Which is Better: Buena Vista Suites or Lake Buena Vista Resort?

[diz&dat]

Visiting Orlando & Walt Disney World (WDW) for 6 days in April 2005, and plan to spend most of the time at Epot & Magic Kingdom parks, and currently have reservations at both:

1) Best Western's: Lake Buena Vista Resort (LBVR) for $100/night, which includes Upper floor: 'Deluxe Preferred' corner room with Disney View.

and

2) Buena Vista Suites (BVS) at $88/night, which includes a 2 room suite & free full breakfast.

Though we'll also have a car, both properties include free shuttle service to WDW parks.

Lake Buena Vista Resort is an official off-site Disney hotel (located near Downtown Disney), but I heard that the shuttle bus commute time to WDW from Lake Buena Vista Resort takes 2-3 times longer than from the Buena Vista Suites, of which is not even an official Disney hotel.

I also discovered that all the Buena Vista Suite's rooms were all recently (2004) renovated and include new matresses, but though the Lake Buena Vista Resort's room's & public areas were recently upgraded as well, their matresses haven't been replaced in over 3 years, with some people (on the review & forum discussion boards) complaining them to be uncomfortably soft & saggy.

Has anyone here stayed at either (or both) of these properties before? I'm looking for the best 'off site' hotel at around $100/night, and situated in a location that will provide convenient return to for mid-day rest & relaxation.

Which one of these two hotels (or others in this price range) would you best recommend? Many thanks in advance for all feedback & advice.

Diz&Dat

 

[thespaceinvader]

Welcome to the DIS Discussion Forums! You can wait until NativeTxn comes online. He/she'll answer your question.

 

[hercamore]

It depends.

Will yo have a car? If not, I'd go with the Best Western dotown disney. Downtwon Disney hotel shae much better bus service than other offsite hotels.

If you have a car, I'd go with the bigger room and free breakfast. Buena Vista has a great location to parks. quick and easy drive on 536.

BTW, Best Western can be had on Priceline for about $40. It's the one of hotels that comes up on www.biddingofrtravel.com check it out.

herc.

 

[diz&dat]

It depends.

Will yo have a car?

Yes.

I realize that the "Lake Buena Vista Resort" includes disney shuttle bus service, but have heard that, because it's located at the last p/u stop on the shuttle line, that securing an empty seat to WDW can often be difficult. In addition, this means a longer ride home in the evening as well.

"Buena Vista Suites" also includes shuttle bus service to/from WDW several times a day (albeit not as frequent), but the 'ride time' itself is a lot faster than the one from "Lake Buena Vista Resort".

Since we'll definitely have a car, I may end up driving (from Buena Vista Suites: a 5-10 minute drive) and paying the $8 Disney Parking fee. Curious if this includes in/out priviledges; or must I pay another $8 if I return to the same Disney parking lot the same day?

I like the advantage of the "Lake Buena Vista Resort" being close to downtown Disney and being able to enjoy seeing evening fireworks from a high floor 'disney view' room, but the longer (slower) commute time to WDW & soft (saggy?) beds turn me off. On the other hand, "Buena Vista Suites" offers more room to spread out, newly rennovated rooms with new beds, and free full breakfasts, albeit they're not close to the downtown disney, or does it include the impressive(?) Disney Park View of fireworks from the room.

Has anyone actually stayed at either the Best Western "Lake Buena Vista Resort" or "Buena Vista Suites"? Curious what the "Buena Vista Suites" grounds & pulic areas are like. Do their rooms simply face a busy (noisy) street and/or parking lot, or into gardens & landscaping? What were your experiences? Thanks in advice for more feedback & advice.

Decision, decisions, decisions.

Diz&Dat

 

[thespaceinvader]

...well...we'll just have to sit back and relax while we wait for more posts in regard to this topic...

 

[dawgsgirl]

I have not stayed at either of these places. I do, however, highly recommend Cypress Pointe Resort through hotelkingdom.com. You can get a condo for about $70-75 per night. They do not have transportation, but it is a very close drive to DTD. Just my opinion!

 

[hercamore]

Years ago, I stayed at at the Best Western. Room was high up and very quiet. That was a long time ago, tho.

Last week, I stayed at Cypress POinte GV as a previous poster menitoned. Personally, I'd go with that place over Buean Vista. Lots more room and more of a resort feel to it. Close to food, shopping.

Since BV is on SR 536, it will be a shorter drive to parks than CP. You pay $8. to park at disney once each day. Show them receipt if you switch park lots..

herc.

 

[diz&dat]

Thanks to everyone here for your replies.

In the meantime:

After reading the thread entitled:
BEST / WORST Off-Site Hotels - GRAND TALLY:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=396572

which gave the 'Sherton Vistana Villages' 9 votes (2nd highest vote getter) as best WDW offsite hotel, as well as reading the TripAdvisor reader reviews giving it an almost unanomous 5 star approval rating:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ages_International_Drive-Orlando_Florida.html
I decided this is the best property for me and my family to stay at.

During the time period we'll be in Orlando (April 2005), the price for a 2 bedroom unit is $199/night which is certainly not much more expensive than booking 2 rooms at Lake Buena Vista or 2 suites at Buena Vista Suites, but what you get is a MUCH MUCH more: 1008 Sq ft of living space which includes: 2 bedrooms (bedroom 1: King bed; bedroom 2: 2 double beds) 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, dining area, living room, washer/dryer, etc, and 2 huge pools outdoors.

I booked directly thru Sheraton as I noticed that the online booking sites (Expedia, Travelocity, etc) yielded no cheaper results unless you pay in full now, and that only provided a $10/day savings. I figured that since April is 5 months away, it makes better sense to keep the $ in the bank and earn interest till April.

I assume that the Sheraton Vistana Villages property on International Drive is the one that people here are recommending so highly, right? I've noticed that there is another place called: Sheraton Vistana Resort, and assume that is another property altogether.

I feel pretty confident now going with Sheraton Vistana Villages on International Drive. Any feedback or recommendation from those of you that have stayed at Sheraton Vistana Villages are of course appreciated.

Thanks,

Diz&Dat