For us returning to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, after its multi million dollar renovation made perfect sense. Situated right in Walt Disney World Resort itself, this incredible resort hotel is a hidden gem that many UK guests often overlook when wanting to stay at an on-site Disney property.
Whilst many visitors to Disney wanting a more luxurious hotel experience choose the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary they are missing out if they skip the Waldorf which offers luxury, relaxation and outstanding service in the heart of Walt Disney.
This is our honest review of the transformed Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
Location
We had a pre booked transfer with Holiday Extras from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the hotel which I would highly recommend after a long flight from London and not having to worry about sorting a car and driving when tired. We did look at getting an Uber before booking our transfer and prices will range between $40 – $100 for a one way trip dependent on the time of day.
The hotel is 22 miles away from Orlando International Airport (MCO) so dependent on traffic its around a 30 minute drive. Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon are the closest Disney properties which were 5 minute drive away whilst all of the other Disney parks are no more than a 15 minute drive. In fact the location of this property is so good, you don’t need a car when staying at this property as you have access to the hotels complimentary bus shuttle service – more on that later.
First Impressions
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a large luxury resort hotel situated on a lush nature preserve in an area of Walt Disney World close to Disney Springs called Bonnet Creek, home to many of its most luxurious non-Disney branded hotels – including a JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek and a Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek.
The Waldorf Astoria is part a large 482-acre development which also includes the Signia by Hilton – separated by a large convention centre, a 18 hole golf course, multiple swimming pools, lazy river, walking trails, 11 restaurants and much more
This was the first Waldorf Astoria to open outside of New York City in 2009 – we actually stayed at the Hilton Bonnet Creek just after it opened in 2010 and had returned to the resort last year staying at the Waldorf for the first time.
We have been to deluxe Disney resorts and love them and whilst their theming and atmosphere is magical for kids, they don’t come close to the premium levels of service and hotel facilities that you will experience at the Waldorf – we still felt like we were in the Disney bubble, but in a much more luxurious way!
Arrival
Arriving down Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, just past the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek you make your way past towering palm trees, lush gardens before arriving at the hotels spectacular entrance façade and water fountain – you know that you have arrived at a luxury destination. The Bonnet Creek area of Disney is stunning and although you are able to see the parks from the hotel it is far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of Disney parks and resorts.
Entering the palatial lobby your eyes are drawn to the iconic clock tower, the centrepiece of this incredible lobby rotunda with its high ceiling, gorgeous white marble and grand marble arches.
This is also where we saw the hotels brand new-style now that the transformation of the hotel which was underway during our stay the previous year has now been completed. I loved the new design and décor here from Parker-Torres Design which has an updated art deco feel, with a new focal piece of art behind the front desk and a new white, cream, light grey and gold colour palette.
The hotel also has the most beautiful scent, I’m not sure which one it is but I did find a room fragrance from Bowes candles which was similar to take home.
We checked in late at night after a long travel day from London but what we love about the Waldorf is its sense of calm and just what we wanted after returning back here after busy theme park days.
Whilst we have stayed at the Signia by Hilton next door previously, it’s a much busier and hectic lobby compared to the Waldorf. One of the main reasons we returned back to the Waldorf again was because of its incredible staff and levels of customer service.
All of the employees you meet — including the bellmen, guest relations and restaurant servers — are so friendly and welcoming, many of which remembered us from our stay previously.
Also in the lobby area was the concierge desk and we caught our first glimpse of Peacock Alley, the hotels lobby lounge which was closed during our previous visit because of the renovations. There is new artwork , lighting and seating areas creating a really stylish and inviting lounge bar.
The windows and terrace off this lounge provide comfortable seating areas with views over the resorts expansive grounds and pool areas along with the panoramic windows at the far end of the lobby.
It’s the small little touches we find that add up to create that luxe experience, such as the cold towels and water waiting for you as you enter and leave the hotel.
Rooms
There are over 500 beautifully appointed and spacious rooms and suites at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, designed to suit every type of traveller, all of which have been newly redesigned and refurbished – replacing the dated and uninspiring decor they had previously.
