Best Disney World Resorts for Families & Kids in 2025

Walt Disney World is arguably the best family vacation destination in the world, but not all resort hotels are ideal for your young ones. So how do you pick the right hotel with your children specifically in mind? That’s why we came up with our ranking of the best Best Disney World Resorts for Kids!

In this post, we are going to share with you our list of the best hotels for kids and families at Disney World and rank them from best to worst. We’ve also taken your budget into consideration and split up the hotels according to price category, so there is something for every family.

While it’s true that your kids will probably still have a great time in any resort you bring them too, not all of the resorts are best-suited for them. There are some places on this list your kids may find kind of boring, while others they will absolutely LOVE and make the trip that much more memorable for everyone. 

While our overall Disney World hotel ranking is quite different, in this list, we are specifically ranking them based on how kids feel about each of these resorts.

We factored in the most important things to them when making these rankings, things like theming, pool options, fun activities, etc…We’re not overly concerned with pricing or fancy dining here since they will go mostly unappreciated by younger guests.

We’ve also included our best picks for kids by age group as well as some specific interests your kids might have such as sports, animals, Star Wars, or being near the parks. After that, we’ll show you if it’s worth it to your kids to stay on-site, tips for saving money at those resorts, and what to pack for kids.

And if you haven’t had the chance to read them yet, here are some of our other best posts on Disney World Resorts:

• Best Disney World Resort Hotels Ranked
• Complete List of Disney World Hotels
• Best Hotels Near Disney World
• Best Disney Monorail Hotels
• Best Disney World Hotels for Adults
• Cheapest Disney World Resorts

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Why Do Kids Love Disney Resorts?

When Walt Disney originally came up with the idea to build theme parks, it was from his overwhelming desire to please kids, because he knew if kids were happy, parents would be too! 

With kids at the forefront of the minds of Disney Imagineers, the Disney Company has built resort after resort catering to the desires and interests of kids of all ages. And with an average of 58 million visitors each year in Walt Disney World, they’ve been overwhelmingly successful! 

The Disney World Resorts are built with all kids, tailoring the individual resorts to appeal to all their imaginations. No matter your kids’ interest, there’s likely a Disney Resort that they’d love! With 36 different resorts on Disney Property, plus another 9 Disney Vacation Club Villa Properties, there is surely a fit for YOUR family.

In this article, we are going to help you find that fit. We are going to break the Disney Resorts up into the three main categories that Disney separates them into: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. 

• Disney Value Resorts are the most popular option for families, they’re themed specifically with young kids in mind. Value Resorts are the most budget-friendly option for families and have less in the way of amenities. Standard rooms here can only fit a max of 4 guests. 
• Disney Moderate Resorts are the middle-of-the-road price option that includes additional amenities. These resorts are typically better located, have more dining options, better transportation options, and they can often fit up to 5 guests.
• Disney Deluxe Resorts are the upper echelon of Disney Resorts. These come with the highest price point per night but come with significant amounts of luxuries. You’ll have the best of Disney when staying at a Deluxe Resort, but with the extras comes a significant uptick in prices. 

To help you choose which is right for your family, we are going to rank all the resorts in each category, that way you have a choice no matter your budget. 

Let’s get started…

Best Disney Value Resorts for Kids

We will start first with our ranking of the best Disney Value Resorts for kids. These are best for families on a tight budget but still want to be part of the magic.

6. Disney’s Pop Century Resort

While we love Disney’s Pop Century Resort as a whole, when it comes to kids, it’s the least interesting. Why? The theming just doesn’t appeal to them. It feels ‘less Disney’ and for kids, that’s normally a disappointing thing.

Theme

A nod to the memorable fads of the 1950s through the 1990s. The buildings are each dedicated to a different decade during that time period and are filled with larger-than-life icons and symbols from pop culture such as TV Shows, trends, games, and fads from that time period. 

The idea is to immerse guests in those various areas of the resort, and get them to relive those times through nostalgia.

Kids, however, likely won’t get many of the references to the different 20th Century Decades, and many of them likely won’t care no matter how hard mom and dad and grandma and grandpa try!

Pool

There are 3 pools in total at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. 2 of them are private and more serene in nature, situated between the buildings. 

The largest pool, The Hippy Dippy Pool, sits directly behind the Classic Hall lobby and food court, directly between the two buildings dedicated to the 1960s.

Fun Activities for Kids

Pop Century has a number of fun activities for kids. Things such as:

• Campfire activities
• Jogging Trail
• Fishing
• Pool Games
• Movies Under the Stars
• Playground
• Fast Forward Arcade

The Food

The only food option for kids at Pop Century is the Everything Pop quick-service food court. It’ll have your standard run-of-the-mill food options for all members of the family for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The highlight here is they have feature cupcakes that you can’t get anywhere else on Disney World Property. 

You can also order in-room pizza delivery here if you’re looking for a snack but don’t feel like walking all the way to Everything Pop to grab it.

Rooms

While the rooms here are small and have the same square footage as the All-Star Resorts at 260 square feet, the benefit here is that they were recently redone back in 2017. They’ve been modernized with subtle theming to Mickey and the Fab Five. 

They now are the only Disney Value Resort with two queen beds in standard rooms, which is great for more space.

Childcare Services

While Disney doesn’t have any specific childcare center at Pop Century, there is a babysitting service (Kid’s Nite Out) that is available at the resort for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. They provide babysitting in the comfort of your own room so the kids don’t even need to leave.

They’ll do different activities with your kids such as arts and crafts, reading, playing games, and other fun things! Rates start at $30 per hour for 1 kid and require a reservation for up to 4 hours. 

Kids staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort can also participate in childcare programs such as kids club evening programs at other Disney resorts.

5. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s All-Star Music is a great resort for larger families offering family suites of up to 6 guests, but when it comes to the overall interest for kids, it’s arguably the least engaging out of the All-Star Resorts. 

With the theming of the world’s most popular music genres, unless your kid is a true music lover, he’s not going to have the same sense of appreciation for Broadway and Classic Rock n’ Roll inspired music as you might have. That means it could be boring.

Theme

Here you’ll find an homage to the world’s most popular music genres from country to jazz to calypso to rock ‘n’ roll, and more! Think giant musical instruments decorating the outside of the guest buildings such as steel drums, saxophones, maracas, and violins.

Each area of the resort is separated according to its musical genre and includes bright colors and statues of iconic musical theater.

Pool

There are two pools at the All-Star Music Resort, a larger one and a smaller relaxed one. The larger one of the two is the Calypso pool and it is shaped like a giant guitar with the Three Caballeros shooting water out from a post in the center of the pool. 

The quieter pool is called the Piano Pool. It is found in the back of the resort near the Country Fair section.

Fun Activities for Kids

Disney’s All-Star Music has good options for kids of all ages. The stand-outs are:

• Fun pool activities throughout the days in the Calypso pool
• Campfire activities – Enjoy a night outside by the fire roasting some marshmallows
• Movies Under the Stars – Each night the resort plays a different Disney Movie outside
• Jogging Trail – Take an enjoyable 1-mile jog or walk around the hotel grounds 
• Playground – Little kids can swing and slide at this playground near the Jazz Inn section 
• Note’able Games Arcade – Improve your gaming skills at this arcade in the Melody Hall building, adjacent to the Intermissions Food Court.

The Food

There is only one main option for food at Disney’s All-Star Music, and there are no table service restaurants.

The Intermissions Food Court is a straightforward music-themed food court that features a large variety of everyday standard fare. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A good option is to mobile order when getting good here, it can get quite packed.

Rooms

All-Star Music has both standard rooms and family suites. The standard rooms are your typical two-bed rooms with a table bed, fitting a max of 4 guests. The family suites have a queen bed and (2) pull-down beds that will fit up to 6 adults. 

Standard rooms are 260 square feet whereas the family suites feature 520 square feet of space.

Childcare Services

There are no childcare services provided here at the resort, but ‘Kid’s Night Out’ provides childcare for children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. Give them a call a 407-828-0920.   If you opt for their in-room services you’ll pay $30 an hour (For 1 child)  for a minimum reservation time of at least 4 hours.

4. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Ranking Disney’s All-Star Sports is very difficult because I find that boys tend to love this resort when they’re young but girls can usually ‘take it or leave it.’ Its theming can be highly attractive to kids that love all things sports with its salute to baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis.  

Exploring all of the different fun sports-themed icons all over the resort buildings and pool areas can be a fun thing for kids and families to take part in.

Theme

Disney’s All-Star Sports is a tribute to competitive sports and you’ll find larger-than-life icons and decorations around the property celebrating various sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and tennis.

Each section is themed to a specific sport, so when you go to the baseball area, for example, you’ll find giant baseball bats, balls, and a grandstand. There is even a statue of Goofy in the pool launching baseballs into the water.

Pool

There are two pools at the All-Star Sports Resort, a larger one and a smaller relaxed one. The larger one of the two is the Surfboard Bay pool and it is located behind the Stadium Hall area. You’ll find surfboards and giant shark fins around the pool. The Pool is shaped like a giant wave. 

The smaller pool, the Grand Slam pool, is located in front of the Home Run hotel part of the resort.

Fun Activities for Kids

Disney’s All-Star Sports has suitable options for kids of all ages. The stand-outs are:

• Fun pool activities throughout the days in the Surfboard Bay pool
• Campfire activities – Gather around the fire as you roast marshmallows 
• Movies Under the Stars – Enjoy a Disney Movie underneath the stars 
• Jogging Trail – Enjoy a relaxing one-mile walk or run around the resort area 
• Playground – Little ones will enjoy this cute little playground near the Touchdown! Hotel Area
• Game Point Arcade – Enjoy a variety of different video and pinball games at this arcade in Stadium Hall by the End Zone Food Court.

The Food

The only real option for food at All-Star Sports is the End Zone Food Court. It is a simple sports-themed food court that features a large variety of typical food items. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Rooms

You’ll find simple standard rooms with subtle Mickey & Friends Sports theming throughout the rooms. The rooms here come standard with two double beds and have 260 square feet of space.

Childcare Services

There are no childcare services provided here at the resort, but ‘Kid’s Night Out’ provides childcare for youngsters between the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. Give them a call a 407-828-0920.   If you opt for their in-room services you’ll pay $30 an hour (For 1 child)  for a minimum reservation time of at least 4 hours.

