I am posting this excerpt from another thread about our recent stay at the Waldorf 11/12-11/15/09. It was divine.
I somehow managed to book our stay at WA on the day of the grand opening. We thought something looked odd with people in uniforms out directing traffic with flashlights ala Disney. One of the valets told us later they were expecting more than 300 vehicles but they ended up with about half that number. When we drove up to check in there were at least 20 uniformed valets awaiting our arrival. That felt strange.
The big wheel investors, the governor and the like came in for the big night (someone told us Michele Obama was supposed to be there Sunday). We were kind of oblivious as the room blew us away, and we had reservations at Cali Grill for 9:35 anyways the first night.
They shot off fireworks opening night somewhere out past the water way (probable scared the wildlife to death) but we missed it. We did see the
MVMCP fireworks from the Contemporary observation deck before eating at Cali Grill that evening which was inspiring.
Back to the WA, the place was elegant. Orchids must be their signature flower, they were literally everywhere at the front desk, in the lobby and the Peacock lounge, even on the landings of each floor, as well as in our room. I am such a goose I see no coffee pot so I ask for one, right? The nice patient bell man tells us that coffee is served in the peacock lounge every morning. So we go to check it out, at the bar it is coffee urn, orchid, coffee urn, orchid, etc. etc. Also orchids at every table and on every side table in the peacock lounge along with a grand piano that I never saw anyone play. I did request a small microwave and that was brought to us for no charge (other than a tip).
We had the deluxe king suite with a balcony which was very roomy. We found out it even had a doorbell when our bags were sent up. There were 3 closets to store stuff, a rechargeable flashlight, and a full size umbrella in case of rain. There was a nice bar area with a subzero fridge that I think is designed mostly for drinks, etc, but we were able to move a shelf and put in our orange juice and fruit and cheese and the like. There was a nice table and 4 chairs in that area with high quality marble floors. Marble too all over the bathroom. We had a large living room area with a huge flat screen tv, not sure the size. Another large tv of the same type in the bedroom. Very upscale mahogony furniture throughout and granite countertops in the bar area and the bath room. We also had a nice balcony with very nice furniture and lamps. The bed and beddings were the best I have ever enjoyed. It seemed to have 5 layers, two comforters, one for show that they turned down at night, and a light once between two sheets, with a nice knit coverlet folder over the top. Even the pillows were covered in two pillowcases. The matress itself was very comfortable, firm with a nice foam layer on top. The draperies were top notch, very elegant with the crown moldings, and the huge towels so fluffy. The door to the balcony had a window with a lover coordianted shade. There were two very comfy robes and slippers for each of us too that were arranged at turndown with a chocolate on the pillow and an ice refill for the ice bucket, two bottles of water with a WA label, and a small card with the weather forecast for the following day.
The bar area and nice cabinets that were empty except for 6 wine stems and there was no silverware or plates. It really did not matter to us since we have a fully stocked purple locker. There was plenty of space for storage of items you might bring with you, and a nice trash can in a roll out cabinet.
I think the best feature overall was the tremendous service, both the valet people and the bellmen and the wonderfullpool area. Even at the pool, the towels and lounge covers were delivered to you, along with water, and you could order food and specialty drinks as well.
It warmed up by Friday so I tried out the lazy river at the Hilton which is attached to the WA by this huge almost unbelievable convention room/ballroom complex. I am having trouble with my right shoulder so I could not handle the lazy river tube too well. I had more success doing laps in the pool (at least with backstroke and sidestroke), and boy that water was warm.
We were able to get late checkout on our last day so I took advantage and stayed in the pool and swam many laps. The pool had one very long side, perfect for slow laps. I had it practically to myself. I have never been so relaxed on the day we left Disney for home.
I cannot wait to go back. I just hope they continue to offer deals like we got. I cannot see how they can do that long term. Those two hotels and the conference center area had to cost a fortune. Lots of art, nice furniture, the best draperies, marble, very plush and upscale carpeting, it had everything. Not to mention the first rate golf course.
There was a Mears bus for transportation to the parks, and we did take it one day but the next day we realized it was much easier to do just get our car from the valet, especially to Hollywood studios and EPCOT since the WA is 5 minutes from each of them (right next to the Caribbean beach resort as you go towards downtown Disney). The bus was very comfortable with plush seats (think ME busses) so I liked them better than the regular disney resort busses, but they did multiple stops and driving was far faster. The bus came every 30 minutes at the WA. It always stopped at MK first. Once an hour it went also to HS and EPCOT and AK, the other go round it was MK and AK only.
It also stopped at the Hilton before getting back to the WA.
According to a magazine about Orlando in the room over 1,000 people have been employed by the new WA/Hilton hotel directly or through the landscaping company or the company that is contracted to do the valet. They better fill those rooms. I would love to know how much $$ was poured into that place.
I went down to the spa and was impressed with the lobby area. I was going to try a massage but $180 for a one hour was too steep for blood. The info with the services list though does specify that the price of services allows for nice compensation for the employees and that any tip would be politely refused.
We did not eat at the WA as we had our meals planned at WDW restaurants, particularly at AK.
I have pictures I can post, but I need to go through them. If I find some I think you guys might like I will add them.
We did the Travel Zoo deal buy 3 and get one night 3 with the upgrade to the deluxe suite. the only other charge we had was for 4 days of valet. This was really worth it as it made it so easy and fast, especially to Epcot and HS. There was no resort charge but I did have a $5 charge for the innertube at the lazy river.
There are very nice cabanas around the pool area, I don't know what the fee is for those. I was impressed with the pool furniture which was expecially comfortable with the terrycloth pool chair covers they offered me each day. There was citrus and cucumber infused water available in the lobby each day as well as the workout area. My DH said he thought the workout area had a nice selection of weight machines. Infused water was also offered at the pool, and you could order either individual drinks or pitchers (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) delivered to you at the pool. The pool menu was limited.
There is extensive room service available 24/7, although after midnight the menu was more limited. We did not partake of room service.
There were top of the line toiletries in the bath, bath salts, bath gel, shampoo and conditioner, hand cream, mouthwash, even packets of qtips and fingernail polish remover and a nail file. There was an excellent lighted mirror in the bathroom and the lighting was exceptionally good. There was a nice plush bath mat next to the deep soaking tub. The desk in the bedroom was nice, and there were very roomy drawers in the dresser with a safe as well. There were 3 phones in the suite and an air condition control in both the living room and the bedroom. Another thing I noticed was the hot water was always instantly avaiable but the water pressure in the shower was below par.
I had our airline boarding passes printed out for us at the front desk with no problem. There was some confusion about the pickup of our purple locker, but once I explained it, the woman at the front desk offered to call owners locker for us. We must have been one of the first few parties to have need pickup for the purple locker at the WA.
This is truly a five star hotel in my book.
. If you haven't already seen it, I posted a link to the spa menu on the first page.
! I'm going to update the first page with some of your information, if that's alright.
), I have a deluxe king room booked and would like to know:
