Clarion Lake Buena Vista

[randy2005]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

 

[finny1981]

We stayed there two times. The first was because we stayed one night prior to on-site ressies. The second was over the summer when I went to JBQ with my two youngest and we stayed for 10 days. The first trip was literally only sleeping hours, but I remembered it being in a good area and not too bad. This past time when we stayed was wonderful, we even swam quite a bit. I got a deal on the Orlando Convention Center website for a really great rate plus free breakfast for me and the kiddos.

I guess the question would be would we stay again. Yes we definitely would, no it is not a Disney hotel, but we are the kind that like to open the park and shut it down with little to no time out of the parks other than sleeping. With the amount you are saving it is a no brainer, but just remember you will have to pay the daily parking rate for the parks and no EMH if you do those. I have really been having trouble deciding on or off site this time, we do like the EMH and using the bus system (I know one of the few), but this time budget may out way it, still running the numbers. I am an accountant so number running is my thing...I have run it almost every which way

 

[Herbie]

We have stayed here several times now, and only have good things to say. True, its not 4-star or Disney, but it works very well for the price. Has always been clean and quiet.