Timestamps 2:08 All Star Resorts 6:27 The Cabins at Fort Wilderness 9:13 Pop Century 12:10 Coronado Springs 15:55 Old Key West 18:54 Saratoga Springs 21:30 Port Orleans Resort Riverside 23:28 Art of Animation 26:04 Caribbean Beach 29:08 Port Orleans French Quarter 31:10 Riviera Resort 34:09 Animal Kingdom Lodge 36:28 Boardwalk Inn 39:42 Wilderness Lodge 42:06 Yacht Club 44:03 Beach Club 46:19 Polynesian Village Resort 49:25 Grand Floridian Resort 53:00 Contemporary Resort
I stayed at the Coronado Spring’s Casitas building with my family for my 21st birthday. This was my first time ever staying on Disney property. I was mesmerized by the hotel room, it was so spacious and elegant. We were lucky to always find great parking near our building, which was also conveniently close to other amenities. I must say, yes, there is a lot of walking involved. However the scenery, ambiance and overall feel of the resort made it worth it, especially at night. Food and dining were also very nice, I truly have no complaints.
Absolutely love Coronado springs! Always stayed there near the pond next to a tiny beach with hammocks... Very peaceful and quiet at the resort which I like.
Justice for the Riviera. It’s definitely a “spurge” hotel but so is my entire trip to WDW. We just spent 11 days here for our honeymoon and the level of service, care and experience we had were UNMATCHED. 10/10 will absolutely be back again.
I wonder if AJ has ever spent like 2 weeks just staying a night in each resort as she skylines and busses her way between them everyday. Like some kind of weird nomadic pilgrimage.
Pop Century is awesome, just stayed there a few weeks ago. Loved the access to the skyliner and the fun atmosphere- not to mention the excited and happy pop-goers everywhere. I will definitely stay there again.
Pop Century isn’t “dated” - it’s a period piece! I stayed there just last week and loved it. And the mousekeeping and Everything Pop! staff were great. I stayed a few days at AKL on my friend’s DVC points that trip too and it’s definitely more “plush”, but the friendly staff and Skyliner were benefits I didn’t find at AKL.
Same! My family stayed for a week at the Cabins in 2019. However, that was beyond our budget this time around. We want to stay by the parks, but it's so difficult!
Play around with dates and get all the discounts you can. Over spring break we stayed at Grand Flo park view room for under $400 a night. In February we stayed at Yacht club in a suite for $350. Best value is Grand Destino for $180 in January.
All Star resorts tend to be our go-to over the years for both price and convenience. I actually prefer their organized bus systes to the chaotic bus arrangements of some of the higher tier resorts. The All Star buses come on time, there are organized lines, and they come frequently. We had a LOT more waiting time, other guests cutting in front, and buses that just didn't show at other resorts.
I was lucky enough to get a great deal to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge last year for an affordable price (can’t remember the exact price, we were supposed to stay at Caribbean Beach originally but were offered to stay at Animal Kingdom for the same price). Despite being there during the pandemic where a lot of things were still closed, it was still enjoyable and a great place to stay. It’s just so unbelievable at what these places usually charge, even the all star resorts feel overpriced for what you get. Disney is slowly becoming a place exclusively for the rich it’s sad
Im not surprised. With economic inflation being componded by covid chaos, the cost of everything everywhere is skyrocketing. Our fam is crossing our fingers that the economy recovers quickly enough that we can take our girl for her 5th or 6th bday without totally breaking us.
I wholeheartedly agree. You can spend $1000 and get a much nicer room at Waldorf Astoria or Four Seasons than at Grand Floridian. I do wanna say, although the All Stars are overpriced for what you get, at least WDW has value resorts. At Disneyland, all 3 hotels are so expensive, including Paradise Pier which is very basic and comparable to the All Stars but start at around $350/night 😕
@@Nopi9 Disney tried to get the 5th star for the Grand Floridian when it first opened. Nope. Never was successful. Want 5 star? Go to 4 Seasons on property. You will see what a legitimate 5star resort is and why Disney hotels will never be.
Looking back- i see now that hotel rooms that are a bit “boring” may be better for families with kids that are easily over stimulated. Less “busy” decor can really help them settle and rest.
There’s something so magical about staying in a Disney hotel. Maybe it’s the fact every time I’ve ever been I’ve stayed in one, but it feels just like home. I’ve not once met a rude cast member in the hotel, and they always make it feel so magical. It may be expensive to stay in my personal favorite, Polynesian Resort, but it won’t change the magic of staying in one.
My dad loved the Contemporary. We stayed there several times, when it was just The Contemporary and Polynesian Village. He's been gone for decades, but he'd be glad to know it's still ranked #1.
@@ashleysimmons3210 Ashley! It's a small world lol! I was signed into JamesonThomas24, and I was like--wait NO! I must post this on Magical Window Shopping haha! Because... Disney... lololol
I agree! We, one time, went for broke and spent a day at the poly (long story, we missed our flight by moments and it took a long time to cool down from that incident. We wanted to be somewhere that would be worth an extra day. So we asked ourselves where would we go if we threw everything to the wind and had a fantasy location stay. Since there is no way we could ever afford the bungalows on the water, this was the absolute closest we could do.). I have to say, I would stay at Riverside every single time over the Poly. Other than having the monorail right there, there is not one thing that the poly has over Riverside for me.
so true! i’ve stayed there, coronado springs, yacht club, and contemporary and the only one i don’t think it’s better than is contemporary! the food court at riverside is amazing and so is the little bar they have and sometimes bob plays
@@wingesoftball9346 Riverside's food court was always the family favorite for breakfast. The lines move fast, they had a ton of options and plenty of seating when we were there, high season or slow season. Only issue we had was the time we got stuck in the Magnolia sector which is at the back of the resort and a bit of a hike from the food court. Still not as bad as trying to walk Caribbean Beach when it first opened, that place was an expedition each morning, before the cable cars were put in!😆
We stayed there once in the princess room and they made towel sculptures for the kids each night and a cake towel on my daughter’s bday. I didn’t even know how they knew that was her birthday. Then, when we accidentally left a stuffed animal, they mailed it back. All of the gardens are beautifully maintained. It feels like a deluxe hotel. The only thing it’s missing is a large enough sit down.
I agree. Riverside definitely deserves to be higher on the list. I stayed at Coronado, the Yacht Club, and the Polynesian. Each Hotel has its charm and fabulous views, but Riverside's Atmosphere was the most relaxing and stress free. My biggest compliment was their food court. My family and I went there often. Nothing too crazy, served quickly, found a place sit, food was good, and the service was more 'homely'
Tips about Riverside: 1. This is the resort where they commonly put performing arts groups. There will be some hassle and bustle so not always peaceful. 2. Each area of hotels(magnolia terrace, alligator bayou, etc.) have a bus depot. There is North, South, East, and West Depot. South is the lobby. 3. You have to bus hop to get to Typhoon Lagoon unless you leave before 10:00 am. You need to ride the Disney Springs bus and get on the Typhoon Lagoon bus. 4. Get the braised beef it’s delicious. 5. While it looks large, the walks aren’t bad and are quite peaceful. The lobby is in the center, so everyone is walking the same. We use the walks to plan the day. Hope this helped!
I watch this video, and a few others now, on a loop just looking ahead to the day I go back there. I am so happy this video exists because it gives me a lot to think about and imagine. Stayed at the Grand Flo last time, which was also my first time, and it was fabulous. Might look at Boardwalk or maybe Wilderness Lodge. Boardwalk would work great for drinking around the world 😂 as I could walk back to my hotel. If I still can walk. 😂
After having stayed there, I feel I always need to defend the All-Star Sports resort. I admit that if my budget allowed it I would stay at a more expensive Disney hotel such as Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge (I haven’t stayed at either yet, since my budget hasn’t ever allowed it.) We stayed at All Star Sports right after it reopened following Covid and we were blown away by the quality and service. Everything AJ said was accurate, but none of it was a problem. Most of our lunches and dinners were in the theme parks or Disney Springs, so we didn’t miss a table service restaurant. The food court was perfect for a quick breakfast before getting on the buses. We just made sure to give ourselves enough travel time and had no problem getting to rope drop every day. The grounds were Disney immaculate. Most importantly, every cast member went way out of their way to provide great service. I can’t say enough good things about them. As I said earlier, they wouldn’t be my resort of choice if I could afford more, but I’d stay there again without worry. And I don’t even like sports.
Justice for Old Key West. Granted it is a big resort and it’s on the expensive side but there is a reason why it’s my home resort. It’s nice being away from the parks, you can get a break from the parks by having a great meal at Disney Springs. I enjoy the small Disney accents in the rooms and resort. Cast members ranging from concierge to the cast members working at good foods to go (the resorts quick service) is just amazing. I would highly recommend staying here, especially if you want a peaceful resort
I stayed at OKW about 6 months ago and absolutely loved it! Sand Castle pool was big and relaxing. The rooms are massive and spacious - great for big parties like mine. Loved everything about this resort.
Port Orleans French Quarter is our happy place. It's the smallest resort, so nothing is too far, and the Sasagoula River Boat takes you up to Disney Springs! We love it
Stayed at Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower in 2019 and loved it, booking there again for a trip in February. The bus thing isn’t always fun, but as a solo traveler, liked that it wasn’t an outside facing door. Took a minute to figure out the elevators, they’re wild. Rooms were really nice, didn’t feel like a moderate resort and the lobby is gorgeous. Really liked the price, felt more expensive than it was, definitely recommend.
We loved Gran Destino tower too! We stayed in the fall of 2019 and had the best time, great dining at Toledo, relaxing atmosphere for two childless adults
I LOVE Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. They are some of the most relaxing resorts I have ever stayed at! We often choose Saratoga or OKW over Bay Lake Tower or Beach Club because of the value and relaxation factor!
