United States Florida The Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is our top hotel choice By Julie Tremaine Julie Tremaine Writer Instagram Johns Hopkins University, Emerson College Julie Tremaine is a travel and food writer. She is the Disneyland editor for SFGate.com and the co-author of Life with the Afterlife with Amy Bruni. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 01/06/23 Fact checked by Leila Najafi Fact checked by Leila Najafi Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Leila is an L.A.-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer with over five years of experience covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. You might think Walt Disney World is just a theme park, but it’s actually a vast resort complex with theme parks, hotels, shopping, and dining—in an area about the same size as San Francisco. If you want to stay near Magic Kingdom to get to the park for rope drop every morning, for example, you’ll want a room close by so you don’t lose a lot of time commuting. Here, we rank the best hotels for staying as close as possible to Cinderella Castle without actually staying in it, with options for both Disney resort hotels and Disney good neighbor hotels. The Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom in 2023 Best Overall: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Best Budget: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Best for Families: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Best Splurge: Disney’s Riviera Resort Best for Adults: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Best Pet-Friendly: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Best Luxury for Less: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Best Convenience: Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista The Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom View All The Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom Our Top Picks Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Contemporary Resort Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista See More (5) Final Verdict Methodology Best Overall : Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It One of the original Disney hotels, the Polynesian has some of the easiest Magic Kingdom access and recently underwent a massive renovation. Notable Amenities Fitness center, rooms with balconies, kids activities, babysitting, gift shop, currency exchange Pros and Cons Pros Refurbished guest rooms this year, many with Moana theming Ferry, monorail, and water taxi to Magic Kingdom 10 unique restaurants and lounges Two luxury pools have been newly renovated Cons Can be hard to get dining reservations Main waterslide pool can be crowded Busy resort with many non-guests on the property Resort Overview Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the most iconic at Disney World, with its tropical atmosphere, sand beaches, overwater bungalows, and volcano waterslide rising above the main pool. A significant portion has been renovated and re-themed with “Moana” inspiration, and some rooms directly overlook the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom. Dining includes magical tiki bar Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Lilo and Stitch dining at Ohana, and the Spirit of Aloha luaus on the resort’s sand beach. Best Budget : Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It This affordable hotel has some serious Disney vibes and the largest pool of any Walt Disney World hotel. Notable Amenities Business center, babysitting services on-site, gift shop, currency exchange service available Pros and Cons Pros Skyliner and shuttle service to the parks Three pools Evening pizza delivery to rooms, plus cafeteria-style restaurant Cons Long walks to some rooms Large resort can be hard to navigate Limited dining options Resort Overview With its deeply immersive theming, Art of Animation puts you as close as you can get to being in Disney movies. Hotel areas are themed to “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Cars” and “Finding Nemo,” both inside and out. The rooms in each block have the feel of the movie depicted outside. The Little Mermaid area has 35-foot-tall statues of King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel. The Lion King area features its own Pride Rock. The Cars area is themed like the Cozy Cone Motel and features statues of Lightning McQueen and Mater. And the Finding Nemo area at the center of the property features the Big Blue Pool, a gorgeous ocean-inspired swimming area with statues of Nemo and his friends, which is the largest pool at Disney World. From Art of Animation, you have direct Skyliner access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and bus shuttles to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Best for Families : Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It One of the closest hotels to Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge feels like a serene forest oasis in the middle of Walt Disney World. Notable Amenities Business center, room service, two pools, dry cleaning, babysitting services on-site Pros and Cons Pros Water taxi to Magic Kingdom Spa on site Fishing and boat rentals available Cons Reviews mention underwhelming food Little Disney theming Resort Overview Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is Pacific Northwest themed, and the connection to nature starts the moment you step foot on the property when the sounds of songbirds in the trees set the relaxing tone. The hotel’s location on the shores of Bay Lake makes for stunning scenery, in addition to amenities not found at every Disney hotel, like fishing excursions and boat rentals. The Copper Creek Springs Pool has a 67-foot waterslide and both hot and cold whirlpools. Its location also means easy water shuttle service to Magic Kingdom—and unlike the two closer hotels to Magic Kingdom that also have water taxis, Wilderness Lodge has a dedicated boat and no additional stops. Best Splurge : Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It Disney World’s newest hotel has a luxurious French Riviera feel and some of the resort’s most sought-after restaurants. Notable Amenities Valet parking, fitness center Pros and Cons Pros Four restaurants, including rooftop dining Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios Two pools and a splash pad Cons Some smaller rooms have only Murphy beds Hard-to-get dinner reservations Less “Disney” theming Resort Overview Inspired by Walt Disney’s vacations to the South of France, Disney’s Riviera Resort is the newest Walt Disney World hotel. It’s beautiful and has a transportive feel, but overall, the resort feels more like a luxury hotel than a Disney resort property. Three restaurants range from fine character dining at Topolino’s Terrace, a rooftop restaurant that has views of the Hollywood Studios fireworks, to quick service at Primo Piatto and Bar Riva, the poolside bar serving small plates. By day, Le Petite Café is a coffee shop—by night, it becomes a cocktail lounge. Because Riviera has a Skyliner stop, this hotel has especially quick access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios on the new aerial gondola system, and bus access to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Best for Adults : Disney’s Contemporary Resort