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Melissa Klurman, Contributor
Forbes Vetted
No one does hospitality quite like Mickey. While a trip to Disney World may bring to mind castles, costumed characters and iconic rides like Space Mountain, a true Disney World experience is more than just the parks and entertainment—there are numerous Disney hotels that aim to take your family’s vacation to the next level. Staying at a Disney hotel comes with plenty of perks, like early park access, the ability to purchase fast track entrance to high-demand rides and even direct entrance to the park from some properties. The best Disney World hotels offer all that and more, with beautiful accommodations, elaborate theming and other thoughtful touches to truly immerse you in the magic.
Not all Disney World hotels are created equal—there are three categories to choose from. Value resorts are the most affordable, offering pools and on-site dining options, but no extras, like water slides or sit down restaurants. Moderate resorts offer better dining and theming without prime locations. Deluxe resorts have it all—including a higher price tag—including higher-end room decor such as marble bathrooms with rainfall shower heads and locations that often allow you to walk to one of the four theme parks on property. Below, we’ve carefully curated the best Disney World hotels to book—including the off-site properties that are also worth your time.
- Best Disney World Hotels For Families: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Best Disney World Hotels For Adults: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
- Best Off-Site Disney World Hotels With Shuttle To The Park: Signia By Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World Resort
- Best Disney World Value Category Hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s All Star Music Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Best Disney World Moderate Category Hotels: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort–French Quarter, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
- Best Disney World Deluxe Category Hotels: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Riviera Resort
Best Disney World Hotels For Families
Reimagined guest rooms inside Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Flaorida.
Kent Phillips
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Who Will Love It: Anyone craving a South Seas vacation to go with their Disney getaway
All-Star Amenities: The Lava Pool, with a massive waterslide; Dole Whip without paying park admission at the Pineapple Lanai; ‘Ohana for “all-you-care-to-eat” Hawaiian luau dishes
What Not to Miss: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a tiki bar where tropical drinks often come with mist, fog and lightning
Location: Across from the Magic Kingdom and on the Monorail
It’s hard to beat The Polynesian Village Resort when it comes to family-friendly resorts pretty much anywhere in the world. The South Seas-themed property is right on the park’s Monorail train route and has a massive pool complete with a volcano, a waterfall and a 142-foot waterslide. Plus, there’s a large Kiki Tiki splash pad area where non-swimmers can play and cool off. Next to the pool is a man-made beach facing the lagoon, where you can watch the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks and the Electrical Water Parade. You can even grab a coveted frozen pineapple Dole Whip to sip while you watch from the snack bar (a treat that usually requires admission to the Magic Kingdom to sample).
Guest rooms feature Moana theming with wallpaper incorporating the god Maui’s traditional Polynesian tattoos (extra design points for the sleek herringbone plank floors). Start the day with a Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at ‘Ohana, or come at night for the full luau-style feast. Kona Cafe is a top breakfast spot: the banana-stuffed, cinnamon and sugar covered Tonga Toast is legendary. And don’t miss Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a tiki bar with light bites and cool drinks that often come served with literal bells and whistles, fog and spray.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a deluxe-category hotel offering 576 luxurious rooms and suites, is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Todd Anderson
Disney’s Yacht And Beach Club Resorts
Who Will Love It: Pool aficionados and wannabe sailors
All-Star Amenities: Ice cream sundaes at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop; breakfast with Minnie Mouse and friends at Cape May Cafe; Skyliner transportation
What Not To Miss: Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre pool complex with a life-size shipwreck
Location: Behind Epcot’s World Showcase and near the Boardwalk
There’s water, water everywhere at these two deluxe sister properties that share nautical theming and one incredible pool area. If you’re looking for a resort where your pool-loving kids will want to hang out (and cool off), this is your place. The two resorts share Stormalong Bay, which features a lazy river, three pools (one of which has a real sand bottom), a soft sand beach, and, most impressively, a full-size pirate ship with a scene-stealing water slide that shoots out from the ship’s mast. Amazingly, even though it sounds like a waterpark, the whole area is restricted just to guests staying at these hotels.
