Ranking The Disney Hotels That We Have Stayed At!
Deciding where to stay at Disney can be overwhelming…there are SO many choices, between on and off site, room type, DVC or standard…it can be hard to make a decision.
Some important things to consider when looking at where you & your family might like to stay are
Budget- how much are you willing & comfortable paying for your accommodations?
How much time you plan on spending in the park
What are your priorities: are you looking for a wide variety of quality food options? Do you prefer to stay somewhere with a nicer pool? Is location the most important factor?
While we certainly haven’t stayed everywhere inside the Disney bubble, we have stayed at each resort category (value, moderate & deluxe) and can certainly share the pros & cons of each, as well as our rankings of our favorite places.
#5. Pop Century.
While value resorts like Pop Century are a perfect fit for many families traveling to Disney, the vibe & style are just not for us. The lower price point does make it the most affordable option for those wanting to stay on-property without completely breaking the bank. With that, the resort tends to be very busy & full of families with lots of kiddos, so if you’re looking for something less busy and more relaxed, this probably isn’t going to be your top choice. However, despite being a value resort, Pop Century has access to the Disney Skyliner now, which definitely makes it slightly more appealing.
PROS:
cost effective
Updated rooms
Access to the Disney Skyliner
CONS:
large & spread out
Motel style rooms
Limited elevators for access to 2nd floor
Very busy & crowded in community areas (food, pool)
bus transportation can be very slow & busy
#4. Old Key West.
Disney’s original DVC resort, with its laid-back, low-key, island living vibes. OKW is the most bang for your buck for families wishing to test the DVC/deluxe waters. The rooms are the most spacious, though well overdue for an update, and on-site food options are decent though limited. The studio at Old Key West worked well for us when traveling as a family of 3, however the size of the resort, the distance to the pool and hospitality house, as well as only having bus transportation to the parks bumped it down on our list.
PROS:
most affordable of the DVC resorts
Largest studio rooms per sq/ft
Boat access to Disney Springs
Several pools & splash pad
Various on-site activities
CONS:
HUGE resort- very spread out and you can be quite far from dining, transportation, and pools
Bus transportation only to parks
Limited food options
Outdated rooms
#3 Coronado Springs.
One of Disney’s moderate resorts, Coronado is a fantastic option for all family types. It falls perfectly in between, with much nicer feel than value resorts, while also offering a lot of higher-end amenities at a lower price point, it really is a great middle of the road option. It is one of Disney’s convention resorts, so certain times of year may end up being busier than others, and it is quite spread out, so families who have very small children or anyone who may have difficulty getting around the resort, this is definitely something to consider.
PROS:
Pros: multiple on site food options, both quick service and table service
Multiple pools- fun main pool with slide & walk-up snack shack and quiet pools throughout the resort
Tasteful theming throughout
On site jogging trail, spa & gym
CONS:
very large & spread out
Bus only access to parks
Main pool can be very busy
#2. The Swan & Dolphin.
While the Swan & Dolphin are not technically Disney-owned resorts, they certainly offer many of the same options and amenities as other Disney resorts, and similar to the Grand, they are in a fantastic location. If you’re looking for something on property that doesn’t feel as themed as other resorts, this might be a perfect choice for you.
PROS:
Location- walking paths & boats to both Epcot & Hollywood Studios
Walking access to Skyliner
Less “themed” than other Disney resorts
Huge pool area- feels less crowded
Several onsite restaurants & bars
Can access restaurants & pools for both hotels regardless of where your room is
Still offers bus transportation to parks
CONS:
Not technically a Disney resort - some amenities not available (such as dining plan)
Convention hotel- can be busy depending on time of year
Falls in a slightly higher pricing tier than some other resort hotel options
#1. The Grand Floridian.
Does it get any more Disney than The Grand? This one might seem like a no-brainer, but there are so many reasons why The Grand Floridian is our top resort and our favorite place we’ve stayed at Disney. You absolutely cannot beat the location and transportation options of the Grand Floridian, and traveling with small children, this makes it THE most appealing resort of all. The main pool can get busy, but the quiet pool is a perfect place to hang & grab a drink, and you can’t beat being able to watch nighttime fireworks from the beach.
PROS:
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Bus, monoral & boat transportation, as well as walking path to MK
Multiple pools as well as splash pad for littles
Variety of food options, from quick service to higher-end table service restaurants & lounges
More elegant/upscale theming & vibe
Various daily on-site activities & things to do
Beautiful spa
More room options- standard, studio & 1-2 bedroom suites
CONS:
Very pricey
Main pool can be crowded/busy
