Over a dozen other luxurious accommodations, eating places, and spas on-site and close to Walt Disney Global and Disneyland are a few of the winners of the celebrated Forbes Go back and forth Information’s 2026 Megastar Awards. This covers the celebrated houses that have been identified round WDW, in conjunction with our ideas about every of those we’ve skilled.
The Forbes Go back and forth Information’s 2026 Megastar Awards is very similar to AAA Diamond designations or Michelin stars for eating places, minus the entire “awarded by way of the automobile trade” attitude. Like Michelin and AAA, Forbes is thought of as the gold usual for luxurious within the hospitality trade, celebrating the best accommodations, spas, eating places, ocean cruises and cruise eating places.
We take note of the Forbes, AAA, and Michelin awards as a result of they’re impartial and purpose. Or no less than, much less biased and subjective. There’s reputable grievance of all 3, however they’re nonetheless actually prestigious and uncommon honors celebrating the creme de los angeles creme. That is in contrast to a large number of different awards, which can be both reader’s selection (informal vacationers don’t know what they don’t know) or thinly-veiled paid commercials.
Now in its 68th 12 months, the 2026 version of the Forbes Go back and forth Information Megastar Awards is essentially the most expansive but. The corporate’s footprint has grown to greater than 100 nations, with a variety of new locations reminiscent of Bhutan, Croatia, Poland, Tanzania and Uzbekistan. Which means that Disney locations are being when compared with luxurious accommodations in tropical escapes and primary towns all internationally.
In keeping with the group, Forbes Go back and forth Information’s scores are purpose, unbiased and data-driven. Incognito inspectors pose as on a regular basis visitors; they take a look at into accommodations, board cruises, take a look at spa remedies, and dine at eating places.
In so doing, those unbiased inspectors take a look at masses of exacting requirements, and at all times paying. Whilst the standard and situation of the amenities stay necessary, remarkable carrier accounts for 70% of a estate’s score, reflecting the human part on the center of luxurious.
Forbes Go back and forth Information inspectors additionally assess the inarticulable intangibles in the back of a actually outstanding luxurious visitor enjoy. Does a selected estate help you proceed a health-conscious way of life and give a boost to your well-being? Whether or not the site or design conjures a powerful sense of position; does the personnel delivers all elements seamlessly, culminating in an unforgettable keep.
See the entire checklist of 2026 Megastar Awards winners. Beneath, we’re sharing the Forbes Go back and forth Information’s 2026 Megastar Award Winners in Orlando and Anaheim:
Orlando Forbes Go back and forth Information’s 2026 Megastar Award Winners
- Bull & Endure Orlando – Really helpful
- Capa – Really helpful
- Conrad Orlando – 4-Megastar
- Conrad Spa, Orlando – 4-Megastar
- 4 Seasons Lodge Orlando at Walt Disney Global Lodge – 4-Megastar
- JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Lodge & Spa – Really helpful
- JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes – 4-Megastar
- Knife & Spoon – 4-Megastar
- Lake Nona Wave Resort – Really helpful
- Primo – 4-Megastar
- The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes – 5-Megastar
- The Ritz-Carlton Spa Orlando, Grande Lakes – 4-Megastar
- The Spa at 4 Seasons Lodge Orlando at Walt Disney Global Lodge – 4-Megastar
- Spa by way of JW at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Lodge & Spa – 4-Megastar
- Victoria & Albert’s – 5-Megastar
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando – 4-Megastar
- Waldorf Astoria Spa Orlando – 4-Megastar
Anaheim Forbes Go back and forth Information’s 2026 Megastar Award Winners
- Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa – Really helpful
- Napa Rose – 4-Megastar
- Tenaya Stone Spa – 4-Megastar
I’m truthfully stunned that the Westin Anaheim and JW Marriott Anaheim weren’t identified along with the Grand Californian. If the JW Marriott Orlando is the bar, either one of the ones clean it.
