Hi there, and welcome to planDisney!
It sounds like you’re planning an incredible family getaway with little ones. You’re in for a truly memorable visit. Between the four theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, there’s so much to see and experience that your kids will be in complete amazement for your entire stay.
One of the most important parts of planning a Walt Disney World vacation is choosing where to stay. The great news is that Disney offers resorts for every family, vacation style, and budget, so there’s no wrong choice, just the right one for your needs.
Disney Resorts fall into three main categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Value Resorts are fun, bright, and themed to perfection, making them great for families with young kids. Moderate Resorts strike a perfect balance between affordability, amenities, and atmosphere. Deluxe Resorts offer the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and proximity to the parks.
When my wife and I took our first trip with our own little ones, who happened to be 2 and 4 at the time, we wanted something that felt immersive but also practical. We landed on
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and it couldn’t have been a better fit. The pool area is fantastic, especially for kids, and now that the
Disney Skyliner connects the resort directly to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, getting around couldn’t be easier.
If you’re looking for something more whimsical,
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is another great choice. The family suites are themed around favorite Disney films like The Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo, and your little ones will absolutely light up walking through the larger-than-life settings. Plus, it also connects to the Skyliner, so transportation is quick and easy.
For families looking to splurge on convenience and luxury, my personal favorite
Deluxe Resorts are Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The Grand Floridian is just a short walk from Magic Kingdom and offers timeless elegance that parents will appreciate. The Polynesian has a fantastic pool area and incredible views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks right from the beach. And Beach Club, located along the BoardWalk, gives you walking access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, perfect for nap breaks or pool time between park hopping.
When it comes to planning your park days, I suggest a three-part rhythm to keep things balanced: start with rope drop in the morning, take a mid-day resort break for naps or pool time, and then head back to the parks for dinner and nighttime entertainment. That reset in the middle of the day makes a big difference for both kids and parents.
As for park priorities, Magic Kingdom is a must with little ones. It’s truly built for that age range, with so many rides and shows for the whole family. Hollywood Studios is great for Toy Story Land, and EPCOT offers fun for everyone with Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin’ Around the World, plus plenty of space to stroll and explore.
I hope this gives you a solid starting point for your trip planning. If you’d like,
send me a follow-up question, and I’ll help you fine-tune your itinerary and park strategy to make the most of your visit with your little Mouseketeers!
Brent