Contemporary - worth it?

[sugarbear_1269]

I have booked the CR for my trip 29 March - 4 April. I have a garden wing, garden view room. I know I am paying out the nose like crazy, but being on the monorail seemed like such a great thing. I will be traveling with my 14 year old niece, who has never been before, and I have real issues with crowds. (I've also wanted to stay there since I was a child...now I think I know why Dad didn't pony up... it's so expensive!)

I've been reading reviews on AllEars and it seems like the mousekeeping is the biggest gripe among guests.

Can anyone who has recently stayed at the CR give me their unvarnished truth? I do expect to spend a moderate amount of time in the rooms, since my tried and true routine is to storm the parks early, come back for a swim or a nap, then go out again.

I hope I haven't made the wrong decision.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[disneymyway]

I think everyone should stay that close to the MK at least once. It felt kind of like you were staying in the park!

That said, I hate the new decorating in the lobby and the sinks in the room are just weird and not very practical.

 

[KingStefan]

It's been many a year since I stayed at the Comtemp. So I can't help you with recent info. There was ONLY the tower, for example. I think IIRC I paid $66/night rack rates, and that was a LOT of money back then.

But as disneymyway said, I think everyone should do it once. I say unless it's really hurting you financially, then go for it. It really is beautiful. The rooms are big. You can WALK to the MK! And being at a monorail resort is cool!

Somebody else will have to comment on the convenience of the busses to the AK and DHS. Those parks weren't there when I stayed there. Neither was Epcot, for that matter.

 

[shoppingnut]

Totally agree the sinks are weird and very low (and I'm not a very tall person and I thought they were low), clearly whoever decided on them selected them for form, not function. The CR was fun and you'll enjoy being on the monorail line.

 

[sugarbear_1269]

I will admit that it IS sort of a big hit financially, mostly my own fault (forgot I could book room only, and was waiting for packages to come out, so all the rooms in the price range I was looking at were gone), but the proximity seems like a dream come true.

I definitely expect to spend four out of our seven days in MK and EP, so the buses won't be a huge deal, I don't think.

Correct me, anyone, if I am wrong, but I thought I read that during certain times of the year, you could catch a launch from the CR marina to DHS? Or was that to the Wilderness Lodge?

DisneyMyWay - I have heard that about the sinks. Weird.

 

[disneydiva72]

In my opinion, I would stay at the Polynesian, its WONDERFUL, the pool is AWESOME for kids, the views are incredible, even if you get a garden/parking lot view at the Poly, you get to watch the monorail go by which my kids just LIVE for lol...I could go on and on.....I have never had ANY desire to stay at the Contemporary, it just does nothing for me.


The Poly offers the boat launches and the monorail goes through it also.

 

[sugarbear_1269]

Totally agree the sinks are weird and very low (and I'm a very tall person and I thought they were low), clearly whoever decided on them selected them for form, not function. The CR was fun and you'll enjoy being on the monorail line.

I'm only 5'5, so maybe the sinks won't bother me too much, but I can see how it would be annoying for a taller person.

You did just remind me of something, though. Has anyone experienced the character dining (specifically, breakfast) at Chef Mickey's? Even though DN will be 14, she is jazzed about the characters.

 

[sugarbear_1269]

In my opinion, I would stay at the Polynesian, its WONDERFUL, the pool is AWESOME for kids, the views are incredible, even if you get a garden/parking lot view at the Poly, you get to watch the monorail go by which my kids just LIVE for lol...I could go on and on.....I have never had ANY desire to stay at the Contemporary, it just does nothing for me.


The Poly offers the boat launches and the monorail goes through it also.

I really did wrestle between the Poly and CR -- I did visit Poly last September for the first time to dine there. I think what scared me off was what I had heard about many buildings being a long haul between one another. (I am a person of considerable size, and a lot of walking wasn't and still isn't palatable, but I'm working diligently on that!)

Poly is quite beautiful...but the deciding factor was showing DN pictures of the possible resorts and she saw the CR rooms and went "Wow!" as soon as she saw them. Poly seemed a little dark inside. Is it?

 

[shoppingnut]

I'm only 5'5, so maybe the sinks won't bother me too much, but I can see how it would be annoying for a taller person.

You did just remind me of something, though. Has anyone experienced the character dining (specifically, breakfast) at Chef Mickey's? Even though DN will be 14, she is jazzed about the characters.

I mis-typed and forgot to put in the word "not" a tall person, I'm 5'2. Haven't had breakfast there but have had dinner there many times and love it.

 

[DisneyWood]

Resounding NO

We stayed @ the Contemporary Resort for 10 days in Feb. 2008. As convenient as it is, we learned the hard way that we should have chosen the Poly. We had the MK tower room, and they are quite proud of those rooms.

The reason we stayed there was the proximity to the MK. I don't think that we will ever stay there again, or at least in the near future.

I am not sure as to your cash flow, but I would recommend looking into Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, or even the Cabins @ Fort Wilderness.

You will be happy w/ whatever decision, b/c you will still be in WDW!!!!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

It's worth it, just for the location, and to be on the monorail.

Other than that, other resorts provide better value for money. Or even simply better value itself. Nonetheless, I don't think you need to have any regrets! I'll echo the sentiment that one should've stayed within hearing distance of the Magic Kingdom at least once.

Hope you'll have a fun trip.

 

[disneymyway]

I'm only 5'5, so maybe the sinks won't bother me too much, but I can see how it would be annoying for a taller person.

.

For me it's not the height - it' that it's so flat. It was kind of beautiful but just so impractical.

And not that big of a deal. I loved staying there.

 

[KingStefan]

I will admit that it IS sort of a big hit financially, mostly my own fault (forgot I could book room only, and was waiting for packages to come out, so all the rooms in the price range I was looking at were gone), but the proximity seems like a dream come true.

I definitely expect to spend four out of our seven days in MK and EP, so the buses won't be a huge deal, I don't think.

Correct me, anyone, if I am wrong, but I thought I read that during certain times of the year, you could catch a launch from the CR marina to DHS? Or was that to the Wilderness Lodge?

DisneyMyWay - I have heard that about the sinks. Weird.

I really did wrestle between the Poly and CR -- I did visit Poly last September for the first time to dine there. I think what scared me off was what I had heard about many buildings being a long haul between one another. (I am a person of considerable size, and a lot of walking wasn't and still isn't palatable, but I'm working diligently on that!)

Poly is quite beautiful...but the deciding factor was showing DN pictures of the possible resorts and she saw the CR rooms and went "Wow!" as soon as she saw them. Poly seemed a little dark inside. Is it?

You can't catch the launch from the CR to DHS - that's a totally different water system and it is not connected to Bay Lake. You can go to the WL, though, although I think certain times of year (presumably the busiest) they don't share a boat, and you have to go to the MK to catch the boat to the WL. It's great fun either way, though.

My stay was split between the Poly and the CR, and I liked both resorts equally. I did not find it dark at the Poly - my room was bright and cheery. That was before the refub, though, (maybe several refurbs) but I don't see how that would make a difference.

Especially if you are going 4 out of 7 to MK, then you will love staying at CR!!!

 

[sugarbear_1269]

It's worth it, just for the location, and to be on the monorail.

Other than that, other resorts provide better value for money. Or even simply better value itself. Nonetheless, I don't think you need to have any regrets! I'll echo the sentiment that one should've stayed within hearing distance of the Magic Kingdom at least once.

Hope you'll have a fun trip.

Definitely agree on the value thing. Last September I stayed at POFQ and was absolutely enchanted. If I was going in a less-crowded time, I would 100% go back to POFQ.

And, as I mentioned before, I think my DN and I will be in EP and MK most of the time, and mostly in EP to eat, so the monorail for those jaunts will be indispensable, I think.

I have heard that the FW Cabins may now be considered moderate resorts. I think that might be an option next time.

DisneyWood, I appreciate your opinion. I don't think I am going to change resorts at this point because the monorail is a big thing for me on this particular vacation, but other times I will definitely consider what you have said. AKL and DAK in general, though, don't do much for me, though I do hear excellent things about the AKL.

 

[sugarbear_1269]

You can't catch the launch from the CR to DHS - that's a totally different water system and it is not connected to Bay Lake. You can go to the WL, though, although I think certain times of year (presumably the busiest) they don't share a boat, and you have to go to the MK to catch the boat to the WL. It's great fun either way, though.

My stay was split between the Poly and the CR, and I liked both resorts equally. I did not find it dark at the Poly - my room was bright and cheery. That was before the refub, though, (maybe several refurbs) but I don't see how that would make a difference.

