Flamingo Crossing Hilton Homewood Suites - Trip Recap

[kshu2014]

Took a girls' trip (6 in total) to WDW the first week of January and decided to stay off property to save some cash.

We had been looking at Fairfield Inn, Homewood Suites, and Home2Suites as our final three options because we knew we wanted to book via a Disney package, which would save us some money on tickets and we could pay for it via Disney Gift Cards, which would be an additional 5% in savings.

With our party size, we ended up choosing Homewood Suites because it offered a little more space for a small increase in price and it was pretty new (built February 18, 2021!). The rooms here had a small kitchen/living room area with a dining table for four and then the main bedroom with two queen-sized beds and a bathroom with the sink located outside of it. This was actually an ideal set-up as people could still use the sink as others showered.

Breakfast was also included with our stay, so we headed down at 7AM each morning to get your standard hotel breakfast (eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, cereal, fruits, oatmeal, pastries, etc.). Surprisingly, they also had a few mickey waffle irons, so if you wanted to add some disney magic to your stay, you could make some of these yourself!

As I mentioned above, this hotel complex (Flamingo Crossing) is still relatively new and you can tell that there will be plenty of new hotels/business that will also be popping up in the area soon. As of this writing, there is currently Hilton's Homewood Suites, and Home2Suites as well as Marriott's Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Springhill Suites, and Towneplace Suites in the area. They also have a Target, Starbucks, and Walgreens in walking distance. It was also located only a few minutes off of Disney Property, which made the drive super convenient and we were able to get to all of the parks in 12-20 minutes on average. We also decided to rent a car and parking was free, which is not the case at many hotels!! They do have a shuttle option...but I'm not sure how many people actually take it as it is a third-party contractor, costs $7 per person each way, and had specific pick-up and drop-off times.

If anyone has any questions about our stay, feel free to drop them below! This was the first time I had heard of Flamingo Crossings and was pleasantly surprised by how convenient it was to stay off-property and how much money we actually saved. I am tempted to switch an upcoming family vacation to Flamingo Crossing, but I know how much the kids wanted to stay at Art of Animation!!

 

[HopperFan]

Took a girls' trip (6 in total) to WDW the first week of January and decided to stay off property to save some cash.

We had been looking at Fairfield Inn, Homewood Suites, and Home2Suites as our final three options because we knew we wanted to book via a Disney package, which would save us some money on tickets and we could pay for it via Disney Gift Cards, which would be an additional 5% in savings.

With our party size, we ended up choosing Homewood Suites because it offered a little more space for a small increase in price and it was pretty new (built February 18, 2021!). The rooms here had a small kitchen/living room area with a dining table for four and then the main bedroom with two queen-sized beds and a bathroom with the sink located outside of it. This was actually an ideal set-up as people could still use the sink as others showered.

Breakfast was also included with our stay, so we headed down at 7AM each morning to get your standard hotel breakfast (eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, cereal, fruits, oatmeal, pastries, etc.). Surprisingly, they also had a few mickey waffle irons, so if you wanted to add some disney magic to your stay, you could make some of these yourself!

As I mentioned above, this hotel complex (Flamingo Crossing) is still relatively new and you can tell that there will be plenty of new hotels/business that will also be popping up in the area soon. As of this writing, there is currently Hilton's Homewood Suites, and Home2Suites as well as Marriott's Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, Springhill Suites, and Towneplace Suites in the area. They also have a Target, Starbucks, and Walgreens in walking distance. It was also located only a few minutes off of Disney Property, which made the drive super convenient and we were able to get to all of the parks in 12-20 minutes on average. We also decided to rent a car and parking was free, which is not the case at many hotels!! They do have a shuttle option...but I'm not sure how many people actually take it as it is a third-party contractor, costs $7 per person each way, and had specific pick-up and drop-off times.

If anyone has any questions about our stay, feel free to drop them below! This was the first time I had heard of Flamingo Crossings and was pleasantly surprised by how convenient it was to stay off-property and how much money we actually saved. I am tempted to switch an upcoming family vacation to Flamingo Crossing, but I know how much the kids wanted to stay at Art of Animation!!

