Disney World Resort Hotel Reviews (An Insider’s Perspective)

When it comes to Disney World Hotel Reviews, you’ll find a number of opinions from sources like Facebook Groups, online sites that allow anyone to post their thoughts and even real-life family and friends who love to share their take. While sometimes these unique perspectives can be valuable, they don’t explore the hotels in their entirety.

For example, just this last year, comments left on popular review sites for Disney’s Grand Floridian ranged from one star to five stars. Some of the feature quotes include “not worth the money,” “our grand stay was exceptional,” and “such a shame, it was not what we expected.”

This can get confusing, especially if you are going back and forth over which resort to stay on your next Walt Disney World vacation? Or maybe you’re in the beginning stages of planning and have no idea where to start.

We have stayed in every hotel at Walt Disney World and many in the surrounding area. We stay in each Disney World Resort Hotel once every two years to provide updates and fresh photos. Our experiences allow us to see how consistent the resort is and provide you with an idea of what to expect. This is not a place where we vent about one-off bad experiences that randomly happen. We also recommend that if you have a less-than-magical experience, you do not let it ruin your vacation.

Disney World is an incredible vacation destination, and the magic awaits around every corner if you are open to it. Plus, you worked hard to plan this trip, and where you rest your head each evening is important.

We hope you’ll use these reviews as a guideline to narrow down your options. Selecting the right destination can be challenging with more than 25 Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Disney Vacation Clubs. Additionally, many off-site hotels in the surrounding area offer an abundance of amenities at competitive pricing.

All hotel stays for our resort reviews have been paid for out-of-pocket by Resorts Gal.

Below, you’ll find every resort we’ve reviewed, starting with the deluxe and deluxe villa resorts. Then, further down, we discuss the moderate and value resorts at Walt Disney World. After that, we’ll move on to off-site hotels in the surrounding area. As we review more resorts in the area, we add them to this list.

Finally, we’ve included our resort planning articles. These articles will help in the planning process regarding specifics like choosing a resort for its pool or dining options.

We suggest you read over the summaries of each resort and pick out a few choices you think your family will enjoy. Then, after narrowing your options, you’ll want to read the entire resort reviews for your final picks. Those full resort reviews should help you discern which resort will work best for your family.

A few quick warnings–all of the resorts at Walt Disney World are somebody’s favorite. But it’s important to remember–to each their own. What works best for your friends who always go to Disney might not be your family’s favorite choice.

Or the hotel you want to stay at might be out of your budget. If so, that’s okay. You can always plan to have a meal at that dream resort during your trip. If you love it as much as you thought, you can stay there on a future trip.

Don’t feel like you must stay at a specific resort or class of resort. We have stayed at every single Walt Disney World Hotel and can assure you that each trip has been memorable—in a good way.

Deluxe Hotels

Deluxe Resorts are the finest hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort. Most of these hotels are within walking distance of a theme park. All deluxe hotels have specific theming, high-end finishes, multiple dining options, and elaborate pool areas.

Related: Best Disney Deluxe Hotels

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Review

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is considered Disney’s flagship resort. It sits across the lagoon from Magic Kingdom. This resort has meticulously landscaped grounds and is laid out in large buildings with interior room access. 

While pricing runs high at all the deluxe Disney World Resorts, the Grand Floridian is the most expensive. Expect rates starting at upwards of $800.00 per night before any discounts. That said, it’s hard to deny that a stay here is probably more pleasant than either of us would like to admit. So, if you desire to spend some time here but can’t swing an entire week, try a split stay.

That’s when you divide your time between two resorts. In this case, you’d stay at a much cheaper alternative to help balance your budget.

Additionally, you can always plan a dining reservation at the Grand Floridian and tour the grounds during your visit. If you’re visiting during the holidays, you’ll want to make a special trip to see the resort’s stunning Christmas decor.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review

Aloha! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is an original resort that opened with Walt Disney World over 50 years ago! This tropical, island-themed resort is one of the most sought-after hotels in Walt Disney World.

