Embarking on a Walt Disney World vacation involves selecting the perfect resort that caters to your family’s unique needs and preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore six exceptional Disney resorts, each tailored to different family dynamics. Whether you’re a family with little ones looking for convenience and comfort, a large family on a tight budget seeking affordability without compromising the magic, a family with tweens eager for an enriching and captivating experience, a luxe-loving Disney-adult couple in search of a sophisticated retreat, a multi-generation family looking for accommodations that suit everyone, or a group of foodies eager to indulge in diverse culinary experiences, our recommendations have got you covered.
For Families with Little Ones and a Big Budget: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Proximity to Magic Kingdom: Enjoy the luxury of being within walking distance to the Magic Kingdom, avoiding monorail waits and ensuring a swift return to your room after a day of enchantment.
- Fireworks Views from Your Room: Experience the magic with theme park view rooms that provide a front-row seat to the spectacular Magic Kingdom fireworks, or enjoy a serene setting on one of the charming bridges.
- Dining Delights: Diverse dining options at the resort cater to various tastes, providing convenience for families with little ones who may require flexible dining schedules.
For Larger Families on a Smaller Budget: Art of Animation
- Value Resort Excellence: Art of Animation is our top pick for families seeking affordability without compromising on the magic. As a value resort, it offers fantastic amenities at a budget-friendly price.
- Little Mermaid Suites: Accommodate larger families without breaking the bank by opting for the Little Mermaid suites, providing spacious and themed accommodations for everyone.
- Convenient Skyliner Access: Art of Animation is strategically located on the Skyliner route, offering easy and fun transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This provides large families with a convenient way to access these parks, minimizing travel time.
- Dining Adventures Along the Skyliner: Take advantage of the Skyliner access to plan dining reservations at other resorts along the route. This opens up a world of culinary possibilities, allowing your family to explore diverse dining experiences.
For Families with Tweens: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Breathtaking Savannah Views: Immerse your family in a world of natural wonder at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Choose a Savannah View room and wake up to the sight of real giraffes, zebras, and other fascinating animals. Your tweens will be captivated by this authentic and enchanting experience, making their mornings truly magical.
- Culinary Delights: Savor a variety of culinary delights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort offers a selection of dining locations with options catering to both picky eaters and those seeking adventurous African and Indian-inspired dishes. This culinary diversity ensures there’s something for every taste, making mealtime an exciting part of your vacation.
- Picturesque Poolside Relaxation: The resort’s beautiful pool provides the perfect backdrop for downtime and relaxation. After a day of exploring the parks, your tweens can unwind, soak up the sun, and enjoy the amenities of a stunning pool area. It’s a fantastic way for the family to recharge and make the most of those leisurely afternoons.
- Themed Learning Experience: Older kids will appreciate the detailed theming of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which includes a vast collection of African artifacts. The resort becomes an educational adventure, providing opportunities for your tweens to learn about different cultures and the fascinating world of wildlife conservation.
For the Luxe-Loving Disney-Adult Couple: Riviera Resort
- Sophisticated European Elegance: Indulge in the newest Disney resort, themed after the French and Italian Riviera. Riviera Resort exudes sophistication and elegance, providing the perfect backdrop for a romantic retreat.
- Fine Dining and Lounge Options: Catering to Disney Adults who appreciate the finer things, Riviera Resort offers a selection of exquisite dining options and bar/lounges. We recommend visiting the rooftop bar at Topolino’s to watch the fireworks or simply have a pre-dinner cocktail. You don’t need a dining reservation to check out this beautiful space and have a drink.
- Skyliner Access: Riviera Resort also boasts a Skyliner station, providing easy access to two often-favorite parks for Disney Adults: EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This convenient transportation option adds an extra layer of sophistication to your stay.
For Multi-Generation Families: Saratoga Springs
- Multi-Bedroom Suites: Saratoga Springs is ideal for multi-generation families, offering multi-bedroom suites that can comfortably accommodate parents, grandparents, and kiddos. Enjoy the convenience of staying together under one roof.
- Resort Amenities for All Ages: This resort, situated on a golf course, provides a range of amenities suitable for every age. With a spa, four pools (some with waterslides), and activities for all, there’s no shortage of entertainment for everyone in the family.
- Proximity to Disney Springs: The resort is within walking distance to Disney Springs, allowing parents to enjoy an evening out while grandparents babysit, and vice versa. Alternatively, the whole family can explore Disney Springs together, indulging in amazing restaurants, bowling, Cirque Du Soleil, and more.
For the Foodies: Beach Club
- Gastronomic Paradise: Beach Club is a haven for foodies, offering a delightful proximity to the World Showcase entrance of EPCOT. Indulge in foods from all over the world as you explore the diverse culinary offerings in this gastronomic paradise.
- Convenient Skyliner Access: The resort is close to the EPCOT Skyliner station, allowing you to easily hop on and try the dining options at any of the Skyliner resorts. This provides foodies with a convenient and enjoyable way to explore diverse culinary experiences.
- Walking Distance to Culinary Wonders: Beach Club allows you to walk to Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin, and the Boardwalk resorts, each boasting plenty of awesome dining locations. This proximity opens up a world of culinary adventures, from fine dining to casual eats, catering to every foodie’s palate.
No matter your family’s composition or preferences, Walt Disney World offers a range of resorts designed to cater to your unique needs. Whether it’s the convenience and luxury of Bay Lake Tower, the budget-friendly accommodations of Art of Animation, the captivating experiences for tweens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the sophisticated retreat for Disney-adult couples at Riviera Resort, the accommodating spaces for multi-generation families at Saratoga Springs, or the culinary haven for foodies at Beach Club, each resort ensures a magical stay filled with memories to last a lifetime. As you plan your Walt Disney World adventure, consider the wonder and excitement that these resorts bring to families of all sizes and ages. Safe travels and may your journey be filled with enchantment!