Downtown Disney is a complex of retail stores, entertainment venues and restaurants that requires neither a Disney World ticket nor an entry fee to get into. Once there, of course, you can spend as freely as you like at places like the Lego store, the Rainforest Cafe and the state of the art DisneyQuest indoor interactive arcade. Several quality hotels have been built around Downtown Disney, and these hotels are also just minutes from Disney's golf courses, such as the Lake Buena Vista course and the Magnolia course.
Hilton Walt Disney
Located right across the street from Downtown Disney, the Hilton Walt Disney offers a selection of traditional guest rooms as well as more deluxe suites. Room amenities include 200-count thread linens, blackout curtains to keep the hot Orlando sun from waking you up too early, and the trademarked Hilton Serenity Bed to help with that sleep. The fitness center is one of the best equipped you'll find, containing Precor equipment in addition to free weights and cardio gear. The pool and whirlpool spa provide much needed soothing to those sore muscles after a day at the Magic Kingdom or the Oak Trail walking course.
Hilton Walt Disney
1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32830
(407) 827-4000
hilton.com
Buena Vista Palace
A stay at Buena Vista Palace means you can enjoy a pleasant walk to Downtown Disney and avoid the problem of finding a parking spot. If you're a real fan of Downtown Disney, you can even order a room with a view of the complex. The Palace features an excellent fitness center that will get the blood flowing before you make the short trip over to Disney's championship course, Osprey Ridge. Afterward, head back to the hotel for a hot sauna or one of a list of treatments at the full-service spa. All three outdoor pools here are heated.
Buena Vista Palace
1900 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
buenavistapalace.com/services_and_activities/spa.cfm
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
The Hyatt Regency is a little farther away from Downtown Disney than some others, but it is close to Lake Buena Vista golf course. This is a stylish place to vacation with 360 square feet of space inside your room. Amenities include an iPod docking station with your stereo/alarm clock, free high-speed Internet and Portico bath essentials. Rooms also feature a terrace with scenic views. The outdoor pool is massive and an ideal place to end your day after walking the theme parks or the golf course. If you enjoy water recreation, hop into a canoe or sailboat and take advantage of the hotel's private 21 acres of lake. If you don't want to golf at Disney, the Hyatt is also home to three nine-hole courses and an 18-hole championship course.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
1 Grand Cypress Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 239-1234
grandcypress.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
About The Author
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom, USAToday.com and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
