First look at the renovated Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs, a new way to use Marriott points at Disney
If you like to use your points to stay at Disney World, there's a new player in town: the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa, located at Disney Springs.
Thanks to a recent $25 million rebrand and renovation that involved the lobby, guest rooms and more, what was formerly known as the B Resort & Spa now has a fresh look and feel and is returning as the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa. This means there is now another option for using your Marriott points while staying on Disney property and enjoying some Disney-related perks, as this property is an official Disney hotel.
As an Orlando area local who is always looking for some well-located and value-oriented places to stay when I want to crash at the parks, I decided to take a peek at this property a few weeks ago. Here's what it's like.
Related: These are the best places to stay at Disney World
Location of Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa
Your hotel is either on Disney property or it isn't, and given Orlando's traffic, it's ideal to be within the park. So it's especially nice that the Renaissance Orlando sits on the aptly named Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Disney Springs resort area. This area features six other hotels from major chains, including Hilton, Drury Hotels, Holiday Inn and Wyndham, so you really have your pick of some budget-friendly and points-friendly options here.
If you plan to visit Disney Springs on your trip, the hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Disney Springs shopping and dining area. While this is convenient, I’m unsure if I would want to take this walk on the same day that I had a long stretch of walking in the parks; you can always take the resort’s complimentary bus transportation instead.
What it's like inside Renaissance Orlando
During my stay a few weeks ago, it was clear that Renaissance Orlando had indeed had a makeover since its former life as the B Resort.
Like most of the other Disney Springs hotels, this one doesn't have all-immersive Disney theming, but it does have a notably Floridian vibe with palm leaves, wood accents and subtle tropical character.
There was a cute little cafe in the lobby where I was able to grab a quick breakfast consisting of an iced latte and pastry, and it was also stocked with other grab-and-go options like fruit, cereal and granola bars — ideal for some quick energy during longer park days. While I didn’t have time to dine here on this trip, I'll note that there is also the American Kitchen Bar & Grill that’s open for sit-down breakfast, lunch and dinner.
When it comes to the rooms, I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness and some of the bright, modern design elements of my 11th-floor room, which overlooked the resort’s pool.
The room’s features would likely suit the needs of anyone going on a Disney vacation. It had a good air-conditioning system that kept it quite cool, deep drawers for ample storage, plenty of standard power outlets for charging electronics, portable fans and a decent-sized closet.
There were also a mini fridge and a coffeemaker, both of which were basic but functional. The bathroom was also an impressive size for a budget-friendly hotel, with a large shower and refillable tubes of Aveda shampoo, conditioner and bodywash that smelled absolutely delightful.
The room did feel like it was recently outfitted with some new decor and furnishings — rather than being a whole new build — and they were perfectly serviceable and comfortable.
Related: This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and nightly drinks
Disney-related perks of staying at the Renaissance Orlando
In addition to proximity to Disney Springs and included shuttle service to the parks, staying at a Disney Springs hotel such as Renaissance Orlando means that you get access to Early Entry into the four Disney World theme parks 30 minutes early every day. This can be a great way to get a quick start on your day and knock out a few rides while the wait times are lower.
Best way to book Renaissance Orlando
Since this is a Marriott hotel, you can easily earn or redeem points for your stay.
The standard base room rates often range from $149 to $189 per night, with suites for larger parties in the $400 to $450 range. I was able to snag my August one-night stay on the lower end of the spectrum at $159. It is important to note that there was a daily $45 resort fee on top of the room rate. This included Disney perks like the shuttle service to Disney Springs and Disney theme parks.
In addition, there was an overnight self-parking fee of $25. These extra costs increased the true cost of my one-night stay from $159 to $256.14, with taxes included.
If you want to book using Marriott points, you can often expect to use 30,000 to 40,000 points, which is a pretty solid deal for a Walt Disney World vacation, if you ask me.
Plus, if you have an eligible Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit card, you may also be able to use those increasingly hard-to-maximize Marriott 35,000-point free night certificates. You can add up to 15,000 Marriott points to those certificates, which means that most nights are eligible either just with the certificate or with a few added Marriott points.
Related: How to use points for Disney tickets
Bottom line
My quick one-night stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa at Disney Springs actually impressed me.
If your idea of a Disney vacation includes waking up directly in the heart of a themed resort, you may find the Renaissance's more subdued contemporary theme less immersive. It's also not the best choice if you want superdeluxe accommodations or an expansive pool area for you or your kids to enjoy during your downtime (the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a top nearby points-friendly pick for a fab pool).
However, if you want to balance booking a points-friendly hotel and location and get early entry each day into the Disney parks, the Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs will provide you with the best of those worlds.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.