Disney World Resorts Archives

Disney World Little Mermaid Rooms Review

February 4, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Back in December, my mom and I spent four nights in a Disney World Little Mermaid Room at Art of Animation. So, I thought I would provide an updated review of the experience.

Disney World Little Mermaid Rooms

The last time I stayed in these rooms (and this resort) was back in 2019! I shared about that experience in my Art of Animation Resort Review. Since it had been several years, I thought I would offer another glance at those rooms since I had my mom with me, who had another perspective.

Standard Room

These Little Mermaid rooms are the standard rooms at this resort. All of the other sections feature family suites. I’m still hoping to stay in one of those rooms some day. However, they are always so expensive. Maybe someday. Nonetheless, I really like that these rooms come with two regular queen sized beds. That’s become more important as my mom and I both get older. My mom has back issues and needs a good mattress to sleep on. I’m not old yet, but am getting older and appreciate a regular bed too.

The Little Mermaid theme was perfect for us. The animated film came out the year I was born. So, it was definitely nostalgic for us to stay in this room. Plus, being an older film, my mom actually knew who all of the characters were. Besides, who doesn’t love sleeping in a clam shell?

We also enjoyed using the Skyliner for transportation to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. However, the real problem with this stay was the walk. My mom really struggled this trip. We were thankful to discover several benches along the walk to the Skyliner for my mom to sit and rest. Several of them had nice views of the lake too. Unfortunately, it is just too long of a walk for my mom now.

Pros

Fun theme – It was so much fun to show my mom the little themed details in the room.
Nostalgic movie – We were happy to be staying in a room with characters/setting from my childhood. It was great for bonding.
Two real beds – Again, I hate that Disney has put pull down beds in the value rooms elsewhere. I love having two real beds here.
Skyliner access – I’m a big fan of the Skyliner. It’s so convenient.
Fun character waffles – You can get Mickey/Minnie waffles at lots of places. This is the only place I know of that gives you random character waffles.
On-site Perks – I’m partial to the perks of staying on-site including 60 days advance dining reservations, early park entry, and free park transportation!

Cons

Far removed – These rooms are located in the back corner of the resort and are far removed from everything. It’s definitely not ideal for anyone with mobility issues.
Long walks – Again, expect long walks coming and going. It doesn’t matter if you are taking the bus or Skyliner. It’s a bit of a hike. There are benches to rest on, though some are in smoking sections.
Price – These are the most expensive standard value rooms on property.

Are the Disney World Little Mermaid Rooms worth it?

I think these rooms are great for millennials to stay in. However, I encourage you to use judgement when bringing boomer parents/grandparents due to all of the walking here. Personally, I love staying here by myself. It’s just a little too much for my mom. If you like this movie and/or want access to the Skyliner with two queen beds, then I recommend checking it out.

Disney All Star Sports Resort Review

April 30, 2025 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Back in December 2024, I was able to stay at the Disney All Star Sports Resort while on a short (48 hour) solo trip. Today, I thought I would share my thoughts on that experience.

Disney All Star Sports

Previously, I posted an All Star Resorts Overview with a brief look at each of the three themed value resorts. At the time, I had stayed at Music and Movies, but not Sports. So, since I finally checked off Sports, I thought it was time to review them separately as well.

The Resort

Just a brief reminder, this is one of the three All Star Resorts on property. Each one is considered a “value resort” due to them typically offering the cheapest rates on property. They are each highly themed to their respective namesakes with big statues around the resorts to fit the theme. Unfortunately, a recent room refurbishment made each of the rooms identical and almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century (murphy bed/table). However, the artwork is the same across the three All Star Resorts. So, the theming currently ends once you step inside the room.

All Star Sports has various sports themed sections around the resort. These include: baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis. For my visit, I stayed in the tennis section. I enjoyed this because there’s a scene depicting Donald and the nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie) playing tennis/baseball outside! I love Donald Duck, so it was nice to see him as I came and went from the room.

The Room

As I stated above, the rooms across the All Star Resorts are now nearly identical. In fact, aside from different artwork, they are almost exactly the same as those found at Pop Century Resort. So, if you are expecting a unique room, then this isn’t the resort for you. However, they have all been recently refurbished and are in decent shape – especially for the price.