The Polynesian sits across Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom. A few years ago, the resort’s standard rooms were rethemed to Moana. Since then, the majority of the resort has undergone extensive refurbishment. Like the neighboring Grand Floridian, a week’s stay at the Polynesian is expensive. But given the resort’s relaxing vibe, it’s rare to hear any complaints.

If you’ve never visited Polynesia or Hawaii, this resort is probably as close as you can get stateside. There’s also something to be said about only being a walk, boat, or monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is probably one of the most recognizable hotels at Walt Disney World. Located next door to Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary was named after its unique design.

Most people are familiar with the Contemporary because the Disney World monorail travels through it. This original resort recently received an extensive makeover, including Incredibles-themed rooms.

Perhaps the most significant amenity of staying at Disney’s Contemporary is the walkability to the Magic Kingdom. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from the lobby to the park’s entrance.

However, if you spend a little time here, you might be blown away by the serenity of the resort’s massive backyard. It’s one of our favorite parts of the hotel! We love both the Garden Wing at Disney’s Contemporary and the Incredibles Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Review

If you’ve been dreaming of the great outdoors or find yourself at home in the woods, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is worthy of your consideration. This hotel reflects the look and feel of the great Pacific Northwest.

When you set foot on the resort’s ground, you’ll feel like you’ve left Florida for a woodsy retreat. We’ve stayed at the Wilderness Lodge many times and are always amazed at the tranquility. While this isn’t our absolute favorite resort, we always look forward to our next visit. We often frequent it, even if it’s only for a meal.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort Review

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is located in the Epcot Resorts Area. Aside from the stunning Crescent Lake area, the resort is only a five-minute walk to Epcot and a fifteen-minute walk to Hollywood Studios.

Expect soothing blues and seafoam colors throughout the resort. Everything here has a subtle beach theme with a serene feel. Besides location, the Beach Club’s swimming area, Storm-Along Bay, has so much going for it. So, if you stay here, make sure to plan a pool-only day. You won’t find yourself bored, but you will feel like you’re on vacation.

This Disney World Hotel shares its property with a sister resort, Disney’s Yacht Club. The neighboring Boardwalk Inn and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts are also only a short walk away. This area is home to several excellent resort table-service dining options. However, we do find the counter-services in the area lacking. With that said, this is our personal favorite resort at Walt Disney World. Between the recreation, amenities, and location, it’s pretty hard to beat.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Review

If we’re not staying at the Beach Club, we’re probably at the Yacht Club. Or at least it’s probably where we would prefer to stay. The Yacht Club is the more formal side of the two resorts. You can expect masculine undertones and nautical theming, including boats, compasses, and complicated knots like you learned to tie in Cub Scouts.

Like its sister resort, our only complaint is that the counter-service dining options are subpar. But the lounges between the resorts are the real hidden gems. Don’t sleep on dining at Crew’s Cup. This is Disney, so the lounges are family-friendly.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn sits on Crescent Lake and is a destination within itself. Many guests visit the Boardwalk for dining and leisure during their stay. It’s a beautiful resort designed to represent turn-of-the-century boardwalks on the New England seaside.

Boardwalk Inn offers a variety of activities that you won’t find at other Disney Resorts. Additionally, the resort is within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

The Boardwalk Inn can be expensive, but its pricing is comparable to that of the other Epcot Resorts. If you’re considering a club-level stay, the Innkeeper’s Club at Boardwalk Inn gets excellent feedback.

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review

It’s probably apparent that we have no significant problems with any of the deluxe resorts—Disney’s Swan and Dolphin are no exception. First, however, you will want to know that these hotels are owned and operated by Marriott. So, if you’ve accrued a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points, this is an excellent place to spend them—and you could always accrue more!

Disney’s Swan, Dolphin, and the new Swan Reserve are part of the Epcot Resorts and sit between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. However, you’ll have to use the Swan and Dolphin’s private shuttle when traveling to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

Additionally, pricing is often more reasonable here than at the neighboring Walt Disney World Resorts. However, when applicable, you’ll want to consider extra fees like resort fees and parking charges.

