Tag Archives: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Best Disney Resorts for Kids and Families at Disney World

Best Disney Resorts for Kids and Families at Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort hotel has over twenty properties that you can choose from. With so many choices, how do you choose the best fit for your family? We are recommending the best Disney resorts for kids and families based on interests and plans.

Best Pool: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort

Most everyone who has had the opportunity to experience Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts will agree that it is the best pool at Disney World. Your kids will LOVE splashing, swimming, and playing at Stormalong Bay.

You can float in the lazy river, climb to the top of a life-sized pirate shipwreck replica to slide down a 230 foot waterslide, play volleyball in the water, swim in the main pool, or let the kids play in the sand. You can also grab an ice cream treat from the to-go menu at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.

Bonus: If you order a kids meal from Hurricane Hanna’s Grill, your kids will receive a sand pail and shovel.

Best Theming: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

In my opinion, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has the best theming of any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. And, at a value price tag! Your kids will find larger than life statues from Disney movies that they know and love.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has four sections themed after Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. All of the sections offer family suites which can sleep up to six guests except the Little Mermaid section which offer standard rooms that can sleep up to four guests.

The theming is carried so well throughout the resort, from the rooms to the pools and food court. Your kids will find larger than life statues from Disney movies that they know and love. These make for a great photo opportunity during your visit.

Most Convenient: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

It’s hard to beat the convenience of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This tropical paradise sits across the Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom Park. You have a great view of the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular from the pool and beach area.

You can take the monorail to both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. They also offer a complimentary water taxi to the Magic Kingdom. If you don’t want to have to fold your stroller, we recommend the monorail. The Transportation and Ticket Center is next to the Polynesian so you even can walk over to board the Epcot monorail, without having to ride around and then transfer monorails.

Bonus: You can get the fan favorite Dole Whip’s at Pineapple Lanai, located just outside of the lobby.

Best Disney World hotels for Kids

Best Resort for Animal Lovers: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

If your kids love animals, then you HAVE to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! This beautiful property offers savanna view rooms where you can watch animals from the comfort of your private balcony and hotel room. You’ll be able to see giraffe, zebra, cattle, antelope, kudu, wildebeest, and more on the four savannas surrounding the property.

The savanna view rooms can be booked with a king bed (for two guests) or two queen beds (for four guests). There are also less expensive categories available at the resort. Even without a savanna view room, you can still enjoy the view of the animals throughout the resort. There are various public viewing areas and even windows down the hallways for some incredible views.

Best “Bang for your Buck”: Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Pop Century Resort offers a great value for your hard earned money. It is part of the value category which are the least expensive hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort. The rooms at Pop Century were recently refurbished to include two queen beds, one of which can fold up for more space in the room. It is also part of the new Skyliner (gondola) transportation system for quick and easy access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. You can also read my top nine reasons why I think you’ll love staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort here.

Best for Nature Lovers: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

If your kids love nature and the great outdoors, then Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is the place for you! This huge campground can be a vacation destination in and of itself. They offer both cabins (that can sleep six guests) in addition to campsites for both tents and RV’s.

Fort Wilderness has a great location on Bay Lake. You can take a complimentary water taxi to the Magic Kingdom. You can also try archery, pony rides, carriage rides, and wagon rides. There are great dining options like Trails End and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Plus, you can’t miss Chip ‘n’ Dale’s nightly Campfire Sing-A-long, complete with s’mores.

Best Disney Resorts for Kids

Best Water Play Area for Littles: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter

If you are traveling with little ones, they will LOVE the Doubloon Lagoon water play area at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter. This Mardi Gras themed water play area is located next to the main pool and fully gated so guests 48 inches and under can safely explore on their own. The small size of this resort also makes it very appealing to families with small children.

Bonus: Be sure to try a Mickey beignet from Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. We especially love the seasonal pumpkin spice beignets which are available in the fall.

Best for Princesses: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside is home to Royal Guest Rooms. Royal Guest Rooms are found in the Magnolia Bend section of the resort. Royal Guest Rooms can sleep up to four guests in two queen beds, have a letter from Princess Tiana on the table, fiber optics headboards, Disney Princess artwork on the walls, and more royal touches throughout the resort. Every Disney Princess will feel like royalty in these elegant rooms.

Bonus: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside are sister resorts so they do share amenities as far as pools and dining options. You can take a complimentary water taxi between the two properties.

Best for Pirates: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is home to Pirate Rooms. These pirate themed guest rooms are located in the Trinidad South section. The pirate rooms can sleep four guests in two double beds that resemble pirate ships. You’ll also find a barrel, pile of crates, “Pirates of the Caribbean” divider curtain, and more theming throughout the room. Caribbean Beach is also part of the new Skyliner (gondola) transportation system which allows you to quickly and easily access both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

I truly believe that each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has its own unique perks and benefits. I have personally stayed at every Walt Disney World Resort hotel and would be happy to share my experiences with you regarding any property.

What do you think are the best Disney resorts for kids?

Planning a Disney World vacation? Don’t miss our guide to character meals or ten things that you should bring when traveling with a toddler.

Walt Disney World Resort Accommodations for Large Families

Do you have a large family who is interested in going to Disney World, but not sure where you should stay? There are options for families of all sizes and budgets to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Here are the Walt Disney World Resort Accommodations for large families.

Disney Value Resorts – Sleeps Up to 6 Guests
You can choose from spacious accommodations at 2 Disney Value Resort hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort invites your family to stay in the middle of your favorite animated films! You can enjoy spacious family suites that sleep up to 6 Guests and are designed after the films Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King. Each family suite offers three sleeping areas, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.
  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. You can jazz it up in family suites that sleep up to 6 Guests and feature a separate bedroom, pull-out sofas in the living room, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette.

Moderate Resort Hotel – Sleeps Up to 6 Guests

Spread out and relax in the home-style comfort at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort!

  • The spacious, secluded Fort Wilderness Cabins each sleep up to 6 Guests and feature more than 500 square feet of living, dining and sleeping area. Plus, you will also enjoy a private patio with BBQ grill and picnic table. The kitchen is fully equipped, but don’t worry about the dishes—Disney will do them for you!

Deluxe Resort Hotel – Sleeps 5 or More Guests
Experience the ultimate in Disney luxury, style and service at a Disney Deluxe Resort! Each Disney Deluxe Resort hotel offers spacious options for larger traveling parties—rooms and suites that accommodate 5 or more Guests. You can choose from 8 amazing Resort hotels:

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels – Sleeps Up to 8 or 9 Guests
You will relish the roominess of Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels, which include one and two-bedroom villas. Each two-bedroom villa sleeps up to 8 Guests—and up to 9 at select locations—and includes home-like amenities such as a full kitchen, a whirlpool tub, DVD player, washer and dryer. You can choose from locations in 8 Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels:

  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort (sleeps up to 9)
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village (sleeps up to 9)
  • The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (sleeps up to 9)

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Sleeps Up to 9

The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are stand-alone Disney Deluxe Villas nestled in natural forest glens just around the river bend from the bustling Downtown Disney area. The 60 three-bedroom vacation homes—elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the lush wilderness environment—sleep 9 Guests and feature modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite counter tops and flat-panel TVs.

Would you like more information on your family’s Disney World vacation or one of these great resorts? Email Siera at spreadingmagic@gmail.com for your free quote or more information!