Inside: You’ll find the best Disney World resorts for kids in 2024. Plus, learn all about the perks of staying on property, why each selected Walt Disney World Resort made the best of the best list, and so much more! You’ll definitely be able to find the perfect resort for you and your family’s Disney vacation to make it the absolute most magical stay! Keep reading for full details about the best resorts for your kids.
The Best Disney World Resorts For Kids in 2024
Pin for later ?
Ah, Disney World – a magical realm where every child’s dream comes to life! But hey, when it comes to picking the best Disney World resorts for kids in 2024, it’s like choosing a favorite flavor of ice cream at the Magic Kingdom – they’re all so tempting! Each resort has its own special magic and perks. So how do you choose!?
Now, while Disney is synonymous with family fun, not all resorts are created equal, especially for our little adventurers. Imagine your kids’ eyes lighting up as they meet Mickey Mouse or Snow White right in the lobby of your resort!
And you know what?
The magic doesn’t stop there. Think about waking up in a room with a view of Cinderella’s Castle, or better yet, stepping onto the monorail right from your resort for a fun day at Epcot. The convenience of Disney’s Contemporary Resort or the lush, tropical vibe of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, not to mention the easy walk to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from some of these spots – it’s like having your own magic carpet!
Plus, who can resist the allure of those extra-special touches? We’re talking water cannons and splash pads for the younger kids at places like Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and for those with younger children, the gentle waves of a lazy river at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are just perfect.
And hey, for those traveling with larger families, the spacious suites at resorts like Disney’s Art of Animation ensure everyone has a cozy spot to dream of tomorrow’s adventures.
Why Stay on Disney World Property
So, why opt for a Disney property?
Well, let’s talk perks! Picture this: you’re staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, just a short walk from the Magic Kingdom. Or maybe you’re lounging at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where the spirit of Aloha greets you daily. These resorts aren’t just places to sleep; they’re part of the adventure!
Oh, and there are a TON of additional perks, like extra magic hours where you get to spend even more time at the parks! Plus, there’s also free transportation. There’s no need to drive as EVERY on-property Disney resort offers various transportation options to and from the parks.
You also have the opportunity for merchandise delivery and pick up, allowing you to shop in the parks and avoid dragging your purchases around the resort. It’s so convenient!
Plus, there are so many more perks, but I’ll go over each resort’s specific perks in depth, but below are some overall ones.
BENEFITS PERKS OF STAYING ON PROPERTY
Okay, now, depending on the type of resort you stay at (value resorts, moderate resorts, deluxe resorts), you’ll have different perks, but for the most part, the perks they offer across the board are pretty spectacular.
Here are some you can look forward to:
- Theme park entry: Early entry to theme parks every day
- Park hours: Extended evening hours at theme parks for Deluxe Resort hotels
- Dining: Early access to dining reservations, including character meals
- Transportation: Complimentary transportation between resorts and parks
- Parking: Free parking at resorts and theme parks
- Package delivery: Free package delivery from theme parks to your room
- Early access to Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions
- Dining reservations at 60 days out
- Complimentary transportation between resorts and park
- Early access to Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions
- Dining reservations at 60 days out
- Complimentary transportation between resorts and park
FREE DISNEY RESORT CHEAT SHEETS
Now, before we get into the full list of the best Disney resort options for kids, I thought you might want to take advantage of the complete Disney World Resorts cheat sheet. This includes all resorts from every category! The best part is it includes everything that you need to select the best resort for your family’s vacation, including price ranges, amenities, theme overview, dining options, and more! They’re easy to use, packed with info, and the best part is they’re totally free.
Get yours below!
Feel free to share the cheat sheets with your planning party. Alright, now it’s time to dive into each resort!
THE BEST DISNEY RESORTS FOR KIDS
I’ve been going to Disney for 30 years now, and I go multiple times a year, almost always staying on property. So, I know a thing or two about which resorts are most beloved by kids! I gathered my top picks to make your kid’s vacation even better!
These resorts are family-friendly, with plenty of fun things to do with your kids and all of the great benefits Disney is known for. You can make the most of your Disney vacation at these kid-friendly resorts.
Art of Animation
First up on the list, and my top pick for Value Resorts, is Art of Animation Resort. It is a fantastic family resort that offers family suites (sleep 5-6). And don’t get me started on the themes.
