A number of of Walt Disney World’s over two-dozen inns at Walt Disney World have development initiatives, pool or room refurbishments, or are in want of these issues in 2025. This was the idea for our Worst WDW Resorts in 2025 listing, and it could possibly make selecting the “proper” resort in your trip harder.
To assist make issues simpler, we’ve created this listing of the Greatest Walt Disney World Lodges for 2025, which is the counterpart to the above-mentioned ‘worst’ picks. This listing covers lodging that can be ‘uniquely good’ subsequent 12 months. It contains all the pieces from acquainted fan favorites to sleeper picks that usually fly underneath the radar with WDW diehards.
Every of those resorts makes the listing for a selected purpose as a result of future or present circumstances. They’re not essentially our favourite resorts at Walt Disney World, however they’re deserving of consideration in 2025. For the primary time, a part of the ‘components’ for resorts making this listing is fan suggestions, as we’re giving additional consideration to resorts that our readers love and have talked about most positively all through this 12 months.
For instance, there’s loads of development occurring in a pair completely different areas of Walt Disney World that offers us pause, and makes us extra inclined to advocate an alternate resort in the identical ‘area’ of Walt Disney World. That’s doubly true if that resort just lately wrapped up its personal reimagining and is remoted from these initiatives.
In the event you’re not apprehensive about closures or development, and are merely searching for how we rank the resorts at Walt Disney World with none particular consideration for 2025, we’d advocate studying our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Lodges from Worst to Greatest. Actually, that’s a greater beginning place than this listing because it covers a greater variety of professionals & cons and is simply, typically, extra complete…
With that mentioned, let’s dig into this listing of the highest resorts at Walt Disney World for 2025, beginning with the highest tier…
Polynesian Village Resort
After two consecutive years on our listing of resorts to keep away from, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort lands on the ‘better of’ listing. It is because the new Island Tower on the Polynesian Villas is now open, having debuted in mid-December 2024. Till now, this was an enormous development website between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian that added visible blight and noise to the serene resort.
Along with this undertaking being accomplished, the opposite massive purpose the Polynesian makes the listing is a return of prime tier (or near it) reductions. Already in 2025, we’re seeing reductions of 20% to 30% off on the Poly, which is pretty unprecedented within the final ~5 years. It’s ironic these offers are getting higher as development wraps up, however that’s typically the way it works. If something, we’d see much more offers particularly for the Island Tower because it’s nonetheless new and most of it’s undeclared for DVC.
We’re not essentially recommending the Polynesian as a result of what the Island Tower brings to the desk. As a result of frankly, it doesn’t add an entire lot for normal, non-DVC friends of the resort. Though the Wailulu Bar & Grill does seem like a wonderful and inexpensive place for a laid again meal. However in any other case, I’m extra involved in regards to the resort infrastructure having the ability to accommodate a whole bunch of further rooms and friends.
Quite, this decide is all in regards to the lack of development. At the least, lack of Island Tower work. In a web site alert, Walt Disney World warns of “Building and Refurbishments Via 2026” on the Poly. For no matter purpose, Disney doesn’t clarify what this undertaking is, as a substitute pointing to “ongoing enhancements” which will affect views of the theme park and different surrounding areas.
That is essentially a big undertaking if it’s lasting by 2026, nevertheless it’s extensively believed that is ongoing highway work as a part of the World Drive North undertaking, relocation of the Polynesian’s important entrance, and creation of a roundabout connecting roads. Walt Disney World hasn’t formally introduced any of this, nevertheless it’s supported by a number of development permits.
It’s truthfully odd that Disney wouldn’t clarify that this development revolves round roads, as we’ve heard from many readers who’re reluctant to remain on the Polynesian in 2025 or 2026. These similar worries most likely wouldn’t exist in the event that they knew it was infrastructure work on the alternative facet of the car parking zone, as a substitute of development to the resort itself. Maybe we’re unsuitable and there’s extra to it, however at this level, we now have no hesitations in staying on the Poly subsequent 12 months. We’re excited to lastly accomplish that once more, and advocate it to you, too.
Up to date Resort
Within the occasion that you just’re nonetheless reticent to remain on the Poly in 2025 as a result of nebulous nature of the years-long development undertaking, our prime beneficial various is the Up to date. It’s the one monorail loop resort that doesn’t have a major quantity of development scheduled.
Though we had hoped the Grand Floridian overhaul can be achieved way back, it’s been way more concerned than we count on. The massive wildcard there may be what occurs with the principle foyer constructing, which isn’t truly achieved (supposedly?). That could possibly be achieved within the first quarter of 2025, or it could possibly be a development zone for your complete 12 months. Both approach, it’s an excessive amount of of a wild card to advocate, even when we do love the brand new rooms at Grand Floridian!
