Opinions, please...POFQ or non-Disney hotel on property

[apirateslifeforme]

Starting to plan and price our 10/04 trip. As much as DH and I love POFQ, I'm starting to wonder about the cost. If we stay at one of the non-Disney hotels on Property (the Courtyard or Hilton, for example), we could save about $80-$100 per night. And at 7 nights, that's quite a bit of money for us! We mainly just need a place to sleep and transportation to the 4 theme parks (DH drives for a living, and I loathe driving, so we absolutely will not rent a car).

I'm also thinking about one of the All-Stars, but a co-worker says it's louder than the other hotels (more family/kid-oriented), and we're just not ready for that! I do have AAA, but from what I've heard, that really doesn't make much of a dent in the costs.

Has anyone had any experience with the non-Disney hotels? Specifically, how reliable is the bus service? And do they accept AAA discounts as well? Thanks!

 

[dznyntnh]

From what I've seen and heard AAA discounts are about the same as the DC discounts 10%-20% depending on the season and resort.

When I stayed at the DTD resorts years ago (was the Viscount, is now the Travelodge), Disney provided the transportation (this was back when your wdw choices were CR, Poly, GF and Disney Inn) and it was very reliable, what I have heard about it now is that is not very reliable, less flexible.

Personally, I would rather be on site at POR or POFQ than in the DTD resorts, but that is opinion.

Go to the Transportation Board, I'm sure Tyler (ChipandDale Express) can let you know the scoop on the DTD transportation situation.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I stayed at the Royal Plaza many years ago. It was a big mistake. The resort was fine - I just can't go to WDW and not stay on property. I am miserable if I don't. The whole time we were at RP, I longed, ached to be at a Disney resort. I'll never do that again.

So, obviously, I vote for POFQ!

 

[dmonroe]

We also stayed at Hotel Royal Plaza a few years ago. We thought it was a nice hotel; but it just wasn't "Disney" enough for us. We will never stay off property again!

Actually, we are spending one night at the Grosvenor this year; but that's just so we can get up the next morning and check into BCV! I want to spend the first full day of our vacation enjoying WDW, not traveling 10 hours in the car.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

I'd suggest writing a list of pros and cons. Then decide what's most important to you. I called all the DTD hotels directly before making a ressie at Dolphin. Hilton is the only DTD hotel that does the early morning entry for guests and when I called them a couple of months ago they added $40 per night to the room charge for this feature. FYI, at one point the Courtyard was offering a rate of $20.03 - based on availability through 2003 (you have to call the hotel directly and ask for this rate, it is prepaid in full with no refunds or changes allowed).

Also, check out www.mousesavers.com for more information. This site has a newsletter and gets some great rates on DTD hotels.

TTFN!