The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Hotel & Room Tour

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is considered one of the better hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area and is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel.  The hotel features 1,012-rooms and 124 suites on a sprawling 27-acre property that is located just across the street from the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex.

First opened in March 1983, the resort was formerly known as the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa and the Buena Vista Palace Hotel. The property features a 27-story tower building as well as garden style “Island Building” that are adjacent to the pool area.  

In 2015 Hilton acquired the hotel and completed a $45 million renovation which included the rooms and common areas as well as the addition of an all new lazy river resort pool.  The property is an Official Walt Disney World Hotel that provides an array of guests benefits that are almost exclusively offered to on-site Disney hotels and resorts.

In this article we are going to provide you details about our stay including the room as well as the resort’s features & amenities.  We will let you know what we liked, did not like and who we think the resort is perfect for.

If you thinking about staying at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace or any other hotel across the US, we would appreciate if you can use our links when making the reservations. Endless Summer is an affiliate with Marriott, Hilton and Expedia.com.  We receives a small commission for each stay that was referred by our website which helps us continue to create new content for our audience.

About the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is located in the Disney Springs Resorts Area of the Walt Disney World Resort. This area features seven individual resort hotels, each of which are “flagged” by a major hotel brand.  The area is highlighted by the Disney Springs that is located at the intersection of Hotel Plaza Boulevard and East Buena Vista Drive.  

The resort hotels located in the Disney Springs Resort Area are as follows:

• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
• Renaissance Orlando Resort at Disney Springs
• Holiday Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista

While technically the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels are not considered “on-site” Disney properties (and not owned by Disney) these resorts are “Official” Walt Disney World hotels.  Official Walt Disney World hotels provide a host of benefits that are primarily offered to on-site Disney hotel properties. 

Disney Springs Resort Area hotel benefits include:

• Extra Magic Hours
• Free Theme Park Shuttle Service
• Exclusive Savings Passport
• On-site Ticket Desk
• Early Golf Tee Time Reservations

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rates at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace hotel?

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is moderately priced with rates ranging from less than $200 per night to more than $400 per night depending on the time of year and type of room (Disney Springs and Epcot views command premium prices).  See our price chart below for specific rates.

How close is the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace to the Disney theme parks?

Every single theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort is within 15 minutes door-to-door (provided you are driving yourself) from the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. Universal Orlando is approximately 20 minutes away and SeaWorld Orlando is around 10 to 15 minutes.

Can I walk to Disney Springs from the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace?

Yes you can walk to Disney Springs from the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – it is literally across East Buena Vista Drive.  There is an elevated walkway at the corner of East Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Boulevard which provides for easy access to Disney Springs.

Does the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace have a nice pool area?

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace has great pool area which includes multiple  pools including a lazy river pool and a children’s splash play area.  

Which room should I choose when staying at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace?

Although it is a slight premium, we highly recommend the tower rooms with the direct view of Disney Springs.  The Epcot view rooms and you can see fireworks at night but Epcot is quite a ways away.

Is there a Resort Fee or Parking Charges at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace?

Resort fees are quite common in Orlando and there is a resort fee of $39 per day for guests staying at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace.  In addition, on-site parking charges are $25 per day.

What is the check-in and check-out time for the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace?

The check in-time at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is 4:00 pm and check out time is at 11:00 am.

Does the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace provide transportation to the Disney theme parks?

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace does provide shuttle bus transportation to The Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

The Location of the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

The Hilton is located on East Buena Vista Drive just across from Disney springs.  Access to the Disney Springs Resort area is via Hotel Plaza Boulevard which is one of the main entrance roadways.  Guests can get to the property from Interstate 4 by exiting to Apopka Vineland Road  (exit 68), then heading north to Hotel Plaza Boulevard. 

Once at the crossroads of Hotel Plaza Boulevard and East Buena Vista Drive, make a right and the hotel will be on the right hand side.

