Which Disney World Resorts Are the Most/Least Disney?

On the magical day that Walt Disney World opened in 1971, it immediately established a standard.

One of the opening day hotels, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, recreated a South Seas vacation only from Magic Kingdom.

Since then, Disney fans have expected every resort to match the standard established by the Polynesian. Alas, not all of them can.

So, which Walt Disney World resorts are the most and least Disney? Let’s decide…

(Because  the Polynesian set the standard, I won’t be listing it, but it is THE most Disney resort of all in terms of theming.)

What’s the Most Disney?

Just to be clear about the criteria, we’re looking for resorts that will immerse you in Disney magic throughout your vacation.

You want a place that highlights immaculate theming in the most comfortable ways.

Some places do that better than others. Here are some examples of the best.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Don’t let the name fool you. This resort doesn’t settle for a single theme.

Yes, you’ll find animals when you visit Animal Kingdom Lodge. In truth, that’s far and away the best part of the hotel.

Some of my fondest Disney memories involve my sitting at this hotel and watching the animals frolic at their savannahs.

This hotel offers many of the same advantages of Disney’s Animal Kingdom without the crowds of excessive walking.

But Animal Kingdom Lodge also celebrates the many cultures from the continent of Africa.

The moment you enter the lobby at Jambo House, the theming will immerse you, transporting you to a beautiful faraway land.

Disney is so proud of the imported antiquities on display here that it offers tours of the hotel’s art.

The theming even extends to the gift shop, as the general store sells hundreds of items imported from Africa.

You’ll fully believe you’re on an African safari when you stay here, even though you’re only minutes from Disney theme parks. 

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Let’s be real. Most of us are Disney fans because we fell in love with classic fairytales when we were kids.

In most instances, Disney told those stories via animated films, which means we’re all inclined to adore this hotel.

At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, your favorite childhood tales come to life.

The work of artists is on display in the lobby, where you can admire animated cels of your favorite Disney moments.

Some of them are actually even better in that you’ve never seen them before.

They’re illustrations that Disney never used in its films, which makes them that much more captivating.

While the lobby never fails to amaze me, it’s the hotel buildings themselves that are pure Disney.

Imagineers have themed these buildings after four iconic family films: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.

You can glance around the area to know exactly where you are, which is precisely the point of exceptional theming.

Of course, Disney doesn’t stop there, extending the theming into the Family Suites at this hotel.

You can stay in a room entirely based on one of these four films.

Here’s an example of The Lion King Family Suites:

That’s pure Disney, isn’t it?

Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter

Something you should understand is that a hotel doesn’t have to be based on anything specifically Disney to be VERY Disney.

I’ll point to Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter as a textbook example of this.

You should know you’re at a Disney hotel the instant you approach the entrance to the lobby.

The theming in the surrounding area should clearly identify what you should expect when you enter the facility.

That’s definitely true at French Quarter, which celebrates New Orleans in every nook and cranny.

Disney takes the theming here so seriously that it even hosts a Fat Tuesday parade each year!

Even the restaurants carry the spirit of the Big Easy, as you can order beignets here!

Folks, if you’ve never started your Disney park day with a beignet, you’re doing it wrong.

This is a potentially life-changing pro tip I’m giving you. And it’s just one of many perfect Disney touches at French Quarter.

What’s the Least Disney?

Conversely, a few Disney resorts stand out for their practicality.

Disney built them out of convenience rather than as a representation of the finest in Imagineering storytelling.

Here are three examples of places whose themes aren’t quite as distinctive:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Since day one, Walt Disney World’s original resorts have stood in stark contrast.

Executives understood that the Contemporary would always possess a competitive advantage.

This hotel towers above Magic Kingdom, providing distinctive views of the resort and its adjoining monorail system.

The Polynesian needed a hook. So, Disney gave this hotel wonderful theming to identify it.

In the process, Disney almost did the Contemporary a disservice by taking it for granted a bit.

Whenever you read criticisms of this stunning hotel, they universally share a similarity.

People wish that the Contemporary featured more definition in terms of its style.

Thankfully, these modest complaints do nothing to diminish the impeccable quality of the hotel, a place I visit regularly.

But Disney appears aware of the complaint and maybe even a bit sensitive to it.

The fairly recent re-theming of some rooms to The Incredibles is management’s way of giving choosier fans a bit more Disney magic.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The crown jewel of Walt Disney World hotels will dazzle you with its amenities and logistics.

You’re a monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. There’s also a lovely boat ride to Magic Kingdom.

As for the restaurants, one has a Michelin Star. What more do I need to say?

Still, when it comes to theming, the Grand Floridian is kinda mid.

The Victorian style isn’t overt as much as it’s old money, which serves a purpose but fails to immerse.

We love the Grand Floridian and have stayed at the new DVC building recently.

But as far as the look and style of the place, it’s just not as Disney as some other options.

You’re staying here for the opulence, not the theming.

Disney’s Old Key West

This one physically hurts me to say, as I just stayed here in November.

The entire visit was a delight, and the hotel staff went out of their way to take care of us.

Seriously, there’s someone at the gift shop that I meant to put on our Christmas card list.

She saved merchandise for us to make sure my wife got her Haunted Mansion exclusives. These are wonderful people.

And the resort is amazing. That’s why I pick it. The laid-back vibe celebrates classic Key West, Florida, and the music of Jimmy Buffett.

So, this is MY place. The problem is that it’s just not as much of a Disney place as some others.

The theming here is ostensibly the Ernest Hemingway era when Key West was inexorably linked with Cuba.

But, like, what’s the theming here other than the colors? I expect more than pastels to sell the point at Disney.

I would go so far as to argue that the Table Service restaurant here, Olivia’s Café, features better theming than the hotel itself.

While I still love the hotel, the difference between the theming at French Quarter versus here is striking. The difference is in the immersion.

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