Hotels on Westwood Blvd. (walk to Sea World)?
- Thread starter h20jag
- Start date
SandrA9810
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- Jul 24, 2005
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If you're on the north side of Central Florida Pkwy, then you'd only be one block away from the entrance, which would be just fine to walk to. Now They're building up some hotels on internation drive, if you stay there, it might be faster to walk to aquatica and take the shuttle to the sea world entrance, or else you have to walk entirely around park to get to the pedestrian entrance.
On Westwood (or at least backing up to Westwood) close to Central Florida Parkway are Hilton Garden Inn and the (Marriott) Rennaissance. I have not been in those specific hotels, but both brands are good. Closer to I-Drive are several other smaller chain hotels. I can remember Sleep Inn, Hawthorn, and one of the other suite hotels but I can't think of the name. Oh, and there is also a DoubleTree basically at the corner of I-Drive and Westwood. I personally do not like the chain itself, but it is a Hilton product so there should be some standards.
Disney845
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We just got the fun card ourselves and also are looking at the hotels on Westwood to minimize having to pay for parking.
We stayed at the Doubletree on the corner of I-Drive and Westwood a year ago Thanksgiving for 1 night before moving onsite at WDW. It was the International Plaza Resort & Spa at that time, and they were doing major remodeling. Check in was a nightmare, and I was initially disappointed not to be in the tower, but to be in one of the many out buildings. All that changed when we entered the room however, it was lovely. At the back corner of the parking lot there is a small gate leading to a parking drive (for Seaworld employee parking) this is a very short walk to the park. FYI* now that it is a Doubletree they charge a parking fee so factor this in to cost of room.
Last minute decision to head to Seaworld for this NYE and very slim pickings for hotels on Dec. 30th when I made the ressie. I knew I wanted to be within walking distance and finally found a place on priceline (not name your price). It was the Extended Stay America (not the Extended Stay Deluxe which is located directly in front of this building). They still use those long plastic cards with holes punched in for keys (the credit card sized magnetic strip keys are so much more convenient). They initially gave us the wrong key and we had to go back to the "office" (it was not a lobby). The whole floor smelled horrible. The rooms had small kitchens (microwave, burners, fridge) and it smelled like someone had cooked fish! The room itself was clean although dated. The info about the hotel had said it included a continental breakfast, but we saw no signs of this, nor do I think I would have been interested if I had.
When checking in at the Extended Stay the front desk associate was less than helpful. I asked what the best way to walk to the park would be (you would think I was the first person to ever ask this??) he tried telling me that leaving the hotel and walking to the right and taking Central Florida Pkwy was the shortest distance!!!! What the heck??? Is he insane? This wouldn't even be the shortest in a car.
When I was researching the hotels I was looking at Google maps to see the best way to walk. I saw what looked like an access road, but it had no street sign/name. Turns out it is the same little parking lot exit drive that the Doubletree has the small back gate to. It has no street sign (although looking at the satellite image on Google Maps it becomes SeaWorld Dr after you cross Sea Harbour Dr). But it does have a no turn sign (from Westwood Blvd you can not turn down it as it is a one way parking lot exit) and it is directly behind the Doubletree on Westwood, so it is easy enough to spot.
As far as walking, crossing Westwood the traffic is going fairly fast. They do have sidewalks and ped crossing, but traffic seems to have the right of way. The access road was little travelled, and even in the dark at 1am on NY day we felt safe enough walking as the back parking lot of the Doubletree is well lit. Then you have to cross Sea Harbour Dr (again ped crossing, but signs to say that traffic does not yield for peds). Then you are in the SW parking lot (near the bus and I-Drive Trolley stops) and it is a short walk to the gate. In all, the walk from SW gate to our Westwood Hotel was about 10 mins. I made the comment that we have had longer walks getting from a Disney hotel bus stop to our room.
