Occasionally all you need is some time away to reset and recharge as a family. After an insane couple of months juggling work, school, kids activities and tending to sick kids. All I wanted for my birthday was to some downtime and to celebrate my husbands & my birthday, as a family. Luckily, we found the most family friendly resort on our last trip to Orlando, read more about our trip here. That when our friends at The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista extended an invite to our family to come back and celebrate with them, I could not refuse.
Being South Florida residents Orlando is just a short drive away for us. Therefore, packing up the kids in the car and taking the 4-hour drive north was a, no brainer. Especially if it meant we could relax and recharge as a family. In the past, as a couple sans kids, budget and family were not on our list when it came to choosing a hotel. We would typically stay at any affordable hotel with basic amenities that was located near the Disney parks for a short weekend getaway. However since becoming parents our needs have changed. We’ve found that finding a hotel that is budget friendly and accomodates a family of four can be challenging. Fear no more! Not only is The Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Resort both budget and family friendly, here are a five more of my top reasons why you should stay here on your next trip to Orlando.
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
The Resort
What is there not to to love about this resort? Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista resort offers two hotel options that share many of the lake front resort amenities. The resort is located a short walk away from Disney Springs and just a few miles from Walt Disney Theme Parks. Upon arrival you walk right into your very own lake house retreat to be greeted by the friendliest Wyndham team in the lobby. What I love about this resort is all that it has something for every member of the family. When you are in need of snacks, entertainment, or local information then head down to the lobby. Open 24/7 the Sundial Market Place is where you can get any last minute items you might have forgotten. Also located at lobby level is the Eclipse Bar lounge that is great for a late night cap or for catching the latest sports highlights on the big screen TV.
Garden Bungalow Rooms
During this visit we had the opportunity to stay in one of the newly renovated garden bungalow rooms. These rooms located in the Wyndham Garden offer a more value friendly room for guest who can reap the benefits if the resort amenities. If you checked out my last post you might notice how different the rooms look. The Garden Bungalow rooms now have a serene garden lake bungalow concept that matches with the lake house theme in the Wyndham main lobby. You’ll find the rooms have been transformed into a tranquil space but has some added functionality like in the new built in storage entertainment unit. This built in has to be my favorite feature of the room it has so MUCH storage. There is a place for shoes in the under bench cubby and has these decorative bird accent hooks that is so helpful at keeping everything off the hotel floor. The mini fridge is conveniently out of site behind the new beach wood slat doors. Even the TV has its own space on the wall allowing for more counter space to hold all the bottles, toys, and keys there is also tons of USB ports for charging all the gadgets your brought along. A new shaker style barn door hangs at the entrance of the bathroom who also got a small facelift. There is a new vanity and backlit mirror accented with decorative tile backsplash. Staying true to the serene ambiance the headboards are painted a muted green that helps set the tone of the room so that everyone is instantly relaxed and ready to drift off into a long slumber.
We could not have been happier with new reimagined garden bungalow room updates. Our family appreciated the new crisp clean color palette and how inviting it was. The remote control blackout blinds were also a great feature at helping keep the kids asleep some mornings. Our family was able to relax and recharge in the refreshing new garden bungalow rooms.
Family Friendly
Arcade
Wyndham and Wyndham Garden resorts provides something for every guest and is extremely family friendly. There is an onsite arcade room located in the parking level of the hotel. If you are parent that has traveled with kids then you know that having a variety of things available close by is a must. It helps to keep everyone entertained and from complaining of boredom. That’s why I was overjoyed when I discovered the Wyndham Garden arcade for kids of all ages. I’m not much of a video gamer however my husband and kids enjoyed playing air hockey and even took a chance at winning themselves a stuff animal with one of the infamous crane games. They did not win a stuffed animal this time around. But if you like a challenge and think you can win yourself a stuff animal then head down to the arcade for some fun!
Children’s Reading Nook
Another great kid friendly space located on the lobby level is the children’s reading nook. The reading nook is dedicated to keeping the kids busy with books and quiet activities. There is a bookshelf filled with tons of children’s books to choose from. Our kids adored the reading nook. On each visit they sat reading through the books while we sipped on our morning coffee. A small television is also setup so that they can to catch up on their favorite Mickey and the Clubhouse episodes. Both times we stayed at the Wyndham Garden LBV we used the reading nook to help the kids unwind and once for a bottle break with my daughter. It’s also a perfect space for those breastfeeding mama’s and want a quiet space to retreat to. It is such a treat when traveling with young kids find a space dedicated to their needs that allows them to enjoy the lobby with other guest. The children’s reading nook is wonderful inviting space available for traveling families at the Wyndham & Wyndham Garden resort.
