Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts [Ranking for Families]

We love staying at Walt Disney World deluxe resorts as a special treat for a memorable Disney vacation. Staying at a deluxe resort may not be your pick on every trip to Walt Disney World, but below we wanted to highlight our favorite deluxe resorts and why each of these work well for families.

Let’s rank all nine deluxe resorts on our list and discuss which types of trips these resorts may be best suited to book for your family. Start picking out those mouse ears and check our ranking of the Disney World deluxe resort hotels for your next family stay!

We have a comprehensive look at each category of resort at Walt Disney World, if you’re still trying to decide which category would fit your family best. Get all the details about what families will enjoy staying at each level of Walt Disney World resorts!

Later in the post we have links to in-depth reviews for each of the Walt Disney World deluxe resorts, but if you’re still wondering if a different category hotel may be for you, check out one of these guides below:

We have stayed at every category of resort at Walt Disney World with our family of four, and these rankings take into account our opinions of which resorts work best for families!

Disney World Deluxe Resort Overview

It’s no secret that Disney World deluxe resorts are the most expensive, and thus may not be the best choice for every type of Disney vacation. If you know you’re planning on staying at a deluxe resort, you may want to jump ahead to our rankings of deluxe resorts for families.

However, if you’re still trying to figure out if one of the eight Walt Disney World deluxe resorts are going to be for you, see what sets these resorts apart from the other categories.

Download our printable guide to our ranking of the Deluxe Resorts.

This category of hotel has the most amenities like pools, restaurants, and shopping options.

What Sets the Deluxe Resorts Apart

Deluxe resorts are located across the Walt Disney World property and each one has its own unique theme and vibe. The themes tend to not heavily rely on character IP and instead incorporate the “feeling of Disney” throughout resorts that are uniquely themed to match their name.

The three resorts that sit on the monorail loop (and are often referred to as the “monorail resorts”) are the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian. Wilderness Lodge is located near the monorail resorts in the Magic Kingdom area, however the resort is not connected to those resorts via the monorail. You may travel by boat from Magic Kingdom to get to Wilderness Lodge.

There are three resorts directly connected to the EPCOT area, with close access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Boardwalk Inn Resort. Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the newest resort additions, which is connected to the EPCOT area via the Skyliner.

Then there’s also Animal Kingdom Lodge in the area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Each of these resorts has its own unique experience and amenities which we will go over in our rankings for families, however the amenities you can find across all of the deluxe properties are multiple dining options at each resort, appealing pool areas with distinct features, larger rooms and interior room entrances.

When you jump from the moderate level to the deluxe level, the first difference you’re likely to spot is the interior entrance rooms, where guests enter in the lobby of the deluxe resort and access their rooms from hallways.

Every deluxe resort also has a large pool with features that set it apart from other resorts, a fitness center, quick service dining option, table service dining option, bar options, and extended activity schedules.

There are also occasionally perks extended to deluxe resort only guests, with entrance to the theme parks at special times and treats handed out for special events. You’ll also find Club Level rooms at many of the deluxe resorts which can be booked for additional cost, however they come with some food and services included.

Prices of the deluxe resorts typically range from $350 to $1000+ per night and vary greatly depending on the time of year you plan to stay, how full the resort is, and what type of room you plan to book.

Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts for Families

Keep in mind this ranking is very subjective, because deciding which deluxe resort to book very much comes down to your family preferences and what kind of stay you’re wanting to have on this particular trip.

Looking for a relaxing vacation with plenty of time at the pool? Disney’s Beach Club Resort will likely be your pick!

Does your family have little ones that love to watch for animals? Then Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is going to be high on the list.

Each stay that our family has had at a Walt Disney World deluxe resort has created special memories, and truly each one will be a unique experience!

Ranking of Disney World Moderate Resorts for Families

Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Grand Floridian

Our Deluxe Resort ranking with families in mind!

More details below on why we ranked each resort in this category.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Ranked 1st for: Amazing pool area, great location for EPCOT fans, excellent restaurant options, outstanding Disney experience.

Sleeps: Standard Room with 5th Sleeper sleeps 5 Adults; 2 Bedroom Suite Club Level up to 7 Adults (plus infant in crib allowed)

Top marks go to Disney’s Beach Club Resort as a family fun destination in the heart of Walt Disney World! This has hands down been one of our favorite family vacation locations to stay at and this is one deluxe we would book at time and time again.

The rooms were large and accommodating with a balcony to overlook garden and pool areas. (Check out our water view room!)

The real gem of this resort other than its location, is the outstanding pool area at Stormalong Bay. With a large water slide and lazy river area, this large pool is just a few steps short of being called a water park. The different swimming nooks were great so that it never felt crowded, despite being the pool for two adjoining resorts.

