? on Downtown Disney resorts

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

For those of you who have stayed at a Downtown Disney hotel and a Disney resort, did you have that Disney feeling in the Downtown Disney hotel or would you go for the Disney resort no matter the cost?

Which hotel did you stay at and how easy was it getting from the resort to the Disney parks and back again?

Thank you for any information you can give.

 

[3stooges]

We have stayed on site before and this year at CBM. We spend many hours in the park or DTD which means we are in the middle of the Magic. As far as the CBM; we slept there and in the afternoon came back to swim or nap. Our schedule was usually go to park by 8:30. stay to 1 or 2. then return at 5 or 6 and stay to close, then go to DTD until 12 or 1. My two teen DS's don't care either way as do I, but DW says she prefers on site because it feels more Disney. We had a rental car so transport was no problem. I'd stay DTD resort again especially if it is economically more beneficial.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think it really is a very personal decision, and depends completely on what you're looking for out of your hotel.

If you've been and done the parks and are planning on lots of hotel time, I would think the Disney resorts would be better. If you're looking for more park time, I would stay at one of the DTD if I found a good rate.

I have stayed at the Courtyard and the Royal Plaza and enjoyed the location. I also stayed at the French Quarter.

I was having a horrible time at the French Quarter. Our flight had been cancelled, and my fiancée and I felt sick, so we just wanted to get home. I think that may have affected our opinion of the Disney resorts.

We're trying a Disney resort again, this time the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and we'll definitely be in a far superior mindset.

But if I were planning just any old vacation and not a honeymoon, I would stay where I could get the best rate on property, excluding the Disney value resorts. If I could get a deal at a moderate or deluxe that was better than the DTD hotels, I'd stay in a moderate or a deluxe. But if the courtyard had one of those $25/night rates, I'd be at the Courtyard.

 

[yecats]

This is a very personal decision. I have done both, onsite and offsite. Onsite is great when one can afford a deluxe. I have had nice stays in moderates and don't ever see myself staying at a value as I would perfer to stay offsite rather than pay that price for a value. I have had great vacations offsite and great vacations onsite. I can take it or leave it. However, this is just my opinion, when I stay offsite I don't feel as much disney magic. If your looking to stay offsite and spend a fair amount at the hotel other than sleeping, then pay the extra money to stay at a nicer resort (Marriot Orlando, Swan, Dolpin, Hyatt Grand Cypress, Peabody - whatever). When I stay offsite, I am in the parks most of the day. We usually have one day or half a day where we may spend time at a the hotel or shopping in Orlando. During that day at the hotel yes we will swim, sit in hot tub, etc. but the pool and area aren't themed but are generally less used than the ones at disney resorts. There is give and take on both sides.

As for my next trip, I am on the FTP and at a moderate. I have decided to fly in the day before and enjoy DTD. As I have called Disney several times to inquire about checking in the day before but there is only the rack rate available and I don't think that the moderate is worth that. So I went on Priceline to bid for resort and ended up with the Wyndham in DTD. I am so happy and will be more than thrilled to spend my first night there. I would be thrilled even if I had a few more days to stay there.

Best of luck in whatever you choose.