Hotel at a Glance: Residence Inn by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Residence Inn by Marriott caters to theme-park-bound visitors who want to make the most of their time and money. Being just seven miles from Universal Studios, six miles from Walt Disney World® parks, and three miles from SeaWorld, the hotel puts guests in close proximity to their ultimate destination. It serves up a free buffet breakfast for them to fuel up every morning, and it gives them a restful place to retreat after a day of excitement and fun.

• Nearby attractions include SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World parks, and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.
• A complimentary buffet breakfast readies families for a full day of fun and helps them budget for more exciting activities.
• Comfortable rooms feature fully equipped kitchens, which helps guests save even more money by cooking in instead of eating out if they want.
• A pool and patio bar set the stage for guests to relax and unwind.

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Gateway to World-Famous Theme Parks and Downtown Orlando

About 20 miles from downtown Orlando, Lake Buena Vista is the home of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks and is named after the street where The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank is located. The world’s most-visited entertainment resort, spanning nearly 30,000 acres, encompasses four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and the Downtown Disney® Area. There’s no shortage of things to do here: begin your day at Magic Kingdom® Park by boarding Space Mountain® Attraction, a rocket-shaped three-seater that climbs to 180 feet before entering a deep black tunnel and racing past stars, satellites, and constellations. After that, ride past the ghastly goofballs inside The Haunted Mansion. For dinner, head over to Epcot® to sample cuisine from Morocco, Mexico, France, Italy, and several other countries at the World Showcase. The park’s success has brought an influx of other theme parks to Orlando, including Universal Studios and SeaWorld.

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 the CityArts Factory, a multifaceted patchwork of gallery spaces, and SAK Comedy Lab, which holds improv shows 5 nights a week.

About a 10-minute drive north from the arts district, you’ll find several cultural institutions surrounding Orlando Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Museum of Art, with a collection featuring pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Robert Rauschenberg, Ansel Adams, and Andy Warhol. Loch Haven Park is also home to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Orlando Science Center. Visit the science center to take a rover across a simulation of Mars’ red surface, or race model cars down a more than 50-foot pinewood derby track.