Walt Disney World Resorts

Abbey Ansley
Mar 24
8 min read

My goal is to stay at every resort at Walt Disney World and share my honest thoughts along the way! As I check each one off the list, I’ll continue adding my reviews here to help you decide where to stay on your next Disney vacation.

If you’ve started researching Walt Disney World resorts, you’ve probably already noticed one thing: everyone has a different opinion. That’s because resort preferences are completely subjective! I regularly chat with fellow Disney fans and clients about their favorites, and there’s simply not a clear “winner.”

As a Disney Destinations Specialist, I love helping families narrow down the options. The best resort for you will depend on your travel style, priorities, and itinerary—and that’s exactly what I aim to highlight in these reviews.

You’ll notice I don’t focus heavily on price in my evaluations. Disney already categorizes their resorts as Value ($), Moderate ($$), and Deluxe ($$$), which gives a helpful baseline. That said, not all Deluxe resorts are priced equally. Resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and BoardWalk Inn often offer more accessible entry points into the Deluxe category, making them great options if you’re looking to experience a higher-tier stay without jumping to the highest price point.

When you're ready to discuss the options and make a plan for YOUR family's stay, reach out to me at aansley@themouseexperts.com.

Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

🤩 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

🏨 Resort Area: Animal Kingdom

🚘 Transportation: Bus

👀 Theming: Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American

❤️ What I Loved: I loved everything about Three Bridges Bar & Grill—especially the lanterns hanging above the bar and the sangria tower, which made it feel like such a unique, elevated dining experience for a Moderate resort.

The Dig Site pool area is another standout. This is where you’ll find the main pool, volleyball court, fire pit, arcade, and Siestas Cantina, making it a really fun and central hub for families.

The lobby is absolutely beautiful and makes a strong first impression when you arrive. It feels much more upscale than you might expect from a Moderate resort.

👎🏻 What I Didn’t Love: Like many Walt Disney World resorts, this property is very spread out. While I enjoyed the scenic walking paths, it did take a while to get to El Centro when I needed something.

I also noticed that the rooms weren’t very soundproof. I could hear quite a bit from the neighboring room when both spaces were occupied.

El Centro itself felt a bit like a convention center to me, which slightly took away from the immersive Disney feel in that area.

👨🏼‍👩🏻‍👧🏻‍👦🏼 Unique Recreation: Sangria University, Colors of Coronado Painting Experience, Spanish Mosaic Art, Hidden Bruno Photo Prop Hunt (inspired by Encanto), Resort Scavenger Hunt, Movies Under the Stars, Fitness Center, Nature Trail, Iguana Arcade

🍽️ Notable Dining: Toledo – Tapas, Seafood & Steak; Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago; Rix Sports Bar & Grill; Dahlia Lounge; Maya Grill

🎞️ Watch This to Get Excited: The Three Caballeros, Encanto

💡 Best For: Travelers who want a Moderate resort with Deluxe-level touches, great dining options, and a more relaxed, resort-style atmosphere, especially couples or families who don’t mind a bit of extra walking.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

🤩 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

🏨 Resort Area: Disney Springs (with a scenic boat ride along the Sassagoula River)

🚘 Transportation: Bus to parks, Water Taxi to Disney Springs

👀 Theming: New Orleans French Quarter

❤️ What I Loved: This is one of my favorite Moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. It shares a lot of the same charm and atmosphere as Port Orleans Riverside—but in a much more compact layout. If you love the Port Orleans vibe but don’t want to spend as much time walking, French Quarter is the way to go. (For example, my dad hates a long trek back to the room, so I would absolutely choose this resort when traveling with him!)

The theming here is so fun and whimsical. My kids especially love the playful take on New Orleans culture—from the colorful pool area to the lively lobby fountain and the “Second Line” alligators along the pathways. It feels festive without being overwhelming.

👎🏻 What I Didn’t Love: Compared to Riverside, French Quarter has a slightly higher energy level. While I personally tend to prefer the quieter, more laid-back “floating through the bayou” feel of Riverside, this really comes down to personal preference.

If you’re deciding between the two, think of it this way: French Quarter leans into Mardi Gras energy, while Riverside feels more peaceful and scenic.

👨🏼‍👩🏻‍👧🏻‍👦🏼 Unique Recreation: Painting on De’ Bayou, Mosaic Class, Hidden Louis Photo Prop Hunt (inspired by The Princess and the Frog), Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Movies Under the Stars, South Quarter Games Arcade, Glow with the Flow

🍽️ Notable Dining: Beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Café 🤤 (a must-do—arguably some of the most iconic snacks at Walt Disney World!)

🎞️ Watch This to Get Excited: The Princess and the Frog

💡 Best For: Families or couples looking for one of the best Moderate resorts at Disney World, especially if you want a smaller footprint, fun theming, and easy access to Disney Springs by boat.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

🤩 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

🏨 Resort Area: Disney Springs (with a peaceful boat ride along the Sassagoula River)

🚘 Transportation: Bus to parks, Water Taxi to Disney Springs

👀 Theming: Louisiana bayou and rural countryside

❤️ What I Loved: This has been my family’s go-to resort for 10 years. What makes it so special is how completely it feels like an escape from the real world.

