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!
What about Riviera Resort??? We stayed there October 2020, and I adore it! The themeing was on point, the artwork was amazing. The soaking bathtubs were everything I was on a vacation after walking all day. I loved the elegance with a touch of Disney. It’ what I hoped they would bring to GF. We thoroughly enjoyed Topolino’s and Primo Piatto, which is probably now one of my favorite quick services. The pools and grounds were lovely, the lounge chairs on the beach were amazing. Skyliner access, and an easy walk to Caribbean Beach to enjoy their dining.
I agree about the chance of the Poly lobby! The new lobby is mundane at best. It’s a shame that the new “imagineers “ don’t have the worldly knowledge to be designing changes to such classic looks, the PC culture has a lot to learn about Disney and “his” vision that “is” Disney!
I used to work at a market research firm when I lived in Orlando and have been in all the hotels. I am writing to say that when I’d step inside the Polynesian with the waterfall — the sound and the humid air — it was truly magical and tropical. Almost like being in Hawaii! I worked one day when there was a potential hurricane and guests had to stay indoors and maybe that’s why they had to take out the open air lobby. Or I think I read the humid air was terrible for the building, but boy that was a special ambiance.
Married with a child, years later, I won a trip and we stayed at the GF which was like a dream-come-true at the time. We even got the dessert cruise on the Grand One which was so extremely special. Lived like Kings and Queens for a day. We stayed at the Beach Club after that and Contemporary in the 70’s when I was a kid was such a gas! 🙂
Having stayed at AKL , it’s not like you’re an hour away from the parks. I believe too much is made about location, other than perhaps the monorail resorts….and if you’re on the monorail and it has an unplanned stop, there goes your time savings.
Edit:
Forgot to say that I would love to stay at Wilderness Lodge sometimes. From every picture I’ve seen, it looks amazing.
Alas, with a recently retired wife, it looks like when we do return to the parks, it will probably be our usual Value resorts (though the way WDW keeps eroding the on-site perks, we may go offsite for the first time since our first visit as a family 9 years ago).
Only stated at AKL (Jambo House) for a rushed 4 day visit, and was saddened that it couldn’t have been for a longer stay with days built in to just stay at the resort.
I/we were impressed with the grounds, even though we didn’t have rooms we could see animals from….which wasn’t a problem, due to the viewing areas off the lobby.
Had nice activities for the kiddo to do, only one of which she (begrudgingly at first….just wanted to watch tv in the lobby) did, but on our day of departure, she asked if there were more activities she could do (sadly, we had an AM flight home).
Loved the zero entry pool with heated water slide. One day, we just blew off the parks for the afternoon and let her have extra pool time.
Went to Grand Floridian about 30 years ago with a friend. It was just a nice room, no special theming that distinguished it from say a Marriot.
I have been to all the resorts on your list, and while I agree with some I completely disagree with others.
When we were at the GF, I felt that if I raised my voice or stepped out of line, I was in trouble. Way too ostentatious for me.
The AKL is too far away to enjoy the experience of WDW.
Your comment about the Yacht and Beach Club surprised me. We choose the Yacht Club over the Beach Club strictly by less kids here. Not that kids are a problem (it’s WDW afterall), it’s their parents that are the problem. They seem to think that since it’s a vacation the kids should be allowed to do whatever they want whenever. Yacht Club is more low key and it’s so close to the Beach Club, you get the best of both worlds.
Did I forget to mention the fabulous central location!
The Polynesian always feels too dark for me, it’s a little depressing and fake.
I am all about Wilderness lodge! I love to sit in the lobby and just enjoy the ambiance. You can see the light show boats go by and fireworks from some rooms. But that Fireplace!!!!!!
Love this ranking! I would have moved Poly up since, as you noted, it is magical in attention to detail on theme (I miss the lobby waterfall too!) but of course ranking is somewhat subjective and beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. In these COVID times while our family is not traveling, I love reading your articles to get my “Disney fix” and this article didn’t disappoint. Thanks again!!
I’ve wanted to stay at Beach Club since we go to Yachtsman every visit, but it’s always Animal Kingdom for us! One day I want to stay at each resort but we will see if it happens – my son loves Animal Kingdom so much we always rent DVC points, stay at Kidani, and he calls it ‘home’ and has been doing it since our first stay there. “We’re HOME!” he always shouts when we enter Kidani Village’s lobby. It’s cute.
I love the theming and feel of the Poly too but it’s so pricey we haven’t stayed there yet but we love walking around.
Mostly Beach Club has the Stormalong Bay and Yachtsman so like other awesome people I want to stay there but our next trip is, you guessed it, Kidani… Can’t gainsay the child. lol
Jaan – yes it’s very easy. Just bring your luggage down to bell services and tell them which resort you are moving to then later that day at your new resort, pick up your luggage at bell services. They should be able to tell you about what time the luggage will get there by. Last visit in February we split between Caribbean Beach, Grand Floridian (needed to tell them to was DVC as it has separate bell services from regular Grand Floridian), and Riviera. We spent the day at a park each time and luggage was there when we arrived later in the day.
