The 9 Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom

Best Overall: Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

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Located around the river bend from the Magic Kingdom, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is beloved for its peaceful setting and updated interiors. It also offers two complimentary modes of transportation, by bus and boat, for getting to the Magic Kingdom.

The architecture and decor are inspired by the pioneering heritage of the Pacific Northwest, so the hotel abounds with nature-inspired comfort and nostalgia. When you’re not exploring the theme parks, you’ll have access to two swimming pools and courts for tennis and basketball if you want to stay active.

In the evening, enjoy the nightly Electrical Water Pageant or roast s’mores together over the Wilderness Lodge Campfire. There are five dining options at Copper Creek, including Artist Point for romantic meals and character dinners and the Whispering Canyon Café for all-you-can-eat buffets and an Old West theme.

Studios sleep four and include a kitchenette, while villas provide the comforts of home with multiple bedrooms, laundry facilities, and a full kitchen. For a romantic getaway, choose a waterfront cabin with a private porch and a hot tub.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

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If accommodation at Copper Creek is booked up, the neighboring Boulder Ridge Villas are a great alternative. Also part of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, this section of the resort channels the adventurous spirit of the 1860s railroad hotels of the American West. Accommodation includes studios with space for up to five adults and there are also one- and two-bedroom villas with full kitchens and in-unit laundry.

Hop on the water taxi for a fun day out at the Magic Kingdom, or stay home and explore a network of picturesque hiking trails. Follow the bubbling spring to Copper Creek Springs Pool for its waterslide, whirlpools, and children’s play area or head to Boulder Ridge Cove Pool, an oasis with a whirlpool spa for a more peaceful swim. You could also rent a motor boat for the day to explore the lake, embark on a guided fishing trip, or gather around the campfire in the evening and watch a movie under the stars.

When you want to go out to eat, you can enjoy American cuisine overlooking sweeping lake views at Geyser Point Bar & Grill, or meet Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for dinner over at Artist Point and chow down on dishes like prime rib and pork shank. 

Best Luxury: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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With its red-tiled roofs and elegant Victorian façade, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the most luxurious of all the Walt Disney World hotels. From its prime location on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, just one stop from the Magic Kingdom on the complimentary Resort Monorail, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Electrical Water Pageant and the fireworks over Cinderella Castle. There is also a pool with a 181-foot water slide and a children's play area, not to mention you'll be steps away from the dock where you can book specialty cruises, fishing trips, and boat rentals.

At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, your kids will have the opportunity to dress up as their favorite Disney prince or princess, while adults can take part in a similar level of pampering at the resort’s full-service spa, salon, and health club. The resort has an incredible choice of dining options with Mediterranean cuisine and an award-winning wine list from Cítricos. For an even more luxurious meal, opt for the 10-course tasting menu at the elegant Victoria & Albert’s. If you book one of the luxurious rooms overlooking Cinderella Castle, you'll be able to enjoy all Club Level privileges including evening turndown service, health club access, and refreshments in the Club-level lounge.

Best Romantic: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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Situated just around the lakeshore from the Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort enjoys the atmospheric Cinderella Castle views and is a short hop from the Magic Kingdom on the complimentary Resort Monorail. With decor and palm-fringed landscaping that will transport you to the South Pacific, this is the most romantic choice for couples. In between trips to the park, you can go boating on the lagoon or tan side by side at one of two outdoor swimming pools. If you could use a break, the Oasis Pool is designated as the quiet pool and perfect for grown-up guests.

To maximize the romance factor, book an overwater bungalow, which comes complete with a full kitchen and separate living and dining areas. Alternatively, a Club Level room or suite with evening turndown service and access to the exclusive club lounge is also a luxurious choice.

Restaurants range from the Oasis Bar & Grill for poolside fish tacos and Polynesian burgers to Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, where you can enjoy tropical cocktails and live music. Also, make sure to catch the Sprit of Aloha Dinner Show, a traditional luau with hula and fire dancers.

