Walking into the lobby of the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort outside of Orlando, Florida, I was immediately reminded of childhood. It all started with the arcade, located a stone’s throw from the check-in desk. Flashing lights from both high-tech and classic games reflected off my sunglasses, and the scent of baked goods filled the air.
Photo: Emy Rodriguez Flores
From Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom, This Resort Makes Your Walt Disney World Trip Effortless
To the right were Joffrey’s Coffee Shop, serving various coffees and pastries, and the Sundial Café, offering freshly made snacks and meals. I wondered about the milkshake selection as laughter drifted from adults at the bar. I could see my inner Floridian child making a direct line to the bakery and pivoting to the arcade, sticky fingers and all.
The main room of the lobby was decorated in a quintessential Florida colonial theme. The walls were white while large wicker globe chandeliers and fans covered the ceiling. It felt like a time capsule — refreshed but not stuffy — and I soon came to realize that the lobby is an attraction in its own right. From the arcade games to the long couches near the check-in desk where I later ate a giant pink-frosted donut while people-watching after dinner, the hotel’s central hub is a good indication of the fun that awaits during your stay.
Rooms at Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort
Photos: Emy Rodriguez Flores
Entering my hotel room felt like stepping into a new world. After passing the elevator and an outdoor walkway, I caught a view of the expansive pool and a Mickey Mouse living garden sculpture. My room, with two queen beds and modern furniture, had a cozy couch area that was perfect for morning coffee, as well as a window framing the lake behind the resort.
Sunset cast a soft glow over the room, enhancing its Disney charm. While my room was on the basic side, it was clean, simple, and easy to manage if you have one or two small children. I could see a busy family using it as a home base while bopping in and out of the nearby parks. The hotel is located across from Disney Springs — a retail and entertainment complex belonging to Walt Disney World — and offers free bus service to Walt Disney World’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
The original hotel tower features adult-oriented rooms starting at $249 per night while the garden rooms, like mine, are more kid-friendly and start at $150 per night. Both room styles typically range from 288 to 291 square feet.
Amenities at Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort
Photos: Emy Rodriguez Flores
The hotel’s two main attractions are the lobby and pool. The arcade, deli, coffee shop, Eclipse Lounge bar with local beers, and large pool with slides and spouts provide entertainment for guests of all ages. Despite the slightly chilly water, I still found the heated pool enjoyable.
Another amenity highlight is the elevated walkway outside, built in 2015 and located right next to the hotel, that leads directly to Disney Springs. While dining at Disney Springs can be pricey, the resort offers two reasonably priced restaurants: LakeView Restaurant, with Mickey Mouse pancakes that I enjoyed the two mornings I was there, and Oasis Restaurant by the pool, serving dishes like the Rodney Scott Steak Sandwich, which hit the spot after traveling on my first day.
I also visited Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs, a restaurant that’s also known for its Hollywood memorabilia, and overindulged in a decadent Strawberry Big Bang Supernova shake. As a child from Orlando, I often visited Planet Hollywood, and it was nice to see the recent renovation with a minimalist design. I was only overwhelmed by the music that played on a giant screen in front of me.
Entertainment and attractions at Disney Springs
Left : Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers. Right: Drawn to Life. Photos: Emy Rodriguez Flores
What makes this resort special is its proximity to Disney Springs, which is officially known as Walt Disney World’s fifth theme park. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from there, which, together with the complimentary bus service, makes it perfect for travelers who prefer not to drive. This is something I greatly appreciated. Coming from cities like New York and Barcelona, I’m accustomed to finding easy public transportation when traveling, and it was nice to see that was true of this area in Florida, which is often known as a transit desert.
While making my way over to Disney Springs, I stopped by Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, a crystal and glassblowing shop where I got custom pieces shaped like a wand and a pumpkin. The pumpkin was created right in front of me, and I even helped with some of the glassblowing. The Walt Disney World cast member was kind enough to give me a special jellyfish glass piece he’d been working on. I felt that if I made one wrong move, a catastrophe would ensue, but I was quickly put at ease when another cast member told me that most glass-breaking accidents occur when parents immediately scold their child after the child has touched something. I was neither parent nor child, so I felt safe.
After my glassblowing experience, I decided to walk around Disney Springs and see what was new. Since my childhood, Disney Springs has had quite the identity crisis, changing its name more times than I can count. I made my way over to the area that used to be Pleasure Island and was amazed by its redevelopment. It felt like I was walking through a street in Dublin or Paris. Outdoor cafes and bars lined the street, and it was refreshing to see folks walking everywhere. Orlando can be very car-centric, and having a space like Disney Springs be completely walkable makes a massive impact, albeit for tourists.
On my last day, I watched a show at Drawn to Life, presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney. This creative show featured acrobatic performances and Walt Disney characters from classics like Aladdin and more. This was a treat to watch toward the end of my trip because I was able to see a show that blended art and design with Disney. It was safe enough for families but still interesting enough for adults to enjoy. Seeing the acrobats swing on ropes and do almost indescribable tricks on tricycles made me think of how much this area had changed.
My inner child was enamored by the characters, but my adult self could appreciate the effort and training the actors put into these performances. It was the perfect ending to a quick trip to the middle of a theme park paradise.
Getting to and around Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort
Photo: Emy Rodriguez Flores
Getting to the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort from Orlando International Airport (MCO) is quite straightforward. You can take a 30- to 45-minute taxi ride, rent a car, or catch a bus, which will bring you there directly (albeit with a longer commute). I highly recommend using the bus, rideshare, or taxi to reach the resort.
Once on the property, navigating is easy without a car. If you choose to drive, the resort has a parking lot, and Walt Disney World offers numerous parking garages. All major central Florida highways are nearby, making it simple to explore Orlando and beyond. While I only stayed at the resort for two nights, it was refreshing to see a strong focus on sustainable mobility, which stood out to me and would entice a return visit. 