17 Best Disney Hotels in the World

Next year will be a marquee year for Walt Disney World. Not only is 2021 the resort's 50th anniversary, but the eagerly-anticipated Star Wars-themed hotel will also debut. Until then, fans can delight in the myriad of other cool Disney hotels around the world—everything from art nouveau- to Polynesian- to safari-themed—with something to both bring out the inner kid and please the inner snob in everybody. With more than 25 resorts, it's no surprise that Orlando dominates—but offerings from Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong dazzle as well. Here are the best Disney hotels around the globe.

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Arguably Disney's best hotel isn't in a Disney theme park at all. Located in Oahu's Ko Olina, the beachfront Aulani resort has all the themes and characters a Disney-loving family could want, in a relaxed, aquatic paradise. Kids will lose their minds over the massive 21-acre waterpark resort complex—everything from a lazy river to slides to splash zone—while parents will appreciate the infinity pool, adults-only areas, jacuzzis with sunset views, and show-stopping KA WA'A luau. Leave the children for a few hours at the excellent Aunty's Beach House kids club while you golf, snorkel Rainbow Reef, or enjoy the spa. As a Disney Vacation Club property, you'll find everything from standard rooms to three-bedroom villas.

Four Seasons Orlando is the area's only true five-star resort, offering priority Disney amenities (such as Magic Hours) in an unparalleled luxury experience. Walt Disney World's best hotel might technically not be an official Disney resort—but it has myriad Disney perks and is located on the grounds of the multi-million-dollar Disney Golden Oak private residences. The hotel offers a world-class five-acre Explorer Island water play area, including lazy river, family pool, kids splash zone, and water slide. There's also a spa featuring Biologique Recherche products and cryotherapy, an adults-only pool, character dining at Ravello's, a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, a Kids for All Seasons complimentary kids camp, free motor coach transportation to the parks, and same-day merchandise delivery of goodies purchased from any of the four theme parks. Magical.

Can't make it all the way to Africa? Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge is a surprisingly excellent alternative. With some of the most unique and evocative theming of any Disney resort—including a vast collection of African art—guests can wake up in Animal Kingdom rooms, take their coffee to the balcony, and enjoy the sight of giraffes, zebras, and gazelles roaming the resort's four savannahs. Animal Kingdom boasts some of Disney's most beloved restaurants, including Jiko – The Cooking Place, and Boma, and also features the spectacular resort within a resort: Kidani Village villas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Opened in December 2019, the Riviera is the newest Disney Vacation Club resort. It's designed to evoke the Mediterranean, including a curated art collection, manicured gardens, and intricate mosaic murals from Disney films like Tangled and Peter Pan. The resort has Skyliner gondola access to Epcot, character meals at elegant rooftop Topolino's (with Minnie and Mickey in European-style costumes), and three pools—including a zero-entry pool for littles, an intricate splash area with slides for kids of various ages, cabanas, and a poolside gelato stand. Rooms are bright and elegant, with luxurious touches such as spacious marble bathrooms and rain showers. Because it's a Disney Vacation Club property, rooms can be booked directly through the Disney website, or with DVC points.

Featuring a stunning three-story art nouveau lobby with a serious wow-factor, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is both the smaller and the more jaw-dropping of Shanghai Disney's two hotels. (Toy Story Hotel is cute, but doesn't hold a candle.) Highlights include character dining at Beauty and the Beast-themed Lumiere's Kitchen, a Little Mermaid-inspired indoor pool, and views of the Disneyland theme park just across the water, accessible via water taxi. Guests receive priority entrance to Disneyland, and can also reserve Disney Fastpass in advance, while Magic Kingdom Club Level amenities elevate the experience even further.

Done in an Arts & Crafts architectural style, and connected to both California Adventure and Downtown Disney, the Disney Grand Californian offers a serious sense of place. Guests can be pampered at the soon-to-open Tenaya Stone Spa, dine with Disney Princesses at Napa Rose, or enjoy one of the property's multiple pools—including a 90-foot-long water slide curving around a massive redwood tree. Within the hotel, activities and programming are plentiful, such as movies under the stars, an architecture tour, and a scavenger hunt.

The Grand Floridian's design is a nod to Palm Beach in its Victorian heyday. Long considered one of Walt Disney World's best hotels, the hotel—which is only one stop on the monorail from the Magic Kingdom—offers guests the pampering Senses Spa, a pool with a 181-foot water slide, the AAA Five Diamond restaurant Victoria & Albert's, and a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where kids can dress up as princes or princesses. The hotel includes Club Level rooms and suites, giving guests access to the exclusive Disney Signature Services resources, as well as Disney Vacation Club Villas for an even more luxurious experience.

