The WALDORF ASTORIA ORLANDO and HILTON BONNET CREEK Information Thread

[Princess Disney Mom]

This past summer I stayed at HBC 2 rooms for our family and another trip had two rooms at Port Orleans for the family.

The Port Orleans trip was free dining and since we have teens this was cheaper than HBC.

Without free dining I would stay at the WA vs a Disney deluxe. Since I have stayed at HBC I have no desire to pay disneys outrageous prices for deluxe. What was interesting is when going to dinner at the poly when staying at HBC their main pool looked so small and crowded.

The transportation is not as convient as the GF.

The split stay that others recommended may work well and then you can compare yourself.

 

[Debs Hill]

hello guys! we are planning on a one or two night stay at the Waldorf (mostly for hubby to play golf!!) and hopefully so I can get to the spa! We will be arriving in Orlando about 6.00pm after a flight from the UK and are not sure that we'll be up to a posh sit down meal at the Bull and Bear.....where would you suggest eating? It is me, hubby and son aged 11.

Also, what is the buffet breakfast like?
love
Debx

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

hello guys! we are planning on a one or two night stay at the Waldorf (mostly for hubby to play golf!!) and hopefully so I can get to the spa! We will be arriving in Orlando about 6.00pm after a flight from the UK and are not sure that we'll be up to a posh sit down meal at the Bull and Bear.....where would you suggest eating? It is me, hubby and son aged 11.

Also, what is the buffet breakfast like?
love
Debx

If you have a car stop somewhere on the way. You can get pizza or other delivery to the resort from dominos etc. At the WA or HBC you can eat there at a restaurant . Not sure if they serve food at the pool that late.

 

[Bracelet Babe]

Just home from a fabulous 4 night stay at the Waldorf Astoria. We were able to reserve our room as a Florida Resident and with the Fall Luxury Stay. Upon checking in, we did receive a complimentary upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite! It was absolute luxury and just gorgeous. I had mentioned our annivesary and there was a bottle of champagne and strawberries waiting for us. Everything about our stay was wonderful. Great maid service, good transportation to the parks and DT Disney, pools amazing and you may use the lazy river at the adjoining Hilton. Evening turndown includes yummy chocolates on your pillow. We ate our breakfasts at The Hilton and the buffet was excellent. We did not eat at The Waldorf as it just didn't work into our plans. I am ready to go back anything! If you have questions...just ask!

 

[supraman215]

Just home from a fabulous 4 night stay at the Waldorf Astoria. We were able to reserve our room as a Florida Resident and with the Fall Luxury Stay. Upon checking in, we did receive a complimentary upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite! It was absolute luxury and just gorgeous. I had mentioned our annivesary and there was a bottle of champagne and strawberries waiting for us. Everything about our stay was wonderful. Great maid service, good transportation to the parks and DT Disney, pools amazing and you may use the lazy river at the adjoining Hilton. Evening turndown includes yummy chocolates on your pillow. We ate our breakfasts at The Hilton and the buffet was excellent. We did not eat at The Waldorf as it just didn't work into our plans. I am ready to go back anything! If you have questions...just ask!

We're staying at the Hilton in 2 weeks. How did you get the upgrade did you ask or did they offer it? I'd love that, a separate room for sleeping would be great since we're going with our 4 year old daughter, and I snore.

 

[Bracelet Babe]

A possible upgrade was part of the Fall Special at The Waldorf Astoria. When we signed into the hotel, the upgrade was given. However, it doesn't hurt to ask! Also, check the Hilton site as they may be having the same special for your hotel. Also, it never hurts to call the hotel and ask what specials they may be having. Have a fabulous time! You will love the pool area!

 

[Magalex]

We are considering Hilton Bonnet Creek for a trip in June 2012. We are visiting different Orlando attractions besides Disney. We are usually on-site guests at Disney. I would love to stay at a "deluxe" style hotel but still being very close to Disney or "semi on-site". I have read very good reviews on this hotel. I like the photos too. How is the transportation to the WDW parks? We have one 11 yr old DS. Any thoughts about how family-friendly this hotel is? Will we feel out of place? Would his age group enjoy the pool? I read that they serve a fantastic breakfast buffet. What are the prices for the buffet? Any family tips!

I do know they charge for self-parking.

 

[Canajan]

We stayed at HBC last winter with our 11-year-old daughter for 8 days. We loved it. For the first few days, the hotel seemed like a ghost town, and then it was completely full because of a conference. The only difference we noticed was that the lobby was much busier and noisier during the conference, and that there were usually other people in the elevators. Still, we didn't hear any noise from the hallway near our room, so the conference didn't seem to affect us.

Kids 12 and under eat for free, so the breakfast buffet came to about $40 for two adults and a child.

