Walk to Downtown Disney from Buena Vista Resort or Springhill Suites

[chasemi]

We're looking to plan a last minute trip and our favorite, the Villas at the Boardwalk, is not available for the dates we want. We love the Boardwalk for the outdoor fun - walking to parks, strolling along the Boardwalk, the bicycle rentals. I was looking at the Downtown Disney hotels, and want to get a 1BR suite, so I narrowed it to the Buena Vista Resort and Springhill Suites. How is the walk from these hotels to Downtown Disney? Is it very far? Is it a nice walk? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[momto2js]

Both places are on the other side of I-4 from DTD. It is not really that far but not safely walkable.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

We're looking to plan a last minute trip and our favorite, the Villas at the Boardwalk, is not available for the dates we want. We love the Boardwalk for the outdoor fun - walking to parks, strolling along the Boardwalk, the bicycle rentals. I was looking at the Downtown Disney hotels, and want to get a 1BR suite, so I narrowed it to the Buena Vista Resort and Springhill Suites. How is the walk from these hotels to Downtown Disney? Is it very far? Is it a nice walk? Thanks in advance for any help!

I am guessing you mean the Buena Vista Suites and not the Buena Vista Palace. The Springhill and Buena Vista Suites at Marriott Village are on the other side of I-4 from DTD. It's a walk along a major multi-lane rd (that you must cross over at some point). I'd guess it's a couple of miles.

While I wouldn't mind a long walk at Disney this isn't it. I drive 535 (the road you'd be walking along) everyday and it's always crazy.

 

[chasemi]

Thank you both for your responses. Is there any hotel in DTD area that is walkable to DTD, without having to cross a major roadway?

 

[livndisney]

Thank you both for your responses. Is there any hotel in DTD area that is walkable to DTD, without having to cross a major roadway?

There are several hotels on Hotel Plaza (within walking distance to DTD). The 2 hotels you mentioned are not in the DTD area. (Unless you mean Buena Vista Palace which is right across the street from DTD)

http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/AreaMap/

 

[Detailor]

There are safe places to cross SR 535, Hotel Plaza Boulevard and/or Buena Vista Drive from the DTD area hotels to Downtown Disney. I'd think, though, that the area hotels that are most easily walkable to/from the Marketplace end of DTD are...
Double Tree Guest Suites (about 3/4 of a mile)
Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort (a little over a half mile)
Royal Plaza (about a half mile)
Holiday Inn (just under half a mile)
The Buena Vista Palace (maybe a third of a mile)
the Hilton Hotel (just over a quarter mile)
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (no more than a quarter mile)

I believe that any other hotel would be more than a mile from DTD.

Dick Taylor

 

[livndisney]

There are safe places to cross SR 535, Hotel Plaza Boulevard and/or Buena Vista Drive from the DTD area hotels to Downtown Disney. I'd think, though, that the area hotels that are most easily walkable to/from the Marketplace end of DTD are...
Double Tree Guest Suites (about 3/4 of a mile)
Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort (a little over a half mile)
Royal Plaza (about a half mile)
Holiday Inn (just under half a mile)
The Buena Vista Palace (maybe a third of a mile)
the Hilton Hotel (just over a quarter mile)
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista (no more than a quarter mile)

I believe that any other hotel would be more than a mile from DTD.

Dick Taylor

I don't think the issue was crossing 535. I think the issue would be the distance and walking along 535(I am not sure there is even a sidewalk all the way from Springhill Suites). The op would have to cross an I-4 on ramp, go under the overpass and then cross a multi lane I-4 exit ramp before getting to Crossroads and the entrance to Hotel Plaza.

 

[chasemi]

There are several hotels on Hotel Plaza (within walking distance to DTD). The 2 hotels you mentioned are not in the DTD area. (Unless you mean Buena Vista Palace which is right across the street from DTD)

http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/AreaMap/

Thank you for this map! It's perfect. So, is the Buena Vista Palace a short, managable walk to DTD? No major roadways/highways to cross? Has anyone stayed in an "Island Suite" there?

 

[Detailor]

I don't think the issue was crossing 535. I think the issue would be the distance and walking along 535(I am not sure there is even a sidewalk all the way from Springhill Suites). The op would have to cross an I-4 on ramp, go under the overpass and then cross a multi lane I-4 exit ramp before getting to Crossroads and the entrance to Hotel Plaza.

There are sidewalks and crosswalks along that route from the Marriott Village hotels to the Marketplace end of Downtown Disney. While I've seen people walk along that 1 3/4 mile route I wouldn't choose walking as my preference. I agree that the stretch across the I-4 on ramp and exit ramp seem the most disconcerting. There's a short crosswalk at the on ramp but cars tend to zip right onto I-4 East creating a challenge for anyone but particularly so if crossing with a family in tow. There are crosswalk call buttons at the exit ramp which makes that area a little safer assuming that the drivers who are turning right actually pay attention to the traffic lights there (and there is a sign there that says there's no right turn on red). Then there are the six lanes that they'd cross 535 at the crosswalk from Crossroads to the beginning of Hotel Plaza Boulevard, also controlled by a crosswalk call button.

