Info on downtown disney resorts???

[adhelove]

We have always stayed onsite. This is our 11th visit and we keep getting these great emails about the resorts at Downtown Disney. We don't know anyone that has stayed there before. If you have any info on any of the resorts that would be appreciated. Also if you know about getting in to WDW for the early and late entry, do you get to do that staying in DTD? The prices seem really good and we may have 5 going this year so the only other option cheap is Port Orleans Riverside. These places in DTD have a mini kitchen and sleep up to 8. The prices are really good but I don't know anything else about them. These are the DTD resorts : Double Tree, Grosvenor Resort, The Hilton, Holidan Inn, Hotel Royal Plaza, Lake Buena Vista Best Western Resort, and Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa. Thanks for any input.

 

[carlamouse]

You may want to try www.downtowndisneyhotels.com for more info.

 

[adhelove]

Thank you I will. Still would like input from anyone who has stayed at these downtown disney resorts. First hand knowledge is the best.

 

[G8r4evr]

My choice would be the Wyndham. The resort was beautiful (especially if you get an upper floor with a view of DTD). I remember the only drawback for us was the really high self parking charge (and u had to park pretty far away). Looking back, I should have just paid for valet, but I was in college and trying to save every dime I could.

Ive only spent one night at the Hilton and it was nice too, but we preferred the Wyndham.

Doubletree was a nice resort as well, but it has been about 10 years since I was there, so I cant really give a current review.

Hope this helps. If nothing else, eat at Chevys right across the street =))

 

[SeeingEars]

Last Oct for MNNSHP we stayed at the Royal Palza as everything else in my budget range had been booked up, but we really liked our stay there. we had a suite that cost less than 100.00 a night. Room was clean service decent. Walking distant from DTD. Could see both Epcot and MK fireworks from our window and the DTD lights. I would stay in this area again. The buses are not that great and are very crowded and seemed to take a long time to get places, but we drove.

 

[adhelove]

Last Oct for MNNSHP we stayed at the Royal Palza as everything else in my budget range had been booked up, but we really liked our stay there. we had a suite that cost less than 100.00 a night. Room was clean service decent. Walking distant from DTD. Could see both Epcot and MK fireworks from our window and the DTD lights. I would stay in this area again. The buses are not that great and are very crowded and seemed to take a long time to get places, but we drove.

Thank you so much. Did you guys get to use the early entry and late stays at WDW while you stayed at Royal Plaza? And can 5 people stay there?

 

[schwaa]

The only one that gives you access to extra magic hours is the Hilton. I stayed there about 5 years ago. It was nice. Very close to DTD, the closest actually. We had a car so it wasn't bad and I was an AP holder so parking was free at the parks.

If you can afford Port Orleans Riverside, you should stay there. Here are my reasons why:

1. access to extra magic hours
2. buses to the parks (better than the ones from the DTD hotels)
3. food court
4. charging priveleges in the parks
5. magical express (if you are flying into Orlando)

I have so many other reasons, but I think those are the big ones that can apply to anyone.

With that said, the Hilton was very nice. It was convenient. You are still "on property" although once-removed (like a second cousin).

 

[ccw]

Have stayed twice at Doubletree GUEST SUITES (not to be confused with Doubletree Hotel) and absolutely loved it! We are DVC members so obviously stay on site most of the time but have enjoyed the Doubletree Suites as a relatively inexpensive weekend option. Very spacious suite with separate sleeping area and great comfy beds. Walkable to DTD (LONG walk but, hey, you're at WDW!) Did not use pool either stay but it looked perfectly fine...nor did we use their bus.

Port Orleans is our other preference when not using our points...certainly not as roomy but preferable to most DTD hotels for reasons in a previous post. I'd say that, if you have a car, it's not a big deal to stay at DTD for a night or two but, if no car, then I'd vote for moderate on site in a heartbeat.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We've stayed 4 different times at the Wyndham & absolutely loved it. Two times as a family, 1 time just DH & I and then last August my sister & I along with our daughters stayed there while the girls went to a concert @ House of Blues in DTD. It's great. Would recommend it to anyone that's not planning to spend 24/7 at a park & wants a break from the crowds on site. I'm still a total fan of the on-site resorts, but the first time we stayed at Wyndham it was spur of the moment during Thanksgiving & we were lucky enough to snag a room for 2 nights there. Great service, lots of amenities, too. Good luck!!

