Embassy Suites Close to DTD?

[LizAgna]

My sister is trying to convince us to stay at Embassy Suites at DTD for our trip next July. The price is cheaper but the transportation is ES transportation not Disney transportation. The bus runs only to the TTC every hour & 15 mintues. It starts at 8am and goes to 1pm. Then pickup starts at 6pm to 15 minutes after the park closes. She says if we miss the ES bus we can take Disney transportation to DTD and walk back to the hotel. From what I understand it is about a 2 mile walk. We have some college students and older teenagers that will be going with us. I would feel better if we stayed on Disney property so we would have a better transportation option for when the group doesn't want to do the same thing at the same time. Plus I know the "kids" would enjoy EMH that we would be entitled to if we stay on property. From what I understand Disney would book us as a Grand Gathering and our rooms would be close together. ES says they will do their best but it might not be possible. Help my sister out and convince me that Embassy Suites is the best bet for our large family.

 

[Scurvy]

I can't comment on their transportation - we are from Alabama as well and always drive to Orlando, and we have started using our car to get to the parks even when we stay on premises (we got tired of those longs waits for the Disney busses!). However, as someone who always used to insist on staying in the WDW hotels, I can say that I highly recommend that Embassy Suites. I've stayed there several times in the last year and a half and had no complaints at all. The rooms are much larger than those in a comparably priced WDW hotel and the atmosphere seems much more relaxing.

ENH isn't as much of an issue for my family as I always though it would be - I've found that just getting to the parks when they open on non EMH days works just as well for us. Of course I haven't liked EMH nearly as well as the old Early Entry schedule, so that could be one reason I don't miss EMH all that much when we stay off site.

I did see the shuttle arriving and leaving often as we were coming and going last time, and I never saw long lines waiting for it. I don't know how inconvenient it would really end up being, though. I would not have wanted to walk to DTD from the hotel, or back to the hotel from there after being in the parks all day. I'm not at all good at estimating distances, but I would have thought it was a longer walk than just 2 miles.

 

[tednvon]

Maybe I am reading your post wrong but you want us to convince you to stay at Embassy Suites but you make a strong case to stay "at Disney" (EMH, Disney transport, rooms close together). Just to make sure we are on the same page, ES is not on Disney property and the one in Lake Buena Vista is indeed a long long walk from DTD. It is a pretty safe walk all the way down Hotel Blvd to Disney Exit at Apopka Vineland Rd. Then you will need to walk past multiple restaurants and hotels to ES which is the farthest hotel back in LBVista from Apopka Vineland.
For teenagers probably just a stroll in the park if you miss transportation.
ES does have the great suites, free breakfast, great pool, but again a long long walk from DTD.

If I misread your post, I apologize...sounded to me like you were trying to push "Disney" perks and be convinced to stay at ES...

Ted

 

[LizAgna]

As you can tell I believe that staying on property at Disney would be best but my sister is pushing ES because of price. I believe that the perks of staying on-site greatly outweigh staying at ES & my sister disagrees.

I'm asking that given the facts of the number of people, about 25 mostly college age kids, transportation to & from the parks, etc...what do you all think is the best option for us?

 

[solar]

how about a compromise?

DoubleTree resorts is also a Hilton brand like Embassy Suites and is an all suite hotel. Set up similar to Embassy Suites...I've stayed in both. Both have a living room area and a bedroom area.

The difference is the Double Tree is on Disney Property in the Downtown Disney area. They have shuttle buses that run about every half hour.

This way she stays on her budget - you stay on site, and it's a compromise.

as for EMH - I avoid those parks due to crowds and choose another. (just a personal choice)

 

[LizAgna]

Scurvy - I realized that I didn't respond to your post yesterday. Thanks for your review of ES. It sounds nice but I still think it is too far away. Good to see someone else from AL on the boards!!

Solar - thanks for the recommendation for the Doubletree. The bus transportation sounds much better here and I like how close it is to DTD. I have passed the info along to my sister...we'll see what she decides!!

 

[solar]

Good luck!

 

[tednvon]

WOW, 25 college age kids!
Now that adds some real challenge to the question...

One of my thoughts is that there will be a lot less temptation inside Disney. ES is easy walking distance to many bars, restaurants, and hotels. I am sounding like an old you know what, but if you stay in one of the Disney hotels there just isn't as much college age excitement to sneak out at 2am for.

As for the best deal, trans inside will be more available, not perfect, but more frequent to the hotels.

Good Luck...take a night for yourself, you will earn it!!!

Ted