Best Disney World hotels for families – Offsite vs. Onsite

Last updated on June 28, 2024

It’s a big question: where is the best place to stay at Disney World? Should you go all in at an official Disney World hotel? Or save some money, and have a break from all things Disney, at one of the off-site options? And what about the select partner hotels that still have some of the Disney perks? And that’s not to mention all the different levels of official Disney hotels!  

I found it all completely mind-boggling to begin with, so this post is here to help you make sense of the Disney World accommodation options and decide which hotel to choose. We stayed at five different hotels in Orlando, covering all the different options from off-site to official. I’ve included reviews of all the places we stayed, plus the pros and cons of each option. 

We went as a family of four, so this post is looking specifically at the best Disney World hotels for families – but a lot of the advice is relevant even if you’re travelling without kids.

Here’s your shortcut to choosing the best place to stay at Disney World with family.

Our other Disney World guides

We also have a full guide to visiting Disney World with toddlers and little kids. And individual guides to: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

What to consider when choosing a Disney hotel

When choosing a place to stay at Disney World, there are a few things to consider.

1. Location, location, location

Firstly, remember that Disney World is huge and it takes time to get between each theme park and the different hotels. Consider which theme parks you’re going to and how you’ll get there when choosing your hotel. For example, the Skyliner is a great way to get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. And there’s no easier way to get to Magic Kingdom than via the monorail (but this only runs directly from some Deluxe Disney hotels). We have more advice on the best places to stay for each theme park in our guides to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

2. How Disney do you want it?

Do you want an immersive Disney experience or would you like your hotel to offer some respite from all things Disney? An off-site hotel is the most obvious choice for the latter, but some of the official Disney hotels are less “Disney” than others. Plus the Swan and Dolphin resort is also a convenient non-Disney option that’s still next to some of the theme parks.

3. Kids or no kids?

Do you want to be around kids? Some of the hotels are overtly family-focussed so don’t choose one of these if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet!  You would be better off opting for one of the more ‘grown-up’ Disney hotels or perhaps an off-site option. This is relevant even if you’re travelling with kids yourself.

4. Early entry

Is early entry important to you? If you’re keen to have early entry to the theme parks, be sure to choose an official Disney hotel or one of the select partner hotels that also have early entry. For us, this is one of the best perks to have when visiting Disney World. When you stay at an official Disney hotel (not the select partner ones), you also get to book individual lightening lanes two hours ahead of other guests.

5. How much time will you spend at the hotel?

Will you be spending much time at the hotel? If you want to have some rest days at the hotel in between visiting theme parks, think about the amenities and what you’d do. For me, a good pool is a must. While others might like to be close to Disney Springs so they can do some shopping or go to the cinema. Some hotels also have a full programme of kids’ activities.

6. Do you want to self cater?

Have a look at what food is available and if there’s the option to self-cater. Some of the hotels on this list have meals included while others have multiple on-site restaurants. Remember, you can also order delivery to any hotel in Orlando, so that’s always an option too. 

What are the options for places to stay at Disney World?

Here’s a quick overview of the different options for places to stay at Disney World. 

Official Disney Resort hotels

There are more than 25 Disney Resort hotels, ranging from budget to luxury. There are three categories – Value, Moderate and Deluxe –  and there’s quite a lot of variation within those categories too. All the Disney hotels come with the perk of early entry to the theme parks, extended park opening hours and the ability to book individual lightening lanes two hours ahead of other guests. And there are other perks, depending on the hotel. 

There’s a premium on even the most budget Disney hotels, so they’ll never be the most economical option, but they can be the most fun and convenient. 

Pros

Cons

Non-Disney hotels with early entry

There are a handful of select non-Disney hotels that still get early entry to the theme parks. Note these aren’t the same as Disney Partner hotels, although there is some overlap. These hotels are subject to change as they have individual relationships with Disney. You can see the most up-to-date list of hotels offering early entry here.

This is one of the most economical ways to get early entry to the parks as some of the hotels included in this scheme are budget options, like the Drury Plaza Hotel that we stayed in.

Pros

Cons

Disney Partner hotels

There are a handful of Disney Partner hotels that are all close to Disney Springs and have complimentary transport to and from the parks. But they don’t all have access to early entry. You can see the current list of partner hotels here. To be honest, I’d only choose one of these if it had early entry – otherwise it’s hard to see the benefit. 

Pros

Cons

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin 

Disney World Swan and Dolphin deserves its own category because it’s the only non-Disney hotel that’s in the middle of the Disney Resort and its theme parks. It’s part of the early entry and extended opening hours scheme too, so has the benefits of a Disney Hotel without being full-on Disney. Its location is unbeatable when it comes to non-Disney hotels. 

