One of the great things about Walt Disney World is that there are numerous Resorts for Guests to choose from all ranging in pricing and amenities. Because there are so many options, it can allow Guests to find the right Disney World Resort for them and their needs.
Choosing where you want to stay at Walt Disney World is a big decision. At How to Disney, we even have a post HERE with some questions to help you figure out where you might want to stay.
Even though we love Disney Resorts, we do have some surprising opinions about them we are going to share today. These are just opinions, but we think that they might help you as you determine where to stay during your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Pop Century is a Top Resort
Pop Century is a value Resort, but we think that it is one of the best Resorts Disney has to offer. Not only is the pricing reasonable, but having access to the Skyliner is a game changer. It is so convenient to get to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We love that we can easily visit Disney’s Riviera or Disney’s Caribbean Beach or even the EPCOT area Resorts.
We also like the food at Pop Century’s food court, everything is also delicious and there is always a nice variety of options. The newly remodeled rooms at Pop Century have great storage and an excellent option with the murphy bed that can remain up. If you are looking to save some money by staying at a value Resort, think about Pop Century.
Skyliner Trumps Monorail
Most Guests that are looking for an upgraded stay or want to be near a Disney Park, look at staying at one of Disney’s three monorail Resorts: Disney’s Polynesian, Disney’s Contemporary, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Although we love these Resorts, we actually think that staying at one of the Skyliner Resorts is better.
First of all, being at one of the Skyliner Resorts such as Pop Century, Art of Animation, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, or Disney’s Riviera, gives you easy access to two Disney Parks. Both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are easily accessible via the Skyliner.
We also prefer the Skyliner because it is a constant loader. Guests are constantly loaded into Skyliner gondolas and have quick under 10-minute rides to the Park. This makes getting back to your Resort even after the fireworks quick and smooth.
Gran Destino is a Deluxe Resort
Don’t tell Disney, but we truly believe that Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs could be considered a deluxe Resort.
The Grand Destino Tower has two lounges as well as one signature dining location. The Dahlia Lounge is located high up in the tower providing amazing views of the Disney property, including Disney’s Hollywood Studio, EPCOT, and even Blizzard Beach.
The Barcelona Lounge is located on the lower level of the tower and is stunning. The glass behind the bar and the photo of Mickey and Walt Disney make this a beautiful location to relax and enjoy a beverage.
The Disney Resort rooms are also outstanding, with high-end amenities that will make Guests feel like they are at home. Gran Destino Tower has it all and combines that with the other great amenities found throughout Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and this Resort is a top option for us each vacation.
Stormalong Bay Isn’t the Best Pool
When looking at Disney Resorts, a common discussion you will see is what Walt Disney World Resort has the best pool. Most will determine that Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club is the best. This pool is amazing with a great slide, a lazy river, and a sand bottom playing area. Even with all these features, we aren’t sure that it lives up to being the best pool at Disney.
For families with little ones, the lazy river gets extremely deep in some areas making it difficult to feel lazy. Also, the entrance to the slide is actually located across the walkway to EPCOT. This can be a little concerning for parents as children have to leave the gated pool area to get to the slide. This often means that one parent has to stand at the slide entrance while another parent waits at the bottom of the slide. This can be the opposite of relaxing.
Compared to most pools where older kids can navigate the pools on their own, this might not be the case at Stormalong Bay. Parents won’t be able to keep their eyes on kids the whole time, making it less relaxing.
We find some of the pools at the moderates, such as Disney’s Coronado Springs and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to be just as fun and possibly even more relaxing. These pools are located in one area, making it easy to keep eyes on kids. If pools are important to your family, look into how they are laid out to make sure they fit your needs and style.
There are so many different Resorts to choose from when planning a trip to Walt Disney World. The key to finding the right Resort for your family is to figure out what is important to you. Don’t get wrapped up in everyone else’s opinions.
Use our information on How to Disney to learn about the different Resorts and then make your own decision. Not every Resort is fit for each family. That is why Disney has so many different ones for Guests to choose from.
We hope that these surprising opinions will help you think about what Disney Resort is right for your family as you head down to the magic.
