Bonnet Creek Hotel Orlando | Blog | Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek

a family going down the lazy river pool in inner tubes

Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek at Walt Disney World Resort!

Are you looking for a full service resort close to Walt Disney World that gives you the luxuries of a Disney property but even more amenities and extra spending money for your vacation? We had a staycation at Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek at Walt Disney World Resort this past weekend and it gave us all the magic we could possibly ask for!

wyndham grand rio mar pool area with palm trees and ocean view

Top 8 family-friendly hotels in Lake Buena Vista, Florida

It’s no surprise that family-friendly hotels abound in the areas that surround the theme parks in Orlando, especially in the Lake Buena Vista area. Offering close proximity to the parks and ample amenities, these resorts bring families in from around the world to enjoy a few days of fun in the sun, along with roller coasters, beloved characters, and sugary sweet treats. When it’s time to pick a hotel for your next trip to Orlando, consider one of these family-friendly locations in nearby Lake Buena Vista.

epcot flower festival. shot of goofy made of flowers and the epcot globe

Top 10 Things for Adults to Do at the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Spring has arrived at Walt Disney World Resort and there are so many ways for adults to celebrate the season at the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Check out the video below to preview our top 10 things for adults to do on their next visit to EPCOT.

1. Take a Photo at the Park Entrance

Upon arrival, Guests can snap snap a photo with friends in front of this year’s festival signage. They can choose from a variety of fun locations including this iconic spot by Spaceship Earth.

2. Wave Hello to Favorite Disney Characters

There are ample opportunities for Guests to wave hello to some of their favorite Disney characters at the festival.

3. Shop 'Til You Drop

Guests can create their own Disney-inspired outfit by shopping exclusive event merchandise collections celebrating the festival. They can find the perfect accessory or piece of apparel to complement their personal style at the shopping locations around EPCOT, including Mouse Gear and Port of Entry.

4. Taste New Menu Items from Outdoor Kitchens

Guests can brunch all day long at the newest Outdoor Kitchen at this year’s festival. From avocado toast to cinnamon roll bites, the EPCOT Sunshine Griddle offers classic brunch favorites with a twist.

5. Check Out Beloved Attractions

During the festival Guests should be sure to ride their favorite EPCOT attractions like Test Track presented by Chevrolet, Mission: SPACE and Soarin’ Around the World.

6. Stroll Through The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZ

There is something magical about walking through a garden surrounded by butterflies. The Goodness Garden Butterfly House Presented by GoGo squeeZcan be found in Future World West and is full of colorful, nectar-producing flowers that attract multiple species of butterflies.

7. Sample All Things Pineapple at Pineapple Promenade

Nothing says warm weather quite like fresh tropical flavors. From Pineapple Dole Whip to Pineapple Beer Flights, Guests can discover the many ways to enjoy this refreshing fruit at Pineapple Promenade.

8. Strike a Pose in Front of “The Lion King” Topiary

A fan favorite from festivals past, “The Lion King” Topiary received a makeover for the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. By incorporating moss and palm fiber, Disney cast members gave the reimagined Lion King topiary an even more life-like appearance. Find them near Imagination pavilion to pose with Mufasa, Sarabi, Simba and Rafiki.

9. Visit World Showplace

Offering live music and delicious bites, World Showplace is a go-to destination during the festival! New this year is EPCOT Farmers Feast, which features local ingredients and a rotating seasonal menu that currently includes the pictured Hibiscus Lemonade Cocktail and Off the “Beet”en Path dessert.

10. Watch Live Performances

Performing for guests during the festival, the JAMMIN’ Gardeners are not your average gardeners! Their musical performances are worth watching and can be found in the Canada pavilion. And Guests shouldn’t miss the chance to watch local Orlando-based bands play live at the America Gardens Theatre on select days during the festival.

woman posing with a dolphin in the water

Orlando: Reimagined by Well Traveled Child

Are you ready to finally take that trip you’ve been putting off because of the pandemic? Orlando is the perfect destination for those of you experiencing itchy feet, and is one of our favorite cities that we return to every year!

dusk shot of cinderella's castle at magic kingdom

Disney Decks the Halls This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and when it comes to spending Christmas at Walt Disney World®, it’s also the most magical!

