Do your Disney World plans revolve around EPCOT festivals, eating and drinking around the world, or collecting all of the songs on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? If so, staying at a hotel within walking distance to EPCOT could be a HUGE game-changer for your vacation!

There are plenty of ways to get around Disney World, including buses, boats, Skyliner, and the Monorail. But it’s a next-level luxury to be able to WALK to a park from your hotel, both in terms of convenience and time saved! Fortunately for EPCOT superfans, there are several hotels within walking distance to the park, which can take your EPCOT-centric vacation to the next level!
Walt Disney World Swan Resort
Even though Walt Disney World Swan Resort is within walking distance to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s actually not owned by Disney. The Swan Resort and its sister hotels (more on those later) are managed by Marriott, which means you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book stays at these hotels!

Even though Disney doesn’t own the hotel, guests still get the same perks offered at Disney-owned hotels, including complimentary transportation to the parks, Early Theme Park Entry, and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, which is a BIG deal, since only Deluxe Disney hotel guests have access to Extended Evening Hours!

The Swan Resort and its sister hotels can be a great option for guests looking to cash in on their Marriott Bonvoy points for their Disney vacation, while still getting the perks of a Disney Deluxe Hotel. Plus, the hotel is only about 0.5 miles from the EPCOT International Gateway entrance, so you can walk to the park in 10 to 15 minutes!

Now, about those sister hotels…
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is the sister resort to the Swan. The hotels are right next to each other, and since you can easily walk between them, you’ll have easy access to the dining options at both — which is great, because there are some INCREDIBLE restaurants at both the Swan and Dolphin Hotels!

Speaking of great eats, the Swan & Dolphin also host their own food and wine festival, called the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic! It’s much shorter than EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival since it usually only runs for one weekend (this year’s is scheduled for November 20th-21st, 2026). If you’re a big foodie, it could be worth coordinating a trip for the festival weekend so you can check another food festival off your bucket list!

Much like the Swan Hotel next door, guests at the Dolphin Hotel can walk to the EPCOT International Gateway entrance in about 10-15 minutes!
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is the newest addition to the Swan & Dolphin family, opened in 2021. Just like the Swan & Dolphin Hotels, guests at the Swan Reserve get the same great Disney perks, plus access to the hotel’s amenities, including a scenic pool area, a fitness center, a business center, an event space, and a rooftop spot with views of the parks called the Vue.

With such close proximity to EPCOT, guests at all the Swan & Dolphin Hotels can have a great view of the fireworks without leaving the hotel!

The Swan Reserve is a bit farther away from EPCOT than its sister hotels, so it’s about a 15-20 minute walk to the International Gateway Entrance. If you’d prefer to save your feet for all the walking you’ll be doing around the park, there’s also a boat dock outside the Swan & Dolphin that offers a water taxi to EPCOT instead!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Next up, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a popular choice for guests traveling with young children, thanks to its family-friendly seaside theming, access to the incredible Stormalong Bay pool area, and fun dining options like Beaches & Cream.

With the super family-friendly vibe of the resort, the Beach Club can be a great option for guests looking to balance the more “mature” vibe of an EPCOT-heavy itinerary with a relaxed, whimsical hotel to come home to!

And, best of all, it’s only a 5-10 minute walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway from the Beach Club!
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is the sister hotel of the Beach Club. The two are right next to each other and have access to lots of the same amenities, including the ultra-popular Stormalong Bay.

Even though the two are sister hotels, they definitely have their own unique vibes! While the Beach Club’s theming is more relaxed, the Yacht Club has a fancier, more formal nautical theme, modeled after a New England-style yacht club. They share a similar location and amenities, so your choice between Yacht & Beach Club mostly comes down to personal preference!

Either way, you can’t go wrong with about a 5-10 minute walk to the International Gateway from Yacht Club!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
A bit down the path from the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This hotel gives you access to LOTS of things to do, since the Atlantic City-style boardwalk is home to lounges, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

The hotel is located just across Crescent Lake from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, so this area is truly prime for easy access to tons of dining options!

And, as you may have guessed, considering its proximity to the Yacht & Beach Clubs, it’s about a 5-10 walk to EPCOT’s International Gateway from the BoardWalk Inn. You can also take a water taxi from each of these hotels to EPCOT instead, if mobility or saving your steps is a concern!

Time is money in Disney World, and that means each of these hotels offering a walking path right to the park is a HUGE perk! Trust us when we say, it can be a game-changer, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in EPCOT during your stay.

Whether your top priority when planning a Disney World trip is easy access to the parks, budget-friendly options, or anything in between, we’re here to share all the details you need to plan the trip of your dreams, so stick with us at AllEars for more Disney World tips & tricks!
The 5 Unspoken Rules for Drinking Around EPCOT
Which EPCOT area hotel is your favorite? Share with us in the comments!

Trending Now
Looking for the right Disney World shoes? Amazon has nine Brooks pairs for you!
Papa Johns and Toy Story are collaborating with an exclusive menu to celebrate the upcoming...
These Disney Loungefly bags online have us OBSESSED!
Three words: Cookie. Butter. Croissant.
Think you know which park is really your home? Let your taste in animated movies...
New Bluey food and drinks are coming to Animal Kingdom!
We love this spot as much as the next person in EPCOT, but this recent...
Get our favorite shoes for up to 50% off!
You always want to make sure you're checking your Email if you have an upcoming...
A new Mater Loungefly collection just dropped online!
Disney just announced a new Muppets snack stand!
Big news from Epic Universe -- Lug bags are officially on their way!
Ride Soarin' Around the World before it closes tomorrow!
Airlines have started cracking down on this carry-on rule and you need to know about...
This failed Downtown Disney project left a notable gap for several years.
California Grill just got hit with a new price increase!
One of the most unique merchandise spots in Disney World has just closed its doors,...
We recently stopped by Gideon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs to try a NEW Cake Slice!
Disney just announced that the virtual queue is coming back for Bluey's Wild World!
These Visa perks could change your whole vacation.