staying at an "offsite" hotel by DTD

[hkkatie]

We are thinking about staying at the Doubletree Lake Buena Vista by DTD, so I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be able to use the magical express to get to and from the airport. What other options do we have? From the hotel website, I can't seem to find anything about an airport shuttle. We would prefer to not have to rent a car, if at all possible. Has anyone stayed there recently that can shed some light? (2 adults, 4 kids, 2 of them in car seats)

Also, the hotel has a shuttle that goes to all the parks, but doesn't go to any of the other hotels/resorts. If we wanted to go to the Luau at the Poly, for example, how would we get there? Are we allowed to use the Disney shuttles if we are not staying at a Disney hotel? (And how do the drivers know if you are staying onsite or not? Do you have to show your room key or something?)

 

[rt2dz]

Once you are on Disney property, you are more than welcome to use disney transportation--busses, boats, monorail--to get around Disney property.

As far as getting to your resort, I'd use a car service or take a cab. I'm sure someone can spread more light on that. I have only general knowledge and no experience with using them. We either drive or use ME

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Orlando at Lake Buena Vista is technically an on-site hotel. It's actually on Disney-owned land, just inside one of the formal entrances onto Walt Disney World property. But it's neither a Disney hotel, nor does it contract with Disney for the WDW Transportation and other Disney benefits such as Extra Magic Hours.

The DoubleTree Suites hotel is one of seven non-Disney hotels located in the Downtown Disney area. These hotels have a shuttle bus service to the parks, but it's not operated by Disney. Once at the parks, you can use WDW Transportation (buses, boats, monorails) to WDW resort hotels.

You can walk (around 3/4 mile) to the WDW bus stop at the Downtown Disney shopping area (near Rainforest Cafe). From there, you can catch Disney buses to Disney resorts (but not to Disney parks). I don't know if the DoubleTree Suites hotel offers shuttle service to the Downtown Disney shopping area.

To get to the DoubleTree Suites hotel, I would suggest site sponsor FL Tours (or another established car service) instead of a cab.

 

[sbd78]

We are staying at the Doubletree Suites next week. We rented a car, but I've heard a lot of people on this board mention using Mears to book airport transportation:
http://www.mearstransportation.com

As far as getting to the Poly for the luau, like the PP said you can either catch a Poly bus in downtown Disney or you can take the hotel shuttle to the Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to the Poly.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

As far as getting to the Poly for the luau, like the PP said you can either catch a Poly bus in downtown Disney or you can take the hotel shuttle to the Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to the Poly.

Actually, Hotel Plaza "Magic Kingdom" buses go the TTC, not to the bus center near the Magic Kingdom. From the TTC, it's a pleasant walk or a quick ride on the resort Monorail to the Poly.

 

[ParrotBill]

From the airport to your hotel you have 2 choices: Car Service or Shared Van Service.

Both Mears and Super Shuttle offer shared van service, at about $34 round trip for the first person and lesser amounts per extra person.

A Car Service or Town Car costs more for 1-3 people but might cross over at 4+ people so price it both ways.

 

[Missytara]

To the OP, to answer your question about how ME knows you have a reservation, you have transportation vouchers for ME. It also has to be reserved in advance for Disney guests, so we cannot just show up either and expect to get on the bus.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

As far as your luau you can take Disney transportation to the Poly. You don't have to show a room key. So if you are at a park just get on the poly bus or if you are at MK you can take the boat

Looks like your best option with Mears would be the private shuttle van at a flat rate of $181 r/t plus tip or their shared shuttle for $176 plus tip and it may make multiple stops at other hotels.