Planning to spend a lot of time soaking up all the Disney magic in Magic Kingdom during your next Walt Disney World vacation? Choosing to stay at a hotel near the park can save you a lot of time waiting for buses and traffic and give you more time to enjoy the park!

Disney World spans nearly 25,000 acres (that’s the size of San Francisco!), and all of the hotels are split up across it. So, to be in the best location to frequent Magic Kingdom, you can’t choose just any resort. Currently, there are five Disney World hotels located in the Magic Kingdom area and we’re bringing you all you need to know about them to help you choose which is best for your next vacation!

Why Choose a Hotel Near Magic Kingdom?

While there are a lot of hotels to choose from when you’re headed to Disney World, it doesn’t always make the most sense to book the one with the best theming or cheapest rates. All of the Disney hotels are in a great location when it comes to visiting the theme parks, but being close to Magic Kingdom can make a big difference in your trip if you’re planning to go to the park more than once or have tickets to a special event in the park, plus there are several benefits!

Benefits of Staying Near Magic Kingdom

Here are some reasons why you might want to consider staying at a hotel near Magic Kingdom:

Convenience

By staying near Magic Kingdom, you’ll be closer to the park and can easily access it without having to travel far. This can save you time and energy, especially if you have young children or are traveling with a large group.

Extra Time In The Park

All of the hotels near Magic Kingdom offer Early Theme Park Entry, giving you 30 extra minutes in all four parks before they open every day of the week. Plus, some hotels also qualify you for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, which allows you to stay late in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on select nights of the week. This can give you more time to explore the park and ride your favorite attractions without having to deal with crowds.

Convenient Transportation

All of the Disney hotels near Magic Kingdom offer complimentary transportation to the park and include some of the fastest and most convenient options. For example, several offer monorail transportation, boat transportation, and some are even within walking distance. This can save you money on parking and make getting to and from the park much simpler.

Views

When you stay near Magic Kingdom, there’s a good chance that you’ll have a view of the theme park including a look at Cinderella Castle (and nightly fireworks!). This can make your vacation feel even more magical and offer great photo opportunities.

Special Events

Staying near Magic Kingdom can make late nights in the park for special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party a lot easier. You’ll be back at your hotel and in bed well before anyone who is staying at a further hotel!

What Hotels are Closest to Magic Kingdom?

So, what hotels can you choose from if you want to be close to Magic Kingdom? There are plenty of options available that are just a stone’s throw away from the park, though most of them will cost you a pretty penny. Here’s an overview of each one!

Top Hotels Near Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a great option for those looking to stay close to Magic Kingdom. This resort is just a short monorail ride away from the park, making it easy to get there and back. The resort features a tropical theme, with rooms that are decorated in Moana-inspired decor. Some of the amenities offered at the Polynesian include multiple restaurants, a pool, and views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks every night from the beach.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Another great option for those looking to stay close to Magic Kingdom is Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This hotel is located right next to the park and offers stunning views of Cinderella’s Castle. The Contemporary features modern rooms that are themed to Pixar’s Incredibles, multiple restaurants, and a pool with a waterslide. As the hotel closest to Magic Kingdom, you can choose to take a short 5-10 minute walk to the entrance or ride the monorail.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

For those who prefer a more rustic atmosphere, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a great option. This hotel is located just a short boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, and features rooms that are decorated in a rustic, woodsy style. Just note that you won’t be able to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from this hotel, as it’s located a bit further from the park compared to the other options.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Finally, if you’re looking for a cheaper hotel, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is a great choice. This hotel is the most affordable option near Magic Kingdom and features cabins that are decorated in a rustic, camping-inspired style. You can also book a campsite here and park your camper. And, to get to the park, you’ll just need to take a short boat ride to the entrance.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for a more luxurious option, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a great choice. This hotel is located just a short monorail ride, walk, or boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, and offers elegant rooms with Victorian-inspired decor. The Grand Floridian also features multiple restaurants, a full-service spa, and a pool with a waterslide.

Hotel Amenities and Features

With so many different options, it’s important to consider the amenities and features that are offered when choosing a hotel near Magic Kingdom. Here are some of the key features to look for:

Proximity to the Park

One of the main advantages of staying at a hotel near Magic Kingdom is the proximity to the park. All of these hotels offer easy access to the park through monorail, boat, or walking trails, but some are slightly more convenient than others. For example, if you don’t want to have to deal with waiting in line for transportation, then staying at a hotel within walking distance (such as the Grand Floridian or Contemporary) will be important. Additionally, all of the resorts on the monorail (the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian) are connected by monorail to EPCOT as well, which could be a major selling point.

On-Site Dining

The great news is that all of the hotels near Magic Kingdom offer on-site dining options, making it easy to get food without having to leave your hotel. However, each hotel has its own unique dining options that could sway you one way or the other. For example, the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Polynesian all have character dining restaurants, and the Grand Floridian is known for having some of the finest dining options in all of Disney World. Be sure to check out the restaurant offerings before you book if you’re debating between a few resorts.

