I’m working on a trip to Disney for 2016. In the circles Mrs. Weekly Flyer and I run in, we are quickly learning how much goes into planning the perfect 1st Disney trip. We are starting our search with points hotels near Disney. So, here it goes for our initial search for hotels that we can pay for with points near Disney. You can follow along with us as we plan this trip and if you are planning your own trip, this list might come in handy.
Disney Hotels That Can Be Booked With Points
WALT DISNEY WORLD DOLPHIN
- WALT DISNEY WORLD DOLPHIN
- WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN
- SHERATON VISTANA VILLAGES RESORT VILLAS, I-DRIVE/ORLANDO
- SHERATON VISTANA RESORT VILLAS, LAKE BUENA VISTA/ORLANDO
- SHERATON LAKE BUENA VISTA RESORT
Hyatt
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village
- Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village
- Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre
- Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
- Orlando World Center Marriott
- Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Bohemian Hotel Celebration, Autograph Collection
- The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
IHG
- Staybridge Suites : Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn : Orlando-Downtown Disney® Area
- Holiday Inn Resort : Orlando-Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn : Orlando SW – Celebration Area
 Hilton
- Hilton Grand Vacations Suites on International Drive
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Hilton Orlando
- Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista South
- Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando-South Lake Buena Vista
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Orlando – Lake Buena Vista
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Images courtesy Starwood Hotels
Bottom Line
Looks like there are tons of options that are close(ish) to Disney to choose from. Now I just need to decide what experience we really want and how much cash or points we want to spend on this adventure. More to come as I get further along in this process! If you have any suggestions for best places to stay or must-do activities, I would love to hear them in the comments section.
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About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way. Feel free to reach me at theweeklyflyer@gmail.com
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It’s been a few years, but I can only vouch for the Disney Swan (or Dolphin). I found it to be my favorite spend of SPG points so far for the money. 5th night free…. 40th birthday at Disney World. Easy access to all the parks with a water taxi stop right outside the door.
If you can benefit from a 2-bedroom suite, there is great value in the Sheraton Vistana vacation properties using the Pay Your Birth Year rate. See http://www.americas.starwoodoffers.com/payyourbirthyear
I like the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek. They have a free shuttle to the parks that is usually empty. They also have bunk beds in a separate alcove within some of their rooms. It’s great if you have two little ones but still want some lovin from your significant other after “bedtime”.
i recently stayed @ the hilton lake buena vista . . . amazing location (across the street from downtown disney – <5 minute walk) and frequent free shuttles to the parks . . . the hotel does charge for parking/resort fees, but these are discounted for gold and higher hhonors guests
I think the Swan & Dolphin are the best options for using points. I think it’s the closest thing there is to staying “on property”. It’s an easy walk to the International gateway entrance to EPCOT as well as a short boat ride to Hollywood studios. The Boardwalk and Beach Club hotels are an even closer walk with some neat things to see as well as great dining options. The rates are usually between $225-$300 which is an okay redemption for 10k SPG points.
If you are looking for a real Luxury hotel, this isn’t it and most Disney hotels aren’t. If that’s what you want I’d look at the Waldorf or Ritz and choose one of those.
I’m staying at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cyrpress in 3 weeks, at the Club level… We are not actually going to Disney this time, but my kids are very excited about all the amenities they have onsite.
Ignoring value and just judging the hotels on the list, the Swan and Dolphin win and it isn’t that close. They are on the property, sitting between Disney hotels and walking distance to 2 of the 4 parks.
I’m Swan & Dolphin all the way – not only for the proximity but the perks. You get to book Fastpass+ 60 days in advance with these hotels; otherwise you have to wait until 30 days out with all other hotels and miss out on some of the best reservation times and rides. You get some (but not all) of the perks of on-property at Disney which is really important if you want the full Disney experience.
Have stayed at both dolphin and swan. Very nice hotels. Can walk to disney boardwalk. As a fyi as i have been there recently…shuttle to disney is ok but not great. We had a one hr turnaround time on way back as there were more people waiting for bus than it could accommodate. So had to wait for 2nd bus. Not fun with tired little kids. I would just drive to park as if u stay here you can recieve free disney parking. Personally with 2 kids we usually use pts to stay at hotels now that provide free breakfast and dont charge parking or resort fees now. Saves us prob $60/day after we have to pay for disney parking
Doing this trip in 2016, also. I’ve done piles of research already. Insane piles. What I have discovered is that just because there is a “shuttle” does not mean it will run when we want it to. We like to close down the park and most don’t run that often. Checking reviews is the best way to find this info – the hotel site doesn’t usually cough up that detail. Downtown Disney (new Disney Springs) seems to have the best bet for transportation. Also, when I ran some dummy bookings for the Starwood properties, it looked like the availability might not be there for award stays. Be sure to check ASAP!
Planning my Thanksgiving trip so please keep me posted
Leslie H: You can book off-site properties and get a throwaway room on-site. Book yourself single days at value resorts around when you need to get FastPass+ reservations, then cancel the reservations when you’re 30 days out. Example: You book yourself at a nearby Hyatt or Wyndham for a Monday-Thursday trip. You book a single day reservation at Pop Century for the same Monday night that covers Mon/Tues and a single day at All-Star Sports for Wednesday night that covers Wed/Thurs. At 60 days out you make your FastPass+ reservations. At 30 days out (when your off-site hotel is now good for FastPass+) you cancel your reservations at Pop Century and All-Star Sports. BAM, still have your FastPass+ reservations for all the best attractions!