Hilton at Downtown Disney

[Metallicat]

Just returned from a spur of the moment trip to WDW and all they had available on short notice was the Hilton at downtown disney. They do get early entry for the parks and also e ride nights which we were thankfull for. The hotel was well kept and clean but I have a couple of gripes about the place. First of all, they give a little holder type thing with your room keys (cards) and inside it says to stop by guest services for your complimentary gift. we did and found out we had to do a timeshare presentation then we would get a free gift. HA! no way! also they charge $4.00 per day for use of their room safes. I have never heard of charging guests to protect your property from their staff because they are the only ones who have keys to get into your room so, I guess if you dont rent the safe, you are pretty much open to be robbed by their own people. that stinks. they charge $4.00 per half hour PLUS TAX to play a game of pool in their lobby. I didn't think they could charge tax on a game of pool but they do. finding a parking place was next to impossible. after 3 days we were able to move to Disneys sports resort and it was a breath of fresh air. transportation was 100% better, food was cheaper, always a parking spot and they don't charge for their room safes. I rank the Hilton at DD as one of the worse on property hotels in the way that they treat their guests. I don't see why Disney allows them to be a disney hotel because they just dont have the magic at all. Linda

 

[spiceycat]

the Hilton is one of the best hotels in DD.

so don't stay in the others if you were that unhappy with the Hilton.

someone once say that staying in DD was like staying in a colony - it was nice - but it wasn't WDW.

 

[CarolA]

I really like the Hilton. The location is great, you can just walk to DTD. WHile they do charge for the safe all the other resort or 4 star hotels not owned by Disney charge for a resort fee or for parking so there is no big difference there. As for only the hotel staff getting access to your room, I have news for you. Professional theives can and do break into hotel rooms in resort areas. There is nothing to stop them from doing that besides security and your care at ANY resort hotel including the one's owned by Disney.

I have never had problems parking and I have been there at some very busy times. (July 4th , President's Day etc..) I generally don't use the DTD bus transport, but drive when I stay there. While it is probably not as good as the Disney it is better then the other offsite transports I have seen.

 

[Metallicat]

I have stayed in the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans, Sports & Music and none of these charged extra for their room safes or charged a parking lot fee.

I would think the Hilton would want to protect themselves a little better than that. suppose someone doesn't rent their safe and are robbed? the first finger pointed will be at the maids because who else has direct access to your room and is in there alone with the door shut? plus some of us just hate "hidden fees" like that and will not rent it.
For the money, I will stay in a REAL Disney hotel from now on. I feel much safer over there anyway. at least they have a checkpoint for cars entering the hotel grounds and pretty much know who is at their hotel at all times. any old joe off the street could just walk in the hilton.

 

[CarolA]

As I said The Resort Fee or Parking fee is standard at 4 or 5 star hotels NOT owned by Disney. I am also willing to bet you paid more at the Disney Deluxe hotels then the Hilton.

The only reason most of these hotels even have safes is because at one point the Florida regulatory boards made them. As for Disney knowing who is at the hotels, please don't rely on this and let your guard down. They don't really know! I could take the bus from the TTC to any hotel and no one would know I was there. No I am not going to do anything, but... someone else might. I was at Disney several years ago when a man took his own son hostage at the Boardwalk!

 

[poohbear1029]

We have stayed there 3 times on SOG overflow and have purposely requested it 2 of those times! We find for a non-Disney hotel it is fantastic, clean and within walking distance to DTD. We have never had a bad experience there!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Stayed there years ago and was not all that thrilled. I felt the All Star or Carribbean Beach was actually much nicer AND a lot less expensive. My solution to your problem is to write (not e mail) customer service with a cc to the president at the main headquarters. You would be surprised to find out how much clout you have.
With the many hotels in the Orlando area and the timeshare suites available at a much less expensive rate, no one should have to pay to play a game or have their valuables secure! Hilton was building a timeshare property at the nicer end of I Drive and I am betting that they do not want somthing like this to sour prospective buyers. You can get the names of the "big wigs" on line.

 

[its_gail]

We stayed at the Hilton earlier this month and I found the place quite nice -- especially since we only paid $60 a night through Priceline! I really liked being able to walk to Downtown Disney and the shuttles to the parks.
As to the safes, I make it a point not to bring any valuables with me when I go on vacation. If someone breaks into our room, all they're going to get is clothes.