Disney and Family-Friendly Hotel & Resort Picks in 2025
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Imagine taking your kids through a long day of travel through an airport just to find out that your hotel looks like a business conference center. Probably not very exciting for the kids. On the contrast, think about the reactions you will get when staying in a resort like the Aulani Disney resort in Hawaii. What better resorts to experience for kids than Disney hotels & resorts! From themed accommodations, entertainment, and cast members joining you for breakfast, these resorts will really wow your children and make long travel hours of fuss completely worth the hassle!
Why do Families Keep on Coming to Disney Resorts?
Families with children return to Disney resorts because they take care of the chaos for you that comes with traveling with your kids. Everything from transportation, food and the logistics of everything involved seems to just set in place while staying at one of these resorts! We will touch on the best Disney hotels & resorts as well as some similar non-Disney, family-friendly resort options!
Top Disney Picks for Families
Disney offers more than a dozen on-property resorts, so it might be a little overwhelming to decide the best place to stay! Not to worry, we have done the research for you and have gathered up the best Disney hotels & resorts to stay in 2025! Below are our top picks if you are planning to take your kids to a Disney-themed property!
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
This is a great property to land a budget-friendly suite! These themed family suites can easily fit a family of 6 and give you the best value for your money. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has cool themed areas like a Cars landscape, a Finding Nemo courtyard, and giant Lion King icons. The pool even has underwater music while your kids are swimming! Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, if you’re planning a family vacation in this area and are a fan of Disney animated films (and if your kids are as well) this is a great spot to check out!
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Picture waking up in the morning to giraffes munching on breakfast outside your balcony. If you and your kids love animals, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great spot to experience! There are incredible savanna views right outside your window. The resort offers cultural programs to keep your young ones entertained. The property also has world-class dining after you are done visiting the parks. The lodge will give you and your kids a true safari experience!
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
What place is as beautiful, fun, and relaxing as Hawaii? Now combine it with a Disney resort and you have yourself a trip of a lifetime! Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is located in O’ahu in an area of the island called Ko Olina. It has O’ahu’s lagoon which has the calmest water for your “little paddlers”. It has supervised fish feeding via Aunty’s Beach House childcare for your kids on the days you want to visit the spa. There is also subtle Hawaiian storytelling and the resort genuinely celebrates Hawaiian culture. This property is an absolutely must for Disney and Hawaii lovers! We are certain that you and your kids will have the best time of your lives.
Beyond the Mouse: Non-Disney Family-Friendly Resort Options
Maybe you want a “Disney-like” experience but want to look for alternative options that don’t require having to wear Mickey Mouse ears everywhere you go. Below are other wonderful resorts that deliver Disney-level magic minus the castle. Here are some of the best family-friendly resort options for a great travel experience for you and your kids!
Beaches Turks & Caicos
For all-inclusive options, this is a beautiful resort located on the tropical island of Turks & Caicos. Beaches Turks & Caicos has various entertainment for your children including Sesame Street parades and the Pirate Island water park (has a kid-sized surf simulator)! The best part, it’s all-inclusive, so you won’t have to feel guilty about treating your kids to ice cream! If you are looking for a family-friendly resort that has the tropical vibes of palm trees, white sand beaches, and turquoise water, this could be a resort for you and your family!
Great Wolf Lodge (Multiple U.S. Locations)
If your kids love indoor water parks (perfect for any season) the Great Wolf Lodge is an incredible place to experience. There is so much to entertain your kids with endless waterslides, wave pools, and more! They also have an interactive game called, MagiQuest and have themed “wolf-den” suites to lodge in. This is perfect for a staycation if you don’t live in Florida, Hawaii, or the Caribbean as the Great Wolf Lodge has multiple locations around the U.S. and chances are, you may be driving distance from one of their resorts!
Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas)
Another tropical area to take your children for an unbelievable experience is Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas! You will get a taste of the turquoise water and tropical vibes, similar to that of Turks & Caicos. There are several resorts in this area to stay in including the Reef, the Cove, and the Royal! This area has Aquaventure’s 141-acre water kingdom which has marine habitats that house over 50,000 animals from around 250 species! One of the best things in the resort is their lazy river, which you can float around all day! If you are looking for an island resort for you and your kids, this is a great option!
Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas)
Club Med Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Another tropical resort to stay in with your kids is Club Med Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic! There is various entertainment in this resort including a kids club run by G.O. (Gracious Organizer) which is what the staff members are called here. They have CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil which is a unique, circus-themed playscape where you and your kids can participate in acrobatics and artistic activities that are inspired by the performances of Crique du Soleil. Additionally, they have all-inclusive sports (both water and land) including sailing, kite surfing, snorkeling, tennis, pickleball, and even a circus school with a flying trapeze! Another solid choice for a family-friendly resort if you are looking to go somewhere tropical but still keeping your children entertained.
How to Choose the Right Resort for You and Your Kids?
Picking a resort can be one of the most complicated and overwhelming decisions as there is so much to factor in (especially if you see mixed reviews about the hotel or resort). We would advise you to ask yourself:
- What’s your priority?– budget, location, or amenities?
- How old are your kids?– do you have an infant, toddler, school-aged, teen, or a mix?
- Do you crave theme parks or beachfront lounging?– what type of family vacation?
- Will you rent a car?– transportation is an important factor to consider.
Tips to Max Out Your Family Resort Stay
- Book early to snag last minute deals and discounts for better room categories.
- Use mobile check-in to skip the front desk lines during busy seasons.
- Pack swim gear in your carry-on or personal bag just in case any check-in luggage gets lost or delayed.
- Plan downtime: over-scheduled days can overwhelm your trip, especially traveling with children. Don’t forget to account for meals and transportation.
- Leverage childcare services: if you feel comfortable letting your children do their thing in a kids’ club (and most likely meet and make friends at the resort), you will have sometime to relax and can even plan a date night during your family trip!
Wrapping Up
Family trips cost money and time, but the right resort transforms the hard work into trips of a lifetime with unforgettable memories with your kids. Disney properties like Art of Animation or Aulani give you built-in magic, yet fantastic alternatives such as Beaches Turks & Caicos and Great Wolf Lodge keep the fun rolling beyond the House of Mouse. We hope this gives you a better idea of what to plan for your next family vacation!
If you found this helpful, please give us a pin! We would also love to know whether or not you have already stayed in one of these resorts. What was your personal experience? We hope you have a great family vacation!
