You said it best, real reviews—Walt Disney World hotels. There are so many Disney owned hotels at Walt Disney World, much more than our three here at Disneyland Resort. In fact, there are over 20 Walt Disney World hotels, all owned and operated by Disney!
While I stick to my Disneyland roots, I know many of you make trips to both resorts and are looking for real reviews of Walt Disney World hotels.
Thanks to readers like you, I’ve gathered some helpful information for booking your next Walt Disney World getaway.
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Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels
If you’re looking for Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels, my guess is you’re a Disneyland regular.
We’re completely spoiled by the small space that encompasses Disneyland Resort. Our area in Anaheim consists of two theme parks, a shopping district, three Disney hotels and many good neighbor hotels, all within walking distance.
Walt Disney World’s equivalent of Good Neighbor Hotels are actually Disney owned properties! This is wonderful news because:
- Walt Disney World Properties are much closer than any off-site hotel or vacation rental.
- Staying onsite could save you well over an hour!
- Complimentary Disney transportation to/from theme parks is available for all on-site guests.
- Prices for Walt Disney World hotels are not nearly as expensive as their Disneyland counterparts because there’s so much variety!
When you’re looking for a Good Neighbor Hotel at Walt Disney World, my comparison is choosing Disney Value or Moderate properties—plus the added perk of being in the Disney bubble the duration of your visit.
More on value, moderate and deluxe below so keep reading!
Real Reviews Walt Disney World Value Hotels
First thing people think of when they think of value resorts is the price. These will generally be the lowest price point of Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
But lower price doesn’t mean skimping on any of that Disney magic. Let’s dive into the basics of value hotels.
- lower price point
- Disney themed rooms and resort
- free Disney transportation to theme parks
- onsite dining
- onsite pool
Let’s begin with some of the most popular value resorts and real reviews from our readers at The Happiest Blog on Earth.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Want to go back in time? Celebrate the 1950s through the 1990s where Pop Century fills every corner with nostalgia. Think yo-yos, Play-Doh, Rubik’s Cube and rollerblades, it’s all here in a world through the decades. 
- Sleeps 4 in a King and Queen pull down or Queen and Queen pull down set up.
- Free bus or Skyliner transportation.
- Hippy Dippy Pool with flower-shaped water jets.
- Food court and shopping on site.
Heidi G says she picks “Pop Century for Value Resort, price point if you’re budget is smaller, near Skyliner and its food court.”
Katie J. says, “Pop Century! Because the cheaper it is the more I can go. Love the refurbished rooms and Skyliner. No complaints.”
Dawn W. adds, “While my kids hated the Florida heat, we loved the hotel. The food court had terrific options, even for my food sensitive kiddo. The Cast Members were beyond amazing! Our room was average but I wasn’t expecting anything different and it was mid room renovations. The transportation was more than perfect! I’d stay there again any time!”
Disney’s Pop Century Resort Prices. Get a quote here.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
This is the value property my family would stay at if we were going and needed a budget onsite hotel. Since we’re a family of five, it rules out the popular Pop Century we spoke about first.
At Art of Animation you’ll be surrounded in the artistry of Disney and Pixar movies. You’ll explore storybook landscapes from classics like Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.
This hotel also reminds me of Paradise Pier Hotel and how much better it could be with updated theming. But remember, the pricing here is usually less than Disneyland’s Paradise Pier and only reaches more when you’re getting a suite.
- Little Mermaid room has 2 Double beds or 1 King.
- Family Suites themed to Cars, Lion King, Finding Nemo 1 Queen, 1 Double Table Bed, 1 Double Sleeper Sofa
- Free bus or Skyliner transportation.
- Big Blue Pool
- Flippin’ Fins Pool, Cozy Cone Pool and the Schoolyard Sprayground.
- Casual dining and shopping on site.
Michelle A. chimes in on Art of Animation, “We stayed at Art of Animation, Family Cars Suite. I can’t think if any negatives. We loved it. Pros include 2 bathrooms, food court had good selections and lots of seating, buses ran often enough, we never waited very long and grounds were fun to walk around.“
More Value Properties
There are still more Walt Disney World value properties that might suit your family including:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sport Resort
Nancy C. shared,”for me it has a lot to do with the busing. We have stayed at two All Star Resorts: They are great for the price. Lots of fun Disney theming. But waiting for busses can be brutal.”
We’ve shared our top two value picks in detail above, but would love to hear your experiences from at these value properties as well.
Real Reviews Walt Disney World Moderate Hotels
First thing people think of when they think of moderate resorts is the price and comfort level. These will generally be the average price point of Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
But average price doesn’t mean average by Disney magic standards at all. Let’s get a quick look at what moderate hotels have in store for you.
- average price point
- Disney themed rooms and resort
- free Disney transportation to theme parks
- onsite dining
- onsite pools
The most popular moderate resorts and real reviews from our readers at The Happiest Blog on Earth are where it’s at. These are the properties I was personally most drawn to when researching Walt Disney World hotels.
Imagine whether you’ll be spending more time in the parks or the hotel and determine what mix of value and location works best for your family.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
This moderate resort particularly calls to me with its vibrant colors and landscapes, it echos the feeling of a far away relaxing paradise. The resort captures the essence of Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aruba at every turn. I feel like this would be our family’s moderate choice!
