13 Best Resorts in Orlando for Kids (2026)
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.
Orlando has more hotels and resorts designed for kids than anywhere else in the United States. That means the problem isn’t finding a kid-friendly hotel. It’s deciding which one is best for your family.
To make this as easy as possible, I’ve listed the 13 kid-friendly resorts I’d actually book, covering all budgets and interests.
Methodology: I’ve been to Orlando more than 20 times since 2019 across 10+ Walt Disney World trips and 12+ Universal Orlando trips. I’ve stayed at four of these 13 resorts, walked through the lobbies of three more on park days, and researched the remaining six on proximity to parks, water amenities, family suites, and value for the tier.
Top 3 Resorts in Orlando for Kids
Don’t have time to read about each kid-friendly hotel? Here are my top three picks.
best for luxury
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Orlando, with Kids For All Seasons supervised activities (free, ages 4 to 12) and the Explorer Island water park on-site. Magic Kingdom fireworks views from north-facing rooms.
best for mid-range
Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek
Five swimming pools, two lazy rivers, and a pirate-ship play structure inside Disney’s gated Bonnet Creek area. Suites sleep 4 to 12 with full kitchens and washer/dryers, the strongest value pick for multi-generational trips.
best for universal
Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Universal’s 1950s-themed family-suite resort with a lazy river, Galaxy Bowl ten-pin bowling alley inside the lobby, and family suites that sleep six with kitchenettes. Free shuttle and early park entry at all three Universal parks.
Best Orlando Resorts for Kids at a Glance
Want a fast comparison? Here’s every resort on the list with nightly rate and the type of family it’s best for.
| Resort | Cost (from) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons Resort | $700/night | Luxury & kids clubs |
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom | $400/night | Savanna views |
| Disney’s Polynesian | $700/night | Disney monorail |
| Disney’s Old Key West | $350/night | Disney villas |
| Disney’s Pop Century | $200/night | Disney budget families |
| Gaylord Palms Resort | $300/night | Resort water park |
| Wyndham Bonnet Creek | $250/night | Multiple swimming pools |
| JW Marriott Grande Lakes | $400/night | Lazy river |
| Hard Rock Hotel | $500/night | Music lovers & Universal |
| Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | $500/night | Universal luxury |
| Loews Sapphire Falls | $300/night | Universal mid-range |
| Cabana Bay Beach Resort | $200/night | Budget Universal |
| Endless Summer Resort | $130/night | Universal & kitchenette |
Best Resorts in Orlando for Kids
Here are the 13 best resorts in Orlando for kids, ranked by tier from luxury at the top to budget at the bottom.
Luxury & kids clubs
1. Four Seasons Resort Orlando
💵 Cost: $700/night
🏆 Best for: Supervised kids’ camp ages 4-12
Four Seasons Orlando is the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in the city and the only luxury resort that sits inside Disney’s Golden Oak community. North-facing rooms see Magic Kingdom fireworks at night.
Families staying here get Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry plus complimentary Disney transportation to all four parks. The Kids For All Seasons club runs free supervised activities for ages 4 to 12.
- Explorer Island water park: three slides, lazy river, zero-entry kids’ pool
- Kids For All Seasons supervised activities, free, ages 4 to 12
- Magic Kingdom fireworks views from north-facing rooms
- Free Disney park transport to all four parks
- Five restaurants on-site including Capa rooftop steakhouse
- 18-hole Tom Fazio golf course
Savanna views
2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
💵 Cost: $400/night
🏆 Best for: Savanna views + older kids
This is the only hotel in Orlando where you wake up to wildlife with giraffes, zebras and antelope wandering past your balcony. These savanna views are the real reason to stay here and well worth the upgrade.
My mum stayed here during mine and my wife’s Orlando wedding in 2019, and I stayed there myself on a Disney UK press trip in December 2024.
Sanaa is one of several on-site restaurants here and one of my favourite restaurants in Walt Disney World. You can eat there even if you’re not staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
- Savanna views with giraffes, zebras and antelope from the balcony
- Pool with waterslide, arcade, and nightly campfire storytellers
- Free Disney transport to all four parks plus Disney Springs
- Early Theme Park Entry
- Extended Evening Theme Park Hours at select Disney parks
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
💵 Cost: $700/night
🏆 Best for: Monorail families
The Polynesian Resort is one of the closest hotels to Disney’s Magic Kingdom and sits on the monorail line. You can step out of the lobby and onto a monorail directly to the park gates in under five minutes.
