Downtown Disney Hotels

[sigafoos]

Iam planning a grad trip for my daughter and because she is going with a friend the planning is between 2 families. I have a room at CBR on hold it would cost us 480 for each girl for 4 nights and unlimited magic passes for them. I was happy with this, but the other mom called and said that the Coutryard Marriot was half the price of CBR. I want them on property as I feel its safer. My question is for any one who has stayed there. Can we get the same passes and how is transportation really? Do the busses run the same and can they use all Disney transportation to get to all parks and other resorts for special meals? I lean to CBR as we love the resort but money issues are a concern especially when plannig with another family!
Kim

 

[schwaa]

I recently stayed at the Hilton in DD, which is next door to the Courtyard. The buses do not run the same but they are frequent (every half hour). There was always a bus outside the hotel when we left or entered. You can purchase Length of Stay (Ultimate Park Hopper) passes at these hotels.

It's a pain to use Disney buses to get to the parks. You can walk down to Downtown Disney (about 5-10) minutes. But if you take a bus to the Ticket and Transportation Center, you will first stop at Pleasure Island and then Typhoon Lagoon. It's easier to take the Downtown Disney bus. They only thing about those buses is that they do not let you off at the same place as a Disney bus. This is most noticeable with the bus to Magic Kingdom because it takes you to the Ticket and Trasportation Center where you have to get on the Monorail or Boat.

It is very convenient to get to other resorts because you can just walk to DD and get on that bus, then take the bus back. We took the bus back from the Boardwalk one night, and it was SOOOOOOOO convenient.

If money is an issue, I would price the All Stars. They will probably be between the CBR and Courtyard. Although I'm surprised that the Courtyard would be half price of CBR.

When are they going? June? CBR should be $154. I think Courtyard is around $99 at that time. All Stars will be $99 a night.

 

[RobinMarie]

I've stayed at the Courtyard twice this year for less than 35 dollars a night and it was worth it for that price. I can also say that the Courtyards breakfast buffet was hot, fresh and a fantastic price. I also took advantage of complimentary coffee before boarding the busses.

The busses are not as convenient as the Disney busses and I can tell you I truly noticed the difference in the employees. I'm sure most of the bus drivers are very hard working but we just happened to deal with a few who did not seem to be inspired by the Disney Magic.

If the Courtyard is cheaper then by all means stay there and take advantage of the great breakfast. If the prices are similar I would go for the Disney hotel.

If you do stay in the Marriott, be sure and join up for their rewards program!

 

[disney4us2002]

Perhaps this is an obvious point, but just wanted to be sure you knew one of the girls must be 18 at the time of this trip! I only bring it up because as a November birthday girl, my parents had trouble planning a surprise vacation for me and my best friend as we were both only 17. Turns out I had a very nice Christmas present instead, but wanted to point that out. Sorry if this is obvious!

Carla

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I stayed at the Courtyard last year. We love staying at Disney resorts, but the Downtown Disney hotels are the next best thing. I would reccomend this Hotel highly.

 

[sigafoos]

Thanks for all the help! I'm going to call the other mom and find out how she came up with those rates as I'm finding 99 dollars a night. She mentioned a feww places some off site and maybe I got confused on which room was in the 50's. My biggest concern was ease of getting around and being on site for safety!
And Carla thanks for pointing the age thing out but I already thought of that, my daughter will turn 18 the week before they leave, her friend will still be 17.
Kim

 

[susy]

I've stayed at the Courtyard (in Nov for $25) and at the All Star Movies in Jan (for $49). I would recommend the ASMo over the courtyard. We are staying at CBR (for $84) in May . Did you check mousesavers.com? How much would the tickets be per person? Would it save you money to purchase an AP?

The Courtyard was fine, but very blah and not at all FUN. No magic at all!
I think the girls would have a blast at ASMO! The food court is so convenient and the bus system-great! Our mousekeeper did cute things with our towels and stuffed animals. I would feel safer having them on property, in a "family" oriented resort, than one with business travelers (we saw quite a few while there). the refillable mugs will defintiely save them money and will be a nice souvenier from their trip. They are too young for PI anyway. I would try to convince the other mom to stick with CBR or somewhere else on property for the fun and safety of the girls.

 

[susy]

If the 480.00 included passes and the mom found the Courtyard for half the price, you would still have to buy the passes. The more I think about it, I don't see the savings!

 

[sigafoos]

Thanks everyone for all the great info! We decided to go with the CBR as the other hotels were not really cheaper after all. We were ar CBR last April and the whole family loved it. I think we have a great deal through Dreams- 4 nights at CBR in June, in a room with a king bed(thats all that was available) and length of stay passes for both girls =959 tax included. Spliting that between 2 families makes for a very reasonable 480 per family! We are watching for a decent price on airfare from Seattle and want to book a red-eye flight so they arrive early on their first day to use those length of stay passes as much as possible!
Kim

 

[susy]

I'm so happy that they will be at CBR. I 'm going for my first time in May and can't wait! They will have a blast! Ha! When I was a senior in high school (1984) my curfew was 11pm- and that was with my mom driving me there and picking me up-at a specific activity! They will have a BLAST!!!!!! Have they made any Ps's? Lots of great restaurants!