All 9 Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Ranked for Families

If You Can Dream It Travel · Luxury Disney Insider

By Jennifer Rannazzisi

Here's a confession: every single Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort is good. You can't really go wrong. But good isn't the same as right for your family — and after years of planning Disney trips, I've watched families fall in love with the perfect resort and struggle through the wrong one.

The family with a 4-year-old obsessed with Moana has different needs than the family with teenagers who want to spend every morning at rope drop. The family that lives for EPCOT Food & Wine Festival needs something totally different than the family whose entire trip revolves around Magic Kingdom and fireworks. Resort selection is strategy, not just preference.

This is my definitive family-focused ranking of all nine Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts. I'm ranking on what matters most when you're traveling with kids: park access, pool quality, dining for all ages, kid-specific experiences, room comfort, and that ineffable sense of Disney magic that makes a family trip unforgettable — not just expensive.

How I Ranked These Resorts:

Park access & transportation

· Pool quality & family amenities

· Dining for kids & adults

· Character experiences on-site

· Room size, layout & comfort

· That irreplaceable Disney magic

· Value within the Deluxe tier

· Walkability & ease of resort life

The Rankings at a Glance

1. Animal Kingdom Lodge — Giraffes from your balcony. Unmatched.

2. Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — The gold standard of Disney luxury

3. Wilderness Lodge — Best theming. Best wow factor.

4. Polynesian Village Resort — Monorail magic + island soul

5. Beach Club Resort — Greatest family pool on property

6. Contemporary Resort — Unbeatable Magic Kingdom access

7. BoardWalk Inn — EPCOT's best-kept secret

8. Disney's Riviera Resort — Stunning newcomer with Skyliner access

9. Yacht Club Resort — Elegant, underrated, Stormalong Bay access

#1 — Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Area · Bus Transportation

"Wake up to giraffes. I genuinely don't need to say anything else."

I put Animal Kingdom Lodge at #1 for families and I will not be taking questions. The moment a child( or honestly, any adult) steps onto a savanna-view balcony and sees a giraffe grazing 50 feet away, the resort has already justified every penny. There is no manufactured Disney magic here. This is real. Animals. Live. Outside. Your. Room.

The Kidani Village and Jambo House buildings sit on the edge of four savanna habitats that are home to over 30 species of African wildlife — giraffes, zebras, flamingos, kudu, and more. The resort offers a complimentary sunrise safari for guests. Cast Members stationed at savanna viewing areas throughout the day and evening know every animal by name and will tell your family their stories.

The immersive African theming is executed with breathtaking authenticity — hand-carved furnishings, traditional artwork, thatched architecture, and a lobby that transports you immediately. For a child with a love of animals or a family that wants something truly different from the standard Disney resort experience, this is unparalleled.

Boma — Flavors of Africa is a family buffet that consistently wins awards for both its adventurous menu and its warm, festive atmosphere. Sanaa serves one of the most praised lunches on all of Disney property, with savanna views from every table. Jiko is for the grown-ups' night out. The Uzima Springs pool complex features a zero-entry pool, waterslide, and a sandy play area that keeps kids busy for hours.

The only reason families hesitate: bus transportation. You are not on the monorail. You're not walking to EPCOT. But most families find they don't even want to leave. The resort is so complete, so immersive, and so genuinely entertaining that many of my clients list it as the highlight of their entire trip.

Why Families Love It: 4 live savanna habitats with 30+ species · Complimentary sunrise safari for guests · Boma family buffet — top-rated on property · Uzima Springs pool with waterslide · Evening night vision wildlife programs · Sanaa lunch with savanna views · African storytelling programs for kids · Large connecting room options available

Jennifer's Insider Take: Always book a Savanna View room — do not let cost talk you out of this. Standard view rooms face parking lots and the difference is night and day. Book Boma for breakfast your first morning: the atmosphere sets the tone for the entire trip. And ask a Cast Member to show you the night vision goggles after dark. Your kids will lose their minds. So will you.

"If your family includes animal lovers of any age — and what child doesn't love animals — Animal Kingdom Lodge belongs at the top of your list. It's the one resort where guests routinely tell me the hotel was their favorite part of the whole vacation."

#2 — Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Magic Kingdom Area · Monorail & Walking

"The resort where families feel like royalty — and Magic Kingdom is a monorail ride away."

