Hilton, located in the Walt Disney World Resort

The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond hotel located directly across from the Downtown Disney Marketplace. The 23 acre hotel, which opened in November 1983, is among seven hotels that make up the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels. The Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels are located on the property of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, but are not owned by Disney.

The hotel houses 787 standard guest rooms (605 with double-double beds) and 27 suites, all featuring Hilton's luxurious Serenity bedding. Many guest rooms overlook Downtown Disney, providing spectacular views of the complex. Fireworks shows at several theme parks can be seen in the distance. As of December 2006, the cost to upgrade to a Downtown Disney view in advance is $20 per night.

As with most Hiltons, the property includes an Executive Towers level. Upgraded room accommodations, featuring nightly turn downservice, exist within the Executive Towers level, as well as an Executive Lounge providing private Concierge services, complimentary continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvre & alcoholic beverages (for purchase) and unlimited snacks and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Hilton HHonors Gold and Diamond members as well as guests staying on a convention rate receive complementary access to the Executive Towers level; all other guests may upgrade for a fee. As of December 2006, the fee has risen to $40 per room per night.

The Hilton is primarily a business/convention hotel and has recently expanded to convert|75000|sqft|m2|-2 of meeting/banquet space. However, the hotel offers a beautifully landscaped outdoor pool area in a tropical setting, featuring two heated pools (as well as a children's pool) and two spas. A fitness center, game room, several shops and seven restaurants (including Benihana) & lounges are also on property.

Guests staying at the Hilton enjoy several Disney perks, most notably Extra Magic Hours privileges in which guests can enter select Disney theme/water parks one hour before opening and/or three hours after closing. The Hilton is one of only four non-Disney owned hotels offering the Extra Magic Hours privileges, joining the Swan, Dolphin and Shades of Green hotels. Other perks include a Disney-owned and operated gift shop (where guests may purchase theme park tickets), priority reservations and complementary transportation to/from Disney-owned golf courses and a weekly Sunday Disney character breakfast buffet. The Hilton participates in the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels bus transportation system which provides complimentary regularly scheduled bus service to the four Disney theme parks, two water parks and the Downtown Disney complex. A landscaped walkway also connects the Hilton to the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort is owned by Tishman Hotel Corporation, however, it is managed by the Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Renovation

The Hilton completed a major overhaul in 2001 but has made significant upgrades since, including replacing the carpeting within its interior corridors, upgrading the Executive Towers Lounge and rooms, overhauling and replacing several restaurants and adding to its convention/banquet space by building an addition across from the pool.

External links

* [http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORLDWHH Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort's page on the Hilton Website]
* [http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hilton.html Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort's page on the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels' Official Website]
* [http://www.hiltonorlandoevents.com Virtual tours of the property]