Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels in Orlando

Inspired by the elegance of the New England coast, this resort features a nautical color scheme and has its own beach, where guests can have some fun in the sun. The hotel is on Crescent Lake, next to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and directly across the water from the BoardWalk dining and shopping district. It’s only a five-minute walk to Epcot’s International Gateway and a 20-minute walk to Hollywood Studios. Don’t feel like walking? Hop on the Friendship Boat, which stops at the Crescent Lake resorts, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. 

The Beach Club Resort is home to a few popular dining options, like Beaches & Cream, where guests can try one of the best desserts at Disney World, the popular Kitchen Sink (scoops of five types of ice cream covered with every in-house topping), or Cape May Cafe, which has a breakfast and dinner buffet and sometimes gets visits from Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Goofy. 

The pools are where this resort knocks the others out of the water, though. While there are three quiet pools, most people opt for the main water park area, Stormalong Bay, which features a lazy river and a 230-foot waterslide built atop a replica of a shipwreck.

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a large party, or simply don’t want to spend too much on a Walt Disney World room? Then it’s Disney’s Pop Century Resort to the rescue! The hotel’s affordable rates make this a great option for larger parties, and a quick-service food court means you won’t run up a gigantic tab feeding everyone. 

Families will love the chance to watch their favorite Disney films under the stars while cooling off in the Hippy Dippy Pool, and parents will get a kick out of the larger-than-life statues of nostalgic ‘90s classics like an Etch A Sketch and a Rubik’s Cube.

Many rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort recently underwent a renovation, transforming the once dated rooms with new lighting fixtures, Murphy beds, and artistic decor. While this resort is great for those on a budget, it does come with trade-offs. There aren’t any parks within walking distance and there are no sit-down restaurants.

If you’re taking a trip to Disney World to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, consider some rest and relaxation at the luxurious Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Its full-service spa offers massages, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and other treatments that’ll get you ready for a night out at Disney Springs’ popular bars and clubs or one of the resort's signature restaurants, like Cítricos, Victoria & Albert’s, or Narcoossee’s.

While this hotel isn’t as kid-friendly as others, it does have the main pool located next to the beach that overlooks Seven Seas Lagoon and a tiny water playground with water toys and slides as well. There’s no need to journey to the Magic Kingdom to view its fireworks, as they’re visible from the resort; though when you do want to head to the park, it’s just a short walk, monorail ride, or boat trip away.

A Disney vacation is all about fun for the whole family, and Art of Animation nails it. With four different wings (“The Lion King,” “Cars,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Finding Nemo”) featuring gigantic statues and bright colors, the resort fully immerses guests in the world of Disney movies. Most of the rooms here have been refurbished and are great for larger parties. The resort is also home to the largest pool at any Walt Disney World hotel. The Big Blue Pool is a great place for kiddos who like to swim and for the whole family to cool off and relax.

While there’s only one quick-service dining option available, the food on the menu is slightly elevated compared to that at other value resorts, earning the hotel some extra points. When it comes to transportation, guests can use the bus or Skyliner to get between resorts and parks in no time.

Staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is like having a zoo right outside your window, as the resort provides views of more than 200 animals and birds. The rooms have an outdoorsy feel, with lots of woodwork and dark hues, and their large size makes them ideal for families. 

When it’s time to eat, Animal Kingdom Lodge has both quick-service and table-service restaurants. For a more formal meal, opt for Sanaa (try its popular Indian-Style Bread Service appetizer, with naan, paratha, and nine accompaniments) or Jiko to experience the wonderful flavors of Africa.

While this hotel is a bit far from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, it’s just a five-minute bus ride to Animal Kingdom, so it’s great for explorers and animal lovers who want to be close to the park.

Looking for a Disney World hotel with an affordable price and nice amenities? Disney’s Coronado Springs is a popular mid-range resort and features a blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American touches. It’s well known for its convention center and has a business center where guests can work and print documents. 

When it comes to food, guests will find a few table-service and quick-service options, like Toledo and Maya Grill. The hotel’s best feature is the big Lost City of Cibola pool, which boasts a 50-foot pyramid centerpiece and the largest hot tub on Disney property.

Like other resorts, the hotel has a complimentary bus service to and from the parks. However, Coronado Springs has multiple stops within the resort, so taking the bus can be more time-consuming depending on where you board.

The right meals can help you get through those long days in the Florida sun. While other Disney World hotels have standard burgers, chicken nuggets, and sandwiches, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is home to more flavorful options like ʻOhana’s (known for its bread pudding), Kona Café (popular for its macadamia nut pancakes), and Capt. Cook’s (home to Thai coconut meatballs and Tonga Toast). The resort is also the location of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, one of the most popular themed bars on Walt Disney World property, where guests can order small appetizers and signature drinks like Krakatoa Punch and HippopotoMai-Tai.

The resort’s Lava Pool has a waterslide and a deck that offers picturesque views of Seven Seas Lagoon, Cinderella Castle, and the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks. Conveniently, the resort is just two monorail stops away from the Magic Kingdom.

The Magic Kingdom is the most-visited theme park in the world, and this hotel gets you to the magic quickly, with its short hotel-specific walkway to the park and monorail stop. It’s close enough that, if you need a break from the heat and the crowds, you can easily return here for a quick meal or nap before heading back out for more fun.

The hotel is on the more expensive side, but it does have a variety of dining options, like California Grill, Steakhouse 71, and Chef Mickey’s (a top Disney breakfast destination). At night, guests enjoy a superb view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, which have synchronous audio to enhance the experience.