@@brendan7632 How was your visit to Saratoga Springs? Have heard criticisms that it's a large complex and is a long walk to the pool from many of the hotel rooms.
@@emailuser8668 it can be a longer walk than most. But I loved it. Have stayed there many times and I like the feeling of being able to escape from the large crowds and noise at this resort. Also it’s amazing that you can walk to Disney springs and have endless food options
Never understood the love for Contemporary.. rooms are so dated, and the new ones look flat out weird to me. The new Poly and AKL rooms are 10 times nicer..
Contemporary is my childhood resort, so there is nostalgia. The location is amazing, but those new rooms look horrible. Definitely knocked it down for me. If you have kids who love the Incredibles, fine, but the rooms look so cheap.
Yeah, I have a very old memory of taking the monorail through it as a child and thought it was the coolest place ever. I'm really disappointed by the pictures of the rooms.
We stayed at Caribbean Beach and loved it. I don’t understand why this video doesn’t like it. The grounds were gorgeous and the skyliner was amazing. I would never consider a resort with only bus transportation to the parks.
Coronado Springs doesn’t deserve the hate it receives. Especially gran destino tower. It’s such a beautiful property, the dining options are phenomenal, and the transportation is no different than any other bus-reliant property!
Thank you, AJ. This is the most comprehensive comparison of Disney World Resorts I have ever seen! Our favorite - Disney's Boardwalk. It is super convenient to Epcot and Studios, and we have the best memories of our vacations while staying there. The Polynesian is excellent too, and the Villas at Grand Floridian get high marks. Looking forward to going back!
For us, we love Saratoga springs! We've stayed at several... But we really love that we can walk over to Disney springs. Also, their new refurb was amazing
With all the rapidly changing safety parameters at DW, It would really be helpful to have new ultimate day videos of each park. It’s sad that everything that was covered in the last videos may not apply now. I’m desperately planning a family trip in November but now not sure which way to go with my itinerary. 🤪
Swan and Dolphin are technically on property so it would have been nice to see where they ranked in comparison because I could see them possibly being on top given value for deluxe resort amenities with same early access to parks and transportation.
Stayed at the Yacht club for my first ever trip to DW when I was 10! We were supposed to stay at the beach club, but our room was right next to construction going on at the time. Had a wonderful experience there! We're big fans of Epcot and having that Gateway nearby and the boats to MK was such a lifesaver after walking for hours on end in the parks. Also can confirm: the BEST pools!
Sad Shades of Green didn't make it on this list but I understand why. It will always be my number one pick to stay just because of the value, transportation, and service. Also, I always hit this place up with some type of event going on (character meet and greet for example). Food is alright and you are most likely guaranteed a table upon walking in. The biggest point I like about this hotel is I am just a 15 minute walk (give or take) from the Poly. If I have money, the Polynesian would be the place I LIVE in.
I am eligible to stay at shades of Green. I've studied quite a bit on it and feel that it's a great value and a great location. I presume that you feel the same way?
Honestly so glad to see that Coronado Springs is not on the bottom! I always have loved that resort, especially with premier access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yes....it is a LOT of walking, but it really is scenic, especially by the Riviera Resort.
Animal kingdom lodge should be in the top 3 in my opinion. I agree with it being the farthest from the other 3 parks but every time I use the buses I never have any issues with them.
@@592Rocker The buses ending in January are those from the airport (Magical Express). The internal Disney shuttle bus service between resorts and the parks is not affected.
We loved staying at the campground when we had our RV. We were close to the ferry that takes you to MK, able to tow our vehicle to go off property, and able to bring our pets. Along with bringing your home away from home and the things you need! Like the food already in the fridge and your own coffee maker. 🥰 Unfortunately we have since sold the RV. (Maybe another in the future?)
I will only stay at Pop Century. I don’t find it at all cheesy. It’s a fun theme and the prices are great. When I am at Disney my room is really only for sleeping and showering, so I see no point in the deluxe resorts.
I'm happy Port Orleans French Quarter is decently ranked in the list. We stayed there in 2019 and really enjoyed the fact that it was smaller, calmer and quiet. It's couple friendly with corner King Bed room options and less kids in the resort. Highly recommended for couples retreats. The short boat ride to Disney Springs or Riverside also provides a great meal options if you want to stray from the New Orleans inspired menu (but why would you?).
I don't care about having to walk. I've stayed in boardwalk, beach club, port orleans rs and pop century. Riverside is by far the best value. Beach Club and boardwalk you get ripped off for food with no quick service restaurant, and pop century is a motel 6 with flashy colors. These ratings put way too much emphasis on whether you have to walk or not. America needs the exercise.
If you are considering All Star resorts as your place to stay, my recomendation would be All Star Sports or All Star Music over All Star Movies. As a former bus driver for Disney, we would stop at Sports and Music before Movies. By the time we got to Movies the bus would be full of riders and we would bypass Movies.
The cabins (and RV spots/campgrounds) allow golfcarts!!! It’s my favorite hotel my proximity to MK!! You get on a golfcart, go down to the boat, take a short trip and bam, Magic Kingdom!
I would have put OKW way higher up on the list. Olivia's is a hidden gem. The ambiance at the resort is so relaxed and chill. Its a great compliment to the busy park days. And the size of the villas alone... amazing.
I just watched this again and my opinion is still the same! OKW should be way higher! I've also stayed at AoA and we had a great time. Its a super fun resort, but its a value resort and has that feel. Yes, it has the Skyliner, but you're still riding the bus to the two other parks and Disney Springs. Also, the walk to the transportation center at AoA was farther than our walk to the transportation center near our room at OKW. Buses came often, too, and as AJ mentioned, they do have boat ride to Disney Springs. All of the rooms at OKW have a water view, they are HUGE, beautifully styled with light but present Disney theming. It's more in the way of art on the walls with the Fab 5, and hidden Mickeys in the decor than the bold theming at value resorts. This could be pro or con depending on your taste. The food in incredible. Olivia's is amazing and they have a mobile order option with a pick up window, so you can take it back to your giant room and eat watching the ducks in the pond. They also have Goods Food to Go quick service that has ice cream and they give a lot of free samples to people sitting near the main pool area. Another quick service stop, The Turtle Shack is at the turtle pond too. If you're concerned about the walking, ask to be near the Hospitality House and if you are concerned about the cost, rent DVC points. Those two changes alone could make it an ideal fit for a lot of family, because the space and amenities make it a real vacation.
Stayed in the Grand Destino recently. LOVED every bit of it. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to go. Great for a family, even though it was just me and my girlfriend, so definitely a great couple place. But we got lucky, the buses we road didn't make any other stops. It was just a straight ride to and from the parks
We've only stayed at Wilderness Lodge and we absolutely loved it. I have the Poly, BC, AKL, and POFQ on my bucket list of resorts to stay at. I'd also like to stay at the treehouses sometime.
I’ve only been to WDW once when I was about 10 years old (now 25). We stayed in all star sports and it was fine since we weren’t there that often. Looking back on the holiday the only thing that bothered me about the busses was that they had air con that was way too freezing cold 🤣 (Visiting from UK where we don’t have that on out busses). We went hotel hopping one evening and it was so magical being at the Polynesian village beach watching the fireworks - wanted to stay in that hotel ever since.
My first and only visit to Disney World in 2014, we stayed at the contemporary resort! I absolutely loved it, and really didn't mind the style of the room. I'm not quite sure I'm excited about a change of theme to the incredibles but I'm sure some people may find that fun. We often walked from our hotel to Magic Kingdom but the monorail and close access absolutely sells this place.
As a Floridian DVC member for the past 17 years, my top 20 has changed over the years as the kids have gotten older. Proximity to MK is no longer a priority as it's now our least attended park. Transporation has always been a bit quirky for us as we had preferred the convenience of using our car at some resorts like OKW or SSR, but the hotels near the EPCOT resort tend to keep us at the two nearby theme parks and waterpark. Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is the only reason I would agree of the 50 point rating, otherwise I would rather stay at AKL as it hits all what we are looking for in a resort. Ironically, we used to love to stay at the North Wing at the Contemporary as it was a super short stroller walk to MK if we couldn't get a room in the main building (nothing beats the monorail) and I was upset that they closed it down only to build a nice complement to the A framed Contemporary Resort. The Treehouses at Saratoga are pretty neat but I'd give transportation a flat 1 if it weren't for having our car close by. I would add that Boatwrights and the beignets at Sassagoula are huge reasons why we loved staying at Port Orleans but it's only a short drive from OKW or SSR.
I'm tired of Animal Kingdom getting trashed because of transportation and being in the middle of nowhere. Is it possible that being away from the parks is a pro, not a con? There is a reason why WDW recommends AKL to celebs when they come to the parks. Sure, AKL is unique and has excellent dining, BUT it is quiet and away from the craziness you experience at the other deluxe resorts. AKL doesn't have random guests wandering around inside like you have at Boardwalk, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary and the Polynesian (pre-COVID). Pretty much the only people who come over there are people staying there, or people who are dining there. In regards to transportation, if you have a car this is a non-issue. In addition, if you have a car, Kidani probably has the best parking option of all the resorts- you park under the resort, right next to your elevator. No running half a mile in the rain.
The transportation isn't great but the resort is amazing and I'm not an animal guy. My only regret is that I didn't stay there a full week. Waking up and seeing animals outside is so cool, the food options are great, it's a great place. For me personally complaining about the transportation is like complaining that I won a billion dollars but they gave it to me in tens instead of twenties.
@@jamesmarshall6619 For sure- you're probably never gonna make rope drop if you stay there and you're relying on the buses. But honestly, morning is when the animals are most active, so you should be soaking up the animals and having breakfast at Sanaa.
