I recently stayed off-site at the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista which is a Disney Springs area resort. I only stayed one night after my Tampa trip and before my week long Disney World vacation started. After staying here one night I may just consider booking my next Disney World Vacation here and I will tell you why.
Wyndham Garden at Disney Springs area is an Official Disney World hotel. While it is not owned or operated by Walt Disney, this hotel gets the same benefits as if you were staying at a Disney Resort. Unlike other off-site hotels, you get the benefits of staying “on-site” with the price of staying off site. You get Extra Magic Hours and the ability to book FastPass+ 60 days out (till at least 12/31/20). Two of the best benefits of staying on site but now you are getting it staying off site.
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Now a Disney World bus WILL NOT be picking you up here. Wyndham Garden does offer a free shuttle to the different Disney World Theme Parks. They run about every half hour starting around 730 in the morning. Just like Disney buses, they DO drop you off in the bus loop at the different theme parks.
Disney World Hotel Deals & DiscountsHOTEL
Wyndham Garden is a three star hotel located minutes away from Disney Springs. It has 394 rooms that are available in the hotels two different wings which you enter from a breeze way. The different room types that are offered are a 2 double bed, 1 queen or 1 king. Each room has a HDTV, in room safe, and WIFI.
The room is a nice size for a family of 4. It feels a little bigger than your average hotel room. Even though it probably is not any larger or smaller. It just feels like it is a little bigger. The table and chair are comfortable enough if you have a little work to do on your laptop.
The bathroom is nice and roomy. There is no problem changing in the bathroom after a long park day. I am a bigger guy and I could easily move around without banging into the wall, toilet or sink. The water pressure is good and the temperature is where it needs to be. The toilet also holds good flushing power.
Beware that the rooms do connect.
FOOD
While staying here you have 4 different options for food. You can grab something from there 24/7 cafe. Have some drinks and apps at the Eclipse Lounge. Grab some food out by the pool or enjoy a meal with a lake view.
If visiting on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning the Lakeview Restaurant is a character breakfast buffet with Goofy and Pluto. The other days of the week it is just a breakfast buffet with your typical offerings including Mickey Waffles. The Lakeview Restaurant is open for breakfast 7 days a week from 07:30-10:30. Dinner is offered from 05:30-10pm Monday thru Saturday.
If you find yourself down by the pool (and who doesn’t love a pool) slide right up to the poolside restaurant called the Oasis Bar & Grill. While I can’t speak for the food, the drink I had was pretty good.
POOL
Now how can you take a trip to sunny Florida without hitting up the hotel pool? I know no matter where I go my daughter wants to hit the pool. I can tell you this, it was refreshing. Of course when I visited the temperature was in the 90s. The pool was warm (85), but still felt very nice. Also the pool is a nice size with plenty of room. No need to worry about everyone being on top of each other.
There are also plenty of lounge chairs around the pool and a couple of areas that are shaded. Just a perfect place to sit by the pool and watch the kids have a ball. Not only will kids love the pool, they will also love the splash are. As we all know kids can spend hours in a pool. Wyndham Gardens pool will be no different.
Don’t worry mom and dad, If you want to feel like a lobster, take a dip in the hot tub right next to the pool. There is nothing better than sitting in a hot tub in the Florida sun. Am I right? I don’t think so but I am sure on some chilly winter nights the hot tub feels amazing.
If swimming is not your thing, don’t worry. Located by the pool are a tennis court and a volleyball court. Don’t forget this is where you will also find the Oasis Bar and Grill.
AMENITIES
As we stated earlier while staying here you have access to link your hotel and tickets to the My Disney Experience app and enjoy the comfort of being able to book your FastPass+ 60 days out (learn more here). Just like if you were staying at a Disney owned resort. You will also have access to extra magic hours.
Buses run to the Disney theme parks every 30 minutes beginning one hour before park opening (including extra magic hours). The buses will run up to 90 minutes after the parks close to include extra magic hours. Buses also run to the 2 water parks and to Disney Springs. However, Disney Springs is only a short 5 minute walk and don’t worry they have a walkway over the road so you can safely cross the road.
If you are the type that likes to workout, Wyndham Gardens has you covered. They have a 24 hour fitness center. Also open 24 hours is the business center and the Sundial Cafe.
If hitting the greens is more your thing, they have you covered there too. Wyndham offers discounts on green fees and equipment rentals at all 4 Walt Disney World golf courses.
One of the last things you will find, or first if you are like my daughter is the Disney Gift shop. They offer many different souvenirs from coffee mugs, clothing and stuffed animals. It is located in the lobby to the right of the check in desk.
There is not much NOT to like here. Wyndham Garden is in possible one of the best locations if you are planning on doing more than just Disney. Not only is this hotel within walking distance of Disney Springs. It is only 10 miles from Universal Studios and 5 miles from Sea World. Could you really ask for anything more? But wait!
Staying here is like staying at a Disney World Moderate resort with on site site down restaurants, large pool (minus a slide), all for a price that can be less than a value resort.While the theming is nowhere near what you find at a Disney Resort (there is really no theming at all). The hotel is clean and seems to be kept in good order. While you are out exploring the are you can find some not so hidden Mickey’s. Might be good practice for your kids to find them (they are easy to find), so when they are waiting in lines at WDW they can look for them in the queues.
Just be mindful of one thing. Don’t forget that there is a resort fee per night. Also if you drive you will have to pay for parking per night as well. Just a feel things to add in while trying to figure out which is better: staying on site or off site.
If you are looking for an affordable way to visit Disney World but can’t stay on site. Check out this off-site hotel that will save you some money but still give you some of the perks. Have you stayed at Wyndham Gardens at Disney Springs? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below if you have any other questions or tips you like to use. Remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest at KozmoPhotos. It will help you stay up to date with all the latest post and photos.
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