Are you planning a Disney World vacation?

You’ve probably put a lot of thought into how long you plan on visiting Disney World and which park tickets you need. However, when it comes to accommodations, are you considering hotels based on their popularity like so many other folks do? Well, we’re here to tell you that the most popular hotels are often NOT the hotels you want to be staying at. However, we’re also about to tell you where you should stay instead.

So here are the hotels we’d tell you to skip and the alternatives we’d recommend.

Skip All-Star Resorts and Stay at Pop Century or Art of Animation Resort

Now, don’t get us wrong, the best part of staying at Disney’s All-Star Resorts is the price. These are the cheapest rooms on Disney World property. However, you’ll be taking buses for all your transportation needs from these resorts and the lines for those buses can be very long. You’ll also occasionally have to deal with large groups, especially when there are cheerleading and dance team events happening at Disney World.

Instead, we recommend paying a little extra for either Disney’s Pop Century Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. These resorts are still considered “value hotels,” meaning they’re still cheaper than other hotels on Disney World property.

Both resorts still have that value resort over-the-top theming.

They also offer an extra transportation option for traveling to and from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios: the Skyliner. You can also travel easily to other Skyliner resorts, meaning you’ll have more dining options.

The PROS And CONS Of Staying At Disney World’s Value Resorts

Skip Caribbean Beach Resort and Stay at a Port Orleans Resort

If you’re thinking about booking a moderate hotel and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort seems to appeal to you, we have to warn you about something. Caribbean Beach Resort is HUGE. That means that you could be doing a lot of extra walking to and from your room to get to the hotel’s main lobby, Skyliner station, or bus stops. At the end of the day, the walk back to the room will feel EXTRA long.

For similar vibes, but a smaller property, we recommend staying at Disney’s Port Orleans –French Quarter or Port Orleans — Riverside Resort. The theme is very Louisiana (plus the food is EXCELLENT) and both properties are small enough that you won’t have to waste extra steps to get to transportation.

You can also get boat transportation to and from Disney Springs from here. Plus…Mickey beignets — need we say more?

FULL ROOM TOUR: Is Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside Hotel Actually a Mini Fort Wilderness?

Skip EPCOT Hotels and Stay at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Who SAYS you have to stay at a Disney-owned hotel? The EPCOT area hotels are nice — don’t get us wrong, and the location can’t be beat: you can walk to EPCOT and the EPCOT Skyliner station. But what if we told you you could get all that for what is generally a cheaper price?

Well, you can, you can stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, which is ALSO in the same area, and get the same perks as you would at the Disney-owned deluxe hotels in the area, including Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours.

You also get access to even MORE great dining (Rosa Mexicano, Todd English’s bluezoo, and more). It generally costs less to stay here than at the other EPCOT resorts, and if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy rewards member, you can also earn and use points for stays at these hotels.

3 Reasons Why We Stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel Again and Again in Disney World

Skip Riviera Resort and Stay at Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

The Riviera is an absolutely beautiful resort with beautiful grounds and theming. But its standard rooms are some of the smallest rooms we’ve seen in Disney World, which is a shame considering this is considered a deluxe hotel and those rooms are on the expensive side. If you only have a few people in your group, it might be fine, but there is a better option.

Instead, we’re going to send you to a moderate resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which is SO underrated. The vibe here is still European, but leaning more towards a Spanish vibe. If you’re looking for that same level of European elegance that the Riviera has, though, you can’t beat the Gran Destino Tower.

You’ll find larger rooms that cost less here. Plus, the dining options are spectacular. Three Bridges Bar & Grill is also woefully underrated, as is Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.

FULL TOUR of a Deluxe Club Suite Room at Gran Destino Tower in Disney World

Skip Grand Floridian Resort and Stay at Old Key West Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the most expensive hotel on Disney World property. However, there’s not a lot about it that’s very FLORIDA, and if that’s the vibe you’re looking for, you might be disappointed. This hotel has Mary Poppins-themed rooms, after all. So if you’re looking for something distinctly Florida-themed, this isn’t it.

If you want that real laid back Florida vibe, stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort instead. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s got that Key West theme that you’re looking for. This hotel also has some of the largest rooms on property, so that’s a bonus, too.

You’ll want to be sure to stop by Olivia’s Cafe for some Key West-themed eats and then hop on a boat to head to Disney Springs for some shopping.

PHOTOS: Go Inside an Old Key West Deluxe Studio Hotel Room in Disney World

So before you book that super popular Disney World hotel, be sure to ask yourself what you really want in a hotel and a hotel room.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

4 Hotel Rooms in Disney World That Are Only 127 Steps Away from the Skyliner

What’s your preferred Disney World hotel? Let us know in the comments!

The post Why Disney Adults Keep Booking the Wrong Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog.