Good Neighbor Hotels in Disney World
Staying at one of the Good Neighbor Hotels in Disney World offers some benefits over other Hotels. While it is nice to stay at one of the Disney Resorts, there may be times when you want to stay off Disney property. During the busy season, it might not be easy to find a room at the Disney Resort you want to stay at. Or, it could be that you really like a certain Hotel line, and you want to use (or build) the points you have acquired to save some money. For whatever reason, there are plenty of Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels to choose from.
Why Stay at a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel?
Disney understands that there are times when guests might want to visit Disney World but not stay at a Disney Themed Resort. It is also nice to have other hotels available in case of overflow. The Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels offers a few perks that help them stand out from other Hotels around Disney World. Disney Good Neighbor Hotels:
- are approved by AAA
- have multiple room types, including standard rooms, suites and villa-style
- offer guest services to help with Disney Vacation planning and Disney ticket purchases
- transportation is provided to the Disney Parks (some have free transportation while others charge
Do you get the Same Perks at a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel as a Disney Resort?
That’s a great question! While Good Neighbor Hotels near Disney World don’t have quite as many perks as Disney Resorts, they do offer some great benefits. We think it is important to break down these differences and compare them to the Disney Resorts.
Cost of staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel
Good Neighbor Hotels can be less expensive, but this is not always the case. When you are looking at the overall cost, be sure to add in any parking fees, resort fees, and destination fees. Disney Resorts also have a parking fee but that is the only other fee (at this time) you will pay when staying at a Disney Resort on top of your hotel booking cost.
Transportation
Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels also offer transportation to and from the parks. Transportation is one of the key reasons for staying at a Disney or Good Neighbor Hotel. We will spend some time exploring the differences you might experience because; Not all transportation is the same.
- First of all, be sure to check with the hotel to see what transportation options they provide. It is worth noting that some hotels offer complimentary shuttle service while others have a “shuttle fee” or build this into a “Resort Fee.” If you have ever stayed at one of the Disney Resorts, you know how amazing the Disney Transportation system is. It is continuously running.
- Second, check with the hotel when booking to get the latest transportation schedule for the dates you will be visiting. These times can change at some hotels based on the time of year you visit.
- Third, it is important to understand where the Hotel shuttle destination and pickup points are. Do they offer shuttle service to each of the Disney Theme Parks and Water Parks, or do they drop you off at the Disney Transportation and Ticket area? If the hotel you are booking only has transportation to the Disney Transportation and Ticket center, you can hop on a bus, Monorail, or boat to the park of your choice. Just know that you need to add some time in for these extra stops along the way.
Extra Magic Hours?
Good Neighbor Hotels do not get the perk of Disney Magic Hours. Getting into the parks early or staying late is a very cool experience. If you do not like getting up early or staying up late, and this is not a deal breaker for you, the Disney Good Neighbor Hotel option can be a good option.
Magic Bands
If you book a Disney onsite Resort, Magic Bands are included with your stay. Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel guests will not receive complimentary Magic Bands. However, you can purchase Magic Bands at any of the Disney locations that sell merchandise.
So, while Good Neighbor Hotels don’t offer all the same perks as Disney World Resort Hotels, they do offer some great benefits that can save you money and help you make the most of your time at Disney World!
Disney Resort Options
If you have not looked at the Disney Themed Resorts, it might be something to consider. Here are some links to the Disney Resorts and information on each one.
So, is a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel the right fit?
This is a question only you can answer. While the Good Neighbor Hotels offer perks that are perfect for some, they might not be the best fit for others. If being completely immersed in the Disney experience is the most important part of your trip to Disney World, staying at one of the Disney Resorts might give you the best experience. If, on the other hand, you don’t have any interest in the additional perks of staying at a Disney Resort (Free Magic Bands, Extra Magic Hours), then the Good Neighbor Hotel might be a great option.
Looking at the benefits you get at some of the Good Neighbor Hotels can definitely be a plus. Some of these hotels offer free breakfast, and this is something you will not get at a Disney Resort (that is, unless you can book a stay at one of the few opportunities when Disney includes a meal plan with your Resort booking).
Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels to Consider
As you will see, there are plenty of Good Neighbor Hotels in Disney World. All of these Hotels are close to the parks and have an array of price levels. Let’s take a look at some that really stand out.
If you want to see our full list, Jump to the Full List of Hotels that are considered Good Neighbor.
