Orlando has more overnight visitors than any destination in the world. More than Vegas. More than New York. More than London and Paris combined. This means Orlando has more places to stay than anywhere in the world. Visitors can choose from luxury vacation homes to boutique hotels to five-star resorts and everything in between. Since planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be overwhelming, with so many choices, we’ve put together a list of our very favorite places to stay on property at Walt Disney World.
Rather than listing individual prices since rates vary, we have ranked our 11 selected properties from most expensive Disney resorts to least expensive. You’ll also notice we have included a mix of official Disney resorts as well as Disney partners like the Hilton Bonnet Creek/Waldorf Astoria, Swan and Dolphin and the Four Seasons. While staying onsite at Walt Disney World comes at a price, there are numerous perks as well. Extended park hours are available only to those staying on property and transportation options to and from the park are significantly more convenient for those staying at Walt Disney World.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Welcome to Orlando’s newest and only five-star resort. Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the largest Four Seasons in the world and unlike any you have seen before. Families will love the Disney concierge, children’s program, deluxe family pools with lazy river, water slide, splash pad and play areas, along with the PB&G boat house restaurant and character dining featuring Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. The property also features a beautiful golf course, Tranquilo, that winds around woodlands and wetlands, a full-service spa and four-star restaurant Capa, with a rooftop locale perfect for viewing Magic Kingdom fireworks. Located between Disney Springs and the Magic Kingdom, the Four Seasons offers shuttle service to all the Disney parks. The resort also offers themed in-room welcome gifts for pirates or princesses, like a letter from the Fairy Godmother with a tiara and magic wand.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa evokes Old Florida with its charming lobby, afternoon tea and picturesque spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests enjoy either water taxi or monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, along with swimming pools, spa, a playground, game room, boat rentals and Orlando’s only five-star restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s along with upscale Citricos and Narcoosee’s. The resort is popular at Christmas with its three-stories-tall Christmas tree and real, life-sized gingerbread house. 1900 Park Fare offers character dining with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh. Walt Disney World golf is just across the street. Four-star resort status.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Walt Disney World’s original Polynesian Village Resort is still a classic. Enjoy a fabulous South Pacific theme while staying right on the Seven Seas Lagoon with views of the Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks. Amenities include a childcare center, beach, monorail station and water taxi service to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, playground, deluxe pool and dining options like the popular Ohana and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. Trader Sam’s is another fun dining spot with signature cocktails. Four-star resort status.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
You can’t stay any closer to the Magic Kingdom than this. Disney’s Contemporary Resort is literally on the monorail track. The monorail actually drives straight through the lobby and Chef Mickey’s, a popular character dining restaurant featuring Mickey Mouse himself. Also popular is California Grill, a fantastic restaurant on the 15th floor with spectacular fireworks views and gourmet cuisine to match. Resort amenities include a game room, recreational boating, two swimming pools and a playground. You can also take a boat ride over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Four-star resort status.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Escape to another continent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge adjacent to the Animal Kingdom, which overlooks a savanna with zebras, giraffes, deer and more. The resort’s two lodges are some of the most beautiful in town with intricate African-inspired details, amazing architecture and authentic art. Three restaurants on property are especially known for their flavorful African and Indian cuisine and rare wines, including Sanaa, Boma and Jiko. Other amenities include a pool, playground, hot tubs, animal viewing areas, campfires and shuttle services to the parks. Four-star resort status.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Reminiscent of Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge beckons families to an old-fashioned, timeless vacation. A six-story lobby features teepee-topped chandeliers, totem poles and a massive stone fireplace. Guests may also choose to stay at the campground or inside the rustic cabins. Property amenities include horseback riding, wagon rides, golf carts, an hourly geyser show, boat rentals, swimming pools, movie nights, campfires, a beach and walking trails. Guests can also board a water taxi for a quick and scenic ride to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot monorail line. The nightly Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is great fun for the family with old-timey music, corny jokes and lots of barbecue and fried chicken with all the fixin’s. Guests can also enjoy a campfire and marshmallow roast with Chip and Dale. Four-star resort status.
Swan & Dolphin Resort
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, you’ve seen the Swan & Dolphin Resort. The convenient location at Walt Disney World with water access and walking trails to Disney’s Boardwalk, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Guests can enjoy newly renovated rooms, swimming pools, deluxe spa and complimentary childcare while dining at Shula’s, Todd English’s bluezoo or Il Mulino. Garden Grove offers a nightly character dining or breakfast with favorite characters on weekends. Four-star resort status.
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Technically this is not a Disney hotel, but you are on Disney property so you’re very close to the parks without paying a premium. Not to mention, you can rack up your Hilton Honors points. At the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, enjoy a three-acre lazy river pool and casual, upscale dining at La Luce, and a fabulous new bar, Myth, where the mixologist makes custom drinks based upon your personality. As a bonus, you can take advantage of the upscale amenities at sister property Waldorf Astoria next door, including a pool with private cabanas, gorgeous golf course with clubhouse, deluxe spa featuring local products and four-star restaurant Bull and Bear. Other amenities include bike and surrey rentals, private poolside cabanas and shuttle services to the parks. Four-star resort status.
Disney’s Port Orleans- Riverside & French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter) is located on a scenic canal and are reminiscent of the Mississippi River and French Quarter in New Orleans. Shuttle services are available to the Disney parks, or you can hop aboard the street-car-themed water taxi to Disney Springs which offers plenty of family entertainment, shopping and dining options with free admission. Ol’ Man Island at Riverside offers an old-fashioned swimming hole with rope swings, slides and playground and campfires with s’mores.
