A number of of Walt Disney World’s over two-dozen lodges at Walt Disney World have building 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 actually make selecting the “proper” resort on 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 will probably be ‘uniquely good’ subsequent 12 months. It contains all the things 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 motive because 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 ‘method’ for resorts making this listing is fan suggestions, as we’re giving further consideration to resorts that our readers love and have talked about most positively all through this 12 months.
For instance, there’s a variety of building occurring in a pair totally different areas of Walt Disney World that offers us pause, and makes us extra inclined to suggest another resort in the identical ‘area’ of Walt Disney World. That’s doubly true if that resort not too long ago wrapped up its personal reimagining and is remoted from these initiatives.
In case you’re not apprehensive about closures or building, and are merely on the lookout for how we rank the resorts at Walt Disney World with none particular consideration for 2025, we’d suggest studying our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Lodges from Worst to Greatest. Truthfully, that’s a greater beginning place than this listing because it covers a greater diversity of execs & cons and is simply, typically, extra complete…
With that stated, 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’s because the new Island Tower on the Polynesian Villas is now open, having debuted in mid-December 2024. Till now, this was an enormous building web site between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian that added visible blight and noise to the serene resort.
Along with this mission being accomplished, the opposite massive motive the Polynesian makes the listing is a return of high 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 building 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 because of what the Island Tower brings to the desk. As a result of frankly, it doesn’t add a complete lot for normal, non-DVC friends of the lodge. Though the Wailulu Bar & Grill does appear to be a wonderful and inexpensive place for a laid again meal. However in any other case, I’m extra involved concerning the resort infrastructure having the ability to accommodate tons of of further rooms and friends.
Fairly, this choose is all concerning the lack of building. No less than, lack of Island Tower work. In an internet site alert, Walt Disney World warns of “Building and Refurbishments Via 2026” on the Poly. For no matter motive, Disney doesn’t clarify what this mission is, as a substitute pointing to “ongoing enhancements” that will influence views of the theme park and different surrounding areas.
That is essentially a big mission if it’s lasting via 2026, however it’s extensively believed that is ongoing highway work as a part of the World Drive North mission, relocation of the Polynesian’s fundamental entrance, and creation of a roundabout connecting roads. Walt Disney World hasn’t formally introduced any of this, however it’s supported by a number of building permits.
It’s truthfully odd that Disney wouldn’t clarify that this building 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 other aspect of the car parking zone, as a substitute of building to the resort itself. Maybe we’re flawed and there’s extra to it, however at this level, now we have no hesitations in staying on the Poly subsequent 12 months. We’re excited to lastly achieve this once more, and suggest 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 building mission, our high beneficial different is the Up to date. It’s the one monorail loop lodge that doesn’t have a big quantity of building scheduled.
Though we had hoped the Grand Floridian overhaul could be carried out way back, it’s been way more concerned than we count on. The massive wildcard there’s what occurs with the primary foyer constructing, which isn’t truly carried out (supposedly?). That could possibly be carried out within the first quarter of 2025, or it could possibly be a building zone for the whole 12 months. Both manner, it’s an excessive amount of of a wild card to suggest, 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 Dad and mom 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 recommended a separate rant about its lazy and boxy exterior, undercooked themed design, and many others. that wasn’t a part of the resort assessment. She was proper, in fact.
That is one thing I’ve discovered 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 lodges about which we obtain extra optimistic fan suggestions.
Admittedly, a part of the explanation I’m coming round to this attitude can also be as a result of we now have a daughter and I’m seeing Walt Disney World via the recent eyes of a brand new mother or father. And people eyes see the compact structure of Disney’s Riviera Resort, its formidable eating lineup (plus quick access to under-the-radar eating spots at Caribbean Seashore), simple 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 quick listing for our spring household trip, and I’m already planning a important reevaluation of the resort, which it stay as much as expectations. Figured this listing is likely to be an applicable time for a ‘sneak peek’ of that, particularly with so many initiatives round Crescent Lake.
(Observe: We don’t have sufficient area to incorporate the entire DVC resorts which have glorious, recently-redone rooms and in addition don’t wish to overrepresent DVC rooms on this listing, however as all the time, you possibly can rating vital 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 sturdy choice in that precise resort district is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Its multi-year reimagining mission has refreshed the beloved turn-of-the-century promenade and inside, added new eating choices, refreshed visitor rooms, and extra. This mission 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 aspect 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 fashion over allure and whimsy, however they’re nonetheless excellent. We’d quite keep in these rooms than their counterparts at Yacht or Seashore Membership. (Though the previous is getting new rooms in 2025, so that would change!)
