Diamond Resorts Bryan’s Spanish Cove

Diamond Resorts Bryan’s Spanish Cove is another amazing Diamond Resort. This one is in Orlando versus the locations that are in the Kissimmee area. Depending on your intended park or area of focus, this may be closer to the action for you.

I know after a day at Disney, Universal, or Sea World as a parent or grandparent you may want as short a drive as possible. While fun, staying up with the kids can be a challenge.

Video by Disney Parks Addict

Day One Travel and Arrival

This is the final resort on my Orlando and Kissimmee Diamond Resort vacation. I will have to spend two weeks in the area at several amazing resorts by the time this is done. It is an extra special thing to be able to travel to the Orlando area and stay for a week or more. Shorter trips are great, but if you are driving 10-12 hours or more to get here, the first day, you are not getting much done but getting here and checking in.

The benefit of staying longer is that you have more full days to go to the theme parks and really dive in with what you love to do in the area. I still prefer to drive down to Orlando, especially if I am with family. The drive is a good distance down Interstate 95 from our home in Virginia, but it feels like a rite of passage. I have made this trip with everyone I care about and many now that are no longer with us.

This is a drive I have done as the driver or the passenger many times. Trips with my Grandparents and my sister, trips with my father, and more trips with my Mother. Even trips as an adult with most of my family as well. Looking back, I have enjoyed many vacations with my loved ones. Many of my favorites have been going to Orlando and the theme parks here. I have major memories with those that I love connected to this town and those theme parks. I am also a sucker for nostalgia. Put me physically or mentally in those places of my fond memories and I am truly a happy man.

At this point in my vacation, I have already stayed at 3 resorts and I have been in the area for over 9 days so far. I will be here at this resort for 3 more days bringing my trip to almost 2 weeks at 12 days. When You add about 2 days for travel, this will be a 2-week break in my life. Since I am a travel writer, I will work some at night and in the mornings, and during the trip, I have also done work for some clients. That is the great thing about working remotely. You can work from anywhere with a good internet connection.

All of these resorts have had internet available, and that helps a ton. These days with every kid with a cell phone, it also helps keep them occupied during the moments when you are not in a park or eating together. Cell phones make visiting the parks easier these days so you may not limit your phone usage much while in the parks, but hopefully, as a family, you can be phone free for meals and time together.

The location of this resort is ideal for those focused on Disney since it is very close to the Downtown Disney area and just on the other side of I4 from that location. This means you are about as close as you can get without staying on-site at Disney. You can go to Downtown Disney at night, and even hit up Disney’s water park, which is very close by as well.

I checked in at the resort and got my things unloaded in my room. I really wanted to recruit some family or friends on this trip with me, but it was tough timing with their jobs or businesses. We all are so busy these days that we can plan for a trip but not really get a last-minute trip pulled together. Often these resort trips are last minute based on a cancelation or on availability at one or more resorts. Sometimes it is also easier to book a 1 bedroom or studio than it is for one of the larger 2 bedroom villas.

This resort sits on Lake Bryan and the pool overlooks the lake. I can already see coming back here and taking a dip in the pool after running through the parks all day to unwind and rest my sore legs.

I received a call from a client and had to test the Wi-Fi sooner than I would have liked and it was solid. I may start to do Wi-Fi tests at resorts and give you some numbers.

Villa Amenities

Then the resort itself offers all of these options.

Resort Amenities

Recent Reviews

I have stayed at Bryan’s Spanish Cove several times. The facility is nice overall. The units are spacious, with a nice layout. The unit we just stayed in was nicely updated, with newer floors and bathrooms. Walking around, the grounds were kept very clean and the landscaping was trimmed. The pool is a good size compared to the property. It was clean and warm! The dock and beach area was nice as the kids liked looking for fish.

Absolutely amazing! We stayed in unit 104 for the All-star Worlds Cheerleading competition from April 19-23, 2022. We ended up arriving much later than expected. The staff stayed in constant contact with us. Once we finally arrived, check-in was a breeze. The staff was beyond courteous. The unit was amazing, clean, and just downright cute and stocked with the necessities needed.
Loved the private screen patio off the master suite and the second patio doors off the living room. Perfect size for our family. The pool and hot tub area were great, and the lake was beautiful. The property was very clean. Next time we are in Orlando, you will be able to find us at Bryan’s Spanish Cove! Highly recommend this resort. The small community is very well-kept. Feels very secluded, yet it is very close to everything.

