Just back from 8 nights at Courtyard by Marriott DD

[MelodyTime]

DH, DS and myself just returned from 8 nights at the Downtown Disney Courtyard. We had the $20.02 room rate for 5 of the nights. We were very pleased with the room. It was clean and just as large as the room we had last year at the Yacht Club. We had a king size bed with pullout sofa, balcony overlooking the pool area. We were in the wing section but could see Downtown Disney area from our room and were able to see the fireworks at Pleasure Island. We didn't feel far away from the magic here at all. The hotel employees were extremely helpful and friendly. Getting our tickets was an easy process and getting e-ride night tickets was simple also. We did not use the hotel transportation as we had our own vehicle. I would definitely consider staying here again. If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them!

Melody

 

[KAREN8130]

Hi Melody
Glad to hear you had a great time. Did you request a king size bed in advance? Iwould like to have a room with a king bed,since it will be just me and DH. Did you eat any meals at the hotel and if so how was it and what were the prices like?
Thanks

 

[MelodyTime]

Hi Karen,

We did not request a king room in advance. In fact when I called to book the room they told me that it would be 2 doubles. We arrived a night early and I called a couple of hours before we got there and added an additional night. When we got to the hotel, they offered me a choice of two doubles or the king and pullout sofa. Both were the same price. We jumped on the opportunity to have a king! We didn't eat any meals at the hotel. We did walk around by the restaurant once but it was closed. The other days we ate at the parks. They had a small snack area inside with the Pizza Hut as part of it. Prices seemed a little high but I find that I kind of get numb to all the prices at Disney!! Hope you have a great vacation!!

Melody

 

[paras4ri]

WOW - I didn't think you could participate in E-ride nights if you weren't in a resort "on the grounds" - that will definately put this in our possibilities!

 

[MelodyTime]

Yes, the Courtyard does participate in e-ride nights. This was very important to us too. E-ride nights were the only "perk" that we used at the Disney properties so we figured we might as well give the Courtyard a try. It was very easy to purchase the tickets in the gift shop of the hotel. Another interesting bit of info that we picked up was while standing in line for Space Mountain during one of the e-ride nights. The people in front of us were turned away because they didn't have wristbands but the CM told them that they could still purchase wristbands at the arcade if they were interested. Maybe you don't have to stay at any Disney property and still be able to attend e-ride nights if there are wristbands left??

 

[Susanne]

Can you comment on the pool at the Marriott? Is there a kiddie pool/wading area? We're thinking of saving a few bucks by staying there for 2 nights before we head to the Polynesian. We have an almost 2 yr old, so any other kid-friendly things you noticed (such as a playground) would be nice to hear about.

Thanks,

Susanne

 

[MelodyTime]

The pool was more like a pool complex! There were three small pools and a jacuzzi. They had a small circular wading pool, very shallow for small children. The second one was more of a shallow pool and the third was a deeper pool. The pools were all very cold when we were there. I don't believe that they were heated in any way and the weather hadn't been so hot so the water was a bit chilly. Even my DS who loves being in the pool almost as much as being at the parks, wasn't able to stay in very long. The jacuzzi was small but nice. Very warm. The only problem we had there was the sprinkler system automatically came on while we were in the jacuzzi so our bottom half was warm but our top half was being sprayed with really cold water!! Kind of an interesting sensation. The maintenance employee was very nice and tried to locate the turn off for the sprinkers but wasn't able to before we decided to get out! I'm sure it's not like that all the time though!! The pool was open 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM. I didn't notice a playground. They did have an exercise room and an arcade. The arcade was open 24 hours. I'm not sure the hours on the exercise room.

 

[TJ_Canuck]

How did you get such a great rate!? My wife and I are going in late October and would love to get such a great rate. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Your Canadian friend,

 

[MelodyTime]

I got the info on the great rate from reading the DIS Boards. When I saw how cheap it was we jumped right on it. I see now that they are offering $25.00 rate through Oct. 3. I'm not sure if they offer any deals after that though. Keep checking the Budget Board as well as the Orlando Hotel board. People are wonderful about posting deals as they come along. Good Luck!

Melody

 

[lorilori]

TJ_Canuck: Hi. Just wanted to mention on the rate. Go to Webmaster Pete's $25 Marriott post on the first page of this Orlando board, click the link and enter your dates. I was able to pull up $29 for Mon-Thurs in mid October and then again in November. Good Luck!

