Hotel in Magic Kingdom Proximity 2024 Ranked – Which is Best & Why to Stay

Wouldn’t it be great if you could actually stay in the Magic Kingdom? You could just open the curtains, look out of the window, and see Cinderella’s castle. This is the dream! Right? While you can’t actually stay on Main Street, U.S.A., there are best hotels near Magic Kingdom you can stay at and still wake up and look outside your window to see the castle.

These are the BEST hotels to stay at near Magic Kingdom and why you should choose these over other resorts, both on or off property!

Hotels in Magic Kingdom

We are going to dive into on-property hotels first for hotels in Magic Kingdom.

You may be asking, why even stay on property? Isn’t it more expensive for hotels in Magic Kingdom? Expensive when talking about Disney is a relative term. Are you potentially going to pay more for the hotel room by staying on property? Yes, the hotels per night are more expensive in terms of cash. But, in terms of experience, there is no price for the convenience it provides for hotels near Magic Kingdom.

When staying on-property, at a Walt Disney World-owned resort, there are a ton of benefits and conveniences. As an on-property guest you receive:

• Complimentary Parking
• Early Park Entry – Get into all four of the theme parks 30 minutes earlier than anyone else
• Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas guests can enjoy extended evening hours—experiencing select attractions, shops, and dining after regular park hours
• Complimentary Transportation to the four theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, and can use this transportation to go to other resorts as well.
• Add a dining plan to a resort package for trips in 2024
• Immerse yourself in the Disney Magic!

Staying in hotels near Magic Kingdom park is even more convenient when the majority of traveling parties go to Magic Kingdom at least once per vacation. Hotels near Magic Kingdom allow guests to get to Magic Kingdom more easily with the monorail or a boat that takes you across Seven Seas Lagoon.

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On-Property Hotels in Magic Kingdom

There are 10 Disney hotels or DVC properties near Magic Kingdom.

DVC stands for Disney Vacation Club. These resorts are a type of timeshare program where owners buy points, called Vacation Points, and can redeem the points for stays on Disney Property. The DVC Rental Store and David’s DVC Rentals offer DVC owners points for sale so that non-DVC members can still stay in these hotels at a discounted rate. Disney also has these rooms available for booking at higher price points if you book through them directly.

Disney Hotels

• Contemporary Resort
• Polynesian Village Resort
• Grand Floridian Resort
• Wilderness Lodge
• Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (including both cabins and campsites)

Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa Resorts

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian

Which On-Property Hotel is Right for You?

I will list the Disney Resort and its DVC counterpart and with all of the information you would want to know if you are thinking of staying at one of the hotels in Magic Kingdom!

Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower

The Contemporary Resort was one of Disney’s first hotels. The structure is an A-frame tower with two Garden wings. The A-frame of the tower is unique because the monorail track runs through the middle of the resort. When walking out of your room in the tower, you can see the monorail make its loop multiple times throughout the day!

The A-frame tower has nine floors of guest rooms that have recently been renovated. These rooms have a modern blend of the monorail and characters from The Incredibles movies. There are so many small details that really add to the space!

Bay Lake Tower is connected through the Sky Bridge. The Tower stands beside The Contemporary Resort and matches the style. All of the amenities that you get at The Contemporary Resort are accessible to Bay Lake Tower Guests as well.

When it comes to the rooms, there are many options to choose from at The Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower. The smallest rooms sleep up to 4 adults and the largest suite sleeps up to 12 adults.

Room Types offered:

• Rooms and Suites (up to 5 adults)
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service (up to 8 adults)
• Deluxe Studios (up to 4 adults)
• 1, 2, and 3 Bedroom Villas (up to 12 adults)

Villas are going to feature

• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Spacious living and dining areas
• Separate bedrooms
• Washer and dryer
• 3 bedroom Grand Villas will have a porch or balcony

Deluxe Studios will feature

• Kitchenette
• Sleeper Sofa (in addition to a queen bed)

All of the amenities that the Contemporary Resort has are accessible to Bay Lake Tower Guests. For on-site activities, there is something for every interest.

