Disney World may be one of the first destinations to come to mind when
considering someplace "magical" to take the kids but grownups sometimes want to
feel a bit of that "magic", too. Whether you are looking to escape to a
childhood memory or you simply want to go on a different kind of vacation, there
are some great resorts to accommodate you during your stay. These resorts
provide you with a great place to stay and all the amenities you are looking
for. Here are the Top 15 best resorts you can stay at in Disney World, they all have
their own value and provide adults with a great vacation in one of the happiest
places in the world.
15) Disney’s Fort
Wilderness Resort and Campground (Starting at
$54.00 / Night)
This resort is located on a 750-acre cypress and pine forest; it sits between
the
Magic Kingdom and
Epcot. There are
excellent outdoor amenities and cabins
with 788 campsites ranging in length from 25 ft. to 65
ft. for tents, tent trailers as well as RVs. This resort is one of the best ways to
experience the great outdoors while at Disney and some of the wonderful outdoor
amenities offered here are located at the Settlement Recreation Area on Bay
Lake. Here guests can enjoy using the marina, beach and Pioneer Hall.
The cabins are air-conditioned and have full indoor bathrooms, it can house
up to 6 people. Bedrooms
feature a double bed and bunk beds, there is also a pull-down bed in the living
area. A fully equipped dining area that has all major appliances including a
full-size refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker is in each
cabin. The kitchen is fully stocked with all of the equipment required for
cooking and dining, there is even free Wi-Fi. The 784 campsites at the resort
are kept private with the lush woods that surround them, twenty loops comprise the
area where the campsites are located. All of the sites offer running water,
electricity, charcoal grills and picnic tables.
Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds main entrance
14) Wilderness Lodge
and Villas (Starting at $325.13 / Night)
If you are looking to stay in something that looks like a lodge
in the mountains then check out the Wilderness Lodge and Villas. This resort
within Disney has the theme of a mountain lodge with all of the amenities you
would expect from one of the deluxe resorts. It's the most cost-effective deluxe
resort that is available by Disney and staying
at the resort allows you to have access to the massive lobby that has the
ambiance of a big log cabin deep in the woods. It's enough to
allow you to forget that you are staying in the middle of Disney World.
If you want to experience the Wilderness Lodge and Villas when they look
their best, show up during the Christmas season. Disney goes all out to deck the
halls and wrap everything in lights along with garland. It is truly a sight to behold
and getting to the
Magic Kingdom is as easy as jumping on a boat, you can even
view the Electrical Water Pageant right from the resort. You can enjoy the sights and sounds you would expect from a
waterside resort because of it being placed next to the water, you can even jump on a 50-minute specialty cruise for up to 12
people.
The Wilderness Lodge and Villas main entrance building
By Micha L. Rieser,
via
Wikimedia Commons
The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
13) Walt Disney
World Dolphin Hotel (Starting at $179.00 / Night)
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Room
The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is one of two hotels that are on the Disney
property that are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels. While the hotel is not
one of the Disney resorts, it is commonly offered along with the packages that
are available for those who are planning a stay in the resort and parks. It
resides on the Disney property and is close to all of the parks. As such,
tickets to the parks are available along with other amenities you might only
find if you were staying at one of the resorts.
If you do decide to stay at the Dolphin then you will appreciate Shula’s Steak
house with some of the finest steaks available and it's one of the favorite
steak houses of famed Dolphins coach, Don Shula. The property is decorated with
white sands and is on the shore of Crescent Lake. There is a pool that is shared
with the Swan Hotel and there are shuttles as well as boats that are available to take
you to any of the parks that Disney has to offer. It is one of the only ways to
stay in luxury without staying in a Disney-operated resort.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel By Micha L. Rieser,
via
Wikimedia Commons
12) Walt Disney
World Swan Hotel (Starting at $179.00 / Night)
When looking to stay in luxury at Disney, it is hard to do better than the Walt
Disney World Swan Hotel. The only drawback in the minds of some is that the
hotel is not actually a Disney property; it's owned and operated by Starwood Hotels.
