Hiya John,
Welcome back to planDisney. I am so glad you stopped by with this question. This is the perfect time to visit as there is even more magic and exciting things to see during
The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. I am also a Hilton Honors member and thanks to my many work trips, I build up a pretty decent cache of Hilton points. We actually used my points this past November to squeeze in a bonus trip to see the holiday decorations at Walt Disney World, and the hotel we stayed at was Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace.
While this resort is missing some of the pixie dust and magic you find at the Walt Disney World resorts, the great thing is
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is an official Walt Disney World resort and offers a number of the perks you would receive at the other Walt Disney World resorts. While the resort is not owned by Walt Disney World, thus the reason you can use your Hilton Honors reward points, it is located on Walt Disney World property and sits directly across from
Disney Springs. As a guest at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, you will be able to participate in the
Early Theme Park Entry as well as make your first
Disney Genie+ selection at 7am EST.
We really like this resort, and love that it is a short walk over a pedestrian bridge to Disney Springs, but there are a few things you will not have access to. One, you cannot charge to your room from the Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs shopping locations. Two, the
Walt Disney World Resort Transportation does not operate at this hotel. The hotel does offer its own shuttle service but it does not always run continuously so you will want to check the schedule. You can use the Disney buses from Disney Springs but remember, those buses do not run directly to the theme parks. Lastly, while you are able to make Genie+ selections at 7, only guests staying at an actual Walt Disney World Resort will be able to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane attraction at 7:00am EST. This was the biggest drawback we found while trying to obtain a time for Rise of the Resistance.
I hope you find this information helpful. Be sure to check out the resort's lazy river. It is a great place to relax and recharge before hitting the theme parks again. If you need any additional planning help,
please stop back and see me.
With pixie dust,
Margaret