Best Family Vacation Destinations on a Budget
can help families enjoy amazing trips without spending too much money. From affordable beach towns to budget-friendly mountain escapes, there are many places perfect for family travel.One time I booked a room near Disney World because I saw a kiddie pool and a cartoon mouse with a smile on its face on the wall of the hotel web page. The “kiddie pool” was a chipped painted area of the main pool, which we found upon our arrival. The “kiddie pool” was a roped off portion of the main pool that had chipped paint. The free shuttle operated on a 2-hourly schedule – 7:15 am and noon. The “family suite” consisted of a regular room equipped with a rollaway bed. That night my 3 year old went to sleep in the bathtub. Not kidding.
Child-Friendly is not just a tag-line. It’s a set of design decisions a hotel will make that your kids will be safe and secure, entertained and fed, without you having to work a logistics puzzle every six hours. Not all of the 400+ hotels in the 15-minute radius of Walt Disney World have that meaning.
I now have experience living in or viewing more than 30 homes in the Lake Buena Vista / Kissimmee area with my kids. I’ve discussed reliability of the shuttles with front desk manager, I’ve seen a count of how many high chairs are available for breakfast, I’ve timed the walk from the parking lot with a stroller in 95 degree heat. If I had to tell a friend to ask me “what will you stay at?” I would say this:
What A Child-Friendly Hotel Actually Means
There are at least four attributes that make a hotel a good option for a family. If you miss one, you’ll get the feeling of rubbing by Day Two.
Zero entry pool or splash pad. Small children are unable to stand in three feet of water. A zero entry pool allows them to get in without fear. While you’re sitting on a bench, you actually blink, they have something to do!
Free breakfast (including hot breakfast). A grab and go granola bar won’t work when you need to get to Magic Kingdom before all the crowds. Food is served at 7am: Mickey waffles and scrambled eggs means your children are not hangry!
Family suite or guaranteed separate sleeping area. Two children under 6 sleep in the same bedroom, they go to bed at 8:00 p.m. If it has a partition, it’s not a suite – it’s a real suite with a door, not partition! Bunk bed nooks are considered if they are in a separate nook.
A shuttle service operating over twice a day. There are numerous hotels that claim to provide “free shuttle.” You’ll find that the shuttles are bookable 24 hours ahead and that they visit six other properties, and the last one from Magic Kingdom runs at 7 p.m., all of which make taking the shuttle a much better idea than having to endure the post-fireworks parking lot rush.
Look for a hotel that has a kids eat free policy, an arcade on site or a playground. These items are more important than Lobby Decor.
The Five Hotel Categories Around Disney World
The following words will be used: Good Neighbor, Official Hotel, on-site, off-site. They are confusing, on purpose. Let’s go over the basics.
| Category | For Families | Per Night |
|---|---|---|
| On-Site Disney Resort Hotels | Families who wish to immerse themselves in Disney and get to the park early | $99–$850 |
| Official Walt Disney World Hotels (Disney Springs Area) | Families who are looking for Disney entry rates before they go up | $120–$350 |
| Disney Good Neighbor Hotels | Families looking for Disney reviewed quality at independent hotel rates | $85–$250 |
| Independent Chain Hotels | Budget families and extended stay, pet owners | $60–$180 |
| Vacation Homes | For large families, multi-generational visits, longer than 5 nights | $150–$500 |
Trade-offs are required for each category. Resorts located on site to Disney park will allow you to check-in early and drive around the entire park for free. You get premium quality of space though – there are standard rooms which can feel claustrophobic when you have two adults and two children in them. Good Neighbor Hotels will have larger rooms and no resort fees, but you won’t receive the advantage of early park entry. When booking, it is crucial that you know what is important to you.
On-Site Disney Resorts Worth The Money
Staying within the Walt Disney World gates can be a worthwhile investment for the families with kids under 5. Transportation is eliminated with buses, monorails, Disney Skyliner gondolas, water taxis, etc.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the best Value choice. The Finding Nemo family suites accommodates 6 guests and has two bathrooms and a kitchenette and are located directly next to the largest pool in Disney property. My children were busy for hours in that zero entry zone! The wings of the Lion King and the car also work. The regular Little Mermaid rooms begin at $99 per night during quieter months; Nemo suites run about $249.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside features Royal Guest Rooms with princess decor, and fiber-optic beds that gasped for my youngest. The fifth sleeper will be a child-sized pull down bunk. There is a waterslide in the main pool, giving older kids something to do.