• Fitness Center – On the third floor of the resort, an Olympiad fitness center is open daily. There is a separate fitness area located in Bay Lake Tower.
• Arcade – The Game Center is a very large video arcade with a pool table (extra fee)
• Marina Boat Rentals: Guests can rent Sea Raycers, Boston Whaler Montauks, and SunTracker pontoon boats at the resort marina. (Extra fee)
• Tennis Courts – six clay tennis courts. A Pro shop, tennis lessons, drill lessons and clinics are available.
• Outdoor Recreation: Beach volleyball, basketball hoops, shuffleboard, a jogging path and the children's playground

The resort also features two pools. The main pool has a 17-foot-high curving slide. The smaller pool is round and gets progressively deeper as you move to the middle. There are also two spas and a children’s wading pool.

The best amenity of this resort is that you can walk to Magic Kingdom. This resort is quite literally across the street from the park.

There are 10 dining or drink locations located at The Contemporary.

The California Grill features Market Inspired Dinner Cuisine with an overhead view of Magic Kingdom park on the 15th floor of the hotel. Check out the California Grill Lounge for drinks before or after, without a reservation.

For a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner option, Contempo Cafe is going to be the place to eat.

Chef Mickey's is the character dining breakfast or dinner experience that can’t be beat for the atmosphere!

Steakhouse 71 is serving steakhouse specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a reservation. If you don’t want to get a reservation, check out the Steakhouse 71 Lounge for classic cocktails and cuisine.

The Outer Rim provides bar service in the lounge overlooking Bay Lake. During the day, guests can grab a drink at the quick-service bar and lounge, The Sand Bar.

The Cove Bar provides Bar service for guests at Bay Lake Tower or DVC members.

Start your morning off right with coffee and pastries from Contemporary Grounds.

For dining at Bay Lake Tower, there is only one restaurant located in the tower, Top of the World Lounge. This lounge is located at the top of Bay Lake Tower and provides unparalleled views of the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. This is a great place to watch fireworks from, especially during special events like New Years Eve, Christmas, or 4th of July. The music from the parks is even piped in during showtime!

The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower both offer incredible access to Magic Kingdom. There is only one other resort on property that you can walk to the park from. We think this is the biggest selling feature.

The new update to The Contemporary rooms makes it enticing for fans of The Incredibles to want to come and stay. Bay Lake Tower is still a contemporary and modern design, but is missing a lot of the Disney theming, which you either love or hate.

As far as activities on the resort property, the marina on Seven Seas Lagoon is the only selling point. There are many other resorts that have much better resort activities for families and kids.

The food at these two resorts is impressive though! There is not a bad bite to eat in the entire resort, and it is one of the places we go regularly out of our way to eat at.

Our biggest recommendation for these two resorts is to stay here for the proximity to Magic Kingdom and the food, otherwise, there may be a better hotel for your family.

Disney’s Polynesian Village and Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows

Another one of the Magic Kingdom Monorail resorts is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The resort has been around since 1971 and is a guest favorite for hotels near Magic Kingdom. Guests feel welcomed into the South Pacific at this oasis of tropical palms, lush vegetation and so much more.

The Polynesian Hotel is made up of the main hotel accommodations, the villas, and bungalows. Disney is also currently expanding the hotel with a new DVC tower. At the resort, guests can find rooms to sleep up to 8 guests.

Accommodations Include

• Rooms and Suites (up to 5 adults)
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service (up to 5 adults)
• Deluxe Studios (up to 5 adults)
• Bungalows (up to 8 adults)

The bungalows are incredibly nice as they are partially on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Bungalows feature:

• Fully-Equipped Kitchen
• Spacious living and dining areas
• Separate bedrooms
• Washer and dryer
• Private deck and plunge pool

The Deluxe Studios are part of DVC and feature

• Kitchenette
• Sleeper sofa in addition to one queen bed and one pull-down bed

While guests are visiting the Polynesian Hotel, there are many amenities to experience. The Polynesian Village Resort Hotel and the DVC Villas and Bungalows share in all guest amenities and experiences.

Guests can partake in the Polynesian Campfire on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on Seven Seas Lagoon or watch the Complementary Movies under the Stars on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:30 PM on the Great Ceremonial House Lawn.

