Sheraton Safari Reviews/Opinions

[santa's surpriz]

Has any one stayed here? I just realized that I enough SPG points for a 7 night stay at the Sheraton Safari. I am slightly hesitant because other than the Dolphin I have always stayed at a Disney resort. I am on a tight budget this year and I am facing the decsion of not going at all. This gives me the opportunity to only come up with tix, food and spending money. Any opinions of this resort would help me decide if I should go or save my money and go next year. My DD is really looking forward to returning soon!

 

[jtopicz1]

This is our go-to place when we are looking for moderate budget, offsite accommodations near Disney. We usually go the Priceline route, when possible, but since you have points - that's better yet!

The hotel is located literally right across from Disney property and near plenty of restaurants. The hotel itself is basically 4 buildings (I believe) arranged in a square around the pool. There is a separate lobby building.

The Bad - The hotel IS older. We have not stayed in a year or so, but it was showing some wear, but was FAR from rundown. Common areas were clean and modern enough.

On one stay we did get put in a VERY musty smelling room that just didn't seem "right". The AC did not seem to work right, and it just seemed rundown. We were promptly moved to a much better room.

The Good - Great location. Clean (for the most part). Excellent pool with good sized Python themed waterslide. Friendly staff.

All in all, it's certainly not perfect, but I would rate it as a SOLID three star hotel. Go for it!

 

[wtccheermom]

I am l also looking for current reviews on this hotel. We need a place for 2 nights before checking in at WDW and I thought my kids would love the pool but I read some bad reviews on Trip Advisor. I am wondering if maybe they were a little over exaggerated.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I am l also looking for current reviews on this hotel. We need a place for 2 nights before checking in at WDW and I thought my kids would love the pool but I read some bad reviews on Trip Advisor. I am wondering if maybe they were a little over exaggerated.

I read TripAdvisor too, some loved it others hated it. I decided to see what my friends here had to say about it. I am nervous bc I honestly have never had a bad hotel experience.

 

[JennSaint]

The most recent reviews on tripadvisor for this hotel are not good. Did you try to get the Dolphin or Swan on your points?

 

[santa's surpriz]

The most recent reviews on tripadvisor for this hotel are not good. Did you try to get the Dolphin or Swan on your points?

That would be ideal, Dolphin is my favorite! I have 13,000 points. Sheraton Safari is only about 12,000 and the Dolphin would be 28,000. As mentioned before, my goal is make a trip with as little money out of pocket as possible. I could buy the additional points but it will cost roughly $500. I was hoping to get more accurate reviews here, since I do trust the opinions of the disboards.

 

[santa's surpriz]

This is our go-to place when we are looking for moderate budget, offsite accommodations near Disney. We usually go the Priceline route, when possible, but since you have points - that's better yet!

The hotel is located literally right across from Disney property and near plenty of restaurants. The hotel itself is basically 4 buildings (I believe) arranged in a square around the pool. There is a separate lobby building.

The Bad - The hotel IS older. We have not stayed in a year or so, but it was showing some wear, but was FAR from rundown. Common areas were clean and modern enough.

On one stay we did get put in a VERY musty smelling room that just didn't seem "right". The AC did not seem to work right, and it just seemed rundown. We were promptly moved to a much better room.

The Good - Great location. Clean (for the most part). Excellent pool with good sized Python themed waterslide. Friendly staff.

All in all, it's certainly not perfect, but I would rate it as a SOLID three star hotel. Go for it!

Thank you! This is the information I was looking for! I am just wee bit nervous bc I have set a pretty high bar with trips in the past. The last one being the Dolphin for 10 days. It was incredible! I don't want to be disappointed but if I know what I am getting in advance I can brace myself.

 

[JennSaint]

I meant to say the last few reviews on Expedia were not good too.
I think it would be hard to go from the Dolphin to Sheraton Safari. Anyway to split the trip? Start at Safari then end at Dolphin? At least you'd have something to look forward to.

 

[jtopicz1]

As I said, a year ago when I last visited, the common areas and pool area were very nice and clean. The room I ultimately got was very clean. The service was also excellent, which is very important to me.

That said, it is NOT the Swan/Dolphin, Gaylord Palms, Omni, etc. It is a solid, moderately priced offsite hotel. By comparison, I thought it to be similar to the Disney Moderate level hotels, possibly even at the high end of that. It was definately nicer - and WAY cleaner - than our one Disney Value Resort stay (Pop Century - Mystery substance in the sheets, staff didn't give a crap, extremely thin walls, etc).

I think you will be fine and enjoy it, if you are truly worried, and want to stay on a tight budget, try Priceline. Any of the Resort* hotels in the Lake Buena Vista or Maingate zone are comparable to the Swan / Dolpin, and you could likely snag one for $60-70/nt. Try www.biddingtraveler.com

Jim

 

[princess aleya]

I have read some mixed reviews about this hotel also but I think I would just give it a try. You are going to be at the park most of the day anyway, so it shouldn't be that bad. If it were me personally I would go for it especially if I were on a tight budget.

 

[nickymaria]

We were there for two nights in December when my mom (in our AKL room) came down with a horrible stomach virus so we left her in the "nice" room. The location was pretty good, as was the size of the room - two rooms, two comfortable queen sized beds (and I think a sleeper sofa in the "living" room) - DH is starwood platinum so we got the buffet breakfast free since there is no "club" level. (Though I remember everything being basically lukewarm which always makes me nervous...) Though it was incredibly reasonable, it did feel to me like a motel with a new-ish coat of paint. Also, if you have trouble getting around, book a ground floor room. Our elevator never worked and when it was it was monopolized by the maid staff. I imagine if you have reasonable expectations it could be just fine.

 

[solstice621]

We really like the Sheraton Safari. We always stay there for a night or 2 before getting into our villa. I have always felt comfortable and safe, and I really enjoy the pool area. And we've lways had clean rooms with really comfortable beds. You had said you may not even be able to go at all, and if that's the other option - definitely book the Sheraton Safari. Just know that it is not a resort or 4 star hotel. I say go for it!

 

[santa's surpriz]

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to go ahead and book it. My only other option is not going at all and who wants to miss WDW! I feel comfortable enough especially the PP that mentioned it was comparable to a Disney Moderate. I can do that! I would not do a Motel 6 or Econolodge but still I am by means a "hotel snob" although I tend to find the best place I can afford and can easily justify paying a little extra for a little more luxury just not this year.

 

[wannabee]

We spent one night there in June 2009 before we checked into The Poly. We also used SPG points. I thought it was great. I would definately stay there again. The room was clean and comfortable and the location was perfect.