Hotel with heavy theming or not?

[Boopuff]

When choosing a WDW hotel do you consider how heavily themed the resort is? Or do you get enough Disney at the parks? Personally, theme isn't a part of my hotel choice at all. I've stayed at some really big themed resorts and some with just a touch of Disney. What's your go to?

 

[OKW Lover]

The theming of the hotel doesn't typically enter into my decision. It's more about price, location and where else I've stayed recently.

ETA: We have been to just about all the WDW resorts. My answer might be different if we hadn't.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We tended to choose hotels based on theming, when DS was young. Now that he's grown, it's no longer a factor in our decision.

Edited to correct error.

 

[Miffy]

Theming for me. It's part of the reason I love going to WDW. I stayed at the Swan once and fled after one night. It just seemed like a nice hotel in Anywhere, USA, and I missed the Disney vibe.

 

[pens4821]

We tended to choose hotels based theming, when DS was young. Now that he's grown, it's no longer a factor in our decision.

Agreed. I take my nephew. When he was young we stayed at AoA in a suite, as well as sports and movies. As he has gotten older we’ve moved on from those. CBR then CR now we found our favorite in YC twice and are next year too. I think he was around 12 when we tried CBR.

 

[LoveDaisy]

It’s all about location when I pick. I have never considered theming when choosing a hotel at Disney.

 

[R&RsMom]

We never chose based on theme when my adult kids were young, but rather on what we could afford (mostly moderate), amenities, and location. These days, theme is a negative factor if at all: I don’t want to stay in a resort with all the huge icons and over-the-top theming. Cars suites are not me.

 

[_19disnA]

My impression from many prior threads on this topic is that most people decide which Disney hotel based on a combination of: 1) theming, 2) budget and 3) proximity to the park(s) they plan to visit. Theming is very subjective and what some people find wonderful/amazing someone else...........not so much. Something not within your budget won't be considered regardless of what you happen to think of its theme.

If you mostly plan to visit Epcot/HS then staying at a monorail resort would involve a lot of needless extra transit time since Disney property is so large. Similarly, if mostly visiting MK, then staying near an Epcot hotel wouldn't also be my first choice.

 

[Rory607]

Budget first, then theme. Location also plays into it if we’re looking at a deluxe. Not so much if we’re doing a moderate.

 

[team bradfield]

Location, FW always

 

[Disneylover99]

I always consider theming. It has a huge impact on where I stay.

But it’s not a matter of wanting to choose heavily themed resorts over less themed resorts. It’s based on more of the vibe of the place and the background music played around the resort.

 

[patty57]

It’s all about location when I pick. I have never considered theming when choosing a hotel at Disney.

Same for me.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Location and views.

 

[dizneedoll]

Themeing for sure. But that will fall within what kind of budget I want to spend. That said my favorite theme hotel at WDW is is the POR resorts.

 

[Rory607]

Themeing for sure. But that will fall within what kind of budget I want to spend. That said my favorite theme hotel at WDW is is the POR resorts.

This is my favorite moderate. It’s nice and relaxing when you’re away from the parks.

 

[HopperFan]

After many stays at all levels, and tons offsite .... my choice is all about cost so that I can go more often. We are park centric, visit other resorts for dinner and shower & sleep. We rarely use pools, rarely use food courts and would much rather spend our money going more often and doing the extras like parties, Trader Sam's, special events (upcoming trip is Key to Kingdom Tour) etc. So we pretty much stay value at the lowest rate (minus Music, don't like it). Values being renovated with queens and nicer bathrooms was a game changer for us.

In 2025 that has mean POP, Sports, Sports, Sports, Sports, Marriott Vacation Club and Doubletree SeaWorld because also doing a convention there so got their rate.

OH to answer the question theme doesn't matter anymore to me. It did years ago when kids were younger and awed by magic.

 

[Boopuff]

When we started visiting when our kids were little, we never thought about anything but price. Oddly we never stayed at Pop or AOA until the "kids" were adults. Now we stay for comfort!

 

[ucf_knight]

Theming for me. It's part of the reason I love going to WDW. I stayed at the Swan once and fled after one night. It just seemed like a nice hotel in Anywhere, USA, and I missed the Disney vibe.

Expect you can walk to HS and Epcot for cheaper than surrounding Disney resorts.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

AKL has entered the chat...

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Theming is very important to me. More so than price but usually second to location. I love the theming of AKL but it’s too far out. Poly, WL/BRV and Boardwalk are my favorite DVC resorts, because of the awesome theming AND great locations. I don’t like the theming of GF or Contemporary at all, so I never stay there (except once at GFV which I hated), even though the locations are great. My extreme dislike of the theming trumps the excellent location in those two cases.