The Grand Floridian is Walt Disney World's flagship resort, and it earns that title every single day. For families, it sits at #2 because it combines the two things that matter most on a family Disney trip: extraordinary Disney magic and effortless Magic Kingdom access.

Let me paint you a picture: you've had a full day in the parks. Your kids are tired but still buzzing. You board the monorail at Magic Kingdom, glide across the lagoon with the castle twinkling behind you, and step off directly into your resort. Someone hands you a warm chocolate chip cookie at the front desk. The lobby smells like white tea and magnolias. A live orchestra plays Disney songs in the Grand Lobby atrium. Your children look around like they've stepped into the most magical hotel they've ever seen — because they have.

The monorail access is genuinely transformative for families. You can put younger children down for an afternoon nap without losing an hour to bus transportation. You can slip back to the resort mid-day, refresh, and return without the logistical agony that derails so many Disney itineraries.

1900 Park Fare offers one of the most beloved character dining experiences on property — Cinderella and her Prince host dinner with the full royal court. The Grand Floridian Spa is extraordinary for parents. The pools, gardens, and marina mean there's never a dull moment even when you're not in the parks.

Why Families Love It: Monorail directly to Magic Kingdom · 1900 Park Fare Cinderella character dining · Walking path to Magic Kingdom entrance · Castle views from the resort beach · Narcoossee's fireworks dinner experience · Grand Floridian Spa for parents · Multiple pools including Courtyard Pool · Cookie delivery at check-in

Jennifer's Insider Take: Book Narcoossee's for one dinner and time it for the Magic Kingdom fireworks — the restaurant dims its lights and plays the soundtrack. It's one of those moments families talk about for years. For rooms, a Garden View on floor 4 or higher gets you beautiful resort views without the full Magic Kingdom View premium. And walk to Magic Kingdom at least once. The approach through the gates is something special.

The Grand Floridian is where families come to feel the full weight of the Disney dream. If Magic Kingdom is the heart of your trip — and for most families with younger children, it absolutely is — there is no better home base on property.

#3 — Wilderness Lodge

Magic Kingdom Area · Boat Transportation

"The most jaw-dropping lobby in all of Walt Disney World. Your family will not stop talking about it."

I have been inside the Wilderness Lodge lobby more times than I can count, and it still stops me cold every single time. An 82-foot stone fireplace. Pacific Northwest totem poles reaching toward a vaulted ceiling. A rushing creek that begins indoors and flows outside to a waterfall and geyser. Wilderness Lodge is Disney theming at its absolute pinnacle — a complete world unto itself that makes your children feel like they've been transported somewhere wild and magnificent.

The geyser erupting hourly outside the resort is genuinely thrilling for kids. The pool area — Boulder Ridge Cove Pool — has a fantastic waterslide built into the rocky landscape. The resort feels tucked away in the best possible way, surrounded by pine trees and situated on Bay Lake, with a boat that floats you directly to Magic Kingdom's dock.

Whispering Canyon Café is one of the most raucous, interactive, joyful family dining experiences on property. Cast Members here are fully committed — they'll have your kids leading conga lines and hollering across the restaurant before your food arrives. Artist Point Story Dining offers a Snow White-themed character experience in a gorgeous setting. Roaring Fork, the quick-service location, consistently punches above its weight in food quality.

It sits at #3 rather than higher primarily because of transportation: the boat to Magic Kingdom is charming but slower than the monorail. For families whose trip revolves heavily around Magic Kingdom and who prize immersive theming above all else, this could easily be your personal #1.

Why Families Love It: 82-foot stone fireplace lobby · Hourly geyser eruption — kids go wild · Boat to Magic Kingdom (scenic & magical) · Whispering Canyon Café interactive dining · Artist Point Snow White character experience · Boulder Ridge pool with waterslide · Nature trails along the lake · Often more affordable than Grand Floridian

Jennifer's Insider Take: Request a Courtyard View room — you may wake up to deer grazing outside your window. Book Whispering Canyon Café for at least one breakfast or lunch and tell the server it's your first time. They will make it an experience your kids remember. And ride the boat to Magic Kingdom at sunset — it's one of the most beautiful moments you can have at Walt Disney World.

Wilderness Lodge is my top pick for families who prioritize the sense of escape and wonder — where the resort itself feels like part of the adventure, not just a place to sleep before the parks.

#4 — Polynesian Village Resort

Magic Kingdom Area · Monorail & Skyliner

Tropical paradise + monorail access + 'Ohana. Families have been returning here for decades for a reason.

