Which Disney World Hotels Have the Best Amenities?
When you’re choosing a Walt Disney World hotel, you’ll spend more time in and around your room than you’d expect.
The reality is that the only people who can spend all day and all night at the park every day of a vacation are CrossFit trainers.
Photo: Playbuzz.com
Real human beings get tired and need a break. So, you should think about what you can do while you’re not at the parks.
And here’s what should matter most to you. Which Disney hotels have the best amenities? Let’s discuss…
Animal Kingdom Lodge Animals
Disney did something decidedly clever while planning Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
This resort resides five minutes from its similarly named theme park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Photo: Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram
However, not everyone wants to interact with the animals at the park.
I mean, everyone does, but the sheer size of the crowds turns the idea into a practical impossibility.
The problem with a petting zoo is that everyone wants to do some petting.
Nobody’s a fan of long lines, which heightens the genius of Animal Kingdom Lodge.
When you visit this hotel, you can walk out the hotel lobby and be standing at a savannah in a matter of seconds.
In a way, Disney has brought Animal Kingdom directly to the courtyard of its adjoining hotel.
Photo: Disney
The best part of this setup is that you can book Savannah View rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Then, you can sit on your hotel deck/balcony and watch the animals frolic directly beneath you.
Photo: Disney
These rooms may offer the best view at Disney, which is a highly competitive race.
Beach Club Stormalong Bay
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
You will want to swim some during your Disney visit. After all, you’re on vacation, and it comes with the territory.
So, whether you want to dip your toe in and then nurture a beverage or do a few full laps, you’ll be hanging out at the pool.
Photo: D23
Since we both know that’s true, you might as well pick the best one, and all Disney fans know which pool that is.
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club will redefine your expectations for what a hotel pool can be.
I often describe the space as a mini-water park, and that might be underselling it.
Disney has created an entire artificial beach area at this hotel, and Stormalong Bay emphasizes the theming.
Photo: Disney
You’ll find sand-bottom floors in the pool, accentuating the immersion of your swimming in the ocean.
Stormalong Bay is so large that Disney added a lazy river here, which is how I spend most of my time at the pool.
Photo: Disney
As far as recreational activities go, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one than Stormalong Bay.
Caribbean Beach – Skyliner Station
Caribbean Beach Resort
One of the most underrated Disney hotel amenities is logistics.
Since the Walt Disney World campus is so large – twice the size of Manhattan! – you want to be close to the action.
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, a new transportation option debuted in 2019.
Now, thanks to the Disney Skyliner, Caribbean Beach has become the hub for the newest form of transportation.
Skyliner
This gondola system lifts guests into the air and transports them to two different theme parks and four other hotels.
So, when you stay here, you can have quick, reliable access to several other important locations at Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station
You may wonder why I’m listing Caribbean Beach if multiple hotels host Skyliner stations, which is a fair question.
The explanation is that you’ll find the main station at Caribbean Beach. It’ll take you everywhere else!
Contemporary – View of Magic Kingdom/Monorail
EPCOT
Three different hotels reside on what Disney calls the Resort Monorail Line.
That’s a technical term for all of them hosting monorail stations.
Monorail at Disney’s Grand Floridian
While all three hotels are in the conversation for best overall Disney property, the Contemporary has an ace in the hole.
Due to the unique design of this resort, monorails drive straight through the middle of the Contemporary.
Photo: Disney
That sounds like something impossible, but it’s true. The happy bonus of this setup is that you can watch it from anywhere.
All the interior hotel rooms at the Contemporary provide quick access to the monorail station.
Disney
Even better, many of them include views of the monorails going in and out of the hotel.
Best of all, some hotel rooms face Magic Kingdom, which creates a magical opportunity to watch the parks from your room.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Atrium
You’ll love these views throughout the day, but it’s even better at night.
Guests staying in Theme Park View rooms can watch the fireworks from the comfort of their hotel room.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney even pipes in music on one of the television stations to perfect the experience.
The views of the monorail and Magic Kingdom make a stay at the Contemporary a must for every Disney fan.
Polynesian Great Ceremonial House
Another monorail resort hosts probably my favorite amenity overall.
When you enter the main building at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you’re walking inside the Great Ceremonial House.
This tribute to the South Seas will sweep you away with its tranquil island vibe.
But the Great Ceremonial House provides more than just a vibe. It’s also home to everything you could need on vacation.
Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog
On the first floor of this building, you’ll find a charming store, a Quick Service restaurant, and a popular bar.
Pay special attention to that bar, as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is an iconic part of the Polynesian.
Photo: Disney
On the second floor, you’ll find another store plus two Table Service restaurants…and one of them is ‘Ohana.
In addition, you’ll find a monorail station entrance on the second floor.
Meanwhile, you can exit the first floor and order a Dole Whip on the other side of the door.
In short, the Great Ceremonial House provides one-stop shopping for all your vacation needs. Oh, and it smells amazing!
Saratoga Springs Walk to Disney Springs
What’s the point of vacation if you don’t plan to do any shopping, right?
Well, when you intend to spend time at Disney Springs, the shopping mecca of Walt Disney World, there’s only one hotel to choose.
Boat to Disney Springs
At Saratoga Springs, you’ll find a bridge that leads directly to Disney Springs.
So, you can leave your hotel room and walk to Disney Springs in a matter of minutes.
Bike Rental – Saratoga Springs
This amenity is so useful it borders on addictive. You’ll constantly find yourself shopping, drinking, and dining at Disney Springs.
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