It’s no secret that the deluxe resorts are the most expensive resorts at Walt Disney World. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worth the high price tag. Deluxe hotels offer amenities and features that make for an unforgettable vacation.

Can you imagine waking up each morning to see Cinderella Castle in the distance? Or leaving your room and taking the elevator down a few floors to hop on the monorail? These kinds of luxuries are only available at Disney’s deluxe resorts.

Below, we’ve provided an overview of what makes a resort fall under the deluxe category. If you’re considering one of these resorts, you’ll want to weigh these conveniences and extra perks against the other categories of resorts, like value and moderate. We also rank the best Disney deluxe resorts with considerations, including construction updates and why we would choose some resorts over others based on recent experiences.

Disney’s Grand Floridian is not only iconic but also the crème de la crème of deluxe resorts. It’s also the most expensive resort at Walt Disney World. So why is it ranked at the bottom of our list? As of this update in mid-2025, the resort’s lobby is under major construction. Hopefully, this will be the last step of an extensive resort refurbishment that started a few years ago. The lobby project is expected to be completed later this year.

As far as design, the resort has a Victorian flair that some might consider formal. The resort offers beautifully renovated rooms and suites with touches of Mary Poppins and Disney Princesses. It’s also truly magical to be able to look across the lagoon and see Cinderella Castle in the distance. You can monorail, boat, or walk to the Most Magical Place on Earth from the Grand Floridian.

Grand Floridian also offers excellent dining options. We recommend enjoying a couple of meals at the resort’s casual table service, Grand Floridian Cafe. For more formal dining, you might enjoy a signature restaurant. The resort has three, including one that’s received a consecutive star in Florida’s Michelin Guide. Those restaurants are: Narcoossee’s, Citricos, and Victoria and Albert’s (the one with the star).

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is next on our list. If you’re looking for charm, you might consider this resort. The Boardwalk is a bit of a destination, with dining, entertainment, and some nightlife. The entire area is beautiful, themed after a turn-of-the-century New England seaside town. Guests who reserve rooms with a Boardwalk view can enjoy the hustle and bustle below. However, if you go to bed early, it could be a little noisy in the evening with the extra entertainment below.

Regarding dining, Disney’s Boardwalk has several table service options, like Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, and the Cake Bake Shop. Unfortunately, this hotel is lacking when it comes to quick-service dining. You’ll have access to the Boardwalk Deli, but the sandwiches are limited, and getting anything custom-made at this location can be difficult. Carousel Coffee has specialty coffee and treats in the morning, but they close early.

We love the Boardwalk because of its location. You can walk right into Epcot or take the boat if you like. You can also walk or boat to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from the resort.

The resort recently underwent an extensive refurbishment that resulted in new rooms, fresh paint, and more. We stayed in the Boardwalk’s new rooms and enjoyed the updates. They were a tremendous improvement. Our only real negative is the lack of quick service dining and the resort’s pool. While the feature pool has an incredibly fun theme, we often find it over-crowded. However, I consider it one of the most kid-friendly pools and resorts, in general. See our Disney’s Boardwalk Resort Review for more details.

Disney’s Swan, Dolphin, and the Swan Reserve are owned and operated by Marriott. However, they are unique because resort guests have the same privileges as deluxe guests. When you stay here, you can rack up Marriott Bonvoy Points, take advantage of early theme park hours, and enjoy the extended theme park benefit that’s extended to other deluxe resorts.

Our favorite things about this trio of hotels are the shared Grotto Pool area, the stunning architecture you’ll either love or hate, and the incredible location with walkability to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You’ll also find excellent signature dining locations.

However, not everything works the same at these resorts. For instance, the buses to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom drop off guests in the same area as other off-property hotels. At Animal Kingdom, this is a non-issue (you’ll be closer). But at Magic Kingdom, you’ll get dropped off at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From there, you’ll have to monorail or ferry to the Magic Kingdom.

Additionally, since this hotel is independently owned and operated by Marriott, you’ll want to consider not-so-obvious charges like parking. These resorts will have resort fees, but those amounts are now included upfront due to recent legislation. So you will be aware of them. When comparing resorts, it’s important to note that Disney-owned and operated hotels do not charge for parking and do not have resort fees.

For more information, you might enjoy our Swan and Dolphin Review. (The Swan side of the resort recently debuted new room renovations since our review was written.) We’ve also stayed at the Swan Reserve, which is a newer sister resort to the three. We enjoyed the boutique layout of the hotel, along with its proximity to the other Epcot Resorts. See our Disney’s Swan Reserve Review for specifics.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the most classic of all the resorts surrounding the Magic Kingdom. It’s the one with the monorails running through it. But our favorite feature of this resort is often overlooked. The resort has a gorgeous backyard with loads of places to lounge and take in views of scenic Bay Lake.

Furthermore, dining options at this deluxe resort are outstanding. It’s hard to go wrong with options like California Grill and Steakhouse 71. The resort also has an excellent quick-service restaurant, Contempo Cafe. While you’re dining, you can watch the monorail come through.

On the flip side, some people do not like the Contemporary because they think it feels dated. Yes, the hotel has been updated, and we love the Incredibles-themed rooms. But those who enjoy more formal accommodations might not care for the sleek look and uniqueness of the Contemporary.

Lastly, walking to Magic Kingdom Park is hard to top. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Contemporary to the park’s main entrance. We love to stay here when we have plans to spend time at the most magical place on earth. Being able to quickly return to the room at the end of the night is especially nice. You can walk right past those long lines for the monorail, buses, and ferry. The convenience of this resort is a game-changer. If you want to learn more, see our review of the Garden Wing at Disney’s Contemporary.

Technically, we could include Disney’s Yacht Club as our number two choice because it’s connected to Disney’s Beach Club. However, they are booked as separate resorts. So, I’m sticking it here in the middle. If you know you want to stay at either the Beach Club or the Yacht Club, it’s more of a preference for which style suits you best. Both resorts share amenities.

Disney’s Yacht Club is the more formal of the two resorts. You can expect nautical theming that references ships, sails, ropes, and knots. It has a regal look and feel. As far as dining goes, we have a few favorites. For starters, don’t sleep on Yachtsman Steakhouse. They have excellent steaks, and the onion rolls are too yummy. We also frequent Ale and Compass and Crew’s Cup Lounge.

Of course, the biggest deal of staying at the Yacht Club is Stormalong Bay. The resort’s swimming area features a sand-bottom pool, a lazy river, and a pirate ship water slide. If you enjoy spending time at the pool, you’ll love this resort! It’s our go-to when we need a vacation. See our Disney’s Yacht Club Review to learn more about this beloved resort.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of our top five picks for the best Disney deluxe hotels. This resort offers a Pacific Northwest and National Parks vibe that makes it a relaxing retreat. Between the stunning woodwork and scenic surroundings, you won’t feel like you’re visiting the busy theme parks (or even Florida)! It feels like they turn the temperature down the minute you step onto the resort’s boat dock. You’re also in for a real treat if you visit over the holidays. Wilderness Lodge is even more stunning when decked out with Christmas decorations.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the perfect deluxe resort for those wanting that “get away from it all” feeling. You’ll find plenty of nooks and crannies to read a good book or do a little people-watching throughout the hotel. Did I mention fireplaces were involved? (It is a chilly resort, so don’t forget a jacket!) For more details on staying at this resort, the rooms, and dining, see our Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Review.

Our number three deluxe resort offers a Hawaiian vibe. Disney’s Polynesian, an original 1971 resort, is a favorite for many. However, given its popularity, the resort’s pools are usually packed. Therefore, you probably won’t find a quiet spot near the pool. We never have, and it’s the main reason this resort sits at number three on our list.

Disney’s Polynesian underwent an entire resort refurbishment a few years back that brought touches of Moana to standard guest rooms. These are our favorite hotel rooms at Disney World. The design of these rooms was well-executed, and everything at the resort has a cohesive look and feel.

As far as restaurants go, the Polynesian has some wonderful options. Kona Cafe, the resort’s standard table service, offers Asian and American cuisine. ‘Ohana is exceptionally popular. For breakfast, they have a character meal. But for dinner, the restaurant transitions to offering a traditional Polynesian meal with meat skewers and tasty noodles. During our latest stay, we enjoyed the King Kamehameha Club Level offerings. If you want to splurge on vacation, this option includes access to refreshments, snacks, and appetizers throughout the day.

Since the Polynesian sits across Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy nightly fireworks from the resort’s white sand beaches. Music from the performance is streamed over a speaker system, adding to the ambiance of this unique viewing area. See our Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review for more details on what it’s like to stay here.

