photo: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Of course, all of the resorts at Disney are kid friendly. But with so many family friendly resorts at WDW, how do you choose which is right for your family vacation? Well, here’s a little breakdown to help you decide. Remember, if you buy your park tickets with your rooms, you can get great savings and discounts on meal plans. Most of them offer some type of character encounter, so check with your resort to see what’s available.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
African Wildlife Preserve
Features story time beside the lobby fireplace and a continuous and fascinating view of the animals on the savannah.
Boardwalk
Epcot Area
Features the Keister Coaster, a 200 foot water slide, and traditional Boardwalk treats reminiscent of Turn of the Century (early 1900s) Atlantic City.
Contemporary
In the Magic Kingdom.
Features Chef Mickey’s fabulous meals; also fireworks at night, all in a high-tech, retrofuturistic setting.
Grand Floridian
A lavish, Victorian seaside resort in the Magic Kingdom area
Features Honeymoon suites, afternoon tea, and many activities for children.
Polynesian
South Pacific theme in the Magic Kingdom area.
Features white sand beaches, tropical lagoons, and a pool with slide and waterfall…also a fabulous weekend Luau.
Swan and Dolphin
Maritime theme in the Epcot area.
Features swan-shaped paddle boats and a small, private beach.
Wilderness Lodge
Celebrates the grand lodges of America’s National Parks. (Magic Kingdom area)
Features totem poles, and erupting geyser, and hot springs whirlpools.
Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Beach Club Villas
Cape Cod ambience in the Epcot area.
Features Stormalong Bay: a sand-bottomed, three acre pool with water jets, a series of water slides, and a shipwreck!
Disney’s Old Key West
Key West theme in downtown Disney
Features Tiny Tot Tea Parties, Unbirthday Parties, and a homey, village atmosphere.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Historic Saratoga Springs atmosphere in Downtown Disney area.
Features beautiful gardens, restful pathways on which to wander, and a kids only water spray pool.
Caribbean Beach
Tropical Islands in the Epcot area.
Features the Fortress Pool and Parrot Cay Island, and a secluded, sandy beach.
Coronado Springs
Mexico and southwest US theme in the Animal Kingdom area.
Features The Dig Site with its Mayan Temple.
Port Orleans and Riverside French Quarter
Antebellum South and New Orleans French Quarter themes. Located in Downtown Disney.
Features a pool, fishing hole, and playground at Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island, and a sea serpent themed family pool at the French Quarter’s Doubloon Lagoon.
All Star Movies, Music, and Sports
A comic strip theme; located in the Animal Kingdom area.
Features All Stars Jazz and Broadway Music areas.
Pop Century
American pop culture theme. Near Hollywood Studios and Epcot
Celebrates pop history. Features a stste-of-the-art arcade; a playground and interactive water fountain.
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Rustic woods theme near Magic Kingdom.
Features pony rides, hayrides, a petting farm, and a blacksmith’s shop. Also a nightly campfire circle complete with roasted marshmallows.
If you’ve stayed at these or any other Disney Resort, including the ones off-site, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Or join our community forums and write a full-on review!
Orlando
Alan says
June 13, 2009 at 12:47 pmJust returned Monday night and was at POP Century. Good place, but very far from Magic Kingdom..long bus rides to and from the Park. If you plan to visit Magic Kingdom a lot, I’d stay at a closer resort. I’d also refrain from the All Star resorts as they seem to be the largest and generate longer lines because more people are trying to leave and return to those resorts.
I’ve also stayed at Coronado Resort and we were placed At Least a mile from the main lobby and food courts. Other than the Long bus rides to and from Magic Kingdom in the Pop Century Resort, we were close, as all rooms seem to be located around the main lobby and food court. Pop Century is smaller too. Housing around 1,000 rooms which to me is a plus. Although Pop doesn’t have water slides and other cool stuff in their pools, we were hardly ever there anyways. Maybe a late night dip after returning from the parks all day is about it. Pop serves as an economical Clean basic place to shower and sleep. The beds were awesome and the rooms were clean. The food will get old, but all the fast food is prepared by the same company throughout the parks. I certainly think renting a refrigerator and some bread and sandwich meat is a very good idea!
Have fun and wear sunscreen, Florida’s Sun is way different from other places and you will burn on a cloudy day!
.-= Alan´s last blog ..Auditions for Graffitti Theater – West Palm Beach =-.
Cory says
January 30, 2010 at 10:16 pmThank you for sharing good info with us. My family and I book a trip and your site help us with some planning and ideas.
Susan says
February 13, 2010 at 6:52 pmThese are some great ideas for travelling to Orlando. I always enjoy vacation rentals which provide luxury and great fun for families.
villa majorque says
November 2, 2010 at 2:58 amSunterra Grand Beach Resort is best kid friendly resort at Orlando.The services and the facilities provided in the resort is best as compare to other hotels or resorts.Hope this information helps you to sort out the problem related to Kids friendly resort.