Discover Flamingo Crossings, an exciting new area right near Disney World that features hotels, restaurants, shopping, and plenty of fun.
Flamingo Crossings, the newest Walt Disney World Resort hotel area, is technically on Walt Disney World property — it’s part of the Reedy Creek Improvement District — but it certainly doesn’t feel that way. Yes, the Disney College Program students live here, and yes, you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from some hotel rooms, but it feels a bit outside the Disney bubble. Not too much, though — you’ll feel the spirit of Mickey’s unseen gloved hand at work.
Perhaps because Flamingo Crossings is still so new, or perhaps because with the return of the Disney Dining Plan, people want to stay on property, but — for now — Flamingo Crossings remains a relatively quiet respite after a day at the parks.
Because it’s a district within The Walt Disney Company’s purview, Flamingo Crossings feels a lot less kitschy than some of the more touristy parts of Kissimmee. This makes it an excellent choice for many guests (this writer included.) Here’s your guide to shops, dining, and hotels in Flamingo Crossings.
Flamingo Crossings Shops
Target at Flamingo Crossings is not your average Target. Instead of rows and rows of blenders and cookware, you’ll find a grocery that has fresh and organic produce, a liquor store, a CVS pharmacy, plenty of Mickey merch, and, in case you don’t have room in your suitcase for all the Disney souvenirs, suitcases.
Five Below has all the toys and trinkets you may want to keep little ones entertained in the room.
Walgreens and the CVS pharmacy (the latter inside Target) come in handy if you need something Walt Disney World First Aid can’t provide (or if you need medicine not sold on property.)
The UPS Storealso has a presence here. If you find yourself bringing home more magic than you expected — and you don’t want to pay to check an extra bag — you’ll be grateful for this shop’s presence in the Flamingo Crossings area.
Restaurants at Flamingo Crossings
Ben & Jerry’s may not be the same as a DOLE Whip,but the lines are shorter. Chunky Monkey? Don’t mind if we do!
Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ has, as the names suggests, pulled pork, ribs, and all the sides you’d expect. They also serve a Kansas City Wet ‘cue.
Five Guys has a straightforward menu: burgers, fries, hot dogs, shakes, and sandwiches.
At Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining you cook your own dinner. This is best for fans of Japanese BBQ are adventurous eaters.
Hash House a Go Go serves brunch, dinner, and late-night food. They also have “breakfast for dinner” on the menu and, if you didn’t get enough at the parks, have a churro waffle.
Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. has an old-school taproom feel. They serve nachos, pretzels, wings, flatbreads, and burgers — and plenty of craft beer.
Pieology has pizza for everyone, whether you eat vegetarian, gluten-free, or want all the meats.
Pita Mediterranean Street Food is a counter-service eatery.They have seating inside, but the food’s also ideal to grab-and-go back to your hotel room (or eat on your way to Animal Kingdom!)
Restaurants Coming Soon to Flamingo Crossings
These restaurants aren’t open just yet, but they’re in progress – and you can expect them to open soon. If you’re planning a future visit, keep these to-come dining spots in mind:
- Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
- Simply Capri Ristorante
- White Rabbit Dessert Experience
Fast Food and Coffee at Flamingo Crossings
- Domino’s Pizza
- Dunkin Donuts
- Firehouse Subs
- Starbucks
- Wendy’s
Flamingo Crossings Gateway Hotels
At present, the Flamingo Crossings area has six Gateway hotels. Each has different benefits. All the hotels in this area have microwaves, refrigerators, pools, free breakfast, laundry rooms, gyms, and small food markets. Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites share common areas, including fire pits, grills, a large pool with a waterslide, pool bar, and a small snack bar with some meal-sized offerings. Many of the hotels offer a variation of Mickey-shaped waffles at breakfast.
Each hotel offers a paid shuttle service to the parks. Keep in mind, in addition to the cost of your room, you will pay for parking at each of these hotels.
Fairfield by Marriott
This hotel offers one-room suites and smaller rooms. This hotel also has a splash pad, basketball court, soccer court, and batting cages. Fairfield has a pool bar and some light food offerings. This hotel also has grills and a small snack bar with some meal-sized offerings.
Best for: Anyone who wants to spend non-Disney hours in a pool or being active.
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Home2Suites has one-room suites, one-bedroom suites, and two-bedroom suites. All rooms have equipped kitchens that includes a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave. The front desk has induction cooktops and cookware you can borrow at no charge, although if you’re thinking you can make a family-sized bowl of pasta, be warned: The pots aren’t quite that large. This hotel allows dogs for a fee and has a small dog walk area (unfenced.)
Best for: People who want to cook their own food. Workspace in each room means that if someone in your party won’t go to the theme parks because they have to work remotely, it’s easy for them to do. It’s also great for people taking longer vacations.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Homewood has all one-bedroom suites, Each room has an equipped kitchen that includes a cooktop, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and dinette table. This hotel allows dogs for a fee and has a small dog walk area (unfenced.)
Best for: Smaller families who want to cook their own food and people taking longer vacations.
Residence Inn by Marriott
The Residence Inn has one-room and one-bedroom suites that have full-size refrigerators, cooktops, microwaves, and dinette tables. This hotel allows dogs for a fee. The pool bar offers some light foodstuffs. This hotel also has a lobby bar.
Best for: Active outdoor families.
TownPlace Suites by Marriott
These one-room and two-bedroom suites offer a bit more than the other Flamingo Crossings hotels. This is the only hotel at Flamingo Crossings that has a proper restaurant: Flamingo’s. They also have a bar. The suites have full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, cooktops, and — in some rooms — dining tables.
TownPlace has plenty of grills and a covered picnic area, which the hotel shares — along with a batting cage — with Springhill. Of all the Flamingo Crossings hotels, only TownPlace boasts a hot tub. They also allow dogs.
Best for: Anyone, really, but larger groups and people taking longer vacations who may spend a free day at the hotel.
Springhill Suites by Marriott
One-rooms suites have room to work, but not as much space for preparing or eating meals. Outside, though, it’s a different story. They have plenty of grills and a covered picnic area, which they share — along with a batting cage — with TownPlace Suites. TownPlace has a game room.
Best for: People who intend to spend every waking hour at Walt Disney World.
Other Shops at Flamingo Crossings
Flamingo Crossings also has an urgent care — Advent Health Primary Care — and an ER, as well as a nail spa that has yet to open.
Learn more about staying around Walt Disney World Resort below:
A Guide to Walt Disney World’s Good Neighbor Hotels
