like this?
If you can afford it, I definitely think it is worth thinking about Animal Kingdom Lodge. We recently visited with our two children who loved the animals being just outside our window or on the Savannah. Each day there were interesting activities in the lobby and the pool had a lovely slide that lots of mums with toddlers enjoyed. However, if you plan to be heading back to the room for afternoon naps in between park visits, bear in mind the 20 minute bus journey (buses were frequent and rarely crowded). P.S Unfortunately bed bugs can occur in any hotel (even delux) at Disney. We didn’t have any problems at AKL and they don’t have such a problem there but if you Google “bed bugs Disney” you’ll find a site that is updated by visitors reporting any bed bug issues. Our friends stayed in a value “All Star” resort and had to evacuate room because of bed bugs! Disney compensated but, obviously, it takes the shine off a holiday. I’d recommend leaving cases outside the room until you’ve checked beneath sheets, mattresses and around skirting boards. There are lots of stories about bed bugs in most of the hotels so is worth a quick check to avoid nasty bites.
First of all, thank you for your incredible site. I have been referring to your site for a couple of years to plan our first family Disney World trip last year, and again to plan our recent trip just this past March. (We stayed offsite, but visited all of these resorts, walked around, and had a meal at or near each, to test drive them for a possible future on-property stay.)
I have to say, I agree with pretty much everything in-between your first and last picks, but I would reverse the first and the last. To me, the Grand Floridian has that high-end perfection that no other hotel can offer. The pianist or orchestra playing in the lobby…the wide-open outdoor spaces…the excellent dining options…the views of the lake…the proximity to Magic Kingdom and the monorail…the gorgeous landscaping…the quiet yet still fun pools…the upscale shopping options…the well-heeled guests…the hotel is just classy and elegant, and I love everything about it – even with young children. If money were no object, the GF would be my pick, hands-down (followed closely by your #2 pick, The Beach Club). It just feels like warm, sunny, light, bright Florida. Which is important to me in March when I’ve been stuck in cold and dark New England all winter.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, while I agree that the AKL restaurants are divine (we adored Boma and Saana), I find the hotel dark, out-of-the-way, and the views of the savannah not all that spectacular. The whole place makes me feel like I’m in a hot, quiet, sort of uninteresting desert. Even with the price being lower, the place is just not my cup of tea in terms of atmosphere as a place to stay. (With that said, I’d eat there every night!)
After reading your initial review of the Contemporary I was a little worried about our upcoming work/family trip. My wife attended a Pediatrician conference earlier this month and it happened to fall on my son’s second birthday. Even though we paid less than half of rack for our conference rate, we were given our requested room (high floor on north side of main tower). After reading these rankings I can’t help but completely agree with your thoughts on staying in the tower. Honestly, our view of Bay Lake was breathtaking and better than 90% of all other room views at WDW. Waking up early to watch the ferries float by and opening our door to see the monorail loading passengers was magical for our 2 year old, not to mention this resort was on my WDW bucket list.
Service was unbelievable. Every housekeeping request was tended to within 10 minutes, and the front desk check in was superb, Alessandra went out of her way to send up a GENEROUS tray of goodies on our son’s birthday. What a great surprise to find after a long day at the MK.
I can’t help but agree with your thoughts on Chef Mickey’s… the food was awful. That being said, my kid LOVED it. I think we will probably check out Tusker House, Crystal Palace or Ohana on our next visit.
We would definitely stay at the Contemporary again, but are interested in staying at the Poly, Grand or Wilderness Lodge on a future visit. We have stayed at Coronado, Beach Club and the DD Hilton in the past, but there is something special about the MK resorts with a little one.
Lastly, what are your thoughts on staying at one of the MK resorts by renting DVC points? It seems like going through David’s could be a huge savings, but I am nervous about the size of the rooms, especially at BLT and WL.
We love both the Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Bay Lake Tower. The Villas were recently updated, and the design looks pretty cool. I would not hesitate for a second to book either one.
Tusker House is hands down the best buffet I’ve had at Disney. I’ll be trying 900 Park Faire and Boma for breakfast buffets on my next trip this September.
