1 Night - Family of 5 - Disney Springs

[RamieGee]

OK, we have never stayed off site before near Disney so I have no perspective on this. We have previously stayed at The Contemporary, Port Orleans Riverside, and will be staying at The Polynesian for our trip in late Oct/early November.

Because of CRAZY high airfare I had been seeing from our area for the days of our trip, I discovered if we go a day early we can save a TON on airfare, so I went for it, and now we'll be leaving a day earlier than planned. We don't want to add park days because we already have a pretty special ($) trip planned. So, instead, the plan would be to stay somewhere off-site for one night near Disney Springs and take it easy by the pool and dinner at Disney Springs. Then off to Poly on Sunday. This is actually a win-win because normally we like to take a super early flight out on Day 1, which means getting up at ~3am/4am, so of course the kids are exhausted by the early evening. This way, we can take it easy and be well rested and ready to go when the rest of our party arrives on Sunday morning. Yay. Also, never been to Disney Springs so looking forward to that.

Regardless of savings on the airfare, I still would rather not spend too much for a single night accommodation. We have 2 adults + 3 kids - ages 14, 10, & 5 so there are some restrictions on where we can stay. Also, since we're there for such a short time (and I want to be relaxed before a busy week at the parks), I feel like I definitely want a quick walk to DS.

I have heard Hilton Buena Vista Palace is better than Hilton Lake Buena Vista. For one night, there is a $122 difference between the two (+45%), and prices are already quite high vs other times a year.

Thoughts on the price difference for 1 night? Is the Palace worth the extra $ versus Hilton Lake? Will Hilton Lake suffice for a night? Any other places in walking distance for a family of 5 I haven't considered?

 

[Upatnoon]

With five people, the Doubletree is probably your best bet near Disney Springs. You will have to pay for transportation.

If you really want to save money, you might look for a suite hotel near the airport to stay in. That way you can use Magical Express the next morning to get to the Poly.

 

[HopperFan]

OK, we have never stayed off site before near Disney so I have no perspective on this. We have previously stayed at The Contemporary, Port Orleans Riverside, and will be staying at The Polynesian for our trip in late Oct/early November.

Because of CRAZY high airfare I had been seeing from our area for the days of our trip, I discovered if we go a day early we can save a TON on airfare, so I went for it, and now we'll be leaving a day earlier than planned. We don't want to add park days because we already have a pretty special ($) trip planned. So, instead, the plan would be to stay somewhere off-site for one night near Disney Springs and take it easy by the pool and dinner at Disney Springs. Then off to Poly on Sunday. This is actually a win-win because normally we like to take a super early flight out on Day 1, which means getting up at ~3am/4am, so of course the kids are exhausted by the early evening. This way, we can take it easy and be well rested and ready to go when the rest of our party arrives on Sunday morning. Yay. Also, never been to Disney Springs so looking forward to that.

Regardless of savings on the airfare, I still would rather not spend too much for a single night accommodation. We have 2 adults + 3 kids - ages 14, 10, & 5 so there are some restrictions on where we can stay. Also, since we're there for such a short time (and I want to be relaxed before a busy week at the parks), I feel like I definitely want a quick walk to DS.

I have heard Hilton Buena Vista Palace is better than Hilton Lake Buena Vista. For one night, there is a $122 difference between the two (+45%), and prices are already quite high vs other times a year.

Thoughts on the price difference for 1 night? Is the Palace worth the extra $ versus Hilton Lake? Will Hilton Lake suffice for a night? Any other places in walking distance for a family of 5 I haven't considered?

Not sure what the cost is (in addition to difference) but if I'm correct you will have to book a suite at either of those to have 5 people. I have stayed at both and if you want a pool day then the Palace is the route to go, their pool is MUCH MUCH nicer than the Hilton LBV.

If you just want to save money you can look at the Doubletree - Suites are much less or the B Resort, has rooms with two beds and sofa bed that sleeps one, or two small kids. But both pools are just average, like Hilton LBV, but nice enough to cool off a few hours.

You will need to hire a car again to get you to Poly. Have you considered a Disney resort so that Disney can also transfer your luggage and free up some of your time? Art of Animation has suites and a fun pool area. CBR sleeps five in a room, has a fun pool, you can take a ride on skyliner and it's a quick bus ride to DS for dinner. I would run a check on Disney rooms and compare prices. Although a weekend night will likely be very high for AoA, but CBR might be in line with a DS suite.

