Off -Site hotels within walking distance to Downtown Disney? About This Page:

[Shannon]

Can anyone tell me which ones they are and if you have stayed there? What is your opinion?

Thanks
Shannon

[vsonnier]

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot on our last trip. It was right down the road from Downtown Disney. We enjoyed our stay there! The staff were all very helpful and nice. Our room faced towards Epcot so we could stand on the balconey and see Illuminations way out in the distance...it was very beautiful! Also, every afternoon they serve free drinks and popcorn and chips and dip. I know that was a big deal for me and my husband because we would snack on that and it cut down on some of the cost of buying a snack at the park. The only downside is the themeing. It is themed like a regular Marriot - not Disney at all. But we really enjoyed our stay there. We just wanted to stay on property this time so we could enjoy EMH and because I wanted a wake-up call from Mickey

[DouglasE]

These hotels are listed on pp. 104-5 of the 2004 PassPorter. The PassPorter Guide gives great descriptions of each hotel. They are located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. This collection of hotels have been referred by several names over the years.

The Disney Hilton is the only hotel among this group that is able to offer the Extra Magic Hour and E ride night perks.

The Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa and the Grosvenor Resort along with the Disney Hilton are the three hotels that are closest to Downtown Disney and are only a couple of minutes of a walk. Further down the street on Hotel Plaza Boulevard is the Holiday Inn (formerly Courtyard by Marriott), Doubletree Guest Suites Resort, Hotel Royal Plaza, and the Lake Buena Vista Best Western Resort.

A word about transportation - If you plan on staying at any of these hotels, I highly recommend getting a rental car. While they advertise shuttle buses to the Disney parks, the timing is not very often, inconvenient, and they drop you off quite far from the park entrances. Yes, you could just walk over to Downtown Disney and pick up a Disney transportation bus. However, they frequently don't leave Downtown Disney early enough to get you to a park in time for park opening. This is key as far as I'm concerned when it comes to touring the parks at WDW. All hotels in this area with the exception of Hotel Royal Plaza and Best Western have a rental car desk.

You can check out the hotels by surfing to:
http://www.doubletreeguestsuites.com
http://www.grosvenorresort.com
http://www.hotel-inside-the-park.com
http://www.royalplaza.com
http://www.orlandoresorthotel.com
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/MCOPV/main.wnt

I have not personally stayed at any of these. I have heard several dismaying reports regarding the Grosvenor. The one key thing to keep in mind about the Hotel Royal Plaza is that the tower rooms are MUCH better than the pool side courtyard rooms.

Hopefully others can add some insight.

[Jitterjet]

Hi Shannon,
Douglas E has provided some excellent references for you.

The Hilton and Grovesnor are closest to Downtown Disney, the other hotels are far enough away that I would prefer to drive rather than walk. I've stayed at Doubletree Guest Suites (okay, but not as nice as I'd hoped) and Hotel Royal Plaza (got a free upgrade to a tower room and it was GREAT!). If you're in good shape and used to a lot of walking, you could certainly walk to DTD, but after the first day or so, my feet usually hurt so bad I prefer to drive. The Grovesnor Resort is a little aged and I'd have to get a really great deal on a room to stay there. If I had a choice, and could get a good deal, say on Priceline, I'd stay at the Hilton. Good luck!