Where you choose to stay at Walt Disney World can make or break your vacation. And, while all 25+ Disney Resort hotels offer the chance to immerse yourself in the Disney magic, not everyone will be perfect for you. Choosing a Disney hotel to stay at isn’t about finding one that’s “good” or “bad” because, well, you could talk to 10 Disney fans and every one of them will have a different hotel. Instead, it’s about finding the one that you love the most. From poor theming to overly crowded to bad food, here are the worst Disney hotels you may want to avoid on your next trip.

Disney’s All-Star Resorts: Most Crowded

Disney’s All-Star Resorts consist of three themed hotels: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports. These value-priced accommodations are some of the cheapest in all of Disney World and, in turn, attract many families and groups looking for an affordable place to stay.

As you make your way between your room and amenities, you’ll find larger-than-life icons and decorations throughout the resorts, from giant Buzz Lightyear statues to oversized musical instruments. The theming creates a fun, playful atmosphere that appeals to kids and Disney fans.

That being said, the All-Star Resorts are often bustling with activity, especially during peak seasons. And, it’s not just the families looking for budget-friendly rates you’ll have to contend with. These hotels are also a popular choice for school groups and sports teams when they visit for activities. It’s these younger families and school groups that often make the resorts louder than others. You’ll also likely encounter longer lines for bus transportation to and from the theme parks and congested food courts due to the limited dining options at each hotel.

Our Review

So, are the All-Star Resorts really so crowded that you should entirely avoid them? Not necessarily! I’ve been going to Disney World for 30 years and I’ve probably stayed at these hotels more than any others. This is because each All-Star Resort is affordable and all I really need from a Disney hotel is a place to rest my head each night.

To navigate the crowds a bit easier, consider visiting during off-peak times or request a room that’s a bit further from the hustle and bustle of the resort. You may have to walk a bit further, but your sleep won’t be interrupted! You can also avoid long lines for food by using the Mobile Order feature in the My Disney Experience App. And, be sure to allow extra time in your schedule for transportation.

All in all, if you’re planning to spend the majority of your time in the theme parks and don’t want to shell out a ton of money for a hotel room you’ll barely be in, the All-Star Resorts are a great option. But, if you’re looking for a restful, slow-paced Disney vacation, you may want to skip staying here.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort: Worst Dining

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a value resort at Disney World themed around pop culture from the 1950s to 1990s. While it offers affordable accommodations, the dining options leave much to be desired.

The resort’s only on-site dining venue is Everything POP Shopping & Dining, a food court-style eatery. Here you’ll find generic offerings like burgers, pizza, and salads here. Unfortunately, the lack of variety can become tiresome during longer stays. There are no table-service restaurants or unique dining experiences within the resort.

If you’re looking for alternative options, your closest bet is the food court at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. However, this requires a walk across the Generation Gap Bridge and the food is largely the same. So, you might find yourself disappointed in your hotel stay if you’re looking for great food and drink only a short walk from your room.

Our Review

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is largely similar to the All-Star Resorts – affordable but underwhelming when it comes to amenities. But, Pop Century has one leg up on other value resorts…the Disney Skyliner!

The Skyliner gondola system means the dining options at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are only a short ride away! However, this does mean you’ll have to leave the hotel grounds entirely for a decent meal.

In my experience, the food at Pop Century isn’t bad…it just leaves much to be desired. The burgers, pizza, chicken fingers, and other food options are decent enough, but you likely will find the limited options frustrating if you plan to eat multiple meals a day here. However, if you’re just planning to stop here for breakfast and maybe a snack or light meal during the day, you’ll find your fill of good food while you’re out exploring the parks!

Consider bringing some snacks or planning meals at other locations if you’re concerned about the dining situation at Pop Century. The money you save on accommodations might be better spent on meals elsewhere in Disney World anyway.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Worst Theming

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a moderate resort at Disney World. While it aims to transport guests to a tropical island paradise, the theming falls short in several ways.

For example, the resort’s rooms lack the vibrant Caribbean flair you might expect. Instead of colorful decor and island-inspired touches, you’ll find bland, generic furnishings that could be in any standard hotel. Other Disney resort hotel rooms often feature nods to Disney characters, vibrant colors, and more, but Caribbean Beach lacks in this area, even though the rooms were recently renovated.

The sprawling layout of the resort also poses another challenge when it comes to feeling immersed in the “Disney magic.” With buildings spread across 200 acres, you’ll spend more time walking between areas than feeling enveloped in the Caribbean theme.

