Just Back From Courtyard Marriott!!

[Emme]

We just got back from a WONDERFUL 6 night stay at the DD Courtyard Marriott. We had the 20.03 rate and it was just lovely!

They gave us the 12th floor and we saw MK, EPCOT and MGM's fireworks every evening from our balcony! The room was large and very clean. The hotel is laid out in a sort of square with the atrium and lobby in the middle and the rooms circle upward around it. You can leave your room and look down into the center lobby, for us, 12 floors below. It was very quiet and the staff went above and beyond! We used the bus system several times and it was fine. The morning buses to the parks left every half hour ex. 8:00, 8:30, 9:00... The return buses came every half hour too only it was 15 and 45 after ex.2:15, 2:45, 3:15...

We ate breakfast there once and it was pretty good, a very good deal only 7.95 per adult, and you got a ton of all you can eat food. The pool was nice, not huge, but comfortable, nicely landscaped though.

We attended the Managers reception several times and had a blast. From 5-6:00 every evening the managers of the hotel serve you FREE beer, wine, soda, popcorn, corn chips, and salsa. It was a lot of fun and well attended. Be sure and check out all the different Disney ice creams in the lobby (mickey bars, buzz pops, goofy cones...).

I must say that I know others have said there is no Disney magic at this hotel, BUT...with our view of Downtown Disney and the fireworks, Disney ice cream bars, a lovely Disney gift shop in the lobby and the wonderful over accomodating staff...we felt this hotel was indeed magical and worth well over the 20.03 we paid!!

Any other questions please ask!! I will be happy to answer them all!

Emmy

 

[Jaynerita]

I agree with you. I stayed there 4 nights last week at that rate. We were on the 8th floor facing downtown Disney. I was never around for the fireworks so I don't know if I could have seen them from the balcony.
This hotel is wonderful at any price!!!!! The place was filled to capacity and you'd never know it. We never had a long wait for the elevator and the staff is great. They even have cookies in the lobby. I know there are many elegant hotels around the WDW area but there is alot to be said about a hotel like this one. We had a car and the parking was right outside the hotel. We later moved to the Swan and had to park about a quarter mile away.(The Swan is beautiful and you don't really need your car once you're there) The pool is nice and clean and right off the lobby which is conveinant for a quick swim. As well as the manager's reception which was a treat,there is a little area where you can get take out food and bring it back to your room.
I never rode the busses but they ran on schedule so it would be possible to not have a car from what others told me. The rooms were a good size and very clean. The TV was the same one that the Swan had!!!! Each room had two sinks, one outside and one inside the bathroom.
I didn't know what to expect when I booked the room for $20.03 a night. I wasn't too worried because there are plenty other places to stay if this wasn't acceptable but this was way better then I ever expected. Don't worry about "No Magic", there's more magic here than any "Fairy Tale Package" I know of for $20.03 a night!!!!!!

 

[emmalgin]

We may be there next week and am looking for places. This price sounds too good. I'd book if I have the code and there is availability.

Thanks,

 

[ticketwm35]

I also just returned from the courtyard.We were on the 12th floor,but facing the highway.Asked for downtown disney view and was told that they didn't have any rooms there.The highway was noisy only when we had the balcony door opened which wasn't much.We tried the bus service once and it was horrible.It was 20 minutes late and we all had to stand all the way to magic kingdom.Rest of the time we drove our car or walked to downtown disney and took disney transportation.The pool was ok it seemed kind of dirty stuff floating in it alot.But for 20.03 a night I would go again.

Ticketwm35

 

[cinamin27]

I've experienced the same type of horrible bus service staying at the disney resorts as well. busses *always* seem to take a long time at the All Stars Resorts & depending on which all stars the bus stops at 1st, you will more than likely have to stand. I have also waited almost 45 minutes for a bus to EPCOT from all stars Sports (you wanna talk about mad!!!!!!) When we stayed at the Courtyard in DTD last year we had great bus service so just like bus service at a disney resort, its probably hit & miss on running late or having to stand.

 

[Kae]

Could you believe the Staff, they were so nice. We stayed there in March for $29-thru Priceline. I really liked it. I would not of be as happy if I was staying for a week but a couple nites at that price, it was fine.

Kae

 

[3stooges]

8/19/03
We also asked for the DTD view but was told none available. However, if you get the Marriott rewards card you can ask for view and get first preference. Have to keep that in mind for future. The noise from I-4 from the 8th floor is very dim except with balcony door open. It never affected anyone's sleep because we were so tired by end of day. We also used the bus for only one day and found using our rental just so much more convenient. Since so many DISers used the $20.03 rate this year I'm sure others will find a wealth of info on this site for future trips.