DD Courtyard Marriott

[Kewz1]

We'll be staying at the above hotel for a few days before moving to OKW and starting the "real" part of our vacation. Has anyone stayed here? I've had a negative response from another board so now I am reconsidering. TIA!

Kristen

 

[mishoe01]

Kristen,
I stayed here in May 2003 - I enjoyed it (especially for the rate I got). It was clean, staff was nice, even the restaurant had good food (had dinner there 1 night). There is complimentary bus transportation, however I had a car so can't say anything about that. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

Hope this helps!

 

[NancyK]

We stayed there this past August for the $20.03 weekday rate. I enjoyed the hotel. The location is excellent. The only negative was overlooking I-4. But we were never in the room anyway.

 

[CarolA]

I have stayed there several times so if repeat visits are an indicator I would take that one as a good indicator. (By the way, I think this is becoming a Holiday Inn either this month or next. It should not affect your reservations.)

 

[SnackyStacky]

I LOVE the Courtyard! I've stayed a couple of times, and have always had a pleasant experience. If you'll only be there for a few nights, and you got a good rate, I wouldn't switch reservations.

Usually, people that don't like this hotel are looking for a Disney resort. That's not what this is at all. You won't find any "Disney magic". What you WILL find are clean rooms, friendly staff, and relatively efficient transportation. The rooms here are the biggest on property. (Bigger than the Contemporary and the Polynesian rooms...)

None of the rooms I'd ever stayed in were in disrepair. I got a room that was right on the highway, but was told that I could move the next day, so I did, without problem.

My only real complaint was actually the food. I ate at the restaurant, and while the food was good, it had the CRAZIEST hours! It wasn't open for lunch!!! And the counter service left a lot to be desired. BUT, we were a quick walk to Downtown Disney for McDonald's or Wolfgang Puck Express.

Just don't be waiting for a Disney Resort experience, and you'll be fine!

 

[zaxmom]

I think it all depends on what you are paying. We stayed there this past week at a rate of $20.03 a night. So I would say for that price it was great. I was quoted $89 for an extra night and would never pay that much to stay there. It is out of date and the room smelled heavily of disinfectant spray. The beds were uncomfortable, too. But, at $20 I am not complaining. We stayed our last 2 nights at Wyndham Palms Resort and Country Club for $89. We had a 2 BR/2BA condo with kitchen and washer and dryer. They were both about equal distance to most parks. We did not use the shuttle or eat at the hotel, so I cannot comment on that. Housekeeping was good and the staff was friendly.

 

[disneysteve]

I can confirm what CarolA said. The Downtown Disney Courtyard will become a Holiday Inn effective January 31st.

Steve

 

[monte]

Hmm, I wonder why Marriott is selling this property to Holiday Inn. Are the planning on building a new one? I would have thought that Marriott would want to keep this hotel since it's so close to DTD?????

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by monte
Hmm, I wonder why Marriott is selling this property to Holiday Inn. Are the planning on building a new one? I would have thought that Marriott would want to keep this hotel since it's so close to DTD?????

The buzz that I heard (and strictly rumor) is that the DTD Courtyard was a franchised property and was not keeping up to Marriott corporate standards so their Marriott affiliation was revoked.

I guess the Marriott company wasn't overly concerned since there are 2 more Courtyard properties within about a mile of there.

Steve

 

[safetymom]

The Marriott Village is about a mile away and contains a Courtyard, Fairfield and SpringHill Suites. So there still is a Courtyard in the area.

 

[mal0808]

Where did you find the $20.00 rate? I am going Jan. 31st. I am wondering what the outcome would be if I booked it now? With
Holiday Inn taking over , it could become a mess!! It just has to be the same day I will arrive. Also, does it have queen beds or double?

Thanks

 

[westjones]

Is this within walking distance of the bus stop at DTD? Also, when do you think they will offer the $20.04 rates for next year?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[safetymom]

I wouldn't count on them offering this rate once it becomes a Holiday Inn.

You can walk from DTD to this hotel.

 

[vhoffman]

I've heard good and bad things about this hotel. The bad things are mainly a musty smell in some rooms, and noise from traffic if you get a room facing I-4. I've heard enough negative to seriously not consider this hotel, but we got a rate of $55 per night so you can't beat that. Even if there are some minor problems. Interesting--we're going Jan. 25-31. We'll be leaving the day the hotel property changes hands. Maybe we'll have the great good luck that our charges will get lost in the shuffle and we'll never be charged! I've read that this hotel has undergone a partial renovation--wonder when they'll finish? But the renovated rooms are supposed to have queen size beds and new carpet, paint, etc., hence, no smell. I was told you couldn't request a renovated room but if you ask for a larger room chances are you'll get a renovated room. We were looking at staying at the Hilton DDD for $139 per night, but this rate is too good to pass up. Even if there are some problems, we will just put up with them or insist to be moved to a nicer room, especially since I know nicer rooms exist. When I "insist" I win!

 

[TTFN]

I have this hotel reserved for Jan.1-6 at a great rate of $49. I've never stayed in the DTD area before (I've always stayed on site), so for a cheap mother/daughter trip I booked this Courtyard. I got a letter Saturday from Marriott that the hotel will no longer be a Marriott hotel as of Dec. 30, so the turn over is earlier than we had heard here earlier. I'm a little unsure, but have decided to keep the reservation...we know we will enjoy the proximity to DTD!

 

[zaxmom]

TTFN, I think you will be fine staying there. You have a decent rate, so if you keep telling yourself how much money you are saving it will make you feel good. We felt safe there, which is most important. I always saw security in the parking lot at night. And lots of employees in the halls and elevators in the daytime. There are two sinks and mirrors, so two girls will like that. The rooms are quite big there. I think they are the largest regular rooms on Disney property. Have fun. If you have a car, I would use it, though.

 

[vhoffman]

If its not a Marriott, I wonder what it will be? And how will that affect FF miles? It seems to me since I booked it while it was still a Marriott I should get FF miles. I take my FF miles VERY seriously--I haven't paid to fly for the last five years! And I don't intend to start now! Well, I guess the thing to do is call and ask who they are now and what type of FF deal they offer.

 

[safetymom]

It is a Holiday Inn so they offer their Priority Club. Check out the Holiday Inn website. Once they change over you won't get Marriott points.