Sheraton Safari Hotel Suite

[liveforthemagic]

Thinking about changing our res from Buena Vista Suites to Sheraton Safari--their rooms are slightly bigger.

Anybody stay there and love it or hate it? I'm concerned about the location--some say its on the "bad side" of Disney....any opinions either way?

 

[ep4244]

We stayed there last year for 9 days. I didn't think it was shady or seedy, there, I felt very comfortable walking with myself and 2 DD (6 and 8 at the time) to some of the restaurants close by. Good bus service to the parks, don't know about their return bus, we usually grabbed a cab so we didn't have to schedule around buses for our return.

Staff was super nice and answered any and all of my questions, our room was always nice and clean, housekeeping did fun things with my daughters stuffed animals and barbies, and the in room safe was big enough to keep my laptop in while we were at the parks. Kids loved the python slide, my only complaint would be only one on-site restaurant, but who cares we were on our first trip to Disney.

 

[liveforthemagic]

Thanks for the info! How long was the trip to Disney? One of the web sites said you could see parts of the park from the hotel....I'm guessing not MK or EP...but just some of the WDW grounds?

 

[disneyagain]

If you can see the parks, it's probably the Rain Forest Cafe in Downtown Disney Marketplace. It's just up the street from the entrance to DTD hotel blvd. We stayed there one night last fall before we checked into the Swan. We arrived at 10:30 pm and were gone by 7:30 the next morning. We did get an upgrade to a Starwood Preferred Guest suite, which was nice. The hotel was in a convenient location and if the price was right again (priceline $40) I'd stay there again.

 

[KLAIT]

Personally, I think it is on the "good side" of Disney. I like this area much better than the 192 strip. It is not nearly as busy, it seems mlike a more Homey area. Lots of restaurants and some shopping nearby. Right in the parking lot is a Pizza Hut and a Dunkin donuts right across the street. It is very close to the Crossroads shopping center.....Very close to the Downtown Disney entrance.

 

[Jaynerita]

I think it's a great place!!! Been there twice most recently for a week in April 2005. I stayed free with Starwood Points and was upgraded to a suite. The suites come as advertised. There's plenty of room and everything was in working order. It's right down the street from the entrance to Disney. This is the entrance that's across the street from Crossroads so you pass Downtown Disney and the Downtown Disney hotels before you get to any parks. I found it quicker to get on 4 and access the parks that way to avoid all the lights.
There are so many restaurants nearby we never even went to their restaurant. The pool area is very nice. There are towels provided for the guests at the pool but they are pretty small. One night we did not return to the hotel until after midnight and there were no parking spaces. They let us park at the Pizza Hut that was next door. The suites were recently renovated. Our only problem was that there was condensation on the sliding glass door that lead to the little balcony that faced the pool so it looked foggy. Since I was staying for free on points I wasn't going to complain!!!!

 

[ambersmom]

stayed here at christmas and newyears just gone, really enjoyed ourselves, good hotel, super super friendly staff, not bad buffet breakfast, kids under10 eat free. Nice bar, great pool and slide which our daughter loved, and the pools heated in winter, a must, nice hot hot tub too, would definatly stay here again, great hotel in great location oh nice rooms too,

 

[maggiew]

Thanks! We are staying here for a couple nights post cruise. Its good to hear so many people like it. I was able to get 2 nights in the suite FREE with my Starwood points! Yay!

Maggie

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

We stayed here for a convention in January. LOVED the Sweet Sleeper Beds that I guess are now a trademark for Sheraton. (I am booked at one next week in Boston just for that bed!) It is in a great location for restaurants and shopping. I don't think you will be able to see any parks tho. And while it is close to DTD, you will need to drive to get there. I will definately stay again. I didn't realize there were suites! The hallways, elevators and laundry room were a little worn, but everything can't be perfect.

 

[GoldenOldie]

It doesn't have much info on the suites there but perhaps this site may add some information about Sheraton Safari for you.

 

[SimonV]

All this advice is absolutely spot on from my recent observations. The only thing I wouyld add is that thge junction it is on - 535 and Palm Parkway is currently VERY busy because of construction going up the 535. In the evenings, there can be a LOT of traffic hereabouts. Also, the gas stations here are the MOST expensive in the whole Orlando area!!

 

[Local_Girl]

We haven't actually stayed there, but did stay at Cypress Pointe right down the street and passed the Sheraton Safari each day. I thought the property looked very nice and thought we might consider staying there in the future. I agree that this area is very busy, lots of traffic during peak hours, and the gas prices are outrageous in that vicinity! (FYI, we found the Hess stations on property at WDW to be in line with the best prices we were seeing in the area.) Also, I've seen that many have been able to get this hotel through Priceline for awesome rates in the past.

I also agree that this area is nicer than 192, especially east of I-4, and very convenient.

 

[adrien32]

We have stayed there many times in the suites and, while it's not the Swan or Dolphin, it's very satisfactory. As folks have said, there are many restaurants close by. The in-hotel dining is good, and you can also walk to a Steak n Shake. It's very close to Downtown Disney.

 

[ncbyrne]

We stayed here last year and found it to be a great hotel with a great location close to DD. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if the price were right.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

We stayed at the Safari last September between hurricanes. I got it for $39 on priceline. It was a nice place to stay. I would definately consider staying there again.