While you can certainly find a cheaper room off Disney property, many people feel that staying onsite
is worth the money. Free, convenient, and easy-to-use transportation throughout Disney World is just
one of the many benefits to staying on Disney property. Here are some tips for your resort stay.
Consider a room with kitchen facilities. This is especially handy if your baby is still bottle feeding.
Book a resort with a great pool. Kids love swimming pools, and Disney resorts come with some of
the best. Children's favorites include the Volcano Pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort featuring a
smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven
Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge's boulder-lined pool featuring glistening waterfalls, rocky
overlooks, a fun water slide, and nearby geyser; and Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex
between the Yacht and Beach Clubs, offering three acres of fun, including sandy bottom pools, a giant
"shipwreck" waterslide, tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, and a kiddie pool with its own slide next to
the beach.
Request a room that is close to a bus stop. Better yet, request a room that is close to the first bus
stop on the route. In the morning, you're more likely to get on a relatively empty bus, making it easier to
find seats and a place to stash the stroller. You'll have to ride through a tour around your resort, but at
least you'll be seated. Also, on the way back to the resort, you'll be among the first people dropped off.
It’s much nicer to avoid the tour around the resort at the end of the day when you’re tired.
Consider a room with in-room laundry. Examples include at Old Key West Resort and the Boardwalk
Villas Resort.
Request a crib for your room. You can do this at any Disney hotel. At Old Key West, the two-bedroom
vacation homes are permanently equipped with Pack ’n Plays.
Check the crib or Pack ‘n Play over very carefully. Chances are excellent that Disney’s are in tip-top
shape, but in 2000 the National Safe Kids Campaign found unsafe cribs in 82 percent of the hotels
and motels they checked.
For example, make sure all hardware fits properly, that there are no small pieces your child could pull
off and choke on, and that the crib slats are close enough together that you can’t fit a soda can
between them.
Book a suite if you can afford it. You get more room for the kids to play and often a refrigerator and
microwave to cut down on meal costs. Plus then you and your spouse will have someplace to talk
after the kids go to sleep, other than in the bathroom.
Consider requesting a non-handicap-accesible room. Handicap-accessible rooms tend to have
shower stalls instead of tubs. But a tub is important to give little ones their baths.
If your child is of baby-proofing age, bring along your own baby-proofing supplies. Consider
bringing plug guards, cabinet locks (if you’re staying in a room with a kitchen), and masking tape (for
taping washrags over sharp coffee table corners, sticking lamp cords to the wall, etc.).
When you first go to your room, locate the fire exits in the hallway. You might even want to do a fire
drill. Count the number of doors between your room and the fire exit.
Check the hotel room carefully for hazards. Look inside closets, behind seat cushions, and
especially under the bed for dropped pins, coins, clips, hair things, pens, or other potentially harmful,
choking hazards.
The cords used to open and close drapes can form a strangulation hazard; tie them up out of the way.
Velcro loops, pieces of string or twist ties are useful for this purpose.
Some hotels (not on Disney property) may still leave out books of matches. Stash those somewhere
inaccessible.
If the hotel leaves out a pen, it might be a good idea to move that, too. That way your little one can’t
draw on the walls with it.
If the bathroom door locks, consider taping the lock so that your child cannot accidentally lock herself
in, or everyone else out.
If your hotel room has a balcony, check the furniture on the balcony: be sure it isn't placed near the
railing, so that a toddler could climb on a chair or table and fall over the railing.
Test the hot water. Sometimes it can get hot enough to scald or seriously burn a child. If it is too hot
you will not likely be able to convince the hotel to turn the heat down, but you will be alerted to a
potential hazard.
Be especially careful with prescription or other medicines you bring with you. Unlike at home, they
may not be out of reach in a bathroom medicine cabinet. Don’t leave them next to the sink in a hotel
bathroom. There is usually a high shelf in the closet that is out of reach.
Take a look at any little bottles of shampoo and the like in the bathroom. Depending on your child’s
age and curiosity, you might need to put these out of reach.
Consider Disney's baby-sitting service, called Kids’ Night Out. A nanny trained in CPR and basic first
aid will watch your children in your room while you go out, or give you a hand while you’re there if you
need a mother’s helper. Or the nannies can take the children to area attractions. To contact Kid's Nite
Out, Inc., call 407-828-0920 from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week.
Deluxe Resorts
These resorts start at $215 per night.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
BoardWalk Inn
Contemporary Resort
Grand Floridian Resort
Polynesian Resort
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht Club Resort
Moderate Resorts
These resorts start at $145 per night.
