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With more than 25 Walt Disney World Resorts, we know it can be tough to pick the best one for your family.
We are here to help! With over 1000+ visits to Disney World, we are asked daily about visiting Disney World in Florida. We have stayed at all of the Disney World Resorts in a ton of different room categories. We have either seen the room or slept in it! LOL!
We finally sat down and created our favorite 90 Disney World Resort tips and hacks for your next vacation. This is all about the Disney World Resorts. Let’s get started…
Best & Worst Times to Visit Disney World Resorts
Best Times to Visit Disney World Resorts
Without a doubt, the best times to visit the Walt Disney World Resort is when all of the kids are in school. I know that is probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but it is true. When the kids are in school, that is the best time to visit the Disney Parks. Keep that in mind when scheduling your trip.
Even Better Times to Visit to Avoid the Crowds
For crowds at the Disney Theme Parks, the best times to visit are January, September, and the 1st and 2nd weeks in December. These are the best times to visit the parks for crowds.
Cheapest Times to Stay at the Disney World Resorts
Guess what? The least expensive times to stay at the Disney World Resorts are also January, September, and the 1st and 2nd weeks in December. That is a win-win. Fewer crowds and cheaper prices!
Worst Times to Visit Disney World Resorts
Christmas Time
The absolute worst time to visit Disney World is Christmas-New Years Day. I know it is the holiday season and so exciting, but do not schedule your visit to Disney World over this holiday. Your resort prices can double or triple (based on your resort of choice).
The parks are also so crowded. We often get family or friends in town over the holiday. They want to meet up at the parks. With FastPass+ reservations, we are lucky to get to 5 rides on a day over the holidays. This even includes the 3 FastPass+ reservations. It is just crazy at the parks over the holiday season.
Avoid School Groups
You also want to avoid any big youth sporting events at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. This is especially true if you are staying at a Disney Value Resort or Disney Moderate Resort.
We stayed at Disney’s Pop Century a few weeks ago with 20 different baseball teams. When we walked up to the food court to get dinner, there were crazy lines of teens everywhere. Try to avoid the crowds during busy youth sporting events.
You can click here to view any upcoming events.
Our Disney World Resort Favorites
Before we offer some more tips and hacks for the Disney World Resorts, I wanted to share our favorites. We are asked almost daily from our fans about our favorite Disney World Resorts.
Here are our favorites:
Favorite Disney Value Resort:Â For the Jones Family, our favorite Disney Value Resort is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It is newly renovated in the rooms and resort. The new rooms are much better with a pull down Murphy Bed. It makes the small room, much better for a longer family vacation.
Favorite Disney Moderate Resort: There is so much construction at the Disney Moderate Resorts right now, so I would sway away from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. So, that automatically leaves Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts. Of these two, we love Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
This resort has two different sections. We prefer the Alligator Bayou section. This section is more rustic, but includes a pull down bed. This is perfect for our family of 2 kids (one boy and one girl). They do not like to sleep in the same bed, so our youngest can sleep on the pull down bed.
This is a smaller bed. Our youngest usually sleeps on this one, but as a tween she is almost too big for it.
We also love this resort with the boat to Disney Springs. It is just a fun resort!
Favorite Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort: This one is a little tougher. We are a house divided! Tim, Kelly, and I love Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort and my daughter loves Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows.
The only downside to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is the rooms. This resort is in need of a room renovation. We still love the view and the resort. You can check out a recent video of the room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.
For the adults, we enjoy the rustic feel of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort and the boat to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort area.
For my daughter, she loves Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for the view of Magic Kingdom, Dole Whips, and the monorail access.
