Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a treat for dreamers of all ages – and even though you won’t be sleeping for 16 years like Aurora (hopefully!), you still deserve to rest your head in a resort hotel that is as magical by night as Walt Disney World is by day.
Extend the enchantment and live the fantasy by booking one of the best hotels near Magic Kingdom.
So…how do you decide what makes a hotel the best?
Here’s the best Disney travel agents’ secret: the best hotel is the one that best meets your family’s needs.
All 33 of the Walt Disney World, FL resort hotels are amazing – but that’s a lot to choose from!
By filtering down according to proximity to Cinderella’s famous castle, that leaves only 11 for you to decide between.
From there, the criteria should be based entirely on your own priorities and preferences.
These are your 11 top options for the best hotels near Magic Kingdom:
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian Villas
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Contemporary Resort
- Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort
- Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at the Wilderness Lodge
- Boulder Ridge Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
- The Cabins at the Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Campsites at the Fort Wilderness Resort
This article will help you narrow the list even further by comparing the following:
- Style
- Cost
- Amenities
- Dining
- Transportation
Choosing a hotel for your vacation to the Magic Kingdom doesn’t need to be stressful.
If the options feel overwhelming or you already have a hotel in mind, contact an expert Ear To There Vacationeer (awesome Authorized Disney travel agent) to take care of all the booking and planning for your trip at absolutely no extra cost.
Yep.
We offer full-service vacation planning services that are completely free for you (because we’re paid by Disney), plus we can keep an eye out for any new special discounts to save you money even after you’ve booked.
Fill out this fee-free, no-obligation quote form to make your dream vacation less complicated and more magical.
Or read on to learn the insider information for picking which hotel near the Magic Kingdom is best for you and your family.
Style Of The Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
Carry the flavor of your trip into every aspect of your dream vacation by selecting a hotel that best matches your priorities and personality.
Explore the possibilities for your every wish to come true with these unique Disney stylings.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Spa, and Villas:
Victorian splendor from the elegant Palm Beach golden era. Book a deluxe studio or multi-bedroom villa to be near the finest dining, spoil-yourself-silly spa, and superb views of the nightly Walt Disney World fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle after the monorail drops you off for the evening.
~
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, plus its Villas & Bungalows:
A lively oasis highlighting the joyful florals and vibrance of a tropical South Pacific paradise. A lush, exotic, definite Disney favorite.
~
Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the villas in Bay Lake Tower:
Sporting bright colors and breathtaking views, these comfy digs showcase modern fun with the iconic grandeur of the American Southwest. So close to the Magic Kingdom, you can walk there.
~
Disney Wilderness Lodge Resort, Copper Creek Villas, Boulder Ridge Villas:
Rustic elegance awaits you in the woodland charm of the Pacific Northwest. Roam hidden pine trails off Bay Lake right outside your door or relax in earthy grandeur inside your fantastical retreat.
~
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort:
These cabins and individual campsites offer ease and quaint charm, with lots of space to enjoy the endless outdoor activities or relax from all the excitement.
Amenities At Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
The incredible range of luxurious niceties at the Magic Kingdom hotels is impressive.
Set sail from any marina near Magic Kingdom to enjoy a special nighttime cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake to snack and relax while viewing the Disney Enchantment fireworks display.
Most of the resorts in this area offer:
- Pools
- A convention center or meeting rooms
- Motorized boat or bike rentals
- Fishing excursions
- Electrical Water Pageant
- Movies under the stars
- An arcade
- Campfire activities
- Jogging trails
- Sports (basketball, volleyball, pickleball, or tennis courts)
- Merchandise delivery and pickup for all shopping you do in the parks
- Banking & business centers
- Mail center
- Free wi-fi
The Grand Floridian has the highest quality and quantity of special extras such as:
- Spa and salon services for men and women
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for transforming your littles into sparkling princesses and courtly knights
- Health club
- Poolside cabanas
The Wilderness Lodge Villas are amazing too. Copper Creek’s Villas have hot tubs, as well as sharing some additional amenities with the other Wilderness Lodge Resort Villas at Boulder Ridge, including:
- Mercantile gift shop
- Outdoor cookouts
- Fitness center
- Salon by the Springs spa services
Contemporary’s Bay Lake Tower offers lakeside yoga and a game-filled community hall.
Dining At The Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
Whether you want a waterfront cafe or tea room with a garden view, a bar in the pool or high-quality bar & grill, the best hotels near Magic Kingdom have some of the most fabulous cuisine offerings in all of Walt Disney World.