Caribbean Beach Resort
Coronado Springs Resort
Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
Port Orleans Resort—Riverside
Value Resorts
These rooms start at $82 per night.
All-Star Movies Resort
Theme: Legendary Disney film characters
All-Star Music Resort
Theme: The sounds of the last century
All-Star Sports Resort
Theme: Sports
Pop Century Resort
Theme: Pop culture of the 20th century.
is worth the money. Free, convenient, and easy-to-use transportation throughout Disney World is just
one of the many benefits to staying on Disney property. Here are some tips for your resort stay.
Consider a room with kitchen facilities. This is especially handy if your baby is still bottle feeding.
Book a resort with a great pool. Kids love swimming pools, and Disney resorts come with some of
the best. Children's favorites include the Volcano Pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort featuring a
smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven
Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge's boulder-lined pool featuring glistening waterfalls, rocky
overlooks, a fun water slide, and nearby geyser; and Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex
between the Yacht and Beach Clubs, offering three acres of fun, including sandy bottom pools, a giant
"shipwreck" waterslide, tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, and a kiddie pool with its own slide next to
the beach.
Request a room that is close to a bus stop. Better yet, request a room that is close to the first bus
stop on the route. In the morning, you're more likely to get on a relatively empty bus, making it easier to
find seats and a place to stash the stroller. You'll have to ride through a tour around your resort, but at
least you'll be seated. Also, on the way back to the resort, you'll be among the first people dropped off.
It’s much nicer to avoid the tour around the resort at the end of the day when you’re tired.
Consider a room with in-room laundry. Examples include at Old Key West Resort and the Boardwalk
Villas Resort.
Request a crib for your room. You can do this at any Disney hotel. At Old Key West, the two-bedroom
vacation homes are permanently equipped with Pack ’n Plays.
Check the crib or Pack ‘n Play over very carefully. Chances are excellent that Disney’s are in tip-top
shape, but in 2000 the National Safe Kids Campaign found unsafe cribs in 82 percent of the hotels
and motels they checked.
For example, make sure all hardware fits properly, that there are no small pieces your child could pull
off and choke on, and that the crib slats are close enough together that you can’t fit a soda can
between them.
Book a suite if you can afford it. You get more room for the kids to play and often a refrigerator and
microwave to cut down on meal costs. Plus then you and your spouse will have someplace to talk
after the kids go to sleep, other than in the bathroom.
Consider requesting a non-handicap-accesible room. Handicap-accessible rooms tend to have
shower stalls instead of tubs. But a tub is important to give little ones their baths.
If your child is of baby-proofing age, bring along your own baby-proofing supplies. Consider
bringing plug guards, cabinet locks (if you’re staying in a room with a kitchen), and masking tape (for
taping washrags over sharp coffee table corners, sticking lamp cords to the wall, etc.).
When you first go to your room, locate the fire exits in the hallway. You might even want to do a fire
drill. Count the number of doors between your room and the fire exit.
Check the hotel room carefully for hazards. Look inside closets, behind seat cushions, and
especially under the bed for dropped pins, coins, clips, hair things, pens, or other potentially harmful,
choking hazards.
The cords used to open and close drapes can form a strangulation hazard; tie them up out of the way.
Velcro loops, pieces of string or twist ties are useful for this purpose.
Some hotels (not on Disney property) may still leave out books of matches. Stash those somewhere
inaccessible.
If the hotel leaves out a pen, it might be a good idea to move that, too. That way your little one can’t
draw on the walls with it.
If the bathroom door locks, consider taping the lock so that your child cannot accidentally lock herself
in, or everyone else out.
If your hotel room has a balcony, check the furniture on the balcony: be sure it isn't placed near the
railing, so that a toddler could climb on a chair or table and fall over the railing.
Test the hot water. Sometimes it can get hot enough to scald or seriously burn a child. If it is too hot
you will not likely be able to convince the hotel to turn the heat down, but you will be alerted to a
potential hazard.
Be especially careful with prescription or other medicines you bring with you. Unlike at home, they
may not be out of reach in a bathroom medicine cabinet. Don’t leave them next to the sink in a hotel
bathroom. There is usually a high shelf in the closet that is out of reach.
Take a look at any little bottles of shampoo and the like in the bathroom. Depending on your child’s
age and curiosity, you might need to put these out of reach.
