Did they change the rules?

[wdw-ocd]

I've always thought, and read, that only the on-site Disney owned hotels had guaranteed admission. Dh just received a promotional email from the DoubleTree with a video montage that says guests had guaranteed admission to parks.

I'm certainly not complaining since we're staying there in July, but I'm hesitant to believe it's true! (Let me tell ya, confused and paranoid is NOT a pretty sight! )

Has anyone stayed at the Downtown DoubleTree recently? TIA

 

[safetymom]

Not sure about the Doubletree. It may be a good neighbor hotel of Disney.

As far as guaranteed entry, all it means is that you can get into a park. It may not be the one you want. If MK is closed you are able to get in at Epcot.

They have stages of closing and when it gets to certain stages no one is allowed in until a certain number come out.

 

[CarolA]

If this is the Doubletree suites in DTD then you do get the "guranteed" admission perk, but as Safetymom points out it's A park, not always THE park of your choice! (personally if a park is closed to capacity I want OUT!)

 

[asmit4]

My understanding is that it doesn't really matter unless you are going to be there during super busy times. From what I can tell- perhaps 3 times a year they go into a stage 3 closing which means that only DW onsite guests can get in (and by that I mean into A park, not THE park of choice).

I have heard those days are July 4th, Christmas day and sometimes NYE. Also, on these days usually they hit stage 4, the last stage in closing. NOBODY, not onsite guests, not guests with ADRs not guests with tickets to events that day can get in. At stage 4, closed means closed.

Unless you plan to be there on those 3 days, this 'perk' really won't matter.

 

[*disgal*]

We're going at Easter 09. (we weren't trying for that, it's just when our spring break falls.......it's always the second full week in April)

We'll be offsite and will not have park hopper tickets. If we're at MK one day (we will NOT be going to MK on Easter day) and we take a swim break at noon, will we be able to get back into the park at around 6 or 7pm??

 

[dgaston]

Probably -- even with stage 3 closings the parks loosen up later in the afternoon and evening.
Peak season travel is when I strongly recommend TourGuideMike and his Best Days charts for which parks. I have traveled to WDW at Christmas 3x (DH is a teacher and we have to use school breaks) and found his advice makes it an enjoyable peak season vacation.
On the Theme Parks and Attractions Board there is a banner ad at the top of the page which should get you a small discount. His website is well worth the $20.

 

[spiceycat]

the WDW Theme park buses no longer go to DTD.

only the wdw hotel buses go to DTD and theme parks.

so your teens would have to walk over to CR near the MK to get a DTD bus, BC near Epcot, BW near Studios and Epcot - to get back. just taking the hotel DTD buses is generally better.

(except for MK)