Should I spring for the Waldorf?

[mmackeymouse]

I have a long weekend coming up. I am out of DVC points, so I booked at the Drury, at a very good rate: $431, all in.

My sister stayed there a few weeks back, and really liked it. I have stayed at Drury Inns in the past, and I have also liked them a lot.

That said, I've always wanted to stay at the Waldorf. It's been a dream/ bucket list item for me. I just have never been able to bring myself to spring for it, and especially when I am usually using points that have already been paid for.

So, just out of curiosity, I decided to check it out. It was $1,100. I could not...in good conscience....go for something nearly triple the price.

BUT.

For one night...

One night at the Waldorf is still pricy, of course. But, it is on the lower side of their normal. Not a steal, by any means. But...decent, by their standards. But...my thought is....if I cancel one of my Drury Nights, add a Waldorf night...it might be a bit more...but I could be able to justify it. Girl math, amirite?

However.

When I looked into modifying my reservation at the Drury, it's not that simple. I was unable to get my current room type. Which....I know it's available....because I'm booked in it now! The only room types I am able to modify to are more expensive, better views, Queen instead of King....just no good options. Again....why I can't keep my existing room type....who knows.

So, even taking the cheapest, less desirable room at the Drury for the 2 nights instead of 3....I'm only saving $90. And would end up getting a lesser room than I currently have booked. Grr.

So, here is how the math would shake out, in that instance: Taking into consideration the Waldorf, including the resort fee and balancing it all out. It would end up being $250 more to stay at the Waldorf for the single night.

Should I do it? Is it worth it? Should I hold out and see if any better Waldorf deals come along? Should I just go for it?

 

[mmackeymouse]

I will also add that my thought was, as I have a late flight on Sunday, I could do the Waldorf so I could take advantage of the pool facilities on Sunday.

 

[SwanVT2]

I would look at the reviews of the Waldorf on TripAdvisor and then decide. Also, what about something mid-tier for more luxury but not at the Waldorf price, such as Disney's Swan or Hilton Signia with that amazing lazy river? Then, with money saved, you could even do a spa treatment?

 

[SwanVT2]

Also, Costco has a deal going through Dec. 2024. Includes flights and 5 day park ticket. I am pricing at 5228.00 for August if we were to go out of VT. Something to consider. Not sure when you are looking at and where you are traveling from?

 

[becauseimnew]

I would not splurge for the Waldorf, not worth it. We stayed there on points and weren’t impressed. If you are mostly interested in the pool I would save money and just stay at the Signia.
We stayed at the Conrad and enjoyed it more than WA.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

I will also add that my thought was, as I have a late flight on Sunday, I could do the Waldorf so I could take advantage of the pool facilities on Sunday.

There are many, many options in the general area that have a better pool than the Waldorf (assuming you are talking about the Waldorf pool and not the neighboring pool that you get access to). If you were talking about the neighboring pool, then just stay there for half the cost.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can think of a lot of things to do with $800. Most of those are higher on the list than moving from the Drury to the W=A for one night.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Without even comparing the properties…. Changing hotels is very time consuming. Typically you need to check-out by 11AM and cannot check-into your next hotel until closer to 4PM. Once upon a time, most hotels were generous with late check out/ early check-in, but it’s 2024 and this “service” is now available for a fee.

Don’t forget to factor in parking, if applicable ($15-$25 at Drury Inn - depending on your booking source, and $40 at the Waldorf).

And of course the Drury Inn includes a full breakfast, evening dinner spread and snacks and drinks throughout the day.

 

[Wishuponastar0412]

My parents got an incredible rate at the Waldorf a few years ago- around $200 a night. We've also stayed in the Signia next door. Honestly, the rooms were pretty similar! The Waldorf had a great lobby and food options, but depends how much time you're planning on spending there. My parents didn't think was worth it unless got an insane rate again.

However, if you really want to and think this is your one time to do it- then do it!

 

[kathy884]

It has to be an individual decision and we are all different in what we are willing to spend money on and what we think might be cool and like to try. I think only you can make that decision. For me a vacation budget is for frivolous fun, so there are no rules.

This is just me. It's sort of weird, but I'm not really all that comfortable in staying in certain four or five star hotels (US designation) and even if I get a good base rate and extras are in my budget, I still baulk at extra charges for internet, parking, resort fees, and high food prices at the restaurants. Maybe I'm just not a fancy person and I have a bit of a bean counter personality. The Waldorf is probably on lots of people's lists but wouldn't be on mine.

I know for example that my son really wanted to stay one night when we were driving thru Nashville and doing an overnight at the Opryland Gaylord Palms, so I did that. He really liked it and wanted to try it out once, but it wasn't really my thing (Paid $100 more for a night than another place I would have been fine with, paid $35 or so to park too, ate at the food court and bought snacks to eat at a little snack shop there (and the food at both of these were fine) but we didn't eat at any of many other onsite restaurants as we thought prices were too high and nothing offered looked worth it for the prices. We paid to take the riverboat around and get a tour of their botanical gardens (you could do that as an offsite visitor too) and did a lot of walking around the place, etc. the one evening we were there. Food court prices there were similar to offsite table service restaurants. But at least the food court food was good and I wasn't going to go offsite as the whole point of staying there was to do a little hanging out at the property. If in my case though my son had not been interested it would have been a pass for me.

In Orlando too, I used to think I'd like to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge sometime (love the grounds there) and get a Savannah View room. But lol, that was before I looked at prices (and note too - I tend to go to Orlando in the winter or spring when I like the weather better and there typically aren't a lot deals). Anyway, just looking at what it would cost easily took it off my list of wanting to try it.

Even a place like the Marriott Renaissance SeaWorld (four star place) -- beautiful lobby, heated towels, cushy loungers, just really wasn't my vibe -- didn't like the high restaurant prices, charges for parking, charges for internet, vibe is a little fancier than I like. I got a great rate, but I would have been happier at the Residence Inn SeaWorld or the Hilton Grand Vacation Club SeaWorld timeshare for example.

But I am also at the point in my life and at the point financially where if it's reasonable enough I'll pay more for a nicer hotel or condo vs, something that feels kind of blah or dated, go for an extra experience or tour I'd like to try, maybe based on price pay a little more for a good view. For Orlando the places I stay most often are timeshare condos offsite (for longer stays and larger groups): Sheraton Vistana Resort or Cypress Point or suit hotel offsite (for shorter stays): Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld. These are more my style (nice amenities, have kitchens which I like for left overs or the occasional ordering of a pizza and having leftovers) and have food options right there that are reasonable (Marriott Residence Inn in particular includes a nice breakfast and I like the food options you can pick up for dinner). In the timeshare condos I particularly like the screened in porches / balconies with tables and chairs for sitting out.

We all are different in what we like and what we'd like to do with our fun frivolous vacation budgets. Good luck. I think you'll have a great vacation with whatever you decide.

 

[bankr63]

Is your bucket list to stay at A Waldorf, or the Orlando Waldorf?

If it is the brand you want to stay at one time, I would do that elsewhere. Way too much to do on an Orlando/Disney long weekend to try to spend the time enjoying the amenities at a hotel. If I was spending more time and would spend real time at the resort, it might make a difference, but not for a quick trip. Spend the money saved on your park tickets and get the Waldorf next time you go to NYC, Atlanta, or Chicago.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Don't do it. It is a lot of money and you will take time switching resort. Also, the Waldorf has a resort fee that is quite high. I have stayed at the Waldorf and yes it is lovely, but I would not spend that much. The Durey is also in a better location.