Additionally, we have a separate review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, the newest addition to the Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the quintessential Disney World Resort choice for anyone with a love for animals or a passion for Africa. Between the resort’s theming and the African animals grazing on the surrounding savannas, it is our top choice for the best deluxe resort at Disney World.

Typically, Animal Kingdom Lodge offers more reasonable rates than the other deluxe resorts at Disney. That’s likely due to its location being further away from the rest of the property. But don’t let that stop you from planning a stay here. The resort’s peace and tranquility are the perfect remedy after a long day in crowded theme parks.

We also consider this resort one of the best splurges for those traveling with children. Seeing animals from your balcony when you wake up each morning is a surreal experience.

Additionally, the resort has one of the best pool and aquatic play areas for children at Kidani Village. So, if you’re staying at the main lodge, it’s worth the walk down to the village if you have children who might enjoy the water play area.

Villa Resorts

Deluxe Villas are also known as Disney Vacation Club Resorts (DVC). However, guests do not have to be DVC members to rent rooms. Instead, Disney makes these resort rooms available to all guests.

What is a Disney Vacation Club Resort? It is similar to a timeshare. Disney has two types of DVC Resorts: stand-alone and DVC wings. These resort areas are specific to Disney Vacation Club in a regular resort. For example, the Grand Floridian Villas are part of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Stand-alone DVC Resorts are entire hotels dedicated to the Disney Vacation Club. For example, Disney’s Rivieria Resort is a dedicated Disney World Villa Resort. Stays at these resorts or wings are made special by room upgrades and amenities. Instead of standard resort rooms, rooms range from deluxe studios with kitchenettes to three-bedroom grand villas.

Related: The Complete Guide to Disney World Villa Resorts

Disney’s Riviera Resort Review

Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the newer hotels at Walt Disney World. It is next to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and is on the Disney Skyliner. Most will agree that Disney’s Riviera feels like a deluxe resort with its high-end finishes and some of the nicest rooms around.

However, what we love most about the Riviera is its boutique layout. Everything at the resort feels concise and efficient. Even more, we love the dining options at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Many delicious dining options are available, from the counter service to the resort’s rooftop restaurant.

The only negative factor–it costs a pretty penny to stay here. This high-end resort is at the top of the most expensive hotel list, similar to the Grand Floridian.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Review

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is another dedicated Disney Vacation Club Resort. This resort is inspired by New York’s Saratoga Springs in the 1800s. Expect to find a comfortable retreat with a welcoming feel like you’ve come in from a day at the horse races.

Saratoga Springs is gorgeous but also massive, which might make it challenging for some to get around. Its layout is similar to one of the larger moderate resorts.

However, many recreational activities are available at the resort. Regarding location, the resort sits across the lake from Disney Springs. You can walk or take a boat over to the venue.

For you, this means you can take advantage of all the best restaurants at Disney Springs and shops if you like. Then, back at the resort, you might enjoy playing a round of golf or spending the afternoon at Sense’s Spa.

Disney’s Old Key West Review

Disney’s Old Key West is a beautiful Disney Vacation Club Resort inspired by the Florida Keys. Expect an island vibe with a friendly feel. We love having breakfast and dinner at Olivia’s Cafe, the resort’s casual table-service restaurant. After a hearty breakfast, you can head to the parks or spend the day taking a bicycle tour of Old Key West. We’ve done both!

On the positive side, Old Key West’s rates are pretty average, considering the room upgrades. However, similar to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West is a vast resort requiring much walking.

Additionally, many of the buildings at this resort do not have elevators. While we enjoyed our last stay, dragging our luggage up a flight or two of stairs was inconvenient. So it’s something you might want to consider.

Grand Floridian Villas Review

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is home to the Grand Floridian Villas. The resort has two buildings that house these particular types of rooms.