There’s a solid quick service (which notably doesn’t have much seating… which is… odd) and also is where Cape May Cafe and Beaches & Cream Soda Shop are located. Two great options for families looking for a memorable dining experience. There’s also a walk up window where you can grab shakes to go right at the pool area.

This resort works well for families that are planning on spending lots of time at the resort and pool, with plenty of activities and entertaining Stormalong Bay pool area will be a sure hit for families with kids of all ages!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Ranked 2nd for: Animal viewing available throughout resort, soaring lobby, top of the line dining options, outstanding Disney experience.

Sleeps: Standard Room sleeps 4 Adults; 2 Bedroom Suite Club Level sleeps up to 8 Adults (plus infant in crib allowed)

Another favorite on the list, this one ranks high because of the outstanding animal watching that you can do right from your room. If you plan to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we highly recommend that you book a balcony room that overlooks the savanna. Animals will wander by at all times of day, and it is a delight to be able to watch them from your room.

There are also viewing areas throughout the resort, if you want to save a bit and not spend the extra cash on a room that faces the savannah. So don’t worry if you love to watch for animals but can’t get a balcony room. There are also areas throughout the property where you can walk out on enclosed walkways and talk with Cast Member guides to get an up close look at animals grazing around the property.

There’s also a fun pool here and show stopping dining options at Sanaa and Boma, which are two of the best meals we’ve had on Disney property full stop. So there’s lots to put this resort right at the top of the list for families to enjoy.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Ranked 3rd for: New state of the art resort, beautiful views, Skyliner access, outstanding Disney experience.

Sleeps: Deluxe Studio with 5th Sleeper sleeps 5 Adults; 1 bedroom Villa up to 5 Adults, 2 bedroom Villa up to 9 Adults, 3 bedroom Villa up to 12 Adults

This one was a surprise hit for our family! It’s one part Disney Vacation Club resort, but still also a deluxe resort that can be booked by nightly guests – our family really enjoyed our stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

The property is modeled with a French Riviera inspiration in mind and it has the popular Toppolino’s Terrace restaurant at the top of one of the towers – which is a must try when you’re staying at this resort. (Book for breakfast, so you can see the characters available at that meal!) There’s also a great quick service option and large lobby to relax in.

Near the pool with a water slide, our absolute favorite thing about this resort has to be the VIEW. From our balcony at this resort, we looked out over the lake and garden area, and it was such an outstanding room for our family to stay in. In our one bedroom suite there was a pull down Murphy bed in one room and also a pull down sleeper bed that our kids love so much – this was the best of both worlds so that everyone had their own beds.

Since we were booked in a bedroom suite, we did have our own primary bed area, and there was a bathroom area that could be entered from two sides. This was a great setup for our family when we were there with younger kids and I think it would also be great if you have either a wide age range or teens along with you as well!

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Polynesian Resort is a monorail loop resort that stands out as being a family friendly option that is close to the magic, but also has plenty to do at the resort to keep you busy as well!

The Lava poll has a volcano cove right in the middle of it, which is a memorable feature for kids. There’s also a great view of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom from Lava Pool. If you’re looking for a quieter space to take a dip, there is also the Oasis Pool which is nestled in a garden and offers a tranquil pool setting.

The rooms at the Polynesian Resort vary depending on room type, and there are Standard rooms along with some room options that include Club level rooms, 1 Bedroom Suites, VP Suites and more. Rooms will sleep 5 adults.

Dining options at this resort also stand out, with character dining at ‘Ohana and Kona Cafe serving a mean breakfast. Both locations are a must visit if you’re staying at this resort.

Tonga Toast is legendary from Kona Cafe and this dining reservation is one worth trying even if you’re not staying at the Polynesian Resort!

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Right in the middle of our rankings is a Magic Kingdom area resort that isn’t on the monorail, but does have boat transportation to get back and forth to Magic Kingdom. Wilderness Lodge is home to two great dining reservation options – Whispering Canyon Cafe and Storybook Dining at Artist Point, which make it a great place to visit even if you aren’t staying here.

When you ask for ketchup at Whispering Canyon Cafe… your adjacent tables are happy to help out!

The upscale rustic setting is family friendly and we found the rooms to be comfortable here. It doesn’t race ahead some of the other top contenders that have stronger theming, however the lodge lobby is quite impressive to walk into – just like Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Inside the rooms, there is a log cabin appeal and we liked using the balcony at this resort. It was a beautiful view overlooking the garden area with the sound of the stream running through the courtyard.

This resort also has a fun pool and something that only this resort has – it’s very own geyser! Which is fun to watch it go off at different times during the day.

Overall this was an enjoyable resort that was comfortable to stay at and we would stay here again.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Yacht Club Resort is an interesting one because it is attached to Beach Club Resort, but further down the list for families. Why? Well, it has all of the same great perks as Beach Club Resort – access to the awesome Stormalong Bay in addition to quiet pools throughout the resort and good dining options.

