Which hotels are must-sees?

[Ann-CA]

I'll have a free day on my January trip to do Disney Springs, and then some resort-hopping before I fly out. I'm staying value resorts.

I've done monorail resorts on a previous trip, so thinking I will skip those.

Which resorts would you recommend checking out and for what? I love seeing really well-themed hotels (I enjoy Vegas for this reason). Open to trying great food - probably not full meal, but snacks or to-go options are great.

I'm right now thinking the skyliner resort line which will also give me access to Boardwalk areas, but curious which resorts I should go out of my way to see.

 

[HopperFan]

I'll have a free day on my January trip to do Disney Springs, and then some resort-hopping before I fly out. I'm staying value resorts.

I've done monorail resorts on a previous trip, so thinking I will skip those.

Which resorts would you recommend checking out and for what? I love seeing really well-themed hotels (I enjoy Vegas for this reason). Open to trying great food - probably not full meal, but snacks or to-go options are great.

I'm right now thinking the skyliner resort line which will also give me access to Boardwalk areas, but curious which resorts I should go out of my way to see.

Honestly I think the Disney Crescent Lake hotels are the most disappointing. They put all their effort into what they looked like outside (and the pools) and then you go in to the most boring lobbies, forgettable design & decor even of the restaurants.

My visits would be to ~

~ Animal Kingdom Lodge. That lobby is breathtaking. The outdoor spaces with animal views are unique and beautiful. It's a take you away to a different place resort.

~ While I've always thought Coronado Springs was a beautiful resort and I wasn't excited about the tower ... once I visited it WOW, they have created a stunning piece of art. Visit the Barcelona Bar, check out all the art, visit Dahlia Lounge at the top and check out the views. A moderate that outshines most the deluxes.

~ Wilderness Lodge is warm and intimate with a soaring ceiling with fireplace and water in the lobby. The pool area is stunning and you can visit Geyser Point for a relaxing lunch or drink. Try to time with a geyser blast.

 

[gottalovepluto]

AKL and WL. I’d grab a meal at Geyser Point.

Skyliner is easy but imho not much to see. RIV is pretty to see the murals off the Skyliner but that’s about it. Much more to see at wander around viewing with AKL & WL.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Honestly I think the Disney Crescent Lake hotels are the most disappointing. They put all their effort into what they looked like outside (and the pools) and then you go in to the most boring lobbies, forgettable design & decor even of the restaurants.

My visits would be to ~

~ Animal Kingdom Lodge. That lobby is breathtaking. The outdoor spaces with animal views are unique and beautiful. It's a take you away to a different place resort.

~ While I've always thought Coronado Springs was a beautiful resort and I wasn't excited about the tower ... once I visited it WOW, they have created a stunning piece of art. Visit the Barcelona Bar, check out all the art, visit Dahlia Lounge at the top and check out the views. A moderate that outshines most the deluxes.

~ Wilderness Lodge is warm and intimate with a soaring ceiling with fireplace and water in the lobby. The pool area is stunning and you can visit Geyser Point for a relaxing lunch or drink. Try to time with a geyser blast.

YES. I love staying at EP resorts but if they aren’t decorated for Xmas I would never even consider touring them.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with @HopperFan, AKL, WL and CSR.

 

[MsChristy12]

I also agree with WL and AKL for sure. The mosaic murals at RIV are pretty stunning, and you can grab a bite/drink at Bar Riva.

 

[DL1WDW2]

The Riviera has much more than just those beautiful murals .
Walking past the pools they offer a center court to play lawn games Bocce and giant chess games and adult family swings to relax .Also locations to sit and watch the SkyLiner .
Bar Riva is poolside open air seating with excellent service and food and beverages.
The lobby feels small bit they also have 2 outdoor seating areas that are almost hidden unless you realize they are a quiet area to relax .
And the European coffee bar opens into the seating area that is called Walt’s Library with many mementoes and many photos of Walt’s travels . Plus the music is played quietly as you walk around and you realize it is the Disney music but it has a foreign sound that is very enjoyable and the lower level has the movie posters framed on the walls in foreign language also. Plus a scavenger hunt game is available at the DVC Greeting Desk in the lobby that invites you to explore many areas of the resort including the Top level for the art work appreciation.
And I recommend you visit the craft center on bottom level . This is the best place to observe the wonderful castmembers because they invite the entire family to enter . They usually have their crafts on display .Some are free and some have a very minimal price but they are Disney souvenir related or sometimes holiday crafts.
I actually like to arrive via the SkyLiner but try to remeber to walk out to the front entrance to re-enter the lobby because it is the best way to enter every resort… thru the front door. And I guarantee you will love the special Welcome greeting the Riviera offers to all guests . You might be staying Value but it will make you feel you belong with the deluxe !