I think now that the Hiltons and the stores were built we will see lots more folks staying there. I am booked for May there, and love the location. Thank you so much for your review!!!

 

[TamaraQT]

With our party size, we ended up choosing Homewood Suites because it offered a little more space for a small increase in price and it was pretty new (built February 18, 2021!).

Breakfast was also included with our stay, so we headed down at 7AM each morning to get your standard hotel breakfast (eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, cereal, fruits, oatmeal, pastries, etc.). Surprisingly, they also had a few mickey waffle irons, so if you wanted to add some disney magic to your stay, you could make some of these yourself!

I am tempted to switch an upcoming family vacation to Flamingo Crossing, but I know how much the kids wanted to stay at Art of Animation!!

I am hearing more and more about this place and the Flamingo Crossing area. I think I will give it some consideration when we choose to arrive in Orlando the day before we check into our resort. I am glad you enjoyed it. I prefer off-site resorts anyway. Wyndham Bonnet Creek is a favorite since it's within the Disney gates but without the Disney price tag. It also provides way more space. I also have stayed at AoA for 3 nights when my daughter was 9. She enjoyed it but was looking forward to check out day so we could go over to an offsite resort. She was not enamored by staying in the Disney bubble. She grew up going to the resorts since she was 1. She enjoys offsite resort amenities so much more than she did AoA. Thanks for sharing your Flamingo Crossing experience. It will definitely be on the list when we need a quick stay.

 

[DL1WDW2]

The new Residence Inn is huge and looks like the Grand Floridian with red roof!

 

[DL1WDW2]

And obey speed limits…everytime I drive over to check out construction progress… speed trap …

 

[Southernswthrt]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your review! We currently have an onsite reservation but I am strongly considering switching to the Homewood Suites at Flamingo Crossing. There are zero discounts for our dates and I can't justify the price tag anymore. I was hoping to change my existing reservation through Disney to Homewood. Were you able to make access Genie+ at 7am staying there? Did you feel as though you were missing out on the early park entry? I love staying onsite in the MK area, but right now, The savings from POFQ to Homewood is over $900 and the savings over AKL is $2100. TIA

 

[Southernswthrt]

deleted

 

[kshu2014]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your review! We currently have an onsite reservation but I am strongly considering switching to the Homewood Suites at Flamingo Crossing. There are zero discounts for our dates and I can't justify the price tag anymore. I was hoping to change my existing reservation through Disney to Homewood. Were you able to make access Genie+ at 7am staying there? Did you feel as though you were missing out on the early park entry? I love staying onsite in the MK area, but right now, The savings from POFQ to Homewood is over $900 and the savings over AKL is $2100. TIA

Ah sorry! We didn't utilize the Genie+ option on our vacation, so I can't provide any tips there, but I would definitely clarify with your travel agent/Disney about the status of the Homewood Suites. It seems like they haven't clarified within their own system where it currently stands. Based off my conversation with Guest Relations, Homewood Suites is a "preferred Good Neighbor Hotel" or a part of the Gateway Hotel program, which enabled us to book 60 days out + 10 days of our stay. However, it doesn't show up in your MyDisneyExperience that way and you have to call the dining line the first morning you're eligible and they'll transfer you internally to a Guest Relations cast member who will book experiences for you. This is extremely fustrating since you miss out on the first 1.5-2 hours that morning, but still better than having to log-in each day! And by "internal confusion," there was one cast member that I interacted with that said "Homewood Suites isn't on our list of Good Neighbor hotels" but then she dug a little further and it was just their internal lists that had yet to be updated.

As for early park entry, would it have been nice to get in slightly earlier? Yes, of course, but I didn't realize how much $$$ would be saved staying off-site. It was literally a 57% saving from Homewood Suites to Art of Animation ($1,700!!). I also think early rope drop was reduced to 30 minutes and there's also some rides that don't even open then (i.e. We watched the park-opening show at Magic Kingdom, which had Mickey & Friends on stage and then immediately headed to Jungle Cruise but the queue had not yet opened). We also arrived at Rope Drop each day and had plenty of time to get through the rides. I do wonder if Homewood Suites qualifies for early park entry, even though it's not currently listed on the official Walt Disney World website.

