While all Walt Disney World resorts are generally good options for families, there are some that just don’t appeal as much to kids, whether it’s due to their theming, activities, or overall atmosphere. There are quite a few resort hotels that we’d recommend readers avoid if they want to prioritize experiences more tailored to kids.
These are all the worst Walt Disney World resorts for families, especially those with young kids, plus our favorite option that we would recommend. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including Disney World passholder discounts and the closure end date for an upcoming Magic Kingdom refurbishment.
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5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge might be one of the worst Disney World resorts for kids despite its animal viewing opportunities around the resort. This deluxe resort is often ranked as the worst for transportation since it is located so far away from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. This creates long waits for the bus, which is the only transportation option, and also long bus rides. That is a considerable amount of hassle when you are traveling with kids.
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The resort itself is also quite large and, depending on your room location, you might end up walking pretty far to your room each day.
However, the Animal Kingdom Lodge can be worth it for families, especially if you have kids that love animals. The transportation drawbacks might not matter if you have animal lovers and you book a savannah room with a view of the animals on site.
4. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
While Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is considered the most luxurious resort at Disney World, it might feel a bit boring for young children. Compared to the other two monorail resorts, Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Victorian-era Florida beach-resort theme might not thrill kids.
The Grand Floridian lobby is often packed because it’s a popular stop for guests who aren’t staying there, making it feel more overwhelming than the other deluxe resorts.
Families with young children might enjoy the tropical theme of the Polynesian Resort instead, or the Contemporary Resort with its Incredibles-themed rooms and monorail zooming by in the lobby.
3. Disney’s Port Orleans- Riverside Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans-Riverside Resort is a moderate-level resort that tends to feel like a big hassle when traveling with children. This is one of the largest moderate resorts, which results in long walks to and from your hotel room to the lobby, feature pool, and transportation. Many of the buildings also do not offer elevators, making traveling with a stroller tricky if you are located on an upper-level floor.
The theming of the feature pool here is also the most boring, from a kid-focused perspective, compared to the other moderate resorts. The pool is themed after an abandoned sawmill, which feels a bit lackluster compared to the pirate-themed fortress pool at Caribbean Beach Resort or the Mayan ruins-inspired pool at Coronado Springs Resort.
2. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is a deluxe villa resort inspired by the late-1800s New York horse-racing and spa retreat of Saratoga Springs. The theming of this resort feels furthest from a Disney-inspired resort, which may not be appealing to kids. At first glance, you might not even realize you’re at a Disney resort.
Saratoga Springs Resort is also often cited as one of the worst resort hotels for transportation because of its internal bus system and long travel times to the parks. Saratoga Springs is close enough to walk to Disney Springs, but families might not find themselves willing to do that walk anyways.
1. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Old Key West Resort is inspired by the maritime heritage of the Florida Keys during the turn of the 20th century. While many adults might love the laid-back atmosphere of the resort, many kids might find it boring compared to the other Disney resort hotels. It also faces similar transportation issues as Saratoga Springs Resort with its own internal bus system, although it does offer boat transportation to Disney Springs.
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The worst problem this hotel faces is that most of the buildings don’t have elevators, and some of these buildings are three stories tall. For families dealing with a stroller, this could easily create a daily hassle that will feel even worse at the end of a long park day.
Our Favorite Disney World Resorts for Families
One category of Disney World resort hotels that were notably absent from this list? Any of the resort hotels in the value category. Kids love the larger-than-life Disney characters and bright theming of these resorts. You can’t go wrong with any of those themes!
Two of our favorites from the value-hotel category are Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation, which both offer Skyliner access along with bus transportation. Not only are these hotels affordable, but they also offer such bright, character-focused themes that kids will love. The Skyliner access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT is extremely convenient, especially for when it’s time to take a midday break.
These are also two of the resorts included in Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER promotion, which we expect could become a more regular summer offering. The program added family-focused activities at select resorts, including scheduled Disney character appearances, pool parties with games and music, campfire nights with marshmallows and sing-alongs, and Disney-themed story libraries and pajama parties.
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