Disney World isn’t just the most magical place on Earth, it’s also the ultimate family vacation spot in the U.S. But when it comes to choosing the best Disney World hotels for your trip, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. After all, there are more than 30 hotels affiliated with Disney World alone, and decisions don’t stop with where to stay. Other important questions include when to go to Disney, what to pack, what not to wear, and how to use Lightning Lanes.
To help you narrow your search, I’ve ranked the top Disney World hotels for different age groups, family sizes, and vacation styles. When you’re considering a trip to the Orlando theme parks, here are the best Disney World hotels to choose from. And trust me, after going to Walt Disney World many times over the years, I’ve become an expert in where to stay for families of all kinds.
What are the best Disney World hotels in Orlando?
Disney World hotels are divided into three main categories: Value Resort Hotels, Moderate Resort Hotels, and Deluxe Resort Hotels. The hotel tiers are based on a variety of factors, like price, proximity to the theme parks, and amenities that are offered.
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About Disney Value Resort Hotels
Families on a budget will love the Value Resort Hotels. These are often the cheapest rooms at Walt Disney World, though some are pretty far from the theme parks. I like to stay at a Value Resort Hotel, like Disney’s Pop Century or Disney’s All-Star Resorts, when I plan to do a lot of things in the theme parks and just need a place to sleep and take a shower.
About Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
For better proximity to the theme parks and better amenities, consider the Moderate Resort Hotels. This resort category includes accommodations like Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. These are both right in the heart of Walt Disney World, so it never takes too long to get to any of the theme parks. And while this resort category is a little more expensive, there are more things to do at the resort, better restaurants, and slightly larger rooms.
About Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
The final resort category is Deluxe Resort Hotels. These are the iconic accommodations seen in commercials for Walt Disney World, like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The benefit of staying at one of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts is how close you are to the theme parks. At some places, you can easily walk to the parks, and others have fun modes of transportation, like a monorail or a boat. These are the most expensive Disney World hotels, but the ease of getting to and from the theme parks may outweigh the cost for some families.
1. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The best Disney World hotel for little kids
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is where animated movies spring to life. This Disney Value Resort has four themed wings showcasing popular movies like The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid. Families can choose from standard rooms with two queen-size beds that sleep four, or family suites for large families with two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and three separate sleeping areas that can accommodate up to six people.
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The pool is always one of the most important features for little kids. At Disney’s Art of Animation’s Big Blue Pool is the largest at any Disney World hotel. It’s themed around Finding Nemo and has a Nemo-themed playground and splash ground area. There are also two smaller pools if you want a quieter pool day. I also love Disney’s Art of Animation Resort because it’s attached to the Disney Skyliner, a high-in-the-sky gondola system that gives my family easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
2. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The best Disney World hotel for families with big kids and tweens
Feel the island life at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, one of the best moderate-level Disney World hotels. Rooms are divided into clusters of bungalows themed for different Caribbean islands. All of the accommodations have recently been refreshed, and some rooms feature a fun Little Mermaid motif. While you can’t be guaranteed to get one of the rooms with Ariel and her friends, the best way to try is to book one of the Standard View – 5th Sleeper or Water or Pool View – 5th Sleeper. Even better, these room styles are great for larger families who need a pull-down bed for a small child. I even like these larger rooms for smaller families, that way everyone can have their own bed at the end of a long theme park day.
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Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has a fantastic Fuentes del Morro pool themed like a Spanish fortress with a waterslide, shipwreck play area, and pirate water cannons. Other activities for kids include bike rentals, catch-and-release fishing, and movies under the stars. The Disney Skyliner gondola system provides easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Shuttle bus transportation to the other theme parks and Disney Springs is available.
3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The best Disney World hotel for families with teenagers
Great beach, cool theme, and quick and easy access to the theme parks make Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort a fantastic pick for vacations with teens. This deluxe-level resort sits on the Monorail loop, so independent teens can whisk off to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT even when parents are done for the day.
