Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs vs. OKW

[VAfamily1998]

We are a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids between the ages of 11-17.) We are going for Marathon weekend so our dates are not flexible. We currently have a 2 bedroom OKW reservation (Cash, directly through Disney) at $734 (average)/night. We will have a rental car.

A few days ago when they announced all the new perks that the Disney Springs hotels will now have, I looked into staying at one of them. The Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs has a 2 bedroom suite for $306/night (+ a parking fee and resort fees--but still, it will be almost $400/night cheaper than OKW!)

Pros of OKW:
Full Kitchen
Washer and Dryer in the room
"Disney feel"
Pool has a slide
Possibly easier transportation back to the resort if my older teens are doing the parks on their own

Pros of Hilton:
MUCH cheaper
has 3 bathrooms instead of 2


We weren't really planning to make full meals in the kitchen at OKW, just simple breakfasts and snacks...but $400/night could buy a lot of park snacks/breakfast!
And being January, I'm not sure that the pool slide is a huge perk.
I'm thinking the biggest difference will really be the transportation?

I've read some reviews saying that the Hilton is very dated and in need of a makeover, but I've heard the same thing about OKW, so that isn't too big an issue either.

WWYD? Would you allow teens to take the shuttle by themselves from the parks? Can you think of any other pros/cons that I didn't consider? Thank you!

Edited to add: I have an annual pass, so I should get free parking at the parks regardless, right?

 

[writerguyfl]

I've spent a lot of nights at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. It's an average hotel with a somewhat disinterested staff. At this point, I only stay there if the rate (including resort fee) is $115ish or less. Of course, that's based on a regular room.

Personally, I wouldn't say the rooms are dated as much as they are generic. The furnishings and decor will look like a standard Hilton hotel you'd find anywhere across the country. I was upgraded to one of their suites on one stay. Honestly, I can't remember if it was any different than the regular room. (I doubt it is.)

As long as you don't have super high expectations, it should work. If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the Hilton and save the $400/night. That's a ton of money.

I'm thinking the biggest difference will really be the transportation?

Transportation for the Disney Springs Hotels is different. Unlike Disney Resorts, the shuttles for the Hilton are scheduled. But, they do send one bus to two parks. For more details, check out this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-springs-hotels-bus-information.3653605/

Would you allow teens to take the shuttle by themselves from the parks?

If you are comfortable allowing your teens to be in the theme parks by themselves, it shouldn't be a problem letting them use the shuttles. The shuttles are run by Mears Transportation. (They run Disney's Magical Express service.) It's a well-run company...not some dodgy bus company like you might find at some off-site hotels.

The bus stops at the parks at usually a little further than the Disney Resort buses. But, it's pretty much just as safe.

Can you think of any other pros/cons that I didn't consider?

One big pro for the Hilton Lake Buena Vista is the location. You'll be a short walk to the Marketplace section of Disney Springs. If you use quick service dining, you can easily get to Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express.

I have an annual pass, so I should get free parking at the parks regardless, right?

Yes. All annual passes include free parking at the theme parks.

Finally, just be aware that the Hilton will have slightly less serene views than Disney's Old Key West. I believe all the suites are located at the ends of the Hilton tower. That means you'll get views of roads and possibly the parking lot. Of course, you probably won't be sitting and staring out the windows at the hotel. So, that might not matter.

Link to Bing Maps for this image: https://binged.it/2l3iIYe

 

[VAfamily1998]

I've spent a lot of nights at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. It's an average hotel with a somewhat disinterested staff. At this point, I only stay there if the rate (including resort fee) is $115ish or less. Of course, that's based on a regular room.

Personally, I wouldn't say the rooms are dated as much as they are generic. The furnishings and decor will look like a standard Hilton hotel you'd find anywhere across the country. I was upgraded to one of their suites on one stay. Honestly, I can't remember if it was any different than the regular room. (I doubt it is.)

As long as you don't have super high expectations, it should work. If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the Hilton and save the $400/night. That's a ton of money.



