downtown disney hotels vs. "real" disney hotels

[firecracker]

I've been seeing some great rates at some Downtown Disney resorts. We've only stayed way off-site (1st night in Orlando) or on-site, never at DD. Can some of you compare and contrast staying in a DD resort vs. staying on-site...we usually stay at a ASMovies 'cuz we're cheap.

For example, do DD resorts offer the same amenities like transpo, and EE privileges? Is the "magic" still there? How much further do the buses drop you off at the parks? At MK, do you get dropped at the TTC or at the park? Is the bus service as good at Disneys?

Thanks.

 

[disney ready]

Great question!!!!!! Hopefully someone will have some input soon. On our last trip (June 2003) we stayed at the HRP for one night because we got there a day early. The hotel was very nice and clean, however we did not use the transportation provided, now I wish we would have. That way I would at least have an idea how well it runs. We are going back next year either in Jan or Feb. I was kinda hoping for some codes. If not we are still going. We have AP and we have never been in the winter. Hopefully the crowds will be down.

 

[schwaa]

Last year we stayed at the Hilton in DD. We wone it on Priceline for $60 a night. It was really nice. I really liked that hotel. I would pay $99 a night stay there, maybe a little more but not much. If a Disney moderate were cheaper than the Hilton, then I would choose the moderate hotel.

With that said, the location is awesome, it's a 5 or less minute walk from DD. The pool area is really nice. The rooms are as nice if not nicer than the Moderates. The housekeeping staff was incredible and really friendly (I found them more friendly than at POR).

I never used the transportation provided by the Hilton, but I did use the disney buses from DD to Epcot and then from the Boardwalk back to DD (we exited world showcase and took the bus from the Boardwalk, a good idea in theory but we waited forever for the bus to get to the Boadwalk).

We drove to the parks everyday, I don't know if you'll have a car. I really found no difference in driving to the park than taking disney transportation, except for Magic Kingdom where you have to take monorail to get to the other side of the lagoon. The Downtown Disney bus drops you off at the TTC, so you have to take the monorial or boat over to the park.

I would definitely stay in the downtown disney area again. It's on property and you are still so close to everything.

 

[schwaa]

Last year we stayed at the Hilton in DD. We wone it on Priceline for $60 a night. It was really nice. I really liked that hotel. I would pay $99 a night stay there, maybe a little more but not much. If a Disney moderate were cheaper than the Hilton, then I would choose the moderate hotel.

With that said, the location is awesome, it's a 5 or less minute walk from DD. The pool area is really nice. The rooms are as nice if not nicer than the Moderates. The housekeeping staff was incredible and really friendly (I found them more friendly than at POR).

I never used the transportation provided by the Hilton, but I did use the disney buses from DD to Epcot and then from the Boardwalk back to DD (we exited world showcase and took the bus from the Boardwalk, a good idea in theory but we waited forever for the bus to get to the Boadwalk).

We drove to the parks everyday, I don't know if you'll have a car. I really found no difference in driving to the park than taking disney transportation, except for Magic Kingdom where you have to take monorail to get to the other side of the lagoon. The Downtown Disney bus drops you off at the TTC, so you have to take the monorial or boat over to the park.

I would definitely stay in the downtown disney area again. It's on property and you are still so close to everything.

I hope this info helps.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

It's been quite a while, but we stayed at the Royal plaza, and the bus dropped off at the TTC. They also had buses to mgm , epcot, etc... going to the parking lots. They did not run as fast as the wdw buses (frequently) IMHO, but otherwise seemed like no problem. The royal plaza room in the tower was very nice.

Some of the hotels of dtd offer ee I know the hilton does not sure about the others and I know the royal plaza does e-nite not sure they might all be in on that, I would check with each hotel individually in regard to each extra feature.

MKY

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

if you are interested in looking at the downtown disney resorts. Use this link www.downtowndisneyhotels.com There are some good packages there.

In the doubletree website it said their guests were intitled to buy e ride ticket nights.

don't forget to look at those hotels national websites as well sometimes you can get better deals when you look there.

One of the hotels was offering get three nights get one free. I think it was the royal.

On orbitz they were offering a deal of 74.00 dollars you could get a standard with a twin sofa sleeper at the royal hotel I found these deals for september.

Just little bits that I learned along the surfing highway. Hope this will help someone.

 

[hookedup]

I stayed at DD about 4 years ago when I was there for a conference. I was pleasantly surprised at how convenient it was. Of course I was there by myself and not with my family and only went to the parks on 2 days when I could sneak it in. But if someone gave me the choice of staying at DD or in Orlando I would for sure choose DD. We had good bus service at our hotel too. I walked across the street to shop and we walked every night to Pleasure Island (don't tell dh - LOL! )

At the time the hotel I stayed at was called the Lake Buena Vista Resort & Spa - Oh it's the Wyndham now. I would recommend it.

Anyway I think that DD is a good option to consider.

 

[CarolA]

You do give up EE at everyplace but the Hilton (I think!) I am pretty sure you can buy e-tickets at all of the DTD hotels however.

Your room will NOT be decorated in Disney, you will not get towel animals and you don't get Mickey Soap. For some people these are deal breakers!

At MK you get dropped of at the TTC.

In the majority the rooms are going to be bigger then the All Stars, but sometimes older. Most of these hotels have been remodeled several times, but they are all fairly old dating back towards the beginning of WDW.

I have stayed at the Wyndam, Hilton and Courtyard and have no complaints.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I think the DTD hotels are more like any hotel you'd find in any city. I stayed at the Wyndham Palace and there was no special Disney theming ... but they they do have a character breakfast on Sunday (Minnie and Goofy) and a Disney store with all the souveniers. They've got a nice pool and a spa (haven't used it). The location is great because its a 5 minute walk to DTD. The buses run slightly less frequently than the Disney buses do (30 minutes to most parks, AKL runs every hour during non-peak times) and they drop you off in the parking lot, so there's no cover if it rains.

