Hotel rankings for adults?

[OrlandoGuy]

Really appreciate the responses here. Into everything you’ve all said. I will share with my BF! The Boardwalk as a hotel we’re not obsessed with, but the boardwalk area itself is so appealing. So Swan and Dolphin and Yacht Club are intriguing, to me at least.

I’m a Swan and Dolphin truther, and the majority of the time it is a better deal than the Boardwalk/Yacht & Beach Club. But one thing to keep in mind is they do charge a daily resort fee and parking fee…I know the resort fee is $50/day but can’t remember parking. So make sure to factor that in if you’re comparing rates.

 

[Jake S]

Look into DVC rental options for studios! Usually pretty affordable for the larger resorts.

Seconded! We've got a studio at Grand Floridian for $2,300 for five nights next May. Much, much cheaper than list price.

 

[SkiBum]

I would recommend either Old Key West of Port Orleans Riverside. We also rented points for OKW and it was a quiet and enjoyable stay. POR does have kids but its layout makes that a non-issue. The pool area is the only area that really has curtain climbers. One other note, though. OKW is better is you have your own/rental car.

 

[MrRoamer]

Specifically Disney: the boardwalk hotels to me all feel fairly romantic but could be because I love the boardwalk at night
Yacht or Beach
Swolphin
Polynesian is beautiful but I highly recommend trying to get further away from the side the ferry launches from, we went for an anniversary and that thing starts blowing its horn EARLY and we were really close
Port Orleans either side
Wilderness Lodge - especially when its cold

 

[HandsomePete]

For Swan/Dolphin, remember that they do charge quite a bit for parking and a resort fee. Also to bus to MK drops you at TTC and not the front door.

If you have a car, I might look into renting points for Old Key West or Saratoga … they used to be easy to book, and they’re a slightly older crowd since, at least for OKW, almost everyone bought in there like three decades ago.

(alright at this point I think we’ve collectively named every hotel lol)

Edit: didn’t realize someone else mentioned Swan/Dolphin fees… it’s been a long day ha

 

[Columbo]

I'm just going to be echoing what others said here largely, but for a more adult experience I'd aim to stay in the Disney Springs or Boardwalk resort areas

Disney Springs has the perk of being the larger of the two areas to end your night (Jock Lindsey's is a lot of fun), but the con of meaning you're taking buses everywhere

Boardwalk area is smaller, but very cut and you are within walking distance of two parks. Added bonus that one of the parks you're near is EPCOT, and the World Showcase is a great place to end your night at in the parks

On the topic of buses from the Swan and Dolphin, we often just walk from our resort to the Monorail station at EPCOT's entrance. You already get dropped off at the TTC these days, so it's the time it takes to walk there and take the monorail vs. the time to wait for the bus and take it to the TTC. You need park hopper to do this of course. If EPCOT is closed and you're coming back from MK you will need to take the bus though

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Y’all are the best and I appreciate responses here. We are deciding for next spring, boyfriend has read this thread, and we will update with bookings! Riveria I’m wondering if is worth the splurge cause the food itself looks fan-tas-tic. Hotel seems lovely as well. It’s tippy top of our price range so we’re 50/50. Swan and Dolphin being Marriot’s feel like great deal but lack of Disney theming (besides possible room views) is disappointing.

 

[Disneyhead]

Wilderness Lodge. Best resort on property.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Y’all are the best and I appreciate responses here. We are deciding for next spring, boyfriend has read this thread, and we will update with bookings! Riveria I’m wondering if is worth the splurge cause the food itself looks fan-tas-tic. Hotel seems lovely as well. It’s tippy top of our price range so we’re 50/50. Swan and Dolphin being Marriot’s feel like great deal but lack of Disney theming (besides possible room views) is disappointing.

How much will you actually be at the resort? Plus you're minutes walk from Yacht Club and Boardwalk. Also you're a quick skyline ride to the Riviera .

Wilderness Lodge. Best resort on property.

My family bought into DVC the past few years and our first choice was Copper Creek as it matched all our criteria - a favorite hotel of ours, close to our favorite things, and a destination we'd want to go to on its own without the parks. I'm taking my boyfriend for his first time at the resort this December and I know he'll want to spend a full day just at the resort. When I took him to AKL in Jan 2025 he loved it all (just not Jiko, he's a picky eater).

 

[Jwhee]

If you’re not dead set on staying at a Disney-owned hotel, but still want to be on Disney property, I’d 100% recommend the Waldorf or the JW Marriott next door.

You’re often paying around the same price, or even less, than the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian, while getting a noticeably more upscale property. The rooms are nicer, the service feels more refined, and they offer basic luxury amenities that Disney’s deluxe resorts usually lack: like room service, turndown service, in-room features like, robes, little chocolates, etc. Poolside cocktail service.

The bars, restaurants, pools, and hotel grounds also feel much more geared towards adults. You still get transportation to the parks, so you’re not giving up much in terms of convenience. Also way less kids running around.

I find it crazy that Disney gets away with charging Ritz & Waldorf prices while not providing the same level of experience

 

[Mad Dog]

If you’re not dead set on staying at a Disney-owned hotel, but still want to be on Disney property, I’d 100% recommend the Waldorf or the JW Marriott next door.

You’re often paying around the same price, or even less, than the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian, while getting a noticeably more upscale property. The rooms are nicer, the service feels more refined, and they offer basic luxury amenities that Disney’s deluxe resorts usually lack: like room service, turndown service, in-room features like, robes, little chocolates, etc. Poolside cocktail service.

