We recently returned from a 14 night stay at WDW. From August 19, 2008 to August 22, 2008, we stayed at the Royal Plaza Resort. I will stay there again.
Rate: We paid about $240 (including tax and resort fee) for all three nights. I believe that we got a rate from Mousesavers which was for two nights with the third night free. So you are talking about $80 per night - comparable to a Value Resort.
Room: We were on the third floor in the tower. The beds were wonderful. You also get a sofa sleeper. The bathroom had a huge tub - almost like a miniature whirlpool - but no whirlpool. There is a huge safe. The TV has the Seven Must Sees at WDW, but not the WDW Today channel. There is a coffee pot. I think that you were suppose to get water with the resort fee, but we did not have water, and I forgot to ask them about it. You get a daily paper, which we did not read. The carpeting did show a slight amount of wear and tear, but that is the worst I can say about the room. Oh, there is also a very small balcony. Basically, a room comparable to a WDW Deluxe for the price of a WDW Value.
Pool: We had a view of the pool, but TS Fay was there with us, so we never got to use the pool. Hopefully, next visit.
Transportation: We rented a car. They have a bus, which I believe they share with the Hilton and Doubletree. Correct me if I am wrong on that. I also thought that I overheard that the bus stops at more than one park, possibly all four parks in one trip. Again, correct me if I am wrong on that, too. I also believe that the park drop off is not the same as the WDW Resort locations. At Animal Kingdom, I saw that it was in the parking lot near handicapped parking, which is no big deal. At Magic Kingdom I saw that it was at the T&TC, near the Kennel. I cannot recall if I saw it at Epcot or Hollywood Studios. My guess is that the bus could be a half hour trip, if not more. I would recommend a car. Just a side tip for first timers to WDW. For your first time at WDW, I recommend only a WDW resort and use their bus system. Get to know the layout of the land before you go there with a car. Actually, it is very easy to drive around WDW. Traffic flows smoothly - not like International Drive. There is also a shopping plaza, with a grocery store, about a mile away - Crossroads. I intended to go there, but never did.
Food: We ate one night at their restaurant. I had a New York Strip - Wonderful. To be honest, it was better than some of the New York Strips I tried at WDW. I had the Entertainment book, which contains a coupon for the restaurant - Buy One Entree Get One Free, up to $12 - paid for the book.
Downtown Disney: You could walk. I am guessing about 3/4ths of a mile one way. Correct me if I am wrong on that, too. It is very close. In reading about crime at WDW, I believe the few muggings/assaults that I ever read about, were in the Downtown Disney Area. Personally, I believe that all of WDW is extremely safe, but with the huge numbers of people that go through there, a few crimes are about to happen.
Other: Very Nice Lobby. There is a Disney Store in the Lobby, which we used once. There is also another store, but I did not even notice it until I checked out. It is hidden next to the check in/out desk. There is valet parking, which we did not use. All the regular parking is close to the resort. You are still on WDW property, so the landscapping is great. Still feels like you are at WDW.
Overall: I will be back there. When I was checking out, some of those ahead of me were complaining about something, but I could not tell what it was about. I did overhear the clerk telling the guest that she had to handle it with the travel agent. My advice is to keep checking the rates on the hotel's website and Mousesavers. I am sure that you will find a great deal for a very nice hotel.
Rate: We paid about $240 (including tax and resort fee) for all three nights. I believe that we got a rate from Mousesavers which was for two nights with the third night free. So you are talking about $80 per night - comparable to a Value Resort.
Room: We were on the third floor in the tower. The beds were wonderful. You also get a sofa sleeper. The bathroom had a huge tub - almost like a miniature whirlpool - but no whirlpool. There is a huge safe. The TV has the Seven Must Sees at WDW, but not the WDW Today channel. There is a coffee pot. I think that you were suppose to get water with the resort fee, but we did not have water, and I forgot to ask them about it. You get a daily paper, which we did not read. The carpeting did show a slight amount of wear and tear, but that is the worst I can say about the room. Oh, there is also a very small balcony. Basically, a room comparable to a WDW Deluxe for the price of a WDW Value.
Pool: We had a view of the pool, but TS Fay was there with us, so we never got to use the pool. Hopefully, next visit.
Transportation: We rented a car. They have a bus, which I believe they share with the Hilton and Doubletree. Correct me if I am wrong on that. I also thought that I overheard that the bus stops at more than one park, possibly all four parks in one trip. Again, correct me if I am wrong on that, too. I also believe that the park drop off is not the same as the WDW Resort locations. At Animal Kingdom, I saw that it was in the parking lot near handicapped parking, which is no big deal. At Magic Kingdom I saw that it was at the T&TC, near the Kennel. I cannot recall if I saw it at Epcot or Hollywood Studios. My guess is that the bus could be a half hour trip, if not more. I would recommend a car. Just a side tip for first timers to WDW. For your first time at WDW, I recommend only a WDW resort and use their bus system. Get to know the layout of the land before you go there with a car. Actually, it is very easy to drive around WDW. Traffic flows smoothly - not like International Drive. There is also a shopping plaza, with a grocery store, about a mile away - Crossroads. I intended to go there, but never did.
Food: We ate one night at their restaurant. I had a New York Strip - Wonderful. To be honest, it was better than some of the New York Strips I tried at WDW. I had the Entertainment book, which contains a coupon for the restaurant - Buy One Entree Get One Free, up to $12 - paid for the book.
Downtown Disney: You could walk. I am guessing about 3/4ths of a mile one way. Correct me if I am wrong on that, too. It is very close. In reading about crime at WDW, I believe the few muggings/assaults that I ever read about, were in the Downtown Disney Area. Personally, I believe that all of WDW is extremely safe, but with the huge numbers of people that go through there, a few crimes are about to happen.
Other: Very Nice Lobby. There is a Disney Store in the Lobby, which we used once. There is also another store, but I did not even notice it until I checked out. It is hidden next to the check in/out desk. There is valet parking, which we did not use. All the regular parking is close to the resort. You are still on WDW property, so the landscapping is great. Still feels like you are at WDW.
Overall: I will be back there. When I was checking out, some of those ahead of me were complaining about something, but I could not tell what it was about. I did overhear the clerk telling the guest that she had to handle it with the travel agent. My advice is to keep checking the rates on the hotel's website and Mousesavers. I am sure that you will find a great deal for a very nice hotel.