Pros

Cons

Off-site hotels

There are hundreds of hotels in Orlando that aren’t part of Disney at all. These range from budget motels to luxury resorts. In terms of comfort and amenities, these are the places where you’ll often get the most for your money, simply because you’re not paying that Disney premium. We stayed in one hotel like this (Ette Hotel).

Pros

Cons

Self-catering apartments 

A final option for accommodation at Disney World is staying in an Airbnb or self-catering apartment/villa. This would afford you the most space on a Disney holiday, but you’d have to rely on your own car/taxis for transportation. 

Pros

Cons

Universal Hotels 

A final option is one of the Universal hotels if you’re planning on visiting Universal Orlando too. We stayed at Universal Cabana Bay when visiting the Universal theme parks, but changed hotel for Disney World. 

Pros

Cons

A note on Disney Vacation Villas

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members get points to spend on Disney resorts. If you’re not a member of the club, you can rent DVC points from members of the club, which can help you save money on Disney resorts. You either buy points from someone or buy existing reservations. It can be a bit complicated and the dates don’t always work out, but check websites like the DVC Rental Store to see what deals are available.

Which official Disney hotel should I choose?

If you’re keen to stay in an official Disney hotel, here’s a quick rundown of the options.

Disney Value Resorts

Ideal for families and budget-conscious travellers. The Value Resorts have fun themes and larger-than-life décor. The All Star resorts are the most budget-friendly and have a basic, motel style. Art of Animation and Pop Century are a step up from this with more activities on offer and better transport connections via the Skyliner.

Disney Value Resorts: All-Star Movies Resort, All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Sports Resort, Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century Resort

Disney Moderate Resorts

Disney’s moderate resorts strike a balance between cost and amenities, featuring more extensive dining options, themed pools and beautiful landscapes. They tend to have more grown-up styling while still offering plenty for kids.

Disney Moderate Resorts: Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney Deluxe Resorts

For the most luxurious Disney accommodation and top-notch amenities, the Deluxe Resorts are the way to go. Located closest to the parks, these resorts have gorgeous views, gourmet dining, and extra-special touches. Some have a monorail station that takes you directly to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Deluxe Resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club Resort. 

Reviews of the Disney World hotels we stayed at

Art of Animation

Art of Animation has gone down in history as our kids’ favourite ever hotel stay, and that’s one of the reasons we think staying in an official Disney World hotel is worth it.

They were enchanted by the larger-than-life Disney theming, and loved all the little extras like the wake-up alarm from Mickey Mouse and chance to roast s’mores by the campfire. Plus they had a claw machine where you win a prize every time, which avoided a lot of tears! 

Art of Animation is one of the value hotels, but it’s a step up from the All Stars motels. There are four different resort sections to choose from: Little Mermaid, Lion King, Finding Nemo and Cars. The Little Mermaid building has standard rooms and the cheapest price tags, while the other three offer family suites with multiple bedrooms and a separate living area. 

It has the biggest pool of the value resorts, a couple of playgrounds, and the whole place has a fun, family-friendly vibe. It’s just opposite the Pop Century Resort, which has similar prices but slightly more grown-up, retro theming. Art of Animation would definitely be the best one for kids. 

One of the biggest perks of both Art of Animation and Pop Century is that they have a shared Skyliner station, which takes guests to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It takes two journeys – switching gondola at either the Caribbean Beach Resort for Hollywood Studios, or the Riviera Resort for Epcot – but even with the switch, it’s pretty quick, taking around 20 minutes to Epcot and 10 minutes to Hollywood Studios. Our kids loved the Skyliner (Arlo cites it was one of his favourite Disney rides!), and it was my favourite way to travel to the parks too. We grabbed breakfast from the on-site restaurant and then ate it on the go while heading for early entry at the parks. 

What we loved

What could be improved

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Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resorts

The Swan and Dolphin Resort is a great compromise for people who want to be super close to Disney but not in a full-on Disney themed hotel. It’s on the Disney Boardwalk so you can get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot on foot or by boat from just outside the resort. And there’s a complimentary bus to all the other Disney parks. 

It’s a huge place with two resorts and a hotel – The Swan Resort, The Dolphin Resort and the Swan Reserve. Between them they have six pools and 27 restaurants! The pools range from simple lap pools to family-friendly options with a water slide and fountains. It has a vacation resort vibe with people sipping cocktails by the pool and sunning themselves between theme park days. 

The rooms are a bit more upscale than what you get for the same price at the official Disney hotels – but they aren’t Disney themed if that’s what you’re looking for. In fact, it’s a Marriot hotel so the theming is fairly corporate. Really, this is a good option for people who want a break from full-on Disney while still being right next to the theme parks. 

