Best Western Downtown Disney
- Thread starter caskar
- Start date
Anyone ever stay there?Pat_Elliott
<font color=blue>Kimberly's proud papa!</font><br>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2001
- Messages
- 1,213
This is a bit lengthy, but I haven't time to type. And it's at least in depth. I've pulled this out of my September trip report. I really hope it helps!
**********
I've stayed in everything from 5-star to flea bags. I'm not really sure where I put this hotel. At the price we paid, $30, I give it high ratings. At its rack rate for September, $129, I wouldn't touch it. At its discount rate of $69.95, I'd note it, but look for better deals. I guess I'd set the bar at $50. This is what I'd pay, value season, to stay here. But at $30, it was delightful. And the fifty bucks a night we saved over the Courtyard was well spent.
The rooms, as reported elsewhere, are kept clean but are worn. The carpets are thin and ragged. There was chipping paint on the balcony. There were little nagging things, like one closet door being difficult to open and a drawer being cracked. However, the room was large and clean. A hint for those trying this hotel in the future: attempt to get a DTD view above at least the 5th floor, and try to get a "corner room." Upon comparing with the Priceline customer next door, the rooms are a bit larger on the corners and the balcony is a full 1/3 larger.
The rest of the hotel falls somewhere in the vicinity of "resort," but I don't know if I'd compare it with the real thing. The entire bottom floor has been completely renovated, and it shows. The lobby has two stores: one for convenience, the other for Disney goods. We compared and the prices were the same here as at any Disney store. The "Parakeet Cafe" actually has two parakeets. They talk, whistle, and meow like a cat. Quite funny most of the time, although a bit startling when you're alone at 2 AM the first time you hear them meow.
In addition to the Parakeet, which serves basic snack-food, there is Traders, the full service restaurant and a bar/lounge. We did NOT try Traders, so the following is second hand information, but the breakfast buffet looked and smelled pretty nice. Those who tried it were saying nice things. It's a basic pastry/bagel, cereal, plus full egg/sausage/bacon/potato, etc., festival. Of course, they have Mickey Mouse waffles. And at $4.99 it was a real good bargain. Warning: the $4.99 includes no drinks. On a down note, Toppers was closed for renovations. We were sorry to miss the chance to see Illuminations from the top floor. But seeing how beautiful the lobby area was reminds one of the need and value of occasional shutdowns.
The pool and bar area were a highlight for us. I found the pool to be quite clean and adequate. However, I wonder if it were a busy season if I'd say the same. The pool seemed a bit small for a 350+ room hotel. However, when it's you, your wife, and two other couples, it's a mighty fine pool. The bar, if you're into such things, as we are, had good snacks (we were able to get kitchen food as late as 11 PM), deals on drinks, and several couches inside around a large-screen TV, a nice touch.
**********
I've stayed in everything from 5-star to flea bags. I'm not really sure where I put this hotel. At the price we paid, $30, I give it high ratings. At its rack rate for September, $129, I wouldn't touch it. At its discount rate of $69.95, I'd note it, but look for better deals. I guess I'd set the bar at $50. This is what I'd pay, value season, to stay here. But at $30, it was delightful. And the fifty bucks a night we saved over the Courtyard was well spent.
The rooms, as reported elsewhere, are kept clean but are worn. The carpets are thin and ragged. There was chipping paint on the balcony. There were little nagging things, like one closet door being difficult to open and a drawer being cracked. However, the room was large and clean. A hint for those trying this hotel in the future: attempt to get a DTD view above at least the 5th floor, and try to get a "corner room." Upon comparing with the Priceline customer next door, the rooms are a bit larger on the corners and the balcony is a full 1/3 larger.
The rest of the hotel falls somewhere in the vicinity of "resort," but I don't know if I'd compare it with the real thing. The entire bottom floor has been completely renovated, and it shows. The lobby has two stores: one for convenience, the other for Disney goods. We compared and the prices were the same here as at any Disney store. The "Parakeet Cafe" actually has two parakeets. They talk, whistle, and meow like a cat. Quite funny most of the time, although a bit startling when you're alone at 2 AM the first time you hear them meow.
In addition to the Parakeet, which serves basic snack-food, there is Traders, the full service restaurant and a bar/lounge. We did NOT try Traders, so the following is second hand information, but the breakfast buffet looked and smelled pretty nice. Those who tried it were saying nice things. It's a basic pastry/bagel, cereal, plus full egg/sausage/bacon/potato, etc., festival. Of course, they have Mickey Mouse waffles. And at $4.99 it was a real good bargain. Warning: the $4.99 includes no drinks. On a down note, Toppers was closed for renovations. We were sorry to miss the chance to see Illuminations from the top floor. But seeing how beautiful the lobby area was reminds one of the need and value of occasional shutdowns.
The pool and bar area were a highlight for us. I found the pool to be quite clean and adequate. However, I wonder if it were a busy season if I'd say the same. The pool seemed a bit small for a 350+ room hotel. However, when it's you, your wife, and two other couples, it's a mighty fine pool. The bar, if you're into such things, as we are, had good snacks (we were able to get kitchen food as late as 11 PM), deals on drinks, and several couches inside around a large-screen TV, a nice touch.
caskar
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 18, 2001
- Messages
- 414
Thank you so much for the comprehensive response to my question. These boards are great aren't they! I will try to get a good price for the hotel. Oh, two more questions, how was the transportation to the parks and does this hotel charge a resort fee?
c88fly
GODALEGO!!! Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES! NASCAR,
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2003
- Messages
- 228
I have never stayed at this hotel. Actually, I have never stayed in one of the resorts, but I got this hotel for $29 per nite on Hotwire. It seemed to be coming up for $26 per nite on Priceline. However, you are never definite of what the hotel is & since hotwire allows you to see the amenities first, I knew this would be the one as soon as I saw the Resort icon. There is a daily resort fee of $7 per nite for local phone calls, free shuttle, etc., but it still puts the room at a great price. I really want a room facing Epcot & on one of the top floors & have already asked about it. They are saying it will be a $20 per night upgrade fee. I have read where some got it for $10 per night so I am going to keep pressing the matter until I can hopefully get the $10. I don't think I will pay the $20 per night since I have read you can go to the top & still see the fireworks. Hope this helps some.
Lori
Lori
Pat_Elliott
<font color=blue>Kimberly's proud papa!</font><br>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2001
- Messages
- 1,213
More advice...
If you're willing to pay for the upgrade, great. It's worth it for the DTD view. But, don't assume you have to pay for it. We went in September, when the hotel was half empty, which can make a difference, but I simpy requested a DTD view at the time. No extra money was requested (and of course, none was given). Be prepared to pay the upgrade, but try to get it gratis.
Pat
FYI, BW is listed in both AAA and Hotwire as a Three Star, although it's listed as 2.5* on Priceline. With Hotwire, it's also listed as "R" for resort.
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