Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area

The Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area is located in a nondescript high-rise building next to Disney Springs. The immediate neighborhood is filled with similar hotels, and appeals mostly to families and business travelers. The Wyndham Garden is considered one of Disney’s “good neighbor” hotels, so it offers free shuttles to Disney parks, has frequent character breakfasts in its restaurant, and offers guests Extra Magic Hours. However, Wyndham Garden guests are not entitled to Disney’s Magical Express benefits. The hotel’s welcoming and attractive lobby makes a lovely first impression. Multiple seating areas are arranged in cozy formations around the room, and globular hanging light fixtures add modern appeal. The lobby is always buzzing with families and kids, and we saw groups traveling together during our visit. We’d like to point out that the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area is housed in the same building as the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista. The two hotels have the same lobby, restaurants, pool, and amenities, but are somehow considered two separate hotels. The Wyndham is located in one wing, while the Wyndham Garden is located in the other. Rooms and in-room amenities are the same at both hotels, but curiously, rates at the Wyndham are typically more expensive than rates at the Wyndham Garden. 

The Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area’s is connected via a pedestrian bridge with Disney’s premier shopping, dining, and nightlife venue. Formerly known as Downtown Disney, Disney Springs is a large outdoor complex with tons of restaurants, shops, bars, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. It’s typically crowded every night of the week, and is equal parts family-friendly and adult-appropriate. The hotel is a 15- to 20-minute drive from most Disney parks, but times can be longer if traveling via shuttle. Besides Disney World, the Wyndham Garden is about 15 minutes from Universal Studios and the Orange County Convention Center, and a 25-minute drive from Orlando International Airport. 

The Wyndham Garden isn’t a new property, but its rooms were nicely refurbished in 2015 with colorful, contemporary decor. While popcorn ceilings show signs of age, peacock-blue focal walls and multi-colored wall art add some vitality. Beds are dressed in white, which pops against gold accent pillows and pairs well with rooms’ white furniture. White wainscoting brings textural interest, while brown patterned carpet feels generic. Rooms are equipped with one king or two queen-size beds, plus amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electronic safes, USB charging stations, and single-cup coffeemakers. Rooms also have small desks and closets, but they lack outdoor balconies. Bathrooms have granite countertops and funky mosaic-tile backsplashes, as well as standard shower/tub combos, free toiletries, and hairdryers.

The center of the Wyndham Garden is an outdoor pool complex with a small quiet pool and a larger family pool with an attached kids' splash zone. The unheated pool gets lots of use from guests during the warmer months, and stays open throughout the year, for those who can handle the cooler water temperatures during the winter. The pools are surrounded by plastic lounge chairs, and there’s also a small jetted hot tub. Next to the pool, the seasonal Oasis Bar & Grill serves lunch, dinner, and drinks in a casual, open-air setting. Additional on-site dining options include the Lakeview Restaurant and the 24-hour Sundial market. The Lakeview Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, but it's best known for its weekly Disney character breakfasts. The Sundial market is located in the lobby and always feels crowded. The casual grab-and-go eatery is particularly popular in the mornings, when guests can order coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and muffins at the coffee bar. Sundial also sells snacks, drinks, and pre-made sandwiches and salads.The hotel’s fitness center is small and somewhat dated, but it has a handful of Cybex cardio and weight-training machines. Drop ceilings and fluorescent lighting make the gym feel like a basement, despite its location on the lobby level. Guests who’d prefer to exercise outdoors can check out the hotel’s sports courts, which include tennis, basketball, and beach volleyball. Though the Wyndham Garden feels more family-friendly than business savvy, the hotel has 21 meeting rooms with space for up to 1,200 guests. The event space can be used for business meetings, family reunions, weddings, or other large group functions. Since the Wyndham Garden is one of Disney’s “good neighbor” hotels, it has free shuttles that transport guests to Disney theme parks and attractions. Shuttle transportation is typically slower than driving, and pick-up/drop-off times aren’t always reliable, but some guests find it convenient (especially considering Disney’s pricey parking fees). Wyndham Garden guests are also entitled to Extra Magic Hours, which allow travelers to access Disney parks before opening and after closing. The hotel also has its own official Disney store, that sells souvenirs, clothing, and other Disney paraphernalia. The Wyndham Garden’s daily resort fee (common in Orlando) covers the cost of “freebies” like parking and Wi-Fi.