The resort finished its refurbishment in 2024 with Moana-themed decor and features a Lava Pool with a 142-foot waterslide built into a volcano. Trader Sam’s tiki bar is the closest thing Disney has to a real adult lounge, and it’s surprisingly kid-friendly at dinner before the late-evening crowd arrives.
- Free transportation to all Disney parks and Disney Springs
- Lava Pool with a 142-ft waterslide built into a volcano
- ‘Ohana family-style dining and Trader Sam’s tiki bar
- Moana-themed bungalows on Seven Seas Lagoon with fireworks views
- Refurbished in 2024 with Moana-themed decor across the resort
Disney villas
4. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
💵 Cost: $350/night
🏆 Best for: Villa families with kitchens
We stayed in a two-bedroom villa at Old Key West for our wedding in 2019, sharing the villa with family members to keep costs down. The two-bedroom layout is ideal for multi-generational trips, with all the perks of staying on Disney property plus a full kitchen and multiple bathrooms.
Since Old Key West is a Disney Vacation Club resort, you can book a villa with cash or rent DVC points from a third-party broker to save on the nightly rate. You can take the boat to and from Disney Springs, plus free buses to all four Disney theme parks.
- Full kitchen, washer/dryer, lounge in one- and two-bedroom villas
- Pool with a 125-foot waterslide and a kid’s wading pool
- Olivia’s Cafe and Good’s Food To Go quick service on-property
- Free Disney transport to all four parks
- Originally opened 1991, the first Disney Vacation Club resort
Disney budget families
5. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
💵 Cost: $200/night
🏆 Best for: Disney budget families
If you want to stay on-site at Disney on a budget, then Disney’s Pop Century is a great choice. The Skyliner from the hotel reaches EPCOT International Gateway in about 20 minutes and Hollywood Studios in 10 to 15 minutes via a transfer at Caribbean Beach.
The 1950s through 1990s theming runs through the buildings here, and the three themed pools are great for slower days when you want to stay on-site and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
- Skyliner gondola to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
- Standard rooms with pull-down beds
- Three themed pools
- Free Disney transport
- Decade-themed courtyards for photo opportunities
Resort water park
6. Gaylord Palms Resort
💵 Cost: $300/night
🏆 Best for: Wave pool + lazy river families
Gaylord Palms is a Marriott Resort in Kissimmee with a 3-acre on-site water park called Cypress Springs, one of the best water parks in Orlando. It includes a wave pool, lazy river, seven water slides, a kids’ splash pad, and a FlowRider surf simulator.
The atrium is themed around Florida regions (Key West, Everglades, St. Augustine) and runs the full length of the resort under a glass ceiling. Kids can walk through after dark when the alligators in the Everglades exhibit are most visible.
- Cypress Springs Water Park: wave pool, lazy river, seven slides, FlowRider
- Glass-roof atrium with live alligators and themed Florida zones
- Free shuttle to Disney parks (about 15-min drive)
- Six restaurants on-site including SandBar Texan Grill and Old Hickory Steakhouse
- Adventure golf and arcade for indoor entertainment
- Spa and adults-only pool for parents
Multiple swimming pools
7. Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek
💵 Cost: $250/night
🏆 Best for: Multi-pool families with full kitchens
Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek sits inside Disney’s gated Bonnet Creek area. It’s technically off-Disney property, but the gate access means you’re surrounded by Disney resorts on three sides with a short drive to Disney’s BoardWalk.
There are five swimming pools on-site (two with lazy rivers), a pirate-ship play structure, and water cannons throughout the property. Suites range from one-bedroom (sleeps four) to four-bedroom (sleeps twelve), each with a full kitchen and washer/dryer, which makes this the budget choice for big families travelling together.