Which Disney World Resort is Perfect for…
Disney Princesses Fans: Disney’s Port Orleans Royal Room
Pirate Fans: Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort or Disney’s Beach Club Villas Resort (awesome pirate ship & waterslide)
Mickey Mouse Fans: Disney’s All Star Movies or 70’s Section at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Toy Story Fans: Disney’s All Star Movies in Toy Story Section
Like Alice in Wonderland: Disney’s Grand Floridian has a great Alice themed splash park and morning character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Love Horses: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
101 Dalmatians Fans: Disney’s All Star Movies in 101 Dalmatians Section
Lion King Fans: Lion King Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation
Finding Nemo or Finding Dory Fans: Finding Nemo Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation
CARS Fans: CARS Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation
Love Music: Disney’s All Star Music Resort
Love Gaming: Disney’s Pop Century Resort in the 80’s Section (Think PacMan)
Love the 50’s: Disney’s Pop Century Resort in the 50’s Section
Love Baseball: Disney’s All Star Sports Resort in Baseball Section
Love Football: Disney’s All Star Sports Resort in Football Section or Disney’s Pop Century Resort in 70’s section (huge foosball)
Love Surfing: Disney’s All Star Sports Resort in Surfing Section
Love Boating: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Scared of Clowns: Avoid Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort and Disney’s Boardwalk Villas (Pool has a Clown waterslide)
Love Carousels: Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort
Love Little Mermaid: Little Mermaid rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation
Love Beaches: Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Polynesian, or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resorts
Best of Disney World Resorts
The Disney World Resorts are amazing, but what resorts have the “best of” to fit my family vacation? We share our list of the “best of” Disney Hotels with you…
Best Romantic Resort on a Budget: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort in Magnolia Bend or Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
Best Luxury Romantic Resort: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Best Pool at Disney World: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Best Value for Disney Deluxe Resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas and Wilderness Lodge Resorts
Most Unique Room Experience: Savanna View Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Best Room for a Family Reunion: Treehouse at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Best Resort to Sway in a Hammock: Disney’s Polynesian Resort on the sandy beach on Seven Seas Lagoon
Best Resort to Watch Electrical Water Pageant: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort on the beach
Best Resort to Watch Happily Ever After Fireworks: Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Concourse viewing area under monorails)
Best Resort to Watch Disney Enchantment from My Room: Bay Lake Tower
Best Florida Themed Resorts: Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Best Rustic Getaway: Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Best Resort for Pets: Their own resort at Best Friends at Disney World
Best Resort for the Value: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (This resort is a Moderate Resort, but a convention hotel. Since it is a convention hotel, they have more resort amenities than the other Disney Moderate Resorts. Right now is probably not the best time to visit, due to construction but is a great choice for the value when construction is completed.)
Families of 5 on a Budget: 2 connecting rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort or Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Luxury Families of 5: Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Resort with the Best Recreation: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Resort with the Best Dining Options: Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Just a reminder, you can book dining reservations on the My Disney Experience App for Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Resort with the Most Activities: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Resort with the Best Transportation: Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort (You have bus, friendship boats, and a quick walk to both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Best Resort for a Staycation: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resort
Best Resort for Toddlers: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Best Resort for Tweens: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resort
Best Resort for Teens: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Best Resort for Adults: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Best Disney World Resorts for the Holidays
We hope this list helps you learn about some of the hidden gems of the Disney World Resorts. We wanted to take a list a step further and share the best Disney World Resorts over the holidays. If you are visiting during a holiday, check out these fun hotels.
Favorite Disney Resort for New Year’s Eve: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
We love Disney’s Contemporary Resort for New Year’s Eve, since you are walking distance to Magic Kingdom. You avoid a bit of the crowds and transportation times. You also have a spectacular view of the fireworks from a Magic Kingdom View Room (if you book it) or from the Concourse Viewing Area outside. You can also book the California Grill New Year’s Eve Party (for an extra fee) to make the night even more lively!
Favorite Disney Resorts for Mardi Gras: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
Mardi Gras beads, golf cart parade, and Beignets…OH MY! This resort is themed after New Orleans, so this is the resort to visit over the Mardi Gras celebration. The Cast Members do have fun, so be sure you either stop by or book a room at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter during this celebration.
Favorite Disney Resort for Easter: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
You would not think of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for an Easter celebration, but this is the place the Jones Family would go. One of the highlights for Easter is painting Easter Eggs. At this resort, you combine the fun of painting eggs with the animals. The Cast Members save the ostrich eggs all year, just for one day only…Easter! For a small fee, you can pain an ostrich egg for Easter. Talk about AMAZING!
Favorite Disney Resort for Cinco de Mayo: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
I know this does not come at a surprise, but the best resort for Cinco de Mayo is Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This resort is themed after Southwest America and Mexico, so this celebration is a big one at this resort. The Cast Members go all out and Rix Lounge will have you dancing and celebrating the night away!
Favorite Disney Resort for Mother’s Day: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Mom’s want to be pampered on their special day! Our favorite resort for Mother’s Day is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You can treat your mom to brunch and then she can enjoy a spa treatment or two at the Senses Spa. You may even want to enjoy a Mother/Daughter tea in the afternoon. This is just a relaxing resort for moms on Mother’s Day.
Favorite Disney Resort for Father’s Day: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Depending on your dad, you may want to get up early and try the BASS fishing excursion out of Disney’s Contemporary Resort or renting Sea Raycers to speed around Bay Lake. For Father’s Day, we love Disney’s Contemporary Resort. There is just so much for dads at this resort!