So, when you stay here, you may struggle to feel the Caribbean vibe. The resort’s size and bland design elements create a disconnected experience rather than a tropical escape. For guests seeking a truly immersive themed environment, Caribbean Beach Resort unfortunately misses the mark. Its lackluster execution makes it one of the worst-themed options among Disney World hotels.

Our Review

Disney goers aren’t kidding when they say that this resort is super spread out – it really is! While the areas of the hotel that house the resort amenities including dining, shopping, and pools are well-themed, the lack of themed landscaping on the long walk to resort amenities doesn’t give you the same “Disney” feel that many other hotels on property elicit. And, the rooms are rather bland, missing that “wow” factor guests are used to feeling when they step inside.

That being said, the convenient access to the Disney Skyliner (which takes you to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios), variety of dining options, and upgraded pool just might make staying here worth it for you anyway. As a moderate resort, the nightly rates aren’t over-the-top for the added amenities. So, if you’re traveling with older family members and friends or don’t mind a lesser-themed hotel, this could be the Disney resort for you!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Worst Transportation

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort encompasses two separate hotels that are similarly themed: Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. These moderate resorts offer charming theming inspired by the city of New Orleans. Many Disney fans tout these two hotels as favorites, as they’re not too big and have unique and tasty dining offerings (including Mickey Beignets!). But, unfortunately, Port Orleans falls short when it comes to transportation options.

The resort primarily relies on Disney’s bus system to connect guests to the theme parks and other destinations. And, because Disney considers the hotels sister resorts, they often share bus routes. This means buses often make multiple stops, increasing travel times.

During peak travel periods like park opening and closing, you may experience longer waits and crowded buses. This can be especially frustrating when trying to reach the parks early or return after a long day. While boat transportation to Disney Springs is available, it doesn’t help with getting to the main theme parks.

Ultimately, Port Orleans’s lack of alternative transportation options like the Skyliner or Monorail puts it at a disadvantage compared to some other moderate Disney resorts. If efficient transportation is a priority for your Disney vacation, you may want to explore other resort options with more robust transportation systems.

Our Review

As someone who loves to spend most of my time at the parks during a Disney vacation, I often avoid staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort due to the lack of alternative (and convenient) transportation options. Getting to and from the parks takes longer here, and other similarly priced Disney hotels offer faster transportation options.

However, if you’re looking for a hotel with a quaint and cozy atmosphere, both Port Orleans – Riverside and French Quarter deliver an unmatched experience. As the smaller hotel of the two, French Quarter has a more intimate feel, but Riverside’s lush landscaping is an equally relaxing escape. Plus, who doesn’t love being just steps away from Mickey Beignets all day, every day?

The boat transportation to Disney Springs is also very convenient if you plan to spend a lot of time at the shopping and dining district. The ride to and from is very relaxing and scenic!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Furthest From The Parks

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a unique African-inspired experience with savanna views and exotic wildlife that actually call this hotel home and roam outside of your hotel room 24/7. However, its remote location can be problematic for park-goers.

The resort is conveniently located just minutes from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, this means that the distance to the other theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is significant, resulting in long bus rides. And, the ride is even longer to get to Disney Springs, which is located on the opposite side of Disney’s property from Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Generally, travel times to parks can range from 20-30 minutes by bus, depending on traffic and your destination. This transportation time cuts into your valuable park hours, potentially reducing the number of things you can do each day. And, you likely won’t want to stop back at your hotel to rest in the afternoon because it eats up a lot of your time.

While the lodge’s serene atmosphere and unique theming are appealing, you may find yourself spending less time enjoying these amenities due to extended travel times.

If being close to the parks is a priority for you, hotels closer to the action might be a better choice. However, if you value a quieter, immersive resort experience that you can’t get anywhere else and don’t mind the extra travel, Animal Kingdom Lodge is still a great choice.

Our Review

Here’s the thing, I love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It offers some of the best dining options, giraffes and other animals roam just outside your window (which is super cool), and the hotel’s secluded feel remains unmatched. But, if I’m planning to spend the majority of my time at the theme parks, this isn’t the Disney resort I’m choosing to stay at.

Compared to other Deluxe Resorts in Disney World, Animal Kingdom Lodge lacks the convenient and quick transportation options that other costly hotels boast. And, unless you’re paying extra for a Savanna View Room, you’re not really getting the full experience.

If you choose to stay at this hotel, treat it like a vacation in itself and dedicate some time to relaxing at the resort and enjoying the atmosphere. Otherwise, I recommend choosing a hotel that is closer to the parks and just visiting this resort for a dining reservation if you’d still like to treat yourself to the food!

Comments

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