Perched directly at the entrance to the Disneyland Paris theme park, this Victorian-railroad-inspired hotel is steeped in elegance. Guests will find an indoor pool with steam room and a sauna, the Celestia Spa, and a fitness center. When hunger strikes, there are two restaurants and a bar, including the California Grill. For an even more elevated experience, Castle Club Rooms are available, including private elevators to the park, an exclusive lounge, character breakfast, and personal reception.

If you're looking for an undeniably unique stay, Tokyo Disney Sea MiraCosta is it. The resort is literally inside of Tokyo's beloved DisneySea theme park—the only of its kind in the world. Guests can expect Tuscany-, Venice-, and Portofino-themed rooms, with those in the Venetia wing overlooking the Italian-inspired DisneySea canals and others in the Porto Paradiso wing overlooking the volcano and Mount Prometheus. Guests can also book dining reservations in advance, which is a must at busy Tokyo Disneyland. Before you go, make sure you check out the 20 Secrets Disney Employees Don't Want You to Know.

A South Pacific-themed resort connected to Magic Kingdom on the Monorail—and only one transfer from Epcot—Disney Polynesian Village Resort brings the islands to Orlando. Overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, the resort offers fun dining options including Lilo and Stitch character dining at 'Ohana, Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace, and the famed Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai. Spring for the Overwater Bora Bora bungalows, featuring kitchens, washers and dryers, and super spacious bedrooms. No stay is complete without taking in the Spirit of Aloha family-style luau.

Hong Kong Disneyland is set on the banks of the South China Sea island, just a 45-minute ferry ride from Central Hong Kong. The retro six-story Victorian seaside resort is home to a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, 24-hour playground, and English garden maze in the shape of Mickey Mouse.  Guests receive Priority Admission theme-park passes, plus a designated park entrance, while both Asian and Western dining options are on offer in its four bars and restaurants, including the popular Crystal Lotus.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is mere steps away from the park entrance, just opposite the Monorail station. The elegant property features rooms themed from films like Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast. The best part? Guests have the privilege of entering the park 15 minutes before non-resort guests so they can be first in line for the rides.

With a preppy-chic New England feel evoking Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, this resort is a unique offering in the Disney portfolio. Highlights include Yachtman's Steakhouse, the three-acre waterpark Stormalong Bay, 36 holes of mini golf, a Pirate Adventure cruise, tennis, boat rentals, dog-friendly accommodations, and a video game arcade. The Yacht Club is also walking distance to Epcot or a short boat ride from Disney Hollywood Studios. You can also take the Skyliner gondola to both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios.

Bringing old-timey 1940's Atlantic City to life, Disney Boardwalk is a charming deluxe addition to the Walt Disney World portfolio. Close to Epcot, with views of its nightly fireworks, the hotel itself features a working boardwalk with entertainment, restaurants, and carnival games, all overlooking Crescent Lake. There's the carnival-themed Luna Park Pool, complete with 200-foot water slide, as well as bike rentals, Fantasia-themed mini-golf, nighttime campfire activities, tennis, fishing, and a game arcade. Rooms are elegant and large, some featuring balconies or patios, as well as the two-story Garden Suites. A highlight is the beautifully-designed restaurant Flying Fish, considered by many to be one of the best restaurants at any Disney property, bar none.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Inspired by National Park lodges like Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn and Yosemite's Majestic Yosemite, Wilderness Lodge perfectly merges log-cabin coziness with grandeur, boasting a multi-story lobby. The hotel incorporates Native American elements, such as headdresses and totem poles, as well as character dining inspired by Snow White. For entertainment, there's an arcade, boat rentals, multiple pool and water features—including a 67-foot water slide built into rocks—and zero-entry pool for kids with toddler slides. A boat ferries guests directly from the resort to the Magic Kingdom across the lake and the park's nightly fireworks are visible from parts of the hotel.

Opened in 1955, only three months after Disneyland itself debuted, Disneyland Hotel is the park's first resort and helped pioneer the vision for future Disney hotels to come. Today, the resort includes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- and Pirates of the Caribbean-themed suites, as well as three pools and two Monorail-replica water slides, plus old-school slabs at Steakhouse 55, cocktails at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, and character dining at Goofy's Kitchen.

An art deco gem located within Tokyo Disney Resort, this is the least expensive of the "deluxe" hotels on the property. Rooms feature Mickey-, Minnie-, or Donald Duck-theming and the Japanese-style bathrooms have multiple options for water pressure and heat in both the showers and toilets. Disney character dining is available at Chef Mickey, and there's a play area for kids under 11 called Chip'n Dale's Playground. Like other Disney Tokyo hotels, guests are granted special entry to the parks 15 minutes early.

Now that you know the best Disney Hotels, This is the Worst Hotel at Disney World.