Favorite Disney Resort for 4th of July: Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Polynesian Resort (To watch the 4th of July Fireworks)
We have two favorite resorts for celebrating the 4th of July. Disney’s Old Key West is themed after the Florida Keys and boy do they know how to celebrate Independence Day. They usually have red, white, and blue decorations scattered around the main pool area with the BBQ going. You can purchase BBQ plates all afternoon to enjoy there or to go. It is a lot of fun!
For the evening fireworks, Disney’s Polynesian Resort is our favorite spot to watch the 4th of July spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park. You can sit on the hill or on the beach and enjoy this spectacular show. You can also book a bungalow or Club Level Rooms to see the fireworks, right from your room.
Favorite Disney Resort for Halloween: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Imagine a spooky horse drawn carriage ride or just trick or treating from RV to RV? That is Halloween at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The visitors in the RV’s not only have candy for trick or treating, they usually have huge Halloween blow up’s and decorations.
Favorite Disney Resort for Christmas: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
We love the Christmas holiday at Disney World! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa takes the award for the best holiday display. They feature a life size Gingerbread House. It is amazing!
Top 5’s of the Disney World Resorts
Top 5 Pools at the Disney World Resorts
Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has an amazing pool. It has a Mayan ruins theme to it with a huge pyramid with a waterfall trickling down. There is also a Jaguar waterslide, kiddie pool area, and Dig Site. In the Dig Site the theming still continues with huge Mayan statues and a really fun playground. They also have a pool side bar, snack bar, sand volleyball court, and game room (all in this same area). It is a really fun pool area!
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
This is the largest pool at Disney World, all themed after Finding Nemo. It is called The Big Blue! The theming alone for this pool is so much fun. You can find the mask from Finding Nemo, plants that make it look like you are under the sea, and when you go under water; you may hear Dory. This pool area also has a pool side bar, resort refillable mug station, kids splash park, and playground. This pool also has a ton of lounge chairs, so you can always find a spot to put your towels and relax.
Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
For Disney Vacation Club Members or guests that book Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, you can enjoy an amazing pool area. They have one of the fastest slide and even a splash park area for the little ones. This area is also very shaded vs other pools at Disney World.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Are you dreaming of a Dole Whip? You can grab a Dole Whip on your way to the pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This recently renovated resort has an incredible new pool area.
The splash park is filled with Menuhune fun with water jets, slides, and fun for the little ones. The main pool has a huge volcano with a beach entry pool and water slide. You can also find the hot tub tucked away around some volcano rock with a view of Seven Seas Lagoon. In the evening hours, you can watch the Happily Ever After fireworks right from the pool. They even pipe in the music from the show. I am sure you can start to see why Disney’s Polynesian Resort made our #2 spot for the best pools at Disney World.
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
The number one spot for the top pool at Disney World is pretty impressive. The pool area at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort is over 3 acres. They have a pirate ship water slide, a beach sand pool, a lazy river, and so much more.
You can even purchase a kids meal at the pool side snack bar. It comes with a sand pail, so your kids will have something to use to make sand castles at the pool. The pool sits right next to the lake, so you can enjoy a lounge chair at the pool or on the beach area. In the evening hours, you can enjoy a toasty marshmallow at the campfire or watch Illuminations fireworks. This pool is the ultimate pool at the Disney World Resort hotels.
Top 5 Disney World Resorts for Dining
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
We love Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and we think this resort is often overlooked for families. This resort is a Disney Moderate Resort. It is also a convention hotel. Since it is a convention hotel, it has a few more perks than other Disney Moderate Resorts. This includes the restaurant options, too.
This resort has the best Food Court. There are a ton of options, including a lot of healthy options (since it caters to a lot of adults). This resort also has one of our favorite hidden gems called Maya Grill. We love this restaurant. It rarely has a wait and it one of our favorite restaurants at Disney World.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has several dining experiences that are amazing! They have a brand new character dining at Artist’s Point. They have the super popular Whispering Canyon Cafe. This BBQ style restaurant is just fun! Be sure you ask for the ketchup!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has several dining experiences that are amazing! They have a brand new character dining at Artist’s Point. They have the super popular Whispering Canyon Cafe. This BBQ style restaurant is just fun! Be sure you ask for the ketchup!
A brand new addition to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the casual dining spot on the Bay Lake called Geyser Point. This restaurant has comfy chairs that overlook the lake. It is just a relaxing spot with great burgers!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Kidani Village
Disney’s Animal Kingdom made our list in the #3 spot. One of the best steaks ever is the one at Jiko The Cooking Place. Love this steak and it comes with macaroni and cheese. Best ever!
