Hotels at Disney

There is so much you can learn about the hotels at Disney World and the Disneyland Resort in order to make the most of your vacation. 



Here's an overview of Walt Disney World hotels, Disneyland Resort hotels, Downtown Disney hotels, and Good Neighbor hotels, with additional information for those who would prefer the comfort of a nearby vacation home rental. 

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Hotels at Disney - Choosing Where to Stay

There are more than 20 hotels at Disney World to choose from, in addition to those near Downtown Disney and Good Neighbor Hotels.  At the Disneyland Resort, there are 3 on-site hotels and almost 50 Good Neighbor Hotels.

It's no wonder it can be difficult to decide where to stay. 

Accomodations are offered for any budget, and each resort offers guests a unique experience.  Here are some things to keep in mind when you're considering where to stay:

• Cost - What kind of experience are you looking for? How much are you willing to pay?
  
  
•  Check out all of your options, you never know when paying a little more will get you big rewards. 
  
  
• Atmosphere - each resort has a different theme to experience, from being surrounded by tributes to your favorite Disney movies to your own cabin in the wilderness.
  
  
• Distance - Consider how far you are willing to travel to the theme parks.  Is it worth the extra driving time to stay in a timeshare or vacation rental? 
  
  
• Dining - Depending on where you stay, you'll find many different dining experiences - from counter-service to fine dining. 
  
  
• Recreation - Different recreational activities for guests are offered from one resort to the next.  And though most hotels have health club facilities, they (like dining) vary. 
  
  
• Think about the experiences you want to have and book your accomodations accordingly. 
  
  
• Special Needs - These may include physical limitations, dietary restrictions, or challenges that may need to be addressed.  Be sure to make your needs known when you book.  Disney does a great job of making sure guests are taken care of. 

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On-Site vs. Off-Site

There are definitely perks to staying on-site.  By staying at one of the hotels at Disney, you can experience the magic 24 hours a day.  When you leave the parks and return to your resort, there are many events and activities that make staying on-site a must for many families. Resort guests also get perks that those staying off-site do not. 

Resort hotels at Disney are priced at different levels.  Here's a quick list of your choices:

• Value - budget hotels
   
• Moderate - moderately priced resorts
  
  
• Deluxe - resorts that offer the full luxury experience
  
  
• Good Neighbor - Hotels that offer alternative acccomodations often at a much lower price than a Disney resort hotel.

Staying off-site might be ideal if you will be visiting other parts of Orlando or other local destinations.  If you're on a budget, staying off-site is a way you can save money.  However, consider the cost of transportation to Disney, the time you'll spend getting to and from the parks, and whether or not the savings you'll get will be worth the extra time away from the magic.

At the Disneyland Resort, the three on-site hotels are the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel.  These accomodations are great for immersing yourself in Disney magic, but the cost may be off-putting. 

Consider staying at Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels.  The benefits of doing so include:

• Saving money
  
  
• Many are within walking distance
  
  
• Many can be bid for on Priceline.com (but there are drawbacks to bidding for accomodations!) 

Hotels at Disney - A Quick Reference

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Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Downtown Disney Hotels

Downtown Disney Hotels at Walt Disney World are on Disney property, but are not owned by Disney.  These hotels are great for those who want to stay close to Walt Disney World, and don't mind passing on some of the perks resort guests get (charging to your room key and Extra Magic Hours.)  You can also use Disney's Magical Express for transportation. 

Vacation Rentals

Frequent visitors to Disney destinations may prefer to use a vacation rental for accomodations. Disney Vacation Club (DVC) offers guests timeshare opportunities with all the comforts of home.  DVC resort accomodations do differ slightly from other accomodations. 

You may also want to consider booking a vacation rental through a vacation rental company.  Make sure you thoroughly research any company you consider and weigh the pros-and-cons of staying off-site. 

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Hotels at Disney - How to Reserve Your Accomodations

To book your accomodations, you can:

Contact your travel agent and make sure you have your preferences and questions ready.  If you're not sure about current discounts or special offers, ask. 

Call Walt Disney Travel toll free at (407) 939-7429 (Walt Disney World) or (714) 956-6425 (Disneyland Resort) to speak to a reservations agent.

Book online:
    Walt Disney World 
    Disneyland Resort 
   
OR

    Book your dream Disney vacation at Expedia.com!  
   

**If you're not using a travel agent to book your accomodations, it's a good idea to speak to a reservations agent by phone.  Special requests like in-room refrigerators and pack-n-plays are welcome, but cannot be guaranteed.**

Hotel Deals and Budget-Friendly Accomodations

You can find hotel deals by checking out Disney specials or by calling a Disney travel agent. Another way to save is by staying at one of Disney's Good Neighbor hotels. 

If you're in the market for cheap Disneyland hotels, Good Neighbor hotels are the way to go.  These hotels near Disneyland California are easy on the wallet and many are within walking distance to the Disneyland Resort. 

The Walt Disney World Resort also has Good Neighbor partners, but these hotels are off-site, so review these tips for choosing on-site hotels vs. off-site.

Exploring the Hotels at Disney and Resort Grounds

Part of the fun of staying at hotels close to Disneyland and Walt Disney World is experiencing the magic outside the parks.

Recreational activities include watersports, tennis, bicycling, and boating.  Maybe you want to check out the fine dining establishments throughout the resort. 

Check out the different "behind the scenes" tours you can take.  A very popular tour at the Disneyland Resort is the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour," where guests will learn about how Walt Disney worked and used his passions to create a remarkable family-oriented world that has stood the test of time.

At Walt Disney World, take a V.I.P. tour or go on a "Backstage Safari." Guests can also go backstage at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park to see the world of Walt Disney like never before.



Now that you know a little more about the hotels at Disney, book your accomodations today!

Next Steps of the Planning Process

How to Get Cheap Flights to Disney

How to Get the Cheapest Disney Tickets