If you’ve ever visited Resorts Gal, you know we’re big fans of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. However, we rank it as our second choice because our top pick has something extra you won’t find anywhere else. Compared to the Yacht Club, Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers a more casual, seaside vibe. Expect soft colors like light blues and sea foam greens that accent beautiful pink French limestone floors.

Disney’s Beach Club sits across Crescent Lake from Disney’s Boardwalk and is adjacent to the Yacht Club. It’s a relaxing place to spend your Disney vacation. The main reason we love the resort is because of its proximity to Epcot. You can walk to Epcot from the resort’s back door in less than five minutes! The resort also recently underwent an interior refurbishment. We stayed in the new rooms at Disney’s Beach Club to check out the updates.

The Beach Club is home to Cape May Cafe, which has a popular character breakfast in the morning and is a seafood restaurant in the evening. Characters are only present for Minnie’s Beach Bash at breakfast. We also enjoy Martha’s Vineyard, the resort’s lounge, and the additional options next door at the Yacht Club. Our main negative about the resort is a lack of decent quick-service options.

Of course, the other big perk of staying here is Stormalong Bay, the resort’s magnificent pool area. You also won’t want to miss Beaches and Cream, a restaurant near the pool that serves guilty pleasure ice cream treats and diner food. For more on our personal favorite, see our Disney’s Beach Club Review.

No matter how many times we’ve ranked the deluxe resorts over the years, Animal Kingdom Lodge tops the list. That may sound odd since the Beach Club is our favorite resort. But it’s true! Animal Kingdom Lodge is an exceptional resort that has a way of transporting guests to another continent! When you step inside Jambo House, you feel like you’ve entered a luxurious resort in Africa.

It’s likely that many of us have never been to Africa and will never have an opportunity to visit. So, I think it’s fair to say that the Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a glimpse of what many consider a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you dream of traveling to Africa, love animals, or only want a calming escape, this is the best deluxe hotel at Walt Disney World.

Savanna-view rooms allow guests to overlook animals grazing below from their balconies. So don’t be surprised to walk out on your balcony and find giraffes, zebras, and other animals grazing below. It’s one of the few resorts where we recommend upgrading your room view. Waking up to animals grazing outside your room is pretty surreal. If you don’t opt for a room view upgrade, the resort has numerous viewing areas where guests can see the animals. But there’s something extra special about waking up to a giraffe outside your room.

If the animal factor wasn’t enough, the resort also has phenomenal dining options. Some of our favorites include Boma: Flavors of Africa, Jiko: The Cooking Place, and Sanaa. You have possibly heard of all three, but for reference, Sanaa is where you get the delicious bread service that could feed a small army.

After you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we think you’ll find it difficult to compare to other deluxe resorts. This resort is an attraction in itself. So, plan plenty of time to relax, explore, and enjoy the resort during your stay. See our Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review for more on this incredible resort.

We hope you enjoyed our rankings of the best deluxe resorts at Disney World. Here are the key perks that are offered to deluxe resort guests:

• Guests of deluxe resorts are eligible for early theme park entry benefits. (We have a list of the early park benefits with attractions to help you plan.)
• Deluxe resort guests are eligible for extended evening hours on select evenings at select parks.
• Deluxe resorts offer multiple forms of transportation. The only exception is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• All deluxe resorts have lounges, quick-service restaurants, pool bars, table-service restaurants, and signature dining.
• Feature pools have water slides at deluxe resorts.
• Deluxe resorts offer club-level accommodations (a concierge floor with special privileges). See our guide to staying club level at Disney World for more specifics.
• All deluxe resorts offer interior room access.

Important: At any given time, a resort might undergo a refurbishment. We highly recommend checking our resort refurbishment calendar for updates while you’re planning. If a resort were to announce a refurbishment after you’ve booked it, you should receive some sort of notification from Disney ahead of time. In some cases, a refurbishment might not be a big deal. However, if the resort’s feature pool had a scheduled closure and you primarily booked the hotel because of its pools, you might want to rethink resorts.

Hopefully, these factors will help you decide which deluxe resort is right for you. While these resorts are expensive, they offer a few benefits that justify the price tag.

Now, if you want genuinely luxurious, there are a few nearby off-property resorts that you might like to consider. For starters, the Four Seasons is only minutes from the Magic Kingdom. We also have a few other nearby high-end hotels; you might enjoy our Waldorf Astoria Orlando Review or, my favorite, the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Review.

Overall, the deluxe resorts are a good choice if you’re looking for all the extras. It’s just so difficult to choose! For more on planning, check out our complimentary course below.