Hotel Explorer

[Pod]

Anyone stayed at the Explorers? How do you rate it??

 

[A Small World]

We have just returned from 2 nights at Explorers. This was an extra 2 nights after staying at Santa Fe for our park days.
We really liked the hotel. It was clean and new looking. The rooms were reasonably spacious and comfortable.

There was a kettle in the room and welcome supplies- a couple of sachets of coffee, tea bags, sugar and 1 sachet of powdered milk. These supplies werent replenished- I think you could purchase more supplies but we had our own with us. We also had a small thermos flask with us so took a cup of milk from breakfast which we kept in the flask and it was Ok til end of day.

DD (7) especially liked the pool area which had several slides. You could hire towels for 1 Euro but we sneaked one from our room one day. There was also a good play area where children could let off steam if they still have energy from being in the park all day. There were lots of tables near the play area where you could sit to have a drink while the children played.

The only meal we ate there was breakfast. It was very chaotic!!! You will have to specify your time and will be given a ticket with a time on for breakfast. However no one checked our ticket and so we could have gone in at any time. The breakfast was set out in several stalls and it was hard at first finding where everything was, trying to juggle trays and guide DD along amongst people carrying hot drinks. And then couldnt find a free table. It was easier the 2nd day when we found a table first, seated DD then went to collect the food.

There is a free shuttle bus which runs every 20 mins to and from the parks. It collects from other hotels along that stretch but goes to Explorers first so if you dont get a seat when you first get on you often can as people get off at other hotels.

We would definitely stay there again and would say the only downside was that you couldnt walk to and from the park.

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi Pod, welcome to the DIS!

We've stayed at the Explorers three times and have booked for a fourth so you can tell we like it there!

Have a look at it here in the Hotel FAQ.

Although most people prefer to take the bus it is possible to walk to/from the parks, it's a very pleasant walk and it takes about 25 minutes.

 

[chrismoo]

Happy hour in the bar is great

Buy one drink get the same free, I think I had 3 cocktails in a queue to drink at one time.

 

[BRobson]

Our kids love this hotel. The play areas and pool are well themed so they are happy. The rooms have a kettle, room safe and hairdryer which is great for me. We opt for the adjoining bunkbed room as it gives us a bit of peace.

The have internet access and it has a lovely coffee bar which sells gorgeous bagettes and pastries.

It also has a small Disney shop which sells a selection of Disney goodies

As Elaine says you can walk to the park from the hotel but after a day in the parks I am glad to get the shuttle bus

Hope this helps

 

[Dianetigger]

We stayed at the Explorers a couple of years ago and loved it, the only downside was the shuttle bus. Firstly they were supposed to be every 15/20 minutes but we found we were waiting longer than that (to be honest it was the end of July and very busy) and the 'scrum' after Fantillusion but we used to grab the bus to Santa Fe and then walk, it was very enjoyable actually.

 

[Pod]

Thanks very much to everyone who replied. Off to DLP on Sunday 6th May. Staying at the explorers as mentioned. Handy to know about kettle in room as DH cannot function without 1st cup of tea!

 

[dgutte]

Take some of your own tea bags as the supply in the room is not replenished once you have used them.

Fab hotel by the way, my daughter raves more about the hotel than the parks!

 

[Booknut]

My sister took my nieces to DLRP last year and stayed at the Explorers and she said that it was a wonderful hotel, great for children! In fact my older niece thought the hotel was Disney when she got there (easy mistake to make at 3!) LOL!

The pool area was really great as well and the rooms very spacious, she highly recommends it and we look forward to staying there too at some point.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Dumbo Deb]

This sounds quite appealing! Which bar and at what time is 'happy hour' and are the prices quite reasonable in the bar? We will be going in June. thanks

 

[Pod]

Its at the Explorers Hotel. Sounds good. Buy one get one free!! Grandchildren having fun in play area, me DSD and DH relaxing!!? at the bar. HEAVEN.