Experience the easygoing island lifestyle right in the heart of Central Florida. Wonderful pools, convenient nightlife and a comfy bed make this a great choice when traveling to Central Florida.
Highlights
- Clean, Friendly, Fun
- Exceptional Beach Club Pool Area- plan a pool day
- Large property-plan to do some walking
- Free Parking
- Tips are automatically added to the bill
- Dining reservations highly recommended
- Splurge on a cabana rental
- Shuttle Service to Disney, Universal & SeaWorld
Location
Located just a short drive from the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort, this resort offers the perfect blend of proximity to Disney’s magic and its own distinctive charm.
Conveniently positioned on Hwy 192, Margaritaville Resort sits right across the street from the little known back entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The resort is 6.6 miles (about 15 min, depending on traffic) from Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports, making it an ideal choice for event attendees.
Rooms
Key West themed rooms are clean and spacious. Elevators are only located in the main building so be prepared to walk. There are standard hotel rooms as well as cottages.
Waterproof wristbrands serve as your room key and resort id.
Keurigs, mini fridge, desk. Balcony with chairs.
Beach Club & Pools
There are three pools. If you upgrade to a pool view your room will overlook the quiet chill pool.
There are two other pools that are part of the Beach Club, one was closed and under renovation when we visited. The other had a large hot tub, lots of private cabanas, the Salty Rim Bar & Grill which features live island style music, a Tiki Bar (closed for the season), firepit area and Surrey rentals.
Parking
Parking was free when we visited. Valet parking is available. Regardless of where your room is, when you park, head toward the hotel side as there are no elevators on the other end of the building.
Drinks
Typical tropical drinks are the specialty. There is a full bar at the Beach Club. There is also a Tiki Bar open seasonally. The hotel bar is attached to the restaurant in the main lobby. Gratuities are automatically added to the bill. Service is friendly but not necessarily quick as tips are pretty much guaranteed.
Dining
Euphoria is the American style onsite restaurant and bar. Our breakfast was delicious and service was friendly. We had drinks and appetizers at the bar. Food was good, service varied. Remember- gratuities automatically included. There is a quick serve cafe with inside and outside seating.
Plan in advance and save time and money. Vouchers for the shuttle bus to Disney, Universal and Sea World are available. They require advanced reservations and fill up quickly. First come, first serve basis. Parking is expensive at the parks and is not the most convenient experience by the time you park and walk/trolley to the park. Driving on I-4 is not a fun experience.
Pro tip: Take the morning shuttle and plan to uber back in case the shuttle is full or you want to stay late. Ubers will run as low as $15 but as high as $100 and up depending on time of year, traffic and park. But if you don’t want the hassle of driving on I-4 or plan on having cocktails out it’s still a bargain.
ADA & General Accessibility
This resort is very large and requires lots of walking. If you have someone with disabilities or just difficulty walking be sure to let the front desk know so that they can make appropriate accommodations. Dad used his scooter to visit the Beach Club and to get back and forth from our room. We did not request and ADA room. The floor we stayed on did not have automatic doors to get from the room into the main hotel elevator area. This was have posed difficulty for my dad if he were traveling on his own. Be sure to ask in advance.
Spa
St. Somewhere Spa is located onsite offering massage therapy and facials. If you are local look for a groupon, sometimes they offer spa and beach club access packages. The spa also offers IV drips and B12 shots if you overdo it at the Beach Club bar or day at the theme parks.
Fitness Center
For fitness enthusiasts, Fins Up Fitness will keep you in shape. The clean and well-equipped fitness center provides a satisfying workout experience.It’s located directly behind the Beach Club and next to St. Somewhere Spa.
Activities/Shopping/Event Space
There is an onsite arcade and planned activities for the kiddos. Looks like a great place to host a wedding or event. Conference space is available.
Promenade at Sunset Walk
Explore the Promenade at Sunset Walk, a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment district right in front of Margaritaville Resort.
Island H20 Waterpark
Island H20 waterpark is not included with your Margaritaville Resort reservation but I think they sometimes give you discount coupons. It was closed when we visited in December.
Nearby
If you are staying for more than a few days and not spending your time at the Disney Parks a few other nearby options include Celebration Town Center or Sickies Garage Burgers & Brew. Publix,
Target and Walmart are nearby if you need last minute items. You can try a local beer and fill up a growler at the Target Liquor store. Get the Crooked Can if available, it’s one of our favorite breweries in Winter Garden.
Conclusion
Whether you’re enjoying the parks or the laid-back surroundings, Margaritaville Resort in Central Florida offers a perfect blend of convenience and relaxation. Great choice for locals and tourists alike.
We enjoyed our stay and will make a return visit, especially to take advantage of relaxing pool day and dinner and cocktails in the evening at Sunset Walk.