3. Disney’s All-Star Movies

Out of the three All-Star Resorts, it’s All-Star Movies that most interests kids! It’s fun theming with giant popcorn buckets, and characters from classic Disney and Pixar movies all over each of the buildings are sure to bring a smile to your child’s face! 

This All-Star Resort feels the most-like Disney. It’s what kids expect when they come to Disney, and when they arrive, they won’t be disappointed. Finding out which building they’re staying in will surely bring delight to their eyes!

Theme

A salute to legends of Disney films, including many of the best movies from Disney Animation and Pixar. All 5 sections of the resort are themed to classic Disney films such as Toy Story, The Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, The Love Bug, and 101 Dalmatians. 

Each of the buildings is painted with bright colors and covered with hidden little details and surprises including massive characters and decorations from your favorite movies that allow them to stand out such as a 47-foot-tall Buzz Lightyear icon and much more!

Pool

There are two fun-themed pools at the All-Star Movies! Enjoy Sorcerer Mickey spraying water at the larger Fantasia-Themed Pool or jump in the smaller Duck Pond Pool, which is a large hockey rink-styled pool that is based on The Mighty Ducks.

Fun Activities for Kids

• Enjoy different pool games throughout the day at the Fantasia-Themed Pool 
• Campfire activities – Assemble around the fire as you roast marshmallows 
• Movies Under the Stars – Enjoy a classic Disney film underneath the stars 
• Jogging Trail – Take a nice one-mile walk or run around the All-Star Movies grounds 
• Playground – Enjoy climbing and sliding in this fun playground between the Fantasia and Toy Story sections 
• Reel Fun Arcade – Play pinball games and different video games at this arcade in the Cinema Hall building.

The Food

Your only option for food at All-Star Movies is the World Premiere Food Court. It is a simple movie-themed food court that features the typical food court fare. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

It’s good, but nothing special or that stands out over the other All-Star Resorts. There are plenty of options though for kids including burgers, pizza, and similar fare.

Rooms

The standard rooms at All-Star Movies are small and come with either a king bed and a table bed OR a queen bed and a table bed. All standard rooms found at all three of the All-Star Resorts are 260 square feet.

Childcare Services

There are no childcare services provided here at the resort, but ‘Kid’s Night Out’ provides childcare for children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. Give them a call a 407-828-0920.  If you opt for their in-room services you’ll pay $30 an hour (For 1 child)  for a minimum reservation time of at least 4 hours.

2. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

If your kids love camping and the great outdoors, there is no better place on Walt Disney World Property than The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. 

While there are cabins on the Fort Wilderness property, for this ranking we are just talking about The Campsites. That would include paying for a site where you can bring your own RV, pop-up camper, or tent. 

Fort Wilderness is absolutely loaded with things to do with little ones, from relaxing by a campfire to going archery. It arguably has the most amount of things to do at ANY Disney Resort. That’s why kids love it! 

There’s nothing quite like being in a rustic wilderness seemingly far away from Disney and then being only a few-minute boat ride away from Disney’s Magic Kingdom! That’s Disney’s Fort Wilderness and it’s why kids love this resort.

Theme

A campground that evokes the timeless beauty of the American frontier featuring 750 acres of pine and cypress forests. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful wildlife from rabbits to deer to armadillos to ducks to geese and so much more! 

You’ll truly feel like a home away from home here, and that you are at a local resort mountain town anywhere around the country, except that you are minutes away from Disney’s Magic Kingdom!

Fort Wilderness is a truly unique resort that blends the best elements of nature, Florida, and the magic of being in Disney World. There’s nothing like it on Disney World property and no other way you can be at one with nature than by staying here.

Pool

The Fort Wilderness Resort has two swimming pools, a larger feature pool and a quieter one. The larger one is called the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and it’s found at The Meadow Recreation Area. Unlike the other value resorts on this list, it has a nearby whirlpool spa and a twisting waterslide. 

The smaller one is called the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool and it is located near the cabins. While there are no slides or fun activities at this pool there is a whirlpool spa.

Fun Activities for Kids

As I mentioned earlier, Fort Wilderness Resort is loaded with fun activities for kids. Things such as:

• Visit Meadow Swimmin’ Pool – The only value resort with a waterslide which is reason enough to go.
• Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long – Join Chip ‘n’ Dale for some fun as you roast marshmallows. 
• Archery Experience – Learn how to hold a bow and take aim with arrows at targets.
• Visit the Famous Tri-Circle-D Ranch – Explore this iconic ranch and take a pony, horse, wagon, or carriage ride along wilderness trails.
• Fishing – Take a guided fishing excursion out into the water.
• Electrical Water Pageant – View the Electrical Water Pageant each night, a unique and classic show on the Seven Seas Lagoon. 
• Bike Rentals – Grab a bike and explore the forests and wilderness with its vast wildlife.
• Kayak and Canoe Rentals – Paddle along the beautiful lagoon and take in the natural beauty.
• Basketball – Play at one of the many different basketball courts here.
• Jogging Trail – Enjoy a pleasant walk or run around the pine and cypress groves.
• Volleyball – Play in a friendly game at one of the volleyball courts near the Meadow Recreation area.
• Davy Crockett’s Wilderness Arcade – Travel down to Pioneer Hall and find a variety of video games.
• Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Arcade – The 2nd of the arcades here, this one is found at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area.
• Take a Segway Ride – Explore the trails of the Wilderness Lodge on an all-terrain Segway.
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride – Take a romantic or serene 25-minute vintage carriage ride along the banks of the Sassagoula River.

The Food

There are many places to grab food around the Fort Wilderness Resort that the kids will love. Here are your options:

• P & J’s Southern Takeout – Grab-and-go quick-service option available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Meadow Snack Bar – Grab a quick snack near the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool 
• The Chuck Wagon – This RV-style food truck serves classic American fare
• Trail’s End Restaurant – A former table-service buffet that has transitioned into a quick-service option service hearty and family-style fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue – The best dinner show in Disney! This 2-hour feast while enjoying a fun show offers dinner every night in an all-you-can-eat setting, offering the best American classics!

Rooms

While there are cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, we will talk about them in a little while. For this ranking, we are just considering the campsites, which of course do not have rooms. 

The standard campsites are 10’ x 25’ in size and will allow for smaller pop-up campers, and up to two tents on site. They have larger campsites available that will fit larger RVs and include full hookups, but these cost additional money.

Childcare Services

There are no childcare services provided here at the resort, but ‘Kid’s Night Out’ provides childcare for children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. Give them a call a 407-828-0920.   If you opt for their in-room services you’ll pay $30 an hour (For 1 child)  for a minimum reservation time of at least 4 hours.

1. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

And finally, we have our 1st value choice when it comes to kids, and that’s Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! Why is it our favorite value resort for kids? 

There is nothing like being immersed in stories of Disney and Pixar movies at Disney’s newest value resort. No resort appeals to kids and their love of all things ‘Disney Movies’ more than this resort. 

Each section of the resort allows you to be absorbed into a different movie, whether it’s Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. Your kiddos will love the stylish and artistic theming throughout! 

And the fact that it’s located on the Disney Skyliner makes it even more attractive to families, giving unbeatable accessibility to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

Theme

This resort pays tribute to Disney art, exploring iconic Disney and Pixar movies. You’ll notice the tiny details of animation scattered throughout the resort, from the first pencil sketches all the way to the final close-ups of the film. 

Each of the themed lands and buildings is centered around four main Disney stories including The Lion King, Cars, The Incredibles, and The Little Mermaid. 

All of these themed areas feature wonderfully detailed courtyards, giant-themed caricatures including a 35-foot King Triton, and other fun hidden gems throughout. Families of all ages, especially younger kids will feel like they’ve been transported into their favorite Disney film as they walk around and explore this resort.

Pool

Disney’s Art of Animation has the prestige of being home to the largest resort pool in all of Walt Disney World, The Big Blue Pool. This Finding Nemo-themed pool is a fan-favorite amongst kids and features the characters of Finding Nemo. 

Listen carefully, you might even be able to hear Nemo and Dory talking underneath the water, a really cool addition! 

There are two quieter pools, the Flippin’ Fins Pool and the Cozy Cone Pools that are ideal for more tranquil settings.

Fun Activities for Kids

A stay at Disney’s Art of Animation will allow you to partake in a number of fun activities such as:

• Campfire Activities – Gather outside to roast marshmallows on a crackling fire.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch a different Disney film outside each nice by the Big Blue Pool.
• Jogging Trail – Take an enjoyable 1.38-mile walk or jog around the resort.
• Playground – Climb and slide around the Righteous Reef playground near the Finding Nemo area.
• Pixel Play Arcade – Play both new and vintage games at this arcade in the Animation Hall building.
• Fishing – While there is no fishing on-site, you can visit one of the other marinas and go.
• Go on the Disney Skyliner – There is NOTHING more fun than taking a ride on the Disney Skyliner. Whether you want to visit another Skyliner Resort or want to visit EPCOT/Hollywood Studios, a ride on the Skyliner is a great way to spend some time. You may never get off!

The Food

There is only one main option to grab food for kids at Disney’s Art of Animation and that’s Landscape of Flavors. 

The Landscape of Flavors has a number of unique offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Like Disney’s Pop Century Resort, you can also order pizza here to be brought to your room.

This is our favorite resort food court of all the Value Resorts and it offers some different and slightly higher quality dishes over the others. Definitely a plus of staying at Art of Animation.

Rooms

Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation are the biggest among the value resorts. There are two main options:

• Standard Rooms found in the Little Mermaid section – Fit up to 4 guests and include a King Bed or 2 Queen Beds. These rooms are slightly bigger than the All-Star Standard rooms at 277 square feet OR
• Family Suites – These are found in the other three sections (Cars, The Lion King, Finding Nemo) and they’ll fit up to 6 adults. Family suites have 565 square feet of space. 

This gives different options for different size families! Remember, standard rooms are found ONLY in The Little Mermaid section. ONLY Family Suites rooms are available in the other three sections, Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo.

Childcare Services

There are no childcare services provided here at the resort, but ‘Kid’s Night Out’ provides childcare for children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. Give them a call a 407-828-0920 for additional information.  If you opt for their in-room services you’ll pay $30 an hour (For 1 child)  for a minimum reservation time of at least 4 hours.