Just like at Pop Century, there’s one regular queen sized bed. Then, there’s a pull down bed that’s also a table when not in use. This was a fine set-up for my solo trip. However, it’s not ideal for trips with my mom when we both want a regular bed for a good’s night rest. I will definitely nap in the pull down bed or sleep a single night in them though.

All Star Sports Food

A quick note about the food here. Your only option at value resorts are the quick service food courts. However, I was happy with the food I ate from here. For dinner on arrival, I selected a grilled half chicken meal. The chicken was tasty and not dry. For sides, I got green beans and mashed potatoes. The green beans were ok and I liked the mashed potatoes.

For convenience, I also ate breakfast here on the day of my departure. I got a signature Mickey waffle breakfast. My waffle was classic and good. The scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and tots hit the spot and fueled me for hours! It was quick and relatively affordable by Disney standards.

Overall, you won’t find anything too exciting here. However, it’s great for when you are in a hurry to hit the road or theme park. Plus, it’s more affordable than some options in the parks.

Pros

Cheaper rates – I have to list this as a pro. The All Star Resorts consistently have the lowest rates of on-site hotels. If budget is a big concern, then consider an All Star Resort.
On-site perks – I love to stay on-site due to the free park transportation alone. It makes this solo female traveler feel safe. I also like the 60 days out dining perk.
Fun theme – This is the perfect place to say for any sports fan. Although, I’m not a big sports fan and I enjoyed seeing Donald in the tennis section.
Newly refurbished rooms – It’s a cheaper rate, but not necessarily a cheap feeling room.
1st Bus Stop – Sometimes, they combine the buses for the three All Star Resorts. If that’s the case, then Sports is the first stop! That’s pretty convenient when you come back late at night and are tired!

Cons

Noise – I travel with a white noise machine to attempt to drown out some noise. However, I was still woken up by a crying child at 5 AM while staying here. So, don’t expect quiet privacy here. You will hear others and they will probably hear you.
Popular with sports team and tour groups – Due to the lower rates, all three resorts are popular with tour groups. However, Sports is especially popular with sports groups, in particular those competing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Maybe keep an eye out for competitions to plan your trip around if you are staying here.
Murphy bed – While I appreciate the use of space in the recent refurbishment, I would prefer two real beds for trips with my mom or longer trips.
Buses can be crowded – Being the first stop can mean that you have to fight the crowd to actually exit the bus. Also, there can be long waits for said bus.

Is Disney All Star Sports Resort worth it?

I found the nightly rate here to be acceptable and it’s part of what encouraged me to book this trip. The room was adequate for a solo two night stay. The theme was cute. I appreciated the on-site perks. However, if I was going for a longer stay or going with family, I would probably opt for a resort with two real beds.

Have you ever stayed here? What was your experience like?

Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide

September 11, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today I want to give everyone a look at the Magic Kingdom Resorts or places to stay on property that are located close to this park.

Magic Kingdom Resorts

Previously, I looked at each value resort and moderate resort option at Walt Disney World. However, now it’s time for the deluxe/DVC resorts. Unfortunately, I haven’t stayed at all of those resorts. Plus, the ones I have stayed at have been refurbished since my visit. It didn’t feel fair to write a review of a resort that may be different now.

I decided to cover the deluxe resorts by writing about the various options near the different parks. First up, is the most popular one: Magic Kingdom resorts!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the two original resorts at Walt Disney World, meaning it opened in 1971 along with the Magic Kingdom! It’s the iconic A-frame building that allows the monorail to travel through the building! There’s an additional garden wing and the DVC tower as well.

It has a plethora of dining options! My mom loves the Chef Mickey’s Character Dinner here. I enjoyed California Grill on my honeymoon and it was very nice! The views were spectacular! In fact, the picture for this post was taken from this restaurant. I’ve also heard great things about Steakhouse 71, but haven’t had a chance to visit it yet.

I stayed here once, back in 2016. I got a good deal by attending a blogging conference here. My husband and I loved our stay here. It was so nice to just walk over to the park! Plus, the views of the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant were amazing! I would love to stay here again someday, but it’s often too pricey! If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend it. Plus, they have recently refurbished the rooms to have an Incredibles theme!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the other original resort at WDW. Featuring a laid back South Pacific theme, it’s a wonderful place to stay or visit! I love visiting this resort for the vibes alone! It smells amazing and everything is gorgeous! You can even watch the park fireworks from the beach here! This resort is a mix of deluxe and DVC rooms with a new DVC tower currently under construction.

