A team of Oyster reporters slept in the beds, ate in the restaurants, tested the service, and lounged by the pools at 11 Disney World hotels, all with an eye toward selecting the most distinguished properties. Below is a list of some great hotel rooms we found, and you can also view them in more detail in our |Disney World hotel room slideshow.
Coronado Springs' rooms hit their category on the mark: They're moderate in size, furnishings, and views. That said, they're at the top of their game compared to rooms at Disney's other "Moderate" resorts (or even some of the more expensive resorts). Polyester quilts have been replaced with down comforters and pillow-top mattresses; the new furniture is in great condition; flat-screens replace tube televisions; the alarm clocks even have MP3 hookups.
A throwback to Florida's grand old Victorian-style seaside resorts, the Grand Floridian has standard rooms that are among the largest -- and most elegant -- of any Disney resort. However, unlike the more affordable Coronado Springs' plush down duvets, the Grand Floridian has polyester-blend bedspreads. Most rooms were last renovated in 2007 (like this standard room) and still look and feel fresh and new with wood trim and linens in soft, beachy colors.
Standard rooms aren't especially spacious, but the brightly patterned bedspreads, few pieces of hand-carved wooden furniture, and sheer draperies above the headboards made to look like mosquito netting help create a fun, safari spirit in the rooms. Small bathrooms come with double sinks, marble vanities, a small, separate shower area, and toiletries by H20. Most rooms come with balconies -- if you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the gazelles and giraffes grazing right outside it.
The standard guest rooms at the Polynesian are among the largest standard rooms at any Disney resort -- much more spacious than the rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Coronado Springs. Despite their spaciousness, however, the rooms still feel dark, partially because of the dark décor (lots of brown and beige), but also because there's just not enough light sources, especially in the bathrooms. Sure, it's bright enough to read shampoo labels but the yellow haze can be irksome. Since the hotel's 2007 renovations, all of the rooms now include flat-screen TVs and alarm clocks with iPod docks -- unlike most Disney resorts, which will have older tube TVs.
Disney's Boardwalk Villas is an all-suites resort -- all of the guest rooms are either studios, one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites. Suite-level rooms include a separate living room and a full kitchen. All but the studio suites have large bathrooms with separate bathtubs and standing showers (studios have a combined tub/shower). Every Suite also has a cute balcony or ground-floor terrace.