Disney Resort / Hotel Recommendation

[baflagg]

Hi all,

Looking for some recommendations on which Disney Resort or Hotel to stay at when traveling to Disney mid-May 2027 with husband and daughter (20). We're planning to go for at least 10 days, maybe a little longer with a mix of park time and pool time as well as a visit up to Universal. Since it's a longer trip, we're looking for a resort with 2 bedrooms so we have a little more space but we also want a good pool area as we plan to have some days where we hang at the pool then go out at night. We are also considering renting one of the cottage type buildings at Margaritaville, wasn't sure what anyone's experience is with staying there. We love the option of Disney transportation between resorts and parks but are also not opposed to using an Uber if needed.

I know dates for 2027 will be opening soon (hopefully) so we want to try to narrow down our options so we are ready to book when dates open. Not sure we would do the dining plan so that would not be a deciding factor. I'm expecting 2 bedrooms are little more expensive but not looking to break the bank.

Really appreciate any recommendations any of you have.

Thanks,
Becky

 

[Add-On-Itis]

2 bedroom Beach Club thru DVC sounds perfect for this

walking distance to 2 parks

good pool

walk into Epcot for dinner

 

[lanejudy]

I suggest you look at current hotel rates to get an idea of your budget. A 2-BR onsite at WDW means a villa. Deluxe (cash) resort rooms may or may not be in the budget. Are you open to renting DVC? Do you have a preference of onsite or offsite? Offsite may be less expensive but there are other trade-offs such as transportation.

You mention Margaritaville, which is not a WDW resort. Though it is nearby. You would not have access to WDW transportation to the parks.

You mention the dining plan. Disney Dining Plan is only available with a WDW resort stay (cash or DVC).

 

[baflagg]

2 bedroom Beach Club thru DVC sounds perfect for this

walking distance to 2 parks

good pool

walk into Epcot for dinner

Thank you for your response and recommendation. We've never rented through DVC or stayed at the Beach Club but will check that out.

 

[baflagg]

I suggest you look at current hotel rates to get an idea of your budget. A 2-BR onsite at WDW means a villa. Deluxe (cash) resort rooms may or may not be in the budget. Are you open to renting DVC? Do you have a preference of onsite or offsite? Offsite may be less expensive but there are other trade-offs such as transportation.

You mention Margaritaville, which is not a WDW resort. Though it is nearby. You would not have access to WDW transportation to the parks.

You mention the dining plan. Disney Dining Plan is only available with a WDW resort stay (cash or DVC).

Thanks for your response. We'll check out DVC as recommended also by another.

We're aware that Margaritaville is not WDW, we're open to staying on or off property if we can find a hotel that works for us with a nice pool area.

Agreed that transportation on a resort property is ideal as opposed to an uber.

Thanks.

 

[_19disnA]

I agree about starting with your budget and which park(s) you plan to visit most. Some might be out of your price range, so whether or not someone else likes those won't really matter to you. If I was mostly going to Epcot/HS, then staying at a monorail resort on the other side of the property wouldn't be my first choice. Similarly, if mostly going to Magic Kingdom, staying in the Epcot area isn't very convenient either.

There is also the subjective issues of theming where everyone has their own idea of what they like or don't. You also didn't mention if you have been to Disney in the past and have some preferences on where to stay. Someone going to Disney for the first time won't really know what they like/don't until they actually experience it for themselves. Disney property is HUGE and no one resort is closest to every park.

 

[tjmw2727]

Two totally different experiences, we have done both more than once.

Margaritaville, we love this for a relaxed family vacation with much less park time. Cottages are wonderful, some have a small private pool and if you rent through the resort you also have access to the main pool area and activities. Rental car imho is a must so unless you have annual passes you will pay for parking at Universal and Disney. Last trip here was Easter 2025 with extended family, 2 Disney days, one DS evening and one day at Universal. The focus of this trip was spending time with family so we did lots of pool time, evenings at sunset walk etc.

Disney onsite, options for a 2 bedroom are pricy and mostly DVC rentals, you can do this directly through Disney or by renting from an outside company. We just did a trip to BWV in February for a 3-generation family reunion, but 3 of the families are DVC owners. If you go this route the accommodations will be more expensive, but you won't need a car and the Disney parks will be very convenient.

