Urgent Answer Needed

[MissMoneyPenny]

hi i'm just about to book a vacation to walt disney world. i'm travelling with someone who has bladder problems so travelling is an important part of our trip (the less travelling the better). we are planning on staying in the Saratoga Springs or a hotel as close to the Dowtown Disney are as possible.

can anyone tell me if this hotel has water access to/from downtown disney & how long does it take?

or can someone advise me of a good hotel near to downtown disney with short commute times?

we would like to stay in a disney resort.

 

[pooh2001]

Closest DTD hotel is the Hilton.
The Hilton is the only DTD hotel with early entry/late stay in Park hours.
Check out:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/downtown/hilton/index.htm

Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort
1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
PHONE: 407-827-4000


As guests enter the palm tree-lined circular entranceway and pass the delightful duck pond and fountain, they will be struck by the understated elegance found here. The landscaped 23-acre grounds set the stage for the tropical paradise that is the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort. Situated directly across from the Downtown Disney Marketplace, the 10-story center structure is flanked by two wings that are angled out to the sides and has 814 guestrooms and suites. Skylights brighten up the cheerful lobby with its bold greens and brass rail staircases. The reception area is particularly inviting with its rose-colored marble counter with an aquarium full of saltwater fish on the wall behind the desk.


Guests of the Hilton will enjoy complimentary transportation to all 4 Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) and Pleasure Island. Pick-ups for the Theme Parks are scheduled every 30 minutes from 1 hour prior to park opening until 2 hours after the parks close.

Buses to the Magic Kingdom will drop guests off at the Ticket & Transportation Center and you can ride Disney’s fun monorail system in the rest of the way to the Magic Kingdom. For transportation to the water parks, check with the Guest Services desk for the scheduled morning and afternoon pick-ups. Pleasure Island bus transportation is offered every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. Downtown Disney Marketplace and Downtown Disney West Side are only a short 5-10 minute walk away.

 

[swilphil]

hi i'm just about to book a vacation to walt disney world. i'm travelling with someone who has bladder problems so travelling is an important part of our trip (the less travelling the better). we are planning on staying in the Saratoga Springs or a hotel as close to the Dowtown Disney are as possible.

can anyone tell me if this hotel has water access to/from downtown disney & how long does it take?

or can someone advise me of a good hotel near to downtown disney with short commute times?

we would like to stay in a disney resort.

If you want to stay at a Disney resort close to Downtown Disney, Port Orleans would be a good bet. They do have water access to/from DTD.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can walk to SSR from DTD. Or you can ride on the boat. Just depends where your villa is located and would be the most convenient. If you stay at Congress Park, it is right across the water from DTD with a short walking path that comes out near the bus stop for the Marketplace. If you stay at the Springs, you might want to take the boat since the Springs are a bit closer to the boat dock.

OKW is also close to DTD by boat - about 20 minutes each way. And that boat will stop at SSR before it goes to DTD.

 

[zumbergc]

If your looking for tips to help that travelor, you might want to post over on the disAbilities section for added information and guidance.

Someone with a common problem may be able to give you some insight on their trip.

Connie

 

[Laurajean1014]

Have you thought of getting maps of the parks and DTD to seek restrooms for accessibility. Their on the www.wdwinfo.com web site. Nothing like looking for a bathroom, when you really, really need it.

 

[SB in KY]

Sounds like Saratoga Springs would be your best bet...the boat dock is very close to restrooms in the main building area and the ride to DTD is less than 5 minutes. Depending on your room location it can be a very short walk also. (you can also request a home close to either the boat dock or the walking path)

All the other hotels would involve a bus ride of 10+minutes, without any great restroom access near bus stops (i.e., if you aren't standing right there when the bus pulls up it is gone, but with the boat you have several minutes while people get off and back on).

I would definately NOT recommend the Hilton, or any other off site hotel (including those on hotel plaza)....the bus service is VERY limited and they are a fair hike from DTD

 

[DisneyKidds]

We had a really nice room at SSR that was close to the walking path and a short (5 to 10 minutes depending on how fast you walk) walk over to DTD. There is a boat, but by the time you walk to the dock, wait for the boat, take the ride, dock and get off.........it's probably quicker to walk if you are in the Congress Park section.

OKW, POFQ and POR all have boat service to DTD as well. I second the advice to stick with a true Disney resort as opposed to the DTD Hilton if you can afford it. The Disney resorts are much nicer (true resorts as opposed to a hotel) and have much better transportation.

 

[MissMoneyPenny]

thanks for all the replies ... i'm hoping to stay as close to an entertainment area as possible. we'll be hiring a car but the less travelling the better. i find things go downhill when they are put in akward situations - tends to panic & that only makes things worse.

we want to get around the parks in the day & then a bit of entertainment in the night although i've been told to get closer the parks than the entertainment as by the time we've got through the parks all we will be able for is sleep. so many decisions & so many people to keep happy.

we are looking at option of staying on international drive - i've heard its only a short drive from disney & the other parks as well. (although i'd rather stay in disney - i have to try to keep everything one happy !!)

 

[MissMoneyPenny]

I would definately NOT recommend the Hilton, or any other off site hotel (including those on hotel plaza)....the bus service is VERY limited and they are a fair hike from DTD

is the hotel not nice as well as the bus service - we plan to hire a car & according to maps we've looked at on here that seems to be the closest to DTD ???

 

[MissMoneyPenny]

also can anyone advise me on the weather in florida for december??

 

[paras4ri]

we are looking at option of staying on international drive - i've heard its only a short drive from disney & the other parks as well. (although i'd rather stay in disney - i have to try to keep everything one happy !!)

International Drive is miles long with some hotels much farther away than others and from the highway exit to the theme parks can also take some time. You could have quite a long drive to the parks.

IMHO stay on the grounds - you'll love it!

 

[MissMoneyPenny]

okay its decided - we are either staying in disney near the boardwalk or else in the hilton beside dtd.

now i'll get looking at the boardwalk hotels.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The Epcot resorts will enable you to get the Epcot and the Disney Studios via the Friendship Boats, or walking if you are up to it. They are centrally located and no bus ride to any park or Downtown Disney is very long. Check out the hotel information on allearsnet.com.
All the Epcot resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club are first rate hotels). I have also read a lot of good things about the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney operated but you can get some really good discounts .
If you want a great Disney specialist travel agent I recommend Small World (WDWVacations.com) that we found last year on mousesaver.com. They saved us $800.00 over rack rate and made all our priority seatings for us. Great people and great service. Best part is that it is all FREE! Try them out for a free price quote.