The Polynesian Village Resort has one of the most fiercely loyal fan bases of any Disney resort. People don't just like this resort — they return to it year after year, decade after decade. The Polynesian delivers an emotional experience that is deeply, specifically Disney in a way that is very hard to articulate but impossible to miss when you're standing in the Great Ceremonial House watching torches flicker over the lagoon.

For families, the monorail access to Magic Kingdom is a game-changer. You share that perk with the Grand Floridian and Contemporary, but the Polynesian combines it with lush South Pacific theming that immediately feels like vacation — your kids will feel like they've arrived somewhere genuinely exotic the moment they step off the monorail into a resort that smells of plumeria and feels like a world apart from home.

'Ohana is one of the most beloved character dining experiences at Walt Disney World — a festive family feast where Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto rotate through, the food comes in waves, and the energy is joyful and loud and absolutely wonderful. Booking it is a non-negotiable for families staying here. Kona Café is an excellent table-service option for more relaxed mornings.

The Volcano Pool with its waterslide is genuinely impressive, and the sandy beach along the Seven Seas Lagoon — with Cinderella Castle visible across the water — is one of the most iconic photo backdrops in all of Walt Disney World. Catch the nightly Electric Water Pageant from the beach, and your evening is complete.

Why Families Love It: Monorail to Magic Kingdom & EPCOT · 'Ohana character dining — bucket list · Volcano Pool with waterslide · Lagoon beach with castle views · Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai · Trader Sam's (perfect for a parents' date night) · Electric Water Pageant from the beach · Deeply immersive tropical theming

Jennifer's Insider Take: Book 'Ohana at exactly 60 days before your arrival — it is one of the hardest dining reservations to get at Walt Disney World. Get a Dole Whip with rum from the Pineapple Lanai on your first night. Watch the fireworks from the beach and take the photo with the castle in the background. These are not optional. They are the Polynesian experience.

"The Polynesian is where Disney families are made — the resort that turns a first-time visitor into a lifelong Disney traveler. If I had to pick one resort that captures the specific joy of a family Walt Disney World vacation, it's this one."

#5 — Beach Club Resort

EPCOT Area · Walking Distance

"Stormalong Bay is the greatest hotel pool in Florida. I will take that to my grave."

If your family's idea of a perfect Disney day involves serious pool time — the Beach Club Resort is your answer, and it's not a close call. Stormalong Bay is a three-acre, zero-entry lagoon pool with a lazy river, a waterslide, a sand-bottom area that genuinely feels like a private beach, and enough space that your kids can spend an entire day there and still not do everything.

The Beach Club's New England seaside theming — soft blues, white shiplap trim, nautical touches — is relaxed and charming rather than dramatic, which suits families who want elegant without stuffy. The location puts you steps from EPCOT's International Gateway. During the Food & Wine Festival or Flower & Garden Festival, that is an absolutely unbeatable perk.

Cape May Café hosts a wonderful character breakfast featuring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy in beach attire — festive, well-run, and genuinely good food. Beaches & Cream, the resort's classic soda shop, serves the legendary Kitchen Sink sundae: a sink-shaped dish loaded with every ice cream flavor and topping imaginable. Order it for the table. Or don't share. I won't judge.

The Beach Club's location at #5 reflects that while Stormalong Bay is extraordinary, Magic Kingdom access still requires a bus. For families with children who will spend significant time at the pool, the Beach Club jumps significantly in my rankings.

Why Families Love It: Stormalong Bay — best pool on property · Walking distance to EPCOT · Cape May Café character breakfast · Beaches & Cream soda shop · Boat to Hollywood Studios · Shared pool access with Yacht Club · Zero-entry pool perfect for toddlers · Food & Wine Festival walkability

Jennifer's Insider Take: Stormalong Bay fills up by mid-morning on warm days — be there by 9 AM to claim your spot. This is not a suggestion. During EPCOT's festivals, the outdoor World Showcase booths are accessible without a park ticket after 5 PM. Beach Club guests who know this have a significant advantage. Book the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream — it's a family memory, not just dessert.

For families where the pool is central to the vacation — and especially for families with toddlers and water-loving kids — Beach Club is my top recommendation. When pool time is precious vacation time, Stormalong Bay changes everything.

