Ramada Maingate...will it be ok?

[AimKo]

I'll planning our first trip to DRL, arriving July 12. We are WDW vets and DVC owners....always wanted to go to DLR and a work trip has finally given me the opportunity.

I booked Ramada Maingate because it looked really nice online and was close to the gates. Now after reading some iffy to bad reviews online, I'm second guessing. Will we get stuck in some awful unrenovated room? Will the construction be an eyesore? Is breakfast really as crudy as the reviews say?

I wanted to be close to the parks, with a decent pool and breakfast included and this seemed to fit the bill. I'm not expecting a DVC type experience, but I don't want to be in a dump either!

Help!!
Aimee

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't stayed in one of the renovated rooms, so I can't really comment on that...but none of the current motels along Harbor within walking distance of the park is really going to give you anything close to a DVC experience. They're motels...and for the most part, they look and feel like motels. I didn't love the Ramada when I stayed there, but I didn't really dislike it either. It was acceptable. The rooms were serviceable. The breakfast was kind of lacking, but it was easy to get something quick, and get a move on to the parks. I didn't swim, but the pool was okay looking. Overall, the Ramada was acceptable as a place to sleep, but it's not the place I'd go if I was planning on spending a lot of time in the room.

 

[Indiana Scott]

We stayed there on a trip last year.
I don't think you will be unhappy. It's not a 5 star resort but it is very clean and well kept and it looks like it gets continuous upgrades and improvements. The rooms are just as nice as any other hotel on Harbor. This not a dive "Motel" and does not invoke any resemblance to that kind of accommodation.
The staff is very attentive and friendly. We had a problem with a moldy smelling AC unit in our room and they immediately came out and replaced it.
The free breakfast is good but doesn't offer quite as many choices as others but it's still good for a light breakfast. The one problem is there aren't many places to sit when eating because you have to dine around the pool and there's only 3 or 4 tables available.
The pool was kept immaculate (I saw staff checking chems and methodically cleaning it every morning) and the grounds are very nice.
The only down side is it's a few minutes (2~3) farther form the parks entrance.
Otherwise I would suggest the Ramada Main Gate to anybody.

 

[AimKo]

Thanks for the input guys!

Is there one that is nicer, closer that you would recommend?

 

[crystal1313]

If you are staying in the new rooms I think you will be happy, the building is only 2 years old. The new building is at the very back of the property and the construction is at the very front of the property. The pool is pretty awesome, my kids LOVED it! It has the beach entry, so great for little ones and it has a splash pad area as well. We were staying last July with construction and we never noticed it being in the new building. I also requested the top floor of the new building which helped to minimize the noise from the parking lot (typical car noise). Is it DVC? Heck no! It's a motel. I think if you go in with that expectation, it will be great. The walk is super quick. The breakfast doesn't have the most options, but there is always enough to get us going. We could even see the fireworks from our room. Have a great trip!!

 

[pindecisive]

I haven't stayed in one of the renovated rooms, so I can't really comment on that...but none of the current motels along Harbor within walking distance of the park is really going to give you anything close to a DVC experience. They're motels...and for the most part, they look and feel like motels. I didn't love the Ramada when I stayed there, but I didn't really dislike it either. It was acceptable. The rooms were serviceable. The breakfast was kind of lacking, but it was easy to get something quick, and get a move on to the parks. I didn't swim, but the pool was okay looking. Overall, the Ramada was acceptable as a place to sleep, but it's not the place I'd go if I was planning on spending a lot of time in the room.

I stayed before the renovation myself and this "I didn't love the Ramada when I stayed there, but I didn't really dislike it either..." was 100% accurate. I used the room to sleep in, it added no magic whatsoever. It was close enough to walk back to at night and there was (is possibly?) a IHOP a very short walk away so I didn't even try the breakfast.

I used the Ramada as our offsite hotel basis (since it's the closest hotel I have experience with) this last planning session. For us, it cost about $200 per person more for myself and the honey to stay onsite than it would have if we stayed at the Ramada by going with a package. For us, that amount was worth the EMH, lanyards, free pins, discounts, and the $25 dollar gift card we subsequently got by DVC contacting us regarding a tour.

