SeaWorld area Hotel

[waverunner1]

We need to find a base for our after beach trip to SW and DC. I am a Marriott and Hilton member. Hilton Garden Inn is booked for the time we're planning. The other properties are Marriott's. We could go more luxury and stay at Renaissance or J W Marriott. With these, we would be paying other "resort fees". Extra for breakfast and parking.




Or, there are two new Marriott properties opening in the Sea World area right before our arrival. They are Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn. They both include free breakfast. I'm assuming these will have free parking.




Our plan is arrive on a Friday afternoon. SeaWorld that evening. Saturday morning, Discovery Cove. Saturday night ??? (more Sea World, maybe). Sunday, check out, Downtown Disney.




Thoughts?

 

[waverunner1]

Here's pricing info:

I think I've about ruled out J W. While I would love to stay there (looks fabulous!), we aren't going for the resort. We'll be spending more time in the parks. They have a parking fee and resort fee. Best price $159, not including extra fees.

I like the location of the Renaissance. DS would love a Sea World view (if we can get one). They have a parking fee, also. Best price $149, not including parking.

Being new, the Springhill and Fairfield are appealing. They are supposed to open in June 2009. We will be there late July 09. Both have free parking and free bkfst. However, we usually aren't crazy about the free bkfsts at these type of hotels. Many times we end up finding a restaurant anyway. Best rates are from $109 to $119 per night.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

How did you get rates for the new hotels? I tried online for my dates 6/30-7/2 and they had no availibility. Do you have to call?

 

[collcass]

We stayed at the Renaissance in Feb. We absolutely loved the location. It's a very nice hotel. It was grerat to just be able to walk right across the street at the end of the day

 

[peyjax]

We are staying off site of Disney for the first time this year. We chose the JW Marriott. We are very excited about it, but understand the closeness of the Renaissance (our second choice). You do not see much on here about either resort. I have researched it and talked with Sea world reservations and there is only a parking fee for the JW and Renaissance. The parking fee is about the same at both. If you found something different please let me know.

Have you checked out Sea Worlds site for the buy 3 get 2 nights free with your park tickets. That is why we went with the JW as it is a huge savings. Hope you have fun!

 

[waverunner1]

How did you get rates for the new hotels? I tried online for my dates 6/30-7/2 and they had no availibility. Do you have to call?

I looked it up on the Marriott website. Our dates are late July. You probably need to put in your dates to get the rates to come up. The new hotels aren't opening until sometime in June.

I wish there was more info about these hotels on here. I know it is a Disney board, though. I had read on tripadvisor about a resort fee at JW, but maybe they were just talking about the parking fee? If I felt we would use the resort more, I would stay there. I do like the idea of being closer to the parks.

If you haven't looked at tripadvisor, I would suggest it. Lots of reviews, but I want MORE, LOL.

 

[spiceycat]

JW is not close to any parks.

Renaissance is - across the street - they did not have alot of extra fees.

it is an old hotel - it dates from 1970's - when Seaworld opened. (1973?)

It got a big rehab a few years ago.

that say back to your Hilton - what about Hilton grand vacation @ Sw - it is full?

this is a timeshare so a 1-bedroom here is a 1-bedroom - but studios are nice too.

there are 2 new Hilton opening this Oct - but they will be close to WDW not SW or DC.

 

[waverunner1]

I just read my post. On being closer to the parks, I meant Renaissance.

As for Hilton GV, I looked at it, but the one-bdrm has a sofa sleeper (which DS hates).

 

[peyjax]

JW is not close to any parks.

Renaissance is - across the street - they did not have alot of extra fees.

iSW or DC.

What do you mean close to any parks? It is five lights away from sea world and within a few miles. Not across the street but neither is POR from Disney. LOL

 

[4Seasons]

I just read my post. On being closer to the parks, I meant Renaissance.

As for Hilton GV, I looked at it, but the one-bdrm has a sofa sleeper (which DS hates).

They do have 2 bedroom units at HGVC as well. It's a fantastic location for Sea World and DC. I'm a little biased because we've owned there for 9 years, it feels like "home" to us when we stay there.

 

[waverunner1]

Maybe it didn't give another option since we are a family of three? I'll look again, but I'm thinking, it will be more $$ than Renaissance or JW.

 

[waverunner1]

I've finally narrowed it down to either the Renaissance SeaWorld or Springhill Suites SeaWorld. I'm going to let DS look at the pics of both tonight and let him choose. Gets me off the hook because I'm still .

I'll report what he chooses!

 

[spiceycat]

What do you mean close to any parks? It is five lights away from sea world and within a few miles. Not across the street but neither is POR from Disney. LOL

5 lights is a long distance.

POR is not 5 lights from any of the parks - okay alot of that is because the way buses must go.

when you pay that much for a hotel you expect it to be closer to what you want to do.

JW would have better (my opinion) to be placed between Seaworld and US/IOA. this would be closer to the convention area as well. than only close (but not really) to Seaworld. Or go like hilton is doing between seaworld and WDW.

for a wonderful hotel - you can't walk to hardily anything off of its property.

 

[waverunner1]

Spiceycat, I REALLY wanted to try to figure out a way to stay at JW. For such a fancy hotel, their rate is right in line with the Renaissance. Plus we had a good chance of getting a balcony. I didn't care that it is not "next door" to SW, but I just couldn't justify paying parking at JW and again at SW. They have no shuttle service either.

 

[spiceycat]

hey the renaissance is having a deal too

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/orlando-hotels/570270?ptl=done&rating=&tppct=

for a short trip traveling back and forth from JW to any of the parks would be a pain (my opinion) - now for a week trip yes. Then you could spend 2 days at the parks - then the other 5 days enjoying the resort.

 

[spiceycat]

boy changed my mind

for weekend can get JW marriott cheaper than Renaissance - that has never happened before.

so JW marriott is a bargin! even paying the parking fees twice.

 

[waverunner1]

Where did you see the cheaper rate for JW??? Do tell!

 

[waverunner1]

I found the rate finally, LOL! Looks like they have the same rate if I book with non-refundable option. Not sure if I want to do that. I would hate to be out that money if we had to cancel.

DS wants Renaissance. I showed him the pictures. He didn't really care, only asked which one was closest to SW. I found a package for DC/SW on their website. Thought it would be perfect! Two nights(what we're staying), SW and DC! Priced it. $150 more than booking seperately. What's up with that!! I asked if there was anything else included like brkfst or free parking. No was the answer.

I guess I'll keep watching the rates. For myself, I like JW, but paying the parking there and at SW (esp. if we go more than one day) burns me.

 

[Lynne1]

We are staying at the Renaissance next week. I have never stayed there before, and it looks like a very nice hotel. I booked it on priceline, named my own price, and got a great deal. Just wanted to mention it in case that was something you might want to try.

 

[waverunner1]

Hi Lynne. I have been thinking about Priceline. I've never used it before, but I've heard of really good deals. You can't choose your hotel on there, though, right? I guess for our trip it won't matter too much. I wouldn't want to take a chance on our beach trip, but, for the DC/SeaWorld portion, as long as we're close (we will have a rental car) . . . . I saw Renaissance, Peabody, Westin all listed under 4*. Any of those would be fine I'm sure. JW was listed under resorts.