Character Dining
If the food itself isn’t enough of a draw, you can also meet your Disney favorites with the ever-popular character dining offered at:
- Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian
- Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at the Wilderness Lodge
Fine Dining
Earning praise in Walt Disney World is accomplishment enough (several places in Epcot, as well as the best hotels near Epcot, are renowned for their food); one preeminent restaurant is world-renowned for its fine dining experience.
The superior Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian has a long list of accolades, including the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award.
With genteel, sophisticated opulence, and impeccable service, Victoria and Albert’s offers seating in the dining room, at the chef’s table, or in the private Queen Victoria room. Be forewarned that regardless of where you sit, your wallet is going to take a hit and there is a strict dress code to match the luxurious surroundings.
The Grand Floridian also houses a friendly rivalry of restaurants that are more affordable but still delicious: Citricos vs. Narcoossee’s.
Pricing is comparable, but the finer points of noise, service, and ambiance are argued over by Walt Disney World regulars. Here are some of the main differences:
- Florida Mediterranean with an award-winning wine list vs seafood & steak
- Courtyard view vs Seven Seas Lagoon view
- Formal, upscale vs casual, intimate
Contemporary’s California Grill also warrants a solid thumbs-up.
Family-Style And Casual Dining
There’s no end to the fun, quick, sit-down, or themed dining around this area.
A couple of Ear To There Travel favorites:
- ‘Ohana at the Polynesian, where you can enjoy a splendid Hawaiian breakfast or dinner
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill at the Wilderness Lodge offers poolside quick bites from the walk-up window or hearty, creative American fare
Price Of The Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
Wherever your resources fall on the Aladdin scale between “street rat” and “Sultan-made-by-magic-lamp-wish,” you’ve got decent options.
Deluxe Resort Hotel Options
Live like royalty in rooms ranging in price from approximately $550-800/night to start.
Here are four of the fanciest, most delightful resorts:
- Disney Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Deluxe Villas
The best of the best, taking the deluxe resort hotels above to the next level in terms of size and offerings:
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Moderate Disney Resort Options
Clearly, the power of *location, location, location* is as true when you’re on vacation, vacation, vacation as it is in real estate.
If you want to be among the nearest to the Magic Kingdom, there aren’t going to be as many “moderate” or “value” (aka lower-priced) options as there are deluxe options.
But for roughly $500/night on average, you can roll into the adorable cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
Plus, the Fort Wilderness Resort still has an awesome array of offerings:
- Pool
- Archery
- Horseback riding
- Canoeing
- Good views of the electrical water pageant on the lake
- Rentable golf carts to ride around the area
- And more!
Value Disney Resort Options
Ear To There Travel realizes that everyone vacations differently. If you’re only in need of the 3 S’s (sleep, shower, swim) then it doesn’t make sense to spend bank on the hotel, does it?
There is a really fun option available to you if you’re looking to save your money for more souvenirs and major park time rather than hanging out in your room.
Try out the campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort where you can enjoy the bare necessities Mowgli and Baloo-style for around $100/night.
Bring a tent, snag a cabin or park an RV.
If you don’t have your own wilderness gear, Walt Disney World even has rentable RVs for any families that would like a delightful mobile hotel experience complete with laundry and high-speed internet.
The campsites enjoy all the entertainment, comforts, and activities offered with the cabins at Fort Wilderness, so you won’t miss out on any of the fun!
Plus, since you’re staying outdoors at your own campsite, this is a great place to bring your pets along for the Disney joy.
Transportation To Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
Though travel by pumpkin to the Magic Kingdom hasn’t yet been perfected, there are many fun ways to travel while visiting.
All the nearby resorts are easily accessible via boat, bus, taxi, or limo.
A few are even reachable with a special Disney ride harkening back to Disneyland, CA and Walt’s love of trains…
Walt Disney World Hotels On The Monorail
Return to your digs with pizzazz (it’s like a bonus attraction!) by staying at one of the stops on Walt Disney World’s famous Monorail:
- Grand Floridian and its villas
- Polynesian and its villas & bungalows
- Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower
How To Book The Best Hotels Near Magic Kingdom
You’re already treating yourself to the incomparable Walt Disney World in Florida, why not treat yourself to the best Disney travel agent while you’re at it?
Ear To There Travel offers 100% complimentary services to plan with you, reserve for you, and continue to answer any questions you might have.
We are EarMarked by Disney – which means we’re official, authorized experts – so when you work with us, you’re signing up to worry less and enjoy more.
Fill out this quick form to let us know which of the best hotels near Magic Kingdom you’ve got your eye on so we can help ensure the pixie dust continues even when you’re not in the parks.
For more vacation ideas, check out the current Disney deals.
