Resort Review: Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Currently on Walt Disney World property there are five different resort areas: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and Wide World of Sports. Today’s post is all about the Magic Kingdom Resort Area.

The reason this area is called the Magic Kingdom Resort Area is because of its close proximity to the Magic Kingdom. Three of these resort have access to the Magic Kingdom via monorail and all five resorts have access via boat transportation. This is the oldest resort area on property with the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian being the first resorts to make ground at Walt Disney World.

There are five different resorts in this area: Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Four of these resorts are Deluxe resorts, all of which host Disney Vacation Club villas on their property. Fort Wilderness embraces both the moderate level and the value level. Now each of these resorts is very different, appealing to a wide variety of people. And although they are all connected by a lake and many by the monorail, they all stand alone. The Contemporary resort with Bay Lake Tower is modern, you could expect to find the Robinson family here. The Polynesian Village is heavily Hawaiian themed, Moana and her Island family would feel right at home here. The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is prim and proper, the dream resort for Mary Poppins. Wilderness Lodge is filled with woodland creatures, you would expect to see Bambi trapping along the paths or Todd and Copper playing tag. Fort Wilderness will remind you of the early settlers and the near battle in Pocahontas.

Now why should you choose staying in this area over the other areas of Walt Disney World:

1. Dining.

By staying in this area you have access to over 50 resort restaurants. Table Service, Quick Service, Dinner Shows and Character Dining. They are all a boat ride or monorail ride away. Making it really easy to start your day off with a character breakfast. Speaking of character breakfasts, there are three in the area. You’re also a boat ride away from the nighttime bonfire with Chip’n’Dale at Fort Widerness.

2. Fireworks.

Every single night you can watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom from three of these resorts: Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian. If you’re staying during Halloween or Christmas, you’ll be able to enjoy the party fireworks without even having to purchase a party ticket.

3. Electrical Water Pagent.

Every night, the electrical agent travels across the waters of bay lake. If you have a water view from your room you won’t have to go any further than your window. But for the best view make your way to your resort’s boat launch. This unique water show uses music and lights to entertain guests. It’s one of the my hubby’s favourite things about this resort area.

4. Transportation.

Each of these five resorts has at least two methods of transportation. In the case of the Contemporary, it has four. This means less guests using the bus. Therefore your buses will be less full and smaller lines at the bus stops at Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. It also means more variety. Instead of taking the bus everywhere, like guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge- Kidani Village, you can take a boat or a monorail or walk. The choice is yours.

5. Close proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

No matter if you have young kids or if you’re a young kid at heart, being moments away from the Magic Kingdom is the selling point of this area. Because this is the busiest park getting to and from the Magic Kingdom is an adventure in and of itself from any other resort area. At the end of the day being able to walk back to your resort, or hop on the monorail or grab the boat keeps you out of the mass amount of people walking to the bus corrals. Making your day at the Magic Kingdom conclude with happy family members.

We’ve stayed at the Grand Floridian, Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort and the Wilderness Lodge. What I found most surprising about all of these spots is for being in such close proximity to the Magic Kingdom I still felt like we were on our own private getaway. Especially at the Wilderness Lodge. Because of the way they landscaped these properties, there is plenty of privacy. In the Epcot resort area I feel like we’re in the middle of so many guests making their way through the property to get from Epcot to Hollywood Studios. But at these resorts, they are connected by transportation instead of property. If you plan on spending a big chunk of your vacation at the Magic Kingdom I would strongly recommend this area. Or if you’re only looking to spend a couple nights on property. Spend the extra cash to stay close to the Magic Kingdom. You won’t regret it. Happy Planning Friends.