The Seven Seas Lagoon also offers some great opportunities for fun entertainment. From the resort, guests can watch the Electrical Water Pageant, rent motorized boats, or go fishing. Other recreation includes Volleyball and Jogging trails.

For a more relaxing day, guests can spend time by one of the two pools on property. The Lava Pool features a towering volcano, a waterfall, and a 142-foot-long water slide. The Oasis pool is a leisure pool with the ability to rent a patio complete with cushioned lounge chairs and more.

If none of those activities interest you, the resort has daily activities that rotate and change like contests, relays, musical activities, Bingo, Disney Trivia, Hula Dance Lessons, and so much more.

While the rooms and entertainment are fantastic, the food is just as delectable. There are 10 different eating locations to choose from and each is fantastic!

For a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner, check out Capt. Cook’s, Kona Cafe, or Kona Island. If you just want a snack, Pineapple Lanai is the place to go and get a famous Dole Whip. There are also many bars and lounges, the Barefoot Pool Bar, Tambu Lounge, Oasis Bar and Grill, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, or Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace.

The best place to eat on property is ‘Ohana for breakfast or dinner. Breakfast features family style platters with Disney Friends who come to visit (typically Mickey, Stitch, and Lilo!). For dinner, guests can partake in the all you care to enjoy feast featuring Hawaiian-flavored specialties. The noodles are the most requested item next to the bread pudding.

No matter where you choose to dine, the food is mouthwatering.

The Polynesian resort has so much to offer guests who stay here. The atmosphere is a relaxing tropical getaway with many resort activities to make your break from the park days an enjoyable experience. There are many dining locations open throughout the day and late into the night so a bite to eat is never far away. It is also one of the closer Magic Kingdom resorts with access by boat or Monorail. The Monorail is also available with just one transfer to easily get to EPCOT and buses are available for transportation to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

This resort has a lot to offer for families with the bedrooms sleeping at least 5 adults in each, making it a great option for families larger than 4. Overall the Polynesian Village Resort Hotel is definitely in our top two places to stay!

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian

The last resort on the Monorail Loop is the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the DVC extension The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian.

The Grand Floridian Hotel is marked by Victorian elegance in its design with the bright white building and bright red roof.

The resort features many amenities that other resorts have but it is also home to The Grand Floridian Spa, a second Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location (we are hoping it reopens soon), and Disney’s Wedding Pavilion.

At Disney’s Grand Floridian, there are a few different room types to choose from. Your options include:

• Rooms and Suites (up to 5 adults)
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service (up to 8 adults)
• Deluxe Studios (up to 5 adults)
• 1, 2, and 3 Bedroom Villas (up to 12 adults)

If you book a DVC Villa, you will enjoy room amenities such as:

• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Spacious living and dining areas
• Separate bedrooms
• A washer and dryer

The Deluxe Studios are going to have a kitchenette and a sleeper sofa (in addition to one queen bed and one pull-down bed).

Like the other two monorail resorts, all recreational activities can be enjoyed by guests of the Grand Floridian Hotel and the DVC resort guests.

The Grand Floridian has the Campfire activities on the Grand Floridian Beach Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. After you finish roasting your marshmallows, head over to the Summerhouse to watch your favorite complementary Disney films.

There are tons of other activities for the whole family like Basketball courts, Arcadia Games, Fishing, Motorized Boat rentals, and a health club.

For unique experiences, book a specialty cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon or book a package at the Grand Floridian Spa.

The Grand Floridian has two pools, the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool. The Beach Pool overlooks Seven Seas Lagoon! It features a 181-foot water slide, cascading waterfalls, and a zero-depth entry. Nearby is the aquatic play area for littles and cabana rentals to relax in. The Courtyard pool is a zero-entry leisure pool and features an adjacent whirlpool spa.

Grand Floridian is also well-known for its dining experiences. There are 11 different locations to choose from.

