If you’re planning a Disney vacation and need the best family resort near Disney World suggestion, let me share all the fantastic benefits of staying at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, and why it’s the resort for families.
Best Family Resort Near Disney World | Benefits of Staying at Lake Buena Vista
Orlando is one of our favorite family vacation spots. I’ve been going down to Florida for vacations since I was a little girl. While we spent more time out west, Orlando was another favorite place to spend time soaking up the sun. After having kids, Orlando quickly got placed in heavy vacation rotation.
Orlando, Florida is known for its family-friendly fun thanks to everyone’s favorite Walt Disney World. If you’re headed down to the sunshine state for your family fun, I’ve got the perfect place for you to stay.
It’s called Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, and it’s a fab vacation stay for families. The majority of families (and even couples and girls’ weekend getaways) are coming to the Orlando area for all the theme parks (Universal, Disney, etc.). This is one of the main reasons we wanted to stay at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa. I mean, we could get to Disney World in about 10 minutes from our resort, even with traffic. And trust me, after you have been at the park all day long, you do not want a long ride to your resort/hotel.
It’s right by Walt Disney World
That’s right; Lake Buena Vista is only 3 miles from the entrance of Disney World! That means that Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach are all a hop and a skip away. Purchase tickets at the concierge desk in the lobby of Lake Buena Vista while getting all the insider information for making your magical family trip to Disney World unforgettable.
And did you know that Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa is part of the Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel program?
Pro-tip: If you want to save money on parking at Disney ($25 bucks), Lake Buena Vista offers a FREE shuttle service to the theme parks. Now that just sweetened this deal!
So let’s talk about all the other benefits of staying at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa!
Spacious Family Suites – great for teens
There’s very little that puts a damper on a family vacation like a tiny hotel room. Lake Buena Vista knows families need a little leg room. And when you are traveling with older kids, you no longer have the option of fitting into one hotel room. You need space.
You’ll have no trouble finding the right suite for your family, with options from one bedroom suites to four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and 2,170 square feet of luxurious space! Every suite includes a washer and dryer, full kitchen, dining area, living room, and a private balcony. Oh, and a jacuzzi tub in the master bath because mom and dad deserve it. {You can check out the video on our Instagram highlights for a full tour of our suite}
Pro-tip: Having a washer + dryer means we can pack less and wash while we’re there (which means fewer suitcases- and we know many airlines charge a fee for luggage).
I found our suite to be clean and perfect for our family. We all had enough room to stretch out, and having two full-sized bathrooms was another bonus when trying to scramble in the morning to get to the parks early. The staff we interacted with throughout our stay was helpful and friendly.
And when you wake up in the morning, you wake up to this gorgeous view! Talk about a bonus benefit!
Spa and Salon
Kids can get their hair and nails done and even get a Princess or Pirate makeover while you get a Hydrating Island Wrap or a Tropical Island Massage. Parents, if you want to get some great downtime, book a spa package when you book your room. This is a great way to spend the next day after a full day at Disney Parks.
Here are a few things to try:
Pirate Ship & Relaxation Pools
One for the kids and one for the parents, so everyone gets to enjoy the pool area. And yes, even the teens enjoyed playing at the pool. If you’re looking for a spot where kids will put down their gadgets and enjoy the vacation, Lake Buena Vista Resort is the place to book your next family vacation.
Lani’s Luau is right by the Pirate Ship pool and offers your favorite poolside grub like bagels and cinnamon rolls in the morning, and burgers, nachos, and salads for lunch and dinner. Grown-up drinks are also available to promote extra relaxation.
The Relaxation Pool is exactly what it sounds like: a place to quietly soak up the Florida sunshine with a drink in hand.
The Pirate Ship Plunge Pool is where all the crazy fun happens!
The kids get to be pirates aboard a massive ship that has a water slide right through it. The zero-depth entry of the pool allows parents to relax in a lounge chair nearby while the kids safely play in the water. In addition to the comfortable loungers are hammocks and the grown-up favorite of jacuzzi-style hot tubs. Our boys LOVED this! Yes, the teens LOVED this!
Kids Only Activities
While are teens are outside the kid-age, this option is great for families with younger kids. Join the staySky Kids Club for scheduled activities the kids will love. These activities include things like Sand Art, Pool-Side Games, coloring, and other DIY Arts and Crafts. You’ll also find a fully equipped game room on the premises for the whole family to enjoy video games, pool tables, and more.
On-Site Dining Options- No need to leave the resort
With a full kitchen and nearby stores, it’s easy to cook right in your suite. But let’s face it, one of the best parts about vacation is not having to cook, right? Lake Buena Vista has options right on site that are sure to please even your pickiest of eaters.
Pro-tip: If you want to save money on your vacation, you must stay at a resort or vacation home with a kitchen. Being able to buy groceries and cook is a HUGE way to save money on your vacation. Think about this; you spend a big chunk of your vacation money eating. Lake Buena Vista also offers grocery delivery options, so another bonus benefit!
Pizza Hut Express has all your Pizza Hut favorites available all day to pick up or have delivered right to your room.
Frankie Farrell’s Irish Pub & Grille offers choice food surrounded by a sports theme. Your whole family will enjoy the delicious and authentic Irish/American fare that includes European and domestic beers on tap for mom and dad. Arcade games keep the kids entertained while you sit back and catch a game on one of the 17 TVs.
And if you do want to leave the resort and venture out for more food ideas, be sure to check out Flipper’s. They have amazing pizza and have a location near Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa.
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa is right by a shopping outlet. For our boys, who love to shop, they were thrilled to be able to walk over to the outlet and check out some of the stores. While this may not be a benefit for all, it was a benefit for our family.
Well, I’m ready to go back for some more fun in the sun. And with Disney’s Star War’s Galaxy Edge opening up on August 29th, 2019, it will be more important to stay at a resort near Disney World. Lake Buena Vista Resort is not only the ideal location near the Disney parks, but they offer a variety of services that are perfect for families, including our family with teen boys.
Check them out on social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
A great spot to eat for breakfast near the resort is First Watch.
Disclosure: Our family was hosted at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa to share our honest opinions of this resort.
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