It is a fairly direct route from the Orlando International Airport via SR 528 (the Beachline Expressway) to Interstate 4 west or State Road 417 to World Center Drive which becomes Epcot Center Drive at Interstate 4.  Barring any significant traffic issues, it will take approximately 30 minutes to get from the airport to the resort.  The Orlando / Orange County Convention Center is also close the hotel, just 10 miles along Interstate 4 east towards downtown Orlando.

Since the Hilton is located within the boundaries of the Walt Disney World Resort, all four Disney theme parks as well as the two Disney water parks and Disney Springs are a very short distance (and even walking distance to Disney Springs).

Travel time per Google Maps (non-peak hours) to the other Orlando area theme parks and significant destinations include:

• The Universal Orlando Resort: approximately 20 minutes
• SeaWorld Orlando: approximately 10 to 15 minutes
• ICON Park: approximately 15 minutes
• Downtown Orlando: approximately 25 minutes
• Vineland Premium Outlets: approximately 10 minutes
• The Mall at Millenia: approximately 20 minutes
• The Florida Mall: approximately 25 minutes

In addition to the hotel amenities indicated below, the Hilton features an on-site car rental desk, valet parking and an on-site Disney planning services.

About Disney Springs

Originally built in 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, Disney Springs is a 120-acre outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment development. Larger than most major indoor malls, the property underwent a rebranding in 2013 that massively expanded the complex into four distinct neighborhoods that comprise

• Over 100 retail stores, pavilions and kiosks
• More than 60 restaurants and lounges
• 23 attractions, shows and events

Unlike many of the other Disney attractions, there is no admission charge to enter Disney Springs and parking is free in one of its three parking garages or surface lots.  

Some of the major attractions, restaurants and retail store at Disney Springs include:

• Cirque du Soleil
• AMC Disney Springs 24
• House of Blues Music Hall
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes
• World of Disney (the largest Disney store at 51,000 sf)
• Planet Hollywood
• The Boathouse
• Morimoto Asia
• The Coca-Cola Store
• The Lego Store

Hotel Amenities at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

Amenities at the this resort are typical of other similar class hotels in the Orlando tourist area.  However, the Hilton was originally constructed in 1983 so it lacks some of the more modern styling and design.  However, the property does not lack in amenities.

Amenities at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace include:

• Lazy river and zero entry float pool with water features
• Separate resort pool
• Separate adult pool
• Private poolside cabanas
• Poolside bar and restaurant
• Large outdoor event lawn / play area
• A fully equipped fitness center with a variety of cardiovascular machines and strength training equipment.
• Shuttle bus service to the Disney theme parks
• An on-site business center, FedEx Office store and computer terminals.
• Video arcade
• Concierge Desk

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Dining Option

There are a several different dining options available at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace which include grab-and-go, quick service and resort casual dining. 

Shades

Shades is the hotels poolside bar and grill.  This outdoor casual dining restaurant features burgers, sandwiches, salads and wraps as well as specialty cocktails and local craft beer.  There is ample covered seating with both bar and table service along with a cozy firepit to enjoy a cocktail.

The hours of operation are limited as Shades is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed Monday through Thursday).

Sunnies Lounge

Sunnies is the Hilton’s lobby bar which also includes a warm and inviting lounge room as well as an outdoor patio seating area which overlooks looks the hotel pool and grounds.  Specialty cocktails, wine and beer along with a variety of appetizers, burgers and sandwiches are offered daily from 4:00 PM to 10: 00 PM.

Citrus 28

When guests are looking for something quick and easy, Citrus 28 is the place to go.  This quick service / grab-and-go style restaurant offers breakfast sandwiches, made-to-order pizzas, ice cream, beverages and coffee.  Citrus 28 is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:0o PM.

Endless Summer enjoyed the freshly make breakfast sandwiches during our most recent stay.

Letterpress

Letterpress is the resorts casual / upscale dining experience featuring American comfort food with a bit of southern flair.  Although this restaurant is temporarily closed, it is customarily open from break, lunch and dinner service.