The 6 Best Disney World Hotels for Families

So you’re planning a Disney World trip with your family and have NO idea where to start with hotels.

We don’t blame you! Disney World is home to 32 resorts and hotels on the property — and that’s not even including all the other hotels in Orlando! But don’t stress because you’ve come to the right place, and we’re here to help you decide which hotel is right for you!

Value Resorts

Disney World value resorts are among the most affordable hotels on the property but one, in particular, stands out for families.

Art of Animation

Art of Animation is all about Disney animation, which means you’ll find adorable scenes from classic Disney animated films all over the resort grounds.

Art of Animation is home to both standard rooms and suites that can sleep up to six adults, which makes them ideal for families who are also on a budget, as Art of Animation’s prices are typically on the lower end of Disney World hotels. Suites include a separate bedroom, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette!

Throughout the resort, you’ll find decor the whole family will love, with giant versions of characters as well as cute scenes to walk through on the hotel grounds. Take a photo with the giant Ariel, walk through the elephant graveyard from The Lion King, and lots more.

The Little Mermaid pool at Art of Animation

Art of Animation is also home to the Big Blue Pool, which is the single largest hotel pool in Disney World!

And best of all, Art of Animation is located just a short walk from a Disney Skyliner station, which can take you to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with a transfer at the Caribbean Beach station).

If you don’t need a suite and price is of utmost importance to you, Art of Animation’s sister hotel Pop Century can also be a good fit for you! It’s just a short walk from Art of Animation (so it also has Skyliner access) and can occasionally have lower prices.

The BEST Disney World hotels for a staycation.

Moderate Resorts

Disney World’s moderate resorts are priced somewhere in the middle, meaning they’re more expensive than value hotels but they’re not as pricey as others. They can be a good middle-of-the-road option and two of them are great for families.

Port Orleans — Riverside AND French Quarter

Port Orleans Resort is home to a pair of hotels known as Riverside and French Quarter. These hotels feature different themes and dining options and they’re a short walk apart, meaning you kind of get a “two hotels in one” experience.

At Riverside, kids will love the Royal Guest rooms, which have a Princess and the Frog theme. These rooms have two queen-size beds as well as unique Princess and the Frog artwork, along with headboards featuring fiber optic effects!

And if you stroll over to French Quarter, you can grab Mickey-shaped Beignets from the Scat Cat’s Club Cafe. Who’s gonna say no to a Mickey Beignet?? Choose from three or six Mickey-shaped Beignets that come with a choice of dipping sauce, or opt for the Mickey-shaped Beignets Sundae!

If your family always visits Disney Springs, the Port Orleans hotels are a short boat ride away, so you have close and easy access to even more dining and shopping.

And in contrast with huge hotel grounds like Art of Animation, Riverside and French Quarter feel a bit less spread out, so you likely won’t be walking quite as far to get to your room at the end of the night.

Go inside the rooms at EVERY Disney World hotel!

Coronado Springs

Coronado Springs is another moderate resort with a blend of Mexican, Spanish, and Southwest American themes. This hotel has an upscale feel with moderate pricing, and it has tons of dining options to fit a variety of tastes, from adventurous eaters to picky kiddos.

In terms of amenities, the Lost City of Cibola Pool features a 50-foot Mayan pyramid along with a. 123-foot water slide and the largest hot tub in Disney World! Nearby, an archaeologically-themed playground is a perfect place for kids to climb and play.

And if you’re looking for more enriching activities outside of the parks, Coronado Springs also offers classes like the Colors of Coronado Painting Experience and Spanish Mosaic Art, which are great for older kids and adults alike. In the mosaic class, you can craft your very own Disney-themed artwork!

If you want an upscale hotel on a lower budget, Coronado Springs is a great option to consider.

The most underrated hotels in Disney World!

Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe resorts are the most expensive hotels in Disney World, but they also come with some special perks.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge is absolutely beautiful and full of authentic African artwork. You may spend quite a bit of time looking around the lobby!

And we have one word for you. ANIMALS. Animal Kingdom Lodge has animals! We’re talking real animals and in fact, there are over 200 hoofed animals and birds on the savannas. If you book a savanna room, you can actually have a view of the animals from your room!

And when it comes to dining, Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to some of the best restaurants in Disney World! Jiko — The Cooking Place, Boma, and Sanaa all offer flavors of African cooking in different ways, with some options for picky eaters too.

If you have young (or older!) kiddos who love animals, make sure you consider Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Come with us inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Polynesian Village Resort

Polynesian Village Resort is one of Disney World’s original hotels, featuring South Pacific themes with beautiful tropical landscaping both inside and out. Located a short walk or a Monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, the Polynesian is ideal for families who want to spend lots of time in Disney World’s original park.

In fact, the Polynesian is so close to Magic Kingdom that you can watch the fireworks shows from the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon! The music is even piped in so you don’t miss a thing, and you don’t have to deal with huge fireworks crowds. And if you have young kids, it’s much easier to stay close to your hotel at night.

The Polynesian is also home to one of Disney World’s most popular restaurants — ‘Ohana! Enjoy Polynesian cuisine for breakfast and dinner, with characters like Lilo and Stitch visiting during breakfast.

If Magic Kingdom is at the top of your Disney World plans, Polynesian Village Resort can be an excellent option for your family.

Click here for the BEST Disney World hotels!

Wilderness Lodge

And at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you’re still fairly close to Magic Kingdom (just a complementary boat ride away!), but you get more of a country vibe.

The Copper Creek Cabins are ideal for families, sleeping up to 8 adults and including two full bathrooms, full kitchen, living, and dining areas, a washer and dryer, and a private porch with a hot tub.

If you like doing activities when on vacation, Wilderness Lodge is also a short bus ride away from Fort Wilderness, where you can find more outdoorsy fun like pony rides, wagon rides, archery, fishing, canoe and kayak rentals, and more.

And at both Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are a number of excellent dining options! Eat at the dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness or visit Whispering Canyon Cafe for some feisty servers. Geyser Point Bar & Grill is another great choice that’s super family-friendly.

Families who enjoy an outdoor vibe and fun activities would be a great fit for Wilderness Lodge.

How you can CAMP at Disney World!

And there you have it! Not all hotels are created equally for families but it’s a good idea to consider your individual needs, preferences, and budget. Keep following AllEars for more Disney hotel news and tips!