Royal Plaza - lanai rooms?

[RussellDisney]

We're going Dec 15-22 and have 2 rooms booked at the Royal Plaza in DTD. They are traditional rooms in the "lanai" section. UG doesn't seem to think too much of these rooms, but says the "tower" rooms are quite nice.

Has anyone stayed in either or both? Any info would be great. I booked these rooms at FANTASTIC rates throught mousesavers - $71 per night! Now, I'm afraid of the "if it sounds too good to be true..." scenario! My wife is picky...but as long as it is VERY clean, doesn't smell and everything works, she'll be OK. I booked for the extra space, the rooms are the largest at WDW with the sitting area/love seat. Plus, everything indicates a very recent renovation, pillow-top beds, lots-o-pillows, etc.

 

[rosiep]

I've heard nothing but good things about the RP. I'll be going in October, but we're staying in the tower. If you want I'll ask to peek in one of the lanai rooms for you.

 

[RussellDisney]

rosiep - Thanks, that would be great! I hope they will let you see the lanai rooms. Post a trip report (if you can) with all the RP details...pool, beds, cleanliness, restaurant, front desk, staff, etc. Also, I'm very interested in commute times to the parks on the bus service, especially MK. Since you're from OR, I assume you're flying and will rent a car, correct? If so, I'd love to know the commute times by car as well. We're driving down from KY - 6 of us in a minivan 13 hour drive, so I don't want to spend any extra time in that van after we get there! But with sat radio and DVD (and perhaps some benedryl ) we should be fine.

When are you going?

 

[rosiep]

I just sent you a PM so check that too!

I am flying from OR..but I am not renting a car. Two yrs ago I stayed in DTD at the Grosvenor and used their shuttle...the buses come every 1/2 hour (compared to every 20 minutes for Disney buses). I didn't mind using them as I hate to drive in unfamiliar places.

As for commute times...I'll do some research and see what I can find. I have a passporter that's been very helpful.

My daughter (21 yrs) and I have been doing a Disney trip for the last four yrs. It's been great fun. Who's included in your trip? Six people sounds like a party all by itself! Christmas should be so beautiful. Just be sure to make some ADR's for yourself....It's getting very hard to find sit down dinner at Disney!

I'll be sure to take pictures of RP for you.

 

[RussellDisney]

It will be me, DW, DD-6, DS-4, and two (adult) friends - would that be DF???

Sounds as if the buses worked out for you last time, huh? That's good to know. It seems as though they are nicer than the Disney buses (an actual coach-type), but I am concerned about frequency and reliability. Also, I've heard you have a long hike from drop-off to the park entrances. (There are trade-offs in everything, nothing's perfect!)

Anyway, it will be a lot of fun and we can't wait to see the decorations . We chose the RP mainly because of room size, then price. We stayed at ASMov two years ago and the room was just too small for 4 of us. Now that the kids are older, a value is out of the question. So we've booked two rooms at the RP for not too much more than one value!

I've just finished making my ADRs and even was able to book a Wishes cruise for the last night of the trip - what a great way to end the week! We are able to do some extras this time by staying off-site.

I hope you and your daughter have a nice trip. I think the weather here in the east is supposed to cool down a bit in the next few days.

 

[rosiep]

Sounds like a great trip!! I envy the Wishes Cruise....It'll be beautiful! I always like to add something new to our trips..this year we're doing the Family Tour mostly meant for kids...but DD and I love to play detective computer games and thought we'd have fun with this...Last year we did the Fantasmic Buffet at DL and it was magical.

I think you made the right choice in terms of hotel...I've stayed at the CBR, a moderate Disney Resort and found the room tiny...plus I adore room service (breakfast in my PJ's ya know ) and CBR only has pizza delivery.

The DTD area is a great place to visit for the Disney feel without having to use a ticket..and has some nice places to eat.

As for bus stop locations....you're right..it's not "close", but if you've been walking all day a few more steps doesn't matter. Maybe if I had small wee 'uns like you do I'd feel differently.

Having the car will give you a lot more options. I'll check travel times for you this evening.

 

[RussellDisney]

We may do the buses on the days we don't have evening plans, but most days we'll drive for the convenience and time-savings.

I'm looking forward to your report and (hopefully!) pics of the RP! My wife would prefer staying at ASMov again for the atmosphere, especially with our friends along this time, but the room size meant we were looking at THREE rooms there - and crossing our fingers for two connecting...just couldn't bring myself to pay that much for some Disney-feel. I'm sure we will spend some time in DTD in the evenings, if there's time! We're there for 6 full days, but with the character dining, Candlelight Processional, MVMCP, Wishes cruise, BBB, the week is filling up too fast! Now I'm worried that there won't be time for the rides!! I think both DD and DS are old enough now for Haunted Mansion, and hopefully Soarin'! Might be able to get DD on Tower of Terror, as I didn't think it was too scary last time. Man, I'm pumped for this trip and it's still 2 months away!!

 

[rosiep]

I loveeeeeeeeee TOT!
I must admit I'm something of a weiner when it comes to thrill rides..heck the Orange Zinger in DL (swings that go-round) made me ill, but TOT has to be the most thrilling ride I'd ever been on.

You certainly do have a full schedule! Make sure you plan some down time too! Allow for some spontaneity!
But...I remember when my trip was months away...all I could do was plan. i practically lived on these boards ....I can't believe I've only a few weeks more to wait. I'm hoping it's not raining as much as it is now...I live in Portland Oregon for pete's sake...I've enough rain!!!!

 

[caite]

I just got back from a 6 night stay at the Royal Plaza.

