Best Disney Resorts Near Animal Kingdom for Preschoolers (2026)

3 Disney World resorts near Animal Kingdom work well for preschoolers (3–5). Here's what each offers in terms of price, pools, and transportation, in alphabetical order.

Updated

Top Picks Near Animal Kingdom

  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

    Value
    $120–200/nightGood poolbus

    Why it works for preschoolers

    • Giant Disney character icons make it feel like you're inside a movie
    • The Fantasia and Duck Pond pools are a hit with young kids.

    Know before you book

    • Bus-only transportation means longer travel times to all parks
    • Basic amenities — don't expect full-service dining or a spa
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort

    Value
    $115–195/nightGood poolbus

    Why it works for preschoolers

    • Music-themed rooms and giant instrument sculptures throughout
    • Family suites sleep 6 with kitchenette
    • Calypso pool is fun for kids

    Know before you book

    • Bus-only to all parks
    • Limited dining — one food court
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

    Deluxe
    $370–900/nightGreat poolbus

    Why it works for preschoolers

    • Savanna-view rooms look out on real African animals — giraffes, zebras, and more
    • Most unique theme park resort in the world — nothing else like it
    • Jiko and Boma are two of the best restaurants at Disney World

    Know before you book

    • Bus-only transportation — furthest deluxe from most parks
    • Savanna-view rooms cost a significant premium over standard rooms
Day plan

Tell Swiz your dates. Get a plan, not a brochure.

Party size, budget, must-do rides. Swiz builds your Animal Kingdom day around them.

Build my Animal Kingdom plan
A ParkSwiz day plan for Animal Kingdom, shown on a phone

Also Consider

These resorts sit nearer another park but still work well for preschoolers (3–5). The ones with the easiest trip to Animal Kingdom come first.

  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort

    Value

    $185–320/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Big Blue Pool is enormous and spectacular — one of the best pools on property

  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

    Moderate

    $210–370/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Skyliner hub — connects to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with easy transfers

  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    Deluxe

    $570–1100/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Volcano pool with waterslide is the most fun deluxe pool at Disney

  • Disney's Pop Century Resort

    Value

    $130–230/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, with one change at Caribbean Beach

  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

    Moderate

    $205–360/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Royal Rooms themed as princess carriages — magical for young Disney fans

  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge

    Deluxe

    $390–750/night · bus to Animal Kingdom

    Silver Creek Springs pool with waterslide and geysers is spectacular

Ask Swiz

Ask Swiz about your trip.

Straight answers about Animal Kingdom, built around who is coming and when.

Ask Swiz
Ask SwizAnimal Kingdom
Which resort near Animal Kingdom is best for preschoolers?
Tap to ask Swiz. It is free to start, no account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best budget resort near Animal Kingdom for preschoolers (3–5)?

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort ($120–200/night) is the best budget option near Animal Kingdom for preschoolers (3–5). Giant Disney character icons make it feel like you're inside a movie.

Is it worth staying deluxe at Animal Kingdom with preschoolers (3–5)?

At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Savanna-view rooms look out on real African animals — giraffes, zebras, and more. It is bus-only to the parks, so for preschoolers (3–5) the case for deluxe here is the resort itself (the setting, the pools and the dining), not a faster commute.

Which resorts near Animal Kingdom have the best pools for preschoolers (3–5)?

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has the best pool options near Animal Kingdom.

Ask Swiz

Planning a Disney World trip?

Get a personalized itinerary based on your dates, budget, and travel party.

Plan my trip

ParkSwiz LLC is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, Merlin Entertainments, or SeaWorld Entertainment. All park names, attraction names, and related trademarks are property of their respective owners.