#6 — Contemporary Resort

Magic Kingdom Area · Monorail & Walking

The only resort in the world where a monorail drives through your hotel. That detail never gets old.

The Contemporary sits at #6 not because of any weakness — it is an extraordinary resort — but because for family planning purposes, the single greatest asset it offers (Magic Kingdom proximity) is something it shares with the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, both of which also deliver richer theming. But let me be clear: if your family's entire Disney trip is built around Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary belongs much higher on your personal list.

You can walk from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom in under twelve minutes. The monorail stops inside the hotel — inside it — so you step directly from your lobby onto a monorail car without ever going outside. For families with strollers, early morning rope-droppers, and night-owl fireworks watchers, this is genuinely life-changing logistics.

Chef Mickey's is one of the most iconic character dining experiences in Walt Disney World history — Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto, breakfast and dinner, with the energy of a party rather than a meal. California Grill, the resort's rooftop restaurant, offers a celebrated fireworks viewing experience and is one of the finest dining options on property.

The resort's bold mid-century modern architecture — including the famous 90-foot Mary Blair mosaic — is genuinely iconic. The pool area and marina offer great family activities when you're not in the parks.

Why Families Love It: Monorail runs through the building · Walking distance to Magic Kingdom · Chef Mickey's — iconic character dining · California Grill fireworks dinner · Mary Blair mosaic — a design landmark · Bay Lake marina and water recreation · Tower rooms with castle views · Best logistics for Magic Kingdom families

Jennifer's Insider Take: Book California Grill for the fireworks at 60 days — it is one of the most sought-after reservations on property. Tower rooms facing Magic Kingdom command a premium that is absolutely worth it for at least one evening of watching fireworks from your private balcony. That's a family memory, not just a room upgrade.

If your family's entire trip revolves around Magic Kingdom — early risers who want to rope-drop every morning and night-owls who want to stay for every fireworks show — the Contemporary is arguably the most strategically sound resort on property.

#7 — BoardWalk Inn

EPCOT Area · Walking Distance

My biggest hidden gem pick. The right family absolutely loves this resort.

Let me tell you about the families I recommend BoardWalk to: they love EPCOT, want a dueling piano bar after the kids are asleep, and appreciate dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants in Orlando. BoardWalk Inn is the most sophisticated resort on property, and for the right family, it's a revelation.

The resort's 1930s Atlantic boardwalk theming is beautifully executed — bright facades, carnival midway games, old-fashioned lampposts, street performers — and the actual BoardWalk district outside your door is a genuine entertainment destination. Restaurants, bars, shops, and an ESPN Club all sit within steps of your room. Kids love the carnival midway; adults love the evening energy.

Walking to EPCOT's International Gateway takes under ten minutes. A boat to Hollywood Studios departs from the resort. During festival season at EPCOT, BoardWalk guests can access the outdoor festival grounds without a park ticket in the evenings — a perk that BoardWalk regulars guard like a state secret.

Trattoria al Forno serves an excellent character breakfast with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Ariel, and Eric — far easier to book than 'Ohana or Cinderella's Royal Table. Flying Fish is one of my personal favorite fine dining restaurants on all of Disney property. Jellyrolls is adults-only entertainment that parents genuinely need after long park days.

Why Families Love It: Walking distance to EPCOT · BoardWalk entertainment district at your door · Trattoria al Forno character breakfast · Flying Fish fine dining · Jellyrolls for parents after bedtime · Carnival midway games for kids · Boat to Hollywood Studios · Festival season EPCOT evening access

Jennifer's Insider Take: During EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival, the outdoor World Showcase booths are accessible without a park ticket after 5 PM. BoardWalk guests who walk over just for the festival booths and ambiance — without paying park admission — are living some of the best moments available at Walt Disney World. This is insider knowledge that BoardWalk regulars don't share widely. You're welcome.

BoardWalk Inn is my dark horse recommendation for families who want to feel like Disney insiders rather than tourists — the resort that rewards people who know what they're doing, and makes them feel like the smartest travelers in the room.

#8 — Disney's Riviera Resort

EPCOT & Hollywood Studios Area · Skyliner

"The newest Deluxe Resort on property — and genuinely one of the most beautiful."

The Riviera Resort is the newest addition to Walt Disney World's Deluxe lineup, and it arrived with something genuinely special: the Disney Skyliner gondola system, which gives families a uniquely magical way to travel between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. There is something undeniably wonderful about loading your family into a gondola cabin, floating over Walt Disney World as the parks glitter below you, and arriving at the park entrance without sitting in any traffic or waiting for any bus.

