Regal Sun Resort in DTD

[APB513]

We just returned from a four nite stay at the Regal Sun Resort in DTD (formerly The Grovesnor).

I booked this as a mystery hotel through bookit.com so I didn't know which hotel it was until after I paid. I was immediately concerned after reading some very poor reviews about this hotel. Fortunately, our stay was mostly pleasant.

When I arrived to check in, I was informed that our room would be upgraded from the courtyard rooms to a tower room at no charge!!! I was very happy about that because I had read some bad reviews about the courtyard rooms.

Overall impressions
The Pros
*The room was nice. Typical hotel room. We had a view of the courtyard rooms.
*The hotel is located across the street from DTD Marketplace.
*Beautiful lobby
*Friendly and helpful staff
*Free transportation is provide to DTD and all four Disney parks
*Character Breakfast with Pluto and Goofy - The cost was $12.95 per person and the food was good.

The Cons
*Resort fee - The hotel charges a daily $10 resort fee ($11.25 after taxes). The fee covers self-parking, wireless internet access, an in room safe and free 800 and local calls. This seemed to be a waste of money to me. First of all, they should have stated that parking was not free. Their website advertises "free parking" which is clearly not the case. The wireless internet access didn't matter to me because I don't have a laptop. I didn't use the safe and I used my cell phone to make any calls I needed. So basically, I paid $11.25/day to park my car.

*Incidentals Charge - On top of the resort fee, the hotel charges a $40 per night fee for incidentals. When I called to ask if I could put this charge on my debit card, I was told it could be several days after check out before the hold could be released. I asked it if could put down a cash deposit and I was told that I could. During our stay, we had breakfast in the restaurant and used room service for one night. When I checked out, they had deducted these charges as well as the daily resort fee and refunded the difference in cash.

*Pool area - The hotel had one small pool and a jacuzzi. They are in the process of finishing their "new aquatic playground" which includes a second pool. It's not much of a playground from what we saw. Their website says they have two heated pools. The one pool that was open was not heated.

*Internet - The hotel had computers set up off the lobby but it costs 20 cents a minute to use them.

Overall, I think the use of the word "resort" is stretching it. To me a resort is a sprawling complex with lots of amenities throughout. That's not the case with Regal Sun Resort. I might call it a "resortette"

All in all, it was a pleasant stay but I don't think I would stay there again.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[dougsmom98]

Thanks for the review! There were a lot of hidden costs there. That is too bad. I may check out the character breakfast though.

 

[rosiep]

It too bad. I actually think that in the long run the DTD hotels do not save you money. I have stayed there because I like room service and I didn't know any of the Disney Moderates offered that. I found out that the CSR does! What with the savings for airport transportation and no hidden resort fees..it pays in the long run.

Does the Sun Regal still offer the Mystery Dinners? DD and I enjoyed that very much.

 

[CastawayJP]

I just found out that I will be going to the Regal Sun for a conference in October. Luckily my company will be picking up the cost of the room so those hidden charges won't matter. I am very excited to be staying so close to WDW and for work!

 

[Ellajoan]

APB513, just wondering how the transporation was? I'm guessing it was not official Disney transportation--was it timely? Crowded? Easy to access from the parks?

Because this is not a Disney owned resort, there is no magical express, right? I have a friend who booked us here and she seems to think it's a Disney resort.

 

[rosiep]

APB513, just wondering how the transporation was? I'm guessing it was not official Disney transportation--was it timely? Crowded? Easy to access from the parks?

Because this is not a Disney owned resort, there is no magical express, right? I have a friend who booked us here and she seems to think it's a

Disney resort.

It is not a Disney owned resort..but it is on Disney prpoerty. You may not use Magical Express to or from the airport..but may use Mears Transportation (or whatever you choose) for a fee. Except for the Hilton, the DTD hotels do not participate in EMH, nor do they provide purchases from the park to be delivered to these hotels. There are several buses for inter-Disney transportation, they work well and are efficient but do not run as frequent as the Disney Hotel buses...and their waiting areas are furthest away in the parking lots.

I stayed in two different DTD hotels and they were very nice...BUT: I stayed there thinking it would save me money. I like room service and Disney Deluxe are out of my price range. I just discovered that Disney's CSR (moderate resort offers room service (not just pizza). When I compared prices-including the resort fee's that the DTD hotels charge, and airport transportation..I was actually spending more money staying at DTD!!!! Imagin my chagrin! Next trip I'm booked for CSR!!!

 

[mayesq]

It is not a Disney owned resort..but it is on Disney prpoerty. You may not use Magical Express to or from the airport..but may use Mears Transportation (or whatever you choose) for a fee. Except for the Hilton, the DTD hotels do not participate in EMH, nor do they provide purchases from the park to be delivered to these hotels. There are several buses for inter-Disney transportation, they work well and are efficient but do not run as frequent as the Disney Hotel buses...and their waiting areas are furthest away in the parking lots.

I stayed in two different DTD hotels and they were very nice...BUT: I stayed there thinking it would save me money. I like room service and Disney Deluxe are out of my price range. I just discovered that Disney's CSR (moderate resort offers room service (not just pizza). When I compared prices-including the resort fee's that the DTD hotels charge, and airport transportation..I was actually spending more money staying at DTD!!!! Imagin my chagrin! Next trip I'm booked for CSR!!!

I want to make one correction here. Disney does provide for purchases from the park to be delivered to the dtd hotels. I used this service quite a bit when I stayed at the Royal Plaza.

How was the actual room at Regal Sun? What was the approximate size?

 

[rosiep]

I only asked to use this service at the DTD store...and they said they didn't offer it. It made me think it wasn't available anywhere for the DTD hotels. Thanks for the info!