The resort area was very pretty and facilities were kept neatly. I mirror what a lot of people mentioned about the rooms being outdated, but everything was very clean and the bed was comfy. The pool was nice and clean as well. We stayed 11 nights and enjoyed it immensely. The staff was also very nice. We definitely plan to stay there again.

Where do I begin — from the friendly service at the front desk to the cleanliness of the unit, I give it 5 stars!! We drove down from MA & arrived late; I called to advise them; they have it arranged that a security guard will assist — no hiccups!! The complex is quiet, and nicely landscaped with palm trees & tropical flowers, it’s secluded yet close to everything!! It’s located at the last set of lights before the entrance to Magic Kingdom, a mile away from Disney Springs & not far from other Disney parks, Universal, and Sea World (all within a few miles)! 1 hour from Legoland! We stayed on the second level, so the unit had high vaulted ceilings. The units are updated & huge, all rooms are spacious, the full eat-in kitchen w/DW is fully stocked with everything you need, large bathrooms & large closets, a washer & dryer, nice rear entrance from the pool to a fully screened patio w/ 2 sliders (1 to LR & other to master suite). There are grills & picnic tables available for guests!! Very nice pool & lake area with paddle boats, kayaks & piers for fishing! Would recommend it & will definitely return it!!

We always stay here. It’s convenient and near other attractions. You can literally be at Magic Kingdom in 10 minutes. The staff is always amazing too. I highly recommend staying here.

Great location. It’s in the center of everything. Nice spacious rooms. Will definitely come back again. The front desk was very helpful when asked to change my room due to I was placed in a handicapped room and I didn’t need one. Offered to change that night or in the morning.

The positive reviews are true. The condos all have 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Spacious, beautiful, and well-kept. Moreover, the staff is top-notch. This is a hidden gem.

I could share many more reviews. There are currently over 500 and the average review rate is 4.4 which is stellar. These days some people leave bad reviews over petty things. It is uncommon to see resorts keep this kind of rating. That is great news for you and me as guests. It means they are doing things right and keeping guests happy.

Downtown Disney–Disney Springs

Since I am just transferring from another resort in Kissimmee, I have the energy I would not normally have to check out downtown Disney at nighttime.

Heading to Disney Springs and wondering what there is to see and do well, I’m going to go over this amazing entertainment area to help you decide what you want to do with yourself and your family. So, let’s get into it Disney springs. It is a 120-acre shopping dining and entertainment area that is absolutely free to visit whether you’re visiting Disney World. Or even if you just want to squeeze in a little of Disney magic during your Orlando trip.

Disney Springs is always free and there are a few different parking garages: the orange, lime, and the grapefruit garage. You can also find a couple of surface parking lots that include the strawberry and watermelon lots. Want to go top shelf select the valet parking you can also choose to do it for twenty dollars. A great place to park is the lime garage because it’s pretty centrally located. If you want to go to the west side of the marketplace, it’s not too far of a walk.

If you do park in the lime garage, the first area that you’ll come into is the town center and the Disney Springs town center. This is one of the newer areas of Disney Springs and features beautiful Spanish revival architecture this area includes several well-known retailers such as Under Armor, Sephora, Coach, Zara, and Lululemon as well as several others if you are looking to do a little shopping.

In the town center area is the Coca-Cola store this amazing store is modeled after a 1920s bottling plant and features branded gear from one of the world’s most iconic beverage brands while you’re in the Coca-Cola store make sure to make your way to the second floor to take photos with the Coca-Cola bear and don’t miss heading up to the top floor where you can enjoy an array of cold and frozen beverages. I still have not made up with Coke over their management’s weird actions recently, but I do not blame anyone for still loving the brand. They did serve millions for generations. I have personally consumed at least an Olympic swimming pool worth over the years.

