Which Disney Resort has the BEST location, and WHY?

[Frederic Civish]

I would like to hear opinions about why you think a particular resort is great. Especially, how does the location of the resort affect its overall desirability, to you. Of course, this is entirely subjective, but there could be some good reasons why you think a favorite resort has a great location.

I'll start off with my top 3 resort locations:

First, no question about it, I don't think ANY other location can beat it is . . . . The Grand Californian. Why? No other resort hotel in Disneyland/California Adventure is closer to those two parks than the Grand Californian. It beats ALL the Florida locations because it is close to TWO parks, not just one, California Adventure and Disneyland Park. It is also closer to those parks than the other two Disney Hotels at Disneyland, the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel. Even better, it is the ONLY Disney Resort/Hotel to open DIRECTLY into one of the parks. Step out the west entrance and you are IN California Adventure. Step out the north entrance and you are IN Downtown Disney! No other resort can claim anything like that. Add to it the fact that The Grand Californian Is simply an amazingly beautiful building, and you can see why it is heads and shoulders above ALL the other resorts. We are in Disneyland today and I spent time wandering in and out of the Grand Californian and relaxing in the lobby, listening to the piano music. Reminded me again ow why this is such a great place.

Number two, I know there will be a lot of of unhappiness over this, but the resort with the second best location is . . . . The Riviera. And this is mostly due to the fact that it is on the gondola line. The gondolas are about to revolutionize transportation at Disney World, and the Riviera is in perfect position to take advantage of this. 5 minutes to EPCOT. 15 minutes to Hollywood Studios. Effortless minutes, since you are sitting down in a comfortable gondola with a beautiful view, not walking to those locations. And Riviera has an amazing view from the shores of the lake behind it, out to Caribbean Beach.

Number three is Animal Kingdom Lodges. Not so much because of their ease of access to all the rest of the parks, but because of their access to the Animal Kingdom Park, one of my favorites (great ambience and overall 'look' in Animal Kingdom Park), and because of the theming AND the fact that it is ON THE SAVANNAH, which makes this resort UNIQUE among all the other hotels in the United States and Europe. No where else is like the Animal Kingdom Lodges. An amazing place. AND, the Jambo House is also one extremely attractive and impressive building in its own right. This makes IT a great location.

Okay, so there are my top 3 Disney Resort based on Locations. What do you think is better than that? What do you love?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'll start off with my top 3 resort locations

You can't reasonably or fairly ask for "the best" then provide multiple responses. That's not how superlatves work - there can only be one .

For now, Coronado Springs because it's the most centrally located resort to the most parks.

 

[raddisneyfan]

In my mind it is the Wilderness Lodge. Boat to MK, boat to FW, boat to CR with monorail access to other resorts and EP. A lot of people would say CR, but, imo, can't beat beauty and tranquility of the Lodge while still having the accessibility.

Honorable mention, BWI for easy walks to both EP and HS--i know there are other EP resorts, but BWI my favorite by far.

P.S.--also love AKL for savannah and I thought great bus service to all parks.

 

[vacationer1954]

Of course, this is entirely subjective

This.

For us, access to F&W festival or F&G festival matters, putting Beach Club, BoardWalk, and Yacht Club at the top of the heap.

 

[Shellyb84]

Any of the Epcot area resorts because you can walk to two parks. I would much rather be able to walk than take a monorail or bus. As of right now our favorite of those is BC. We're staying at BWV for the first time in June so it may change

 

[LSUmiss]

My opinion is Poly. On the monorail but better than the other 2 monorail resorts b/c you can easily walk to TTC & not have to switch monorails to get to Epcot. And it picks up first for the buses before heading to GF.

 

[ninafeliz]

Tie for me.

1. Poly for direct monorail to MK and Epcot

2. YC/BC/BWI for ability to walk to 2 parks.

Which one/group is better depends on if you plan to spend more time in MK or DHS.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I would say any Epcot resort since you can walk to two parks within 15-20 minutes. Out of the Epcot resorts I would say BoardWalk is the best location. 15 minute walk to DHS and 8 minute walk to Epcot. Also, the resort has its own bus to AK and MK.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

Wilderness Lodge! Quiet, Quiet, Quiet. Very relaxing after a day at the parks. The lobby is magnificent and the grounds are beautiful. Access is also very good, love the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom especially when you ride a boat over a road my children think that is so cool.

 

[Disneylover99]

It depends on your favourite park or where you plan to spend the majority of your time.....

Contemporary - walk to MK
Any of the Epcot resorts - walk to Epcot/HS
Saratoga Springs - walk to DS - we have friends who only stay at SS because they go to DS daily

 

[Baduist]

Well, the Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Paris is basically right above the gates to the park, so that’s kind of an unbeatable location.

That said, the park itself is not my favorite compared to Disneyland and WDW...

In the US, it’s another vote from me for Poly because:
- Monorail to MK, Epcot & Chef Mickey (@contemporary)
- Boat to MK
- Short walk to Grand Floridian
- Plus - the Poly in itself is a great place to be, my favorite restaurant, the beach, the ambience... I could just hang out there and forget the parks...

 

[buzznina]

Been going to WDW for many years and a lot of trips and the one important information that we found, is that we can get to the parks from any resort, almost always in a timely manor. So location is not a big deal for us, we pick the resort that we feel like going to for that trip based on the type of trip and cost. We have never been in the camp of "this resort is worth it because we can save 10-20 minutes travel time". We have used buses, boats and monorail and have enjoyed and been frustrated by all of them, and when it's 90-100 degrees outside the last thing we want to do is walk to a park just to save some time, plus it's not like you can walk to all the parks. Hopefully in late November we will add the skyline to our transportation list, as we decided to stay at POP

 

[Farro]

We've recently been at Epcot area resort and Poly, so opinion based on that.

Epcot resorts win easily due to being able to walk to two parks.

Walk is the key word there as nothing beats being able to have a relaxing walk out of a crowded park back to your hotel at closing time.

 

[han22735]

Beach club or Boardwalk...Being able to walk to two parks is the best.

 

[Jennasis]

Contemporary. The walk to MK is unbeatable.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We've recently been at Epcot area resort and Poly, so opinion based on that.

Epcot resorts win easily due to being able to walk to two parks.

Walk is the key word there as nothing beats being able to have a relaxing walk out of a crowded park back to your hotel at closing time.

This is one of the reasons I really love the Epcot resorts. After illuminations you can take a leisurely stroll back to room and not have to wait for transportation.

 

[eric1985]

It's a bit of a loaded question and really depends on what you like. But if cost is no option, I like the Boardwalk. You're close to Epcot and some nightlife, you can look out the window at night and see the Beach and Yacht Clubs lit up and you're a relaxing boat ride away from Hollywood Studios. I'm always split between the boardwalk area and Magic Kingdom monorail loop.

 

[chris benton]

Epcot area.
Walking to 2 parks.
Keep your gondola. I'll be back in my room, or at the park, while you're still in line waiting for your gondola.

 

[msjprincess]

Tie for me.

1. Poly for direct monorail to MK and Epcot

2. YC/BC/BWI for ability to walk to 2 parks.

Which one/group is better depends on if you plan to spend more time in MK or DHS.

Those would be my choices, for the same reasons. Last year we did a split stay between Poly and then BCV.

 

[antmaril]

For me, it is The Yacht Club. I love all of the EPCOT resorts and YC is my favorite. I can walk to two parks.