Hotel Pricing - better to stay offsite?

[pooh2001]

I did some research
We do not care about a pool
We are 2 older adults, no children


Our beloved Dolphin, AAA or teacher rate for Nov 5-6, 2018 is $313 per night

The Coronado - moderate standard room - same dates above = $203 per night
And the Port Orleans French Quarter - ditto = $248 per night
All standard rooms - no great views - both bus to everything

I also looked at the Hilton at Disney Springs (5 minute walk to Disney Springs)
AAA/AARP rate and we have a Hilton Honors card (no points on it)
2 beds - standard view is $152 or $161
1 king bed - standard view is $155 or $161

If we did a taxi to the parks in the AM, if we did not do the bus - which may take 1.5 hours, how much does it cost to go to EPCOT?

Bottom line - the Hilton at DS is $50 to $100 less than a WDW moderate, and $150 less than the Dolphin.

So where would you stay?
Thank you

 

[pooh2001]

I found Uber or Lyft
Not sure which is safer or better

ride guru says
From the Hilton to the CR (then walk to MK) = $10.45
Ditto to EPCOT = $7.54
Ditto to AK = $11.79

Do I have to use the APP - or can you call them ?

 

[firefly_ris]

OK... so, I have a family of 5 so going forward it's going to be off-site for us for price, space, full kitchen to save food $$, amenities, and a rental car.

Now your situation is different, there's only 2 of you and you're both adults. If you were to stay on property, would you still use an Uber or would you just use the Disney bus system?

If it were me... I would price out the Uber (like you did above) vs. a rental car + parking fees, and then add that to the total cost of the Hilton, and see if it's still a significant savings compared to your cheapest on-site option, Coronado. Is it negligible enough that you might as well pay a few bucks extra for the cost savings of the Magical Express and the Disney busses, and park proximity? For me, possibly -- but I also just went in October at POFQ and I was not a fan of the bus and really prefer a private car. If you're not a fan of using the Disney bus then I'd say Hilton + Uber, if it doesn't matter then Coronado... sorry that came out kind of rambly, lol, but I guess in this particular situation it will come down to your personal preference on how you like to do transportation on your vacations, because that is going to sway the overall cost one way or the other.

[edit] I don't believe you can call Uber by phone, you either use the app or the mobile website.

 

[HopperFan]

Looks like the base Hilton rate which does not include their resort fee and parking fee? Those are pretty pricey. $30 and $18 per day. That puts you right up at the CSR rate and you save the uber. Also this hotel is long overdue for renovation if that matters.

Have you looked at Doubletree Disney Springs. Looks like your rate is $160 plus $22 parking, no resort fee. This resort was renovated a few years ago, suites are very nice.

PS Am Hilton Diamond so we have stayed at many in the area multiple times.

 

[NinaBella]

I found Uber or Lyft
Not sure which is safer or better

ride guru says
From the Hilton to the CR (then walk to MK) = $10.45
Ditto to EPCOT = $7.54
Ditto to AK = $11.79

Do I have to use the APP - or can you call them ?

Well some drivers, drive for BOTH. So I would say equally safe as far as driver. Lyft use to offer better insurance coverage, but I know Uber had recent changes to their coverage and I haven't looked at the new info. I just know people who drive for both (at my daughter's old cheer gym) so I use to hear them talk a lot and compare.

You can usually find promo codes for "first ride free" or $5 or $10 off first ride. So if you have both, you can perhaps get a promo code for both. LOL.

 

[MrKnight]

In addition to Hilton at Disney Springs, have you considered the DoubleTree Disney Springs? The DoubleTree is within the same price range and is on the quieter end of Hotel Plaza Blvd, is recently renovated, and is all suites which means more spacious rooms..

 

[writerguyfl]

If we did a taxi to the parks in the AM, if we did not do the bus - which may take 1.5 hours, how much does it cost to go to EPCOT?

It's not going to take you 1.5 hours to get from one of the Disney Springs Hotels to Epcot. There are bus routes for each hotel. One goes to the Transportation and Ticket Center (transfer to Magic Kingdom) and then to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The other bus goes to Epcot followed by Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The trip to Epcot on the Disney Springs Hotels bus should be around 20-25 minutes. I've stayed at various Disney Springs Hotels and used the bus system many, many, many times over the past few years. The only way a trip to a park is taking 1.5 hours is if the bus breaks down.

More information about the Disney Springs Hotels bus system can be found here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-springs-hotels-bus-information.3653605/