The 10 Best Disney World Resorts

Disney's Polynesian Resort's Got: a spot on the Magic Kingdom's monorail line. Plus, it's the only one of the deluxe Disney resorts with a location adjacent to the main Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can catch the other monorail line to Epcot. The Spirit of Aloha luau is a popular dinner show. It's also one of the two original Disney resorts from 1971.

• Rates: $$$$

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort's Got: a design built around a private animal reserve with three separate savannas, encompassing 33 acres. The savannas are visible from many guest rooms (all with private balconies) and are home to over 200 mammals and birds (three dozen species in all). In this unique Disney resort's lobby, hand-carved architectural features and rare African artifacts are worth seeking out.

• Rates: $$$

Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts: these waterside Disney resorts share Stormalong Bay, arguably the best resort water park in Disney World. A huge water slide built to resemble a shipwreck, a sandy bottom pool, and water currents add to the fun. Stormalong Bay is only accessible to guests of these two Disney resorts. They also have location going for them; you can take a short walk to Epcot and the BoardWalk entertainment district (lots of restaurant choices in both places) or a longer walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

• Rates: $$$

Disney's Contemporary Resort's Got: the monorail to the Magic Kingdom passing right through the atrium. But what a location; this is the only one of the Disney resorts that lets you walk (right across the street) to the Magic Kingdom. This is another of the three original Disney resorts from 1971.

• Rates: $$$

Disney's Art of Animation Resort's Got: cleverly laid-out family suites that sleep six people. The immersive theming, inspired by Pixar movies including Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid, is some of the most detailed Disney Imagineers have come up with. Suites in this Value resort are equipped better than a room at the Moderate resorts, with refrigerators, microwaves and a table for four.

• Rates: $$

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort's Got: full-service spa, a monorail to the Magic Kingdom, the only restaurant in Central Florida with an AAA Five Diamond rating (Victoria & Albert's), and a wedding chapel with a view of Cinderella's Castle to inspire happily-ever-afters.

• Rates: $$$$
• Reviews of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

Disney's BoardWalk Inn Resort's Got: its own entertainment district with restaurants, bars, and a dance hall. Midway games and entertainers (like a bicycling pianist) add to the fun. It's a short walk to Epcot and a longer walk to Hollywood Studios. From the bridge to Epcot, you can see the fireworks without going into the theme park.

• Rates: $$$

Disney's All-Star Music Resort's Got: the least expensive way to get a suite in Disney World. Disney's All-Star Music Resort is the only one of the All-Star trio of Disney resorts to offer Family Suites. These one-bedroom suites with full kitchens sleep up to six people with a Queen bed and pull-out furniture in the living room.

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Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort's Got: well-equipped campgrounds popular with families who come year after year for extended stays. Cabins offer separate bedrooms with bunk beds, a Murphy bed in the living room and full kitchens. Boat transportation is available to the Magic Kingdom. Despite the convenient location, the most rustic of the Disney resorts has a secluded, quiet feel.

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Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort's Got: a walkway to Downtown Disney. Lake Buena Vista golf course is on site, and this is one of the few Disney resorts to have a full-service spa on site. Treehouse Villas are the latest room option and the only free-standing options among Disney resorts; raised octagonal structures surrounded by wilderness have three bedrooms, two baths, and full kitchens.

• Rates: $$$