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The beach at the Polynesian Village Resort faces the Magic Kingdom for a view of the nighttime fireworks. The resort even has its own Dole Whip stand and a South Pacific-themed pool complete with a volcano. And, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has great restaurants that appeal to teens, including ‘Ohana, an all-you-care-to-eat buffet with incredible fireworks views at night; Kona Café, which is home to the cult classic breakfast item, Tonga Toast; and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, where you can sip on tropical libations. Pro-tip: if you can’t get into Trader Sam’s without an hours-long wait, consider enjoying the bar’s outdoor patio, which usually has a shorter wait time to get seated.
4. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
The best place to stay near Disney World for large families
For families who need more space than a typical hotel room provides, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort may be ideal. In 2024, the cabins became a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property and have been completely reimagined as rustic yet contemporary homes for guests. Even though these cabins are part of DVC, anyone can book them with cash, too. Alternatively, you can try booking through a third-party DVC rental site like DVC Rental Store or David’s Vacation Club Rentals, which offer discounted rates on bookings at DVC resorts.
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Cabins can easily sleep six and come with a fully equipped kitchen, dining space, outdoor deck, picnic table, and outdoor grill. My family loves to get a grocery delivery sent right to the campgrounds so we’re fully stocked with what we need to make meals throughout our stay.
There are plenty of activities at Fort Wilderness, including the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show, archery, fishing, trail rides, a campfire sing-along with Disney characters, and a movie each night.
5. Disney’s Riviera Resort
The best Disney World hotel for adults and grown-up kids
Inspired by the Mediterranean beach retreats of the French Riviera, Disney’s Riviera Resort embraces a casual elegance and leisure lifestyle. The swanky resort features chic, modern rooms filled with art and décor evoking European masters with subtle Disney touches. Balconies overlook a man-made lake or the backside of EPCOT.
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The signature restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace, offers stunning views of Walt Disney World and the nighttime fireworks. There’s also a handful of quick-service eateries here, including a coffee bar where strong caffeinated beverages and sweet treats are available. I love to grab a cup of coffee and take it outside to one of the cute lawn spaces and watch the Skyliner gondolas whizzing by.
6. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Best Disney Resort hotel for multigenerational family vacations
Families planning a multigenerational Disney vacation should try Disney’s Beach Club Resort (or its neighbor, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort). This deluxe-level hotel has one of the best pools at Walt Disney World, Stormalong Bay. The sand-bottom pool has three lagoon areas, a lazy river, and a shipwreck that hides a fun waterslide. Disney’s Beach Club is inspired by 19th-century New England beach cottages. Those traveling with older generations will appreciate the one- and two-bedroom “home-away-from-home” vacation villas. This room style features full kitchens and plenty of space for everyone in the family.
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There’s easy theme park access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios by boat, one of my favorite modes of Disney transportation. You can also walk to either park, which may be faster depending on your room location at the resort. Complimentary bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also available.
After a day at the theme park, indulge in a decadent treat at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Here, families can share the “Kitchen Sink,” an over-the-top sundae with eight scoops of ice cream smothered in every topping you can find. My family has attempted the Kitchen Sink before, and while we almost completed the foodie challenge, we fell just short. This is something we definitely want to try again.
7. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Top Disney World hotel for theme park junkies
For families who want to spend every minute of their Disney vacation inside a theme park, there’s no reason to splurge on an expensive hotel room. Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a value-level hotel with easy access to two Disney World theme parks via the Disney Skyliner. Disney’s Pop Century features over-the-top theming with larger-than-life icons from the 1950s to 1990s.
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Rooms are basic with one queen-size bed plus a second pull-down queen sleeper. Bathrooms are well-lit for those early mornings when you’re up before the sun to rope drop your favorite theme park. I also love that this resort’s bathrooms have a tub-shower combo. This is especially helpful for those traveling with little kids who still need help with bathtime.
8. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World
Best Disney World hotel to savor and splurge
Families looking to pamper themselves and indulge in luxury should head to the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. This ultra-luxury resort hotel is located inside the gated residential community of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World. The Four Seasons Orlando features a state-of-the-art spa with indoor and outdoor treatments in 18 rooms and gardens.