If the price were right, I'd stay there again ... I'm not sure I'd go with a package though. Even though some of the prices include a breakfast, I found that my 6 night stay last night was the same as my 11 night stay on Disney property this year.

Originally posted by CarolA
Your room will NOT be decorated in Disney, you will not get towel animals and you don't get Mickey Soap. For some people these are deal breakers!

I was a little disappointed that I didn't get any towel animals ... but I'm guessing that we're two adults with no kids Oh well, maybe next time!

 

[awdwnut]

Originally posted by schwaa
We drove to the parks everyday, I don't know if you'll have a car. I really found no difference in driving to the park than taking disney transportation, except for Magic Kingdom where you have to take monorail to get to the other side of the lagoon. The Downtown Disney bus drops you off at the TTC, so you have to take the monorial or boat over to the park.

Schwaa,

Do you have to pay for parking at the parks when staying at a DTD hotel?

Thanks,

awdwnut

 

[SnackyStacky]

Yes, you still have to pay for parking at the parks.

I have stayed at the Royal Plaza and the Courtyard. I loved the Courtyard. The rooms were large (they're the biggest on Disney property...bigger than the Contemporary rooms by a few square feet) and housekeeping was great. The room was clean, and in great condition.

The Royal Plaza was not so great, in my opinion. I stayed in a room in the wings instead of in the tower, and I'm told this makes a big difference. There was rust and mold on the ceiling, the curtain hardware fell apart, the paint was peeling off of the sliding door onto the patio. Housekeeping was really good though. And you get free Bath and Body Works Toiletries!

All of the Downtown Disney hotels share the same transportation system. I've never personally had a problem with it.

Unless you're staying at the Hilton, you don't have access to the Extra Magic Hour. All of the Downtown Disney hotels can purchase E-Ride Night tickets. You can't ship your merchandise form the parks to the hotel, and there's no charging to the room privleges.

As I always say about the Downtown Disney hotels, if you're looking for the Disney magic, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a clean place to stay at a good rate, you should be just fine with them.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we stayed at the doubletree in the park by DD in may
we thought it was great there was magic, you could buy Eride tickets, the room was very roomy and cleaned everyday, we had fun the pool was very nice and DD was a 10 minute walk it was fun
I didnt like the buses though they were late over crowded and we drove to the parks. We have kids and I didnt wanna be waiting or missing a bus and have to wait for another
mousesavers got me a 89 $ rate for a 1 bedroom suite in the park for 2 weeks it was worth it
good luck

 

[eeyorefanatic]

I stayed last year at the Courtyard for ther $20.02 rate and am going again this year for the $20.03 rate.

The room was HUGE and very clean. I took both buses and drove and found it very convenient. I also loved being just a short drive away from the shopping center right on the other side that had a good variety of chain restaurants.

Is it Disney-No but it was also only $20 a night I am not a stay in the resort kind of person. Just looking for a clean place to sleep and on occasion eat dinner/breakfast so this was perfect!

 

[DisneyKidds]

If money is a primary consideration and you get a good rate the DTD hotels are great options. We have stayed at the Courtyard several times and it is a very nice hotel.

That being said...............................you can't even begin to try and compare them to the on-site Disney hotels. I view the DTD hotels as off-site hotels that happen to have some on-site benefits and a great location. Heck, the DTD location is as good as or better than the All Stars. Mind you, I like the DTD hotels and I'm not trying to put down staying off-site, but there is a perceptable difference IMHO.

The key for me is the fact that the DTD hotels are just that - hotels, whereas all the Disney properties are fully immersive resorts. At the DTD hotels you don't get the wonderful Disney theming, attention to detail, and that Magical feeling of being fully immersed in Disney, never having to set foot outside the Magic. While the DTD hotels are nice, I don't find them much different than the Courtyard or Hilton I can find in my hometown - the location is just a heck of a lot better. Bus service is not as frequent as that provided at the Disney resorts. When we stayed at the Courtyard we were able to do EE and E-Nights, but that may have changed and those benefits don't appear to be available at all the DTD resorts.

Are the DTD hotels worth a try, especially for $20.03 at the Courtyard? Absolutely. Your room will even be much nicer than that which you get at the All Stars. However, you do trade the great theming and a piece of the Magic, if you ask me.

 

[hulabird]

I have to agree with DisneyKidd...I'd rather stay at a moderate than one of the regular hotels....when we first started going to WDW we were going to try one of the DTD hotels and actually went as far as booking Doubletree when they had a $99/night special....then I found this board and codes, and when I saw CBR for the same price, I changed it right away and now I am hooked on staying on site and will not go back. It is THAT big a difference and just adds to the magic of your trip. Since we go to WDW just about every year and know the parks inside and out, we tend to spend more time at the resorts now, and it is a very relaxing vacation. Once you try it you will see what I mean.

 

[jgates]

We stayed at Courtyard DTD 3 years ago. Would I be willing to stay there again? I suppose. We did walk to DTD from there and took their bus service to the parks. LONG waits between buses at that time. I understood they ran with more frequency last year from what I heard. Long walk to bus area too when you are hot and tired at the end of the day.

But friendly people - decent hotel - big rooms - nothing wrong with it (we had an a/c problem but was fixed and comp'd).

If I can get a decent rate at the Swan, I would never head back there. The convenience to my 2 favorite parks is just too much to resist and the Swan is just wonderful.

However, if that is the difference between going and not going I would be there in a flash. (We had $700 of Marriott GC's from rewards programs to use for that trip so that precipitated the Courtyard sojourn - the Marriott village across the I was not open yet).