Transportation for the Disney Springs Hotels is different. Unlike Disney Resorts, the shuttles for the Hilton are scheduled. But, they do send one bus to two parks. For more details, check out this thread:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-springs-hotels-bus-information.3653605/



If you are comfortable allowing your teens to be in the theme parks by themselves, it shouldn't be a problem letting them use the shuttles. The shuttles are run by Mears Transportation. (They run Disney's Magical Express service.) It's a well-run company...not some dodgy bus company like you might find at some off-site hotels.

The bus stops at the parks at usually a little further than the Disney Resort buses. But, it's pretty much just as safe.



One big pro for the Hilton Lake Buena Vista is the location. You'll be a short walk to the Marketplace section of Disney Springs. If you use quick service dining, you can easily get to Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express.



Yes. All annual passes include free parking at the theme parks.

Finally, just be aware that the Hilton will have slightly less serene views than Disney's Old Key West. I believe all the suites are located at the ends of the Hilton tower. That means you'll get views of roads and possibly the parking lot. Of course, you probably won't be sitting and staring out the windows at the hotel. So, that might not matter.

Link to Bing Maps for this image: https://binged.it/2l3iIYe

Wow! Thank you so much for all the help! This is a tough decision.

 

[mjhtvchick]

Going to throw another wrench into your decision - what about two connecting rooms at a moderate like Port Orleans? Wouldn't be as cheap as the Hilton but would certainly be less than the 2 bedroom at OKW and would keep you "in the Disney bubble". Just a thought!

 

[HopperFan]

We are a family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids between the ages of 11-17.) We are going for Marathon weekend so our dates are not flexible. We currently have a 2 bedroom OKW reservation (Cash, directly through Disney) at $734 (average)/night. We will have a rental car.

A few days ago when they announced all the new perks that the Disney Springs hotels will now have, I looked into staying at one of them. The Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs has a 2 bedroom suite for $306/night (+ a parking fee and resort fees--but still, it will be almost $400/night cheaper than OKW!)

Pros of OKW:
Full Kitchen
Washer and Dryer in the room
"Disney feel"
Pool has a slide
Possibly easier transportation back to the resort if my older teens are doing the parks on their own

Pros of Hilton:
MUCH cheaper
has 3 bathrooms instead of 2


We weren't really planning to make full meals in the kitchen at OKW, just simple breakfasts and snacks...but $400/night could buy a lot of park snacks/breakfast!
And being January, I'm not sure that the pool slide is a huge perk.
I'm thinking the biggest difference will really be the transportation?

I've read some reviews saying that the Hilton is very dated and in need of a makeover, but I've heard the same thing about OKW, so that isn't too big an issue either.

WWYD? Would you allow teens to take the shuttle by themselves from the parks? Can you think of any other pros/cons that I didn't consider? Thank you!

Edited to add: I have an annual pass, so I should get free parking at the parks regardless, right?

What perks were you expecting? At marathon weekend the only perk you will get is Extra Magic Hours. And that weekend they are minimal.

 

[VAfamily1998]

What perks were you expecting? At marathon weekend the only perk you will get is Extra Magic Hours. And that weekend they are minimal.

Not really expecting perks, just the announcement put the thought it my head. Prior to that, the Disney Springs area hotels were never really on my radar.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Going to throw another wrench into your decision - what about two connecting rooms at a moderate like Port Orleans? Wouldn't be as cheap as the Hilton but would certainly be less than the 2 bedroom at OKW and would keep you "in the Disney bubble". Just a thought!

Unfortunately, it appears the pickings for any Disney hotels are slim for our dates. When I try to do a check online for a party of 4, the only options that come up are GF, CR, and CBR. I'd also worry that since Connecting rooms aren't guaranteed, we'd end up with rooms in totally separate buildings/areas.

 

[MrKnight]

Have you considered Hilton Bonnet Creek? They have special marathon packages with free transportation and special perks:

http://www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/marathon