Best Hotels for Toddlers at Walt Disney World
When deciding which Walt Disney World Resort hotel to book for your family vacation there are many things to consider and it can get a little overwhelming. While all of the hotels on Disney property welcome all members of the family, some have amenities geared specifically toward toddlers. Staying at a toddler-friendly hotel will make your Disney Vacation even more enjoyable when traveling with little ones. But which are the best Disney hotels for toddlers?
When thinking about which hotels are more toddler-friendly, there were a few main factors:
- Pools and toddler pool areas
- Dining options
- Playgrounds and outdoor spaces
- Activities
- Sleeping arrangements
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Benefits of Staying at WDW Resort Hotels
If you have never stayed at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel I would highly recommend it, if you are able to. Staying on property really completes the magical vacation experience.
You can enjoy simple things that will make an otherwise busy stay a little bit easier. Some things you can do but are less often talked about include: online check-in, unlocking your door from your smartphone, dropping your luggage off prior to check-in time and free Magic Bands that can be used for everything from unlocking your door to paying for dinner
While the hotel amenities and experience grow as you move up in price, there are some great features that are available to all guests of all Disney hotels.
Some of these features include:
Extra Magic Hours – guests staying on property can enjoy extra hours before parks open or after they close. You can check the schedule for the dates of your trip to see which parks have extra magic hours during your stay.
Free parking at the parks – If you have your own car or a rental and stay on property, you are able to park at the parks for no additional cost. You will, however, be charged a parking cost per night at your hotel which will be included in your final bill. You could also opt for Disney’s free transportation options.
Easy transportation to the parks – Walt Disney World has a variety of transportation options to take you from your resort to the parks. All hotel guests have access to Disney’s free bus service. Some hotels have direct access to the monorail, ferryboats or the Disney Skyliner. Disney also operates its’ own Lyft service, Minnie Vans, which are a paid option.
Disney Resort Categories
Walt Disney World Resort hotels are categorized into tiers: value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas.
Value
Value hotels are the most affordable option. They will all have a quick service food court as your dining option. All of the value resorts have a theme, mostly cartoon based, and the landscaping and decor cater to the theme in-room and out. They are a fun experience for little ones and have just the right amount of amenities for all family members.
Moderate
Moderate hotels are the next step up in price level. These themed hotels are all very immersive in their themes such as Mardi Gras and Caribbean Islands. You’ll find quick service dining as well as sit-down options. While the hotels are less cartoon-themed, they still offer a variety of amenities for all ages.
Deluxe and Deluxe Villas
Disney’s top tier option are the deluxe hotels and the even more exclusive deluxe villas. The accommodations are by far the best of all Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Most of the deluxe hotels have fun features like character dining, boat rentals and dinner shows. These are accessible to all Disney visitors but more convenient for guests of the hotel.
All of the deluxe resorts, with the exception of Disney’s Yacht Club, have a separate section where the villas are located. There are three additional hotels that are just in the deluxe villa category.
If you are planning an extended stay or have a large family, or just want the best experience Disney has to offer, you may want to consider a Deluxe Villa. Villas offer all of the comforts of home including more space and a full kitchen.
Disney also owns surrounding hotels that are not considered “Resort Hotels” but most offer the same or similar great amenities including Extra Magic Hours and early access to FastPass+. These hotels will have less of a Disney theme, but the same quality you would expect from a stay at any of the main resorts.
For the sake of this post, we will focus on those that are considered WDW Resort hotels.
Note: Disney has pack n’ plays and bedrails available for your stay! Call ahead to reserve one for your room. Other great options for toddlers could be this toddler-sized cot or this inflatable toddler mattress.
RELATED POST: Cribs and Toddler Beds at Disney World Resort Hotels
Best Value Hotels for Toddlers
All of the value resorts have playgrounds, fun character statues, outdoor movies and poolside activities. You’ll also find a good selection of toddler-friendly foods in the food courts.
