Best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for Adults

It’s not easy compiling a list of the best Disney Resort Hotels since what is most important in a Resort will vary from person to person.

Do you want to stay within walking distance of Disney Springs for all those late nights out? Maybe you want to be pampered and surrounded with luxury during your WDW vacation. Or is access to an amazing feature pool complex or abundant dining options what makes a Resort the best?

Here are some of the best Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for adults, based on criteria valued by many Guests. But be sure to check out all the Resorts online to decide for yourself!

Best for Proximity to Disney Springs

If you want to be close to all the action at Disney Springs, hands-down, your best option is Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. It only takes about ten minutes to walk from the Resort to Disney Springs, which puts you close to all the shopping, entertainment, and dining you could ever want!  

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club property, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a DVC member to stay here. Anyone can book a stay if there’s enough availability (and this is a huge Resort, so your chances are good!).

Best Pool Complex

It’s been said before, and it will be said again: Stormalong Bay, shared by sister Resort Hotels Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, is the best pool complex in Walt Disney World.  

Practically a water Park unto itself, Stormalong Bay is a massive (3 acre, 750,000 gallons) complex that includes a lazy river, sand-bottomed pool, three whirlpool spas, a life-size shipwreck-turned-waterslide, a special area for young Guests, and much, much more.

If you stay at either Disney’s Yacht Club or Beach Club Resorts, do yourself a favor and plan to spend a day at Stormalong Bay – you won’t regret it!

Best for Dining 

Foodies are spoiled for choices at Disney Resort Hotels! Disney’s Coronado Springs, one of WDW’s Moderate Resorts, boasts ten eateries on site, nine of which are currently available. Offerings run the gamut: quick service, café, lounge, bar, and table service restaurant options can all be found here.

For a delicious dose of Latina cuisine, head to Maya Grill. Three Bridges Bar & Grill is perfect for a beautiful alfresco bite in the middle of Lago Dorado. Dahlia Lounge and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood feature tapas dishes and stunning rooftop views.

Best for Animal Lovers

It should come as no surprise that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best bet for animal lovers in your party! There’s nowhere else on the property where Guests can wake up to see giraffes, zebras, and other African animals outside their window.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is adjacent to 4 savannahs containing over 200 animals, and each Resort room includes a field guide to the wildlife you’ll see. Not all rooms have views of the animals, but even if yours doesn’t, you can dine at Sanaa for excellent savannah views or check out one of the viewing decks (especially amazing at night, with the night vision goggles provided on site!).

Best for Downton Abbey Fans

If you’re a serious fan of Downton Abbey or traveling to WDW with one, then you should consider staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, if your budget allows! This Disney Deluxe Resort may have the highest pricing in its category for standard rooms, but the luxury you’ll be surrounded with during your stay may be worth it.

Disney’s Grand Floridian positively oozes Victorian charm and luxury. From the crystal chandeliers to the classical pianist in the lobby to the exquisite dining options available on site, this is one Disney Resort where Lord and Lady Grantham would not seem a bit out of place.

Best for Views

Several Disney Resort Hotels feature stunning views across Disney property, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of them. It’s close (as in, walking distance) to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, which means it offers excellent views of Cinderella Castle and other buildings in that Theme Park.

If you’re not lucky enough to snag a room that looks onto Magic Kingdom, you can always enjoy a meal at California Grill, on the 15th floor of the Resort, boasting panoramic views. Disney’s Contemporary Resort earns bonus points for views because you can sit and watch the monorail as it passes through the Resort lobby.

Best for Those on a Budget

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the newest Value Resort on property, and if you’re staying at WDW on a budget, this is a fabulous option. The theming here is more in-your-face than you’ll find at Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort Hotels, but the immersive theming is excellently executed.

The Little Mermaid section offers standard rooms, while the Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars sections offer family suites for larger groups. There are three pools here, including the biggest Resort pool on the property. You’ll also find complimentary cabanas at the Cozy Cone Pool.

Bottom Line

Disney’s Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe Resorts all have pros and cons, and each Resort excels in different areas. Deciding where to stay on property is one of the most difficult decisions you can make when planning a trip to WDW, so it’s worth thinking about your priorities and doing some research to find the best fit for you. You can also go Resort-hopping while on vacation to check out what might become your favorite new Disney Resort Hotel!