First, The Villas at Grand Floridian building has rooms ranging from deluxe studios to three-bedroom grand villas. These rooms recently underwent refurbishment. Next, Big Pine Key was recently converted to a new villa room type called resort studios. These rooms are more similar to a standard room than a deluxe studio but fall under the villas category.

If you love the Grand Floridian but need a few of the comforts of home or have a larger party, the villas are worth your consideration.

Polynesian Villas Review

Unfortunately, we don’t have a current review of the Polynesian Villas. However, it is essential to note that a new DVC tower hotel is being built there. Currently, the only villas at the resort are deluxe studios and the Bora Bora Bungalows, which are two-bedroom bungalows on the water.

Bay Lake Tower Review

Bay Lake Tower is a dedicated tower hotel adjacent to the Contemporary. While the tower is independent of the Contemporary Resort’s structure, a large bridge connects them on the fourth floor.

Bay Lake Tower offers stunning views of Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom. We stayed in a theme park view room, which was fun, especially for the fireworks, but we can’t deny that the views of Bay Lake are our favorite.

Unfortunately, the deluxe studios have unique floor plans. You’ll either love them or hate them. We don’t care for them. However, being within walking distance of Magic Kingdom has its benefits. Also, the larger villas here are stunning!

Copper Creek Villas Review

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is unique because it’s home to two Disney Vacation Clubs–Copper Creek Villas and Boulder Ridge Villas. Copper Creek Villas is the newer of the two villa resorts.

This section of the resort offers deluxe studios conveniently located off the lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. It also has full-size cabins along Bay Lake. Of course, a cabin rental at this resort is fairly exclusive and expensive.

Boulder Ridge is located in a separate wing of the resort and features a variety of rooms. This section of the resort recently underwent a refurbishment.

Beach Club Villas Review

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is home to the Beach Club Villas. This section of the resort is located between the main building and the parking lot, which makes it reasonably private.

Beach Club Villas are somewhat distinguishable because their exterior is a pretty mint green compared to the rest of the Beach Club’s soft blue paint color. In addition, a statue of Ariel, The Little Mermaid, sits outside the main entrance.

Boardwalk Villas Review

Like many other villa resorts, Boardwalk Villas is an extension of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. This villa’s wing has a private pool at the Community Hall in addition to the feature pool. Of course, most will want to spend time at the Luna Park Pool with its fun waterslide that mimics a wooden roller coaster! We love this resort and always enjoy our time there!

Kidani Village Review

Kidani Village is a separate resort adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Compared to the main lodge, Kidani has a smaller lobby and only a few dining options.

However, guests can walk or take a shuttle up to Jambo House. Kidani Village also has an excellent pool area with a tremendous water play area for children. It’s the perfect place to relax in the shade and spend an entire resort day!

Did we mention animals? Like Jambo House, some rooms at Kidani Village face savannas. The resort also has multiple public viewing areas where you can see animals roaming.

Moderate Resorts

Now that we’ve reviewed the deluxe and deluxe villa resorts, let’s examine an entirely different class of resorts: moderates. Moderate resorts are meant to fall between the value and deluxe categories.

When you stay at a moderate resort, you can expect it to be a step up from the values. However, a few differences keep it from being a deluxe resort. For example, most of the moderate resorts have exterior room access. This means you won’t have an interior hall outside your room or a balcony. So, in most cases, we wouldn’t recommend a room view upgrade in this resort category.

However, most moderate resorts will have beautiful grounds, elaborate theming, and several dining options. We’ll provide a brief description of each moderate below.

Related: The Best Disney Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a beautiful, moderate resort hotel option. It offers a Southwestern flair with desert-like landscapes. A beautiful lake centers the property. When staying at Coronado Springs, two options are available. First, you can stay in the traditional portion of the resort. Each of these villages surrounds the lake with its pros and cons.

Or you can stay in Gran Destino Tower, an exception for the moderates. This tower hotel offers interior room access, so it leans a little more deluxe than moderate. Naturally, Gran Destino’s main tower rooms are higher than rooms in the village. However, they won’t be as expensive as a deluxe resort. We have a separate review of staying at Gran Destino Tower if you want to learn more.

