Introduction
In this series, I explore the best hotels outside Walt Disney World (also known as off-site hotels). This article explores the hotels near Disney World’s western entrance.
These hotels are within a short drive from the Disney Bubble and other Orlando attractions such as Seaworld, Universal Studios, and i-Drive.
Flamingo Crossings Hotels – At a Glance
As shown on the map above, Flamingo Crossings is a new town-center development only 1.3 miles from the “Welcome to Walt Disney World” sign along Western Way!
The 6 hotels shown are called Disney Gateway Hotels – meaning these hotels can be booked via the Disney Central Reservation System.
Gateway Hotels may have a Disney Service Desk operated by AllGuest Services to help plan your vacation but hours vary, as do the levels of expertise!
Guests of some Disney Partner Hotels can get a 30-minute jump on their Disney day with early theme park entry—available at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks.
Note: At last check, this perk is not available for Gateway Partner Hotels, but because Disney’s relationship with local hotels changes often, you should always confirm what perks will be available with the hotel before booking.
SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites share a pool. Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites share a pool.
The Town Center is growing fast and already has everything you need for a short hotel stay nearby. See the Business Directory below.
Shop the small-format Target for groceries and Disney memorabilia!
Flamingo Crossings Hotels – Bookings and Rates
| Hotel | Compare Rates (click) |
| TownePlace Suites SpringHill Suites Home2 Suites Homewood Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites Residence Inn |  |
Flamingo Crossings on Google Maps
Positives and Negatives of Flamingo Crossings
Looking at the map, the main attraction of Flamingo Crossings is clear – its proximity to Walt Disney World far away from the traffic nightmares along the I-4 corridor.
On the plus side:
- No resort fees
- Marriott and Hilton award members can use or accrue points
- Disney Gateway hotels can be booked by Disney Reservations
- Easy, fast access to the Disney Theme Parks (under 20 minutes to Magic Kingdom)
- New hotels with modern amenities
- Great for families – a safe area with fun hotel pools
- Easy walk to the fast-developing town center with restaurants, bars, and shops
- Scheduled shuttle buses are available
On the negative side:
- No low-budget hotels (yet)
- Parking is affordable but not free!
- These Disney Gateway hotels do not (yet) offer perks such as Early Theme Park Entry – but check with the hotel before booking!
- The area is still being developed and shopping is limited. Larger stores are 15 minutes away.
- If you plan to visit Universal, Seaworld, i-Drive, or other Orlando attractions, it may be best to stay east of Disney World
- The scheduled shuttle services are very limited and not free
Comparing Hotel Amenities – Parking, Shuttles, and Breakfast
In the table below, I compare important hotel amenities of interest to Disney visitors. Note – the shuttle services are NOT provided by the hotels – they contract a transportation company as described in the next section.
| Hotel | Parking | Park Shuttle (each way) | Airport Shuttle (each way) | Breakfast |
| TownePlace | $10 | $4 each way | No | Free |
| SpringHill | $10 | $4 | No | Free |
| Home2 | $10 | $5 | No | Free |
| Homewood | $10 | $5 | No | Free |
| Fairfield | $10 | $5 | No | Free |
| Residence | $10 | $5 | No | Free |
About the Flamingo Crossings Shuttle
Shuttle services are provided by Maingate Transportation. You can research online but the shuttle must be booked at the Front Desk of your hotel. Upon check-in, ask for the schedule printout.
As shown in the fare table below, with 3 to 4 riders it is more cost-effective and convenient to use Uber/Lyft. With 2 riders, I still prefer Uber/Lyft over the small cost savings.
| Theme Park | Departure |
| Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom TTC | 8:30 am to 8:45 am |
| Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom TTC | 10:45 am to 11 am |
There are several return shuttles – refer to the hotel schedule sheet upon check-in!
In summary, the shuttle buses are nice to have available but the schedules are very limited. The flexibility of rideshare or rental cars may work better (and cheaper) for you.
Uber/Lyft to the Theme parks
The following table shows average drive times and fares to several destinations within the Disney Bubble. Some rides may cost more during surge periods – just wait a few minutes and the rates should decrease. Lyft is generally cheaper than Uber.
| Destination | Drive Time | UberX Fare |
| Magic Kingdom | 16 mins | $16 |
| Epcot | 15 mins | $13 |
| Hollywood Studios | 12 mins | $12 |
| Animal Kingdom | 14 mins | $14 |
| Disney Springs | 20 mins | $14 |
| SeaWorld | 30 mins | $24 |
| Universal studios | 35 mins | $30 |
Orlando Airport, Sanford Airport, and Train Transportation options
Flamingo Crossings is quite a distance from the airports and train stations.
| Airport / Station | Distance | Time | UberX |
| MCO | 27 miles | 40 mins | $46 |
| SFB | 54 miles | 60 mins | $65 |
| Auto Train | 50 miles | 60 mins | Car! |
| Orlando Amtrak | 28 miles | 35 mins | $38 |
| Kissimmee Amtrak | 19 miles | 45 mins | $33 |
Hotel Room Comparisons
Families must study the room types of each hotel to ensure everyone can get a good night’s rest! And a kitchen can help save money on food costs during the vacation.
Do ask about connecting rooms, and high east-facing rooms with Disney Fireworks views!
| Hotel | Room Type | Max |
| SpringHill | 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 3 |
| 2 Queen Beds and 1 Single Sofa Bed, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 5 | |
| TownPlace | 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed, Kitchen | 3 |
| 2 Queen Beds and 1 Single Sofa Bed, Kitchen | 5 | |
| 1 Queen Bed in Bedroom 1, 1 Queen bed in Bedroom 2, and 1 Single Sofa Bed in Lounge, Kitchen | 5 | |
| Homewood | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed, Kitchen | 4 |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom and 1 Double Sofa Bed in Lounge, Kitchen | 4 | |
| 2 Queen Beds in Bedroom and 1 Double Sofa Bed in Lounge, Kitchen | 6 | |
| Home2 | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed, Kitchen | 4 |
| 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed, Kitchen | 6 | |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom and 1 Double Sofa Bed in Lounge, Kitchen | 4 | |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom 1, 1 Queen bed in Bedroom 2, and 1 Double Sofa Bed in Lounge, Kitchen | 6 | |
| Fairfield | 1 King Bed, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 2 |
| 2 Queen Beds, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 4 | |
| 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 4 | |
| 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed, (Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker) | 6 | |
| Residence | 1 King Bed, Kitchen | 2 |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom, Lounge, Kitchen | 2 | |
| 2 Queen beds in Bedroom, Lounge, Kitchen | 4 | |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom 1, 1 Queen Bed in Bedroom 2, Lounge, Kitchen | 4 | |
| 1 King Bed in Bedroom 1, 2 Queen Beds in Bedroom 2, Lounge, Kitchen | 6 |
Hotel Photos