There are a number of different luxurious accommodations and eating places identified in Orange County, California, however nearly all of those are in Newport Seashore, Laguna Seashore, or Laguna Niguel. Those towns are a bit a long way from the parks to be regarded as for a Disneyland keep. We’ve stayed at some and visited many of the accommodations, and so they’re all impressive.
With the lists out of the way in which, let’s briefly run thru among the identified accommodations the place we’ve stayed at or close to Walt Disney Global…
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Lodge & Spa – This is among the more recent on-site accommodations at Walt Disney Global, and between that and this emblem’s recognition, it’s quite disappointing that the JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek isn’t higher. It’s nonetheless excellent, simply now not rather what we anticipated from this tier of the chain. In truth, if that is the bar for Forbes Go back and forth Information “Really helpful” standing, we consider a few dozen different accommodations clean it. Together with a number of Disney-owned ones.
This isn’t to be overly crucial of the JW Marriott Orlando. It’s completely one of the crucial best possible on-site accommodations at Walt Disney Global, it simply falls just a little in need of non-urban JW lodge requirements. We like its sensible styling and fashionable design. Each the visitor rooms and not unusual spaces are extremely great, and to our tastes. It’s a sumptuous lodge that provides an impressive slate of facilities that are supposed to make it interesting to {couples} or solo vacationers searching for a extra grownup choice with handy get admission to to (and even isolation from) the parks.
The JW Marriott isn’t for everybody. Specifically, we’ve a tougher time recommending it to households. It’s now not that the lodge isn’t kid-friendly—on the contrary, it’s laid again and now not even remotely stuffy or unapproachable. It’s extra that different accommodations cater to households higher and feature a fuller characteristic set. Specifically, the pool house is slightly pedestrian, with out a waterslide, lazy river, or different amusing options you could to find at many accommodations in Orlando. The eating is outstanding, regardless that.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando — Arguably some of the iconic lodge labels on the earth, the Waldorf Astoria gives remarkable high quality at costs that gained’t make you promote a kidney to come up with the money for a keep right here. Nestled within the serene 482-acre Bonnet Creek nature maintain and comfortably surrounded by way of Walt Disney Global, that is an on-site lodge that’s eligible for positive perks (reminiscent of Early Access).
The Waldorf Astoria just lately finished a property-wide reimagination that features a floor-to-ceiling transformation inclusive of all 502 visitor rooms and suites, the foyer arrival enjoy, new design and culinary inventions on the award-winning eating places Bull & Endure and Peacock Alley, improvements to The Waldorf Astoria Spa and an entire recovery of the esteemed 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golfing Membership.
The Waldorf Astoria gives a superlative keep, but additionally a stuffy one. In the event you’re searching for a extra inviting choice, the Signia by way of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is a sister estate of types to the Waldorf Astoria. It’s now not rather as great or sumptuous, however has a large number of family-friendly facilities, a few of which can be shared between the 2.
4 Seasons Lodge Orlando – Situated on-site at Walt Disney Global, the 4 Seasons Orlando is the gold usual of WDW luxurious accommodations. As we’ve identified numerous occasions, the entire explanation why it exists on-site is Disney’s choice to attempt extra upmarket, with the corporate cognizant that it couldn’t compete with actual international luxurious houses amongst discerning and important clientele. Between carrier and (if we’re being fair) identify cachet, even the flagship Grand Floridian falls quick.
The sprawling 4 Seasons advanced is throughout the non-public Golden Oaks group and in the back of Citadel Wasteland. It’s surrounded by way of herbal good looks, together with an Everglades sanctuary, and it seems like tropical paradise meets a rustic membership. After all, the rooms are sumptuous and well-appointed, the eating is exceptional, and there’s an array of facilities you’d be expecting from the 4 Seasons.
