Waldolf Astoria

[wallawallakids]

Has anyone stayed at the Waldolf Astoria before? Thoughts? I booked a vacation package at AKL with free dining. Because we have 4 kids, we need two connecting rooms. (I did 2 standard rooms). The Waldolf Astoria has a suite that will sleep all 6 of us (i.e. one large room vs 2 smaller connecting rooms). It looks a little bit nicer from the web site photos (but I could be wrong). Dh likes the looks of the pools and that we can go over to the Hilton and use their pool too. He also loves that kids eat free under 12. The price works out to be almost identical (actually a tiny bit less) by the time I add in transportation from the airport, tickets from UT, and food. Now I am torn between which one to pick!!! Disney resort for the kids or Waldolf Astoria for the husband. Help!!

 

[zeferjen]

Pete did a podcast about the Waldorf and rated it quite highly.

 

[cjsmith]

Ill be there again in 2 days for another 3 night stay. Fabulous hotel and we have stayed there about 7 times already. Love it. We have been in a regular suite and the Waldorf suite and they were fantastic. The service, the cleanliness, the pools, the restaurants are all incredible.

In January we stayed on the club floor at The Yacht Club again and while we love being Within walking distance and that can't be beat, the Waldorf is actually a more high end hotel.

The only downside is you aren't actually on Disney property and don't get to take advantage of the extended hours.

 

[wallawallakids]

Ill be there again in 2 days for another 3 night stay. Fabulous hotel and we have stayed there about 7 times already. Love it. We have been in a regular suite and the Waldorf suite and they were fantastic. The service, the cleanliness, the pools, the restaurants are all incredible.

In January we stayed on the club floor at The Yacht Club again and while we love being Within walking distance and that can't be beat, the Waldorf is actually a more high end hotel.

The only downside is you aren't actually on Disney property and don't get to take advantage of the extended hours.

Thank you! Did you find the shuttle service to the parks to be efficient? Is it within walking distance to DTD, or a bus service to DTD? Also, if you don't mind me asking, did you take a town car from the airport to the hotel? Thank you so much for your help. This is our first trip to WDW, so we are very overwhelmed.

 

[MAYNARDS99]

Both the Hilton and the Waldorf are fantastic properties. We stayed at the Hilton and I enjoyed the peacefulness of the Waldorf pool. Very quiet and comfortable. The Hilton pool is more fun with the lazy river. We didn't use the shuttle since a rental car works better for us when not on Disney property.

As far as extra magic hours, we ALWAYS avoid that park. The extra magic hours park sucks in almost all the Disney resort guests it seems.

The shuttle schedule is somewhere on the Waldorf Orlando website.

 

[garneska]

First I love the Waldorf Astoria and i pretty much only stay there now except at marathon time. I see you have a standard room booked, but there are many places to view animals. Are your kids really into animals? If so you might want to consider AKL. They also have a lot of children's activities, while the Waldorf does not seem to have any (I don't have kids so I don't pay that much attention). That being said the Waldorf is definitely more upscale and nicer than AKL. The service is good, the rooms are nice and comfortable. I have no experience with the shuttle we always have a car. You would really need to take a cab or a shuttle even to DTD, I don't think there is sidewalk and I would not walk on Buena Vista. As for children under 12 eating free, I think that may only be at Harvest Bistro at the Hilton, it was good. One thing i don't like at Waldorf, there is no place to get a snack late after the parks, you have to walk to the Hilton, they have a coffee shop that has snacks and drinks.

 

[wallawallakids]

First I love the Waldorf Astoria and i pretty much only stay there now except at marathon time. I see you have a standard room booked, but there are many places to view animals. Are your kids really into animals? If so you might want to consider AKL. They also have a lot of children's activities, while the Waldorf does not seem to have any (I don't have kids so I don't pay that much attention). That being said the Waldorf is definitely more upscale and nicer than AKL. The service is good, the rooms are nice and comfortable. I have no experience with the shuttle we always have a car. You would really need to take a cab or a shuttle even to DTD, I don't think there is sidewalk and I would not walk on Buena Vista. As for children under 12 eating free, I think that may only be at Harvest Bistro at the Hilton, it was good. One thing i don't like at Waldorf, there is no place to get a snack late after the parks, you have to walk to the Hilton, they have a coffee shop that has snacks and drinks.