The deluxe stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge allows you to enjoy a balcony with a view of the savanna. Your children are eating breakfast on the terrace and watch giraffes and zebras walking past. It’s quiet, not in the middle of the hubbub and the diner is top-notch.
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The compromise: Cost. Deluxe Resorts hit $500–$850 nights per holiday week. However, if you’ve got a toddler that is napping each day, the 10 minute ride back from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom Lodge will make a difference compared to the 30 minute ride to Kissimmee on the shuttle.
Official Hotels In The Disney Springs Area
The seven properties are located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, which is within the Walt Disney World Resort property. Run by chains (Wyndham, Hilton, Drury, Holiday Inn), they offer you the same Early Theme Park Entry as guests of the Disney Parks. The 30-minute head start in the morning makes for a whole new way of life.
In this category, my choice for a family-friendly mid-range hotel is the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando. The eggs are real eggs and sausage is served and they’re both included in the free hot breakfast. My family of four eats a 5:30 pm snack meal (pasta, snacks, ice cream and cold drinks) for free. Upper floor rooms overlook Magic Kingdom, and can see the fireworks. There is a zero entry slope and splash pad. I am a repeat customer and have never paid a resort fee here.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando is the only all-suite hotel at Disney. Each room is a one bedroom suite and they also come with their own living room and sofa bed — more than 540 square feet. That living room door was the place where I read a book when my kids were asleep at the age of 2 and 5. This was enough to warrant the price of admission for the night.
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista is across from Disney Springs. Oasis Aquatic Playground keeps kids (and you) busy, and on Sundays, a park ticket isn’t required for a face-to-face encounter with Pluto at the character breakfast.
Official Hotels shuttles are usually dependable, but be sure to verify the timetables for each official hotel. Others are available only on a first come, first served basis, particularly on busy weeks.
Good Neighbor Hotels: Disney-Approved, Independently Run
About 45 properties are designated as Good Neighbor Hotel properties by the Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel program. They do have Disney trained staff on-site and sell valid Disney day passes. They do not provide early entry into the park and they generally have more floor space for each dollar in costs but don’t charge a resort fee.
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista is located in Palm Parkway, 5 minutes from Disney Springs. There are twelve different room packages which range from a couple with an infant to a family of six. The kids eat free program (up to two children 11 and under eat free from the kids menu at the on-site Applebee’s per paying adult) will save real money for a week. Free parking and splash area.
No, I’m not being paid to say this, but Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista is a hotel I would recommend all the time. Two pools with heated water available for each season, a playground, a 24-hour arcade and a buffet restaurant for kids 5 and under, eating for free with an adult. No resort fee. Free gated parking. Free Wi-Fi. No breed restrictions and pet friendly. The shuttle is first come first served which can fill up quickly, but the savings add up. I’ve booked this for families with older teens, as they don’t need Disney theming and just want a clean base.
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Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Orlando at Flamingo Crossings Town Center is slightly newer and more refined. Right next to the pool bar is the zero entry pool and splash pad. Mickey waffles, eggs, sausage, oatmeal and fresh fruit are available at the free breakfast. Family suites offer kids their very own nook, with bunks for additional sleeping rooms. The surrounding Flamingo Crossings Town Center has a Target, restaurant choices and a walkable layout (no car necessary for nightly errands).
Independent Hotels That Do More Than Expected
There are a few properties beyond Disney programs that do get it.
Located inside the gates, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort operates the 5-acre Explorer Island water park boasting a lazy river, two slides and a splash zone for everyone to enjoy, free of charge. Kids For All Seasons camp cares for children 4-12 years old for no additional fee. The new Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals will see character dining in the hotel. All this you pay for: starting around $600 per night. There’s not much to outdo it, for a once-in-a-lifetime trip anyway.
Ramada by Wyndham Flamingo Water Park in Kissimmee has an on-site water park with slides and a lazy river (entry fee is required). The suites add charm with a character theme. Within the public transportation system, it’s 20 minutes from Disney, but that doesn’t seem too bad if the free scheduled shuttle makes it manageable.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orange Lake Resort is a small town in its own right. There are several pool complexes, mini golf, sports courts and a variety of restaurants that can keep you here for two days without ever visiting a park. It is great for families that wish to have rest days incorporated into their trip.
