Closed - Hilton Dntwn Disney Vs Disney Property

[disneyjuly09]

Anyone stay at the hilton recently? We have reservations there and I'm getting a bit nervous as it gets closer. Can anyone tell me the Pros and Cons of staying at Hilton vs Beach Club or SSR etc. Of course the price is good at the hilton but if we stay at a Disney property we may have to split the stay between 2 resorts and pay about 3-$500 more for the 7ngts. Is it worth doing that? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[enchantingodin]

We usually stayed there if we went to Disney during high season, as often times the prices were less at the Hilton than at one of the Values. And My mom stayed there about a month ago for one night. We live a 2 hour drive away and one of her best friends was in from Maryland was at Disney so she went up for the day.

Anyway, they are now charging a parking fee of 8 something per night. AND they are no longer considered a "partner hotel". As in no more free parking at the parks, no EMH, etc.

I will say when we have stayed there in the past and preferred it to most of the spread out Disney hotels. It was great to just take a quick elevator ride to the lobby/food court as opposed to a bus (like some of the mods have) or walking 10-20 minutes (like at the values). Rooms were an OK size, could've been a little bigger - but still comfortable. We're not pool people, so the fact that theirs is small and not very exciting didn't mater to us. Parking is very limited, probably why they're charging now. The bathrooms are closed off from the room - which is nice. It was awesome to get all the benefits of a 'partner' in a compact hotel. But not anymore - so we won't be going back.

If it were me I'd book elsewhere. Don't get me wrong I liked the hotel itself. I think the rooms compare to one of the moderates on Disney property. But since there are no more benefits, might as well stay on site.

Have you thought about Swan/Dolphin? To me they are the same quality as the Hilton. Plus they are 'on property' and still get all the benefits.

Good luck deciding!

 

[disneyjuly09]

Thanks, that's interesting that you said they are no longer a partner hotel. I will check that out since they said they offered extra magic hrs. Good to know. I will also check on Swan/Dolphin.

 

[enchantingodin]

Thanks, that's interesting that you said they are no longer a partner hotel. I will check that out since they said they offered extra magic hrs. Good to know. I will also check on Swan/Dolphin.

Honestly I could be wrong about the EMH part. She just told me that they were no longer a "partner" and wouldn't allow her to get free parking. So I thought that meant no more EMH too. Might want to call and check to make sure if you were told different.

 

[SereneOne]

They advertise on their site that one gets the hours. One does pay to park at the hotel and at Disney.

 

[Brian Noble]

My brother stayed there a few years back, liked it quite a bit, and is very particular. You will want a car, though---I would not rely on the DTD-area bus system.

Only you can decide if the extra cost of the Disney properties is worth it. For some people, it is. For others, not so much. I've done both onsite and off, and so far, I think offsite is the better value for my money. I haven't stayed at the Epcot-area resorts yet though---my first will be a stay at BCV next February.

Another option might be the Swan or Dolphin. They are usually a little more reasonable, but have a location similar to Beach Club.

 

[enchantingodin]

They advertise on their site that one gets the hours. One does pay to park at the hotel and at Disney.

My mom had to pay the nightly parking fee AND pay to park at the parks. Came to 20 bucks or so a day.

 

[SereneOne]

My mom had to pay the nightly parking fee AND pay to park at the parks. Came to 20 bucks or so a day.

That is what I said.

I stated that to my understanding one still gets the EMH and that one pays for both parking at the hotel and parking at Disney. It is STILL cheaper than staying on property and you get room service and cable/PPV movies.

 

[Lewisc]

Are you flying into MCO? You can take DME to a WDW run resort and save the cost of a rental car?

Are you driving? You can stat at a WDW run resort and save parking chages.

BC is walking distance to EPCOT and DHS. I don't think I'd compare the Hilton to the BC. PP are right, price Swan/Dolphin.

I think a moderate, CSR, is much nicer then the Hilton. I'd only stay at the Hilton if the cost at the Hilton (including applicable parking charges) is at least 10%-20% lower then the best available rate at CSR.

If you're looking to save $$$, and will have a car, I'd look at offsite suite properties, possibly one with included breakfast.

 

[Brian Noble]

From where I sit, the Hilton is superior to CSR. The hilton has much nicer furnishings, better quality linens, larger rooms, and interior hallways with no need to walk in the elements to get to any of the resort's services.

I think the Swan/Dolphin comparison is a lot more accurate.

 

[enchantingodin]

That is what I said.

