Signia by Hilton Orlando – An Official Walt Disney World Hotel

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to Signia by Hilton Orlando, I wasn’t quite prepared for how massive this place actually is. I mean, you know it’s going to be big when you’re dealing with anything Disney-adjacent, but this resort feels almost like a small city tucked away in the Bonnet Creek area. The thing is — and this surprised me — it doesn’t feel overwhelming once you’re inside. The lobby has this sort of modern-meets-Florida vibe that actually works, with these enormous windows that let in all that Orlando sunshine without making the space feel like a greenhouse.

What really sets this place apart from the dozen other Disney-area hotels is the location situation. You’re technically on Disney property, which means you get those early park access perks that honestly save you hours during busy seasons, but you’re far enough from the main hotel corridor along World Drive that it feels… well, less chaotic. The resort sits back in Bonnet Creek, and I love that you can walk to the Waldorf Astoria next door if you want a fancy dinner without dealing with Disney Springs crowds. The pool area is where this place really shines though — there’s this lazy river that’s actually lazy (not like some places where it’s basically a water treadmill), and the main pool has enough space that even during spring break madness, you can find a decent spot. I spent way too much time at that rooftop bar area just watching the fireworks from Magic Kingdom in the distance. You know what’s funny? The rooms are surprisingly quiet considering how big the place is. I was expecting typical resort noise, but the soundproofing is solid — probably because it’s one of the newer builds in the area.

The only thing that might catch you off guard is the parking situation during peak times. It’s free, which is great, but the structure fills up fast and you might find yourself hiking a bit from the overflow areas. Also, the resort fee covers the usual stuff (wifi, gym, pool access), but just factor that into your budget because it’s not exactly pocket change. That said, if you’re doing the Disney thing and want a place that feels upscale without being stuffy, this hits the sweet spot. The staff actually seems to know what they’re doing — check-in was smooth even during what looked like a busy weekend, and housekeeping kept up with the Disney-level cleanliness standards you’d expect. It’s definitely pricier than some of the other options along 535, but the trade-off is you’re getting that official Disney hotel status without staying in one of those massive resort complexes where you need a map just to find the elevator.