The bars, restaurants, pools, and hotel grounds also feel much more geared towards adults. You still get transportation to the parks, so you’re not giving up much in terms of convenience. Also way less kids running around.

I find it crazy that Disney gets away with charging Ritz & Waldorf prices while not providing the same level of experience

Wow, you just described Portofino like amenities/services. Loews has me so spoiled. @Cup_Of_Coffee : Just uber from Portofino and enjoy both Universal & Disney....

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Debate is now strictly between Swan, or Wilderness Lodge. We won’t really wanna split the trip up but that’s the coin toss as of today.

Given its price point we did not love Yacht Club for many reasons. It wasn’t the worst or anything, but we did feel the “Disney run hotels are hit or miss” I hear from many who stay at all of them. At same time Wilderness seems beloved. Location for Swan is crazy good though. Lucky to have good options!

 

[Skipper Justin]

Wilderness is amazing. Like I said we rented points at boulder creek which is a part of it. I honestly loved the second smaller lobby and the access to resort as a whole. I’ve stayed in the main building too which was very nice!

 

[Jake S]

Swan for the amazing location, Wilderness Lodge for the immaculate vibes (and still a good location if you like Magic Kingdom!)

 

[MAC]

Swan for the amazing location, Wilderness Lodge for the immaculate vibes (and still a good location if you like Magic Kingdom!)

This is the right answer. Wilderness is an amazing hotel, but I think typically you can get 2-3 nights at the Swan for one night at the Wilderness and have access to a ton more in terms of location/proximity.

Wilderness is a great hotel though.

 

[Touchdown]

I wish the Wilderness would get hooked into the monorail, it would return to my go to hotel, it by far has my favorite theme/vibe.

It’s just walking to the furthest bus stop at Epcot and having an extremely long wait for said bus to come way to many times while I stayed there soured me on the whole thing.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Okay, we’re really convinced by the Swan Reserve. It seems super quiet, very adult focused, modern, feels like we’re on vacation, location is prime, we are Bonvoy members (BF is gold elite due to work travels), only question is how close it truly is to walking to Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk. It appears 5-15 min but can’t tell if it’s more 20 min, which would make a difference.

Also does the reserve have their own bus service, or, would we need to walk over to hotels?

Regardless, we may book here this weekend. Seems like a sleeper hotel hit since we’ve agreed our hotel doesn’t need Disney theming to our personal needs. Paying for an Epcot view will do it justice!

 

[Grabnar]

Okay, we’re really convinced by the Swan Reserve. It seems super quiet, very adult focused, modern, feels like we’re on vacation, location is prime, we are Bonvoy members (BF is gold elite due to work travels), only question is how close it truly is to walking to Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk. It appears 5-15 min but can’t tell if it’s more 20 min, which would make a difference.

Also does the reserve have their own bus service, or, would we need to walk over to hotels?

Regardless, we may book here this weekend. Seems like a sleeper hotel hit since we’ve agreed our hotel doesn’t need Disney theming to our personal needs. Paying for an Epcot view will do it justice!

Swan Reserve has its own bus service and you can walk to the Friendship boats.

Reserve is beautiful, I stayed there a few nights for marathon weekend once. It was lovely.

I'll throw a vote in for the Conrad at Evermore in general.We stayed there earlier this year for a long weekend and it was incredible, especially if you want some lagoon time. You can see the Epcot fireworks from the lobby as well.

 

[kristenabelle]

Okay, we’re really convinced by the Swan Reserve. It seems super quiet, very adult focused, modern, feels like we’re on vacation, location is prime, we are Bonvoy members (BF is gold elite due to work travels), only question is how close it truly is to walking to Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk. It appears 5-15 min but can’t tell if it’s more 20 min, which would make a difference.

Also does the reserve have their own bus service, or, would we need to walk over to hotels?

Regardless, we may book here this weekend. Seems like a sleeper hotel hit since we’ve agreed our hotel doesn’t need Disney theming to our personal needs. Paying for an Epcot view will do it justice!

The Reserve itself is slightly further away than the Swan & Dolphin buildings, but it's all very close to the Boardwalk (and super close to Fantasia Gardens, which I love to do at night if you need a park break). It's a great hotel with great service, and Bonvoy definitely a plus!

 

[Rideguy70]

We stay at Swan nearly everytime... mainly because great location (Epcot is our favorite park), my husband is also a Bonvoy member, and it gives discounts to educators. We literally just stayed there in July for our 3rd time.

But Swan is a very, very easy walk to Boardwark. Maybe 5-10 min max. Also very easy walk to Epcot, which will pass right by Boardwalk (or take a boat, but it's often faster to walk). Short boat ride to Hollywood (but can also walk, though it takes longer). And if it appeals to you, you can also walk to Fantasia Gardens mini golf. MK, AK, and Springs will need a bus.

They also have a beach area, and sometimes play movies at night, and/or smores fire pits.

And a deep cut tip, but we checked out in the morning, went to parks, and, because we wanted to shower off and get into a clean change of clothes before our flight home that night, the front desk said we could shower and change in their pool area. No key needed, it's just open to anyone who knows during pool hours! That was super convenient, though obviously won't apply to everyone.

FYI, we didn't have a car, we just did ride share from the airport... so can't speak about parking rates.

And if you want a bit of variety, you can walk across the way to the Dolphin, which has a slightly larger casual food market than Swan does.