If you want to stay on property at Walt Disney World, you may wonder what the best Disney World resorts are for toddlers and young kids. All of the resorts are kid-friendly, but some are better than others for toddlers and younger kids. Here are the best Disney World resorts for toddlers and young kids. Note that this gallery contains affiliate links and a purchase through one of these may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort located right near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Despite the proximity, you can’t walk to the parks – so you’ll either need to take the complimentary bus or drive. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has several room options, including standard-view rooms, pool-view rooms, and savanna-view rooms as well as Disney Vacation Club suites and club-level rooms. I recommend upgrading to a savanna-view room if it’s in your budget because it’s so fun and unique to have views of the animals all day long. See more here: Review of Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort offers a very colorful, kid-friendly theme, with Disney Cars, Finding Nemo, the Lion King, and the Little Mermaid sections. It’s a value resort, but it offers family suites that can be great for larger families (or families looking for a bit more space). The family suites can accommodate up to six people and include one separate bedroom with a queen bed and a living room with a pullout couch, a convertible table/double bed, and a kitchenette area, as well as two bathrooms. Read more in our Art of Animation review.
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
On our very first family vacation with our (then) toddler and infant, we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. We chose that Disney hotel for several reasons. As a moderate resort, it was in our budget, and as a smaller resort, it was very manageable with young kids. It didn’t have a particularly kid-friendly theme, but our kids were so little that they didn’t notice.
Disney’s Pop Century
In addition to Disney’s Art of Animation, Walt Disney World offers several other value resorts. These include Pop Century, Disney’s All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports, and All-Star Music. If you don’t want to stay at Art of Animation, my favorite of the value resorts is Pop Century. Pop Century is located over the bridge from the Art of Animation. Therefore, you’ll also have access to the Skyliner station that sits between the two resorts. It’s a pretty large resort but is also very walkable.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If your plans include lots of time at EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom, you may consider a resort on the monorail loop. Disney’s Polynesian Village is a nice choice because it’s so convenient. Depending on where your room is located, it may also be easy to walk over to the Ticket and Transportation Center for a direct monorail to Epcot and buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
My absolute favorite Disney resort is Disney’s Beach Club Resort. It’s a deluxe resort located in the EPCOT resort area and has a fun, casual theme reminiscent of the beach clubs along the Atlantic coast. I especially love the location of the Beach Club, because it’s so easy to walk right over to the EPCOT World Showcase. This is the back entrance of EPCOT, so if you want to take the monorail, you’ll have to walk to the front of EPCOT. You’ll also be close to the Disney Skyliner.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is arguably the most iconic of the Walt Disney World resorts. The monorail runs right through it, making it a unique landmark. My kids always wanted to stay in the Contemporary, just to know what it is like. It’s such a great choice for a vacation with toddlers because you can walk right over to the Magic Kingdom without taking any transportation. Rooms at the Contemporary have a new theme based on the Incredibles.
More Information
When booking your Walt Disney World vacation, consider purchasing through our affiliate Get Away Today. They offer great prices on tickets and can book many hotels. You can also read more about these best hotels for toddlers and young kids here.