10 Best Disney World Resorts for Families

When it comes to Disney, they certainly know how to cater to families, and families who want to visit Disney's Orlando theme parks will find a large selection of resorts and hotels to accommodate families of all sizes. But which ones are the best? Take a look at these 10 favorites of our editors and family travelers alike.

Written by Lissa Poirot
Modeled after a seaside New England town, ship-loving guests can enjoy the nautical-themed resort, as well as board a boat to get to Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 621-room resort features a kids’ club for children 3 to 12 – Sandcastle Club – and the Stormalong Bay Pool, a three-acre water park-style pool and lake with waterslides, lagoons, waterspouts and a lazy river. Says reader kidcruzr, "The Yacht Club pools are spectacular… winding lazy rivers, sand-bottomed pools, and a snack house right there by the water’s edge."

Read our review of Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
For rugged families, as well as those on a budget, the Wilderness complex of accommodations is a favorite. The Wilderness Lodge is a massive 727-room resort made to look like turn-of-the-century American National Park lodges with onsite “rangers” providing property tours. Meanwhile, Fort Wilderness campground is a 740-acree resort with 784 campsites and 409 air-conditioned cabins. Says rouxster37, "We have four children and the cabins allowed us to really stretch out and enjoy ourselves."

Read our review of Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Campground.
The Boardwalk is another themed property meant to remind families of the famed boardwalks of Mid-Atlantic coastal towns. Steps away from Epcot, the Inn and Villas give families an array of accommodations – up to three-bedrooms. "The Boardwalk is probably one of the most centrally located hotels," says weircamping. "We loved the Boardwalk part of the hotel. If we ever get a chance to go again, we would stay at the Boardwalk."

Read our review of Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Disney's Boardwalk Villas.
Two Port Orleans properties are available at Disney, but it's the smaller New Orleans' French Quarter-styled, 1,008-room, 325-acre resort that is the favorite. Guests have access to bikes, boats, carriage rides and cane pole fishing in a peaceful setting that feels worlds away from the theme park hustle and bustle. "This is a great hotel for someone who wants the Disney Parks experience, but doesn't want to be staying in a super Disney-themed hotel and doesn't want to break the bank," says Elsie.

Read our review of Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.
Adding to Disney's safari experience, the AKL, as it is called, provides 20 lodges with thatched roofs, mud fireplaces, and a 43-acre wildlife preserve. "We sat on our balcony and watched the giraffes, bison, jack rabbits do their morning thing. The animals are all around and there are staff gameskeepers around to answer any questions," says furlsilv, adding, "It was really very cool." Note: The Lodge is actually the first four floors of the property, and the fifth and sixth floors are referred to as the Jambo House Villas, which are studio to three-bedroom Disney Vacation Club villas.

Read our review of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort.
Although you won't find horses roaming the grounds of this resort, inspired by Saratoga Springs, N.Y., you will find an old-fashioned, calm environment, decorated in horse-related fare. The campus-style property is spread over 107 acres and offers 1,320 units. "I stayed in 2010 and 2011 and it's the best hotel ever. The room is beautiful, clean and we had everything we needed. I strongly recommend a visit to Saratoga resort!" says glopardo.

Read our review of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, the resort features a backdrop of Cinderella's Castle and Space Mountain. Another Vacation Club property, the 295-unit resort offers up to three-bedroom villas with kitchenettes to the general public, accommodating up to nine people – the maximum occupancy at Disney's Villa properties. Krismorz says of the contemporary property, "Location, location, location! I always wondered if it was worth the money to stay on Disney property. YES, without a doubt. Walking to and from Magic Kingdom is worth the price."

Read our review of the Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Located in the Downtown Disney area, this 549-room resort overlooks the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and provides beautiful sunset views reminiscent of Key West sunsets. One of the oldest and most affordable villa properties, it's also one of the most spacious. It’s remote location may make it harder to get to the theme parks, but provides a quiet place to relax after a long day in lines. "For plenty of room to spread out, the money-saving kitchen with frig, and a quiet place to chill, pick OKW," says KyleK1967.

Read our review of Disney's Old Key West Resort.
The 847-room Polynesian Resort was one of Walt Disney World’s firsts and remains a favorite with today’s families for its spacious rooms (the largest of all the Disney resorts); kid-favorite Volcano Pool with zero-entry, waterfall and tube slide; and sizeable soft-sand beach. A real plus for families, Lagoon View rooms offer a direct view of Magic Kingdom, allowing your tuckered out little ones to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your room or balcony. "The restaurants on the property were great too… We highly recommend this Disney property," says shleeykaty.