We saw the parking lots and outside doors a plus at Saratoga Springs. We bring our car and with the kids when we got back from parks, boom, we were at our room. Plus the proximity to Disney Springs a huge plus.
I'd pick either the Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian. Both have great theming and are relatively close to the parks. The Polynesian is probably #1 for me simply because the monorail access.
Pretty good list based on my own experience as a frequent Disney visitor. For most people it is probably close to 100% accurate. Although, I will say that when I factor in everything the Wilderness Lodge is number one for me. My family maybe has enjoyed the Beach Club slightly more and possibly the Poly but when you factor in the price, the WL is really the sweet spot.
I have stayed at many, many Disney resorts. My favorites are the cabins at Fort Wilderness and French Quarter! By far the best resorts! Something that was missed when talking about fort wilderness cabins is renting a golf cart is a absolute must!
Saratoga never gets any love but I am here to tell you, it’s great! It’s consistently the cheapest deluxe resort and I’m sorry but you cannot beat the location. I would much rather need to bus to a park than bus to Disney springs. If you like to eat and shop, this is great. My family goes to Disney springs at the end of every night for food/ice cream while staying at Saratoga.
My quick personal recommendations: Best Value Resort; Pop Century. Nice access with the new skyliner, very Disney feel and theming, and newly remodeled, if small rooms. Best Moderate Resort; Port Orleans-French Quarter. Small and compact; not a lot of walking. Quiet and great theming, and lots of jazz and beignets. Also only one bus stop--so no worries about one getting to you full after 3 other stops. Boat access to Disney Springs is also a major plus. Best Deluxe; Polynesian. One of the oldest resorts at Disney, has the theming and atmosphere to compete with any of them. Great access with easy monorail and boat access to Magic Kingdom, and right next to the TTC for easy access to EPCOT as well. Beautiful new re-themed rooms, also some of the largest suites at Disney. Especially the DVC villa rooms. While Contemporary/Bay Lake is closer to the Magic Kingdom, it has a far more corporate feel and the remodeled rooms don't impress me at all. Grand Floridian? Pretty much what I just said about the Contemporary. DO NOT LIKE the new remodel; think it loses a lot of its charm. Best DVC; much much harder. Wife and I stayed at Old Key West last year; incredible one bedroom, quiet and great atmosphere. Boardwalk; great pricing, renovated rooms, a 5 min walk to EPCOT. Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness and Savanna View at Animal Kingdom Lodge also get high marks.
Coronado so low 😩 growing up we always stayed at Coronado springs and now I take my kids there. We love it. Tons of pools etc. however we rent a car so maybe we have a skewed view because of the transportation part that we get to skip out on
I Just stayed at Gran Destino and it was beautiful but the bus system knocks this resort down tremendously. One morning it took about 20 minutes to even leave the resort after finally getting onto a bus because of all the stops it makes. And when coming back? The line for Coronado is usually extending way past where the queue ends. Looking at the line for animal kingdom lodge made me want to cry out of jealousy because there were only 5 people 😂. Keep renting a car when you go.
The Coronado seems to be the best option, in my humble opinion. They all have slow transportation, so why pay more. As for dining options, I would think you go to Disney World to experience the parks and all they have to offer, including restaurants, and not so much the hotels themselves. Then again if you go regularly and wish to experience all options and willing to pay for it, I get it too. More power to ya'.
I’ve stayed at POFQ four times and it only ever shared a bus service with POR at non peak times. Beginning and end of the day you had a dedicated bus but headed out around 11:00-15:00 then yeah you’d usually share with POR adding time to your journey but you’d still have plenty of bus space and POFQ would be the first pick up.
Actually, nowhere at Coronado is that far away from food - the restaurants on the lake and by the pool are easy to reach from the far side. Plus you’re closer to the pool which is a win!
I have stayed at the All Star Movie Resort and the wait time for a bus was never long. The ride to the other parks was not long at all. I actually loves the hotel. It's not the Ritz but the kids loved it. We spent most or time at the parks and downtown.
Even if it will probably be a long time before I can treat myself to another vacation, it warms my heart just to look at these beautiful hotels. The hotels where I live are either next to a highway or flanked by other hotels and condos. They just don't compare to the theming and open spaces you can find in Disney World. Love the work and clips that went into making this!
okay im gonna say it. i love all star movies. maybe its because its where i stayed when i was 5, on my first ever disney holiday and has fond memories... but i love those giant statues everywhere, it feels so ''disney'' - but maybe its run down now and needs some work, idk. i like the look of art of animation!
Loved this video. Thus comparison was very informative. I’ve always said if I was ever fortunate to win the lottery I would take time to stay in each disney resort and I’d probably do it in this order from worst to best.😊😊
Contemporary number one? I stayed there when I was a kid in like 1987, and I think it still looks the same lol. I wouldn't exactly give it a swank factor of 9.
Back in May my friends and I went to Disney, and stayed at the Contemporary for a few days, then Animal Kingdom Lodge for the next few. I didn't really like my stay at the Contemporary. It just felt like any generic hotel, except this one had some small disney themed shops. I LOVED my stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, however. Waking up and being able to sit on the balcony and watch the animals instantly makes up for any transportation woes.
I thought for sure that Swan and Dolphin were going to be included in this because the title was 'ALL hotels on Disney property', not ALL hotels owned by Disney on Disney property. I wish you would include these hotels/resorts on all of your videos when you are talking about places to stay in Disney World. They really are a great option, even though Disney doesn't own them.
I noticed the absence of the Shades of Green, which is understandable due to it being military only. It’s decently priced (if you’re eligible), close to the transportation center, nice pools. The rooms are probably three star. My only real complaint is that all of the restaurants, store, pools-everything-close at ten p.m. So, you had better grab food before you leave MK or Epcot. Although for all I know, that’s every park.
Just went for the first time a few weeks ago and got a great deal (like 230 a night) on a room at Coronado Springs (nice and romantic for our anniversary). We loved the subtle theming, very comfortable room, only downside was that, as she mentioned, we had a bit of a walk to get to food or the buses but the 4 pools made up for it
There really is a vibe for every person! You can be in the middle of all the busyness or be isolated out in a tranquil setting. I like both, but will always keep it in the tight bubble setting. More than busses as transportation is my preference.
Just a note on the bus routes for French Quarter. Only the Disney Springs bus is shared. (with Port Orleans Riverside). All the rest of the bus routes go directly to the park and vice versa. We were very happy with the bus situation at the French Quarter.
I actually stayed at all movies resort back in may , and I was super impressed with transportation I didn’t wait more than 15 min for a bus in the morning at 7 and at the end of night after magic kingdom ! They had the huge buses not the normal ones and the seats were super comfy ! I’ve stayed at pop and at carribean beach and I waited longer for skylines and buses !
We always stay at a value resort when we go to Disney and never had an issue with transportation. We have been 6 times and have no complaints. We have everything we need and since we don't spend much time at our hotel we don't care how big it is or how modern. If there is a shower, a comfy bed and they are kept clean then that's all we need. Plus we travel from Canada 🇨🇦 so we have to take money conversion into consideration. Basically spending more to stay at a deluxe or even a moderate isn't worth it.
This makes me feel so much better. I feel like everyone keeps dragging these all star resorts, I booked the All Stars Movies Resort and I was starting to get nervous for my trip in a couple weeks! Thanks for your feedback!
We had a great experience with the buses to and from Wilderness Lodge in June! And the boat was a quick, great option! Animal Kingdom was probably the longest at 15-20 min but it's honestly like that to AK from anywhere on property since it's so much further away.
My 1st two times at Disney World we stayed at The Contemporary Resort (1973) and The Polynesian Village Resort (1974) We paid $24 per night (the options were $18, $24 & $32 per night) both times. (seemed like a lot of money at the time)
I stayed at the Polynesian in 1986 as a little kid and I thought it was awesome. Always wanted to stay at the Contemporary because I was in awe of a hotel with a train inside.
You might want to watch some AllEars videos and some DFB videos and then compare fingernails on food and merch shots. Someone's hands are appearing in both.
I'd almost say Molly and AJ are the same person. There mostly all Molly's videos I'd say. Maybe when there's more safety and less restrictions we'll hopefully see the elusive AJ.
@@MissMyMusicAddiction yep, I read it too, while back as I wanted to be sure DFB wasn't just All Ears. Like I said, hopefully when less restrictions and there's a safer environment AJ might make an appearance. Just have to wait and see.
I just got to French Quarter and thought I’d share my 2 cents (for what it’s worth). Two years ago we stayed there for our honeymoon and I specifically chose French Quarter over Riverside because the buses leave directly from the resort to the parks and don’t pick up a bunch of people at Riverside. They very well may have changed since then. I just felt the con of the buses being shared wasn’t fair based on the knowledge I have; again it could have changed since my last trip :)
Agreed. We've stayed at POFQ twice (Oct 2018 and Nov 2019) and don't recall ever sharing a bus with with POR. Doesn't mean that can't change of course!
Sharing a bus with Riverside is not a new idea. They used to do it all the time back when my kids were small. I think French quarter having their own bus was a more recent idea.. and that would be very nice. Hopefully they'll get back to that for you. For me.. it was just too small and too Urban feeling. I prefer the lush and scenic setting of Riverside. It just goes to show you, so many different tastes.
Love the FQ Going in March Been there 4 times love it Also been to Saratoga springs 3 times love that to Did all stars 3 times But they are starting to outprice people
Stayed here in Oct 2019, at Port Orleans French Quarter and really glad we did. Direct access to your room no elevator or lobby, Sassagoula is amazing for the level of dining it is, kids loved the fold down 3rd bed, we had at least 2 pool options (one within steps of our room), enjoyed the boat ride to/from Disney Springs, and easy driving to/from all the parks (we came back midday every day for a nap). Don't think we would stay anywhere else on property, better to stick with what we already know we love.