I know this isn't on Westwood and therefore does not minimize parking, however, for Christmas Eve and Christmas night I found a great deal on the Rosen Shingle Creek on Hotwire (use the Better Bidding site to make sure you know which hotel you are getting). This is a convention hotel, but often can get good deals as it is huge and weekends are less likely to have convention traffic. I was able to snag it for $49/night so even including the $12/night hotel parking charge, and the $12 SW parking fee I still felt we made out.
We stayed at the Doubletree on the corner of I-Drive and Westwood a year ago Thanksgiving for 1 night before moving onsite at WDW. It was the International Plaza Resort & Spa at that time, and they were doing major remodeling. Check in was a nightmare, and I was initially disappointed not to be in the tower, but to be in one of the many out buildings. All that changed when we entered the room however, it was lovely. At the back corner of the parking lot there is a small gate leading to a parking drive (for Seaworld employee parking) this is a very short walk to the park. FYI* now that it is a Doubletree they charge a parking fee so factor this in to cost of room.
Last minute decision to head to Seaworld for this NYE and very slim pickings for hotels on Dec. 30th when I made the ressie. I knew I wanted to be within walking distance and finally found a place on priceline (not name your price). It was the Extended Stay America (not the Extended Stay Deluxe which is located directly in front of this building). They still use those long plastic cards with holes punched in for keys (the credit card sized magnetic strip keys are so much more convenient). They initially gave us the wrong key and we had to go back to the "office" (it was not a lobby). The whole floor smelled horrible. The rooms had small kitchens (microwave, burners, fridge) and it smelled like someone had cooked fish! The room itself was clean although dated. The info about the hotel had said it included a continental breakfast, but we saw no signs of this, nor do I think I would have been interested if I had.
When checking in at the Extended Stay the front desk associate was less than helpful. I asked what the best way to walk to the park would be (you would think I was the first person to ever ask this??) he tried telling me that leaving the hotel and walking to the right and taking Central Florida Pkwy was the shortest distance!!!! What the heck??? Is he insane? This wouldn't even be the shortest in a car.
When I was researching the hotels I was looking at Google maps to see the best way to walk. I saw what looked like an access road, but it had no street sign/name. Turns out it is the same little parking lot exit drive that the Doubletree has the small back gate to. It has no street sign (although looking at the satellite image on Google Maps it becomes SeaWorld Dr after you cross Sea Harbour Dr). But it does have a no turn sign (from Westwood Blvd you can not turn down it as it is a one way parking lot exit) and it is directly behind the Doubletree on Westwood, so it is easy enough to spot.
As far as walking, crossing Westwood the traffic is going fairly fast. They do have sidewalks and ped crossing, but traffic seems to have the right of way. The access road was little travelled, and even in the dark at 1am on NY day we felt safe enough walking as the back parking lot of the Doubletree is well lit. Then you have to cross Sea Harbour Dr (again ped crossing, but signs to say that traffic does not yield for peds). Then you are in the SW parking lot (near the bus and I-Drive Trolley stops) and it is a short walk to the gate. In all, the walk from SW gate to our Westwood Hotel was about 10 mins. I made the comment that we have had longer walks getting from a Disney hotel bus stop to our room.
I know this isn't on Westwood and therefore does not minimize parking, however, for Christmas Eve and Christmas night I found a great deal on the Rosen Shingle Creek on Hotwire (use the Better Bidding site to make sure you know which hotel you are getting). This is a convention hotel, but often can get good deals as it is huge and weekends are less likely to have convention traffic. I was able to snag it for $49/night so even including the $12/night hotel parking charge, and the $12 SW parking fee I still felt we made out.
Thank you all for the great responses. We have stayed at the Doubletree, when it was the Sheraton World... many moons ago. And also at the Hawthorne once.
Didn't know what all changes had occured down there lately, but now we can start planning for the Fun card & Manta coaster & BBQ & LeeAnn Rimes show next month!
Yay!!
Didn't know what all changes had occured down there lately, but now we can start planning for the Fun card & Manta coaster & BBQ & LeeAnn Rimes show next month!
Yay!!
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