Caribbean Beach or Doubletree **UPDATE**

[RweTHEREyet]

If you had the option of staying at the Caribbean Beach in a king room or the Doubletree suites at Downtown Disney in a king room with the extra living room area and wetbar and microwave and fridge for almost the same cost per night, which would you choose and why?


**********UPDATE*******

Stopped in at the Doubletree on Saturday night. Asked at the Front Desk if we could just see a room, as we had heard some concerns. The man at the Front Desk, who spoke as if he were the Front Desk Manager, told me that would not be possible because he was totally booked. I asked if all rooms were occupied or it maybe someone had not checked in yet to where we could just look in the door. I explained I had heard some concerns about staying there and that I wanted to ease my mind before I cancelled my reservation that I was currently holding with a Disney-owned hotel. He stated again, no way we could see a room at all, and simply dismissed the concerns that I mentioned and said there was no way to please everyone.

He wasn't unpleasant, but certainly was not helpful in the least, and was in no way sympathetic to my wish to see a room. He informed me that he had been booked solid for 1.5 weeks and that presently had some big high muckity muck from India staying there, so it couldn't be that bad of a place.

Well, I was less than impressed with this Guest Service. This man obviously does not understand his Disney competition at all. Disney at least gives you a "smile" and "I am sorry" when they cannot accommodate your requests.

So, needless to say, I will be keeping my reservation at the Caribbean Beach with no wet bar and no fridge and no microwave, but I will have Disney service, which I do believe does still exist, although I many people do not.

My reservation at Doubletree will be cancelled, but I am not sure if I wish to write to someone to let them know it was because of haughty attitude of their Front Desk person or not. One reservation may be not a lot, but we have 18 hotel nights booked between now and the end of this calendar year, and Doubletree lost out on each and every one of them. A more acceptable experience with the Front Desk and a pleasant stay in August would have probably gotten them more of those room nights.

 

[susy]

CBR-no contest!

 

[PugLover]

If you are asking from merely a budget/cost standpoint I think you need to ask yourself the following questions:

Will you be renting a car? If you stay at the CBR you can utilize the free Disney transportation. If you stay at your other hotel choice you may need to rent a car adding a potential 100.00 - 200.00 on to your budget. There also may be a fee to park your vehicle at the parks. Does the DoubleTree Resort charge a per day parking fee?

If you choose the DoubleTree Resort will you utilize the fridge/microwave for meals instead of eating out? It seems unlikely that anybody could survive, on vacation none the less, solely using a fridge/microwave for the majority of the meals and enjoy it. Not to say it cant be done but weigh all the options. With access to only a fridge/microwave you will need to purchase pre-packaged/pre-made food. That alone can be pricey. If you eat "smartly" at restaurants the cost could be similiar. Eating large lunches late in the day (typically lunches cost less) is a fantastic way to stretch your food budget and still experience some great restaurants.

I have yet to stay at the CBR but will be there for 8 days in Sept. If you are asking from merely a budget standpoint the above might be helpful. If you are asking for merely the enjoyment factor I refer you to the many Disney experts here!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Will have a car, transportation noot a problem. I am thinking that a suite with the extra space would be a plus over a regular hotel room. But I have not stayed at the Doubletree and know nothing about it. Cost difference is about $5.00, and I am wondering if there is any compelling reason to choose CBR over Doubletree. Have stayed at Disney hotels many, many, many times, will do so this coming weekend, so not like our only chance to experience Disney.

Guess I was looking for any negatives against Doubltree that might persuade me that CBR was the way to go.

 

[Sammy]

RweTHEREyet:

It all depends on what is important to you. If you view your room as just a place to shower and sleep, and not have any need for lots of space, I would go with the CBR. I love being onsite and the theming of the disney resorts is wonderful!

If you need more room to spread out because you'll be spending some time in your room, and need the kitchen facilities (microwave and fridge), for the same $$, I'd go with Doubletree.

I know some people would say to stay onsite at all cost, but tripping over each other in a small room for any length of time does not sound like a good time to me.

I am looking for some kind of room only code to come out, but if not, I'll be staying offsite this Fall as well. I can save half the $$ staying at Doubletree or Hotel Royal Plaza with codes from Mousesavers. Right now, the rack rate for POR (family of 5...not much other affordable choice), is $177 with trundle. Ouch! Not going to pay almost $200 for a moderate room! Not when I can get a suite at Doubletree or a large room at HRP for $79 and $65 respectively!!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Sammy

 

[lasmickey]

CBR gets my vote ~ hands down!

 

[safetymom]

Of course I love CBR but if you want to try something different then go with the Doubletree. If you want to try something off property that would be a great way to go.

 

[DrKnow77]

CBR, no question! I would rather stay at any Disney Resort than any hotel in florida, no matter how fancy or nice. Disney resorts make the trip so much more magical, plus the transportation that is provided makes things easier. Not to mention CBR is a great Disney Resort as well!

CBR !!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Still not hearing any negatives towards Doubletree other than "it isn't Disney property". That is not a concern. It is close enough for me. Was curious to see if anyone said service was bad, rooms outdated, etc., etc.,

Won't be spending a lot of time in hotel, but do enjoy setting up the laptop and having space to do it in.

We will be down there this weekend and I think we might stop in and check out Doubletree and then make a decision. Have a reservation at both properties at the moment. Can always cancel one later.

 

[safetymom]

RweTHEREyet, I think you owe it to yourself to try the Doubletree. You know what Disney offers and this is the chance to try something different.

 

[splashfamily]

We have stayed at both the CBR and Doubletree. We are a family of five and was upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite. However, we were informed at the check-in that the bath/shower would take a few minutes to warm up. The rooms were dated but clean. I beleive we used our Hilton points for most of our stay.
I still prefer to stay onsite. The pool was not nice-- a bit dirty and right near the interstate. Hope this helps!

 

[dgaston]

I think you should post the same question on the Orlando and other Attractions board for additional opinions.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

All good suggestions. Thanks guys. The only real negative I have come up with is that since it is not a WDW Resort, if the parks are closed due to maximum capacity, we would be left out, but I don't really want to be in the parks then, anyway.

Doubletree is sounding better and better the more I think of it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just stayed at the Doubletree Guest Suites at DTD. Our room had a terrible moldy/musty smell while we were there. We had two double beds and a sleeper sofa. The sleeper sofa was terrible. The double beds were not bad. The room was run down looking and needed refreshing. There were stains on the furniture and carpet. The price we got was very good, plus we got two adult tickets for Sea World (we did the Hilton Grand Vacation Club tour). The buffet breakfast was not bad. We did not use the bus service since we only went to SW or DTD while we were there. We had a view of I-4.

But we did go to E-ticket night our first night. You do not have EMH rights with the DTD resorts except for the Hilton.

The entire place needs a good facelift. It looks worn out and tired.

 

[regi]

Have stayed at Doubletree and it was very nice. Will be staying there again in September. Check out mousesavers.com they are offering $79 per night deal. The downside is it is not themed like the Disney resorts, it is just a hotel. We have stayed onsite many times. Wanted to have the extra space and the kitchenette this time. Hope this is helpful for you. Enjoy no matter what you decide.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Thanks agaiin everyone.

Anyone else have a smelly room at Doubletree? Deb, did they do anything to rectify the situation?

 

[CDizney]

If you have stayed at Disney many times in the past and the folks going with you do not have a problem with being off-site this time then I would say to go with your wishes of a bigger room by staying at the Doubletree. I have stayed there and yes the rooms are bigger which would meet the need you are expressing. Also, if you wish to have a microwave and fridge together in a room then you would not find that all at the CBR but at the Doubletree once again. I am a on-site buff so I haven't stayed off property in some time and just love the mystic of staying onsite but go with you desires and don't worry about it.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

This Doubletree is located on Hotel Plaza Blvd right at Downtown Disney. Do you guys really consider this off-site? I know it is not a Disney hotel, but it isn't like staying out on International Drive or something like that.

 

[DrKnow77]

Originally posted by RweTHEREyet
This Doubletree is located on Hotel Plaza Blvd right at Downtown Disney. Do you guys really consider this off-site? I know it is not a Disney hotel, but it isn't like staying out on International Drive or something like that.

RweTHEREyet, I guess I consider anything that doesn't have normal Disney Transportation an off-site resort. Does DoubleTree provide transportation to the theme parks?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

yes, they do, but we probably won't use it. Have our own vehicle and use it a lot when we are there.