Theme park hotels give all-inclusive resorts a run for their money. Without ever leaving the property, you can enjoy luxurious accommodations, fine dining experiences, shops, pools, and – you guessed it – easy access to your favorite theme parks.
We’ve toured the nation and selected 25 of the best experiences for you and your family to enjoy in the coming months.
1. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa – Pigeon Forge, TN
There’s nothing Dolly can’t do, especially when it comes to creating a unique experience.
Nestled into the hills of Tennessee, you’ll enjoy spacious rooms, splash pads and pools, savory restaurants, and outdoor fire pits for evening nightcaps. With door-to-door transportation to the theme park, who could ask for anything more?
2. The Hotel Hershey – Hershey, PA
As sweet as Dolly is, you may be more of a chocolate lover than a country music lover. If that’s the case, there’s another resort – also nestled into the mountains – that brings a lot of joy to families.
With unique spa experiences, including cocoa-infused treatments, mom can have everything her heart desires after the kids have enjoyed a day at Hersheypark.
3. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Orlando, FL
There’s going to be a lot of Disney in this list. There’s no way around it; they’re masters of the full-scale resort/theme park experience.
What’s unique about the Polynesian Village Resort is that it celebrates the vibrant spirit of the South Pacific with lush grounds, palm-shaded hideaways, a Lava Pool, and door-to-door access to Magic Kingdom.
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Orlando, FL
Whether or not you make it over to Magic Kingdom, you can enjoy an entire Animal Kingdom right outside your own front door.
Disney’s captured the essence of Africa here with over 200 animals to enchant, including gazelles, giraffes, and zebras. When you’re not taking in the sights, the kids will be thrilled with the 11,000-square-foot pool area!
5. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Orlando, FL
If you’ve made your way to Orlando to meet Harry Potter at Universal, then you might want to choose this stunning property.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a decadent, European-inspired resort that will sweep you away to the hills of Italy. With Italian cypress trees, waterside piazzas, three pools, and a waterslide, there are countless ways to cool off after a day at the theme park.
6. Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Orlando, FL
Whether it’s Disney’s main theme parks or Universal you’re after, there’s a resort to wrap you in the lap of luxury as you make your way to and from the parks.
This Disney resort focuses on creating a charming coastal vibe. When it’s lit up at night, you’ll enjoy how the lighthouse dances in the water.
After everyone’s enjoyed plenty of splash time throughout the day, there’s also the opportunity to enjoy complimentary outdoor screenings of our favorite Disney classics.
7. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Orlando, FL
Perhaps you’re a fan of the 50s more than the Italian Riviera? If so, this is the place to go, wrapped in its 50s and 60s architecture.
Complete with retro-fitted rooms, zero-entry pools, a lazy river, and a bowling alley, there’s plenty of fun to be had here, including several onsite restaurants right in line with the theme.
8. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Orlando, FL
Whatever theme you’re after, Disney has a resort to match your style. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge takes aim at the Pacific Northwest, showcasing beautiful trails through pine forests, rocking chairs overlooking creeks, and roaring fireplaces in the lounge areas.
Everyone will love both onsite pools – one with a 67-foot waterslide – as well as the boat and bike rentals, campfires, and movie screenings under the stars.
9. The Don CeSar – St. Petersburg Beach, FL
Let’s move over to something a little more coastal than downtown Orlando.
Towering over the soft, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast, the Don CeSar is partners with Tampa Bay’s Busch Gardens.
While onsite, you’ll enjoy some of the most luxurious resort-style rooms, an expansive pool overlooking the Gulf, and easy access to the beach. Be sure to look into their packages with the park, where you can save on park admission, parking, and door-to-door shuttle service.
10. Hotel Breakers – Sandusky, OH
It’s time to leave Florida, but don’t you worry. We’ll be back. Hotel Breakers is the gateway to one of the nation’s most popular parks: Cedar Point.
Located right on the water, the hotel itself is a masterpiece with comfortable rooms, plenty of dining options, and even a few carousel horses in the lobby! It doesn’t stop there.
For the days you don’t want to go to the park, you can dip your toes into the pool, enjoy the onsite water park, and stroll the nearby sandy beaches.
11. Hotel Kilbourne – Sandusky, OH
Cedar Point really does deserve all the attention it gets. If, for some reason, Hotel Breakers doesn’t work out, you can enjoy something a little edgier at Hotel Kilbourne.
This may be more of a couple’s getaway with its mature styling, exposed brick walls in the hotel rooms, and rooftop bar. Nestled right on the shores of Lake Eerie, there are plenty of ways to relax onsite before thrill-seeking the way away at the park!
12. Williamsburg Lodge – Williamsburg, VA
If you still have Busch Gardens on your mind, but live further north near Virginia, the Williamsburg Lodge is perfectly positioned to take you there.
Here, you’ll find southern-styled architecture, delightful restaurants, and rooms with classic American character. You’re only six miles away from the park and, attached to the hotel, you’ll find a living history museum to explore one afternoon.
