If you’re not planning to rent a car in Orlando, one of the main things you’ll need to figure out before your Disney vacation is how you’re going to get to the theme parks. Shuttle services are complimentary for guests who are staying at Disney Resort hotels. However, while many non-Disney hotels in Orlando offer free or paid shuttles to Disney World, not all of them offer this service.
In this blog, we’ve listed 10 of the most popular top-rated hotels in Orlando that offer shuttles to Disney World.
If you want to leave the worry of driving, traffic, and parking to someone else, a hotel that offers shuttles to Disney could be a great option for your family. Keep reading to see which hotels near Disney World provide a free shuttle to Disney. We’ve included both luxury and pocket-friendly options.
Are there shuttles from Orlando hotels to Disney?
Walt Disney World has an extensive transportation system consisting of buses, boats, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner gondolas. These transportation options can get you between Disney Resort hotels, theme parks, water parks, and shopping and dining venues. Best of all, this extensive network of Disney transportation is completely free of cost. So, if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you don’t need to rent a car. Just sit back and leave the driving and parking to the cast members!
When you arrive in Orlando, Disney’s Magical Express service provides complimentary transportation from Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort hotel. (This service is available only until January 1, 2022. Reservations are required).
However, if you’re staying off-site, i.e., at a non-Disney property, you might need to rent a car, hire a taxi or Uber, or use local Orlando city buses to get to Disney World. But not always! Some Orlando hotels offer shuttle services to Disney theme parks and shopping areas. These shuttle services may be free or come at an extra charge.
What hotels in Orlando have free shuttles to Disney World?
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
This is a luxury 5-star resort that offers a shuttle service to Walt Disney World and other theme parks in Orlando such as SeaWorld and Universal Studios. Walt Disney World is located 10 miles from this property. A resort fee of $40 per room, per night is applicable. Besides the use of the theme park shuttles, the resort fee also includes unlimited domestic and long-distance phone calls, high-speed in-room internet, mountain bike rental, kids’ activities, pool floats on the resort’s lazy river, and more. Reservations for the theme park shuttles need to be made 24 hours in advance.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Another 5-star luxury Orlando resort that offers a free shuttle service to Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs. A daily resort charge ($45 plus tax per room, per night) is added to your room rate. In addition to the Disney shuttle, the resort charge includes standard wi-fi access throughout the resort, 20% off spa treatments, complimentary golf club rentals, access to the fitness center, and more. Walt Disney World is approximately 6 miles from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs Area
This pocket-friendly Orlando hotel is located inside the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs is walkable distance from here. Guests also enjoy free scheduled shuttle services to the Disney theme parks. Guests should contact the Front Desk after check-in to make shuttle reservations.
Melia Orlando Celebration
This mid-range hotel in Orlando offers free shuttles to all the major theme parks, including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios Orlando. The hotel is located only 2.5 miles away from the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s part of the Walt Disney World Good-Neighbor hotel program. There are pet-friendly accommodations in 1 to 2-bedroom apartments with a capacity of up to 7 guests. So, it’s a great choice for families and groups of friends.
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort Disney Springs Resort Area
With two swimming pools, free wi-fi, a fitness center, and a restaurant, this Disney Springs area hotel ticks all the boxes. And if you’re looking for an Orlando hotel with shuttles to Disney World, you’ve landed in the right place. The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort offers scheduled daily shuttle transportation to all four Disney World theme parks. The services are free but reservations are required. Shuttle schedules and other information (drop off/pick up points) are provided to guests upon check-in.
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
As if an enviable location next to Walt Disney World, 482 acres of pristine nature preserve, and its very own lazy river were not enough, Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers free transportation to and from all the Disney World theme parks. If the free shuttles to Disney are only running Friday through Sunday and you stay at this hotel Monday through Thursday, the hotel will provide you with a taxi voucher or reimburse your Uber or Lyft round-trip fare! Please note that there is a daily resort charge that includes the shuttle service to the four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs. The resort charge also includes high-speed internet, spa discounts, 2 bottles of water daily, and much more.
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
This wonderful Key West-themed Orlando resort offers a free shuttle service to Disney. But there are so many more things that keep guests coming back to this popular hotel. The zero-entry pool and in-house sandy beach, onsite dining and shopping options, and a convenient location less than 6 miles from the Walt Disney World Resort are just some of them.
Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive North
This 3-star Orlando hotel offers a free shuttle service to Disney at set times (reservations required). The Walt Disney World Resort is around 9 miles from this hotel, Universal Orlando is 1.5 miles, and the Orlando International Airport is 10 miles away. There’s a fitness center, outdoor pool, and complimentary hot breakfast for guests as well.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orlando Theme Parks/Lake Buena Vista
Located 6 miles from Magic Kingdom, 2.4 miles from SeaWorld Orlando, and 1 mile from Disney Springs, this budget Orlando hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast, free wi-fi, and scheduled shuttle services to the Disney theme parks. Shuttles are scheduled at 3 convenient departure times 7:55 am, 9:55 am, and 11 am and pick ups are made at 6:50 pm and 10:30 pm.
Cypress Pointe Resort by Diamond Resorts
Guests at this 3-star Orlando resort have access to a free daily shuttle service to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando. Disney Springs is less than 2 miles from this property, so dining and shopping is within easy access. The resort also features a year-round outdoor pool, barbecue, and gift shop onsite.
Note: Some resorts in Orlando have suspended their shuttle services to Disney World and other theme parks in the area during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please double check with the hotel directly before making reservations.
Where do hotel shuttles drop off at Disney World?
All non-Disney hotel shuttles drop guests off at the Transportation and Ticketing Center (TTC). From here, you can board the monorail, take the ferry, or get on a motor coach (all complimentary) to the various Disney theme parks, water parks, and shopping and dining destinations.