Equipped with three swimming pools, artificial waterfalls, water slides, on-site shopping, and dining options, this resort is great for the whole family. For the city-trotters and Disney explorers, the resort runs scheduled shuttles to WDW Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld. With comfy 3-bedroom set to massive 13-bedroom villas, Encore offers a befitting accommodation for groups of all sizes. The esteemed Food and Wine Classic at Swan and Dolphin is back and better than ever! Plus, disability-friendly rooms boasting modifications such as roll-in showers and visual alerts. Plus, the resort offers an arcade and a self-guided scavenger hunt for kids. This resort also houses private villas and a massive waterpark on-site. Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista. With the Parakeets Kids Club, Margaritaville is among the most reliable kid-friendly resorts in Orlando. Inside its imposing architecture is a grand lobby, supremely elegant rooms, an indoor shopping area, a Starbucks, and Caf Bodega. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Guests will also enjoy early access to Fast Pass+ bookings and complimentary Extra Magic Hours at the theme parks. $45 Nightly Resort Fee. Get started here! The resort also overlooks the gorgeous 40-acre Shingles Pond, perfect for kayaking and watching local wildlife. The location is superb and one of the reasons it has made this list. has a lagoon-style swimming pool with swim-through caves, a golf course, a private lake and tennis courts. Each accommodation comes with a living area and full kitchen, plus complimentary hot breakfast all in a location convenient to SeaWorld. Not bad enough to leave it off, as this is my opinion, not crowd-sourced malarky. 4 Best Non-Disney Hotels Near Disney World - Family Vacation Critic Plus, for some of you, staying off-Disney might even be more convenient and worthwhile. Free shuttle to Disney World parks is available to all guests. Learn More! is sure to be a hit with families because of its outdoor waterpark and pool playground. Children will love the childrens pool and kids club, which offers full-day activities. $$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2022. Orlando, Florida, has no shortage of incredible wonders like the Florida Everglades or the World of Chocolate Museum. June is a freelance writer and the author of The Joy of Syntax" and The Best Punctuation Book, Period. A former staff writer, reporter and editor for the community news division of the Los Angeles Times, she also writes the weekly syndicated A Word, Please column that runs in newspapers in five states. Another popular perk for guests here is that they can enter the park 30 minutes early. A pedestrian sky bridge connects the resort to Disney Springs and its variety of shopping, entertainment and dining options. Whether you are traveling with your partner or family, you will find rooms suitable for your needs. 12 years ago Save I'll be traveling with my wife and 4 children to Disney early next year. Here you will find numerous fountains, beautifully landscaped gardens, and the finest restaurants. For the extra active kids, they can access five pools across both hotels, including a grotto pool with a waterslide, two lap pools, a spring pool, and a kids pool. 1. Travel 10 Best Orlando Resorts (That Aren't Disney) By Alex Renee Published Jul 19, 2022 From the Holiday Inn in Buena Vista to Orlando's Waldorf Astoria, these resorts in Orlando offer the same magic as any Disney World Resort! NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Right now there are 44 hotels on the list of Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels: Best Western Plus - Kissimmee - Lake Buena Vista South Inn & Suites. If you want an alternative to a Mid-Range Disney resort such as Coronado Springs or Port Orleans, consider staying at the Hilton Orlando. Where To Spend Your Non-Disney Orlando Leisure And Bleisure Dollar - Forbes Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, just 14-minute-drive from Disney World, the Villas at ChampionsGate Resort are a sumptuous treat. Most off-site hotels offer discount Disney World tickets . Price Per Room: $150 to low $200s, depending on the season, Parking/Resort Fee: $24 per day to self-park and a $35 daily resort fee, which includes Wi-Fi and discounts on dining and cabana rentals. Best Non Disney Hotel? - Orlando Forum - Tripadvisor The only downside is the daily resort fee here. On top of that, Waldorf Astoria provides complimentary shuttles to all four Disney World theme parks. Theres a kids activities program and poolside games, giant chess and Jenga, plus free dive-in movies on weekends. Theres also no resort fee here, but the cost of the resort overall is quite pricey. The hotel features 232 spacious and family-friendly rooms with free Wi-Fi, fridges, and modern bathrooms. Most of them are situated within the Disney World area and offer amazing facilities, including on-site dining, stunning pools, and spas. Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort 10. Inspired by New Yorks landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel and situated on a 482-acre central Florida nature preserve, Waldorf Astoria Orlando features signature True Waldorf service with lots of luxurious perksfor both kids and parents. Summary. For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram! If you like to trade pins, youll be happy to know that you can do so onsite the hotel has a pin-trading book especially for guests. You could travel solo or with 20 people! Another popular perk for guests here is that they can enter the park 30 minutes early. Level Contributor 1,360 posts 1 review 1 helpful vote 1. Waldorf Astoria Orlando (Hilton Honors), Located on a 482-acre nature reserve with beautiful swimming pools and elegant accommodations, the. Disney Hotels Orlando - Should I Stay At A Disney or Non-Disney Hotel? Love golfing and hoping to tee off on signature courses? Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. 