The Top 3 Disney World Resorts

Resorts to Relax At In Between Park Larks

I’m always being asked for my hotel recommendations at Walt Disney World. A lot of that probably has to do with my reputation as the The Tipsy Mousewife but I’d like to think I just have a face that people can trust with Disney advice.

Keep in mind that I’m sharing my perspective as a childless, middle aged adult traveling without kids so don’t tell me that this advice doesn’t apply to you. If it doesn’t, then go elsewhere or keep reading for fun, I love to have you!

Iéve chosen three resorts that are my current faves when visiting Disney World. I make trips with some frequency so I could always update this page.

Obviously you may have different preferences when it comes to what you like in hotels, so I’ll explain what it is about each of them that I enjoy. If you have different preferences, feel free to let me know (politely) at The Tipsy Housewife Travels. 

Disneyés Coronado Springs

If you want a place where you can get a little break from the Disney magic at the end of each day, Coronado Springs could be a perfect retreat for you. It’s based on Central American architecture and culture and the Disney theming is very discreet.

Ités moderately priced compared to the other resorts, though I actually find it classier than some of the more deluxe options. 

And yes, “moderately priced” is obviously a relative term. You aren’t going to get Motel 6 prices at a Disney World resort.

I recommend booking a room in the Grand Destino Tower rather than the villas, if you’re able. I was able to get a cheaper “standard view” room in the tower and while there are no balconies, the rooms are beautiful and new.

The tower has two bars, a coffee lounge, and a really great steakhouse. There are also other delicious restaurants and bars across the Coronado grounds, including a Mexican restaurant and a nice sports bar.

If you’re a social person, as I am, I’ve found myself having some interesting conversations while sitting at the bar here, often with people attending conventions.

While I said that these are my opinions as a childless adult, I think the Mesoamerican ruins theme and water slide in the pool area could be very fun for kids. The bar and snack options there are great as well.

I like staying here when I’m planning to swing by all of the parks since it’s pretty centrally located. When it’s time to head out, you can take the free Disney busses or spend around $10 for Uber.

The bus terminal to return to Coronado Springs from the Magic Kingdom is one of the closest to the parks, so that’s a nice bonus if you’re feeling tired at the end of the day.

Port Orleans Riverside

Another relatively moderately priced option. The rooms are a bit plain, but they’re clean and offer ALMOST everything you need.

The exception? For some reason they have stocked the rooms with the WORST coffee makers of all time and there are no good coffee options on the grounds.

Ha, grounds, get it? Anyway, I brought a travel kettle and instant coffee with me for this reason.

But now that I have that out of the way, we can focus on all of the good reasons for why this resort made my list. 

It’s very, very peaceful compared to the parks and other resorts so it’s a really nice place to unwind. It was so quiet I accidentally slept till 1 PM one day!

Do note that the website says there will be some construction through January 2026, so i can’t speak to how that will affect the soundscape.

There are lots of little pools away from the big “party” pool to relax at. One of my favorite spots is in the woods along the “Sassagoula River.” 

I can’t recommend Boatwright’s Steakhouse here enough. In fact, it made my list of the Top 5 Steakhouses at Disney World.

They serve one of the best prime rib dinners I’ve ever had. It’s fortunate the food onsite is so good because it is a tough place to Doordash if that’s a big deal for you.

While the bus departure points are pretty far from the park exits, there are beautiful boat rides to and from Disney Springs, so it’s a perfect place to stay if you’re planning for a more Springs-focused trip.

All in all, I have a couple gripes but this may be one of the most affordable resort options available, with rooms often going for under $200 a night. It’s definitely a great choice for a more low-key stay.

It’s also one of the resorts that offers dog-friendly accommodations, so you should keep that in mind if you have a canine companion.

Wilderness Lodge

The Wilderness Lodge is the most affordable of the Deluxe Resorts, but it’s still a luxurious stay. In fact I loved it so much, I wrote a whole post about my experience there.

It’s on the Bay Lake which is shared with Magic Kingdom’s lagoon. I recommend paying for a water view room, if you can swing it.

The whole resort is themed around “turn-of-the-century National Parks Lodges” and it really feels like you’re staying in a remote mountainous forest somewhere, the Florida humidity aside.

I think this is best seen in the beautiful multi-floor lobby which gets only more stunning at Christmas time. The resort grounds are so gorgeous, sometimes I enjoy just existing in this space without even going to the parks.

The actual rooms and balconies are big, but the space between the toilet and shower is very small, so I think it might be hard for a larger person or a person in a wheelchair to get around the bathroom. Just keep that in mind if it’s a concern for you.

When it comes to food, I think the Wilderness Lodge has the best offerings of any of the resorts, if not the entirety of Disney World.

The Roaring Fork is a quick service restaurant with great breakfast items and the Whispering Canyon steakhouse may look gimmicky but the steak was so good it made my best list alongside Boatwright’s.

The lakeside bar and grill has an amazing burger and perfect view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electric Boat Parade.

Speaking of boats, it’s really easy to take the boats back and forth from the Lodge to the Magic Kingdom, so this is a great place to stay if you think you’ll be going back and forth to the park. You can also stay on theme and take a boat to Fort Wilderness to see the horses or check out the Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner show.

If you want a more modern version of the Western Experience, the boats also go to the Contemporary where you can eat at the California Grill or Steakhouse 71, yet another location featured on my list of the Best Disney Steakhouses linked above.

You should check out that list after this one, by the way, so you know where to eat once you decide which resort you’re staying at.

Enjoy Your Stay

I hope I’ve helped you decide where you’d like to stay on your next Disney trip. If you’d like to know where to drink, I can help you with that too, you’ll just need to check out my list of the Top Bars at Disney.

What else would you expect from the Tipsy Mousewife?