Hotel Plaza Blvd resorts?

[halfway there]

I would like to hear what you all think of these resorts. Which are the best and why? Which are more geared to families with kids? Would you stay here solely for price? What if you couldn't get what you wanted on-site? Would these resorts serve as the next best thing?

Here is my dilemma: We just returned from Orlando in March for a 7 day off-site stay and found out about the Star Wars weekends in May/June. My daughter is a SW freak so I promised a short trip out there hoping it would be cheap as well. There's no availability at the resorts I want for the weekend we are able to go. The prices right now for FL residents are unbelievable so I hate to pass them up for one of the resorts on Hotel Plaza Blvd at the same rate if not more. I can get into WL but I'm having a hard time justifying the extra expense when I could get into an AS another weekend for a steal (not really an option). I was hoping CBR would have an opening. Should I just keep trying for CBR, settle for HPB or go for broke (literally!) and take WL??

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[yecats]

DTD hotels are nice hotels without the theming. I have stayed at a few of them over the years, however, I do not have children. If you really want to save money, you need to think about bidding on Priceline. The Hilton and Wyndham in DTD frequently pop up in the resort category for WDW between $60-$70 per night. Priceline has a sister site called biddingfortravel.com. Log in (its free) and begin to scroll down the first page that comes up until you come to the hotel section and see the thread for FL - Orl/WDW area. Click on this thread and at the top is a section that has a frequent hotel list that buys from Priceline. Disney's Swan and Dolphin also purchase sometimes from Priceline (usually $70 something per night). You also need to review the FAQ there and remember that when you begin to bid the resort area, any one of those hotels may accept your bid. The good thing is that those resort hotels are all acceptable and very nice esp. for the money paid. Where the hotels are listed there are two links to try, if you highlight the hotel and click it will take you directly to their website. There is also a link for each hotel (directly behind it) where people have posted their opinions of their stays at those hotels. Hope this helps. Trust me you'll be reading for awhile but should be ready to begin bidding on Priceline after your review.

 

[halfway there]

WOW! Relegated to the second page after only one day! I really would like to know what everyone thinks of these hotels. Please!

yecats - Thanks for the Priceline suggestion. Although I am concerned about price I am not really up for a crash course in bidding right now esp if I don't even know what I'll end up with.
I will look over the reviews you mentioned (after I find them, not too familiar with Priceline) and in the meantime would you mind telling me of your experiences at the hotels you've been to on the Blvd? TIA!

 

[bubblefactory]

Hi,

We stayed at the Royal Plaza Oct 2002, it is a very nice comfortable Hotel - I would strongly recommend the tower rooms at approx $20 night upgrade fee. They are the newest rooms and are quieter and a little more spacious. The standard rooms are in the annexe and can face the parking lot. The staff are friendly and helpful and we would stay again no problem.

We have also stayed at the Courtyard Marriot next door May 2000 but would not wish to return as we had a few problems with noise from other rooms and laundry machines which are at the ends of the corridors. We asked to move rooms but the Hotel was full.

Any more details needed please ask.

Alec

 

[Luvinit]

Myself, DS & DD stayed at the Best Western twice. It did not feel like a typical BW. (nor did it feel like the WL either), but it was CHEAP, it was a block from DTD (which is what were doing there anyway) and they did have FL ressie rates. That is the only other hotel that I have stayed at for a quick trip other than Disney a DW Resort, but both times were fine.
Tracy

 

[halfway there]

Thanks bubblefactory! When you say that the annex rooms face the parking lot, do you mean the balconies?? From the pictures and descriptions I saw it looked like these buildings backed up to the pool area. Could you clarify please?

Luvinit - Good to know about the FL resident rates at these hotels as well. I will have to check into that. We are only planning to do MGM this time anyway so we're wondering if we'd be wasting a stay at WL, maybe better to save it for another time. It is next on our list!