In the past year alone, I've stayed at Pop Century, Riviera, All Star Music, and now Homewood Suites. We are also DVC members at Polynesian, so we definitely do splurge at Disney for the convenience of living on-site, but honestly, after staying here, it seems crazy to spend so much money to stay on-property when this was so convenient! Many of the on-site perks have been reduced or are hit-or-miss. Magical Express is gone, so you're paying extra to get to/from the property. Disney buses are being contracted out, so you could wait anywhere from 10 minutes to 50 minutes for a bus to show up (happened to when we stayed at Pop Century & All Star Music). No free magic band, so you're either using your card, buying a new one, or re-using an older band. Even with free parking at Homewood Suites, we never had to fight for a parking space and breakfast was included?? Even that saved us one Disney meal per day.

Happy to answer any other questions!

 

[Southernswthrt]

Thanks for your reply! We actually are within the 60-day window now, so our ADR's are already booked. I'm hoping that switching resorts but still booking thru Disney (not directly with Homewood Suites) will not impact our existing park and dining reservations. I also booked thru a TA, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. For many years, we stayed exclusively in a condo at WBC - loved it there. The last 6 years or so, we have stayed onsite - mainly at POLY and CR. Our last trip was POFQ and this is also our current reservation, and while it was a great resort - I just do not feel that I can justify staying at a Disney moderate for full rack rate. The offsite options offer a lot more space for a lot less money. POLY is still my absolute favorite, but I can't justify that price with no type of discount and all the perks being taken away. After staying Deluxe - which I feel the location is the biggest attraction, the moderates just don't have any appeal anymore. My daughter wants to switch to AKL, but I just can't get excited about that resort enough to justify paying rack rate....decisions/decisions!!!

 

[TamaraQT]

The new Residence Inn is huge and looks like the Grand Floridian with red roof!
View attachment 641215

Nice!!

 

[TamaraQT]

Thanks for your reply! We actually are within the 60-day window now, so our ADR's are already booked. I'm hoping that switching resorts but still booking thru Disney (not directly with Homewood Suites) will not impact our existing park and dining reservations. I also booked thru a TA, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. For many years, we stayed exclusively in a condo at WBC - loved it there. The last 6 years or so, we have stayed onsite - mainly at POLY and CR. Our last trip was POFQ and this is also our current reservation, and while it was a great resort - I just do not feel that I can justify staying at a Disney moderate for full rack rate. The offsite options offer a lot more space for a lot less money. POLY is still my absolute favorite, but I can't justify that price with no type of discount and all the perks being taken away. After staying Deluxe - which I feel the location is the biggest attraction, the moderates just don't have any appeal anymore. My daughter wants to switch to AKL, but I just can't get excited about that resort enough to justify paying rack rate....decisions/decisions!!!

Have you asked your TA to take a look at packages at offsite resorts? Especially the ones that are considered "good neighbors". Just out of curiosity or for future knowledge. Booking yourself or using a TA is a matter of convenience. The price should be the same. However, some TAs have wiggle room and can get better deals not advertised to public. I used to be a TA so there's that experience. The "used to be" says it all.

 

[kshu2014]

Thanks for your reply! We actually are within the 60-day window now, so our ADR's are already booked. I'm hoping that switching resorts but still booking thru Disney (not directly with Homewood Suites) will not impact our existing park and dining reservations. I also booked thru a TA, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. For many years, we stayed exclusively in a condo at WBC - loved it there. The last 6 years or so, we have stayed onsite - mainly at POLY and CR. Our last trip was POFQ and this is also our current reservation, and while it was a great resort - I just do not feel that I can justify staying at a Disney moderate for full rack rate. The offsite options offer a lot more space for a lot less money. POLY is still my absolute favorite, but I can't justify that price with no type of discount and all the perks being taken away. After staying Deluxe - which I feel the location is the biggest attraction, the moderates just don't have any appeal anymore. My daughter wants to switch to AKL, but I just can't get excited about that resort enough to justify paying rack rate....decisions/decisions!!!

