Residence Inn Seaworld or Springhill Suites?

[Dcl fans]

Trying to decide between Residence Inn or Springhill Suites for a pre-DCL (2 night) stay. Both are same price, provide same type of room, free breakfast. We will be 2 adults, 3 kids ages 6,8,10. Any advice? We plan to do Seaworld and/or Aquatica.

 

[dis-happy]

Trying to decide between Residence Inn or Springhill Suites for a pre-DCL (2 night) stay. Both are same price, provide same type of room, free breakfast. We will be 2 adults, 3 kids ages 6,8,10. Any advice? We plan to do Seaworld and/or Aquatica.

What exactly are your room options, esp the Res. Inn? If its a 1 b/r with 2 Q and a sofa bed, the room will be a lot larger than SHS. 2 tv's, full kitchen, and a better breakfast.

Many of the SHS only have double beds, which is a non-starter for me. You'd want to check on that.

 

[travelcoupons]

3 kids?

Residence Inn ( 2 TV's ) vs Springhill Suites ( 1 TV )

That's an easy choice

 

[Dcl fans]

Both have 2 queens + sofabed so they offer the same sleeping options. Wondering also about the difference in breakfast options? Both offer hot buffet, has anyone stayed at either and able to comment on quality of buffet?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Both have 2 queens + sofabed so they offer the same sleeping options. Wondering also about the difference in breakfast options? Both offer hot buffet, has anyone stayed at either and able to comment on quality of buffet?

Unless you opt for a studio room at the Residence Inn, though, your two queens will be in a fully separate bedroom, whereas the Springhill only has a half-wall between the "sleeping" area and the "living room" area.

We stayed at the Residence Inn SeaWorld for 7 nights over Christmas week. We were very satisfied and would not hesitate to stay again. There are tons of pictures of the room and the hotel amenities in my trip report (click on the link in my signature).

Breakfast at the RI was excellent. Daily they offered two different types of muffins, bread, various flavours of bagels, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit salad, several different kinds of cold cereals (four, I think), milk, juice, coffee, tea, about 6 different sodas (for breakfast?!? ) and hot chocolate. In addition to those daily items, several days they had scrambled eggs, sausauge rounds, home fries, shredded cheese, warm biscuits, and sausage gravy. Other days they had pancakes, sausage rounds, buscuits and gravy. There was also french toast at least once. Food was plentiful, seating was always available (even during the super busy holiday week), and the breakfast staff were wonderfully friendly (as were the front desk staff....top notch all the way).

Another big difference between the Springhill and RI ..... you will have a full kitchen at the RI where you won't at the SHS. We LOVE having a full sized fridge when on vacation.

 

[dis-happy]

Both have 2 queens + sofabed so they offer the same sleeping options. Wondering also about the difference in breakfast options? Both offer hot buffet, has anyone stayed at either and able to comment on quality of buffet?

Residence Inns are a higher tier hotel and will definitely offer a better breakfast.

Are you actually going to Seaworld? One of the Res Inn in the Seaworld area has a walking path to the park. I've never done it, but it would save on parking I'd you like to walk and are planning to go there.

 

[dis-happy]

PS. I looked up the ShS there. It was the newer design bathroom which personally I am not a fan of. If anyone gets up I the middle of e night to use the potty, the light comes through into the sleeping area.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Are you actually going to Seaworld? One of the Res Inn in the Seaworld area has a walking path to the park. I've never done it, but it would save on parking I'd you like to walk and are planning to go there.

From the Residence Inn to SeaWorld would be a lengthy walk along some very busy streets. I would definitely recommend taking the free shuttle from the hotel to the park and back again vs. walking.

Perhaps you are thinking of the easy walk from the Rennaissance? (as opposed to the Residence Inn?) The Rennaissance is just across the street from the SeaWorld parking lot,a nd is definitely walkable.

 

[dis-happy]

From the Residence Inn to SeaWorld would be a lengthy walk along some very busy streets. I would definitely recommend taking the free shuttle from the hotel to the park and back again vs. walking.

Perhaps you are thinking of the easy walk from the Rennaissance? (as opposed to the Residence Inn?) The Rennaissance is just across the street from the SeaWorld parking lot,a nd is definitely walkable.

Sorry for bad info...I must have been thinking of a different property....who knows what. We stayed there quite awhile ago.


The website does list free transportation, free quick queue, park discounts, early entry on select dates as current perks though.

 

[PA Princess]

We stayed for 6 days at the Sea World Residence Inn last August prior to our Disney Cruise on the Fantasy. This trip for us was Sea World based one (Disney portion to be served by the cruise) and the hotel was a great bargain for our family of 6.

We really enjoyed our stay a great deal. Location was very good with easy access to many things including a pretty easy drive to Downtown Disney. Quick que perk was fabulous. Breakfast was good and an additional savings. We also enjoyed the pool area (big time swim family, so this was important - though we did do a day at Aquatica and we had the cruise water activities so not as big a component as other trips).

We actually enjoyed our stay so much that we are fairly certain we will stay here again this summer for our Disney oriented trip. This is especially surprising for us, for we have been firm on property people for 11 of our 13 trips in the last 14 years.

 

[DCbride]

We stayed at both last year. The breakfast at RI has more items and it is set up with 2 buffet stations. SHS is U shaped with a waffle machine and oatmeal machine. The pool at SHS is shared with the Fairfield. The RI has a full kitchen and a separate bedroom if you opt for that. Use the quick que option for Sea world it is free and will save you time. But you must reserve it the day before.

We enjoyed both and we would stay at either again. In fact we are staying at SHS for Easter week because we refuse to pay $190 for a value on property.

RI did have a nice table to eat at if you are planning any meals in the room.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Pool area at the Residence Inn SeaWorld:

Hot tub:

Sport court:

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

One bedroom suite at RI:

 

[Dcl fans]

Thanks for all the info (and photos!) everyone. Seems like Residence Inn may be the best fit for us and the separate bedroom is definitely a bonus. Breakfast sounds great and the best part is we are going in August and rates seem to be quite reasonable.

 

[vikster1]

I stayed at the RI 2 years ago. I would go back. Nice pool. Kinda quiet. Reasonable pool bar/food. Hot breakfast. Nice grounds. Kitchen in the rooms.
staying at art of animation, lion king suite....free dining plan, the regular one, not quick service only
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[IamErica]

another vote for Residence Inn. Just got back and we loved it!
We ended up using the I Trolly to get back and forth to the hotel. The shuttle schedule was ok, but we always seem to just miss it....
We did walk a few times and it really wasn't that bad. There were a few busier streets to cross, but not a big deal. With little kids they might not want to walk, but for my son (17) and I it was fine. I figured we would be walking more at the park anyway so what was a few more blocks.
The bfast buffet was yummy and had lots to choose from!
Beds were soooooooo comfortable I would love to take one home!
I would not hesitate to stay here again.
Don't forget to get you quick que bands for SW everyday too!