We loved our stay here last year, but the rooms here now are totally unrecognisable – they are bright and spacious, with new furniture and a stunning neutral colour theme with golden accents and plush carpets and fabrics.
We stayed in a double queen deluxe suite, and at 945 sq ft it can be best described as our own apartment sized space right in the heart of Walt Disney. We had actually stayed in the same room type last year and we returned as it’s perfect for families, but the new redesign has really raised the level of comfort and luxury -it’s hands down one of the best suites we have stayed in.
The small kitchen area is still in the same position but has been remodelled with new furniture along with a sink, minibar, separate minifridge, Nespresso coffee machine and for British guests like us a tea kettle. There were also plenty of glasses and coffee/tea cups along with lots of storage for our drinks and snacks. The space also has a new dining area, consisting of a new large table and four comfortable chairs. I particularly liked the new statement centrepiece light over the table.
What I also liked was that the hotel didn’t remove any of the storage options in the room. Like during our previous stay our room has ample storage, which always comes in handy with us as we typically pack half of our wardrobe when we travel long-haul plus we had all the amenities you would expect at a hotel of this standard and more.
The reason why the suites here are a great option for families is because of the amount of space you have. The living area of the suite has been modernised again with new furniture – the new sofa and chairs are a vast improvement over what was here which was starting to look a little tired.
A huge 55 inch smart TV provided the kids with all the channels they needed to catch up on their favourite US tv shows after a day at the parks. We didn’t use the option but the sofa also converts into a double bed if you wanted two separate sleeping areas as these rooms will sleep up to 6 people comfortably.
Our room on the 15th floor offered incredible vistas from its multiple vantage points of the expansive Walt Disney Resort and incredible firework displays each night from Epcot, Magic Kingdom and the drone show at Disney Springs.
Having a higher floor at the Waldorf really makes a difference in getting the best views, we thought the views from our room on the 5th floor last year were good but this was far more impressive – I loved opening the curtains each morning and seeing the views of the pools and the hotel grounds below and spotting the iconic landmarks of the Disney parks in the distance.
My favourite area was the master bedroom with two extremely comfortable king sized beds with Italian frette bed linens. The new design is elegant and modern with a stunning design feature in place behind the beds – the interiors were just gorgeous, so be prepared to be impressed!.
Other details such as a snug armchair, a sizable desk, art-deco lamps and more than enough plugs, USB ports and light switches all within reach of your pillow. Another huge 55 inch smart TV, Oliver Hemming alarm clock, large electronic safe for laptops, blackout curtains and plenty of other luxe touches all of which add up to make a real difference to a stay here.
The bathroom was stunning before the transformation and has had some further improvements. The Italian marble and large glass walk in shower, and separate bath remains but there is now a new luxurious marble topped sink with plenty of storage space for toiletries and new artwork has been added above the bath – adding a bit more colour to the room.
I love the fact that they still have one of my favourite toiletries here Aesop, which ranged from full sized hand wash, body balm, shampoo, conditioner and body cleanser. There were also toothbrushes, toothpaste, shave kits and mouthwash along with lots of white soft fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers for us all.
A nice, unexpected, surprise was the delivery of a welcome amenity to our room on the first night. We were kindly greeted with a personalised message and welcome amenity of drinks and snacks awaiting on the dining table in the kitchen of the suite, which was a really thoughtful touch.
As expected from one of Florida’s top 5-star properties, the rooms feature nightly turn-down service, which we loved returning back to after a long day at the parks which meant finding water on the bedside tables and chocolates on our pillows.
These touches really give the impression that the hotel wants you to relax and enjoy the room – creating a real home from home feel, I really didn’t want to check out at the end of our holiday.
Food and drink
One of the main reasons why we returned to the Waldorf, is because we spend a lot of time on-site and the quality of the food here again was really good, although it has increased in price from the previous year.
There are eleven bars and restaurants between the Signia and Waldorf hotels – all of which are now fully operational apart from one of our favourites, Sir Harry’s which was closed during our visit.
