Hiya, Scott! Welcome back to planDisney!
I love this question! Some of our favorite family core memories involve trips to Walt Disney World with our young kiddos. Even if they were too young to recall the experience, the stories we continue to share all these years later make them think they remember, and that’s just as good in my book.
I learned early on in my life as a Disney Dad that resort choice is key, but the right resort varies from family to family. Here are some things to think about as you weigh your choices.
Transportation: Every Walt Disney World Resort hotel has complimentary transportation to the theme parks, but the number of options and length of the ride are different for each hotel. If you plan to pop back to your resort for nap time then it’s especially helpful to have a quick way back. The bus service is great, but if you think you’ll be at Magic Kingdom multiple days (just as an example), then maybe staying on the monorail loop is a good choice. Or maybe proximity to the Skyliner would be helpful if you’ll be at Hollywood Studios a lot.
Dining: To answer your question, every Walt Disney World Resort hotel has at least one quick-service option, and often more. They all have a kids’ menu with classic kid favorites, but I’ve found that my picky eaters find more options that they enjoy at the value and moderate resort food courts.
Pools: Pool time has prevented more tantrums than I can count. Every resort offers multiple pools, but some have kiddie splash areas, waterslides, and other fun features. You know what level of aquatic experience is right for your family, so take a look at the hotel webpage to see what each resort offers and make sure it will be open during your stay.
Vibe: Every Walt Disney World Resort hotel is kid-friendly, but some have more of a kid vibe than others. That’s part of what makes Walt Disney World great! There’s something for everyone! My young kiddos loved staying at Pop Century Resort and touring Art of Animation because of all the bright colors and the larger-than-life decor. It felt like a space they could be kids. Where will your family feel most comfortable?
As I said, every family is different and has different needs, but these considerations will help point you in the right direction. If I had to pick one place for young kids in each resort category, I’d go with the following:
- Value:
Pop Century Resort - Moderate:
Caribbean Beach Resort - Deluxe:
Polynesian Village Resort Scott, I hope this information helps with your Disney vacation planning. Don’t hesitate to send any other questions you may have to me or any of our other awesome planDisney panelists. Have a magical trip!
Happy planning!
Matt