Where to stay during conference

[erikthewise]

This Halloween weekend (10/31-11/3) I will be attending a conference at the Hilton in Disney Village. But I don't want to stay at the Hilton, I want to stay at a Disney Resort! Any suggestions?

I may rent a car but am not certain about that. If I do, is it possible to park at DD all day, starting early in the morning? If I don't, is there any way to get to DD at 7:30-8:30 AM?

 

[dgaston]

I stayed at CSR while attending a conference at the Hyatt Orlando. For that 1 1/2 miles I definitely needed a car. I think there's a shuttle from the Hilton to DD, but other DIS'ers will know for sure. I used an AP rate to stay at CSR (king bed $99) cheaper than the $134 conference rate at the Hyatt! Hope your stay works out as well.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since most of Downtown Disney doesn't open for business until 11AM or Noon, there isn't much need of Disney transportation to that location. I know the buses don't run to DD from OKW until later in the morning. The boats don't run until noon or 1 PM. You may need to rent a car.

 

[Gillian]

Just wondering, why do you want to park at DD so early? Maybe we can help you figure out a better way to get where you want to go. Do you need to get to the conference in the early AM?

Is the conference at the Hilton in the downtown disney area? It's a decent hotel. very easy to get around the World (I had a car when I stayed there). If remember correctly, it is close (just down the highway, not walking distance) to some of the disney hotels like CBR & OKW. They have free self parking at that Hilton. You can walk across the street from DD, but the roads there are very busy in the morning.

 

[erikthewise]

Thanks for the mention of free self-parking at the Hilton; that's just what I needed to know. The concept of free parking at a conference hotel hadn't occurred to me! (I suppose I would have eventually called them and asked.)

 

[Gillian]

There is a side (back?) entrance with a parking lot nearby. There is no parking near the main entrance except valet. Go in the driveway, turn left in front of the big entrance & follow the building around to your right. You'll see either an entrance or a bus waiting in front of the entrance It may take a while to find the meeting location, as the hotel is quite large, so give yourself some extra time the first day.

So where are you going to stay? The Hilton isn't a bad place. My room there was nicer than the AKL. I've heard the transportation isn't great though. I used my car the days I was there.