They go over the top for theming. This themed resort pulls you into all of your favorite childhood animated movies, sparking your child’s imagination. If you get a Finding Nemo room, expect to feel like you are in the ocean with them. Or maybe you get a Lion King-themed room.
You’ll feel like you’re hanging out with Timon and Pumba right there in the jungle. For real, it’s absolutely mind-blowing what a great job they did. Below is a one-minute Lion King room tour!
Let’s go over in more detail what to expect:
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has four room themes inspired by Disney-Pixar films:
- The Little Mermaid: Themed standard rooms that fit up to four people
- Finding Nemo: Themed family suites that fit up to six people
- Cars: Themed family suites
- The Lion King: Themed family suites
The pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are themed to four Disney-Pixar films.
- The Big Blue Pool: Inspired by Finding Nemo
- Cozy Cone Pool: Themed to Cars
- Flippin Fins Pool: Themed to The Little Mermaid
The pools are heated and are between 3 and 5 feet deep. The Big Blue Pool is the centerpiece of the resort and is located behind the lobby. Oh, and did I mention that the Big Blue Pool is the BIGGEST on Disney property? It is a huge pull and also amazingly themed.
And transportation? You’ll get access to busses, but also have access to Disney’s Skyliner. This is a gondola that takes you to other resorts, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. It’s like a bonus ride for your kids.
This is my opinion, but the food court is huge and also one of the best resort food courts on Disney property. There are so many great options that it will keep even the pickiest eater satisfied.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Right next to the Art of Animation is Pop Century! No, really, they are so close you can take a short walk between the two.
This kid-friendly resort is a favorite for both kids and parents. The theming is full of bright colors and larger than life… no, really… the decor is giant-sized! From giant 8-track tapes and big wheels to Play-Doh, you’ll always have a fun pop culture icon to look at while on Pop Century property. It’s a nice blast from the past for us parents, exciting for the kids, and a fun conversation starter if your kids don’t know what some of the icons are.
Your kids will be ecstatic to know that there are three huge pools, each themed around a different decade of Disney fun. The flower jets at the 1960s-themed Hippy Dippy Pool are a lot of fun, with a nearby kiddie pool for your young children who aren’t ready for the bigger pools. And to make it even more fun, the pool offers movie screenings on select nights.
Here are more reasons why your kids would love Disney’s Pop Century Resort:
- Interactive Play Spaces: The resort offers engaging play areas, including everything from outdoor Twister to life-sized Foosball, encouraging active and imaginative play for kids of all eras.
- Movie Nights Under the Stars: Pop Century often hosts outdoor movie nights, where families can unwind and enjoy Disney classics in a cozy, under-the-stars setting, perfect for a relaxing evening after a day in the parks.
- Colorful and Comfortable Guest Rooms: The bright, retro-themed guest rooms are not only visually appealing to kids but also designed for comfort, ensuring a restful retreat for families after an exciting day of Disney adventures. Oh, and the rooms are newly renovated, so they are not run down at all.
Now, let’s talk about transportation. Essentially, it is the same as the Art of Animation. You get access to busses, but also have access to Disney’s Skyliner, which is actually located on Pop Century property.
Pop Century also has a really good food court with something for everyone in your family. They also have the famous tie-dye cheesecake! If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a must!
All-Star Movie Resort
Alright, next up on the list is All-Star Movies Resort!
This resort is the ultimate movie lovers’ destination. Just like Pop Century, everything is oversized and fun! Filled with fun and adventures inside your child’s favorite movies, you can stay at this all-star resort where you can enjoy poolside movies under the stars for an experience your child will never forget.
The Fantasia-Themed Pool will take you back to your childhood and have your own kids super excited.
This budget resort is perfect for families looking for a fun place to stay with activities to enjoy the day you arrive without needing to purchase a ticket to a park for half a day. Swing by the movie theater-themed cafe for dinner, relax by one of the pools, and enjoy a family movie night.
Kids will also love this resort because of:
- Theming: The resort is filled with larger-than-life Disney movie characters like Buzz and Woody
- Rooms: The rooms are comfortable for a family of four
- Pools: The resort has two pools and offers pool activities
The resort also has a playground, a campfire for toasting marshmallows, and fun recreation.