Pool and Recreation

Like on-site dining, all of the Magic Kingdom area resorts have pools – and, in most cases, more than one pool! However, select hotels offer a bit more when it comes to amenities including full-service spas, fitness centers, and lounges. If you plan on spending some extra time at the hotel during the day, this is something to consider heavily in your decision process.

Room Theming and Size

Every hotel in Disney World has its own unique theming, and the resorts near Magic Kingdom are no different! For example, the rooms at the Polynesian feature Moana-theming, the rooms at the Contemporary feature Incredibles-theming, and the rooms at the Grand Floridian have little details from the movie, Mary Poppins. Additionally, some rooms are better suited for larger travel parties, including the Cabins at Fort Wilderness which sleep up to 6 adults.

Transportation Options To and From Magic Kingdom Hotels

One of the main reasons people choose to stay at a hotel near Magic Kingdom is its convenient transportation options to and from the park. It’s important to note that not all of the resorts were created equal when it comes to getting to the park, though! Each hotel’s transportation options are a little different – here’s what you need to know.

When you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can take advantage of complimentary transportation to and from the Magic Kingdom. Transportation options include:

Monorail

The monorail is a fun and convenient way to travel to and from Magic Kingdom. It stops at several Disney hotels, including Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Boat

Magic Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom area hotels are all located on the Seven Seas Lagoon. This means that you can get to nearly all of the resorts by boat! Boats go between Magic Kingdom and the following hotels: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Walking Trails

Paved walkways are also available to get between Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian, and Disney’s Contemporary.

Bus

While bus transportation is not normally offered from these resorts to Magic Kingdom, if the boat or monorail is ever temporarily unavailable, a bus will be available to get you to and from the park for free.

Dining Options Near Magic Kingdom Hotels

When it comes to dining options near Magic Kingdom hotels, you have plenty of choices. Whether you’re looking for on-site restaurants or nearby eateries, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.

As we’ve mentioned, all of the hotels near Magic Kingdom offer on-site dining options, ranging from quick service restaurants to fine dining experiences to casual lounges. For example, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has several restaurants to choose from, including the California Grill, which offers stunning views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

If you’re looking for more affordable dining options that aren’t necessarily “Disney food,” there are plenty of nearby restaurants to choose from as well. For example, the Magic Kingdom area has a wide range of fast food chains just outside of Disney property, such as McDonald’s and Subway.

And, you’ll be close to all the restaurants and snacking spots in Magic Kingdom, of course! So, whether you’re in the mood for a Dole Whip or a Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzel, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Other Attractions Near Magic Kingdom Hotels

One of the great things about staying at a hotel near Magic Kingdom is that you’re still close to all the other attractions and theme parks in Walt Disney World! At all of these resorts, you’ll be able to take free Disney transportation to the other three parks. This includes EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, Disney buses will also take you to Disney Springs, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. And, you’ll also be close to Disney’s golf courses and miniature golf courses if you’re in the mood for a round or two!

Magic Kingdom hotels are also located about 15 miles from Universal Orlando. It’s also 13 miles from SeaWorld Orlando if you plan to visit other Orlando area attractions.

Tips for Booking a Hotel Near Magic Kingdom

You can’t really go wrong when choosing a hotel near Magic Kingdom to stay at. But, there are some tips to help you decide and get the best deal possible! Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Consider Your Budget

Before you start looking at hotels, decide how much you’re willing to spend. While there are no hotels in the cheapest budget category near Magic Kingdom, there are still some budget-friendly options. There’s also a wide range of pricing when it comes to the Deluxe Resort category. So, don’t be surprised if one hotel costs less than another even if it’s considered a luxury hotel.

Look at Transportation Options

We’ve talked a lot about transportation options from the hotels near Magic Kingdom because you’re probably planning to spend a lot of time in the park while you’re there! When choosing a hotel, consider how you’ll get to and from Magic Kingdom. Some hotels offer complimentary boat service, while others are within walking distance. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can stay at a hotel on the monorail loop, which offers easy access to Magic Kingdom and other Disney parks.

Check for Discounts and Special Offers

Before booking your hotel, check to see if there are any discounts or special offers available. Disney often offers discounts on hotel rooms, especially during off-peak times. You can also often save money by booking a package that includes your hotel room and park tickets.

Read Reviews

Before booking a hotel, read reviews from other travelers to get an idea of what to expect. Look for reviews that mention the proximity to Magic Kingdom, transportation options, and overall cleanliness and comfort of the hotel. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different, so take reviews with a grain of salt.

So, do your research and book your next Disney hotel stay! Of course, there are plenty of other great hotels in and around Disney World to consider if you don’t mind traveling a bit further to get to Magic Kingdom as well. You can explore more options here at Eat Sleep Disney.

Comments

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