SeaWorld Gets a Little Spooky in September

Spooky-season is upon us. September is the start of all things fall-themed and fun. We love this season because it finally starts to feel like the beginning of the best time of year, aka the holiday season. We cannot get enough of the pumpkin spice lattes, festive decorations, and an overall cheery attitude that begins to develop all around town.

Get Your Grub On at the Oneness World Food and Music Festival

The world is a big place with a lot of delicious food just waiting to be discovered and eaten. Traveling around the world is a great way to experience many different local cuisines, but since that option can get a little bit expensive, why not try an internationally-themed food festival instead?

Flowers, Gardens, and More

When Spring rolls around, the flowers begin to bloom and a general sense of optimism fills the air. Spring may be a little less pronounced here in Florida, but that doesn’t mean it is any less important and magical. The perfect way to welcome spring is by paying a visit to the 2020 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival.

A Different Kind of Fun at Disney Springs®

It’s no secret that a theme park or two is the main event of your trip to Orlando, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of other fun around. Take some time out of your day or night to check out Disney Springs® and all of the shops, restaurants, and entertainment it has to offer.

Party With the Whole Gang at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

With the holiday season in full swing, you naturally want to bring the whole family to a Christmas wonderland. If you thought this kind of place would be hard to find in Central Florida, think again. Magic Kingdom® is hosting its annual Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on 13 select (separately ticketed) days in December—and you’re invited!

Festival of Trees

Everybody loves decorations around the holidays. You may be a wiz at setting up lights around the house and ornaments on the tree, but everyone can use some pointers from the professionals. This year, the Orlando Museum of Art will be transformed into a decoration lover's biggest dream with The Festival of Trees.

mom and daughter trick or treating on halloween

A New Way to Trick-or-Treat

In a big city like Orlando, there’s plenty of family-friendly Halloween fun to go around. However, with so many options, picking the best way to spend Halloween night can seem daunting. We know your kids want the largest candy bars and best treats around, but we also know you may not want to want to wander around random neighborhoods in the hopes of finding a magic street. Luckily, there’s no need to. The Florida Mall will be hosting its annual Mall-O-Ween and you’re invited.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Where else in the world, besides Epcot, can you pair authentic Japanese sake with fresh Mexican enchiladas and a French pastry for dessert? While such delicious combinations are available all year, from now until November 23, Epcot is kicking it into high-gear with its annual International Food and Wine Festival.

It’s Time to Venture to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Between the annual sequels, origin stories, and stand-alone movies, Star Wars fans have been very spoiled lately. Don’t worry though, we’re nowhere near the peak of this rollercoaster ride. August 29 will mark the grand opening of Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge right here in our backyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios®.

Meet Some Florida Legends at Gatorland

No summer in Florida is complete without paying homage to the monsters that are ubiquitous as orange juice and sunshine. Take a close peak in almost any Florida lake and you have a decent chance of spotting a gator, but if you want to do a lot more than “see” and want to really get up close and personal, then there’s really only one place to go: Gatorland.

Have Fun With the Darker Side of Disney World

This summer, Magic Kingdom is here to bring your favorite heroes to life while you enjoy all of your favorite attractions. However, the question is, why should they get all of the fun? When the sun goes down and the knights in shining armor go to sleep, it will be time for the night crew to come out and play. Disney Villains After Hours will be open on select nights this summer and is sure to make bad feel fun.

Celebrate Summer with Disney H2O Glow Nights

It’s no doubt that Typhoon Lagoon is the most fun way to beat the summer heat, but did you know that the party doesn’t stop just because the sun goes down? From May 30 - August 24 (minus June 20), Typhoon Lagoon invites you to spend your Thursday/Saturday nights at an exclusive after-dark party that’s sure to be a ton of fun for the whole family.

