It’s no secret that a Walt Disney World (WDW) vacation can be pricey. As a Floridian who’s been visiting WDW for more than a decade, I’ve learned that saving money on a hotel can free up a big chunk of my family’s vacation budget for more important things like Mickey-shaped snacks and Disney merchandise.
But just because you choose to stay at a less-expensive Walt Disney World-area hotel doesn’t mean you have to settle for a less-than-magical experience. There are plenty of hotels in and around Walt Disney World that cost less and offer some pretty great perks to guests.
Before you plan your next Disney trip, check out these six hotels, all of which are reasonably-priced and offer plenty of perks for Disney-bound guests. In fact, these six are ones I always suggest to friends and family who ask me where they should stay on their WDW vacation.
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1. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels
Technically, the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin are two separate hotels, but they share amenities and are nestled right next door to each other at Disney’s Boardwalk. This means you’ll have easy walking access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as the Skyliner, which is WDW’s air gondola system that transports you around the property. You can also grab my favorite method of Disney transportation, which are the Friendship Boats, from both of these hotels.
The Swan and Dolphin also boast a ton of on-site restaurants and an amazing grotto-style swimming pool.
If you’re looking for a slightly more boutiquey feel, you can book a room at the Swan Reserve, which is a new hotel that popped up across the street in 2021. All three hotels are also Marriott properties, which opens up lots of options for discounts and earning rewards points.
2. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort
With ample hotel rooms and suites, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great option for large families on a Disney vacation.
Amenities like balconies and sleeper sofas are available in select rooms, making it a spacious spot for stretching out. The resort offers free shuttles to all area theme parks and has a lagoon-style pool that’s perfect for cooling off mid-trip.
Other huge perks of this property are its golf course and celebrity chef-owned restaurant, Four Flamingos, a Richard Blais Kitchen. Special rates are available for World of Hyatt rewards members and Florida and Georgia residents, and some rooms even offer a view of Disney’s nightly fireworks spectaculars.
3. Melia Orlando Celebration
For extended stays of a week or more in Orlando, you can’t beat the suites at Melia Orlando Celebration. Equipped with kitchens, separate bedrooms, and more, it’s a great spot to stay while visiting WDW. I love that the hotel is on the smaller side, making its pool and recreation areas a safe spot for older kids to roam and keeping it easy for families to get their bearings.
In addition to complimentary transfer service to the theme parks, this gem of a hotel has on-site dining, airport shuttles, and frequently offers poolside or evening entertainment.
As someone who often plugs downtime into my Disney adventures, the Melia is high on my must-stay list. The property is also a Walt Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, meaning it’s been recognized for providing a top-notch experience for WDW visitors.
4. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Staying on Walt Disney World property can be pricey. If spending thousands per night on hotels like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa or Disney’s Yacht Club Resort isn’t in your budget, it’s still possible to get the perks of staying at a WDW hotel for less.
My most trusted, affordable Disney hotel is Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, which is considered a “value” resort in WDW’s resort pricing system but still feels distinctly “Disney.”
Here, you’ll pay hundreds of dollars per night less than some of the flashier official Disney properties, and still enjoy remodeled resort rooms. Some even have a pull-down second bed that can be tucked away for more room during the day.
Throughout the resort, you’ll also find heavily-themed pools and outdoor spaces based on Disney movies, and you can take advantage of perks like free Disney bus transportation to and from the parks and early theme park entry.
5. Caribe Royale Orlando
With its villas, suites, and standard rooms, there’s something for every budget at Caribe Royale, along with plenty of magical perks.
Also a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, you can purchase theme park tickets on site or take advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle service to and from the parks. But staying at Caribe Royale is a vacation on its own.
In addition to a beautiful pool with a 75-foot waterslide, there’s a kids splash area, an arcade, and catch-and-release fishing to keep kids entertained, as well as a spa, fitness center, and eight restaurants and bars for the grown-ups. This stylish resort has a Caribbean feel and feels miles away from Orlando, which is something you’ll appreciate after long days in the Disney theme parks.
6. Universal’s Stella Nova Resort
Yes, you can stay at a Universal hotel while on a Disney vacation. In fact, my family does it often, purely for the perks of staying at a Universal property.
Among the new hotels to open along with Universal Epic Universe theme park, Stella Nova was designed to be an affordable option for traveling families and it fits the bill perfectly. The property has restaurants and a pool along with an out-of-this-world outer space theme. It’s also got one of the most impressive hotel arcades I’ve seen, along with a state-of-the-art fitness center.
And, if you need a change of scenery, you can pool hop over to Terra Luna, the sister hotel next door. Since the resort offers a free bus to and from Universal CityWalk, you can also head to Universal’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district for meals, shopping, and more. If you’re only visiting WDW theme parks on a few days during your trip, booking a Universal hotel can be an affordable way to experience other areas of Orlando on your vacation.
The Shortcut
You don’t have to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel. There are plenty of affordable hotels nearby that offer great perks at lower prices.
If you’re set on staying on-property at Walt Disney World, save some money by looking into Disney’s “value” resorts, which cost less.
The area surrounding Walt Disney World is a hotbed of great restaurants, pools, and other attractions
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