Thank you. Yes, they only eat free at the Hilton's Bistro but all 4 kids would eat free with two paying adults...so that is a big savings. I do think my kids would like the animals. I think that is why I am so torn about it. DH is really likes quite vacations, comfortable beds, good service. (Yes, I know, he is going to Disney. ) He looked up some of the reviews for AKL and thinks paying all the money to stay there is crazy when he can stay at WA for less. I want both him and the kids to have a nice vacation. Obviously the kids would love the parks and the pool at both places. I just really don't know what to do at this point.

 

[kvnchapman]

Thank you. Yes, they only eat free at the Hilton's Bistro but all 4 kids would eat free with two paying adults...so that is a big savings. I do think my kids would like the animals. I think that is why I am so torn about it. DH is really likes quite vacations, comfortable beds, good service. (Yes, I know, he is going to Disney. ) He looked up some of the reviews for AKL and thinks paying all the money to stay there is crazy when he can stay at WA for less. I want both him and the kids to have a nice vacation. Obviously the kids would love the parks and the pool at both places. I just really don't know what to do at this point.

Hi Walla!
As a mom of 5, here are my 5 cents...
My children loved the AKL - we booked 2 adjoining rooms (1 with a bunk and double and 1 with a king), Savannah view. The view from the balcony mesmerized them. Having 2 full bathrooms was a huge plus and saved time in the morning and before dinner ADRs. While it is farther out than the other resorts, the bus commute was not a major issue. Great kids/family activities, excellent dining choices and nice pool. The themeing was amazing and transported you to Africa as you entered the lobby.
(2 you didn't mention that we also loved - Poly and Contemporary - are great for larger families, as well. But I don't believe that either resort has any standard rooms that will sleep more than 5. CR allows for a 5 min walk from th resort to INSIDE the MK gates (huge perk) and is on the monorail. Poly has a beautiful, but crowded pool, lovely grounds and monorail access. At the Poly, I strongly recommend the longhouse closest to the TTC on the ground floor facing the beach, MK view. An incredibly fast walk to the monorail from this location and the fabulous benefit of just opening the sliding doors and allowing the kids to run on the lawn and beach or swing in the hammock while we watched from the room/porch.)
But our favorite, for a combo of price, luxury, space and location is Wyndham Bonnet Creek. It truly cannot "be beat", especially with a presidential villa. WBC is located between the Waldorf and WDW's moderate resort - Caribbean Beach. The suite's laundry room and full kitchen are priceless with a gaggle of children. The Bose sound system and enormous balcony will satisfy DH. And the kids will love the complimentary minigolf, pools with slides and lazy river. The free shuttle services all of the parks and DTD (beware - it breaks between noon and 3pm). Flat screen TVs in each bedroom. It's just REALLY nice. Our villafor this October has 4BRs and 4 BAs and is over 2200 sq ft. And we can watch MK and Epcot fireworks from our balcomy. (Our total cost for 7 nights is less than $1200).
Feel free to ask questions...
Good luck!

 

[garneska]

Thank you. Yes, they only eat free at the Hilton's Bistro but all 4 kids would eat free with two paying adults...so that is a big savings. I do think my kids would like the animals. I think that is why I am so torn about it. DH is really likes quite vacations, comfortable beds, good service. (Yes, I know, he is going to Disney. ) He looked up some of the reviews for AKL and thinks paying all the money to stay there is crazy when he can stay at WA for less. I want both him and the kids to have a nice vacation. Obviously the kids would love the parks and the pool at both places. I just really don't know what to do at this point.

Since your kids are all under 12 and will have plenty of fun just going to Disney, you might just want to please the husband and stay at WA. From an adults only point of view, I would pick the WA over AKL. Good luck with your decision.

 

[kvnchapman]

If I were you, I'd evaluate how important "resort time" is for your family. When you look at your tenative schedule, is their an emphasis or even time allocated for pools,relaxing and resort activities? Must you come "home" to the resort mid-day for naps? Are you spending significant time at each park or does one seem to dominate your schedule?
As I posted earlier, WBC is the clear winner for our family trips.
However, if it was just a couples trip for DH and me, I would probably opt for Swan/Dolphin or one of the Epcot/Boardwalk area deluxes... We wouldn't need the kitchen or laundry nearly as much without our 5 boys.
If WDW offered a mega special on moderates,I would choose PO for an adults trip. Of course, AKL's rates are lower than most deluxe level Disney-owned resortsand it is lovely.
Good luck WallaWalla!

 

[deej696]

We have stayed at both the Hilton and Waldorf numerous times and it has never disappointed. They are pretty much my go-to hotels in Orlando now, and I almost prefer them to our DVC stays.... Enjoy