Out of doors, the grounds of the 4 Seasons Orlando are a veritable oasis. The pool spaces are brilliantly fitted to each children and adults, with a space referred to as Explorer Island, pleasant lazy river, and secluded spaces for living room chairs amidst a lush setting and cover of palm bushes. We’d argue that it’s a greater pound for pound pool house than Stormalong Bay at Yacht & Seashore Membership.
The 4 Seasons Orlando is a long way and away the nicest and most opulent lodge in Orlando, Disney-owned or in a different way. Then again, it now not is our unequivocal #1 pick out for accommodations close to Walt Disney Global, as a result of a brand new contender to the throne has emerged, that has already gained a number of of similar prestigious awards from AAA and Forbes because the 4 Seasons…
Conrad Orlando at Evermore – The most recent luxurious lodge close to the parks, the Conrad Orlando technically isn’t on-site at Walt Disney Global, however it’s a stone’s throw from Citadel Wasteland and about the similar distance from Magic Kingdom as Port Orleans, making it nearer to the park than maximum on-site accommodations at Walt Disney Global. The Conrad gives perspectives of the EPCOT fireworks, and lets pay attention the Electric Water Competition from our room.
Just like the 4 Seasons Orlando, it’s additionally one in all simplest 3 accommodations to win 2026 Forbes Go back and forth Information 4-Megastar Awards and AAA 5 Diamond accommodations close to Walt Disney Global. The 3rd is the Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, which is just a little farther away and in fact beat each by way of incomes a 5-Megastar score from Forbes!
The 433-room luxurious Conrad Orlando lodge gives upscale lodging, a spread of eating places (together with one in all my favorite-ever burgers), and all the different facilities you’d be expecting of a luxurious lodge. We truly just like the calming, coastal fashionable rooms; they really feel without delay sumptuous and comfortable–great pops of colour and trendy.
The Conrad Orland’s marquee amenity is unique get admission to to Evermore Bay, Orlando’s first and simplest seaside with 8 acres of crystal-clear water and 20 acres of soppy white sand. That brilliant blue lagoon is attention-grabbing, preventing you for your tracks whilst you first input the foyer and notice it out the ground to ceiling home windows. And it’s now not simply superficial, as there are a ton of actions you’ll revel in on and across the lagoon, making the Conrad Orlando a real self-contained lodge enjoy.
Whilst the lodge as a complete is sweet, the beautiful, crystalline Evermore Bay is the flagship characteristic of the Conrad Orlando. The 4 Seasons Orlando beats it on luxuriousness, general polish and repair. The vibe is completely other on the Conrad Orlando, which is much less stuffy, extra inviting and laid again. Evermor Bay plus the unpretentious surroundings paintings within the Conrad Orlando’s desire, making it the number one luxurious lodge close to Walt Disney Global for lots of households.
Why Didn’t Extra Disney Motels & Eating places Win?
Cynics would possibly argue that Disney nonetheless isn’t taken critically within the luxurious trip sphere. That accommodations like Yacht Membership and Grand Floridian are, at minimal, deserving for attention on a listing like this. Most likely even Animal Kingdom Resort and Wasteland Resort.
This is an issue to which I’m receptive, however don’t purchase totally. My point of view is that Disney has a better bar to clean, however isn’t disqualified from competition totally. I particularly consider this after the new refurbishments and reimagining at Yacht Membership and Grand Floridian, which I believe weren’t taken into consideration regardless of this purporting to be a 2026 checklist.
That is most likely true as a result of Napa Rose made the lower, regardless of being closed for the majority of the ultimate 12 months, and now not reopening till throughout the ultimate week. Forbes obviously reviewed the outdated model of Napa Rose, which was once frankly much less deserving than the newly-reimagined Napa Rose. Regardless, the presence of the Grand Californian, Napa Rose, and Victoria & Albert’s means that Disney-owned accommodations don’t seem to be disqualified from attention.
As a substitute, the reason most likely lies within the Forbes Go back and forth Information standards: “Whilst the standard and situation of the amenities stay necessary, remarkable carrier accounts for 70% of a estate’s score, reflecting the human part on the center of luxurious.”
