Swan or Hotel Royal Plaza? worth the $85.00 nite exta??

[wintermom]

We need three nights before our package starts at AKL.
We stayed at the Swan last year and loved it but because we
are going between Christmas and New Years now the entertainment rate I got is still around $200.00 per night.

I can get the Royal Plaza at Downtown Disney for $109.00
a night. Is the Swan worth the difference. We will have a car
so transportation is not an issue.

I loved the Swan but was worried about it before I stayed there,
maybe I will like the Royal Plaza too!

Anyone stayed at both to help me choose if the price is worth it.

Thanks,

Wintermom

 

[spr0m]

We stayed at the HRP twice once in Sept this year and once 2 years ago for two nights. We were happy with the resort and as long as you have a car then it's not a problem. I got the mousesavers rate each time and only paid $60 . I would always go with the Disney hotel first but at the price difference and you are moving to the AKL anyway try the HRP just make sure to ask for a tower room if available.

 

[flynnmnstr]

We've stayed at both but now choose the Dolphin because Tubbies is able to prepare my DS's food (he has food allergies). Check to see if the rate at the Dolphin is less; they normally are. I would definitely choose the S/D over a DD hotel even if you have a car. I love the atmosphere of that resort area.

 

[wintermom]

Then Dolphin is only slightly less and I don't think they have
those heavenly beds. Do they?

I guess the Royal Plaza is not in the same league as the Swan/Dolphin.

Wintermom

 

[flynnmnstr]

I believe that the rooms that have been renovated do have heavenly beds. We stayed in a renovated room in August and the bed was wonderful. Actually the whole room was wonderful because we got upgraded to one of the rooms with 2 balconies.

My choice is always the Dolphin because I love the hotel and the area.

 

[spr0m]

The dolphin is better I stayed at both two months ago but for $85 per night I personally would take the HRP knowing I was going to check into a Disney hotel in a couple of days. If I was staying at just one location than I would pick the in the park hotel all the way. The HRP rooms are larger than the Dolphin rooms or any other room on Disney property and the tower rooms have large triangle tubs for two. $255 is a couple of meals for 5mins more of driving. We have AP's so the parking charge isn't an issue but if you have to pay $7, park at the BC or YC and valet park for the same $7

 

[clutter]

I was unimpressed with HRP. We were in the tower, and the rooms were outstanding. The bathrooms were way, way, way cool. But... the main parts of the hotel just didn't do it for me. (Lobby was really smoky smelling,, food was mediocre.) And management wan't too swift. We checked in late our first night, and I'd called ahead to designate in my reservation that I needed a non-smoking room for health reasons. They gave my travel-mate the last ns room because it was a king, and I'd requested a double. They promised to move me the next day, which they did. To a king room. Turns out that my friend's last ns room was.... a double. And the room they moved us to had a beautiful case of complimentary gifts... addressed to someone else!!! I just packed it up and left it there. Bet it's still there......

As I said, the room itself was one of the best we've had. But it just wasn't like a resort. IMHO.

 

[wintermom]

Thanks for everyone's advise, I guess I will check my finances
in a few more weeks and see if the Swan/Dolphin is in our
budget. Otherwise we will stay at the Hotel Royal Plaza.
It doesn't sound like it would be bad, just not a magical as
the Resort Hotels, but hey I am thrilled to be going at all.

On Jan. 1 its off to AKL Savannah view and then Disney Cruise
Line so who can complain!

Only 39 days till we leave, I booked my airplane tickets yesterday!!

Wintermom