One of the first decisions you’ll make when planning a Walt Disney World vacation is where to stay. You’ll want to pick the best resort at Disney World, right? But which resort is that? As with lots of Disney planning questions, there’s no one answer. With over 25 resort options on Disney property, the “best” resort will be based on your family’s priorities, budget, and plans for your trip. We’ll review some of the best options based on different priorities but remember that you can always reach out to a KMV Travel Advisor for complimentary personalized travel planning assistance.
Download a Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts
Nicest Disney Resorts
When we talk about the “nicest” Disney Resorts we’ll be focusing on Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. Walt Disney World Resorts are broken down into four categories: Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, Moderate, and Value. Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts offer the most spacious rooms, upgraded amenities, Club Level offerings, and are located close to the theme parks or Disney Springs. For more information about each of the categories, download a Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts.
If you’re looking for the height of luxury while at Walt Disney World, we would recommend the three resorts below:
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Located in the Magic Kingdom Resort area just a quick monorail, boat ride, or walk away, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers guests a variety of guest room options including suites and concierge level accommodations, with the average room size being 440 square feet. Theme Park View Rooms are available and provide a view of the nightly fireworks show at Magic Kingdom and the Electric Water Pageant on Seven Seas Lagoon. The Grand Floridian arguably has the best variety of dining experiences on property, including the MICHELIN Star and AAA Five Diamond Award winning Victoria & Albert’s, Citricos, Narcoossee’s, Grand Floridian Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, and The Enchanted Rose Bar and Lounge. The resort is also home to The Grand Floridian Spa and the Disney Wedding Pavilion.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located in the EPCOT Resort area just a short walk away from the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT and a quick boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The resort is attached to its sister property, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and shares access to Stormalong Bay, a 750,000 galloon, 3 acres, beachside wonderland complete with a sand-bottom pool, lazy river, 3 whirlpool spas, and a slide down from a life-size shipwreck replica. There are 630 rooms at the Yacht Club with an average room size of 380 square feet that can sleep 4 to 5 adults comfortably. The Yacht Club has less dining options than Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but is the location of one of the best steakhouses at Walt Disney World, Yachtsman Steakhouse. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is one of the four pet friendly resorts at Walt Disney World allowing you to bring your dogs along for a per night fee of $75.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Gran Destino Tower
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Gran Destino Tower is a Moderate Resort located in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Resort area. There are two properties at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – the Village and Gran Destino Tower. Staying in the Villages will provide you with a typical Moderate Disney Resort experience. However, Gran Destino Tower is a step above.
Gran Destino Tower has a number of different room options including Resort view, Water view, and options for a queen or king bed. The Tower also offers guests the opportunity to book a Club Level room with options including Resort view, Deluxe Suite, One Bedroom Suite, and the Presidential Suite. In addition to the variety of room options, Gran Destino Tower also offers guest a myriad of dining options including Toledo, Dahlia Lounge, and Barcelona Lounge.
Download a Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
If you’re looking for the height of luxury during your Walt Disney World vacation, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is the way to go. While not operated by the Walt Disney Company, the resort is located within Walt Disney World and provides guests with a variety of accommodation options including suites, park view rooms, and even pet friendly rooms. This AAA Five Diamond-rated resort has six dining options including the MICHELIN Star Capa steakhouse and a Disney Character Breakfast at Ravello, Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals. Guests have access to the 5-acre Explorer Island water park and adults can relax at the adult-only pool or visit the world-class spa. The property also includes a Tom Fazio golf course and 3 Har-Tru tennis courts, plus guests ages 4 to 12 can take part in the complimentary kids’ club.
Guests staying at Four Seasons Orlando Resort are able to make dining reservations 60 days prior to check in and will be able to book their Lightning Lane advanced reservations three days prior to the start of their park ticket. Complimentary transportation is available to the theme parks and guests can take advantage of Early Park Entry.
Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
If your family plans to spend the majority of time at Magic Kingdom there are some excellent resort options nearby. Magic Kingdom is located on the monorail line along along with three resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Guests staying at these resorts can easily get to Magic Kingdom in less than 10 minutes (even less time if you catch the monorail at the right time), a huge benefit if you plan to head back to the hotel for naps or pool time in the afternoon. If you’d like a quieter and more secluded option that is still located nearby, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the way to go.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are in prime location for beautiful fireworks views and even have a walking path to take them over the Magic Kingdom. We love recommending this resort to families who know they’ll be spending time at Magic Kingdom and plan to take breaks during the day. Nothing beats being able to walk across the street to your resort and watch the fireworks from your room at night. Disney’s Contemporary Resort also offers monorail access to Magic Kingdom. We recommend walking to Magic Kingdom in the morning and taking the monorail back in the afternoon/evening if you’re tired from a long day.
Download a Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts
Need a little bit more space? Disney Vacation Club’s Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is located next door to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and offers villas ranging from studios, to 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom grand villas. The latter three options include full kitchens and washers and dryers in the units. Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
While Disney’s Contemporary Resort neighbors Magic Kingdom to the right, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is Magic Kingdom’s neighbor to the left with a walking path that allows you to get to the front gates in less than 15 minutes. If you’d rather save your energy for your park day, Magic Kingdom is also accessible from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa by monorail or boat.
We recommend Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for families who want to experience the height of luxury and receive all the benefits available to guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a favorite for families who want to be close by Magic Kingdom and plan to build a rest day into this vacation plans. With a zero entry pool with a volcano waterslide, several guest-favorite dining locations, and exceptional views of the fireworks from the beach and pool, it’s our favorite resort to recommend to families building some relaxation days into their vacation. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a quick monorail or boat ride from Magic Kingdom making it a convenient option if you plan to take breaks or park hop and want to stop back to your room.
Need a little bit more space? There are a number of options for families at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort including Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. From Duo Studios that sleep up to 2 adults to Bungalows that sleep up to 8 adults and 2-bedroom villas that sleep up to 9 adults, there are accommodations perfect for any family. Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Download a Guide to Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is located on the shores of Bay Lake and is just a short boat ride from Magic Kingdom. The resort, located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, is another great option for families who want to be close to the park but want a more laid back resort. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a number of room options that sleep up to four adults and a variety of views are available including fireworks view. In addition to the great accommodations, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a number of dining options including Story Book Dining with Snow White, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Geyser Point Bar & Grill, and Roaring Fork.
Need a little bit more space? Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is home to Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Both Disney Vacation Club properties offer guests additional space and amenities in addition to the benefits available to all guests staying at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Deluxe studios and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas are available to book as well as the spacious 2-bedroom cabins. Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Hotels Near EPCOT
Some guests may not know, but EPCOT has two entrances — one at the front of the park near Spaceship Earth and one at the back of the park between the UK and France Pavilions. This entrance is known as the International Gateway and is accessible from a number of resorts by boat, Skyliner, and/or foot. For families hoping to spend a lot of time at EPCOT, these options will provide convenient access to the park and even locates you close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the closest resort to EPCOT, with guests being able to walk just a few steps to the International Gateway. Boat transportation is available to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as an accessible walking path. The New England style resort provides guests with multiple accommodation options, including Resort and Water view rooms that sleep up to 5 adults and a Deluxe Room that sleeps up to 6 adults. Concierge level rooms are available and provide access to the Stone Harbor Club, offering guests refreshments and light bites throughout the day and a concierge team to assist with ticketing, dining, and any questions one may have during your stay.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is attached to its sister property, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and shares access to Stormalong Bay, a 750,000 galloon, 3 acres, beachside wonderland complete with a sand-bottom pool, lazy river, 3 whirlpool spas, and a slide down from a life-size shipwreck replica. This is a favorite among families and only available to guests staying at Disney’s Beach or Yacht Club – a big benefit! Beach Club is also home to several favorite casual dining locations including Beaches and Cream Soda Shop and Cape May Cafe where you can meet Minnie Mouse and several friends.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is located on the Disney BoardWalk that surrounds Crescent Lake, providing guests with convenient access to lots of dining and entertainment.
Need more space? Disney’s Beach Club Villas is a Disney Vacation Club property that offers families studios and 1-, 2-, 3-bedroom villas. The Beach Club Villas provide guests all the benefits of staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, plus additional space, a kitchenette/kitchen, and a washer and dryer in villas. Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located just a short walk away from the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT and a quick boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The resort is attached to its sister property, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and shares access to Stormalong Bay, a 750,000 galloon, 3 acres, beachside wonderland complete with a sand-bottom pool, lazy river, 3 whirlpool spas, and a slide down from a life-size shipwreck replica. The Yacht Club has a number of room options including a club level that can sleep 4 to 5 adults comfortably. The Yacht Club is the location of one of the best steakhouses at Walt Disney World, Yachtsman Steakhouse. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is one of the four pet friendly resorts at Walt Disney World allowing you to bring your dogs along for a per night fee of $75.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is located on the Disney BoardWalk that surrounds Crescent Lake, providing guests with convenient access to lots of dining and entertainment.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is located across Crescent Lake from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, allowing guests to easily walk to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the other resorts around Disney’s BoardWalk. The resort also offers boat transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios if you want to save your steps for the parks. A variety of room types are available that sleep up to 5 adults including Resort View, Water View, and Club Level. Guests staying in a Club Level room will have access to the Innkeeper’s Club.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has several dining options including Trattoria al Forno, Flying Fish, BoardWalk Deli, BoardWalk Ice Cream, Carousel Coffee, AbracadaBar, BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas, Belle Vue Lounge, and more.