We have stayed at all levels plus DVC and have 40+ trips in the last 16 years. As the prices have kept increasing, we have found that for the big price difference, we would pick a Mod resort over all deluxes in a heart beat. If we are going on a special trip or only go every 4-5 years then yes, we would splurge on a deluxe. But over all our trips we have realized that location is sooooooooo overrated. GF is our favorite resort and will stay there on special trips, but no way do we find it “worth it”.
Also; if GF has dull rooms, then you will have to add every resort that has been refurbed in the last few years to that list. WDW has done an absolutely horrible job with the room refurbs. We use to love WDW resort rooms because of their uniqueness, now they are all starting to look like any other generic hotel room.
For the first time, I booked at wilderness lodge two nights for Christmas based on your views and photos. It is a bucket list item for me, but too expensive for the whole trip. I never did a split stay until I read something from you. During this “new normal “ time, has it been easy to get your luggage transferred from one place to another while you go to a park? I’m hoping it is or I might have to change plans since I don’t have a car.
Thanks for all the valuable information. We put a lot of weight on your recommendations Tom. Your absolutely correct in explaining all the different things that make each resort special. Our situation is one that requires us to spend a lot of time at our resort. Also, having a special needs adult child, we need a quieter atmosphere. We last stayed at the Grand Floridian and it was by far our favorite place. Excellent service and close magic kingdom. We loved the water view and the light show. Also being able to see the fireworks is something spectacular. We are unable to be in the park to watch them. But the price is very high which is something that has to be considered. If someone can afford it that is the an awesome place to stay. It’s probably a one timer for us . Our stats are 10 nights, due to having to spend less time in the parks each day
In my previous post, I said stay in all Disney hotels because they are all magical. I should add one thing: don’t stay in the upcoming Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel. No pool and no landscaping — you are not supposed to go outside ever, so no going to Magic Kingdom. Designed for extra serious and extra rich Star Wars fans only.
Actually, the Disney hotels cannot be ranked against each other. They are all awesome and magical, from the values to the deluxe. So just stay in the one you can afford, or if you can afford all of them, then stay in all of them! I’ve stayed in nearly all of them myself and love them all. Like right now, I am locked away from Disney World because of you know what, and there are 4 star hotel 6 bedroom suites in my area for $800 a night, but I would rather stay in the Disney All Stars, a value hotel, if somebody were to give me a free stay choice between an All Stars room and the suite! For the same reason, I feel no draw to the Four Seasons. I’ve seen the pictures, it’s fancier than the Grand Floridian, I get it. But it’s not Disney, and I’m not interested. I can get luxury anywhere, but I can only get magic at Disney World.
Hi Tom,
I’m quite surprised that you rank AKL as the top hotel. I wouldn’t have guessed it. For me, the top hotel is, without a question, the Grand Floridian. The rooms are a bit weak, yeah, and the main pool doesn’t have a fancy waterslide, but everything else is amazing. I do agree that AKL is an awesome hotel, I really liked the vibe when I was there. I like the Boardwalk just as much, but Beach Club a bit less. The rooms there are more bland than GF, though the deluxe room was lovely. And I hate that pool; every time I was there, I got a headache, it’s packed like the public pool.
My favorite hotel in Disney is, however, the Caribbean Beach Resort. It has beautiful, smooth lake view with reflections, sandy beaches, Caribbean vibe, quiet hotel without a lot of visitors like the GF, half the price, refurbished rooms, Skyliner, quick access to food courts of Pop and AofA, quick and cheap uber ride to restaurants and grocery near Celebration, short bus/gondola rides to 3 parks and Disney Springs. GF is close to MK and far from nearly everything else.
We have been Disney visitors for years and always stay at the Grand Flo. The at-home feeling and gracious hospitality/impeccable service, along with tasteful, comfortable rooms, beautiful grounds and pools, fabulous dining and prime location, keep us coming back every time. Fantastic views over the lagoon, as well as the quick, enjoyable boat transport back from the parks are additional attributes that come to mind. Yes, more expensive. Well worth it!
It’s as if I wrote the article myself…I could be your neighbor living life at the Wilderness Lodge…The metric in these fun thought experiments for us has always been location location and amenities…but now it’s value value value…and every year it gets harder to make the argument for deluxe…even when I factor in the up charge for life in the bubble…we’ve been enjoying Animal Kingdom Lodge for the last few years…missing the WL…and working to rationalize all of it…and every year it becomes more difficult…we’ve even done the thought experiment of the best way to slide through the moderates and values to life outside the bubble…Here’s to hoping all of us can find a way to keep the magic alive…
My list is probably the total reverse of yours. Ease of access and transportation is now a top priority. I’m not a kid anymore and Grand Gloridian access to the Magic Kingdom is a big plus for me. The grounds are gorgeous and the rooms are beautiful. I’m seeing a trend at WDW to move toward antiseptic bland decor – Yacht Club and Contemporary – and I think it’s a shame. Thoug the years and over 50 happy visits I’ve been happy in WDW I’ve ever stayed in – including the Moderate resorts. Beats off property hands down for me.