Complete Guide to the Best Hotels Near EPCOT Orlando 2024

Complete Guide to the Best Hotels Near EPCOT Orlando 2024

Complete Guide to the Best Hotels Near EPCOT Orlando 2024

This article is your complete guide to the best hotels near EPCOT 2024! Personally, we love the Disney BoardWalk Inn and the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.  With that being said, there are many more hotels near EPCOT Orlando for you to love! So, if you’re wanting to stay in one of the nicest hotels at EPCOT with free transportation, like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, keep reading!

So if you’re ready to learn all about the best Disney World EPCOT hotels read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World check out our Disney Crowd calendar! 

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

What are the Best Hotels Close to EPCOT 2024? 

There are eight hotels that are the closest to EPCOT: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, the Disney World Dolphin, the Disney World Swan, the new Disney World Swan reserve, the Disney Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. It’s important to note that the Disney Dolphin, Disney Swan, and Disney World Swan Reserve are all owned and operated by Marriott. However, they are located on Disney World property and are considered some of the best hotels next to EPCOT. Also, the Disney Riviera Resort and Disney Caribbean Beach Resort are two stops away using the Disney World Skyliner.

As you can see there are a bunch of hotels near EPCOT center and all of them have something unique to offer when deciding on where to stay during your next Disney World vacation. Some of the hotels might offer nicer amenities such as amazing pools, themed bars, and world-class restaurants. While others provide some of the best Disney World hotel deals you will find. Next, we will rank the best EPCOT resort hotels and the pros and cons of each of them.

What are the official Disney hotels near EPCOT?

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

What are the non-Disney owned hotels near EPCOT?

• Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

What is the closest Disney hotel to EPCOT?

Technically, the closest Disney hotel to EPCOT would be Disney’s Beach Club. While Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Yacht Club all share the same general area, Disney’s Beach Club is just a few steps closer to the International Gateway which is the back entrance of EPCOT.

Related Post: Discount Disney World Hotel Packages

What are the Benefits of Staying at the Hotels Close to EPCOT?

Now that we have gone over all of the hotels closest to EPCOT, you might be wondering what are the benefits of the EPCOT center hotels. Any of the hotels noted above will come with the same benefits that you would receive at any of the other Disney World hotels. These include free transportation to and from the theme parks, resort-wide charging privileges, and the new early park admission to all four Disney theme parks.  However, we believe that the location of the EPCOT area hotels has some amazing added benefits that make them extremely unique.

What are the benefits of the hotels closest to EPCOT?

• Ability to walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
• Quick access to any of the restaurants at all eight hotels but specifically the Disney Boardwalk
• Moderate and deluxe-style amenities

Using Disney Deluxe Extended Evening Hours

One of our favorite added benefits when staying at any of the hotels near EPCOT is the extended evening hours for Disney deluxe resorts. These hours are specifically for Disney deluxe resorts after the parks close for regular guests, and the biggest benefit would be if you plan to use one of the extended evenings at EPCOT. We actually did this during one of our last trips and it made it so much more enjoyable to only be a short walk back to our hotel, especially after staying in the parks so late. We also loved that we were able to ride Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind during the extended hours as well.

Related Post: How Many Days Do You Need for Disney World? 

Hotels Within Walking Distance of EPCOT? 

Six Disney hotels are within walking distance of EPCOT. These EPCOT area hotels are Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, the Disney World Dolphin, the Disney World Swan, and the new Disney World Swan Reserve. You will find that the official Disney-owned hotels are the closest while the non-Disney Dolphin, Swan, and Swan Reserve are the furthest away.

How long to walk from the Disney resorts near EPCOT? 

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Estimated 5-10 minute walk
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Estimated 10-minute walk
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort: Estimated 10-15 minute walk
• Walt Disney World Swan Resort: Estimated 15-20 minute walk
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort: Estimated 15-20 minute walk
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve:  Estimated 20-minute walk

Related Post: Complete Guide to Disney World Virtual Queue 

What are the Best Hotels Near EPCOT With Shuttle?

