Discover the newly revamped Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs, a fresh way to use your Marriott points at Disney.

If you're looking to use your points for a stay at Disney World, the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa has just joined the lineup at Disney Springs.

Following a $25 million transformation that upgraded the lobby, guest rooms, and more, the former B Resort & Spa is now reborn as the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa. This upgrade means you have another choice for redeeming your Marriott points while enjoying Disney perks, as this hotel is an official Disney property.

As a local in the Orlando area, I'm always on the lookout for well-located and budget-friendly spots to rest when visiting the parks. A few weeks ago, I decided to check out this property. Here’s my experience.

Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa Location

When it comes to hotels, being on Disney property makes a big difference, especially with Orlando's heavy traffic. Luckily, the Renaissance Orlando is situated on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Disney Springs resort area. This location is home to six other hotels from well-known chains like Hilton, Drury Hotels, Holiday Inn, and Wyndham, offering plenty of budget-friendly and points-friendly choices.

If you plan to explore Disney Springs during your stay, the hotel is just a 15-minute walk away from the shopping and dining area. While this is quite convenient, you might not want to make that trek after a long day at the parks; the resort also offers complimentary bus transportation for your convenience.

Inside the Renaissance Orlando: A First Look

During my recent visit a few weeks back, it was evident that the Renaissance Orlando has undergone a significant transformation from its previous identity as the B Resort.

Like many other hotels in the Disney Springs area, this one doesn’t fully embrace the immersive Disney theming. However, it does capture a distinctly Floridian atmosphere with palm leaves, wooden accents, and subtle tropical touches.

In the lobby, I found a charming little café where I enjoyed a quick breakfast of an iced latte and a pastry. They also offered a selection of grab-and-go items like fruit, cereal, and granola bars, perfect for quick energy during long days at the parks. Although I didn’t have a chance to eat there this time, the American Kitchen Bar & Grill is available for sit-down breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

As for the accommodations, I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness and modern design features of my room on the 11th floor, which provided a lovely view of the resort's pool.

The room's amenities are well-suited for anyone on a Disney vacation. It featured an efficient air-conditioning system that kept the space cool, deep drawers for plenty of storage, numerous power outlets for charging devices, portable fans, and a reasonably sized closet.

Additionally, there was a mini fridge and a coffeemaker—both simple yet effective. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious for a budget hotel, boasting a large shower and refillable Aveda shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that had a delightful fragrance.

The room had a fresh feel, as if it had been recently updated with new decor and furnishings—more like a stylish refresh than a complete overhaul—and everything was both functional and comfortable.

Disney Benefits of Staying at the Renaissance Orlando

Along with its convenient location near Disney Springs and complimentary shuttle service to the parks, staying at a Disney Springs hotel like the Renaissance Orlando grants you Early Entry access to all four Disney World theme parks, allowing you to enter 30 minutes earlier each day. This is a fantastic way to get a head start and enjoy a few rides with shorter wait times.

Best Ways to Book the Renaissance Orlando

As a Marriott hotel, you have the convenience of easily earning or redeeming points during your stay.

The standard room rates typically fall between $149 and $189 per night, while suites for larger groups are priced around $400 to $450. I managed to book my one-night stay in August for a reasonable $159. However, it's worth noting that there was an additional daily resort fee of $45 on top of the room rate, which covered perks like shuttle service to Disney Springs and the theme parks.

Additionally, there is an overnight self-parking fee of $25. These extra charges raised the total cost of my one-night stay from $159 to $256.14, taxes included.

If you prefer to book using Marriott points, you can generally expect to use between 30,000 and 40,000 points, which is a great value for a Walt Disney World getaway, in my opinion.

Furthermore, if you have an eligible Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit card, you might also be able to utilize those increasingly elusive 35,000-point free night certificates. You can combine up to 15,000 Marriott points with those certificates, making most nights bookable either solely with the certificate or with a few additional points.

Final Thoughts

I was genuinely impressed by my brief one-night stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa in Disney Springs.

If your vision of a Disney vacation involves waking up in a fully themed resort, you might find the Renaissance's more understated contemporary style to be less immersive. Additionally, it may not be the ideal choice if you're looking for luxurious accommodations or a large pool area for relaxation (the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a fantastic nearby points-friendly option for a great pool experience).

If you're looking to find the perfect balance between a points-friendly hotel and a great location while enjoying early entry to the Disney parks each day, the Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs offers you the best of both worlds.