Hawthorne Suites Seaword, Comfort Suites... I am worrying here!

[tinkjeanie]

I am planning our November trip for myself and my two children, my brother and his family of four. I found Hawthorne Suites for $64.50 per night and I see I can get a good deal at Comfort. I think that is closer to Disney World (I would rather be right IN Disney world mind you... but that is another story)

Is comfort a good place to stay? Hawthorne sounds very nice... but it further from Disney. Any advice would be appreciated. I have not stayed off site before.
We will be spending four days at Disney, two at Universal and one Seaworld.
Thanks!!!

 

[FINFAN]

TINKJEANIE, I am trying to make up my mind as well...the 2 suite/type hotel I have ressies for are comfort suites have heard all good about this place check out website at www.comfortsuitesfl.com another choice you may want to consider is a brand new Marriott Residence Inn that will open this month. A 1 bedroom suite(2 qn beds in bedroom) and a sleeper sofa in living area w/full kitchen, complimentary hot bkfst and from what I understand by another post comp. cocktail hour...$89 p nite.No codes needed for this one, and only $2 more p nite than reg rate at CSMGE.RI info can be found at www.orlandodiscountrooms.com or call toll-free 866-811-6530.Check the mousesavers.com website tho,you may be able to get a great fall rate on-site for that time of year....even if you split your visit to be both on/off site.We are contemplating the same thing since DH would LOVE comp. cocktail hour and kids would enjoy themes at all hotels and I would enjoy stying at a new resort that is only 6 weeks old!
Have fun planning, and let your bro in on the DIS...once he sters he will be hooked and may choose to stay on-site as well!

 

[addictedtoWDW]

We stayed @ Comfort Suites Maingate East in December & it was wonderful. Very clean, great staff, an awesome complimentary continental breakfast and free shuttle service to all the WDW parks, Universal & IoA, and Seaworld. It's a fairly new hotel and has a great location about 2-3 minutes from the WDW main gate. I have never stayed at the other property. Hope this helps.

 

[Margie J]

If the Hawthorne Suites is located on Palm Parkway, that is very close to Disney. Check the address in the ad you saw. Palm Parkway is near to Downtown Disney (maybe 3-4 blocks) and is a quiet raodway. Many of the hotels here are new. From Palm Parkway it is fairly easy to get to both Universal and SeaWorld too without getting on I-4.

It sounds like the Comfort Suites is located on I-192 in Kissimmee, by the previous post (although I think there are several in the area). I-192 isn't far but does get quite crowded. It is a very busy roadway and has tons of tacky T-shirt shops, restaurants, neon lights, etc.

 

[sgtdisney]

As far as chains go, Hawthorne is more upscale than Comfort, so that may be a consideration.

 

[susy]

tinkjeanie,
Hi! We are also going in November for three nights at the Wilderness Lodge. I can't wait. Some of the hotels at Downtown Disney are very economical and it's still a "Disney" resort. Last year in November we stayed at the Lake buena Vista Best Western (I think that's right) for 89.00 a night and it was VERY nice. Also, if you are a AAA member-it's not too late to join- they are having a great special- 69.00 a night at the Courtyard by Marriott, right at Downtown Disney. Do some checking around until you find something you'll really like.Let me know how it goes!Susy
PS .comfort is OK, but that's more like a hotel I would stay at if I'm just concerned about a bed and that's it (like when traveling). Remember that the parks close early that time of year .

 

[aec]

SUZY,

How do you get the $69 AAA rate at the courtyard LBV. The marriott web site shows $98 rate for AAA?

Any other good deals out there for hotels at downtown disney?

We only need one night after our 7 day stay at a timeshare.

Thanks!

 

[susy]

I saw the 69.00 rate in the AAA magazine that they send to our home. My sister just got her magazine recently and it said the same thing.
As far as traveling in November, we are moving our dates from the first week to the second because of what I've read on these forums about New Jersey week. The teachers have a convention and the public schools are closed as well!

