Independent on-property hotels

[sbkline]

I know there are some hotels in the DTD area that are totally independent. I talked to a guy on our vacation last month who was staying at one and he said they cost about the same as the WDW run ones. So my question, for those of you who stay at those hotels, is why you would stay there instead of the WDW hotels? If the price is the same, then what benefits do you see with those hotels which you judge to outweigh the benefits of staying in the WDW hotels, such as dining plan, transportation, etc? I have to plans to stay at one of those, but it's just a question that has been going through my mind, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I know there are some hotels in the DTD area that are totally independent. I talked to a guy on our vacation last month who was staying at one and he said they cost about the same as the WDW run ones. So my question, for those of you who stay at those hotels, is why you would stay there instead of the WDW hotels? If the price is the same, then what benefits do you see with those hotels which you judge to outweigh the benefits of staying in the WDW hotels, such as dining plan, transportation, etc? I have to plans to stay at one of those, but it's just a question that has been going through my mind, so I thought I'd ask.

Reasons for staying at a Disney resort:

- Disney resort transportation - while many of the DTD hotels are within walking distance to DTD, those buses don't start until later in the morning; those that have their own shuttles run somewhat inconsistently

- access to Extra Magic Hours - only Disney resort guests can use EMH, where you can enter an hour early or stay late on certain days at certain parks

- room charging privileges

- proximity - the Disney-owned resorts are closer to the parks

- you can only get the Disney Dining plan at a Disney resort

- Magical Express is only available to Disney resort guests


-Joe

 

[sbkline]

Reasons for staying at a Disney resort:

- Disney resort transportation - while many of the DTD hotels are within walking distance to DTD, those buses don't start until later in the morning; those that have their own shuttles run somewhat inconsistently

- access to Extra Magic Hours - only Disney resort guests can use EMH, where you can enter an hour early or stay late on certain days at certain parks

- room charging privileges

- proximity - the Disney-owned resorts are closer to the parks

- you can only get the Disney Dining plan at a Disney resort

- Magical Express is only available to Disney resort guests


-Joe

I think you misunderstood my question. I agree with everything you just said...which is why I was wondering what the advantage was in staying at a non-WDW owned, independently run "on property" hotel. I'm talking about those ones in the Downtown Disney Resort area. NOT the Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, though. I'm referring to those independently run hotels in the DTD area...I can't remember what they are called. But they are totally independent, even though they are located on Disney property. My question was for the people who stay in THOSE resorts. Since they are not run by WDW, then they don't have the room charging privileges, or the transportation or access to EMH. So my question for those people (merely out of curiousity) is, what inclines you to stay at those hotels instead of the Disney owned and operated ones?

 

[ImaYoyo]

I've only ever stayed at the Royal Plaza, but here are some reasons:

1.) Person has a time-share or time-ownership program with that hotel
2.) The rates can be MUCH lower at times for FL. Residents (I had a deluxe room at the RP for 69 dollars)
3.) Disney resorts often sell-out, leaving these as a next-best choice (marathon weekend, holidays, ect).
4.) Conventions at those hotels

There's just a few reasons, I'm sure there are more.

 

[Master Yoda]

I've only ever stayed at the Royal Plaza, but here are some reasons:

1.) Person has a time-share or time-ownership program with that hotel
2.) The rates can be MUCH lower at times for FL. Residents (I had a deluxe room at the RP for 69 dollars)
3.) Disney resorts often sell-out, leaving these as a next-best choice (marathon weekend, holidays, ect).
4.) Conventions at those hotels

There's just a few reasons, I'm sure there are more.

Reasons 2-4 are why I wind up on HTB from time to time. Disney being sold out for a last minute trip seems to be the most common and you can get some pretty insanely low rates from time to time. My wife and I got married at Royal plaza because they gave us rooms at a price lower than the AP rate at a Disney value resort and did not charge us a dime to use their court yard for the ceremony.

 

[sbkline]

Thanks for the answers guys. I knew there had to be some reason why people would choose to forgo all the benefits of staying in a WDW owned resort, but I just couldn't think of what they would be other than what you said about the WDW ones being booked up and having to make do with the others.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

It also seems that you may get more "bang for your buck" at the DTD hotels.

The rooms are bigger, they have coffee pots (Disney value resorts don't), some have free refrigerators (again, Disney value resorts don't), in addition to the issue of corporate discounts or membership in a free nights program.

For a family who is making a choice based on money, the Best Western at DTD is a great value. (at least it sounds good on paper)

Rooms are $62 per night for 2 double beds. Value season in a WDW value resort is $82 per night. For a 5 night stay, that is $100 savings.

For that $62 you get 325 sq ft. A WDW value is less than 300 sq ft.

All DTD hotels have 24 hour food service of some kind--either room service or a snack bar. That is not true at WDW values or moderates.

For $139 you can get a suite at Doubletree with 2 double beds and a sofabed. For $145 at WDW you can get a moderate room with no sofa bed (and no cookies)

If you are driving or renting a car, the Magical Express perk is not an issue, nor is the bus service.

Don't get me wrong--I'm a WDW girl all the way. But I can understand why someone would choose a DTD hotel.

 

[cloudboy]

In most cases, the costs are not the same. While you can pay simillar amounts to some of the cheaper Disney hotels, you are actually staying in a higher class resort than you would be on property. If themeing is your thing, then most of those hotels aren't going to work for you. But if you drive and are looking for a comfy room, you may find that for the price you pay, you can get a much, much more comfortable room and bed at one of the non-Disney hotels. They amake a good compromise between convenience and proximity, and value.

 

[primetime52]

In most cases, the costs are not the same. While you can pay simillar amounts to some of the cheaper Disney hotels, you are actually staying in a higher class resort than you would be on property. If themeing is your thing, then most of those hotels aren't going to work for you. But if you drive and are looking for a comfy room, you may find that for the price you pay, you can get a much, much more comfortable room and bed at one of the non-Disney hotels. They amake a good compromise between convenience and proximity, and value.

Exactly :sohappy:

The point made by the original poster about the DTD hotels being the same price as the resorts can be very far from true. I usually stay in the cheaper Disney resorts, but I have stayed in the Grosvenor (on site DTD area hotel) a couple of times. While it's accomodations aren't all that great (the rooms could use some rennovations), It's possible to find some VERY CHEAP rooms there, plus it's actually the closest hotel to the DTD marketplace. I could practically throw a rock from my room and hit the Rainforest Cafe. I have been able to find rooms at the Grosvenor for up to about $30 cheaper per night than even the cheapest Disney resorts on a few occasions.

If you're tight on cash and want a reasonably priced bed to sleep in, the DTD hotels can be a great option. They are close to all the WDW action, and it's alot easier to find special prices for them online.

 

[flynnibus]

Thanks for the answers guys. I knew there had to be some reason why people would choose to forgo all the benefits of staying in a WDW owned resort, but I just couldn't think of what they would be other than what you said about the WDW ones being booked up and having to make do with the others.

Nicer hotel rooms then most values or moderates for the price.

Its usually cost and people wanting more. You can pay for value on property, or get a nicer, larger and better equipped room for less in the Village area.