But what if you aren’t a fan of walking, what are the best hotels near EPCOT with shuttle service? You will be happy to know that all of the hotels at EPCOT in Disney World have free transportation to and from any of the theme parks. As a general rule of thumb guests staying at any of the Disney EPCOT hotels will have access to either shuttle bus services, ferry boats, or the Disney Skyliner. And you will find that many of the hotels within walking distance will typically use ferry boats to bring guests to and from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Disney hotels near EPCOT transportation options

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Walking, shuttle bus services, ferry boats
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Walking, shuttle bus services, ferry boats
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort: Walking, shuttle bus services, ferry boats
• Walt Disney World Swan Resort: Walking, shuttle bus services, ferry boats
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort: Walking, shuttle bus services, ferry boats
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve: Walking, shuttle bus services
• Disney’s Riviera Resort: Shuttle bus services or the Disney Skyliner
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Shuttle bus services or the Disney Skyliner

Related Post: Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club 

What are the Best Disney Hotels Near EPCOT Ranked? 

Now that we have gone over the basics we are going to start to rank the best hotels near EPCOT and try to help you answer the question, of where to stay near EPCOT. We are going to take several factors into our rankings including the average price of each resort, the amenities, room options, and accessibility.

  Best hotels for EPCOT ranked

1. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
2. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
3. Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
4. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort
5. Walt Disney World Swan Resort
6. Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
7. Disney’s Riviera Resort
8. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Cheapest Disney World Hotel 

#1 – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht Club hotel is our pick for the best EPCOT hotel on Disney property with it being nestled right into the backside of EPCOT and is only a short walk away from the International Gateway. This resort is very upscale and has an elegant nautical theme throughout the rooms, restaurants, and pool areas.

Transportation options: Boat, Bus, Skyliner

Standard Room Rates: $522.00 per night

Pros: The Yacht Club resort is considered to have one of the best pools on Disney World property. You simply cannot beat the Storm-Along Bay sand bottom beach theme pool.  Our favorite parts of this beach pool include the lazy river, the poolside bar, and the huge pirate ship-themed water slide. Another thing we love about this resort is that it’s right next door to Beaches & Cream soda shop, home of the ever-so-popular Kitchen Sink Sundae. Just like many of the hotels within walking distance to EPCOT you also have easy access to the Disney World Boardwalk resort which we believe gives you so much more flexibility for dining and other fun activities throughout your Disney vacation.

Cons: Your entire party must be staying at the resort in order to use the pool. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are traveling with a large group that plans to get together during the day.

Related Post: Guide to Disney Yacht Club Vs Beach Club

#2 – Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Beach Club hotel is a close second for our pick for the best EPCOT hotel on Disney property and as we discussed is the closest Disney area hotel to EPCOT with it being nestled right into the backside of EPCOT and is only a short walk away from the International Gateway. This resort is very upscale and has an elegant beach resort theme throughout the rooms, and restaurants and it does in fact share the same pool areas as the Yacht Club.

Transportation options: Boat, Bus, Skyliner

Standard room rates: $522.00 per night

Pros: The Beach Club resort does share one of the best pools on Disney World property. Not only that but we do find the rooms at this hotel to typically be cheaper than the Yacht Club resort so this could be a great option for families looking to get more out of their budget. You will also find great varieties of different room types which include studios, 1-bedroom villas, and 2-bedroom villas.

Cons: We simply feel that the theming is lacking compared to the close by Disney Yacht Club Resort.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Early Entry Disney World

#3 – Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

The Swan Reserve is the newest hotel located next to EPCOT it is located right on the left of the Disney World Swan, and across the way from Disney’s Fantasia Gardens & Fairways golf courses. You can see the Swan Reserve from Buena Vista Drive if you are driving between the theme parks.

Transportation options: Bus

Standard room rates: $322.00 per night

Pros: One of our favorite things about the Swan Reserve is without a doubt the brand-new rooms which include floor-to-ceiling views. Guests in select rooms can enjoy nightly views of the EPCOT fireworks which we think is something you simply can’t experience at many other hotels next to EPCOT.

Cons: The room variety is very basic when compared to some of the other EPCOT area hotels with the majority of the rooms being standard or 1 bedroom suites. It is also rather small and unimpressive when compared to other resorts in the area.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Walt Disney World Swan vs Dolphin Resorts

#4 – Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort

Staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a vacation in itself with everything it has to offer between restaurants, shops, and entertainment. The BoardWalk is one of the best Disney World hotels because of simply: the BoardWalk. Along the waterside docks, you can find a dueling piano bar, Jelly Rolls, any kind of Italian food you can think of, games, and more! You will not be bored staying at the BoardWalk, especially with the Atlantic City-style theming.

