Are you looking for the best Disney resort for kids? These are our picks for the best Walt Disney World resorts to stay in with kids.
One of the big steps in planning a Disney World vacation is deciding where to stay. Disney World Resorts offer many amenities for families in all different price ranges.
We have stayed at the value resorts and loved the colorful themes. We have stayed at the moderate resorts and loved that it fits our family of five in a middle price range. We have also stayed at the Deluxe resorts and loved all the attention to details.
Guests looking for a short walk to the Magic Kingdom may want to look at one of the Disney World monorail hotels. Guests looking to be close to Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios should look at one of the Disney Skyliner Hotels.
Which park you visit depends on if you are visiting with young children or visiting Disney World with teens.
Every Disney Resort is for families but here are our picks for the best Disney Resorts with Kids. These are the best Disney hotels we like to stay at when visiting Disney World as a family.
Best Disney Resort for Kids
There are a numerous resorts at Disney World but these are the best Disney Resorts for kids that we like as a family. All of the resorts have playgrounds, pools, and basic amenities you would expect at a Disney World resort.
I have also picked Disney World resorts in the value, moderate, and deluxe category to offer choices on any Disney budget. If you are looking for an in-depth breakdown check out this article: Disney Vacation Cost for a Family of Five.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation resort wins hands-down for the best resort in Disney World for families. With its incredible Disney theme in the rooms, lobby, and pool areas this Disney resort is awesome for kids.
Art of Animation has 4 areas of the resort all themed to Disney animation. They are The Little Mermaid, which offers standard rooms, and The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars, which offer family suites.
Each area has it’s own pool and it is also a resort that is on the Disney Skyliner. The Disney Skyliner is a gondola transportation system that takes guests to and from resorts as well as Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
I think Art of Animation is one of the best Disney resorts for toddlers and preschoolers, but school age kids and adults who love Disney, will love seeing the Disney characters brought to life at this resort.
The Art of Animation is a value resort and offers value prices on the standard rooms, although the family suites can be pricier than the moderate resorts at times.
On-site dining options include Landscape of Flavors which is a food court quick service option. There is not a sit-down restaurant at Art of Animation.
Check out our review of Art of Animation and a tour of the Finding Nemo family suite.
Disney’s All Star Resorts
The Disney All Star Resorts area actually three different resorts. There is All Star-Movies, All Star-Sports, and All Start-Music. Each has there own themed area and pools.
The All Star Resorts are some of the best Disney World resorts for kids because they are fun, bright, and colorful. The decor has larger than life Buzz Lightyear and a life size foosball table.
The All Star Resort are value resorts and the rooms are standard size with All Star-Music offering family suites. Check prices of the All Star Resorts here.
Disney’s Pop Century
Disney’s Pop Century is a value resort that only offers standard rooms. That means it fits up to four people. We stayed at Pop Century on our first visit to Disney World, when our kids were babies.
I really loved this resort and wish we could stay there as a family of five in one room. We have looked at prices for two adjoining rooms, but it never fits our Disney budget.
The theme of this resort is decades. Guests can stay in the 50’s area all the way to the 90s area. Each area has themed pools and decor.
Pop Century is a Disney Skyliner resort. This Disney transportation will take you from Pop Century to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
There is bus transportation to take you to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The area of the resort closest to the Skyliner is the 60’s area.
Read our full review: Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review for Families
Disney’s Port Orleans-Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans riverside makes the list because it is a moderate resort, middle price range, and it fits a family of five. Larger families visiting Disney World will appreciate the room size and all families will enjoy the New Orleans themed lobby and pool areas.
There is also a Port Orleans-French Quarter which is great for families of 4, or those that would like to book connecting rooms.
This resort offers bus transportation to and from the parks and has boat transportation to Disney Springs.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness resort is a great choice for families because it offers cabins that sleep 6 and includes a kitchen area to relax and cook meals. This can help families save money on meals.
This resort has many amenities like horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides, archery, pools, Chip ‘N’ Dale’s campfire, and movies under the stars. It is definitely a great place for kids and you wouldn’t even have to leave your resort on a rest day from the parks.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
There are not many resorts where you can look out your balcony and see giraffes and zebras, but at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge you can do just that, making this another amazing resort at Disney World for families.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is in the deluxe resorts category. Guests can watch the animals out there resort window and enjoy a swim in the pool. Animal Kingdom offers bus transportation to all the parks.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club resort has a pool with sand at the bottom! It is a deluxe resort and within walking distance to Epcot. They do offer rooms that fit a family of five as well as larger villas. The pool area is fantastic and all of us really loved this resort.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is great for kids because of it’s proximity to Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian is a short monorail or boat ride to the Magic Kingdom.
Guests can also take the walking bridge for a short walk to the Magic Kingdom.
This makes it easy for guests to visit Magic Kingdom early and come back for an afternoon nap, then head back to the parks. You can also watch the fireworks from your room or in the sitting area of the resort.
There is also a character breakfast 1900 Park Fare located at the Grand Floridian Resort and a Mad Hatter themed splash area.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the newest hotels on Disney property. I am adding it to the list for best Disney World resort for kids because of its smaller size, great pool water slide, and fun themed splash area.
We also really enjoyed the daily activities for families at the resort, the gelato truck at the pool, and the close proximity to the Disney Skyliner. Check out our full Disney’s Riviera Resort Review!
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort offer the Treetop Villas that sleep up to 9. These are tucked away at the resort and are not close to the resort pools, but they are a tree house and most kids will love it!
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
On our most recent stay at Walt Disney World we stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort. It has an island theme and offers standard rooms with the fifth person sleeper. There are also pirate themed rooms on property.
One of the things we loved about Caribbean Beach was the easy access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Caribbean Beach is located on the skyliner routes. To get to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom bus transportation is available.
Choosing the best Disney Resort for kids and families is easy with so many fun options in every price point. Check out this article where we share why we love staying on-site at Disney World during our Disney vacation.