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There’s also a Tom Fazio-designed golf course on the property. Kids will enjoy the five-acre Explorer Island water park, complete with a zero-entry family pool, waterslides, splash pad, rock climbing wall, and sand volleyball courts. At the end of the day, head to one of the Four Seasons Orlando’s three restaurants, including the 17th-floor rooftop steakhouse, Capa, which boasts a Michelin star and views of the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Even if you don’t want to have a full meal at Capa, you can enjoy the attached lounge and get the exact same view.
9. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Best Disney hotels in Orlando to transport you to a faraway land
With views of giraffes, gazelles, bongos, and tropical birds roaming the 46-acre savanna, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas) transports families to the middle of an African wildlife preserve. Ambassadors from various African countries are on hand to help identify animals and answer questions. The immersion continues in the resort’s culinary offerings, with African-inspired dishes at restaurants including Boma – Flavors of Africa; Jiko – The Cooking Place; and Sanaa, featuring “the art of African cooking with Indian flavors.” In my opinion, these are truly some of the best dining experiences at any hotel at Disney World.
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The deluxe-level resort features African-inspired art and intricate hand-carved furniture throughout the lobby and accommodations. Uzima Pool is 11,000 square feet and themed to a watering hole on the savanna. A second pool area, Samawati Springs, includes a waterslide and splash pad.
10. Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Best of the Disney World hotels for a unique experience
The Treehouse Villas are part of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, located across the lake from Disney Springs. Each Treehouse is perched on 10-foot-tall pedestals, so it truly feels like you’re in the treetop canopy. The woodsy, octagonal three-bedroom treehouses have room for nine people, and include two baths, an open kitchen with granite countertops, flat-panel TVs, a barbecue grill, and an elevated deck.
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Designed to blend into the natural wilderness environment, your treehouse deck will feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the theme park on quiet, starry nights. I love that the treehouses have a dedicated pool area, and while small, it does the job.
11. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
My all-time favorite Disney World hotel in Orlando
Both rustic and luxurious, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge evokes the feelings of America’s best national park lodges. Designed to emulate the “park-itecture” of national park lodges, this deluxe-level resort is a fan favorite. The expansive six-story lobby features hand-carved totem poles, teepee-topped chandeliers, and an 82-foot-tall stone fireplace that feels both impressive and homey. The “geothermal geyser” that erupts hourly from an outdoor rocky outcrop near the boat launch to Magic Kingdom completes the experience.
The resort has plenty of room options, like standard guestrooms in the main lodge building, which offer great views of Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom. Additionally, in the second building, called Boulder Ridge (all DVC accommodations), there are studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens.
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Geyser Point Bar & Grill is one of the best spots to relax at Walt Disney World. Here, you can munch on charcuterie while sipping a craft beer and enjoying breezes off Bay Lake. If you’re looking for a character dining experience, make reservations at Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. This delightful dinner is filled with characters from the original animated feature, plus an array of delicious menu items.
For the ultimate “glamping” experience, reserve a private waterfront cabin. These two-bedroom cabins sleep eight and have two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, a double-sided fireplace, and a built-in hot tub inside a screened-in porch. If I ever got the chance to stay here, I would enjoy the cabin and never leave to go to a park.
12. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Best non-Disney hotel located on Disney property
The Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin sit smack in the middle of Walt Disney World property. But this dual resort property is not a Disney-owned hotel. It’s owned by Marriott. Families can often find special rates for teachers and AAA members, or use Marriott points to stay here.
The luxury resort has the world-class Mandara Spa, expansive grounds and beach, four fantastic pools with a waterfall and slide, and complimentary swan boats for paddling in the lagoon. The resort also hosts an annual food and wine festival that’s worth looking into if you also love the EPCOT festivals.
Connected to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Boardwalk via walking paths and boats, this is currently the closest you can get to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The property features over a dozen restaurants and lounges, including Rosa Mexicano, known for its tableside guacamole preparation.
