BW or Contemporary?

[Lord_Vader]

We prefer the BW most of the time, always over the Contemporary Resort because of the fun, live atmosphere especially in the evening. My son is a huge sports fan and can't get enough of the ESPN club, the bakery in the morning is busy (can be very busy) but unless it is raining there is something magical about sitting on the boardwalk while the sun comes up sipping on coffee and simply relaxing in the middle of all the craziness that is about to take place all around. I am an early riser (usually about 5:30 even on the east coast) so getting up and to the bakery when they open is just part of my mornings there.

There are midway games, artists, entertainers and great dining options at night that we always enjoy. You are also within a very short walking distance of the YC/BC resorts with all their options too which is where we tend to pick up QS if it is raining in the morning and there is no seating under the awnings next to Kouzzina.

Hope this helps! We check into DBW on 8/1 for a week this year after staying a week at AKL.

 

[awheartsdw]

I would like to thank each of you for your input, suggestions and help! In the end, we decided to change from BW to the Contemporary. We spoke with our DD (who is 11) and though she was disappointed because she felt that BW was more "kid-friendly", she agreed that we spend the most amount of time at MK and Epcot. But the reality is, no matter where we stay, we're in Disney, our favorite place in the world, so any hotel essentially would be great! Only 79 more days!

 

[Tuvalu]

I do not think you will regret your decision

 

[slappy magoo]

I think I speak for all of us when I say...it was my analysis that helped the most, you're welcome.

 

[awheartsdw]

Further update...tonight after coming home from work, DH was too excited to hold back the news, as he was planning on surprising us, but he upgraded our room at the Contemporary to a Magic Kingdom view room. My 11 year old DD was so excited, and so grateful for being in a position to do this, that she cried. He said he couldn't contain his excitement at the news and was afraid that he was going to spill it to us somehow, so he decided to surprise us. DD and I are overjoyed and super excited! DH hit it out of the park!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

So much of it is personal preference. I adore the Contemporary and find it feels more like Disney to me than any other hotel. Others don't feel/see it and find it to be sterile or like any other non WDW hotel. That being said, I do love most of the common areas at BW b/c of that old Jersey boardwalk feeling. I guess you'll also need to decide what's more convenient for you too...i.e. is walking to Epcot and boat to DHS more convenience for your plans than being able to walk to MK and take the monorail to Epcot.

I find it interesting that the Contemporary is a savings for you since it's usually more. While room discounts haven't hit for my dates, the room I'm currently booked in at the Contemporary for our trip is noticeably more than BW.

 

[GoofGoof]

Easy answer. A week at both

The MK view rooms at CR are fantastic. Nothing beats going to bed at night seeing the castle glowing through your window except maybe watching wishes from your room without having to fight the crowds out. I like the Boardwalk too, but you can stay there next time

 

[aw14]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I am the DH and we are truly very excited. This is our first deluxe and first time on the monorail. Should be a blast!

 

[slappy magoo]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I am the DH and we are truly very excited. This is our first deluxe and first time on the monorail. Should be a blast!

That was a very nice surprise (or not-surprise) you pulled, hope you all have a great time, it certainly sounds you're heading in the right direction.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I hope you enjoy .

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Don't forget with BW you're also a 10-minute walk to DHS (or a boat ride, which takes longer). I've stayed at the Contemporary twice, and it really is awesome walking to MK. I personally like the theming at BW better, and I"m actually staying there for my wedding/honeymoon in July (I've stayed at a bunch of deluxe resorts, including Contemporary and Poly, but I've always wanted to stay at the BW), so I can't offer firsthand accounts of actually staying there, but for me, only having to take a bus to MK and AK (as far as parks go) wins out. That means I don't have to allot an hour (just in case we wait awhile for a bus) to and from each park - glorious!

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

I have stayed multiple times at both resorts and I would say the Boardwalk is the better one to stay at for these reasons. You are within walking distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Plus it's very easy walking around Crescent Lake to visit the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, and Dolphin.

Also with the Monorail problems WDW has been having with it that's one reason I would avoid staying at the Contemporary, along with the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. In December 2009 I was on the Resort Monorail at the TTC and was forced to get off because there was a problem with it. So we were delayed for at least 30 minutes until the Monorail Cast Members decided to send the train into their service station, so it put on hold the whole Resort line. The same thing happened a few days later when I was leaving the Polynesian trying to get back to the Contemporary. Thankfully one of their Cast Members at the Polynesian gave us a Taxi voucher so we could get back.