Hilton Bonnet Creek Vs. Waldorf Astoria

[ILoveWTPooh]

Hi! My husband and I are planning a trip in October, and I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on HBC vs. WA? We are not traveling with children. The price difference between the two is between $400 - $500 for a 6 night stay. Is the extra money worth it for WA? It seems that the Disney perks (EMH, FP, etc) are included at both resorts. Additionally, we are not planning on getting a car, as it seems transportation to the parks will be covered through the buses provided. If we need anything, how far is it to the closest Walmart or other store? Thank you so much for any help/advice/experiences you can share with us!

 

[snappy]

I have stayed at both several times, regular room and suite at HBC, suites at the Waldorf.
Once I booked at HBC and since I am a Hilton Honors member, I received an email with an offer to upgrade to various level rooms at the Waldorf if there was availability at check. I usually travel off season, not always. I really like both hotels a lot. The Waldorf feels very upscale, the HBC feels up to date and more trendy. They both opened in 2009. Staying at one gives you access to both pools. I thought the bus service was great, busses run ever 30 minutes like clockwork so you know exactly when to show up to take the bus and they were not crowded, maybe because there is some convention business at the hotels with meetings at the meeting complex that connects the two. I would say the Waldorf is more serene but both are lovely. There’s a great breakfast buffet at HBC. The Waldorf pool is like an oasis, but the lazy river at HBC is fun too. We had a car so drove to parks as well. There is a Target not too far that we like better than the walmart on 535. If they still have it, the Waldorf has a complimentary coffee and tea service in the Peacock lounge in the am, featuring Tea Forte teas, my favorite. I think I have read these hotels still come up in Priceline. I have booked the HBC as a Priceline express deal. There are resort fees and parking fees but I found the rooms and amenities a cut above Disney deluxes.

 

[DisFanEY]

I vote for the Waldorf for you if it's just you and your husband. We've stayed at both properties but HBC was more crowded, especially at the pool. Even our kids liked the pool experience better at the Waldorf. We rent a car so I can't comment on the buses, although it seemed like one was always waiting to take guests to the parks.

 

[Alison S]

I have stayed at both several times, regular room and suite at HBC, suites at the Waldorf.
Once I booked at HBC and since I am a Hilton Honors member, I received an email with an offer to upgrade to various level rooms at the Waldorf if there was availability at check. I usually travel off season, not always. I really like both hotels a lot. The Waldorf feels very upscale, the HBC feels up to date and more trendy. They both opened in 2009. Staying at one gives you access to both pools. I thought the bus service was great, busses run ever 30 minutes like clockwork so you know exactly when to show up to take the bus and they were not crowded, maybe because there is some convention business at the hotels with meetings at the meeting complex that connects the two. I would say the Waldorf is more serene but both are lovely. There’s a great breakfast buffet at HBC. The Waldorf pool is like an oasis, but the lazy river at HBC is fun too. We had a car so drove to parks as well. There is a Target not too far that we like better than the walmart on 535. If they still have it, the Waldorf has a complimentary coffee and tea service in the Peacock lounge in the am, featuring Tea Forte teas, my favorite. I think I have read these hotels still come up in Priceline. I have booked the HBC as a Priceline express deal. There are resort fees and parking fees but I found the rooms and amenities a cut above Disney deluxes.

Thanks for your comments about the bus service. Where does the bus drop off/pick up when going to MK? At the TTC or where the resort busses drop off?

 

[snappy]

Drop off for MK is at TTC

 

[writerguyfl]

Staying at one gives you access to both pools.

Slight correction. The pool at the Waldorf Astoria is reserved for guests of the Waldorf Astoria. But, the pool at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is available to guests staying at both resorts.

 

[ILoveWTPooh]

Thank you!

 

[alliecat523]

We’ve only stayed at HBC but really enjoyed it. Never felt crowded. Breakfast buffet was fantastic. Busses are on schedule at all times and never crowded.

 

[MrKnight]

Both are great hotels, here are the main differences:

Waldorf Astoria is a luxury hotel with the upscale and exclusive feel, the main clientele is adults, couples, wealthy foreign travelers, golfers, and the occasional celebrity/public figure. Accommodations are very luxurious and a combination of standard-size hotel rooms and suites with high end services provided including daily evening turndown service and even personal concierge services upon request. As with most luxury hotels, parking is valet-only and there is a general dress code for lobby, bar/lounge, and restaurant areas.

Hilton Bonnet Creek is a much larger hotel (1,000 rooms) with airy public spaces, large convention space, and an overall modern trendy feel, the clientele is a diverse mix of families with children, young adults/couples, business travelers, and convention attendees. Accommodations are your standard-size Hilton hotel room with options to upgrade to a suite. One of the key features of HBC is it's impressive pool which has a lazy river, water slide, and zero-entry pool, with that said, as stated previously, guests of both hotels can visit either pool.

Both hotels share the same motor coach transportation system for transport to all four WDW parks and DS, the service is reliable and runs fairly frequently.

You truly cannot go wrong with either hotel, it really comes down to what type of experience you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend.

 

[stlrod]

I’ve stayed at both and actually prefer the Hilton for lazy river and free breakfast due to Hilton status.