 

[WINTER]

We just got back from staying at the Royal Plaza. We loved it! There were five of us and we had 2 beds and a nice pull out sofa. We had a traditional room at $75/nite and was upgraded upon arrival to a deluxe tower room which are bigger. The baths are huge. We walked to DTD and the buses worked well for us. If the price is right, we will definitely stay there again!

 

[markey]

We stayed at the Royal Plaza last August and are staying there again this August. Last year we only did the water park before our Disney cruise, so we did not use the bus. This year we are doing a water park and the MK for 1 day each before Universal, so I guess we will experience the busses this time. But because we are only going to the MK for 1 day we are not taking an afternoon break, that is the main reason I like on site, but even that is a hassle, too much time wasted in transportation. The rooms are great, and since we have 5 everyone has a bed. Last year we had a Deluxe tower room for under a $100, this year we have a pool side room with 4 free breakfast coupons for $112 thru the link from Mousesavers.

 

[f7prez]

Stayed at the Buena Vista Palace (formerly Wyndham), Loved it. We had a beautiful view of SSR and the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Also stayed at Royal Plaza. Thought the place was great. You can usually find a great deal at one of the DTD hotels. Our neighbor just got back from the Grosvenor (aka Grossnor). However they said that it has been undergoing a major renovation and they thought the place was awesome.

We like the fact that you are on Disney property, which means you are very close to the parks. You can walk to DTD, which we visit at least twice during any trip. And we think the buses are great. They are nicer than the Disney buses, and I believe they come every half hour.

 

[rosiep]

I stayed at the Grosvenor two years ago in a tower room and really enjoyed it. The buses ran on a schedule and were never more than 5-10 minutes late. We booked their "Mystery Theater" dinner and it was great fun. The staff was pleasant and it was nice to be so close to DTD. This year I'm staying at The Royal Plaza hotel because as much as I love the Disney Resorts....I adore room service (not just pizza) and hate paying deluxe resort prices for it.

 

[chalee94]

The only one that gives you access to extra magic hours is the Hilton. I stayed there about 5 years ago. It was nice. Very close to DTD, the closest actually.

yep - another vote for the hilton.

stayed there a few years ago on a priceline rate ($72 a night, tax incl) and enjoyed it. used the EMH benefit with no problem and, when the hilton bus let me down coming back from AK, it was easy enough to grab a disney bus to DTD and walk across the street to the hilton.

i'm sure some of the other DTD hotels are nice, though...

 

[SnackyStacky]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn back when it was a Courtyard Marriott. The food options were lacking. They had no restaurant open for lunch - but that may have changed since the change in ownership.

The rooms were HUGE, and the pool was nice. I never had a problem with the park transportation and it was nice being able to walk to Downtown Disney.

 

[TTT103]

I've stayed in all of them and offer the following comments:

The Best Western usually offers the best rates, but along with the Doubletree is the furthest from DTD. The Holiday Inn is currently closed and does not look as though it will re-open any time soon. If you opt for the Grosvenor, stay in the main building (tower), as the wings can be spotty at best. The Grosvenor's rates on their garden wings can be quite attractive, but they are night and day with respect to the tower rooms. The Hilton is a typical Hilton. Rates at the Hilton can approach Dolphin/Swan and the moderates. As was previously stated, the Hilton is the only DTD hotel that offers Early/late park perks. The Buena Vista Palace (as is the Hilton) is directly in front of DTD so hopping over to the Rainforest Cafe, Wolfgang Pucks, McDonalds or similar for a bite to eat is very easy. It's been a while since we've stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza, but equally enjoyed that property and have no complaints. One thing to keep in mind is that the hotels on the Hilton side of the street (Hotel Royal Plaza, HI, Doubletree) sit next to the highway so be aware of this when you check-in.

 

[tracipierce]

Another vote for the Grosvenor!! We stayed there this time last year in one of the tower rooms, it was our first trip to the US and we thought it was awesome :thumbsup: We had a view of the epcot fireworks every evening from our room, room service was great and not expensive at all. We used all of the facilities inc pool, hot tub etc, they were great, staff were super friendly and no charge for parking. I believe this hotel is the closest to DTD, a 2 minute walk at most, it is also facing the Hilton. Oh buses were good too!