Need help deciding on resort - on-site or off?

[arizonacolbys]

I know it's been asked a million times before - but, here goes.

I am actually asking for my younger sil who wants to go to WDW this May with friends. She heard about some deal at the Hotel Royal Plaza at DTD. Around $800 per couple includes: airfare & 7 night stay. She has only stayed at the Shades of Green & then the Contemporary last summer. Has anyone stayed at the Royal & would recommend it over a Value Resort (All-Stars or Pop)?

My hubby & I have stayed many places, but still love the All-Stars for the $. We have vowed we will likely never stay off-site - it takes away from the experience for us. I have heard that the Royal offers transporation to the parks like the Disney Resorts do, is it comparable service?

Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated - she asked my advice & I have never looked into the Royal. TIA!

 

[TinkKel]

Sorry, I don't know anything about the HRP, however, my boss who just returned from DW said that he would never go again and stay off site. I think it had something to do with the transportation and convenience.

 

[3for Me]

Can' help you with that particular hotel - but having stayed offsite and the Hilton at DTD and then onsite - I would have to choose onsite.

The transportation was there - but limited, very limited. And then there is that issue of the "Disney feel".

 

[momof2inPA]

We stayed at HRP a few years ago. The tower rooms were nice, but the poolside rooms were dated and worn, so if she could guarantee a tower, I think she would like it. The tower rooms were just as nice (nicer really) as POR. The bus service is a bit more convenient on-site, but not significantly different.

 

[diathoney]

Check out tripadvisor.com:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Plaza_Walt_Disney_Resort-Orlando_Florida.html

They have several reviews of the HRP. We were thinking of doing the Grosvenor for $79/night but decided to pay the extra for CS after reading some of the reviews. The cleanliness of the room is very important to me, plus I like the Disney "feel".

 

[Gillian]

I believe mousesavers.com has info on that hotel. I think they liked it. The rooms are bigger than the all stars and there will be less kids (if that matters).

How much is airfare from where she lives? Around here it's typically under $200. So that would leave $57 per night for hotel. I think that when travelling with a group, where people might want to split up, staying onsite is a lot easier. If 2 people want to go to the pool and meet up later for dinner, it won't be a big problem.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thanks everyone!!! Most of your suggestions are the same things I told her - harder to get back to resort, may not be as clean. I don't think she plans on spending much time at the resort - but, I told her to watch for a code to come out - right now on mousesavers there's one - but, it's only thru 4/17/04. I know hubby & me never want to stay offsite, but that's just us.

Thanks again for all your input & feel free to post any other comments!!!

 

[spiceycat]

I stayed there once - it was a nice resort - not great - it should improve shortly - Westgate is selling it to Crown Plaza resorts - don't know where I read this - but they will improve it.

I love to stay on-site (that is why I brought DVC) but off-site is nice too...

then the transportation was a problem - I had a car (I generally drive to Orlando but sometimes I fly) - but mother wanted to try their buses -

anyway the bus picks up all the DD resorts before it leaves to the theme parks - so our quick trip to MK was over 45 minutes - needless to say - we rode the bus back and never took their buses again.

Now however if your sister is during the nightlife at PI - this is a great location. How much younger - and is she the type to want to party all night?

Right now WDW does not have hotel close to PI - OKW is pretty close but it is closer to West Downtown than PI - however when SSR is finished I will be singing a different tune.

but for right now the party crowds best bid is the DD hotels.

 

[arizonacolbys]

Spiceycat - thanks for all the info! I figured that transporation would be its biggest downfall. We've always had pretty good transporation service on-site. My sil will be 19 when she goes down next - & she does like to stay out late - last time she was down she was under 18 - so, I know she didn't spend any time at PI. I'll let her know your recommendation if she wants to stay out late at DD/PI. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Mymatisse]

I've stayed in both a Disney Resort (POFQ) as well as several times on hotel plaza blvd, and I must say I LOVE staying on Hotel plaza blvd. I stayed twice at the Courtyard Marriot (now holiday inn), and once at the Royal Plaza. It was nice being RIGHT across the street from Downtown disney, as well as RIGHT across the street from the Crossroads (a shopping plaza that has everything).

One trip I paid 25 bucks a night for a room at the Marriot. The room was clean, and MUCH larger than any Disney room. Although there was nothing special about it... just your standard hotel room, it was still nice. And for some of the rates that the hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. are offering, how can you go wrong? I never had any problem with Bus transportation, and as i mentioned being right across from Downtown Disney, we could easily walk there.