DTD Hotels

[amyminzey]

Which DTD hotel would you consider the best (not including the Hilton, which we can't afford)?
We are thinking about Buena Vista Suites if we can get a good rate. Also, there is a Magicard rate for the Grosvenor, so we could go there.
When would be a good time to book (we are going Jan 6, 2008) if we want to get a good rate/discount? We are honeymooning in disneyworld and want to have a nice hotel, but yet we are trying to keep it cheap and stick to a small budget.
Any info, advice, tips, etc. would be great!

THANK YOU!

 

[HopperFan]

We paid about $55 a night at Grosvenor and considered it too much. Will never return.

We like the Hilton (I got a rate of $109 a night in Sept) and have also stayed at the Doubletree Suites and enjoyed it there as well. Royal Plaza has just gone through a rehab and has had some good rates.

Also read about hotels on w.mousesavers.com for more info.

 

[spiceycat]

by 2008 some of the old hotels could be worn down and new ones replacing them.

Cypress Pointe is nice - but no guaranteed what rates will be in 2008.

here are some hotel links to look at

www.hotelkingdom.com
www.hotelmartusa.com

now the mom and pops are still cheaper - they don't have websites (generally - some do) - so they are harder to find.

look on these websites for information
www.floridakiss.com
and one you kno
www.orlandoinfo.com

the problem with outsite is transportation. You need a rental car - so count that in your money. Of course if you are driving then you will have your car.

Disney has promised no new hotels - this doesn't include DVC - it makes money.

 

[spiceycat]

sorry I should just answer your questions.

Doubletree has several fans.

www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

 

[CarolA]

I recently stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza which was redone after the hurricanes a few years back and found it very nice. www.mousesavers.com and travelzoo have had some great rates on that one.

 

[f7prez]

Hotel Royal Plaza and Buena Vista Palace are the best hotels at Downtown Disney when excluding the Hilton. Best Western and Doubletree are liveable. I haven't stayed at the Grosvenor because it gets a large number of negative reviews. With more than a year before your Honeymoon (Congratulations), you have plenty of time to compare deals and packages. January into February tends to be a slow time for Disney and the deals are usually plentiful. For instance, Southwest has some great packages that include airfare for travel between January and March that include Disney hotels.
If you are planning to stay at a non Disney hotel, definitely try the Downtown Disney hotels first. They are actually on Disney property and offer complimentary transportation to and from the parks that is great. Plus they are close to DTD for easy access to the shops and Disney Transportation.
I would definitely rent a car if you are flying in. While it is nice to rely on the buses and Disney transportation, it is a huge time saver being able to drive directly to a resort for dinner or if you dare to venture off Disney property to enjoy one of the many off site restaurants and attractions.

The Swan and Dolphin are two other hotels on Disney property that are not owned by Disney. They tend to be more expensive than those at DTD, but they will run specials during slow periods that are affordable. They are both great hotels in the best location. We personally like staying at the EPCOT resorts for the quick access to entertainment, restaurants, EPCOT and MGM.

 

[LAS2AMS]

by 2008 some of the old hotels could be worn down and new ones replacing them.

In DTD? Not a chance. The Hilton (which underwent a complete renovation earlier this decade, but needs a refreshing right now), DoubleTree Suites and Buena Vista Place were built in the late 1980s. Royal Plaza and the LBV Resort just completed massive renovations. When it re-opens (whenever that will be and whatever the name will be), the Holiday Inn will have as well. The Grosvenor's owners have commited lots of $$$ to a much-needed renovation.

All the buildings appear to be in excellent shape... given that the lease on the land (with Disney) expires in roughly 40 years, I doubt anybody will commit massive amounts of money to tearing down & rebuilding. And given what the owners of the Best Western want (it's for sale), I doubt it'd be an attractive option, anyway.

 

[LAS2AMS]

A note on pricing --- prices for ALL of these hotels falcuates during ALL seasons, so be sure to check early & often. Also be weary of mandatory resort fees, ranging up to $14/night (all hotels have them except for the Hilton-which is optional-and DT).

Buena Vista Palace - easily has the nicest resort atmosphere of all the DTD properties... upscale, business-orientated atmosphere within the hotel itself -- with upscale pricing to match within its resturants... the rooms have recently completed renovation and are among the nicest in all of Orlando... plenty of promotional rates available through its website -- $69-$109 most of this past year, including summer -- several offering resort credits and/or free breakfast.