 

[eeyore0062]

Melody, we were there last week, when were you there? We were in the tower, and had a great view of the pool, and DTD! We didn't use the pools, as the times we got back to the hotel, it was raining. The pools did look very nice, and off to the side was a nice little playground area for the kids!

We enjoyed the Manager's happy hour most everyday, with the free beer, wine and munchies in the Tipsy Parrot Lounge, which is actually in the main lobby. The hotel managers actually served as the cocktail servers. It was alot of fun. There was a character there named "The Tipsy Parrot" who was alot of fun for the kids. My daughter absolutely feel in love, and the parrot really was great with the kids. The maid service was excellent, and the front desk staff was very friendly and efficient, even finding a discounted room for us, when we decided to stay and extra night!

The rooms were a good size, with 2 double beds, 2 sinks, a balcony, and even internet access.

We didn't use the bus transportation as we had our car, but heard no complaints about it.

The gift shop is actually Disney run, and you can get your theme park and e ticket night tickets right there. It also has all of the sundries you would expect of the hotel gift shop.

We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel, or stay their again. The management really made you feel like family!

 

[MelodyTime]

Hi eeyore! We were there from Aug 9 through the 17th. Glad you enjoyed your time too. We were pleasantly surprised with the hotel and wouln't hesitate to stay there again. We never made it to Happy Hour. Not at the hotel too much during the day. Question about the tower area: Were there more washers and dryers available there? We had one washer/dryer for two floors in the wing and it was always busy. Never did get a chance to do the laundry! Glad I overpacked as usual!

Melody

 

[monte]

Did you have time to use the fitness room, if so is it a good size, what type of equiptment is available and what are the hours? Thanks.

 

[MelodyTime]

We didn't use the fitness room. It looked big at first glance but DH says it was a mirrored room so it wasn't nearly as big as it looked. It had about 4-5 machines and was open 24 hours. We never saw more than a person or two in the room anytime we passed by.

 

[susy]

When we were there last November the smaller pool was heated (and maybe the kiddie pool). We had the $25 rate and thought it was a great deal. No theming, but the amenities were definitely there. We also used our own car and thought it was very close to the aparks . We took breaks every day.

 

[monte]

Do you know if the Marriott shuttle drops you off at the water parks?

 

[Debbie]

We're just back from 11 days at the Courtyard. We had a blast.

We hit the Manager's Reception three/four nights, the kids swam in the pool, but didn't complain about it being cold, while I enjoyed the hottub. We took the bus to Downtown Disney and walked back. We had a vehicle, so basically didn't utilize the bus system, although we followed one back from Animal Kingdom one afternoon. The bus does go to the Water Parks, although not as frequently as the hourly schecule of the other parks, I believe.

I even made my PS Fantasmic dinner package from the hotel.

Everyone was very friendly-even the maintenance guys always checking to see if everything was going well.
In the tower, there are 2 washers and dryers on both floors 10 and 4. The cost is $2 to wash (33 minutes), and $2 to dry (60 minutes).

I didn't find the prices at the G2O (to go) , out of line at all. 75 cents for a doughnut, 80 for fruit... We only ate breakfast (all you can eat buffet) once, in the restaurant, and it was $7.95 for adults and $3.99 for kids. My girls loved the Mickey waffles! Again, the staff was accomodating and great!

11 days, $400. Not a bad go at all. We'd not hesitate to stay at the Courtyard again. Call the hotel directly and ask for the Hundred Years of Magic rate, or book through this site. We weren't planning on Disney this year, and, although the rooms are bland and colourless, who can beat that rate?

Oh, I almost forgot! We watched the fireworks from MK and the end of Fantasmic from our balcony! The magic is there when you look for it!

 

[mousey]

We just got back after a 5 night stay. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at this hotel again. The staff is very helpful and I couldn't believe the great connecting rooms we got with great views for 20.02
With the money we saved we ate at a couple restaurants that normally are highter priced. You can't beat this hotel for a clean, comfortable place to sleep.

 

[Belle1962]

monte: here's a link to the bus schedule (they do have service to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=254135

 

[Claire4dpins]

It is good to read these reports about the Courtyard - we are just staying there for two nights at the start of our trip in September - I am so glad I saw the great rate on the Dis!!

What time is the Happy Hour & what drinks are included? Is it buy one get one free? Do you think it will still be on in September?

Thanks for any help!!

Claire