13. Parkside Williamsburg Resort – Williamsburg, VA
Their branding is right on park, as this decadent resort is located directly across the street from Busch Gardens.
Like Hotel Kilbourne, this may be fun for more of an adult getaway because the rooms are très chic with well-appointed and stylish details. You can even stretch out in one of their villas and really live large after an exciting day across the street.
14. Hyatt Regency Valencia – Valencia, CA
Let’s head over to California, which has just as much fun on tap as Florida.
Starting in Valencia, this hotel is one of your gateways to Six Flags Great Adventure. It’s delightfully upscale, within walking distance to downtown Valencia, and only three miles away from Six Flags. You can have it all here, with lazy days by the pool and evenings chock full of Valencia’s downtown delights.
15. Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags – Valencia, CA
There’s another big chain that’ll offer you easy access to one of the nation’s best theme parks. This is sort of an affordable, no-frills option. So, don’t expect the delightful trimmings of the Don CeSar.
Still, you’re only two miles away from the park and, depending on your level of exuberance, a walking trail that’ll take you there in just about a half an hour.
16. BLVD Hotel & Studios – Los Angeles, CA
Let’s do Universal, California style. BLVD Hotel & Studios is an uber-chic hotel stocked full of cocktail lounges, well-appointed rooms, and easy access to Studio City where you’ll find oodles of sushi restaurants and maybe even a few celebrity sightings!
Universal is within walking distance, and it won’t even take 30 minutes like the route from the Hilton Garden Inn to Six Flags.
17. Hotel Amarano – Burbank, CA
Hotel Amarano feels a lot like Hotel Kilbourne and the Parkside Williamsburg Resort. It’s modern, chic, and very elegant for those who like the finer things in life.
The park they’re targeting here is Warner Bros. Studio, which offers daily tours through the studios that have brought so many of our favorite films to life.
18. Legoland Castle Hotel – Carlsbad, CA
Off to Legoland! While you’ll be dipping in and out of the park itself, you’ll still be dazzled by this Lego-inspired hotel that features colorful decor, interactive figurines, and plenty of poolside action.
All the rooms are themes, catering to all our favorite characters and even the pirates in the family. Although this is a kid-friendly oasis, the parents will be delighted, as well!
19. Carlsbad By the Sea Hotel – Carlsbad, CA
For something a little more affordable, Carlsbad By the Sea offers plenty of R&R and easy access to the park.
What’s nice about this hotel is its proximity to the beach, as well as the park. With its breezy feel, sunny pool, and spacious rooms, you’ll be glad you have all these options at your fingertips!
20. Hilton Anaheim – Anaheim, CA
There are plenty of resorts around the park, but this Hilton provides a lovely, family-friendly pricepoint to check all your boxes without blowing your bank account.
You’re a quick shuttle ride away from the park, and can still enjoy an on-site pool, eateries, and spacious rooms when you’re back on the property.
21. Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Anaheim, CA
This is the palace to go if you’ve been saving up all year and want to splurge a little. Since the Grand Californian is tied to the park, unlike the Hilton, you’ll enjoy some really nice perks like early entry to the park.
On-site, everyone will enjoy the pools, waterslides, cabanas, playful decor, and decadent dining options.
22. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Orlando, FL
It’s time to wrap up where we first began. While California certainly gives Orlando a run for its money, if it’s a stylish theme park resort you’re after, you might as well plan to head south.
Like the Parkside Williamsburg Resort, the branding for this hotel is right on point. It sparkles like a sapphire with its pristine pools and tropical architecture.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will take you to and from Universal with ease and offer stylish luxury when you return to the property at night.
23. Rosen Shingle Creek – Orlando, FL
There’s one element we haven’t discussed yet: a resort with its very own golf course. Now, you have something for the spa-goers, golfers, and kiddos in your party.
The park this resort is taking aim at is Universal. So, it’ll be easy to travel to and fro. But, since you’re in Orlando, you’re never more than a smooth Uber ride to any of the parks and magical kingdoms.
24. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Orlando, FL
For the truest Disney experience of all, the Art of Animation Resort may be your ticket to paradise.
The entire property is ensconced in storybook landscapes, featuring artwork and decor from the classics like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars.
Truly, this is a wonderland for the kids, offering easy access to all the parks, huge pools to splash around in, and endless eateries for the whole family to enjoy.
25. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Orlando, FL
Invite the whole clan and spread out in this family-friendly Victorian-style resort with spacious deluxe studios and multi-bedroom villas.
After a day at the park, everyone can unwind on-site with wide-open views of the fireworks over Cinderella’s castle at night. Then, you can do it again because you’re only one stop away from Magic Kingdom on the complimentary Resort Monorail.
Wash Your Cares Away With Some Family-Friendly Fun
Does life get any better than this? You can give everyone in your party the vacation of a lifetime with easy access to some of the nation’s most incredible theme parks.
Even on the days you want to stick close to your home away from home, there are countless activities at each of these hotels to wash your cares away.
No matter which state you’re headed to, we have a destination guide to help you plan your trip to perfection. And, who knows, maybe we’ll even meet on the streets of Valencia one fine day!