Tours Travel

The best of the best of Walt Disney World resorts

The best pools in the resort
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Resort’s Club’s Storm-along Bay, a three-acre miniature water park; the Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort with its lush waterfall, steaming peak and perfect views of Cinderella’s Castle; and the rock-filled Silver Creek Springs pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its own erupting geyser.

Best Luxury Resort
On the Disney property are the public areas of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with its unique Victorian atmosphere and lagoon setting across from the Magic Kingdom® (rooms here are in need of a remodel, which is scheduled for early 2014) . Off the property is the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, where you may be tempted to never leave the complex. And stay tuned for the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s sure to be the first on this list!

Disney’s Best Deluxe Villa Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the newest Disney Deluxe Villa Resort in their repertoire. Runner-up is the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with a modern, modern look, access to the monorail, and spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom.

Better environment
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where hundreds of animals roam the savannah and the air beats to the beat of African drums.

Best Lobby
How to choose? Three make the cut: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, all dazzling in their grandeur.

Better access to parks
Disney’s Contemporary Resort with not only monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, but also a walking path. Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where there is direct access to the monorail without the need for a transfer to reach both Epcot® and the Magic Kingdom (a short walk is required to reach the Transportation & Ticket Center and direct Epcot Monorail). And any of the Epcot Resorts within walking distance of Epcot and a boat ride or long ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Best for romance
Disney’s Polynesian Resort, whose lush grounds lit by tiki torches and white sand beaches overlooking Cinderella Castle are simply dreamy.

Best for nature lovers
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for its waterfalls, geysers and bubbling streams, all surrounded by majestic pine trees and sparkling Bay Lake.

The best resort lounges
California Grill Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its splendid 15th floor location and unparalleled views of the Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and the Wishes fireworks show (check in at the second floor podium first). Bluezoo Lounge at Walt Disney World Dolphin, the most elegant place around. And Il Mulino Lounge at Walt Disney World Swan’s, featuring a lively bar scene with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

The best views of the suite
The two-story presidential suites at Walt Disney World Dolphin, whose all-encompassing views are unbeatable; The suites on the 14th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort with views of Bay Lake or, better yet, the Magic Kingdom, views that will blow your mind; the Royal Assante Presidential and Royal Kuba VP Suites at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with panoramic views of the resort’s exotic savanna; Grand Suite at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where fireworks can be seen from four of the five balconies; the Steeplechase Presidential Suite and the Sonora VP Suite at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, whose deep balconies overlook Crescent Lake and Epcot; and the Yosemite and Yellowstone Presidential VP Suites at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge overlooking the resort’s beautiful courtyard pool and sparkling Bay Lake.

The best views from the rooms
Theme park view rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the higher the better (reserve an Atrium Club concierge room on the 12th floor), with up-close views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom, the castle, and the Wishes fireworks; Savanna View rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where exotic animals roam just below your balcony; Theme park view rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Resort overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, a beautiful white sand beach and the castle and fireworks in the distance; and Deluxe Club Rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn with divine views of Crescent Lake and Epcot.

Best Concierge Lounge
The Royal Palm Club at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where there is a variety of appetizers and pleasant music wafting from the Grand Lobby below.

Best Suites
The Royal Assante Presidential Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with its thatched roof, hand-carved furniture, African textiles and panoramic views of the resort’s savanna; the Walt Disney World Dolphin two-story presidential suites decorated in divine contemporary style with views that stretch for miles; and the two-story King Kamehameha Suite at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, decorated in contemporary Asian style with South Seas paddle fans that cool the open living room of the loft.

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