The restaurants here offer a range of options including authentic pan-Asian, Italian cuisine and fine dining. There are also poolside dining experiences, bars and grab and go options at Muse which was a great little store in the lobby of the Signia.
Oscars
Breakfast is served each day at Oscar’s a beautiful dining room located on the ground floor of the hotel. Breakfast at the Waldorf, although expensive at $40 per adult (12+) was worth every penny and a great way to start our days when we weren’t leaving early to go to the theme parks.
There are tables inside the restaurant and out on the terrace overlooking the grounds toward the pool.
We had the breakfast buffet option which offered everything you would want to start your day, hot cooked breakfast to small pastries, a gluten free section, fresh fruit, yogurts and cereals.
The chefs at the live cooking stations created fresh crepes, omelettes and eggs to order and a separate waffle and pancake station was another hit with the girls. Much like last year one of the star parts of the breakfast was the incredible choice of mini house made cakes and pastries on offer – which are delicious and the perfect treat for breakfast when on holiday.
If you are in a rush to get to the parks to make the most of the early magic hours, there is a new croissant bar here serving hot drinks and pastries to go.
One area I really hope that the Waldorf will introduce in the future for families is the introduction of character breakfasts – especially as an official Disney hotel. This is offered at another 5-star property the Four Seasons Resort Orlando and their ‘Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals’ character breakfast, I would rate this as the best breakfast experience on any Disney property so it would be so nice to see something similar at the Waldorf.
Aquamarine
One of our favourite lunch spots at the hotel was once again Aquamarine – the casual poolside restaurant. The menu was extensive with a really good kids menu. We ordered a variety of delicious dishes, with some of our favourites being the burgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese and pizzas and the poolside setting kept the kids happy.
And, of course, you can also order all sorts of drinks here from cocktails and mocktails to local beers and soft drinks. You can also purchase s’mores kits from here which we loved using one evening toasting marshmallows over the firepits near the poolside and Aquamarine.
Peacock Alley
This was our first time at Peacock Alley as it was closed last year because of the renovation. I particularly liked its art deco design theme – a nod to the brand’s flagship New York property.
Although it is primarily a cocktail bar for drinks, there are plenty of tables here for dinner and it was really family friendly with excellent service! There are both lounge plates and mains available here, and we were more than happy with our short rib burgers and fries.
In-room dining
We also took advantage of the hotels room service which is always a favourite with the kids. They loved being able to chill in the room eating pizza and watching their favourite American TV shows! I mentioned earlier the suites here was like having our own apartment in Walt Disney so having a dining area off the lounge allowed us all to enjoy room service in comfort.
Clubhouse Grille
This restaurant is in a building close to the entrance of the hotel and at the 19th hole of the golf course. This restaurant was closed during many of the days when we visited but the menu looked good here – especially the house-smoked pulled pork sliders with homemade barbecue sauce. Yet with so many choices to dine either in the resort or at Walt Disney, we didn’t get the chance to eat here.
Bull & Bear
This is another of the restaurants here that was closed when we visited previously, but it was looking really impressive after its refurbishment. This fine dining is considered one of the best restaurants in Orlando, attracting guests who aren’t even staying here. The menu looked delicious and a perfect venue for couples, but with children we opted for more casual dining options.
The restaurants listed above were the options available on the Waldorf Astoria side of the resort; there are additional restaurants next door at the Signia by Hilton.
Amenities
The main reason that we chose this hotel again for our Orlando holiday was due to its great amenities and the level of service and luxury. The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is an expansive property, seamlessly connected to the adjacent Signia by Hilton.
We were certainly looking for some relaxation days by the pool and options for good dining without having to leave the property if we didn’t want to – although Disney Springs was no more than a 10–minute drive away which has an abundance of restaurants to choose from.
The resort is really family friendly, and this was evident in one of their special family friendly events. In the grounds between the two hotels, we experienced a fun Hawaiian themed block party with party games and food and drink concessions that kept us all entertained in the summer sun!
Disney World Perks
This is an official Walt Disney World Hotel, so this comes with added benefits. Let’s start with its location; a short drive away from the theme parks, with the closest being Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Springs which are no more than a 5-minute drive away. Epcot is around 10 minutes to get to and about 15 minutes to reach Magic Kingdom, so it’s closer to the parks than many of the Disney themed hotels.
You also get early theme park entry where you can enter the Disney theme parks 30 minutes early every day – which counts for a lot during the busier seasons.
This was the biggest benefit I was looking forward to taking advantage of during our trip since we wanted to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain before the crowds emerged. One Disney perk I hope gets extended to the Waldorf in the future is extended evening hours benefit that deluxe Disney guests get along with the Swan Dolphin hotels.
We were lucky to have a Disney view room and loved being able to see how many iconic landmarks we could spot from our windows where we could see Disney Springs and all four parks from our room – the highlight being able to watch the multiple firework displays from the comfort of our room. When you make a booking here (even with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic) it can be linked to your My Disney Experience app and you get access to the 60+10 ADR booking advantage.
Disney theme park shuttle
Another of the reasons why we chose to return to the Waldorf, was its transportation system to get back and forth to the four Disney theme parks and to Disney Springs which is included in the daily resort fee of $35. Buses depart throughout the day from the main entrance of the hotel, and it was nice to see many of the same drivers from the previous year.
It’s worth noting that the bus service here is not as good as what you experience with Disney transport as it made stops at multiple Disney parks, so it could often take nearly 25 minutes to get to Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom.
Because of this we used Lyft or Uber to get around Walt Disney which was good value and convenient or when available we took the Waldorf house car. The house car is at no additional cost and comes with your own personal driver who will take you to any area of Disney, we used this service to go to Hollywood studios when their bus schedule didn’t match our own.
Pools
When you stay at the Waldorf, you have the added advantage of using the amenities at the Signia including the pool, slide and its large lazy river.
The pool complex at the Signia is always a hit with the kids, but I found the area too crowded and much preferred the more serene atmosphere at the pools at the Waldorf, so this is where we spent the majority of our non–theme park days.
The large family friendly zero entry pool at the Waldorf was where we spent most of our time because it was by far the most relaxing and just what we needed after hectic theme park days.
The levels of service are definitely a level up from the Signia next door and when we arrived at the pool each day, attendants would greet us and take us to our preferred location before preparing our chairs with towels and umbrellas.
One of the nice perks of the pool at the Waldorf is the complimentary sunscreen, aloe vera soothing gel and iced waters. There was also a pool shack with assorted pool accessories and additional towels if you needed them.
The more formal pool here is surrounded by private cabanas which offer a sofa and a chair, plus two loungers in front of the cabana, TV and a stocked minifridge – this extra luxury as nice as it looked, felt a little steep at $350 per day.
The benefit of the pools at the Waldorf is that they are heated, where the larger freeform pool at the Signia is not. Whilst this is not an issue when we visited in the peak of summer – if we return during the cooler months then this makes a difference.
Spa, Sports and Fitness
For adults, the Waldorf Astoria also caters to a more luxurious experience with 22 treatment rooms, steam rooms and a The Salt Solace Room – which reminded me of our stay at the Fairmont Windsor Park. Although we didn’t have time to visit with a packed itinerary, the hotel’s spa at 24,000 sq ft is renowned as one of the best in central Florida.
The gym inside the Waldorf Astoria is one of the most impressive hotel gyms that we have seen, packed full of the latest weights and fitness machines including Peloton bikes.
Florida is known for its spectacular golf courses and for golfing fans, the hotel has a beautiful 18 hole course lined by cypress trees. One of our personal favourites were the walking trails here, which weave through the manicured grounds at the resort between the two properties – the Floridian skies at sunset really are something else, especially from the boardwalk trail.
Overall
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at the refreshed Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and we can’t wait to go back when we are next at Disney. The renovation has made what was already a great hotel even better, this is by far one of the most impressive hotels you’ll find for your next Disney holiday!
