I just booked a week at the Double Tree in DTD.

[disneyfan67]

Well my wife and I have finally agreed on a date and what resort to stay at this year. It was almost getting like work trying to figure out where to stay and what to do. See, here's the deal. My family loves staying at the Polynesian but it's too pricey for us to do it every year. My wife and I are going to renew our vows (10 years being married to me! LOL!) on the beach area called Sunset point in August 2007. It's been my wife's dream/idea since we stayed at the Poly for our first time in 2002. We booked the trip for 2007 and are making the required payments but there was no way to do a deluxe WDW trip this year and have the dream trip next year. If we were going to do a vaction this year it would have to be a cheap one and probably an offsite hotel. So there's where all the work came from.


I looked at a ton of offsite places to stay and my brain was starting hurt due to all of the choices. I've been combing the boards here and trying to make up my mind. There was no way I was going to stay at a Value resort due to the room size and beds. Plus the prices can be a little steep for what you get unless you find a decent code. I take the Mousesavers news letter and it had a great deal on the Double Tree with a lot of extras. So we booked 6 nights with a complimentary continental breakfast for $85.00 a night and I think it's a great deal. (I hope!) It says the suites can fit 6 people and since there is only 4 of us I think we should be comfortable.

My family and I are going in August 7th to 12th 2006 and we're going to do Sea World along with the WDW parks. I know that it's going to be hot but we're going to take our time and enjoy ourselves. Are we crazy to going down in August and does anybody who has stayed at the Double Tree Suites have any suggestions? We are driving our car down to WDW so we will have more transportation choices than usual. Any tips or suggestions would be great! Thanks in advance and wish us luck.


Eddie

 

[kimisabella]

We've also booked this hotel from 8/28-9/2. With the great deal, we felt we couldn't go wrong. So far all I've heard are good reviews.

 

[disneyfan67]

We've also booked this hotel from 8/28-9/2. With the great deal, we felt we couldn't go wrong. So far all I've heard are good reviews.

It just looked too good of a deal to pass up and I think I researched enough. I didn't find too many bad reviews on Tripadvisor about it and Mary from Mousesavers recomends it as well. It looks like they just redecorated/upgraded the rooms and at almost 600 sq feet room size at a DTD Hotel, how can you go wrong? I look forward to more replies and advice/suggestions. Keep em comming people!

 

[HopperFan]

Stayed a week in January for $118 a night with the breakfast. BEST breakfast we have ever gotten at a hotel included, and we shop for that with 5 of us (and my kids are teens+). LOTS of room for us to spread out, enjoy, watch 2 tvs, nap and tv etc. Beds were great and the boys slept super on the sofabed. Rooms very well done. As much as I hate not staying in a DW hotel, we will be returning here. Was perfect for our long trip with Disney and US/IOA. Never rode buses, drove everywhere. We could see the fireworks from our room at an angle or end of hallway. May want to request that view ! I don't think I would have been happy looking towards the highway. Everyone there was so friendly and helpful too !

ps My only complaint (but didn't seem to bother the rest) was the traffic noise when you are at the pool. Pool backed up to highway. Music was playing and like I said the rest didn't care.............if I were going in August and planning lengthy pool time, I would go to waterpark.

 

[mom2isaac&ella]

I understand what you meant about your head hurting! We will be at the Doubletree the same week you will. We actually bumped our vacation back a week to get the $85 rate. I searched this board & others & I heard good things. I am wondering about the bus transportation. We will have a car & I'm thinking that with 2 little ones & 2 umbrella strollers we will be driving to the parks, but I'm not sure. Anyone have any suggestions regarding the bus service??

 

[ccw]

My youngest son and I stayed at the Doubletree Suites a few years ago and were amazed at the size of the suites. Everything was very nice. I had been warned that there would be aggressive time share people in the lobby but I had no problem saying "no thanks." Besides, we are already DVC members! But every now and then we stay off site for the first night if it falls on a weekend and we do not want to "waste" DVC points. SO, we will be at the Doubletree again next week for the first night of our spring break trip (using Hilton Honors points!) before moving to Old Key West. We had a car last time and will again this time but I have heard the bus transportation for the Doubletree is not horrible. For the money, I think the Doubletree is a great deal, especially since the furnishings and beds are all new.