Csaribay/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It One of the original resorts from Walt Disney World’s opening, Contemporary is walkable to Magic Kingdom and has the iconic monorail running through the building. Notable Amenities Valet parking, babysitting services on-site, fitness center, shuttle service (to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) Pros and Cons Pros Walkable to Magic Kingdom Monorail to Magic Kingdom 11 restaurants and lounges Cons Busy resort with many non-guests on the property Difficult to get reservations at more popular restaurants Resort Overview The resorts on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop—Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian—are the premier resorts on the property. This is due not only to their proximity to Magic Kingdom, but because of their spectacular views of the fireworks when they’re happening, and access to boating and fishing on Seven Seas Lagoon. Of the three, the Contemporary is the most convenient, because the Magic Kingdom monorail runs through the middle of the building, and there’s a walking path to the park. The hotel also has one of the all-time best Walt Disney World dining experiences, California Grill, on the 14th floor of the main building. At sunset (or during fireworks), the view of Cinderella Castle and the rest of Magic Kingdom is one of the best vistas on the entire Disney property. Character dining at Chef Mickey’s is a must, and there’s a shopping area inside the hotel with several stores. Best Pet-Friendly : Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It A true pinnacle of luxury, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is one of the closest non-Disney hotels to Magic Kingdom. Notable Amenities Business meeting spaces on-site, "Schoolcation" program for kids, fitness center, game room, babysitting services available Pros and Cons Pros Six restaurants, including character dining Water park with pools and water slides Golf course and spa Cons Not officially a Disney resort Limited transportation to theme parks High price point Resort Overview If you can afford the price tag on this pet-friendly luxury hotel, you may just never want to leave the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. It’s one of the closest places you can stay to Magic Kingdom without being on Disney property. Among the Four Seasons’ extensive amenities is a 5-acre water park that includes a lazy river, water slides, and pools including one for just adults with poolside cabanas. An on-site salon and spa offer relaxation after long days at the theme parks, and there are luxury tennis courts and a golf course with practice area. Among the hotel’s six restaurants is a rooftop steakhouse beloved for its views of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. Best Luxury for Less : Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Courtesy of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It This independently-owned property has the amenities of Walt Disney World and the perks of Marriott’s guest loyalty program. Notable Amenities On-site spa, pool cabanas available for guest use, great concierge services Pros and Cons Pros Extensive pool and hot tub complex, with a sand beach Resort activities like swan boats on the lake Celebrity chef-owned restaurants Cons Resort fee Busy lobby with long check-in waits Reviews mention rooms in need of refurbishment Resort Overview The Swan and Dolphin is three separate Marriott-owned hotels that share an aquatic complex that includes five heated pools, waterslides, hot tubs, a sand beach on the lake, and swan boat rentals. The Swan Reserve, the third hotel, just opened in fall 2021. The resort is a standout among the Walt Disney World hotels because it’s the only non-Disney accommodation that has direct access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and offers shuttle service to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. On-site restaurants include Todd English’s Bluezoo, Don Shula’s Steakhouse, and Italian trattoria Il Mulino. Best Convenience : Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Buy on Kayak.com Why We Chose It This Disney Springs-adjacent hotel has a pedestrian bridge to the shopping and dining area for the easiest access possible, plus Magic Kingdom shuttles from the hotel and Disney Springs. Notable Amenities Business center, on-site notary, video game rentals, game room, dry cleaning Pros and Cons Pros Seven restaurants on-site Two heated pools Theme park shuttles Cons Daily parking fee Daily resort fee Reviews mention rooms in need of updates Resort Overview An official Walt Disney World partner hotel, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista has many perks of staying on Disney property while still offering the option of Hilton points and member perks. The hotel offers on-site park ticket purchases and theme park shuttles. Because of its proximity to Disney Springs, guests can catch the hotel shuttle or the Disney Springs shuttle to Magic Kingdom and the other parks. The hotel has extensive resort amenities, like a business center with an on-site notary public and DVD and video game rentals for kids. There are also two pools with a pool bar and a hibachi restaurant. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista also has the easiest walking access to Disney Springs, via the pedestrian bridge that’s open to everyone, but closest to this hotel. Final Verdict While all of the Walt Disney World resort hotels (and many of the Good Neighbor hotels) offer transportation to Magic Kingdom, there are some with easier access due to their sheer proximity. If you want to get to the park as quickly as possible, prepare for a pricey stay at the Contemporary or the Polynesian hotels, both on the Monorail loop to Magic Kingdom and accessible by walking or water taxi. For a more affordable option that includes many of the same perks of proximity, choose Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Wherever you stay, though, you’ll never be too far away from the Disney magic. Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom Property Resort Fee Rate Wi-Fi Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Best Overall None $$$ Yes Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Best Budget None $$ Yes Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Best for Families None $$$ Yes Disney’s Riviera Resort Best Splurge None $$$ Yes Disney’s Contemporary Resort Best for Adults None $$$ Yes Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Best Pet-Friendly None $$$$ Yes The Swan and Dolphin Resort Best Luxury for Less $35/night $ Yes Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Best Convenience $35/night $ Yes Methodology We evaluated all of the Walt Disney World and Disney Good Neighbor hotels before settling on the best for the chosen categories. We considered such elements as proximity to Magic Kingdom, ease of access to amenities and other parks, and the status of current and planned renovations to the properties. We also reviewed the property’s dining options, resort fees, and the types kinds of experiences (on-site activities, etc.) included. In determining this list, we evaluated numerous customer reviews and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years. © The Walt Disney Resort Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies