32 responses

  1. Lindsey
    April 12, 2024

    Thanks for this list! Our next trip to WDW will be with a 3-year old and 5-year old so we need all the suggestions we can get. ? We took my son when he was two, before his sister arrived, and stayed at Pop Century and loved it! The wading pool with fountain jets was perfect for him to splash around in without being too deep, and he spent at least an hour there every day. It was a great location with the Skyliner right there, also! I think for our next trip we might venture over to Art of Animation and take advantage of the extra space you can get with a family suite.

    Reply

    • Dave
      April 21, 2024

      Lindsey that’s a marvelous choice!

      Reply

  2. Grace
    October 14, 2022

    Which resort is best suited to appeal to both my 16 year old daughter and my 3 year old son?
    Do any of them offer child care if I wanted to take my teenager to do something my toddler cannot or does not want to do?

    Reply

  3. Vinny Fratalia
    January 19, 2022

    Looking to take my family to Disney in December 2022. The group is 8 adults and 6 children under the age of 8. Which hotel should I plan on staying at.

    Reply

  4. Van Aken
    April 15, 2021

    Have we sold you (or your kids) on Beach Club as the best Disney resort for kids, yet?! No? Then read on!

    Reply

  5. Kelly B – Destinations in Florida
    August 12, 2018

    If you are looking for a resort that is “Disney”, there is nothing like Art of Animation. From the moment you arrive on property you will be surrounded by all things Disney. The pools, the themed “statues”, food court, just everything.

    The standard rooms are Little Mermaid – (but they are about an 8-10 minutes walk from the looby/bus stops, etc- and have never been included in any discount).

    The family suites (Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo) are great. But they do come with a higher price tag.

    The Royal Guest Rooms (at Port Orleans Riverside) are going to give you a special feel in the room, but the rest of the resort has a theme, just not Disney theme.

    Dave has some great information about both PORiverside and Art of Animation. Take a look. With what you are saying you want, I think AoA would be the best fit.

    I’m Kelly, Dave’s dedicated DIF travel agent. If you need any more help please let me know. You can reach me at kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com or at 980-429-4499.

    Reply

  6. Gina
    August 10, 2018

    Forgot to mention she is 6!

    Reply

  7. Gina
    August 10, 2018

    Hello! Looking to take a first trip just my daughter and I. Biggest desire is for her to FEEL she is at Disney with the best themed room possible! I had heard there is a princess room, but not sure where. Really decked out disney room would be great, pool or creatures a bonus, we like great food, and ease of getting around.

    Reply

    • Dave
      August 11, 2018

      Gina, there are princess rooms, at Port Orleans Riverside. See this. However, Riverside is undistinguished on either food or ease of getting around, so you might want to take a look at this.

      Reply

  8. Pamela Dickinson
    May 10, 2018

    Hi ,husband & I planning to take 2 daughters & 3 grandchildren + son in laws next Feb.
    6 adults + 3 children( 3, 5 & 6yrs ) in total for one week. Can’t decide between Wilderness Lodge & Yacht club. Like idea of boat to M. kingdom but Lodge looks gloomy & dark. Know Yacht club has best pool but further away from MK. Which resort do you think would appeal to the children? Look forward to your response.

    Reply

    • Dave
      May 11, 2018

      Hi Pamela, at those ages, the Wilderness Lodge in a heartbeat. IN person, it is not gloomy–it’s stunning…

      Reply

  9. JJ
    December 7, 2016

    hello,
    i just wanted to take my 2 year old daughter to disney resort but I am not sure which one to choose and I also want to know what are the things we can do in resort and do I have to take her to any of the theme park too or there will be enough rides in resort. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Dave
      December 9, 2016

      JJ, there’s no rides in the resort hotels. I would do neither, but rather wait til she is older.

      Reply

  10. Kelly B – Destinations In Florida
    May 24, 2016

    Hi Reco – I would recommend staying in a Family Suite at Disney\’s Art of Animation. You\’ll have room for the kids to move around. 2 bathrooms, and a mini kitchen. And talk about kid appeal, none better than AoA. It\’s just over the top fun and Disney. I would love to help you plan your upcoming vacation. You can contact me at KellyB@DestinationsInFlorida.com or 980-429-4499

    Reply

  11. Reco
    May 23, 2016

    I’m planning a trip to Disney in September for me my wife and 3 kids ages 4, 3(turning 3 at Disney in September) and 10 month old. I’m looking for the best resort that could accommodate us with space and activities for kids. Last year we stayed at Port Orleans french quarter and the rooms weren’t very spacious, but there was plenty to do with kids and they loved the ferry and pool. Any suggestions

    Reply

    • Reco
      May 23, 2016

      And we are staying for 6 days

      Reply

    • Dave
      May 25, 2016

      Reco, for Disney World, POFQ has pretty big bedroom spaces, so if you want bigger ones, aim for the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian.

      Reply

  12. Donna
    July 21, 2014

    Hi, travelling with a 1 yr old and 4 yr old, both of whom nap and sleep well! Looking for a hotel with
    1.views over the park, so we can stay in but still see the fireworks? Perhaps a street parade?
    2. Easy / quick access to return for naps
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Dave
      July 22, 2014

      Donna, there’s no hotels with views into the parks. The only one from which you can see fireworks from your room is the Contemporary Resort–if you purchase a theme park view. It is also the hotel that’s most convenient to the park that kids the age of your love best, the Magic Kingdom. See this for the scoop on it: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2014/06/25/review-disneys-contemporary-resort-2/

      Reply

  13. sharon labraney
    May 1, 2014

    I am 65 and son and wife 4 kids and 56old ant too place to stay cheap bit good.

    Reply

  14. Mary Deaver
    October 2, 2013

    I need something with at least 3 bedrooms and a couch that turns into a bed.. It will be 7 adults and 2 maybe 3 kids..Let me know of pricing and where it is.. Something close ..

    Reply

  15. Paola
    May 19, 2013

    Hi, we are planning our vacation with a 2 years old boy. We want to find something close and accessible to MK. We would like to have fridge and microwave. Also nice for the boy and us. We’ve been checking but the more we see, the more confused we are… Please any recommendations? This is our first time over there. Thanks in advance

    Reply

  16. shaneeka
    December 25, 2012

    Hi, I’m planning a trip to Disney world for my daughter’s 4th bday but I don’t know whereto stay, I wanted somewhere near the theme park and have a pool in the resort and serve meals, any suggestions pls email me, thanks

    Reply

  17. Sally
    August 7, 2012

    Dave, Our large family will be reduced by half when we go to Disney in late November for 3 nights. I am taking our youngest 2 children (ages 4 and 5) as our older boys (12 and 10) would rather do a sports-oriented trip with my husband (and we took them to Disney 6 years ago). Anyway, our needs for room size will be less so I am considering the resorts with the smaller rooms for value. We won’t need to run back & forth for naps so it’s not imperative we stay super close (Polynesian) though we don’t want to be too far away. I thought the Wilderness Lodge would be a good fit for us but the pool didn’t seem very impressive. Am I right? Have been scouring the maps and photos to try to figure this out. Other than the volcano it didn’t seem too exciting for little kids. I love the idea of lots of beaches and playgrounds like you get at Caribbean Beach resort and the pools looked varied and interesting – also think we’d be ok with 2 full size beds. Is this a good choice for us? Would the Beach Club be better? What is your estimate on travel time to Magic Kingdom with boats/walks etc. from there?
    Another question/food-related. My 5 year old son can’t tolerate artificial ingredients and preservatives (my daughter is fine in this regard). Should I assume all Disney dining is normal amusement park fair in the sense that there will be few all natural/organic selections? Does the Caribbean have mini fridge/microwave in the rooms? I will have to come up with meals for him and really need that option in the rooms. Dining plan probably is not worthwhile in this case right?
    Thanks!
    Sally

    Reply

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