 

[alite]

How far of a walk is this hotel to Donwtown Disney? It says it offers shuttle transportation to all the parks, but I remember reading a couple of bad reviews on the shuttle service.

 

[ccw]

I did not walk to Downtown Disney but would guess it is less than a mile. Distance would not concern me as much as a potentially harrowing dash across lots of traffic at night right in front of Downtown Disney! No problems for adults but I will not let my teens attempt it next week.

 

[ottawamom]

We stayed at the Doubletree last May. It would be a 15-20 min walk to DTD. There are lights to cross the road at DTD so no need to worry there. The buses are about the same efficiency as the ones to the Value resorts. They run every half hour or so. Its just a matter of asking what time they leave a particular park and building that in to your plans. Most trips to the parks were 15-20 min. and the buses could be busy at certain times. Loved the hotel though. I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with the hotel. For the price you got it can't be beat. Have great trips! We have to wait another year or two before we can go back.

 

[disneyfan67]

I'm actually looking forward to staying there and for $85 bucks a night who can complain? At least it's inside Disney's main gate and if I don't end up driving I can use the shuttle service. Don't get me wrong, I wish I was at the Polynesian but I keep telling myself that's for next year. In my book I would rather have a low cost/mid quality vacation like this then none at all. I wouldn't look forward to trying to squeeze myself into a value room unless it was one of those new suites. My family may be only 4 of us but we're big! I've been spoiled by the deluxe resorts for far too long.

I think this might work out just fine for us but I'm a little worried about the heat. I have never been to WDW in August and I bet the humidity is going to be thick. It's going to be interesting I think and I told my wife don't worry about packing long pants, windbreaker jackets, or blowdryers! LOL!

Thanks to everyone so far and you been great!

Eddie

 

[kimisabella]

I'm actually looking forward to staying there and for $85 bucks a night who can complain? At least it's inside Disney's main gate and if I don't end up driving I can use the shuttle service. Don't get me wrong, I wish I was at the Polynesian but I keep telling myself that's for next year. In my book I would rather have a low cost/mid quality vacation like this then none at all. I wouldn't look forward to trying to squeeze myself into a value room unless it was one of those new suites. My family may be only 4 of us but we're big! I've been spoiled by the deluxe resorts for far too long.

I think this might work out just fine for us but I'm a little worried about the heat. I have never been to WDW in August and I bet the humidity is going to be thick. It's going to be interesting I think and I told my wife don't worry about packing long pants, windbreaker jackets, or blowdryers! LOL!

Thanks to everyone so far and you been great!

Eddie

I know exactly how you feel - I've never been in august, I've been in july though, it wasn't TOO terrible, but august may be worse. We also were on a budget this trip - we're in the middle of selling our home and buying another so we couldn't do the poly even though we REALLY wanted to....Not to mention I'm looking forward to the large rooms, we're 4 people also, but I like to have a little room to move around and the kids won't be so confined. As long as we're going to Disney, I can't complain!

 

[we3disneygo]

we3 will be checking in Sept. can't wait, last time I got the 20.03 deal with Marriott so I can't beat that....................were happy with the extra breakfast and the extra room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneyfan67]

we3 will be checking in Sept. can't wait, last time I got the 20.03 deal with Marriott so I can't beat that....................were happy with the extra breakfast and the extra room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You got a suite at the Double Tree for $20.03 at one time? Wow! That's a great deal and you can't beat it. From all of the pictures I've seen, the Double Tree looks a nice place to stay and it's inside the main gate! To me that's half the battle right there and I was so tired of looking at offsite hotels to stay at. This resort seemed to fit all of our family's needs but I do wish I could have got the deal you did last time. $20.00 Dollars a night is unreal!

