The WALDORF ASTORIA ORLANDO and HILTON BONNET CREEK Information Thread

[rie'smom]

Looks nice and all, any idea why this is on the "Disney Resorts" forum and not "Orlando Hotels"?

No, but I like it here just as I like the Swan and Dolphin on this page. These are the resorts that I have and will choose if I'm not staying at a Disney owned property.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The Hilton Honors point requirements for WDW tix have increased:

"You can trade in Hilton HHonors points for "FREE" Walt Disney World tickets. It takes 175,000 points for an adult 4-Day Magic Your Way with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More ticket with the No Expiration option. It is 160,000 points for a 4-day child's ticket with the same inclusions. 7-Day tickets are also available at higher point values."

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm exhausted UGHHH but the opening was a pure triumph for central florida..tons of media and big shots everywhere..was truly a site to behold..and now to sleep and do it all over again.

You all must try this amazing piece of history

Did you see the Governor? Did he get any spa treatments?

Congratulations on surviving opening day! Did anything unexpected happen or did everything go smoothly?

 

[mddisneyfamily]

I know the Waldorf has only been open for a couple of days but is there any early word on the transportation to Disney parks? How often are they running? Where do they go?...Also wondering if we would feel out of place if traveling with our kids. Is it too stuffy to feel comfortable with small children?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I know the Waldorf has only been open for a couple of days but is there any early word on the transportation to Disney parks? How often are they running? Where do they go?...Also wondering if we would feel out of place if traveling with our kids. Is it too stuffy to feel comfortable with small children?

That's a very good question. I haven't heard anything since they opened yesterday on how the transportation is doing. However, when I called last month, they said that their exclusive shuttle to the TTC will depart every 30 minutes and it won't stop anywhere else on the way (See page 1 of this thread for more info.)

As far as kids are concerned, don't hesitate! We're taking our DD11 with us (she goes everywhere with us). She is looking forward to the kids' activities (they had asked for suggestions a while back on their Facebook page) and there is a nature preserve where they have lots of trails and a lake. There is also a kids' club and I believe that bikes rentals are free. The Hilton has a great "lazy river" pool with a slide which is pictured on the first page of this thread (hopefully, it'll be heated in December...). We've taken our DD twice to the Greenbrier Resort in WV which many think is the ultimate in stuffiness, and we didn't feel out of place at all. The 4 and 5 star resorts want to make sure that the kids have a great time or else their parents won't want to come back.

They still don't have their website updated with more info. on the things you asked about, but I'm sure they will answer any questions you might have:
1-888-353-2009.

 

[jerseyboy99]

I'm really curious to read some reviews since we are considering staying over the New Year!!

WDWKOOK - thanks for all the detailed information.

 

[eliza61]

I know the Waldorf has only been open for a couple of days but is there any early word on the transportation to Disney parks? How often are they running? Where do they go?...Also wondering if we would feel out of place if traveling with our kids. Is it too stuffy to feel comfortable with small children?

Also wanted to mention that we have taken our kids to the Waldorf Astoria hotel in NYC and the staff is FABULOUS!!. I mean, seriously great. I have two sons and I swear the people at the concierge desk were falling out of their seats to give us ideas on where to go with kids.

Even in shorts and Tee shirts we never felt "out of place". We didn't eat at the restaurants there although.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm really curious to read some reviews since we are considering staying over the New Year!!

WDWKOOK - thanks for all the detailed information.

You're welcome, jerseyboy99.

I can't wait for a review, too.

 

[tink_lover]

Do you know if you can use the lazy river pool at the Hilton if staying at the WA? Found out some more info regarding my Jan trip.....the nights could be added on before/after the meeting for $239 but not until Dec and it depended on occupancy. What?! Don't these people know that those of us on the disboards are planners? I can't take any chances - so booked BLT studio for a couple of nights on rented DVC points. I can hardly wait.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

You bet I would!! I've stayed at the WA in NYC... oh it's heavenly. Most. Comfortable. Bed. Ever. (Nicer than The Plaza, even with the Central Park view. Although Marriott Times Square suites are nice, but not THAT nice.)

I'd stay at the WAO before I'd go Disney Deluxe! (Yep, we're Value-ers that go a few times a year.) If I'm paying that much, I'm getting WA service, beds, linens and amenities. WA has my business!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Do you know if you can use the lazy river pool at the Hilton if staying at the WA? Found out some more info regarding my Jan trip.....the nights could be added on before/after the meeting for $239 but not until Dec and it depended on occupancy. What?! Don't these people know that those of us on the disboards are planners? I can't take any chances - so booked BLT studio for a couple of nights on rented DVC points. I can hardly wait.

Yes, I was told that all of the amenities, including the lazy river pool, are available to WA guests. On page one of this thread I list the different ways you can get to it from the WA.

Could you just make a separate reservation for those "add-on" nights now? You could fiddle around online to see what rates you could get and just make note that it's a continuing reservation and you'd like to stay in the same room

 

[tink_lover]

I thought about it but decided not to risk that it wouldn't transfer over or that there would be no availability at the reduced rate. It's ok, I will be there for a week for the business meeting and I'm sure we will have some down time I may try to come in a day early as well to relax and have a spa treatment.

 

[jacqu3lin3]

Hi Everyone!!!

I just wanted to post a quick review regarding the new WA in Bonnet Creek. My DH and I were lucky enough to stay there Friday (10/2) through Monday (10/5). Let me start off by saying that the resort is gorgeous!!! It's not as 'formal' as the WA in NYC, but you can definitely tell that you are are in a 5 star resort. I found the decor to be much more on the contemporary side.

The pool area was nice, but I preferred the pool at the adjoining Hilton....its was just a short walk away. I would definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you have kids!

