Help needed to decide hotel...

[Gromit]

We are planning a trip to WDW in October 2003 and we're trying to decide between three hotels: Disney All Stars, Grosvenor Resort and Courtyard by Marriott (the latter two being near Downtown Disney). We will be travelling with our son who will be 2yrs & 3mths and need help choosing which hotel to go for. Can anyone help us out with comments, good or bad, for any of these hotels?

Thanks very much

Donna

 

[Hilary]

We've stayed at All Star (Movies) and Courtyard by Marriott, but not the Grosvenor. Our DDs were older than your DS - youngest DD was nearly six at the Courtyard on our first trip to Orlando - so I don't know how relevant my observations will be to your situation!

I cannot imagine any child not liking the AS resorts - they are very over-the-top, brash and 'cartoon' like in their extensive theming. This could prove too much for you, but I'm sure DS would love it It would be easy to return to the resort for an afternoon nap as and when required, and the pools can be good for some time away from the parks during the day (although they can get very busy).

We really enjoyed our stay at the Courtyard, but it was a 'nice hotel' rather than a 'Disney resort' and probably more geared to adult tastes.

I'm trying to remember what my DDs would have been like at 2yrs+, and whether or not they would have appreciated the Disney touches or been just as happy with anything as long as they were fed and watered! I think, on balance, my vote would go to AS, especially if your DS has seen any of the Disney movies featured at ASMo.

 

[vernon]

Hi Donna,
Welcome to the DIS.
Probably the biggest downside of the All Star is that the rooms are a little small ( by US standards) but if you only have 2 adults and a 2 Yr Old that isn't likely to be a major minus to you. The advantages of being on site are that you are that much nearer to your hotel if you decide to go back and allow him to take a nap for a couple of hours. How much of an advantage that is really is down to your child, if he'll sleep happily in a stroller/buggy maybe you won't want to take the time out of the parks to allow him an hours sleep ( it'll take you at least 2 1/2 hours out of the park for an hours sleep time) but it is nice to know that if that proves to be needed it's easiest to do if you stay on a Disney hotel. The pools at the All Star, while not being overly ornate and not having slides, are still very good for the price of the hotels and at his age are going to be more than good enough for your group. As he gets older having a slide may become a bigger plus, but at age 2 it really isn't an issue, IMHO.
Both the Grosvenor and Courtyard are likely to have slightly bigger rooms and more/better facilities ( restaurants/bars etc) but I think the benefits of being on site with a small child (i.e. Disney transportation and if they still do the service of sending any purchases from the parks to your hotel) make the All Star an easier option for you. It's tough enough dealing with a small child and all the equipment they need ( drinks, strollers, spares etc) anything that makes that easier is VERY worthwhile.

 

[Penny12]

Sorry, haven't stayed at any of the hotels in question so can't help, but did want to say...

<b>Welcome to the DIS</b>

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi Donna - we stayed at the Grosvenor in 1999. Location is brilliant - 10 mins max walk to DTD and all the things going on there. 10 mins in the other direction takes you down Hotel Plaza to the Crossroads complex - loads of different restaurants, supermarket, Mini Golf.

Hotel itself is ok, nice enough rooms when we went, although I have read a couple of trip reports on the US boards saying it could do with a bit of refurbishment (but take this with a pinch of salt because there are some fantastic rates available in the US and they seem to want an awful lot for their $ . There's a couple of neat pools and hot tub and pretty gardens. Even a small playground for little ones. 24 hours deli open to but snacks, milk, fresh cookies etc - really handy.

Although not a Disney on-site hotel, you get some of the priviledges - free transportation, Disney gift shop, Disney character breakfasts (we did enjoy ours ). The transportation is ok, the buses did not run on time, but then I don't think they do anywhere. From the walkway outside our room (we were on the 5th floor of one of the wings) we could see the Rainforest Cafe, fireworks from DTD and other things - very convenience, as would be the Courtyard by Marriott.

We gave real consideration to staying there again this year because we did enjoy our last stay, but decided to go for the cheaper Sheraton Safari as we're having a couple of nights during our week at the Hard Rock Hotel . . it's always a question of budget, isn't it

Ooh, decisions, decisions

 

[Claire L]

Donna,
Stayed at the Grosvenor last year and had a great time. Hotel was fine, room large and clean. Remember to request a high floor/tower room as it gives great views either to DD or up towards Seaworld. It is within walking distance of DD and Crossroads. One observation we made this year is there is alot of road consruction going on at the end of Hotel Plaza with DD although hopefully it may be near completeon now and will ease traffic flow. On site is something special and I'm sure any child will love the themed hotels. Check out the codes that are available to get discounts, as some of the moderates are quite good value if your budge can stretch.
Have a great time.
Claire

 

[Paulab]

Hi,

not stayed at any of these hotels, but friends we went with this year stayed as AS, described it as a bit like Butlins. Something worth thinking about would be suite, which gives lounge as well as bedrooms, we did this this year and was nice to be able to put kids to bed, close door and not have to all go to bed at the same time, or sit whispering all evening!

 

[Ang1e]

We stayed at the Courtyard 2 years ago with a 4 & 7 year old and had no complaints - the staff in the restaurant at brekkie were lovely and very helpful.

I came on here to ask if anyone had been to the Grosvenor - got a bit panicky reading the US boards yesterday because no-one seems to like it! We're booked to go there in November and was considering changing to the Courtyard! But now think my minds been put at rest by a couple of replies here! The only reason we didn't pick the Courtyard was because we fancied trying somewhere different.

Have never stayed at the AS so comment on it - sorry.

Ang

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Hi Gromit,

We stayed at the All Stars Music when DD was 2 1/2, she loved it, she's nearly 7 now and could remember things about it right up until we went back to ASMovies last year (although i'm sure the video helped).

As has already been said, it's very 'cartooney' and OTT, which is a delight to children of that age, the characters in and around the pools were just amazing to her.

I've not stayed at the other 2 hotels you've mentioned so can't comment at all on them.

Being onsite at WDW was obviously a huge bonus with a child of that also. The food courts at the AS also didn't pose any problems in finding them something to eat, as obviously there are a few choices so they don't have to eat from the same one as you do.

HTH