If you can tear yourself away from the watery recreation, there’s fun dining here, including a character buffet breakfast with Minnie Mouse at the Cape May Cafe. And don’t miss the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, where you can literally order the “kitchen sink,” a table-size sundae covered with every topping in the shop (there are kid-friendly burgers and “tots” here, too). Add some of the only dog-friendly rooms on Disney property, easy access to Skyliner aerial tram transportation, and the ability to walk to Epcot in less than 10 minutes, and it’s easy to see why these properties are popular choices for families.
All nine floors of guest rooms in the A-frame tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort have been completely reimagined.
Kent Phillips/Jeremy Schoolfield
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Who Will Love It: Train conductors in training and classic Disney fans
All-Star Amenities: Chef Mickey character breakfast; walking path to Magic Kingdom; dinner with a view of the fireworks at California Grill
What Not To Miss: Watching the Monorail whiz through the hotel
Location: Magic Kingdom Resort area
One of the original resorts that Walt himself helped plan when Disney World first opened in the 70s, the Contemporary is classic Disney at its best. There’s a futuristic A-frame design centered around the Monorail train which zips right through the hotel—a classic kid pleaser. It’s also fabulous for those meltingly hot Orlando days since you can stay in the air conditioning from your room until you get to Epcot or Magic Kingdom.
Newly refurbished rooms in the main tower have Incredibles theming (right down to cartoon versions of the family’s outfits in the closets), blond wood furnishings and sleek modern bathrooms. Grab a quick service meal at Contempo Cafe—the four cheese grilled cheese with tomato soup is always a hit—which has views of the Monorail train whizzing by. You could probably keep a train-obsessed kid happy here all afternoon.
Best Disney World Hotels For Adults
Reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is located within walking distance to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
Who Will Love It: Epcot fanatics
All-Star Amenities: Boardwalk food and amenities; quiet pools; Skyliner stop
What Not To Miss: Quick access to the World Showcase at Epcot
Location: Epcot Resort area by World Showcase/Skyliner entrance
Even if you’re not familiar with the turn-of-the-last-century Atlantic City Boardwalk theming of Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, you can still appreciate the setting alongside a strollable boardwalk with lots of fun snacks (funnel cake, cupcakes, frozen daiquiris) and old-fashioned surrey bikes, plus rollicking bars and the seafood restaurant Flying Fish. This hotel is low and spread out, instead of tower style, which creates quiet pockets of gardens and lawns that are perfect for grown up relaxation.
In addition to the carnival-like Luna Park Pool with a twisting water slide resembling a roller coaster, there are two tucked away low-key pools with whirlpools, popular with adults. Another highlight for adults is the quick walk directly into the World Showcase at Epcot. Make a dinner reservation at France or Canada, the two closest pavilions to the back entrance, and you’ll be enjoying dinner while folks at other resorts are still waiting for the bus.
The Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort takes its inspiration from the Disney animated short film “Destino.”
Steven Diaz
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Who Will Love It: Business travelers and Disney-philes who appreciate Latin American flair
All-Star Amenities: The Dig pool; Barcelona coffee bar; Dahlia Tapas Bar
What Not To Miss: Three Bridges restaurant serving Mexican bites and sangria flights on a dock surrounded by water
Location: Disney Springs area
A little off the Disney beaten path, this property surrounding a man-made lake feels like you’ve landed somewhere in Central America, in part because of its multi-Latinate theming that encompasses Mexico, Columbia, and Spain. There’s a convention center here, so the property tends to skew towards adults and to cater to business travelers with multiple bars and dining areas that keep late hours and serve dishes that cater to grown up palates.
The Grand Destino Tower, the newest part of the property, has incredibly spacious and modern rooms with truly fantastic rain head showers that make it hard to remember you’re still on Disney property. In the lower lobby of the tower is a coffee bar modeled after Gaudí architecture suitably named “Barcelona,” which serves expertly crafted espresso drinks and pastries in the morning and light Spanish bites and cocktails in the evening.
Head up to the top floor and book a table at Michelin-recommended Dahlia Lounge for authentic Spanish tapas and drinks, plus dazzling views of Hollywood Studios. There’s even more grown up dining at Three Bridges, an open-air dining spot at the convergence of—you guessed it—three bridges over the lake the resort surrounds. The central bar area is popular with a grown-up crowd ordering towers of sangria (four large sampler glasses delivered as a single serving) to accompany the tasty guacamole.
Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort And Spa.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort And Spa
Who Will Love It: Adults who still love Disney magic
All-Star Amenities: Narcoosee’s water-side restaurant; Victoria & Albert dining; Monorail and boat transfers; Seven Seas Lagoon Pool
What Not To Miss: Grand Floridian Spa
Location: Magic Kingdom Resort area
Straight across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom is this Victorian charmer with tons of grown up appeal. Although you’ll definitely see families here—it is Disney, after all—the property’s overall atmosphere whispers subtle elegance. Dining here is a special treat, with the multi-course, adults-only Victoria & Albert, the premier fine dining spot at not just the resort, but possibly all of Disney. If spending close to $500 per person isn’t in your plans, pop into Narcoosee’s, a waterside dining spot serving coastal cuisine and fantastic cocktails with one of the best under-the-radar spots to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
The Grand Floridian Spa is another perk for adults, and a space that may make you forget that you’re at a theme park as you indulge in a couples massage for two or get your glow on with a Sunrise and Sunset facial that promises to make guests feel red carpet ready. Wrap up the day at the Enchanted Rose Bar with an order of truffle fries to accompany expertly crafted martinis and cocktails. Feeling romantic? This is where Disney’s Wedding Pavilion is located, too.
Best Off-Site Disney World Hotels With Shuttle To The Park
Pool at Dusk at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
Courtesy of Hilton
Signia By Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Who Will Love It: Families looking for a break from Disney theming
All-Star Amenities: Lazy river pool; all-day activities; Fun Zone arcade; Harvest Bistro breakfast buffet
What Not To Miss: The zero-entry lagoon pool
Location: The Bonnet Creek, Disney Springs area
For a mid-priced property that provides access to Disney with solid transportation and memorable amenities, Signia By Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is a top choice. After a hot morning at the theme parks, kicking up your feet in an inner tube as the cool water pulls you along on the property’s lazy river is bliss. There’s a zero-entry pool with plenty of room to spread out, as well as chairside waiter service, so after you move from the tube to a lounge chair, a margarita and chips and salsa (or sandwiches and other drinks) will come to you.
What you won’t find here is Disney theming, but for many travelers taking a break from all-day renditions of “Let it Go” and “It’s a Small World,” that might not be a negative. There’s bus transportation all day from the property to all four of the Disney theme parks and also Disney Springs, which is just a 6 minute drive. (Note, however, that you’ll need to keep an eye on the shuttle schedule since routes aren’t as frequent as on-property Disney hotels.) One additional perk here: The Hilton’s sister property, Waldorf Astoria, in the same location, offers a kids club, additional dining options, and spa and pool that are all available to Hilton guests.
Exterior of Disney Swan Hotel.
Courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World Swan And Dolphin Hotels
Who Will Love It: Hotel points loyalists
All-Star Amenities: Skyliner and water taxi access; Bluezoo restaurant; Rosa Mexicano; the Fountain’s ice cream creations
What Not To Miss: Six outdoor swimming pools to plunge into
Location: Epcot Resort area, Word Showcase and Skyliner entrance
These sister properties are as close as you can get to Disney property without actually staying at a traditional resort hotel. You can easily walk to Epcot’s World Showcase entrance in about 10 minutes, where you can hop on the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios. There’s also water taxi service to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios (you can also walk to the latter in about 20 minutes). Guests can enjoy shuttle service to the other two theme parks and Disney Springs—not to mention that you’re just steps away from the BoardWalk’s quick snack spots, bars, and restaurants.
There’s lots to love here beyond the location, including six outdoor swimming pools, a white sand beach, and a dozen dining options, including chic Bluezoo seafood restaurant by celebrity chef Todd English, an outlet of Rosa Mexicano, and casual burgers and shakes at the Fountain. Although the Swan and Dolphin (and newer sibling, Swan Reserve) don’t have Mickey theming, they do offer one perk you won’t find at Disney properties: The ability to earn and use loyalty points to book rooms, since these are Marriott properties. You can also find true multi-room suites for groups and larger families here, which isn’t always an option at Disney resorts.
Pool slide at Four Seasons Orlando.