All-Star Music Resort
All-Star Music Resort is very similar to All-Star Movies, except the theme is music instead. This resort is like a playlist of your favorite tunes. Each section is dedicated to genres of music like jazz, rock, and country. It’s a vibrant and colorful celebration of music that’ll have your kids tapping their feet the whole time.
So, if your little ones are more of the music-loving type, this resort is the way to go! Imagine a place where every corner hums with melodies and rhythms!
At the All-Star Music Resort, kids will love:
- The Guitar-Shaped Pool is great for a refreshing splash with a cool vibe.
- Family-Friendly Dining: With options at the Intermission Food Court, there is something for every person in your family.
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
This one has an edge over the other All-Star resorts because it has family suites! So a larger party is able to stay at All-Stars
So score big with your sports-loving kids at the All-Star Sports Resort! This resort is a home run for families, featuring larger-than-life sports icons and vibrant, playful décor. From basketball to baseball, soccer to surfing, it’s an athletic dream come true. There is even a huge football field for your kids to run around on.
Kids will love:
- Sports-Themed Areas: Each section celebrates a different sport.
- The Surfboard Bay Pool area is super fun. The kids will LOVE it!
- End Zone Food Court: For a quick refuel after a day of fun and games.
All-Star Sports Resort is the cheapest hotel you will find at Disney (besides the campgrounds, if you count them). It’s perfect for your little ones because the over-the-top theming will make them super excited, but you get to do it on a budget. Although this isn’t my personal favorite, I definitely see the appeal of staying here, and I will stay here again with my kids soon for their enjoyment.
Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Resort tops my list of personal favorite Disney World resorts for both kids and adults. It’s a must-do at least once!
First off, staying at the Beach Club makes absolutely everything convenient. There are tons of amazing restaurants to choose from, including Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, which your kids will be obsessed with.
This resort is also connected to the Yacht club, which doubles the number of restaurants on the property. Also, the quick service markets are full of kid-favorite snacks, where you’ll find a good selection of healthy and not-so-healthy.
Don’t get me started on the incredibly themed pool. It’s the highlight of any kid’s Beach Club stay. The Stormalong Bay pool is huge! And get this! It has a sandy-bottom lagoon with a pirate ship water slide.
It’s like an actual beach in pool form. A pool that is truly one of a kind. You’ll seriously never want to leave. Oh, and for us parents, if you want to get the full experience, rent a cabana for the family!
Transportation is pretty amazing, too. In fact, it’s just a WALK away from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. So, if you have young ones that need naps or if you want to end the night at one of the two parks, being able to walk back while your toddlers or babies nap in the stroller is worth every single penny, in my opinion.
No need to wait in a monorail or skyline line or wait for a bus. Just simply follow the walking patch back to your room.
Here’s a peek at the walkway.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge is so flippin’ cool, too! This resort is a dream come true for animal lovers. So, if you have kids who love animals, you gotta check out Animal Kingdom Lodge!
This Resort has over 30 species of African wildlife that you are able to spot along the grounds. Oh, and did you know that there is even a unique dining experience when you can get up close with the animals? Your kids can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget.
For those 12 and up, you can take a painting class while overlooking the resort’s Savanna area for inspiration.
Here are some other reasons why a kid might like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:
- Quiet retreat: The resort is a good place for a quiet retreat
- Activities: The resort has lots of activities, including a playroom, pools, and a 24-hour playground
- Dining: The resort has some of the best dining resort options
- Animals: The resort has exotic African animals roaming around.
- Starlight Safari! Where guests can use night vision devices to see animals like zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and antelopes.
Here’s my favorite part about this particular resort: if you stay in a Savanna View room, you can spot animals like giraffes, zebras, and okapi right outside your balcony. In fact, if you are on the 2nd or 3rd floor, you’ll be level with the giraffes. Can you imagine sipping your morning coffee and being at eye level with a giraffe just roaming on by? I cannot!
Polynesian Villiage Resort
Oh my goodness, the Polynesian Village Resort is a dream resort. Honestly, it’s a tropical paradise that whisks you away to the South Seas. This resort is a lush, relaxing getaway with a touch of magic, featuring exotic landscapes, tiki torches, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It’s also a monorail resort, which your kids will find so fun getting to ride.