I've stayed at ASM, Pop, AOA, Poly, AKL-Kidani, Boardwalk, Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter, Caribbean Beach, and Cornado. My favorite for theming is definitely AKL. It's beautiful and truly special. As far as convenience, my favorite is Boardwalk. Being able to walk to Hollywood Studios or Epcot without relying on transportation is truly amazing. It was nice to be able to go get dinner at Epcot by simply getting snacks from the food booths!
Animal Kingdom Lodge is incredible. I’ve stayed 4 times and planning on going next year. The only problem is the cost. That’s why we go on holiday every 3 or 4 years so we can stay at AKL.
We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort and felt that it is a severely under-rated resort for the price and the transportation options to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I'm not sure what AJ hated about the food court but we had a really good meal there that managed to appease both the pickiest eater (my son) and those of us who never order burgers and fries. There was a really good platter with pork, sausage, yucca fries, etc that my wife and I were pleasantly surprised by given it was quick service. It was far better than anything we ordered at equivalent hotel quick service stops like Contempo Cafe.
I was so discouraged hearing how she spoke about this hotel ☹️ I was about to book this one for our next trip and now I’m second guessing my self. It looked really nice to me before I watched this video.
So glad to see Contemporary at the top. A lot of people may not like it, but that’s because they haven’t stayed at Bay Lake. Bay Lake is gorgeous and the closest walk to MK. Our favorite hotel, no contest. There’s a reason Bay Lake is the most sought after DVC hotel😁
Stayed at Old Key West with milady as the walk from the resort to Downtown Disney was one of our favorite experiences outside the parks. Quiet and more like a nature trail.
Coronado Springs should be ranked somewhere in the middle imo. Yeah, the bus transportation being the only complementary service and it being far from some of the parks is certainly a big downside, but everything else about it is great. The lack of that Disney flair is more than made up by the sheer theming of being part of the Spanish sections of the world, it's beautiful and still feels magical in it's own special way. Being a Convention Resort does have it's perks, people that aren't on business trips or participating at the convention center still can take advantage of the fine dining and services on sight. And the walking around can be reduced by requesting a room near where you want to be close to, like Aj suggested. So if you don't need to use the Disney buses and can take at least 5 minutes to drive to your park destination, I can vouch for Coronado Springs for groups of adults and older teens. I think kids would find some enjoyment out of it too, but like Aj said, do the research before bringing them here.
@@woooooooo9061 Buses aren't bad, but it is the only free transportation at the resort. People would like to ride on the boat or monorail as those are part of the Disney experience, but more importantly they tend to be faster. Still, I think buses are a fine means of getting around, it's just not the best is what we're saying.
This is awesome! I'm planning my senior trip and my dad has been sending me a bunch of stuff to look over for resorts and this was one of the best! Seriously though, the rankings, pros and cons lists, the videos, and just your opinions were really helpful.
Old key west is really nice. Love jumping on the boat and going to Disney springs. The bus ride recording always says welcome home when you pull up to the gate. Nice rooms. Highly recommend if you want privacy. Really can’t tell you are at Disney. Seems like a vacation
Coronado Springs got a very low score here , and don't do it Justice - We are just back from 14-day stay and its amazing, walking isn't as bad as suggested and we was over in Ranchos, and no more than a 10 minute walk to Destino and the transport was excellent, we never had to wait for a second bus to anywhere from stop 2 at Ranchos - I have also stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans FQ , Coronado is our favorite out of those 3
We always stay at Wilderness lodge. It’s a hotel we always gravitate to on most of our trips.We have stayed at Pop century and for a value resort, it’s the best one. The food court and theming are great. We also tried the Contemporary. It was mediocre.We stayed in the garden view building, due to the more affordable price tag. I felt like we were separated from the main part of the hotel.
We're also big fans of the Wilderness Lodge. Quick boat to MK, and it always seemed that it was the first stop for the buses to and from the other parks, so we always got a seat. Breakfast quick service spot left a lot to be desired, but oh man that incredible lounge.....
I would suggest that you also do one about hotels and apartments near Disney world and universal studios. This would be great for those who can't afford to stay in a Disney world hotel.
Boardwalk is to low it’s the bestttttt I’ve stayed at almost every hotel and I absolutely love the boardwalk every time. If you get a villa the rooms don’t look like the ones showed in the video and are really nice and more modern. They also added a new restaurant since this video was posted which had some of the best chicken parm I’ve ever had. Being close to Epcot and Hollywood studios is so convenient I recommend going to the parks early and coming back hanging out by the pool and then going back at night! It’s an amazing experience
If I had to rank it tho you are right the yacht and beach clubs are better because u can just walk around and you have basically all the boardwalk has to offer with that AMAzing pool
I really love the Riviera resort, stayed there twice so far. That being said I haven’t been to any of the other Disney resorts. I just couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else.
I loved my time at All Stars! I was in the music wing and it was great. I find the distance from the parks being a con kind of comical because...well...they have buses. I never found the rides to be that bad. The only con I WOULD have had but dodged the bullet is that I got there on the Sunday that all of the cheerleaders were checking out. I didn't know about the phenomenon that is the cheerleading championships but...yeah, if you're booking there, find out if some big competition is on and I would probably avoid during spring break. Other than that, if you need to be pampered, wined and dined then, yeah, this is the wrong place. If you're looking for somewhere to sleep - it's great. I stayed at Pop for just one night because I was going on a cruise the next day. It was worn out and 'tired' looking but it was a few years back and I think it's had a facelift since.
Did you find the wait for busses was long? That's the main complaint I've heard about all-star, I've stayed at pop but never all star and I'm considering it, just worried about how long I'll have to wait for busses in the morning
@@cnr0118 In my experience if the parks are busy the buses at the All Stars are busy especially first thing in the morning and when the parks close. In fact last time I went around 3 months ago the line for Hollywood in the morning was so long at AS Music that they had our bus when it got there parked for a second then left and do a u turn while another bus came in about 2-5 minutes later and took a bus full, then the bus that did the uturn picked up another group. I got on the second bus and even after two buses the bus q was still full and the line was flowing down too the entrance door. They had a third bus coming right after we left, I'd never seen that before it was definitely an experience. Was meeting up with out of state family staying at the Wilderness lodge and the difference was immense. Much less crowded only a couple family's where getting on the bus so much better. Anyway the long lines for bus's at the All Stars while I've only seen it that bad twice(other time was a few years ago during a mass sporting camp trip or something, idk tons of kids) it's still to be expected your either going to be on a packed bus or have to wait for another at least once. Especially if your trying to get to the parks before rope drop.
You can WALK from the Polynesian to the transportation center. That gives you easy access to the EPCOT monorail. It’s the only Magic Kingdom resort where you can do that. I would rank it highest in transportation.
Timestamps
2:08 All Star Resorts
6:27 The Cabins at Fort Wilderness
9:13 Pop Century
12:10 Coronado Springs
15:55 Old Key West
18:54 Saratoga Springs
21:30 Port Orleans Resort Riverside
23:28 Art of Animation
26:04 Caribbean Beach
29:08 Port Orleans French Quarter
31:10 Riviera Resort
34:09 Animal Kingdom Lodge
36:28 Boardwalk Inn
39:42 Wilderness Lodge
42:06 Yacht Club
44:03 Beach Club
46:19 Polynesian Village Resort
49:25 Grand Floridian Resort
53:00 Contemporary Resort
Thanks mom
This is great . Thanks
Appreciate this, thank you
Thank you for posting this :)
You are a rockstar for this!
my fiancé has no idea we're binge watching these because I'm planning her a birthday trip to Disney next year :)
If there’s no update on this… I’ll riot
That's so sweet!
Awww that’s so sweet!! You have to update us!
So sweet
I just left Art of Animation. No benefit to staying at a Disney resort. Enjoy the park from Amy high end local hotel.
I stayed at the Coronado Spring’s Casitas building with my family for my 21st birthday. This was my first time ever staying on Disney property. I was mesmerized by the hotel room, it was so spacious and elegant. We were lucky to always find great parking near our building, which was also conveniently close to other amenities. I must say, yes, there is a lot of walking involved. However the scenery, ambiance and overall feel of the resort made it worth it, especially at night. Food and dining were also very nice, I truly have no complaints.
Absolutely love Coronado springs! Always stayed there near the pond next to a tiny beach with hammocks... Very peaceful and quiet at the resort which I like.
Justice for the Riviera. It’s definitely a “spurge” hotel but so is my entire trip to WDW. We just spent 11 days here for our honeymoon and the level of service, care and experience we had were UNMATCHED. 10/10 will absolutely be back again.
That's awesome. Congrats!
My fiancé and I just signed for DVC membership there as well. We’ll probably bank points for our honeymoon, lol.
How much does it actually cost loll
@@holllyrhode I just booked for $680 per night, standard view room
Disney world for honeymoon? What the
I wonder if AJ has ever spent like 2 weeks just staying a night in each resort as she skylines and busses her way between them everyday. Like some kind of weird nomadic pilgrimage.
Lol.. idk but I’m gonna imagine she does because it’s adorable 😂
Pop Century is awesome, just stayed there a few weeks ago. Loved the access to the skyliner and the fun atmosphere- not to mention the excited and happy pop-goers everywhere. I will definitely stay there again.
Definitely one of the best 'bangs for the buck'.
I enjoyed the busy vibe pop century had.
The convenience to get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot is a PLUS
Pop Century isn’t “dated” - it’s a period piece! I stayed there just last week and loved it. And the mousekeeping and Everything Pop! staff were great. I stayed a few days at AKL on my friend’s DVC points that trip too and it’s definitely more “plush”, but the friendly staff and Skyliner were benefits I didn’t find at AKL.
