The comments at the time were loud and angry, demonstrating just how much Disney fans care about their favorites.
Now, after nearly seven years, I’m finally ready to stick my head back into the lion’s mouth.
The Grand Cottage at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Which Disney hotels have the best lobbies? Here are my selections. PS: It’s fine if you disagree!
8. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
You can watch MickeyBlog’s video to enjoy Miranda and Jared admiring the artwork on display here.
Credit: TripAdvisor.com
As they discuss, you’ll find iconic images from every decade, starting with the 1950s.
Similarly, the lobby displays collector’s cases brimming with memorable toys and electronics from each decade.
Oyster
You’ll find popular trinkets like silly putty, hula hoops, Rubik’s cubes, and MP3 players.
Each case provides a time capsule of pop culture in a given era, making it relatable to all guests.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Ghosts of Christmas Past will visit you as you remember toys from your childhood.
7. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
As the sibling to Pop Century, Art of Animation’s lobby will appear instantly familiar in that it’s long and stretchy.
The difference is quickly identifiable to people who pay attention to the walls, though.
You’ll find authentic Disney cels, some of which are the original images during the planning stages of your favorite animated films.
Art of Animation
Exploring this place feels like walking through a Disney animation museum. You may forget you’re at your hotel’s lobby!
Of course, due to the clever design of these two hotels, you’re only a few steps away from centralized shopping and dining.
6. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
The same architect has his fingerprints on two different properties on this list.
Disney hired Peter Dominick to build a pair of its Deluxe Tier resorts, and he proved to be a perfect fit.
Photo: Disney
Dominick didn’t believe in a personal style, instead making every project different.
At Animal Kingdom Lodge, the architect drew inspiration from African safari camps in designing this massive hotel lobby.
Jambo House honors various African cultures with its art and emphasis on natural design.
Still, the most impressive feat is the lobby’s ability to exude tranquility.
Credit: Disney
You’re at one with nature here, and it’s a calming vibe. Plus, you can exit the lobby and stand 100 feet away from animal habitats.
That’s an inimitable amenity for any Disney hotel lobby.
5. Disney’s Beach Club Villas
You’ll love walking by the beach as you explore the area beyond EPCOT’s international gateway, the portion outside the parks.
Photo: Visit Florida
Alas, as you roam through Disney’s BoardWalk and head to the other side, you’ll gradually notice the blistering Central Florida heat.
At these moments, you’ll appreciate the oasis at Beach Club’s lobby.
This lobby combines luxury and comfort, and it’s ideally located as a kind of welcoming rest option
You can explore a bit to discover Beach Club Marketplace when you’re in the mood to shop, but there’s really no need.
Photo: disneypicture.net
Due to the size of the Beach Club lobby, you’ll discover ample seating in some of Disney’s most comfortable chairs.
Frankly, if the parks had seating this comfortable, it’d cause problems since many guests would just sit and people-watch for hours.
That’s something you’re encouraged to do at Beach Club’s lobby, though!
4. Disney’s Riviera Resort
Photo: DIsney
Here’s an option I couldn’t have even suggested in 2017.
At the time, the Riviera Resort hadn’t opened yet and wouldn’t for a couple of years.
Photo: Disney
However, over the past five years, this Deluxe Tier resort has become one of my favorite hangout spots at Disney World.
The hotel’s structure is a bit disorienting in that many guests enter via the Disney Skyliner.
That technically occurs on the hotel’s first floor, while the bus drop-off and lobby reside on the second floor.
After a bit of stair-climbing, you’ll figure out the basics here, and you’ll quickly learn why fans are so passionate about the Riviera.
Disney
Due to the convenient location of a bar/coffee shop and Quick Service restaurant, you’ll never go hangry here.
Also, you’ll find ample seating in the lobby, as Disney designed the space in the style of the Italian Riviera.
DVC
Since many European travelers congregate in centralized locales, the expectation is for people to sit down and relax here.
Once you’ve caught your breath, you can explore the gorgeous hotel grounds before returning to the friendly confines of this lobby.
3. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Here’s where the late Peter Dominick appears again. This was arguably his first major Disney assignment.
Park officials wanted to capture a part of Americana and replicate it at Disney World.
Photo: disneypix.com
Specifically, Disney wanted something akin to the national park lodges that populated the Western United States.
So, Dominick and his team visited these lodges and identified their most authentic traits.
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Then, Disney built Wilderness Lodge as a rustic tribute to those places straight down to the fact that everything you see in the lobby is wooden.
There’s also a multi-story chimney that I’m absolutely obsessed with due to its beauty and grandeur.
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Of course, it helps that Whispering Canyon Café resides right beside the lobby.
So, when I sit on a couch here, I can hear the uproarious laughter of surprised guests at one of Disney’s most unique dining experiences.
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
For more than 30 years now, Wilderness Lodge has charmed Disney guests, and the lobby is a primary reason why.
2. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
While I love all the lobbies on this list and spend ample time at each one, I suspect most Disney fans would agree on the top two.
On Disney’s resort monorail line, guests often stop at three places during bar, dining, and shopping crawls.
The first is the Grand Canyon Concourse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Photo: Yesterland.com
Since that place resides on the fourth floor, it doesn’t count for our list.
However, the other two locales are no-brainers, as they’re the upper echelon of Disney hotel lobbies.
Enchanted Rose Lounge
For more than 35 years now, fans have flocked to the Grand Floridian to relish the multi-floor majesty of this facility.
Here, you can admire the gorgeous backdrop, ride the historical elevator, walk the grand steps, and drink at the Enchanted Rose Lounge.
Enchanted Rose Lounge
At times, you’ll enjoy arguably the best amenity here, the pianist who plays some of your favorite Disney tunes. It’s beyond magical.
1. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Finally, we have my choice for the best lobby at Disney World…or anywhere else, really.
You’ll know you’ve entered the Great Ceremonial House by the smell.
Disney pipes in an intoxicating aroma of flowers and fruits to immerse you in the premise.
At the Polynesian, you’re not staying at Disney even though you can see Magic Kingdom off in the distance!
Instead, you’re on an exotic island vacation, and that wonderful Polynesian smell persuades you that the illusion is real.
BouTiki
As you explore the two-floor facility, you’ll discover two stores, including my beloved BouTiki, plus three (!) restaurants.
Two of them are Table Service restaurants, ‘Ohana and Kona Café, plus a Quick Service option, Capt. Cook’s.
Over the years, MickeyBlog’s staff has almost accidentally voted Capt. Cook’s as one of our favorites.
I’ve previously joked that I think we’ve reviewed this place more than anywhere else, which happens because we eat here so often.
Also, the wildly popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto will happily serve you a glow drink while you’re at the Great Ceremonial House!
Of course, while you’re here, what you’ll really want to do is head outside to Pineapple Lanai, which is just by the exit.
New Year’s Float at Pineapple Lanai
Then, you’ll order a Dole Whip, come back inside, and sit down to relish in the ambiance.
This might be the best spot at any Disney World resort, and I say that with all due deference to all the other places listed here.
Photo: Magic Guidebooks
In my mind’s eye, I’m always roaming through the halls of the Great Ceremonial House, Disney’s best hotel lobby.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Look no further! The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation!