This post is all about ranking Walt Disney World Resorts we’ve stayed in over the years. Our experience is highly personal and based on a LOT of factors.
While we have been coming to Disney Parks since we were both little kids (and Rick is a former Disneyland cast member), our passion for staying in Walt Disney World resorts began with our very first on-site stay in 2007. At the time we had four children all under the age of 12, were with extended family, and we started of spoiled with a free upgrade to club level!
Now, with our trips mostly consisting of just the two of us, we have experienced 14 Walt Disney World Resorts. Ranking Walt Disney World Resorts is certainly very subjective. We know some of these rankings are controversial, but each family has their own list of resort priorities. And we’ve made sure to comment about our experience AT THE TIME, knowing full well that some resorts have since renovated.
So, without further ado, here’s our ranking of the 14 Walt Disney World Resorts we’ve stayed at to date. Keep in mind that for most of the middle of the field, the rankings were just a gut placement. That middle field…they are all so close for us! Another thing to keep in mind: none of these rankings have anything to do with cleanliness or quality of staff.
14. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
“Experience the romance of the Florida Keys at this tranquil community of Conch Flats—a sprawling island hamlet with shimmering waterways, swaying palm trees and manicured golf-course fairways. Delight in sun-soaked pools, casual dining and such amenities as fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes.”
Coming in dead last is Old Key West, our most recent resort visit in October 2025. Our experience here was not bad, per se, but it just wasn’t great.
We knew before we came that it would be all-bus transportation but, having also been to Caribbean Beach Resort this year, we figured there’d be a resort shuttle. Resort shuttles are dedicated buses that just go between all of one resort’s bus stops. This worked out well at Caribbean Beach Resort. So we assumed it would be the same.
Our bad, because we didn’t check to make sure. No resort shuttle here. Once we checked in we were told to catch a Disney Springs Park to go one way or any parks bus to go the other way (one to get to the bus stop near your room and one to get back to the hospitality house). This was an instant red flag for us and seemed a pain in the neck. But we tried to keep an open mind.
We did NOT like it. We rarely saw a Disney Springs bus. We waited longer than we ever had to at CBR. And it seemed to take forever to get anywhere but EPCOT. We often resort to calling an Uber.
Being the first Disney Vacation Club to be built, we feel the layout of the hospitality house area left a lot to be desired. The dining was not great–Olivia’s is just okay. The quick service counter outside has a limited menu, and there is no indoor seating for quick service. Just a few picnic tables with umbrellas.
Pros
- takes fewer points for Disney Vacation Club
- can almost always get a reservation
- deluxe resort, so you can get extended hours in the parks (check parks schedule)
- ferry to Disney Springs
- good for family reunions, especially when reserving 3-bedroom villas with kitchens
Cons
- no dedicated resort shuttle
- not impressed with dining options
- very spread out, so walking to the hospitality house can take a while
We’ve heard that OKW is some people’s favorite place to stay, but we will likely not return. What did we get wrong?
13. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
“Inspired by historic Saratoga Springs—a late-1800s’ New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing—this charming, Victorian-style Resort hotel is nestled between rolling golf course greens and the shimmering Lake Buena Vista. Delight in stately Studios and multi-bedroom Villas, dazzling pools and a spa.“
Let us preface this by saying, it’s been a hot minute since we’ve stayed here. I’m guessing 2017 as it was the first resort we stayed at after getting Disney Vacation Club the first time (2016). There has been some renovation since our last stay, so it’s on our list of resorts to give a second try.
Our room was dark and dingy feeling. We remember thinking, “This feels like a basic hotel room.” After staying at Boardwalk the year before, it was a let-down. And we really don’t have anything else to share about it, unfortunately. We didn’t eat on site and the only benefit that we had was being able to walk to Disney Springs.
But like we said, it’s time to give it another try.
Pros
- takes fewer points for Disney Vacation Club
- can almost always get a reservation
- can walk to Disney Springs
- can take a boat to the two Port Orleans resorts
- deluxe resort, so you can get extended hours in the parks (check parks schedule)
Cons
- only bus transportation to parks
- our past experience with room quality (which has probably changed by now)
It’s time to give Saratoga Springs another chance, especially since we never tried any of their dining options on our last trip. Have any recommendations?
12. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
“Get in the game at this Resort hotel that salutes the world of competitive sports, including baseball, basketball, football, surfing and tennis. Go the distance and don’t be afraid to celebrate your inner fan amid sporty décor starring some of your favorite Disney characters.”
In July of this year, we took a resort-hopping approach to our August 2025 Walt Disney World trip and our first stop was All-Star Sports. Because it’s a value resort and we had done some early research, we placed it first and moved up in quality during our stay to other resorts. All that to say, we had low expectations.
Our room was in the Homerun Hotel building, facing the parking lot with a slight view of the Rock Inn building of All-Star Music. On paper, it looked like a long haul to the main resort building and food court. But we found the walk to be pleasant. We think that’s partially due to the over-the-top theming that keeps you somewhat distracted while walking. We passed by the Grand Slam Pool, giant footballs, and giant helmets to get there.
It is all bus transportation at the All-Stars, but it’s a value resort, so you expect it. Still, the buses seemed to run frequently, and we never had to wait very long. And the queue for buses is very organized, like a ride queue in the parks.
The food court was just okay, nothing special. But there’s plenty of room for seating.
Pros
- bus transportation seems to run efficiently
- fun theming if you’re into sports
- roomy food court
- least expensive Walt Disney World resort
Cons
- food was just okay
- we always had to walk by the smoking area to get to the food court (just feels like it should be more secluded)
- all bus transportation
Would we go again if we had no other options? Maybe. Have you stayed here?
11. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
“Experience the unforgettable fads of the 1950s through the 1990s all over again. From yo-yos and Play-Doh® to Rubik’s Cube® and rollerblades, this Resort hotel salutes the timeless fashions, catch phrases, toys and dances that captivated the world through the decades.”
This resort was stop #2 on August trip. Our room was in the 50s themed area which, as a theme, I preferred. However, for easy access to the Skyliner station, the 60s area is best. On the mornings we were there and used the Skyliner, the line from Pop Century was quite long–longer than for Art of Animation (and they share Skyliner access).
This location felt much better and more elevated as an experience. We liked the food court a lot–it was quieter than both All-Sports and Art of Animation. And the food was also better at Pop Century than at those resorts.
I will say that the much-lauded PB&J Croissant we tried was good, but just way too sweet, even when shared.
It’s below Art of Animation because we just don’t love the “motel” feel of it (and the All-Stars). Still, it’s a fun resort and operates the buses efficiently.
Pros
- good food court
- Skyliner access
- efficient bus transportation
Cons
- “motel” feel with the outdoor hallways
- longer wait for first-thing-in-the-morning Skyliner access than Art of Animation (in our experience)
We’d for sure stay here again. Which decade is your favorite at Pop Century?
10. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
“Be surrounded in the artistry, enchantment and magic of Disney and Pixar movies. Stay at a Disney Resort hotel that invites you to explore the storybook landscapes seen in such classics as Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. From delightfully themed family suites to wondrously detailed courtyards, Disney’s Art of Animation “draws” you and your family in to become a part of some of your animated favorites.”
We specifically chose a Cars Family Suite for this portion of our August resort-hopping trip and, boy, it did NOT disappoint. If we’re only ranking Walt Disney World Resorts by playful theming, Art of Animation wins…hands down. Oh, how we wish we could go back in time and take our kids here!
The Cars area was so much fun to walk around in, with so many details and touches that it feels very immersive. And our room was full of the same attention to detail.
As mentioned above in our Pop Century review, the Skyliner access is shared. But we found that the Art of Animation line moved much more quickly than the Pop Century line. (They both feed into one line to board the Skyliner.)
The food court has themed areas that match the resort room areas, and that theming is done well. This food court was louder and we liked the food better at Pop Century. However, we tried a couple of the specialty cupcakes and they were superb!
Pros
- amazing theming in the Cars and Finding Nemo areas
- Skyliner access
- nicely themed food court
Cons
- noisy food court during peak times
- expensive for a value resort
- Little Mermaid area VERY far away from everything
Absolutely would stay here again! Which area is your favorite at Art?
9. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
“Discover a world where life slows to a leisurely pace and worries melt away amidst Calypso rhythms. Awash with vibrant colors and lush landscapes, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort transports Guests to a relaxing paradise that captures the essence of 5 distinct islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba. Celebrate the spirit of the Caribbean with blissful sights and fun-filled activities—including colonial forts, lively markets, pristine beaches, splashy florals and swaying hammocks—sure to awaken the imagination.”
Our entire stay in May of this year was at Caribbean Beach Resort. We loved it!
The resort is beautiful, with the five island themes. We stayed in Aruba, very close to the Riviera and the Skyliner station. And that location was key in our ranking! Just a few minutes away and we could have a meal at the Riv, or board the Skyliner.
We also liked dining at Centertown Market, the resort’s quick service restaurant. And we’re anxious to stay again, or at least snag a reservation at the highly-acclaimed Sebastian’s Bistro.
As mentioned in our ranking of Old Key West, CBR has a resort shuttle. This made zipping over to Old Port Royale for a meal super efficient.
We also loved the setting on Barefoot Bay.
Pros
- resort shuttle
- good quick service options
- can request room close to Skyliner by Riviera or Skyliner Main Transfer station
Cons
- large and spreadout
- some people have complained about AC units not working in some rooms (this was not our experience)
We WILL be staying here again! How about you?
8. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
“Celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific at this oasis of tropical palms, lush vegetation and so much more. From moonlit nights immersed in the outdoor island ambience to the exotic tastes of our world-class restaurants, discover the signature tropical atmosphere that’s made Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort a favorite Disney destination since 1971.”
This is our home resort for Disney Vacation Club. And we love the location. We stayed here with our family in 2018 and had two adjoining rooms. We never ate on site, with the exception of some Dole Whips from Pineapple Lanai.
For that visit, this was all about location and vibe. We love the monorail access! It’s just so handy to head over to Magic Kingdom. And being able to see the gorgeous Grand Floridian across Bay Lake? <sigh>
On that 2018 trip, the main pool area was very busy….and LOUD! So we opted for the Oasis Pool one day, reserving a cabana for part of the day. And that was very relaxing and rejuvenating, especially considering how hard we sometimes go in the parks!
Pros
- monorail resort with access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
- beautiful theming
- boat access to Magic Kingdom
- Dole Whip!
Cons
- expensive! and uses lots of DVC points
Would love to afford a stay in the Bora Bora Bungalows at Poly!! Are you lucky enough to have stayed there?
7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Village – Kidani Village
“Escape on your own African safari adventure at this magnificent Resort hotel. Inspired by the traditional African kraal, the horseshoe-curved design offers exquisite views of lush savannas—where over 30 species of African wildlife freely roam. Delight in dazzling pool areas, exciting animal programs and all the comforts of home in our spacious Studios and multi-bedroom Villas.”
Kidani Village was our first stay of 2025, back in March. And I have to be honest….I was not really all that excited about it. But, other than walking a marathon from the lobby to our room, we actually really liked it.
We scored a Savanna View 2 Bedroom Villa. Very spacious and homey feeling. We had four of us altogether, and this gave everyone PLENTY of space. The villa had a small kitchen, so we were able to make use of some of the food options at the resort store (pizza, ice cream) to take back to the room.
Almost every morning was breakfast at Sanaa and, on the day we checked out, we had the amazing Bread Service. Still dreaming about that one. Oh, and the African Bread Pudding at Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge) makes me drool just thinking about it. That’s a great breakfast buffet–but pricey. You can take a resort shuttle from Kidani to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Watching the animals roam about from our balcony was a treat! (Although they don’t come as close as the Disney commercials make it seem..haha!)
As I stated before, we had an incredibly long walk from the lobby to our room. It was comically long. Like, standing private joke long. But we survived. If we go again, this will be our top priority: ROOM PLACEMENT!
On our checkout day we enjoyed Samawati Springs Pool area. Very quiet and not very crowded.
Pros
- Savanna view is pretty sweet
- Sanaa and Boma are both delicious food options
- less crowded pool
- never waited long for a bus (and it’s all buses)
Cons
- can be a long walk to your room because of the resort layout
- all bus transportation
We’d like to stay here again. But seriously…..closer to the lobby, please!
6. Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
“Revel in the romance and pageantry of New Orleans’s historic French Quarter at this Moderate Resort hotel. Discover cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies and fragrant magnolia blossoms, along with colorful Mardi Gras characters and the sounds of jazz. Then stroll along the lushly landscaped Sassagoula River to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, where the bayou beckons, as do Cajun and Creole specialties.”
Beignets. End of review.
Just kidding. But that is one of the reasons we had to put this on our resort-hopping August trip. Little did we know how charmed we would be by this smaller but lovely resort.
After checking into our room (a King Bed corner room….highly recommend), we walked back to the main resort building to grab beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe. Wow! So good! Going back in January and can’t wait to have these again.
After that, we just leisurely walked around the resort while the sun was setting. It’s just so lovely. The buildings are very close together but the feeling is still spacious somehow….with the sidewalks and mini-streets giving the feeling of being in a very small New Orleans parish. Romantic Spanish moss, a horse-drawn carriage, and the trickle of a fountain….we were just in heaven. We even watched the EPCOT fireworks from the 2nd floor.
And it’s right on a waterway, so you can take a boat to Port Orleans Riverside (we’ve eaten at Boatwright’s…tasty!) or Disney Springs.
Dinner at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory was very good.
Pros
- so pretty and romantic and charming
- BEIGNETS!
- the King Bed rooms are very spacious and the corner windows are unique
- boat access to Disney Springs and Riverside
Cons
- buses only to parks
Can NOT wait to stay here again. Just love it. What are your thoughts?
5. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
“Experience the charm and whimsy of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City at this waterfront Resort hotel. Make a splash at Luna Park Pool and delight in a massage at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Discover carnival games, unique dining and exciting nightlife on the Coney Island-style boardwalk. Strung like saltwater taffy along the shimmering Crescent Lake, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is located within walking distance to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”
There’s something about staying at a resort on Crescent Lake. Maybe it’s the International Gateway entrance. Maybe it’s because we stayed here for our 25th anniversary. Maybe it’s the Boardwalk vibe.
Whatever it is, strolling the actual boardwalk feels magical. The lights, the music….especially near sunset. It’s just a lovely place.
And the proximity to EPCOT is EPIC. You can also walk to Hollywood Studios (I mean, it’s a long walk, but still). And there are quite a few food options along the boardwalk.
For our anniversary we stayed in a Club Level Garden Room. I loved the little courtyard walk-up to the room. And club level, the few times we’ve had it, has been a fun perk.
If you stay here, you’ll be close to The Cake Bake Shop Bakery on the boardwalk. We’ve tried two different slices there (Carrot Cake and Millionaire Cake). VERY expensive…..$22 per slice! We think it is very overpriced. But the inside is absolutely gorgeous! The cake was fine, but I can get better at a nearby bakery for less than half the price.
The carnival-themed main pool area has a 200-foot-long waterslide. There are 2 leisure (quiet) pools on property.
Pros
- walking distance to EPCOT International Gateway (short)
- walking distance to Hollywood Studios (long)
- boats to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- great vibe
- food options on the boardwalk, live entertainment some nights
Cons
- expensive
We really want to stay here again some time. What’s your favorite food option here?
4. Disney’s Beach Club Villas
“Leisure, elegance and romance abound at this charming New England-style beach hotel—in easy walking distance to EPCOT and a boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Enjoy the pools, spas and lagoons of Stormalong Bay, and the many amenities shared with Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.”
Beach Club will always hold a special place in our hearts. We’ve stayed here a couple of times both with extended family and with friends. Each time we had a 2 Bedroom Villa, and thoroughly enjoyed having the space as well as a small kitchen.
This, too, is very close to the EPCOT International Gateway and, therefore, the Skyliner! So you can jump on there to visit or dine at the resorts on that line.
