Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Area — Hotel in Lake Buena Vista

To start off, i booked this hotel as a trip for Fathers Day and my daughters birthday. Upon arrival we were checked into the front desk of Hilton Reward Members and i reminded the associate that i had called and asked for a room with a good view. I was told that upgrades could not be made during arrival, so i made sure to request one in advance. The associate looked inattentive and was not very welcoming to us. After asking her some questions she seemed uninterested giving us very bland and basic responses without much detail. The associate then proceeded to hand us a key to a room on the third floor, mind you there are ten floors in this hotel. Once i got to the room and looked outside, i saw a large blank wall. This was the view i had received after calling in advance and reminding the front desk associate about my booking. Quickly, i called the front desk to get a different room about the misunderstanding that could have occurred with the front desk associate. I was told our room could be upgraded for an extra $25 a night, even though our booking had a good view and i reminded the lady at the front. Either way i upgraded our room to the ninth floor and finally settled in there.

Next, we went to the pool to relax and get some food after a long day of driving. To our surprise it was oddly empty. It was empty to the point that no workers were in the area to help and the poolside food/bar was closed. I was expecting a restaurant to be open by the pool but we were told we would have to go inside to get food and bring it back out. After a while of needing some help, we were able to get the attention of a housekeeping worker, in which she helped us raise an umbrella. But since there was not many people at all, the pool was peaceful.

The hotel is about a 5 minute walk from Disney Springs. Since we were spending most of the day at Disney Springs for my daughters birthday i found this very accessible and easy to get across. I was very pleased with how close the location was and we did not mind walking at all because of how short the distance was.

Later, we went to dine in this hotels Hibachi restaurant, called Benihana, and on the way stopped at the front desk to ask about some amenities the hotel had since we were not told about any. A lady named Zulma spoke to us and she was so kind. She engaged with us to help support our needs and explained everything to us clearly. In the beginning we were not told that as a Hilton Rewards member: you get two free waters per night you stay from the cafe, you get $50 a night to spend in the hotels restaurants, and you get to rent a movie for free. After hearing this i realized really how inattentive the lady in the beginning was. None of these benefits were explained to us at all and if we had not asked we probably would not have known for the whole trip. I was very disappointed. I would have rather heard about these amenities from the very beginning than halfway through it. I am so glad we spoke to Zulma because it showed that at least someone in this hotel had hospitality for their guests.

After returning from Disney Springs a small basket full of chocolates with a card wishing a happy fathers day and birthday was sent from Zulma and Jared, who was also at the front desk talking with us. These two really helped brighten up our stay and made us feel more cared for in the hands of this hotel.

Overall, i personally would not return to Lake Buena Vista. I think they need to work on hospitality among all their staff to make their guests feel wanted there. Staff should be available overall, especially by the pool. Without a single worker passing by the pool just because it was not very crowded does not mean that guests don’t need help. The location is very good if you are looking into spending most of your time at Disney Springs specifically and the pool is peaceful at times. This hotel deserves 3/5 stars for my personal...

We arrived on 5/1/2024 for my daughter’s cheer summit. I booked this hotel thru our Hilton honors rewards app based on the reviews, location, and the accessibility Disney springs. Since I knew it would be just her and I traveling alone I didn’t want to be away from a lot of the lights and attractions and I wanted the ease of being near food options and shopping without having to drive.

Checkin time was at 4pm, I called 48hrs in advance to confirm my reservation and to ensure check in since we would be driving in from South Carolina. We arrived around 5pm, and upon arrival our room was not ready! Imagine my frustration after being in the car for almost 8hours! I was told the room just had to be checked that it had already been cleaned and they would text me when ready.

I didn’t receive my text that the room was ready until 553pm!!!! Fortunately I had a few errands my daughter and I could run, but don’t arrive expecting the room to be ready as there were MANY families waiting on a room when I first arrived. Maybe early digital check in is something to look into.

Next I booked a King room with a Disney Springs view, I didn’t know that in order to have a pull out couch or a second sleeping area you had to book the junior king suite. Online it was not very specific in these details and directions. When I called prior to my arrival that’s when I learned of this. I was able to request a roll away cot, however, it was only after the third request that it was delivered to my room. I asked for if at check in (first time), send time checking in and I called once in the room for a hour.