Caribbean Seashore Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Seashore 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 Seashore emulates Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which is a Deluxe tier lodge that prices triple the worth. The island environment, visitor rooms, pool areas, waterfront locales, relaxed foyer, and extra. Even Sebastian’s Bistro has critical ‘Ohana vibes…besides it’s higher and cheaper.
Talking of imitators which might be higher than the true factor, the Skyliner is considerably much like the monorail…however higher and extra dependable (nicely, outdoors of storm season). The Skyliner is the most important of many current upgrades at Caribbean Seashore 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 stated, we’re acknowledging reader suggestions on this listing, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t level out that Caribbean Seashore is polarizing. It will get a variety of reward, however can also be some of the complained-about resort amongst friends. It’s very a lot a love-it-or-hate-it lodge, possible as a result of inner bus loop that makes attending to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom time-consuming. Visitor rooms are smaller, not as well-appointed, and lots 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 worth. We’d suggest Caribbean Seashore throughout the board for 2025, however particularly the Little Mermaid-inspired rooms.
Port Orleans French Quarter
If you need the Average Resort that will get probably the most optimistic reader evaluations, Port Orleans French Quarter is it.
We not too long ago 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 structure. Now we have a newfound appreciation for the final two gadgets on that listing now that we’re dad and mom, 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 lodge, Port Orleans Riverside…or any Average Resort, for that matter.
The one factor about which we must always warn you is the continuing refurbishment mission, which is pretty giant scale in nature and gained’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 incredible choice worthy of consideration.
Chronos Membership in Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs
Gran Destino Tower is one among my most popular resorts for a slower-paced journey the place places doesn’t matter as a result of it punches above its weight and gives Deluxe-caliber high quality and facilities at a Average-plus worth. And inside Grand Destino Tower is Chronos Membership Degree, 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 virtually all the time discover availability on the assorted 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 lodge. Virtually the entire facilities you want underneath one air-conditioned roof, with glorious eating and lounges (Toledo is the most important/greatest sleeper restaurant at WDW), a health heart, and extra. Moreover, the primary meals courtroom, conference heart, 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 evening burger on my own at Three Bridges!)
As such, Gran Destino Tower is now our #1 mid-range lodge suggestion for an adults-only journey to Walt Disney World or for honeymooners who’re on a price range and aren’t notably involved with a richly-themed surroundings. For households, it’s onerous 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 suggestion in any respect for many readers, however it’s a fairly sturdy one for a subset of you!
Pop Century Resort
A perennial favourite, it no secret that we’re large 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 high slot, we all know, however it prices a fraction of the worth of Deluxe Resorts.
We love Pop Century because of its mixture of bang-for-buck, meals courtroom selection, transportation, and total environment. On the Worth Resort tier, it’s very sturdy as in comparison with the All Stars, and gives considerably decrease costs than Artwork of Animation. Pop Century can also 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 Seashore Resort. At the same time as a lot as we love Caribbean Seashore, that resort has turn into a more durable promote for us as a result of it’s in order that costly. On a optimistic be aware, Pop Century is a 5-minute “flight” from Caribbean Seashore, and a scrumptious dinner deal at Sebastian’s Bistro!
Finally, there are a variety 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 in some unspecified time in the future subsequent 12 months. There are additionally a ton of recently-redone resorts that we both unintentionally snubbed because of area or intentionally because 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 worth will increase, the efficient prices of most resorts and journey dates are down year-over-year because of considerably elevated reductions!
Lastly, I wish to add the caveat that these are our picks for the very best resorts at Walt Disney World, however nothing is one-size-fits-all recommendation. In case you have a bunch of completely totally 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 all the time, we’d suggest requesting a FREE no obligation quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, an Approved Disney Trip Planner and having them guide for you. They’ll 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 save lots of you more cash.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you’ll want to know!
Your Ideas
Which lodges are your high picks for 2025 at Walt Disney World? Any resorts on our listing that you’d or would not suggest? Every other resorts we snubbed? Do you agree or disagree with our decisions? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