Best Disney Moderate Resorts for Kids

Jumping up to the next hotel category is Disney’s Moderate Resorts. These hotels are a step up in terms of amenities, theming, entertainment, and dining options. The theming is more subtle and isn’t as ‘OVER THE TOP’ Disney with giant characters all over the buildings. 

While they’re nicer in terms of storytelling, younger kids tend to prefer the larger-than-life theming at the value resorts over the more subdued and subtle moderate resorts.

But if you decide to choose a Moderate Resort, which should you pick? Here’s a countdown to get to our favorite moderate resort for kids.

5. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Coming in last on our favorite moderate resort for kids is Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. There are some things kids enjoy here, such as the fun pool area, which is themed to the Lost City of Cibola. But in general, this hotel is far more exciting to adults with its great nighttime dining offerings.

In fact, it’s right near the top of our list of the Best Disney World Hotels for Adults.

With the new addition of the Gran Destino Tower, this resort is even more sprawling than before. It’s got two parts to the hotel, the Tower part and the additional hotel buildings scattered throughout the property. 

The overall theming here fails to inspire kids with its Southwestern United States influence. It’s a great adult’s moderate resort, but far less appealing to kids without much of a ‘Disney Feel.’

Theme

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American culture. Throughout the resort grounds, you’ll see Southwestern United States influences, such as tiled stucco floors and giant pyramids with water surrounding the common areas. Even the pool area is themed to the Mayan Ruins. 

The newest section of the resort, the Gran Destino Tower, has heavy Spanish influences including the works of Salvador Dali. This resort was Disney’s first attempt at making a heavy ‘Business Traveler’ feel that would fit within the ‘Moderate’ category.

Pool

Disney’s Coronado Springs has great pool offerings for all members of the family with 4 pools in total. The largest pool is the beautifully themed Lost City of Cibola Pool located at The Dig Site. It features a 50-foot Mayan Pyramid and a 123-foot-long water slide! 

There are an additional 3 leisure pools located around each settlement – the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas.

Fun Activities for Kids

While Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort appeals more to older kids and adults, there are some fun activities for kids such as:

• Campfire Activities – Go to the Dig Site Pool and enjoy roasting some marshmallows on the fire.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch complimentary Disney movies on the Gran Destino Lawn nightly.
• Colors of Coronado Painting Experience – Kids 12 and up can take this 2-hour experience where you are guided into a master-leg painting class facilitated by local artists.
• Spanish Mosaic Art – Kids 12 and up can create vibrant mosaics from Barcelona in this fun 2-hour experience. It costs $25 per person. 
• Volleyball – Join or start your own volleyball game around the Dig Site pool area.
• Jogging Trail – This 0.9-mile trail takes you around the 22-acre Lago Dorado.
• Playground – This cute archaeologically themed playground is near the Dig Site Complex.
• Iguana Arcade – Play a wide variety of games at the Iguana Arcade situated near the Dig Site pool complex.

The Food

Disney’s Coronado Springs has a wide variety of dining options that could appeal to kids. Here are the main ones:

• Toledo – A-down table-service restaurant with Spanish-inspired food 
• Three Bridges Bar & Grill – Beautiful setting on the lake with a variety of sandwiches 
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill – A typical sports-themed restaurant with a large menu 
• Barcelona Lounge – A popular spot in the morning for kids and adults with a good selection of pastries and coffee. This area turns into a lounge in the afternoon
• Siestas Cantina – A poolside quick service that features a variety of lunch-type food
• Maya Grill – A sit-down Mexican table-service restaurant 
• Cafe Rix – A cute cafe that features an extensive number of sweet treats and coffee
• El Mercado de Coronado – The main quick-service location with a large variety of offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Rooms

Coronado Springs has a significant number of different room types. The good thing is that all of their rooms are nice and modern and have been updated in the last few years. (The old ones were very tired imo.)

• Standard rooms will fit up to 4 adults and come with 2 queen beds. Rooms with just a king bed can also be requested, but they only fit up to 2 adults. Standard rooms here are 314 square feet in space.
• Larger suites are found in the Casitas buildings and the Gran Destino Tower. Some of these rooms will fit up to 8 guests but cost considerably more money.

Childcare Services

Disney has SOME on-site childcare services, but they don’t have an on-site kid’s center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. 

They recommend using an outside company ‘Kids Night Out’ for all in-room child care. They provide one-on-one, in-room childcare from your resort room. They are a professional and well-trained staff and give each kid individualized attention. They are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. 

Give them a call at 407-828-0920 to find out more details. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

4. Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort

Our 4th favorite of the moderate resorts for families and kids is Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. The smallest of all Disney World Resorts, French Quarter isn’t a bad pick for kids. Some of the theming is a lot of fun such as the bright and colorful Mardi Gras characters scattered all over the resort, especially the pool area. 

Kids tend to enjoy the quick-service options here, the Sassagoula Floatworks and the Scat Cat’s Club Cafe to grab the signature Mickey-shaped Beignets. 

There are a number of things to like about this resort for families and it isn’t a bad pick by any means, although we slightly prefer Riverside to French Quarter for kids, while Adults usually prefer the French Quarter.

Theme

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is themed around the famous French Quarter neighborhood found in New Orleans, Louisiana. With fun and playful Mardi Gras themed around the resort grounds, this resort does well to mimic the eclectic style of the French Quarter with its various different styles. 

From the varied shutters and door combinations to the wrought-iron railings to the courtyard-styled walkways, this resort will transport you to the center of the French Quarter in the heart of New Orleans. 

Don’t miss the musical gators which make for a great photo op.

Pool

Unfortunately Port Orleans French Quarter is the only moderate resort that has just 1 pool. The Doubloon Lagoon Pool is located directly behind the resort’s lobby and its fun Mardi Gras theming features a lot of larger-than-life characters.

In particular, we love the huge, 51-foot-long snaking sea serpent slide which your kids will have a blast going down.

Fun Activities for Kids

Port Orleans French Quarter Resort has a good amount of activities and fun things for kids to do. You can also walk over to Port Orleans Riverside Resort and find additional things to do as well. Things that are specific to French Quarter are:

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting marshmallows around the fire after the sun goes down
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch Disney films on certain nights of the week 
• Bike Rentals – Head to the marina and rent a bike, and take it along the picturesque waterfronts
• Surrey Bike Rentals – These 2 and 4-person surrey bikes are a good bit of fun for the family
• Fishing – Go catch and release fishing here at the alcove on Ol’ Man Island 
• Jogging Trail – Take a scenic run or walk around the banks of the Sassagoula River
• Playground – Kids can play on this playground next to the Doubloon Lagoon
• Arcade – Visit South Quarter Games to play a number of games in The Mint building

The Food

Here are the food offerings at this resort that specifically cater to families with kids: 

• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory – This Mardi Gras-inspired quick service has a number of tasty meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Scat Cat’s Club Cafe – Here is where they have those tasty and fresh Mickey beignets.

Rooms

The rooms here are simple but fit in with the French Quarter theming. Standard rooms here are 314 square feet in size. 

They are the only moderate resort that doesn’t have rooms that fit 5 adults. All of their rooms only fit up to 4 adults and typically feature 2 queen beds. Although you can request a room with a king bed instead, they only fit 2 adults.

Childcare Services

Disney has SOME on-site childcare services, but not on-site at Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts. They recommend using an outside company ‘Kids Night Out’ for all in-room child care. 

They provide one-on-one, in-room childcare from your resort room. They are a professional and well-trained staff and give each kid individualized attention. They are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. 

Give them a call at 407-828-0920 to find out more details. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

3. Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside Resort

Our 3rd favorite moderate resort when it comes to families and kids is Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Our rankings for French Quarter and Riverside are very close and there was very little separating the two of them. 

We give the slight edge to Riverside because of two reasons, Princess Tiana-themed rooms, and 6 different pools. 

Another positive is that Port Orleans Riverside Resort is also significantly bigger and has more space for kids. We also love that they have a solid table-service restaurant, Boatwright’s, that certainly has appeal to kids of all ages. (They have a great prime rib too!)

And one of our favorite under-the-radar things that kids LOVE is going to watch the famous Yeehaw Bob perform at the River Roast lounge. He is hilarious, one of my all-time favorites and he will make you laugh all night long, no matter your age.

Theme

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort is themed to the romance of rural Louisiana with its quaint backwoods cottages and picturesque setting along the Sassagoula River. The sister resort of Port Orleans French Quarter, Riverside takes you away from the city of New Orleans and brings you more to the more relaxed setting of the ‘Old South.’ 

Imagine a time when things move a little bit slower and the simple pleasures flourish like magnolia blossoms in the springtime, that’s Port Orleans Riverside. The setting of the Sassagoula River is particularly appreciated here, as you’ll truly feel you are on the Bayou. We especially love taking walks along the river around sunrise or sunset for a great view.

Pool

There are 6 pools in total around the resort. The largest of which is found on Ol’ Man Island, and there are another 5 additional pools scattered around the areas of Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou.

Fun Activities for Kids

A visit to Port Orleans Riverside Resort is jam-packed with a large variety of fun activities for the young ones including: 

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting marshmallows near the fire each night.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch Classic Disney movies in the evenings.
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides – Relax on a horse-drawn carriage ride along the scenic banks of the Sassagoula River.
• Bike Rentals – Embark on a leisurely bike ride along the waterfront promenade.
• Surrey Bike Rentals – Take these 2 and 4-person surrey bikes around the premises. 
• Fishing –  Enjoy bass fishing at its finest with this catch-and-release excursion.
• Jogging Trail – Take a scenic 1-mile run or walk around the banks of the Sassagoula River.
• Playground – Kids can play on this playground at Ol’ Man Island.
• Arcade – Visit the Medicine Show Arcade to play a number of games in The Mint building.

The Food

Here are the food options for families with kids at Port Orleans Riverside: 

• Riverside Mill Food Court – Visit distinct stations to get a mixture of food offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 
• River Roost – A charming lounge found inside the resort. Here is where Yeehaw Bob performs.  
• Boatwright’s Dining Hall – A table-service restaurant that serves specialties that one would expect to find in the Bayou.