Two of our favorite things about staying at Beach Club: Beaches & Cream and Stormalong Bay. Beaches & Cream is a boardwalk-style ice cream parlor that serves the famous Kitchen Sink (if you don’t know, just go….I have yet to dine there and NOT have someone in the restaurant order it). Our favorite sweet treat there is the No Way Jose…..yum. And Stormalong Bay is, in our opinion, the best pool area on Disney property–a 3-acre water playground, to quote Disney.
Pros
- Beaches & Cream!
- amazing pool area
- close to EPCOT International Gateway
- boats to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Cons
- uses a lot of DVC points
Even when we don’t stay at Beach Club, we try to make a visit to Beaches and Cream. What’s your favorite dish?
3. & 2. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (main resort & villas)
“Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication at this lavish Disney Resort hotel. Unwind outdoors, indulge in a luxurious massage and watch evening fireworks light up the sky over Cinderella Castle. Just one stop to Magic Kingdom park on the complimentary Resort Monorail, this timeless Victorian-style marvel evokes Palm Beach’s golden era.”
I’ve heard some Disney podcasters call this a place where old people like to stay. That may be true, but I’ve loved this resort since we first stayed here in 2007. And I was only 37 then! (And for the record….I’m still not old. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.)
Now, remember that this was our very first Walt Disney World Resort. And on that trip, an extended family vacation, our entire group was upgraded to a club level building. Sugarloaf. We had no idea what a big deal that was at the time. But it made for an amazing vacation! So we might be a little spoiled by that first stay.
We love the vibe of Grand Flo. And we love the large Courtyard Pool and the zero-entry Beach Pool. Like many Disney resorts, there’s a firepit and chairs along the sandy beach overlooking Bay Lake. Narcoossee’s is another favorite restaurant that we haven’t been to in far too long (25th anniversary!).
The location, vibe, and food options make it a hard-to-beat resort option. And you have a great view of the nightly Electrical Water Pageant (you can see it from the Contemporary and the Poly too).
We stayed here in 2018 in a 2-bedroom villa (which was our second favorite on this list). Spacious, but a longer walk to get to the monorail and main building offerings. But it was a fantastic room!
Pros
- that vibe!
- good food options
- close to Magic Kingdom, you can even walk now if you want
- Monorail access
- great views
Cons
- expensive
- I guess some people think only old folks stay here? 😉
We would love an upgrade sometime, Disney, like the Hecks got on The Middle? We’d be fine with a 3-bedroom Grand Villa. Thanks.
1. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
“Warm luxury meets modern elegance at this lakeside Resort hotel located in walking distance to Magic Kingdom park. Delight in studios and multi-bedroom villas, kitchens or kitchenettes and dramatic views that may include old-growth cypress trees, the shimmering Bay Lake, the lush courtyard or Cinderella Castle. Enjoy enchanting pools and award-winning dining—plus the extensive offerings of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, connected by the convenient Sky Way Bridge.”
We cannot even describe adequately to you how amazing our accommodations were on this 2020 trip. We saved up our DVC points for this one. The 3-Bedroom Grand Villa was a dream! Like, I would live there. For real.
Our villa was not designated as Theme Park View, but from one of our balconies, we could see Magic Kingdom clearly, which made for awesome fireworks viewing.
This two-story villa has a full size kitchen, full size living room, 4 full bathrooms, and sleeps up to 12 adults (we had 7). I didn’t want to leave!
It’s #1 because it felt like an actual large apartment. And because it’s so close to Magic Kingdom. But mainly the apartment.
Pros
- close to Magic Kingdom (can walk)
- Monorail access
- Steakhouse 71 is excellent!
Cons
- bit of a walk to the Tower from Contemporary
- not much in the way of theming
- uses a LOT of points
Praying we can save up enough points to stay here again! What’s your take on the tower?
So there you have it. Our very biased attempt at ranking Walt Disney World Resorts–well, the ones we’ve stayed in. As I warned you, it’s very much based on our personal experiences, preferences, and priorities. And we’d stay at pretty much all of them again in a heartbeat.
But we’d love to hear from you. What’s your ranking?
Now, the working list of places yet to stay:
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s All-Star Movies
- Disney’s All-Star Music
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas- Jambo House
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside (December 2025)
- Disney’s Riviera Resort (January 2026)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- The Cabin’s at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
And we’ll be back to report on our new resort adventures!
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