Related: Gran Destino Tower Review

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

As you can probably imagine, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has island themes. Each village is named after an island. Caribbean Beach is centered around a lake with beautiful grounds. While the resort is somewhat lacking in dining options, a few excellent options are available at nearby Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is within walking distance.

The most considerable appeal of staying at Caribbean Beach is that it’s on the Disney Skyliner. In addition, it’s the only moderate resort that provides access to the gondola transportation service. The Skyliner travels to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot!

You’ll want to know that the resort is vast, so it could require a lot of extra walking. Additionally, this resort does not have elevators, so if you get a second-floor room assignment, you’ll have to deal with the stairs.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review

There’s no denying that Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is as beautiful as the other moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. But remember, when picking one of these hotels, it is best to choose the one that appeals most to you. At Port Orleans Resort Riverside, you can expect the charm of the South with a bayou influence. Also, expect impeccable landscaping in the mansion section of the resort. Everything here is crisp and clean, with bright green grass accenting the stark white mansions.

Or, if you choose to stay in Alligator Bayou, get ready to fall in love with the woodsy-swamp setting. From the romantic Spanish moss swaying from the trees to the water features and woods, this resort is stunning. The only downside is that it’s massive. If your room borders the outskirts of the resort, expect a decent amount of extra walking. However, the regulars will tell you that it’s a pleasant place to walk.

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Review

If you prefer to stay “in town,” you will probably love Riverside’s sister resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, which is within walking distance of Riverside. However, it’s much smaller than all of the other resorts. In addition, its boutique layout makes it easy to get around.

We love to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter and prefer it over Riverside because of its fun pops of color and Mardi Gras theming. On the downside, this resort only has one feature pool and no leisure pool. However, the pool is the cutest. Its water slide is designed to look like a sea serpent’s pink tongue! The serpent’s long tail also shoots across the pool, forming bridges in some areas.

Port Orleans French Quarter is also where you can pick up Mickey-shaped beignets. You can order them for breakfast each morning if you like!

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Review

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is unique because it’s a campground with a variety of campsites and cabins. You can reserve a campsite for an RV or pitch a tent in some areas.

Additionally, cabins are available for rent at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. They offer more space for the family to spread out than regular hotel rooms. If you plan a stay at this resort, you’ll have the luxury of taking the boat to Magic Kingdom. First, however, you’ll want to know that the resort is enormous. It’s so huge that many guests bring or rent golf carts to travel to and from the bus stops and boat docks.

Value Resorts

Lastly, as far as on-property resorts go, we have the value resorts at Walt Disney World. These resorts are the most budget-friendly (cheapest) and where you’ll find true Disney theming.

Disney has five individual value resorts. Three of these resorts are All-Star Resorts. Those resorts are Sports, Movies, and Music.

The other two values, sometimes called value-plus resorts, are Pop Century and Art of Animation Resort. These resorts have the added benefit of being located on the Disney Skyliner. Most of the value resorts will have two queen beds. However, a few might have a king-bed option. But they are limited.

Related: The Best Value Resorts at Disney World

Disney’s Art of Animation Review

Disney’s Art of Animation is considered the nicest of the value resorts. However, it doesn’t quite fit the mold of a true value. Three of its four sections are family suites. Family suites offer larger accommodations and are more comparable in price to a standard deluxe resort room. However, they can sleep more guests and provide plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

If you want to stay in a value category room, your only option is The Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation. These are standard resort rooms at value resort prices. Family suites are located in the Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo sections of the resort.

This is a fun hotel if you have small children who love any of the animated films highlighted at the resort. So, if you’re staying at The Little Mermaid section, you can still hang out at the feature pool, The Big Blue Pool, or the Cozy Cone Pool down on the Cars end.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review

Pop Century Resorts sits directly across Hour Glass Lake from Disney’s Art of Animation. This resort is themed to represent the decades between the 50s and 90s. It features large bursts of primary colors and oversized representations of everything “pop” from each decade.