The food here is amazing as well! Captain Cook’s is one of the best quick service resort options, in my opinion. I really liked the Tonga Toast here. There’s also Kona Cafe, which I sadly haven’t tried yet. There’s also the very popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which is a highly themed tiki bar! Lastly, there’s ‘Ohana! There’s a Lilo and Stitch character breakfast and a very unique all you care to enjoy dinner here! I have done the breakfast twice and the dinner several times. Unfortunately, all of those experiences were pre-pandemic. So, I haven’t posted a review of them. Whenever I return, I will be sure to post about it.

I have been fortunate enough to stay here once. My husband and I did a resort only stay here for two nights back in 2018 when we rented DVC. I loved it! I wish it was more affordable to stay here and I loved everything about it. It’s probably my favorite resort with the laid back vibe, beautiful theme, and delicious food! It’s just so expensive!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Opened in 1988, Disney’s Grand Floridian is a very luxurious resort and spa! It has a Victorian theme with little touches of elegance around every corner! It is also a mixture of deluxe hotel and DVC rooms. You can see the park fireworks from the beach here too. It also gives me nostalgia as I recall seeing this resort on “Full House” back in the 90’s!

If you are looking to stay somewhere with very nice dining options, this is the place for you. There’s the newly re-imagined character dining at 1900 Park Fare. I dined there pre-pandemic and enjoyed the strawberry soup! There’s also more adult dining at Narcoosse’s and Citrico’s. Let’s not forget the award winning Victoria and Albert’s is here as well! The quick service restaurant here is Grand Floridian Cafe. Having not eaten at any of those locations makes me think I need to eat here more often.

I was able to stay here for my honeymoon for a few nights back in 2016 using the blogging conference discount. I hope to someday stay here again, but it’s just too expensive. Just entering the lobby of this resort makes me feel fancy!

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Lastly, there’s Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which opened in 1994. While it’s not on the monorail (unlike the others listed above) nor is it walking distance to the park, it’s technically considered a Magic Kingdom resort by Disney since it is located in the same area. It’s a beautiful, rustic American Northwest themed resort! Fort Wilderness is also located nearby, but is a bit far removed from everything.

Wilderness Lodge has several good dining options. There’s the uber popular Story Book Dining at Artist Point, which I was able to enjoy a few times pre-pandemic. There’s also Whispering Canyon Cafe with its fun antics that I ate at once in the before times. Quick service options here include Geyser Point and Roaring Fork.

Fort Wilderness has Trail’s End and the last remaining dinner show on property, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!

Unfortunately, I’ve never stayed at either of these lodging options. I think the cabins are more affordable than the other things listed in this post though. I enjoy visiting these resorts with their natural theme and peaceful vibes.

Magic Kingdom Area Resorts

If you plan on spending lots of time at the Magic Kingdom or if MK is your favorite park, then staying at a nearby resort is a wonderful idea. My one and only complaint about all of these options is the price. Every one of these is so expensive! Have you ever stayed at one of these resorts?

Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts Guide

July 10, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Continuing with my posts about accommodations at WDW, I’m posting the Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts guide!

Disney World Moderate Resorts

The mid-tier hotels at Disney are more expensive than the value resorts, but cheaper than the deluxe ones. However, they also tend to have more elaborate and classier themes than the values. For whatever reason, many of these places are sprawling and spread out with multiple internal bus stops. There are four hotels in the category, although Disney likes to classify the cabins at Fort Wilderness as moderate accommodations even though the resort itself is a deluxe. With that in mind, I will attempt to tell you which resort is best for which groups of people.

Best Resort for Quick Transportation

There’s only one moderate on the Skyliner and it’s actually the main connecting hub for both lines: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort! It’s a large resort with several sandy beach areas. Depending on your room’s location, you may be close to the Skyliner, the lobby, or even closer to the deluxe next door at Riviera Resort. You can ride the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and Epcot here. However, you will have multi-stop bus rides to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The convenience of the Skyliner is wonderful though.

