I know you will.
I am trying to figure out when I can go again. In March I booked a room at the Hilton Bonnet creek for peanuts, maybe $80 a night, through lastminutetravel.com. I called the Hilton a few days later, and they found my reservation so I could add my Hilton honors number. Then, I got that upgrade email. I figured my daughter and her friend (both 15) would like the Hilton bonnet creek fine, but I selected the Luxury suite at the Waldorf on a whim, not thinking I had a chance of getting it. I checked and there are not many luxury suites, I think it was either 5 or 6.
We drove up to the Hilton after leaving the beach club. I was shocked to find out we were upgraded to the luxury suite. Even the guy at the desk at the Waldorf was amazed, he said it was a $1,500 per night suite. It was handicapped but the only thing I noticed that was accessible was a low placed doorbell by the door (yes the rooms have doorbells) and that the area under the huge, long vanity in the bathroom was open so that a wheelchair could roll under (I work for a non-profit that assists people with disabilities so I know what to look for).
I also stayed at the Hilton in May of this year for 3 nights. While it is very nice and I liked the Hilton, it is no comparison to the Waldorf. I think even a regular room at the Waldorf (non-suite) would be much nicer than the Hilton.
There really is a reason why the Waldorf costs more.
At least go down and check out the spa. They even have out door treatment rooms
Last December we stayed at the Waldorf in New Orleans. It was recently renovated (used to be the old Fairmont which was once the place to stay circa 1930's, 1940's and beyond). I booked directly through the Waldorf website and also received the upgrade email. I chose a suite at we got it even though there appeared to be multiple weddings there (large hotel), lucky as it was a Saturday night around Dec 19th. I think we ended up paying maybe $219, very nice large suite, but the bathroom was not as nice as the Orlando Waldorf I guess theNew Orleans Waldorf rooms were more constrained because it was a renovation. They also served Tea Forte in the coffee shot at $8 per cup!!!
You will have to come back and post your impressions of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando when you return.
The Bonnet Creek area is right next to the Carribean Beach WDW hotel and right down from downtown disney. It is very well located. It is about a 5 minute drive from Hollywood studios.
If you have a car, I preferred driving than taking the bus. The bus stopped at both the Hilton and Waldorf at bonnet creek. Each bus also stopped at 2 parks. The busses they use though are much nicer than the regular Disney busses, they look more like ME busses.
Also, there are towncars you can hire, but they are expensive. Maybe you take a taxi to the parks as an alternative.
You can't beat free though, if you don't want to bother will paying for parking at the parks or doing the valet. I just loved calling valet at both the Waldorf and the Hilton and having my car brought down to me. It was a true luxury.
I truly thought the Waldorf Orlando was a 5 star hotel. The linens were divine, the bed comfy, nice plush robes and slippers provided, bath salts for the bath tub. The orchid in the room was such a nice touch, In fact in 2009 there seemed to be orchids everywhere, one of my favorites but we actually arrived on the night they were having the grand opening so maybe there were extra orchids then. If my husband wasn't taking a break from Disney we would have returned there. There is a wonderful golf course there, but my husband does not golf. The Waldorf also has cabanas by the pool. Young people around the pools bring you nice plush towels, sometimes chilled fruit and water. There is a nice pool bar as well. My husband liked the work out room. I liked the view out over the waterway towards Disney.
Just don't forget the coffee and tea down in the Peacock lounge in the am.
That is all I can think of. Hope this is not too much information!