There’s something about walking into the main lobby that instantly transports you to another time and place. The entire resort has a slow, relaxed pace that feels like the perfect contrast to busy theme park days. Surrounded by towering trees and winding paths along the river, it genuinely feels like you’re miles away from everything.

One detail that really stands out to me is the scent. Most Disney resorts have a signature smell, but this is the one I associate most with my own Disney memories—it immediately takes me back.

The River Mill Food Court is another unexpected highlight. Even though it’s technically quick service, it feels elevated thanks to views of the water wheel and a thoughtfully designed kids’ area. Breakfast here is one of my favorite ways to start the day before heading into the parks—it’s calm, easy, and sets the tone for the morning.

I also love that you can take a boat to Disney Springs, which adds to that “away from it all” feeling and lets you avoid busy roads entirely.

👎🏻 What I Didn’t Love: The biggest downside people mention is that the resort is very spread out—and that’s fair.

That said, I personally don’t mind it at all. I’d much rather take a scenic walk along the Sassagoula River to get to the pool or dining than walk down a long indoor hallway or around a resort area that feels more commercial. For me, the space is part of the charm.

👨🏼‍👩🏻‍👧🏻‍👦🏼 Unique Recreation :Bicycle Rentals, Mosaic Class, Movies Under the Stars, Hidden Ray Photo Prop Hunt (inspired by The Princess and the Frog), Cane Pole Fishing, Medicine Show Arcade, Glow with the Flow, Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

🍽️ Notable Dining: Boatwright’s Dining Hall

🎞️ Watch This to Get Excited: The Princess and the Frog

💡 Best For: Families who want a peaceful, immersive escape and one of the best Moderate resorts at Disney World, especially if you value atmosphere over convenience and don’t mind a bit of extra walking.

Deluxe Resorts

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

🤩 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

🏨 Resort Area: Hollywood Studios & EPCOT Area

🚘 Transportation: Skyliner, walking, boat, bus

👀 Theming: Coastal New England seaside resort

❤️ What I Loved: Beach Club is a fantastic option if you love a light, airy, coastal aesthetic. The soft colors and relaxed seaside vibe make it feel bright and welcoming...especially after a long park day.

One of the biggest highlights here is the location. You’re within walking distance to EPCOT and a short walk or boat ride to Hollywood Studios, plus you have easy access to the Skyliner. The nearby BoardWalk area adds even more to do within walking distance, especially in the evenings.

Stormalong Bay is a major standout and one of the best pools at Walt Disney World. With its sand-bottom pool, lazy river, and shipwreck slide, it’s more like a mini water park than a typical resort pool- perfect for a dedicated non-park day.

I also love that Beach Club is connected to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, so you really get two Deluxe resort experiences in one stay. It’s fun to notice the subtle design differences, like Yacht Club’s dark wood floors that mimic a luxury ship versus Beach Club’s lighter stone floors that give the illusion of sand.

👎🏻 What I Didn’t Love: This mostly comes down to personal preference, but I slightly prefer the theming at Yacht Club. While both resorts feel luxurious, Yacht Club leans more toward casual elegance, while Beach Club has a more laid-back, beachy feel.

That said, since the two are connected and share amenities, you really can’t go wrong—you can enjoy the best of both depending on your mood.

👨🏼‍👩🏻‍👧🏻‍👦🏼 Unique Recreation: Boat Rentals, Painting in the Vineyard, Silent Disco, Yo Ho Let’s Go, Movies Under the Stars, Fitness Center, Lafferty Place Arcade

🍽️ Notable Dining: Cape May Café (featuring Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast with Minnie Mouse and friends)

🎞️ Watch This to Get Excited: The Little Mermaid

💡 Best For :Guests who want a walkable EPCOT area Disney resort with top-tier pool amenities, especially families planning park days at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios or anyone who values location above all else.

While families with younger kids may prefer proximity to Magic Kingdom in their resort, families with older kids may prefer the proximity to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. You'll get that with Yacht and Beach Club.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

🤩 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

🏨 Resort Area: Hollywood Studios & EPCOT Area

🚘 Transportation: Skyliner, walking, boat, bus

👀 Theming: Classic nautical/New England yacht club

❤️ What I Loved: This is my favorite theming of any Disney resort I’ve visited. From the moment you walk inside, it feels elevated and refined—like stepping into a classic New England yacht club. The rich wood tones, nautical details, and overall design create a truly upscale atmosphere that stands out among Disney resorts.

The location is another major highlight. You’re within walking distance to EPCOT and close to Hollywood Studios, with easy access to the Skyliner and the lively BoardWalk area nearby. It’s one of the most convenient areas to stay in all of Walt Disney World.

Stormalong Bay is a huge bonus and easily one of the best pool complexes on property. It’s perfect for a non-park day and adds a lot of value to your stay.

I also love that Yacht Club is connected to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, so you can enjoy two distinct resort atmospheres in one trip. The small design details really stand out—like the wood plank floors at Yacht Club that mimic the interior of a luxury ship, compared to the lighter, sand-inspired tones at Beach Club.

👎🏻 What I Didn’t Love: Honestly, my only hesitation is the price. This is a Deluxe resort, and while it absolutely delivers on quality and location, it’s not the most budget-friendly option for every trip.