Finding the Nicest Hotels Near Disney World in Florida: Good Neighbor Hotel

As long-time travelers to Disney parks (and now travel planners), we recommend staying at an onsite hotel when visiting Disney World. However, we also understand that a Disney World resort won’t always fit the needs of every traveler. Fortunately, there are a number of hotels near the parks, and some of the nicest hotels near Disney World in Florida are even designated as Good Neighbor hotels.

Good Neighbor Hotels offer exceptional value and great amenities with some of the perks of an onsite stay.  Keep reading to find out more.

What Is a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel?

To accommodate the needs of more guests as they visit the parks, Disney has partnered with some of the nicest hotels near Disney World in Florida. This partnership allows them to offer special perks to offsite guests, to ensure a more enjoyable experience.

Hotels that fall under this partnership are designated as Good Neighbor Hotels. These properties are located near Disney World parks and fall into three geographical categories.

  • Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels International Drive area: These hotels are located off of Interstate 4 along International Drive. Of all the Good Neighbor Hotels, these are the farthest from Disney World parks but still provide easy access to all of the magic of Disney World.
  • Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels Lake Buena Vista: These hotels near Disney World in Florida are some of the closest of the Good Neighbor accommodations, also located along Interstate 4 but directly adjacent to Disney World Property.
  • Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels near US 192: Good Neighbor hotels in this category are located along US 192, which runs to the south of Disney World property. Guests staying at these resorts have exceptional access to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park as well as Hollywood Studios.

Disney World Good neighbor properties include some of the most popular names in travel, such as Marriott or Hilton.


Hawthorn Suites exterior, a hotel near Disney World in Florida

Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels feature a rich slate of amenities for travelers.


Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels include the following properties:

International Drive Area Good Neighbor Hotels

  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center
  • Floridays Resort Orlando
  • The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
  • Home2Suites by Hilton Orlando International drive South
  • Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area

Lake Buena Vista Area Good Neighbor Hotels

  • Aloft by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista
  • Buena Vista Suites (complimentary breakfast buffet and parking)
  • Candlewood Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Caribe Royal Orlando
  • Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre
  • Courtyard by Marriott/Marriott Village Hotels
  • Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista Resort
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista
  • Fairfield Inn by Marriott Village Hotels in Lake Buena Vista
  • Hampton Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista
  • Hampton Inn and Suites South Lake Buena Vista
  • Hawthorn Suites Lake Buena Vista
  • Hilton Garden Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista
  • The Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Lake Buena Vista
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites-Waterpark
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando-Lake Buena Vista
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista-Orlando
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Theme Parks
  • Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista
  • Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
  • Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista
  • Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
  • Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort
  • Sonesta ES Suites Lake Buena Vista
  • Springhill Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista
  • TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista
  • WorldQuest Orlando Resort

Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels Near US 192

  • Best Western Plus-Kissimmee-Lake Buena Vista South Inn & Suites
  • Comfort Suites Maingate East
  • Delta Marriott Orlando Celebration
  • Embassy suites by Hilton Orlando-Lake Buena Vista South
  • Fairfield by Marriott Celebration
  • The Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando
  • Holiday Inn Orlando Southwest-Celebration
  • Melia Orlando Suite Hotel
  • Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
  • Springhill Suites by Marriott Orlando Kissimmee

What Are the Advantages of Staying at a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel?

exterior shots of two of the best hotels near disney world in florida

Good Neighbor hotels offer comfortable accommodations at a great value, and with over 50 properties to choose from, it should be easy to find one that offers amenities to fit your needs. Good neighbor hotels offer accommodations in a variety of room types and sizes, including suites or villas that provide space for larger parties traveling together.

You’ll also find a number of pet-friendly hotels in this category. When you take advantage of Disney’s animal day care service in conjunction with a stay at one of these hotels, you can have a magical vacation for both you and your pet.

As some of the nicest hotels near Disney World in Florida, these properties must meet rigid standards set by Disney World and are regularly inspected by Disney cast members to ensure compliance. Resorts in this category must also maintain at least a 2-diamond rating from AAA.

Because Disney has partnered with these hotels, all properties in this category also offer a number of special perks, including:

  • Access to Walt Disney World park information prior to arrival.
  • A guest services desk to help vacationers with last-minute needs, such as purchasing tickets to Disney World theme parks, ground transportation and more.
  • Shuttle service to and from the parks. This service is complimentary at some resorts and offered for a small fee at others.
  • Complimentary breakfast and/or evening receptions at some hotels.
  • The option to purchase theme park vacation packages, providing the ease and convenience of booking your resort and tickets together.
  • Easier access to offsite restaurants, providing greater variety and affordability when dining.
  • Magical Extras, including the purchase of Memory Maker at a pre-purchase cost.
  • Option to bundle travel protection in case you are unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances.


Hotels Near Disney World in Florida: Disadvantages of Staying at Good Neighbor Hotel

Fortunately, the advantages of staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel are many, while disadvantages are few. One thing that many guests miss when staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel, as well as other hotels near Disney World in Florida, is the inability to take part in Early Theme Park Entry. This special perk is available only to guests of Disney World resorts and select other locations.