The staff was very friendly and quick to respond to any of our needs. There were still a few glitches in their computer system, but that was to be expected since they had just opened.

As for transportation, the WA does offer bus transportation, wich is shared with the Hilton, to the parks. The buses run every 1/2 hour.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

If you guys like, I'd be happy to post pics when I get home from work...

 

[mechteach]

As for transportation, the WA does offer bus transportation, wich is shared with the Hilton, to the parks. The buses run every 1/2 hour.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Thanks for the review! It's nice to hear from someone who has stayed at the WA! I have a quick question about the buses - do they just go to the TTC, or to anywhere else in WDW?

 

[jacqu3lin3]

Thanks for the review! It's nice to hear from someone who has stayed at the WA! I have a quick question about the buses - do they just go to the TTC, or to anywhere else in WDW?

To be honest with with you, we took advantage of the passholder parking benefits and drove to the parks ourselves, so I have no idea where the buses drop you off at. The buses themselves are operated by MEARS so I assume that they drop-off at the TTC like all the other MEARS buses.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi Everyone!!!

I just wanted to post a quick review regarding the new WA in Bonnet Creek. My DH and I were lucky enough to stay there Friday (10/2) through Monday (10/5). Let me start off by saying that the resort is gorgeous!!! It's not as 'formal' as the WA in NYC, but you can definitely tell that you are are in a 5 star resort. I found the decor to be much more on the contemporary side.

The pool area was nice, but I preferred the pool at the adjoining Hilton....its was just a short walk away. I would definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you have kids!

The staff was very friendly and quick to respond to any of our needs. There were still a few glitches in their computer system, but that was to be expected since they had just opened.


As for transportation, the WA does offer bus transportation, wich is shared with the Hilton, to the parks. The buses run every 1/2 hour.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

If you guys like, I'd be happy to post pics when I get home from work...

jacqu3lin3, thank you for posting your TR! Yours is the first on this thread and probably the first on the DISboards!

I have a few (well, maybe a little more) questions if you don't mind:

~Do you know if the WA has a guest laundry?

~Did you notice a WA-TTC shuttle? The WA had told me that there would be a shuttle that would depart every 30 mins. and would only stop at the TTC and there would also be a "Disney bus" that services other Bonnet Creek hotels and would make some other stops. It sounds like the Mears bus you spotted might be the "Disney bus" and not the shuttle

~Did you try any of the WA or HBC restaurants? If so, could you give us an idea of the price ranges/menus?

~Did you notice a self-parking area at the WA or is it shared with the HBC?

~Since you drove, would you mind telling us about how long it took you to drive to WDW and where you parked?

~Was there a fee for the lazy river tubes?

~Would you go back to the WA or would you instead stay at an on-site WDW hotel?

!! And, YES, we would love for you to post some pictures (room pics. would be great). So hurry up and get home!

 

[Scott MC]

Ok, so I'm a little confused. I'm looking at maps, and I can't tell. Is the WA actually on Disney property?
Also, they are selling what they call a "Disney View." Does anyone have any details on what this view is?
I apologize if these questions have already been answered. I did skim the thread and didn't see the answers.
Thanks in advance!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ok, so I'm a little confused. I'm looking at maps, and I can't tell. Is the WA actually on Disney property?
Also, they are selling what they call a "Disney View." Does anyone have any details on what this view is?
I apologize if these questions have already been answered. I did skim the thread and didn't see the answers.
Thanks in advance!

Technically, it is not on Disney-owned property, however, it is surrounded on 3 sides by Disney-owned property. This little patch of about 500 acres was never able to be purchased by Disney when the rest of the surrounding property was. The owner wouldn't let go of it, even for the "FL Project." Here is a great website that explains it all.

I believe the Disney view would be a room in the back of the resort which faces Epcot's Spaceship Earth. Originally, the view was described on the WA's reservations site as "Epcot View" and then it was changed to "Disney View." This is from the thread's first page:

Brian Noble writes:

"For what it's worth, we had a unit on the 10th floor of Wyndham BC's northern end, overloooking all of Epcot. You can see the castle and Contemporary in the distance, and can see Wishes from there. It's not at all the same as seeing it from, say, the Poly beach, but it's there. It's also surprising that, from that perspective, the castle looks a lot smaller relative to the Contemporary towers as its seems from around the MK-area. The 'forced perspective' tricks don't work when you can't see the detail!"

 

[Amy&Dan]

Those hotels look amazing but knowing me, I doubt I book a stay at one of them. So far, in my 13 trips to WDW I have had near perfect to perfect stays at each resort. So while I do think that even their deluxe resorts aren't like other deluxe level resorts I have stayed in at other destinations, I can't say I have been anything but pleased. I guess I have been lucky! Also, I like to use ME, the transportation (we rarely rent a car), I enjoy the DDP and the fact I can just prepay (and yes, I do agree the selection has waned a bit but again, I am still happy enough to repeat the process) and I am just a sucker for the whole thing. The theming, the whole thing. So even those resorts look amazing, they are basically on WDW property, for now, I am staying put with Disney.

Now if I paid deluxe rates for our stay, and had stays that were less than magical, I'd be all over these hotels. But I tend to stay DVC, moderate or even value so my value for what I pay is there and I am happy.

 

[luvpooh]

Wow, I had not realized that the WA was open!
I have a couple of questions for anyone who may know (jacqu3lin3?)

1) do the deluxe suites have TV's in the living room and the bedroom? I think they do based on the floor plan but I can't tell 100%

2) the WA's pool is zero entry, correct? Does anyone know where the cabanas are in relation to the zero entry part?

ETA: Pretty sure that the living room and bedroom both have TV's after re-reading the brochure.
also, I think but I'm not sure that my answer to #2 is n/a - there are 2 separate pools? One w/cabanas and one that is zero entry?