Another amazing restaurant is Sanaa. This is such a unique experience. You get to dine with the animals. This restaurant has huge windows that overlook the Savanna. Your whole family will love this experience.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
This resort have several of the Jones Family favorites. They have ‘Ohanas for breakfast and dinner. They have Dole Whips!!!! For mom and dad, they have real Kona Coffee.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort has a lot of great dining options. For our favorites, I would bump this one into the top spot. We just felt Disney’s Grand Floridian had more options for everyone. So, let’s get into the #1 spot.
Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa
This made the top of the list, because there are more dining options at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort than any other Disney Resort. They have two amazing character dining at 1900 Park Fare. They also have several sit down restaurants, including the exclusive Victoria & Albert’s.
Tips for Disney World Resorts
We wanted to share some tips and hacks, while visiting the Disney World Resorts. Keep these in mind for your upcoming visit.
Talk with Front Desk
Any issues, be sure you pop by the Front Desk and talk with them in person. Disney wants to make their customers happy, so if you have any challenges talk with them.
Housekeeping Inspection
If you put your “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door, be prepared for a knock at the door. Even if you put your sign up, the Housekeeping Security and Maintenance Inspector (not sure their official title) will come knocking at your door. They will briefly come into your room and walk around. It is just a security check, but still caught us off guard the first time it happened. We were all taking a nap when he knocked at the door and it was awkward having him walk around the room while we were in bed. LOL!
Parking Included
A lot of guests do not realize that parking is included at the Disney Parks, with your resort stay. Be sure you pick up a car decal at the security toll (when arriving to the resort) or at the front desk (at check in).
Tipping Magical Express Baggage Handling
With Magical Express, your luggage will be delivered to your room 2-3 hours after you check in. Sometimes this time can be a little bit longer. If you are in your room during the delivery, you will feel like you need to tip them. The Magical Express baggage handling is not a tipping position at Disney. You do not have to tip them. The only exception to this rule is the Disney Deluxe Resort. For the Disney Deluxe Resort, the bellman deliver the luggage. This is a tipping position. You can tip them $1-2 per bag.
Snacks & Drinks Delivered to Your Room
To save some money, order snacks and drinks from Amazon or Publix Grocery to be delivered to your room. You can keep them in your mini refrigerator. This will save you a ton of money on snacks and drinks during your resort stay.
Resort Refillable Mugs
For longer stays at the Disney World Resorts, we love the resort refillable mugs. For one price, you get unlimited sodas, tea, and coffee at your Disney Resort (only your Disney Resort) during your stay. You also get a fun souvenir to take home. This is a great price and fun souvenir!
Stay at One and Visit Them All
Anyone is welcome to visit the Disney Resorts. You can enjoy shopping and dining at any of the other locations. One of our favorite resorts is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. They have so many activities, including trail rides, stables, pony rides, archery, Segway Tours, and so much more. You are welcome to visit any of the other Disney Resorts. The only exception is the pools. You can only visit the pools if you are staying at that specific Disney Resort.
Tipping at the Disney Resorts
We know tipping can be super confusing at the Disney Resorts. Here is a quick breakdown on tipping.
Phone is Your Room Key
Did you know that you can use your smart phone to unlock your room. Download the My Disney Experience App. Then attach your room reservation to your MDE (My Disney Experience). There is an option to actually unlock your room with your phone.
Pay for Parking
This next one is not really a hack, but a “just so you know” tip. Since Disney World started, there was never a parking fee at the Disney World Resorts. For the first time ever, Disney started charging parking fee for Disney Resort guests.
I know this is a thorn for a lot of people. Even the Jones Family was disappointed in this new policy. However, many of the surrounding resorts like Disney Springs Hotels and Universal Orlando Hotels charge a parking fee. It was not surprising that Disney started charging a fee, too.
Money Back on Your Room
Some of the Disney Resorts offer money back, if you do not use housekeeping. It is a few dollars here and there, but that adds up to a few Mickey Mouse ice cream bars. Ask the front desk at check in for more details.
Online Check In
Save time checking into your Disney World Resort with Online Check In. You can download the My Disney Experience App to your smartphone. You can then complete the Online Check In from your phone. You do not even have to stop by the front desk, because your MagicBand or phone unlocks the door. It is amazing!
So there you have it! Over 90 Disney World Resort tips and hacks for your next Disney World vacation. We hope this helps you pick the best Disney World Resort for your family vacation.
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