Disney currently offers limited options on where to stay. Especially if you’ve got a large family or are traveling with extended family. There’s never been a better time than now to stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel when you visit Walt Disney World. Good Neighbor Hotels offer plenty of advantages and don’t cost as much. Here’s everything you need to know about Good Neighbor Hotels.
Good Neighbor Hotels Uphold Disney Quality Standards
These hotels match the high-quality standards set by Disney, but the hotels are not owned by Disney. Good Neighbor hotels tend to be close to Walt Disney World. Some are so close that you’ll be able to watch fireworks from the parks right in your hotel room! They also have a dedicated Disney desk where you can get resort information and even by tickets.
They Offer Disney Perks
Just like Disney owned hotels, these hotels offer Disney benefits to guests who book their vacation with them. Perks that Good Neighbor hotels share with Disney hotels include early Fastpass+ access and Extra Magic Hours. (Both of these benefits are unavailable to anybody right now because of the limited hours and amenities, but when they are back at Disney, Good Neighbor hotels will have them too.) Other benefits like Disney’s Magical Express and complimentary MagicBands are undergoing changes at Disney, which further blurs the lines of value between the two types of hotels.
One thing that’s great about a Disney resort is that they’ve got lots of options right at the resort. If you’re hungry, they’ve got dining options right at the resort. Forget to pack something? They’ve got a small shop on property to help you out. Many of the Good Neighbor resorts offer the very same thing. Vacations tend to throw schedules off and having these amenities at your resort can save you after a long day at the parks.
They are often on Disney Property
Some Good Neighbor Hotels are right there in the action. Many are just a five-minute walk from Disney Springs. Some are near the Epcot area. No matter where the location, Good Neighbor hotels tend to offer complimentary shuttle service to the parks. The location of these hotels makes them an excellent value and closes the gap in value once again between the Disney and non-Disney hotels.
They Offer the Best Value
The thing that is most likely to please you as you consider booking a non-Disney hotel is that they offer better value because you are not paying for the Disney name. Ironically, many of the hotels are some of the best names in hospitality including Sheraton, Radisson, Marriott, Hilton, and more. When you look at the quality of the hotels and the nightly rates, you’ll see that even some deluxe level hotels go for less than what a Disney value resort would cost per night. Good Neighbor Hotels stretch your budget and give you more luxury at the same time.
They Serve Specific Needs
Disney Resorts all cater to the same type of guests. with few exceptions, they are primarily family resorts. This is slowly changing, but non-Disney resorts have the advantage of more targeted offerings. Some hotels offer family suites. Others offer the best business centers or spas. The variety of options is better suited to an array of lifestyles. By contrast, Disney has a more cookie-cutter approach with resorts that differ only in theme and appearance. Even with different overlays, it’s easy to draw comparisons between Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Have you stayed in a Good Neighbor hotel during a Disney vacation? Let us know which one in the comments below.
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