Disney World Resorts Poised to Become Even More Popular
While most any resort on Walt Disney World property is a good place to stay, guests are always looking for one thing in particular: How to get to the park the fastest.
This is why historically resorts with more transportation options or convenient transportation qualify as luxury resorts, though not all luxury resorts have convenient transportation. Consider the monorail loop with the Contemporary Resort just a short monorail ride or steps away from the Magic Kingdom, and the Polynesian and Grand Floridian steps away from the Transportation and Ticket Center or a short monorail away from the Magic Kingdom.
Recent construction and changes to Disney transportation (hello, skyliner and pedestrian bridge!) are going to make some resorts even more popular than before. Here are the resorts to keep an eye on in 2020:
The Most Improved Value Resort(s) for 2020:
Pop Century and Art of Animation
Right next to each other separated only by a small lake with a bridge, these resorts already shared a great sisterhood situation. Guests of Pop Century can walk to Art of Animation's popular food court and guests of Art of Animation can walk to Pop Century's Hippie Dippie Pool.
But these resorts have already become more popular with the Skyliner which has a station serving both resorts and connects to Disney Hollywood Studios and EPCOT within minutes.
The Most Improved Moderate Resort for 2020:
Caribbean Beach Resort
This resort has been the beneficiary of two major developments in late 2019. First, there's the Skyliner. I mentioned it above, but it really changes everything in terms of transportation. In minutes, guests can be in EPCOT or Disney Hollywood Studios. Guests report also that while there might be lines or the Skyliner, they constantly move and they board in minutes, and it's overall a quiet less crowded ride. This is the only moderate resort served by the Skyliner.
But wait! There's more! Add to the enhanced transportation system at this resort an enhanced dining situation with the opening of the luxury resort - Disney's Riviera Resort. Guests of Caribbean Beach can easily walk to this resort to experience fine dining, including a penthouse restaurant with views of the fireworks at EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios.
The Most Improved Luxury Resorts for 2020:
There is a lot going on with the luxury resorts. First, we have the opening of the Disney Riviera Resort which is served by the Skyliner and has direct access (no transfers) to Disney Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
But I think the real winners in 2020 will be the resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon, specifically the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.
It may be a little known fact that while there appears to be a path all the way around the Seven Seas Lagoon for walking, it was never before made into a complete circle. The problem was a small canal between the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom. This canal was needed to get the floats for the Electrical Water Pageant out into the lagoon each night from their storage.
This meant that guests of the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian could never walk to the Magic Kingdom like guests of the Contemporary Resort can.
Until now. Aerial photos show that a drawbridge is finally being built over this canal to complete the pedestrian walkway while still allowing the floats to come through when it's time (and really, Disney, what took you so long). While the Polynesian is already wildly popular, the Grand Floridian will receive a big boost in popularity with the ability to walk to the Magic Kingdom when this path is completed.
I love that Disney is making it easier to get to the Walt Disney World parks from some of the resorts! I can only wish for more of this in the future. What are you most excited about in 2020? What is your favorite resort? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or on our Facebook page. Until next time...