Four Seasons Orlando
Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World Resort
Who Will Love It: Foodies and luxury lovers
All-Star Amenities: Kids’ club; Explorer Island waterpark; spa; Tranquilo Golf Course
What Not To Miss: Michelin-starred Capa Restaurant and its firework views
Location: Magic Kingdom resort area
Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World Resort is a luxury oasis that has something for everyone. Families can spend the day soaking up the sun and spray at the resort’s expansive five-acre Explorer Island waterpark that features a corkscrew waterslide, lazy river, and water jet playground. There is a complimentary kids club for ages 4 to 12 (something you won’t find at Disney property resorts), and, as an extra bonus, twice a week you can meet Mickey and friends at a luxe character breakfast. If you want to play fairy godmother to your kids, there’s even the opportunity to arrange private character greetings here, too.
For foodies, the resort is a Michelin must, with a star now awarded to rooftop Capa’s refined steakhouse menu (the views from here are pretty stellar, too, especially of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks). The Italian cuisine at Ravello is on Michelin’s notable list as well. For a grown up getaway, there’s an adults-only pool, an exclusive golf course, and a sybaritic spa, not to mention the incredibly plush and spacious rooms and suites with deep soaking tubs, marble bathrooms and ultra high thread count sheets. Because this is the Four Seasons, transportation to the four Disney parks and Disney Springs is via a “luxury motor coach.”
Best Disney World Value Category Hotels
Guest room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Courtesy of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Who Will Love It: Animation fans who love “Cars” and “Finding Nemo”
All-Star Amenities: Schoolyard Sprayground water play area; nightly campfires; family suites; Skyliner transportation access
What Not To Miss: The largest hotel pool in all of Walt Disney World
Location: Wide World of Sports Resort Area
If your little ones are diehard Disney animation fans, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will check all of your boxes. The rooms and buildings here are inspired by “Cars,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “The Lion King,” and Disney animation theming can be found across the hotel lobby. For larger families, the resort offers rooms big enough for a family of 6, with two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a clever pull-down dining table.
The Big Blue Pool makes this resort special, too, as the pool is the largest resort pool in Disney World. Even though “Value” hotels don’t have water slides (a perk Disney reserves for higher-priced properties), the pools here are loads of fun due to their sprawling size, plus there’s an expansive, Nemo-themed water playground for younger kids—Schoolyard Sprayground—as well as Squirt’s Righteous Reef, a Nemo-themed playground. Two more pools can be found on-site, one with a “Cars” theme, complete with life-size Cars models, as well as a Little Mermaid themed pool.
Pool at Disney’s All Star Music Resort.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s All Star Music Resort
Who Will Love It: Families who can spread out in the extra-large accommodations
All-Star Amenities: Quick service dining; Calypso guitar-shaped pool; nightly campfire; outdoor movies
What Not To Miss: Extra large family suites
Location: Animal Kingdom Resort area
Although the three “All Star” resorts—Music, Movies, and Sports—are similar in their scope and sprawling size, Music comes out on top for its newly renovated rooms and its spacious family suites. These rooms sleep six with a combination of one queen sized bed in the bedroom and two queen size beds that pull down from the wall in the living room. There’s a full-size fridge, too, plus a microwave, and best of all, two bathrooms.
The guitar-shaped pool features the Three Amigos on an island fountain that shoots water in the middle of the massive pool. (There’s a second, smaller pool, in the shape of a piano, too). Transportation to the parks and Disney Springs is by bus only, but there is a nightly campfire with marshmallows for roasting and outdoor movies too.
Throughout Disney’s Riviera Resort, guests experience a variety of art including Disney concept art with European settings, posters of Disney films as released in Europe, prints of archival photography of Walt Disney’s travels throughout the region and books representing titles Walt Disney gathered on his journeys.
Preston Mack
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Who Will Love It: Value-driven travelers who don’t want to sacrifice Disney style
All-Star Amenities: Skyliner access; quick service dining; food court; playground; water play area
What Not To Miss: Hippy Dippy pool
Location: Wide World of Sports resort area
If there’s one top reason to book a stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, it’s the Skyliner access. Not only will it fly you to the backdoors of Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but it’s basically a free airborne ride that can amuse kids on days when you don’t have theme park tickets.
Although Pop Century is a budget-priced (for Disney) resort, there is still a nightly bonfire and movie under the stars. There are also three pools (the largest of which is the Hippy Dippy 60s themed one) here, plus water-spraying flowers. You’ll probably spend most of your time at the parks, but there’s also a playground if your kids end up with extra energy to burn.