If you just want separation and don't need deluxe accommodations two of the Disney value resorts have a family suite set up that might work for you, available at Art of Animation and All-Star Music.

 

[sponica]

a 2 BR will be pricy, I've stayed in one but for a party of 3, i'd either look at a 1 BR or a family suite at AoA

 

[Mirabell Rose]

if you drop down to a 1 bedroom, both Bay Lake Tower and Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani have 2 bathrooms. Both are newly refurbished and have a Murphy Queen pull down in the main room with a mattress the same as the bedroom. If you like the tropical theming, Animal Kingdom Lodge has that.

Edited misspelling

 

[NH-to-FL]

As previously noted, a 2 bedroom on site villa will be expensive but will provide a wonderful experience. I second @Add-On-Itis that the Beach Club Villa would be a great choice for a mix of park time and pool time. The Beach Club location offers an easy stroll to Epcot and a casual boat ride to HS. Staying at a deluxe on site offers extended evening hours park access which might fit well into your pool day, evening out plans.

DW and I splurged once for a 1 BR at the Boardwalk Villas and it made for a very relaxing visit. On site with lots of room to spread out. The kitchen offered the option for a few meals in the room. DW and I enjoyed many stays at the Boardwalk Inn. The ability to casually stroll over to Epcot really made it special. That said, the pool area at the Boardwalk is not as special as the one at the Beach Club.

I expect that a 2 BR at the Beach Club will test your "not break the bank" limits. Start your pricing there and that will probably help you set your limits. There are many off site multi bedroom suite based hotels surrounding WDW where you can make the dollar verses perks, on site verses off site tradeoffs.

 

[Mle8308]

What do you consider "breaking the bank"? You won't get a 2BR on Disney property cash stay for under $1000 a night, and that is likely low (and at Saratoga or OKW). That is before taxes, there could be discounts offered, but larger villas are more difficult because they are mostly dedicated DVC. The other option would be either a 1BR or two rooms. You could do two rooms at a moderate for probably about $650 for both. Or even value for $500ish. Start to look at the Disney website and plug in dates to get an idea what the rates are this year. Who knows what will happen next year? Discounts are generous this season, may continue into 2027.

 

[baflagg]

Thank you all for the feedback, it really gives us some good options to look at and things to think about. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times but it's been a few years. We plan to make the most of visiting all the parks but also having some down time.

In clear transparency the reason for wanting to bedrooms is because my husband snores and apparently so do I (or so I've been told ) So when we travel, the snoring keeps my daughter awake who then proceeds to wake me up and yell at me to stop snoring I then lay there trying to wait for her to go back to sleep hoping that I don't wake her up again. In the morning we are tired after not getting good sleep, except the hubby who slept like a baby.

So, we figured if we could find a 2 bedroom that would not only give us more space but hopefully a better nights sleep. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't workout and we end up in one room.

Can we afford a $1000 a night, yes. Do I want to spend that much, would rather not. I had not even though about getting two separate rooms. so that might be a good option too.

Again, really appreciate everyone's comments.

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you all for the feedback, it really gives us some good options to look at and things to think about. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times but it's been a few years. We plan to make the most of visiting all the parks but also having some down time.

In clear transparency the reason for wanting to bedrooms is because my husband snores and apparently so do I (or so I've been told ) So when we travel, the snoring keeps my daughter awake who then proceeds to wake me up and yell at me to stop snoring I then lay there trying to wait for her to go back to sleep hoping that I don't wake her up again. In the morning we are tired after not getting good sleep, except the hubby who slept like a baby.

So, we figured if we could find a 2 bedroom that would not only give us more space but hopefully a better nights sleep. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't workout and we end up in one room.

Can we afford a $1000 a night, yes. Do I want to spend that much, would rather not. I had not even though about getting two separate rooms. so that might be a good option too.

Again, really appreciate everyone's comments.

You can request connecting rooms. It’s not a guarantee, but depending on where you’re staying there’s a good chance they can honor it.

 

[beccasmom]

I agree with a previous poster that a one-bedroom at BLT might work (2 bathrooms), although the pool area, although certainly okay, is kind of basic. The units have been recently renovated and they are spacious. And its proximity to the monorail is convenient for access to other resort restaurants. And AKL, also previously recommended, falls into the same category. Great pools and excellent restaurants. All one-bedroom and larger DVC units have fully-equipped kitchens for simple meal preparation if you’re so inclined.