The Riverside Mill Food Court is underrated and doesn’t get enough love from other sites, and Boatwright’s Dining Hall is also a restaurant at WDW that hardly gets any recognition, though it definitely deserves it.

Rooms

There are a number of different rooming options here at Riverside. 

Riverside has standard rooms that fit only 4 guests with typically 2 queen beds. But they also have some resort buildings that have space for a 5th adult with an extra pull-down bed option. Standard rooms here, like French Quarter, are 314 square feet in size. 

The Princess Tiana rooms are slightly more expensive and come with 2 queen beds, only sleeping a max of 4 adults.

Childcare Services

Disney has SOME on-site childcare services, but not on-site at Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts. They recommend using an outside company ‘Kids Night Out’ for all in-room child care. 

They provide one-on-one, in-room childcare from your resort room. They are a professional and well-trained staff and give each kid individualized attention. They are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. 

Give them a call at 407-828-0920 to find out more details. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance. 

Prior to the Covid shutdown of the parks, there were also two other fun activities for older potty-trained kids called Pirate Adventures Cruises and Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew. These fun adventures were for children between the ages of 4-12. There has been no word yet on if these fun-themed activities will return at this time.

2. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Coming in 2nd on our list of best Disney World Moderate Resorts for Families and Kids is The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. While these are found at Fort Wilderness, they are different from the campsites (which tend to be considered with the value resorts). 

The Cabins are considered a moderate Disney Resort and have additional amenities that the moderate resorts have. These cabins have recently undertook major refurbishments, making them nicer than ever! The nice thing about The Cabins is that they sleep up to 6 guests. They’re perfect for larger families and kids seem to love staying in these cabins! 

While The Cabins are technically considered a DVC Resort these days, they are still bookable directly through Disney!

They give you a little bit more of an upscale flair when staying at the campground and can appeal to larger varieties of travelers that don’t like to “rough it” on a campground. Kids love the cabins due to their fun outdoorsy and rustic nature, but also because there’s so much to do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort!

Theme

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is a giant sprawling campground that focuses on the beauty that is found on the American Frontier. 

While not necessarily a “themed” resort, Fort Wilderness is more of a true outdoorsy escape from the hustle and bustle of the Disney Parks. You’ll feel you’re at a highly themed campground with Disney Amenities while being in the middle of a nature reserve.

Pool

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has two swimming pools, a bigger feature pool and a more modest one. The larger one is called the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and it’s found at The Meadow Recreation Area. Unlike the other value resorts on this list, it has a nearby whirlpool spa and a twisting waterslide. 

The quieter one is called the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool and it is located near the cabins. While we wish there was a slide and fun activities here, there is a whirlpool spa.

Fun Activities for Kids

A stay at Disney’s Fort Wilderness is SO much for kids. They have arguably more activities and amenities than any other resort on Disney World Property. Things such as:

• Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long – Join Chip ‘n’ Dale for some enjoyment as you roast marshmallows.
• Archery – Learn how to hold a bow and take aim with arrows at targets.
• Tri-Circle-D Ranch – Visit the famous ranch and take a pony, horse, wagon, or carriage ride along wilderness trails.
• Fishing – Take a fishing excursion out into the water.
• Electrical Water Pageant – View the Electrical Water Pageant each night from your resort. 
• Bike Rentals – Grab a bike and scour the forests and wilderness with its vast wildlife.
• Kayak and Canoe Rentals – Paddle along the lovely lagoon and take in the untamed beauty. 
• Basketball – Play at one of the many different basketball courts here.
• Jogging Trail – Enjoy a friendly walk or run around the pine and cypress groves.
• Volleyball – Play in a friendly game at one of the volleyball courts.
• Davy Crockett’s Wilderness Arcade – Travel down to Pioneer Hall and play some arcade games.
• Daniel Boone’s Wilderness Arcade – The 2nd of the arcades here, this one is found at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area.
• Take a Segway Ride – Explore the pathways of the Wilderness Lodge on an all-terrain Segway.
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride – Take a romantic or tranquil 25-minute vintage carriage ride along the banks of the Sassagoula River.

The Food

There are some decent food options for families at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort. Here are our favorite kid-friendly options:

• P & J’s Southern Takeout – Simple quick-service option available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Meadow Snack Bar – Grab a snack near the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool 
• The Chuck Wagon – This RV-style food truck serves traditional American grub
• Trail’s End Restaurant – A former table-service buffet that has transitioned into a popular quick-service option serving all meals of the day.
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue – The best dinner show in Disney and adored by guests of all ages! This 2-hour feast while enjoying a fun show offers dinner every night in an all-you-can-eat setting, offering the best American classics! A MUST-DO for all families!

Rooms

All of the Wilderness Cabins here are exactly the same. They fit up to 6 adults and feature 1 queen bed, 1 double-size sleep sofa, and 1 bunk bed. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort feature 504 square feet of space.

Childcare Services

Disney has SOME on-site childcare services, but not on-site at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. They recommend using an outside company ‘Kids Night Out’ for all in-room child care. They provide one-on-one, in-room childcare from your resort room. They are a professional and well-trained staff and give each kid individualized attention. They are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. 

Give them a call at 407-828-0920 to find out more details. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

1. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Our absolute favorite choice for the Best Disney World Moderate Resort for Families and Kids is…. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort! 

This sprawling property is the largest resort on Disney World Property with around 200 acres of pristine Caribbean Beauty. Kids will feel they are in their own tropical oasis from the moment they arrive on the property with its 5 distinct islands. 

Featuring one of our favorite themed pool areas in all of Disney World, the Fuentes del Morro Pool, which is a pirate’s paradise! Themed after a Spanish fortress, there are 2 waterslides, cannons, and a shipwreck play area for kids! 

And if that isn’t enough, the Caribbean Beach Resort is the home base for the Disney Skyliner, making it incredibly easy and direct to get to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios!

Theme

Disneys’ Caribbean Beach Resort is themed to the spirit of the Caribbean Island – specifically to Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba. Each themed land is based on these five islands and will feature vibrant colors and theming, with a ‘true island feel.’ 

You’ll find scattered beaches throughout the resort, and even though you can’t technically swim on the beaches found here, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice relaxing spot where you can take a nap, lay on a hammock, or watch the sunset.  

The relaxed setting here will immediately bring you back to a time when you were on a Caribbean vacation. We love the vibe here and families seem to enjoy its transformative way of putting you in the perfect mood to begin your Disney trip.

Pool

In addition to the beautiful and fun-themed Fuentes del Morro Pool, there are an additional 5 leisure pools that are found in each village. There is no shortage here if you like having fun in the water and the pirate theme here is #1 for us!

Fun Activities for Kids

Besides the 6 pools scattered around Caribbean Beach, there are a number of other activities family members of all ages can enjoy. Such as:

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting marshmallows on an open fire each night.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch beloved Disney films under the stars.
• Fishing – Go on a guided excursion from the Caribbean Cay Island each day to experience catch-and-release fishing.
• Volleyball – Enjoy a run game of volleyball in the Martinique Village.
• Jogging Trail – Take a leisure walk or a nice job on a 0.6-mile trail around Barefoot Bay.
• Playground – A number of cute playground amusements, including an interactive water play area.

The Food

• Sebastian’s Bistro – Enjoy the spirit of the islands with this tasty sit-down restaurant even kids will like.
• Centertown Market – A quick-service location that features several unique Caribbean-inspired choices.
• Centertown Market Grab & Go – A casual market that has a number of easy on-the-go snacks.
• Spyglass Grill – A quick-service food location that features different American foods with a Caribbean twist. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Overall there are some decent options for kids, though the Caribbean flavors might not appeal to all of them. Stick with the quick service restaurants and avoid Sebastian’s Bistro if they are extra picky.

Rooms

Standard rooms generally come with 2 queen beds BUT they do have several buildings throughout the property that have a 5th sleeper, enabling up to 5 adults to sleep in rooms. Standard rooms found here are 314 square feet in size.

Childcare Services

Disney has SOME on-site childcare services, but not on-site at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. They recommend using an external company ‘Kids Night Out’ for all in-room child care. They supply one-on-one, in-room childcare from your resort room. They are a professional and well-trained staff and give each kid individualized attention. They are certified in child/infant CPR and basic first aid. 

Give them a call at 407-828-0920 to find out more details. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance.

Best Disney Deluxe Resorts for Kids

When families want the BEST OVERALL resort experience for kids and are willing to splurge to the highest extent possible, staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort is your best bet! Not only will you love the luxury and the high-end amenities that come with your stay, but your kids will love it every bit as much. 

Disney Deluxe Resorts are the highest combination of theming, indulgence, and vacation excellence! Kids love the location, the pools, and the terrific entertainment offerings each of these resorts possesses.

As you are reading this section you will notice that we mysteriously left off 2 Deluxe Resorts from our list: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. It wasn’t a mistake and we did that on purpose.

Of course, your kids would probably still have a good time staying there and there is nothing “wrong” with those resorts, but in our opinion, they are resorts that are much more geared toward adults, and your kids won’t appreciate them nearly as much as you would. To us, there are just so many better choices if we are strictly talking about the best resorts for kids.

So what are our favorite Disney Deluxe Resorts for kids?

6. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Coming in as our 6th favorite Disney Deluxe Resort for kids is Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. This is a great option for families that want both things to do and easy access to the Disney Parks. 

In our opinion, there is no better place to be for your vacation than near the Disney Boardwalk, and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is smack dab in the middle of it! 

It’s conveniently located right next to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, within a short walk of each. And if you don’t feel like walking you can easily hop on a Friendship Boat or take the Disney Skyliner.

Theme

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is themed to the charm and glamor of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City. This resort has the feel of the 1920s and 30s with its fanciful design yet lighthearted charm. This ‘Boardwalk Hotel’ is found on the shores of Crescent Lake and is also home to the Disney Boardwalk, giving you a beautiful place to enjoy food, recreation, and performers. 

Throughout the resort, you’ll find whimsical and vintage furnishings that will take you back to the Great Gatsby era, including boardwalk-style decorations that glamourize the rides and the appeal of NY and NJ Boardwalks. 

While we don’t particularly love the theming of this resort, kids and families in particular do enjoy the fun boardwalk-style decoratives throughout. 

