It goes without saying that when it comes to Disney World hotels, not every resort is gonna be everyone’s cup of tea. Yes, all Disney World resorts are magical in their own ways, but sometimes the vibe might feel off to you?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
We recently asked our readers which Disney World hotels you thought were overrated or underrated, and the results were FASCINATING, so we decided to dig a little deeper and see what y’all thought about which resorts you’d NEVER stay in again!
Everyone has certain aspects and amenities we prioritize in a Disney resort, right? For some, it might be top-notch food! For others, maybe it’s more about the convenient location and proximity to the parks! Then there are those of us with complete and utter aversions to mermaid-themed rooms!
Contemp Wall
We recently took to Instagram to ask our readers which Disney resorts you’d never ever stay in again. Here’s what you said — and what we’ve learned from your responses!
Caribbean Beach Resort
One of the resorts with the MOST votes was Caribbean Beach Resort, and considering a vast majority of reasons were due to how large and sprawling this place is, it kinda sounds more like the Mall of America. The sheer size of the resort was a big reason why it’s a no-go for many of you! As one reader put it, “Beautiful but way too spread out.”
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
We get it. After a long day in the parks, having to walk even FURTHER just to get to your room or grab a quick bite to eat can be daunting. Especially if, like one reader says, “the food isn’t even very good.” Or like another reader mentioned, “To this day I swear my room was haunted.” Umm, yikes!
Coronado Springs Resort
As one reader eloquently put it on Coronado Springs: “Way too much walking after long days and on cold December nights.” Sounds like a Robert Frost poem! But again, Coronado Springs is yet another resort hindered by its own size.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Some of you also docked points for its lack of Disney magic or colorful character, instead comparing it to a Marriott. However, one reader seems optimistic, saying this used to be their least favorite resort, but “recent updates are intriguing.” Very glass half full!
Riviera Resort
When it comes to seeking out that perfectly magical Disney resort, finding a place that reminds you of a Stephen King novel usually isn’t ideal… .
Disney’s Riviera Resort
While Disney’s Riviera Resort didn’t get nearly as much votes as, say, Caribbean Beach Resort, we definitely have to shout it out for one reader who said it reminded them of The Shining. No further details were provided, so whether or not their stay involved monotone twins remains to be seen… .
All-Star Resorts
Both of these budget-friendly Disney resorts, All-Star Movies and All-Star Sports, racked up a LOT of votes, for a variety of reasons. Interestingly enough, more often than not, most All-Star naysayers cast votes for BOTH hotels, rather than singling out a single property for specific reasons.
All Star Movies
One reader said the only reason to stay here would be as a last-ditch effort to get a coveted parks pass, while another decried the multitude of groups at the hotel, making it feel like being in the parks! For others, it’s just too hard to compare the All-Star resorts to Disney’s deluxe hotels, so after staying somewhere like the Grand Floridian or Polynesian (more on those later…), Sports and Movies just feels like a letdown.
Art of Animation Resort
One of the most fascinating responses was not exactly for the recently reopened Art of Animation Resort in general, but VERY specifically for the Little Mermaid section of the hotel. Maybe the room theming makes you feel like you’re on a sinking ship? Interestingly enough, none of you had ANY qualms with the similarly aquatic Finding Nemo section…
Art of Animation
Typically loved for its affordable rates and proximity to the parks, Art of Animation as a whole seems fine with most of you at least — as long as you’re staying in The Lion King, Cars, or Finding Nemo sections, apparently. No elaboration was provided for why the Little Mermaid section was such a downer, but we’re hoping that you all still love Disney’s new MERMAID EARS as much as we do!
Contemporary Resort
Few Disney resorts are as historic as the almighty Contemporary. Even for folks who don’t ever stay here, they USUALLY get a glimpse of this longstanding staple by gliding through on the monorail en route to Magic Kingdom! And it’s hard not to be in awe! Well, for some at least… .
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
When it came to responses, some simply said it wasn’t worth the cost, while another reader appreciated how cool it was, but felt it was too loud and resembled an office building. Which makes us think that all office buildings would be wildly improved with character breakfasts! 
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Convenient proximity to the parks is a MAJOR factor for many Disney World visitors, and for the distance alone, Animal Kingdom Lodge earned a LOT of negative votes!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Responses like “stunning but too far from everything” and “too far from everything. Awesome views at least!” were common fodder, as most readers admired the vibe and decor, but just couldn’t get over the distance! This is definitely a resort that’s more out of the way, so we totally get it.
Polynesian Village Resort
Oh, Poly! It feels almost unfair to chide it right now, considering it’s in the midst of a MASSIVE makeover, so she’s not exactly looking her best. Still, the construction and clatter is a major reason why some of you don’t prefer this one, so due to all the work being done here and the fact that there’s a gaping Trader Sam’s-shaped void in our hearts, we respect understand your responses.
Poly Construction
For those of you who HAVE stayed here in previous years, you felt the Polynesian was just too expensive for how small the rooms are. Yet another reason why we all desperately need more Trader Sam’s back in our lives, because EVERYTHING is better in the Grog Grotto!
Pop Century Resort
Amazingly, poll results for Pop Century REALLY ran the gamut of emotions! Some readers felt strongly and firmly that this was NOT the resort for them, while others simply let ambivalent emojis do the talking.
Pop Century
One reader said Pop Century is “too spread out and not thrilled with the theming.” Another reader kept it succinct with “NEVER AGAIN” while yet another was simply a shrugging emoji. Whatever the reasoning, Pop Century has seems to be one of the more polarizing resorts on Disney property!
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Ah yes, the mighty Grand Floridian. There’s an almost mythical magic to this castle-sized resort. Or, according to some of you, not nearly ENOUGH magic.
Grand Floridian
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the sheer cost of staying here was a common factor for why many readers shunned it. “Love it but can’t unless I win the lotto,” one reader said, while another elaborated with “really nice, but I need more magic for the price.”
The price-to-magic ratio was a frequent sticking point, and another reader added “kids kept complaining and it wasn’t fun or magical.” Still, the newly opened walkway linking Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom could change some things! As one reader optimistically put it, “new walkway might be a game-changer.”
From expensive cost to daunting size to mermaid theming, there are MANY reasons why some Disney resorts just aren’t great for everyone! And each stay in a new resort can be a learning experience, so going forward, we all know to seek out hotels that do NOT in any way remind us of The Shining.
