Hilton Comparison - Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista vs. Doubletree Disney Springs

[Eeyore1220]

Hi all! We're looking to use Hilton points for our June trip and we are currently booked at the Doubletree Disney Springs. We've stayed there before and liked the space, but we're certainly not married to it. I just saw that for the same amount of points, I can book the same two-queen suite with sofabed (we have three adults and two kids) at the Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista. Seems that hotel has no resort fee, free parking (we rented a car), and free breakfast. So... what's the catch? Lol. I read some reviews but I trust Disers for an honest opinion. If we plan to drive to the parks, is there any real downside to switching from DS to HS? Specific questions: is there a marked difference in space in the two-queen one-bedroom suites between the two hotels? Is one pool significantly nicer than another? Is the distance to the parks hugely different (we don't really care about the Disney Springs part of the Doubletree's location)? Thank you so much in advance for any guidance!

 

[Eeyore1220]

One more question to add - if we already linked our doubletree stay to MDE and booked our park reservations (a long time ago), will changing hotels now impact our park reservations? That would be a deal breaker.

 

[HopperFan]

Can't answer about park reservations, my guess is they are tied to the tickets not the hotel. At this point I don't think there is any benefit to put DS hotels on MDE because the perks are not being offered. But best to get clarification.

Difference .... stayed at both and like them both. Doubletree my favorite resort in Disney Springs for the space.

Homewood gives you more of a kitchen if you will use it - we do like the big fridge since we bring food & drink, and often bring back leftovers to heat later in microwave.

Doubletree allows you to walk to Disney Springs, but if I'm not having alcohol the drive is only a couple minutes longer to Homewood.

IF Disney Springs perks come back by your trip they would be lost at Homewood Suites.

I feel like Homewood bedroom is larger.

As you say breakfast is a big plus, we also grab fruit for our bag to take in parks. Even when we get Doubletree breakfast free we skip it because it is a poor setup.

Pools I would say equal. Doubletree is not nice enough for where it is located but it works to cool off. Homewood shares it's pool with Hilton Garden Inn (stayed few times there as well) and I actually like it. Again not huge, but most guests are at the parks. It is a tiled courtyard and has a tropical feel.

You can't go wrong with either. Like you say at Homewood you won't have to pay parking fee and get free breakfast.

 

[Eeyore1220]

Can't answer about park reservations, my guess is they are tied to the tickets not the hotel. At this point I don't think there is any benefit to put DS hotels on MDE because the perks are not being offered. But best to get clarification.

Difference .... stayed at both and like them both. Doubletree my favorite resort in Disney Springs for the space.

Homewood gives you more of a kitchen if you will use it - we do like the big fridge since we bring food & drink, and often bring back leftovers to heat later in microwave.

Doubletree allows you to walk to Disney Springs, but if I'm not having alcohol the drive is only a couple minutes longer to Homewood.

IF Disney Springs perks come back by your trip they would be lost at Homewood Suites.

I feel like Homewood bedroom is larger.

As you say breakfast is a big plus, we also grab fruit for our bag to take in parks. Even when we get Doubletree breakfast free we skip it because it is a poor setup.

Pools I would say equal. Doubletree is not nice enough for where it is located but it works to cool off. Homewood shares it's pool with Hilton Garden Inn (stayed few times there as well) and I actually like it. Again not huge, but most are at the parks. It is a tiled courtyard and has a tropical feel.

You can't go wrong with either. Like you say at Homewood you won't have to pay parking fee and get free breakfast.

Thank you so much!

 

[iloveokw]

I don't know if it would be a benefit to you but the Homewood Suites also has a managers reception on weekdays. They serve great dinners at them with wine, beer and soda. Breakfasts are good too. They have grills and kitchens (no oven) so you can easily fix meals.

 

[Eeyore1220]

I don't know if it would be a benefit to you but the Homewood Suites also has a managers reception on weekdays. They serve great dinners at them with wine, beer and soda. Breakfasts are good too. They have grills and kitchens (no oven) so you can easily fix meals.

Interesting - even during covid they’re doing that? I switched my reservation to homewood - 45 days to go!

 

[HopperFan]

I don't know if it would be a benefit to you but the Homewood Suites also has a managers reception on weekdays. They serve great dinners at them with wine, beer and soda. Breakfasts are good too. They have grills and kitchens (no oven) so you can easily fix meals.

Many of the Homewoods are no longer advertising those so not sure if COVID had cancelled them. We really enjoyed that perk and have had some great dinners (Mon-Thurs) and certainly nice to grab a beer. I see a few Embassy's have brought back the open bar reception but are not putting out food anymore. I think it is likely a case by case situation.