Ruby, works front desk answering phones was/is the rudest person I have encountered my entire stay during this trip. She was so nasty, and short with me on the phone from the time I called. Before I could finish asking for the cot she cut me off and said it’s $15/night you wanna pay that I’ll send it up. I tried to explain to her NOONE had told me of any charges for this cot not even when I called. She went on and on and then went up front and confirmed with Crystal (the sweetest check in lady) that I wasn’t told of the charges and proceed to tell me it’s my fault I didn’t know and said if the manager wants to waive the fee that’s their decision so she would have her call me. I asked her for her name and her supervisors name and Ruby told me she refused to give her name to me and hung up on me. I went to the front desk, as again Crystal (I hope that is her name) was so sweet and gave me Ruby’s name and contacted the supervisor on duty who was unable to come talk to me because she was answering phone calls said she was too busy she would call my room. I still never talked to her. She could’ve called the room but I was so tired I’m sure if she did call I was asleep before she did.

The Starbucks vouchers you get are only good for drip coffee, teas, and waters, but they have a gorgeous grab and go area with Starbucks coffees and refreshers. There are two other onsite restaurants and you have food delivered directly to the room as well.

We have a mini fridge in our room but no microwave.

The view at night is beautiful and you can see the fireworks off in the distance.

There’s two pools and hot tub! I overall I would definitely give this a 5 star had it not been for my first night with Ruby and the supervisor. Everytime I call valet my car is pulled up waiting for me and they call me by name. Makes me feel like a person not just...

We stayed at the Hilton from May 17-20th and overall had a good stay. Expect decent and get the job done not above and beyond. In my opinion I’m fine with that then spending $3-400 bucks more a night for a Disney resort.

Pros:

Location- truly next to Disney springs. We walked right over the pedestrian walk to Disney springs. It’s less than an 5 min walk, a huge plus we visited twice in our 3 day trip because it was so easy and close location to Epcot/Hollywood.

Service- everyone was friendly and no issues.

Resort- they had a bar, pool, pool bar, sit down breakfast restaurant, and what I thought was best was the grab and go market with hot food and things you’d need. As a Hilton gold member it was a great free breakfast with our credit for my fiancé and I headed into the parks looking to have a free breakfast.

Cons:

Dated- I’m a gold member and was told I was “upgraded” to a new king room which I booked… if that’s renovated they gotta consider themselves a Hampton inn as of rooms. I stay from Hampton inns to doubletrees to nice Hiltons. The room was a run in the mill Hampton inn room and apparently that was a “renovated” room. I saw a lot of reviews before about average dated rooms and I’m not one to go for that because I think people are over the top but it seems true here.

Park transportation: this is great and horrible at the same time which makes this part of the review frustrating. The rides to any park are great, especially if you rope drop. You can get to any park almost an hour early to every park, more early to some depending on what park you’re going to. Going there they are on time and easy- only one other hotel after you so your first so you don’t have to fight for seats. They were 5 min early each day for pick up. Perfect

The issue is the ride home. They only offer return on the hour each hour from 4pm or so (could be an earlier return pick up time on the hour if your looking to leave before 4pm). If you’re closing down a park it’s a terrible time. The park closes at magic kingdom at 10. So they pick up at 10, yet if you want to watch fireworks as of 5/17 when we went it ended at 9:30pm with fireworks.good luck making the 10pm pickup because you have to make it to TTC-(monorail line).We showed up at 10:05 and saw the bus driving away. Just got an Uber and dealt with it so we didn’t have to wait another hour.

Same thing the next night. Epcot closed at 9 and fireworks started at 9 and goes 15-20min. Get to the parking lot and wait 30 min. At 10pm we’re the last group still sitting and I guess they had a bad night they didn’t arrive til 10:20pm and we were the last group/hotel waiting in the Epcot parking lot, like I thought I paid more to not have deal with that compared to the Wyndham but they we’re better then Hilton shockingly.

Overall: 3.5-4/5, they offer what you need and it can be significantly cheaper than Disney property. My points paid for this and saved me significantly compared to what what I could have paid. Id recommend just know it’s decent not great. A place to stay and go to the parks. If Hilton reads this, I know you outsource your buses. Discuss with them the return times, it’s...