Up to date additionally makes the listing as a result of we’ve stayed right here a couple of instances this 12 months and it has actually grown on us. We nonetheless don’t love the Incredibles rooms, however we’ve been happy with the worth for cash, and reminded of simply how good it’s to stroll to Magic Kingdom, take noon breaks, and have entry to the Wilderness by boat. Lastly, the meals scene on the Up to date is unquestionably higher than it was a couple of years in the past. See Our Favourite Lodge at Walt Disney World as Mother and father with a Toddler for extra on the promoting factors of the Up to date.
Riviera Resort
I’ll be sincere with you: Sarah by no means agreed with how “harsh” our Disney’s Riviera Resort Evaluate was, and instructed a separate rant about its lazy and boxy exterior, undercooked themed design, and many others. that wasn’t a part of the resort evaluation. She was proper, after all.
That is one thing I’ve realized over the course of our personal subsequent stays and by way of reader suggestions from friends who’ve truly stayed on the Riviera. Whereas loads of Walt Disney World followers agree with my criticisms of the resort as a piece of themed design, most precise friends of Disney’s Riviera Resort love the property. There are few inns about which we obtain extra constructive fan suggestions.
Admittedly, a part of the rationale I’m coming round to this attitude can be as a result of we now have a daughter and I’m seeing Walt Disney World by the contemporary eyes of a brand new father or mother. And people eyes see the compact format of Disney’s Riviera Resort, its formidable eating lineup (plus easy accessibility to under-the-radar eating spots at Caribbean Seaside), straightforward transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT–the listing goes on and on.
It’s for these causes that Disney’s Riviera Resort is on our brief listing for our spring household trip, and I’m already planning a crucial reevaluation of the resort, which it stay as much as expectations. Figured this listing is perhaps an applicable time for a ‘sneak peek’ of that, particularly with so many initiatives round Crescent Lake.
(Word: We don’t have sufficient house to incorporate all the DVC resorts which have wonderful, recently-redone rooms and likewise don’t wish to overrepresent DVC rooms on this listing, however as at all times, you may rating important financial savings when renting Disney Trip Membership factors. That ought to take the sting out of costs when planning your 2025 Walt Disney World journey!)
BoardWalk Inn
Talking of Crescent Lake, the lone robust possibility in that precise resort district is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Its multi-year reimagining undertaking has refreshed the beloved turn-of-the-century promenade and inside, added new eating choices, refreshed visitor rooms, and extra. This undertaking is seemingly over, with The Cake Bake Store lastly opening (together with Blue Ribbon Corn Canine). The eating slate on the BoardWalk nonetheless leaves one thing to be desired, particularly with vacancies on the opposite facet of the promenade, however there are many choices simply accessible round Crescent Lake.
So far as rooms go within the Crescent Lake Resort Space, the new rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn are our favorites. They aren’t good, as they prioritize a classy type over allure and whimsy, however they’re nonetheless superb. We’d relatively keep in these rooms than their counterparts at Yacht or Seaside Membership. (Though the previous is getting new rooms in 2025, so that might change!)
Caribbean Seaside Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort as soon as once more makes this listing because of its standing because the “Poor Man’s Poly.” There are such a lot of ways in which Caribbean Seaside emulates Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which is a Deluxe tier resort that prices triple the value. The island ambiance, visitor rooms, pool areas, waterfront locales, relaxed foyer, and extra. Even Sebastian’s Bistro has severe ‘Ohana vibes…besides it’s higher and cheaper.
Talking of imitators which might be higher than the actual factor, the Skyliner is considerably much like the monorail…however higher and extra dependable (effectively, exterior of storm season). The Skyliner is the most important of many latest upgrades at Caribbean Seaside Resort, with two stations providing entry to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. That is nice for simply accessing these parks inside minutes, which is nice for Early Entry and noon breaks.
With that mentioned, we’re acknowledging reader suggestions on this listing, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t level out that Caribbean Seaside is polarizing. It will get loads of reward, however can be one of the complained-about resort amongst friends. It’s very a lot a love-it-or-hate-it resort, probably as a result of inside bus loop that makes attending to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom time-consuming. Visitor rooms are smaller, not as well-appointed, and plenty of followers criticize their situation. Different readers aren’t fan of the eating scene (how?!) and the sprawling nature of CBR continues to attract complaints.
Clearly, we don’t agree with these complaints, however figured they’re value sharing. For our half, we predict there are few higher bangs for buck at Walt Disney World than the ‘Underneath the Sea’ rooms impressed by the Little Mermaid. These are DVC-caliber lodging at a Average Resort value. We’d advocate Caribbean Seaside throughout the board for 2025, however particularly the Little Mermaid-inspired rooms.
Port Orleans French Quarter
If you would like the Average Resort that will get probably the most constructive reader evaluations, Port Orleans French Quarter is it.