How were the beds?
@@MossFamilyTravels I didn’t find them that bad. Just not all that supportive.
I rank hotels by “Can I afford them.”
You will get a much better deal and much better prices off-site.
That part
Same! My family stayed for a week at the Cabins in 2019. However, that was beyond our budget this time around. We want to stay by the parks, but it's so difficult!
Play around with dates and get all the discounts you can. Over spring break we stayed at Grand Flo park view room for under $400 a night. In February we stayed at Yacht club in a suite for $350. Best value is Grand Destino for $180 in January.
@@MichelleChipman what kind of discounts are you using?
All Star resorts tend to be our go-to over the years for both price and convenience. I actually prefer their organized bus systes to the chaotic bus arrangements of some of the higher tier resorts. The All Star buses come on time, there are organized lines, and they come frequently. We had a LOT more waiting time, other guests cutting in front, and buses that just didn't show at other resorts.
I was lucky enough to get a great deal to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge last year for an affordable price (can’t remember the exact price, we were supposed to stay at Caribbean Beach originally but were offered to stay at Animal Kingdom for the same price). Despite being there during the pandemic where a lot of things were still closed, it was still enjoyable and a great place to stay.
It’s just so unbelievable at what these places usually charge, even the all star resorts feel overpriced for what you get. Disney is slowly becoming a place exclusively for the rich it’s sad
Im not surprised. With economic inflation being componded by covid chaos, the cost of everything everywhere is skyrocketing. Our fam is crossing our fingers that the economy recovers quickly enough that we can take our girl for her 5th or 6th bday without
totally breaking us.
It’s not actually the price that bothers me it’s what you get for the price. I don’t think Disney hotels would even qualify for five star
I wholeheartedly agree. You can spend $1000 and get a much nicer room at Waldorf Astoria or Four Seasons than at Grand Floridian.
I do wanna say, although the All Stars are overpriced for what you get, at least WDW has value resorts. At Disneyland, all 3 hotels are so expensive, including Paradise Pier which is very basic and comparable to the All Stars but start at around $350/night 😕
@@Nopi9
We have said it for a few years now.
Charge ‘em more, Give ‘em less.
@@Nopi9
Disney tried to get the 5th star for the Grand Floridian when it first opened.
Nope. Never was successful.
Want 5 star? Go to 4 Seasons on property. You will see what a legitimate 5star resort is and why Disney hotels will never be.
Looking back- i see now that hotel rooms that are a bit “boring” may be better for families with kids that are easily over stimulated. Less “busy” decor can really help them settle and rest.
There’s something so magical about staying in a Disney hotel. Maybe it’s the fact every time I’ve ever been I’ve stayed in one, but it feels just like home. I’ve not once met a rude cast member in the hotel, and they always make it feel so magical. It may be expensive to stay in my personal favorite, Polynesian Resort, but it won’t change the magic of staying in one.
My dad loved the Contemporary. We stayed there several times, when it was just The Contemporary and Polynesian Village.
He's been gone for decades, but he'd be glad to know it's still ranked #1.
An hour long ranking video from DFB is the vid j needed, but never thought to ask for haha
JAMESON ON HIS MAGICAL WINDOW SHOPPING ACCOUNT LOL GREAT TO SEE U!😂
@@ashleysimmons3210 Ashley! It's a small world lol! I was signed into JamesonThomas24, and I was like--wait NO! I must post this on Magical Window Shopping haha! Because... Disney... lololol
@@magicalwindowshopping7670 LOL! we must do anything for Disney hahaha
I absolutely love Port Orleans Riverside. To me it’s better than many of the deluxe resorts.
I agree! We, one time, went for broke and spent a day at the poly (long story, we missed our flight by moments and it took a long time to cool down from that incident. We wanted to be somewhere that would be worth an extra day. So we asked ourselves where would we go if we threw everything to the wind and had a fantasy location stay. Since there is no way we could ever afford the bungalows on the water, this was the absolute closest we could do.). I have to say, I would stay at Riverside every single time over the Poly. Other than having the monorail right there, there is not one thing that the poly has over Riverside for me.
so true! i’ve stayed there, coronado springs, yacht club, and contemporary and the only one i don’t think it’s better than is contemporary! the food court at riverside is amazing and so is the little bar they have and sometimes bob plays
@@wingesoftball9346
Riverside's food court was always the family favorite for breakfast. The lines move fast, they had a ton of options and plenty of seating when we were there, high season or slow season. Only issue we had was the time we got stuck in the Magnolia sector which is at the back of the resort and a bit of a hike from the food court. Still not as bad as trying to walk Caribbean Beach when it first opened, that place was an expedition each morning, before the cable cars were put in!😆
We stayed there once in the princess room and they made towel sculptures for the kids each night and a cake towel on my daughter’s bday. I didn’t even know how they knew that was her birthday. Then, when we accidentally left a stuffed animal, they mailed it back. All of the gardens are beautifully maintained. It feels like a deluxe hotel. The only thing it’s missing is a large enough sit down.
I agree. Riverside definitely deserves to be higher on the list. I stayed at Coronado, the Yacht Club, and the Polynesian. Each Hotel has its charm and fabulous views, but Riverside's Atmosphere was the most relaxing and stress free. My biggest compliment was their food court. My family and I went there often. Nothing too crazy, served quickly, found a place sit, food was good, and the service was more 'homely'
Tips about Riverside:
1. This is the resort where they commonly put performing arts groups. There will be some hassle and bustle so not always peaceful.
2. Each area of hotels(magnolia terrace, alligator bayou, etc.) have a bus depot. There is North, South, East, and West Depot. South is the lobby.
3. You have to bus hop to get to Typhoon Lagoon unless you leave before 10:00 am. You need to ride the Disney Springs bus and get on the Typhoon Lagoon bus.
4. Get the braised beef it’s delicious.
5. While it looks large, the walks aren’t bad and are quite peaceful. The lobby is in the center, so everyone is walking the same. We use the walks to plan the day.
Hope this helped!
I have only been to WDW once but I looooove this channel. Something about HQ visuals and AJ's narration is just so soothing to me these days
it's a fabulous channel full of valuable info!!
I watch this video, and a few others now, on a loop just looking ahead to the day I go back there. I am so happy this video exists because it gives me a lot to think about and imagine. Stayed at the Grand Flo last time, which was also my first time, and it was fabulous. Might look at Boardwalk or maybe Wilderness Lodge. Boardwalk would work great for drinking around the world 😂 as I could walk back to my hotel. If I still can walk. 😂
After having stayed there, I feel I always need to defend the All-Star Sports resort. I admit that if my budget allowed it I would stay at a more expensive Disney hotel such as Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge (I haven’t stayed at either yet, since my budget hasn’t ever allowed it.)
We stayed at All Star Sports right after it reopened following Covid and we were blown away by the quality and service.
Everything AJ said was accurate, but none of it was a problem. Most of our lunches and dinners were in the theme parks or Disney Springs, so we didn’t miss a table service restaurant. The food court was perfect for a quick breakfast before getting on the buses. We just made sure to give ourselves enough travel time and had no problem getting to rope drop every day.
The grounds were Disney immaculate. Most importantly, every cast member went way out of their way to provide great service. I can’t say enough good things about them.
As I said earlier, they wouldn’t be my resort of choice if I could afford more, but I’d stay there again without worry. And I don’t even like sports.
Justice for Old Key West. Granted it is a big resort and it’s on the expensive side but there is a reason why it’s my home resort. It’s nice being away from the parks, you can get a break from the parks by having a great meal at Disney Springs. I enjoy the small Disney accents in the rooms and resort. Cast members ranging from concierge to the cast members working at good foods to go (the resorts quick service) is just amazing. I would highly recommend staying here, especially if you want a peaceful resort
I stayed at OKW about 6 months ago and absolutely loved it! Sand Castle pool was big and relaxing. The rooms are massive and spacious - great for big parties like mine. Loved everything about this resort.
Port Orleans French Quarter is our happy place. It's the smallest resort, so nothing is too far, and the Sasagoula River Boat takes you up to Disney Springs! We love it
Stayed at Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower in 2019 and loved it, booking there again for a trip in February. The bus thing isn’t always fun, but as a solo traveler, liked that it wasn’t an outside facing door. Took a minute to figure out the elevators, they’re wild. Rooms were really nice, didn’t feel like a moderate resort and the lobby is gorgeous. Really liked the price, felt more expensive than it was, definitely recommend.
You were just chilling at Disney by yourself?
@@jessiej1746 yes, they said they were a solo traveler..
We loved Gran Destino tower too! We stayed in the fall of 2019 and had the best time, great dining at Toledo, relaxing atmosphere for two childless adults
I LOVE Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.
They are some of the most relaxing resorts I have ever stayed at! We often choose Saratoga or OKW over Bay Lake Tower or Beach Club because of the value and relaxation factor!
SSR is my absolutely favorite hotel- then Boardwalk- third AKL
Staying at Saratoga in a few weeks. Very excited for the quietness lol
@@brendan7632 How was your visit to Saratoga Springs? Have heard criticisms that it's a large complex and is a long walk to the pool from many of the hotel rooms.
@@emailuser8668 it can be a longer walk than most. But I loved it. Have stayed there many times and I like the feeling of being able to escape from the large crowds and noise at this resort. Also it’s amazing that you can walk to Disney springs and have endless food options
Never understood the love for Contemporary.. rooms are so dated, and the new ones look flat out weird to me. The new Poly and AKL rooms are 10 times nicer..
Contemporary is my childhood resort, so there is nostalgia. The location is amazing, but those new rooms look horrible. Definitely knocked it down for me. If you have kids who love the Incredibles, fine, but the rooms look so cheap.