Smallest Moderate Resort

If you want a smaller resort without a lot of walking, then you need to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort. It has just one bus stop and is very walkable. Plus, there’s beignets! When the water level is high enough, you can even take a boat ride over to Disney Springs. It’s a romantic and relaxing resort. In fact, it’s one of my favorites!

Best Tower for Foodies

As I stated in my Gran Destino Tower – Disney Coronado Springs Resort Review, I really enjoyed staying in the tower here. It has a bus stop right outside the building and is near the restaurants. Personally, I don’t care for the large footprint of the rest of the resort. However, the theme is nice and relaxing. Just watch out for conventions and sports teams staying here. Also, take note of all of the food options here!

Best for Princess Fans

If you have a princess fan, then you will love the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside resort. I stayed in those rooms once and they are lovely. It was so neat to look for the little bits of magic throughout the room. We disliked the long walks to everything, but the resort is peaceful. The parks transportation is limited to multi-stop bus rides here, but there’s a boat to Disney Springs when the water levels are high enough.

Best Disney World Moderate Resort Overall

Prior to the addition of the Skyliner, I would say French Quarter without hesitation. Now, I would weigh the price of it to Caribbean Beach since it has the Skyliner. Disney has made improvements in this category in recent years and once again, it comes down to preferences. What is your favorite resort in this category?

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

May 15, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I’m finally highlighting the remaining moderate resort at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a sprawling tropical paradise. Its size and moderate category designation makes it similar to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort. However, one big difference here is the addition of the Skyliner! In fact, this resort is the Skyliner hub where everyone has to get off and switch lines. So, it makes it really convenient to head to Hollywood Studios and Epcot!

This resort has a very laid back vibe. There are several sandy beach areas and vibrant hues around every corner. It’s perfect for the beach fan who is visiting a theme park.

Standard Room

I’ve had the pleasure of staying at this resort several times. My mom loves the beach, so she really enjoys the theme and landscaping here. I like the access to the Skyliner. However, we dislike how spread out the resort is. There’s an internal shuttle as well as multiple bus stops. If it wasn’t for that, we’d probably pick this resort more often.

The rooms here are pleasant enough. It’s a pretty typical moderate resort room to be honest. Nothing particularly exciting in terms of room decor. They used to have Pirates themed rooms and I was supposed to stay in one back in 2022. However, a hurricane forced me to cancel those plans. Now, they have some Little Mermaid themed rooms in that area of the resort. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, you can’t specifically book one of those rooms. I’ve heard that you can increase your chances of receiving one by booking a 5th sleeper room (standard or pool/water view) and then requesting to be near the Skyliner. I’m sure it’s a very popular request though.

Here are a few pictures of a standard room from my last stay at this resort in 2018.

Pros

Skyliner – I love taking the Skyliner for park transportation. It’s much quicker and easier than taking a bus.
Beautiful theme – who doesn’t enjoy a Caribbean theme?
Sebastian’s Bistro – I haven’t eaten at this restaurant since the pandemic, however I enjoyed a lovely solo meal here in 2019. I’d love to go back and it seems to be a good value as far as Disney dining goes (for paying out of pocket).

Relaxing – It’s quieter than a value resort and doesn’t host as many groups as Coronado does.
On-site perks – I love being able to just hop on a bus (or the Skyliner) and arrive at the parks! Also, being able to book dining 60 days out is helpful!

Cons

Spread out resort – It’s another sprawling resort. In fact, you may end up closer to Riviera Resort than to the lobby of this resort.
Multiple bus stops – If you are headed to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs, then you will have to ride a bus. That means multiple bus stops here. So, allow extra time to reach your destination.
Theme may bore some – The standard rooms are pretty low-key in my experience. If you have kids, consider booking the 5th sleeper and requesting the Little Mermaid rooms. Otherwise, your Disney character loving folks might not appreciate the simplicity of this Caribbean escape.

Is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort worth it?

As I’ve said in most of my hotel reviews, I think “value” is highly subjective. However, this is a great choice for people who want to use the Skyliner for transportation. It’s also good for beach loving folks who can’t afford Beach/Yacht Club.

Have you ever stayed here? What did you think?