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Toll Free: 877-624-6889
Intl: (407) 917-8432
Posted on August 16, 2021
Vacationers heading to Orlando invariably have Disney World on their mind, and many want to stay as close to the Mouse House as possible without breaking the bank. For visitors looking to stay in one of the closest timeshare resorts to Disney World, there are several options that can place you within minutes of the Disney theme parks.
Even if you are not a timeshare owner, or don’t own timeshare points, you may already know that timeshare units are often the best accommodations to book due to the larger unit configurations, fully equipped kitchens and separate bedrooms for privacy.
Especially in the COVID era, having a more comfortable unit to relax in takes the pressure off spending additional time in public spaces. Kitchens allow you to prepare and eat healthy meals in a more controlled environment, and most timeshare resorts have all the essentials you need to enjoy a safe and fun trip.
For this list, we have excluded the Disney Vacation Club resorts because those are the no-brainer choices for staying on Disney property. The problem is that units in the DVC resorts are considerably more expensive to rent – which is part of the reason why their timeshare sales are comparatively so successful.
For anyone looking to buy Disney timeshare points, give us a call since you can save thousands of dollars by buying on the resale market.
So, if your priority is staying close to Disney, we have prepared the list below from the most popular resorts based on offers placed by our customers.
We realize that the Disney World complex is a big place, so the distances calculated are based on the closest distance from the resort to the Magic Kingdom parking lot, which is also where the shuttles drop off at the Tickets & Transportation Center. All resorts are under 10 miles away.
Located next to the Orlando Premium Outlet, shoppers will love this location when taking a break from the Disney parks. Tuscany Village units range from 364 sq. ft. studio layouts through to three-bedroom condos at over 1,600 sq. ft. Shuttle service is provided to Epcot for a fee and must be pre-booked. The on-site Concierge can help with booking shuttle service.
Just off the Irlo Bronson Highway near the southern boundary to the parks, this gem is fully self-contained with several pools, lazy river, restaurants, bars and golf courses.
Several “village” buildings within the 1,000-acre complex feature various styles of accommodation, from duplex units at West Village to the high-rise units at East Village. North Village and River Island are also available, with the most popular layouts being the two-bedroom configurations. Shuttle service from Orange Lake Resort to the Disney parks is not provided.
A long-time favorite of Orlando timeshare visitors, Sheraton Vistana Resort is just the other side of I-4 from Disney Springs and offers multiple pools, tennis and sports courts, game room, sauna, steam room, and even massage service. Villas come in one- and two-bedroom layouts with all of the modern amenities.
Free shuttle service is provided to the Tickets & Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom. From there you can get Disney transport to the other parks.
This resort is closer to World Center Drive and the main entrance to the Disney complex. Located next to Lake Bryan, you can enjoy a beach and watersports right in the middle of central Florida. Units at Diamond Resorts Grand Beach range from one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations.
The resort does not provide shuttle service but can organize paid transportation to the parks through a third-party provider.
In the Lake Buena Vista area just north of Disney, the resort is the same side of I-4 as Disney with easy access to Disney Springs and the rest of the parks. One-, two- and three-bedroom units provide space and comfort with kitchen, living and dining areas. Swimming pool, children’s pool, activities center, deli and even an onsite bar give you plenty of places to relax while taking a break from the parks.
Grande Villas provides shuttle service to Disney for a fee from its affiliated resort next door, Cypress Pointe Resort.
In the Kissimmee area just south of the parks, you will be just across from the Mystic Dunes Golf Course and tucked away from the crowds in a restful part of the area. The resort offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with kitchen, living and dining areas and in-unit washer/dryer to keep packing to a minimum. Enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming pools and grab a bite at the snack bar. The resort offers a shuttle at an additional cost.
Just up the road from Disney in Lake Buena Vista, you will have access to studio, two- or three-bedroom units with all the modern conveniences. The kids will love the volcano slide in the swimming pool, game room, activity center and playground. Adults can choose from the Café Pointe for a quick bite or grab something from the marketplace. The resort provides shuttle bus service to Disney at an additional cost.
Featuring one of the top golf destinations in central Florida and home to live concerts for the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions LPGA event, Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club provides a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation.
On the Kissimmee side and close to the southern approach to the Disney parks, the resort has one-, two- and three-bedroom condo-style units with everything you need for a great vacation. Dip in the pool, pull up to the Aloha Tiki Bar or dine at Kenzie's – you’ll have everything you need. The resort also offers free shuttle service to Disney World.
Another in the laid-back southern section of the region, the resort is just south of Irlo Bronson Highway and minutes from World Drive and direct access to the Magic Kingdom.
The resort features one of the largest ranges of accommodations on the list, from studio to four-bedroom options, and everything you need is onsite. The kids will love Shipwreck Island Water Park and you’ll have numerous choices from fourteen swimming pools and hot tubs to multiple bar and food options and a movie theater dedicated to Disney movies.
Westgate Town Center offers shuttle service to Disney at no cost but check the schedules since this is not a continuous service. The bus takes you to the Magic Kingdom Tickets & Transportation Center.
The only resort on our list that is on Disney property, Wyndham Bonnet Creek is the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom as well as the most popular resort according to our customers. The resort is literally seven minutes away from Disney Springs and eight minutes to Epcot – so close that it can take families longer to load the crew and gear into the car than to drive to the parks.
Accommodation options vary from one-, two, three- and four-bedroom units with everything you need in a home away from home experience. Full kitchen, living room, dining area, balcony to enjoy the view but air-conditioned comfort to come in from the Florida heat makes this one of the best vacation resorts in Orlando.
Choose from several pools, lazy river, hot tubs and slides – plus game rooms and an activity program for the kids. A number of onsite bar and restaurant options make meal planning a breeze and the free Wi-Fi lets you easily share your vacation with everyone back home.
Wyndham Bonnet Creek offers a paid shuttle service to the Disney Tickets & Transportation Center or to Disney Springs. The cost is $7 round trip per person and must be booked in advance.
Because priorities vary depending on which Disney theme parks vacationers want to visit, this list is subjective and assumes that the Magic Kingdom is your top priority. If, for example, Animal Kingdom is more of a priority, you may want to check out the more southern options such as Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort, Westgate Town Center or Diamond Resorts Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club as they are closer to Animal Kingdom.
Steve manages the public relations and content creation efforts of the company. Previously the Chief Operating Officer for Perspective International, Steve provided oversight and contributed articles for the five regional vacation ownership trade magazines under the Perspective Magazine banner. With 35 years’ experience in various roles in radio and television, sales and marketing, public relations, media and government liaison initiatives, he brings a well-rounded outlook to our industry.