• Citricos – gastronomic menu in a setting inspired by Mary Poppins
• Citricos Lounge – Bar Service
• Narcoossee’s – waterfront restaurant serving freshly caught seafood
• Grand Floridian Cafe- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner serving up American Classics
• Enchanted Rose – Beauty and the Beast inspired lounge
• Gasparilla Island Grill – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner of your favorite flatbreads and sandwiches
• Beaches Pool Bar and Grill – cocktails and snacks
• Courtyard Pool Bar – Signature cocktails, salads, and wraps
• 1900 Park Fare – Breakfast, Bruch, Dinner – tea party or buffet in a carousel-themed dining room
• Garden View Tea Room – Traditional Tea Room
• Victoria and Albert’s – one of the best dinners on property. Choose from a few dinner options to customize this dining experience for your date night

The Grand Floridian is a great resort for any guests wanting to visit the Magic Kingdom park. The proximity is so close there is a walking path to get to the park! The Monorail and Boat are two other options to get to Magic Kingdom as well. EPCOT is just a monorail switch away and Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are available by bus.

The Grand Floridian is a true place to vacation in a luxury hotel while still enjoying all of the activities and amenities that Disney has to offer. With spacious rooms and access to many dining locations on property, it is a family-friendly resort.

There are unique activities like the spa and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique available to make the vacation even more magical for guests.

This hotel ranks high on our list of great places to stay near the Magic Kingdom park. Cinderella’s Castle is basically your backyard, and it truly is if you take a trip to the Wedding Pavilion on property.

Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

The Wilderness Lodge is a rustic resort styled after the stately national park lodges of the American West. The Lodge is located in the center of the resort area. The Boulder Ridge Villas are located on the left of the resort and the Copper Creek Villas are located to the right of the main lobby.

All room types share the same Resort amenities, including pools, dining and recreation.

Room types offered at this Resort:

• Rooms and Suites (sleep up to 4 adults)
• Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service (sleep up to 6 adults)
• Deluxe Studios (sleep up to 5 adults)
• 2-Bedroom Cabins (sleep up to 8 adults)
• 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas (sleep up to 12 adults)

Deluxe Studios are part of the DVC portions of the resort and feature:

• A kitchenette
• A sleeper sofa, in addition to one queen bed and one pull-down bed (Deluxe Studios at Boulder Ridge Villas also have a pull-down bed)

Cabins and Villas that are part of the DVC areas feature:

• A fully-equipped kitchen
• Spacious living and dining areas
• Separate bedrooms
• A washer and dryer
• Cabins feature a double-sided fireplace, a porch with a built-in hot tub and views of Bay Lake.
• Three-bedroom Grand Villas offer a private porch or balcony.

There are two pools on the resort property for guests to choose from.

Copper Creek Springs Pool: heated pool surrounded by nature, a 67-foot water slide built into rocks, and hot and cold whirlpool spas. Children can have a blast exploring the newly added water play area.

Boulder Ridge Cove Pool: soak in the whirlpool spa, enjoy a swim in the zero-depth entry pool, or score a first come, first served spot at one of 6 shaded seating areas.

Recreation that the three resorts also share:

• Campfire Activities
• Movies Under the Stars
• Fishing
• View the Electrical Water Pageant
• Full-service fitness center and sauna
• Jogging Trails
• Arcade

There are 5 different restaurants to enjoy a meal at.

• StoryBook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White: A character meal featuring Snow White, The Dwarfs, and the Evil
• Queen. Shared Appetizer and Desserts for the table, and each guest guest their own Entree
• Whispering Canyon Cafe: All you care to enjoy skillet dining, themed to the Old-West
• Geyser Point Bar and Grill: Waterfront Bar and Grill (open for lunch and dinner)
• Roaring Fork: Wilderness Lodge’s Quick Service Eatery
• Territory Lounge: Craft Brews, Regional Wines, Specialty Coffee, and Appetizers

Wilderness Lodge is one of our favorite resorts. The cabin feel makes the place feel warm and cozy even in the middle of summer. This is truly a place to relax, catch your breath, and not feel like you are even on Disney World Property with the Wilderness that surrounds the resort.

The wilderness is what some people don’t like about this resort. There are a ton of hidden Disney details through the resort and there is even a Character meal, but for some guests, this resort does not put them in the Disney themed bubble that many are looking for when visiting Walt Disney World.

