?'s about Hotel Royal Plaza- need help!

[figment27]

Hi,
Once again we are trying to plan a WDW vacation. We were originally scheduled to spend last Christmas/NYE week but DH was not keen to travel after 9/11 so we cancelled.
I am determined to take this vacation, Janueary 4, 2003 through Janueary 11, 2003, with our two college-age children because I feel it may be one the last truly "family" vacations, just the four of us!
Anyway, I am leaning towards staying at the Hotel Royal Plaza after reading many of the good reviews on this board. If I can get a better rate than staying at one of the WDW value resorts it is a done deal. But I do have a few questions before deciding:

1. I have read, on mousesavers.com and here (somewhere), that Hotel Royal Plaza is a DTD Hotel, and I will be able to buy Ultimate Park Hopper Passes? I have read you can only purchase Ulitmate Park Hopper passes if you stay at a "official" WDW resort OR at a DTD hotel (one of the 7 listed on mousesavers.com). Is this correct?
2. If I can purchase the Ulitmate Park Hopper passes, do you purchase them right at the Hotel Royal Plaza?
3. Will I be able to use my Disney Club card to get a discount off the passes?
4. Are you able to gain EE/surprise mornings staying at the Hotel Royal Plaza?
5. How far a walk is it to the Crossroads Plaza and Olive Garden?

Thanks to all for any info you may provide.
Figment27

 

[karin037]

Yes, you can buy the Ultimate Park Hoppers at the Hotel Royal Plaza. We purchased them there during our trip last November. They are sold at the gift shop. I used my Disney Club Card to get a discount. When we went in November WDW had ended the Early Entry. I'm not sure if they have reinstated Early Entry, but if they have, than yes you can gain entry by staying at the Hotel Royal Plaza. You can also participate in E-ridge nights. Crossroads Plaza is not far at all. Maybe, about a 10 minute walk. We really enjoyed our stay at the HRP. Here is a link to my trip report: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=124229

 

[figment27]

Thanks so much for the info on the HRP. I booked it today for our trip on January, 2003. The had to quote me the "rack rate" because the discounted rates are not available yet. The "rack rate" was $195. for a Tower Room excluding tax, resort fee and the additional $20. per extra person charges.
My husband almost choked! We are taking our two college age children with us, and after paying tuition for both our "extra" funds our limited at best. I explained that the discounts will be there. Also, I know, mousesavers.com posts discounts for this property.
Just one more question-
How far away from the TTC does the hotel bus let you off?
Overall, how long did it take you to get to the inidividual theme parks once you boarded the bus?
Thanks again,
Figment27

 

[karin037]

The bus left us off in the parking lot (spot #26). Not far at all. We used the bus to go to all four parks. We also took it to Blizzard Beach. I would say it took about 15-30 mins to get to the parks. The bus makes a stop at each of the DD Hotels. The buses were very reliable.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

We booked the Hotel Royal Plaza for $75.00 for Memorial Weekend with the mousesavers rate.

 

[Bearak27]

We found it much easier to walk to Downtown disney and catch Disney transportation to the parks. We always enjoyed the evening stroll thru DD at night.
Betty