Consider Disney's baby-sitting service, called Kids’ Night Out. A nanny trained in CPR and basic first
aid will watch your children in your room while you go out, or give you a hand while you’re there if you
need a mother’s helper. Or the nannies can take the children to area attractions. To contact Kid's Nite
Out, Inc., call 407-828-0920 from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week.
Deluxe Resorts
These resorts start at $215 per night.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Babysitting is available at this resort.
- This resort has a zero-depth entry pool called Uzima, which means “clear water,” and a
wading pool. - Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at Simba’s Clubhouse, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out. - Play in the Hakuna Matata playground, next to the Uzima pool
Beach Club
- Play in the kiddie pool or the three-acre Stormalong Bay water park or on the white sand beach.
- There’s a 24-hour playground located next to Stormalong Bay.
- Take a stroller walk around the .8-mile loop around Crescent Lake.
- Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at the Sandcastle Club, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out.
BoardWalk Inn
- This resort’s pool is called Luna Park and it has a playground right next door.
- You can rent a bike or surrey to ride along the boardwalk.
- Take a stroller walk around the .8-mile loop around Crescent Lake.
- Play board games or do arts and crafts at Community Hall.
Contemporary Resort
- Enjoy a breakfast or dinner character buffet at Chef Mickey’s.
- Play on the white sand beach or playground next to the marina or splash in one of he two
heated pools. - Take a stroller walk around the 1.1-mile path around the resort.
Grand Floridian Resort
- Enjoy the kiddie pool or zero-depth entry pool and soak up the sand on the white sand beach.
- Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at the Mouseketeer Club, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out. - Kids ages 4 to 10 can take the Grand Adventures in Cooking class or Disney’s Pirate
Adventure. - Kids ages 3 to 10 can be a part of Alice’s Wonderland Tea Party.
- Take a stroller walk down the 1-mile path to the Polynesian Resort.
Polynesian Resort
- The Nanea Volcano Pool features a children’s play area.
- Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at the Never Land Club, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out. - Moana Mickey’s Arcade is located near the Nanea Volcano Pool.
- Enjoy catch and release fishing.
- Take a stroller walk down the 1-mile path to the Grand Floridian Resort.
Wilderness Lodge
- The pool, Silver Creek Springs, has a wading pool for kids.
- Enjoy the white sand at the Bay Lake Beach.
- Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at the Cub’s Den, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out. - A 24-hour playground is located next to the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile.
- Enjoy catch and release fishing.
- Rent a movie at the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile.
- Gather around the campfire for songs and a classic Disney movie at Chip ’n Dale’s Campfire
Sing-a-Long.
Yacht Club Resort
- Stormalong Bay features 3 acres of water fun.
- A 24-hour playground is located next to Stormalong Bay.
- Kids ages 4 to 12 can enjoy supervised activities—such as Disney movies, computer games,
dinner, and snacks—at the Sandcastle Club, while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out. - Enjoy catch and release fishing.
Moderate Resorts
These resorts start at $145 per night.
Caribbean Beach Resort
- Enjoy the white sand beach.
- Kids can play at Parrot Cay, an acre of fun, and three other playgrounds.
- Take a 1.4-mile stroller walk around Barefoot Bay.
- Rent a bike or slurry for a leisurely ride.
Coronado Springs Resort
- Play in the playground located near the Dig Site pool.
- Take a .9-mile stroll around Lago Dorado.
- Rent a bike or slurry for a leisurely ride.
Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
- Play in the playground across from Doubloon Lagoon pool.
- Rent a bike or slurry for a leisurely ride.
- Enjoy catch and release fishing.
- Take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Port Orleans Resort—Riverside
- Swim in one of five heated pools.
- Play in the playground on Ol’ Man Island.
- Rent a bike or slurry for a leisurely ride.
- Enjoy catch and release fishing.
- Take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Value Resorts
These rooms start at $82 per night.
All-Star Movies Resort
Theme: Legendary Disney film characters
- Swim in two heated pools and the kiddie pool.
- Play in the Reel Fun Arcade, across from the Food Court.
- Play in the playground area.
All-Star Music Resort
Theme: The sounds of the last century
- Swim in two heated pools and the kiddie pool.
- Play in the Note’able Games Arcade, across from the Food Court.
- Play in the playground area.
All-Star Sports Resort
Theme: Sports
- Swim in two heated pools and the kiddie pool.
- Play in the Game Point Arcade, across from the Food Court.
- Play in the playground area.
Pop Century Resort
Theme: Pop culture of the 20th century.
- Swim in 3 heated pools and a kiddie pool.
- Play in the Fast Forward Arcade, located across from the food court.
Where to Stay
Resorts
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