 

[Pooh's World]

Hi all! We're looking to use Hilton points for our June trip and we are currently booked at the Doubletree Disney Springs. We've stayed there before and liked the space, but we're certainly not married to it. I just saw that for the same amount of points, I can book the same two-queen suite with sofabed (we have three adults and two kids) at the Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista. Seems that hotel has no resort fee, free parking (we rented a car), and free breakfast. So... what's the catch? Lol. I read some reviews but I trust Disers for an honest opinion. If we plan to drive to the parks, is there any real downside to switching from DS to HS? Specific questions: is there a marked difference in space in the two-queen one-bedroom suites between the two hotels? Is one pool significantly nicer than another? Is the distance to the parks hugely different (we don't really care about the Disney Springs part of the Doubletree's location)? Thank you so much in advance for any guidance!

I've stayed at both.

I really like the large ceilings at Double Tree but the resort fees/parking fees always are a hinderance. (And with no extra magic hours seem useless). Also breakfast is not included although maybe it's free if you are a diamond member not sure. The Double Tree Sea World if you are a diamond member you get the full buffet breakfast (french toast, bacon, etc) for free at their Laguna restaurant. *Rates are great. Only downside here is that the walls are very thin in the tower so you need a sound machine/laptop sound to sleep).

The resort fee/parking fee being a factor I always prefer the Homewood Suites. Rooms are like every Homewood suites with full kitchen and fridge. As of two months ago the evening reception/meal is still suspended. But they do have a good box breakfast with pancakes (on certain days). They share a pool and basketball court with the Hilton Garden Inn. (Also if you stay at Hilton Garden Inn right now they make you go to the Homewood Suites to pick up breakfast)
LYNX bus stop right in front, and the White Castle/Portillo's is about a 10 minute walk.
Also shuttle to Disney/Universal a couple times in the morning/coming back at night.

 

[Eeyore1220]

I've stayed at both.

I really like the large ceilings at Double Tree but the resort fees/parking fees always are a hinderance. (And with no extra magic hours seem useless). Also breakfast is not included although maybe it's free if you are a diamond member not sure. The Double Tree Sea World if you are a diamond member you get the full buffet breakfast (french toast, bacon, etc) for free at their Laguna restaurant. *Rates are great. Only downside here is that the walls are very thin in the tower so you need a sound machine/laptop sound to sleep).

The resort fee/parking fee being a factor I always prefer the Homewood Suites. Rooms are like every Homewood suites with full kitchen and fridge. As of two months ago the evening reception/meal is still suspended. But they do have a good box breakfast with pancakes (on certain days). They share a pool and basketball court with the Hilton Garden Inn. (Also if you stay at Hilton Garden Inn right now they make you go to the Homewood Suites to pick up breakfast)
LYNX bus stop right in front, and the White Castle/Portillo's is about a 10 minute walk.
Also shuttle to Disney/Universal a couple times in the morning/coming back at night.

This is so helpful - thank you! I’m glad we switched.

 

[Pooh's World]

Hi all! We're looking to use Hilton points for our June trip and we are currently booked at the Doubletree Disney Springs. We've stayed there before and liked the space, but we're certainly not married to it. I just saw that for the same amount of points, I can book the same two-queen suite with sofabed (we have three adults and two kids) at the Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista. Seems that hotel has no resort fee, free parking (we rented a car), and free breakfast. So... what's the catch? Lol. I read some reviews but I trust Disers for an honest opinion. If we plan to drive to the parks, is there any real downside to switching from DS to HS? Specific questions: is there a marked difference in space in the two-queen one-bedroom suites between the two hotels? Is one pool significantly nicer than another? Is the distance to the parks hugely different (we don't really care about the Disney Springs part of the Doubletree's location)? Thank you so much in advance for any guidance!

Although if you are booking with points, I believe the resort fees are waived at Hilton.

 

[HopperFan]

Although if you are booking with points, I believe the resort fees are waived at Hilton.

Resort fees are waived but not parking. Doubletree will mean a daily parking fee of $22 vs Homewood of $0.

 

[Padstack]

I've stayed at both and prefer Homewood Suites. I like having a kitchen with the large fridge. I also like that it is quicker to get in and out of HS than DT. No waiting forever for an elevator and usually being able to park near an entrance, so no long walks from/to the car.

 

[HopperFan]

I've stayed at both and prefer Homewood Suites. I like having a kitchen with the large fridge. I also like that it is quicker to get in and out of HS than DT. No waiting forever for an elevator and usually being able to park near an entrance, so no long walks from/to the car.

Another plus ... if you plan to do any non-Disney dining there are many restaurants right there around the hotel before you enter Disney property.

When they were doing all that construction on the roads at Disney Springs I avoided the "Palm Parkway" hotels but now I am looking at them first.

 

[Eeyore1220]

You all are so helpful - many thanks!!!