FFI or Sheraton Park? which one would you pick?

[rsleleux]

Please help me make a decision! My husband gets great rates through his work and our choice is between Sheraton Park on Harbor or FairField Inn Marriott across the street. The Sheraton Park is a 4star hotel compared to FFI that is a 3star. The Sheraton seems nicer and is actually cheaper BUT the FFI is so much closer. This has been a hard decision to make so I need your help! Which one would you pick?

 

[rsleleux]

by cheaper, I mean $35 difference in total of 4 nites! It's a really good deal but will I wish we were closer?

 

[Califgirl]

I usually stay at the Sheraton Anaheim (The one that looks like a Castle). I know it wasn't listed as one of your choices, but it is a nice property. They have a very efficient shuttle that runs every half hour.

The Sheraton Park does not have a shuttle, and seems like a pretty good walk at the end of the day.

 

[sweethannah]

I've stayed at the Sheraton and we really enjoyed it. We had a 25$/nt food and beverage credit last time we stayed and we will get it again when we stay this fall. The walk is a bit long, doable but depends on the age of your kids. I would consider the ART shuttle which stops right at the hotel and it's pretty cheap.

 

[rsleleux]

I've stayed at the Sheraton and we really enjoyed it. We had a 25$/nt food and beverage credit last time we stayed and we will get it again when we stay this fall. The walk is a bit long, doable but depends on the age of your kids. I would consider the ART shuttle which stops right at the hotel and it's pretty cheap.

My son is 5 and he had a hard time at the end of the day walking to the HOJO, (we went in May). We had to carry him and it was tough for us! The Fairfield is only steps closer than Hojo. If we pick the Sheraton Park, we will definitely be coming back on the ART. When we stay in WDW, we have to take buses back to our hotel, so that is why I am thinking go with the nicer hotel. After I add tickets to ART they will be so close in price it comes down to location vs hotel

 

[rsleleux]

I usually stay at the Sheraton Anaheim (The one that looks like a Castle). I know it wasn't listed as one of your choices, but it is a nice property. They have a very efficient shuttle that runs every half hour.

The Sheraton Park does not have a shuttle, and seems like a pretty good walk at the end of the day.

Thanks I will look into that one, although I don't think it was an option?

 

[rsleleux]

So closeness to the parks is not as important when you have the ART? I have no experience with the shuttle system

 

[daannzzz]

The Sheraton Park is a lot nicer than the Fairfield Inn. The grounds and pool area are prettier and more extensive and the rooms are nice. The Fairfield is fine though and if closer is important I would go with that. The Sheraton is a decent walk or shuttle ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

Since the question is which one I would choose, then that is easy: FFI. We value a close walking distance hotel above just about anything.

See "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[Airb330]

I am actually in the same boat as I am entitled to State worker rates. I decided on the Fairfield at $84 a night versus the Hilton at $110. I love the Hilton, but decided on closeness this time, plus the $80 savings is nice. If the Hilton was cheaper, I'd stay there as I do know it is nicer.

When we stayed at the Hilton I didn't think the walk was terrible, and the Sheraton is a little closer. If you plan on spending time in the room I'd probably choose the Sheraton.

$35 per night cheaper? If so, pick the Sheraton! If it is just $35 in total, it is a closer call. I really don't find the walk from the Sheraton/Hilton area bad, but I know some people on here make it out to be a death march. I'd probably choose cheaper & nicer over closer.

 

[lk2500]

If you stay at the FFI be sure to check our the room noise when you get there to see if it's acceptable to you.

We stayed there last week in room 302, and you can definitely hear the elevators operating from there which can be very annoying. I've stayed there 3 times and didn't remember it being this noisy. The room doors are solid metal and when they slam they are very loud, they shake the entire hall. The hallways are on the outside and are concrete so rolling suitcases make tons of noise, especially on the floor above you. We also had a rug rut above us that somehow managed to jump/run across the floor continually during the early mornings and evenings. I don't think I would stay here again, and if I did I would request an upper-top level room away from elevators, stairwells, ice machines, etc....

 

[SA mom]

We loved the Sheraton Park. We just stayed 6 nights on Club Level on points. So, free trumps all. The all the amenities were wonderful. The pool area is beautiful and shady and has a bar. It is immaculately clean. The rooms were fresh and the beds extremely comfortable.

However, it was a hike. We are too impatient to wait for a shuttle. It is a 10-15 minute walk, and that is a power walk. At the end of the day, those places across the street from the entrance looked mighty good.

We did take a taxi twice and it was only $5-6 plus tip.

 

[SA mom]

I forgot to say that we had a fireworks view at Sheraton Park which was fantastic. We watched two nights. We could also see World of Color and hear some of the music.

 

[rsleleux]

Since the question is which one I would choose, then that is easy: FFI. We value a close walking distance hotel above just about anything.

See "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Thank you! The question is based on your opinion and choice. I do value having different perspectives!

 

[rsleleux]

I am actually in the same boat as I am entitled to State worker rates. I decided on the Fairfield at $84 a night versus the Hilton at $110. I love the Hilton, but decided on closeness this time, plus the $80 savings is nice. If the Hilton was cheaper, I'd stay there as I do know it is nicer.

When we stayed at the Hilton I didn't think the walk was terrible, and the Sheraton is a little closer. If you plan on spending time in the room I'd probably choose the Sheraton.

$35 per night cheaper? If so, pick the Sheraton! If it is just $35 in total, it is a closer call. I really don't find the walk from the Sheraton/Hilton area bad, but I know some people on here make it out to be a death march. I'd probably choose cheaper & nicer over closer.

No, actually it is $35 cheaper for the 4 nights BUT if you add the price of shuttles for the 3 days we are in the parks it is equal! It is a close call!

 

[rsleleux]

I forgot to say that we had a fireworks view at Sheraton Park which was fantastic. We watched two nights. We could also see World of Color and hear some of the music.

Thankyou! Those are the special touches we need to hear about to help us make a decision. We are also too impatient to wait for a shuttle in the morning but will be not walking it at the end of the day as my son had us carrying him last year to the Hojo!

 

[rsleleux]

If you stay at the FFI be sure to check our the room noise when you get there to see if it's acceptable to you.

We stayed there last week in room 302, and you can definitely hear the elevators operating from there which can be very annoying. I've stayed there 3 times and didn't remember it being this noisy. The room doors are solid metal and when they slam they are very loud, they shake the entire hall. The hallways are on the outside and are concrete so rolling suitcases make tons of noise, especially on the floor above you. We also had a rug rut above us that somehow managed to jump/run across the floor continually during the early mornings and evenings. I don't think I would stay here again, and if I did I would request an upper-top level room away from elevators, stairwells, ice machines, etc....

Thank you for your time and opinion! I appreciate your honesty. It does help!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I use to blindly follow the "walking distance rule" too--until one time I didn't and I actually found (gasp) that I liked a shuttle better! If the shuttle is reliable and nice, it can actually be better than hauling your tired body (along with the masses) down Harbor. It makes life easier and saves your feet--which are already over worked and overtired from all that walking!

The problem with the motels across the street is that they are very motel-ish. If you want an actual "hotel", then you may need to stay further away, which isn't all that terrible, I swear! Been there, stayed in *that* motel!

As far as I know, the Sheraton that looks like a castle actually has it's own shuttle--which is like heaven on earth in my book of disney area hotels! Haven't stayed there, but likely will some day. The Sheraton Park looks very nice too--and I know it is a bit closer than the castle one. I would say if walking and being close is important to you (as well as easy access to McD's), then go for FFI, and if you want a more "hotel" type vacation with all that includes, then go for the Sheraton.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[rsleleux]

I think I agree with you! We are WDW vets and we are used to riding in buses to get around WDW, yet when we come to DLR we feel the need to be in walking distance! Last time we went to DLR, we stayed at the Hojo and it was ok as far as cleanliness and walking distance BUT at the end of a long day, we didn't even feel like walking across the street much less DOWN the street! My son was exhausted and we had to take turns carrying him so riding a shuttle sounds heavenly versus carrying a child at the end of the day!

 

[rsleleux]

I use to blindly follow the "walking distance rule" too--until one time I didn't and I actually found (gasp) that I liked a shuttle better! If the shuttle is reliable and nice, it can actually be better than hauling your tired body (along with the masses) down Harbor. It makes life easier and saves your feet--which are already over worked and overtired from all that walking!

The problem with the motels across the street is that they are very motel-ish. If you want an actual "hotel", then you may need to stay further away, which isn't all that terrible, I swear! Been there, stayed in *that* motel!

As far as I know, the Sheraton that looks like a castle actually has it's own shuttle--which is like heaven on earth in my book of disney area hotels! Haven't stayed there, but likely will some day. The Sheraton Park looks very nice too--and I know it is a bit closer than the castle one. I would say if walking and being close is important to you (as well as easy access to McD's), then go for FFI, and if you want a more "hotel" type vacation with all that includes, then go for the Sheraton.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

I think I'm going with Sheraton Park