DD Courtyard Marriot...Ease My Fears

[Emme]

We booked the 20.03 rate at the DD Courtyard and I am starting to get a bit nervous. We are taking my mom and my in-laws. I know this is a great rate and all that, but...

For those of you who have stayed recently did you enjoy it there? Did any of you use the hotels transportation? I know people say it's plain and "fine" but can anyone give me a bit more so I can look forward to this hotel? I know we will be in the parks a lot but I still want to relax and swim some of the time at the hotel. I am counting on you all to ease my fears! Thanks!

Blessings,
Emmy

 

[safetymom]

We really enjoyed our stay at the Courtyard. I really liked the pool area. I certainly would stay there again.

We did not take the bus but drove so I can't speak to that.

When we stayed we had the corner room on the top floor and it was great. It didn't have the Disney theming but that didn't bother me. The hotel staff was great and very helpful. They really cared if everything was OK.

You will have a great time.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

We are off in a couple of weeks to stay there for a fourth time. We really like it there. The staff are great. On previous occasions we have been up in the tower varying between 8th and 10th floors and twice facing Hotel Plaza Boulevard (our favourite) and once facing the pool area and Downtown Disney. The rooms are huge in comparison to other hotels we have stayed in. We have always had a balcony but be aware that not all rooms in the tower have a balcony. I'm sure you will have a great time. We don't use the hotels transportation as we always drive (no matter how good the transportation, a car is always quicker) so I'm afraid I can't help you out with that. DTD is only 5-10 minutes walk away and in the other directions is Crossroads Shopping Area where there is a Goodings and various restaurants including Uno's which is our favourite. If you have any specific questions, please pm me and I will be happy to help.

 

[Kae]

we just stayed there in March. The rooms are quite large. The poolarea is nice & clean. But the staff was awsome!!! The cocktail hour nice also.

Did not use the bus service. I would stay there again. It is not a "WOW" hotel. But a nice hotel for a great rate.

Enjoy yourself.

Kae

 

[dturner]

I'm staying here at the end of September because of the GREAT rate. I read where the busses come and go every 30 minutes to the parks, DTD is like a 10 minute walk.

I stayed at this hotel when it was the Howard Johnson's back in the mid' 80's, I liked the hotel then, I'm sure it's nice and probably better since Marriott took it over.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[rcomputer]

We stay there several times a year - our next time is this Saturday. We prefer the bus service to that of the Disney resorts. It runs to a schedule rather than the ad-hoc Disney service so you can catch a bus at the designated time.

The rooms are OK

 

[dgaston]

We liked it well enough when we stayed last August at the discounted rate, that I jumped on it when the $20.03 rates were posted. Our room not in the tower, but was clean and spacious. We found ourselves enjoying the manager's reception in the afternoon more often than we expected to. Those afternoon monsoons had us at the hotel more than we anticipated. The hot tub was pleasant after walking too much, and the staff was excellent.

The walk to DTD took us about 15 minutes from the Disney bus stop at the Marketplace. I did like the Downtown Disney transportation, and it ran very much according to schedule. I never felt the buses were as crowded as Disney transportation can get. Several times we took Disney buses to DTD from dinners or whatever, and walked to the hotel.

 

[nowellsl]

I agree with everything that's been said. We stayed earlier this month. The transportation is fine - although it takes a while because you have to stop at several other hotels. Every time we rode there were people having to stand up. Luckily the Marriott is the second stop so we had seats when we rode. We walked to DTD several times and took the bus from there - of course, you have to go to a resort first. Over all we had a great time at Courtyard and we're going again to take advantage of the great rate in Sept.


PS - we always managed to miss the managers reception, but they do give free popcorn even when that's over.

 

[Emme]

Thank you everyone! I just have a few questions please...Several of you said you walked to DD and took a bus. I am a little confused (no new news there ) If I walked to DD where do the busses run to, only the resorts? So let's say I walked to DD I would get on a bus to the Poly and then transfer there? Am I understanding correct?

Also, the managers reception, could someone please explain what that is? It's sounds great but yet again I am lost

Thanks so much! I knew I could count on you all to get me psyched!

Emmy

 

[nowellsl]

The buses at DTD only go to resorts. You could ride a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and them take the bus from there to Animal Kingdom (or any park), or ride a bus to boardwalk and walk to epcot. It was kindof fun because we had always wanted to visit some of the resorts. We went to wilderness lodge on one trip - that place is beautiful!! It works in reverse when you leave - take a bus to a resort and then another bus to DTD. It takes more time and if we hadn't wanted to visit some of the other resorts we probably would have just used the hotel bus.

We never made it to the managers reception but I believe they had free drinks and snacks.

 

[Chris2597]

Where do you find the 20.03 rate at the dd Courtyard?? We stayed there a few years ago and liked it. I agree the staff is great. Be sure to join Marriott Rewards and you get a little special treatment....with check in and check out.

 

[dgaston]

The manager's reception has the managers serving free beer and wine, soda to guests. Free popcorn and nacho chipsand salsa--$1 for cheese. We tipped a $ a drink and had a lot of fun.

 

[nowellsl]

I meant to add- be sure and ask for a DTD view if you're in the tower, or a pool view if you're in the wing. We had a balcony view of I-4. It wasn't so bad as we were hardly in the room - but we would have preferred a pool view!

 

[Jaynerita]

We have the $20.03 rate too and share your concerns. It's good to hear such positive feedback. My only worry is that they will not be so receptive to the requests of the $20.03 people. I'll feel kind of wierd asking for a good view or a balcony!!!! For that rate I should be thankful for air conditioning and a bathroom!!!

 

[nowellsl]

Don't worry about that, we stayed for 3 nights free with a rewards certificate. They couldn't have been nicer. They were going to let us move the second day but we were out and about and they couldn't contact us. By the time we got back to the hotel we didn't really want to move - we were too tired!!!! We also had free breakfast buffet in the resturant included with our certificate and the employees were very nice and helpful.

 

[safetymom]

I had a great rate at that hotel but not the $20 one. We got the top floor corner room. We were Marriott preferred but the manager couldn't do enough for us. The customer service at that hotel was great. Better than sometimes at Disney.

 

[mishoe01]

I stayed here at the $25 rate (not yet available for the $20.03) about 2 weeks ago. I would definately stay here again - I had a car, so I didn't deal with the bus, but the only drawback I heard about the bus is that it stops at the other hotels on that street. During the day, I did not spend too much time in the room (did not go to the pool either), but got back early a few nights. The staff members that I came in contact with were great.

No bad experiences to tell.
Have fun!

 

[Chris2597]

Where do you all find these rates? I havent found them anywhere I have looked.

 

[dturner]

You have to call the hotel directly to get the $20.03/rate and it's only good from like mid-august thru October 3, Sunday - Thursday only. 1-800-223-9930 is the direct number to the hotel if this rate is between the dates you'll be there.

 

[nezy]

Is there a special promo code or number. I called today, but I got the main board reservations becasue DD Courtyard had already closed. The agent had no clue and thught I was crazy. Kept asking,"Are we talking about the same hotel?" I figured I would just call tomorrow.