Clarion Lake Buena Vista - The DIS Discussion Forums

randy2005 · 01-03-2013, 08:00 AM

I just booked this hotel for our visit in August. Has anyone stayed here? If so is it nice? Was going to stay at Art of Animation but saving $2000.00 by staying outside of the parks.
Thanks

jsmla · 01-03-2013, 09:15 AM

I've stayed here a couple of times and it's fine for a budget place. The early morning shuttles were always much less crowded than later ones. When I was there the shuttle hours were early enough to allow arrival for rope drop and late enough to catch the fireworks at night. There is also a Lynx 50 (public bus) stop right in front if the hotel.

Room has both a fridge and microwave and there are plenty of restaurants and fast food places nearby.

There are pocket doors separating the bathroom area from the rest of the room. The bathroom could be a bit fresher, IMHO. I wouldn't want to use the tub for anything but showers but I'm kind of picky.

I would request a room facing away from I4.

I've definitely stayed in nicer places but for the money ($39/night first visit, $49 on the second during a busier time of year) I thought it was decent.

Hope this helps!

WDWPooh · 01-03-2013, 01:19 PM

We stay here every year. Staff is always pleasant and the rooms are great. Couldnt ask for more for the price to get comfy beds, microwave and fridge. There is a little shopping plaza within walking distance with a CiCis pizza. Kids LOVE it! The hotel is nice, and great location. I always recommend it.

FlyingBelle · 01-03-2013, 01:33 PM

We stayed in December for 1 night before our cruise. I was looking for something inexpensive and near DTD.

The room was comfortable, the beds were great. I was happy there was a fridge and microwave. Very close to lots of restaurants and groceries. The Walmart is just about 5 minutes down the street. Very close to DTD (less than 2 miles)

I didn't realize it did not have interior hallways until we got there, that threw me a bit. We were facing I4, and I was worried about the noise, but we didn't hear a thing.

Did notice once the parks close, the parking lot at Clarion gets FULL!

richmo · 01-03-2013, 05:41 PM

I'm assuming you may have booked the $49 special for this property at bookit. I think the sale expires tomorrow night. The best I've seen otherwise for this location is about $63/night.

bookit (.com) often has cancellation charges that are pretty steep, but for this deal, they will give you a refund up to the day before you arrive. They do charge upfront, thus this is a prepaid stay, but the rate is pretty sweet. I've used bookit once before at a different location (the Regal Sun -- now the Wyndham, I believe) and it worked out fine.

In fact I talked to an agent at the Clarion today since I had booked directly with them for my upcoming March trip, and she advised me to cancel the ressie with Clarion (direct on website) and rebook it with Bookit.

I stayed at the Clarion LBV last year. It was fine; nothing special either way. If you spend a lot of time in your room, I'd look elsewhere; if, like me, you try to maximize your park time and just need a decent sleep, its fine.

Location is very good too. I like Palm Parkway as a location (hint: use the Vista Blvd entrance into Disney property, not Hotel Plaza Blvd)

crc76 · 01-04-2013, 10:34 AM

We will be staying here the first week of Feb. Very excited about our first trip to Disney! Glad to hear that it is a nice place to lay your head!

01-03-2013, 08:00 AM	#1
randy2005 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Medford, MA Posts: 222	Clarion Lake Buena Vista I just booked this hotel for our visit in August. Has anyone stayed here? If so is it nice? Was going to stay at Art of Animation but saving $2000.00 by staying outside of the parks. Thanks