Best Style: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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Disney’s Contemporary Resort prides itself on its sleek, modern design, abandoning the exaggerated themes of the other resorts in favor of clean lines and tasteful color schemes. Even better, its location on the shores of Bay Lake puts you within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom (although you can still catch the resort's monorail as it passes through the center of the hotel’s futuristic A-frame tower).

Start your day with a lakeside yoga session or get out on the water with a specialty cruise or boat rental. There are two swimming pools: one with a water slide and whirlpools and the other with private cabanas, so you can easily switch between excitement and relaxation. The resort also boasts a classic gaming arcade and courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball.

In the evening, toast to the day’s adventures with cocktails overlooking the lake at the lounge Outer Rim. Next, you can dine at the California Grill for contemporary Pacific Coast cuisine. From here, you can take advantage of the best fireworks viewing points in the entire resort complex.

Rooms and suites are divided between the main tower and the Garden Wing, and all include a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Decorated in the same minimal style as the rest of the hotel, the rooms are comfortable and sleek, with blue and beige accents creating a clean, simple atmosphere.

Best for Large Groups: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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As part of Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, The Villas enjoy the same luxury amenities and idyllic lagoon-front location just one stop from the park. The hotel offers spacious rentals for large families or groups of friends traveling together. The three-bedroom Grand Villa, for example, can accommodate up to 12 adults with one king-sized bed, four queen-sized beds, and a queen-sized sleeper sofa. All villas include a fully equipped kitchen, generous living and dining areas, private laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. 

The resort has an incredible array of restaurants and cafés. Options range from award-winning haute cuisine at Victoria & Albert’s to character tea parties at the carousel-themed 1900 Park Fare. Recreation activities are similarly diverse and offer fun for all ages. You can hang out at the themed swimming pools, book the kids on a Pirate Adventure Cruise, take the family out on a fishing trip, or enjoy some well-deserved time off at Senses Spa and Salon. Campfire activities are offered every evening, so kids can wind down by cooking s'mores and telling stories.  

Best Budget: The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

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‘Affordable’ is a relative concept when it comes to Walt Disney World accommodation, but unless you want to camp out on your own, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is the least expensive option. Only a 10-minute boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom, the cabins are set within 750 acres of pine and cypress forest.

Explore scenic woodland trails on foot or via a rentable golf cart and keep an eye out for deer, rabbits, and armadillos. Meanwhile, these fully furnished cabins can accommodate up to six adults.

With resort activities that range from archery classes and pony rides to canoe rentals and campfire sing-alongs, you'll be sure to work up an appetite.

Order groceries in advance and cook up a feast in the full kitchen, or use the charcoal grill on your private patio. A daily housekeeping service will even take care of the dishes. The resort also has plenty of catered dining options including Trail’s End Restaurant for Southern buffet meals and The Chuck Wagon food truck for s’mores kits and hot dogs.

Best Camping: The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

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For the most authentic outdoors experience that Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort has to offer, book one of its campsites instead. Set within the same 750-acre nature area as The Cabins, there are sites for all kinds of campers, whether you have a traditional tent or a 45-foot RV.

Each campsite features privacy landscaping; a picnic table; charcoal grill; and hook-ups for water, cable, and electricity. Some sites have even sewer hook-ups while others welcome pets. 

Despite not offering rooms, the Campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort offer many of the same amenities as other resorts. You can still take the water taxi to the Magic Kingdom or spend the day exploring the resort’s swimming pools and outdoor activities. Kayak and canoe rentals get you out on the water for an afternoon fishing trip, while an array of sports courts cater to the athletically inclined. You could even learn to shoot a bow and arrow or take a wagon ride through the forest.

There are plenty of dining options here as well, so you don't have to worry about cooking for yourself. Grab comfort food on the go from P&J’s Southern Takeout or sit down to an all-you-can-eat feast and pioneer dinner show with the Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue.