B Resort? Hilton Buena Vista Palace? Swan/Dolphin?

[staceychev]

Hi all - I'm trying to come up with a budget and savings plan for our trip in November. We'll only be staying 3 nights before driving to another part of Florida. I'm really torn about whether to go cheap or whether to spend a little more. With my Expedia points, I can get B Resort for under $100 for the three nights (and that includes the resort fee), or about $160 if we do a room with bunk beds. BVP is about $600, and then Swan/Dolphin are closer to $1000. I'm really torn about what direction to go. I love the idea of saving the money and doing B Resort, but then I keep reading bad reviews of cleanliness, etc., and I also like the idea of an upgrade. My girls will be 11 and 16 when we travel. We've stayed on site at Wilderness Lodge and POFQ, but never stayed at a Disney Springs hotel, and have never stayed close to Epcot either. Last time we were in Orlando, we stayed at Cabana Bay at Universal. Any thoughts on any of these options? Should I look at any other Disney Springs hotels? Should I look at Value hotels in Disneyworld proper?

 

[Wishuponastar0412]

I can't comment on the B Hotel as we've never stayed there. However, we've stayed at every Hilton on Disney property and Hilton Palace is our favorite! We do love the Swan/Dolphin (I just stayed Dolphin in November & Swan in December), but it does come down for price to us as well. Between the two, I'd stay at the Hilton. It's such an easy walk to Disney Springs and the hotel is very nice. We didn't do the pool as it was a short weekend trip, but it looked very nice from our room! We were a group of 6 in 3 rooms and had no issues with cleanliness & really enjoyed it!

 

[hsmamato2]

Is LBVP the Hilton near Disney Springs?

 

[JJ2017]

Dolphin is our absolute fave but we picked LBVP for spring break Bc we are using Hilton points. There’s a direct walking bridge to Disney Springs! Love that option for the evenings! LBVP also has a lazy River.

 

[staceychev]

Is LBVP the Hilton near Disney Springs?

Yes, it's part of the Disney Springs hotels that get the benefit of 60 Day FP+

 

[Tom_E_D]

Is LBVP the Hilton near Disney Springs?

Yes, it's part of the Disney Springs hotels that get the benefit of 60 Day FP+

There are two Hilton hotels that are directly across E. Buena Vista Dr. from Disney Springs. The names shown on the Hilton website are "Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area" and "Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Area." Neither hotel has both the words Lake and Palace. "Lake" is on the southeast side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. "Palace" is on the northwest side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. but faces E. Buena Vista Dr.

 

[Timandalicia]

We’ve stayed at a few Disney Springs hotels. See above why Hilton is a great choice. Also really clean and can’t beat Disney Springs proximity.
Keep in mind Disney Springs hotels are no substitute for Swan/Dolphin in terms of being a part of the magic. Plus they are close to 2 parks, which is great for a short stay.

 

[jccarney]

We stayed at the B resort in December 2019. It was an easy walk to DS. The busses to the parks weren’t that reliable and you shared with other hotels. The WIFI was non existent in our room. But the price was great.

 

[hsmamato2]

There are two Hilton hotels that are directly across E. Buena Vista Dr. from Disney Springs. The names shown on the Hilton website are "Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area" and "Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Area." Neither hotel has both the words Lake and Palace. "Lake" is on the southeast side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. "Palace" is on the northwest side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. but faces E. Buena Vista Dr.

I know where the 2 Hiltons are, I was wondering which one the OP was talking about here,lazy river etc. I thought the Hilton that was closer to DS was a little more basic? I've never stayed at either but I'd like to....

 

[mindeola]

I have stayed for a long weekend at B Resort . Our room was very clean and nice. We had a great deal and could not pass up saving a lot of money that trip.