 

Pool

In addition to the feature pool ‘Luna Park Pool’, there are another 2 leisure pools. One is located south of the Luna Park Pool and the other is located on the east side of the hotel. Both feature whirlpool spas as well.

Kids really seem to love the Luna Park Pool with its carnival-themed pool and 200-foot-long water slide which was recently renovated.

Fun Activities for Kids

Being on the Disney Boardwalk comes with NO shortage of things to do for all members of the family, especially for kids. Things they can enjoy include:

• Campfire Activities – Roast a marshmallow ‘round the campfire nightly around Community Hall
• Movies Under the Stars – Enjoy a complimentary screening of a Disney film on the village green 
• Miniature Golfing – Enjoy one of the two miniature golfing courses here at Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf Course.
• Surrey Bike Rentals – Take a 2 or 4-person stroll around the Disney Boardwalk
• Fishing – Take a guided bass fishing excursion 
• Tennis – Enjoy a round of tennis on one of their 2 lit courses
• Jogging – Take a run or a walk around Crescent Lake and the beautiful Disney Boardwalk
• Playground – Kids will have a ball at the Luna Park Crazy Play Area 
• Arcade – Discover a number of fun arcades games at the Side Show Games Arcade

The Food

There are so many different dining options for food at the Disney Boardwalk, both at the resort and on the actual Boardwalk. Here are the best options for families and kids:

• Flying Fish – A fancy table-service dinner restaurant that features mainly seafood offerings.
• Trattoria al Forno – A character breakfast in the morning and Italian Classics for dinner.
• BoardWalk Deli – Offering goodies and deli favorites at all times of the day.
• Pizza Window – Outdoor window that sells individual hot slices of pizza or an entire pie.
• Blue Ribbon Corn Dog – Enjoy a tasty corn dog at this awesome new food cart with terrific corn dog options.
• Carousel Coffee – They serve coffee and fresh pastries each day in the hotel lobby.

Rooms

There are a number of different standard room options here. Each room will fit up to 5 guests. Standard rooms typically come with either:

• 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
• 2 Queen Beds 
• 1 King Bed
• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed 

There are also suite options available on request. The largest offering will fit up to 9 guests in their Club Level 2-Bedroom Suites. Standard rooms generally include 371 square feet of space.

Childcare Services

A great option when staying at the Boardwalk Inn is to utilize the Camp Dolphin Activity Center found at the Disney World Dolphin hotel right on the other side of the Boardwalk. They do all kinds of fun activities, games, and special events with children between the ages of 4-12 years old. To reach out to Camp Dolphin call 407-939-3463. 

If you need a babysitter, you can also use the Kid’s Night Out Caregivers that are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information.

5. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Our 5th favorite Deluxe Resort Option for families and kids is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. It’s definitely near the top of the list of the best-themed resorts in all of Disney World, and kids absolutely go crazy when they step inside. 

It’s got an absolutely incredible lobby that will immediately WOW the entire family. Kids love the outdoorsy/rustic feel of this resort, transporting them to their favorite campground or National Park destination. 

The dining options here are so much fun for kids too with a great character dining option, themed to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Story Book Dining), and another fun family-style table-service restaurant (Whispering Canyon Cafe) that kids love with its all-you-can-eat barbecue. 

Probably the best part about this resort for kids is it’s right next to Magic Kingdom! A simple boat ride away and you’ll be there within minutes which is convenient if you need to go back for a nap later in the afternoon and then want to come back in the evening.

Theme

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is a tribute to America’s Great Northwest and National Parks. It takes you back to the great grand old lodges of turn-of-the-century National Parks. The theming here is amazing from the 82-foot fireplace to the Native American artifacts dispersed throughout the resort.

It really makes you feel like you are out in the great northwest. You certainly don’t feel like you are in the middle of Central Florida while staying here! 

You have to just be blown away by the Wilderness Lodge! We love the overall theming of the resort and also how reasonably priced it is in comparison to some of the other deluxe resorts.

Pool

There are two highly themed pool areas at the Wilderness Lodge. The main one is called the Copper Creek Springs Pool, and it features a 67-foot water slide built into the rocks. 

The quieter pool, the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool, is a zero-depth entry pool that is nestled in the quieter Boulder Ridge Villas area of the hotel. It was made for the DVC section of the resort, but all guests can use it.

Fun Activities for Kids

This outdoorsy paradise has so many fun activities for kids. The main ones are:

• Campfire Activities – Nightly fires with roasted marshmallows.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch Disney Feature Films on the movie lawn by Geyster Point.
• Fishing – Go for a guided fishing excursion.
• Electrical Water Pageant – Watch the famous Electrical Pageant nightly from the lagoon.
• Jogging Trails – Jog the many different trails around the resort grounds.
• Arcade – Play both classic and contemporary games at the Buttons and Bells Arcade.

The Food

Accessible food for kids is a major selling point for arguing the best resorts for kids. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge knocks it out of the park in that regard. Here are their family-friendly choices: 

• Story Book Dining – A character Dining experience with Snow White and the Dwarfs.
• Whispering Canyon Cafe – This table-service restaurant is a fantastic place to have fun with the whole family! This restaurant serves family-style dishes all-you-can-eat.
• Geyser Point Bar & Grill – Serving lunch, dinner, and a full-service bar, this open-aired restaurant is a gorgeous place to visit on a nice day when it’s not too hot or too cold.
• Roaring Fork – The quick-service location features a little menu but typically has a number of tasty things. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Territory Lounge – The indoor lounge has a great list of appetizers and small bites.

Rooms

With beautiful and modern rooms, generally, standard Wilderness Lodge rooms come with 2 queen beds and only fit a maximum of 4 guests. There are also Club-Level Access Deluxe Rooms which will fit up to 6 adults. Standard rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are 344 square feet.

Childcare Services

While Disney doesn’t have any on-site childcare services, you can use the company Kid’s Night Out. Their caregivers are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information.

4. Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Our 4th favorite Deluxe Resort for Kids is Disney’s Contemporary Resort. After all, what other resort is able to say they have the monorail that goes directly through their hotel lobby? None. When I was a kid I found this to be the most fascinating thing, and your kids will probably stare and want to watch the monorail all day like I did.

The Contemporary also has brand-new Incredibles-themed rooms that are brilliantly done, giving them extra appeal to young kids. And the Contemporary is the closest resort to Magic Kingdom with just a simple 5-minute walk away to the front gates! Again, perfect for convenience if you plan on spending a bunch of time there. 

And if that isn’t enough, the Contemporary Resort is home to the famous Chef Mickey’s character meal. Arguably the most popular character meal in all of Disney World, Chef Mickey’s a fun experience for the whole family, especially young kids.

Theme

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is an ultra-modern futuristic resort that celebrates the theming of tomorrow (at least that’s the way it’s billed).

The best way to describe it is ‘if Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom had a hotel.’ And while Disney’s Contemporary Resort has recently undergone a massive renovation, it still feels outdated and lacks the futuristic charm for which it was created, failing to live up to its name. 

In addition to the resort being one of the two original Disney World Resorts, the Contemporary is also loved and appreciated by Disney fans for being the home of the giant 90-foot-tall mural created by Mary Blair, a famous Disney Imagineer who created the designs for a number of famous Disney attractions and movies.

Pool

The Contemporary Resort has two pools, the “Feature Pool” is found in the main part of the hotel. There is also the Bay Lake Pool which is found by the Bay Lake Tower building. 

Both pools are simple, and don’t tend to get a lot of foot traffic so it’s a pretty good place to bring the family and not have to worry too much about them.

Fun Activities for Kids

Enjoy a ton of fun activities at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Kids will love their options here such as:

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting marshmallows by a crackling fire at the Courtyard Campfire Pit.
• Movies Under the Stars – Enjoy a different Disney film under the stars 4 nights during the week.
• Arcade – The fun Game Station arcade which has recently been updated has a number of fun classic and modern games for kids to enjoy.
• Basketball – They have a full-sized basketball court for kids to be able to enjoy.
• Fishing – Take a guided catch-and-release fishing excursion on Bay Lake.
• Volleyball – Enjoy a relaxing and friendly game on the lakeside court.
• Tennis – Enjoy a round of tennis. Pick up the racquets and balls at the Community Hall.
• Jogging Trails – Take the 1-mile loop around Bay Lake Tower and the South Garden Wing.
• Electrical Water Pageant – Watch the famous water parade each night around the lagoon (the same classic we’ve been watching for decades now).

The Food

The food offerings for kids are particularly good here. Each option has a number of tasty treats for the kiddos: 

• Steakhouse 71 – Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This table-service restaurant is a newer addition to the Contemporary, with a large menu for kids. Great steaks and desserts too!
• California Grill – A Disney signature table-service restaurant found at the top of the Contemporary. One of the best restaurants in Disney World with an incredible view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
• Chef Mickey’s – Famous all-you-can-eat character breakfast and dinner found on the 4th floor. Definitely appealing to kids that want to see Mickey Mouse & friends.
• Contempo Cafe – Quick-service location serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 
• Contemporary Grounds – Serving Joffrey’s coffee and snacks at this 1st-floor location.

Rooms

All standard rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will sleep up to 5 guests. The resort is made up of three different buildings: the main tower, the garden wing, and Bay Lake Tower. 

Each of these wings will have different views and slightly different rooming situations. They do have larger suite options that will hold up to 10 guests. Standard rooms at the Contemporary are 394 square feet in space.

Childcare Services

While Disney doesn’t have any on-site childcare services, you can use the company Kid’s Night Out. Their caregivers are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information.

3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

At 3rd on our favorite Deluxe Resorts for kids is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This truly unique experience is hard to find anywhere else arguably in the world, other than on an African Safari. 

Depending on where your room is located, kids absolutely love the ability to look out of their hotel room and see giant wild animals like giraffes and zebras grazing in the Savannah outside their room. You’ll truly be transported FAR away to Africa. 

While the location can feel a little removed from the rest of the Disney Parks, it doesn’t appear to hurt the appeal too much here. This resort like no other does a tremendous job of having all kinds of listed activities and fun games each day! They keep kids busy and entertained, even when they’re not in the parks which is a huge advantage for parents!

