When you visit Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, you’ll find that there are so many amazing family-friendly hotel options. It can be challenging to find the right one. If you plan to spend much of your time at the Magic Kingdom, you may be specifically looking for Magic Kingdom hotels – the Disney resorts located closest to that theme park.
Although Walt Disney World resort theme parks are easily accessible from all of the hotels, there are some hotels close to the Disney World Magic Kingdom. These are specified in the Magic Kingdom resort area.
Here are the closest hotels near the Magic Kingdom within Walt Disney World. Have you stayed at any of these hotels? Which is your favorite?
I am a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press trips at Walt Disney World, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase / click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us.
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Hotels Near the Magic Kingdom
All of the Disney-owned hotels closest to the Magic Kingdom offer the same benefits. These include free parking at the theme parks, free WiFi, complimentary transportation to the Disney theme parks, and access to early entry (30 minutes before the official park opening).
Hotels on the Walt Disney World Monorail Line
Walt Disney World transportation includes buses, boats, and the monorail – but arguably, the monorail is the most exciting and iconic. The Disney monorail travels two separate routes, and the monorail resorts can be extremely convenient.
One is a loop around the Magic Kingdom park, Contemporary Resort, Ticket, and Transportation Center (TTC), Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. The other monorail travels between the Ticket and Transportation Center and Epcot. To get to Epcot from the Magic Kingdom, you’ll transfer to the Ticket and Transportation Center.
I loved staying on the monorail line when my kids were younger because you don’t need to fold a stroller to ride. It was so much easier than riding the buses, where the kids will need to get out of the stroller and you’ll need to fold it.
Keep in mind, however, that if you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, or the water parks, you’ll need to take a bus (still part of the free Disney transportation system) to get there.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
If you’d like to walk to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is your best option for easy access. It’s got a convenient walking path right to the park, and it only takes a few minutes to walk there. It’s one of the two closest hotels to the Magic Kingdom and is a deluxe resort.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is best known for the monorail running right through it, and this modern resort offers a recognizable tower, a garden wing, and Bay Lake Tower.
This resort sits on the waterfront between the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Bay Lake Tower is technically part of the Contemporary resort but has a separate front desk.
Amenities at the Contemporary include the main heated feature pool, which consists of a waterslide. There’s also a water playground, the quieter Bay Lake Pool, and two hot tubs. At the pool, you can enjoy food and drinks from the poolside bar.
Guest rooms at the resort have 2 queen beds and a daybed, or a King bed and a daybed. The decor is modern and the rooms are a nice size. Recently, rooms at the Contemporary were updated with an Incredibles-themed decorate.
The Contemporary is in the deluxe category and is considered one of the luxury hotels. Despite the monorail running through the main tower, the rooms are still very quiet.
Within the Contemporary, you’ll find several restaurants.
California Grill: This restaurant located on the 15th floor of the main tower offers world-class cuisine in a beautiful environment. Book your reservation during the Magic Kingdom fireworks for a perfect vantage point.
Steakhouse 71: In the former location of the Wave, Steakhouse 71 is a celebration of the year Walt Disney World opened.
Chef Mickey’s: Want to dine with Mickey and friends? You’ll want to book a meal at Chef Mickey’s, where you can see characters and enjoy a buffet meal. It’s very popular so book it well in advance.
Other options include the table service Contempo Cafe, the Contemporary Grounds coffee kiosk, a beach bar, and several lounges.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Arguably the most luxurious of the Magic Kingdom hotels, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers Victorian charm in a sophisticated environment. It’s a fantastic location for a luxury trip, but young kids may prefer a theme that is more kid-friendly.
Amenities at this luxury resort include a world-class spa, a pool with an 181-foot-long water slide, a kiddie pool, a whirlpool spa, and a quiet pool. Within the resort, you can get rooms in the main building, or in one of the outer buildings.
In addition to club rooms, there are a variety of different room views that you can choose from, including garden views, lagoon views, and theme park views. Within the resort, you’ll also find some resort shops.
For a special vacation experience, consider booking a treatment at the spa. I’ve had a massage there, and it was one of the best spa experiences that I’ve had. In addition, the Magic Kingdom is just a short walk from the hotel.
There are a variety of restaurants and dining experiences at the resort:
Citricos: Offering Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, Citricos is a signature dining experience.
Narcoossee’s: This waterfront restaurant sells seafood, steak, and more. It’s also a signature dining experience, so you’ll want to check the dress code before you leave on vacation.
Victoria & Albert’s: The most luxurious of the Walt Disney World restaurants is Victoria & Alberts. This restaurant, which only allows children 10 and over, also offers a chef’s table.