Location mostly
Yeah, I have a very old memory of taking the monorail through it as a child and thought it was the coolest place ever. I'm really disappointed by the pictures of the rooms.
Came here to say this. Looks very outdated.
The new Saratoga springs rooms are also very nice
We stayed at Caribbean Beach and loved it. I don’t understand why this video doesn’t like it. The grounds were gorgeous and the skyliner was amazing. I would never consider a resort with only bus transportation to the parks.
Would you recommend it for small children?
@@kcar8974 We didn’t go with kids but I could see how it would be good for kids. There is a cute playground and and really good pool.
Coronado Springs doesn’t deserve the hate it receives. Especially gran destino tower. It’s such a beautiful property, the dining options are phenomenal, and the transportation is no different than any other bus-reliant property!
Thank you, AJ. This is the most comprehensive comparison of Disney World Resorts I have ever seen! Our favorite - Disney's Boardwalk. It is super convenient to Epcot and Studios, and we have the best memories of our vacations while staying there. The Polynesian is excellent too, and the Villas at Grand Floridian get high marks. Looking forward to going back!
For us, we love Saratoga springs! We've stayed at several... But we really love that we can walk over to Disney springs. Also, their new refurb was amazing
With all the rapidly changing safety parameters at DW, It would really be helpful to have new ultimate day videos of each park. It’s sad that everything that was covered in the last videos may not apply now. I’m desperately planning a family trip in November but now not sure which way to go with my itinerary. 🤪
Coronado Springs is my favorite. Getting around the resort is so much easier since the bridges opened.
Swan and Dolphin are technically on property so it would have been nice to see where they ranked in comparison because I could see them possibly being on top given value for deluxe resort amenities with same early access to parks and transportation.
Yeah I was lookin for swan reserve
Stayed at the Yacht club for my first ever trip to DW when I was 10! We were supposed to stay at the beach club, but our room was right next to construction going on at the time. Had a wonderful experience there! We're big fans of Epcot and having that Gateway nearby and the boats to MK was such a lifesaver after walking for hours on end in the parks. Also can confirm: the BEST pools!
My dad!!! My dad is there!!! 29:41!! That’s my dad at Port Orleans!!! He’s at Magic Kingdom now! I texted him….that’s so exciting.
Also LOVE DFB!!
Sad Shades of Green didn't make it on this list but I understand why. It will always be my number one pick to stay just because of the value, transportation, and service. Also, I always hit this place up with some type of event going on (character meet and greet for example). Food is alright and you are most likely guaranteed a table upon walking in. The biggest point I like about this hotel is I am just a 15 minute walk (give or take) from the Poly. If I have money, the Polynesian would be the place I LIVE in.
It’s not available for everyone. Only for military so that’s why it’s not on the list.
I am eligible to stay at shades of Green. I've studied quite a bit on it and feel that it's a great value and a great location.
I presume that you feel the same way?
Honestly so glad to see that Coronado Springs is not on the bottom! I always have loved that resort, especially with premier access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yes....it is a LOT of walking, but it really is scenic, especially by the Riviera Resort.
It honestly shouldn't be, certainly more deserving somewhere in the middle
Animal kingdom lodge should be in the top 3 in my opinion. I agree with it being the farthest from the other 3 parks but every time I use the buses I never have any issues with them.
Aren't the busses going away in January? Is there another mode of transport?
@@592Rocker The buses ending in January are those from the airport (Magical Express). The internal Disney shuttle bus service between resorts and the parks is not affected.
We loved staying at the campground when we had our RV. We were close to the ferry that takes you to MK, able to tow our vehicle to go off property, and able to bring our pets. Along with bringing your home away from home and the things you need! Like the food already in the fridge and your own coffee maker. 🥰 Unfortunately we have since sold the RV. (Maybe another in the future?)
I will only stay at Pop Century. I don’t find it at all cheesy. It’s a fun theme and the prices are great. When I am at Disney my room is really only for sleeping and showering, so I see no point in the deluxe resorts.
I'm happy Port Orleans French Quarter is decently ranked in the list. We stayed there in 2019 and really enjoyed the fact that it was smaller, calmer and quiet. It's couple friendly with corner King Bed room options and less kids in the resort. Highly recommended for couples retreats. The short boat ride to Disney Springs or Riverside also provides a great meal options if you want to stray from the New Orleans inspired menu (but why would you?).
I don't care about having to walk. I've stayed in boardwalk, beach club, port orleans rs and pop century. Riverside is by far the best value. Beach Club and boardwalk you get ripped off for food with no quick service restaurant, and pop century is a motel 6 with flashy colors. These ratings put way too much emphasis on whether you have to walk or not. America needs the exercise.
"Value for money"... 🤔 Is this still a concept within Disney property?
For real!! -M
Sure it's still a thing... but a 9/10 for value at disney translates to a 3/10 for value anywhere else
It's relative.
Lol! Ya so right!
Not at all.
If you are considering All Star resorts as your place to stay, my recomendation would be All Star Sports or All Star Music over All Star Movies. As a former bus driver for Disney, we would stop at Sports and Music before Movies. By the time we got to Movies the bus would be full of riders and we would bypass Movies.
Staying at the Grand Floridian for my honeymoon in January! I am SO excited 🥰
The cabins (and RV spots/campgrounds) allow golfcarts!!! It’s my favorite hotel my proximity to MK!! You get on a golfcart, go down to the boat, take a short trip and bam, Magic Kingdom!
Also! Sitting by the lake and watching the fireworks is STUNNING
Is there golf cart parking by the boat??
If no one else is going to say it, then I will. Paging Mr. Morrow does a surprise cameo at 48:01 in Trader Sam's.
Looking through the comments to see if anyone else noticed him too!
I would have put OKW way higher up on the list. Olivia's is a hidden gem. The ambiance at the resort is so relaxed and chill. Its a great compliment to the busy park days. And the size of the villas alone... amazing.
I just watched this again and my opinion is still the same! OKW should be way higher! I've also stayed at AoA and we had a great time. Its a super fun resort, but its a value resort and has that feel. Yes, it has the Skyliner, but you're still riding the bus to the two other parks and Disney Springs. Also, the walk to the transportation center at AoA was farther than our walk to the transportation center near our room at OKW. Buses came often, too, and as AJ mentioned, they do have boat ride to Disney Springs. All of the rooms at OKW have a water view, they are HUGE, beautifully styled with light but present Disney theming. It's more in the way of art on the walls with the Fab 5, and hidden Mickeys in the decor than the bold theming at value resorts. This could be pro or con depending on your taste. The food in incredible. Olivia's is amazing and they have a mobile order option with a pick up window, so you can take it back to your giant room and eat watching the ducks in the pond. They also have Goods Food to Go quick service that has ice cream and they give a lot of free samples to people sitting near the main pool area. Another quick service stop, The Turtle Shack is at the turtle pond too. If you're concerned about the walking, ask to be near the Hospitality House and if you are concerned about the cost, rent DVC points. Those two changes alone could make it an ideal fit for a lot of family, because the space and amenities make it a real vacation.
Stayed in the Grand Destino recently. LOVED every bit of it. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to go. Great for a family, even though it was just me and my girlfriend, so definitely a great couple place. But we got lucky, the buses we road didn't make any other stops. It was just a straight ride to and from the parks
We've only stayed at Wilderness Lodge and we absolutely loved it. I have the Poly, BC, AKL, and POFQ on my bucket list of resorts to stay at. I'd also like to stay at the treehouses sometime.
I’ve only been to WDW once when I was about 10 years old (now 25). We stayed in all star sports and it was fine since we weren’t there that often. Looking back on the holiday the only thing that bothered me about the busses was that they had air con that was way too freezing cold 🤣 (Visiting from UK where we don’t have that on out busses). We went hotel hopping one evening and it was so magical being at the Polynesian village beach watching the fireworks - wanted to stay in that hotel ever since.
My first and only visit to Disney World in 2014, we stayed at the contemporary resort! I absolutely loved it, and really didn't mind the style of the room. I'm not quite sure I'm excited about a change of theme to the incredibles but I'm sure some people may find that fun. We often walked from our hotel to Magic Kingdom but the monorail and close access absolutely sells this place.
As a Floridian DVC member for the past 17 years, my top 20 has changed over the years as the kids have gotten older. Proximity to MK is no longer a priority as it's now our least attended park. Transporation has always been a bit quirky for us as we had preferred the convenience of using our car at some resorts like OKW or SSR, but the hotels near the EPCOT resort tend to keep us at the two nearby theme parks and waterpark. Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary is the only reason I would agree of the 50 point rating, otherwise I would rather stay at AKL as it hits all what we are looking for in a resort. Ironically, we used to love to stay at the North Wing at the Contemporary as it was a super short stroller walk to MK if we couldn't get a room in the main building (nothing beats the monorail) and I was upset that they closed it down only to build a nice complement to the A framed Contemporary Resort. The Treehouses at Saratoga are pretty neat but I'd give transportation a flat 1 if it weren't for having our car close by. I would add that Boatwrights and the beignets at Sassagoula are huge reasons why we loved staying at Port Orleans but it's only a short drive from OKW or SSR.
I'm tired of Animal Kingdom getting trashed because of transportation and being in the middle of nowhere. Is it possible that being away from the parks is a pro, not a con?
There is a reason why WDW recommends AKL to celebs when they come to the parks. Sure, AKL is unique and has excellent dining, BUT it is quiet and away from the craziness you experience at the other deluxe resorts. AKL doesn't have random guests wandering around inside like you have at Boardwalk, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary and the Polynesian (pre-COVID). Pretty much the only people who come over there are people staying there, or people who are dining there.
In regards to transportation, if you have a car this is a non-issue. In addition, if you have a car, Kidani probably has the best parking option of all the resorts- you park under the resort, right next to your elevator. No running half a mile in the rain.