While this resort is incredibly close to Magic Kingdom, in fact you can take a water taxi across Seven Seas Lagoon, it is not on the Monorail loop so it does take a little longer to get to Magic Kingdom than some of the other resorts on this list.

Overall, the resort has great rooms, amenities, and food, but may lack some of the Disney theming guests are looking for and would do better with more transportation options.

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

The last on-property hotel located near Magic Kingdom is the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

This resort is truly an experience unlike any other on-property resort in that guests can choose to stay in a cabin, tent, or camper. The grounds are almost 750 acres of forest, wildlife, trails, and timeless beauty as a true escape from the theme park atmosphere for those rest days.

The resort is unique in the ability to bring your own tent or RV camper. Pads and sewage hook-up are available at all campsites, but pad sizes will depend on which campsite you book.

For guests wanting to stay in a cabin, they are spacious. The Cabins can sleep up to 6 adults in 1 Queen, 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Bunk Bed. The cabin also comes with a toaster, kitchen with two burner stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and more.

Guests will never get bored staying at this property with the wide range of activities available.

• 2 Swimming pools and a fort-themed water play area
• Campfire Sing-Along with Chip and Dale (Wednesday – Sunday)
• Movies Under the Stars nightly
• Fort Wilderness Archery Experience
• Tri-Circle-D Ranch (wagon and carriage rides available here)
• Horse Drawn Excursion
• Pony Rides
• Wagon Rides
• Fishing
• Canoe Rentals
• Kayak Rentals
• Bike Rentals
• Basketball Courts
• Volleyball
• Jogging Trails
• 2 Playgrounds
• 2 Arcades
• Segway Tour
• Golf Cart Rentals

There are 2 restaurants and 3 snack bars located on the property.

The Meadow Snack bar is located by the Meadow Swimming pool for a quick bite to eat. Crockett’s Tavern is the place to try the modern-day moonshine and some savory snacks. The Chuck Wagon is a culinary camper serving up favorite snacks.

Trails End Restaurant is the first eating location that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to guests. This quick service restaurant features some of your favorite American classics.

For a more unique dining experience, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is located on property. This is a high-spirited, music and comedy show during your dinner. There are three showtimes each night, 4:00 PM, 6:15 PM. and 8:30 PM. The menu features all you care to eat BBQ classics and sides with strawberry shortcake for dessert. To get a seat, make sure to show up 30 minutes before show time.

The Fort Wilderness Cabins and Campsites are a great opportunity for families to be close to Magic Kingdom but still experience nature in Florida. You truly get the best of both worlds with the quick theme park access by boat or bus, but also the ambiance of being in nature and having the fun experiences that you would experience if you went camping in other places in the United States. For many families this balance will provide a great vacation and is one of the top recommendations for a place to stay near Magic Kingdom.

Off-Property Disney World Hotels

Staying on Walt Disney World Property is the best magical experience, but it is not an experience that fits every family. However, being close to Magic Kingdom may still be a priority, so let’s dive into some off-property hotels that may be good options for your family.

There are a ton of options when looking for off-property accommodations. One negative, though, of staying off property is many of the hotels have resort fees that are in addition to the nightly room rate, that Disney does not charge, so keep this in mind as you are searching for rooms.

The first place to look is in the Disney Springs area. The resorts in the Disney Springs area are walkable to Disney Springs and many of them provide complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks.

Disney Springs Area Hotels also include the 30 minute early entry to the 4 theme parks. You won’t have access to Extended Evening Hours or 7 a.m. Individual Lightning Lane selections at the Disney Springs Hotels.

Disney Springs Area Hotels to choose from:

• B Resort and Spa
• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando
• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• Holiday Inn Orlando
• Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

Outside of Disney Springs the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are also located on Disney Property, but are managed by Marriott International. These hotels also receive special perks without slightly cheaper room rates.

Then there are a ton of hotels to look at in and around the Bonnet Creek, Celebration, Flamingo Crossings/ Western Entrance, Kissimmee, and Orlando areas.

