DoubleTree Guest Suites at WDW Resort

[Disneymaddness]

I am looking for information about the DoubleTree Guest Suites at WDW, has anyone out there stayed there? We are planning to do things other than Disney and I thought this would be the best of both worlds. We will probably have a car but how are the busses? Also, where exactly are they? Can you walk to DTD? Any info would be great! TIA

 

[jwfla422]

My brother's family just stayed there and did enjoy it. You can probably find some more info on the Orlando Resorts' board. It is within walking distance from DTD, but it is a pretty long walk as the Doubletree is one of the furthest hotels from DTD. I believe the buses run every 20-30 minutes, but they are exclusive to DTD resorts. They are not part of the WDW transportation system.

 

[HopperFan]

It is one of the few non-Disney resorts recommended by Mousesavers and I got my rate through them. We also were looking to more than Disney this trip (a first for us, we always stayed entirely in the World) and wanted alittle more space for the week without spending a fortune.

Just got back from Doubletree Suites DTD and we were very pleased. The rooms have been recently rehab, so all new sofa, chair, bedding, curtains etc. The rooms were VERY large and spacious and great that a couple could be watching tv while someone in bedroom slept. The bedroom has a long hall with dresser and big mirror and full closet. DS said sofabed was very comfortable and I loved the pile of feather pillows on each bed (and down comforter). 2 TVs, microwave, fridge...we ate sandwiches in, and they even brought us an extra dining chair since we were a family of 5.

Our room faced towards parks so we could watch MK fireworks each night at a slight angle or just go down to hall by elevator for perfect view.

All who worked there were very friendly and helpful, has a small Disney store where you can get tickets, mini mart type store, theater play area for kids (they had book reading nights while we were there for kids), pool is a nice size and while I could hear the traffic from I4 no one else in the family was bothered. Parking close to door, to parks in minutes, we drove and didn't use their buses.

We always look for breakfast included when we travel rather than pay for 5 so compared to all we have had in our travels, it was the BEST breakfast we've seen. We stuck with the cold buffet included in our rate: cantalope, honeydew, pineapple, strawberry, grapes, 2 yogurts, granola, raisins, bananas, 2 cold cereals, bagels, croissant, toast, muffins, a couple donuts, a couple pastries. We were seated, brought our drinks and we did the rest. The hot buffet looked awesome, made to order omelets, waffles, there were meats, potatoes, eggs........We never ate there for our other meals, but passed the room service a few times and food looked good.

We will go back in a heartbeat !!

 

[Disneymaddness]

Thanks for the replies. We have always stayed on-site so this would be a big step for us.

 

[HopperFan]

Each time we go offsite - even my DH (who's not as fanatical as the rest of us) says never again will we stay offsite. BUT this hotel, everyone was happy, it was easy to get to everywhere we were going and we were pleased with Doubletree. Still not Disney, but it had lots of plus for us this trip.....especially more space for less money.....bust still on property.

 

[4MY2BOYS]

My family of four stayed at the Doubletree for our first trip to WDW in 2003. We liked it very much. We did not have a problem with the buses, although they do drop and pick off in the middle of the bus lots because we have never experienced Disney transportation. We also loved the space, 'frig and the proximity to the Crossroads shopping center. Our breakfast was included and allowed us to be fueled until lunch time at the parks.

In 2004 my family went back to WDW again, this time with my mother and brother. We were booked at the Doubletree for $165 a night but switched to a suite at the Marriott Courtyard LBV because it was $85/night. That was big mistake. The suites were simply regular rooms divided in two. The bedroom door could not even shut because the bed was in the way. My 25 year old brother ended up having to sleep with my mother because we thought we would get a roll-a-way but there was no where to put one even though we were guaranteed one at reservation time.

Anyway, the Doubletree is a nice, clean hotel for the money. When were there in 2003 a friend and her family were also at WDW at another off-site hotel. She originally wanted to stay at the Doubletree but her husband wanted to save money. After two nights at the other hotel they switced to the Doubletree. At check-in time they quoted her a higher rate and she told them her story and the rate she was originally quoted way back when and they honored the lower rate.

 

[Schmeck]

Do they really consider the hotels at DTD 'on property'? They aren't connected to the WDW transprotation system in any way, don't have EMH, so why would they be an 'on property' hotel?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We stayed there a few years ago. It was okay, not that great really. Had a musty odor, beds were lumpy, room needed some refreshing (kind of run down looking). We didn't use the bus at all, we drove our car. It was an easy walk to DTD. There was a funky looking black and white TV in the bathroom.

 

[tiggrbaby]

We stayed there 7/05 and although I would always prefer onsite, this was not a bad alternative. We were able to eat in the room when we felt like it. We used the early AM busses since they ran more frequently, but when we returned, we walked to a resort and took the bus to DTD and walked back to the DTS. We always drove to the water parks.

I think that they are considered on property since they are on the fringe of DTD and the Marriot (I think) does participate in the EMH.

