Best DVC Home Resort for Families with Young Kids

What Matters Most with Little Ones

When you have kids under 10, your priorities shift dramatically. That adults only rooftop lounge? Irrelevant. The sophisticated restaurant with a two hour tasting menu? Maybe in 2035. What actually matters: pool quality, room space for naps and bedtime, ease of getting to parks, and whether the point charts leave room in your budget for annual dues.

We've ranked DVC home resorts through the lens of a family with young children. Some of these picks might surprise you.

Top Pick: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village)

Kidani Village is the best kept secret for families with young kids. The Samawati Springs pool has a massive water play area with fountains, a 128 foot waterslide, and a wading pool that toddlers absolutely love. But the real magic? The animal viewing areas.

Your kids will wake up, run to the balcony, and see actual giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest grazing 30 feet away. No theme park ticket required. On rest days (and you will need rest days with young children), the resort itself provides hours of entertainment.

Point charts: Among the lowest in the DVC system. A studio in value season costs just 10 points/night. One bedrooms (crucial for families needing a separate sleeping space) start at 17 points.

Room layout: Kidani studios have a small table and chairs, microwave, and mini fridge. One bedrooms add a full kitchen, pull out sofa, and a door that closes between the bedroom and living area. That closed door is everything when you need your 3 year old asleep by 7:30 pm.

Park access: Bus only to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. The buses run every 15 to 20 minutes and the ride is 10 to 15 minutes to most parks.

Runner Up: Beach Club Villas

Two words: Stormalong Bay. This 3 acre sand bottom pool complex has a lazy river, multiple waterslides, a shipwreck play structure, and shallow wading areas perfect for toddlers. Kids who love water will never want to leave.

The Epcot walk (5 minutes to International Gateway) means you can pop into the parks for a character meal and be back at the pool before nap time. During the Flower and Garden or Food and Wine festivals, parents can enjoy Epcot while kids splash.

Point charts: Higher than average. Studios cost 14 to 20 points/night depending on season. You're paying a premium for that location and pool.

Room layout: Studios are on the smaller side compared to newer DVC properties. The one bedrooms are comfortable for a family of 4 but feel cozy with 5.

Trade off: Higher buy in cost on resale ($140 to $150/point) and higher point charts mean you need either more points or lower expectations about room size.

Best Budget Pick: Old Key West

Old Key West has the largest rooms in the entire DVC system at the lowest point cost. For families who need space (and families with young kids always need space), this combination is hard to beat.

The one bedroom villa here is 942 square feet. That's larger than many apartments. Full kitchen, washer and dryer in the unit, a king bedroom with a door that closes, and a pull out sofa in the living room. Pack and Play fits easily. Stroller parks by the door. There's room to breathe.

Point charts: The lowest in the WDW system. A one bedroom in value season costs just 15 points/night. Adventure season tops out around 25.

Pool: The main pool (Sandcastle Pool) has a waterslide and a separate kiddie pool. It's not Stormalong Bay, but it gets the job done. The quiet, spread out grounds are great for kids who need room to run.

Park access: Bus only, and the resort is large enough that some buildings are a 10 minute walk from the bus stop. Request a building near the main pool area (buildings 30 to 40) if possible.

Best for Magic Kingdom Families: Bay Lake Tower

If your kids are in the Magic Kingdom sweet spot (ages 3 to 8 where princesses and Buzz Lightyear are life), Bay Lake Tower's location can't be matched. Walk to Magic Kingdom in under 10 minutes. See fireworks from your room. Take the monorail to Epcot for lunch.

The pool area is small but has a waterslide and a separate kids' splash pad. The Contemporary Resort next door has a larger pool you can use as well.

Point charts: High. Studios cost 15 to 22 points/night. You're paying for that monorail resort location.

Room layout: Studios are compact (339 sq ft). One bedrooms (680 sq ft) work well for families of 4. The pull down bed in studios is fine for small children.

Resale cost: $140 to $155/point. Combined with higher point charts, this is one of the more expensive home resort choices. But for families who visit Magic Kingdom 15+ times before their kids outgrow it, the convenience pays for itself in taxi fare and sanity alone.

Honorable Mention: Riviera Resort

The Skyliner gondola system connecting Riviera to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is extremely stroller friendly. No folding required. Roll right on. For parents exhausted by bus logistics with a double stroller and a diaper bag, this is a game changer.

The pool area is modern and well designed with a kids' water play area. Tower Studios (tiny, 225 sq ft) work for families of 2 to 3 only. Standard studios and one bedrooms have excellent layouts with modern split bathrooms.

Important note: Riviera has resale restrictions. Points purchased on resale cannot be traded to other DVC resorts. Purchase here only if you genuinely love this resort and plan to use it as your primary location.

Resorts to Avoid with Young Kids

Not every DVC resort is ideal for the under 10 crowd:

• Grand Floridian: Beautiful but feels "formal." Kids get shushed in the lobby. The pool is fine, not great. The price premium doesn't add kid value.
• BoardWalk: The boardwalk entertainment district skews adult (dueling pianos, bars, late night). The pool is average. Beach Club next door is better for families in every way.
• Hilton Head / Vero Beach: Great resorts, but only useful if you live nearby or specifically want a non Disney vacation.

Making Your Decision

For most families with kids under 10, we recommend Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani) as a home resort. The combination of low point cost, excellent pool, savanna views, and spacious rooms at lower point requirements makes it the best overall value. You can always book Beach Club or Bay Lake Tower at the 7 month window when availability exists.

Learn more about how the 11 month booking window works and what restrictions apply to resale purchases before making your final choice.

Ready to shop? Browse current DVC resale listings filtered by your preferred resort.