There are packages that allow you to stay in comfort on the Disney property but
you will not have all of the luxuries of staying at a Disney Resort. While there
is great dining available at Il Mulino New York Trattoria, you will not be able
to use a meal plan from Disney to pay for the food you eat on your way to the
park every morning.
The pool at the Swan is one that you will have to experience to believe; it
has a waterslide and white sand beach for your enjoyment. There is the Mandara Spa you can visit to restore yourself in between days at the park
and if
you have children with you, they can have fun playing at the supervised
children’s activity center while you slip off to get a drink at the bar or enjoy
some time alone with other adults. The rooms are a wonderful departure from what
you might find at some of the other resorts with great amenities and
luxurious bedding.
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Lobby with Fountain
By Josh Hallett, via
Wikimedia Commons
11) Disney’s
Polynesian Resort (Starting at $482.63 / Night)
This is one of the nicest
resorts to stay in where parents and individual adults alike love to stay due to
the beautiful theming as well as the beautiful grounds. It is almost just as
much fun to wander the beautifully kept grounds as it is to go to Disney parks
for the day. While you are staying at the Polynesian Resort, you will be able to
enjoy watching the
Magic Kingdom fireworks and listen to the music that is piped
in. You can grab a bite to eat at the popular and delicious restaurants that are
available to anyone stays there.
The easily accessible monorail can get you to The
Magic Kingdom and
Epcot in a
very short period of time. If you are looking to get to The Magic Kingdom by
something other than monorail then you can enjoy going by boat to get there.
Speaking of boats, the Polynesian offers you access to a 50-minute specialty
cruise that you can get on from the dock for up to 12 guests. If you have small
children that are not yet suited to a day in the Florida sun then you can also take
advantage of the on site childcare. At night, the site is an excellent place to watch the Electrical
Water Pageant as well.
10) Disney’s Old Key
West Resort (Starting at $367.88 / Night)
The
Old Key West Resort is one of the Disney Vacation Club properties and it has the
interesting dichotomy of having the largest rooms of all the DVC properties
while also being the least expensive. The theme of the resort is to make it look
like a resort you might find in Key West from the 1940’s. There are activities
that include everything from lighted tennis courts, basketball, shuffleboard,
volleyball and golf. It's one of the few resorts on Disney property that
is geared more toward adults than children.
There are great on site eating options to keep you happy whether you are
planning a day at the park or you need to grab something to eat on a day when
there is inclement weather. The only drawback to some people is that the
resort is kind of far away from the parks, so it feels a little isolated from
everything. Others enjoy that it is a little farther away, so you do not hear
all of the late night noise coming from Downtown Disney and the fireworks from
Magic Kingdom. If you have kids with you from the ages of 5 to 10 then they
can enjoy the “Unbirthday Party”, just ask at the front desk for the schedule.
9) Disney’s
Boardwalk Inn and Villas (Starting at $411.75 /
Night)
Staying at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas is like staying on a coastal boardwalk
in a vintage setting. The 1940’s feel of the boardwalk atmosphere is a great way
for adults to have fun while strolling by the river at night after a day
wandering through the Disney parks. The theming is absolutely gorgeous, it has
an authentic feel to make you wonder if they removed the entire construction
from a coastal boardwalk and transplanted it in Florida rather than building it
just for Disney.
If you have kids with you then there are some things that they will be able to
have fun with but in general the main attraction for any adults with kids is
the proximity to the parks. You can literally walk to the different parks with
Epcot being only a 10 to15 minute hike from the resort. If you like the idea of
being able to see the parks from your hotel room, you will appreciate the
ability to choose rooms with a view of Epcot and
Hollywood Studios.
Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas
Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas Hotel Room
8) Disney’s Port
Orleans Resort - French Quarter (Starting at
$182.25 / Night)
Much like the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Port Orleans French Quarter
Resort is a place more appreciated by adults than kids. The front interior of
this resort has been designed to resemble an indoor version of Jackson Square; this is the main square of the French Quarter in New Orleans. It is easy to get
swept away looking at the wrought iron balcony railings, the gas lamps, benches
and fountains that line the street between the buildings of this resort.
These are several decorative pieces which pay homage to the Mardi Gras
celebration; these decorations have been created by the Blain Kern studio that
produces all of the floats found in the Mardi Gras parades. The food court at
the resort features a great number of these pieces of artwork and there are
several talented Jazz musicians who play the style of music the city is famous
for. As if all of the visuals and sounds were not enough, there are even
blooming magnolia trees in the area which offer the distinct fragrances found in
Louisiana.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans - French Quarter River Boat
Transportation
7) Disney’s Port
Orleans Resort - Riverside (Starting at $182.25 /
Night)
This large resort is divided into two distinct sections,there is the Magnolia
Bend and the Alligator Bayou. Magnolia bend consists of the multi-story Sothern
style mansion found in the Garden District of New Orleans and The Alligator Bayou is
made up of 16 traditional style Cajun buildings found in the bayou.
The resort sits on 200 acres of land. The landscaping on the resort is made
up of foliage and trees found commonly in Louisiana. The grounds are excellent
for taking long leisurely strolls in the mooring and evening. You will enjoy
walking through the oaks and magnolia trees and smelling the azaleas and
camellia bushes. There is a food court located on the resort as well as a
full-service restaurant called Boatwrights.
Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside
Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside
6) Disney’s Beach
Club Resort and Villas (Starting at $400.50 /
Night)
The villas on this resort have been designed to resemble the simple elegance
found in Atlantic seaside homes of the early 20th century, the soothing pastel
colors and ornate wood offer an upscale island feel. Guests can stroll from the
Villas to the Beach Club through lovely breezeways and there are several features
which have been installed with guests’ comfort in mind. These villas have
“smart” thermostats which adjust the temperature of the room based on the
appropriate temperature for the amount of body heat of the people in the room.
Guests can also pamper themselves in the large shower stalls and tubs.
Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas
The Stromlong Bay is offered to guests who want to swim in less crowded
areas, this is a three acre waterpark that has a large shipwreck
waterslide and whirlpool. There are also three quiet pools located here for
those who are in need of rest and relaxation. The nearest dining options for
those staying at the villas are located at the Beach and Yacht Club across
Crescent Lake at the Boardwalk. Restaurants located here range from the casual
dining location called Beached all the way to the vey upscale, Flying Fish Café.
Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas Guest Room
5) Coronado Springs
Resort (Starting at $187.88 / Night)
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
If you enjoy being active, the Coronado Springs Resort is a fun place to stay
because the beautiful grounds welcome anyone who wants to walk around day or night. If
you are into getting out on the water then you'll love renting a watercraft in
the warmer months of the year. Watercraft rentals that are available
include: electric boats, pedal boats and kayaks. You can check out the
health club and the salon that are on site if you are looking for a way to have
fun without leaving the resort.
If there is inclement weather and you do not feel like leaving the room, you
can enjoy the availability of room service. This is not something you are going
to find at the other moderately priced resorts and it's a great way to keep
yourself fed without getting drenched whenever it is raining. Keep in mind that
this is one of the convention hotels on the Disney property, so it is possible
that you might encounter large groups staying in the resort at the same time. If
this is a concern for you then you can always call ahead to make sure that there
will not be any conventions in town when you roll in.
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Pyramid Pool
4) Disney’s Yacht
Club Resort (Starting at $400.50 / Night)
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
If you are looking for proximity as well as a great place to park your yacht
then there is nothing better than staying at the Yacht Club Resort. This has a great
pool called Stormalong Bay that is not lined with kids as you enjoy relaxing the
day away. In fact, because it is not one of the more kid friendly resorts, you
will be able to enjoy peace and quiet without having to worry about them running
around.