The room, a tower room, was quite nice. Obviously recently redone....large, with two double beds, a loveseat, good size table and chairs...why it looks just the pics on their website. Very nice, large bathroom.

Also very close to DTD...a very short drive or a doable walk. Of course, after walking at the parks all day, I was happy to drive. Unlike previous trips, I really look advantage of some of the restaurants and shopping and entertainment there on this trip.

And although I did not time them, all of the car drives to the parks were very short and easy. I have never used a car so much before at Disney, having stayed before at the monorails hotels mostly. But I was very impressed by how quick and easy the whole driving, parking, tram thing worked out. MK probably takes the longest, with the transfer at the TC, but even that was very pleasant. But then I love the ferries!

I can't speak to the buses. I saw people waiting out front for them, but I myself did not use them. Personally, I think the price of renting a car is worth the freedom it gives you. Like a day at Sea World and a 1/2 day trip to Gatorland on the way to the airport...

My only small complaints would be the no free breakfast, but there are lot of places from Mickey D's to Wolfgang Puck's Express to eat very close by, so it is no big issue. Well, maybe unless you are feeding several kids.
And the charge for internet was something I mentioned at the desk when they asked about my stay at checkout. According to the desk clerk, that is a decision of, as he said, The Mouse, since they are on Disney property.

Not a whole lot of Disney atmosphere. Just a Disney Store, brochures and such.
But the price, booking through Mousesavers, sure was a value.

 

[rosiep]

Thanks for posting! Welcome to the DisBoards!

 

[caite]

thanks...

i was here before and drifted away. and seemed to have lost my sign on in the process. so back with a very sad 1 post.

 

[rosiep]

thanks...

i was here before and drifted away. and seemed to have lost my sign on in the process. so back with a very sad 1 post.

It's "2" now

 

[RussellDisney]

Thanks caite! I am encouraged by your review of the RP and pleased you had a nice trip.

Rosiep - can't wait to see your thoughts.

Anybody else been to RP lately?

Thanks again.

 

[rosiep]

RussellDisney:

I'm still trying to find driving distances for you....I suppose we could just try mapquesting it...

 

[RussellDisney]

Mapping sites generally do not do well at Disney...physical addresses are hard to come by there.

Based on caite's review, sounds like the commute times will not be bad at all! With the long walk to drop-off points, we will no doubt avoid the busses with the kids...I'm sure they will be exhausted after I drag them all over the parks !

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

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Anybody else been to RP lately?

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Not yet, but booked up for April 2008, so pleased to hear good things about it, I too liked the fact that the rooms are a little larger than normal. I know you aren't really in the room that much but when you are its nice to not all be on top of eachother. I am also soooooooooooooo excited about this trip let us know what you think when you get back!

 

[RussellDisney]

Bump

 

[rosiep]

Hi everyone!

I just returned from my stay at the Royal Plaza and I had wanted to hold off posting until I had my pictures...but I don't want to keep anyone waiting. I'll post the photo's later.

Check in was fast and easy. My reservation was in order (after initially receiving an incorrect confirmation) and there was a microwave and refrigerator in the room as requested. Initially I thought the room looked small, but after spending several days in it I appreciated it's roominess. My only complaint about the room was, indeed, the lighting in the bathroom (not enough) as others had said. Otherwise it was very nice...hot and forceful water in the shower and plenty of towels. Housekeeping was great..left me some tea for the coffee pot (there was none on arrival) and kept the air off as per my notes.
One night I heard a baby crying, but I really wasn't bothered by outside noise.
The buses were always on time and we had plenty of seats to choose from. Still, you needed to be patient with the bus service as the morning bus went to AK and MK, and the afternoon bus to MGM and Epcot...if you were going to another park you needed to transfer buses...no big deal, but it did take up a bit of time.
DD and I ordered room service several times and it always came right away, the prices were as expected (spendy). My biggest complaint was the restaurant...I thought the prices would be cheaper than room service (they weren't), but worse than that the atmosphere was just awful...there was none. Despite being empty, the service was dull. It felt as if you were eating at a truck stop...an abandoned one!
The attached cafe had a small selection of yogurt, fruit, and sandwiches and that was very handy.
The gift shop had the usual assortment of sundries, and it's staff was very nice.
I did not use the pool and I didn't get a chance to see inside the poolside rooms...but they looked very nice from what I could tell. The poolside cafe was open the two times I visited but never seemed very busy.
Charges to use the internet in the business center was $13!
Over all, it was a nice enough hotel and my DD and I enjoyed our stay there...but, for the price, and given the reosrt fees and charges for the refridgerator I think next time I will try a Disney moderate resort. It wasn't that it was a bad hotel by any stretch of the imagination...it's just that it lacked anything outstanding...anything that would make you want to go back.

I'll post pictures next week...
Anyone who is booked there...don't worry, you'll have a great time....

 

[sam.diss@btinternet.]

Thanks for that Rosiep, we are staying here next April and was pleased to hear that you were happy with the hotel.
You sound like you used the buses a fair bit and I was wondering if you knew what time the buses started running in the morning ?as on our first morning we have a character breakfast at the Ohana in the polynesian resort so we need to get to MK by about 7.40, but as we wont arrive till late the night before we wont have time to check this out.

Also what did you think of the location was it near to some nice restaurants, one of the main reasons we booked here is that the location looked good.

Anyway glad you had a great time, any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks sam

 

[RussellDisney]

Thanks rosiep!!! Glad you had a nice stay and it looks like you had good weather.

After your pre-trip "issues", I got scared and booked preferred rooms at ASMo just in case. I kept my RP ressies, too, and will now consult with the others going on our trip as to which resort we choose.

Very helpful info, just what I was looking for, thanks again!