The Disney Springs Resorts: the Best Hotels for a Disney World Vacation?

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When planning a Disney World vacation, you will find that there are tons of places to stay. And it can be hard to figure out which ones would be best for your family. Some of these are owned by Disney and on property, but they can be expensive. Others are cheaper but further away from the parks. And then there are the Disney Springs Resorts, which fall in the middle. Are these the best hotels for your trip? Let’s dive deeper and find out!

In this article, we will look at all the pros and cons of the Disney Springs Resorts so you can make the best decision on where to stay with your family.

title graphic showing a stream and the words "Disney Springs Resorts: the best hotels for a Disney World vacation?"

What are the Disney Springs Resorts?

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s start with the basics. What exactly are we talking about when we say “Disney Springs Resorts?” What hotels are included? And where are they located?

Unlike the Disney resorts, the Disney Spring Resorts are not owned or operated by Disney. Instead, they are independent chains that have partnered with Disney.

There are currently 7 Disney Springs Resorts. They are: B Resort and Spa, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando, and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

These 7 hotels are located on Disney World property, just down the street from Disney Springs. The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is located on Buena Vista Drive, while the other 5 are located on Hotel Plaza Blvd.

You can find more specific details on each of these hotels and check availability at disneyspringshotels.com.

Sign for B Resort & Spa at night; this is one of the 6 Disney Springs Resorts — B Resort and Spa is one of the 6 resorts in the Disney Springs area

Disney Springs Resorts vs. Disney Resorts

At first blush, the Disney Springs Resorts seem to give you all the same benefits as the Disney resorts do, except they come with a cheaper price tag. But, looks can sometimes be deceiving.

While located on Disney World property, the Disney Springs Resorts are not completely identical to the Disney resort hotels. They do share some of the same benefits, but there are also some big differences between the two.

World of Disney sign with Stitch — One of the benefits of these hotels is being within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in Disney Springs.

Benefits of Disney Springs Resorts

The benefits shared by the Disney Springs Resorts and the Disney hotels include:

the convenience of being located within the Disney World complex
access to Extra Magic Hours so you can enjoy more time in the parks
free transportation to and from all of the Disney World parks

There are some advantages to staying in one of these Disney Springs hotels over staying at a Disney resort. These include:

The rooms at these non-Disney hotels tend to be bigger than those you will find at Disney resorts.
The price is usually cheaper than staying at a Disney-owned hotel.
The Disney Springs hotels are all within walking distance of the restaurants and shops at Disney Springs (only a couple of the Disney hotels are this close to Disney Springs).
You will receive a booklet full of discounts and other savings to use at Disney Springs when you stay at one of these partner hotels.

the lobby of the Doubletree hotel with its minimal Disney theming — There is very little theming at the Disney partner hotels.

Disadvantages of Disney Springs Resorts

Before you get too excited, let’s look at the differences between the Disney Springs hotels and the Disney resorts because these may have a big impact on your Disney vacation. These disadvantages include:

You can not get the Disney Dining Plan if you stay at one of these non-Disney hotels. (Please note that the Disney Dining Plan has not yet returned after the COVID pandemic.)
You can’t use Disney’s MagicBands to open your hotel room door, like you can at the Disney owned hotels.
There is very minimal Disney theming at these hotels.
Even though these hotels are on property, you are still taken out of the Disney bubble when going back to your hotel due to the lack of Disney theming.
Compared to Disney transportation, the transportation to and from the parks at the Disney Springs area hotels is not very efficient and can be frustrating to use.
Lastly, there are some hidden fees associated with staying at these hotels, such as parking and resort fees, that can make your price tag higher than it first appears.

A Disney World bus stop sign for Port Orleans French Quarter — The Disney transportation is much better than that running to the Disney Springs resorts.

Disney Springs Resorts vs. Off-Site Options

When comparing the Disney Springs Resorts to off-site options for your Disney World vacation, you will probably find that they are very similar in price, quality, room size, and amenities to comparable off-site hotels.

However, the biggest advantages to these hotels are that they are located on property, transportation to the parks, and extra magic hours benefits reserved for guests staying on property.

A stream at Disney Springs — One of the pretty sights at Disney Springs

My Recommendations

Because every family is different, the perfect accommodations for one family may not work for another family. What works best for you will come down to the size of your family, your budget, and your priorities.

Given that, however, I recommend staying at a Disney resort if you can make it work. I feel that the transportation alone makes staying at a Disney hotel worth the extra cost. But, I would recommend staying at a Disney Springs Resort over offsite options if you have a smaller budget.

Conclusion

Many times, it gets confusing trying to figure out whether the Disney Springs Resorts are a good fit for your family and what exactly the difference is between them and the Disney owned hotels.

I hope this comparison helps you to make a better informed decision on where to stay in Orlando.

For Disney planning tips, see my step by step guide, best resources, quick tips and the best time to visit Disney World.

For ways to make your trip more affordable, see Disney on a Dime, how much does a Disney trip REALLY cost, how to save money on food at Disney, how to save money on souvenirs at Disney, grocery delivery at Disney, and how to make your Disney trip special.

Happy travels!

P.S. Are you planning a trip to Disney World and not sure what you need to do or when? Do you feel completely overwhelmed by it all? My Disney World Trip Planning Checklist can help! It will guide you through every step of the planning process! And it’s FREE! Grab yours in the box below!

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