The Best Disney Resorts Near Magic Kingdom

Fitness center, rooms with balconies, kids activities, babysitting, gift shop, currency exchange

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.

Business center, babysitting services on-site, gift shop, currency exchange service available

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.

Business center, room service, two pools, dry cleaning, babysitting services on-site

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. 

Valet parking, fitness center

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.

Valet parking, babysitting services on-site, fitness center, shuttle service (to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom)

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. 

Business meeting spaces on-site, "Schoolcation" program for kids, fitness center, game room, babysitting services available

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.

On-site spa, pool cabanas available for guest use, great concierge services

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.

Business center, on-site notary, video game rentals, game room, dry cleaning

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.