Contemporary vs. Boardwalk

[Prince Shaun]

Hello everyone!

We're trying to decide if we should stay at the Contemporary or the Boardwalk this summer. We've been to the Boardwalk before, but not the Contemporary. We love both for their respective locations - but what do you like about it? Which one do you prefer and why?

Thanks for your help and perspective!

Shaun

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Yay for an upcoming trip! the choice between two deluxe resorts-what a wonderful decision to have to make.

If I were you, I'd make my decision based on where you feel you will spend the most time. If you're big on MK and I guess also Epcot and maybe eating at those surrounding resorts and being on the monorail line, Contemporary is for you.
If you will spend more time at Epcot and DHS and like to either walk to parks or take the boat and like the relaxed nature of the Boardwalk, Boardwalk Inn is for you. Consider the pools at both resorts too if this matters to you.

It really is a hard chose because both areas are so different, yet so appealing. In summer, I'd chose Contemporary as we are MK people and love the monorail. In the heat, it makes it easy to zip around and explore nearby resorts for meals.

Happy choosing!

 

[bee]

Since you haven't stayed at the Contemporary I would say stay there for a new experience. Unless, of course, you will be spending all your time at Epcot and want to be able to walk there, in which case the Boardwalk would be a better choice.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I would say the Contemporary, as you have never stayed there before. Other things to consider are it’s in the Magic Kingdom resort area, a quick walk to the Magic Kingdom it’s on the monorail so you have the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian and their restaurant close by as well as a quick method of getting to Epcot.

 

[Tinkerkelle]

The Contemporary has great dining and location to MK as well as access to the other monorail resorts as well as Wilderness Lodge by boat. That's why we're staying there this time. Boardwalk is so handy for Epcot and HS and also access to fab dining locations. You can't go wrong with either. You could go with location to your preferred park and dining experiences or try Contemporary as a new resort to explore.

 

[JusticeDisney]

If you are into Disney theming - as it appears so many on this forum are - forget about the Contemporary. Once inside that place, you might as well be in any other hotel anywhere in the world - albeit a very nice one.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Don't forget that with monorail loop resorts, the convenience of getting to the Magic Kingdom also comes with fairly terrible bus service to the other three parks. You're far away and buses are shared.

 

[Hockey89]

Boardwalk for me bc I go to Epcot and MGM the most..... You can take monorail too if you walk got epcot that day, so only a bus to animal kingdom

 

[EvilQueen-T]

I always start by asking myself where we're planning on spending most of our park days. If it's during food and wine for example, we like to stay in the boardwalk/ak area. If it's a mk heavy trip we stay mk or dtd area. It works for us. Of course a great discount or a desire to just try someplace new can throw that method entirely out the window lol.

 

[MaryJaneP]

We have done CR and Beach Club, not Boardwalk. We agree that the resort should be near where you plan on spending most of your trip. Time and again guests complain about the time spent getting to a park. Seems wise to minimize it. BTW, we loved both CR and BC.

 

[Prince Shaun]

Thanks everyone! I think we're going to go with Contemporary. We do love the EPCOT resort area, but we're going to be adventurous this trip and stay somewhere new. I've always wanted to stay at a Monorail Resort! We're also doing new restaurants that we've never been too. Gotta explore the whole World, ya know?

Thanks for the input!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I love the Contemporary. I think the theme matter is a to each his own sort of thing. To me, the Contemporary feels more like Disney than any other resort onsite. The rooms are also a bit bigger than BW's. I know someone noted poor bus service, but these things vary and our bus service experiences have been great at both BW and Contemporary. Enjoy your trip!

 

[aw14]

Don't forget that with monorail loop resorts, the convenience of getting to the Magic Kingdom also comes with fairly terrible bus service to the other three parks. You're far away and buses are shared.

We never had this issue at all. Our stay at CR last summer had very solid bus service to AK and DHS. Never more than a 10-15 minute wait.

 

[aw14]

I love the Contemporary. I think the theme matter is a to each his own sort of thing. To me, the Contemporary feels more like Disney than any other resort onsite. The rooms are also a bit bigger than BW's. I know someone noted poor bus service, but these things vary and our bus service experiences have been great at both BW and Contemporary. Enjoy your trip!

Couldnt agree more. My concern prior to staying at CR was that it was not "Disney Enough". However, after staying there, I realized that it was completely the opposite. Very well themed, and it cant be more Disney than watching wishes from your room

 

[Hockey89]

We never had this issue at all. Our stay at CR last summer had very solid bus service to AK and DHS. Never more than a 10-15 minute wait.

Have to disagree completely.... The bus service is terrible from there..... It's the main reason we always stay near the boardwalk...Walk to two parks...Can take monorail to another...So that leaves only one bus.... Magic kingdom to animal kingdom is far too... Boardwalk a much better central location...

 

[aw14]

Have to disagree completely.... The bus service is terrible from there..... It's the main reason we always stay near the boardwalk...Walk to two parks...Can take monorail to another...So that leaves only one bus.... Magic kingdom to animal kingdom is far too... Boardwalk a much better central location...

Wow, very surprised by this. We had no issues whatsoever. It was very pleasant actually.

In terms of "far", I guess it is subjective. We stayed at AKL in February and it took 12-16 minutes to MK every time. Not bad at all IMO.

Again, obviously, all of these posts are totally subjective. My family is always just thrilled to be at WDW, so at 15 minute bus ride is no big deal for us.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We never had this issue at all. Our stay at CR last summer had very solid bus service to AK and DHS. Never more than a 10-15 minute wait.

Have to disagree completely.... The bus service is terrible from there..... It's the main reason we always stay near the boardwalk...Walk to two parks...Can take monorail to another...So that leaves only one bus.... Magic kingdom to animal kingdom is far too... Boardwalk a much better central location...

I think it's like anything at WDW...experiences vary. We've always had excellent bus service at Contemporary, but I know others have not. On the flipside, we had awful bus service at WL, but I know others who have stayed at WL numerous times without our nightmares.

Personal preferences and tolerances also factor in as far as location is concerned. What's too far for one person is no big deal to another. All in all, sometimes people just have to try things first hand and form their own opinions from direct experiences.

 

[JusticeDisney]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. There is no Disney theming at all with the Contemporary. Once inside, you might has well be in a nice hotel in Atlanta.

 

[aw14]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. There is no Disney theming at all with the Contemporary. Once inside, you might has well be in a nice hotel in Atlanta.

Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. There is Disney everywhere and especially when you see the MK from your room.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. There is Disney everywhere and especially when you see the MK from your room.

Plus, you're not exactly going to see a massive Mary Blair mural anywhere but the Contemporary. Just the mere thought of Mary Blair and I can't help but think 1960s Disney. On top of that, the monorails running through the place and the squeals of character M&G joy erupting from Chef Mickey's just oozes Disney. It is the ONLY WDW resort that isn't trying to be "someplace else." - well, at least out of the deluxe and mods. While I love BW and love the Jersey shore with my grandfather nostalgia evokes... again, Jersey Shore...not Disney. I still love BW, but it still doesn't give me the same intense Disney vibe that I get from the Contemporary.