"On-Site but Non-Disney"
Accommodations Options
There are also several non-Disney owned and operated resort
hotels actually located on-site (most near Downtown Disney, a couple near
Epcot, one near the Magic Kingdom).
If you have to stay at a non-Disney resort because the
Disney resorts are sold out or for budget reasons, these would be the
next best thing. Take a hard look at your pricing, though. I bet you'll
find that if you can afford one of these hotels, you can afford to stay
at least at one of Disney's moderately-priced hotels.
Drawbacks to staying at one of the on-site but non-Disney
hotels are:
-
The hotels are NOT themed as Disney's resorts are.
-
Expenses can NOT be charged to your room when you're
in the parks.
-
You MAY not be able to participate in Magic Kingdom
E-Ride Nights (these are programs that each of the on-site resorts
may participate in, so you need to check to see if the hotel you'll
be staying at does before you make your final trip plans.)
Previously, I had been reporting that guests staying at
the non-Disney resorts were not eligible for Magic Kingdom E-Ride Nights
and that guests staying at the Downtown Disney Hotels were not eligible
for Early Entry. However, I received the following notes:
Damian (ddoig@frontline-group.com)
writes: There is a mistake in your "On-site but Non-Disney"
article. Guests at some of the hotels ARE able to purchase E-Ride tickets.
I am staying at the Courtyard September 16th to 19th ($20.01 a night
deal) before moving to the Contemporary. I just called and double checked
with Guest Services at the Courtyard (staffed by Disney) and he again
assured me that I will be able to purchase the tickets. You just have
to have gone to the MK that day and have a multi-day "hopper"
pass.
September (September_Roltsch@hines.com)
tells me: I have reservations at the Courtyard by Marriott at WDW...
In your article you state that this hotel is not eligible for either
early entry or e-ride nights; however, both when I made the reservations
and on a separate occasion when on the phone with CRO I was assured
that the early entry and e-ride participation is on a resort-by-resort
basis, and the Courtyard does participate in both programs...
It pays to check with the guest relations folks at your resort!
The lesson-learned here is that you really do need to ask about whatever
special events you're interested in at the time you make your reservation!
You might be pleasantly surprised at the answer you receive!
Swan / Dolphin
The best of the lot, in my opinion, are the Walt
Disney World Swan and Dolphin (operated by Westin and Starwood, respectively)
resorts. These are the two resorts that are located near Epcot, between
the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and the Boardwalk. Guests staying
at the Swan and Dolphin are treated to many privileges just as WDW resort
guests are including:
-
Early Entry
-
full transportation privileges, including Friendship
launches to Epcot and the Studios and bus service to other resort
destinations (provided by WDW)
-
guaranteed park admission (even when the park is "full")
-
package delivery to your room from the parks
-
full priority seating privileges
-
advance tee times
-
the option of purchasing length of stay passes
Downtown Disney Hotels
The "Downtown
Disney Hotels" (the Hilton, Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa,
Grosvenor, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, Courtyard by Marriot, Doubletree
Guest Suites Resort, and the Hotel Royal Plaza) are located between Downtown
Disney and WDW's Northern border.
The Downtown Disney Hotels are owned and operated by other
companies but pay a lease to the Walt Disney World Company. There
are shops and WDW ticket sales in each one that are staffed by Disney
cast members. However, their buses are not run by Disney Transportation,
and so they are treated like the shuttle buses from any other non-Disney
hotel in the area. They stop, for example, at the Ticket and Transportation
Center (TTC) instead of right up at the Magic Kingdom bus depot.
The privileges list for guests staying at Downtown Disney
Hotels is:
-
scheduled transportation to the Disney Theme Parks,
Water Parks and DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island (NOT provided by WDW)
-
guaranteed park admission (even when the park is "full")
-
full priority seating privileges
-
advance tee times
-
no length of stay passes are available, but multi-day
and single-day tickets are for sale in the hotels
-
access to guest services
One reason why the Downtown Disney Hotels are popular is
that you can rent a suite (at the Doubletree, for example) for a lot less
money than Disney's "Home Away From Home" resorts. For larger
families or groups, this can be a major cost savings.
Shades of Green
Shades
of Green is a reincarnation of the old Golf Resort aka the Disney Inn
now leased to the Department of Defense as an Armed Forces Recreation Center.
It is located in between the Magnolia and Palm golf courses, just West of
the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Room rates are based on your military grade, and specially-priced admission
media is available.
Shades of Green guests are treated to:
-
Early Entry
-
full transportation privileges (provided by WDW)
-
guaranteed park admission (even when the park is "full")
-
the option of purchasing Stars and Stripes Length-of-Stay
Passes at very good rates
- Breakfast and dinner buffets each day of your stay at our own Garden
Gallery Restaurant (juice, dessert, and alcoholic beverages not included).
- All gratuities and baggage handling
Shades of Green is a GREAT deal if you're a DOD, Military, or retiree!
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