Best Moderate Category Hotels
Exterior of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Who Will Love It: Island-hopping beach fans
All-Star Amenities: Skyliner access; nightly bonfire and movies under the stars; catch-and-release fishing
What Not To Miss: Fuentes del Morro pool
Location: Epcot Resort area
There are a few things that make Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort stand out in the mid-tier “moderate” price range: First, it’s the only moderate resort with Skyliner aerial tram access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (a big transportation perk, especially since most resorts in this price category rely on bus transportation). Another highlight: Recently updated accommodations with room for larger families without a huge “suite” price jump. But the thing that truly sets Caribbean Beach Resort apart from other moderate resorts is its highly-themed pool area that gives the more expensive Disney resorts a run for their money.
Zero-entry Fuentes del Morro pool is where kids can live out their Pirates of the Caribbean fantasies with turrets, water cannons, two water slides, and a Spanish fortress theme. Although there’s no real stand-out food options at this resort, the Banana Cabana lounge has tropical island-style frozen drinks, coconut shrimp, and jerk chicken sandwiches and salads to add to your tropical vacation vibes. This resort is spread out into five “village’” areas, each with a smaller pool (note that while more pools are good, this also can mean a long schlep to the lobby or buses).
Exterior of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Who Will Love It: Anyone looking for some Big Easy food and fun in Orlando
All-Star Amenities: Mardi Gras-themed pool; water play area; water taxi to Disney Springs; Scat Cat’s jazz club
What Not To Miss: Beignets, hot from the fryer at Sassagoula Floatworks
Location: Disney Springs Resort Area
Let the good times roll at Port Orleans Resort, where the spirit of New Orleans can be found in The French Quarter section of the property, featuring wrought iron balconies, gas lamps and cobblestone streets that will transport you to the Big Easy. This is a Moderate category resort, so the rooms are relatively unremarkable, but the property has a lot of popping extras. There’s a Scat Cat’s Club with live jazz, and an adjacent hot beignet window where you can even get your hot dough with a boozy filling.
Another top perk of staying here is the ability to hop on a free water taxi to Disney Springs. It’s a fun and relaxing way to get to the shopping and dining scene (or even just a good distraction if you’re looking for something to do with your family). The resort also features a Mardi Gras themed pool area with a water slide for those looking for a splash. Another great perk? Horse drawn carriage rides that take you on a scenic trip down the Sassagoula River for a fee.
Pool at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort And Spa.
Jeff Herron Photography
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort And Spa
Who Will Love It: Families looking for on-site activities; foodies; Marriott loyalists
All-Star Amenities: Rooftop rock-climbing wall; miniature golf course; Spa by JW; Conservatory Lounge for teens; Hidden Garden Kids Club; Sear + Sea restaurant
What Not To Miss: illume, with views of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks
Location: The Bonnet Creek, Disney Springs area
If walking 10 miles a day around Walt Disney World doesn’t tire your kids out, this resort should burn off that extra energy, and then some. Not only are there two pools, but the property also has a rooftop with a rock-climbing wall and miniature golf. There’s also a special space for teens, Conservatory Lounge, that has VR headsets and video games, and a Hidden Garden Kids Club for younger kids, which offers daily craft sessions for a fee. It’s also worth noting that for kids who need a break from the nonstop buzz of Disney, a special “Sensory Calming Corner” is onsite that was created for resort guests with Autism, but can be used by anyone with special needs.
Spacious family suites here include bunk beds for kids and a connecting room with a king bed for adults. And for foodies, there’s Michelin recognized Sear + Sea restaurant, plus rooftop lounge illume, with Japanese bites and views of the nightly Disney World fireworks. Complimentary shuttles run to all four of the Disney World parks as well as Disney Springs, but keep an eye on the schedule since they don’t run as frequently as the Disney resort shuttles.
Best Deluxe Category Hotels
The animal care team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida welcoming a new female Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal to the herd.