Need more space? Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is a Disney Vacation Club property that offers families studios and 1-bedroom villas. The BoardWalk Villas provide guests all the benefits of staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, plus additional space, a kitchenette/kitchen, and a washer and dryer in villas. Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
In addition to the resorts noted above that are within walking distance of EPCOT, Disney’s Riviera Resort is another great option if you don’t mind a quick Skyliner ride to the park. The Skyliner is a gondola system that connects four Disney Resorts, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Pop Century Resort, to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Riviera Resort is the last stop on the Skyliner before getting to EPCOT, with approximately a 10 minute ride to the park.
Disney’s Riviera Resort is Disney Vacation Club property that offers families studios and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas. Guests receive all the benefits of staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, plus additional space, a kitchenette/kitchen, and a washer and dryer in villas. Disney’s Riviera Resort is also home to one of the most popular dining locations, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, which is a character dining location for breakfast and serves an exceptional dinner with no characters.
Disney Vacation Club villas can be booked by the general public is availability allows. For more information, reach out.
Cheaper Hotels at Disney
If you’re looking to stretch your budget, Disney has a number of resort options that are budget friendly and still offer the benefits of staying on property, which including Early Park Entry, complimentary transportation to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, 7 day advanced Lightning Lane booking, and resort-wide charging. Disney’s Value Resort are a great option for families who want to stay at Walt Disney World but don’t need the additional amenities and benefits Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa guests receive.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, located in the Wide World of Sports Resort area, is a favorite among families due to the larger-than-life theming, access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner, family suite accommodations available, and the price (average of $340 per night). Bus transportation is available to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks. The resort is broken into four areas themed after favorite Disney movies – Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The first three areas are home to family suites, which offer comfortable accommodations for up to 6 adults with a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and two separate sleeping areas. The Little Mermaid section is made up of standard rooms which sleep up to 4 adults and have a small refrigerator and coffee maker.
Guests have access to Landscape of Flavors, a food court that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as The Drop Off Pool Bar located near The Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo section.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is located in the Wide World of Sports Resort area right across Hour Glass Lake from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. The average per night cost is $299 and a number of room types are available that include Standard, Standard Pool View, Preferred, and Preferred Pool View. A Preferred Room ensures your room is in a building located close to the lobby, food, and transportation. Everything Pop Shopping and Dining is located in Classic Hall and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Guests staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort have access to the Skyliner when visiting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bus transportation is available to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks.
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
Disney’s All-Star Resorts is made up of three resort properties with distinct theming – Movies, Music, and Sports. Each of the properties offers guest bus transportation to all theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, and has a food court located near the lobby that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Disney’s All-Star Movies and Sports Resorts offer accommodations for up to 4 adults per room. Each room includes a queen bed and a “table bed” which is a murphy bed that folds into the wall and has a table attached for use during the day. A small number of King rooms are available and can be requested when booked. Disney cannot guarantee requests but will try to accommodate. Standard and Preferred rooms are available.
Disney’s All Star Music Resort has the same accommodations as noted above at Disney’s All Star Movies and Sports, but also offers a limited number of family suites. Family suites sleep up to 6 adults and include a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and two separate sleeping areas.
Hotels Near Disney World
If you don’t mind losing out on the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, there are a number of hotels near Walt Disney World that you can consider. When budgeting for a Walt Disney World vacation and comparing on- and off-property hotels be sure to consider all of the costs. Staying off-property likely means you will need to utilize paid transportation to your hotel and the parks. Select hotels will offer complimentary shuttle services to the parks but they operate less frequently and many drop-off and pick-up at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center. From here you will need to take additional transportation to the parks.
If you do decide to stay at a hotel near Disney World, we recommend booking a hotel that is part of Walt Disney World More Great Accommodations. These hotels partner with Walt Disney World to offer guests select benefits and the opportunity to take advantage of booking a Walt Disney World Vacation Package. Vacation Packages allow you to pay a $200 deposit at time of booking that is refundable up until 30 days prior to check in when you final payment is due.
Select hotels also get access to Early Park Entry. These hotels include:
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando
- Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa
- Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort
- Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
- Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Plan Your Disney World Vacation
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming with all the options available, changes constantly happening, and systems you need to master for your visit. KMV Travel takes the stress out of your trip to Walt Disney World by providing complimentary Disney vacation planning assistance to families, couples, and solo travelers who book their accommodations and/or 3+ day park tickets through us.
Your family will work with a dedicated Travel Advisor who is trained to provide personalized recommendations, one-on-one guidance, and a library of resources to ensure you are prepared to have a relaxing Disney vacation filled with memories and magic.
To get started planning your Disney vacation request a consultation.