 

[susy]

tinkjeanie, I just doble-checked their website. Go to the official AAA website. Click on Discount hotels and scroll down to Lake Buena Vista. Courtyard by Marriott L.B.V at vista Center has rooms for 69.00 through the end of the year. I'm not sure exactly where it's located. You would have to call.

 

[tinkjeanie]

I really appreciate your input.. thanks! Okay, the Courtyard sounds more like what I want as it is so close to everything at Disney... however... even at $69.00 (which is a GREAT deal) my brother would have to buy breakfast for his family of 5. That alone would probably cost a forture... do you think there are rooms with fridges as it does not look like they have complimentary breakfasts. Once again, thanks for your concern. You guys are great!

 

[tinkjeanie]

I called Courtyard about the $69/rate for AAA members... she said it should have read $69 and up and that for that November timeframe it is $98/night. I guess I shall carry on and keep looking elsewhere.

 

[Margie J]

Just a note on those free breakfasts - Some are terrible. Don't shop those hotel rates by the breakfast alone. In addition, there are places where you can get a cheap and good breakfast, like the Waffle House or Perkins. If a room has a refrigerator and coffeemaker, breakfast can be had there. Pick up some cereal, muffins, fruit, juice, etc. and it will be better than some hotel offerings.

Do check for places along Palm Parkway. It is a block from Hotel Plaza Boulevard (where the Courtyard is) and the prices are lower. There are plenty of suite hotels there now and many do offer both breakfast and park transportation. Look for Sierra Suites, Hawthorne Suites, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, etc.

I have used this web site for great prices:
Hotel Kingdom

 

[susy]

I don't know about you guys, but I just can't do the parks on a full tummy (think about it). We bring nutri grain bars and orange juice boxes in a small cooler. We are planning to do Chef Mickey's for a CB on the morning we leave. I agree on not going by breakfasts.

 

[scanmom]

We stayed at the Hawthorn Suites SW in March and we were very pleased with it. We had 6 of us and there was plenty of room. We also got the 64.50 rate and I thought we got a bargain. The free breakfast was nothing special, but quite edible and that saved us about 40.00 per day! The drive to disney took about 5-10 min. and was never a problem. The only thing I wish we had was Early Entry, but the time we were there was not very busy, and we used fastpass so we saw everything we wanted too with a 4 day hopper. We didn't use the pool, it was a bit chilly for that, but we saw it and it looked nice enough. The staff was friendly and helpful. I liked this hotel.

 

[Libby]

We stayed at the Hawthorn Suites - near I-Drive in Dec 1999. We had a one bedroom apartment with seperate bedroom with 2 double beds, and a lounge with small kitchette. We had the free breakfast nearly every day, and found it to be of good quality. The pool was beautiful and generally the place has a very nice feel to it. BUT it is a good 20min drive to the disney parks. When we booked we didn't realize it was so far away but if you are prepared then that should be okay. Also avoid driving at peak times - we got caught late one afternoon - the only day we took a midday break - heading back to MK for the evening parades. I would definitely give the Hawthron suites the thumbs up.

Libby

 

[Margie J]

A few prices for you in the Lake Buena Vista area (November):


Hawthorne Suites, LBV $79.90

Sierra Suites, King Suite $74.90, Queen Suite $84.90

Summerfield Suites, LBV one-bedroom suite $98.90

Homewood Suites $99.90


Another thing to do, check with the Tourist Bureau. They have an Orlando MagiCard with lots of discounts including hotels, restaurants and attractions.


Orlando Tourist Bureau

 

[aec]

LIBBY,

were you at the Hawthorne near Sea world (westwood blvd) or the Hawthorne Universal on Canada Ave??

We are staying for one week at the HGVC near sea world for 7 nights and might spend an 8th night at the hawthorne on Westwood, I hope our drive won't be as long as you describe.

Thanks!