Other dining experiences at the resort include a pool bar, the Grand Floridian Cafe, Gasparilla Island Grill, and several lounges.
With the addition of a new walking path, the Grand Floridian is within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom.
See the Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom Rides here.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
When my kids were little, our favorite Magic Kingdom hotel was Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s so convenient because you can walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) to take the monorail to Epcot. We also love the theme of the hotel, as well as the family-friendly restaurants and amenities.
The Polynesian Village Resort is made up of multiple buildings, rather than one main building. There are also bungalows and villas, which are the newer section of the hotel. There are a variety of different room views available, including standard views, lagoon views, theme park views, and pool/marina views.
Amenities at the resort include the zero-entry Lava Pool with 142 foot-long water slide as well as the Oasis leisure pool. There are other recreation activities, including Movies Under the Stars and campfire activities.
We’ve always loved the restaurants at the Polynesian, even when we aren’t staying there. These include:
Kona Cafe: My favorite breakfast on the property is at the Kona Cafe, which has the most delicious Tonga Toast. It’s well worth the diet splurge. They also have fantastic coffee, which is perfect for starting your day. If you like sushi, they also have delicious sushi.
‘Ohana: Have breakfast with Stitch and friends at this Polynesian-themed restaurant that is so fun for kids. My son loved Lilo and Stitch as a toddler, so this was always a must-visit. For dinner, you can enjoy a Hawaiian-themed dinner (but with no characters).
Other dining options at the Polynesian are Pineapple Lanai, Trader Sam’s, Captain Cook’s, a pool bar, and several lounges.
Guests at these three Disney hotels can also enjoy seeing the floats that are part of the Electrical Water Pagent. This show takes place on Walt Disney World’s Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
Other Magic Kingdom Hotels
Two other hotels within the Magic Kingdom area are not on the monorail. If you are a guest at one of these resorts, you can take a boat ride to the Magic Kingdom, and a bus to the other theme parks.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
I love the Pacific Northwest-themed Wilderness Lodge. It’s charming and cozy and evokes a nostalgic feel. Built in a similar style to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, it includes the main lodge as well as the newly-built Copper Creek villas and cabins.
Room types include club-level rooms, standard views, nature views, and courtyard rooms. Families also have the option of bunk bed rooms, including one queen bed and one set of bunk beds. As a parent with a boy and a girl, I appreciate having bunk beds so the kids don’t have to share a queen bed.
Amenities include the Salon by the Springs, which offers hair and nail services. There’s also the Sturdy Branches Health Club if you want to work out during your vacation. If you’d like to swim, there are two pools. The Copper Creek Spring Pool features a 67-foot water slide and hot and cold whirlpool spas, while the Boulder Ridge Cove Pool is a zero-entry pool spa with a whirlpool spa.
Restaurants on the property include:
Whispering Canyon Cafe: This old West-themed restaurant offers a fun buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White: Artist Point now offers a new character dining experience. Families can now meet Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy for dinner in this beautiful restaurant.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill: This waterfront restaurant came with the recent expansion of the Wilderness Lodge. There’s also a quick-service restaurant where you can grab a bite.
Other dining options at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are the Roaring Fork and the Territory Lounge.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness
The most unique lodging option at Walt Disney World is Fort Wilderness. This property includes cabins that are perfect for a large family (considered a Disney moderate resort), as well as full RV hook-up sites and tent sites.
If you are traveling with your RV, you’ll have several site options. These include a full-hookup site with room for an RV and small tent, preferred sites (near the marina), and premium sites that accommodate a bigger RV.
The cabins sleep up to six and include one queen bed, a sleeper sofa, and a set of bunk beds. They also have a living room and kitchen area with a refrigerator, 2 burners, a microwave, and a dishwasher.
There are so many unique activities and amenities at Fort Wilderness. These include the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool (with a water slide) as well as the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool. There’s also the Tri-Circle-D Ranch where you can ride horses and ponies or take a carriage ride, Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long, Movies Under the Stars, and much more.
You can prepare meals in your cabin or RV, but there are also restaurants at Fort Wilderness:
Trail’s End Restaurant: This delicious Old-West restaurant offers a buffet for breakfast and dinner.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: Watch a lively dinner show while enjoying a delicious meal. Make reservations for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue early, as there are several different seating options, and it’s a popular show.
Other dining options include the Chuck Wagon, P&J’s Southern Takeout, Crockett’s Tavern, and more.
Other Hotels
Other hotels are convenient to the Magic Kingdom, including all of the Walt Disney World resort hotels, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. It’s important to know, however, that these hotels are not within walking distance from the Magic Kingdom.
