How to Choose the Right Disney Resort for Your Family (and Why Bonnet Creek Is Our Go-To)

Picking a Disney resort can feel like the hardest part of planning. There are so many options, and every one looks magical in photos. Here's the truth: there's no single "best" resort, just the best one for your family and this trip.

Before you fall in love with a pool slide, ask yourself these questions.

Start with the questions that actually matter

How close do you want to be?

Distance matters more than people think. If you're doing rope drop every morning or heading back midday for naps, a few extra minutes in each direction adds up fast. Look at how long it really takes to get from your room to the parks you'll visit most, not just the "miles from Disney" in the listing.

How will you get around?

This is the big one. Some resorts have Disney transportation like buses, the monorail, boats or the Skyliner. Others expect you to drive or use rideshare. Know which one you're signing up for before you book.

Are you flying or driving?

If you're flying in and don't want to rent a car, transportation access becomes your top priority. If you're driving (we come down from Jacksonville, so we always have our car), you suddenly have a lot more options, including great resorts just off Disney property. Don't forget to factor in parking fees.

Kids, adults, or both?

Little ones need naps, early bedtimes and room to play. Adults-only trips might care more about dining, lounges and a quieter pool. Multi-generational trips need a little of everything.

Do you need more space?

A standard hotel room is fine for a quick weekend. For a week with kids, or grandparents along for the ride, separate bedrooms and a living room make a huge difference. Disney is fast-paced, and having somewhere to spread out and breathe is worth a lot.

Kitchen or no kitchen?

A full kitchen (or even a kitchenette) lets you do breakfast in the room, pack snacks and skip a restaurant meal or two. That alone can save a surprising amount on a longer trip.

What about laundry?

On a long trip, an in-room washer and dryer means packing half the clothes. It's also a lifesaver after a rainy day or a splash ride, and yes, it's one of my must-haves.

What's your real budget?

Look at the whole cost, not just the nightly rate: resort fees, parking, transportation, and how much you'll spend eating out. Sometimes the "cheaper" room ends up costing more, and the bigger condo with a kitchen ends up being the better deal.

Once you've answered those, the right resort usually becomes pretty obvious. For our family, it's almost always the same answer.

Our go-to: Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek

Bonnet Creek is hands down one of our favorite places to stay at Disney World, and most people have no idea it even exists. Watch the full tour in the video, but here's the rundown.

A little Disney history

When Walt Disney's team was quietly buying up land in the '60s, there was one piece they couldn't get, and that land became Bonnet Creek. It's privately owned and not technically on Disney property, but it's surrounded by Walt Disney World on three sides. You're right in the middle of the Disney bubble without the Disney price tag.

Where it is

The address is 9560 Via Encinas in Lake Buena Vista. You turn onto Chelonia Parkway off Buena Vista Drive, between Disney's Riviera Resort and Typhoon Lagoon. It's the same road you take to Disney Springs, just a few minutes away.

Depending on your tower and floor, you might see Epcot or Hollywood Studios from your balcony. We've been lucky enough to watch the end of Fantasmic and the Epcot fireworks at the same time.

How to stay here

It works a lot like DVC. Bonnet Creek is a timeshare, and you have a few ways in:

• Buy Club Wyndham points, directly through Wyndham or on the resale market (usually a lot cheaper).
• Rent points from owners on sites like RedWeek and VRBO.
• Trade in through an exchange company like RCI if you already own a timeshare elsewhere.

You'll also see it listed on regular booking sites.

The layout

Check-in is at the Village Center, and six towers are spread around the lake. Tower 6 connects by an indoor walkway to the Wyndham Grand, and the two share a parking garage. That's super handy for a nice dinner.

The room

This trip we stayed in a three-bedroom presidential suite (we got a last-minute upgrade). It's around 2,000 square feet with:

• A full kitchen with a bar
• A big living room and a balcony
• Two primary bedrooms with king beds, plus a third bedroom with two doubles
• A full-size laundry room
• A huge soaker jacuzzi tub I use after pretty much every park day

I love DVC and owning it is a dream of mine, but it's expensive. To me, this is the next best thing, and I don't think you'll find this much space for this value this close to Disney.

Amenities

Pools all over the resort (our favorites are at Towers 5 and 6, with lazy rivers and a pirate ship), food and drinks poolside, mini golf, movies on the lawn with s'mores, playgrounds, two game rooms, and Scoops for ice cream.

Grab the paper entertainment schedule at check-in. On our stay there were dueling pianos, a dance party, family yoga, a farmers market, a murder mystery show, a magic show and comedy.

Character visits

On select days, characters visit the resort, and there's almost no wait. We met Aurora and Tinker Bell and were the only family in the room. It was one of the most special character meets we've ever had. We always make that our resort day.

Where to eat

Scoops and the poolside spots are great for easy bites. My personal favorite is a quick walk through Tower 6 to Deep Blue Seafood Grill at the Wyndham Grand. It has amazing seafood and sushi, perfect for date night or a special dinner.

How Bonnet Creek checks the boxes for us

• Distance: minutes from Disney Springs and surrounded by Disney.
• Transportation: we drive, so having our car and a shared garage works perfectly.
• Kids: pools, playgrounds, character visits and room to play.
• Space, kitchen and laundry: all three, in one condo.
• Budget: condo-sized rooms for a lot less than comparable Disney resorts.

If you're flying in without a car, think carefully about transportation before booking anywhere off Disney property. Check the resort's current shuttle options first.

Have questions about Bonnet Creek? Leave me a comment on the video and I'll be happy to help.

Amenities, schedules and booking options change. Check with the resort for current details.