DtD Doubletree (and other DtD resorts) - Shuttle? Opinions?

[LittleMissMagic]

I've read the reviews of the Downtown Disney Doubletree here on the DIS, as well as AllEars and other sites, but I'd love to hear more recent/detailed feedback.

In particular, how is the shuttle service to the parks? I've read that it operates every half hour, beginning one hour before park opening. Are there four separate busses for the four parks? Do they all arrive/depart on the half hour? Do they stick to the schedule, or do they arrive early/late? How long do the busses typically wait before departing?

Is the shuttle service a convenient form of transportation, or would you recommend driving instead? Are there certain parks that the shuttle service is better for and others where driving there triumphs?

The cost of parking at the Doubletree is listed as $10. Is this $10 for a week or $10 daily? Or $10 everytime you leave and return?

Also, how close is the hotel to Downtown Disney? Easy walk?

Thank you!!!

 

[100AcreWood]

We've stayed the the Doubletree DTD several times. The last time we stayed my dh was very upset about the $10 a day parking. So we didn't return the next year. It sounds kind of silly, but sometimes it's the extra $70 that irks you. I have stayed at two hotels that offered shuttles every 30 minutes and I didn't take advantage of either. So I can't help you there.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

This doesn't appear to be a very popular resort... perhaps we should have gone with the Hilton at Bonnet Creek, instead (redeeming HHonors Points).

 

[nichanda]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn, which shares the same shuttle with the Doubletree as they are very close. The bus was always on time, give or take a minute. The times for each route vary, so just ask, and they will tell you the two times an hour they run.

The buses were really reliable, and we used them everyday. The same bus services all four hotels located on that side of Hotel Plaza Blvd. The hotels on the other side of the road have a different bus.

I can't comment on the $10 parking, but the Holiday Inn has $10 per day parking, so I'm thinking it may be similar.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Thank you so much - that eases my mind a lot!

It looks like it's $10 per day parking at the Doubletree, as well, but it doesn't sting too much since the HHonor points are a work perk. I'd like to save the $14/day park parking, though, so I'm glad that the buses are reliable!