Official WDW Resorts?

[JB2K]

In my short time here, I have noticed that the few posts relating to the 7 (or 6, if you're currently not counting Holiday Inn) hotels at Hotel Plaza (DTD) usually end-up on the "Orlando Hotels and Attractions" threads with a gazillion other hotels in the Orlando/Kissimmee area.

Not to be a nit-picker, but...

The hotels/resorts at Hotel Plaza, though not Disney Owned & Operated, are still officially-anointed by Disney as "Official WDW Resorts" (and come with the many of the legendary perks that make staying on property a no-brainer for many!).

Shoudn't something like that put the 7 (6) hotels/resorts at DTD in the same threads with the Disney O&O's as "Disney Resorts"?

As for me, my preferred resort is SoG, which does get considerable mention on the "Disney Resorts" thread (as it should).

 

[chalee94]

what sort of perks?

only the hilton lets you do EMH. all use separate buses. none use DME. what am i missing?

 

[ntsammy5]

As for me, my preferred resort is SoG, which does get considerable mention on the "Disney Resorts" thread (as it should).

I definitely agree with Shades.......

 

[global_mom]

what sort of perks?

only the hilton lets you do EMH. all use separate buses. none use DME. what am i missing?

Had this same thought. And the Hilton may not always have EMHs. Other than being convenient to DTD, not sure of other "perks". Cant even do the Dining Plan.

 

[CanadianGuy]

These DTD resorts ...

- can't be booked thru Disney Central Reservations
- Disney discount codes / offers do not apply there
- none can participate in dining
- no package delivery from parks to resort
- no Disney Magical Express
- none use Disney Transportation
- only one has access to EMH perks

For those reasons.. they are significantly different than the official Disney resorts..

Knox

 

[JB2K]

...obviously (according to what I am reading, here), some of the DTD Hotels/Resorts clearly don't "have it all" as "all things Disney" goes.

I would imagine that's where some of the better-known hotel chains at DTD use their individual stong points (i.e,, Doubletree's "Sweet Dreams" bed) to drive sales.

My original point was that in the eyes of the Walt Disney Co., the DTD Hotels/Resorts are also "official" -- more than anything, I was curious why those hotels were lumped in with the rest of Orlando...

 

[global_mom]

My original point was that in the eyes of the Walt Disney Co., the DTD Hotels/Resorts are also "official" -- more than anything, I was curious why those hotels were lumped in with the rest of Orlando...

I am sure that there must be an official reason for these hotels being lumped in with the rest of Orlando hotels but for die-hard Disney lovers the answer is easy.....these are not Disney properties. They may be "official" hotels in the Disney area but they simply are not the same as being a Disney property (there is nothing wrong with not being a Disney property, they each are perfectly acceptable hotels in their own right).

 

[unicorn1]

I don't understand the relationship between WDW and these hotels, but I think Disney makes a big mistake labeling them Official WDW Resorts. We had friends considering one of them. I read the reviews on another webiste, and quite a few of the guests were more than a little annoyed to find out upon arrival that they weren't getting the perks they assumed they would be getting. It's a little misleading to those that don't do a lot of homework if you ask me.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

My original point was that in the eyes of the Walt Disney Co., the DTD Hotels/Resorts are also "official" -- more than anything, I was curious why those hotels were lumped in with the rest of Orlando...

Just for my own edification, where did you get the information that WDW considers the DTD hotels to be "official" Disney resorts? They're listed as "official Walt Disney Resort Area Hotels" but that designation is also given to non-DTD hotels like the Ramada Resort Eastgate Hotel .

 

[sassyat30]

...obviously (according to what I am reading, here), some of the DTD Hotels/Resorts clearly don't "have it all" as "all things Disney" goes.

I would imagine that's where some of the better-known hotel chains at DTD use their individual stong points (i.e,, Doubletree's "Sweet Dreams" bed) to drive sales.

My original point was that in the eyes of the Walt Disney Co., the DTD Hotels/Resorts are also "official" -- more than anything, I was curious why those hotels were lumped in with the rest of Orlando...

'Cause they *aren't* Disney hotels (on site).

And as Knox pointed out above, none of the DTD hotels get any of the perks that on-site Disney guests get.

 

[ntsammy5]

Check out this site: http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

And check out this extract from the site:

Make your destination more than an average Orlando, Florida hotel — choose an official Walt Disney World ® Hotel with elegant accommodations that are just steps from the excitement of Downtown Disney ®!


It's very easy to see where people could confuse these with WDW Resorts since it refers to them as Official Walt Disneyt World Hotels.

 

[sdzman]

When I was a kid the only WDW hotels were; CR, FW Campgrounds and Poly. The Lake Buena Vista Hotels were the WDW hotels at the time.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

It's very easy to see where people could confuse these with WDW Resorts since it refers to them as Official Walt Disneyt World Hotels.

Okay, I see where the OP is coming from. That does make it confusing. I guess it's up to the powers that be here at the DIS to answer his question.

 

[JB2K]

Thanks, ntsammy5 -- the DTD Hotel website reference more or less underscored what I have been trying to say...

For the rest, I may be new, here, but I am well-aware of the difference between a Disney O&O resort and those others on property (namely DTD) who are licensed by Disney to say they, too are "official"...

When I was a kid the only WDW hotels were; CR, FW Campgrounds and Poly. The Lake Buena Vista Hotels were the WDW hotels at the time.

If I am not mistaken, the LBV Hotels are what is known today as the DTD Hotels/Resorts (back in the 70's, those properties operated under such franchise names as Howard Johnson's, etc...).

 

[MELSMICE]

Unless you do your homework & are familiar with WDW, then maybe you would consider these hotels on property & therefore, able to get all the perks that the WDW resorts give you.

Also, these are referred to as "hotels". WDW classifies their accommodations as "resorts".

There are quite a few things that make them different, however, like I said, unless you do your homework, it could be confusing.

 

[goofy4tink]

Years ago, most likely around '99 or so, the WDW brochures listed those resorts as WDW Good Neighbor Resorts (or some such name). They actually listed them in the booklet..with rates and such. It was the marketing booklet that the travel agents had and that Disney sent out upon request. I'll have to see if I can find my old one.

 

[G8r4evr]

Check out this site: http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

And check out this extract from the site:

Make your destination more than an average Orlando, Florida hotel — choose an official Walt Disney World ® Hotel with elegant accommodations that are just steps from the excitement of Downtown Disney ®!


It's very easy to see where people could confuse these with WDW Resorts since it refers to them as Official Walt Disneyt World Hotels.

I agree....that wording could definitely be misleading to those who dont do their homeowork. I also agree, they shouldnt be lumped with all other Orlando hotels. I have stayed at several of the DTD hotels and have never been disappointed...especially for the price.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Also, these are referred to as "hotels". WDW classifies their accommodations as "resorts".

Well...I don't think that's necessarily true. Of the seven DTD hotels listed on the above mentioned web site, three of them call themselves resorts.