Experiences With 'Resort' Level Hotels Other Than S/D???

[Bill From PA]

Priceline groups Wyndham Palace, Marriot Orlando, Hilton in WDW Village, Gaylord Palms and Hyatt Regency Grand Cyprus along with Swan/Dolphin for bidding purposes. If we take a shot at S/D the first week of Jan., we may get one of the others. Any experience with staying at one of them with regards to WDW transportation and the general 'feel' of it being a Disney vacation? We've stayed on-site the last 5 trips and I don't know if I can bear to leave the place after hours. I'd rather stay at a WDW Moderate or Value if the 'Disney Feel' is lacking.

Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[CarolA]

The chances are you WILL get one of the others. I have done PL lots of times and NEVER gotten S/D. I have gotten Marriott, Wyndam or Hilton.

I would stay at any of them again, but none of them have a "Disney feel" . They are all convention type hotels.

I always use a rental car when I stay at these so I have no idea how the transport works.

If you can't live with ANY of these hotels you should not use PL.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I'm from Pa. too! (Harrisburg) Brother in law's from Kingston...........

Anyway, from what I've read on these boards, those hotels (not talking S/D) can be a good deal, especially on priceline, but I don't know if I've heard many choose those hotels because of their Disney "ambiance". I could be mistaken.

But the way you describe your desire for a WDW hotel, I don't think I would chance it. JMHO.

I've learned I don't have to have a WDW resort, but I like to have SOME luxury, and it needs to be a nice place. I won't stay offsite in a dumpy hotel just to save a few bucks.

Everyone has to decide what they really want out of their vacation. There's no right or wrong, just what YOU want. If you want 24/7 Disney, I would do Disney. And having stayed on site 4 times, I can understand why you would want that!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We used Priceline and got Gaylord Palms. At first I was disappointed to get it, but after pulling into the resort, and then walking into the lobby, my mind changed! It is an awesome resort very close to Disney. I'd definetly stay there again!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If you want the Disney feel you must stay in a WDW hotel, as far as I am concerned, I didn't think the Swan had it. I have gotten the Swan thru PL & it was well worth the money ($75) but it wasn't Disney inside. Once stepping outside the hotel & having the WDW area surrounding me it became Disney. In the hotel itself, there are no little Mickey things like the WDW resorts have. So if you want that feel, skip PL and just book at WDW, not to mention the fact that you may not even get the S/D and end up not have any surrounding with the Disney feel. You will however get a decent deal.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would take a look at these resorts, before deciding. I too am a WDW fanatic, but to be honest, I am a little shocked that some of these resorts are grouped with S/D. Living in Tampa, I have seen most of these resorts. I may be a little disappointed if I got the Wyndham Palace or the Hilton, but both of them have good locations at DTD. If I'm not mistaken, the Hilton also has EMH, which is the same WDW perk as the S/D, minus the great Boardwalk location. IMHO, the other 3 would be a steal at the low PL rate. Although, the Marriott is pretty far away. WDW moderate atmosphere, vs. the luxury offered at some of these resorts. I know which I'd choose....... Whatever you decide, you'll be at WDW, how can you go wrong.

 

[Bill From PA]

Thanks for all the great info to everyone. We've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and despite they're not being owned and operated by Disney, we enjoyed them both because of the short walk to MGM, Epcot and the Boardwalk. Also, it seems as if the others listed by PL as Resort Level might not have as frequent and convient bus transportation as S/D, but I don't know that.
I've used PL before to get Hyatt at MCO for $37 for the last night before flying out and if some other hotel not at the airport accepted, I was prepared to eat the loss and book Hyatt at whatever we could get. In this instance, there will be no walking away from a non S/D bid, so I have to prepare to stay at one of the others if that's what happens. I'll keep my eye on BiddingForTravel.com to see how others are doing and see if I'm in a gambling mood at the time. My wife's at Atlantic City right now so maybe she'll hit it big and settle the matter that way (Fat Chance!)

Bill From PA

 

[yecats]

I've used PL and stayed at the DTD Hilton and Wyhdams and found my stays to be enjoyable but they do not have the Disney feel to them and as stated above do feel more like convention type hotels. Both hotels were clean and very convenient to DTD and Disney's busses. I stay at those hotels when I know I am going shopping at DTD. Then I move on property for that Disney feel. I haven't stayed at Gaylord but did stop there on one previous trip in 2002 and can say that I did like the feel of that property better as it has its own theming but you would need your own car to get around even though it is right next to Disney property.

If your trying for the S/D, you may want to look into bidding on Hotwire. Check out a sister site to Hotwire called Betterbidding.com. You will pay a small bit more on Hotwire than on Priceline ($20 to $30 more per night) but you still get a discount off of the hotels's price. Bidding on Hotwire allows you to see the amentities that the hotel you bidding on offers. As you can see the amentities before your offer is accepted, sometimes you can figure out what hotel is being offered, checkout the amentities list on betterbidding site. Read up and best of luck.

 

[Lewisc]

I stayed at Gaylord Palms via PL. Very nice hotel, excellent buffet but in addition to what PL charges you have to pay for parking and a resort fee. I'd suggest a rental car, the scheduled bus service is limited.

It doesn't have a "Disney" feel to it BUT the level of service and attention to details exceeds Disney's standards.

Hilton and Wyndham seem to come up more often. They are less expensive, not as good but they have good bus transportation.

S/D don't come up very often, you might try to get an Entertainment book or occupational rate and boot directly.

It doesn't really sound like you'd be happy offsite.

 

[spiceycat]

how about not during WDW when you are staying off-site?

I mean unless you have an annual pass to WDW - there are tons of other stuff to do in the area.

the Hyatt has the best pool in the area (travel channel) - and one of the best resorts....

So how much would I have to bid to get it!!!! - I also love Marriott - generally pretty nice. I didn't like the Wynham - but I have heard the one is DD is much better - I got International Drive.

 

[MermaidsMom]

check out "betterbidding.com" also.

 

[Wiggle]

From what I've read recently, it doesn't seem that S/D are in PL right now. I would like to stay there, but I'm not going to even bother with PL if S/D aren't even in the mix right now!

If memory serves correct, S/D were last in PL back in early '03.

 

[madelyn]

Last night I found a $128 rate at the Dolphin through Hotelkingdom.com for the dates of Dec 17-25, 2004. But it looks like tonight the rates have gone up about $40/nt and are even sold out for the last few nights. But you might check Hotelkingdom to see if they have access to lower rates. Although I just checked for the first week of January and they are either sold out or over $300/nt. So it seems very unlikely that Priceline would have inventory at this time.