Family-Friendly Hotel Designated a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel

Those staying at Embassy Suites Hotel Lake Buena Vista are just minutes from the area’s famous theme parks, within 10 miles of all four Disney World parks and about 5 miles from Universal Studios and SeaWorld. While driving to Disney World is easy, the most convenient way to get there is to take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle, which runs to and from all the theme parks throughout the day. This Embassy Suites has also been designated a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, meaning it has been approved by Disney’s quality standards and you can buy park passes right at the front desk.

You’ll notice the hotel’s Caribbean theme as soon as you enter the open-air atrium, as it’s decked out with palm trees, waterfalls, and a fountain. Two-room suites overlook the atrium and subtly continue the theme through floral prints and lime-green sofa beds. Each includes a separate living area, making them perfect for families. While kids will appreciate Embassy Suites’ separate children’s pool and arcade area, adults can find time to mingle at the nightly two-hour manager’s reception and grab a complimentary drink. Alternatively, the whole family can enjoy the hotel’s Dive-in Theater, which includes poolside viewings of Disney movies held four times a week.

Each morning begins with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, served in the tropical garden atrium. Other dining options include an onsite Pizza Hut and Andiamo Italian Bistro and Grille, which serves fresh, local seafood.

Orlando, Florida: World-Famous Theme Parks and Cultural Surprises

Located in the center of Florida, Orlando may be forever associated with Walt Disney World, which opened on October 1, 1971, and is now the world’s most-visited entertainment resort. Disney World spans roughly 30,000 acres, encompassing four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and the Downtown Disney Marketplace. One can ride Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom in the morning, and then sample Moroccan cuisine over at Epcot’s World Showcase in the afternoon before watching the nightly IllumiNations fireworks, laser, and water show. As one of the most popular family destinations in the world, sunny Orlando is home to other theme parks including Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Gatorland.

Those hoping to shake up the typical theme-park-dominated itinerary can head into downtown Orlando's vibrant arts district. The neighborhood boasts venues such as CityArts Factory, a multifaceted patchwork of gallery spaces, and SAK Comedy Lab, which hosts family-friendly improv shows five nights a week.

About a 10-minute drive north, you’ll find eight cultural institutions at Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Museum of Art, which houses pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, Ansel Adams, and Andy Warhol. The park is also home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orlando Science Center. Visit the science center to take a rover across a simulation of Mars’s red surface, or race on a 70-foot pinewood derby track.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.