I’ve stayed both offsite and onsite when visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and I now have a pretty good idea of what makes an excellent Disney resort.
For me, it’s all about ease.
I like a resort that has great transportation options, feels luxurious, and has high quality service.
I see soooo many questions every single day in all of the Disney groups I’m in on Facebook, so thought it would be useful to do a full comparison of all six of the offsite and onsite resorts I’ve stayed at.
The resorts included in this post are: Marriott Swan Reserve, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Polynesian Resort, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, and Gaylord The Palms Orlando.
1. Marriott Swan Reserve
Now, Marriott’s Swan Reserve is my absolute favourite.
Not only is it a Disney ‘Good Neighbour’ hotel, which means you actually get the same benefits as the Disney Deluxe resorts (so early entry & late night hours), but it’s also just a 10-minute walk from the Boardwalk, and a 15-minute walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
It may not have the Disney bus service, but when you’re so close to two parks + the Skyliner (and you can use the Disney buses from the nearby Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club), it suddenly becomes a very attractive resort.
But the reason I fell in love with Marriott Swan Reserve isn’t just the great location and transport, but also the service and overall luxury feel of the resort.
As soon as I stepped out of the Uber, the bellhops were there pulling my luggage out and taking it to my room for me. I didn’t have to lift a finger.
The staff were incredible, there’s daily housekeeping, and nightly turndown service (complete with chocolates!)
For me, it just felt so much more luxurious than Disney’s Deluxe resorts.
The resort is also stunning! The room was my favourite I’ve stayed in out of all the resorts in this list. I even had a view of Epcot so I could watch the fireworks from my bed.
Marriott Swan Reserve only opened in 2021 and feels beautiful, luxurious, contemporary, and an oasis of calm amongst the chaos of Disney.
It’s perfect for adults, or adults with kiddos who need a bit of calm.
There’s also a really lovely swimming pool, but you’re also allowed to use the pools at both the Dolphin and the Swan. I used the Dolphin’s Grotto pool one morning and it was a short 2-minute walk from the Swan Reserve.
I will 100% be back to stay here again. Especially as it’s part of Marriott so you can earn or redeem Bonvoy points.
Book a stay at Marriott Swan Reserve
2. Port Orleans French Quarter
I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter in May 2026 and I loved my stay so so much!
It’s a Disney Moderate resort, and was calmer and quieter than Coronado Springs (another moderate).
I loved the room designs, the Tiana theme throughout the resort, and how small it was. It was less than a 5-min walk to get anywhere within the resort which was great after long park days.
The added benefit of POFQ is the connection with Port Orleans Riverside, as you’re allowed to use their swimming pools so you get access to about four pools in total across the two resorts.
They also have a boat that goes from the two resorts to Disney Springs, which was sooo nice to get in the evening.
A lot of people complain about only having bus service as the transportation option to the parks, but I love the Disney bus service.
I actually have found the buses are faster and easier than the Skyliner, and think the bus service is super under-rated. Especially given the Skyliner often stops running during thunderstorms (of which Florida has many…) and then everyone has to run to try and get a bus from elsewhere.
The downsides of Disney resorts is that housekeeping is only every other day, rather than every day. There’s also no turndown service (even at the Deluxe resorts), and the service isn’t always great. You’re always left to just struggle with your luggage yourself unless you specifically find a bellhop who happens to be available.
3. Coronado Springs
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was the very first Disney resort I stayed at, so will always have a special place in my heart.
It’s also an incredible Moderate resort.
The only downside is the size. It’s huge. Also, because it’s a Disney resort, it has the same issues as POFQ.
The pool also isn’t big enough for the size of the resort, so the pool is always super busy and it’s really hard to find a lounger.
What I loved about Coronado Springs is that the theming is super subtle because it’s used for conferences a lot, but the whole resort feels more like a Deluxe than a Moderate.
The lobby is also really beautiful!
I’d 100% stay at Coronado again if it was coming up cheaper than Port Orleans French Quarter.
4. The Polynesian Resort
Now, The Polynesian was always a bucket list resort for me, and I was SO excited to stay there.
But I honestly found it a bit of a let down.
I loved the design and the feel of the resort. I constantly felt like I was in an Elvis movie from the 60s which I was obsessed with. And the room was comfortable enough (although the shower never got hot and was just lukewarm).
But it did not feel like a Deluxe resort. For the insane price you pay per night, I expected so much more.
I had to struggle by myself with my luggage, housekeeping was every other day, and no turndown service. There were also no robes or slippers. Call me high maintenance all you want, but for a whopping $1000 per night for a basic room with no view, I expect these things as standard.
Also, the meatballs at Captain Cook’s definitely gave me food poisoning.
However, the benefits of the Polynesian for me were the obvious proximity to Magic Kingdom (and the Monorail and boat to MK, plus the Monorail to Epcot), and being able to watch the MK fireworks from the Polynesian’s beach. I also loved the Polynesian pool areas.
But still, is it worth $1000?! Absolutely not. Only book here if you get a great deal or can rent DVC points for a decent price.
Also, the water from the taps at the Polynesian is that disgusting sulphur/rubber smelling/tasting water. The other resorts on this list had filtered water with no bad smell or taste.
For the price I’m paying at the Polynesian, I don’t want gross water coming from the taps and shower when other (cheaper) resorts don’t have the same issue!
5. JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek was another resort I was super excited to stay at and try, and to be honest, I mostly had a great stay.
The room was stunning, the hotel was lovely, and I loved the pool area so much!
It felt like a true luxury hotel, and the staff were also incredible.
But, the main downside is that it’s not a Disney good neighbour hotel. So no early entry, no late night entry, and no transport at all. Their shuttle buses are terrible and run very infrequently (for example, I missed the 2:30pm bus to Epcot, and the next one wasn’t until 5:30 – three hours later!)
It also felt like a luxury hotel in any US city.
It didn’t feel like Disney, there was nothing unique about it, and that’s why it’s so far down on this list.
Book a stay at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek
6. Gaylord The Palms Orlando
Gaylord The Palms Orlando was another dream resort for me. Ever since I’d seen the Nashville one back in 2005, age 14, I’d wanted to stay at a Gaylord purely because of all the plants.
In 2024 I finally stayed at one when I visited Orlando for work.
The rooms were a bit disappointing tbh (as was the service), but the resort itself was stunning and I loved the pools. The restaurants there were also really good, and it’s part of Marriott so you can earn or redeem Bonvoy points.
Their shuttle was at better times than the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek, but the Gaylord resort is further out so it takes longer to get to/from the parks.
Also, it doesn’t have any of the Good Neighbour perks the Swan Reserve has.
Book a stay at Gaylord The Palms Orlando
Offsite or Onsite?
In the future the two hotels I’d 100% stay at again are Marriott Swan Reserve and Port Orleans French Quarter.
I’d also stay at Coronado Springs, if it was vastly cheaper than POFQ, but if they’re roughly the same price I think I’d always choose POFQ over Coronado.
I personally love staying onsite because of the theming and just general Disney vibe and bubble, but Marriott Swan Reserve really knocks the Disney resorts out the park in terms of service and comfort, and because you get the same perks, it’s definitely one I’ll prioritise in the future.
Really, you have to do what’s best for you and your group as there are pros and cons to both onsite and offsite.
Travelling from MCO to one of these resorts? I highly recommend booking a private transfer for a hassle free arrival!
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of Content Marketing at Amazon by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
