Review of Sheraton Safari with Pictures

[maggiew]

We stayed at the Sheraton Safari hotel one night pre-cruise (June 26, 2005) and two nights post cruise (July 1 & 2). We had a wonderful stay. Everyone there was most helpful and pleasant. While checking in, I must have been asked by 3 different employees if I wanted a cookie. Check in was easy. We had a Safari Suite in building 4 on the 4th floor both times. The suite was great and we had a great view of the pool. Truthfully, this room made me consider staying offsite in the future (we are normally and on site family). There was room for everyone. There were 2 TVs. Now, normally while at Disney we don't watch TV because we are either at the Parks or DTD or something. But since this was a leisurely trip, we did spend time in the room a little. The 2 TVs were nice for the kids. We had 2 queen (?? maybe double) beds in the bedroom with a balcony and then the pullout sofa in the living room. There was also a little kitchenette. The bathroom area was big too. There was a room with the toilet and shower/tub. But outside the room there was a large vanity with 2 sinks, a huge mirror, etc. There was also an ironing board and iron in the closet in the bedroom.

The pool was fun and the kids enjoyed splashing around in the pool. DD rented a little pool float of a dolphin for $5 and she enjoyed that. The serpent slide looked fun and they went down that a few times.

We stayed all 3 nights for free with our Starwood points. I would gladly stay here for anywhere up to the price of a moderate hotel at Disney. I know many people have gotten this (a regular room, not the suite) for $35 on Priceline. I would stay there for that price in a heartbeat. I did see some of the regular rooms when we were walking to the pool and they looked great too.

Maggie

 

[Kimberly815]

I agree. We stayed at this hotel for a week during our first trip to Disney in May 2003 and we loved it. It was perfect for us, and a great location. The price was definitley right, and the quality made us want to go back. We haven't made it back yet, but everytime we plan, we concider it. Great place.

 

[disneyfan551]

Thanks so much for the review with photos! We may have to stay there if the HI @ DTD doesn't open back up by the time we visit in October! Looks like we'll be ok, either way!

 

[#1 TITANS FAN]

Stayed there in 10/01, it was pratically a ghost town, maybe 20% occupancy. They upgraded me to a pool side King room at n/c even though I was staying via priceline ($37 a night if I remember correctly), bet they wouldn't do that nowadays Your pool pics brought back great memories, I loved that pool.

 

[alisonbestford]

We stayed in Feb this year and were upgraded, at no extra cost, to a suite

 

[nowellsl]

Thanks for the pictures! Where is this hotel located in relation to Disney?

 

[blestmom]

I'm staying here in September with 5 kids, ages 7-16. I have 2 rooms. Since we are doing only Disney, and DH is not coming with, I didn't rent a car. I was planning on taking the shuttle to the parks. Just how close/far is the hotel from Downtown Disney? Are there things like restaurants within walking distance, or not really? Or is that not very practical with 5 kids? I hate to waste the $$$ on a mini-van rental if we are only going to the Disney parks. Plus I really don't want to hassle with a vehicle rental when I'm traveling alone with the kids. Any thoughts?

 

[alisonbestford]

Hi there,
There's a Winn Dixie supermarket about 5 mins walk away and loads of places to eat in the immediate vicinity
'Cross roads' shopping centre is just next door.
The entrance to WDW is literally just down the road. We hired a car so didn't take much notice of shuttle bus times but they were there and seemed to run at reasonable times

 

[magicmouse2]

I would stay there if I had to stay offsite

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hi there, thank you so much for your post.

We are booked for a suite here in October. I'm trying to decide if we are going to stay here or onsite at POR.

Your post and pics have really swayed me-I think we're going to give the Sheraton Safari a try.

Renee

 

[maggiew]

Thanks for the pictures! Where is this hotel located in relation to Disney?

The hotel is located one stop light away from the entrance to the DTD hotel road. It is right past the Goodings shopping center.

Maggie

 

[maggiew]

I'm staying here in September with 5 kids, ages 7-16. I have 2 rooms. Since we are doing only Disney, and DH is not coming with, I didn't rent a car. I was planning on taking the shuttle to the parks. Just how close/far is the hotel from Downtown Disney? Are there things like restaurants within walking distance, or not really? Or is that not very practical with 5 kids? I hate to waste the $$$ on a mini-van rental if we are only going to the Disney parks. Plus I really don't want to hassle with a vehicle rental when I'm traveling alone with the kids. Any thoughts?

We didn't use the shuttle since we didn't go to Disney this trip and since we had a car. But I have seen the shuttle schedule and it seemed the shuttle ran a couple times in the morning and a couple times at night. I think it depends on how you tour Disney as to whether or not it would work out for you. If you are commandos and go all day, then it would work. If you like to take a break in the day, it would be more difficult. I also believe I read somewhere on DIS boards that the shuttle picks up people from other hotels too, so it can take awhile.

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. How old are your kids? For many of the restaurants you have to cross a busy road and that might be difficult with just you and 5 small children. But if your kids are older and you think it would be possible to cross the road no problem then there is a large number of restaurants nearby. There is a sizzler in the parking lot area of the Sheraton safari. So that one is really easy. There is a Dunkin Donuts across the street. WE went to the Orlando Ale House which was across the street also and behind the gas station area. We also went to Macaroni Grill that was across the street and to the right a little. There was a Giordanos Pizza place on the same side of the street as the Sheraton safari, but down the road a bit. Actually, there are plenty of restaurants all over as seen at this website
http://www.wvnh.net/sheraton/sheratonsafari.htm
Whether or not they are walkable would depend on how old your kids were. I wouldn't probably push a stroller to any of these (except the Sizzler), but if your kids can walk fine and you can trust they won't run out ahead of you, it should be fine.

Maggie

 

[blestmom]

Thanks for all the info...it is really helpful. My kids are 7-16, so we should be okay with walking, just keeping an eye on the younger two. Thank you again!
Deb

 

[kilee]

We stayed here via priceline in March of 2004 too. We thought for the price (we had either $37 or $38 a night) it was an incredible hotel. I wouldn't think that walking to DTD would be something I would count on. It's really close w/ a car. Alittle far to walk w/ little one's. There's tons of other things really close to walk to though.