Any of the two-bedroom DVC units are wonderfully spacious, but pricey. A studio is another (less expensive) thought, although affording less privacy.

 

[jennab]

Check out the dolphin. They have family room options which might be cheaper than the other deluxes. Otherwise you could do 2 connecting rooms at a moderate.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

You can request connecting rooms. It’s not a guarantee, but depending on where you’re staying there’s a good chance they can honor it.

Don't know if it's something you'd consider, but we're currently in a Family Suite at All Star Music which has a separate bedroom with a queen bed and two pull down queen Murphy beds in the main room. That door is solid & I haven't been disturbed at all by my up at zero dark thirty husband making coffee & watching TV out on the main room while I sleep in a bit later & I'm a very light sleeper. Has a full size fridge & microwave & 2 full bathrooms, one of which is private off the separate bedroom.

We've been super pleased with both the room & the resort since we got here Sunday

 

[DanceDisney23]

Thank you all for the feedback, it really gives us some good options to look at and things to think about. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times but it's been a few years. We plan to make the most of visiting all the parks but also having some down time.

In clear transparency the reason for wanting to bedrooms is because my husband snores and apparently so do I (or so I've been told ) So when we travel, the snoring keeps my daughter awake who then proceeds to wake me up and yell at me to stop snoring I then lay there trying to wait for her to go back to sleep hoping that I don't wake her up again. In the morning we are tired after not getting good sleep, except the hubby who slept like a baby.

So, we figured if we could find a 2 bedroom that would not only give us more space but hopefully a better nights sleep. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't workout and we end up in one room.

Can we afford a $1000 a night, yes. Do I want to spend that much, would rather not. I had not even though about getting two separate rooms. so that might be a good option too.

Again, really appreciate everyone's comments.

I can relate to your DD. My DH snores, too. I always travel with ear plugs. They cost significantly less than $1000 and save my sleep and his life. Because without them, I would probably smother him with a pillow.

I do understand the need for privacy, though. With three people, I think a one bedroom would be just fine but would probably still cost you $1,000 a night at the more popular resorts.

As others mentioned, connecting rooms or a family suite at a value resort could be good options if you’re looking to not break the bank.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Thank you all for the feedback, it really gives us some good options to look at and things to think about. We have been to Disney 4 or 5 times but it's been a few years. We plan to make the most of visiting all the parks but also having some down time.

In clear transparency the reason for wanting to bedrooms is because my husband snores and apparently so do I (or so I've been told ) So when we travel, the snoring keeps my daughter awake who then proceeds to wake me up and yell at me to stop snoring I then lay there trying to wait for her to go back to sleep hoping that I don't wake her up again. In the morning we are tired after not getting good sleep, except the hubby who slept like a baby.

So, we figured if we could find a 2 bedroom that would not only give us more space but hopefully a better nights sleep. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't workout and we end up in one room.

Can we afford a $1000 a night, yes. Do I want to spend that much, would rather not. I had not even though about getting two separate rooms. so that might be a good option too.

Again, really appreciate everyone's comments.

After reading this. I would change my recommendation to 1 bedroom on site. 1 bedroom have a king bed in the bedroom, and 1 double bed, some have an extra single bed in the living room. Therefore solving the snoring issue.

I don't think you said when you want to go. I just picked 7 nights in summer. Beach club. 1 bedroom. 251 points. You can rent points for $18-21 per point. $4518-5271. or $645 per night - 753 per night.

If you are looking for something cheaper Animal Kingdom resort is 195 points. $3510-4095. $501-$585pn

 

[DizneyFamof4]

If you do not mind driving to the parks than offsite would work great for your situation, plenty of room and lighter on the wallet. I would also look at 2 rooms at one of the Mods.

 

[hertamaniac]

I live locally for now going on 21+ years. We rarely do any WDW parks lately, but have stayed at quite a few resorts/villas. A 2BR is 95% of what we rent with the exception of SSR Treehouses (which is 3 BR). That being said, I agree with the Beach Club villa as a DVC rental option.

But if staying off-site, you may want to investigate Evermore which is really close to MK. It is stunning and has a pretty wide assortment of villas/cottages/etc.

We visited it when it first opened and it is absolutely gorgeous, but not the least expensive. I took some photos back then so I thought I would share.