[tonyksl]

We wanted to give the "other" Disney Deluxe resort a shot. DTD Hilton. There were definitely some good things about this resort and some bad. What you are looking for will determine whether or not this is a resort for you.

This resort is listed as a deluxe. I think they name themselves a deluxe. They do have have a Benihana's attached to it, and the menus looked good for the other restaurants. Mind you, I didn't eat here, as my ADR's were in other places.

The rooms are smaller than Disney Deluxe rooms. I knew going in that the beds were doubles and not queens. They do tout that they use excellent linens and I can confirm this. The linens were very nice. Unfortunately, they are on uncomfortable beds. The rooms are on par with a moderate resort, not a deluxe.

This hotel does get you EMH at the parks. This was important to us because we wanted to use them Sunday night, 5/18, at MK.

This hotel does not get you free parking at the parks though. But, all is not lost. Their bus transportation is exceptional. We decided to try it because the parking was not free. They pick up and drop off every 30 minutes. We used them the entire four days and they never missed a time. In fact, there was one instance where we showed up 15 minutes before the next pickup, and another Mears driver took us to the hotel because he had enough time.

That being said, I almost always use my car when I go to Disney because the parking is free. I wouldn't stay at this hotel for the transportation, but, that may be important to some of you.

I am used to paying $150-250 a night at a Disney Deluxe resort during the times that my Florida Resident Seasonal Passholder gets me a discount. It just happens to coincide during the slower times, so the discounts can be fairly good.

The Hilton was $149 a night when I reserved it. I could have gotten BCV or SSR studio for $204 a night, but, I wanted to try something new. When we were within a week of leaving, the Hilton lowered their price for the same room to $119 a night. I rebooked my trip and saved $100.

Those are the facts, here are the opinions:

I see this resort as a moderate, not a deluxe according to Disney standards. If you are someone who is used to staying at a Moderate or a Value resort, you may want to check this place out. If you meet the above criteria and you use the Disney transportation, but, don't like the inconsistencies, I think this really may be the place. The buses only stop at two other resorts which are right next door to the Hilton. The Hilton is the first resort they pickup from and the first resort that is dropped off. One bus goes to MK and AK, a second goes to Epcot and HS and a third goes to the water parks. There is one that runs in the evening for DTD, but, the east side is across the street.

As far as my trip goes, I got what I paid for, so I really can't complain. I am used to spoiling myself and my family when we go and the resort didn't really do that for me. If I had to do it again, I would spend the extra $100 a night and stay at the BCV studio.

But, if I had, those of you who would find this resort just fine wouldn't know about it.