Gaylord Palms vs Downtown Disney

[scejas]

Hey everyone,

I could use a little help making my decision. Right now I got quotes for the Gaylord Palm (heard really nice things about it) and the Hilton at Downtown Disney and they are both $149.99

I'm indecisive about which one to pull the trigger on...

Thanks!

 

[lunsusie]

With price being the same, I would go with the Gaylord Palms. We have stayed in both, and both hotels are nice, but the Gaylord is spectacular!

 

[horseshowmom]

While the Hilton looks fine (I haven't stayed there), from the outside it looks pretty much like a standard Hilton hotel. The Gaylord Palms is spectacular. We also haven't stayed there, but we toured it when we went to see ICE! there a couple of years ago.

One thing to check on. I think the Gaylord charges for parking (which is absolutely ridiculous), but I don't think the Hilton does. You might also ask about "Resort Charges" that are in addition to the regular room charge.

Good luck!

 

[scejas]

Thanks for the feedback -- i was looking on travelocity and the reviews were baaaaaaaaad on the service and hidden charges at the Gaylord.

I think I"ll stick with the Hilton and the extra Magic Hours

 

[kerrynic78]

We just stayed at the Hilton and it was great. We had a view of the fireworks and Downtown Disney. The service was really good as well and the pool area was very nice. I love eating and walking around Gaylord Palms but have never stayed there.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I stayed there last summer for about five nights. I would certainly disagree with them having bad service! I found the service some of the best I've ever experianced. I've stayed on site at Disney, at several high end hotels in the DC area and other resorts. Gaylord is on the top! I'd stay at the Gaylord for even more a night than the price that you have been quoted!

 

[CarolA]

A few other things.

1. Do you have a car? If not, I vote Hilton
2. Gaylord charges for parking and has a "daily" resort fee. I know Hilton parking is free, but I can't recall anything about the resort fee off the top of my head. (That's probably the "hidden" charge.

3. Both of these hotels are "convention/meeting" hotels, but Gaylord has a much bigger convention presence.

4. The Gaylord is HUGE. I was there for a meeting and it's a LONG walk from the parking lot to the rooms LOL! (Espeically when there is a big meeting with lots of folks parking!)

5. If it's near the holidays, Gaylord does a great job on decorations!

 

[Sunresortvillas]

Don't use the phone if you stay at the Gaylord, we stayed for 4 nights a couple of years ago and had to call home (England) a few times (not loads), my bill was in excess of $600.

I do expect to pay over the odds for dialling international and from a hotel, but those charges were just ridiculous, especially as I know you can get very cheap call packages for international calls (I own rental homes and offer all my guests free international world wide calls, that costs me $35 a MONTH!).

As there was no notice at all in the room about the cost of calls, I did complain and in the end I only had to pay 10% of the bill.

 

[hmp2z]

Don't use the phone if you stay at the Gaylord, we stayed for 4 nights a couple of years ago and had to call home (England) a few times (not loads), my bill was in excess of $600.

This is a standard risk, unless you use a pre-paid calling card. We once called from our AT&T calling card at a pay phone, and they tried to charge us $35 for a 3 minute inter-state call! When we complained, they asked, "How much would you be willing to pay?" I told them a dollar, and that's how much they charged us. My husband says those crazy rates are illegal, but they can get away with them unless you file a complaint. The best thing to do is use a pre-paid calling card when you're traveling, or, better yet, your own cell phone.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Is the Hilton within walking distance of Downtown Disney?

 

[CarolA]

Yes, the Hilton is the closest hotel to DTD. Just across the street.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Yes, the Hilton is the closest hotel to DTD. Just across the street.

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

Location, location, location.

I'd choose the Hilton based on the location, no parking fee, and the early entry perks.

The Gaylord is nice, but IMHO not all that. I also think that the food prices there are obscene, and I've yet to have what I'd call a really good meal there. If you end up there during a large convention, you'll find a lot of the less expensive food option places closed to the public as they host private parties.

Once you're at the Gaylord, you're stuck there. Nothing is within walking distance. At the Hilton if you don't like any of the food selections there, you can walk to DTD or nay number of other hotels.

Anne