Vacation Home Rentals For Large Families
If you’re going on a vacation with five or more of your family members, or grandparents, a vacation home is probably a better idea than two hotel rooms.
A 4 bedroom, 3 bath town home in Windsor at Westside, a gated Kissimmee community, runs $150–$250 per night. That’s less than $30 per person per night. Full kitchens also provide a way to have breakfast before the parks and dinner after without restaurant mark-up. Dailies are taken away by private pools and in-unit washers and dryers. Included, there is a lazy river and waterslide in the clubhouse pool.
The compromise: No shuttle. You must rent a car, otherwise ride-share will be used for all park days. It costs $30 per day to park at Disney. But hotel savings are frequently still won over by the total savings.
The communities I recommend are Windsor Hills, Windsor at Westside and Reunion Resort. They’ve provided clean houses, responsive management and expedient access to the I-4.
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Amenities That Actually Matter
| Amenity | What To Check Before Booking |
|---|---|
| Zero entry pool or splash pad | Will the pool be heated? Winter days in Orlando can be chilly! Is there shade on the splash pad? |
| Free breakfast | Hot buffet or just pastries? At what time is it over? Breakfast requirements are at the park by 6:30 a.m. |
| Kids eat free | Age limit (usually 5 or 11 and younger). Must pay an entry fee as an adult. Exclusions on weekends. |
| Family suite / bunk beds | Square footage. Less than 400 sq ft is defined as one room with a partition. Any space over 500 sq ft with a door is a real suite. |
| Shuttle reliability | Reservation needed? How many pickups? What was the last time after fireworks? |
I was the one who had to find out the hard way that you have to make reservations for the shuttle and that the shuttle at Magic Kingdom doesn’t depart until very late. In 15 seconds, a front desk clerk can answer. The internet could indicate that there is a “shuttle available” and that would be the end of it. Don’t fall for it.
Location Zones: Where You Sleep Affects Your Day
Hotel Plaza Boulevard / Disney Springs Area. The nearest external cluster. Just a short walk from Disney Springs to eat and watch shows. It takes several minutes for shuttles to get to parks. All 7 Official Hotels are located in this zone.
Lake Buena Vista / Palm Parkway. SR 535 and Palm Parkway are filled with hundreds of hotels. It takes 5-15 minutes from park entrances. All of you can find chain restaurants and grocery stores. This is where the Good Neighbor Hotels are.
Flamingo Crossings. The west entrance to Disney World off of SR 429. The Magic Kingdom parking toll plaza is just minutes from the Fairfield Inn, Homewood Suites and TownePlace Suites. The town centre is pedestrian friendly. Great for those who go to Magic Kingdom as their main attraction.
Kissimmee / US 192. The budget zone. The further away you are, the lower the prices. Rooms start at $60 at Quality Inn & Suites Kissimmee Near Main Gate and other establishments. The compromise is that there will be less shuttle service and more drive time.
Celebration / ChampionsGate. Vacation home territory. Gated communities 10-20 minutes south of Disney via I-4. Perfect for groups that prefer to have private pools and complete kitchens.
How To Calculate The Real Price
If you don’t add the resort fee and parking then the nightly rate is a lie.
A hotel that charges $99 per night plus a $28 resort fee and $15 parking costs $142 per night. A $129 per night hotel with free parking and no resort fee costs $129. Over 7 nights, that $13 difference saves $91 — nearly enough for a character breakfast.
There are some hotel packages that I have followed that don’t levy any resort fee:
- Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Many vacation home rentals
- Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista
Never book without performing a search on “hotel name resort fee“. The price including taxes and fees of the hotel must be displayed on their website before booking.
Step-By-Step: How To Pick The Right Hotel
Step 1: List your kids’ ages. A zero entry pool and proximity are essential for a toddler and a baby. A 10 and 13 year old can come up with a 20 minute shuttle and are more interested in waterslides.
Step 2: Make a list of your three “musts.” Early park entry? Free breakfast? Suite with door? There are no hotels that offer everything. Choose three, and cross off the ones which are missing.
Step 3: Select your zone. For a stroll to Disney Springs for dinner, stay within Hotel Plaza Boulevard. If price is your most important consideration, consider Kissimmee. If you are spending the majority of your days at Magic Kingdom, then visit Flamingo Crossings.
Step 4: Total up the costs involved. All rates are the nightly room rate plus resort fee plus parking plus estimated daily breakfast (if not included). Compare the number of those hotels with three other hotels.