4.0-star Hotel Class. Best Moderate Disney World resorts: Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. Book your Gaylord Palms Resort room here. Its unique location is best described as off-beat, yet makes a great base to reach Orlando airport and attractions. Standard rooms are a spacious 414-square-feet and sleep up to four. Plus, new for 2020, guests can take advantage of Disneys Extra Magic Hours Benefit with a valid theme park admission. 17 Best Orlando Hotels with Fun Water Parks - overseas attractions Measuring 500-square-feet, standard guestrooms are especially spacious and luxuriously appointed, and even larger suites are available in five family-friendly configurations. Best for Adults: Disney's Contemporary Resort. In a nutshell, Gaylord Palms is just like a theme park, only without the rides. For kids, the property offers a childrens pool with water slides. Tucked in a secluded, residential setting within the Walt Disney World Resort area, it is the #1 option for those in Orlando solely for the mousey magic. 10 Best Orlando Resorts (That Aren't Disney) - TheTravel Moes Tavern at Universal Studios: MADE FOR SIMPSON FANS. Parking/Resort Fee: You will be charged a $35 resort fee per day, and this includes parking, Wi-Fi and water park access. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is an upscale Mediterranean-style resort. Plus, theres an outdoor pool, fitness center, meeting space and on-site dining. Universal Studios Orlando VIP Tour Guide: Should You Do It in 2023? Relax at the resort's pool complex, decorated with swaying palm trees, lounge chairs, and a poolside eatery. And of course, there is a free regular shuttle that takes you to all theme parks and Disney Springs (in the evening). While many Disney fans are steadfast evangelists of on-property Disney hotels, I will say that staying off-property has its own perks. 14 reviews 19 helpful votes Best non-Disney family resort for kids pool activities 4 years ago Save Can someone please help? CLC Regal Oaks will always have a special place in my heart as it was the first spot I went to in order to clear my mind from the death of my mom a few years ago. There are 2,270 rooms, including spacious suites. [See Map] #3 in Best Resorts in Disney World, FL. Our favorite one is Myth Bar, serving casual dishes and drinks. 1. There are also fire pits to roast Smores in the evening, and five kid-friendly onsite restaurants. JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. Thank you! If you or your family member is an active or retired member of the military, youll find one of the best deals on Disney property atShades of Green Resort, an official Armed Forces Recreation Center. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. The biggest perk that comes with staying off-property is that you dont pay for the Disney name-tag. Best Splurge: Disney's Riviera Resort. property with a standard, off-peak redemption starting at 12,000 points per night. With its endless facilities, it rivals the on-site Disney resorts. Here are 15 of the closest resorts to the Magic Kingdom. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. The Swan and Dolphin Resort contains two separate hotels operated by Marriott; the Swan is part of the Westin . . Four Seasons Resort Orlando is located inside the gates of Disney World. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. Rooms at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area cost a little more than those at the adjacent Wyndham Garden Disney Springs, but are more recently updated. The resort has two- or three-bedroom suites with private bathrooms, garden Jacuzzis, and a kitchen area. Transport yourself into a tropical paradise at Hyatt Regency. No matter what your preferred hotel brand, the best value hotels in Orlando are the ones that meet your particular needs for a trip. For casual dining, guests will love the Palm Breezes Restaurant, serving classic burgers and salads. And when youre ready for a bite, several on-site restaurants and bars serve the finest meals and drinks. We stay at this resort often when we are in the area for an extended period of time. RELATED: What To Know About The Great Florida Birding Trail. The daily resort fee includes two bottles of water, use of tennis courts, Disney theme park shuttle service and a welcome drink for each adult at check-in. Each unit has luxurious bedding, flat-screen TV, and a spacious bathroom. Orlando, FL. You can also view Hollywood Studios fireworks from the resort in certain rooms. Situated just steps from the International Gateway to Epcot in one direction and a short walk or boat ride from Disneys Hollywood Studios in the other, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is the most conveniently based non-Disney resort. If you want an alternative to a Value Disney resort such as All-Star Music or All-Star Sports, consider staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Buena Vista. The setting might even feel like mini-Maldives to you. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Book your Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek room here. Here are our picks for the. Outside the towering hotel is a scenic landscape ringed with pools, palm trees, biking trails, and walking trails. Transportation to Disney: Yes, scheduled shuttle service to the Walt Disney Ticket and Transportation Center, as well as Universal, Aquatica, and SeaWorld, is included with the resort fee. Learn more: IHG Rewards: More value for the frugal traveler. Here is a list of our partners. This is a former Category 4 property that used to offer an off-peak redemption night for a standard room starting at 17,500 points. APR on select Disney vacations Restrictions apply. The hotel has a basic selection of rooms, ranging from doubles to Junior suites. Since becoming a mom, shes been stranded at sea with herfamily, gotten lost in the Rocky Mountains, dealt with more than her fair share of public vomiting, and still cant wait for the next trip.