What Can You Tell Me About the Disney Village Hotels?

[Katems]

I know there are a bunch of non Disney owned hotels on Disney property near the shopping village and Pleasure Island. Which is the nicest for the money and the most convenient as far as transportation? I know Disney does not provide the transport, but the hotel does. Do those buses share? What about the Hilton? Isn't that 'sort of' a Disney hotel?

Swan and Dolphin questions, too.....they get Magical Express, but not EMH?

Do you think it's worth staying at a village hotel rather than plain old outside the World? Is it a good compromise, or would staying at a value inside be better? Thanks!

 

[jwfla422]

I know there are a bunch of non Disney owned hotels on Disney property near the shopping village and Pleasure Island. Which is the nicest for the money and the most convenient as far as transportation? I know Disney does not provide the transport, but the hotel does. Do those buses share? What about the Hilton? Isn't that 'sort of' a Disney hotel?

Swan and Dolphin questions, too.....they get Magical Express, but not EMH?

Do you think it's worth staying at a village hotel rather than plain old outside the World? Is it a good compromise, or would staying at a value inside be better? Thanks!

You are probably referring to the Downtown Disney resorts (formerly the Disney Village are) which are on Hotel Royal Plaza Blvd. They are all fairly old hotels but some have been refurbished and some have changed ownership several times. You can find out more information here about these resorts: Downtown Disney Resort Information

I know the Hilton is popular and has many of the WDW resort perks (they're actually tied into the S/D). The DTD buses are exclusive to that area and are NOT part of the WDW transportation system. We have stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza which was nice and the Grovsnor Resort which really needed some renovating even when we were there several years ago.

The S/D does not include ME but DOES include EMH (as does the Hilton). The S/D are great resorts (better than many of the WDW owned resorts) and are in the excellent locations. The Swan is our home away from home.

As far as selecting between a DTD resort or value resort, that's a tough one. You have all of the WDW perks at a WDW value which are not included with the DTD resorts (with the exception of the Hilton-but the Hilton still only uses the DTD transportation). It's just a matter of preference. Keep in mind you can walk to DTD from some of the DTD resorts, from the values you have to take a bus to every park and to DTD.