Contemporary - Garden Wing Room vs Bay Lake Tower?

bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
Hi everyone,
We are visiting Disney for the first time in September. Our children will be age 2 and age 5 when we go. We booked a Garden Wing Deluxe Room at the Contemporary but I am now looking at some online reviews that state that it's not the most convenient location and far from the main building. Am I better to switch to Bay Lake Tower (it's about $500 more which I'm ok with) or is the Garden Wing not as bad as I'm reading?

Thanks so much!!
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I've never stayed at BLT, but we have stayed in the garden wing. In fact, our girls were 2 and 5 when we stayed and we thought it was wonderful. We read similar negative reviews about convenience and the long walk; however, we felt none of that when we stayed there. Our room was fairly close to a door leading out to the beach and pool...which also was on a walkway leading almost directly to the tower. Honestly, it was so quick and simple. I guess maybe it feels like a long walk if you're used to staying in the tower; however, after walking the grounds at the Poly and GF...the walk from the garden wing seemed pretty mild compared to the walks from some of the areas of those other monorail resorts. We'd definitely stay there again.
 
zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
We have stayed in both the tower and the South garden wing. When staying in the wing we always ask for a room at the very end facing Bay Lake, it is quieter and the garden wing has great views of the lake and the water pageant. You can walk out a side door and head towards the pool or the lobby of the Contemporary so we don't find it as long a walk as you think. The unoffical guide says it's about a 12 minute walk if you walk the length of the garden wing and out to the lobby. The main advantage to the garden wing is cost as it's cheaper then the tower.
 
bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
Thank you for your replies! 12 minutes isn't that bad of a walk and we like the idea of being close to the pool too! Are the rooms at BLT larger than the Garden Wing rooms? Our 2 year old is an early riser so wondering if we should try something that has a separate sleeping area for him.
 
zurgandfriend

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
The rooms in the garden wing and the tower are about 394 square feet and sleep 5, there should be lots of room for a crib if necessary. The bathrooms have all been updated are very nice as well. I have not stayed in the BLT so I'm not sure of the room size or layout.
 
mebucko

mebucko

Well-Known Member
bethyberry said:
Hi everyone,
We are visiting Disney for the first time in September. Our children will be age 2 and age 5 when we go. We booked a Garden Wing Deluxe Room at the Contemporary but I am now looking at some online reviews that state that it's not the most convenient location and far from the main building. Am I better to switch to Bay Lake Tower (it's about $500 more which I'm ok with) or is the Garden Wing not as bad as I'm reading?

Thanks so much!!
Click to expand...
Hello, and Welcome!
Just a quick clarification - do you mean Bay Lake Tower (DVC) or the Contemporary Tower A-frame building?
In any case, the garden wing is not a long walk to the main Tower building (monorail, Chef Mickey, etc.)
You'll love it!
Enjoy!
Ch-Ears,
Bill
 
MaryJaneP

MaryJaneP

Well-Known Member
Here is my prior post on Garden wing rooms. We love em. Our 3 kids stayed with us (except honeymoon). They prefer the CR over other resorts we stayed at or visited. Sister and her family had BLT room and it was very nice, although I think I would prefer to save the money for other entertainment.

**Stayed in Garden Wing rooms many times. Even disneymooned in old north Garden Wing (now BLT). We didn't ask for any particular room (didn't know any better) but loved all of them. Even if we were way at the end on the second floor. We saw EWP every night, woke up to sunrise. Saw the lake activity, and laundry was not far. Absolutely didn't mind the walk to the tower for food/drinks. Loved the proximity to MK, monorail, pools, and boat docks. Highly recommend. **
 
MissM

MissM

Well-Known Member
I haven't stayed in the Garden Wing rooms but I did stay in a 1-bedroom villa at BLT and it was awesome. Yes, you do have to walk in BLT to get food or the monorail because everything is really based out of the Contemporary. But the 1 bedroom was massive and had two bathrooms, a kitchen, a banquet dining table, a w/d and more. It was overkill for just two people but it was really quite excellent. I have not stayed in a regular room at BLT so I can't comment on the size of those. But a quick google search led me to this: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/bay-lake-tower/guest-room-inventory Gives sizes and room layouts for BLT. Hope that helps!
 
StarWarsGirl

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
BLT Studios tend to be smaller than the regular rooms, but they also have a kitchenette. The garden wing is an older building, so it has low ceilings. For walking to MK, BLT is more convenient since it is closer to the actual park. But the garden wing is fin too. BLT is also nice because it has a breezeway connecting it to the main building, making jumping from the main tower to BLT fairly easy. Also, it's a lovely spot to stand and contemplate life (Who, me?) BLT gets my vote.

Also, BLT DVC member here!:)​
 
bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
mebucko said:
Hello, and Welcome!
Just a quick clarification - do you mean Bay Lake Tower (DVC) or the Contemporary Tower A-frame building?
In any case, the garden wing is not a long walk to the main Tower building (monorail, Chef Mickey, etc.)
You'll love it!
Enjoy!
Ch-Ears,
Bill
Click to expand...
Hi Bill! I meant Bay Lake Tower - is that only for DVC members? It came up as a booking possibility when I did a search on the disney site. Thanks!
 
bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
MissM said:
I haven't stayed in the Garden Wing rooms but I did stay in a 1-bedroom villa at BLT and it was awesome. Yes, you do have to walk in BLT to get food or the monorail because everything is really based out of the Contemporary. But the 1 bedroom was massive and had two bathrooms, a kitchen, a banquet dining table, a w/d and more. It was overkill for just two people but it was really quite excellent. I have not stayed in a regular room at BLT so I can't comment on the size of those. But a quick google search led me to this: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/bay-lake-tower/guest-room-inventory Gives sizes and room layouts for BLT. Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Wow, that room looks AMAZING!!
 
bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
smw said:
as far as the walking part goes, keep in mind most people are just lazy. neither garden view nor blt are any kind of issues to walk. take what you've read with a mound of salt.
Click to expand...
Thank you :) We are a fairly active family and walk often so as long as I have comfy shoes I'm sure we will be fine! We will need to balance out all the restaurant meals with some exercise lol ;)
 
mebucko

mebucko

Well-Known Member
bethyberry said:
Hi Bill! I meant Bay Lake Tower - is that only for DVC members? It came up as a booking possibility when I did a search on the disney site. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi bethyberry,
It is DVC, but you can rent from the owners. I've never done it before, but it is common. I know others here can advise you how to go about it.
Maybe another post for that??
We have been Poly People for years, but decided to head back to the Contemp, where we started.
It is a wonderful place, no matter where you stay!
Good Luck, and if you end up in the Garden Wing, you'll still have a great visit.
Ch-Ears!
Bill
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
If you do decide to go with the garden wing, you may want to consider putting in a room request or two. When we stayed, my #1 request was a ground floor room so that I could have a patio. #2 was a water view, but they didn't have any open on the ground, so they opted to honor my first choice request. A number of people put in requests for a room closer to the tower b/c of all those reviews saying it's a long walk, but again...really don't think it's all that bad.
 
bethyberry

bethyberry

New Member
Original Poster
HouCuseChickie said:
If you do decide to go with the garden wing, you may want to consider putting in a room request or two. When we stayed, my #1 request was a ground floor room so that I could have a patio. #2 was a water view, but they didn't have any open on the ground, so they opted to honor my first choice request. A number of people put in requests for a room closer to the tower b/c of all those reviews saying it's a long walk, but again...really don't think it's all that bad.
Click to expand...
Oh wonderful! Thank you for the advice - especially with the double stroller, I would much rather be on the ground floor too! Thanks so much!
 

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