The 6 Ultimate Worst Disney Resorts to Stay at Walt Disney World in 2026 (& Great Alternatives)

Wondering which are the worst Disney Resorts to stay at in 2026? Looking for great alternatives? You’ve found the right post!

If you’re planning your Disney World Vacation for 2026, you should keep this in mind:

Some on-site hotels just don’t live up to Disney standards, whether it’s due to old rooms, disruptive refurbs or constant crowds.

Find out which are the worst Disney Resorts to avoid and see smarter alternatives for a smoother stay in 2026.

This post is all about the 6 worst Disney Resorts to stay at at Walt Disney World in 2026.

Table of Contents

Worst Disney Resorts to Stay At

1) Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas

Deluxe & DVC Resort in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas looks stunning when you first walk in – from the main lobby at Jambo House (and even the more modest, but impressive Kidani Village lobby).

The savannas are breathtaking, the food options are incredibly unique (especially for theme park hotels) and it’s one of the cheapest Deluxe Resorts.

So, where’s the downside.

This resort is seeing an extensive refurbishment, including:

Kidani Village DVC room refurb – Scheduled for October 2025 – May 2026
Jambo House DVC room refurb – Scheduled for May 2026 – January 2027

At the time of publishing this post, we don’t know if the hotel rooms will also see a refresh.

Whilst amenities will remain open during this refurb, construction noise and disruption is possible.

Generally, when I’ve stayed at Disney resorts during a refurb it hasn’t negatively impacted my experience in a major way.

But if you want to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge in its best condition, 2026 is not the time.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Alternative: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Moderate Resort in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Usually, I’d say Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the best alternative to Animal Kingdom Lodge. But unfortunately, Wilderness Lodge has made it onto this list as one of the worst resorts to stay at in 2026.

So, I have to go with Coronado Springs instead – a Disney Moderate Resort, because:

You can still get a Deluxe Resort feeling if you stay in Gran Destino Tower

There’s also plenty of dining options – from quick service, to bars, to table service.
It’s in the same Animal Kingdom Resort area – though it’s still easier
Like Animal Kingdom Lodge, it also only has bus transportation, so this wouldn’t feel like a downgrade.
It is the cheapest Moderate Resort at Disney World.
Primarily minimalistic color palette (think whites, creams, beiges etc.)

Of course, you don’t have the savannas, animals and African resort theming. But it’s still a great resort to stay at in 2026.

2) Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower

Deluxe & DVC Resort in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area (Monorail Resort)

If you’ve stayed at the Contemporary in the last year, you’ve probably noticed the construction.

From September 2024, Bay Lake Tower has been experiencing a refurb.

Until July 2026, there will be refurbs in select sections of the Contemporary – including the Convention Center and Bay Lake Tower.

I have stayed at Bay Lake Tower twice since the refurb started (in December 2024 and August 2025), and had great experiences.

But remember, the resort won’t feel so pristine and it’s still a Deluxe Resort.

So if you’re spending hundreds or thousands a night, your money may be better spent elsewhere.

Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower Alternative: Disney’s Riviera Resort

Deluxe DVC Resort in the Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort Area

Contemporary Resort may not be that similar to Riviera, but here’s why it’s a better alternative in 2026:

Although Riviera isn’t on the Monorail, it is on the Skyliner, providing entertaining transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
It is a compact Deluxe resort.
It’s quieter and attracts less visitors than the Contemporary
The rooms are bright and modern.

The downside? Riviera is generally more pricy than Bay Lake Tower/the Contemporary (it is the third most expensive DVC resort, behind the Grand Floridian and Polynesian).

3) Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Boulder Ridge Villas & Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Deluxe & DVC Resorts in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Wilderness Lodge is one of the best resorts at Disney World.

From the National Park lodge theming, being a small resort and one of the best Disney resorts at Christmas, there’s a lot to love about this resort.

But it may not be in its best condition in 2026, with its refurb:

There is exterior work that may continue until 2027 (if permits are correct).
Disney Lakeshore Lodge – the new DVC resort, opening in 2027 – is currently being built close to Wilderness Lodge (particularly Boulder Ridge Villas), so you can see and potentially hear this construction.

Wilderness Lodge & Boulder Ridge & Copper Creek Alternative: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

A Moderate Resort at Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Coronado Springs is also a decent alternative for Wilderness Lodge.

Whilst they aren’t SUPER similar, it has a similar muted vibe.

However, Coronado Springs is a lot bigger than Wilderness Lodge, and is a Moderate, instead of Deluxe or DVC Resort.

4) Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Deluxe & DVC Resort in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area (Monorail Resort)

You might be thinking, why wouldn’t you want to stay at the Polynesian – one of Disney’s most beloved resorts?

Mainly because once again, there’s construction.

Although the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows already opened in December 2024, the work is not yet complete at this resort, and will continue through 2026:

Bus area and main entrance roadway updates.
Some views (i.e. theme parks, other areas) may be affected.