Especially if you are going 4 out of 7 to MK, then you will love staying at CR!!!

Thanks for the boat info. I do love the boats as opposed to the buses, when possible. I mean, really, when do you get to go anywhere by boat? We are going to book at meal at Whispering Canyon, because I am dying to get a glimpse of WL.

I tend to like a more brightly-lit room, so that was why I asked. Some photos of the current room config seemed to show low lighting, but maybe it was the photos themselves.

 

[KingStefan]

Definitely agree on the value thing. Last September I stayed at POFQ and was absolutely enchanted. If I was going in a less-crowded time, I would 100% go back to POFQ.

And, as I mentioned before, I think my DN and I will be in EP and MK most of the time, and mostly in EP to eat, so the monorail for those jaunts will be indispensable, I think.

I have heard that the FW Cabins may now be considered moderate resorts. I think that might be an option next time.

DisneyWood, I appreciate your opinion. I don't think I am going to change resorts at this point because the monorail is a big thing for me on this particular vacation, but other times I will definitely consider what you have said. AKL and DAK in general, though, don't do much for me, though I do hear excellent things about the AKL.

FW Cabins are going to be grouped with the mods, but I don't think the price will go down. I think they just wanted to include some larger rooms with the mods, since they really don't have any right now.

I love POFQ too! And it's a good value. But you gotta stay at a monorail resort at least once!

Have a magical trip!!!

 

[cymbaldiva]

The Contemporary is my dream resort - I've wanted to stay there for as long as I can remember ... <sigh>

 

[sring]

I have booked the CR for my trip 29 March - 4 April. I have a garden wing, garden view room. I know I am paying out the nose like crazy, but being on the monorail seemed like such a great thing. I will be traveling with my 14 year old niece, who has never been before, and I have real issues with crowds. (I've also wanted to stay there since I was a child...now I think I know why Dad didn't pony up... it's so expensive!)

I've been reading reviews on AllEars and it seems like the mousekeeping is the biggest gripe among guests.

Can anyone who has recently stayed at the CR give me their unvarnished truth? I do expect to spend a moderate amount of time in the rooms, since my tried and true routine is to storm the parks early, come back for a swim or a nap, then go out again.

I hope I haven't made the wrong decision.

Thanks for any and all help.

You already have a few replies, but I'll throw my two cents in too. My favorite resort is the Poly, but I'm a bit biased because I spent my honeymoon there. I also like the CR as a slightly less expensive alternative and my kids love the monorail going thorugh. When we went, we would request the North Garden Wing (which I understand has now been turned into Vacation Club accomodations) as it was the closest walk to MK.

Besides being on the monorail line, I also liked being able to walk to MK especially in the morning rush and more importantly after the fireworks at night when the monorail and boats were jamed. (Although after a few days in the park, foot amputation and ECVs start looking good too).

As for Chef Mickey's that's a must do for my family.

 

[sugarbear_1269]

You already have a few replies, but I'll throw my two cents in too. My favorite resort is the Poly, but I'm a bit biased because I spent my honeymoon there. I also like the CR as a slightly less expensive alternative and my kids love the monorail going thorugh. When we went, we would request the North Garden Wing (which I understand has now been turned into Vacation Club accomodations) as it was the closest walk to MK.

Besides being on the monorail line, I also liked being able to walk to MK especially in the morning rush and more importantly after the fireworks at night when the monorail and boats were jamed. (Although after a few days in the park, foot amputation and ECVs start looking good too).

As for Chef Mickey's that's a must do for my family.

Honestly, I welcome as much information as I can get. That is the type of planner I am. So thank you for your two cents.

There really is something to that Every Person Comes Out Tired thing, isn't there? I sprained my ankle in September while home for a nine day trip. I was offered a scooter but I declined it, because being overweight and out of shape is my own fault, and despite the injury, I know there had to be people who needed it much more than me.

I was told not to be proud about it, but the idea of it bothered me a lot so I suffered through it on foot. And yes, I wanted to amputate that foot from the ankle down. I had horrible blisters which left scars. You'd think I'd never walked WDW before.

 

[eroyee]

Wait till you see WL. You will wish you had stayed there! You will enjoy the monorail resort, though. dont forget to ask for ketchup at the whispering canyon........