I love AKL. It’s beautiful and unique. The bus ride to the parks doesn’t bother me at all.
The transportation isn't great but the resort is amazing and I'm not an animal guy. My only regret is that I didn't stay there a full week. Waking up and seeing animals outside is so cool, the food options are great, it's a great place. For me personally complaining about the transportation is like complaining that I won a billion dollars but they gave it to me in tens instead of twenties.
@@jamesmarshall6619 For sure- you're probably never gonna make rope drop if you stay there and you're relying on the buses. But honestly, morning is when the animals are most active, so you should be soaking up the animals and having breakfast at Sanaa.
I loved my stay here, it's very unique! I was sad that my stay here was a split stay.
I couldn’t agree more! It is a remarkable hotel and the animals add to the peaceful vibe there, which is exactly what we wanted.
We saw the parking lots and outside doors a plus at Saratoga Springs. We bring our car and with the kids when we got back from parks, boom, we were at our room. Plus the proximity to Disney Springs a huge plus.
My absolute favorite is Fort Wilderness! Been going there since I was a kid and brings so many peaceful fun memories!
I'd pick either the Wilderness Lodge or the Polynesian. Both have great theming and are relatively close to the parks. The Polynesian is probably #1 for me simply because the monorail access.
Pretty good list based on my own experience as a frequent Disney visitor. For most people it is probably close to 100% accurate. Although, I will say that when I factor in everything the Wilderness Lodge is number one for me. My family maybe has enjoyed the Beach Club slightly more and possibly the Poly but when you factor in the price, the WL is really the sweet spot.
I have stayed at many, many Disney resorts. My favorites are the cabins at Fort Wilderness and French Quarter! By far the best resorts! Something that was missed when talking about fort wilderness cabins is renting a golf cart is a absolute must!
Saratoga never gets any love but I am here to tell you, it’s great! It’s consistently the cheapest deluxe resort and I’m sorry but you cannot beat the location.
I would much rather need to bus to a park than bus to Disney springs. If you like to eat and shop, this is great. My family goes to Disney springs at the end of every night for food/ice cream while staying at Saratoga.
My quick personal recommendations:
Best Value Resort; Pop Century. Nice access with the new skyliner, very Disney feel and theming, and newly remodeled, if small rooms.
Best Moderate Resort; Port Orleans-French Quarter. Small and compact; not a lot of walking. Quiet and great theming, and lots of jazz and beignets. Also only one bus stop--so no worries about one getting to you full after 3 other stops. Boat access to Disney Springs is also a major plus.
Best Deluxe; Polynesian. One of the oldest resorts at Disney, has the theming and atmosphere to compete with any of them. Great access with easy monorail and boat access to Magic Kingdom, and right next to the TTC for easy access to EPCOT as well. Beautiful new re-themed rooms, also some of the largest suites at Disney. Especially the DVC villa rooms. While Contemporary/Bay Lake is closer to the Magic Kingdom, it has a far more corporate feel and the remodeled rooms don't impress me at all. Grand Floridian? Pretty much what I just said about the Contemporary. DO NOT LIKE the new remodel; think it loses a lot of its charm.
Best DVC; much much harder. Wife and I stayed at Old Key West last year; incredible one bedroom, quiet and great atmosphere.
Boardwalk; great pricing, renovated rooms, a 5 min walk to EPCOT.
Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness and Savanna View at Animal Kingdom Lodge also get high marks.
Coronado so low 😩 growing up we always stayed at Coronado springs and now I take my kids there. We love it. Tons of pools etc. however we rent a car so maybe we have a skewed view because of the transportation part that we get to skip out on
I Just stayed at Gran Destino and it was beautiful but the bus system knocks this resort down tremendously. One morning it took about 20 minutes to even leave the resort after finally getting onto a bus because of all the stops it makes. And when coming back? The line for Coronado is usually extending way past where the queue ends. Looking at the line for animal kingdom lodge made me want to cry out of jealousy because there were only 5 people 😂. Keep renting a car when you go.
The Coronado seems to be the best option, in my humble opinion. They all have slow transportation, so why pay more. As for dining options, I would think you go to Disney World to experience the parks and all they have to offer, including restaurants, and not so much the hotels themselves. Then again if you go regularly and wish to experience all options and willing to pay for it, I get it too. More power to ya'.
I’ve stayed at POFQ four times and it only ever shared a bus service with POR at non peak times. Beginning and end of the day you had a dedicated bus but headed out around 11:00-15:00 then yeah you’d usually share with POR adding time to your journey but you’d still have plenty of bus space and POFQ would be the first pick up.
breath of fresh air to see the friendliness between you guys and competitor channels. Not always like that on youtube.
Actually, nowhere at Coronado is that far away from food - the restaurants on the lake and by the pool are easy to reach from the far side. Plus you’re closer to the pool which is a win!
I love POFQ, Riverside is lovely and very atmospheric but too big for me
This has to be the most helpful DFB video we’ve seen so far. Thank you so much AJ and team!!
I have stayed at the All Star Movie Resort and the wait time for a bus was never long. The ride to the other parks was not long at all. I actually loves the hotel. It's not the Ritz but the kids loved it. We spent most or time at the parks and downtown.
Even if it will probably be a long time before I can treat myself to another vacation, it warms my heart just to look at these beautiful hotels.
The hotels where I live are either next to a highway or flanked by other hotels and condos. They just don't compare to the theming and open spaces you can find in Disney World.
Love the work and clips that went into making this!
okay im gonna say it. i love all star movies.
maybe its because its where i stayed when i was 5, on my first ever disney holiday and has fond memories... but i love those giant statues everywhere, it feels so ''disney'' - but maybe its run down now and needs some work, idk. i like the look of art of animation!
Loved this video. Thus comparison was very informative. I’ve always said if I was ever fortunate to win the lottery I would take time to stay in each disney resort and I’d probably do it in this order from worst to best.😊😊
I would have loved to see a Swan and Dolphin honourable mention 👏
Agreed, they weren't even mentioned
Contemporary number one? I stayed there when I was a kid in like 1987, and I think it still looks the same lol. I wouldn't exactly give it a swank factor of 9.
Back in May my friends and I went to Disney, and stayed at the Contemporary for a few days, then Animal Kingdom Lodge for the next few. I didn't really like my stay at the Contemporary. It just felt like any generic hotel, except this one had some small disney themed shops. I LOVED my stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, however. Waking up and being able to sit on the balcony and watch the animals instantly makes up for any transportation woes.
Agreed. Our favorite: The Polynesian. The Contemporary feels as though you were in an old airport.
Totally. Contemporary is probably my least favorite. I find it so tacky and ugly looking. AKL is gorgeous and a truly unique experience. ❤❤❤
I thought for sure that Swan and Dolphin were going to be included in this because the title was 'ALL hotels on Disney property', not ALL hotels owned by Disney on Disney property. I wish you would include these hotels/resorts on all of your videos when you are talking about places to stay in Disney World. They really are a great option, even though Disney doesn't own them.
I thought this also. I was even wondering where Shades of Green would be in this list.
@@BabyBlueRibbon Me too. Shades of Green is amazing if you are eligible to stay there. Probably the most valuable option for any resort at Disney
Agree
Honestly my favorite transportation is the buses
They give me such nice nostalgia and i love it
It's annoying when you are waiting an hour for them when it's 95 F though.
I noticed the absence of the Shades of Green, which is understandable due to it being military only. It’s decently priced (if you’re eligible), close to the transportation center, nice pools. The rooms are probably three star. My only real complaint is that all of the restaurants, store, pools-everything-close at ten p.m. So, you had better grab food before you leave MK or Epcot. Although for all I know, that’s every park.
Just went for the first time a few weeks ago and got a great deal (like 230 a night) on a room at Coronado Springs (nice and romantic for our anniversary). We loved the subtle theming, very comfortable room, only downside was that, as she mentioned, we had a bit of a walk to get to food or the buses but the 4 pools made up for it
Was it a random deal or did you get it off a site of some kind?
the sheer length of this video makes me excited to watch lol
Y efhj
There really is a vibe for every person! You can be in the middle of all the busyness or be isolated out in a tranquil setting. I like both, but will always keep it in the tight bubble setting. More than busses as transportation is my preference.
Just a note on the bus routes for French Quarter. Only the Disney Springs bus is shared. (with Port Orleans Riverside). All the rest of the bus routes go directly to the park and vice versa. We were very happy with the bus situation at the French Quarter.
I actually stayed at all movies resort back in may , and I was super impressed with transportation I didn’t wait more than 15 min for a bus in the morning at 7 and at the end of night after magic kingdom ! They had the huge buses not the normal ones and the seats were super comfy ! I’ve stayed at pop and at carribean beach and I waited longer for skylines and buses !
We always stay at a value resort when we go to Disney and never had an issue with transportation. We have been 6 times and have no complaints. We have everything we need and since we don't spend much time at our hotel we don't care how big it is or how modern. If there is a shower, a comfy bed and they are kept clean then that's all we need. Plus we travel from Canada 🇨🇦 so we have to take money conversion into consideration. Basically spending more to stay at a deluxe or even a moderate isn't worth it.
This makes me feel so much better. I feel like everyone keeps dragging these all star resorts, I booked the All Stars Movies Resort and I was starting to get nervous for my trip in a couple weeks! Thanks for your feedback!
We had a great experience with the buses to and from Wilderness Lodge in June! And the boat was a quick, great option! Animal Kingdom was probably the longest at 15-20 min but it's honestly like that to AK from anywhere on property since it's so much further away.
My 1st two times at Disney World we stayed at The Contemporary Resort (1973) and The Polynesian Village Resort (1974)
We paid $24 per night (the options were $18, $24 & $32 per night) both times. (seemed like a lot of money at the time)
Wow!