Planning our 25th Wedding Anniversary trip next year. Grand Floridian is my dream hotel but the cost worries me. So, blow it all and go with it or stay at the Boardwalk? I don’t want to be disappointed. Help
Honestly, I would go with the Boardwalk. I like that it is walking distance to two parks, and the Boardwalk at night is gorgeous. I guess it depends on which parks you are planning on spending the most time in. Epcot is so romantic, so for an anniversary trip I would want to stay close to there. Beach Club, Boardwalk, Yacht Club, or the Swan and Dolphin. Swan and Dolphin are nice, and cheaper than the other options.
It’s your 25th wedding anniversary. Of COURSE you are staying at “The Flo” 🙂
Hello Tom,
Our first trip to WDW I think I read your entire site twice and many articles (like dining) a baker’s dozen. We rented points from The DVC rental store for the Boardwalk. We wanted to be on property and close to at the parks. Boardwalk got us close to two, which we felt was a huge bonus. The kids LOVED the pool, yes, even the clown slide. We enjoyed the boardwalk and all the people watching. We even looked in on the Dance floor once. The staff was sweet and the visitors were all smiles. One Cast member in the store on the lobby level even sent my son a pin 4 months after the trip! Boardwalk gives you a feel of the twenties and there is a lot of fun activities going on all over the hotel. Juggling, magic shows and the smell of popcorn. We were sold our first visit and bought in to The DVC.
Our second visit was The Animal Kingdom which is our second home now. We were convinced before staying there that it would not be as fun as The Boardwalk. WRONG! I want to say we love it more, it’s a close tie. A totally different experience. Although apart from the parks it’s a short bus ride to AK and just a few more minutes to Hollywood and Epcot. The bus issues worried us but the buses come so frequently the wait is really not that much longer than a ferry ride or walk from Board Walk to Hollywood Studios. The Theming is outrageous! Every day they have a native African phone the room to inform about a special presentation or activity that they talk about or perform a game or activity of some kind. The lobby is grand and breathe taking. The savanna has special offering like nigh vision goggles and a huge fire pit with surrounding rocking chairs. Our kids 10 and 13 LOVED Boma over many of the other park restaurants. We enjoyed our dinner at Jinko and ate the steak as you suggested. We agree that it was the second best steak we had tried, the first being Victoria and Albert’s. We did not have a savanna room because we would rather be able to stay longer in a lesser price point. We were on the fourth floor facing a green belt. There were still views of animals such as horned bulls and zebra like animals. There were also ducks and bunnies below our room. The drawback of AKL is the walk to the lobby. We were in the fifth building and the walk was 10 minutes for me, but I am a slow walker. The kids enjoyed AKL pool MUCH MUCH more than the Board Walk. The slide, hot tubs, water play areas were the high light of their stay. All my daughter wanted to do was swim in the pool, sometimes even over going to the park.
We have visited most of the other resorts that you have listed. We have not been to Wilderness due to its location. The Polly is on our list as a definite GO! Our family really enjoys Ohanna. Dinner and breakfast. The pineapple drink is spectacular! Again I saw your wife drinking it in a photo and knew it was for me! The beach and night views of the castle I assume would be so relaxing. We have only been during meal time in the daylight. We visited The Grand Floridian for the buffet Breakfast and our 3rd anniversary at Victoria and Albert’s. I would have to agree with you that the expense would be spend better elsewhere. Contemporary was nice but didn’t thrill me. We went there for dinner and the 4th of July fireworks. THAT’S A MUST DO! We were able to step out on the balcony and even hear the music. My daughters 13 birthday. Yes I win Best Mom Ever for that. Our kids want to stay at The Beach club badly. It too is on the list because of the giant pool. We also found The Yatch Club Resort sort of stuffy feeling, yet The Beach Club Resort was the polar opposite. It felt fun and casual. We were there to try THE KITCHEN SINK! I will love you forever for that review and exposing us to Heaven on Earth! LOL! We have had The Kitchen Sink each time. That is a MUST MUST do for anyone who likes fun!
So that is my two cents. I know I left some things out. Hope this helps people plan their trips.
