Opinions on Radisson Parkway

[weluvpluto]

Since the AP rates did not come out for August and the Mousesavers newsletter seems to have a great rate on this place... I was hoping for opinions from people who have stayed there.

I guess my main concern is the distance from Disney and the traffic getting in and out of the Disney grounds.

I would love to know any positives or negatives about it since we're starting to consider things offsite this year.

It would be for my DH, me, DD 8, and DD 6.

 

[ILUVDXL]

We stayed there this past December. (our first ever off site stay). DH is an employee of Radisson , so we got an unbelievable rate. The resort is set on 20 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the pools are teriffic, the rooms are large, clean and comfortable. The is a 50's style deli in the lobby, including a Pizza Hut and a detached dinning room which serves both sit down and buffet breakfast both very good and reasonable. They serve dinner as well, but be never ate there for that meal. There is a sports lounge in the lobby and a pool bar (that was never open while we were there because it was too chilly) There is also an arcade room. We were very pleased with this resort.

The only draw back we found was if you didn't have a car, you'd have to use there shuttle service. Although free, we found it to be most inconvient. It only left for the parks 3 times each morning and left you at the TTC. Coming back at night, we could never find the bus so we would cab it back in the everning, costing us about $20 per night. We also missed the ability to go back to our room at mid-day for a rest and a change of clothes. Although they say they are 2.5 miles from Maingate, what they mean is the arch on the highway telling you've entered Disney property. You really would be better off with a car.

I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions. please feel free to ask. We will be going in October this year and will be trying the Radisson Lake Buena Vista. It has to be closer, and of course the price is very right.

 

[weluvpluto]

How would you compare the Radisson to the Disney moderate resorts?

We are spoiled by staying at Disney resorts, so we're a little worried about staying offsite. This is the first year we are going to purchase AP's, but even if I can get the same AP rate they're offering now, there is a $15 per night difference.

We will have our own vehicle, so we will not use the shuttle at all. How bad is it getting to and from the parks from their location on US192?

 

[ILUVDXL]

After staying at DXL (POR) 12 years in a row we were nervous about staying off site as well, but we were pleasantly surprised at how lovely this resort was. (and I'm not just saying that because DH works for Radisson) It is, IMHO, as good as any moderate in Disney. This Radisson was fully renovated in 2001, and frankly was in better condition then our room at DXL on our last visit. Your trip to the parks will be no more that 10 to 12 minutes. We never encountered much traffic. Just as a point of reference, Celebration is right across the highway. Don't be nervous, I think you'll truely enjoy this resort. I'm just hoping the Lake Buena Vista will be as nice.

 

[dgaston]

I attend a conference in the fall at the Radisson's neighbor, the Hyatt Orlando. They share a driveway, and it's an extremely easy commute onto WDW property. I'd guess no more than 10-12 minutes to the TTC. Plus if you have AP's, just show it and you won't be charged the $7 parking fee.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Hello

Not to be a downer, I try to be as positive as possible, but I didn't really like this resort when we stayed there for two nights last August.

To be fair, we did get there late at night for check-in. We'd arrived to WDW by car from Richmond, VA (about 15-16 hours of driving non-stop).

We were running late for our dinner reservations at California Grill, so we didn't stop by the hotel first to check in. We called instead to let them know we'd be late.

We drove straight to the Contemporary to have dinner looking out over Bay Lake. We could see fireworks in the distance (not sure what park? they were coming from) but they were beautiful from our dinner table and dinner itself was great.

We went out on the roof top to see the MK fireworks at 10 p.m. and then we walked to our car and drove back to the Radisson Resort Parkway.

It was confusing to pick the correct exit off the highway (this was last August) and there was some sort of construction going on the road. My DH usually has the direction of an Eagle Scout, but we missed our exit a couple of times the two days that we were there.

When we finally arrived (after 11 p.m.) they only had two rooms left. They were going to give us the one on the first floor, but my DH wanted one on an upper level. So they gave us the other one.

When we arrived in the room, there was the strongest odor. Some sort of carpet cleaner (or something) had been used and it was burning both our eyes terribly.

The smell was overpowering. We tried to stay, because we had just unloaded everything from our car into the room (thinking we would be there for a couple of nights). But DH just couldn't take it, so we went back and asked for the other room.

The person at the desk was polite and didn't mind that we were switching rooms. But there was no magic there. She didn't smile or apologize that our room smelled toxic. At first, we thought maybe we were all just too tired.

Of course, we had to transport all of our luggage and a huge cooler (just filled full with ice) to the new room. It was after midnight by this point and we thought we'd never make it.

The next morning, I have to say the breakfast was wonderful. The server was friendly and amazingly attentive. The food was reasonably priced, and it was a nice dining room. The omelet chef was an artist. His omelets were definitely the highlight of our stay.

But whenever we walked through the lobby, it just had no magic. All of the employees were frowning. The air conditioner made it very cold (and uncomfortable to shop or relax on one of the couches). Each time, we walked through it, the lobby was always filled with people smoking cigarettes and there seemed to be no ventilation. A cloud hung in the air.

Although the new room didn't smell bad, the furnishings weren't outstanding. Maybe I expected too much because of the great buildup that the Unofficial Guide gave this place. It was fine. It just wasn't furnished as nicely as the Disney resorts I have stayed at and it wasn't quite as clean.

It seemed like your average $69/night hotel.

I didn't try the pool, so I cannot comment on that.

I guess my biggest disappointments stemmed from these two facts: our room was average and the employees acted depressed.

We tryed to make eye contact and smile at them, but no one ever wanted to make eye contact or smile back.

We were apologetic about needing to change rooms (that first night). We kept smiling and saying we were sorry for the inconvenience, but it was like we were talking to polite zombies.

At first, I chalked it up to it being almost midnight, but then we had to realize they acted like zombies morning, afternoon, and evening, too.

It just seemed nobody there cared enough to smile.

When we finally made it to DAKL, we were in heaven. If AKL was a 10 for us (and it was), then the Radisson Resort Parkway was a 2 or 3.

Hope this information helps. Take it with a grain of salt; it is just one experience. I wouldn't go back again, but if others have a great time, then maybe it was just that something didn't click for us there.

I do wish I'd felt comfortable enough to try the pool. Maybe that would have made things better. The pool at AKL was great.