Step 5: Check shuttle information. Call the hotel. Make enquiries for reservations, frequency and last return.
Step 6: Narrow down reviews by type of travellers (family). Search for parents’ reviews with children of your age. Couples don’t see the same things.
Step 7: Reserve flexibility with the possible cancellation terms. Discounts are frequently offered 2-4 months in advance of travel for Disney vacations. If a better rate comes on, you will rebook. Money is saved only with a fixed booking if you book a non-refundable rate.
Mistakes I See Families Make
Reservations for an average room for four family members. Two queen beds, four suitcases and a stroller in a 300 sq ft room seems like a big closet. Pay for an extra $40 a night for a suite. Your marriage will thank you for it!
Not paying the resort fee until you check in. I have seen families plan accurately and then end up paying an additional $200 at the front desk when they were informed about the resort fee at that time. Always check.
Assuming a hotel is offering a “shuttle” without verifying. I had lodged in a hotel which operated one bus a day. One. To Epcot only. We took a few park hoppers on Magic Kingdom. This amounted to $90 in ride-share expenditures per day.
With a toddler napping, staying away for 20 minutes. That 20 minutes on each side of the trip to the nap break plus parking tram time and walking from the parking lot equals a three-hour nap break. If you’re still taking naps, pay for that proximity!
Overlooking vacation home rentals for long stays. A family of 6 in two hotel rooms for 7 nights costs $1,400–$2,800. A 3-bedroom townhouse with private pool in Windsor Hills may run $1,200 total. The full kitchen saves $50–$100 a day on meals. The math is stark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Child-Friendly Hotel Near Disney World For Toddlers?
A zero entry pool, splash zone, free kids’ camp (ages 4-12) and cribs on request make Four Seasons Resort Orlando the top choice for toddlers. Fairfield Inn Flamingo Crossings features a zero entry pool and splash pad, no resort fee and a free breakfast, at a reasonable price.
Which Hotels Near Disney World Have Kids-Eat-Free Programs?
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista is offering 2 kids (11 and under) eat free for each paying adult at Applebee’s. Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs Area has kids 11 and under eat free with an adult entrée. Children 5 and under will be allowed to eat at Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista for free with one adult’s buffet purchase.
Do Any Off-Site Hotels Get Disney Early Theme Park Entry?
Yes. All of the seven Official Walt Disney World Hotels, including Drury Plaza, DoubleTree Suites, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and Holiday Inn Disney Springs Area offer the 30-minute early entry benefit. Good Neighbor Hotels don’t.
What Is The Cheapest Family Hotel Near Disney World?
The opening hours of Quality Inn & Suites Kissimmee Near Main Gate begin at $60 per night with free breakfast. Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista, with no resort fee and free parking, is a strong value at $90–$120 per night. Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista is a free breakfast and free parking no-resort hotel as well.
How Do I Know If A Hotel Shuttle Is Reliable?
Make a phone call to the front desk. Ask: “How many times does the shuttle make the trip to Magic Kingdom each day? Is it a requirement to make a reservation? What time will the last return shuttle come back?” There is a good shuttle service that operates every 30–60 minutes, and late night service after fireworks. Advance booking is required for the shuttles that become full.
Are Disney Good Neighbor Hotels As Good As Disney-Owned Resorts?
They’re different. There are many times when rooms in a Good Neighbor Hotel are larger, do not charge resort fees, and offer free parking. The Disney theming and early park admission is not included. They’re usually better for families that want more space and cheaper. On-site Disney Resorts win when families seek the full-immersion and early entry into Disney.
Can I Book A Vacation Home And Still Use Disney Transportation?
Disney buses, monorails, boats and the Skyliner are only available for Disney Resort guests. Vacation home renters will need to rent a car or take a ride-share to the vacation home. Keep in mind $30/day parking fees when doing your cost comparison.
I don’t believe that any one hotel is perfect near Disney World. I believe there is an appropriate size for your family, an age for your children, a budget and a tolerance for logistics. What I have discovered in the past ten years of traveling is that any hotel that eliminates the hassle of the early morning climb, the parking mess or the cramped room gives you back the magic you paid for.
Choose 3 things your family will never give up on. Look for the hotel that will satisfy all three criteria, but without any baiting or switching. Please call to confirm shuttle. After that, discontinue the research and book. Planning should be finished and the trip can be gotten started.