David Roark
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Who Will Love It: Wildlife lovers and safari enthusiasts
All-Star Amenities: The Savannah behind the hotel with 30 animal species, including zebra and giraffe; free nightly boma bonfire; the sprawling, zero-entry 11,000 square foot pool
What Not To Miss: Boma, an African buffet, with tastes from across the continent
Location: Animal Kingdom Resort area
There are few places in the world, outside a real African safari, where you can step outside onto your balcony and watch giraffes nibbling the leaves off a tree. Disney delivers some absolutely incredible wildlife viewing opportunities at Animal Kingdom Lodge without having to leave your room (just make sure you book a Savannah view). There are zebras, giraffes, gazelle, kudu, and even flamingos that roam freely around the 11 acres behind the hotel. You can also spot animals with the help of a guide on the patio out behind the soaring atrium lobby. (This is where nightly bonfires are held too, and there are often night vision goggles to rent to spot the wildlife at night, too).
Although what’s outside is enthralling, the interior here is noteworthy, too. Disney says the property has the largest collection of African art outside of Africa, and the entire detailed design makes it feel like you’ve arrived at a safari lodge. Keep the virtual safari going with South African wines served at the Cape Town Bar, then head to an all-African buffet at Boma (the bobotie, a type of shepherd’s pie, is particularly tasty) or dress up for an elegant sit-down meal at Jiko. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the painting classes in the lobby.
Inspired by turn-of-the-century national park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge combines rustic charm with a contemporary flair on the shore of Bay Lake at Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Who Will Love It: National Park pass holders
All-Star Amenities: Copper Creek Springs Pool; Whispering Canyon Cafe; Geyser Point Bar & Grill
What Not To Miss: Meeting Snow White at Artist Point
Location: Magic Kingdom Resort area
It will truly feel like you’ve stepped out of Orlando and into Montana when you enter this Yellowstone National Park-inspired lodge. The lobby is all rough-hewn wood and soaring ceilings that look out onto oak and pine trees, giant boulders and a waterfall. Outside there’s plenty of grass, wildflowers, and shade trees leading to Copper Creek Springs Pool where it feels like you’re swimming in a lake under wide open western skies (if that lake was heated and had a waterslide, that is).
There’s old-West theming in the log cabin Whispering Canyon Cafe with “all you care to eat” portions of barbecue; the “sass” from the waitstaff is part of the show. For dining without the show, Geyser Point Bar & Grill is a hidden gem of Disney dining with an al fresco location on the Seven Seas Lake, lots of fresh salads and veggies, plus sandwiches and tasty drinks. Kids will delight in dinner at Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White and her seven dwarfs.
Throughout Disney’s Riviera Resort, guests experience a variety of art.
Preston Mack
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Who Will Love It: Travelers who appreciate European flair
All-Star Amenities: Skyliner transportation; Riviera pool; kids’ water play area; Le Petit Café all-day coffee bar
What Not To Miss: Topolino’s Terrace—Flavors of the Riviera rooftop dining and character breakfast
Location: Epcot Resort area
Disney World’s newest resort is also one of its most elegant thanks to Mediterranean theming that makes it feel like you’ve arrived at a coastal resort somewhere in Southern Italy. The “European” decor means a lot of ornate flourishes, as well as princess and castle artwork in the hallways. This is no stuffy royal abode, however. Outside, there’s a particularly stunning pool with a waterslide, a Fantasia-themed kids’ water play area, and lawn games such as bocce and life-size chess. Extra bonus: a Vivoli il Gelato cart can be found in the pool area.
It’s hard to have a restaurant that’s truly all things to all people, but the resort’s Topolino’s Terrace comes pretty close. In the mornings, the rooftop space hosts a lively Mickey and friends character breakfast with delicious bites and fabulous views. By dinner, the restaurant morphs into an elegant French and Italian dining spot with a decidedly romantic atmosphere. Note that while many of the rooms here are very spacious, basic doubles have Murphy beds that pull down from the wall; if you like to get to your room and flop down onto a soft mattress right away, make sure to choose a different room style.
About Melissa Klurman, Your Disney World Hotels Guide
I am an award-winning travel journalist who’s never met a Mickey-shaped food I didn’t like. I was the Walt Disney World guidebook editor for both Frommer’s and Fodor’s travel guides and I write frequently about all things Disney. In addition to my contributions to Forbes Vetted, you can find my travel writing covering everything from honeymoons to African safaris to family adventures at Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, Saveur, Islands, Parents, Working Mother, and Reader’s Digest, among others. Follow me on Instagram @mklurman and Twitter @melissaklurman.
