Waldorf or Grand Cypress

[aheaviside]

I'm seriously considering off site hotels for our next trip in Jan. 2012 after hearing too many negative reviews about service at on site deluxe hotels and realizing that you get more bang for your buck if staying off site.

Thinking about the Waldorf Astoria or the Hyatt Grand Cypress. Does anyone have any information about either hotel that will help with my decision?

Specifically, I'm looking for info on travel time to MK and AK from each hotel. How are the buses or should I use my rental car? Are there multiple stops on the buses? Do they share with other hotels? Is it a pain to travel from grand cypress...it looks farther away on the map.

Second, which rooms do you like better and which rooms are bigger? I've got 2 small kids with me so room size is important.

Service, restaurants, were there decent breakfast options at the hotel, coffee places open early?

Last does either have club level and is it worth it in your opinion? Any other thoughts, insights, or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't found too many reviews yet.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[deej696]

I'm seriously considering off site hotels for our next trip in Jan. 2012 after hearing too many negative reviews about service at on site deluxe hotels and realizing that you get more bang for your buck if staying off site.

Thinking about the Waldorf Astoria or the Hyatt Grand Cypress. Does anyone have any information about either hotel that will help with my decision?

Specifically, I'm looking for info on travel time to MK and AK from each hotel. How are the buses or should I use my rental car? Are there multiple stops on the buses? Do they share with other hotels? Is it a pain to travel from grand cypress...it looks farther away on the map.

Second, which rooms do you like better and which rooms are bigger? I've got 2 small kids with me so room size is important.

Service, restaurants, were there decent breakfast options at the hotel, coffee places open early?

Last does either have club level and is it worth it in your opinion? Any other thoughts, insights, or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't found too many reviews yet.

Thanks so much!!!

Well having stayed at both, I'll try to help. Travel time to the parks would definitely be less from the Waldorf, as it actually lies within Disney property on Buena Vista Drive, AK would take 10 mins tops, MK just a couple more. Very convenient. I wouldnt use their bus service, however, as there are only two buses and they stop at two or three parks each. I'd probably do a rental car, but note its $20 valet only at Waldorf. GC is on a pretty busy road just off Disney property, and it would definitely take longer plus traffic stress.

As for room size, I don't think one offers an advantage over the other, although I'd definitely say the Waldorf's are nicer.

Food and service, again I'd say the Waldorf. Only because they share a giant complex with the Hilton next door, which opens more options. There is a coffee place on the hilton side which is open early. Grand Cypress has a couple nice restaurants and a counter service place poolside.

If pool is any concern, well most definitely the winner is Grand Cypress. I've been going here since I was a kid, and that's one of the primary reasons. The kids will love it.

Overall, If cost isnt a concern, I'd go with the Waldorf, but it's likely you can find the Hyatt for half the price. Then again, the Hilton adjacent to the Waldorf is great, and I'd probably choose that over the Hyatt also...

Hope all this helps. If you're interested, I reviewed my stay at the Waldorf here...

 

[aheaviside]

That was very helpful. Thanks so much. We will be traveling to Orlando about twice a year since we have a lot of family there. Sounds like the Waldorf is better for our parks trip and maybe our Jan trip since it will be cold and the Grand Cypress is better for a non park trip in the summer when we will do more pool time. Thanks again...going to read your review next.

 

[simba2002]

Wyndham Bonnet creek is right next to the Waldorf and is a great place. 1/2/3 bedroom units. No parking charge for self parking. They do have bus service to the parks but not nearly as convenient as WDW, but if you rent a car and park at downtown Disney then you can use WDW to all the different areas you would like to travel to. I usually purchase the unit through people needing to sell their timeshare points. Good luck on planning your trip.

 

[Straitlover]

I just got back from the Hilton next to the Waldorf. Here's a website to their shuttle schedule that's a little better than on the Waldorf site:

www.bonnetshuttle.com

The MK shuttle is pretty great. It's every 30 minutes except for around the 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM timeframes. Even if the MK bus is going to another park, it stops at MK first. The AK bus also goes to DTD, but only a few times per day. The AK, Epcot and DHS buses run once per hour, so you have to do a little more planning than for MK.

The bus is lacking in the DTD area IMO. Buses run every 2 hrs or so. so, if you miss our ride, you have to wait another 2 hrs. Tip: the black town car taxis are $30 (!!!) to DTD, and that is all there is at the Waldorf (and the Hilton). A regular yellow cab back from DTD is $8. Found that out from a guy on the bus.

 

[deej696]

The bus is lacking in the DTD area IMO. Buses run every 2 hrs or so. so, if you miss our ride, you have to wait another 2 hrs. Tip: the black town car taxis are $30 (!!!) to DTD, and that is all there is at the Waldorf (and the Hilton). A regular yellow cab back from DTD is $8. Found that out from a guy on the bus.

This is a good tip, although I didn't quite pay $30. It was $17 to DTD if I recall, and I still felt ripped off. The second time I needed a cab, I got lucky and a regular yellow was dropping someone off, and I hopped in