We did the UNTHINKABLE-actually, we are doing it right now!

[susy]

We are offsite!!!!!! I just had to tell you guys! I just posted this on the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board because the other day someone had questions about where we are staying right now!

We found a great alternative (I can't believe it exists) to staying onsite (when it just isn't possible).

We are at the Buena Vista Palace in DTD. It's just been renovated and it's awesome! We were just at the YC (concierge) 4 weeks ago, so this is what I'm comparing it to.


Okay, so we couldn't get a room on property this weekend , if you can believe that!!!! So, I decided to try one of the DTD hotels. I have stayed at a few in the past, but not recently. I booked this hotel with some reservation (no pun intended), especially because of the review on mousesavers (which I believe is two years old, so things have changed a bit). My two main concerns were:

1. I would not feel that I was "at Disney"
2. It would not be "deluxe enough"

Well, I definitely feel I'm at Disney:

1. I can see Space Mountain, GF, CR, Spaceship Earth, The top of the "land",Tower of Terror, Swan/Dolphin, The MGM water Tower, and The "hat" at MGM all from my hotel room balcony.
2. I sat on my balcony last night and watched "Wishes"
3. There is a Disney store at this hotel (as all DTD hotels have).
4. I will be attending a character breakfast in my hotel tomorrow morning with Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy.

As for the "deluxiness":

1. Gorgeous, just renovated room with all the amenties Disney deluxes offer-robes and turndown. GREAT beds and pillows!
2. Wonderful housekeeping-all my extra requests met immediately.
3. Restaurants: two sit-down, an upscale sports bar, a lobby lounge with a grand piano (and someone was acutally playing), a grab and go quick service store (ample seating with a lake view), a poolside bar and grill/snack bar, complimentary fruit at the pool.
4. All of the common areas look recently renovated- very luxurious feel throughout.
5. A spa.
6. An upscale clothing store
7. Fitness center
8. Pool: no slide-ugh! It didn't matter much since this was a "waterpark trip". My 8 yo also said he didn't care because he liked the hotel so much! Nice, thickly padded lounge chairs and towels provided. There is a hot tub, two pools (one with waterfall) and a kiddie pool (and playground). There are two arcades (one inside, one by the pool).
The price was not bad. I booked online a few days ago and was given a choice:
$99-resort view, $109-water view, $119-Disney view. I took the Disney view. The resort fee is $12 a day and we opted to valet park , which is $15 a day. A STEAL for what we are getting.


We are having a blast and might go to Mk tonight!!!

 

[Texian@WDW]

How are the bus rides? Are they frequent and not jam packed? We stayed years ago at one and it worked out fine. Hope your stay continues to be pleasant.

 

[mdhkitten]

That is great to hear! I have the CR booked for the end of November, but saw some really great deal on Mousesavers at Royal Plaza ($56 per night), and have seriously considered staying there and paying $126 for 2 nights as opposed to $554! Now that you've talked about the Buena Vista Palace, I might have to consider that as well! I've always stayed at WDW hotels, but saving the money and still being able to stay at a nice hotel is very appealing to me. Have you used the DTD hotel transportation, or do you have your own car? That's my only real concern. I suppose I could take taxis if the bus service totally sucked. I'm not concerned about the drop off point, just more so on the standing room only aspect (I'll be traveling with my 2 year old and her stroller).

 

[teentoddlermom]

Can you take Disney buses from DTD to the parks? Do you need a car?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Susy! Hi!! That is great - what a nice review.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday at the YC last month, too!! You didn't go back to that thread and elaborate.

Is DTD near enough to walk or can you catch a boat?? I never really thought about the DTD resorts, but it might be nice now that it sounds so new and luxurious.

Thanks for the info! Have a nice weekend.

Lives4Disney

 

[WDWFUN]

What a Great Review! Did you book directly with the hotel? What room number do you have! Seems like you have a great view....Enjoy!

We want to see pics upon returning!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hey Susy!!

Wow, sounds like that is a really nice resort at a really nice price! I hope you have a wonderful time!!!

 

[bab31]

I checked rates for Jan 26 - 7 nights..over $1400

 

[Sammie]

Actually you are on property, just not a Disney owned and operated resort. Sounds like a good time.

 

[lklasing]

I'm still very curious about the transportatoin thing - do you get to use Disney busses, boats, etc?

 

[susy]

Okay, we had our own car, so I can't comment on the transportation. It seems like the bus situtaion is getting really crazy all over. You're supposed to want to stay onsite because of the convenience and the transportation they offer, but people actually won't stay at one resort or another because the transportation is so bad! Does that make any sense?We have been using our car to get to the parks for the last few trips. For those flying in... I would just rent a car and be done with it. It's so easy to get around Disney property.Why bother waiting for a bus?

The resort is run by Luxury Resorts. I forgot to mention the fresh brewed Starbucks coffee in the quick service area, plus a machine with lattes, cappucino, espresso, and the ICEE machine! There is a fridge in the room and two complimentary bottles of water placed in there daily.

I saw the Spa, but did not go in. I read the menu of services yesterday. That thing was 10 pages long! Every kind of masssage, body treatment, and facial you can imagine. They have a lap pool in there, too, besides the steamroom, sauna, whirlpools...kids servcies as well. We had Golden Door toiletires in our room.


The Service...both DH and I agreed the service was above and beyond Disney. Last night as we were driving in there was a man in the driveway signaling us in and the valet was waiting for us. The staff here really cater to you. If you got a rate of over $1400 for seven nights, I'd say that's GREAT! We probably got such a great deal because we booked last minute.

They were playing Disney music in the breakfast area this morning and you can buy Disney tickets, etc. here. They have concierge service on the first floor for all guests (not a lounge).

You can definitely walk to DTD. You would enter by where the Disney buses are.

We booked online through their website

YC concierge was awesome The lounge at BWI was bigger.

The only thing the Disney deluxes have over this hotel is location and pool slide-that's it.