What Are The Benefits Of Staying at a “Good Neighbor” Hotel In Disney World?

When it comes to planning your Disney World vacation, deciding where to stay can be the toughest part.

Should you stay in a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel for the ultimate Disney theming and amenities? Or, should you stay in a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel that offers many of the same perks as a hotel on Disney property? If you’ve always wondered whether staying outside the bubble is right for you, keep reading because we’re breaking down the perks of the Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels!

What Are Good Neighbor Hotels?

Located near Disney World and in the surrounding areas, Good Neighbor Hotels are not owned by Disney but instead have partnerships with the company. There’s typically a person on staff at each hotel who can help you with your Disney World vacation, including purchasing Disney World theme park tickets.

Disney acknowledges the value of Good Neighbor hotels on their website:

“We are proud to recommend select Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels conveniently located near the Resort. All meet our high standards for comfort, quality, and service. In addition, Good Neighbor hotels:

• • are AAA-approved.
  • offer a choice of standard rooms, suites and villa-style accommodations.
  • feature a Guest Services desk to help you plan your Disney vacation and purchase park tickets.
  • provide transportation to Disney theme parks. (A fee may apply.)”

Good Neighbor Hotels range in cost from Value Resort pricing to Deluxe Resort pricing depending on what kind of stay you’re after. Not only that, but some Good Neighbor Hotels offer the same benefits you’d get in a Disney World Resort Hotel — like Early Theme Park Entry and free transportation — but not all of them have these perks!

Many Good Neighbor Hotels have a dedicated Walt Disney World channel on the room TV’s. The channel offers an overview of the parks, and useful tips to help your first visit go more smoothly. Even if you’ve visited Walt Disney World before, there’s always something new. Watch the special channel to get the latest information. And if you’re visiting during a seasonal celebration, you can learn more about those options.

Ranking Disney World’s Good Neighbor Hotels

There are over 40 Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels, but only a few of them currently offer Early Park Entry, which are:

• • Walt Disney World Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin
  • Shades of Green
  • B Resort and Spa Lake Buena Vista
  • Double Tree Suites by Hilton Orlando Disney Springs Area
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace
  • Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek
  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando
  • Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs Area
  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
  • Four Season Resort Orlando

This list is subject to change, so before you confirm your booking, be sure to check with the resort on what Disney perks are available to their guests.

If you have membership with one of these Good Neighbor resorts, then your stay could be covered with reward points you’ve earned or you can earn rewards for future stays. And even if you don’t have free-night rewards, these resorts can usually come in cheaper than the Disney resort option. Even the fancy Waldorf Astoria, though pricier than Pop Century, does come in cheaper than the Grand Floridian. When you compare like-to-like resorts, those Good Neighbor hotels come in at quite a bargain. Looking for the best Good Neighbor hotels with reliable transportation? Read our thoughts on them here. 

If you’re heading to Disney World soon, remember that park pass reservations are still required — and stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news!

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Have you stayed at a Good Neighbor Hotel? Let us know in the comments below!

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