- Five pools, two lazy rivers, pirate-ship play structure, water cannons
- One- to four-bedroom suites with full kitchens and washer/dryers
- Free shuttle to all four Disney parks
- Mini-golf, arcade, and movie nights on the lawn
- 5 min drive to Disney BoardWalk and EPCOT
- 4-acre central pool complex with separate kid’s pool
Lazy river
8. JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
💵 Cost: $400/night
🏆 Best for: Resort campus with lazy river
The JW Marriott sits on the 500-acre Grande Lakes campus alongside the Ritz-Carlton and is the luxury alternative when you don’t want to pay Four Seasons or Waldorf Astoria rates but still want a resort campus.
This resort shares several facilities with the Ritz-Carlton including an 800-foot lazy river, multiple waterslides, and an AquaVenture obstacle course. It’s one of the strongest picks among Orlando hotels with waterslides and lazy rivers. There’s also a Greg Norman-designed golf course, and the on-site Whisper Creek Farm where kids can do free farm tours.
- 800-foot lazy river
- AquaVenture obstacle course and multiple waterslides
- Whisper Creek Farm with free farm tours and feeding sessions
- 5 min drive to SeaWorld, 10 min to Universal
- Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course on-site
- Spa, kids’ camp, and supervised activities for ages 5-12
Music lovers & Universal
9. Hard Rock Hotel
💵 Cost: $500/night
🏆 Best for: Free Universal Express Pass + rock-star theme
I’ve been to the Hard Rock Hotel on-site at Universal Orlando several times, but never stayed here overnight. The lobby features glass cases full of rock memorabilia, and there’s usually a Hard Rock acoustic player set up by the bar in the late afternoon.
The rock-star theming carries through every detail from the in-room Fender guitar loans to The Palm Kids’ Menu at the on-site steakhouse. As a Universal Premier hotel, Hard Rock includes the free Universal Express Pass for Studios and Islands of Adventure, a perk that can save you around $200 per person per day in peak season.
- Free Universal Express Pass
- 5 min walk to Universal Studios Florida
- Hard Rock Pool with underwater speakers and a 260-foot waterslide
- Free in-room Fender guitar loans
- Early park admission one hour before day-guests
- The Palm steakhouse plus casual on-site dining
Universal luxury
10. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
💵 Cost: $500/night
🏆 Best for: Free Universal Express Pass + Italian Riviera theme
I’ve walked around the grounds of Portofino Bay but never stayed here. Much like Hard Rock, this hotel is a Universal Premier hotel and includes the free Universal Express Pass. If I had to choose between staying at Portofino Bay or Hard Rock on my next visit to Universal, I’d choose the Hard Rock as it seems more fun than Portofino, but that’s purely personal preference.
This resort is designed to be a replica of the Italian Riviera complete with pastel buildings and a cobblestone piazza. The Beach Pool has a Roman aqueduct waterslide; the quieter Hillside Pool has shallow zones for under-5s.
- Free Universal Express Pass
- Three themed pools
- Water taxi from hotel pier direct to Universal CityWalk
- Eight on-site restaurants
- Architectural recreation of the Portofino harbour in Italy
- Early park admission one hour before day-guests
Universal mid-range
11. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
💵 Cost: $300/night
🏆 Best for: Caribbean theming + Universal walking access
I’ve stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort four times now, most recently in May 2026. It’s a great choice for mid-range luxury when you’re visiting Universal Orlando for a couple of days.
Free transportation includes the water taxi to CityWalk, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure, alternatively it’s around a 10-minute walk along the dedicated walking path. You don’t get a free Universal Express Pass staying here but you do get early park entry (one hour before day-guests).
- Free early park entry one hour before day-guests at Universal
- Caribbean-themed pool
- Walkway through to Universal CityWalk
- Strong Water Tavern (rum bar) and Amatista restaurant
- Family-friendly without the Premier hotel price tag
Budget Universal
12. Cabana Bay Beach Resort
💵 Cost: $200/night
🏆 Best for: Family suites, lazy river, bowling alley
If you want to stay on-site at Universal Orlando on a budget, then Cabana Bay is a great choice. I’ve not stayed here overnight, but I’ve been inside the lobby several times. The resort is themed around the 1950s and 1960s and has an on-site bowling alley, a food court and a large pool area.
Cabana Bay is Universal’s family-suite value resort. Family suites sleep six with a sliding partition between the bedroom and living area, plus a kitchenette with a microwave and mini-fridge.
- Lazy river and Cabana Courtyard pool with a waterslide
- Galaxy Bowl ten-pin bowling alley inside the resort
- Family suites sleeping six with sliding partition and kitchenette
- Free shuttle to Universal parks
- Early park entry one hour before day-guests
- On-site Starbucks, fitness centre and arcade
Universal & kitchenette
13. Endless Summer Resort
💵 Cost: $130/night
🏆 Best for: Lowest Universal nightly rate + two-bedroom family suites
Endless Summer Resort is another great budget choice on-site at Universal. There are two hotel options here, just across the road from each other: Surfside Inn and Dockside Inn. Both are about a 15-minute shuttle to the Universal parks, versus the 10-minute walk from Cabana Bay. However, Endless Summer starts at around $130/night vs Cabana Bay’s $200/night, and the two-bedroom family suites sleep six with a separate bedroom and a kitchenette.
We stayed at Dockside Inn for two weeks as a family of three when our son was about 18 months old, doing Universal Orlando with a toddler for the first time. If you’re planning a Universal trip longer than four days, this is a great choice. Unlike staying on-site at Disney, you’re still within walking distance of CVS, IHOP, and other family-friendly restaurants, so you don’t need to hire a car if you don’t want one.
- Cheapest official Universal hote
- Two-bedroom family suites sleeping six
- Free early park entry one hour before day-guests at Universal
- Free transport across Universal Orlando
- On-site food court and quick-service dining at both hotels
Map of All 13 Orlando Resorts for Kids
All 13 resorts pinned on one map, colour-coded by area (Disney resorts in blue, Universal resorts in red, and the Grande Lakes / Kissimmee picks in green).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I get asked most about booking an Orlando resort for a family with kids.
What’s the best Orlando resort for kids on a budget?
Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It’s the best-value Disney resort, with themed pools and Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Off-Disney, Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal has family suites with kitchenettes for $200 a night, plus a lazy river, water slide, and bowling alley.
Which Orlando resort has the best kids’ water amenities?
Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek has 5 pools, 2 lazy rivers, multiple waterslides, and a pirate-ship play structure. Gaylord Palms has the Cypress Springs on-site water park with a wave pool, lazy river, and FlowRider surf simulator, the strongest stand-alone water park among the main Orlando resorts.
What Universal Orlando hotel is best for families with kids?
Cabana Bay Beach Resort for value families with family suites, a lazy river, bowling alley, and kitchenettes. Loews Portofino Bay for premier families gets the free Universal Express Pass at Studios and Islands of Adventure, saving $100 to $200 per person per day in peak season.
What Disney hotel is best for a first Disney trip with kids?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for older kids who’ll appreciate the savanna-view rooms. Disney’s Pop Century for first-time families on a Disney budget with Skyliner access to EPCOT. Four Seasons Orlando for families who want luxury within the Disney area without staying at a Disney-owned resort.
Do I need to stay on Disney property to visit the parks?
No. Many top family resorts are within 5 to 15 minutes of Disney by car or hotel shuttle. Staying off-property typically costs 30 to 50 percent less than Disney’s own resorts and gives you more space (often family suites or villa-style rooms with kitchens and washer/dryers).
What’s the best Orlando resort for a family with a baby or toddler?
Look for resorts with zero-entry pools and shallow play areas. Gaylord Palms has a zero-entry family pool; Disney’s Pop Century has themed shallow pools; Four Seasons has a dedicated zero-entry kids’ pool in the Explorer Island complex. All three are also shaded for Florida sun.
Are Orlando resort fees worth checking before booking?
Yes. Most off-Disney resorts add a $30 to $50 per night resort fee on top of the room rate. Disney resorts and a few exceptions don’t charge one. Always factor the fee into the per-night cost when comparing. a cheaper off-property option can become more expensive once the fee is added.
SubscrIBE
For All The Latest Travels
In Your Inbox!
Let’s Chat!
Thanks for stopping by! Do you have experience with this trip or want to share some of your own tips? We’d love to hear about it! Comment below and let’s chat!