However the atmosphere isn’t quite as laid back or approachable as the Beach Club Resort.

It is a bit more “stuffy” and seems a bit less family friendly than Beach Club Resort, its fun loving cousin. Since the two resorts are attached, we typically only would consider Yacht Club with our family if there was a large price difference between the two, or we were wanting to use Stormalong Bay and there were not any rooms available at Beach Club Resort during our travel time.

I did stay at Yacht Club Resort for a conference as a solo traveler and it was a delightful resort that I would rank higher for visitors that do not have kids along on the vacation.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Contemporary Resort is on the monorail loop, so it gets bonus points for easy transportation… kind of. When you’re staying there you can ride the monorail to Magic Kingdom or even walk over to the theme park because it’s so close! Buses run to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Where things start to get sticky is when you want to get to EPCOT. You’ll need to get on a monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center… then transfer to another monorail that then goes on to EPCOT. This whole ordeal can take upwards of 45 minutes, so be sure to plan ahead and pack your patience.

The rooms have a fun Incredibles theme at this resort, and the pool area is beautiful overlooking the lake. We just wouldn’t recommend staying at this resort if you’re planning on spending most of your vacation time at EPCOT!

Alternatively, since the resort is so close to Magic Kingdom, if your family is planning a late party night for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – the Contemporary would make a solid booking option to be close to Magic Kingdom and not having to deal with crowds as much if you’re coming out of the park at closing.

The Contemporary Resort makes a fun choice for families spending a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, but other deluxe resorts edge this one out of the top of the list for convenience.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort

Boardwalk Inn Resort is close to all of the action and has lots to do there… There’s also a fun carnival inspired pool that just recently had a makeover. The rooms have recently been redone and the feel is elegant and comfortable.

Boardwalk Inn Resort was one of the resorts I stayed at on a recent resort hopping trip, and while I loved the vibe, getting suitcases through the hallways was quite… interesting. The room was a great size and very comfortable once we got to it.

I loved the interior decor here and it was a very similar style to my preferred decor style.

I would rate this resort higher if you only have older children, as for a family with younger children Beach Club Resort would always inch out Boardwalk Inn Resort.

Overall this one gets ranked lower because it doesn’t have quite as an amazing pool area as Beach Club and Yacht Club (the Luna Park Pool is good, but Stormalong Bay is AH-mazing), while still being in the relatively same location on property.

If the price is right on this one, it could make a fun stop for families with older children and families wanting to be near EPCOT. (Or if you’re visiting in the winter when the pool amenities will be less of a consideration.) This resort also would make an excellent location for couples on a Disney World vacation.

The Boardwalk itself is within close walking distance to the resort and home to many dining options and is worth a visit if this you’re planning on spending time in this area at Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Grand Floridian

Well… this rating in the last spot for one of Disney’s flagship hotels is sure to ruffle some feathers, but remember this is a ranking for FAMILIES. As beautiful as this hotel is, it has just never come in top spot for us to book as a family resort. We typically look for a resort that has plenty of amenities but that we can let our hair down and relax a bit during our stay.

We’ve enjoyed our times of going over to the Grand Floridian to eat at 1900 Park Fare but this is definitely the resort where parents have to say to preschoolers “don’t touch that” more than any other location!

If you’re looking for a great multi-generational hotel location or have older kids, this one may be a higher consideration. However for a carefree trip with a family with younger to grade school aged children, this one is still a bit too stuffy for what we tend to gravitate towards.

The close proximity to Magic Kingdom is a bonus and it does have elegant grounds. It would be a beautiful resort to consider for a multi-generational trip, for couples visiting Walt Disney World, or if the theme is the best fit for your preferences.

Tips for Getting a Great Deal on Deluxe Rooms

Our family has stayed in deluxe rooms a number of times and almost every single time they were booked on the lower end of the rates ($300s per night) while a special offer or promotion was available.

If you’re an Annual Passholder, keep an eye out for special AP discounts and oftentimes these can have the highest percentage off the deluxe prices.

There are also offers throughout the year that all guests can take advantage of, and if you’re able to have flexible travel dates – this can mean big savings on an incredible room!

Final Thoughts on Disney Deluxe Resorts

We love deluxe category hotels for creating special memories when you are visiting Walt Disney World. These one of a kind resorts have all of the amenities your family will need, large rooms, and plenty of entertainment.

Most of the deluxe resorts are the closest hotels to all of the theme parks too, so you’ll be close to the action or to stop by the room for a midday break. While they may not fit every budget, there certainly are a lot of bonuses to staying in the Disney deluxe resorts on your next family vacation.

Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts [Ranking for Families]