The best Disney World hotels to book right now

These two hotels are not official Disney Resorts, but guests do get access to park perks when staying here and can earn points through Marriott Bonvoy. The rooms could use some love, but the prices can be very affordable compared to other deluxe properties. You can walk or take a boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and are next door to The Boardwalk and the Yacht Club & Beach Club. You'll find multiple dining options, plus the Dolphin’s lobby bar and quick service spot, Fuel, are open late— until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, which is a rarity around Disney. 

This is a great option for those wanting a luxury experience without Disney in your face all day and night (Oh, and Hilton, points!). In December 2023, the property completed a huge redesign by Parker Torres, reimagining all its public spaces: 504 guest rooms, including 171 suites, food-and-beverage outlets, spa, and golf amenities. You’ll get official Disney resort hotel perks here while enjoying two beautiful pools, and you can hop next door to the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek to use its lazy river.

The BoardWalk has become one of my favorite hotels due to its design, location on Crescent Lake, and offerings. You'll find recently renovated rooms with Victorian-style Disney accents, a pizza window open until midnight, live music in the early evening, Atlantic City Dance Hall (a real scene everyone must see once) and Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar where you’ll go from belting Whitney Houston or Blink 182 right into “Be Our Guest.” Guests here can walk or take a boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as well as access to Epcot’s Skyliner station. 

Themed after Mediterranean rivieras, this resort looks big but feels intimate and chic. It’s a Disney Vacation Club resort that is bookable for hotel stays, which means you’ll have microwaves and toasters, larger rooms with kitchenettes, and stacked washers and dryers. It’s a Skyliner resort, making hopping to Epcot/Hollywood Studios easy. They have a great lobby coffee shop and a library lounge for remote work needs, and the biggest highlight is Topolino’s Terrace. The rooftop restaurant offers the best character breakfast at Disney. At night, it’s an elegant Italian-leaning restaurant that will make you want to book your next European trip.

The resort’s design might be too minimal for some. But, when you have the Monorail zooming through the main tower every few minutes, you know you’re experiencing something distinctly Disney. Rooms have been updated over the last few years and feature an Incredibles design scheme. There is a walkway to the Magic Kingdom (about 10 minutes), which is a lifesaver on busier days. Dining favorites here include Steakhouse 71 and Chef Mickey’s, where you’re paying to hang with Mickey and friends in their chef whites.

This is the top of my Disney hotel bucket list. Staying here not only gets you the Disney resort perks, but you also have access to pools galore, a spa, golf, a free kids club, complimentary fitness classes, and elevated dining experiences, including Ravello (Italian) and the one-Michelin star Capa—a rooftop Spanish-style steakhouse with views of the parks and their nightly fireworks. If staying here requires you to take out a loan, you can always visit for a meal or spa appointment and get just a taste of that ultra-luxe Disney life.

The Grand Floridian will always be that girl. It may not be as luxurious as the Four Seasons or Waldorf, but you’re getting the best of Disney with the grandest of lobbies, a beautiful Victorian aesthetic, and some of the finest food and drink experiences on the Monorail loop—including Cítricos, for seasonal Floridian fare; Victoria & Albert’s, a tasting menu that recently received one Michelin star; and 1900 Park Fare reopened in April ‘24 for character dining with Cinderella, Aladdin, Tiana and Mirabel. The Enchanted Rose is my bar of choice for an aperitivo before heading back to the Magic Kingdom for fireworks.

There were two different resorts originally, but they’re now under one umbrella with two options: Port Orleans—French Quarter (designed after New Orleans’ famed French Quarter) or Port Orleans—Riverside (rural/rustic Louisiana). This is a solid, moderate resort option with neatly designed buildings, boat transportation to Disney Springs, and some fun entertainment options, such as New Orleans-style Jazz at Scat Cat’s Club Lounge and Yehaa Bob Jackson, a musical comedy one-man-show at River Roost Lounge. Don’t miss the Mickey-shaped beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Café.

This massive resort might seem like too much, but the Spanish explorer-meets-Southwest/Mexico vibes put you at ease. Situated around Lago Dorado, there are many room options in smaller three-to-four-story buildings, plus the Gran Destino Tower. There's also a 123-foot-long waterslide next to a 50-foot pyramid—yes, please! Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a favorite among us Disney goers, is situated in the middle of the lake and serves Latin/Spanish-American fare, sangria flights and cocktails. Rix Sports Bar and Grill has fried chicken-stuffed Mickey Mouse waffles for breakfast, which are exclusive to the property.

Inspired by the American West and our country's national parks, this resort honors the beauty in nature. There are rock formations, trees, walking paths and waterfalls around the resort. A geyser inspired by Old Faithful at Yellowstone goes off every hour. In addition to the hotel rooms, you can book two different vacation club villas. There is a dedicated boat to the Magic Kingdom (and a bus option too). Dining includes Whispering Canyon Café, an all-you-can-enjoy skillet program with animated servers that go above and beyond for a good chuckle.