The advantages offered include frequent shuttles every 30 minutes to the parks from one hour before opening until two hours after closing. The shuttle busses pick up right in front of the hotel and each bus goes to two of the parks. It usually drops off and picks up in the bus parking areas in front of each park, but at Magic Kingdom it does so at the Transportation and Ticket Center. There is also an evening shuttle to Disney Springs. You could also walk over to the DS Disney transportation hub to go to any of the resorts, golf courses, etc.
Recently, the DSRA hotels have access to Extra Magic Hours, as well as select Fastpasses 60 days ahead instead of 30. You can also book Disney Resort tee times, and get park merchandise sent back to the hotel for next day pick up. At least one hotel offers a character breakfast as well. These hotels do not have themes, but all do have their own Disney merchandise store, and sell park tickets. They also offer a coupon book with discounts for Disney Springs shops and restaurants. These seven hotels have packages that could include such things as breakfast each morning, and all have nice pools, plus other activities, spas, etc.
The rooms are usually larger than Value Resorts, with queen or king size beds, at a price that compares well and often better than Disney Moderate or Value Resorts. Usually, the earlier you book, the better the price. You might also benefit from using your points to pay for a room, or at least accumulating some from a chain hotel that you have a rewards card from.
There are also some disadvantages to consider. You cannot get the Disney Dining Plans with these hotels, if you or so inclined, and not the Free Dining Promotion either. But we actually found that by having our breakfasts included, and based on our family's eating habits, we saved hundreds on each of our trips by not getting the dining plan. You don't have the use of the Magic Express service from Orlando International Airport, so if you need transportation via shuttle, rental car, or town car service, you are looking at an extra $100 or so. Also, be aware that a few of the hotels charge a resort fee and / or for parking (although Disney Resorts now charge for parking too).
Our family's personal experience was with the Holiday Inn in the WDW Resort, and it was excellent both times we stayed there. The rooms there are comfortable and some have a view of both Disney Springs and nightly fireworks. In our room, we had two queen beds, an in room safe, and small fridge. The pool is beautiful and has a nice beachfront entry and geysers spraying out for little ones. You can have food or drinks ordered to the pool area. The Palm Breezes restaurant had an excellent breakfast buffet, including Mickey waffles. Every morning there were lots of families eating there, with usually several children wearing princess outfits and/or tiaras or Mickey ears. We didn't feel like we were missing any Disney Magic, even without a theme. On some evenings, the restaurant would show a family movie while you dined, and kids ate free off the kids menu with an adult entrée.
So if your budget, or hotel chain preference, or desire for larger accommodations, plus the wish to be in the Walt Disney World Resort and the magic, all intertwine in your decision making, the DSRA hotels are certainly worthy of consideration.
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