We stayed at the Dolphin Resort and had a big, comfy room with an incredible view of EPCOT. It was perfect for seeing the fireworks without having to keep the kids up late at the actual theme park. We could watch the fireworks from our balcony and then tuck the kids straight into bed. 

The food in the hotels is a highlight, especially Rosa Mexicano where they serve elevated Mexican cuisine (be sure to order guacamole, which they make fresh at your table!). The pool bar is also convenient for lazy days by the pool, and the kids loved the diner. 

We had one of our most lovely Disney evenings while staying at the Dolphin. We started with a round of mini golf and then got some takeout to eat while watching an outdoor screening of the Lion King on the resort’s beach. We finished it off with s’mores by the campfire, followed by fireworks on the balcony – a perfect Disney night!

What we loved

What could be improved

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Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando

The Drury Plaza Hotel is one of the non-Disney hotels that still gets you early entry to the parks. While the hotel can cost the same as Disney’s most budget official hotels (the All Star motel range), it has some added benefits, including free breakfast and dinner. Plus it’s considerably cheaper than the other Disney Hotels, including Art of Animation and Pop Century. 

Drury Plaza Hotel is just a 15-minute walk/5-minute bus ride from Disney Springs and is in an area of Orlando that’s filled with hotel after hotel. It feels pretty corporate in style, but there’s plenty for families, including a big pool and splash pad, an arcade and a dining room that offers buffet-style breakfast and dinner. The food is basic (think nachos, wraps, squeezy cheese and chilli) but it’s kid-friendly and certainly helps save you some cash. I enjoyed grabbing some pancakes to eat en route to Disney in the mornings!

There’s a free bus shuttle to the parks, which leaves regularly and gets you there on time for early entry. We found the buses to be pretty crowded in the morning (we had to stand up), but traffic wasn’t an issue. It took about 15 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom. And the buses to get back weren’t full at all.

The hotel is super popular with families, so there’s always a lot of hustle and bustle. I wouldn’t choose this if you’re a couple looking for somewhere to relax! But I think it’s a fantastic option for families on a budget. 

What we loved

What could be improved

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Ette Hotel

The Ette Hotel opened in 2022 and bills itself as a luxury hotel, focussed on wellbeing. You can even get IV vitamin infusions from the on-site spa! It has a grown-up atmosphere and definitely offers respite from the theme park vibes of Orlando.

We stayed there when visiting Animal Kingdom as it’s only a 6-minute drive from the entrance and we wanted to try a design-led hotel at the other end of the spectrum from the Disney offering.

There’s no doubt it’s a stylish place to stay with minimalist rooms and luxurious touches. The on-site restaurant is a highlight, led by Michelin Starred Chef Akira Back. We got room service once the kids were asleep and it was by far one of the best meals we had in all of Florida. 

There are interesting quirks like a ‘Laundry Museum’ where you can see the staff at work on all the fine linens. And they also have a Book Room that has all sorts of rare books (some that you can only touch while wearing gloves!).

Children are welcome at the hotel, but we personally found it a little stressful as the vibe is so grown-up and our kids are pretty unruly, especially after a day at the theme parks – it didn’t make for an easy match!

On entry to the hotel, you’re greeted by an open table of expensive perfumes, a couture dress in a glass case and a grand piano in the foyer. Everything is white and it was a stark contrast to places like Art of Animation  where there are kids running all over the place. As such, our kids found it a little boring and we found it a bit stressful making sure they didn’t touch anything they weren’t supposed to!

All that said, it would be a nice option for couples or solo travellers who want to avoid all things Disney and eat some amazing food! 

What we loved

What could be improved

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Universal Cabana Bay

We stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort when visiting Universal Orlando. It has a 1950s theme that works for both adults and kids, playing on nostalgia while also having plenty to entertain the little ones. There are two big pools, including a water slide and lazy river, and they do nightly s’mores and outdoor movies. It even has a bowling alley! 

The big highlight of the hotel is that some of the rooms look right onto the Volcano Bay water park – we paid the extra for the view and it was definitely worth it. The kids were so excited to look out onto the waterpark and its giant volcano (to be honest, I found it quite exciting too!).

You can walk from Cabana Bay to the Universal CityWalk in 20 minutes along the garden path, or you can get a free transfer bus, which takes about 5 minutes. 

Another bonus is that sometimes Minion characters make an appearance at the hotel. My kids went absolutely mad when they saw a Minion there – it was one of the best moments of their trip.

However, while this hotel was perfect for visiting Universal, there are more convenient options for visiting Disney. I’d only stay here if Disney is a smaller part of your trip than Universal and you really don´t want to change hotel. Otherwise I think it’s better to change hotels for Disney and Universal and take advantage of the early entry.

What we loved

What could be improved

Check availability and prices now.

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