Is the bus system the same as the system for the on site hotels? We've stayed in them before - but are considering d-tree in dt disney this summer - considering skipping a rent-a-car if the busses from the double tree are dependable for disney theme and water parks. Any advice here is appreciated.
You can walk pretty quickly to Crossroads from the Doubletree. But, if you're grocery shopping you may 1) want a car, and 2) want to shop elsewhere than Gooding's, as they stock very little and have very high prices.
If you look at a map, you will see that Downtown Disney is a bit of a walk, about 15 minutes or so. The bus system that serves the Downtown Disney hotels is its own system, but they are all kind of connected (a bus serves I think 2 or 3 of the hotels at a time). They say they run every 30 minutes or so. Some folks like it, some don't and prefer to use their cars.
Another option is to supplement the bus system with a taxi every once in a while.
I'd weigh out the option of a rental car, as if you're flying you still need to get from the airport to the hotel. You could look into getting a car for a day or two, then turning it in, then getting it again the last day (you can pick up at the airport and drop off for example at the Dolphin with Alamo and National, I've done that and saved $ as I got a great deal for a day rental, did our shopping and turned it in). Just be sure if you book it online to reserve it at the correct pick up and return locations - there are rental car offices at a couple of DTD hotels, I forget which ones (mousesavers has some info).
If you look at a map, the Hilton is closest to DTD, and the Doubletree is furthest. Still, if it's not too hot out, and you like a nice walk, you can definitely walk there. If it's hot, I'd drive or take a cab, or use a bus if you are willing to wait.
