When you’re planning a trip to Disney World, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Not only do you have to work out how to get to Florida, but you have to ensure you have all the right passes, plenty of spending money, and you have to find the right accommodation for you and your family. Sometimes that can be the hardest part of all, especially if you particularly want hotels near Disney World that also give you plenty of local fun. With that in mind, here are eight hotels that can offer exactly that.

Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa

Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa has an excellent central location. 

One of the many great things about Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa is that its location is ideal no matter who you are or what you want to do on your Orlando vacation. There are some decent Disney area hotels in this location, but something about Westgate Lakes puts it a cut above the rest. Perhaps it’s the fact that it has its very own water park, Treasure Cove, with a 41,000-gallon wave pool, a gorgeous lazy river, and loads of slides.

Or maybe it’s the rooms – they are certainly comfortable, modern, and they contain everything anyone would need to make their vacation perfect, including a mini-fridge, flatscreen TVs, an entire kitchen, wifi, and jetted tubs. Plus, there is an excellent golf course and a fitness center that has been meticulously created with the user in mind. Plus, as we’ve said, the location can’t be beaten; this stunning lakefront hotel is just four minutes from Universal and seven minutes from Disney itself, making it the perfect place to put down some roots when you’re in Orlando. 

Melia Orlando Celebration

Explore the local area on a bike for an added touch of adventure. 

As you might expect, there are dozens of hotels near Disney World, but they are not all created equal. There are some, like the Melia Orlando Celebration, which offers guests that little bit (actually, a lot) more than anything else. Located only three miles away from the Disney World Resort, you’ll find everything you need and more in this stunning hotel.

The Melia is an all-suite hotel, meaning that no matter how many are in your party, you can enjoy a large space with a complete kitchen, allowing you to cook your own food if you want to, and certainly giving you the best option when it comes to relaxing. However, the hotel’s location also means that you can head out to the local area to enjoy everything it has to offer, including dozens of restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. There’s also a Spanish restaurant onsite if you prefer. Other facilities include a great pool, a gym, and cycle hire, so you can explore the local area much more easily. 

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 

Budget-friendly, family-friendly, and perfectly located. 

Do you need a budget hotel in the Lake Buena Vista area that caters to every family member? You don’t need to scour dozens of hotels near Disney World to find what you’re looking for; the answer is the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista. It may not be the most luxurious hotel you could find, but it’s certainly one that’s excellent value for money, has plenty to keep you and the rest of your group entertained, and with it being just a mile away from the Disney parks, what more could you really ask for?

Of course, some amazing bonus features really make this hotel a great choice. The first is that if you’re looking for a base to explore the local area and to have some fun, this is it; it’s right in the middle of some of the best dining and entertainment areas in Orlando. On top of that, you can take a complimentary shuttle to the parks, saving you even more time and making things much more convenient. As for food, if you want to stay in the hotel, there is an onsite Applebee’s, where kids eat for free – what a great deal! Don’t forget the outdoor pool, splash pad, arcade, and fitness center; even when you’re not out at the parks, you’ll have a fabulous time.

Hilton Grand Vacations At Tuscany Village

Enjoy your suite with a private balcony. 

The Hilton Grand Vacations at Tuscany Village resort is a stunning place to visit and offers guests the chance to completely unwind and relax before and after they spend their energy in the nearby theme parks. This can be done via the two beautifully maintained outdoor pools and in the superb suites, all with private balconies, flatscreen TVs, and free wifi.

Being just seven miles from Universal Studios and two miles from the Disney parks means you’re right at the center of the action at all times, especially when you consider you’re just a four-minute walk from Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets for all your shopping needs. 

Doubletree Suites by Hilton Orlando 

Disney Springs is the ultimate place for shopping, dining, and entertainment. 

Some areas of Orlando are specifically designed to be perfect for those who love to shop, eat out, and generally have a good time even when they’re not at the Disney or Universal parks. Disney Springs – formerly Downtown Disney – is one of those areas, and when you are looking for hotels near Disney World where you can also have some local fun, it doesn’t get better than being close to Disney Springs. That’s exactly what Doubletree Suites by Hilton Orlando gives you; the ideal location at a great price with plenty of facilities and amenities on offer too.

There is a shuttle service to the parks, and since you can buy your entry tickets in the hotel itself, there’s no need to queue when you get there. If you want to visit Disney Springs, you can actually walk there in no time at all; it’s that close. Onsite, there’s a swimming pool, playground, fitness center, walking trails, and tennis courts. If you book online through the hotel’s own website, you’ll also be treated to free breakfast and wifi included in the price.

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace 

Walking distance (via a sky bridge) to Disney Springs. 

If the idea of hotels near Disney World means hotels near Disney Springs in your mind because you’re excited about all the entertainment options available there, you’ll have a lot of choices. Narrow that choice down by opting for the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace; it’s a great hotel if you’re looking for something a little more upscale and luxury-focused, but it also includes all the great benefits that being close to Disney Springs can offer you. We really mean it when we say close; you can simply walk across the specially designed sky bridge from the hotel to the fabulous entertainment center. To really make the most of your time in Orlando at Disney World, you can watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from your room too.

Don’t let the fact that the hotel is close to the fun fool you; there’s plenty of fun to be had in the resort as well, including the Float Lagoon, two pools, onsite dining, an arcade, and a splash area. You can even eat breakfast with some of the Disney characters on Sundays, and take a shuttle to the parks to make life as easy as possible.

Caribe Royale Orlando 

Tranquil and serene, and yet the Caribe Royale Orlando is only five miles from Disney. 

The Caribe Royale Orlando hotel is close to all the major tourist attractions you’ve gone to Orlando to experience, making it a great base to explore from. For those days when you don’t want to head out so that you can recharge your batteries, you can try the tennis or basketball courts, the three outdoor swimming pools, the kid’s pool (with its very own waterslide), or watch a movie. What’s special about that? It’s the fact that the Caribe Royale Orlando is one of the only hotels near Disney World that offers you the chance to lie out under the stars to watch that movie in the open air; it’s a lot of fun and certainly an experience to remember. Take a shuttle to any of the parks you want to visit, or why not take another shuttle to the local shopping areas for some retail therapy? Want to make the most of your chance to explore? Hire a bike and ride around; there’s a lot to see.

The Alfond Inn At Rollins

A hotel with an art museum attached. 

You’ll find the Alfond Inn in Winter Park close to everything you could ever wish to reach when you’re on vacation in Orlando. When you think about it, that could be quite a lot of things, and that’s the beauty of the Alfond Inn at Rollins; it really does have it all. You’ll be able to enjoy free wifi throughout the hotel, and the outdoor pool is particularly special, giving you real vacation vibes. There is a fantastic shopping and eating district just 800 yards away in Park Avenue, and it’s an ideal place to wander either with purpose or without, just soaking up the atmosphere.

When it comes to rounding off a great day, this is the place to do it. Each room at the Alfond Inn at Rollins comes with cable TV and a docking station for your tablet or other devices. Plus, there are tea and coffee-making facilities for all guests, as well as a 24-hour concierge, so you can have your questions answered any time of the day or night. As for food, there is an onsite restaurant, Hamilton’s Kitchen, which offers up a plethora of fabulous local cuisine – there’s a great weekend brunch service too. The really special thing about The Alfond Inn is the art museum. The hotel is really an extension of this, and it’s certainly something different if you’re looking for culture on your vacation.

Title Image: Disney Dreamers Academy