Value Resort Close to Downtown Disney

[travellady]

My 24 year old twin sons plan to join us for a few days next April. They're on a budget so will probably stay at a Disney value resort or one of the off-property hotels in Downtown Disney. They don't plan on renting a car and love to spend their evenings at Pleasure Island. Is there a Disney value resort within walking distance to Downtown Disney? If not walking, can they get transportation to and from Downtown Disney at night? - they may need to get back when the clubs close. They'd prefer not to pay for a taxi.

 

[XStAnt]

Disney's value resorts are the All Stars and the soon to open Pop Century. Neither is walking distance to PI.

But, never fear. Disney runs buses from those resorts to PI all night long. They make it very easy for you to get to places to spend money . Check with Tyler on the transportation board for how late they run, but I'm sure they don't stop until after 2:00 am.

If they are debating between staying at a value resort or a DTD resort make sure they understand the different advantages. While the DTD resorts are within walking distance to PI, they don't have EMH (except the Hilton) and they use their own buses to the parks that do not run as frequently as Disney transportation.

 

[iluvwdw_2002]

The Downtown Disney resorts are sooo awesome!!! I have stayed there almost every time I have gone to WDW, because I was a college student and on a budget. My favorite is the Best Western, because it is the nicest for a resonable price. I think I paid about $69-$79/night there, and it is walking distance to DTD, and the trails is so awesome...they really take care of it. Plus the buses run to all the theme parks every thirty minutes, and you have the optin of taking the bus to PI, which will run until like 3AM or so.

Check out there website for more information:
www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

Have fun!!!

 

[movingtoorlando]

i takes me about 5 mins to drive from pop century to dtd/pi/west side. One thing to note about this area off disney property, their were 2 recent closing of big hotels down here. they said they couldn't compete anymore. One of them on 192 told the guests they had 24 hours to get out. I don't think that would ever happen with disney.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have stayed at motels on 192 and my impression is that, if one motel closed and everyone had to get out, there are plenty of others at reasonable rates.

Only if WDW closed in its entirety would guests be suddenly told to get out. I was told that some WDW resorts are safe havens during hurricanes. If the storm was really bad, people told to get out would probably be bused to public shelters with the state, county, or WDW picking up the tab since the airport would be closed too.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

According to one unofficial guide to WDW, you have to be careful about shuttles back to non-WDW hotels at park closing. It was mentioned that some shuttles won't run extra trips if the last scheduled trip is full, and at any rate the wait for the next trip would be quite long.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
According to one unofficial guide to WDW, you have to be careful about shuttles back to non-WDW hotels at park closing. It was mentioned that some shuttles won't run extra trips if the last scheduled trip is full, and at any rate the wait for the next trip would be quite long.

I don't trust off-property shuttles any further than I could throw them. This is true, they will leave you behind if you're 1 minute late, or if the bus is full. And they will not send out extra buses if needed.

The main reason though, is that a lot of them are operated by companies that do not take care of thier buses. For example, Fleetwood Limousine, the operator for the Downtown Disney hotels has a 44% Out Of Service rate on DOT inspections. This means that out of 9 random DOT inspections, 4 times thier buses were taken out of service by Florida Dept of Transportation. The only company to top that rating was Skytran who has a 50% (4/8) OOS rating.

 

[reeanna]

We've stayed at the Wyndham Palace in the WDW Resort, which is about a 10 minute walk from the DTD shopping area. There are seven DTD hotels listed on Mousesavers.com, and you can usually get some very very reasonable rates. I think the Wyndham was closest to DTD, but all the hotels are easily within 10-15 min. walk and the walkway is well-lit, well-kept, and very safe. I think any of those hotels would be a nice alternative for your sons if they want to stay near Pleasure Island and there are buses every 30 mins or so to the parks as well. Enjoy!

 

[iluvwdw_2002]

I have never had a problem with any the off-site buses. They are pretty good about continuing to run after the parks close to ensure that everyone gets to their hotel. I know I missed the bus after the EPCOT Illuminations show, but within 15-30 minutes it came back again to continue taking more people.

And another alternative is after the park closes, you can take the WDW shuttle to DTD and walk to your hotel. There are many options, but your sons should not have a problem getting back to their hotels. And the buses are well taken care of and have always been clean.

The same bus company caters to all the off-site DTD hotels (Best Western, Marriott, DoubleTree, Hilton, Wyndham, Grosvenor, etc.). Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!! Have a good time!!

 

[movingtoorlando]

They may look clean but they are far from in good condition, sometimes they have operational tailights. this is Coming from someone who see the busses day in and out. they aren't as concerned about safety or mechanical condition as they are the money. just my 2 cents

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I returned late Friday night from a 5 day stay at Courtyard Marriott at DTD. We used the Downtown Disney busses only a couple of times. They don't look too well tended but that's not what worried me. One driver literally drove like a maniac, going way too fast around curves, changing lanes with no signal and cutting off cars, running lights and stop signs! After one ride with him we walked to the Marketplace bus stops and took Disney transportation. It was a little hassle to get from a park to a resort, take the bus to DTD, then walk to our hotel but I didn't want to chance a ride with the wild man again. Just reaffirmed what I already knew: I will stay on Disney property from now on!