 

[RamieGee]

Not sure what the cost is (in addition to difference) but if I'm correct you will have to book a suite at either of those to have 5 people. I have stayed at both and if you want a pool day then the Palace is the route to go, their pool is MUCH MUCH nicer than the Hilton LBV.

If you just want to save money you can look at the Doubletree - Suites are much less or the B Resort, has rooms with two beds and sofa bed that sleeps one, or two small kids. But both pools are just average, like Hilton LBV, but nice enough to cool off a few hours.

You will need to hire a car again to get you to Poly. Have you considered a Disney resort so that Disney can also transfer your luggage and free up some of your time? Art of Animation has suites and a fun pool area. CBR sleeps five in a room, has a fun pool, you can take a ride on skyliner and it's a quick bus ride to DS for dinner. I would run a check on Disney rooms and compare prices. Although a weekend night will likely be very high for AoA, but CBR might be in line with a DS suite.

Thanks for the input. Prices for this time period are quite high across the board - hotels, airfare, etc (below incl taxes & fees). I guess I looking at Hilton LBV over Doubletree or B Resort since the walk was closer. I was thinking since we'll be walking so much in the parks and we'll be there for such a short time, it might be good to keep the night easy and low key night (and prefer not to deal with transportation for 5). Disney resort options are high - +$246 difference between AoA and Hilton LBV.

Perhaps Doubletree/B Resort isn't too bad of a walk...

B Resort-$293
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista-$315
Doubletree-$323
Disney's Caribbean Beach-No 5th sleeper rooms available
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace-$402
AoA-$609
Boulder Ridge Deluxe Studio-$621
Beach Club Villas Studio $704

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for the input. Prices for this time period are quite high across the board - hotels, airfare, etc (below incl taxes & fees). I guess I looking at Hilton LBV over Doubletree or B Resort since the walk was closer. I was thinking since we'll be walking so much in the parks and we'll be there for such a short time, it might be good to keep the night easy and low key night (and prefer not to deal with transportation for 5). Disney resort options are high - +$246 difference between AoA and Hilton LBV.

Perhaps Doubletree/B Resort isn't too bad of a walk...

B Resort-$293
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista-$315
Doubletree-$323
Disney's Caribbean Beach-No 5th sleeper rooms available
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace-$402
AoA-$609
Boulder Ridge Deluxe Studio-$621
Beach Club Villas Studio $704

Yeah after I went to look because I'm going same time (I booked Marriott Vacation Club) and I was shocked by the prices. Doubletree is the farthest walk and at least the Hilton LBV has a couple of pools. But they are all old, rectangle and very boring.

The pool at the Palace is standout and a treat including lazy river. If you are really planning to spend a pool day I would book here. It would be worth the difference to me.

 

[RamieGee]

Yeah after I went to look because I'm going same time (I booked Marriott Vacation Club) and I was shocked by the prices. Doubletree is the farthest walk and at least the Hilton LBV has a couple of pools. But they are all old, rectangle and very boring.

The pool at the Palace is standout and a treat including lazy river. If you are really planning to spend a pool day I would book here. It would be worth the difference to me.

Thanks for your input. Paying more for the Palace might be the way to go. The world’s gone mad for that time period as far prices go - I guess with the prospect of post-Covid return to life/travel. I can’t believe how sky high the flights are.

 

[iivye]

We love the lazy river at the Palace and Disney Springs is just a quick walk. It's a great location.

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for your input. Paying more for the Palace might be the way to go. The world’s gone mad for that time period as far prices go - I guess with the prospect of post-Covid return to life/travel. I can’t believe how sky high the flights are.

It's like everyone is trying to make up all the money they lost ... not thinking some of us lost money too. I was taking my car to my regular car wash to get it's big annual cleaning inside and out. It had not been in two years since COVID cancelled last years. They tripled their prices .... they wanted $250 to wash my car and shampoo my seats. Guess who is going to the self serve car wash and shampooing her own seats, and won't be going back there anymore. Taking my $250 to Disney World.

ENJOY! That pool is perfect for a pool day!