Cheers,
Stacey
Thank you!! We are passholders and visit a few times a year, usually staying at a deluxe or moderate. This trip I gave in to my husbands request and booked the AKL. I’ve been hesitant because it is so far removed. We’ve stayed at the Poly and it was nice, but our room was so far out that it was closer to walk to the transportation center than the lobby. It made it very convenient for the monorail, but we never really got into the resort theming. It still makes me think of the Brady Bunch. This made me much more optimistic about our stay next week at AKL. The travel times will be longer, but hopefully, it is worth it. We booked an Arusha View, so hopefully we get to see the animals a lot.
For our Disneymoon me and my husband did three weeks at Disney, splitting our holiday with a stay at two different hotels (we’re English, we can’t fly that far for just a few days). We did Animal Kingdom Lodge first and then Grand Floridian. I agree with what you said about sections of GF being very dated. Although I love the floor of the main lobby with all of its Disney references and the fact that when the grand piano is played all of the songs are slower, smoother versions of Disney classics. My favourite is still AKL though. There’s nothing like starting or ending your day by gazing out at the savannah whilst having hot chocolate or something. I’m taking my nephew there next year 😀
I’d love to see your Dolphin review soon! Our family’s inaugural visit there takes place later this month.
I hope to get to it this week!
Interesting post! We’ve stayed at AKL twice and just loved it, but have decided to try Wilderness Lodge this year because of the boat to MK. Taking the buses at AKL last time just got old. Have to comment on Swan and Dolphin – just stayed there this week for a conference, at the Swan. Grounds were beautiful, location was good, restaurants on property are good, but the room itself was not great. Smelled musty and was really dated – in definite need of refurbishment. I wouldn’t spend my own money to stay there.
I will have to buck against your ratings here. For me the Grand Floridian still is the Flagship resort and retains its charms and splendor. One can’t deny the grandeur and essence of a flowery scent all around the resort. I have never paid full price nor will I ever. There are always deals to be had at WDW for any resort. It’s all about location for me. The Magic Kingdom is the #1 park for me to visit with Epcot being #2. Each time I visit Epcot the less I desire to come back to they fix a multitude of things. DHS and AKL are ok but only half day parks for me. I would rather hang out at the resort pools than stay in those all day long.
#2 would be the Beach Club and only for the fact that it feels like your staying on the ocean/beach. I love the wonderful pool/sand bottom area. I also always enjoy the beach n diner with each visit. The rooms are well appointed and the common areas feel rich.
You know your going to get a mix of responses with this type of blog and everyone voicing their own opinions, which is fun. It was just shocking for you to pick GF last out of all the Deluxe resorts. You really think Poly and Contemporary are below the GF?
Fun read,
Mike D
Remember, value for money is a key consideration in these rankings. If cost were no issue, I could see Grand Floridian being higher on the list. Given its costs (even after discount, because when there are discounts, they don’t just apply to GF, so the differential remains about the same), Grand Floridian is dead last for me.
Tom,
Your 1 and 2 picks are spot on. AKL is our home resort and we have had amazing vacations there. The theming in incredible and the resort feel keeps us coming back again and again. You really do feel like you are not at Walt Disney World. Savannah view, standard view – it doesn’t matter. The amenities, the DVC activities and the amazing food choices make it our favourite.
The beach club is really a close number 2 in our books. We spent a week at the DVC last summer and it was amazing. Storm along Bay by itself is reason enough to stay but then you add in the boardwalk, walking access to DHS and Epcot and activities like movies on the beach with fireworks in the background and it pushes the place over the top.
Keep up the great work!
Knowing your interest in photography I can’t say that I’m surprised by these rankings. Among the Disney photography community, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fort Wilderness Lodge seem to be the most popular locations.
Personally, I don’t care for AKL. I agree with you about theming and the savannah views are really fantastic. But I found the dining there to be a bit confusing, perhaps in part because of the names. E.g., I can get a fair idea of what the California Grill or Contempo Cafe will offer but I can’t easily differentiate or remember which is which among Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko.
But ultimately I find that AKL is a favorite among families with young children. I get it — the animals are a tremendous thrill. I no longer have young kids, so I prefer a resort that is quieter.
Boma is the buffet.
Sanaa is the single credit table-service menu restaurant.
Jiko is the Signture/double credit table-service menu restaurant.
(Okay, so I like to travel when they have free DDP.)