I'd probably stay at the Ramada for an updated experience if the budget were really an issue, though honestly, my experience wasn't quite good enough to inspire loyalty... I just dislike change ;D

 

[tlovesdis]

We stayed there in December in an older room and it was just fine! It is NOTHING like DVC (I've stayed DVC at the grand and AKL in WDW). But it is just fine for sleeping at night. The pool is great. We loved that. We did try the breakfast one morning but it's just fruit, donuts, and I think muffins. The next day we ate in the park.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We stayed there a few years ago. We needed four rooms, with at least two connecting. They were able to give us three rooms in a row, with two connecting, and one just a few doors down. Since I had booked all four rooms, they upgraded my family to a small suite with two queens, a sofa sleeper, and a small kitchen area. The staff was very nice. The rooms were clean. We didn't try the breakfast since we had breakfast snacks in our room. My brother went over a couple of times and said it was fine. My dad needed to rent a scooter for the parks, and we liked that they had a rental place right next to the lobby. The walk to the front gates, even with one person on a scooter, was fine.

I haven't booked the Ramada lately for a couple of reasons. Since they began the renovations, the prices have gone way up. With two teen boys, my family has outgrown the standard 2-queen room. Suites at the Ramada are out of our price range. Also, we went to DL twice last year and noticed the construction at the Ramada. Personally I wouldn't stay there again until it was completed.

We had a suite at the Camelot the week after Christmas. It was a great hotel, although they don't serve breakfast. For our trip coming up in August, I had originally booked the Tropicana, but switched to the Best Western Park Place Inn. Having a quick and easy walk to the parks is important to us, and it's among the closest.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I keep saying I won't stay there again, but it's only because they seem not to staff enough housekeepers to do a thorough job. I've stayed in the renovated suite and the old double bed rooms -- they were equally dirty. Admittedly, my idea of dirty is much stricter than most people's. Just don't look at the carpets or on any high surfaces or in any corners or under any beds and you'll think it's fine!

We are staying at Ramada MATP on our June trip because I saved $200 over staying at BWPPI or BW Anaheim Inn.

 

[luulu1999]

Thanks for the input guys!

Is there one that is nicer, closer that you would recommend?

Park Vue Inn we stayed 10 days last summer it was great!! Free parking and an awesome free breakfast I don't know price comparison to Maingate though

 

[ashley0139]

Has anyone stayed at the other Ramada? The Ramada Maingate North? I've booked it for a couple nights in August and while it doesn't look as nice it's also significantly cheaper.

 

[Gisele]

We stayed there in December in an older room and it was just fine! It is NOTHING like DVC (I've stayed DVC at the grand and AKL in WDW). But it is just fine for sleeping at night. The pool is great. We loved that. We did try the breakfast one morning but it's just fruit, donuts, and I think muffins. The next day we ate in the park.

Was that like a fresh baked muffin?

 

[Epek]

Since becoming an AP holder in 2012, we've stayed at this Ramada for most of our multiple day trips. It always seems to be the least expensive on Harbor when I search. We like it just fine for just sleeping. Every time we stayed, we've had a minor issue with the rooms, but whenever we complained, they fixed it. A couple times, we just dealt with it, we're not super picky. I think they're growing faster than they are staffing. The construction makes it feel crowded, but we've never had noise issues. Never tried the pool, but it looks nice. The only complaint we have is the breakfast. In my opinion, it's very cheap. We are fine with the options being fruit, cereal and bread (muffins, donuts, toast). That's our typical breakfast. What I don't like is that it's only mushy red apples, oranges, donuts and muffins out of a box, and white bread. All the most inexpensive and least nutritious they could get. Plus, there is only pool side seating, so not a lot of room. Oh, and the room with the food is tiny and cramped! So, we breakfast in the parks.
Overall though, as long as the prices and specials are good, we'll keep staying there! They even sent me a 25% off deal for Aug-Nov because we are repeat customers. Gotta appreciate that!