Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>As you can tell Dave is a fan of the Marriott (as am I).<<< I do have a vested interest however. But even if we didn't own one, I do feel it is the only place in the area that feels like a proper resort (maybe along with Davy Crockett Ranch)
Originally Posted By u k fan As you know we stayed at Davy Crockett last June and I was very impressed. The new units look fab. Although we didn't get one of the new all-singing, all-dancing units we were upgraded to a newer 2 bed and thought it was great. The pool was good though not that child friendly and the way they do breakfast is cool. On previous trips you've had the option of eating or collecting your food in the restaurant. Now you collect it from a station on your trail and it's convenient and easy. And generous - some mornings we didn't need to get breakfast as we could eat the previous days leftovers!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Dave, I think we have already talked about the Marriott and you told me that it is open to regular guests as well. Does the hotel operate a shuttle service to the parks? And do regular guests also get an apartment or just a normal room?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Davy Crockett, when it is good, it is great. Wolves, horses, tee pees and a fab pool with waterslide. good choice for a longer stay perhaps (though still plays 2nd fiddle to another multi room resort IMHO). But in all seriousness, what I really love, is there is now choice in the area. For all tastes and budgets. I love Marriott, Lee Mac does not. I think the NBC is terrible, others love it. Compared to 1992, there are so many choices. It is probably why I get so grumpy when Disney get it wrong. they need to work harder (see my last two trip reports at the once great Hotel New York).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Marriott is indeed open to all: https://www.marriott.co.uk/search/findHotels.mi The type of accommocation depends on what you book. The most common accommodation is a 2 bedroom villa that sleeps 6 people (2 in a sofa bed in the living room). There is a three bedroom unit that sleeps 6 in the main villa and 2 more in the lock off studio. Or you can rent a lock off studio that is a glorified hotel room with a fridge and microwave. As much as I love the resort, two things to warn you with. First of all there is no proper restaurant (though plenty in walking distance, at DLP or Val D Europe. Plus with having kids, we sometimes cook and like to go to the on site bakery for fresh bread, croissants and pan au chocolate. The other thing, the shuttle costs a couple of euros and runs a few times a day. The public bus is more frequent, cheaper and less crowded. Having an AP and driving with a family is the cheapest and easiest, but for you and your girlfriend, the bus may be better.
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks a lot for your informations. It's really nice when you can ask someone who has tried and tested nearly everything at or near DLRP.
Originally Posted By u k fan The main thing I don't like about the Marriott is the difficulty in getting around without a car. dagobert, it is open to regular guests though I gather in terms of room allocation they tend to get the raw end of the deal. We were there in off season so the resort was quiet and it didn't affect us, but it can in summer trips I've heard. As far as I know it's all apartments, though some are similar to an average (large) hotel room with the addition of a small kitchen and a sofa bed where you might traditionally find a second double bed. Others are large and multi level with full kitchens, 2.5 bathrooms etc. and are like decent sized houses (by UK standards). I can't comment on the shuttle as we had a car so didn't take much notice!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<First of all there is no proper restaurant (though plenty in walking distance, at DLP or Val D Europe.>>> I certainly don't consider DLP to be within walking distance unless you like a long walk. Disney Village to Explorer's for reference took me about 30 minutes and I'd say the Marriott is further out than that!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<There is a three bedroom unit that sleeps 6 in the main villa and 2 more in the lock off studio.>>> This sounds like what we got, but it actually can sleep 10 with 4 in the studio!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert We always go by car to DLRP, but I don't like to use the car to drive to the resort.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol, yep, sadly between UKFAN and our family, I think we have probably tried everything in the area. As for Marriott, I agree, it depends what you are looking for. My kids love the kids' club and the pool. My wife and I love the peace and quiet, civilised meals, and the gardens (the massages and bar are great too). It is perfect for us to go for a week and maybe pop to the parks for a part of the day and enjoy the resort or countryside for another part of the day and not feel rushed. When DLP was newer for us, or when we were just a couple who spent almost as much time in Billy Bob's as the parks, being on site was more important to us. Now that there are so many buffets, crazy queues in the village, and poor maintenance and service, I cannot wait to leave the Disney mad house for the relaxing time that is MVCI. also, the villa is not much smaller than my house, but with much less junk, so we love that. And having a washing machine in the unit means we can pack light and go home with clean laundry so the post holiday clean up is not too bad! I will confess, as owners we get other little perks like parties, preferred units, and discounts, so that helps the love too. And we know most of the staff who treat us well.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>><<<First of all there is no proper restaurant (though plenty in walking distance, at DLP or Val D Europe.>>> I certainly don't consider DLP to be within walking distance unless you like a long walk. Disney Village to Explorer's for reference took me about 30 minutes and I'd say the Marriott is further out than that!!!<<<<< No, I do not mean walking distance to DLP or Serris, I am talking about walking into Bailly Romainvilliers.
Originally Posted By u k fan Right, I thought you were saying DLP and Val D'Europe were within walking distance. Sorry I read that wrong!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan And yes, between Dave and I have pretty much been everywhere. HNY and Dreamcastle will complete my set!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But I have stayed in many other Ibis and etaps in the UK and France, and they are all pretty similar.
Originally Posted By u k fan I haven't done the Ibis or Etap, but I was just counting the Disney or partner hotels otherwise you'd be listing hotels forever!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But I think Kiz, other than those 2, our families have covered all the accommodation within a 7 mile radius of the parks.
Originally Posted By dagobert We stayed once in an ETAP hotel near DLRP only for one night, but we will not do that ever again. It was one of our worst hotels ever. Even some backpacking hostels were nicer.
