Holiday Inn Downtown

[adkchick]

Hi,

I had reward nights and booked at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown Disney. It seemed to have decent reviews on TripAdvisor, but I would love to hear from trusted people here what they thought while I still have time to cancel if it's really bad.

I'm really curious about he shuttles, and the distance to downtown Disney. They say it's close and they say the shuttles run every 30 minutes to the theme parks.

Thanks!

 

[cgdisney2011]

I stayed at the holiday inn dtd for a long weekend. The hotel itself was very clean and the beds where comfortable. The walk to dtd was about 10 minutes, that was to the marketplace. Buses did run about every 30 minutes. Not as crowded as Disney buses but dropped you a little further away at the Parks. Also, mk you where dropped at the monorail.

Overall a nice hotel. I prefer staying on Disney property, but wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[LovesTimone]

DH and I have stayed here a few times, very clean, comfortable beds, bus service to the Parks and DTD, and within walking distance to DTD as well. Never any issues.

With that said, it does not have the Disney Magic feel, or themeing in the pool area, or grounds.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

This is fairly new hotel - use to be a Countryard by Marriot. It under went a MAJOR overhall about 2 years ago.

Here is an article from MouseSavers regarding this hotel

Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown
In October 2004, Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown (formerly the Courtyard by Marriott) closed down to repair hurricane damage. It sustained substantial damage from Hurricanes Charley and Frances. The hotel was in limbo for a long time. In February 2010, the hotel reopened following a top-to-bottom makeover of the guest rooms, restaurant and lounge, lobby, atrium and pool.

While it has been freshened up quite a lot, this remains a pretty basic hotel with limited facilities. The architecture is dated and somehow feels like a motel, even though all of the rooms open onto interior corridors. It is a 14-story building surrounding an atrium lobby.

Rooms offer the standard amenities youd expect from a Holiday Inn, with two Queen beds or one King bed. The atrium lobby has a restaurant/bar on the ground level, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. A grab-and-go area nearby allows you to pick up a few quick-service food and beverage items.

There is a nice new zero-entry pool and whirlpool spa, which are overlooked by room balconies. There is no shade at the pool except if the sun is in the right position, in which case the building shades it.

In addition the hotel offers a small, very basic fitness center, self-service laundry room and a game room for kids. There is both self-parking (for a fee) and valet parking (for a fee).

 

[bluejasmine]

This is what Mousesavers has on their site on Holiday Inn.

Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista (formerly Holiday Inn Sunspree) has undergone a massive renovation over the past two years. The three guest room towers were completely gutted and rebuilt, making this moderately priced and well-located property virtually equivalent to a newly built hotel. I am super impressed with the amenities, new rooms, attractive lobby and family-friendly atmosphere. Holiday Inn Resort is now run by a top management team that I’ve known for a long time (many of them came from another hotel that was previously a MouseSavers Preferred Hotel), and it shows. If you’re looking for exceptional value for a family, this is your place.

Located off Disney property, but only one mile from the east entrance of Walt Disney World Resort (about 2 miles driving distance from Downtown Disney), Holiday Inn Resort features 503 oversized standard rooms and 59 KidSuites. The hotel offers an attractive courtyard-style pool area, an on-site Applebee’s full-service restaurant with a Kids Eat FREE program and scheduled transportation to the Disney theme parks as well as to Universal Studios, SeaWorld and more (included in daily service fee). The hotel also offers a Pets Welcome program with pet-friendly accommodations.

All guest rooms at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista are equipped with a 27″ flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-refrigerator, single-cup coffee and tea maker, ironing board and iron, hair dryer and in-room safe. The upscale plush bedding is in warm and cheerful colors, and beds offer pillow choices of soft or firm — a feature not found in most hotels. The contemporary-designed rooms all feature granite and marble bathrooms. Pool view rooms include furnished balconies. All rooms have FREE wireless high-speed Internet access, and phones with private voicemail.

The extra-spacious standard rooms have two Queen beds or one King bed. Queen rooms sleep up to 4 people in two Queen beds (5 people with an added roll-away bed, available for $15/night). King rooms have a pull-out sofa and sleep up to 4. There are also KidSuites: special, kid-friendly mini-suites designed to give adults and children a little privacy. For those on a tight budget, KidSuites offer a separate area for the kids for about the price of a moderately-priced standard room elsewhere. KidSuites have all the amenities of a standard room, with a King-size bed and a partitioned-off area that includes its own television and one or two sets of bunk beds. Some KidSuites have two bunk beds that will sleep up to 4 pre-teen children (up to 6 people total per room) and some KidSuites have one bunk bed sleeping up to 2 pre-teen children, for a maximum of 4 people per room.

An Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill is attached to the hotel lobby and offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also an Applebee’s Tiki Bar (open seasonally) at the pool, serving the full Applebee’s menu. Room service is available from the Applebee’s menu. Up to four kids age 12 and under eat breakfast and dinner FREE from the Kids Menu at the hotel Applebee’s, when accompanied by one paying adult family member dining from the regular menu. There is a limit of 4 kids free per dining family.

Pinky’s Market Place and Gift Shop in the hotel lobby offers fresh-brewed Seattle’s Best Coffee, tea and espresso drinks, breakfast pastries, bagels, cereals and fruit, as well as gifts and small sundries. Many inexpensive dining options and a convenience store are located within easy walking distance of the hotel property.

One of the best features of this Holiday Inn Resort is its emphasis on family-friendly fun. The resort offers the largest heated pool in Lake Buena Vista, as well as a kids’ “splash pad” and two outdoor whirlpool spas. There are pool tables and ping-pong in the pool area.

Depending on season, the resort offers organized poolside games and activities for kids and adults, such as bingo and Dive-Inn Movies. There is also a half basketball court and playground on resort property, as well as a fitness center. For fun indoors, the hotel offers an arcade and game room with air hockey and video games, and a kids’ movie theater with Disney movies showing throughout the day and evening.

Pets are welcome at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista, and most rooms will accommodate small pets for a flat rate of $40 (or larger pets for $60) for any number of days up to 3 (so $80 for 6 days, etc.). Pets are allowed on property, but are not allowed anywhere in the pool area. Pets must stay in rooms when not accompanied by their owners. Make sure to check with the hotel on any other restrictions.

An ATM is available in the lobby. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available on-site, and dry cleaning services are available through the front desk.

Conveniently located self-parking at the hotel is included in the daily service fee. Valet parking is available at an extra charge of $12 per night. Scheduled shuttle service (also included in the daily service fee) is available to Walt Disney World theme parks, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Orlando Premium Outlets, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Orange County Convention Center. The number of destinations served is unusual, and can save you a lot on transportation. If you need a lot of flexibility (for example, if your kids are small and may need to return to the hotel mid-afternoon for a nap), I recommend renting a car. Otherwise the free transportation provided is adequate.

Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista offers a special deal for MouseSavers.com readers!

You get the Best Flex Rate (and 10% off KidSuites most nights), plus a FREE room upgrade to Pool View*, when available.
•To take advantage of the MouseSavers offer at Holiday Inn Resort, just click here!
•Alternatively, you can call the Holiday Inn at (866) 808-8833 and ask for the “Savers” rate. The in-house reservations office is open from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm ET.

*Book a non-Pool View room and at check-in, you will be upgraded to Pool View if available. (To see this benefit noted on the Holiday Inn site, click the link above, choose your dates and number of people in the room, and click on Check Availability. On the next page you’ll see a list of rates. Click the word SAVERS just above the list of rates and you’ll see a pop-up listing the MouseSavers upgrade benefit.)

There is a required service charge of $12.95/day plus tax, which includes self-parking, in-room safe and scheduled shuttle service to area attractions. The hotel has a 72 hour cancellation/change policy; no-shows or late changes will result in a penalty of one night’s room rate. A credit card is required to guarantee


I will be staying here for one night before we check into our WDW resort in Sept...

 

[hpfan100]

I've stayed at the downtown disney holiday inn with no issues. The beds were comfy and the rooms clean. I had a pool view room on the upper levels which was nice. The room had a fridge and couch to relax on. I felt the room was very spacious and clean. I did not use the buses since I had a car but the walk to DTD was super easy. It's a very nice hotel and I'm sure you will enjoy your stay!

 

[baler31]

This is what Mousesavers has on their site on Holiday Inn.

Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista (formerly Holiday Inn Sunspree) has undergone a massive renovation over the past two years. The three guest room towers were completely gutted and rebuilt, making this moderately priced and well-located property virtually equivalent to a newly built hotel. I am super impressed with the amenities, new rooms, attractive lobby and family-friendly atmosphere. Holiday Inn Resort is now run by a top management team that I’ve known for a long time (many of them came from another hotel that was previously a MouseSavers Preferred Hotel), and it shows. If you’re looking for exceptional value for a family, this is your place.

Located off Disney property, but only one mile from the east entrance of Walt Disney World Resort (about 2 miles driving distance from Downtown Disney), Holiday Inn Resort features 503 oversized standard rooms and 59 KidSuites. The hotel offers an attractive courtyard-style pool area, an on-site Applebee’s full-service restaurant with a Kids Eat FREE program and scheduled transportation to the Disney theme parks as well as to Universal Studios, SeaWorld and more (included in daily service fee). The hotel also offers a Pets Welcome program with pet-friendly accommodations.

All guest rooms at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista are equipped with a 27″ flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-refrigerator, single-cup coffee and tea maker, ironing board and iron, hair dryer and in-room safe. The upscale plush bedding is in warm and cheerful colors, and beds offer pillow choices of soft or firm — a feature not found in most hotels. The contemporary-designed rooms all feature granite and marble bathrooms. Pool view rooms include furnished balconies. All rooms have FREE wireless high-speed Internet access, and phones with private voicemail.

The extra-spacious standard rooms have two Queen beds or one King bed. Queen rooms sleep up to 4 people in two Queen beds (5 people with an added roll-away bed, available for $15/night). King rooms have a pull-out sofa and sleep up to 4. There are also KidSuites: special, kid-friendly mini-suites designed to give adults and children a little privacy. For those on a tight budget, KidSuites offer a separate area for the kids for about the price of a moderately-priced standard room elsewhere. KidSuites have all the amenities of a standard room, with a King-size bed and a partitioned-off area that includes its own television and one or two sets of bunk beds. Some KidSuites have two bunk beds that will sleep up to 4 pre-teen children (up to 6 people total per room) and some KidSuites have one bunk bed sleeping up to 2 pre-teen children, for a maximum of 4 people per room.

An Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill is attached to the hotel lobby and offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also an Applebee’s Tiki Bar (open seasonally) at the pool, serving the full Applebee’s menu. Room service is available from the Applebee’s menu. Up to four kids age 12 and under eat breakfast and dinner FREE from the Kids Menu at the hotel Applebee’s, when accompanied by one paying adult family member dining from the regular menu. There is a limit of 4 kids free per dining family.

Pinky’s Market Place and Gift Shop in the hotel lobby offers fresh-brewed Seattle’s Best Coffee, tea and espresso drinks, breakfast pastries, bagels, cereals and fruit, as well as gifts and small sundries. Many inexpensive dining options and a convenience store are located within easy walking distance of the hotel property.

One of the best features of this Holiday Inn Resort is its emphasis on family-friendly fun. The resort offers the largest heated pool in Lake Buena Vista, as well as a kids’ “splash pad” and two outdoor whirlpool spas. There are pool tables and ping-pong in the pool area.

Depending on season, the resort offers organized poolside games and activities for kids and adults, such as bingo and Dive-Inn Movies. There is also a half basketball court and playground on resort property, as well as a fitness center. For fun indoors, the hotel offers an arcade and game room with air hockey and video games, and a kids’ movie theater with Disney movies showing throughout the day and evening.

Pets are welcome at Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista, and most rooms will accommodate small pets for a flat rate of $40 (or larger pets for $60) for any number of days up to 3 (so $80 for 6 days, etc.). Pets are allowed on property, but are not allowed anywhere in the pool area. Pets must stay in rooms when not accompanied by their owners. Make sure to check with the hotel on any other restrictions.

An ATM is available in the lobby. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available on-site, and dry cleaning services are available through the front desk.

Conveniently located self-parking at the hotel is included in the daily service fee. Valet parking is available at an extra charge of $12 per night. Scheduled shuttle service (also included in the daily service fee) is available to Walt Disney World theme parks, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Orlando Premium Outlets, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Orange County Convention Center. The number of destinations served is unusual, and can save you a lot on transportation. If you need a lot of flexibility (for example, if your kids are small and may need to return to the hotel mid-afternoon for a nap), I recommend renting a car. Otherwise the free transportation provided is adequate.

Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista offers a special deal for MouseSavers.com readers!