Yes, that all makes sense! Unfortuanately the "Spring into Magic" deal doesn't start until April 18, or else that might make your decision a little easier! I also think the dining reservations, etc. will stay with your account, but you may need to make new park reservations, but your TA can confirm for you.

If you're looking to stay at AKL, have you tried renting points for the week?

 

[Southernswthrt]

Have you asked your TA to take a look at packages at offsite resorts? Especially the ones that are considered "good neighbors". Just out of curiosity or for future knowledge. Booking yourself or using a TA is a matter of convenience. The price should be the same. However, some TAs have wiggle room and can get better deals not advertised to public. I used to be a TA so there's that experience. The "used to be" says it all.

I usually book myself but usually use a TA when staying on property b/c some get additional perks/savings. For the first time in many, many years, there are absolutely no discounts for our trip at all. I priced the Homewood myself thru Disney's website with the same tickets we would have at the onsite hotel. We will have a rental car, so the bus situation is not an issue. I will contact her tomorrow to get a quote on the Homewood. I'm expecting it to be what is on Disney's site.

Yes, that all makes sense! Unfortuanately the "Spring into Magic" deal doesn't start until April 18, or else that might make your decision a little easier! I also think the dining reservations, etc. will stay with your account, but you may need to make new park reservations, but your TA can confirm for you.

If you're looking to stay at AKL, have you tried renting points for the week?

Exactly! I really thought a discount would be released for our dates but nothing at all. I don't mind paying the premium to stay onsite with a decent discount, but I'm just having a really hard time justifying the prices for our trip next month. Our payment is due this week, so we have to make a decision.

I've looked at the two major DVC rental websites with no luck - our dates are only about 5 weeks away so there is pretty much no availability.

Thanks for your replies!

 

[georgina]

We actually are within the 60-day window now, so our ADR's are already booked. I'm hoping that switching resorts but still booking thru Disney (not directly with Homewood Suites) will not impact our existing park and dining reservations.

Dining reservations are not tied to any resort reservations. Park reservations require tickets but not a resort reservation. So going offsite as long as you still have tickets will not impact those, you don't need to book through Disney. We have been staying at the Flamingo Crossings area for several years and like the location, free breakfasts and free parking. Last trip the Springhill Suites was showing its age, going to try Fairfield next time with a Marriott free night certificate.

 

[kshu2014]

I usually book myself but usually use a TA when staying on property b/c some get additional perks/savings. For the first time in many, many years, there are absolutely no discounts for our trip at all. I priced the Homewood myself thru Disney's website with the same tickets we would have at the onsite hotel. We will have a rental car, so the bus situation is not an issue. I will contact her tomorrow to get a quote on the Homewood. I'm expecting it to be what is on Disney's site.


Exactly! I really thought a discount would be released for our dates but nothing at all. I don't mind paying the premium to stay onsite with a decent discount, but I'm just having a really hard time justifying the prices for our trip next month. Our payment is due this week, so we have to make a decision.

I've looked at the two major DVC rental websites with no luck - our dates are only about 5 weeks away so there is pretty much no availability.

Thanks for your replies!

I forgot to mention that we had access to Quick Service Dining Cards with the package, which we ended up maxing out so that I could take them with my family in the future and they just paid for whatever they used. Essentially a 12.5% discount on quick service (Satu'li Canteen, snacks, etc) but if you paid for your package with Disney gift cards, then really a 16.9% discount. I have about $1,200 left over for future trips (this April).

 

[TamaraQT]

I priced the Homewood myself thru Disney's website with the same tickets we would have at the onsite hotel.

Priced thru DISNEY website? Have you tried outside of Disney website? Like someone said, dining reservations are thru park tickets and not room stay. It sounds like you already purchased tickets, so it won't matter. My point is to price your vacation with an off-property reservation system outside of Disney. I wouldn't view the prices from Disney website as "comparable" until compared to another website. It may be too late to make changes so maybe you might not want to look at price differences at this point.