HOtel help_Hilton vs port orleans

[jcbohon]

Trying to decide between these two hotels- Disneys Port Orleans Resort or the Hilton???We have one night after our cruise and will be spending our time at Downtown Disney that last day-so we want a hotel that will be near there.
Anyone have experience good or bad with these that would help me make the decision?
-Note we will have a rental car but want the hotel with the easiest transportation to downtown disney-whether that be by water or shuttle or walking??
Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

go with the less expensive.

also consider renting points from a DVC member and rent SSR for one night stay - just don't do this on Fri or Sat (points are too expensive).

the HH is within walking distance - very, very, very busy road - so be sure to WAIT for the lights to change for you. All the traffic lights will all stop for the walkers....

SSR you go into DD back entrance - no crossing roads - then from DD you go into PI.

PO you can take a boat to DD then walk over to PI - but the boats closes before PI quits - so you will need a bus to get back to your resort.

 

[theking0075]

My first post and I can't believe someone is asking about the last two places I have stayed at in Orlando! We much preferred the Hilton. You just don't get good value from Port Orleans cause it is inside Disney and the Hilton is not. Port Orleans the rooms are smaller and have less "Extras" than the Hilton. Plus we found the staff at the Hilton to be much more friendly and helpful. Finally, the Hilton is closer to Downtown Disney. Your talking a 5 minute walk vs. a 15-20 minute boat ride. For us, it's no contest, go with the Hilton.

 

[MNmom2]

My first post and I can't believe someone is asking about the last two places I have stayed at in Orlando! We much preferred the Hilton. You just don't get good value from Port Orleans cause it is inside Disney and the Hilton is not. Port Orleans the rooms are smaller and have less "Extras" than the Hilton. Plus we found the staff at the Hilton to be much more friendly and helpful. Finally, the Hilton is closer to Downtown Disney. Your talking a 5 minute walk vs. a 15-20 minute boat ride. For us, it's no contest, go with the Hilton.

Can you please elaborate on the extras the the Hilton?? I thought we were set to stay at Nick, but am having second thoughts. I am now trying to decide whether or not to stay on or off/site and am overwhelmed with all of the info and just do not know which way to turn.

 

[KidGoofy]

My family loves Port Orleans and Downtown Disney.We usually stay at French Quarter but last October we stayed at Riverside.I have never been to the Hilton there before.At Port Orleans they have a boat ride and a shuttle but I prefer the boat because the drivers tell you really cool facts and you will see where the interns stay what used to be the treehouse hotel( not sure about the name ).If you want that Disney World fun you should stay at Port Orleans.

 

[theking0075]

Can you please elaborate on the extras the the Hilton??

Sure thing. I'm mainly talking about the fact that the rooms at the Hilton come with a mini fridge and a coffee maker, but at Port Orleans, they do not. They will only provide a mini fridge if you are diabetic and need it for medication. I just like to have my coffee before I leave the room in the morning, so it may not be as big a deal to some people. Plus, I think I payed about $40 a night more at Port Orleans to NOT have a mini fridge and Coffee Maker and that just didn't seem right to me. Plus, the Hilton has a business center for faxes and printing and the Port Orleans did not. Plus, Port Orleans only had once resturant and a very small gift shop that mainly stocked Disney stuff. The Hilton had multiple resturants, a 24 hour deli, and a gift shop packed with essentials such as coffee, soda, milk, cereal, etc.

 

[MNmom2]

Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[leight]

FYI- all the mods including POR now have fridges- not sure about the coffee makers- would like to know that if anyone can post?

 

[WaltD4Me]

Sure thing. I'm mainly talking about the fact that the rooms at the Hilton come with a mini fridge and a coffee maker, but at Port Orleans, they do not. They will only provide a mini fridge if you are diabetic and need it for medication.

Not sure when you were at Port Orleans, but ALL moderates come with mini-fridges now. We were there in December of 2004 and they had just gotten done installing all the mini-fridges in the Port Orleans resorts. It was great having the fridge, we loved it! They also provided a coffee maker and a hair dryer. (the hair dryer is one of those mini ones though and it took FOREVER to dry my hair)

As to where to stay, for one night, I would pick the one you can get the cheapest. If they are both the same, I might really go to the Hilton just for easy access to DTD. The nice thing about the Hilton is you can just walk across the street to DTD, it's maybe a 5 minute walk...if that, so the only transportation you need is your feet! At Port Orleans you will need to take a bus or the boat. We really loved taking the boat to DTD from Port Orleans, but it does take about a half and hour. Very nice ride though.
For convienance to DTD though, Hilton is much closer.

 

[theking0075]

Not sure when you were at Port Orleans, but ALL moderates come with mini-fridges now.

I stayed there in April of '04. Sounds like they may have read my comment card!

 

[jcbohon]

Thanks everyone!!