The best pools in the resort
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Resort’s Club’s Storm-along Bay, a three-acre miniature water park; the Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort with its lush waterfall, steaming peak, and picture-perfect views of Cinderella Castle; and the rock-filled Silver Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its own erupting geyser.
best luxury resort
On Disney property are the public areas of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with its upscale Victorian ambience and lagoon-side setting across from the Magic Kingdom® (rooms here are in need of remodeling, which is slated for early of 2014). Outside the property is the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, where you may be tempted to never leave the resort. And keep an eye out for the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s sure to be first on this list!
Disney’s Best Luxury Villa Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the newest Disney Deluxe Villa Resort in its repertoire. The second runner-up is Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its modern, modern look, monorail access, and spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom.
better environment
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where hundreds of animals roam the savannah and the air pulses to the beat of African drums.
best lobby
How to choose? Three make the cut: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, all awe-inspiring in their grandeur.
Better Access to Parks
Disney’s Contemporary Resort not only with monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, but also with a walking path. Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where there is direct access to the monorail without the need for a shuttle to reach both Epcot® and the Magic Kingdom (a short walk is required to reach the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot Direct Monorail). And any of the Epcot Resorts within walking distance of Epcot and a boat ride or long walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.
best for romance
Disney’s Polynesian Resort, whose lush grounds lit by tiki torches and white-sand beaches overlooking Cinderella’s Castle are simply dreamy.
The best for nature lovers
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for its waterfalls, gushing geysers and bubbling streams, all surrounded by majestic pine trees and shimmering Bay Lake.
The best lounges of the resort
California Grill Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its splendid 15th-floor location and unrivaled views of the Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and the Wishes Fireworks Spectacular (registration is required first at the second-floor podium). Bluezoo Lounge at Walt Disney World Dolphin, the most elegant place in the area. And Il Mulino Lounge at Walt Disney World Swan’s, where a lively bar with live music is offered on Friday and Saturday nights.
The best views of the suite
the two-story Walt Disney World Dolphin Presidential Suites, whose panoramic views are second to none; Suites on the 14th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort overlooking Bay Lake or, better yet, the Magic Kingdom, views that will take your breath away; the Royal Assante Presidential and Royal Kuba VP Suites at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with sweeping views of the resort’s exotic savannah; Grand Suite at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where the fireworks can be viewed from four of the five balconies; the Steeplechase Presidential Suite and the Sonora VP Suite at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, whose spacious balconies overlook Crescent Lake and Epcot; and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Yellowstone Presidential and Yosemite VP Suites overlooking the resort’s beautiful courtyard pool and sparkling Bay Lake.
The best views of the rooms
Theme park view rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the higher the better (book a 12th floor Atrium Club Concierge room), with up-close views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Magic Kingdom, Castle and the Wishes Fireworks Show ; the Savanna View Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where exotic animals roam just below your balcony; Theme park view rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Resort overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, a beautiful white sand beach and the castle and fireworks in the distance; and Deluxe Club rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn with divine views of Crescent Lake and Epcot.
best concierge lounge
Royal Palm Club at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where there is a wide variety of appetizers and pleasant music that comes from the Grand Lobby below.
The best suites
The Royal Assante Presidential Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with its thatched roof, hand-carved furniture, African textiles and sweeping views of the resort’s savannah; the two-story Walt Disney World Dolphin Presidential Suites decorated in a divine contemporary style with views that stretch for miles; and Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s two-story King Kamehameha Suite decorated in a contemporary Asian style with South Seas fans cooling the open loft-style living area.
