The WALDORF ASTORIA ORLANDO and HILTON BONNET CREEK Information Thread

[Emilysmom]

We would love to stay at either the Waldorf or the Hilton, but can't afford anything close to rack rates. It sounds like there are amazing pre-Christmas rates, but is there anything after Christmas?
Thanks!

 

[jerseyboy99]

Wende - what can you tell us about the transportation - where were you picked up and dropped off, how often did the shuttle/bus run, etc.? Did you eat at the hotel, if so, how was the food? Thanks!

 

[rie'smom]

Where do you get dropped off at the parks?

MK at the TTC or at the Contemporary and we walk over.
Epcot, DHS, and AK right out front.

 

[DisneyGerry]

I see they and the new Hilton are both on Priceline

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Well, just looked at tripadvisor and read some very poor reviews of the WAO. From one of the reviews, it looks like the Waldorf Astoria Suite is a one-bedroom suite (one very large bedroom!). It makes sense, I guess, since there is a two-bedroom category as well as the Waldorf Astoria suite category. But, I'm holding out hope that the person a previous poster e-mailed for information (Tom?) has given us the right information - that the WA suite is two-bedroom.

I didn't like to read that the dining room table and chairs, and microwave and coffee makers were not in the room. That shouldn't be, no matter what rate people are paying. Every time I called the past few weeks I was told that the hotel is "fully operational" right now. If you don't have all the furniture in the room, I don't call that "fully operational!!"

I'll be monitoring the reviews, and if they continue to be so-so, I think maybe that will be enough to push my family back to Disney property and the GF.

 

[WDWKOOK]

As DisneyDoogie posted, there are more Tripadvisor reviews that have been posted for the WAO, and overall they are less than impressive and not very reassuring.

I get the impression that the WA is very ready to take guests' money, but they aren't ready to provide 5-star (or even 4-star?) level service and amenities. I think they've set themselves up for failure or at the very least, low repeat guest numbers if they continue to tout themselves as being the ultimate in luxury, amenities, service, food, etc...

I think we're definitely re-considering our Christmas plans at the WA.

 

[rie'smom]

We're going to give the WAO time to get up and running before we book. Hopefully, people's experiences will get better. It seems that maybe they pushed to open in order to get holiday business but they'd have done themselves a favor had they waited.

 

[mechteach]

Oh, I'm so torn over this! I have a back-up stay booked at the Swan, but I'll keep my W=A reservation booked as well, and hope that the reviews get better.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Hmmm. Does not sound good. Hopefully they will fix the problems and be competitive with the Deluxe resorts at Disney.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We're going to give the WAO time to get up and running before we book. Hopefully, people's experiences will get better. It seems that maybe they pushed to open in order to get holiday business but they'd have done themselves a favor had they waited.

Sounds like a smart plan. I do wonder, however, how long their "introductory" deals will last; they seem to all expire in late December. But like WDW, I'm sure more deals will emerge when occupancy is down.

I'm just so disappointed in those TA reviews. It's not at all what I expected from a new hotel of this (supposed) caliber. It's almost like reading WDW resort reviews.

 

[Brian Noble]

Over time, you'd expect their service to stabilize. But, you'd also expect that as they build a clientele, the get-to-know-us discounts might start to thin out.

As they say, there's no free lunch.

 

[WendyisDarling]

The TA reviews seem mixed to me.
Then again, it is so hard to tell with reviews. Some people can never be pleased and others are happy just about anywhere --sort of like the Disney resorts. I always doubt myself there, too.
Having a back up reservatoin is probably the best plan until more come in.

I'm hoping this is just a settling in process.

 

[Beach710]

We stayed at the Hilton BC this past weekend and I think anyone who is used to the Disney transportation would be disappointed like we were.

The bus(es) run every 1/2 hour but that doesn't mean you can get to any park every 1/2 hour. On the hour the bus will go to MK and AK, and on the 1/2 to MK, EPCOT, DS. The bus returns from EPCOT every hour. You miss a bus and you have to wait another hour or you can take the monorail to the TTC and get the MK bus. The bus only goes to DD 4 times a day. You can take a Mears town car for $13 to go to DD. No taxi stand just Mears town cars.


I had reservations for Thanksgiving weekend at the WA and canceled them as soon as I got home.

As far as the hotel goes - it's ok. Nicely appointed except missing the fridge or mini bar, Housekeeping was spotty - didn't empty a trash can, missed other little things.

I hope this helps anyone planning on staying at the Hilton BC.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

They will have to offer new deals. As long as Disney is offering deals, has EMH and pretty good transportation the others must compete or why would anyone go there?

I must say the no laundry is a big minus for Hilton BC.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed at the Hilton BC this past weekend and I think anyone who is used to the Disney transportation would be disappointed like we were.

The bus(es) run every 1/2 hour but that doesn't mean you can get to any park every 1/2 hour. On the hour the bus will go to MK and AK, and on the 1/2 to MK, EPCOT, DS. The bus returns from EPCOT every hour. You miss a bus and you have to wait another hour or you can take the monorail to the TTC and get the MK bus. The bus only goes to DD 4 times a day. You can take a Mears town car for $13 to go to DD. No taxi stand just Mears town cars.


I had reservations for Thanksgiving weekend at the WA and canceled them as soon as I got home.

As far as the hotel goes - it's ok. Nicely appointed except missing the fridge or mini bar, Housekeeping was spotty - didn't empty a trash can, missed other little things.

I hope this helps anyone planning on staying at the Hilton BC.

Thank you for posting your review of the HBC. Your comments on the transportation are very informative.

Just curious, did you cancel your WA reservation only because of the transportation or was there another concern(s) that you had with the hotel?

 

[Beach710]

Thank you for posting your review of the HBC. Your comments on the transportation are very informative.

Just curious, did you cancel your WA reservation only because of the transportation or was there another concern(s) that you had with the hotel?

I canceled our reservations at the WA mostly because of transportation and location of the hotel. You can't really walk to anything. So you either drive for your meals or eat at their pricey restaurants. Also no night time entertainment.

 

[jerseyboy99]

Hmmm, looks like the Hilton reviews at TripAdvisor are improving.

We plan to spend most of our time at the Parks, so transportation is a very important issue for me. I have a reservation at the Hilton and Wilderness Lodge - so unsure of what to do?!?

 

[Brian Noble]

I would rent a car at the Hilton---you have to get there and back anyway, and at that point the marginal cost of a car is pretty modest unless you have a very long stay. Then again, I'll be renting a car for my upcoming VWL stay, as well.

 

[Beach710]

I would rent a car at the Hilton---you have to get there and back anyway, and at that point the marginal cost of a car is pretty modest unless you have a very long stay. Then again, I'll be renting a car for my upcoming VWL stay, as well.

You need to remember to add the cost of parking when renting a car. At the Hilton it was $13/day + tax for self parking. Of course valet parking is more at $20/day + tax.

 

[Brian Noble]

Parking on both ends, actually---at your resort, if they charge, and at the parks. But, still worth it to me to be on my schedule. From the BC Hilton, a cab *might* be comparable, but still not as convenient.

To be fair though, I always rent a car onsite as well. I've had enough long waits for Disney transportation over the past trip or two that it's just not worth the hassle to me.