While they all cater to the younger crowd, two of the value resorts stand ahead for their themes and room layout.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
This toddler-friendly hotel is worth the extra cost over other value resorts. The themed courtyards and swimming pools are exciting for little ones to explore. Fans of Cars, The Lion King, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid will find larger than life statues of their favorite characters.
The rooms at Art of Animation are themed based on the movie section where you stay. We have stayed in the Little Mermaid section a couple of times now and the rooms are a big hit with our toddlers. They are always begging to return to the mermaid hotel.
Disney’s Pop Century
Pop Century pulls ahead of the All-Star resorts based on the more family-friendly rooms. The more recently renovated rooms have two queen beds – one as a Murphy bed which can be folded away and turned into a table and chairs as well as some extra floorspace.
Both of these hotels are located on Disney’s Skyliner, giving you the added perk of another transportation option to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Best Moderate Hotels for Toddlers
Moderate resorts are a step up in both accommodations and amenities. The moderate hotels all have fun themes that run throughout. These hotels are quite large and a trip to the main pool or dining area can mean a quick drive or long walk.
When making your reservation at one of these hotels you may want to consider spending a little extra for the preferred room. You may also make a request for a certain location, but room requests are not guaranteed.
We have stayed at 4 out of 5 of the moderate resorts with our toddlers and I would recommend these three:
Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside and French Quarter
These connected-but-separate hotels have a fun Louisiana theme, one bayou and one Mardi Gras. The Doubloon Lagoon pool at French Quarter has a water slide and soak zone catering to kids under 48″. Our kids spend hours playing in this kiddie area as well as riding the full size waterslide in the main pool.
When staying at one of these resorts you also get the benefit of enjoying the other’s amenities – meaning double the pools, dining options, playgrounds and arcades.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach
Another fun toddler area can be found next to the main pool at Disney’s Caribbean beach making it a great option for families with little ones. If you have any pirate lovers, you might consider a themed room with beds shaped like pirate ships.
Caribbean Beach is also located on the Disney Skyliner, giving you a fun transportation option with easy access to Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
Best Deluxe Hotels for Toddlers
The deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World offer the top amenities and experience.
While we have not yet stayed at these two recommended hotels, we have spent a good amount of time visiting them. We have stayed at a couple of others in this group prior to having kids, but would opt for one of these the next time we stay.
RELATED POST: 10 Things to do Outside of the Parks with Toddlers
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village
Animal-loving toddlers will get a thrill out of watching giraffes and wildebeest right from their hotel. Choose a room facing the savannah and you can spot animals right from your balcony!
The Samawati Springs pool, located at the villas at Kidani Village, includes a play area specifically for kids under 4. You can also enjoy a variety of dining options including Sanaa, where you can request seating by the window to eat beside a zebra.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The Polynesian is one of three hotels located directly on the monorail, making it incredibly easy to get to and from the Magic Kingdom. This can make it much easier to take a midday break before returning for fireworks. Or better yet, enjoy the fireworks right from your hotel. The Polynesian has a fantastic view of the castle and fireworks and even plays the music to go along.
On top of convenience, the hotel is beautiful, immersive and has excellent dining options including O’hana, a fun character dining experience. You may even find a friend wandering around the lobby.
Will everyone else enjoy the toddler-friendly hotels?
Disney does an amazing job of ensuring that the needs of all family members are met in every area of the resort.
At every hotel, families can find more laid back leisure pools in addition to the often crowded main pools. They also do a fantastic job of offering a variety of dining options meaning there is likely to be something for everyone. Each hotel also has a full bar, which is usually poolside.
As a parent of toddlers, I find it far more relaxing to be in an environment that caters to children. The kids have more freedom to be kids and I can spend a little less time worrying about them being too loud or climbing things they shouldn’t. Though they still need to behave, Disney hotels encourage them to have fun and that makes for a memorable vacation on its own.
No matter where you choose to stay at Walt Disney World with your toddler, they are sure to enjoy it. In between park days, spend time at the pools, take part in activities, watch movies under the stars and roast marshmallows by the campfire. A day spent at the hotel can be a day of fun and much needed rest at the same time.