Oasis Aquatic Playground
The best feature of the Wyndham Garden has go to be the Oasis Aquatic Pool playground. The expansive outdoor oasis pool area will keep the kids and you busy all day with two pools, jacuzzi and pool bar & grill. It’s not a bad way to spend the day if I must say. On both of our visits we spent the entire day by the pool playing on the playground located in the zero entry wading area for the kids. We went up and across then back down again a zillion times, shot water spouts are each all day and stood under the water bucket waiting to get douse just to hear the squeals. The kids even dragged dad around the pool as their very own pirate prisoner. It truly was a wonderful family day spent in the pool under the Florida sunshine.
The kids oasis aquatic playground isn’t the only pool available there is also another larger pool and a jacuzzi located in the pool area. As I said Wyndham Garden resort has something for every member of the family. Hungry? No need to leave the pool for food or drinks either. Order from the outdoor Oasis Bar & Grill located poolside and have it brought out to your lounge seat. Did you forget the kids floats, not to worry they have those on site as well for a small fee. Get your instagram selfie game on with those unicorn floatation devices, if you can ever get on & stay on, know what I mean? The Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground has got to be one of the best reasons to stay here on your next vacation. Forget about your daily routines as you and your gang lounge by this wonderful water oasis minutes away from our favorite mouse.
Outdoor Sports / Fitness Center
If your family loves to stay active and enjoy sports then Wyndham Garden got you covered with several outdoor sports areas onsite. Located near the pool guest will find tennis & basketball courts as well as sand volleyball. Wyndham guest are able stay on routine while traveling because there is a fully equipped fitness center also located indoors. Get an early before start before your crew is up an break a sweat on one of the four treadmills or elliptical machine. I haven’t stepped foot inside a gym in awhile but I did stroll by as some of the other guest stayed active, also available is water and towels if you forget yours.
Fun Director
Have you ever heard of a more fun job other than the Director of Fun? Well Wyndham Garden has their very own Director of Fun, Jill Arnold. She is the most bubbly and sweetest Fun Director ever. Her job is to make our stay as guest of Wyndham Garden a whole lot more FUN! You can find her greeting guests in the lobby and trading pins. On this visit both kids were able to choose pins, they ended up choosing special Disney pins that only cast members receive. One of the activities that the Director of Fun is in charge is Art Poolside. This fun art activity happens poolside and gives parents a break from the kids. Where they get a chance to paint on a ceramic tile. That will go up on the Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Resort memory tile wall. It’s another way that the Wyndham & Wyndham Garden LBV makes guest feel like they are apart of the Wyndham family.
When we first visited Wyndham Garden we missed Jill’s poolside art activities. But this time around Jill spent some one one one time with our family. She’s a grandmother to a beautiful baby boy and her love for what she does really shines through. Jill told us about the ceramic tiles being specially ordered and shared with us some of her other FUN activities.
Make your stay a bit more special wit one of Jill’s welcome or birthday packages. Had I known about her in-room birthday package I would have called ahead and made our room more festive. But there is always next time, Jill will personally deliver to the guest room a welcome or birthday package upon request. She even puts each package together herself so everything has a unique personal touch. All these packages are available Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 – 3:00pm, you can contact Jill to get your FUN package.
As a mom traveling with young children having activities to keep them distracted is such a plus. Wyndham’s Fun director helps alleviate some of the thought into keeping the kids excitement and fun levels up.
Location
Wyndham & Wyndham Garden is ideally located next door to Disney Springs. Giving the resort guest the added benefit of the additional dining, entertainment and shopping in walking distance of their rooms. During both of our stays we didn’t drive our car anywhere because we could walk across to Disney Springs. If you are headed to the parks continuous shuttle transportation is available to all of the four Walt Disney World® theme parks. Scheduled transportation is also provided to Disney’s® Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks. Buses run every 30 minutes but I would recommend you always check with the front desk for updated bus schedules.
You are able walk across the pedestrian walkway to Disney Springs located across the street. We did this everyday during our stay and the kids loved it. The best part is as soon as you exit the elevator the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is to your left. It it one of my favorite features although we haven’t used it yet. I adore that you can walk your little princess over to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a royal makeover then off to the castle for a day of princess magic. I am keeping my fingers crossed that our little princess gets a chance to experience the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on our next visit.
