Orlando has more family hotel rooms than almost anywhere on earth, which is exactly what makes choosing one difficult.
The right pick usually comes down to two questions: which parks you are visiting, and how much time you actually want to spend at the resort itself.
These five properties cover the realistic range, from multi-resort villa complexes with their own water parks to on-site hotels that hand you front-of-line access. Every detail below comes from each property’s own website.
Key Takeaways
- Westgate operates seven Orlando-area resorts, letting you choose proximity to Disney, Universal or Lake Buena Vista rather than settling for one location.
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort family suites sleep six in 430 square feet with a kitchenette and a bathroom designed for three people at once.
- Disney’s Art of Animation has 1,120 family suites and Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
- Hilton Orlando’s 892-foot lazy river is among the largest at any Orlando hotel, and the property is less than a mile from Epic Universe.
- Loews Royal Pacific includes Universal Express Unlimited free for every guest in the room, which is the single most valuable perk on this list.
How We Picked
Four criteria decided this list. Space for a family of four or more, on-site water features that justify a rest day, transport or walking access to the parks, and a genuine differentiator rather than a generic pool.
Every fact below is sourced from the resort’s own website. Rates and inclusions change constantly in Orlando, so treat all figures as starting points and confirm at booking.
Quick Comparison
| Resort | Best for | Standout feature | Closest parks |
| Westgate Resorts | Choice of location and villa space | Two on-site water parks across the portfolio | Disney, Universal, SeaWorld |
| Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort | Value with retro character | Bowling alley and lazy river on site | Universal |
| Disney’s Art of Animation | Younger children | Immersive themed suites and Skyliner access | Walt Disney World |
| Hilton Orlando | Resort-first families | 892-foot lazy river | Epic Universe, Convention Center area |
| Loews Royal Pacific Resort | Skipping lines | Universal Express Unlimited included | Universal |
1. Westgate Resorts
Westgate Resorts is the only entry here that is a portfolio rather than a single hotel, and that is precisely the advantage.
It operates seven resorts across the Orlando area, spanning Orlando proper, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista, so you pick your location instead of accepting whichever one your chosen brand happens to occupy.
That matters more than it sounds. A family doing three Disney days and one Universal day has genuinely different geography needs than one doing the reverse.
When you compare what the family resorts Orlando has to offer, Westgate’s spread across three separate areas is the practical advantage. You match the base to the itinerary rather than the other way round.
Two of the properties have their own water parks. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa on Turkey Lake Road is home to Treasure Cove Water Park and also carries a full spa and fitness center, while Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee has Shipwreck Island.
Budget for these separately. Westgate states that water park admission is not included in the room rate for most guests and that a separate ticket is required at the resort, though loyalty members receive discounted or complimentary entry depending on their tier.
The range covers most budgets and needs. Westgate lists Orlando rates from $99 a night, Westgate Palace on Carrier Drive offers dedicated family suites and sits close to Universal and Epic Universe, and Westgate Blue Tree Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Town Center and Towers are all pet-friendly.
Worth knowing before you book: the World of Westgate loyalty program is free to join and gives members discounted water park access, the best available rates when booking direct, and discounted resort and destination fees.
Benefits vary by tier, so check what the entry level actually covers rather than assuming the headline perks apply to you.
2. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Bay is Universal’s value-tier property, themed to the 1950s and 60s beach resorts of the American road-trip era.
The family suites run 430 square feet and sleep six across two queen beds and a pull-out sofa, with a sliding privacy partition between the sleeping and living areas.
The bathroom is the detail parents notice. It is compartmentalized specifically, so three people can get ready simultaneously, which on a park morning is worth more than any amount of theming.
Each suite includes a kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave and sink, plus two televisions. On site you get a lazy river, pools, a ten-lane bowling alley and a games room, and the resort has walking paths to Universal CityWalk as well as complimentary shuttle buses.
Standard rooms sleep four if you do not need the suite. Poolside suites cost more but put you a few steps from the water, which is worth considering with younger children.
3. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation is the strongest Disney value option for families with younger children, largely because of scale.
The resort holds 1,120 family suites themed to Cars, Finding Nemo and The Lion King, plus 864 standard rooms in The Little Mermaid section.
The suites are the draw at roughly 565 square feet, sleeping six with a separate bedroom, two bathrooms and a kitchenette.
Two bathrooms in a value-tier resort is unusual and makes a real difference with a big group.
Transport is the other advantage. The resort has its own Disney Skyliner station with gondola service to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo courtyard is the largest resort pool at Walt Disney World.