 

[bubblefactory]

Yes, the balconies. It's 50/50 facing out to parking lot and facing into the pool with no guarantee when you book which you will get. Of course you can request pool view at check in for these rooms. The annexe is older and the rooms could benefit from a quick redecorate - we were booked in the annexe and upgraded to tower when we saw the difference for such a small fee.

It depends on how much time you spend in room but in tower rooms you get a small (4ft x 4 ft ) seating area upto the bacony doors.

The pool area is nice - we ate at the pool bar a couple of times - good snacks at a fair price. We had hotel breakfast a couple of times - again good food not as cheap as Sizzlers etc. but a couple of days we wanted to go straight out and it was more convenient. There is also a coffee counter where you can grab a hot drink and a muffin on the move.

Regards,

Alec

 

[halfway there]

Thanks for explaining about the annex rooms, bubblefactory! I think we would go for the tower rooms as well!
I'm still trying to compare the various hotels on the Blvd so keep it coming!

 

[kcarp]

Hi bubblefactory,
Im staying at Royal Plaza in June, I made my reservation for a standard room, but I think I want to upgrade to a Tower Room. What would be the best way to go about this?
Thanks

 

[CEDmom]

We stayed at the Wyndham last March. It was DH, DD (then 2 1/2) and me. We were in one of the buildings by the pool in a King bed room. The room was very large and we had a little patio as well. It took about 5 min to walk to DTD. There is a resort fee that covers health club, newspaper and fresh fruit by the pool. We didn't use the transportation since we had a car so I don't know how it was. We did go to the Minnie buffet breakfast which DD LOVED. All in all I'd stay there again for the right price. I lucked into a special internet rate. Hope this helps.

 

[bubblefactory]

Hi kcarp,

simply call the hotel direct or the agent that made your reservation and ask for the price to upgrade to a tower room. I think they refer to annexe rooms as standard and tower rooms as deluxe.

More info on this hotel is at www.royalplaza.com



regards

Alec.

 

[kcarp]

Thanks for the info

Good day

 

[kcarp]

I just called Royal Plaza and upgraded my standard room ($79 Mousesavers Rate) to the Executive King Tower Suite. This suite is regular $189.00 a night on Royal Plaza's website. They ungraded me for $30.00 more a night. $109.00 a night, Thanks for the tip bubblefactory. I think this will make our trip alot better.

Good day

 

[bubblefactory]

Hi kcarp,

that is a great rate you got for that room - it is one of the 'oversize' tower rooms that were full when we stayed.

Glad to be able to help - I am sure you will love the hotel - have a great trip.

regards,

Alec

 

[halfway there]

Thanks CEDmom! If you don't mind me asking what was the special internet rate for the Wyndham? I'm seeing $99 specials right now but I'm leaning toward the Hilton due to the early entry factor.

Anyone have thoughts on or experiences at the Hilton??

 

[yecats]

I've stayed at the Grovesnor, Hilton and the Wyndham. All three were okay. I haven't stayed in these hotels for the past 3 years and my prior stays were short ones (usually 2/3 nights before staying on Disney prop.). Grovesnor is smaller hotel but nice, we didn't have a tower room and didn't have a great view either but we were never in the room. I did go swimming there and pool was okay (no theming and probably smallest of DTD hotels). However, we did usually eat once a day in this hotel and found the food good (including the Murder Mystery Show on Sat. nights). As for the Hilton and Wyn. well both stays certainly had more conventioners staying there. The Hilton was nice but we were on a lower floor and at the end of the hallway and didn't have a great view, but the room was larger and certainly geared for the business crowd. The pool was nicer but it did feel kind of odd being in swimwear when everyone else is walking around dressed for the convention. Same thing with the Wyndham. Out of the two, I did prefer the Wyndham. Possibly because we could see DTD fireworks and had a nice room and bathroom in the tower. I also liked the pool area and the grounds in general. We're not overly worried about the room as we are hardly ever in it and have to force ourselves to spend some time in the pool. As long as the room is clean were okay.