Theme

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an African-themed lodge that puts you right in the center of a giant African Savannah. Few resorts, if any, can truly transport you to the middle of the African grasslands the way Animal Kingdom Lodge can. 

You’ll get the comforts and amenities of a Deluxe Disney Resort while getting the wild sights and sounds of an African Safari within the confines of your resort. The incredible 6-story lobby is chock full of African artwork, crafts, and tiny details! 

The resort recreates the feel of a South African wildlife reserve lodge. The rooms follow the Kraal African village design, a semicircle concept, showing a view of close to 100 grazing animals and 130 birds on the property and in the private savannas.

Pool

The main pool, the Uzima Springs Pool, is found outside of the main building, the Jambo House, and is easily accessible if you are staying there. It’s not incredible, but it’s still pretty nice and we like the surroundings.

The second pool option is found at Kidani Village, and it’s called the Samawati Springs Pool. Guests staying here can visit both pools, and both are terrifically themed with zero-entry entrances.

Fun Activities for Kids

Animal Kingdom Lodge has terrific options for kids that want to be entertained at the resort. Some of the regular things to do are:

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting smores on an open fire.
• Movies Under the Stars – Watch a different Disney movie each night by the Uzima Pool.
• Playground – Visit the Hakuna Matata Playground overlooking the flamingo area and savanna.
• Arcade – Conquer a number of fun video games at Pumbaa’s Fun and Games Arcade.
• Watching the Animals – There’s nothing like talking to the Disney Cast Members here while watching the animals get fed.

There are a number of additional things to do each day that are posted by the staff daily in the hotel lobby so make sure to check daily to see what is appealing to your kids.

The Food

• Jiko – A signature restaurant that brings out the bold flavors of African Cuisine.
• Boma – One of the best buffets in all of Disney, serving both breakfast and dinner.
• The Mara – A great quick service spot that contains a number of tasty food and snack offerings.
• Sanaa – Found at the Kidani Village, Sanaa serves Eastern African cuisine.

Rooms

Unfortunately, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge have the two smallest standard rooms on Disney Property, only fitting up to 4 adults. Standard rooms found here include 344 square feet of space. 

However, if you can pay to get upgraded to a Savanna View it is totally worth it here! There’s nothing quite like making a cup of coffee in your room, and sitting on your balcony while watching the animals!

There are upgraded suite options here as well, fitting up to 8 guests in the 2-bedroom suites if your family is bigger.

Childcare Services

While Disney doesn’t have any on-site childcare services, you can use the company Kid’s Night Out. Their caregivers are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. 

They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information.

2. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

We are getting close to the top of our list and coming in at #2 Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We love this resort no matter how young or how old you are! When it comes to kids though, there is so much specifically to like about the Polynesian. 

First off is that it’s on the Disney Monorail with ultra-convenient access to both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Next, it’s the only Disney World Resort that has Dole Whip, which counts for double points.

Kids particularly love the fact that its white sand beach overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon, giving you tremendous views of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks each night (adults will love this too)!

It’s also home to one of the most popular family restaurants in all of Disney, Ohana! For breakfast, Ohana is a Lilo and Stitch Character Breakfast which is awesome and so much fun for kids! For dinner, it is a terrific all-you-can-eat family-style meal with a Polynesian flair. 

We love the Polynesian, and it’s truly a great resort for kids and families, it really does have it all!

Theme

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort celebrates the spirit of the South Pacific with its tropical palms and lush vegetation. Instantly upon arriving at the Polynesian you will be transported to island life living with pristine grounds, beautiful outdoor ambiance, and exotic tastes of the restaurants.

The resort is separated into several ‘longhouses’ as well as the Great Ceremonial House, which serves as the resort’s main reception area. It’s important to know that Polynesian is not “Hawaiian” themed. Polynesia is a broader area across the central and south Pacific covering many other cultures. 

The theming throughout the grounds of the resort is incredible with white sand beaches, torch-lit walkways, lush landscaping, and waterfalls. The resort’s position on the shores of the Seven Seas lagoon gives it prime access to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. 

Pool

The Polynesian has two pools, the larger being the terrific Lava Pool. In my opinion, the Lava Pool is a Top 3 pool in all of Disney World and features a towering waterfall and a 142-foot-long slide that we love to fly down over and over again. 

We also love the zero-depth entry point, reminiscent of a beach, allowing for easy entrance and exit for all guests, even those with accessibility concerns. 

The smaller and quieter pool is the Oasis Pool which is nothing to write home about, but it is quieter and more secluded.

Fun Activities for Kids

Being on the Seven Seas Lagoon gives Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort a number of great activities for kids including:

• Campfire Activities – Roast marshmallows each night around the Seven Seas Lagoon Beach.
• Movies Under the Stars – Enjoy complimentary screenings of favorite Disney films on the lawn of the Polynesian.
• Fishing – Enjoy a guided catch-and-release bass fishing experience.
• Volleyball – Have a fun friendly game on the court between the Hawaii and Tahiti buildings.
• Jogging Trails – Enjoy beautiful views of the Magic Kingdom on this jogging trail.
• Electrical Water Pageant – Grab a seat and find a good spot on the beach to watch the famous nighttime water parade.

The Food

The Polynesian has terrific grab-and-go options for kids and families. Their table-service restaurants are all perfect for families as well. Here are all the options you will find here:

• Captain Cook’s – A quick-service site that features a pleasing variety of food at all times.
• Pineapple Lanai – The small outdoor window that serves different Dole Whip flavors. 
• Kona Cafe – A table-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• ‘Ohana – One of the most popular restaurants in Disney World. They serve all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner. The breakfast is also a character experience with Lilo and Stitch.
• Oasis Bar & Grill – Outdoor pool bar and grill that has a number of snack options. 
• Kona Island – Enjoy coffee, pastries, and snacks at this indoor quick-service location that stays open all day long. Grab the famous chocolate-covered bacon here!

Rooms

Kids absolutely love the new Moana-themed rooms that came to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort just recently. These beautiful standard rooms all fit up to 5 guests. Most rooms will feature 2 queen beds and a daybed, but you can request a king bed if you prefer. 

There are a number of room upgrades here that will enable you to sleep up to 8 adults, but they will cost a pretty penny to upgrade. They are gorgeous though and among the very best suites at Disney World.

Standard rooms found here include anywhere between 415-476  square feet of space.

Childcare Services

While Disney doesn’t have any on-site childcare services, you can use the company Kid’s Night Out. Their caregivers are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information.

1. Disney’s Beach Club Resort

And finally our very favorite Disney Deluxe Resort for kids…. Disney’s Beach Club Resort! An easy choice, the Beach Club has two main things that make it stand out above the rest: Stormalong Bay and its Location. 

To start with, Stormalong Bay is the BEST pool area in all of Disney World, featuring 3-acres of water wonderland! Kids will be able to enjoy a sand-bottomed pool while they slide down the 230-foot water slide that begins over the Disney Boardwalk! 

The location of the Beach Club just can’t be topped! It’s literally within steps of EPCOT, allowing you to conveniently walk into the backside of the World Showcase. 

And it’s even closer to the Disney Skyliner. Kids love taking a ride on the Skyliner! With easy access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, if your kids want to be at the parks, Beach Club is the place to be!

Theme

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is themed and modeled after the popular Newport seaside cottages from the 19th Century, with its casual elegance, laid-back vibe, and seashore theme displayed throughout the resort.

While the Beach Club is a uniquely themed resort, it lacks the sophistication or grandness that some of the other deluxe resorts have, though it’s not so important to kids. You can easily imagine the Beach Club Resort in a different beach area around the country, and it would fit right in. This may make it bland for some guests. 

And while all of that is true, few places have the warm and welcoming style that the Beach Club has, and when arriving here, you’ll immediately feel at home.

Pool

In addition to Stormalong Bay, the Beach Club has two additional leisure pools. The Dunes Cove Pool is in the villa section of the resort and is typically very quiet. The Tidal Pool is the smallest of the pools, and sits on the front side of the resort, near the bus stops.

Fun Activities for Kids

In addition to the amazing pool and the Disney Skyliner, there are a number of other things you can enjoy such as:

• Campfire Activities – Enjoy roasting a marshmallow over a fire by a crackling fire
• Movies Under the Stars – Go over to the Beach Club Beach each night to enjoy a Disney movie
• Miniature Golf – Enjoy one of the two mini-golf courses near the Boardwalk Inn 
• Fishing – Take a guided bass fishing excursion
• Tennis – Go play a round of tennis at the courts near the Admiral Pool
• Volleyball – Get a game of volleyball together on the court near the Tidal Pool
• Walking Path – Enjoy one of several paths around the resorts and the boardwalk 
• Arcade – Play both classic and modern video games at the Lafferty Place Arcade

The Food

Our favorite family-friendly options for food at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are:

• Cape May Cafe – This enjoyable table-service character dining restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a signature seafood dinner.
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop – A 50s-Themed diner that serves old-fashioned ice cream and a mixture of different sandwiches.
• Beach Club Marketplace – Beach Club marketplace offers quick grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
• Martha’s Vineyard – A relaxed lounge found in the Beach Club, featuring many cocktails and appetizers.
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill – Pool walk-up bar that features refreshing cocktails and some different snacks.

Rooms

Standard rooms at the Beach Club will fit up to 5 adults. Standard rooms found here include 381 square feet of space. They typically come with either:

• 1 King Bed OR
• 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed OR
• 2 Queen Beds OR
• 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed 

They do also have suite options that will fit up to 7 guests in a room.

Childcare Services

You can use the Kid’s Night Out Caregivers that are often used by Disney Guests and even recommended by Disney. They will provide in-room child care for children between 6 months and 12 years old. You can call them at 407-828-0920 to get additional information. 

Another option when staying at the Beach Club is to utilize the ‘Camp Dolphin’ Activity Center found at the Disney World Dolphin hotel right on the other side of the Boardwalk. They do all kinds of fun activities, games, and special events with children between the ages of 4-12 years old. To reach out to Camp Dolphin call 407-939-3463.

Best Disney Resort By Age & Interest

To help you find the very best of what you’re specifically looking for, we’ve narrowed down your search based on individual preferences. In this section, we will tell you the BEST resort to pick for each of these items and interests.