 

[SwanVT2]

Hi all - I'm trying to come up with a budget and savings plan for our trip in November. We'll only be staying 3 nights before driving to another part of Florida. I'm really torn about whether to go cheap or whether to spend a little more. With my Expedia points, I can get B Resort for under $100 for the three nights (and that includes the resort fee), or about $160 if we do a room with bunk beds. BVP is about $600, and then Swan/Dolphin are closer to $1000. I'm really torn about what direction to go. I love the idea of saving the money and doing B Resort, but then I keep reading bad reviews of cleanliness, etc., and I also like the idea of an upgrade. My girls will be 11 and 16 when we travel. We've stayed on site at Wilderness Lodge and POFQ, but never stayed at a Disney Springs hotel, and have never stayed close to Epcot either. Last time we were in Orlando, we stayed at Cabana Bay at Universal. Any thoughts on any of these options? Should I look at any other Disney Springs hotels? Should I look at Value hotels in Disneyworld proper?

Not to change the subject too much but what did you think of Cabana Bay and how was it not having EPs? We have stayed at Swan and Dolphin and love it. The pool is impressive and it is so nice that you can walk to 2 parks

 

[suse66]

I stayed at the B resort in March 2019 and had a lovely room. It was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. I had a great rate with Priceline with my total including resort fee came to $120/night. The transport to the parks was ok but it is certainly easy to grab a Lyft or Uber instead.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Not to change the subject too much but what did you think of Cabana Bay and how was it not having EPs? We have stayed at Swan and Dolphin and love it. The pool is impressive and it is so nice that you can walk to 2 parks

Not OP, but we LOVED Cabana Bay! The theme is so fun, and the pools are amazing! Lazy river! Water Slide!
In my mind, the value of express pass goes down with length of stay. If you’re only going to be there 1-2 days, having EP is important to get everything done. If you’re going for a longer trip, it’s really easy to be strategic about when you hit the headliners, and how you use virtual queues. Then you use the crowded times to ride the secondary rides, go to shows, enjoy the ambiance, or zip back to the hotel for pool time.

 

[staceychev]

Not to change the subject too much but what did you think of Cabana Bay and how was it not having EPs? We have stayed at Swan and Dolphin and love it. The pool is impressive and it is so nice that you can walk to 2 parks

CB - we were only there for a couple of days so it was fine, but it felt somewhat run down inside the room itself. I think that some of the rooms have been renovated, but ours hadn't been. The lack of EPs didn't bother me because we were there the second week in December and the crowds were totally manageable. If we go back at a more busy time, I'd probably go for the more expensive hotel that has a better experience and EPs.

Totally agree with ClapYourHands about the theme, though. We loved the way the lobby was decorated for Christmas, too.

 

[HopperFan]

Is LBVP the Hilton near Disney Springs?

No "L", it is the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace and it is one of the two closest hotels to the DS. The other is Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Hilton DoubleTree Suites is also on the same road but is the longest walk to Disney Springs. AND you might see mention Hilton Bonnet Creek, not walkable but close and the nicest of the Hiltons.

I know where the 2 Hiltons are, I was wondering which one the OP was talking about here, lazy river etc. I thought the Hilton that was closer to DS was a little more basic? I've never stayed at either but I'd like to....

Buena Vista Palace has great pool area ...




Hilton Bonnet Creek (NOT DISNEY SPRINGS) has great pool area too.

Dolphin is our absolute fave but we picked LBVP for spring break Bc we are using Hilton points. There’s a direct walking bridge to Disney Springs! Love that option for the evenings! LBVP also has a lazy River.

To clarify for those unfamiliar, the bridges are not direct from any hotel. You must leave your hotel and walk to the corner where there are bridges, go up, across and down. There are elevators. Hilton can be a close walk depending on your room, Palace is not bad if you are in the Island rooms but otherwise it's a little jaunt.

 

[Carol_]

We love the Swolphin. Close to Epcot, Boardwalk, and Fantasia Gardens, with a great pool, pool bar, smores on the 'beach', and the spa!!! The gym has a peleton. The rooms are perfect and occasionally have a partial fireworks view. Oh! and Blue Zoo! Love that restaurant.

 

[staceychev]

I decided on Swan and booked Friday. I'm really excited! I decided that, since it's our last Disney trip before oldest goes to college, we might as well splurge a little bit!

 

[FunFamily]

Great decision! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I agree - great decision! Being able to walk (or boat) to Epcot and HS will make a big difference for such a short stay.