Hotels on Hotel BLVD

[EpcotQueen]

My DD and her family are considering a trip next spring and are looking at the hotels along Hotel Blvd. Though my Dh and I have gone MANY times, we've never stayed there so I have no experience with them. Which would you recommend for a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, a boy 17 and a girl 13? Which would you recommend staying away from?

 

[BigredNole]

It really depends on what they are trying to get out of the vacation. Since they are not looking to stay on a property resort, getting a villa/house/condo would be perfect. In many cases, they cost the same or less.

 

[HopperFan]

My DD and her family are considering a trip next spring and are looking at the hotels along Hotel Blvd. Though my Dh and I have gone MANY times, we've never stayed there so I have no experience with them. Which would you recommend for a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, a boy 17 and a girl 13? Which would you recommend staying away from?

Doubletree would offer a suite and bed for each kid. Fairly new renovation. Only parking fee.

B Resort has rooms with bunks and some with smaller sofa bed in addition to two queens. Resort and parking fee but some specials waive.

Holiday Inn gets good reviews but I have not stayed there yet.

I would NOT stay at Wyndham.

The Buena Vista Palace is working on a refurb, pool area all new and looks great, our room was fine, has resort fee since pool done.

Hilton is in great need of rehab and doesn't warrant resort fee but if you get a really low rate it may be okay. Hilton also has parking fee.

Know folks who have stayed at Best Western but by time I add the fees I just haven't bit on staying since it appears to be in need of rehab.

Look at Mousesavers, www.disneyspringshotels.com and the actual website of each hotel - there are often specials. Always check resort/parking fees and specials that waive them.

 

[Meldev]

Doubletree would offer a suite and bed for each kid. Fairly new renovation. Only parking fee.

The Buena Vista Palace is working on a refurb, pool area all new and looks great, our room was fine, has resort fee since pool done. .

HopperFan, I always appreciate your take on the various Hilton properties. We are staying at the Buena Vista Palace this February (we'll be in a 1-bedroom Island Suite, if you happen to know where those are located?) - Anyway, how was it to get the to parks from this location? Did you often walk to Disney Springs and catch buses from there, or just use the free shuttle provided by the hotel?

Thanks

 

[writerguyfl]

We'll be in a 1-bedroom Island Suite, if you happen to know where those are located?

The Island building at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace is separate from the main hotel building. It is much closer to Disney Springs.

A: Hotel Main Lobby
B: Self-parking Area
C: Theme Park Shuttle Pick-up Area
D: Island Building
E: Pedestrian Bridge to Disney Springs

Image courtesy of Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.3750149,-81.5148108,524m/data=!3m1!1e3

Anyway, how was it to get the to parks from this location?

If you are driving, the parks are fairly close. Approximate driving times: 20 minutes to Disney's Animal Kingdom, 15 minutes to Magic Kingdom parking, 12 minutes to Disney's Hollywood Studios, 10 minutes to Epcot. Please note: You will need to pay to park at the theme parks (unless you are an Annual Passholder).

Did you often walk to Disney Springs and catch buses from there, or just use the free shuttle provided by the hotel?

Disney does not offer direct transportation from Disney Springs to any of the theme parks. They do run buses from the theme parks to Disney Springs starting at 4pm until 11pm (or 2 hours after closing, whichever is earlier). However, the Disney Springs bus loop is not convenient to your hotel. On the map below, the bus loop is "B". The pedestrian bridge shown on the map above ("E") is to the right of letter "A" below.

The hotel shuttle to the parks is operated by Mears Transportation. (Mears runs Disney's Magical Express service.) The bus services other hotels along Hotel Plaza Blvd. The Hilton Buena Vista Palace is the last hotel on the "B" route. This means the bus will go directly from the hotel to the park. Returning, it will stop at the Best Western and Wyndham Palace before arriving at the Buena Vista Palace. These hotels are very close to each other. Stops generally take 3-5 minutes, unless a wheelchair/ECV needs to be loaded/unloaded.

Two routes are offered, each visiting two theme parks. Generally, one bus goes to Epcot and then Disney's Hollywood Studios. The other goes to the Ticket and Transportation Center (ferry or monorail to Magic Kingdom) and then Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here is the information provided at check-in:

 

[HopperFan]

HopperFan, I always appreciate your take on the various Hilton properties. We are staying at the Buena Vista Palace this February (we'll be in a 1-bedroom Island Suite, if you happen to know where those are located?) - Anyway, how was it to get the to parks from this location? Did you often walk to Disney Springs and catch buses from there, or just use the free shuttle provided by the hotel?

Thanks

You got it all from @writerguyfl - excellent info as usual.

We drove to the parks but did walk over to Disney Springs a few times for dining. You have to go to the corner and use the pedestrian bridge, but it was fine. It is quite the jaunt to the DS Bus Depot and agree not the best option going TO the parks but have used it when returning very late after park closing.

 

[Meldev]

Thank you for the great info WriterGuyFL and HopperFan
I think we will plan to use the hotel transportation at least to the parks, and probably some cabs here and there.
To your knowledge, could a cab pick us up right by the Island Building?

 

[writerguyfl]

Thank you for the great info WriterGuyFL and HopperFan
I think we will plan to use the hotel transportation at least to the parks, and probably some cabs here and there.
To your knowledge, could a cab pick us up right by the Island Building?

No problem. I like helping.

Unfortunately, there is no direct auto access to the Island Building. On the aerial image below, that parking lot behind the Island Building is a Cast Member lot not connected with the hotel.

Image Courtesy of Google: https://goo.gl/maps/9J61ZHXSe652

The Island Building is on the near the bottom of the image. The walking distance to the main lobby is about 1,000 feet (4-5 minutes). It's covered, in case of rain. The walking distance to the theme park shuttle stop is 573 feet (2 minutes). That location near the two close-by dots next to the parking lot.

You can definitively have cabs drop you off in that parking lot. They may be able to pick you up there, too. Although, it might be easier to walk to the lobby since you can wait inside if there aren't any waiting. Every time I've been through the lobby, I've always seen cabs waiting.

Important: This is an old aerial image. That big construction area in front of the Island Building is now their brand new pool.