Pop vs Hilton BVP

[PlutoIsHerFav]

We are looking to do a last minute, semi-budget trip in early August. We've found a deal for the Hilton Buena Vista Palace -- 5 nights, 3 park tickets (non-hoppers), incl resort fee for just a little over $1500. Plus I get double points, lol. The other option we're considering is the same 5 nights, 3 park tickets, but staying at Pop - it'll cost us about $150 more. (A third option is B Resort, being a bit more than Pop.) I think the only factor that I haven't calculated is parking, but I'm assuming they're close enough.

We've stayed at Pop before, but it was November and a quick two night trip (so we didn't factor in things like the walk to the exterior room, pools, etc.). It was fine, although the room was tiny and I didn't love the bathroom. I liked that it was Disney-esque for my kids (they are all about characters), the onsite food court (DD is gluten free so this is a great perk), and the transportation was easy enough. Previously we stayed at YC which of course is no comparison and not in the cards for this trip! We have not done Disney and stayed offsite.

What's important to us (2 adults, 2 kids - 6 & 2; will have car):
- Pools for our non-park days
- Ease of transportation (as in no 1 hour wait or 2 hour long ride)
- Accessible "safe" food options for my kid (shouldn't be a problem with either with DS next to the Hilton)
- Comfortable enough and clean room (don't care about the view, etc)
- If the Hilton room and bathroom is bigger than Pop, that's a huge plus.

If we stay on-site, do we have the option of driving to the parks and not paying additional to park? I think the answer is yes, which could be a factor. The bus was fine previously, but we just did an all day in the park. If we could easily and fairly quickly come back for a midday break, that might be a plus. I'd be up for Uber if I didn't have the carseat factor.

Open to all thoughts and what I might not have considered in this decision!

 

[hiroMYhero]

If we stay on-site, do we have the option of driving to the parks and not paying additional to park?

Yes; onsite resort guests can park at the Theme Parks without needing to pay for parking.

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

One more question- if we stay at the Hilton will we still get magic bands for park use?

 

[hiroMYhero]

One more question- if we stay at the Hilton will we still get magic bands for park use?

No; if you have your MBs from your November trip, you can use those for park entry and FP lines.

 

[writerguyfl]

Pools for our non-park days

The Hilton Buena Vista Palace recently renovated their public areas and created a new pool complex with lazy river. The pool looks pretty great in pictures:

Ease of transportation (as in no 1 hour wait or 2 hour long ride)

Transportation from the Disney Springs Hotels to the theme parks is not a good as Disney Transportation because one bus goes to two different theme parks. One bus usually Epcot followed by Disney's Hollywood Studios. The other bus goes to the Transportation and Ticket center (monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom) followed by Disney's Animal Kingdom.

More specific information can be found on this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-springs-hotels-bus-information.3653605/

Accessible "safe" food options for my kid (shouldn't be a problem with either with DS next to the Hilton)

I can't comment on the fare at the hotel, but all of the Disney Springs Marketplace restaurants are within walking distance (as you noted).

Comfortable enough and clean room (don't care about the view, etc)

While the public areas of the hotel were renovated, the guest rooms were not. Unfortunately, the last room I had at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace was filthy. That was one of the reasons why I left after one night and vowed not to return until the rooms were renovated.

That said, other people who frequent this board have stayed at this hotel and didn't have issues with room cleanliness.

If the Hilton room and bathroom is bigger than Pop, that's a huge plus.

It's not even close here. Rooms at Disney's Pop Century Resort are 240 square feet. At the Hilton Buena Vista Palace, the standard room is 400 square feet.

I think the only factor that I haven't calculated is parking, but I'm assuming they're close enough.

Parking at Disney's Pop Century Resort is $13/night. Parking at the Hilton Buena Vista Palace is $10/night for self and $24/night for valet.

If you stay at the Hilton, you'd have to also pay to park at any of the theme parks.

 

[HopperFan]

Here are a couple more pool photos. The pool is what really makes this hotel so if that is part of your plan there is no comparison.

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

Thank you all! Yes, the pool (& cost) are what attracted us to this hotel! Stormalong Bay is the only reason why we’d go back to YC, so pools are important to us. The filthy room though scares me and not what I’d expect from a Hilton! I guess I need to read more reviews to make sure that’s not the norm. Yikes. I also learned I won’t get HH points since it’s through Costco which stinks but still too good of a deal I think.

The transportation is my biggest hangup. In the end I guess if the bus system is awful we can pay to park at Disney and the cost will just be a wash with the extra wed pay for pop. I just don’t want to learn the hard way with two small kids and 200 degree weather! lol

If we do a meal at an on property resort do we have to pay to park there too?

Any idea if Uber/Lyft have car seat options to make that a possibility?