Read our review of Disney's Polynesian Resort.
Another seaside-themed property, this time modeled after Mid-Atlantic waterfront turn-of-the-century towns, offers exclusive access to Stormalong Bay at the Yacht Club, as well as the Sandcastle Club kids’ program. "The list of plus reasons to stay at Disney's Beach Club Villas would indeed by seemingly endless," says reader nicolegorman. "Best pool at Disney, fantastic location, Disney customer service…"

Read our review of Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
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10 Best Disney World Resorts for Families
  1. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  2. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Fort Wilderness Campground
  3. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Villas
  4. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
  5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
  6. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  7. Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
  8. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  9. Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  10. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney's Yacht Club Resort Reviews
kidcruzr - Oct 16th, 2009

We "dropped anchor" at the Yacht Club for one week (myself, DH, DS8, DD5, DD3). We had been to Walt Disney World 5 or 6 times with our children over the years. We started with camping at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, then jumped up on the ... more +
Read more Disney's Yacht Club Resort reviews
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Reviews
Deannerousseau@yahoo.com - Jun 3rd, 2013

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for our Christmas vacation. The holiday decorations were beautiful! The hotel is located near Magic Kingdom and is a ferry boat ride away. The buses come often for the other parks. We had a beautiful view of ... more +
landrioli - Apr 4th, 2013

My 4 and 6 year old loved everything about this hotel. From the bunk beds in our room overlooking the pool to the pool itself they had a great time. They enjoyed the bridge and brook inside the hotel that led to the waterfall outside and the ... more +
Read more Disney's Wilderness Lodge reviews
Disney's Boardwalk Inn Reviews
glenncahoon - Oct 22nd, 2012

Patty & I had a great trip! at the BoardWalk Resort. We had heard that there were not a lot of eating places, not quite true. The Bakery had great small breakfasts...there was a pizza place (we didn't try), ESPN was great for sporting events ... more +
kelly622 - Oct 19th, 2011

What a wonderful time our family of four had at Disney's The hotel is in a wonderful location on the Boardwalk, a short walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Our family loved the nightly entertainment,and the great Community Hall area, full of ... more +
Read more Disney's Boardwalk Inn reviews
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter Reviews
LauraS - May 17th, 2012

President's Week at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort This was my third stay at POFQ, as it's called on various Disney sites! This time, I was traveling with my sister (very close to my age of "old") and her daughter, aged ... more +
Elsie - Oct 20th, 2009

We chose to visit Walt Disney World's Port Orleans - French Quarter Resort (and, of course, the WDW theme parks) when we saw an Internet deal for a free dining plan with a multiple day WDW hotel stay. We chose the French Quarter resort, ... more +
Read more Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter reviews
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Reviews
furlsilv - Oct 14th, 2011

We were planning a short trip (4 days) to Disney World. In the past we had stayed at the mid-level Disney hotels (Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans) which we completely enjoyed, but we decided this time to step it up a notch. We were worried that we ... more +
sighedkcik - Apr 28th, 2011

I went to AnimalKingdom as my first large family vacation and was very pleased with the hotel. Giraffes off my balcony, animals everywhere. The kids had the arcade, swimming pool, activities set up every day and night which covered multiple age ... more +
Read more Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort reviews
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Reviews
tripman10 - Aug 3rd, 2012

Our stay at Saratoga Springs began when the check in staff had no record that we prepaid for meals and theme parks. Thank God we had the names of the people that took our order and the cards we used to pay for them. I'm not sure how they ... more +
glopardo - Nov 30th, 2011

I stayed in Disney Saratoga Spring Resort in 2010 and 2011 and its the best hotel ever. The room is beautiful,clean and we had everything we need. The lobby is gorgeous and it has a fast food restaurant and also a dinning table restaurant that is ... more +
Read more Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa reviews
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort Reviews
krismorz - Jun 29th, 2012

Location, location, location!!! I always wondered if it was worth the money to stay on Disney property. YES, without a doubt. Walking to and from Magic Kingdom itself is worth the price. Everyday we would take a break from the parks and go back ... more +
asiamommi - Jun 2nd, 2012

Great location! Can walk or take Monorail to Magic Kingdom, take Monorail to EPCOT and the bus stop is right out the front door. Reserved a Studio with a Lake View, but asked if one had a partial view of Magic Kingdom and was able to see fireworks ... more +
Read more Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort reviews
Disney's Old Key West Resort Reviews
solbravman - Jun 4th, 2013

1. Good bus transportation by Disney. 2. Accommodations were fine except that the furniture needed updating or renewal. 3. The purchase of anything was super expensive at the different parks or hotels. 4. The employees were very good and ... more +
webcs - Jul 5th, 2012

Old Key West is the oldest and first Disney Vacation Club resort. Created to resemble a village in Key West Florida, Old Key West gives renters the feeling that they are renting homes dotted in pastel colors along a river corridor. Although Old ... more +
Read more Disney's Old Key West Resort reviews
Disney's Polynesian Resort Reviews
crd1219 - Jul 16th, 2012

We stayed at the Polynesian resort, it was great. The fact that the monorail stops right at the resort was a real time saver. They had activities for the kids at the pool, along with outside movie every night plus the fireworks display from the ... more +
babagogi - Apr 22nd, 2011

We stayed at the Polynesian for our Disney trip. It was a birthday celebration for my kids (8 yrs old and 16 yrs old) so we decided to surprise them with this trip and the stay at the hotel. The location of the hotel was fantastic. We had a short ... more +
Read more Disney's Polynesian Resort reviews
Disney's Beach Club Resort Reviews
lmotten45 - Jun 29th, 2011

We went to Disney World in Orlando FL and stayed at the Beach Resort, it was the best experience we have ever had for our family. We were very pleased with the whole stay, we were treated like royalty. I will definitely stay again. The Animal ... more +
enscott14 - May 28th, 2010

Our family went on a vacation and stayed at this resort last year and the experience was simply AMAZING! Everything was breathtaking, the service was fantastic, and our family can't wait to go again soon! A+++ in my book! :-)... more +
Read more Disney's Beach Club Resort reviews


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