Hilton downtown disney or Pop resort?

[Mills]

Reading feedback on tripadvisor, both have pro's and cons.

Both have free transport to the parks, which is good.

Hilton is closer to DD which is a bonus but the Pop seems to be a favourite with more feedback.

Was hoping you guys could help me with the decision. Thanks

 

[Goofyish]

Although both hotels offer free transportation the transport to and from the Hilton is not Disney Transportation:

Guests of the Hilton will enjoy complimentary transportation to all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) and Pleasure Island. Pick-ups for the Theme Parks are scheduled every 30 minutes from 1 hour prior to park opening until 2 hours after the parks close. Service to Disney’s Animal Kingdom may be contingent on the season, check with Guest Services to be sure. Buses to the Magic Kingdom will drop guests off at the Ticket & Transportation Center and you can ride Disney’s fun monorail system in the rest of the way to the Magic Kingdom. For transportation to the water parks, check with the Guest Services desk for the scheduled morning and afternoon pick-ups. Pleasure Island bus transportation is offered every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. Downtown Disney Marketplace and Downtown Disney West Side are only a short 5-10 minute walk away.</SPAN>[font=verdana,arial]<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O></O>[/font]</SPAN>[font=verdana,arial]<O></O>[/font]</SPAN>[font=verdana,arial]<O></O>[/font]</SPAN>

One of the main differences is the MK transport. Disney buses from POP drop you close to the park entrance. THe Hilton transport drops you at the TTC, meaning you need then to catch the monorail or ferry to MK.

 

[Pootle]

My friends stayed at the Hilton at Hotel Plaza Blvd during hurricane Frances - therefore they got to see a lot of their room which was very pleasant and quite spacious. It's a nice hotel with interior corridors (which I like).

I've not stayed at Pop but I have stayed at the All Stars which is similar apart from the theming, and the rooms are quite small with motel-type corridors outside your window and front door. I'd think children might prefer Pop to the Hilton, but I could be wrong. As an adult travelling without children, if prices were the same, I'd personally choose the Hilton.

The same friends are going again in November, but when we priced up the Hilton it was very expensive for the times they wanted. The Disney values would have been much cheaper and with the on-property advantage of the very regular Disney bus service etc.

 

[wayneg]

We have stayed at Hilton and AllStars. Much prefer Hilton. Walk to DTD. Bigger rooms. Not used transport at either so can't comment on that.
We got good rate at Hilton Xmas to NY around $69/night.
I am typing this from the Courtyard by Marriott LBV which is another 5 mins car journey away from DTD. Paid £25/ night incl, better than both above hotels imho

 

[gavvy]

Your comparing 2 totally different hotels really, Hilton is supposed to be 4* while Disney's value resorts are classed as either 2 and a half or 3*.

Ive not stayed in the hilton, but I know it gets fairly good reviews, it seems expensive though for what it is, and lacks the disney theaming of the value resorts.

Ive always been happy at POP, stayed there 4 times. I personally dont see the point in paying the extra for a moderate or a hotel like the hilton when I work out the amount of time I spend in the hotel, I dont swim so would not use the pool and never bother with roomservice.

Worth checking if the Hilton charge a "resort" fee too, a lot of the hotels on Hotel plaza Blvd do and it can be as high as $10 which over 2 weeks is more that the cost of a night at Pop!

 

[gismo1554]

If you've got kids Pop is probably better. Hilton is a much less Disneyfied hotel and it lovely but kids definately prefer Pop.

 

[Bozza]

I had a similar decision over the past couple of days for my short-notice trip next next.

Being in the 'travelling without kids' camp this time, it was a no-brainer really and I was going for the Hilton. The proximity to DTD is a real winner for me. Expedia.co.uk were offering excellent rates at £40 a night too.

Unfortunately, when I went to book it was no longer availalable so I had to start all over again but have got a good deal on POR so am happy with that.


Darren

 

[Lizzybear]

We're choosing Pop as we want to stay in an actual Disney hotel this trip for the onsite perks and atmosphere.. I know you get a lot of the perks with the 'good neighbour' hotels but it's not the same to me (not saying everyone should agree, JMO) Hilton are a very good chain though, and if you're flying with a scheduled carrier be sure to sign up for the Hilton hHonours rewards programme and you can 'doubledip' to get both loyalty points and airline miles!
I'm sure you'd have a great stay whichever one you chose.. Depends if you want to spend the extra money on a higher class of hotel or the atmosphere of staying in a Disney hotel.

 

[Mills]

Pricing them up, Hilton is more expensive, but still affordable.

I was thinking the Hilton as it says its closer to downtown disney, somewere we would probably spend a fair few nights, and wasnt sure of how close/easy to and from POP resorts are from DD. Also says it has transportation to and from the parks, was hoping someone would have more information on this?

 

[Bozza]

Pricing them up, Hilton is more expensive, but still affordable.

I was thinking the Hilton as it says its closer to downtown disney, somewere we would probably spend a fair few nights, and wasnt sure of how close/easy to and from POP resorts are from DD. Also says it has transportation to and from the parks, was hoping someone would have more information on this?

The DTD group of hotels have their own buses to transport to the parks. Some reports are not overly-positive on them (stating being a bit crowded and having to stand etc) but I used them when staying at the Marriott @ DTD (now the Holiday Inn, I think) a couple of years back and had no problem at all.


Darren