Welcome back, Melissa! I am glad you came back for more information, and I am happy to dig a little deeper into the other great accommodations around the
Walt Disney World Resort.
There are three distinct areas within Walt Disney World that have hotels that are not a part of the
Disney Resorts Collection: Disney Springs area, Bonnet Creek area, and Flamingo Crossings. The one outlier is the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, which you mentioned. If you want to see which hotel brands are available at each location, you can
Explore More Great Accommodations here.
As you continue to research the various options of non-Disney hotels, I think you will find pros and cons in each area. If you plan to explore the culinary options
Disney Springs offers, the hotels off Hotel Plaza Blvd. (Disney Springs area) will be most convenient. If you have a family member in the Disney College Program, Flamingo Crossing hotels will be closest to their accommodations (plus there is a Target).
If you have had the chance to read some of my previous answers to Guests' questions, you will know that I am a huge fan of staying on Disney property in a Disney Resorts Collection hotel. My family thoroughly enjoys the unique theming of the resorts, the
dining options available, the
complimentary transportation,
Early Entry and
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, and, most importantly, the proximity to the theme parks.
Of all the Disney Resorts Collection hotels my family has stayed in, we lean towards
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa,
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort,
Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (one from each category!). We decide based on the length of our stay, the time of year we are visiting, and which parks we are trying to spend the most time in.
If you need additional assistance choosing your next resort for your upcoming Disney vacation, please
ask me more questions! I love sharing my experience and knowledge with Guests to help spread the magic!
See you real soon!
Brent