i've stayed at some of different hotels/resorts at WDW. but for DL, i've only been there a couple times and dont really keep up with what goes on over there. i don't live in florida, so whenever i visit WDW i try to stay at a different hotel. i go with my parents, who are a bit older now, so our enjoyment isn't all at the parks anymore. we actually really love the hotels/resorts, too. here's the places i've stayed, in no particular order.
boardwalk- awesome atmosphere. always stuff to do (on the boardwalk) and it's walking distance to epcot along with ferry boats to it and hollywood studios. great restaurants close by and it's nice being next to the water
reservations for this place fill up pretty quick though. but it's worth it for the location and atmosphere. fun night life too, if you're old enough hehe.
beach club- similar to boardwalk, just a bit further away from the fun (down boardwalk). but comes with the same amenities and is still close to epcot and hollywood studios. nice pool =) i really love the beaches and cream soda shop. i have some great memories there with my mom lol when i was really little. but they have yummy dessert classics, which are my favorite...try the kitchen sink. which is a dessert sundae...for 4! lol
wilderness lodge - probably my favorite resort. it has a wonderful outdoors environment. i live in the city, and dont have the chance to camp as often as id like. although i'm not camping at the wilderness lodge, it still has the vibe that i enjoy. additionally, it has two awesome restaurants. artist point (pricey, lol, but fancy n delicious) and whispering canyon...which is...well an experience you must have while at WDW. i would advise going for lunch or dinner. it tends to get real CRAY durin the mornings cuz witto kids haha.
all star sports- a fun place
it's so colorful... you know you're in WDW when you're in this place. i had some great times with my friends here. it's not always about where you stay... but the people you stay with. food is really easy at this place, quick service/cafeteria style kinda food court. rooms are smallish, but definitely good for the wallet. if you're gonna be at the parks from opening til closing, welp, this is the best place to stay!
old key west & saratoga springs - both have similar vibes. they're kinda far away from the parks, but both are really peaceful and relaxing. i enjoy going to these resorts because theyre really quiet. im from the city, so it makes a big difference to me when you cant hear any noise. it's amazing. the main transportation is through the bus. and disney does a good job of their shuttle transportation. you never have to wait toooo long... even though it always seems like your bus is always the last one to come haha. theres pretty much always rooms open at old key west and saratoga springs, just fyi. it's not as busy as the other ones, and that's why i like em.
contemporary- love this place. and chef mickey's of course. its a character dining buffet. gets really busy for breakfast with kiddo families. but i do love the atmosphere (which is something i'll say about all of the WDW hotels haha) ...but obviously the best part about staying here is the monorail! so convenient. it cuts travel time in half from the parks, and you'd be surprised how big of a difference it makes, and flexibility with actually using your park hopper (if you choose that option). i loved it when i stayed here. theres a bunch of really nice lounges n quickish places to eat also.
also, for anybody who is going to spend da cash to stay at WDW, you may as well get on the dining plan too. it'll be worth it!!!! everytime i go, im always on the dining plan, and it's a great value, considering how much money one would spend on meals without the plan. with the dining plan, you can dine in fancy restaurants and probably get to experience nice places that other ppl wouldn't necessarily go to bc they don't think they can afford it. just a note though, the dining plan is only for ppl who stay in the resort. apparently theres a deal right now going on thru august 8. free dining plan when you book 6/7 day stay at WDW. lol i should work for disney....
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resort-stay-dining/
anyway! lol you pretty much cant go wrong with any of the hotels/resorts. they're all good haha. it mostly just depends on what your budget is. but really tho.... get on the dining plan!!! that would be my #1 piece of advice!