 

[disneyfan67]

I know exactly how you feel - I've never been in august, I've been in july though, it wasn't TOO terrible, but august may be worse. We also were on a budget this trip - we're in the middle of selling our home and buying another so we couldn't do the poly even though we REALLY wanted to....Not to mention I'm looking forward to the large rooms, we're 4 people also, but I like to have a little room to move around and the kids won't be so confined. As long as we're going to Disney, I can't complain!

Look at all the postives in this deal. Neither one of us is paying a lot for a nice place to stay that in theory, is considered onsite. We will have maid servive and free breakfast, plus 20% off all other meals at the Double Tree. I was looking at some places to stay outside the main gate and I saw quite a few dumps and places I wouldn't want to stay even if it was free. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of nice offsite resorts to stay at but some of them are just plain scary. I think that this upcomming vacation will be a good one for both of our families. Good luck on yours!

 

[kimisabella]

Look at all the postives in this deal. Neither one of us is paying a lot for a nice place to stay that in theory, is considered onsite. We will have maid servive and free breakfast, plus 20% off all other meals at the Double Tree. I was looking at some places to stay outside the main gate and I saw quite a few dumps and places I wouldn't want to stay even if it was free. Don't get me wrong there's a lot of nice offsite resorts to stay at but some of them are just plain scary. I think that this upcomming vacation will be a good one for both of our families. Good luck on yours!

You are 100% right!! As soon as you come home you have to give us all the details!!!!

 

[EWL]

... I take the Mousesavers news letter and it had a great deal on the Double Tree with a lot of extras. So we booked 6 nights with a complimentary continental breakfast for $85.00 a night and I think it's a great deal.

Eddie

Wow! $85/nite?!?! Was this in the February Mousesavers newsletter? I only just signed up and got the March one the other day and don't see this. Is it still available?? Would anybody please be willing to share the Feb. newsletter with me? If so, thanks in advance: dtd.10.ewl@spamgourmet.com
Thanks!!

 

[mom2isaac&ella]

Go to the mousesavers website & it has the link to Doubletree. I'm not sure they are still offering the $85 rate or not. The $85 rate began for August 6th arrivals through September. After you plug in your dates make sure you click on the rate when it comes up to show if there is a rate change during your stay. We are going in on the 5th for $119 & then it drops to $85 for the remainder of our stay. Best of luck!

 

[EWL]

Thanks for the info and the tip about clicking on the rate. Unfortunately my dates are coming up as $119 for every night, so I guess maybe I missed the boat on the $85!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Yikes...my Jan. dates come up at $169/night!

 

[2ofUs]

I assume the answer is no, but thought I'd ask, we can't get early entry or extra hours from this property, right? Sorry, it is early here and I am only on my first cup of coffee.

We were planning for Jan 2007, but if I don't go about every 18 months, the pressure builds and I start breaking out in a chorus of "Hi-ho-hi-ho" (or other pleasant Disney songs) every morning - and I DON'T sing well!!

Last night my wonderful hubby FINALLY agreed that 24 months is too long and we should go in September! I had seen the deal on Mousesavers in Feb and booked right away for 9/23 through 9/30 - JUST IN CASE - as there was no deposit required. Now I have to find a deal for airfare.

We, too, will have a rental car, but were hoping the buses were pretty regular. Has anyone got suggestions or tips about which parks have a more regular bus service for DD Tree? For instance, if end-of-day pick-up buses are more regular at Epcot, we could start our day at MK and monorail to Epcot (or vice-versa) Or perhaps use the boat between Epcot & MGM - something like that. Yes, it might take more time, but I would rather be moving than waiting in a line for a bus.

And, I know parking at the hotel is free, but we do still have to pay the $8 daily parking at the theme parks, right?

ALSO, any suggestions as to what room number (or NUMBERS) we should request for fireworks views?

Oh, and to the responder that said the BREAKFASTS were great, I understand it is just a continental - cold ceral, bagels, fruit - is that correct? If so, then you mean they have a good selection, etc.?

and for all who lend their support to everyone else on this board, I give a great big THANKS. Where would we be without each other?