Hotel Dilemma

[sprocket]

Hoping to take a trip later this year but have a hotel Dilemma.

Disney Resort vs offsite.

Im thinking possibly offsite for a change, but everyone else wants onsite.
So, firstly if we stay offsite it needs to be near Disney, but with good shuttle buses. Stayed offsite in 2002 in Sheraton Vista International Drive and back then it only had 2 buses in the morning and 2 buses in the evening and only if you had pre booked the return trip. Its nice to have flexibility for the return and not time pressured.
Secondly it needs decent options for meals. Disney resorts are great as you get quick service options, which are perfect for breakfasts and late evening snacks after the parks, and keeps the meal budget down.
Thirdly, decent entertainment for teens, ie lazy river or big pool.
Budget wise offsite doesnt matter, ie Gaylord or Waldorf Astoria would be ok.

Onsite options. I loved AKL but feel its let down by the quick service and would be enough to prevent us going back. We also prefer more area to walk around. Both of these are not an issue when we stayed at PORS. The reason PORS isnt an option is because it doesnt have the Freestyle machine. Strange but thats our sons wish.
So, which resorts tick these requirements. Good choose of quick service, plenty of walks and Freestyle machines. Moderate or Deluxe.

[Andybear]

POFQ has a Freestyle machine so you could stay at PORS and stroll or take a boat to POFQ for a drink. Or you could stay at POFQ and if you want a walk just take a stroll up to POR.

[sprocket]

Would the dolphin or swan be an option for us?
No freestyle but they have good food options and their own refillable mug.
Not disney but has most of the perks, just no room charging in the parks.

[kazdudds]

We have previously stayed at The Swan and loved the amenities and pool. The beds are the most comfortable I have ever slept in! Location was perfect with being able to walk to HS and EPCOT. But it didn’t feel very ‘disney’ - we have stayed a the Beach Club before and couldn’t help to compare the two. If you’re not looking for a ‘disney’ feel it would be a good option.

[Merryweather17]

How about one of the Hotel Boulevard hotels? they are very nice and if you pick one near disney springs then you can always pop over for food and a walk. OK no freestyle machines but they do have buses and are close enough that the odd uber at the end of the night would not be prohibitive. One or two of these have their own lazy river and large pool areas.

[scouser]

Originally Posted by sprocket

Would the dolphin or swan be an option for us?
No freestyle but they have good food options and their own refillable mug.
Not disney but has most of the perks, just no room charging in the parks.

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The problem with the swan and dolphin I found that -
1, you can't use Disney's magical express as it doesn't go to either hotel
2, There is a daily 25 dollar parking charge
3, There is a 30 dollar per day resort .fee.

I was going to book it last week for one night when we landed buy these put me off plus it didn't feel very disney, but that's just my opinion.

[lam]

The former downtown disney hotels may be an option.They are on the hotel plaza boulevard.The hilton and the buena vista palace hilton are the closesr to Disney springs (formerly downtown disney).ALthough they share a shuttle with the other hotels (route A and route B -so split into 2 bus routes)to the parks, they are frequent and if you stay in the hiltons, you can walk across the road to the former 'bus pick up' at disney springs and catch buses to hotels (then the parks) or savour the fun at disney springs or take a boat ride. All 7 plaza boulevard hotels can now avail of extra magic hours and 60 day fastpass for 2019. We stayed at the buena vista palace before it was bought by hilton and refurbished. we thought it a lovely hotel and loved its proximity to everything. we took a bus down to the crossroads and ate at the many restaurants there, taking a taxi back (before uber)!
Hope this helps.

other option is the orlando hilton bonnet creek which sounds amazing.so many restaurants and fab grounds.worth checking if you have a car.

[BrightlyBob]

I reckon the Swan and Dolphin are great options. Typically around half the price of the Beach or Yacht club, great leisure facilities, walking distance to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot and the dining and evening options of the Boardwalk. It also has its own resort refillable mug, but I don’t know if it’s freestyle. Often the cheapest prices are to be found on Trivago and momondo and because it’s a convention hotel moving dates a little can vastly increase or decrease the cost. Marriott, who runs the hotels also has a good BRG scheme that discounts the lowest price you find by 25%, but if you’re considering using that best DM me beforehand as it’s got plenty of gotchas!
Another worthy consideration is Saratoga Springs. Big early booking discounts, 2-bedroom apartments, good quick service, free dining, good steakhouse, great facilities and walking to Disney Springs meant our trip 5 years ago with our 3 teens is remembered very happily!

[sprocket]

Great to know about the BRG, very useful. Im a Marriott member so often use the points for free stays.
Also good to know about SS, wasnt aware they had good QS.
What is SS like as many pictures make the place look old and outdated. It always looks like it needs a refurbishment.

Originally Posted by BrightlyBob

I reckon the Swan and Dolphin are great options. Typically around half the price of the Beach or Yacht club, great leisure facilities, walking distance to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot and the dining and evening options of the Boardwalk. It also has its own resort refillable mug, but I don’t know if it’s freestyle. Often the cheapest prices are to be found on Trivago and momondo and because it’s a convention hotel moving dates a little can vastly increase or decrease the cost. Marriott, who runs the hotels also has a good BRG scheme that discounts the lowest price you find by 25%, but if you’re considering using that best DM me beforehand as it’s got plenty of gotchas!
Another worthy consideration is Saratoga Springs. Big early booking discounts, 2-bedroom apartments, good quick service, free dining, good steakhouse, great facilities and walking to Disney Springs meant our trip 5 years ago with our 3 teens is remembered very happily!

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[duchy]

I loved the Swan ,even with the resort fee it's a bargain compared with its immediate neighbours the Boardwalk Inn and the Y&B especially with Disney charging for overnight resort parking next year.
Great pools and eating choices and the same boat takes you to EPCOT and the Studios (although both are walkable) as BWI and Y&B.