Remember that value and convenience win high ratings from our readers, as much as, if not more, than luxurious rooms and amenities. So our readers' Top 10 leaves off some hotels at the top of the price range in favor of less-expensive hotels that our readers believe provide better value.
Of course, since you are reading this, you are one of our readers, too. So you are invited to submit your own ratings and reviews for the theme park hotels you've visited. Just follow the links at the end of this post.
10. Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
The French Quarter is our readers' favorite among the Disney Moderate Resorts.
Located just steps from the back entrance to Epcot and a short boat launch from Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Beach Club wins points for convenience.
8. Universal's Royal Pacific Resort
All four of Universal's on-site hotels made out list, thanks to their proximity to the parks and the free front-of-line passes for their deluxe hotel guests.
7. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
The Cabana Bay is the only Universal hotel that doesn't provide free Universal Express Unlimited passes to its guests, but its low prices and hip Googie-inspired decor pushed it into our top 10. (This is the least expensive option on the Top 10, and often by far less expensive than any of these other hotels.)
6. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a former winner of our Theme Park Insider Award for Best Hotel, and fans especially love the rooms where they can look out the windows to see the park's animals.
5. Disney's Boardwalk Inn Resort
Sitting midway between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk offers perhaps the best blend of luxury and convenience to multiple parks at the Walt Disney World Resort.
4. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
The Grand Floridian is our readers' favorite among the monorail resorts surrounding the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom.
A bit more secluded than the monorail resorts, but just a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge earns raves for its impressive lobby and grounds.
2. Universal's Hard Rock Hotel
Universal Orlando's top two hotels are the top two hotels on our list. If you're looking for a non-stop party just steps from the parks, the Hard Rock is your choice.
1. Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel
Blending outstanding service, decor, luxury, and value, the Portofino Bay demonstrates that you really can have it all on vacation.
What's your favorite place to stay when visiting the parks in Orlando? Please tell us in the comments, and then be sure to rate and review all the places you've stayed, on our theme park hotel review pages.
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Best room for the price? Old Key West. Rooms are huge!
I also suspect that the Poly will recover in our ratings now that the refurbishments are wrapping up. Anytime a property undergoes a major refurb, it takes a beating in the ratings for a year or two before recovering, it seems.
Also, Art of Animation and Pop Century get ragged on because they're "value" resorts, but they're perfectly adequate, have nice pools and theming, and give you far more bang for you buck than any of the moderate or deluxe resorts on this list.
Of course, the problem with any of the Disney hotels is the transportation. No matter how great the hotel, having to wait 30+ minutes to get on the monorail home in the evening is a nightmare . . .
I agree Robert, that express pass is a helluva deal. Also, The resorts at universal are waay more affordable then an equivlent at disney, thats for sure.
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