Marvel at Madame Tussauds Wax Sculptures

The various Madame Tussauds museums have attracted the awe of fascinated guests for almost 200 years. Specifically, these museums are home to hundreds of absurdly life-like wax sculptures of celebrities and other famous people or characters. There is something strangely alluring about gazing at these fake-yet-real people. Those wanting this experience first-hand won’t have to look any further as Orlando is the proud home of one of these museums.

Harvest New Memories at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Spring is finally here and the flowers are in full bloom. Whether you want to see unique floral displays, marvel at world-class topiaries, or learn gardening tips from top experts, the 2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival will be where you want to be. Swing on over to see, hear and smell the wonders of spring as live bands and world-class chefs decorate your garden viewing experience.

Thornton Park

In the late 1900s, James Thornton began developing Orlando and the surrounding area began to grow. Thornton was thought to have lived on James Street, which was named for him in 1913. Soon after, other streets in the neighborhood would bear his surname with the advent of both Thornton Avenue and Thornton Lane. It was not until 1915 that the area became known to all as Thornton Park.

Disney Springs

So you know where we are, but what is there to do? The answer: SO MUCH! But let’s just start with Disney Springs. Disney Springs was formerly known as Downtown Disney. Other than a few venues, everything has changed. And for the better. You still have your favorites—Cirque du Soleil, House of Blues and Rainforest Café—but now there are so many great additions. We are getting ahead of ourselves, so let’s start from the beginning.

Getting there: We have several great options at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. You can hop on the shuttle (price included in your resort fee) or you can drive there. Parking is free! If you do drive yourself, we recommend parking on the second level – there’s direct access to Disney Springs from the second level. The parking garages are very tech savvy which makes parking on a busy day a breeze.

Shopping: Disney Springs is certainly a shopaholic’s dream. They have just about every store that you would see in a regular high-end mall. But you can always shop in those stores. Here are a few of our favorite one-of-a-kind stores:

If you’re looking for that perfect Minnie mouse t-shirt, the BB-8 backpack, or practically anything Disney related you could ever want—World of Disney is the perfect spot. They also serve TONS of candy. Who doesn’t like candy?

Disney's Days of Christmas is open year-round and is the perfect location for that gift to bring back to friends who wish they were in your shoes. It smells of Christmas—cinnamon and happiness.

The Art of Disney is a very interesting place to walk through. The different types of Disney themed art are quite entertaining. They even have Caricaturists waiting to draw you and your family!

Did we mention the candy? There are a lot of those stores.

Dining: There are countless options for dining—even if you don’t count the candy stores! There is quick service, full service, and snacks. Here are some of our favorites:

Raglan Road: This is an Irish pub that does not disappoint. They have traditional entertainment each night and the entertainers are authentic! But it’s not just them - the owners, the chef, and even the actual building came from Ireland. Not to mention their food is fantastic.

Earl of Sandwich: If you’re looking for a quick but delicious meal, look no further. Earl of Sandwich serves great sandwiches without blowing the budgets. And they’re unique! For example, feast on the Holiday Turkey made with turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and mayonnaise. Most of their sandwiches are $6.99.

Entertainment: Looking for a special night event? Enjoy one of a kind entertainment less than 3 miles away from Wyndham Grand Orlando!

House of Blues regularly plays fun, smaller-sized concerts that are sure to please. They also have happy hour!

Cirque du Soleil is always a crowd pleaser. If you have never seen it—now is your chance. And you won’t be disappointed. The acrobatics, choreography, and music will dazzle you and your family. Keep an eye on their website, they like to offer discounts!

Now, let’s say you want to see all of Disney Springs at one moment. Look no further than the world’s largest tethered helium balloon. Yes, that’s a real thing. You can ride for 8-10 minutes and catch every view of the area from 400 feet. Not into heights? There’s also a bowling alley and movie theater. Everyone likes bowling. And movies.

So now that you have a small taste of what Disney Springs has to offer—GO! You won’t regret it.

P.S. Did we mention the candy? There’s also a cupcake ATM. Because cupcakes.

A One-of-a-Kind Celebration of Food, Art, & Fun

As a Disney Gateway Hotel, Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek makes it so easy to experience the magic of Walt Disney World! And at the beginning of this new year, there’s a little extra magic to look forward to—the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.