You get the Best Flex Rate (and 10% off KidSuites most nights), plus a FREE room upgrade to Pool View*, when available.
•To take advantage of the MouseSavers offer at Holiday Inn Resort, just click here!
•Alternatively, you can call the Holiday Inn at (866) 808-8833 and ask for the “Savers” rate. The in-house reservations office is open from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm ET.

*Book a non-Pool View room and at check-in, you will be upgraded to Pool View if available. (To see this benefit noted on the Holiday Inn site, click the link above, choose your dates and number of people in the room, and click on Check Availability. On the next page you’ll see a list of rates. Click the word SAVERS just above the list of rates and you’ll see a pop-up listing the MouseSavers upgrade benefit.)

There is a required service charge of $12.95/day plus tax, which includes self-parking, in-room safe and scheduled shuttle service to area attractions. The hotel has a 72 hour cancellation/change policy; no-shows or late changes will result in a penalty of one night’s room rate. A credit card is required to guarantee


I will be staying here for one night before we check into our WDW resort in Sept...

.
I believe the OP is referring to the DTD Holiday Inn.

OP, we stayed there once and it was okay, our opinion is slightly tainted because we had electronics left out by my kids and they were missing when we returned to our room. They learned an important lesson (use the safe), but it did influence my opinion of the hotel. There were also problems with either the fire alarm malfunctioning or kids pulling the fire alarm resulting in our having to leave the hotel at 3am on two nights.

 

[bluejasmine]

.
I believe the OP is referring to the DTD Holiday Inn.

OP, we stayed there once and it was okay, our opinion is slightly tainted because we had electronics left out by my kids and they were missing when we returned to our room. They learned an important lesson (use the safe), but it did influence my opinion of the hotel. There were also problems with either the fire alarm malfunctioning or kids pulling the fire alarm resulting in our having to leave the hotel at 3am on two nights.

This actually is the DTD Holiday Inn
It's the one on Hotel Plaza Dr
ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & BWI Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[baler31]

This actually is the DTD Holiday Inn
It's the one on Hotel Plaza Dr
ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & BWI Sept 8-15, 2013

No sorry, the one on Hotel Plaza Dr. is a one tower building with no attached Applebees etc. Here is the link for the website with the info you posted: http://www.hiresortlbv.com/contact-...tels/us/en/lake-buena-vista/dislb/hoteldetail


Just want to make sure the OP has the correct info.

 

[bluejasmine]

No sorry, the one on Hotel Plaza Dr. is a one tower building with no attached Applebees etc. Here is the link for the website with the info you posted: http://www.hiresortlbv.com/contact-...tels/us/en/lake-buena-vista/dislb/hoteldetail


Just want to make sure the OP has the correct info.

Your right, I knew that it was a tower, we stay in that area twice a year for the night before we check into our WDW resort but I didn't even notice the AppleBees reference, hmm Mousesavers had this listed with the DTD resorts! oops!

 

[nichanda]

We spent 10 days there in Feb 2012. I loved the location. It was a quick walk to DTD and also an easy walk to the offsite shopping plaza at the other end of the street.

The buses were very reliable and did run every 30 mins. I never experienced a bus too crowded to get on, however we were there in Feb.

I've stayed on Disney property before and actually prefer the DTD hotels. I like the area and being able to walk to DTD any time I want. There is so much entertainment there all day, especially in the evening.

The rooms were nice. Spacious and clean. We liked the free wired internet in the room. We have no complaints. Each room had a mini fridge and microwave. We did snacks and some breakfasts in our room, which helped with our budget.

I would stay there again without hesitation.

 

[elsabear]

I stayed there about a year ago and really enjoyed my stay. Very clean, very helpful staff. Very responsive manager - I am a platinum member of Priority Club and when I emailed the manager about the parking fee (noting that some other HI properties had none) I was given the equivilant amount in credits to use onsite. In addition to the restaurant and bar they have a pantry type place with stuff like fruit and bagels etc. We had excellent meals in the restaurant too. I would definitely stay there again

 

[Melinda612]

We just got back from staying at this hotel and had a wonderful experience. Everyone there was so helpful and friendly. They have a little Disney shop, a small game room and a little snack area (where you can buy snacks & drinks.) We loved this hotel because it is so close to Downtown Disney & just a short cab ride ($8.00) to the grocery store & other restaurants.