Royal Plaza

[Martin22]

We are booked at the POR French Quarter for 7 days in Sept.04 but have seen an attractive rate posted for the Plaza. Is this hotel too "out of the way" in comparison to the POR? The cost is 1/3 that of the POR so we are really interested. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance to those that reply.

Martin

 

[SnackyStacky]

If the rate you're getting is for a tower room, take the Royal Plaza. You're much closer to Downtown Disney than if you were to stay at French Quarter. It's about a 10 minute walk.

 

[grimp]

We as as family, have stayed at PORFQ three times in the last 10 years. All visits were superbe. This Feb. we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside at a much lower annual passholder rate, and as compared to the French Quarter we were disappointed by a little. However, at the end of our family stay, our children and grandchildren went home after 7 days, and my wife and I moved to the Dolphin, and next time I am going to figure out a way for all 10 uf us to stay at the Dolphin, even if I need to pay twice what I paid for the PORRV.

I cannot imagine staying off porpetrty.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by grimp
We as as family, have stayed at PORFQ three times in the last 10 years. All visits were superbe. This Feb. we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside at a much lower annual passholder rate, and as compared to the French Quarter we were disappointed by a little. However, at the end of our family stay, our children and grandchildren went home after 7 days, and my wife and I moved to the Dolphin, and next time I am going to figure out a way for all 10 uf us to stay at the Dolphin, even if I need to pay twice what I paid for the PORRV.

I cannot imagine staying off porpetrty.

The Royal Plaza is not off-property. It is within the confines of Walt Disney World, and is actually right across the street from Downtown Disney.

 

[grimp]

I have never stayed at one of those hotels in the Downtown Disney area. I have never been disappointed in the transportation from a real; "Disney hotel". I have heard that the busses from the Downtown Disney hotels to theme parks are a little on the inadequte side, but I don't not know firsthand. My own experience, first hand, has been well beyond I could have imagined for PORFQ and PORRS, and even better from the Dolphin. I will do everything I can to get three rooms at the Dolphin next time as compared my past experience.

That all being said, if we drove to Disney World instead of fyling, then I could see the advantage of staying at an off property hotel and driving to theme parks as an effective way to save money. This would not be the same expericence, psychogically, but would nevertheless be a good vacation.

 

[MinniMama]

I considered this once and changed my mind- we have stayed at HIFs and enjoyed it but Plaza does not have a disney feel or great bus service we toured it and I was glad I stayed at POR. Enjoy your trip but once and on-site forever and on site LOL

 

[disneyfreak2127]

I have stayed both on property (CBR, & BCV) and at Hilton Downtown Disney and the Double Tree Downtown Disney. To me there is no comparison.

There is nothing like the magical feel of a Disney hotel. I just felt a little too removed from it all to really enjoy staying there. The pools are just average hotel pools and don't let anyone kid you, the walk to downtown disney from the Plaza is more than you may want especially considering the fact that you are just walking on city sidewalks. Not my idea of "Disney".

Now for the transportation issue. Yes, you are on somewhat of Disney busses, but it is not like the Disney resorts. They pick up and drop off out in the regular parking lot (more walking) at a specified parking lot space. The busses also come alot less frequently. If you have a car I suppose you would be alright, but I am not sure whether you get the perk of parking at the parks for free like you would if you were at a Disney Hotel. We also found these busses very crowed.

My DH and I stayed at the Downtown hotels listed above via a Hotwire rate and it was less money, but we decided we definitely would not stay again at one of these hotels when we have our children with us. Both times we were on an adult only trip for our anniversary. We are still just kids at heart and now wouldn't want to be off-site ever again.

This is just our opinion. You may see this differently.

 

[HM]

We stayed in a Tower room facing DTD for one night at Christmas. I would stay there again, but not for more than a night or two. I prefer to pay extra and stay onsite. There was nothing wrong with our room and it had the nice bonus of a seating area and a large bathroom, but it just didn't feel like we were at Disney World. -HM

 

[Mymatisse]

Originally posted by disneyfreak2127
I have stayed both on property (CBR, & BCV) and at Hilton Downtown Disney and the Double Tree Downtown Disney. To me there is no comparison.

Now for the transportation issue. Yes, you are on somewhat of Disney busses, but it is not like the Disney resorts. They pick up and drop off out in the regular parking lot (more walking) at a specified parking lot space. The busses also come alot less frequently. If you have a car I suppose you would be alright, but I am not sure whether you get the perk of parking at the parks for free like you would if you were at a Disney Hotel. We also found these busses very crowed.

My DH and I stayed at the Downtown hotels listed above via a Hotwire rate and it was less money, but we decided we definitely would not stay again at one of these hotels when we have our children with us. Both times we were on an adult only trip for our anniversary. We are still just kids at heart and now wouldn't want to be off-site ever again.

This is just our opinion. You may see this differently.

I have stayed both at the Royal Plaza and the Courtyard Marriot, now Holiday Inn a few times. I have also stayed at POFQ. I think if you get a good deal for DTD hotel then go for it! The location is wonderful because not only can you walk to DTD but you also have some access to the "real world." There is a large shopping center across the street where you will be able to find a grocery store and a wide variety of dining options just in case you one night don't want to eat at Disney *gasp*

These hotels are by no means Disney themed nor "magical", as very few hotels in the real world are. They are however, nice chain hotels, with clean room that are btw larger than Disney rooms.

As far as the Royal Plaza goes I would definately recommend a tower room. The garden wing rooms are not as recently renovated and may seem a bit old.

Hope this helps!

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Having stayed in Disney properties more times than I can remember, last May we spent 2 nights at Hotel Royal Plaza. Location wise, it's not bad. Yes, you can walk to Downtown Disney but must take car to parks. Our room was clean, but not up to Disney standards. The beds had obviously outlived their lifetime usage and we woke both mornings to backaches. In addition, as a previous poster stated, there is no Disney magic at this hotel. Think of it as a Holiday Inn! Adequate rooms, but no Magic. Now, the good points were the in room fridge, and the breakfast. We had a free buffett breakfast that came complete with cofee, eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes and even Mickey waffles. So, if you're looking for simply a place to stay during vacation, this would work fine. If you're looking for Disney Magic, -- go elsewhere.

 

[Trekker]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
The Royal Plaza is not off-property. It is within the confines of Walt Disney World, and is actually right across the street from Downtown Disney.

Just an FYI - On this board the Downtown Disney Hotels are considered off property - this term means hotels / motels that are not owned by Disney and / or do not enjoy all the same benefits as the Disney Owned Resorts. That is why the DTD Hotels are discussed on the Orlando Hotels and Attraction board and not on the Disney Resort board.

 

[Snoopymom]

I thought about staying at the Royal Plaza too because of the price...travel zoo had 4 for 3 + upgrade, but now I'd think I'd rather pay the extra $ and stay on property.

Grimp can you elaborate on why the Dolphin is better than the Port Olreans resorts. We have a 3 yr old part fish ds and I thought I had finally decided to book the FQ almost purely on the dragon slide for him...I know, not the most logical reason, lol, so I was wondering how the Dolphin is better. Thanks a bunch!