**Update again** I'm staying at the All-Stars-lol!

[hallie]

Thank you all for your help, you're the best!! But I decided to stay at the All-Stars instead, Disney has me brain washed and I just had to stay on-site-lol.

Thanks again for all your help!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Since you have AP you can park for free so I wouldn't worry about using a shuttle bus. If your family eats breakfast in the morning picking a resort that offers free breakfast may save you $20. Caribe Royale is a great location, very nice pool (waterfall and a slide) and offers a decent breakfast.

 

[hallie]

Thanks again Lewis!! It's hard to choose because there are so many hotels-lol.

 

[f7prez]

I have ressies at the CI&S at Calypso Cay in December this place looks great but I haven't stayed there yet so I can't compare it with Hotel Royal Plaza. I have stayed at HRP in the past and enjoyed it immensely. The staff was fantastic. The hotel is elegant which I am not expecting from CI&S. HRP is so close to Downtown Disney that you really don't need another reason but if you do, I found the transportation to the parks efficient and on time, the pool area was nice, the rooms were spacious.
Location Location Location. If you are not staying on property this is certainly your next best choice.
Now if you are looking for a great rate you can book CI&S for $54 a night through valuetrips, which is outstanding for what you get.
For a good look at CI&S go to calypsocay.com and view the "updated construction photos.

F7PREZ

 

[hallie]

F7prez- When you stayed at the HRP did you stay in a standard or tower room? Right now I have ressies for both. The standard is 85.00 and the tower deluxe is 105.00. It says the tower has a big tub and seperate shower, plus view of downtown, do you think it's worth the extra $$?

Oh and how far is the HRP from DTD? We also have ressies at the Grosvenor for a tower room for 95.00 with Entertainment discount. Do you know anything about that resort?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[hercamore]

Hi Hallie,

Yes, there are tons of good offsite choices out there, and you have made some good ones.

How many in your party? First of all, recent reviews on the Grovernor hasn't been good, so I'd skip that place. HRP has had good reviews as well as the newly renovated Best Western in dt disney. HRP is probably a l0 min. walk to dt disney, Best Western is about 20.

Country Inn and Suites are nice and new and you do get a nice free brkst which is a perk. Probably about a good l0 min. drive from dt disney. Did you check the info on mousesavers.com on non disney hotels? $99 a nite at Caribe Royale, which is a pretty fancy place, plus breakfast. Also, the HIFS might suit your needs for a kids suite, plus breakfast.

Entertainment card rates at CIS have been around $40, plus tax. You might want to check that out. Go to hotel kingdom.com and check the descriptions/prices for your dates.

Herc.

 

[hallie]

Thanks hercamore! I tried for the Country Inn but it's not available for our dates. Now I just went to hotelkingdom and saw the Caribe Royale so i'm waiting to hear back from them. The Caribe sounds really nice, I hope it works out. Do you know how long it takes them to get back to me? Thanks for the link!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[f7prez]

We were in a Tower room and I remeber it being spacious. The view was nice as well. At that time Downtown Disney was known as Disney Marketplace and it was a lot smaller but we had a view of that direction from our room. You could see for miles because it is so flat. Because we have been staying on property the last few times we went, $110 a night seems to be reasonable, especially for the close proximity. We are staying way off property at Christmas but the price was right and the hotel is very new.

Good Luck
F7PREZ

 

[f7prez]

I forgot to answer your other question. The Grovesnor and HRP are very very close to DTD. It might even be faster than driving and looking for a parking space... its that close. Five or Ten minute walk. I never stayed at the Grovesnor because it never really impressed me too much. If you have the entertainment card then you are also entitled to discounts at the Dolphin and Swan outside of Epcot. Probably the best neighborhood of all of Disney. Ask for a Deluxe Corner room, you won't be DISappointed.
I hope this helps.

F7PREZ