I agree that a nearly two mile walk might not be the best way to get from Marriott Village to DTD (it wouldn't be something that I'd choose) but it is an option.

I think that the biggest challenge along that route is that there are so many tourist drivers who tend to not always know exactly where they're going mixed with locals who are trying to get to work, etc., and don't have a lot of patience for the tourists. That dynamic can sometimes lead to poor driving decisions, IMO, that might make it a bit dangerous to walk along parts of that route.

Dick Taylor

 

[livndisney]

Thank you for this map! It's perfect. So, is the Buena Vista Palace a short, managable walk to DTD? No major roadways/highways to cross? Has anyone stayed in an "Island Suite" there?

Buena Vista Palace is right across the street from the bus stop at DTD. Nothing at all like walking along 535.

 

[livndisney]

There are sidewalks and crosswalks along that route from the Marriott Village hotels to the Marketplace end of Downtown Disney. While I've seen people walk along that 1 3/4 mile route I wouldn't choose walking as my preference. I agree that the stretch across the I-4 on ramp and exit ramp seem the most disconcerting. There's a short crosswalk at the on ramp but cars tend to zip right onto I-4 East creating a challenge for anyone but particularly so if crossing with a family in tow. There are crosswalk call buttons at the exit ramp which makes that area a little safer assuming that the drivers who are turning right actually pay attention to the traffic lights there (and there is a sign there that says there's no right turn on red). Then there are the six lanes that they'd cross 535 at the crosswalk from Crossroads to the beginning of Hotel Plaza Boulevard, also controlled by a crosswalk call button.

I agree that a nearly two mile walk might not be the best way to get from Marriott Village to DTD (it wouldn't be something that I'd choose) but it is an option.

I think that the biggest challenge along that route is that there are so many tourist drivers who tend to not always know exactly where they're going mixed with locals who are trying to get to work, etc., and don't have a lot of patience for the tourists. That dynamic can sometimes lead to poor driving decisions, IMO, that might make it a bit dangerous to walk along parts of that route.

Dick Taylor

 

[sweet maxine]

I think Detailor has accurately described the how the experience might be of walking from the Marriott Village to DTD. Personally, I would agree, and would not advise even thinking about that walk.

That said, I wonder if the Lynx buses make a stop close to the Marriott Village, as they might be a better option for you. As another PP stated, there are several hotels in the DTD area on Hotel Drive. The Doubletree has rooms which are suites, and might come closer to what you are looking for, and the Mousesavers site usually has a link for a nice price there.

 

[Kae]

Thank you for this map! It's perfect. So, is the Buena Vista Palace a short, managable walk to DTD? No major roadways/highways to cross? Has anyone stayed in an "Island Suite" there?

Not in a suite but we stayed at BVP once & really enjoyed. Just a hop to DTD
Kae

 

[Lewisc]

Florida is know to have drenching thunderstorms and hot, humid weather. I wouldn't book a hotel planning on a 2 mile walk. I believe the DTD hotels also offer bus service to DTD. You can walk but take a bus (or taxi) back if weather conditions dictate it.

 

[Straitlover]

Florida is know to have drenching thunderstorms and hot, humid weather. I wouldn't book a hotel planning on a 2 mile walk. I believe the DTD hotels also offer bus service to DTD. You can walk but take a bus (or taxi) back if weather conditions dictate it.

Plus - a 1.75-2 mile walk will take you 40-45 minutes easily because of traffic. Then taking a DTD bus to a WDW resort and transferring to a park bus is another 30 minutes to an hr. By the time you actually walk through a park gate, you're talking almost 2 hrs! Then you do the reverse in the evening. No way, Jose. If you need to use the DTD buses, stay at a DTD hotel. You can usually get a good deal on a room at the Hilton DTD on lastminutetravel.com.

 

[jedi jen]

I have found that the prices for the Wyndham Buena Vista are very reasonable. We are staying there one night November 11. Has anyone stayed there? The walk to DTD looks short.

 

[Kae]

I have found that the prices for the Wyndham Buena Vista are very reasonable. We are staying there one night November 11. Has anyone stayed there? The walk to DTD looks short.

Not a bad walk to us we have stayed at the Doubletree, Holiday Inn & the Best Western at DTD walked from all of those. wyndam is closer that those. And the BVP which was the easiest walk.

Kae

 

[jedi jen]

Thanks.

 

[sweet maxine]

I have found that the prices for the Wyndham Buena Vista are very reasonable. We are staying there one night November 11. Has anyone stayed there? The walk to DTD looks short.

Unless I am mistaken, the DTD Wyndham charges a $16 resort fee, along with the regular room rate and taxes per night. You might want to check to make certain.

 

[jedi jen]

You are right. I noticed that Wyndham has higher fees than WDW. $70 rate but with fees--$96. Right now, WDW 20-30% discount in a Value is a higher rate but cheaper with fees. It has been a painful lesson. Since I want to see DTD and the Festival orf Masters, we are sticking with the Wyndham even with the approx. $2.00 difference. Otherwise, I would switch.