Best Resort Theming

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – From the brilliant theming from the moment you first arrive, it’s hard to compete with the intricate details that Disney Imagineers came up with when they designed Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. 

And when you add in the fact that you’re practically at a real-life African Savannah, it’s hard to top this!

 

Best Resort for Toddlers & Little Kids

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Whether it’s the THREE fun pools, including the largest pool on Disney Property, the Big Blue Pool, or the fun theming throughout, kids love the Art of Animation Resort. 

With the themed areas of Cars, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid there’s something for every little kid to explore at the Art of Animation.

Best Resort for Big Kids and Tweens

Disney’s Beach Club Resort – It’s hard to go wrong with having the best Disney World Pool on the property of your resort, Stormalong Bay. Kids go crazy with this sand-bottomed pool and the amazingly fun 230-foot water slide over the Disney Boardwalk! 

It’s also within easy walking distance to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, which makes it a favorite resort amongst bigger kids and tweens (and the adults).

Best Resort for Teenagers

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – You could make the argument for several resorts in this category, but the Fort Wilderness Resort is our pick. It’s especially a great time for teenagers that want to meet and play games or sports with other kids. 

The neverending amount of things to do here will keep teenagers, who are almost always bored, busy at all times of the day.

Best Resort for Large Families

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – As we brought out in our article of the Best Disney Resorts for Large Families, the majority of their rooms at Art of Animation are ‘Family Suites’ that fit up to 6 adults. This makes it a great spot for larger families to be able to enjoy a family-friendly resort that will appeal especially to younger kids. 

Adults will enjoy convenient access to the Disney Skyliner, which allows them to easily get to both EPCOT for one of the seasonal festivals, and Hollywood Studios for some of the best rides in Disney World.

Best Resort for Outdoors Lovers

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort – The beautiful Wilderness Lodge Resort will transport you to the Great National Parks of the Northwest part of the United States. You’ll enjoy the rustic ambiance of this resort and its beautiful grounds. 

You’ll truly feel you are at a gorgeous mountain lodge retreat in the middle of nowhere, even though you are in Disney World in the middle of Central Florida.

Best Resort for Animal Lovers

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – If you’re a true animal lover, you can’t go wrong with Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. 

With more than 200 animals living on the lodge’s reserve, you’ll find viewing areas around the grounds of the resort, even at one of the table-service restaurants, Sanaa!

Best Resort with the Best Pool

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort – Since these two sister resorts share Stormalong Bay, you can choose between staying at either the Yacht OR the Beach Club. This beautifully themed sand-bottom pool is incredibly fun and relaxing, and trust me, you won’t want to leave!

Best Resort for Theme Park Fanatics

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – You could make the case for several resorts here, but Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is the closest resort to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (10-15 minute walk) and it’s incredibly close to EPCOT (5 mins) too. 

While you can easily walk to both, if you don’t feel like it, you can also take the Friendship Boat over to Hollywood Studios or the Disney Skyliner as well.

Best Resort for Adults

This is really a two-way tie between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, both equally as awesome for adults.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – With the highest number of signature dining table service restaurants anywhere in the Walt Disney World Resort and a full-service terrific spa, it’s hard to top the luxuriousness of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. 

Between Victoria & Albert’s, Narcoossee’s, and Citricos, the choices here are all fantastic, and you certainly can’t go wrong. There is luxury and romance at every corner of this resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Here you are far away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, and it’s a perfect place to just sit back, relax, and take a breather. It also has wonderful shopping, dining, and a great pool.

If you want a better overview and the full list, read our post on the Best Disney World Resorts for Adults.

Best Resort Dining for Kids

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Spa – While the high-end dining options aren’t as plentiful as some of the other resorts, when it comes to family choices, it’s VERY hard to top the number of dining options found at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. 

From Kona Cafe, which serves the famous Tonga Toast in the mornings, to the fan-favorite ‘Ohana, it’s hard to go wrong with the Poly.

Best Resort for Star Wars Fans

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – While the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was in a world of it’s own when it comes to experiential resorts, unfortunately it’s shelf life was short-lived as it closed officially in September of 2023.

With this resort no longer operating anymore, the next best resort for Star Wars fans would likely have to be All-Star Movies with its references to popular 20th century films. Although it isn’t anywhere close to an equivalent.

Which is the Best Overall Disney Resort for Families?

Our pick for the Best Overall Disney Resort for families is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. It’s got the best combination of bigger rooms, terrific and fun Disney-theming, and versatile transportation options to get to the parks.

It’s also budget-friendly allowing larger families to more affordably stay on-site at a Disney Resort. Many families can’t budget for staying at the nicer Deluxe and Moderate Resorts and staying at Disney’s Art of Animation gives you the best of all worlds while not breaking the bank!

Which Disney Resort is Known for Its Family Suites?

The Disney Resort that is known for its Family Suites is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, not coincidentally our favorite overall Disney World Resort for Families. 

These rooms are spacious and give couples space in the master bedroom while giving younger kids the living room areas where they can utilize either of 2 double beds. One of the double beds is a sleeper sofa and one is a double-sized table bed. 

Just be sure though that if you want to choose a ‘Family Suites’ you stay at either the Cars, The Lion King, or Finding Nemo sections of the resort. The Little Mermaid section contains smaller standard rooms that only fit 4 adults. 

If you do have a larger group with 5 or more people, you probably consider one of the many suites on property. Our article on the Best Disney World Suites for Large Families shares all the factors you need to consider and is a good guide to help you choose the best room for your family.

Disney World Resorts with Rooms for 5 People

Some families that don’t quite have a need for a ‘Family Suite’ that fits up to 6 adults, may only need a slightly larger room that will fit a 5th adult guest. Thankfully, many resorts throughout Disney now offer an additional pull-out sleeper bed or drop-down bed from that wall allowing for a 5th guest. 

Just be mindful that some resorts still don’t offer one, so ask ahead of time. And even resorts that have rooms that fit 5 guests, don’t ALL have space for a 5th guest. 

For instance, Disney’s Moderate Resorts typically have individual buildings within the resort that have room for a 5th person, but not all of the available rooms do. You’ll have to request it upon booking your stay.

Here is a list of the resort hotels at Walt Disney World that have rooms for 5 people:

Value Resorts

• All-Star Music
• Art of Animation
• Campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort

Moderate Resorts

• Caribbean Beach 
• Coronado Springs 
• Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Port Orleans Riverside 

Deluxe Resorts & Deluxe Villas

• Animal Kingdom Lodge (Only 4 fit in standard rooms but suites fit more) 
• Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo House & Kidani Village)
• Bay Lake Tower
• Beach Club
• Beach Club Villas
• Boardwalk Inn 
• Boardwalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge
• Contemporary
• Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge
• Grand Floridian
• Grand Floridian Villas
• Old Key West
• Polynesian
• Riviera Resort 
• Saratoga Springs
• Wilderness Lodge (Only 4 fit in standard rooms but some suites fit more) 
• Yacht Club

Can 5 People Sleep in a 4-Person Room?

Disney World will allow for a 5th person to sleep in a room that is designed for 4 guests ONLY if the 5th person is under the age of 3 years old and can sleep in a crib or pack-and-play. 

This is a nice perk for larger families to save some additional money, not having to get a larger room before the child turns 3 years old.

How to Choose the Best Disney Hotel for Your Kid

Figuring out the Best Disney Hotel for your kid or kids can be a very difficult proposition and something that absolutely should be considered ahead of time. With so many hotels, with each having completely different perks, it can be nearly impossible to pick the perfect one, especially if you have multiple children that are not interested in the same things. 

In this section, we will consider the main considerations in helping your family pick the very best Disney Hotel.

Age & Interests

Thinking about the age and interests of your kids is of paramount concern when booking a Disney Resort. For instance, if your kid is younger and likely won’t appreciate the additional amenities or waterslides of a Disney Deluxe Resort, it’s more than likely they will be thrilled with a Disney Value Resort. 

If on the other hand, you have old kids and they may love being closer to the parks. Most of the time that means your best choice is one of the Disney Deluxe Resorts. You may decide to extend them a little more freedom by letting them go on their own to the parks. In that case, they’d likely love being at a Deluxe Resort where they can come and go as they choose.

Theming

Do your kids have particular likes and dislikes? If they’re younger they probably LOVE Disney Animated Films and all of the different characters. In that case, they’d likely love staying at a hotel like Disney’s All-Star Movies or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort which will cater to their love of Disney Films. 

Or maybe if they’re a little older and they love Pirates, Nature, or Animals. No worries, there are Disney World Resorts that would appeal to each of those individual kids. 

For the best results, try to align the interests of your kids with the best Disney Resort. Each Resort has such different theming and it’s highly likely you’ll be able to find something that interests your kid. If you have multiple children, you can try a split stay (more on that in a minute), or have one child choose this trip, and the next time the other child can choose.

Location

If you are going to be spending any time at Disney Parks, location can play a major factor in your consideration. For instance, if your kids want to be at the Magic Kingdom all the time, staying at a nearby Magic Kingdom Resort such as Disney’s Polynesian Village or Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground can be a great option, considering the ease of getting there!

The EPCOT-area resorts are a better choice if you are going to be spending lots of time at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

There are a number of Disney Resorts that are incredibly close to the parks, making it very simple to go in the morning and then arrive back at your resort in the afternoon to relax by the pool and possibly give your family a much-needed rest. Doing this is infinitely easier if you’re located at a resort that is close by to the Disney Parks or gives easy transportation options. 

If you don’t care if your bus ride is a little bit longer and you don’t need easy logistics for getting back and forth to your hotel each day then a Disney Value Resort will likely be perfectly suitable!

Room Size

While Disney Value Resorts have done a much better job in recent years refurbishing the majority of their rooms and making better use of space, make no mistake, the standard rooms are VERY tight. If your family prioritizes space, you will be much happier staying at a Moderate or a Deluxe Resort. 

If you can’t afford it, consider staying in a Family Suite at either All-Star Music Resort or the Art of Animation Resort. That way you’ll get the best of both worlds, considerable savings, AND additional space.

Dining Options

Many families traveling to Disney look forward to the opportunity of going to a nice sit-down table-service restaurant meal each day or at least multiple times during the course of their visit. Unfortunately, all of the Disney Value Resorts lack a sit-down dining experience with quick service meals being your only options. 

