Downtown Disney Hotels - What You Need To Know

POSTED: Mon, 04/08/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY: Guest Author

If you've been to the Downtown Disney area you've seen the hotels. Maybe you've stayed at one or all of them. Or maybe you're wondering if it's worth it to say "off property." While we can't tell you where to stay, we can tell you that the Downtown Disney area hotels have enough magical amenities that they're worth considering for your next trip.

The Buena Vista Palace

There are seven Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels - Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort, Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Suites, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn, Royal Plaza Resort, and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. Each of these is an official Walt Disney World hotel, which means guests will receives benefits not available when you stay outside the Walt Disney World Resort area.

Some of the perks of being a guest at a Downtown Disney area hotel include:

Complimentary shuttle service to the theme parks, water parks, and other attractions
Disney theme parks tickets available for purchase on site and online
Advance tee times at the Walt Disney World Resort golf courses
Disney merchandise available for purchase on site
Downtown Disney Deals booklet that features exclusive discounts and specials on dining, shopping, and entertainment

The Lake Buena Vista Resort Has a Fireworks View Room

Each of these hotels has something that makes it special. The Hilton is the only Downtown Disney resort that offers guests the Extra Magic Hours benefit normally reserved for Disney resort guests. And the Wyndham has a character breakfast with Disney theme park characters every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning. At the Buena Vista Palace Resort, be sure to request a "fireworks view" room and you'll be able to view the theme park fireworks from your balcony.

Some of the hotels offer specially priced hotel deals and discounts for guests. There are also promotions available for Florida and Georgia residents and a US military discount.

The Hilton Offers Extra Magic Hours Access

As an added bonus, these hotels are within walking distance of Downtown Disney, home to great dining, entertainment and shopping - the sidewalks are always bustling with crowds of people walking to and from Downtown Disney. With their convenient location and other amenities, there is something for everyone at these hotels!

Thanks so much again to author Traci C. for another fantastic grown up guest post! It's truly a pleasure to have her on board the WDWFG team. Have you ever stayed at one of the Downtown Disney area hotels? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

In:

Lynsie wrote on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 14:06:

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (formerly Regal Sun Resort, formerly the Grovenor) is our most favorite place to stay. Great rates, beautiful hotel, and we love the Disney view rooms that overlook Downtown Disney (or should I say Disney Springs?) and you can even see the Epcot fireworks at night. Downtown Disney is literally right across the street, so if you aren't in the mood for a park or it's late and you're hungry, or you just want to visit the biggest Disney store in the world or enjoy the night life, DtD is just a few steps away! And the free transportation to the parks is a huge plus.

kimberly Sabo wrote on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 15:00:

We have stayed at Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort back in September and will never stay there again. The staff was rude and unprofessional. We were told one thing on the phone as far as amenities and told another when we got to the hotel. No continental breakfast for one. When we were told this was not an option, but it was when we made the reservation. The staff was extremely rude about the confusion and finally relented after we complained enough. But only let us have two meals with three people in our party. My husband and I ended up giving up our meals to our daughter. We will only stay on property from now on. Horrible experience at this hotel.

Kathie wrote on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 22:20:

I have stayed at 3 of the Downtown Disney hotels: DoubleTree, Best Western and Wyndham. I have had rooms at both the Wyndham and the Best Western that had excellent views of the fireworks...could sit on my couch, drinking my wine, and some nights, see both MK and Epcot's fireworks at the same time. The buses are just as nice as the "real" Disney ones...they just let you off a little farther away from the park entrance. When I am traveling by myself, I like Wyndham as it is directly across from Downtown Disney and I can grab a salad or sandwich from Earl of Sandwich to eat in my room if I am tired after a long day of park hopping and just want to chill. They are a great option to consider.

JeffC wrote on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 23:54:

I probably asked this in the forums already, but are there any of these you would recommend just as a single-night stop over before checking into your resort hotel?

We'll probably get in late at night the day before our deluxe check in, and just need an inexpensive but nice and clean place to sleep for one night. We wouldn't care about amenities.

Or would we be better off with something else a little further away?

Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 14:53:

Kimberly - There's nothing worse than a disrespectful staff. So sorry that you had that experience!

Jeff - I haven't stayed there for many years, but I like the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista. I've also heard good things about the Buena Vista Palace. I think if you can get a good rate at one of them they're great choices for your first night. If you can't though, nothing wrong with looking a little further abroad.

Nancy D wrote on Sun, 04/14/2013 - 00:34:

We're booked at the Hilton LBV for our upcoming trip and, fingers crossed, I'm hoping for the same experience we usually get at Hiltons nationwide. I'll be happy to come back and post our experiences when we return (we're traveling this summer). I'm really looking forward to it, since the Hilton will let us do the EMH thing, and we'll continue to rack up the Hilton points we've been amassing for awhile. Thanks for a great article! :)

Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 04/15/2013 - 12:58:

I'm sure your trip will be just fine Nancy! Please do let us know how it goes!

Karen M wrote on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 17:02:

Since these are official Disney hotels, can you buy the Disney meal plan when you stay there?

Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 04/10/2014 - 11:42:

Sadly Karen, you can not.

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