The Disney Blog crew was invited to spend a complimentary night at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village, aka the Pirate Ship Pool hotel. We frequently drive by the hotel on the nearby 417 highway and every time we look at that huge pirate ship by the pool and wish we could stay there. It’s located behind the Lake Buena Vista Outlet Mall on the 535, just a short hop from EPCOT or Downtown Disney and close to all sorts of shopping and dining as well as the I-4 in case you want to visit any of the other Central Florida attractions.
Honestly, if you’re in Orlando to visit the theme parks, chances are you’re looking for a hotel that satisfies a few needs. It should be clean, relatively close to the attractions, have nearby shopping an dining, and a fantastic pool. For Lake Buena Vista Resort Village you can check all those things off. The resort then takes it to the next level with the fantastic themed pirates ship pool, a wonderful spa, and a restaurant that serves up some of the best fish-n-chips I’ve had in Orlando.
We arrived a little early and our room wasn’t ready yet. But we were able to head to the pool and secure a spot in the sun. Our 10 year old very much enjoyed the Pirates plunge slide and was able to enjoy every square foot of the pool just swimming around or playing with other kids. There is bar and food service at the pool and no outside food or drink is allowed. So keep the party in the room.
We stayed in a 2 bedroom Antigua suite and did not see any of the other rooms. However, ours was more than large enough for a family of six. Ours had two double beds, but the website lists the room as coming with two twins. So you might want to call the hotel for clarification before you plan on sleeping more than six. We took some video to give you an idea of the layout and the amenities.
One thing to note, is that Lake Buena Vista Resort is a condo/hotel. That means daily housekeeping service is not part of the price. But if you don’t mind tidying your own beds and replacing the toilet paper, you’ll be fine. All the rooms also have washer and dryer and a kitchen. Eating a few meals in your room is a great way to save money on your next trip to the world.
I have two minor quibbles with the resort. First, the infrequent shuttle service to the parks can put a real limit on the amount of time you spend at the parks. You’ll definitely want to have your own car to ride around town in. There is also a mandatory resort fee. I feel these should be included in the room price if their mandatory.
If you don’t mind staying off property, perhaps if you’re planning to extend your stay by a few extra days without spending a lot more, I can definitely recommend you give Lake Buena Vista Resort Village a try.