What are the best hotels we recommend close to the Magic Kingdom?

Read on to find out the top 5 off-property resorts for your magical stay!

#1. Swan Reserve, Swan and Dolphin Resorts

The Swan and Dolphin Resorts are high on the list of non-Disney owned hotels to stay at. When staying at these resorts, you still feel like you are on Disney property, because you are, without paying the Disney price tag.

The Swan & Dolphin are within walking distance to EPCOT and offer complimentary travel to the other three theme parks. Guests can take a water taxi to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios and buses to all theme parks and Disney Springs.

When staying at any of these three resorts, you are entitled to Disney perks like early theme park entry, advance golf tee times, extended evening hours, dining reservations for entire length of stay (up to 10 days), complimentary parking at the theme parks, and 7 a.m. purchase of Individual Lightning Lane selections.

At the resort, guests can partake in many activities! There are 6 outdoor swimming pools and a white sand beach for guests to relax at. The Mandara Spa is on-site if you want a more dedicated relaxation time. There is also a health club for guests as well.

Children can participate in Camp Dolphin which provides fun for ages 5-12. Drop the kids off from 4:00 PM – 11:00PM and let the counselors supervise arts, crafts, movies, board games, video games, snacks, meals, and more!

Between the three hotels are 23 different eating establishments from table service restaurants to just a quick snack at a lounge and everything in between. No guest will find a lack of food or service at these resorts.

If this sounds inviting, then start your booking today in one of the many guest options for accommodations. Guests can choose from

Traditional, Deluxe, or Family Rooms (Up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children)
Suites- Junior, Grand, Executive, signature, Governors, Chairman, and Presidential (up to 4 adults)

We think the location of the Swan and Dolphin hotels are great and have plenty of their own amenities to make it feel like a nicer Disney resort with a slightly cheaper price tag. However, the accommodations are not great for larger families like some of the suites and villas that are on Disney property hotels.

#2. Waldorf Astoria Orlando

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a luxury hotel near Walt Disney World located in the Bonnet Creek Area.

While this hotel is not directly on-property, it does provide views of Walt Disney World Theme Parks and more perks that put it close to Disney on-property hotel perks.

Guests are provided with complimentary luxury transportation to and from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks. You can also purchase your Disney park tickets on-site at the concierge desk. Guests also get to participate in the 30 minute early theme park entry.

Here guests have a choice between a deluxe room that can accommodate up to four adults or various suites with room for up to 8 people.

Guests who stay at the Waldorf Astoria have access to fun experiences when they are not in the parks.

Golfers can enjoy the 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golf Club created by acclaimed golf course architect Rees Jones.

Non-park days can include a relaxing time in the 3-acre lazy river, private cabanas and fun on the water slide at the adjacent Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Seasonal scheduled family fun activities including poolside s’mores and movies.

Waldorf Astoria Spa offers customizable packages. The fitness center overlooks the pool and golf course.

For kids, the Waldorf Astoria Kids Club is a hit! Kids ages 5-12 can be dropped off from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM or 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Kids will participate in arts and crafts, board games, swimming, and more. There is also an after-dark program on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 pm – 9 pm, all at an additional cost per child.

There are 11 onsite restaurants and bars between the Waldorf Astoria and the adjacent Signia by Hilton that make it easy to find something everyone will want to eat throughout the day. In addition, in-room dining is also available.

The Waldorf Astoria provides luxury in its spacious accommodations while also having plenty of entertainment for the non-park days. The pricing is going to run you similarly to a Walt Disney World Deluxe hotel, with the pricy resort fees factored in, but you have a little more area to spread out in your room.

#3. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

The Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista is our third off-property hotel choice. It is the closest location to Disney Springs connected by a Pedestrian Skybridge. The hotel also provides daily shuttle transportation to and from the Disney Theme Parks.

Sleeping accommodations can be booked as a room or a suite. The rooms sleep up to four adults while the junior suite is for families of four or more. One and two-bedroom suites are also available with a living area, dining table, ret bar, and a king-size Murphy bed. Some of the rooms even look out to the Disney Springs property.