It’s just a short ride to Magic Kingdom. In fact, there is a walking path straight to the park, but keep in mind it’s a little under a 1.5 mile walk, ranging from about 20 to 30 minutes. If you need your kid to nap, this is a peaceful walking path to take.
Here are some things your kids will love about this resort:
- There is a Volcano Pool with a water slide. It’s like a mini-water park adventure!
- There is an unbeatable Character Dining experience at ‘Ohana. You’ll get to meet Lilo, Mickey, Stitch, and more! Oh, and there is a pretty great view of the castle, too.
- The rooms were also recently refurbished to have some Moana-themed rooms! So, if you have a Moana lover on your hands, they are going to be excited!
Transportation is also top-notch. You can take buses, the monorail, the ferry boats, or even walk to Magic Kingdom. Makes getting around a breeze.
Port Orleans – French Quarter
You can’t be in a bad mood at Port Orleans – French Quarter! It’s like you step into the charming and lively streets of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Okay, well, maybe it’s a little more tame than the actual Mardi Gras, but still, it’s a kid-friendly version. This resort is a Mardi Gras celebration every day, with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and jazz music setting the scene. It’s a smaller and more intimate Disney resort, offering a unique and cozy experience.
Your kids will love:
- The Dragon-Themed Water Slide! A thrilling splash into the pool.
- The Sassagoula Floatworks Food Factory: For tasty treats and meals. Head over to Scat Cat’s, which is right next door, too, for some yummy beignets!
- Carriage rides for the family.
For transportation, you can utilize the buses and even catch a boat to Disney Springs! If you haven’t been to Disney Springs, it’s worth checking out. They have a Lego Land, a Coca-Cola lounge, live kid-friendly music, and some other really fun things for kids to do.
Boardwalk Inn Resort
Last but not least is the beloved Boardwalk Inn Resort. Now, this resort is pretty small, but what makes it special is what surrounds it. Imagine a stroll down a charming, old-fashioned boardwalk, complete with carnival games and ocean views. That’s the Boardwalk Inn Resort for you! It’s a step back in time to the golden era of seaside boardwalks, complete with all the fun and excitement that comes with it. There is always entertainment on the Boardwalk that will keep the kids entertained and occupied.
Some things kids will love about Boardwalk Inn include:
- Coney Island-style boardwalk: Full of games, entertainment, and treats.
- Luna Park Pool: With a whimsical design and water features. This has recently been done, and it’s so cute. It’s boardwalk carnival-themed and so cute. There’s also a kiddie pool to the side, along with a fun little park for toddlers.
- The best perk, in my opinion, is its walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Making park visits super convenient.
Transportation includes busses, boats, the Skyliner, and walking paths to Epcot Hollywood Studios, The Swan and Dolphin, and Yacht and Beach Club.
Wrapping Up: Top Disney World Resorts For Kids in 2024
And there you have it, my Disney-loving friends – a whirlwind tour of the best Disney World resorts for kids in 2024! Each of these magical havens offers its own unique blend of Disney enchantment and comfort, ensuring that your family vacation becomes a treasure trove of memories.
Whether you’re marveling at the majestic animals from your room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, splashing around in the epic pools of the Art of Animation Resort, or enjoying a cozy movie night under the stars at the All-Star Movies Resort, every moment is sure to be sprinkled with that special Disney pixie dust.
Remember, staying on Disney property isn’t just about convenience; it’s about immersing yourself in a world where every detail is crafted for family fun and adventure. From the early theme park entry to the ease of transportation, these resorts are designed to make your Disney experience as carefree and magical as possible. And let’s not forget the bonus perks – like the delightful Disney Skyliner, which adds an extra dash of excitement as you glide to your next adventure!
So, whether you’re a family of music enthusiasts ready to explore All-Star Music, movie buffs eager to dive into film-themed fun, or just looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane at Pop Century, there’s a Disney resort waiting to make your dreams come true. All you need to do now is choose your adventure, pack your bags, and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Disney magic.
Happy planning, and here’s to a vacation filled with laughter, joy, and a whole lot of Disney wonder. See you real soon!
Did you find this post about Disney Resorts that kids will love useful? Or do you still have questions you need answered to help plan your vacation? Or maybe you have already stayed at one of these resorts and have additional comments you want to add! I would absolutely love to hear from you in the comments section! Let’s connect below!
MORE MAGICAL RESOURCES:
