Planning a trip to Disney World can be stressful, especially when it comes to picking the perfect place to stay.
The Orlando, Florida-based theme park has over 20 different resorts to choose from, and each one offers its own set of perks as well as dining and transportation options.
In addition, every Disney hotel has its own immersive theming, offering a very distinct experience for each one.
It can certainly be overwhelming trying to decide which to book for your Disney trip, especially because they don’t come cheap – families can easily fork over more than $1,000 a night on a Disney hotel.
As a Disney regular who visits the theme park multiple times a year, I’ve stayed at 10 different Disney resorts – and I found that some were totally worth the money and others were not.
Thankfully, I have revealed which, out of the ones I have stayed at, I’d recommend to others – as well as the ones I’d skip.
It’s important to know that Disney’s 21 hotels are split into three tiers: deluxe, moderate and value resorts.
The deluxe resorts are the most expensive but they offer the most perks to guests and have the best amenities. The moderate hotels are slightly cheaper and a little less nice while the value resorts are the cheapest and most basic.
But what’s right for your family? Here’s a breakdown of the 10 Disney resorts I have stayed at.
Worth it: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
As a Disney regular who visits the theme park multiple times a year, I’ve stayed at 10 different Disney resorts – and I found that some were totally worth the money and others were not
It truly feels like you’ve been transported to an island in Hawaii when you stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Out of all the deluxe resorts I have stayed at, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was hands-down the best.
It truly feels like you’ve been transported to an island in Hawaii when you’re at the resort.
As soon as you step foot on the property, cast members greet you by saying ‘Aloha’ and by giving you flower leis; tiki torches line the pathways; and lush tropical landscaping surrounds you.
What also makes it great is the location – it’s located along Disney’s monorail, the train system that connects Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and a few of Disney’s resorts.
Being able to hop right on the monorail to get to and from the parks is a huge benefit. After all, who wants to trek to the Uber pickup area or wait for the bus after a long day?
It also means that Magic Kingdom – and the glorious Cinderella Castle – is visible from many parts of the resort. That means you can sit on the beach at night – and in some cases, if you’re lucky, on your porch – and have a prime view of the fireworks.
In addition, I believe that the hotel has some of the best dining options in all of Disney World.
There are two sit-down restaurants on the property, both of which offer delicious Polynesian-style food as well as multiple quick-service eateries and a slew of bars.
As soon as you step foot on the property cast members greet you by saying ‘Aloha,’ tiki torches line the pathways, and lush tropical landscaping surrounds you. One of the many pools at the Polynesian is seen
Between the amazing theming, the delicious and plentiful food options and the prime location, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is worth it to me. Seen is one of the rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
With so many options it’s hard to choose where to eat but my go-to restaurant is ‘Ohana.
The eatery offers an all-you-can-eat style breakfast with appearances from Lilo and Stitch, Mickey Mouse and Pluto. It transforms into a slightly fancier setting for dinner, where you can feast on delicious dishes like grilled teriyaki beef, the famous ʻOhana Noodles and pineapple coconut bread pudding for dessert.
All of Disney’s deluxe resorts come with a slew of perks like extended evening hours at select parks on certain nights and 30-minute early theme park entry daily.
It is on the more pricey side, however, with rooms starting at $756 per night during the slowest week in 2026 (August 14 to August 27) and going up to as much as $1,351 during peak season in 2026 (December 24 to December 31) for the smallest room.
But between the amazing theming, the delicious and plentiful food options, and the prime location, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is worth it to me. If you’re going to pay for a deluxe resort, this should be the one you choose.
Not worth it: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
On the other hand, I felt like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa wasn’t worth the sky-high price when I stayed there
The hotel’s simple theming just didn’t excite me much – the Victorian-style resort was inspired by Florida’s late 1800s ‘Palm Beach era’
It pretty much offers the same perks that the Polynesian does and is also located along the monorail – but for a higher price, with less exciting dining options and a boring theme
On the other hand, I felt like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa wasn’t worth the sky-high price when I stayed there.
The hotel is slightly more expensive than Disney’s Polynesian – the same week that rooms cost $756 at the Polynesian, they’re $816 at the Grand Floridian. And the week between Christmas and New Years, when rooms are $1,351 at the Polynesian, they’re $1,350 at the Grand Floridian.
The hotel’s simple theming just didn’t excite me much – the Victorian-style resort was inspired by Florida’s late 1800s ‘Palm Beach era.’
It pretty much offers the same perks that the Polynesian does and is also located along the monorail – but for a higher price, with less exciting dining options and a boring theme.
Worth it: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Another deluxe resort at Disney World that I feel is worth every penny is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, seen here
The hotel is inspired by Africa and, boy, does it deliver when it comes to the theming. The spacious lobby is completely covered in African-inspired art and architecture
Another deluxe resort at Disney World that I feel is worth every penny is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
It is slightly more affordable than the other deluxe resorts – rooms drop to as low as $508 during the slowest week in 2026 and only reach $915 during the busiest.
The hotel is inspired by Africa and, boy, does it deliver when it comes to the theming. The spacious lobby is completely covered in African-inspired art and architecture.
But the best part? It’s surrounded by multiple, sprawling savannahs with over 200 free-roaming animals including giraffes, zebras and gazelles.
The hallways have floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the savannahs and there are outdoor lookouts all over the place.
There’s a flamingo enclosure just feet from the pool and giraffe feedings next to the campfire pit.
Everywhere you go, you’re basically surrounded by animals and I’ve personally spent hours just wandering around this resort and taking in the sights.
But the best part? It’s surrounded by multiple sprawling savannahs with over 200 free-roaming animals including giraffes, zebras and gazelles
You can even book savannah-view rooms which allow you to watch the animals directly from your porch.
In addition, the food is divine. There are multiple restaurants on property, all of which are inspired by African cuisine.
Sanaa is one of my personal favorite eateries in all of Disney World and people who aren’t even staying at the resort flock there daily for its famous bread service.
The location isn’t as convenient as some of the other deluxe resorts – you can’t take the monorail or Disney’s Skyliner, which connects Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and some resorts, so instead, you are stuck using the buses.
However, the cheaper price, the added excitement of the animals and the top-notch theming make up for it.
Not worth it: Disney’s Boardwalk
Disney’s Boardwalk is just a stone’s throws away from EPCOT, making it one of the few Disney resorts that allow you to easily walk to one of its parks
When I booked Disney’s Boardwalk last year, I was so excited. I had dreamed of staying there for years because of its prime location.
It’s just a stone’s throws away from EPCOT, making it one of the few Disney resorts that allow you to easily walk to one of its parks.
But I wasn’t a fan of the unappealing layout and the lack of food options. Plus, the walk to EPCOT wasn’t as convenient as I expected it to be. The pool at Disney’s Boardwalk is seen
The idea of being able to stroll over to EPCOT was extremely enticing. However, I soon learned that it’s not as advantageous as I expected.
Why? Well, the entrance that you use is all the way at the back of EPCOT, in the World Showcase, which means you’re going to be walking a lot if you want to get to the main area of the park or access rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
I was also surprised by the lack of quick-service food options at the deluxe resort.
The hotel is located on an actual boardwalk, so I expected there to be tons of food stands and eateries, but in reality, almost all of the dining options are sit-down restaurants, all of which didn’t excite me much.
In addition, the hotel’s layout was really unappealing to me. Our room was located just above the pool on the second floor. But despite the room practically overlooking the swim area, to get down to it we had to walk quite far to get to the closest elevator or stairwell.
In regard to the price, it costs $673 a night for the cheapest week and $1,167 a night for the most expensive week.
Worth it: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
As soon as I stepped through the doors at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, I was blown away as it instantly gives you that feeling of being in a scenic mountainside cottage
Almost everything is made from wood, there are rocking chairs that surround a cozy fireplace and even a river that runs through the lobby
As soon as I stepped through the doors at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, I was blown away.
It instantly gives you that feeling of being in a scenic mountainside cottage; almost everything is made from wood, there are rocking chairs that surround a cozy fireplace and even a river that runs through the lobby.
Outside, geysers and a rocky waterfall only add to the ambiance.
It’s also one of the cheaper deluxe resorts, with rooms costing as low as $558 during the slowest week in 2026 and going up to only $1,032 during that extremely pricey week between Christmas and New Years.
The hotel has many different food options, including the delightful Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, which makes you feel like you’re eating in a real-life fairytale.
The restaurant is covered in twinkling lights and entangled vines, and the meal includes appearances from characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The Whispering Canyon Cafe is also a fun place to eat. It’s described as an ‘Old Western eatery’ with waiters who have a ‘reputation for sassing customers.’
The resort is located near Magic Kingdom and offers boat service that takes you directly to the park, which is also a bonus. I found the boats came often and dropped me off at the entrance of Magic Kingdom within minutes.
Not worth it: Disney’s Riviera Resort
As Disney’s newest hotel, Disney’s Riviera Resort, which opened in 2019, definitely has a luxurious feel to it
While some people will certainly be drawn to the more glamorous setting, it’s not really what I’m after when I visit Disney World. For that reason, I probably won’t be staying there again
As Disney’s newest hotel, Disney’s Riviera Resort, which opened in 2019, definitely has a luxurious feel to it.
The deluxe resort, which costs $508 per night at its cheapest and $952 at its most expensive for 2026, is inspired by the areas surrounding the French and Italian Riviera in Europe.
The lobby is decorated with art pieces; there’s a chic courtyard in the center of the hotel and the rooms are minimalistic and classy. The entire property gives off a sophisticated and glamorous vibe.
The rooftop restaurant, called Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, even has a strict dress code during dinner, with Disney’s website stating that guests are ‘expected to dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic.’
And while some people will certainly be drawn to the more formal setting, it’s not really what I’m after when I visit Disney World. Instead, I’m looking for some family-friendly fun and exciting theming.
When I stayed at Disney’s Riviera Resort, I noticed that it didn’t really feel like I was staying at a Disney hotel at all, and for that reason, I probably won’t be staying there again.
Worth it: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is designed to ‘celebrate the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures’
There’s a sprawling lake in the center of the property and the rooms are split into numerous areas, each of which has their own distinct feel
Outside the main tower, it feels like you’re walking a street in Mexico and the pool contains an impressive 50-foot Mayan pyramid with water cascading down the steps (seen)
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is designed to ‘celebrate the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures.’
The moderate resort is truly stunning, if you ask me. There’s a sprawling lake in the center of the property and the rooms are split into numerous areas, each of which has its own distinct feel.
Outside the main tower, it feels like you’re walking a street in Mexico and the pool contains an impressive 50-foot Mayan pyramid with water cascading down the steps.
There’s also a surplus of dining options. My favorite is Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago, which sits right on the lake – and when the lights turn on at night and reflect off the water, it will take your breath away.
The location is not as ideal as some of the deluxe resorts – it’s not near the monorail or Skyliner, so the only option is to take buses to and from the parks – and since it’s a moderate resort you don’t get the perks that deluxe resorts offer like extended hours at the parks.
But moderate resorts are much cheaper than the deluxe resorts. Prices for Disney’s Coronado Springs in 2026 range from $307 per night at its cheapest to $470 per night at its most expensive.
If you’re going to choose a moderate resort instead of a deluxe resort, this would be my top recommendation.
Not Worth it: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
A moderate resort that I felt wasn’t worth it, on the other hand, was Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The hotel boasts about ‘transporting guests to a relaxing paradise that captures the essence of five distinct Caribbean islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba.’ The pool is seen
A moderate resort that I felt wasn’t worth it, on the other hand, was Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
The hotel boasts about ‘transporting guests to a relaxing paradise that captures the essence of five distinct Caribbean islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba.’
However, I felt like the theming was minimal and the rooms seemed old and out of date.
The hotel is conveniently located along the Skyliner, giving you easy access to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. However, the resort is so big you’re likely going to be staying in a room that’s pretty far from the station.
And trust me when I say that there is nothing worse than getting off the Skyliner after a long and tiring day and having to walk 10 extra minutes to your room.
It’s similarly priced to Disney’s Coronado Springs, with rooms going for $331 during the cheapest week in 2026 and $515 during the most expensive week in 2026.
Worth it: Disney’s Pop Century Resort
If you’re going to stay at a value Disney resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort should be the one you choose
The hotel is inspired by 20th-century American pop culture, celebrating iconic items from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. There are oversized vintage toys throughout as well as vibrant colors and decor
If you’re going to stay at a value Disney hotel, Disney’s Pop Century Resort should be the one you choose.
It offers fun theming, has a great food court and is located along the Skyliner, all for an extremely low price.
Rooms are as low as $213 a night during the slowest week in 2026 and only go up to $396 a night during the most expensive week.
The hotel is inspired by 20th-century American pop culture, celebrating iconic items from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
There are oversized vintage toys throughout as well as vibrant colors and decor.
Not worth it: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is inspired by the ‘artistry, enchantment and magic of Disney and Pixar movies’ and each building has theming based on a different movie including Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid
The only problem? The only regular rooms are in the Little Mermaid building (seen), while the rest are all suites. The standard rooms sell out far in advance, meaning you’re usually going to be stuck paying much more for a suite if you want to stay there
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is located directly across from Disney’s Pop Century resort, meaning it also has access to the Skyliner.
However, it’s much bigger, which means you’ll be doing a lot more walking.
It’s also slightly more expensive. Rooms cost $254 per night during the lowest week in 2026 and $428 a night during the highest.
The hotel is inspired by the ‘artistry, enchantment and magic of Disney and Pixar movies’ and each building has theming based on a different movie including Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
The only problem? The only regular rooms are in the Little Mermaid building, while the rest are all suites.
The standard rooms sell out far in advance, meaning you’re usually going to be stuck paying much more for a suite if you want to stay there.
The suites start at $519 a night for the cheapest week in 2026 and cost a whopping $912 a night during the most expensive week.
That means you’re going to pay as much as some of the deluxe resorts, despite it being a value resort. Not worth it if you ask me.
Source link
CHECK OUT: Top Travel Destinations
READ MORE: Travel News