Hilton - your typical upscale, business-orientated hotel (again, with pricing to match), although the pool area is very nice... DTD is a 5-minute walk away... the rooms are still in good condition, but could use a refreshing... the Towers lounge is easy to access (sweet talk your way into getting access)... rates vary from $89 (prepaid special on Hilton.com)-$129 if bought in advance/low attendance time periods, but can very get to the mid-$200s. Some of the rooms have a FANTASTIC view of Downtown Disney, as well as the Castle/Epcot/other Disney icons in the distance (and several firework shows!!)

Royal Plaza -- just completed a massive renovation, solid 4* hotel (and again, with pricing to match) but lacks resort atmosphere... average pool area... rates as low as $69 (travelzoo/bookit/mousesavers) but can get very high...

DoubleTree Suites -- average 3* hotel catering to business travelers, average pool area... oversized rooms can be a very good value ($89-$129 when booked in advance)

Best Western -- just completed a renovation (in conjuction with Disney's people)... decent low-tier 3* hotel with average pool area... decent food pricing, including a $7 breakfast buffet (includes OJ/coffee)... rates for this hotel vary -- Expedia had a $79/night rate during the peak summer which included two tickets to PI or $25 in Disney Dollars... Bookit recently had a $64 rate which included a pair of breakfast buffets and an upgrade to a Disney view -- don't pay for it anyway since they'll usually give it to you for free.

Grovesnor -- REALLY needs a renovation... public areas are a low-tier 3* hotel but rooms are about 2* (tops) quality... food/beverage pricing is moderate... America West Vacations (now US Airways Vacations) usually has it for $55-$65/night including tax (prepaid).

 

[spiceycat]

In DTD? Not a chance. The Hilton (which underwent a complete renovation earlier this decade, but needs a refreshing right now), DoubleTree Suites and Buena Vista Place were built in the late 1980s. Royal Plaza and the LBV Resort just completed massive renovations. When it re-opens (whenever that will be and whatever the name will be), the Holiday Inn will have as well. The Grosvenor's owners have commited lots of $$$ to a much-needed renovation.

All the buildings appear to be in excellent shape... given that the lease on the land (with Disney) expires in roughly 40 years, I doubt anybody will commit massive amounts of money to tearing down & rebuilding. And given what the owners of the Best Western want (it's for sale), I doubt it'd be an attractive option, anyway.

look with Disney tearing down hotels - I won't be surprise what DD will do.

the lease was for 99 years and I though it started in 1971. because the park didn't open until then. It might have started earlier. but since WDW was the drawing point in the first place.

plus with the new electricity and plumbing - some people tell me it is cheaper to tear down than to try to upgrade a current building.

I don't know.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

We just stayed at Buena Vista Palace last weekend and LOVED IT!! The rooms have all been redone and they look great.

I would stay there again.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The only resort Disney has demolished (other than a handful of old cabins at FW) is the former DI/DVR. Demolishing that property made sense -- it was a hodgepodge of various accomodations originally designed as models for area housing but not taking advantage of the view (since DTD didn't exist when they were built)... the buildings were in need of refurbishment (and some had been recently refurbished), the property had long struggled for occupency and Disney had a surplus of rooms post-9/11. Taking advantage of the property's location and infostructure (which is basiclly the same today as it was 10 years ago) to quickly build a new DVC resort made sense. In today's enviroment, this may not have happened.

The only other resort Disney has (allegedly) considered demolishing is the PO-FQ... and the Moderate resorts are ultra-cheap, roadside-motel style accomodations (nicely packaged in a true resort atmosphere). The quality of structure at all the DTD hotels will be superior.

It wouldn't shock me if the DTD hotels are demolished, but not for decades -- not in 2008. I'm not certain when the lease on the land expires... I recall seeing the for-sale webpage for the BW LBV that indicated 204X or maybe 205X.

look with Disney tearing down hotels - I won't be surprise what DD will do.

the lease was for 99 years and I though it started in 1971. because the park didn't open until then. It might have started earlier. but since WDW was the drawing point in the first place.

plus with the new electricity and plumbing - some people tell me it is cheaper to tear down than to try to upgrade a current building.

I don't know.