01-03-2013, 01:33 PM	#4
FlyingBelle Official Tag Fairy Underwear Designer "MacGyver's" her bras with duct tape and toilet paper Frutty Pebbles doesn't taste the same with ranch dressing! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,724	We stayed in December for 1 night before our cruise. I was looking for something inexpensive and near DTD. The room was comfortable, the beds were great. I was happy there was a fridge and microwave. Very close to lots of restaurants and groceries. The Walmart is just about 5 minutes down the street. Very close to DTD (less than 2 miles) I didn't realize it did not have interior hallways until we got there, that threw me a bit. We were facing I4, and I was worried about the noise, but we didn't hear a thing. Did notice once the parks close, the parking lot at Clarion gets FULL! __________________ Many times as a child \| Fort Wilderness Campground 1996 \| Off-Property Mar 1999 \| Coronado Springs May 1999 \| All Star Sports Aug 1999 \| Dixie Landings Jan 2000 \| Dixie Landings Feb 2001\| Wilderness Lodge Feb 2002 \| Disney Wonder Cruise Jan 2003 \| Wilderness Lodge Sep 2004 \| Swan Feb 2005 \|Wilderness Lodge Oct 2005 \| Port Orleans Riverside - Aug 2006 \| Wilderness Lodge Villas - Jan/Feb 2007 \| Wilderness Lodge Family Trip - Sep 2008! Bella's first trip to Disney! \| Buena Vista Suites - Dec 08 \| Disneyland - Nov 2009 \| Disneyland - June 2010 \| Pop Century - July 2010 Disneyland - October 2010 \| All Star Music & Disney Wonder December 2010 \| All Star Music Jan 2011\| Disneyland Sept 2011 \| All Star Music Jan 2012 \| No Kids Trip! Pirate room at Caribbean Beach - Mar 2012\| Disneyland - April 2012\| Disneyland - July 2012\| Disneyland - August 2012 \| All Star Sports - September 2012\| Disney Dream 3 night cruise - Nov 2012

01-04-2013, 10:34 AM	#6
crc76 Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: VT Posts: 27	We will be staying here the first week of Feb. Very excited about our first trip to Disney! Glad to hear that it is a nice place to lay your head! __________________

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01-03-2013, 09:15 AM	#2
jsmla DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,688	I've stayed here a couple of times and it's fine for a budget place. The early morning shuttles were always much less crowded than later ones. When I was there the shuttle hours were early enough to allow arrival for rope drop and late enough to catch the fireworks at night. There is also a Lynx 50 (public bus) stop right in front if the hotel. Room has both a fridge and microwave and there are plenty of restaurants and fast food places nearby. There are pocket doors separating the bathroom area from the rest of the room. The bathroom could be a bit fresher, IMHO. I wouldn't want to use the tub for anything but showers but I'm kind of picky. I would request a room facing away from I4. I've definitely stayed in nicer places but for the money ($39/night first visit, $49 on the second during a busier time of year) I thought it was decent. Hope this helps!

01-03-2013, 01:19 PM	#3
WDWPooh Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 87	We stay here every year. Staff is always pleasant and the rooms are great. Couldnt ask for more for the price to get comfy beds, microwave and fridge. There is a little shopping plaza within walking distance with a CiCis pizza. Kids LOVE it! The hotel is nice, and great location. I always recommend it.

01-03-2013, 05:41 PM	#5
richmo DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,320	I'm assuming you may have booked the $49 special for this property at bookit. I think the sale expires tomorrow night. The best I've seen otherwise for this location is about $63/night. bookit (.com) often has cancellation charges that are pretty steep, but for this deal, they will give you a refund up to the day before you arrive. They do charge upfront, thus this is a prepaid stay, but the rate is pretty sweet. I've used bookit once before at a different location (the Regal Sun -- now the Wyndham, I believe) and it worked out fine. In fact I talked to an agent at the Clarion today since I had booked directly with them for my upcoming March trip, and she advised me to cancel the ressie with Clarion (direct on website) and rebook it with Bookit. I stayed at the Clarion LBV last year. It was fine; nothing special either way. If you spend a lot of time in your room, I'd look elsewhere; if, like me, you try to maximize your park time and just need a decent sleep, its fine. Location is very good too. I like Palm Parkway as a location (hint: use the Vista Blvd entrance into Disney property, not Hotel Plaza Blvd)