This is quite the popular post. I just booked the new polynesian villas for our trip in April, and while we’ve never stayed there, it’s difficult to see it ranking so low on your list. However, value for the money is an important factor and I think your rankings are perfect if value is of primary concern. Otherwise, my rankings would be:
1. Polynesian Village (based on when it is complete: Trader Sam’s, dole whip machine, volcano pool, beach view of wishes, Kona breakfast, tiki theme, largest rooms, monorail to epcot and Magic kingdom etc)
2. Grand Floridian (It’s not a good value for the money but it is spectacular, comfortable, transporting, convenient, and I love the live music in the lobby.)
3. Boardwalk Inn (I love the gorgeous details all over this resort. The Bellevue Lounge, Boardwalk bakery, 1920s music, and location on crescent lake all make for a gorgeous resort. Clown pool is underrated and leaping horse libations is excellent)
4. Beach Club (Killer theme, pool, location, beaches and cream! and brand new rooms)
5. Yacht Club (Basically the beach club in a different color scheme)
6. Contemporary (views of bay lake and/or the magic kingdom are awesome. Rooms are very comfortable and well decorated. Location is second to none. Dining options are excellent. Just way too muxh concrete around for my liking.)
7. Wilderness Lodge (a spectacular lobby but rooms are just not good.)
8. Animal Kingdom Lodge (I like this resort a lot and especially enjoy dining there. However, the African theme does not appeal to me in comparison to other deluxes).
Expect this list to be revised once the Poly work is totally completed. I expect it to rank higher then, but I’m not quite ready to jump the gun on that.
Given your explanations, I can’t really fault your rankings, but even taking value for money out of the equation, there’s no way I’d put Animal Kingdom Lodge dead last and Wilderness Lodge second to last.
I’m in the “don’t love” camp when it comes to the Poly. Granted my stay was probably tainted by being in a non-refurbished room at the height of the remodel (lobby, pool, everything walled off). Even with a 50% off convention rate it didn’t seem worth it. I also couldn’t help feeling like I was trapped in the Brady Bunch Hawaii episode. Of course that might be because the friend I was traveling with kept sneaking up behind me and saying things like “watch out, there might be a tiki hiding in there” I am looking forward to seeing it once all the refurbishment is complete.
That must have been an incredibly awful time to stay there! Still, you have to admit that once the polynesian village finishes being upgraded it will be quite impressive.
Over the years I have stayed at all of them except the Grand Floridian. Stayed at the Contemporary back in the day when there were only 3 hotels. Really like staying at Fort Wilderness in one of the cabins. Only thing I didn’t like about AKL was the long walk to our room. Last time at Polynesian was given a concierge room which was a great perk. Lately been renting a house nearby with friends for a fraction of the cost of staying at a deluxe resort but nothing like staying on site.
I’ve stayed at most of these resorts over the past few years and agree with your top 3. I would put Wilderness ahead of Beach but that is nit picking. AKL is by far the best when you factor in food, pool, rooms, theme, and the Savannah. Strangely enough, my favorite Epcot resort overall is Swan & Dolphin. Excellent restaurants, great staff, fantastic pool, and, if you get the right room, fantastic views of epcot and DHS.
Those swan and dolphin rooms are long over due for a remodel but otherwise I agree it is a great place to stay!
This is true. Our room at the Dolphin was not in good shape, but I gave it a pass because the beds are super comfortable and their pillows are amazing.
The Swan & Dolphin rooms are in the process of a comprehensive refurbishment. I believe the Dolphin is almost entirely done, with the Swan to be completed soon.
I stayed in a new room in the Dolphin over Marathon Weekend, and it was really nice. Comparable to the rooms at the Contemporary. I should have a review up soon.
First I must say that your website is right up there with the best of the Disney sites. Your descriptions of the resorts and restaurants are very thorough and nicely worded. I think your reviews are a must when considering a trip to WDW. Secondly the only deluxe resort I have stayed in is the Polynesian. My family really fell in love with the place. This was about 10 years ago. I love the tropical theming and Ohana is an awesome experience. However the price is steep and a considerable income is needed to stay here. We still talk about our room in the Tuvalu building overlooking the water. To open the window and walk out on the balcony with a view of the castle is something we won’t soon forget. My next stay will hopefully be at the Beach Club, Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge. Tom, keep up the good work!