Royal Plaza - Downtown Disney

[Andrea34]

Hi -

I was just wondering if anyone has stayed at the Royal Plaza Resort near Downtown Disney. I just booked my husband and I a long weekend there in July w/out kids!! It looks really nice on the website, I was just curious if anyone had first-hand experience.

Also, if my husband and I have one day to do at the parks, which would you do, Epcot or MGM? We will be going back with the kids in October and doing Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom with them.

Thanks.

 

[LukenDC]

If you have only one day at the parks, then I would choose Epcot. There is enough to keep you occupied at Epcot for a full-day and Epcot has more attractions that are geared towards older kids and adults.

 

[Ratpack]

If it were only DW and I, we would definitely choose EPCOT. Touring the WS would be nice without the kids constantly saying "we're bored"!

As for Royal Plaza, it is OK. We stayed there last summer for a couple nights before going to the Poly. Would I do it again, no. I think you are paying for location only here. It was clean, but just average in my opinion. The comfort suites has better rooms and less money, but they don't have the park shuttle or near DTD.

 

[mskayjay]

Stayed there. loved it, very nice and that was BEFORE all the post hurricane renovations. I dont' really like Hollywood Studios that much. With just two adults I'd go for Epcot.

 

[cara loves the poly]

We stayed there for one night before our reservation at the Poly started. It's ok for a night or two. The rooms are small. Nothing special, but like i said, fine for a night.

 

[Momelie]

We were there Memorial Day weekend and loved it! We were in just a regular room then, and were very pleasantly surprised. We liked it enough to book two more stays - a family stay the second weekend in July, and a "just the two of us" for the last weekend in June in one of the premier rooms.

Drive time from Magic Kingdom was only about 12 minutes, and the drive time from Epcot and the Studios was around 5 minutes (with good red lights).

It was the first time we've stayed off property...... but it definitely won't be the last!

 

[cvjw]

We stayed at the Royal Plaza in April for a few nights before a cruise. We normally stay onsite, but have found as the kids get bigger, the disney rooms seem to get smaller. We were happy with the Royal Plaza. The room was a nice size and clean. The drive to Epcot was only a few minutes. We did not use the free shuttle, as we had our car. The only thing that was just OK was the pool. Nice enough, but kinda small. We had a tower room and could see the fireworks from the window.

 

[Eljay]

I've stayed there a few times and enjoyed it each time. The tower rooms are quite a bit nicer than the standard rooms and are worth the few more dollars.
The hotel has 17 floors. Floors 12 - 17 are called the Premier Tower rooms and are served by the glass elevator that travels up the center of the front of the hotel. Tower floors 2 - 11 are called the Deluxe Tower rooms.

Royal Plaza is always my default resort when the WDW deluxe resorts are too expensive. I find the tower rooms and especially the bathrooms quite roomy. You can fit 5 in the room because there is a small sofa bed.
Check www.mousesavers.com for a discount at the Royal Plaza.

Oh yeah, another vote for Epcot!