Downtown Disney Hotels
 

Just starting to plan a trip to Florida in early May. Want to go to Disneyland for a few nights. We are in our 40's, no children. Not sure how many nights we will need there. We won't have a car so will need bus transport from the hotel to the parks. Would like to find a hotel in Downtown Disney, preferably room and breakfast included. Nothing too expensive, middle of the road, but comfortable. Any ideas? What are the shopping opportunities around there? Also, is the Fast Pass worth it.

If you are going to Florida, its Disney World. Disneyland is in California.

I think its easier to stay closer to the parks for transportation. The on-property hotels provide better transportation to the parks. There are buses from Downtown Disney but not sure on reliability. Don't know if you can get one with breakfast included.

Fast pass is definitely worth it as you can skip lines.

We stayed at the Hilton across from Downtown Disney several years ago and the price was certainly right - I think only about $85 per night via one of the web sites (forget which one). It did have a shuttle to Disney - but it took about 25 minutes - and was very unreliable - you never knew when it was coming or going in either direction.

If you're not going to rent a car, stay in Disney proper - preferably on the monorail or within walking distance.

The fast pass isn't something you have to buy, it is just a machine at the front of some rides that vastly reduces your wait time and is a wonderful innovation.

There are four parks so you'll want at least four days. In my personal opinion you can combine Animal Kingdom and MGM into the same day. Buses will take you from one to the other.

None of the hotels are in Downtown Disney. There is one next to it, but not in it. Disney transport will take you from your hotel or park to Downtown Disney. For you guys I highly recommend staying at the Boardwalk. Connected to the hotel is Epcot (another park) it also has restaurants, shops, and a dueling piano bar called Jellyrolls that a lot of people don't know about and is fantastic. You won't get your breakfast included with your hotel room. Disney does offer a Disney Dining Plan, but I don't recommend it. The Boardwalk has on the outside boardwalk a little pastry shop that has breakfast sandwiches and other such things as well as other dining options.

As someone mentioned you get the fast pass outside of rides. You stick your ticket in a machine and it gives you a slip of paper with a time frame to come back and cut the lines basically. First thing you do with you get to Epcot is get a fast pass for Soarin. Fast Passes go quickly for that ride.

I have stayed in the hotels by Downtonw Disney and on site. On site is MUCH better. The busses from DD are a pain and you have to wait.
Look into the Swan/Dolphin. They're more adult oriented and offer discounts to teachers, nurses, and government workers. You can walk to Epcot and MGM from that location and the Boardwalk is a three minute walk also.