Early Theme Park Entry allows guests to enter the each of the theme parks a half hour before the official posted opening time. In doing so, vacationers are able to experience an attraction or two with much lower waits. However, with only an extra half an hour to add to your day, this perk for for Disney World resort guests is not as robust of an offering as it once was.

Guests who stay at a hotel near Disney World, instead of onsite, also miss out on a chance to book a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservations 7 days prior to arrival. Multi Pass is a service offered by Disney that allows guests to prebook a spot in an expedited queue called a Lightning Lane.

Guests of Disney World resorts may preselect up to 3 Lightning Lane attractions and schedule ride windows 7 days prior to arrival. Guests of Good Neighbor Hotels may also preselect attractions, but only 3 days prior to arrival.

Another drawback to staying at a Good Neighbor hotel is being outside the Disney bubble of magic. Disney World onsite resorts offer complimentary transportation to whisk you between your resort and other locations on Disney property. This puts Disney  in control of what guests see and experience. This means you’ll rarely witness “backstage” areas across Disney World property, allowing you to carry the magic of the theme parks throughout your visit to Disney World.


Click to View Our Catalogue

A stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel will take you outside of this bubble and even reveal some of the ordinary environments across Orlando and the Disney World area. However, if you’re looking for a value, or accommodation amenities not found at an onsite Disney World resort, the combination of comfort, convenience and money savings could easily offset this inconvenience.

Another drawback we’ve noticed recently when booking Good Neighbor hotels for clients, is a resort fee. Many properties are adding this onto customer reservations, payable at the hotel upon arrival or checkout. Since this daily fee can amount to $30 or more, it’s worth assessing the impact of this fee on the total cost of your stay.

Just keep in mind that Disney World offers a number of resorts in varying price ranges, so an onsite resort stay may be more affordable than you think.

Hotels Near Disney World in Florida: How To Select a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel

exterior shots of two of the best hotels near disney world in florida

There are many reasons people choose to stay at a hotel near Disney World in Florida over an onsite resort. For some, it comes down to points. Frequent business travelers, for example, often accrue loyalty points for hotel stays when they travel. Booking all of their travel through the same brand, such as Marriott or Hilton, makes it possible to rack up more points toward free stays. For this reason, some travelers will prefer to stay offsite at a branded hotel chain.

Others prefer pet-friendly accommodations or multi-family suites that accommodate larger groups. While Disney does offer onsite pet-friendly rooms and suites, the variety of properties with these amenities is much greater if you look offsite.

Finally, some guests find it more convenient to stay offsite, particularly if they are renting a car or driving to Disney World. This is a popular option with travelers who plan to explore the Orlando area and even hit other theme parks such as Sea World or Universal Studios.

If you know you will be enjoying one of the hotels near Disney World for your vacation, selecting a Good Neighbor hotel is an excellent way to go. Properties in this category represent some of the nicest hotels near Disney World, and given the additional perks included in a Disney World vacation package, you can easily experience the same convenience of booking a Disney World resort stay. However, the sheer number of properties available in this category can be overwhelming.

To help you narrow in on the most applicable options for your trip, we’ve grouped available Good Neighbor properties according to some popular search criteria:

Good Neighbor Hotels Near Disney World with a Free Shuttle to Disney Theme Parks

  • Aloft by Marriott Lake Buena Vista
  • Best Western Plus – Kissimmee – Lake Buena Vista South Inn & Suites
  • Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista
  • Candlewood Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Caribe Royal Orlando
  • Comfort Inn Suites Maingate East
  • Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre
  • Courtyard by Marriott / Marriott Village Hotels
  • Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center
  • Fairfield by Marriott Celebration
  • Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista
  • Fairfield Inn by Marriott Village Hotels in Lake Buena Vista
  • Floridays Resort Orlando
  • The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
  • Hilton Garden Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista (11400 Marbella Palm Court)
  • Holiday Inn Orlando Southwest – Celebration Area (5711 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway)
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Buena Vista
  • The Holiday Inn Express & Suites South Lake Buena Vista
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites -Waterpark
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive South (12107 Regency Village Drive)
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista – Orlando (11428 Marbella Palm Court)
  • Margaritaville Resort Orlando
  • Meliá Orlando Suite Hotel (225 Celebration Place)
  • Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
  • Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center (8800 Universal BLVD)
  • Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista (11450 Marbella Palm Ct.) (free shuttle to EPCOT transit center and Disney Springs only. Guests must use Disney World complimentary transportation to reach other parks from these destinations)
  • Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
  • Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort (12205 South Apopka Vineland Rd.)
  • Springhill Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista (8040 Palm Parkway)
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village (8601 Vineland Ave.)
  • Springhill Suites by Marriott Orlando Kissimmee (4991 Calypso Cay Way)
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area (8840 Universal Blvd)
  • TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista (8040 Palm Parkway)
  • WorldQuest Orlando Resort

Please note, this list is subject to change, so always check with your travel agent on the availability of a free shuttle service before booking.

Good Neighbor Hotels Near Disney World Florida with Free Shuttle and Breakfast

  • Best Western Plus – Kissimmee – Lake Buena Vista South Inn & Suites
  • Comfort Suites Maingate East
  • Embassy Suites Orlando — Lake Buena Vista Resort
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando — Lake Buena Vista South (breakfast only/shuttle available for a fee)
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center
  • Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista (12191 S. Apopka Vineland Rd.)
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive South (12107 Regency Village Drive)
  • Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center (8800 Universal BLVD)
  • Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista (11450 Marbella Palm Ct.) (free shuttle to EPCOT transit center and Disney Springs only. Guests must use Disney World complimentary transportation to reach other parks from these destinations)
  • Springhill Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista (8040 Palm Parkway)
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village (8601 Vineland Ave.)
  • Springhill Suites by Marriott Orlando Kissimmee (4991 Calypso Cay Way)
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area (8840 Universal Blvd)
  • TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista (8040 Palm Parkway)

Please note, this list is subject to change, so always check with your travel agent on the availability of a free shuttle service and breakfast before booking.

Good Neighbor Hotels Near Disney World Florida That Are Pet Friendly

  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando — Lake Buena Vista South
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center
  • Fairfield by Marriott Celebration
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando – South Lake Buena Vista (4971 Calypso Cay Way)
  • Hilton Garden Inn Orlando/Lake Buena Vista (11400 Marbella Palm Court)
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista (13351 State Road 535)
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista – Orlando (11428 Marbella Palm Court)
  • Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista (8688 Palm Parkway)
  • Margaritaville Resort Orlando
  • Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center (8800 Universal BLVD) – under 25 pounds
  • Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista (11450 Marbella Palm Ct.)
  • Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista
  • Sonesta ES Suites – Lake Buena Vista
  • TownePlace Suites Orlando Theme Park/Lake Buena Vista (8040 Palm Parkway)

Please note, this list is subject to change, so always check with your travel agent on whether the hotel of your choice is pet friendly.

Good Neighbor Hotels Near Disney World with Water Park

  • Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration (pools, waterfalls, 42-foot slide, 2 whirlpool tubs)
  • The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando (surf simulator, 2 water slides, lazy river, kids’ water play area, 3 pools)
  • Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites-Waterpark (14500 Continental Gateway) – pools, slides and flumes
  • Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (lazy river, pool, slide, cabanas, wave pool summer 2022)

Good Neighbor Hotels near Disney World with Kitchen

  • Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista
  • Floridays Resort Orlando
  • The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando
  • Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa (8113 Resort Village Dr.)-1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom condo style suites
  • Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center (8800 Universal BLVD)
  • Residence Inn Lake Buena Vista (11450 Marbella Palm Ct.)
  • SpringHill Suites Orlando Convention Center/International Drive Area (8840 Universal Blvd)

How to Book a Good Neighbor Hotel When Selecting a Hotel Near Disney World in Florida

Staying at a Good Neighbor hotel offers comfortable accommodations with some of the perks of an onsite Disney World resort stay, and it’s easy to book your rooms right from each hotel’s website. However, if you’d like the ease and convenience of booking a package that includes tickets and accommodations, or other travel basics, such as ground transfers and stroller or scooter rentals, you may want to talk to a Disney travel agent/vacation planner.

Travel agents that work for an authorized Disney vacation planner can easily book your package accommodations, but you’ll gain far more than a simple hotel stay. Your agent can advise you on park itineraries, help you  make dining reservations, assist in setting up your My Disney Experience account and even help you with tickets to other Florida destinations. There is no charge for the service as your agent will receive a commission from Disney, the hotel or destination. Best of all, you’ll pay the same price when booking through a travel agent, and maybe less, as agents will have access to all of the latest discounts and special offers.

If you’re looking for some of the nicest hotels near Disney World in Florida, why not consider a Good Neighbor hotel?


Ready to Book Your Disney Vacation?

Let us help! Free vacation planning included with every Disney vacation booking. You’ll never pay more booking with a travel agent like us, but the added insight you’ll receive could be invaluable.

Contact us for a quote today. Click here to be taken to our quote form.


Jumpstart Your Disney World Planning


By Kathleen Hesketh

Kathleen Hesketh is an experienced travel writer and planner who has spent over a decade uncovering and sharing the best of U.S. destinations. A dedicated member of the International Travel Writers Alliance, she holds a wealth of industry certifications, including Disney College of Knowledge, Royal Caribbean International’s Master's program, and Viking Cruise Line’s Rivers Certified Expert. As a longtime Disney enthusiast with more than 15 park visits under her belt, Kathleen brings unique insights to her clients at Mickey World Travel and through her travel blog, Seconds to Go, where she shares her adventures traveling the U.S. with her daughters. With a career spanning over a decade of professional writing, Kathleen specializes in creating content that not only informs but combines her love for travel to deliver meaningful advice and stories for fellow travelers.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *