If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and searching for a hotel near the parks, this Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace review covers what it’s actually like to stay at the resort — including my full week-long stay in the Island Penthouse Suite.
Located just steps from Disney Springs, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is one of the most popular Disney Springs area hotels for families visiting Disney.
During my stay, I spent an entire week in the Island Penthouse Suite, giving me the chance to experience the hotel’s rooms, amenities, transportation, and location firsthand.
From the massive rooftop terrace to the relaxing lazy river pool, this resort ended up being one of the most memorable hotel stays I’ve ever had near Walt Disney World.
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, staying near the parks can make your vacation much easier and more relaxing.
Here’s everything you should know before booking a stay.
Table of Contents
Location: Walking Distance to Disney Springs
One of the biggest reasons travelers choose Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is the location.
The hotel sits directly across from Disney Springs, which means you can easily walk over to explore restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
During my stay, we walked to Disney Springs multiple times throughout the week for dinner and desserts. Being able to walk back to the hotel afterward instead of dealing with transportation was incredibly convenient.
One of the biggest perks of staying at this hotel is the short walk to Disney Springs, where you’ll find dozens of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.
For Disney visitors who enjoy dining and shopping at Disney Springs, this location is hard to beat.
Early Entry at Disney Parks
Even though this resort isn’t owned by Disney, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is an official Disney partner hotel.
Guests staying here receive 30-minute early entry at all four Disney parks:
• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Early entry can make a big difference, especially when trying to ride popular attractions before the crowds arrive.
Transportation to the Disney Parks
The hotel offers bus transportation to all Disney parks, making it easy to get around without needing a rental car.
During our stay, we found the transportation reliable and convenient for park days.
Many guests combine the hotel transportation to the parks with the short walk to Disney Springs, which makes this property one of the most convenient off-property hotels near Walt Disney World.
The Lazy River Pool Area
One of my favorite parts of the resort was the pool area and lazy river.
The property features:
• A large resort-style pool
• A relaxing lazy river
• Plenty of lounge chairs
• Poolside dining and drinks
After long days at the Disney parks, floating in the lazy river was the perfect way to relax in the evenings.
Families traveling with kids especially love this area because it gives children a fun place to play while adults can unwind.
Fireworks Views From the Hotel
Some rooms at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace offer distant views of the nightly fireworks at EPCOT.
Watching fireworks from the hotel without the crowds of the park is a really special experience.
From our suite’s terrace, we could actually see the fireworks in the distance at night, which made ending each Disney day feel a little extra magical.
Dining Options at the Hotel
The resort offers several dining options for guests staying at the property.
Letterpress Restaurant
A popular breakfast buffet and casual dining restaurant.
Citrus 28 Market
Perfect for grabbing coffee, snacks, or quick breakfast items before heading to the parks.
Sunnies Pool Bar & Grill
A great spot for poolside drinks, burgers, and casual meals.
The hotel previously offered a Sunday character breakfast, which has been temporarily paused.
Staying in the Island Penthouse Suite
The highlight of my stay — and the reason this Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace review is so unique — was spending an entire week in the Island Penthouse Suite.
This suite is massive and feels more like a luxury condo than a hotel room.
The suite includes:
• Two levels
• A huge private rooftop terrace
• Multiple balconies
• Outdoor sun chairs
• A full outdoor dining table
• Incredible resort and fireworks views
The upstairs terrace was easily my favorite part. It’s enormous and perfect for relaxing, enjoying the Florida sunshine, or watching fireworks at night.
The downstairs area includes additional balconies and a large dining space, which made it feel perfect for families or groups traveling together.
Spending a week in this suite made the entire Disney trip feel like a luxury vacation.
Guest Rooms and Balcony Views
One feature I really appreciated about Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is that many of the rooms include private balconies.
That’s something a lot of Orlando hotels don’t offer.
Room views include:
• Disney Springs
• Resort pool
• Fireworks views
Even standard rooms offer beautiful views, which makes the property feel more like a true resort.
Is Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Worth It?
After spending a week here, I can confidently say this hotel is a fantastic option for Disney visitors.
If you want to stay close to Walt Disney World but prefer something slightly more affordable than a Disney-owned resort, this property offers a great balance of location, comfort, and amenities.
Between the walkable location to Disney Springs, early park entry, relaxing pool area, and spacious rooms, it’s easy to see why so many families choose this hotel.
Final Thoughts
After a full week staying at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, it’s easy to understand why this is one of the most popular hotels near Walt Disney World.
The location near Disney Springs, relaxing resort atmosphere, and incredible views make it a great choice for families visiting Orlando.
And if you ever have the chance to stay in the Island Penthouse Suite, it’s truly one of the most unique and memorable hotel stays you can have during a Disney vacation.
You can also read my guide to
Best Disney World Hotels for Families
and