 

[DCTooTall]

We are considering Hilton Bonnet Creek for a trip in June 2012. We are visiting different Orlando attractions besides Disney. We are usually on-site guests at Disney. I would love to stay at a "deluxe" style hotel but still being very close to Disney or "semi on-site". I have read very good reviews on this hotel. I like the photos too. How is the transportation to the WDW parks? We have one 11 yr old DS. Any thoughts about how family-friendly this hotel is? Will we feel out of place? Would his age group enjoy the pool? I read that they serve a fantastic breakfast buffet. What are the prices for the buffet? Any family tips!

I do know they charge for self-parking.

It might also be worth checking out the new Wyndham Grand hotel which just opened up. It's literally across the street from the Waldorf/Hilton complex. It's just opened as of October 1st, so we don't have a lot of information available yet, but it does appear to be another "upscale" hotel offering within the same "onsite Off-site" Bonnet Creek area. If nothing more, it may give you another place to compare pricing/amenities with.

(hmmm... wondering the Wyndham Grand and Hilton might end up generating some price competition between each other? )

 

[dpndka]

We're staying at HBC for the fourth time next month during thanksgiving week. We love this hotel and are really looking forward to our trip.

Our 2nd child did not meet the age requirements during our past visits but this year he does so we're thinking of trying the kids club. I called the hotel and they informed of the cost & activities offered plus the kids nite out program. I can't seem to find any customer reviews though. Has anyone here used the babysitting service at Waldorf's kids club?

 

[Magalex]

Do they rent tubes for the lazy river at HBC? If they do, what is the cost?

I showed the websites & rates for the HBC or the Hyatt Regency Cypress Gardens to my DH. He likes the choice of deluxe level hotels without the high prices of the WDW deluxes. HBC is offering a package called Bonus Nights (for every three nights, the fourth night is free). We did the calculations last night & we would have two nights free (June 8th-16th). It wasn't that much more than a value resort priced during the summer season. Plus our DS is 11 so he can still eat free if we chose to eat at one of the restaurants.

 

[BunnieGene]

Do they rent tubes for the lazy river at HBC? If they do, what is the cost?

They do... we just returned from a long weekend at the WA and the rental was either $5 or $7/day...

Sooo much fun...hope to return soon

 

[Magalex]

They do... we just returned from a long weekend at the WA and the rental was either $5 or $7/day...

Sooo much fun...hope to return soon

I wonder if it would be better to stop at Target to buy a noodle or some type of tube & have it all week. Then we can pass it on to another family when we leave.

 

[shoppgirl]

I wonder if it would be better to stop at Target to buy a noodle or some type of tube & have it all week. Then we can pass it on to another family when we leave.

Most definitely worth packing your own and then either leaving them behind or deflating them and bringing them home. We brought a full sized inner tube with handles from home, and DH brought it to the place where they rent out the tubes and they blew the tube up for us, no questions asked! Tubes are the way to go, much more fun than a noodle for the lazy river.

 

[shoppgirl]

We're staying at the Hilton in 2 weeks. How did you get the upgrade did you ask or did they offer it? I'd love that, a separate room for sleeping would be great since we're going with our 4 year old daughter, and I snore.

We reserved a standard queen room at the Hilton when we went in July (to secure the cheapest rate). When we got there, we asked for an upgrade to a suite at the hilton. They offered us the upgrade for an additional $100 (I think this rate fluctuates greatly depending on time of year/occupancy rates etc). Then we asked if we could get the suite at the Waldorf and they offered us the same rate for the WA. Therefore, always ask. There is a good chance you can get it for free even, or just a nominal fee. It is definitely worth it to have the space and extra bedroom especially if you have children who can sleep on their own in a separate room. My girls loved the full sized pull out couch. It was so comfortable. You can also request a full sized twin cot (looks more like a bed than a cot!) at the WA that looked equally comfortable!

 

[snappy]

If you join Hilton honors, you might get an email offering an e-upgrade for even less. I received this offer several times, once when we booked at the Hilton Bonnet Creek via lastminutetravel.com, after I called Hilton and had them add my Hilton Honors acct # to the reservation, and another time when we stayed at the Waldorf in New Orleans.

Got a grade upgrade, both times.

There are several choices on the e-upgrade, for Disney view rooms, and various levels of suites at both the Hilton and the Waldorf Bonnet Creek, starting at $5 for the Disney view upgrade.

 

[snappy]

I buy noodles at Target for the lazy river as the inner tubes is uncomfortable for me under my arms due to surgery. The larger noodles work the best.

 

[Magalex]

I know there is a self parking fee for the HBC but is there also a resort fee added on to the reservation? I am asking because someone just posted about a resort fee in a review on tripadvisor.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I know there is a self parking fee for the HBC but is there also a resort fee added on to the reservation? I am asking because someone just posted about a resort fee in a review on tripadvisor.

There are no resort fees, but there is a charge for WiFi, and for parking which you already mentioned.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Holiday Food and Fun at Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...oria-orlando-and-hilton-orlando-bonnet-creek/