Can't decide on Resort (Hilton) or 3* Priceline decision...

[w8ting4pooh]

I've looked at the biddingfortravel site. I know which 3* hotels come up and they look ok (especially for $35 a night). The Hilton is almost a sure bet if I bid at resort for $60-$65. Is it worth bumping up in price and getting the Hilton? It has mixed reviews. Has anyone stayed at the 3* WDW area priceline hotels? How do they compare to the All-Stars? If I can get All-Stars for $75 a night w/a discount, is it better to be on property or off-property at these 3* hotels? PLEASE help so I can make up my mind already!! Thanks!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Stay on site if:
1) you won't have a car or
2) you want to go back to your hotel during the day (take a nap, use the pool) and go back to the park at night.

The 3 star hotels are nicer than the All-Stars.

 

[tinaluis]

I wouldn't bump up the the resort level because, in addition to the increase in the amount of your bid for each day, the resorts all charge resort fees which can sometimes be as much as $9.95 a day. Some of the 3* hotels do this too, but it hurts less when you're paying that on top of about $35/nt. as opposed to $60/nt. For example, I usually get the Wyndham on I Drive for $30/nt. and they charge a $4.44 nightly resort fee. If I was already paying an extra $25/nt. to be in a resort level room, i.e., the Hilton, I would be upset to be charged the added fee.

I agree with the previous poster, if you won't have a car it will be much easier to stay on property. If you do have one, the 3* hotels you can get through Priceline will be larger than the All-Stars and probably nicer.

Good luck!

 

[Gillian]

The Hilton is very nice. If you read the newer reviews on Bidding for travel, they are better! The rooms have been redone. I didn't take the transportation, but found it very easy to get around with my car. It's close enough to go back for a break, and you may even driving faster than the WDW busses.

I think the person who posted there that the lounge is for any HHonors member is mistaken. It used to be only for Gold+

The resort fee is $6/day.

I like quiet places & interior corridors, so to me, the Hilton (or any of the other resort level hotels on priceline) would be better than the all stars. The 3*s are more varied, so it's hard to compare.

Good luck deciding!

 

[VolcanoJen]

Hey W8ting4Pooh!

Well, we'll be at the Hilton Downtown Disney starting Sunday. We're beginning our drive (taking our time) tomorrow, and I'll post a full report when we get back (Saturday Feb 15th). If you can wait just a *little* bit longer, I'd hold off on that bid!

We got the Hilton for $60 from Priceline. I think the location can't be beat for the price... it's not *quite* the same as on-site, but it's got to be the next best thing!

We'll let you know for sure when we return,
Jennifer

 

[f7prez]

I disagree with the people that believe it is important to stay at a Disney owned hotel if you do not have a car. While we stay at a Disney hotel most visits, we recently stayed at the Hilton and not only found it to be a nice hotel, we also found the bus transportation provided by the DTD hotels which Hilton is one of, to be very accomodating, on time and much more comfortable than Disney buses. A stay at the Hilton will also provide you with the ability to walk to DTD which is across the street, utilize Disney Early Entry and the use of other Disney transportation.
I should also mention that we found the staff at the Hilton to be friendly and attentive to how our vacation was going, inquiring often whether or not there was anything they could do to improve our stay.

Have Fun

 

[punkin]

I quite liked the Hilton. The room was large and the color scheme a neutral, tropical blue/green. The staff was pleasant, room service was efficient (and tasted better than the restaurant downstairs. Very convinient to DD and allows early entry (but only if you use their bus!). Overall, for the $60 I paid, it couldn't be beat. BTW, I was not charged a resort fee (I do have an HH card-maybe that's why?).

I also stayed at the priceline rate of $35 at the 3* doubletree on 192. It's a townhouse with 2 bedrooms and a ful kitchen and two baths. Now how can you beat that? (of course there's no guarantee you'd get that hotel.

 

[AnnMorin]

I pm'd you some questions on the Wyndham, thanks Ann

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by f7prez
I disagree with the people that believe it is important to stay at a Disney owned hotel if you do not have a car.
Have Fun

I never intended my post to indicate a Disney operated hotel was necessary if you don't have a car. Swan/Dolphin have the same transportation as Disney operated hotels. DTD hotels have frequent bus service which is acceptable. These hotels are on-site as they are located on Disney property.

The hotels that are completely off-site usually have very limited bus service.

 

[Robinrs]

Another thing to consider is the regular rate that is charged by the hotels compared to the rate you win as a bid on PL.

The Hilton can run from $149 to $250 a night for a room depending on the time of year you stay. The amount saved can be quite larger than the amount you save on the 3 star property.

It also depends on what you want and how you want to be treated on your vacation. A 4 star or resort property has a level of quality that highly surpasses that of a 3 star USUALLY. I choose based on what I want from that particular vacation, to be catered to or to save some money...

As for the All Stars, I would compare them to a 2 star, not a 3 star. Their biggest perk is their location, onsite Disney. Placed anywhere else they'd be a 1 or 2 star hotel.

 

[w8ting4pooh]

This is all good advice. I'll wait until we get closer to the trip date and go for the Hilton. Not paying disney hotel prices and still getting disney perks seems like the way to go!

Thanks to all!