In truth, this is more or less insane–and quite implausible. The perception that I may just purchase a Motel 6 in rural Iowa, however then poach best skill from the most efficient 4 Seasons Motels on the earth and win a Forbes big name score is nonsense on its face. Any such lodge would now not win any awards, and even be reviewed within the first position. Each and every unmarried lodge at the above checklist has a impressive arduous product. Some have unbelievable places and grounds price (actually) masses of hundreds of thousands of greenbacks.
The perception that every one of this simplest counts for 30% is hogwash, and I don’t care what Forbes claims. Carrier and comfortable product are too matter, even at their best possible. Carrier must now not rely for that a lot, and I believe the 70% declare is spurious; one thing that sounds just right to the prosperous readers of the FTG. Clearly, carrier is of paramount significance to the luxury-minded, however c’mon. Take this to the extraordinary of my instance above and it must be beautiful obtrusive why this falls aside.
In the end, the rationale Disney-owned accommodations and eating places in large part didn’t make the checklist is sort of undoubtedly as a result of that intended 70% remarkable carrier weighting. We’ve made this level ahead of again and again, however Disney merely isn’t an excellent hotelier or hospitality corporate by way of luxurious requirements.
This can be a bit tough to give an explanation for, however there’s a difference between the nice and cozy and pleasant carrier presented by way of Disney Forged Individuals and the attentive and pampering carrier presented by way of luxurious accommodations. In the event you’ve skilled each, you most likely absolutely perceive and recognize the dignity.
Discerning (the sort of pompous and condescending time period, however it’s what it’s) clientele who seek the advice of assets like Forbes desire the extra sumptuous carrier, however I’d argue that there’s additionally one thing to be mentioned for the nice and cozy and private high quality of the Disney way. For a large number of households, the most efficient Forged Individuals are higher than essentially the most superlative, seasoned personnel at luxurious accommodations. In truth, we more or less really feel this fashion!
An similarly important downside, and one the place I’d argue Walt Disney Global in fact does stumble is within the consistency of the carrier. That is a kind of issues that you would be able to now not understand till you’ve gained deficient carrier or had an issue stand up that frontline Forged Individuals merely weren’t empowered to get to the bottom of.
Those are the kinds of problems and inconveniences that a mean luxurious lodge on the value level would repair the moment it was once dropped at their consideration. However preferably, it wouldn’t want to be dropped at their consideration as a result of they’d deal with it preemptively.
Visitor restoration is everywhere at Walt Disney Global; infrequently it’s above and past, infrequently it’s painfully missing. True luxurious accommodations are a lot better at disposing of friction from the visitor enjoy and addressing doable issues prematurely.
Additionally irritating is that there’s truly no carrier hierarchy at Walt Disney Global. I assume it might be argued that this follows the outdated “each visitor is a VIP” type. However I however to find it atypical that I’ve had again and again remarkable carrier at All Megastar Sports activities within the ultimate 4 years (I’ve mentioned it ahead of, however Sports activities is an underrated gem) and a lot more combined effects at Deluxe Motels.
I’d suppose that Disney would advertise the most efficient Forged Individuals to the most costly accommodations and empower them to make magic, however that isn’t truly the case. Irrespective of how you are feeling about all of this, it’s not likely that Walt Disney Global accommodations will ever win “critical” awards as long as that is how carrier works.
Making plans a Walt Disney Global commute? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney Global Motels Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to begin is our Walt Disney Global Commute Making plans Information for the whole lot you want to grasp!
Your Ideas
Have you ever stayed at any of the 2026 Forbes Go back and forth Information Award Winners? Suppose those accommodations or eating places are worthy in their wins? Anyplace round Walt Disney Global or Disneyland that you simply suppose was once snubbed? Do you compromise or disagree with our overview of the dignity between WDW carrier vs. actual international luxurious carrier? Any questions we will will let you resolution? Listening to your comments—even whilst you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