Room rates at Pop Century typically run higher than those at the All-Star Resorts because of access to the Skyliner. However, we love the layout of the rooms and find that even though they are compact, they offer plenty of storage solutions.

As far as negatives go, this resort can be crowded. However, depending on your room location, it might also be a decent walk from the bus stop. That said, it’s fun to have the neighboring Art of Animation nearby, and we love to take leisurely walks around Hour Glass Lake. In most instances, we prefer to stay at Pop Century because we like the standard rooms better than the ones at Art of Animation.

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Review

Disney’s All-Star Movies is one of three All-Star Resorts. These resorts are located closest to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. All-Star Movies underwent a complete refurbishment a few years back. The refurbishment resulted in completely updated guest rooms similar to those at Pop Century.

Naturally, a Disney movie-themed resort features fun references to popular animated films. You might stay in the Toy Story section or run into the 101 Dalmatians. That area is pretty darling, too! 

Rooms at the All-Star Movies are among the lowest priced on Disney property. However, the trade-off is smaller rooms and fewer resort amenities. On the positive side, you’ll feel like you’re staying at a Disney Resort with the movie theming. In addition, smaller children will love to see their favorite characters represented.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Review

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is located next door to Movies. For reference, all three “All-Star Resorts” at Disney World are adjacent. The only difference between them is the theming. They will all have comparable room rates. All-Star Music is themed to popular songs and classic Disney tunes. Music is my favorite of the three All-Stars Resorts because I love music. They even play some groovy tunes on the theme park buses!

Free Disney transportation options are limited to buses at these Disney World Resorts. Another con for these three resorts is that they are often booked by large school groups visiting Walt Disney World for various competitions and performances. So don’t be surprised if you wake up one morning and find yourself in the middle of a cheerleading or band convention when you head to the resort’s food court.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Review

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is the third and final of the three All-Star Resorts. Like the name, sports is the theme here. So, for those who love all things sports-related, you’ll adore seeing classic characters playing their favorite sports across the resort.

Sports is the most popular resort for school trips, so it might be crowded if your vacation runs concurrently with a sporting event. Additionally, dining is limited to one large food court and a pool bar at each of the All-Star Resorts.

Disney World Resort Reviews (Off-Property Options)

We often find ourselves off-property since we try to provide as many options as possible. While we prefer to stay at a Walt Disney World-owned hotel, it’s understandable that those hotels are not always feasible for various reasons.

Therefore, we have several options for off-site hotels. For a broad overview, we have two best-of-the-best guides for off-site hotels and Marriotts close to Disney. You can also continue to browse individual hotels.

Near Disney Springs

We have several options within a few minutes of the Disney Springs area. Some of these hotels are also within walking distance of Disney Springs.

Drury Plaza Hotel at Disney Springs Review

The Drury Plaza Hotel at Disney Springs has quickly become one of our favorite hotels. It offers excellent amenities and more-than-reasonable pricing. Among other perks, guests can expect a complimentary hot breakfast, a hot dinner, and three complimentary cocktails or beverages per night per adult. We love this hotel and cannot say enough good things about our experience staying here.

Related: Drury Plaza at Disney Springs Room Tour

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Review

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is one of Resorts Gal’s favorite off-site hotels. While the overall look is somewhat dated-modern, the grounds are impeccable. You could easily spend a resort day or an entire week relaxing at the hotel. This hotel also offers excellent dining options and a shuttle to Disney Springs.

Related: The Pools at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Review

Buena Vista Palace is one of two Hilton Orlando’s at Disney Springs. We recently stayed at this hotel and found the convenience of being across the street from The Marketplace entrance to Disney Springs appealing.

Room tour: Tower King Guest Room at Hilton Buena Vista Palace

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando Review

If you’re looking for a larger suite near Disney Springs, the DoubleTree might be a great choice. We loved the room here, but unfortunately, the customer service at check-in was almost non-existent. Often, first impressions are lasting ones.