- Sleeps 4, some sleep 5 when the 5th is a child on a pull down bed and 2 Queens.
- Pirate Suites also available with 2 Double beds
- Free bus or Skyliner transportation.
- Fuentes del Morro Pool, zero-entry pirate’s paradise, themed like a colonial Spanish fortress.
- 5 leisure pools as well.
- Options from quick-service eateries to the outdoor lounge, poolside bar and market and shopping on site.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Prices get your own quote for your specific date and group here.
Veronica C. shares her experience. “We stayed at Caribbean Beach resort and loved it! It is a huge property so if you don’t like everything spread out with lots of walking it may not be for you. We stayed in the Jamaica area with one of the Waterview rooms that was right in front of the beach area that we had basically to ourselves every night. The restaurant they have open is fine for quick service for the kids I mean nothing fancy but what kid can’t live off of chicken nuggets and French fries? The Skyliner was a huge plus and having a bus stop right around the corner to get to the other parks was great as well!”
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This resort blends the unique influences from Southwest American cultures at a lakeside oasis. You’ll find familiar Disney touches and the modern comforts you expect for a relaxing getaway.
- Sleeps 4 in standard rooms, up to 8 in pricier suites that feel much more deluxe than moderate.
- Free bus transportation.
- Dig Site, a huge pool complex with a Mayan ruins theme including Lost City of Cibola pool with a 50-foot pyramid of streaming waters and a massive.
- Three additional leisure pools.
- 10+ casual and upscale dining and shopping options on site.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
This resort remains closed, but so many people raved about it, I think it’s worth mentioning and keeping your eye on for future reservations. There are two sides to this resort, and you may notice some mention them specifically— Riverside and French Quarter.
Disney says this about the Riverside area, “stately white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s quaint backwoods cottages, delight in a picturesque setting that evokes the romance of rural Louisiana.”
And further details the French Quarter, “Revel in the romance and pageantry of New Orleans’s historic French Quarter at this Moderate Resort hotel. Discover cobblestone streets, gas lamps, wrought-iron balconies and fragrant magnolia blossoms, along with colorful Mardi Gras characters and the sounds of jazz.”
How do you even choose, they both sound so incredible!?! The photos of this resort are the first ones that make me say wow.
- Sleeps up to 5 in various configurations with 2 Queens and a pull out bed or 1 King and a pull out bed
- Royal Guest rooms on the Riverside have the decor to match if it matches your budget.
- Free bus or boat transportation.
- Big Blue Pool(closed for refurbishment from January 11, 2021 through early April 2021)
- Flippin’ Fins Pool, Cozy Cone Pool and the Schoolyard Sprayground.
- Casual dining and shopping on site.
My readers really love Port Orleans and some won’t even consider another resort hotel, opting to wait until it reopens before they return.
Heidi G says, “Port Orleans French Quarter for Moderate Resort. Love the size of this resort, it’s smaller and has so many touches of New Orleans. I’m from Louisiana & travel to NOLA often. It’s a nice boat ride to Disney Springs.“
Rebecca N. adds, “Port Orleans Riverside in a Bayou room and loved it. The facilities at the hotel were great and our room was right near the pool and the bus stop so it was fantastic. The food options and the hotel shop were fantastic.”
Dolores P. agrees, “Friendly staff, great food, awesome rooms. I’d stay there again in a heartbeat.”
Tanya B. goes into more details, “We stayed at the Port Orleans and really enjoyed the property. We took the boat to Disney Springs during the day and enjoyed it, but on our last evening we took it ‘home’ and discovered it to be an amazing way to relax at the end of your day. We really enjoyed the theme, water features, food and amenities. I would definitely stay there again.”
More Moderate Properties
There is still one more Walt Disney World moderate property that might suit your family. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are in a much more secluded area and that’s worth looking into.
Real Reviews Walt Disney World Deluxe Hotels
First thing people think when they hear deluxe resorts is the price and all the fancy amenities to match. These will generally be the highest price point of Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Note that not all discussed are open yet after the 2020 closure.
Here’s what to expect from deluxe properties:
- higher price point
- Disney themed rooms and resort
- free Disney transportation to theme parks
- onsite casual and fine dining
- multiple onsite pools
If these match your budget, then the real reviews from our readers at The Happiest Blog on Earth will certainly help narrow things down a bit.
In the deluxe accommodations I feel proximity to the parks you care most about, along with transportation and amenities are the most important items to consider.
Tiffany S.add, “Contemporary Hotel is close to Magic Kingdom, monorail goes through it. Great pools. Mid-century modern theme. Boardwalk is close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Great pool. Early 1900s theme.”
Tammy G. sums it up perfectly and has me sold! “I have stayed at both Yacht Club and the Beach Club. They share a property. They have an awesome sandy beach pool with an awesome pirate ship water slide, and lazy river. On property is Beaches and Cream. They have the best ice cream and you can order the huge stainless steel Kitchen Sink. They are also just a 10 minute walk from Epcot and a bit further to Hollywood Studios, but they offer the Friendship Ferry boats if you don’t want to walk.”
