Just back from Homewood Suites - Parkway Blvd.

[xyymom]

Anyone want any info? I have pictures I could share of the rooms and the menu for the Managers reception dinner for the month of October if you are interested

This hotel is in a fabulous location!!! You don't have to go on the I4 to get to Disney, and you're only on the 192 for about a mile before you're in the Disney gates. We never had any traffic getting to Disney at all!

 

[goofymom23]

I wouldlovemore info. thanks

 

[drumflower]

I would love some info too! Did they offer free transportaion to Universal and Disney?

 

[xyymom]

drumflower, they did offer a shuttle to Disney (not sure about Universal)....however, it wasn't that great. We drove and didn't even consider taking the shuttles, but we looked at the schedule. There was I think only 1 time to leave and return for each park, which really limits you. You'd also miss all nightime parades/fireworks if you took the shuttles. I recall one shuttle didn't leave for a park until 10:45 or so.

We found breakfast to be great. They had 3 kinds of cereal, lots of muffins, breads, pancakes, waffles, fruit and always scrambled eggs. They alternated between bacon and sausages every day. We ate a good breakfast every morning.

The managers reception meals weren't great, but they were helpful to us. The first night they served hot dogs & chips. We all ate there that night. The next night was beef taquitos, chips & salsa. The taquitos weren't very good according to dh, but we grabbed a whole pile of chips, a bowl of salsa and some cheese from the salad bar and took it back to our room and melted the cheese on the nacho chips in the microwave. There is always a salad bar, so we ate salad every night. The next night was egg rolls and dinner rolls. We skipped the egg rolls, but grabbed dinner rolls and a bowl full of cheese and we made spaghetti in our room and put cheese on top and had rolls and salad to go with it. The managers reception offers free wine, beer, and soft drinks too, which we loved! It's from 5-7 Monday to Friday and totally free.

I have pictures, but I'm not sure how to post. Perhaps you could PM me (hopefully I'll figure that out) with your email address and I could send them that way. I also have this months menu if you're interested in any particular day If you have any other questions I'd be happy to help if I can!

The rooms are all being redone (they said because of hurricane damage, but I didn't *see* any damage AT ALL). We swam in the pool almost every day, it was very warm. We usually had the pool to ourselves.

 

[drumflower]

Thanks XYYmom! I don't know how to do the pictures either! lol
What kinds of stuff do they have on the salad bar and when do they have it? What kind of rate do they offer? The breakfast sounds great! sorry I am gettting carried away! lol

 

[LovePug]

I agree about this place! We stayed there in June and couldn't believe how close we were to the parks ! The free breakfast buffet saved us a bundle of cash. We're returning there for our June '05 trip I think it was about $80/night with the AAA discount. Well worth it .

 

[xyymom]

drumflower ~ On the salad bar there was (if I remember correctly) lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, croutons, bacon bits, cheddar cheese (shredded) and a few kinds of salad dressing.

Did whomever I sent pics to (the person who PM'd me) get them? I haven't heard back to be sure

Anyone else want pics? Just PM me. I have pics of the pool, the bedroom, the living room area and the kitchen area.

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks so much for the report! I am relieved that you liked it; I was surfing here looking for anything on this exact hotel. We're staying there for a couple days after a WDW stay onsite in December.

I got a rate of $74.88 on hotelkingdom.com, BTW. However, I booked it directly through Hilton because they matched the rate and promised a $50 Amex giftcard because they weren't lowest rate offered on the web. (It arrives after our stay, darn it! I would love to be able to spend it in Orlando!).

Thanks again,

 

[fsu]

a link to the pics would be great!!!

 

[wayneg]

We have just got back from homewood suites near Universal. They let us check in 4 hours early no problem. Couldn't be more friendly. Had breakfast most mornings not a fantastic choice but adequate. Went to few Managers receptions again not a lot of choice but better than nothing. We don't drink alchohol but for anyone that does a few different drinks on offer.
Look hard for deals at Homewood suites we paid $40/night incl tax. Room next to us paid $166. Massive difference.
Wayne

 

[drumflower]

Where did you get your $40.00 deal?

 

[wayneg]

Booked it back in January from a company here in the UK called Airnet.co.uk
Use them quite a lot for hotels and car hire.
Wayne

 

[tig_536]

Great report! We're booked there next week, can't wait. Sent pm for photos. Thanks

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Has anyone stayed in a 2 bedroom? I am looking for 4 beds in the room so that the 3 kids each have thier own. they sleep so much better. One can be a fold out sofa. Also is this hotel one that earns Hilton Points? That would be great. And 1 more, how is the pool? We are going in June so I know we will want to swim! Thanks!