The resort's theming — a romantic tribute to the French and Italian Riviera, with Disney characters woven into art-deco tile murals throughout — is exceptionally beautiful. Rooms here are among the most elegantly designed on property, with balconies, warm Mediterranean palettes, and thoughtful layouts.

Topolino's Terrace is a crown jewel: a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views, an outstanding contemporary menu, and one of the best character breakfasts on property featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in Riviera-chic artist attire. Bar Riva, the resort's pool bar and restaurant, is excellent for casual family lunches.

It ranks eighth primarily because families whose focus is Magic Kingdom will find the Skyliner doesn't solve their transportation equation. But for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios-focused families, the Riviera offers an experience that genuinely rivals the top of this list.

Why Families Love It: Skyliner to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios · Topolino's Terrace rooftop character breakfast · Most elegantly designed rooms on property · Art-deco Disney character murals throughout · Character-wrapped gondola cabins · Bar Riva pool bar for casual dining · Beautiful rooftop views from Topolino's · Feels genuinely new and special

Jennifer's Insider Take: Book Topolino's Terrace character breakfast — it is one of the most beautiful character dining settings on property, and the food quality exceeds most Disney character dining by a significant margin. Ride the Skyliner on your first evening just as the sun sets over Hollywood Studios. And look for the character-wrapped gondola cabins — they add a layer of Disney magic to what would already be a lovely experience.

"The Riviera is the resort for families who want something genuinely new, beautifully designed, and centered on EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. If those are your priority parks, this resort deserves serious consideration at the top of your list."

#9 — Yacht Club Resort

EPCOT Area · Walking Distance

"The sibling resort to Beach Club — elegantly understated, and more available when Beach Club is sold out."

The Yacht Club sits at #9 not because it's lacking — it is a genuinely beautiful, well-run resort in an excellent location — but because in a family context, its strengths are almost entirely shared with its neighbor, the Beach Club. They share Stormalong Bay. They share boat access to Hollywood Studios. They share walking distance to EPCOT. For families choosing between these two resorts, Beach Club's slightly more relaxed atmosphere and family-oriented theming generally edges it ahead.

That said, the Yacht Club has its own distinct character that many families prefer. Where Beach Club is casual New England nautical, Yacht Club leans into a more formal nautical-club aesthetic — navy and cream, brass fixtures, polished wood, lighthouse imagery. It feels more refined, which for some families is exactly what they want from a Deluxe resort.

Yachtsman Steakhouse is one of the best steak restaurants on Disney property — consistently excellent and worth booking for an adults' dinner. Ale & Compass is a solid all-ages table service option. Captain's Grille rounds out the dining lineup with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed setting.

For families who couldn't secure a Beach Club room, Yacht Club is the ideal alternative — same location, same pool, slightly different vibe. Don't dismiss it as a consolation prize; it's a legitimately excellent resort that ranks ninth in a list where every option is extraordinary.

Why Families Love It: Access to Stormalong Bay pool complex · Walking distance to EPCOT · Yachtsman Steakhouse for date night · Boat to Hollywood Studios · More serene atmosphere than Beach Club · Ale & Compass all-ages dining · Often easier to book than Beach Club · Elegant, classic nautical theming

Jennifer's Insider Take: If Beach Club is sold out on your dates, book Yacht Club immediately — you're getting 90% of the same experience. Stormalong Bay doesn't care which resort's key card you're carrying. Book Yachtsman Steakhouse for one adults' dinner — it is genuinely excellent and consistently overlooked. And know that Yacht Club guests often find the resort quieter and more peaceful — which, after three days in the parks, can feel like exactly the right amount of Disney.

"Yacht Club is my recommendation for families who want the Beach Club experience with a slightly more composed, elegant atmosphere — and for families who need a resort in this location when Beach Club availability is limited. It is ninth on my list and first-rate in every way that matters."

The Best Resort Is the One That's Right for Your Family

Nine extraordinary resorts. Nine completely different experiences. And the difference between a good Disney vacation and an unforgettable one often comes down to choosing the right home base — which is exactly what I help families do, every single day.

"The right resort doesn't just give you a place to sleep. It becomes part of the magic your family talks about for years."

Email:

Jennifer@ifyoucandreamittravel.com