Near Flamingo Crossings

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly resort, consider the Flamingo Crossings Hotels. They are the best, lowest-priced hotels within proximity to Walt Disney World.

Disney owns most of the land in this area, which is home to their housing complex for those participating in the Disney College Program. So you can rest assured it’s a pleasant, well-cared-for location. We particularly love the Fairfield Inn and the Residence Inn. All of these hotels offer complimentary breakfast each morning for the win!

• Fairfield Inn at Flamingo Crossings Review: This newer hotel offers the best value for standard rooms. Its rooms are regular size. However, we prefer the suites, which are a higher price at the Residence Inn next door.
• TownePlace Suites Marriott at Flamingo Crossings Review: This is one of the older hotels at the Flamingo Crossings exit. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for pet-friendly accommodations.
• Residence Inn by Marriott Review at Flamingo Crossings: This is the newest hotel at Flamingo Crossings, offering suites and larger rooms. On the outside, it resembles the Grand Floridian.

Near Bonnet Creek

Bonnet Creek Resorts Near Disney World

If you’ve ever visited Walt Disney World, you’ve likely heard of Bonnet Creek. This narrow property is bordered by Disney on three sides, making it practically on-property. Bonnet Creek’s hotels range from moderate to higher-end pricing. However, we’ve stayed at all of the hotels in this area and can attest they offer tons of amenities for the price.

Wyndham Grand Orlando at Bonnet Creek Resort Review

Wyndham Grand Orlando is a massive property with multiple timeshare towers on its site. Guests can stay in standard rooms in the main hotel or book a condo in one of the additional towers. This resort has so many pools! You could spend all week exploring the different recreation areas at each one. Additionally, it sits on a beautiful lake and has a fabulous walking trail.

Related: The Pools at Wyndham Bonnet Creek

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Resort Review

If you are looking for a hotel that will have you feeling la-di-da, you might consider the Waldorf Astoria. This refined hotel will cater to your every need. When you arrive, the doors swing open, and you enter a stunning art gallery that doubles as a hotel lobby. An attendant meets you at the pool with a fresh glass of ice water.

Signia by Hilton at Bonnet Creek Review

Adjacent to the Waldorf Astoria is the Signia by Hilton. This resort shares amenities with the Waldorf, but it’s a little more business-class and is often known for hosting large conventions. We’ve stayed here several times and enjoyed the amenities. This resort has an excellent lazy river and pool area.

JW Marriott Orlando at Bonnet Creek Review

Sometimes it’s difficult to pick favorites, and sometimes it’s not. Nevertheless, this JW Marriott Orlando is my favorite hotel outside Walt Disney World.

The JW sits at the back of Bonnet Creek. It has a fun layout that I found simple to maneuver. Additionally, it has exceptional dining options, and the service provided at the pool was supreme! It’s a plush hotel.

Related: Dining at the JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek

Other Resort Reviews

Orange Lake Resort Review

If you’re looking for a resort with tons of recreation, Orange Lake is worth your consideration. They have a water park at River Island, which is where we prefer to stay. The only downside to this resort is that it’s massive and they have a lot of extra charges for things your children will likely want to do during your stay.

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip to Universal Studios, you might consider Cabana Bay Beach Resort. They have a variety of room accommodations, including family suites and rooms offering a view of Volcano Bay.

Room Tour: Volcano Bay View Room at Cabana Bay Resort

Loews Sapphire Falls Review

This resort falls under Universal Studios Orlando’s preferred category. This is a beautiful hotel with an incredible pool area. You can also walk to several of the theme parks at Universal from this location.

Disney World Resort Reviews (Planning Articles)

These articles will help you plan your resort stay.