How does the B Resort pool compare? Should I consider it for cleanliness?! Still doesn’t solve transportation issue. Hmmm. We just didn’t love Pop but with kids convenience is important!

 

[bigbabyblues]

If you have a meal at a resort on property, you do not have to pay to park, but you aren't supposed to leave your car there and go to a park afterwards. Also, you only pay for parking at a theme park once a day--keep your receipt if you go to a different park later.

We were die-hard onsite people for 10 trips. We stayed offsite in June in a condo, and we really liked it. We weren't near DS, but being offsite and driving in wasn't a problem at all.

 

[HopperFan]

Thank you all! Yes, the pool (& cost) are what attracted us to this hotel! Stormalong Bay is the only reason why we’d go back to YC, so pools are important to us. The filthy room though scares me and not what I’d expect from a Hilton! I guess I need to read more reviews to make sure that’s not the norm. Yikes. I also learned I won’t get HH points since it’s through Costco which stinks but still too good of a deal I think.

The transportation is my biggest hangup. In the end I guess if the bus system is awful we can pay to park at Disney and the cost will just be a wash with the extra wed pay for pop. I just don’t want to learn the hard way with two small kids and 200 degree weather! lol

If we do a meal at an on property resort do we have to pay to park there too?

Any idea if Uber/Lyft have car seat options to make that a possibility?

How does the B Resort pool compare? Should I consider it for cleanliness?! Still doesn’t solve transportation issue. Hmmm. We just didn’t love Pop but with kids convenience is important!

Have only stayed at BVP once and our room was fine. I'll try to find some pics of what it looked like.

We have stayed at B Resort 5-6 times in a variety of rooms. If using pool we really liked the pool patio rooms. You have a private patio with seating and able to go back and forth to room with no effort. Also a bar right there, other outdoor seating, kids playroom and the grab/go right by pool.


B Resort .....

Our room at BVP looked like this ... We used no amenities or dining at resort so can't help there.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Please don't be too overly worried regarding the DS busses. We refuse to use the onsite busses anymore due to experiences with awful waits, cramped busses, etc. However, we have NO problem using the DS bus system! The run on an actual schedule every 30 minutes - imagine that. I don't think you'll be disappointed in them.

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

Thanks again all! We're still really torn, and want to book today as it's 30 days out so any chances of ideal FP are dwindling!

With Pop - I can't remember, is there a fridge in the room? Are all rooms now renovated? We're starting to lean toward this option if we're assured a renovated room, and for the whole Disney experience for our young kids. We haven't done the dining plan before, but are also considering it this time for ease of mind.

I'm willing to chance the room with the Hilton (I may regret that), if the transportation really won't be an issue. If the bus system does fail us, how awful is it to drive and park at the parks?

Is it worth choosing a hotel based on the pools (Hilton) for 1.5-2 days of use (vs 3 park days)? I just need my genie to tell us the right choice here! ha!

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks again all! We're still really torn, and want to book today as it's 30 days out so any chances of ideal FP are dwindling!

With Pop - I can't remember, is there a fridge in the room? Are all rooms now renovated? We're starting to lean toward this option if we're assured a renovated room, and for the whole Disney experience for our young kids. We haven't done the dining plan before, but are also considering it this time for ease of mind.

I'm willing to chance the room with the Hilton (I may regret that), if the transportation really won't be an issue. If the bus system does fail us, how awful is it to drive and park at the parks?

Is it worth choosing a hotel based on the pools (Hilton) for 1.5-2 days of use (vs 3 park days)? I just need my genie to tell us the right choice here! ha!

POP - All rooms are either closed or renovated so you would get a new room. Yes they have a mini fridge and coffee maker (single cup). Queen beds, one is a murphy but same mattress, new bathrooms, lots of storage and cubbies and HUGE tv.


Hilton - Bus system info is in sticky at top of this forum, I suggest you look at that first. I drive to parks all the time from DS, offsite and Disney hotels. AK is about even on convenience, Epcot is way better to drive as the bus stop is simply too far away at park, DHS depends on your arrival time but buses right now are sometimes dumping you virtually in the parking lot and MK is the one that can be the bite from offsite due to the tram.


STRICTLY MY OPINION ............ we don't go to Disney for pools, we go for parks. Pools come as breaks, maybe cool off at end of day but never a focus of our day. If you are using a pool/resort day to rest up ... nothing wrong with a basic pool. At POP we love the bowling pin pool; big, never crowded, lots of loungers and enough tables/shade. If looking for a nice resort like pool, POP won't be it.

What is your MAIN FOCUS and what hotel/lodging will cover that?

 

[PlutoIsHerFav]

I meant to respond and thank everyone again! We booked Pop - we'll be there in two weeks!! With only one pool day, having the Disney theming and the DDP made our decision. Can't wait!!