You can also walk over to the Caribbean Resort to explore that location
.
Take bus to Disney Springs or skyline over to visit POP Century or Art of Animation.

I also love the Coronado Resort . The 3 bridges walkway connect & meet in center with the 3 Rivers Bar & Grill . Walk up reservations only and opens probably around 4 or 5 in the evening I think . Lots of convention meetings going on but the interior food court and RIX Sports Bar is very popular!

 

[Ann-CA]

Honestly I think the Disney Crescent Lake hotels are the most disappointing. They put all their effort into what they looked like outside (and the pools) and then you go in to the most boring lobbies, forgettable design & decor even of the restaurants.

My visits would be to ~

~ Animal Kingdom Lodge. That lobby is breathtaking. The outdoor spaces with animal views are unique and beautiful. It's a take you away to a different place resort.

~ While I've always thought Coronado Springs was a beautiful resort and I wasn't excited about the tower ... once I visited it WOW, they have created a stunning piece of art. Visit the Barcelona Bar, check out all the art, visit Dahlia Lounge at the top and check out the views. A moderate that outshines most the deluxes.

~ Wilderness Lodge is warm and intimate with a soaring ceiling with fireplace and water in the lobby. The pool area is stunning and you can visit Geyser Point for a relaxing lunch or drink. Try to time with a geyser blast.

Is AKL only worth doing in the day?

 

[beccasmom]

WL and AKL for sure. Very dramatic and beautiful lobbies.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

I love resort hopping. My favorite resorts to visit are WL, Poly, and AKL. Ft. Wilderness is an honorable mention.

 

[rangerxenos]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must see, it's gorgeous, has a large collection of African art, and you can wander around and see the animals from different spots. There are also 3 excellent restaurants there if you'd like to have a meal.

 

[We Luv WDW]

I'll have a free day on my January trip to do Disney Springs, and then some resort-hopping before I fly out. I'm staying value resorts.

I've done monorail resorts on a previous trip, so thinking I will skip those.

Which resorts would you recommend checking out and for what? I love seeing really well-themed hotels (I enjoy Vegas for this reason). Open to trying great food - probably not full meal, but snacks or to-go options are great.

I'm right now thinking the skyliner resort line which will also give me access to Boardwalk areas, but curious which resorts I should go out of my way to see.

Grand Floridan....the grand says it all.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must see!

 

[hertamaniac]

AKL and next door at Kidani. Not only the lobbies are gorgeous, but the food at Sanaa with the view into the savannah is completely unique to any other WDW resort. My vote for best pool on WDW property is Kidani.

 

[hertamaniac]

Is AKL only worth doing in the day?

Actually, evening is the best time in my opinion. The large windows show a "glow" when looking back from the viewing platform(s). At night, there is subtle/muted lighting around the top of the resort buildings to help with animal protection, etc.

And the 2 BR AKL-Kidani room balconies with a savanna view are magnificent!

 

[jimmymc]

Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge are my favorite non-monorail resorts to walk around and grab some snacks at the quick service or pool bar.

The Epcot resorts are also convenient to walk between. The theming isn't as spectacular and the lobbies aren't huge, but there are so many resorts in a small space that you can fill a few hours before grabbing lunch/dinner.

 

[rstevens333]

The quick service in Riviera is incredible. About par with Geyser Point at Wilderness lodge.

If it were me, I'd hop a bus to either Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge from a park, then bus to Hollywood Studios and enjoy a Skyliner to Riviera.

 

[Simba's Mom]

In one respect Pop Century is a "must see"-just once. I took an entire afternoon there, walking around and reading the signs of what each year was known for. What was really nice was taking special notes (and photos) of the years that corresponded to loved ones' birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

 

[Upatnoon]

My favorites:
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Art of Animation

 

[Ann-CA]

Looks like WL and AKL seem to be consistent winners. Those two probably are most my vibes anyways. I love the wilderness/forest and I spent quite a bit of time in Eastern Africa so it’ll be fun to see Disney’s rendition.

I’ll try to make my way to AKL after my AK park day and start my free day by taking bus from ASMo where I’m staying to MK and then boat to WL and spend morning there before heading to DS which was my other must do that morning.

For those who have done Sanaa, can you see anything if you do it after sunset?