If you flying into the Orlando Airport, it is located about a 30 minute drive from the Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Resort. A short drive away from Winter Park and downtown Orlando the resort’s proximity to the local surrounding Orlando areas allows guest to experience more than just the theme parks.
Official Disney Resort
Extra Magic Hours & FastPass+
Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Resort is an official Disney Resort which means you get the appreciate benefits like Extra Magic hours and FastPass+ — book up to 60 days in advance of your stay. Using your confirmation number guest can link their hotel stay to mydisneyexperience.com to book your FastPass+ reservations. If you have been to Disney in the past then you know that daily each Walt Disney Park opens early or stays open late giving guest extra time in the theme parks. As Wyndham Garden guest you can experience the magic by getting an early start or staying late at one of the Walt Disney Theme parks during select Extra Magic hours.
Disney Character Breakfast
It’s not official until the we see some Disney characters right? Three days a week you can dine at the Disney® Character Breakfast in the Lakeview Restaurant. The highlight of our stay for me is getting to have breakfast with our favorite Disney characters. The Lakeview restaurant is located on the third floor of the Wyndham Garden Resort and overlooks the pool and lake areas. Guest can choose from over 50 buffet options at breakfast including pastries, fresh fruit & yogurt, cereals, pancakes, mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage to name a few. Not only is the breakfast spread amazing so in getting to interact with Goofy and Pluto more than once. At most other Disney Character breakfast’s we attended, Chef Mickey’s and Polynesian, our time with the characters was limited and we were only able to see them once. Here at the Wyndham you get to see the characters at least twice and spend a few moments with them since it is a lot less crowded. At less than $30 per adult and $15 per child including Disney characters this is one of the best Disney character breakfast deals!
Disney Store
Need to get some last minute Disney gifts or want to pick up some Mickey ears. You can get all your Disney gear at the on-site Disney Store located in the Wyndham Garden lobby. We liked having an official Disney store onsite because it allowed us to keep the kids entertained perusing gifts they’d like to get family members. They even added a few gift options to their own wish list from the Disney store.
Our stay at he Wyndham & Wyndham Garden resort to celebrate our birthdays turned out to be great one! We were able to celebrate, relax and recharge in the newly reimagined garden bungalow rooms. My husband truly got a chance to unwind and relished in all the downtime he was getting by the pool. The kids were throughly entertained that there was never a dull moment during our stay with so much to do on site and in the surrounding Orlando areas. I’ll be sharing in future post some of the places we ate at and things we did while on our stay.
Hotel Amenities
- Disney Character Breakfast Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Bus transportation to all Disney Theme Parks and Water Parks
- Access to Disney Extra Magic Hours
- Access to Disney’s FastPass+ service** (up to 60 days in advance of arrival)
- Golf discounts on greens fees and rental equipment at all four Walt Disney World Golf championship courses.
- Reservations for Disney dinner shows and restaurants
- Disney gift shop
- 24 Hour Cafe, Restaurant & Bar Lounge, In-Room Service, Banquet catering.
- Meeting & Banquet Halls 25k Sqft
- Oasis Aquatic Pool Bar & Grill
- Oasis Aquatic Pool & Playground Area
- Outdoor Sports Areas: Lighted Tennis & Basketball Courts, Sand Volleyball
- Game & Arcade Room
- 24hour Business center
- 24hour Fitness center
- Children’s Reading Nook & Quiet Areas
- Guest laundry & Dry Cleaning
- Car rental on-site & Valet Services; Parking Fee $20 plus tax Daily includes Valet Parking
- Off-site pet accommodations on Disney property – “Best Friends Pet Care“
If you are traveling with young kids and looking for a value friendly hotel that offers all the same great amenities you would receive at a Disney resort. We highly recommend you check out this family and budget friendly hotel and all it awesome Disney amenities, you can find full list of amenities below. That Wyndham & Wyndham Garden resort is my number one pick for a family and budget friendly hotel.
Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Resort has been such a great find for family and we have really enjoyed partnering with for this fun family birthday celebrations. We had a marvelous time during our stay and all opinions, thoughts and suggestion are my own.
If you have any questions or comments leave me a message below. I will do my best to answer as best as I can. If you do stay at this hotel I would love to see your family photos on Instagram use hashtag #cincitytravels.