That said, amenities, including pools and restaurants, will be open during 2026.

Polynesian Village Resort & Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Alternative: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Moderate Resort in the Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort Area (Monorail Resort)

These resorts are both very different, but they both provide vacation-y vibes.

Here’s what you should know about Caribbean Beach:

It’s not on the Monorail, but it is on the Skyliner – so you have easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
It is usually the most expensive Moderate Resort at Disney World (but that’s still a lot cheaper than the Polynesian, which is usually the most expensive hotel at Disney World, due to limited discounts offered at this property).
Caribbean Beach has its own beach areas.

It is VERY close to Riviera – so you have plenty of dining options between the two resorts.
It is A LOT bigger than the Polynesian.

5) Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Value Resort in the Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort Area (Skyliner Resort)

Art of Animation isn’t on this list because it’s undergoing construction or a refurb. But because it should be.

The rooms and suites don’t look terrible, but compared to other value resorts and they look tired.

Every other Value Resort has the standardized fresh rooms (and suites at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort).

Whilst the unique theming of Art of Animation is to be admired, a refresh would be a step in the right direction – especially considering it’s the most expensive Value Resort.

Art of Animation Alternative: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Value Hotel in the Epcot/Hollywood Studios Resort Area (Skyliner Resort)

Why should you stay at Pop Century instead?

It is also on the Skyliner (but is the cheapest of the Skyliner hotels).
The Pop Century rooms are getting a soft goods refurb (which started in March 2025 due to finish in mid-February 2026).
The Pop Century lobby refurb should be complete in October 2025.

6) Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts & Beach Club Villas

Deluxe Resorts & DVC Resort in the BoardWalk Resort Area

On paper, it sounds like a dream: sandy-bottom lazy river pool, quick access to Epcot, and the BoardWalk right outside.

But there’s construction at these resorts, including:

Exterior maintenance at Beach Club through 2027, and at Yacht Club through late 2026.

Yacht & Beach Club Resorts & Beach Club Villas Alternative: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas

Deluxe & DVC Resorts in the BoardWalk Resort Area

Why should you choose BoardWalk Inn/Villas instead?

The rooms, studios and villas have already been refurbished here.

worst disney resorts to stay at in Orlando — Queen Bed in a Deluxe Studio at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

It is also in the BoardWalk Resort Area.
There’s also hotel and DVC options (though BoardWalk Villas can be very hard to book – like Beach Club Villas).

Frequently Asked Questions about the Worst Disney Resorts to Stay at

What is the cheapest Disney Resort at Walt Disney World?

The cheapest Disney World Resorts tend to be the All-Star Value Resorts:

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

How can I save money on Premium Disney World resorts?

One of the best ways to save money on Disney resorts is by renting DVC points for Deluxe DVC resorts at Disney World, Disneyland and more! You can submit a request – with a trusted company, like David’s Vacation Club Rentals, for a resort stay or book a confirmed reservation. This can save you a considerable amount – even 50% + compared to booking with Disney directly.

Check the Special Offers currently offered by Disney – with the best deals usually being for U.S. Military members and Annual Passholders.

Which Value Disney Resort is the best?

For price, the All-Star Resorts are pretty consistently the best.

For transportation, Pop Century is the cheapest Value Resort with Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Are hotels under construction the worst Disney resorts to visit?

Not necessarily, but it depends on how disruptive the construction is.

Before resort hopping, you may just want to double check how disruptive the work is. (For example, what’s the point in visiting an impressive lobby if there’s construction walls everywhere?).

Which are the hotels near Magic Kingdom?

The hotels in the Magic Kingdom Area are:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa & Villas
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Boulder Ridge & Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

What are the worst Disney Resorts to stay at for adults?

I’ve been on plenty of adult-only hotel stays at Disney World, from Value to Deluxe, and have enjoyed every experience. That said, some Disney resorts really aren’t trying to cater to adults as much. These generally are the Value Resorts (the All-Star Resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation). After all, they have the most “over-the-top” theming, and the smallest rooms.

That said, Pop Century and Art of Animation are Skyliner Resorts, providing access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (often thought to be the Disney Parks that cater more for older kids and adults).

What are the best Disney World hotels for adults?

Here are some of the resorts that cater well for adults:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Old Key West Resort

What are the best Disney World hotels for families?

Wondering which are the best Disney hotels for families? Here’s a few good options:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

What are the worst Disney Resorts to stay at during Christmas?

In this post, I detail the 7 best and 7 worst Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts at Christmas.

What are the worst Disney Resorts to stay at in Vegas?

There are no Disney Resorts in Las Vegas, and there are currently no public plans for future Disney hotels in Vegas.

Final Thoughts & Ta Ta For Now

Which do you think are the worst Disney resorts to stay at in 2026? Do you agree – or disagree – with this list?

Thanks for reading, and please share your thoughts in the comments 🙂

This post was all about the 6 worst Disney Resorts to stay at at Walt Disney World in 2026.