Enzo’s hideaway is an Italian table-service restaurant with an intimate 1920s speakeasy vibe it serves prohibition-era cocktails and hearty Italian dishes whilst inspired by Florida’s true history of the room running the service is reminiscent of being at an Italian family dinner Enzo’s hideaway is situated in the landing section of Disney Springs it’s really hard to find unless you’re specifically looking for it it’s not that far away from the balloon rides. Enzo’s hideaway costs roughly between 25 and  40 dollars. This restaurant gets four points three out of five on TripAdvisor those that enjoyed it are talking about the delicious Italian cuisine and the supercool atmosphere. I enjoyed my meal Pasta Della Nonna, which was Rigatoni Pasta, Short Rib, Meatball and Sausage, Pomodoro Sauce, and Parmigiano. I was fine but at the time it seemed a little pricy for the meal. I do not know but sometimes I think my brain goes cheap on me. It seems to do this more when I am in nostalgic mode. I need to work this out of my system before tomorrow because nothing at Disney is cheap. I love the memories at Disney but they could really cut all prices in half and still make a profit. But when you are here, you have to let that go and just dive in and have fun.

Day Two Disney

After the solid start on things Disney yesterday, I woke early to hit the park the instant they opened it up for people staying offsite. These days, that added 1 hour early is a big selling point to stay on-site, but I have done it and it just makes the masses move faster in two groups instead of one. I have the 3-day park hopper pass. This will allow me to go to any park and then even change parks each day. That is great to do if you can afford the option. But it is costly and there is enough to do at every park to keep you entertained for a day. So, consider your group’s size and the cost and do what is right for you.

I am starting my day at the Magic Kingdom. This is where most of my intense memories are from trips in my youth and time with family. Yes, in later years, Epcot too is a site for great memories but not as many or as strong as the Magic Kingdom. I have a few places in the Magic Kingdom I always have to go to.

Basically, they are anything I did as a little boy with my family. So, memory hot spots are the main rides here, and even the little things. I always want to ride It’s a Small World, even though it means that song will be in my head for at least a week from a single ride.

Next the Haunted Mansion, then the Jungle Cruise. I even enjoy the Hall of Presidents. You know, as a kid, I did not even once consider politics and which party one was from. Man, those were great days of youth.

I stopped in Frontier Land for a drink and snack while I watched the Country Bear Jamboree. I can recall going in to see that just to get out of the heat once in the 1970s, it was a scorcher when we visited. I can remember going in here with my shirt drenched from perspiration, and it feeling so refreshing. I even recall my next stop in the Enchanted Tiki Room. It is in Adventureland and I love that place. I almost cry when I go in, or now when I write about it because I feel like I can feel my loved ones sitting next to me. My Father and grandfather have both been gone for years, yet I can remember going in there with both of those great men.

People who do not do theme parks miss the key part. It is not the rides, or entertainment, not even the food. It is the time to do things that are unique and memorable with those you love. That is what matters.

After what was already a full day, I chose to go over to Epcot since I had the park hopper pass. This is a common movement for people towards Epcot at night since they have the fireworks and laser light show nightly there.

I was headed for the Test Track and Mission Space. Afterward, I would do dinner in Japan at the Hibachi restaurant. It seems the best places are in Epcot now. Maybe I will come back to another tomorrow. The Buffet in Germany looked awesome.

My meal finished right as the fireworks began, so I paid and they scrambled to check the fireworks out live.

Day Three Disney Starting in Hollywood Studios

If I had kids with me, I would have started in Animal Kingdom because an inside secret is that is the best place to catch some of the characters in the early morning hours. There are fewer people in Animal Kingdom than in the other parks before lunchtime.

It was my solo running around, so I headed for Hollywood Studios and all things Star Wars inspired instead. Galaxy’s Edge is just amazing if you have not been. This is my 3^rd time through since it opened (benefits of being a travel writer). I grew up in Star Wars, and Star Trek. Each has a hold on me from childhood. When the second set of movies started, I was an adult but still went with a friend on a double date. It was that huge of a deal. I remember reserving prime seats at our local theater in those big leather chairs that were just out in one theater at the time. You had to purchase tickets weeks in advance.

Luckily, this Disney area is not that busy. You can get in to see anything you want here in a reasonable time. I imagine there are 3-4 weeks a year when it is rough and has long lines like spring break and a few key summer weeks. But I was here in late April and it is lovely.

Check out this full POV ride on the Rise of the Resistance Ride

Video by Blog Mickey

The Millennial Falcon Ride

Video by Attractions 360°

Want to experience these rides and so much more stay at Diamond Resorts Bryan’s Spanish Cove and book through Tzort.