Top Picks Near Animal Kingdom
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Value$120–200/nightGood poolbusWhy it works for tweens
- 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 poolbusWhy it works for tweens
- 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 All-Star Sports Resort
Value$110–190/nightGood poolbusWhy it works for tweens
- Sports-themed decor appeals to older kids and sports fans
- Least expensive resort on Disney property
- Surfboard City pool is a fun hangout
Know before you book
- No family suites — standard rooms only
- Bus-only transportation
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Deluxe$370–900/nightGreat poolbusWhy it works for tweens
- 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
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Also Consider
These resorts sit nearer another park but still work well for tweens (10–12). 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 Beach Club Resort
Deluxe$510–950/night · bus to Animal Kingdom
Stormalong Bay is the single best pool at any Disney resort — a mini water park
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
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Straight answers about Animal Kingdom, built around who is coming and when.
Ask SwizFrequently Asked Questions
What's the best budget resort near Animal Kingdom for tweens (10–12)?
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort ($120–200/night) is the best budget option near Animal Kingdom for tweens (10–12). Giant Disney character icons make it feel like you're inside a movie.
Is it worth staying deluxe at Animal Kingdom with tweens (10–12)?
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 tweens (10–12) 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 tweens (10–12)?
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has the best pool options near Animal Kingdom.
Tweens Resorts at Other Parks
Other Groups Near Animal Kingdom
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