All Suites with Full Waterpark
The Grove Resort stands out with 2 and 3 Bedroom Suites and plenty of space for families or romantic travelers to enjoy. Each of the suites has a kitchen and a comfortable, relaxing setting. Three pools offer an amazing outdoor water fun setting, and the Surfari Waterpark, with large water slides and a lazy river, completes an incredible adventure for all ages.
Check out more information on The Grove Resort Orlando.
Suites and Villas with Water Slide and Kids Splash Park
The Orlando Caribe Royale does not have any “Standard” rooms. Accommodations are spacious and comfortable, when you stay in a 1 Bedroom Suite or 2 Bedroom Villa. Each villa has a fully equipped kitchen with large appliances, a living room area, and a nice balcony. The amazing bathrooms and having your own laundry facilities are worth the upgrade. Pets are also allowed but must be under 25 lbs. Please check with this Resort when booking to verify availability for your pet and to get the latest pet policy information direct from the Caribe Royale.
The Caribe Royale Orlando has two pools, a 75-foot water slide, a hot tub, and a kiddie splash area. A shallow pool with water sprinklers and fountains makes up the kid’s splash zone. The main pool is gated off from this area to create a safer environment for the little ones. There is also a quieter pool at the back of the property where the two-bedroom Villas are located.
Check out more information on Caribe Royale Orlando Fl.
2 & 3 Bedroom Suites with Huge Resort Pool
Floridays Resort consistently gets good reviews on TripAdvisor and is in a central location, close to the Disney World Parks and also SeaWorld.
Two and Three Bedroom Suites give you some added space at the Floridays Resort. All of the condo-style accommodations are large suites with full kitchens and also come with a washer and dryer. If you need more space, this more economical Orlando, Florida option might be a better choice for your next visit.
The pool area is very large at this resort. The Kids Splash area has a gentle sloping entry, bubbling fountains and plenty of fun spraying areas – the kids will have a great time for hours! There are not any water slides or a lazy river at this resort.
Check out more information on Floridays Resort Orlando.
Rooms, Villas & Homes for large accommodations
A stay at the Margaritaville Orlando Resort can be a great experience if you are looking for something a little different. You don’t have to love Jimmy Buffet music or be a “Parrot Head” to stay but the theme is definitely something that Buffet fans will enjoy.
The Margaritaville in Orlando has colorful and vibrant rooms. The comfort of each room, filled with the air of the island, will make it a grand stay for you or your family. Standard Rooms offer a comfortable stay for up to 4 guests with plenty of space and cozy bedding. Do you need any more room? The Margarittaville Resort’s cottages might be the answer. There are private homes with as many as 8 bedrooms. This is a great family option because it has full kitchens and laundry.
The Margaritaville Resort in Orlando has some amazing pools. The Fins Up Beach Pool is broken up into two sections and is the largest. This pool has zero-entry access and a very large hot tub built into one section. Around the pool, sand covers some of the areas where lounge chairs are located and blue umbrellas add a splash of color. Sign up for a cabana rental early to ensure availability. There is a quieter pool on the other side of the resort. The Fins Up Pool has a large bar area with a grille where you can have a wonderful lunch or dinner by the pool.
Check out more information on Margaritaville Orlando Resort.
Water Park with slides and dumping water bucket
If you are looking for a less expensive hotel with water park amenities for the kids, the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark might be one to look at. The Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark was previously known as the Nickelodeon Suites Waterpark Resort, but it has since been changed back to a Holiday Inn. He resort boasts a large water park that the whole family can enjoy.
All of the rooms at the Holiday Inn Orlando Suites Resort are suites. Choose from a 1 Bedroom King Suite, with a Master Bedroom, Living Room with Sofabed, and Kitchen, up to a 3 Bedroom Suite with 950 square feet, 2 Master Bedrooms, and a full Kitchen. Some of the rooms come with bunk beds, and all of them come with flat-screen TVs.
Check out more information on Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites Waterpark.
So many Disney Good Neighbor Hotels to Choose from
As you can see, there are plenty of Disney Good Neighbor Hotels to choose from. The list above is just a short sampling of all of the fun hotels and resorts that offer this great Disney option. Any time you stay at a hotel with Disney perks, it just adds to the experience. Be sure to check out the expanded list of Hotels in Orlando with Disney Good Neighbor Ratings below.