I stayed at the Polynesian in 1986 as a little kid and I thought it was awesome. Always wanted to stay at the Contemporary because I was in awe of a hotel with a train inside.
We need a Molly and AJ collab
I'm pretty sure they already do.
You might want to watch some AllEars videos and some DFB videos and then compare fingernails on food and merch shots. Someone's hands are appearing in both.
I'd almost say Molly and AJ are the same person. There mostly all Molly's videos I'd say. Maybe when there's more safety and less restrictions we'll hopefully see the elusive AJ.
@@jenniferpenfold5498 AJ's bio is online. I think she's from Dallas. Molly is local, I believe.
@@MissMyMusicAddiction yep, I read it too, while back as I wanted to be sure DFB wasn't just All Ears. Like I said, hopefully when less restrictions and there's a safer environment AJ might make an appearance. Just have to wait and see.
I just got to French Quarter and thought I’d share my 2 cents (for what it’s worth). Two years ago we stayed there for our honeymoon and I specifically chose French Quarter over Riverside because the buses leave directly from the resort to the parks and don’t pick up a bunch of people at Riverside. They very well may have changed since then. I just felt the con of the buses being shared wasn’t fair based on the knowledge I have; again it could have changed since my last trip :)
Agreed. We've stayed at POFQ twice (Oct 2018 and Nov 2019) and don't recall ever sharing a bus with with POR. Doesn't mean that can't change of course!
Same. X4 visits to POFQ and it only travels via POR at very off peak times.
Sharing a bus with Riverside is not a new idea. They used to do it all the time back when my kids were small. I think French quarter having their own bus was a more recent idea.. and that would be very nice. Hopefully they'll get back to that for you. For me.. it was just too small and too Urban feeling. I prefer the lush and scenic setting of Riverside. It just goes to show you, so many different tastes.
Love the FQ
Going in March
Been there 4 times love it
Also been to Saratoga springs 3 times love that to
Did all stars 3 times
But they are starting to outprice people
Stayed here in Oct 2019, at Port Orleans French Quarter and really glad we did. Direct access to your room no elevator or lobby, Sassagoula is amazing for the level of dining it is, kids loved the fold down 3rd bed, we had at least 2 pool options (one within steps of our room), enjoyed the boat ride to/from Disney Springs, and easy driving to/from all the parks (we came back midday every day for a nap). Don't think we would stay anywhere else on property, better to stick with what we already know we love.
I've stayed at ASM, Pop, AOA, Poly, AKL-Kidani, Boardwalk, Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter, Caribbean Beach, and Cornado. My favorite for theming is definitely AKL. It's beautiful and truly special. As far as convenience, my favorite is Boardwalk. Being able to walk to Hollywood Studios or Epcot without relying on transportation is truly amazing. It was nice to be able to go get dinner at Epcot by simply getting snacks from the food booths!
can you pick up the skyliner at either HS or Epcot?
Animal Kingdom Lodge is incredible. I’ve stayed 4 times and planning on going next year. The only problem is the cost. That’s why we go on holiday every 3 or 4 years so we can stay at AKL.
We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort and felt that it is a severely under-rated resort for the price and the transportation options to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I'm not sure what AJ hated about the food court but we had a really good meal there that managed to appease both the pickiest eater (my son) and those of us who never order burgers and fries. There was a really good platter with pork, sausage, yucca fries, etc that my wife and I were pleasantly surprised by given it was quick service. It was far better than anything we ordered at equivalent hotel quick service stops like Contempo Cafe.
I was so discouraged hearing how she spoke about this hotel ☹️ I was about to book this one for our next trip and now I’m second guessing my self. It looked really nice to me before I watched this video.
@@kcar8974 it really is nice! Hope you decided to choose Caribbean Beach.
So glad to see Contemporary at the top. A lot of people may not like it, but that’s because they haven’t stayed at Bay Lake. Bay Lake is gorgeous and the closest walk to MK. Our favorite hotel, no contest. There’s a reason Bay Lake is the most sought after DVC hotel😁
Stayed at Old Key West with milady as the walk from the resort to Downtown Disney was one of our favorite experiences outside the parks. Quiet and more like a nature trail.
I do agree, though, it isn't a great place for folks that often run late since you depend on the busses.
Coronado Springs should be ranked somewhere in the middle imo. Yeah, the bus transportation being the only complementary service and it being far from some of the parks is certainly a big downside, but everything else about it is great. The lack of that Disney flair is more than made up by the sheer theming of being part of the Spanish sections of the world, it's beautiful and still feels magical in it's own special way. Being a Convention Resort does have it's perks, people that aren't on business trips or participating at the convention center still can take advantage of the fine dining and services on sight. And the walking around can be reduced by requesting a room near where you want to be close to, like Aj suggested.
So if you don't need to use the Disney buses and can take at least 5 minutes to drive to your park destination, I can vouch for Coronado Springs for groups of adults and older teens. I think kids would find some enjoyment out of it too, but like Aj said, do the research before bringing them here.
@@woooooooo9061 Buses aren't bad, but it is the only free transportation at the resort. People would like to ride on the boat or monorail as those are part of the Disney experience, but more importantly they tend to be faster. Still, I think buses are a fine means of getting around, it's just not the best is what we're saying.
This is awesome! I'm planning my senior trip and my dad has been sending me a bunch of stuff to look over for resorts and this was one of the best! Seriously though, the rankings, pros and cons lists, the videos, and just your opinions were really helpful.
Old key west is really nice. Love jumping on the boat and going to Disney springs. The bus ride recording always says welcome home when you pull up to the gate. Nice rooms. Highly recommend if you want privacy. Really can’t tell you are at Disney. Seems like a vacation
Coronado Springs got a very low score here , and don't do it Justice - We are just back from 14-day stay and its amazing, walking isn't as bad as suggested and we was over in Ranchos, and no more than a 10 minute walk to Destino and the transport was excellent, we never had to wait for a second bus to anywhere from stop 2 at Ranchos - I have also stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans FQ , Coronado is our favorite out of those 3
We always stay at Wilderness lodge. It’s a hotel we always gravitate to on most of our trips.We have stayed at Pop century and for a value resort, it’s the best one. The food court and theming are great. We also tried the Contemporary. It was mediocre.We stayed in the garden view building, due to the more affordable price tag. I felt like we were separated from the main part of the hotel.
The Lodge has a "Deluxe" feel while being pretty close to a (Disney) mid-range price.
We're also big fans of the Wilderness Lodge. Quick boat to MK, and it always seemed that it was the first stop for the buses to and from the other parks, so we always got a seat. Breakfast quick service spot left a lot to be desired, but oh man that incredible lounge.....
I would suggest that you also do one about hotels and apartments near Disney world and universal studios. This would be great for those who can't afford to stay in a Disney world hotel.
I priced Airbnbs and hotels close to the park, and prices were nearly the same after fees.
Boardwalk is to low it’s the bestttttt I’ve stayed at almost every hotel and I absolutely love the boardwalk every time. If you get a villa the rooms don’t look like the ones showed in the video and are really nice and more modern. They also added a new restaurant since this video was posted which had some of the best chicken parm I’ve ever had. Being close to Epcot and Hollywood studios is so convenient I recommend going to the parks early and coming back hanging out by the pool and then going back at night! It’s an amazing experience
If I had to rank it tho you are right the yacht and beach clubs are better because u can just walk around and you have basically all the boardwalk has to offer with that AMAzing pool
We just stayed at Saratoga Springs. My daughter, 9, thought the Murphy bed was the best thing ever.
I really love the Riviera resort, stayed there twice so far. That being said I haven’t been to any of the other Disney resorts. I just couldn’t imagine staying anywhere else.
I loved my time at All Stars! I was in the music wing and it was great. I find the distance from the parks being a con kind of comical because...well...they have buses. I never found the rides to be that bad. The only con I WOULD have had but dodged the bullet is that I got there on the Sunday that all of the cheerleaders were checking out. I didn't know about the phenomenon that is the cheerleading championships but...yeah, if you're booking there, find out if some big competition is on and I would probably avoid during spring break. Other than that, if you need to be pampered, wined and dined then, yeah, this is the wrong place. If you're looking for somewhere to sleep - it's great. I stayed at Pop for just one night because I was going on a cruise the next day. It was worn out and 'tired' looking but it was a few years back and I think it's had a facelift since.
Did you find the wait for busses was long? That's the main complaint I've heard about all-star, I've stayed at pop but never all star and I'm considering it, just worried about how long I'll have to wait for busses in the morning
@@cnr0118 In my experience if the parks are busy the buses at the All Stars are busy especially first thing in the morning and when the parks close. In fact last time I went around 3 months ago the line for Hollywood in the morning was so long at AS Music that they had our bus when it got there parked for a second then left and do a u turn while another bus came in about 2-5 minutes later and took a bus full, then the bus that did the uturn picked up another group. I got on the second bus and even after two buses the bus q was still full and the line was flowing down too the entrance door.
They had a third bus coming right after we left, I'd never seen that before it was definitely an experience. Was meeting up with out of state family staying at the Wilderness lodge and the difference was immense. Much less crowded only a couple family's where getting on the bus so much better. Anyway the long lines for bus's at the All Stars while I've only seen it that bad twice(other time was a few years ago during a mass sporting camp trip or something, idk tons of kids) it's still to be expected your either going to be on a packed bus or have to wait for another at least once. Especially if your trying to get to the parks before rope drop.
Polynesian 🏝 will always be #1 for me. Also really love Beach Club 🏖 and AKL🦒
You can WALK from the Polynesian to the transportation center. That gives you easy access to the EPCOT monorail. It’s the only Magic Kingdom resort where you can do that. I would rank it highest in transportation.