That means if you stay at a Value Resort, you will have to travel elsewhere for every restaurant you visit. While this isn’t the biggest deal in the world, it can require a lot more time and inconvenience. 

All of the Deluxe Resorts and most of the Moderate Resorts have at least 1 table-service restaurant within the Resort. This makes it so much simpler to be able to relax in your room and grab a quick bite to eat with your family without having to travel all over the Disney World property to find your restaurant.

READ: The Best Disney World Resort Restaurants

Pools & Playgrounds

Depending on the needs and interests of your children, some kids want to spend considerable amounts of their vacation in the pool or on the playground. This is important to know because MANY Disney Deluxe Resorts surprisingly do NOT have playgrounds for kids. On the other hand, ALL of the Value Resorts and Moderate Resorts do have them. 

Just keep in mind, the Disney Deluxe Resorts have significantly better pool areas with water slides whereas none of the Disney Value Resorts have slides. 

If you need them both, a healthy compromise is staying at a Disney Moderate Resort, which has both great pool areas with water slides AND playgrounds.

Noise

Another factor when considering where to stay is ‘noise.’ We find that the Value Resorts, especially the All-Star Resorts, can be incredibly noisy, especially in the common areas. The lobbies, the waits for the bus, the food courts, and the pool areas get JAMMED with people. 

This can be unpleasant and uncomfortable for many families. On the other hand, if your kids like to blow off steam, you may feel more comfortable staying at a Value Resort where your kids may not stand out.

The Deluxe and the Moderate Resorts are commonly much quieter. There are not as many people around, shorter and less packed waiting for food or the Disney buses, and just a more subdued atmosphere. Again, it depends on the age of your children and how energetic they are.

What to Pack for Kids

As you get to the Walt Disney World Resort you’ll see a number of things that are absolutely necessary for families with kids to pack.  Here are a few favorites to consider getting prior to your trip:

• Disney Shirts – One of our favorite family traditions prior to our Disney trips is getting new shirts for our trip! This builds anticipation for our trip and makes the planning phase even more fun. They can be found everywhere online, but if you want unique ones that aren’t a ‘dime a dozen’ then search places like Etsy and Zazzle. 
• Cooling Towels – These can be incredibly helpful to cool off your kids on a hot Florida afternoon, especially if you are going between May and October.
• Water Spray Bottles – My family has always loved buying the little water spray bottles that will have mini fans on them. They’ll cool you and your family down and give you a nice breeze in the middle of the day.
• Reusable Tupperware – This allows you to bring some snacks to the parks each day, a very underrated way of saving money.
• Autograph Books – Some kids love bringing autograph books to the parks to get the characters to sign. This is a fun thing to do with the kids (we did this all the time). Buy them in advance to save money instead of spending on the official Disney ones.
• Ponchos – You’ll likely hit some Florida Sunshowers in the middle of the day, especially if you are going during Hurricane season. In that case, it’s safer to bring a poncho with you! Buy them at your local dollar store, you’ll save a bunch of money over getting them in Disney 
• Hats, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen –  All three of these items can be vital to protecting the kids from the sun’s UV rays. The Florida sun can be brutal, especially for kids that haven’t experienced it before or have very fair skin.

Split Stays with Kids

Say your family has researched all of the Disney World Resorts and you just can’t decide on one (don’t worry, this happens all the time, even to our family). The good news is you don’t have to decide, you can have a split stay! What is that exactly?

A split stay is when you “split up” the days of your vacation between 2 or more resorts. For example, if you have 7 days for vacation, you go to one resort for 3 nights, and 4 nights at another resort. This way you can experience two completely different atmospheres that may appeal more to different members of the family.

With a split stay, you can stay at multiple resorts or as many as you want (though 2 is usually our max unless you are staying for more than 10 days). Disney will make this ultra-convenient with free luggage services to transfer your bags over to the other resort. 

Now your kids don’t need to disagree on a hotel, you can make everyone in the whole family happy and everyone gets their choice! This can also be a great way to make your trip cheaper if you want to perhaps stay at a Value Resort at the beginning of your trip and then transfer over to a Moderate or a Deluxe Resort for a few nights to end your trip.

How Much Does a Disney World Vacation Cost?

Whether you’ve been before to Disney World or you haven’t been, you likely know that a Disney World Vacation can be incredibly costly. Even for budget-conscious families, staying at a Disney Value Resort can stretch every last dollar they have. 

That’s not to say we don’t recommend it, but you should be prepared and plan as much as you possibly can prior to your trip. 

How much are we talking about?

• For a family of 4, the average Walt Disney World vacation in 2025 costs: $5,802.98 ($290.14 per person per night), $7,343.08 ($367.15 per person per night), or $10,880.68 ($544.03 per person per night).

These rates are based on a 6-day and 5-night stay during the Summer Season and based on whether you’re staying at a Disney Value Resort, Moderate Resort, or Deluxe Resort, as well as other factors like food, gifts, etc. 

Of course, it can be significantly cheaper if you take your kids out of school and go during a cheaper time of year that is considered off-peak by Disney, which we highly recommend as long as the kids won’t get in trouble or behind at school because of it.

We recommend reading our article “How Much Does a Disney World Vacation Cost?” to see a more detailed breakdown of all the prices and how to save some money in the meantime.

Determine Your Budget

As you can clearly see, a family vacation to Disney World can be the most costly and expensive trip your family has ever made! It’s very expensive. So what do we recommend? Determine your budget! 

Figure out in advance what you can and cannot spend and plan for it! There are a significant number of ways you can save money, such as visiting during off-peak times of the year, getting quick-service meals in the parks instead of sit-down table-service meals, preparing your own snacks and food, and SO much more. 

That’s not to say you won’t enjoy your vacation because you absolutely still can, you’ll just need to plan properly so you can relax on vacation and not be consumed with every dollar you spend. 

We love Disney as much as anyone, but it’s not going into massive debt just to take your family here. Save some money and wait until you can go without it being a financial burden.

Is It Worth It to Stay at a Disney Resort Hotel?

While it’s true some of the appeals of staying at Disney Resort Hotel have diminished over the last few years, and with the rising costs of staying in them, it does beg the question of “is it worth it still?” I wrestle with this thought regularly, and at one time I thought “Absolutely!” Now I’m still slightly in favor of it, it isn’t as definitive as it once was. 

For families that have never stayed at a Disney Resort, I think it’s a night and day difference. I frequently hear friends say they’ve been to Disney World and then proceed to spew negativity. And in almost every instance, they’ve only ever stayed off-site. 

In my opinion, the chances of having an enjoyable Disney World family vacation go up exponentially when you stay on-site. Trust me, there are still a ton of perks even if there aren’t as many as there once were.

That’s not to say the cost of Disney Resorts can’t be ridiculously expensive, they certainly can be. And though you may be able to get a nearby Vacation Home or an Off-Site Hotel for a fraction of the cost, it can be hard to wrestle with it, especially when you’re on a tight budget. But here’s why we still think it’s worth it:

1. The Disney Magic. There’s NOTHING like feeling completely engrossed in a Disney World trip. The feeling of being in Disney. And when you leave the parks and you arrive at your Disney Hotel, you can stay in the Disney Magic from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. There’s no price tag on this feeling
2. The Disney Resort Perks. There are still significant perks for guests staying on-site at a Disney World Resort that those NOT staying on-site cannot benefit from. Things such as 60-day dining reservation booking, free parking at the parks, early theme park entry, and access to 7-Day Booking Windows for both Lightning Lane Multi and Single Reservations. 

If you are torn between staying on-site or off-site, I recommend reading my post Benefits of Staying at Disney World, where we break down if it’s actually worth it and when it might not be.

Tips for Saving Money at Disney Resorts

Now that you see a Disney World Vacation can be incredibly costly, there are a few ways you ABSOLUTELY can save some money. Here are the easiest and simplest ways to spend less at the resorts. 

Go at the Right Time

You can save thousands, yes I said thousands, of dollars if you visit Disney World during a slower time of year! This can be incredibly difficult for families with kids because typically speaking the slower times of year are always the times when kids are in school. Disney isn’t stupid and they know most families have no choice but to pay the extra cost.

However, if you can take your kids during a time such as Mid to Late August, September, October, Early November, or January, you’ll save SIGNIFICANTLY! Check our post on the Cheapest Times of the Year to Visit Disney World, for the best dates this year and next.

Avoid the Weekends

Just like most hotels around the country, Disney Park Tickets AND Disney Resort prices are more expensive on the weekends. Disney prices vacations out now based on the days you are visiting and that means Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive days and nights of the week. 

If you aren’t going for a full week and just for a few days, try to go sometime between Sunday – Thursday. You’ll save a significant amount of money doing so, and crowds will be a little better too.

Use Those Discounts

Scattered at different times throughout the year, Disney offers different discounts on room-only or vacation packages. They’re generally during slower times of the year, but not always. 

Offers are at times for the general public and there are also exclusive ones for Annual Passholders or DVC Members. Sometimes these discounts can save you as much as 20-30% or more, so when you see a good one, jump on it.

How to Make Reservations for Your Family

Now that you’ve decided where to stay, it’s time to make your reservations. There are 2 main ways to do this:

1. You can go directly through Disney and make your plans on your own.
2. Or better yet, you can use a Disney travel agent that will make the entire process incredibly simple for you! There is no additional charge to do this, and a qualified Disney travel agent will help you find the best room for your family, and get you the best deal on that room.

A Disney travel agent can not only help you with your room but can help you with your tickets, your dining reservations, getting back and forth to your hotel from the airport, and more! 

Personally, I recommend Show You The World Travel as our 1st choice when it comes to a Disney World Trip and I use them when planning my trips. Their team of agents is very knowledgeable and super friendly. And again, the best part is they are 100% FREE to use and will probably end up saving you money, especially when booking expensive Disney suites.

That wraps up our ranking of the top Disney World Resorts for kids and families. We hope that we helped you figure out which hotels are the best for your family so you can have the most magical Disney vacation ever!

If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the coming future, here are some other popular articles where you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.

• Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
• Disney World Crowd Calendar
• When are the Best Times to Visit Disney World?

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our ranking of the best Disney World Resorts for Families & Kids…

• What is your favorite Disney World Resort for Kids?
• Which do you think is #1?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