• 2025-2026 Disney Resort Refurbishment Schedule: This article is updated monthly to share construction details. If you’re planning a stay, we highly recommend checking it. You might not want to stay at a resort that is undergoing refurbishment during your vacation.
• The Benefits of Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort: This is one of the most important articles regarding staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. Guests are privy to special benefits, and you’ll want to make sure to take advantage of them.
• Disney Resorts Eligible for Early Theme Park Entry: This post discusses early theme park entry, what it is, and whether or not you’re eligible. If you plan to visit the parks early, you’ll want to take advantage of this amenity.
• Planning a Split Stay at the Disney World Resorts: Split stays are a fun way to experience multiple resorts during your Walt Disney World vacation, but they can be tricky. Read this guide to learn the basics.
• Disney World Resorts Within Walking Distance of the Theme Parks: There is an advantage to staying at a Walt Disney World Resort within walking distance of the theme parks. This guide will help you decide which one is right for you.
• Parking Costs at the Disney World Resorts: Do you have to pay for parking at Disney World? If you’re staying on property, the answer is no. This guide will fill in all the details.
• Resort Hopping at Walt Disney World: This post shares some of our favorite resort-hopping itineraries. Don’t miss out on the fun!
• How to Find the Best Travel Agent for Disney World: Do you need a travel agent for Disney? You’ll probably have a better chance of snagging that Chef Mickey reservation if you do! But in all seriousness, this article shares the benefits of finding the right travel agent.

Disney World Resort Reviews (Club Level)

We love staying on the concierge floor, but it’s an expensive upgrade. The articles below share our experiences at some of the resort club levels at Walt Disney World.

• The Resorts Gal Guide to Staying Club Level at Disney World: This review offers an overview and a list of each and every resort’s club level accommodations.
• Club Level at Disney’s Beach Club: The Stone Harbor Club is one of our favorites, located on the fifth floor of Disney’s Beach Club. This review details everything to expect when staying club level.
• Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian: The Kamehameha Club offers scenic views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella Castle. This entire review includes photos of the food offerings and other details.
• Club Level at Gran Destino’s Chronos Club: Gran Destino is the only moderate resort with a concierge floor. So, this offering is typically the least expensive of the club levels.

Disney World Resort Reviews (Comparing Resorts)

• Pop Century Resort vs. Art of Animation Resort: We love both of these resorts, but when it comes to planning a stay at a value resort, we prefer one.
• Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter: These resorts both offer a Southern feel and gorgeous landscapes. However, one is significantly large in size and the other is boutique.
• Most Expensive Resort at Disney World: For fun, we discuss the most expensive resort at Disney World. It’s a real treat to splurge on this one!

Disney World Resort Reviews (Best of the Best)

The following articles share our favorite rankings for some of the most popular amenities among the resorts. For example, if you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool

• Best Pools at Disney World Ranked: We’ve got tons of photos of every resort pool at Disney World. This guide will help you get started.
• Best Disney Resorts at Christmas: If you’re planning a holiday trip, this guide will help you figure out which resorts to visit to see Christmas decorations.
• Best Breakfast at the Disney World Resorts: We love planning leisurely mornings at the resorts during our trip. Use this guide to help you decide on a few breakfast reservations. After your meal, you can tour the resort!
• Best Quick Service Restaurants at the Disney Resorts: Not every dinner has to be fancy. We love stopping at these resort quick services for a bite to eat without a reservation.
• Best Table Service Restaurants at the Disney Resorts: These sit-down meals are some of our top choices for dining. Sprinkle a few reservations into your plans here and there. For instance, you might have dinner at California Grill and watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort’s rooftop later!

Disney World Resort Reviews (Hotel Areas)

These articles will help you figure out the different resort areas at Walt Disney World.

• Epcot Resorts Area Hotels: These resorts include Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Disney’s Boardwalk.
• Magic Kingdom Resorts Area Hotels: These resorts include Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge.
• Monorail Hotels at Disney World: These resorts include Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and the Contemporary.
• Skyliner Resorts at Disney World: These resorts include Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, and Pop Century.

Hopefully, these Disney World Resort Reviews helped you start planning your Disney vacation. So make sure to check back often!