Transportation Options: Boat, Bus

Standard room rates: $574.00 per night

Pros: Besides the obvious advantages of being located on the Disney Boardwalk, this resort is also just a short walk to the back entrance of Epcot and a 20-minute walk or a short boat ride to Hollywood Studios. With the opening of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, this is one of the best Disney World hotels to stay at for all Star Wars fans hoping to be close to the action.

Cons: Because of its proximity to Epcot, this resort can book up fast during the fall season. It’s considered one of the best Disney World hotels for couples during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. Guests interested in staying at this resort in the Fall should start planning their trip at least 10-12 months in advance.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Disney World Boardwalk

#5 – Walt Disney World Swan Resort

Considered part of the Westin brand in the Marriot collection the Disney World Swan is very comparable to one of the Disney deluxe resorts but at a very moderate price. As discussed guests will be happy to know that the Disney World Swan and Dolphin also have the same perks as Disney resorts like access to free Disney resort transportation and Disney early park admission. 

Transportation Options: Boat, Bus

Standard room rates: $286.00 per night

Pros: As discussed we believe the main pro here is that guests can enjoy a deluxe-style hotel located near EPCOT for a very affordable price. We also love the dining options between both the Swan and Dolphin Resort which we believe give guests plenty of variety during their Disney vacation.

Cons: Although we do still believe it is a great price when compared to Disney deluxe resorts guests must be aware of a nightly amenity charge.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best Disney Springs Hotels

#6 – Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

The Disney World Dolphin Resort is another hotel close to EPCOT operated by Marriott and is another one of the most affordable hotels near EPCOT. It’s also important to note that

Transportation Options: Boat, Bus

Standard room rates: $235.00 per night

Pros: On average, we do find the Disney World Dolphin to be one of the most affordable hotels close to EPCOT which makes it another great choice for guests looking to get the most out of their budget. We also love the fact that guests can enjoy the pools and amenities at all three of the Marriott resorts which are the Disney Dolphin, Disney Swan, and Disney Swan Reserve.

Cons: One of the biggest downsides for many families is the full-size beds that are standard for every Disney World dolphin room.

Related Post: The Complete List of Disney World Resorts

#7 – Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the smallest hotels on Disney property which adds to the charm of this Disney Deluxe Resort. It is also the newest official Disney-owned hotel located near EPCOT and is connected to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios through the new Disney Skyliner.

Transportation Options: Bus, Skyliner

Standard room rates: $429.00 per night

Pros: The Disney Riviera Resort is another DVC resort which means it has a ton of variety when it comes to room options. Guests can enjoy Studio rooms, 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms, and 3 bedrooms for large families visiting Disney World. This resort also has some of the newest and most modern hotels on Disney World property.

Cons: Although we do love how charming and convenient everything is from the main lobby we do find the pool and amenities at this resort to be lacking due to the size.

Related Post: Complete Guide to Disney Riviera Resort

#8 – Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

While Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort might not be the closest hotel near EPCOT, we love this option for families and those looking for easy transportation around the Walt Disney World property. The theming of this resort is all about the Caribbean with bright colors, lush landscapes, and even 5 different islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba.

Transportation Options: Bus, Skyliner

Standard room rates: $248.00 per night

Pros: With recent renovations, this resort has added some awesome new dining locations with super unique menu items. The pirate pool is expertly themed with forts and water cannons that make playtime more magical than ever. The grounds are beautifully kept and will make you feel like you’re really in the Caribbean.

Cons: With such vast grounds, getting around the resort itself can be time-consuming. Even when going to or coming home from the parks, there are multiple bus stops throughout the property which essentially eats away at your time. We do not consider this one of the best Walt Disney World hotels in 2021 for families with small children.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best Disney Moderate Resorts

Best Hotels Near EPCOT 2024 FAQ

Q: What resorts connect to Epcot?

A: This question has changed slightly with the newest addition of the Disney World Skyliner, which now connects the Disney World Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney Riviera Resort. That’s on top of the hotels that are already in walking distance which are Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Walt Disney World Swan Resort, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.

Q: What hotel has a boat to Epcot?

A: The current Disney hotels with a boat to EPCOT are Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club, Walt Disney World Swan Resort, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.

Q: Can you walk to EPCOT from any resort?

A: You can walk from some Disney resorts to EPCOT, but not all of them. Any on-site Disney hotel provides free transportation, but there are a handful of hotels that you can walk to EPCOT from right in the EPCOT area! Those include Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Beach and Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets. If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well!