One caution on pricing. Art of Animation is classified as a value resort, but the themed family suites routinely price well above that label, so compare the cost against two standard rooms elsewhere before committing.
4. Hilton Orlando
Hilton Orlando on Destination Parkway is the pick for families who want the resort to be part of the holiday rather than just a place to sleep.
Its 892-foot lazy river comes with complimentary tubes, waterfalls, fountains and water cannons, and it is one of the longest at any Orlando hotel.
The wider pool complex includes a zero-entry resort pool, a water slide with a 48-inch minimum height, a whirlpool and a splash pad for smaller children. There is also a separate adults-only pool area for anyone who needs an hour away.
Location has become a genuine selling point here. The hotel sits less than a mile from Universal Epic Universe, which makes it a strong non-Universal base for families focused on the newest park.
Private cabanas are available around the main pool at ten feet square, with televisions, WiFi, and poolside dining service. Book one early in your stay if you want it, since the number available is limited.
5. Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
Royal Pacific is a South Seas-themed property, and its headline benefit is straightforward. Every guest staying in the room receives Universal Express Unlimited free for the length of the stay, letting you skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
Read the limits before you budget around it. That benefit requires valid theme park admission, applies to select attractions, and is not valid at Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.
Guests also get Early Park Admission with valid park tickets, priority seating at select restaurants through the concierge desk, and access to CityWalk and the parks via walking and water taxis.
Loews prices the Express Unlimited benefit at a meaningful per-person, per-day value, which is why this resort often works out cheaper than a lower-tier hotel plus paid Express passes.
Run that maths for your own group before you dismiss the nightly rate. For a family of four staying several nights, the included passes can outweigh the difference against a cheaper room without them.
How to Choose the Right One for Your Family
Start with your park split rather than the hotel. If you are spending most of your time at Universal, an on-site Universal property saves hours of transit time and can include line-skipping that more than offsets the room rate difference.
If you are Disney-focused, staying inside the bubble buys you Skyliner or bus transport and early entry.
If you are splitting your time or visiting several parks, a location between them with strong on-site amenities usually beats committing to either brand.
Then check the room, not the resort. A family of five will not fit in a standard room at most of these properties, so confirm the maximum occupancy and whether you are getting a suite before you compare prices.
Conclusion
The best family resort in Orlando is the one that matches your itinerary and your group size, not the one with the best photographs.
Work out your park days first, then pick the base that minimizes travel and fits everyone comfortably.
Book earlier than feels necessary, especially for suites, which sell out well ahead of standard rooms in peak periods. And confirm current rates directly, because Orlando pricing moves constantly.
Orlando Family Resort FAQs
Which Orlando resort is best for a family of six? Cabana Bay family suites, Art of Animation family suites, and Westgate’s villa-style accommodations all sleep six. Confirm maximum occupancy at booking, since standard rooms at most Orlando hotels cap at four.
Do you need to stay on Disney or Universal property? No, though on-site stays include perks like early park entry, included transport and, at select Universal hotels, Express Unlimited. Off-site resorts often offer more space for the money.
Which Orlando hotel has the best lazy river? Hilton Orlando’s runs 892 feet with complimentary tubes, waterfalls and water cannons. Cabana Bay also has a lazy river as part of its pool complex.
What is Universal Express Unlimited and which hotels include it? It lets you skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It is included for guests at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and is not valid at Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.
Which resorts are closest to Epic Universe? Hilton Orlando sits less than a mile away, and Westgate Palace on Carrier Drive is positioned for Universal and Epic Universe access.
Are there Orlando family resorts with their own water parks? Yes. Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa has Treasure Cove Water Park, and Westgate Vacation Villas has Shipwreck Island, both open to resort guests only, with admission usually ticketed separately rather than included in the room rate.
How much does a family resort in Orlando cost per night? It varies widely by season and property. Westgate Orlando rates start from $99 a night, while themed suites at Disney and included-perk hotels at Universal sit considerably higher.
Which Orlando resort is best for toddlers and young children? Disney’s Art of Animation, for the immersive theming, splash areas and short Skyliner ride to two parks. Cabana Bay is a strong value alternative with a zero-depth pool area.
Can you bring a dog to an Orlando family resort? Some allow it. Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Towers are all listed as pet friendly, and Loews properties accept pets for a fee.
When should you book an Orlando family resort? As early as you can for suites, which sell out before standard rooms. School holidays, spring break and the Christmas period fill first.