If you party loves to swim, there are two heated swimming pools, a Jacuzzi tub, and a splash pad. Seasonal activities are located by the pool and include games, henna tattoos, scavenger hunts, and more. Other activities on the hotel property include a 24-hour fitness center, arcade, Starbucks, and 6 On-property dining options.

Guests receive Disney perks in addition to shuttle transportation. For instance, guests can enjoy 50% off equipment rental and more at one of the Disney Golf courses. Guests also have access to the 30-minute early theme park entry when staying at Hilton Orlando.

Overall this resort provides some fun activities to enjoy while not in a Disney Park and spacious rooms that may be enough to make you want to stay off Disney Property.

#4. Four Seasons Resort Orlando

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando is number four on our list. It is truly a luxurious, upscale resort that even provides Theme Park View Rooms and Suites.

The Disney Experience is unique at the Four Seasons in that it is one of the off-property hotels that hosts a twice-weekly character breakfast on-site. The breakfast features Goofy and His Pals every Thursday and Saturday morning. They also offer complimentary transportation to the theme parks and guests can enjoy the 30-minute early entry to the parks. Find out more Disney information at the Disney Planning Center on the main lobby level.

If you truly want a magical experience at the Four Seasons, book a Private Character Experience where your party can enjoy one-on-one time with a beloved Disney character within the resort. Prices do start at $7,500 for this experience.

If you are staying at the resort, your rooming options include everything from a standard room (up to 3 adults) to the 9 Bedroom Top Floor Buyout. The standard rooms will have King or queen beds (or a sofa bed) with no separate living space. The suites will have separate sleeping and living spaces and also sleep up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

If you want to spend time at the resort, the Four Seasons offers a ton of resort activities. There is a rock wall, live music, dive-in movies at the pool, a lazy river, waterslides, themed activities, an adult-only pool, two luxury boutiques, a comprehensive spa, fitness center, Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club, tennis, sports courts, game room, pool tables, and a complimentary kids camp for children ages 4-12.

There are 7 on-site restaurants and bars for dining pleasure. There is also 24-hour in-room dining available.

The downside to this resort is you are paying for the luxury in the nightly rate and resort fees. The pricing may seriously make you consider paying for a Deluxe hotel on-site. With that being said, the Four Seasons is a great resort to escape to, especially if you are doing more than just visiting Disney World.

Because of the price and thinking about visiting this hotel while wanting to be close to the Magic Kingdom, it is fourth on our list. However, if you are visiting Orlando and your main goal is not Walt Disney World vacation, this resort would move up on our list of places to stay!

#5. Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

Coming in at number 5 on our list is the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Resort. This resort is located in the Disney Springs area.

The hotel has plenty of accommodations between its two 5-story buildings. All guest rooms feature exterior entrances.

There are two types of guest rooms available: Standard and Courtyard View. Both room types feature either two double beds or 1 king bed.

For Disney perks available, guests will be able to book the daily scheduled shuttle transportation to one of Disney’s four theme parks. Guests also receive golf discounts on green fees and rental equipment at the four Walt Disney World Golf Courses.

This is a family-friendly resort featuring two pools, interactive water features, an Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground, and a large hot tub. Outside of the pool, guests can workout in the fitness center, or play on the sand volleyball court, basketball court, and game room.

There are five locations on property to eat at when you are not in the park, including a Joffrey’s Coffee Shop!

The reason this resort makes this list is that it is one of the most budget-friendly options located near the Magic Kingdom park. You have the convenience of being near Walt Disney World (technically on-property) without paying the on-property prices. Guests do have to pay to park at this resort in addition to the resort fees, so this is something to consider. While there are a few activities at this resort, we think it is best if you are planning to spend most of your time in the theme parks while on vacation.

There are so many options near the Magic Kingdom park to allow your entire family to have a magical stay! Being in the Disney bubble and staying on-site just can't be beat, but if there are times when it makes more sense to stay off-property, there are some really fantastic options as well. No matter where you choose to stay, the Magic Kingdom is no further than a boat, monorail, or bus ride away.

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• Drinking Around the World in EPCOT
• EPCOT One Day Itinerary
• EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide
• Best Disney World Tips for Adults