A Short History of Disney World Hotels (and some Universal)

I've been to Walt Disney World a grand total of 6 times. (2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2023)

So I've made a wee list of all the hotels I've been to and a definitive ranking of my favourite to least favourite however, all are worthy of the top spot in their own ways!

1. Hard Rock Hotel, Universal

I'm lost for words with this hotel! From the rooms, to the lobby, to the pool - there really isn't a bad thing to say about this place.

PROS

- walking distance to Universal Studios, City Walk and Islands of Adventure

- free express passes to skip the queues on rides

- live entertainment at the pool as well as kids activities and underwater speakers!

- all the amazing Hard Rock food and drinks

CONS

- one of the more expensive hotels at Universal but well worth it!

2. Caribbean Beach Resort, Walt Disney World

PROS

- Recently refurbished with the addition of Pirate themed suites!

- Pina Colavas! (need I say any more?!) A Pina Colada with raspberry added.

- Amazing food court and bar next to the pool with the ability to dine outside and watch a movie under the stars.

- New Disney gondola system will have a stop point here.

- A really well themed hotel and pool area, so good that I've been twice!

CONS

- Quite a big resort with 4 'islands' so can take a while to get round all the bus stops

- If staying in Trinidad South or Barbados can be a bit of a walk to the pool/food courts, Martinique is the best!

3. Saratoga Springs, Walt Disney World

PROS

- Free Dining Plan at this resort meant that we could have table service meals which was great! It also included character dining such as Chef Mickey's, Grand Floridian British Breakfast and more.

- A short walk from Disney Springs! The path brought you out at The House of Blues, a restaurant we would never have thought to try if not for the dining plan.

- Boat to Disney Springs too!

- Our room, we have a 2 bedroom suite as there was 8 of us this was actually cheaper. It meant we had a living and kitchen area as well as a balcony and loads of space for us all. Including the weirdest bathroom layout ever however it meant me and Aly got the couch bed for the full time :(

CONS

- As it is a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resort, Its really hard to book when you aren't part of this. We had tried to find prices for it for our trip next year and it wouldn't come up on any travel site as Disney only allow a small amount of rooms to be sold to non DVC members.

- The main pool wasn't actually the best pool as the pool pictured above had a bar which was open much later and served food unlike the one at the main pool. It also had a cool slide too.

4. Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, Walt Disney World

PROS

- Such a well themed hotel even down to the music you'd expect to hear around Mardi Gras complete with a water fountain with green, gold and purple beaded necklaces everywhere too!

- The coolest pool slide ever!

- The food court and bar area was confusing when we first arrived but this was also our first year of Disney dining plan and so took some getting used to!

- Boat to Disney Springs and Port Orleans Riverside was also fab! We went to Riverside for dinner one night and found that the selection of food was actually better there than at French Quarter. However, Riverside is quite big so has multiple bus stops compared to the one at French Quarter.

- Recently refurbished food court so it may be better now!

CONS

- Difficult to choose between which would be better Riverside or French Quarter.

- As I was like 12 when we went here, I can't really remember much else about it!

5. Coronado Springs, Walt Disney World - BONUS

This is where we're going next year!! So will update with the pros/cons once we've been.

"Celebrate the unique blend of Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures at the newly re-imagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This beautiful lakeside oasis offers classic influences, Disney touches and modern comforts to energize and inspire as you delight in an array of new features, eateries and enhancements."

6. Universal's Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Suites - BONUS

The other hotel we're visiting for the first time next year! This hotel is only partially open currently (Surfside Suites July 2019) and the other side Dockside Suites is opening Spring 2020 hopefully in time for our visit!

"This fun, family-oriented Value hotel introduces extra affordability to your Universal vacation. The feeling here is relaxed and easy, with a cool surf vibe woven throughout. In addition to beachy, surf-themed standard rooms, Surfside Inn and Suites features spacious, 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to six, making it the perfect spot for families of any size to experience a Universal Orlando Resort vacation."