I stated that to my understanding one still gets the EMH and that one pays for both parking at the hotel and parking at Disney. It is STILL cheaper than staying on property and you get room service and cable/PPV movies.

My bad - I thought you were asking IF. I know I should really stop trolling DIS so late at night (I responded at 3am), but it's the only time I have at the moment.

For me - I wasn't impressed by the Hilton. I mean it's ok and serves it's function. But it isn't a hotel I'd hang out at while not in the parks.

 

[Lewisc]

From where I sit, the Hilton is superior to CSR. The hilton has much nicer furnishings, better quality linens, larger rooms, and interior hallways with no need to walk in the elements to get to any of the resort's services.

I think the Swan/Dolphin comparison is a lot more accurate.

The Hilton is "themed" like an older business/convention hotel.

CSR offers free parking, free airport transfers and superior transportation. CSR offers superior themeing throughout the resort and a far better pool area. CSR offers frdiges and coffee makers in the room. JMO but for a Disney vacation those amenities are important then the number of threads in the sheets and exterior corridors.

I don't agree with the S/D comparison, the S/D is a far superior hotel to the Hilton. Grotto pool is one of the nicest pools on property and the restaurants at the S/D are excellent. I'd stay at the S/D over the Hilton or CSR in an instant but I don't think the pricing will be similar.

JMO but the hilton only makes sense if you get the hotel for dirt cheap (PL) or are attending a meeting there. Hotels like Gaylord Palms and Hyatt Grand Cypress offer the hotel amenities you suggest and the theeing people going on a WDW vacation generally look for

 

[Brian Noble]

CSR offers frdiges and coffee makers in the room.

So does the hilton---just ask for your minibar to be emptied. And, from all I've ever read, the Swan/Dolphin are also "themed" like convention hotels---at least that's what the folks on the Resort board will tell you.

To each his own, but I wouldn't say in any Moderate (including CSR) unless it was significantly less expensive than the Hilton.

And, the're not.

 

[Planogirl]

You have to pay for parking if you stay in the Hilton now? Wow that changes things. I would have said that the Hilton was nicer than a moderate otherwise.

 

[Brian Noble]

What you do/don't pay for isn't nearly as important as the total, bottom-line cost. Add $20 to the Hilton rate, and that will account for your daily parking costs.

 

[Lewisc]

What you do/don't pay for isn't nearly as important as the total, bottom-line cost. Add $20 to the Hilton rate, and that will account for your daily parking costs.

The OP is comparing the Hilton to the BC. He said he's saving $300-$500 by staying at the Hilton. I don't know if he's including parking charges in his analysis but I'd stay at the BC if the difference in price is only $160 over 7 nights.

 

[AdWayInc]

It's me I know but I can not understand why anyone would NOT want to stay on property? DME - Transportation.... Location location location...
Not only can you not use DME but by staying D/S and Hilton - you are not entitled to get the DDP . IMHO - saves big bucks....
ALSO the BC is a beautiful resort.... but that is not a moderate...
DOn't forget too if you take your car to the parks... you have to pay for parking - then take the tram to the park opening... I don't get it... I really love Disney Transportation... only 1x did we ever have a problem. I know I am biased but I would not go any other way....

 

[M2DD's]

We just stayed at the Hilton over Easter and got a great rate for a prime holiday. We belong to Hilton Honors and were given a free room upgrade to a DTD view. We walked from the Hilton across the street and were in Once upon a Toy store in 4 minutes! We didn't have a car and took a town car to and from the airport.
The bus transportation was not as bad as I thought/read. Sometimes it even seemed better than disney because it ran on a scheldule so you knew about what time it would get there and what time the pick ups were. The bus drop off were not to far away either. My one complaint about the buses is that they didn't go directly to the MK they went to the TTC. The buses are a little bit nicer than disney and my girls loved that they had TV that played Stacey top 10 must do's.
The rooms were as nice as disney and the beds were very comortable. All rooms have a big refidgerator(for a hotel room) coffee maker/complimentary coffee/tea/sugar and a mini bar(we didn't open it)

HTH

BTW- The Swan and Dolphin charge 10$ for parking and a daily resort fee also around 10$ plus tax.(I was suprised by this )
When we looked into booking through them in June it was 22$ and some change for parking & resort fee on top of the daily room rate. It does include use of gym,2 bottles of water,and interent service.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'd stay at the BC if the difference in price is only $160 over 7 nights.

I would too.

 

[Planogirl]

I might stay at the BC too if the difference is truly just $160. I usually prefer more space and drive anyway but that is tempting.