One of the biggest attractions for people who stay at the Yacht Club Resort year
after year is the cast members, these individuals constantly get more praise
than most of the other resorts. About the only resorts that are going to provide
better service are the Grand Floridian and maybe the Contemporary. Another thing
that adults love when staying here is the ability to be close to
Epcot, just a
5- to 10-minute walk away, and
Hollywood Studios, just a short boat ride or walk
away. There are also cruises available for those looking for something different
than going to a park with their day.
Inside the Yacht Club Resort
3) Contemporary
Resort and Bay Lake Tower (Starting at $378.00 /
Night)
The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower may be considered to be two separate
resorts by some but they are close enough to be considered together.
Additionally, they share many of the same amenities. The only difference is Bay
Lake Tower does not have the monorail going directly into the lobby of the
hotel. In order to get to the monorail, you will need to walk over to the
Contemporary to jump on but it's still more convenient than many of the other
resorts.
This is one of the oldest luxury resorts in Disney World and one of the
least expensive. It provides you the ability to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks
and the Electrical Water Pageant from the hotel, some of the rooms allow you
to have a great view of the Magic Kingdom. With everything that the hotel has to
offer, it is still the unique appearance that draws more people to want to stay
there as opposed to other resorts.
2) Disney Saratoga
Springs Resort & Spa (Starting at $367.88 / Night)
Those looking for something that is more akin to a community than a resort will
be able to find what they are looking for at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
With the spa on site, it is easy for adults to get the kind of relaxation they
are looking for while on vacation. The location is close enough to all of the
action in Downtown Disney to enjoy relaxing at the bars and restaurants that are
available, you can even have fun walking between the different clubs in the club
section of Downtown Disney.
While you are staying at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, you will be able
to enjoy walking through the well kept grounds or you can enjoy playing some
tennis and shuffleboard. There is no shortage of activities to enjoy whenever
you are or are not at the Disney parks. Just step outside your door and you will find
everything you want to do in this Florida paradise.
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Guest Room
1) Disney’s Grand
Floridian Resort & Spa (Starting at $420.75 /
Night)
If you are looking for the ultimate in adult luxury, it is hard to go wrong with
the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This resort is just one monorail stop away
from
Magic Kingdom, so you will not have to go very far to get to the parks if
you are visiting this or any other of the parks at Disney. The inside of the
resort is decorated with upscale furniture as well as décor that reminds people
that they are staying at one of the nicest resorts at Disney. For some, it is
hard to believe that the resort is even a Disney resort by looking at the
inside.
One of the things that the Grand Floridian is known for is some of the best
dining at Disney. In fact, many of the locals will travel to the restaurant when
they are looking to celebrate a special event. All of the food that is available
at the restaurant can also be delivered to the rooms as room service. If you
want to enjoy watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks or the Electrical Water
Pageant then you can see them right from the hotel. If you are looking for a spa
then visit the lobby to get the spa treatments
you are looking for.
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Lobby
By Dunderklumpen, via
Wikimedia Commons
Conclusion
While these are the best resorts Disney has to offer adults, they are not the
only choices that are available to you. It is recommended to never stay outside
of the resort because you will spend a lot of time just trying to get in and out
of the parks each day. These are the top 15 for adults but that does not mean
you cannot stay in one of the themed resorts that are better suited for kids.
It's all about you and the kind of trip you would like to have while you are
staying at Disney World. Just remember to have a magical stay and you will be
ready to return as soon as possible.
References:
15) Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (Starting at $54.00 /
Night)
The Dis, a website with information for Walt Disney World tourism –
(Detailed description of the features of Fort Wilderness.)
//www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/ftwild.htm
Walt Disney World, official website for Walt Disney World -
(Descriptions of different hotels, prices, and amenities.)
//disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/
