5 Hidden Hotels Near Disney World That Are Beloved By Reviewers

Disney World offers many of its own hotels for your vacation, but some of them can be pricey, and you may want to opt for a non-Disney hotel for many other reasons.

Yes, we love the Disney World hotels, but if you’re planning to go to Universal Orlando on your trip or you just don’t want all the Disney theming that comes with a Disney World hotel, you might want to stay at a non-Disney hotel that is still near the parks. There are lots of options to choose from that are within driving distance, but we visited Yelp and found some of the top-rated, non-Disney hotels that you might have never heard of because they’re pretty hidden!

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando at Flamingo Crossings

There are several Fairfield Inn & Suites locations in Disney World, but the one at Flaming Crossings has really good reviews on Yelp! Flaming Crossings is just minutes from Disney World and the hotel is located near the Western Entrance to the resort.

With an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, people enjoy how close it is to Disney World and other places to explore. Plus, one of the things people LOVE here are the Mickey waffles served at breakfast! According to reviews, the rooms are comfortable, it’s a quiet location, and the staff is very kind, welcoming, and helpful. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to select Disney World parks. This could be a great place to stay if you’re looking to be close to Disney World without the Disney World prices and crowds.

Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando — Disney Springs Area

Did you know the Disney Springs area has several hotels that partner with Disney? Many of them are great alternatives to a Disney World hotel, but the Drury Plaza Hotel has many positive reviews! With a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating, this might be the hotel you book for your next trip.

People who shared reviews on Yelp liked that this hotel also offers free transportation to the parks as well as the breakfast which includes make your own Mickey waffles. There is also a complimentary 5:30PM “kickback” with evening snacks and drinks that many people really enjoyed. People also mentioned that they like that the hotel doesn’t charge hotel fees and the price is fair, especially for the location, breakfast, kickbacks, and transportation.

Four Seasons Resort

Looking for luxury without all the Disney theming? You can meet Mickey Mouse and get a beautiful view of the parks at the Four Seasons Resort.

This hotel is the top rated resort at Disney World, the #2 hotel in Florida, and #4 hotel in the U.S.! It’s certainly the place to stay if you want to feel like a princess, according to a review on Yelp. People love the great service, the amenities including a lazy river, and the views from the rooms overlooking Disney World. It’s an experience all on its own right on Disney World property.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South

The Embassy Suites is a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor hotel which means that they are able to help you with your Disney World vacation by offering information and assist you with planning your trip.

This hotel has a 4.1 rating on Yelp with a highlight being its proximity to Disney World. People also love the breakfast here as it offers made-to-order omelets and a large variety of other offerings. People also liked that the staff here is very friendly. One downside that people mentioned is the lack of transportation to the Disney World parks.

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa

The JW Marriott is located near Disney Springs and has a 4.1 out of 5 stars rating. The hotel includes a mini golf course, a kids club, a rooftop terrace, and more.

People enjoyed the great service here and all the amenities (if you have time for them when you’re not at the Disney World parks). One reviewer shared that their “experience was phenomenal” here! They have a spa, pools, and views of the Disney World fireworks. It’s not far from the parks, making it a convenient place to stay if you want to be away from the Disney resorts.

Honorable Mention: Shades of Green

Shades of Green is located on Disney World property, but it is certainly hidden. It’s located near Disney’s Polynesian Resort and has a Yelp rating of 3.9.

This resort is exclusive to active or retired members of the military, disabled veterans, select DOD civilians, and select others. Those who shared reviews on Yelp enjoyed the comfort and hospitality of this resort. They liked the amenities including restaurants, two pools, a playground, and more. This resort is also located on Disney’s two PGA golf courses, which is another thing to do at Disney World. People also like that Shades of Green offers its own transportation around Disney World and that it receives the same perks as Deluxe Disney hotels such as Extended Evening Hours. If you qualify to stay here, this is a great option!

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

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