When we went, there were two hotels closed due to hurricane damage. I know one is opening back up shortly. I wonder if this will make them add busses, or if it will just make them more crowded.

 

[HopperFan]

DTD hotels are "on site/property" because they are within the WDW boundaries and on property owned by Disney which they lease.

They do get perks that other hotels do not. I think Hilton has early entry and I know there was something posted at ours about some new perks, but I didn't read it as our plans were already decided. I've heard of E-tickets, preferred access to golf and some discounts. We also had a Disney run Gift shop in the hotel. (there was one as well at Grosvenor along with a character meal). Swan and Dolphin are not Disney resorts either although they do participate in Disney Transportation.

Stock exchange profile: "In the Downtown Disney Resort area, seven independently operated hotels are situated on property leased from The Walt Disney Company. These hotels have a capacity of approximately 3,700 rooms. Additionally, two hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2,300 rooms, are independently operated on property leased from the Company near Epcot."

 

[we3disneygo]

what time did breakfast start ? how long did it take ? thanks! since this is in a resturant you couldn't just get what you want and take it back to the room could you?? we are planning on staying here and are excited to hear how great it is ! thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

Breakfast was a long timeframe, I think 6:30-10:30. They seated you so I'm not sure how it works to take to your room. I don't see why not although they did have room service - is that a conflict ?? There was some fruit, muffins, tea & coffee to go on a cart that was for sale. Also food items available in the hotel mini mart, one day when I was gone with DS, DH bought other two ice cream there.

 

[momandseandodisney]

a few quick questions on this property . . .does anyone have an exact link to it website? Does it offer reg. disney shuttles?

 

[we3disneygo]

thanks for your reply-I just wondered how much time to plan in the am for breakfast. if it was slow,etc.

 

[momandseandodisney]

a few quick questions on this property . . .does anyone have an exact link to it website? Does it offer reg. disney shuttles?

 

[HopperFan]

http://www.doubletree.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MCOFHDT

They have their own buses to Disney parks.

"The Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, Orlando, Florida, is the only all-suite hotel inside the exciting DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Resort area. We provide continuous, complimentary transportation to Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Transportation is also available to Disney's Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and the Downtown Disney® area, including nightly transfers to Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island from 6:00 p.m. until well after midnight.
As an Official Disney Hotel, our guests enjoy exclusive benefits, like preferred golf tee times and discounts at Disney's five PGA Championship courses, priority seating at Disney restaurants, guaranteed admission into theme parks, and more. Our bright and fanciful, full service Doubletree Guest Suites hotel provides all the comforts of home in deluxe one- or two-bedroom suites, featuring a long list of amenities including high-speed internet access and our incredibly cozy Sweet Dreams beds.

Family vacation, weekend getaway, business travel, reunions -- any reason to be in Orlando is a good reason to stay in the perfect location at the Doubletree inside the Disney Resort area. We offer great hotel amenities like a tropical, free-form heated pool and whirlpool, fitness center, lighted tennis courts, jogging trails, and a sand volleyball court. The kids will love our splash pool, playground, Kid's Check-In, Kids Theater, game room, and video arcade. Streamers Restaurant, Lounge and Market provide festive atmosphere and all your favorite snacks, beverages, American cuisine and regional selections for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Business travelers will appreciate our flexible 3,500 square feet of elegant event space -- perfect for small to mid-sized meetings, or groups up to 160. Stay in touch while on the road with our Business Center services and wireless HSIA in all public areas.

We look forward to welcoming you to Orlando's Downtown Disney® Resort area with our very special, Doubletree hotel signature warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in."

 

[HopperFan]

We were always seated promptly (we would eat around 9) and it is serve yourself, so we ate as quickly as we wanted to....The only thing I could see as slowing you down is if you have to wait for a table.

 

[4MY2BOYS]

When my family stayed at the Doubletree in 2003. We ate breakfast at 7 to ensure we would make the 8am buses to the parks. Later into the stay we figured out we could wait until 7:30 and still make the buses.

 

[Disneymaddness]

It is www.doubletreeguestsuites.com. It certainly looks nice. My husband says we should try it but I need that total Disney feeling.

 

[scm200]

we booked this hotel for august - the january newsletter from mousesavers had a great rate. it will cost about half of what a disney hotel will cost and i figure we can get a lot of magic for the extra money - early morning hours don't appeal to teens who don't like to get up in the morning and they also did not like the extra evening hours (they were fans of e-ride nights which has been discontinued). we will use the dtd bus system and if we get stuck we can take a bus to one of the disney resorts and then to dtd on the disney bus. that plus a walk will be ok...the doubletree is close to the grocery store and having the microwave and fridge in the unit will be good for snacks at night. i think we will do universal or sea world at least once this time as the kids have never been to universal and sea world was so long ago they don't remember (pre-roller coaster sea world)
any more info on this hotel will be appreciated
sharon