We just lately wrapped up a keep at POFQ–the primary in a couple of years–and have been pleasantly shocked by the eating scene, new rooms, transportation, and compact format. We have now a newfound appreciation for the final two gadgets on that listing now that we’re mother and father, however that is one thing French Quarter followers have praised for years. The smaller footprint and single bus cease makes POFQ considerably extra walkable and approachable than its sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside…or any Average Resort, for that matter.
The one factor about which we should always warn you is the continued refurbishment undertaking, which is pretty giant scale in nature and received’t wrap up till Spring 2025. That is exactly why POFQ additionally made our ‘Worst WDW Resorts for 2025’ listing, and why we wouldn’t keep there earlier than Might 2025. After that, it needs to be an awesome possibility worthy of consideration.
Chronos Membership in Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs
Gran Destino Tower is one among my most well-liked resorts for a slower-paced journey the place areas doesn’t matter as a result of it punches above its weight and gives Deluxe-caliber high quality and facilities at a Average-plus value. And inside Grand Destino Tower is Chronos Membership Stage, which gives one of many greatest luxury-level concierge lounges in all of Walt Disney World–and the one one in a Average Resort.
As you may’ve surmised, Gran Destino Tower gives unparalleled worth for cash. I can nearly at all times discover availability on the varied Annual Passholder or different reductions, and it’s typically bookable comparatively last-minute (not true of Chronos Membership) as long as there’s not a conference or group occasion on the town.
Gran Destino is sort of a Las Vegas-lite or convention-centric resort. Nearly all the facilities you want underneath one air-conditioned roof, with wonderful eating and lounges (Toledo is the most important/greatest sleeper restaurant at WDW), a health middle, and extra. Moreover, the principle meals courtroom, conference middle, and even the bus stops are all fairly shut and underneath lined or indoor walkways. This makes it nice for {couples} or solo vacationers, which is why it’s one among my go-to picks for analysis journeys. (Nothing like having fun with a late night time burger on my own at Three Bridges!)
As such, Gran Destino Tower is now our #1 mid-range resort advice for an adults-only journey to Walt Disney World or for honeymooners who’re on a finances and aren’t notably involved with a richly-themed setting. For households, it’s laborious to see the enchantment of Gran Destino Tower for quite a lot of causes (together with the aforementioned Vegas-like traits). So this isn’t a advice in any respect for many readers, nevertheless it’s a fairly robust one for a subset of you!
Pop Century Resort
A perennial favourite, it no secret that we’re enormous followers of the worth for cash that Pop Century gives, going as far as to (spoiler alert) award it the #1 slot on our goal listing of All Walt Disney World Resort Lodges Ranked From Worst to Greatest. Controversial to place a Worth Resort within the prime slot, we all know, nevertheless it prices a fraction of the value of Deluxe Resorts.
We love Pop Century because of its mixture of bang-for-buck, meals courtroom selection, transportation, and total ambiance. On the Worth Resort tier, it’s very robust as in comparison with the All Stars, and gives considerably decrease costs than Artwork of Animation. Pop Century can be a sentimental favourite that has solely gotten higher because of its new rooms and the Skyliner.
For us, a part of the elevated enchantment additionally comes because of elevated costs at Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort. At the same time as a lot as we love Caribbean Seaside, that resort has change into a harder promote for us as a result of it’s just so costly. On a constructive notice, Pop Century is a 5-minute “flight” from Caribbean Seaside, and a scrumptious dinner deal at Sebastian’s Bistro!
In the end, there are loads of nice lodging choices for 2025 Walt Disney World holidays. Many room refurbishment and reimagining initiatives wrapped up this 12 months, and much more will conclude sooner or later subsequent 12 months. There are additionally a ton of recently-redone resorts that we both unintentionally snubbed as a result of house or intentionally as a result of not being followers. A lot of these will enchantment to others even when they’re not our favorites.
The excellent news is that after years of half-hearted and bland designs that supposedly “modernized” (however actually simply genericized) Walt Disney World resorts, Imagineering has had hit-after-hit on the room redesign and reimagining entrance. Much more excellent news is that, regardless of value will increase, the efficient prices of most resorts and journey dates are down year-over-year as a result of considerably elevated reductions!
Lastly, I wish to add the caveat that these are our picks for one of the best resorts at Walt Disney World, however nothing is one-size-fits-all recommendation. You probably have a bunch of completely completely different resorts in your shortlist however none of those, don’t be discouraged–as long as your logic is sound and is sensible for your loved ones. As at all times, we’d advocate requesting a FREE no obligation quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, an Licensed Disney Trip Planner and having them e-book for you. They will give you personalised suggestions based mostly in your priorities and circumstances, in addition to help with the planning course of, and monitoring reservations to retroactively apply new reductions if a deal is launched to avoid wasting you extra money.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it is advisable know!
Your Ideas
Which inns are your prime picks for 2025 at Walt Disney World? Any resorts on our listing that you’d or would not advocate? Some other resorts we snubbed? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
