Do I NEED to go to the Contemporary ?

[aristo_cat]

So I have had a bee in my bonnet about going to the Contemporary for like a year now. Every time I look to see how much it's going to cost, I get freaked out and I don't pull the tigger.

I just really want to stay at the hotel with the monorail going through it! I might do it this September if there's a good deal!

What do you guys think? Is going to the Contempo a "must do" experience? Also, is Garden Wing as good as staying in the Tower itself?

 

[tikiman]

Yeah I actually just checked it out and Deluxe room was $550 while standard was $390. Of course, there's no deals for that part of the year yet so I'll have to wait. I also really want to check out Polynesian. I've bookmarked your page for future reference!

I got that Deluxe room in October for $279 a night with the discount and the Polyensian was $342 for the same time with the same discount.

 

[pixargal]

You may also want to consider renting points to stay at Bay Lake Tower ( which is the DVC resort). You can rent points for around $15 a point. There is a very reputable company which rents points. They basically act as a middle man between DVC owners and people who are interested in renting points for DVC stays. During the month of September, you would need about 55 points for a three night stay. This includes weekends, weekday stays require less points.

 

[rael ramone]

I hear if you stay on a lower tower floor near Chef Mickey's you'll get a free wakeup call every morning at 8am...

Whenever I've done deluxes I've just did 2-3 nights there, just enough to enjoy the novelties of being there, then the rest somewhere cheaper...

 

[Jessica Meier]

I just asked for the lowest price room at the time and that is what I got. I believe that you can book the deluxe garden wing room. There looked like there were suites in that building also because I saw inside a room down from me and it was large also. That deluxe room was much less than a standard room with standard view at the Polynesian.

All I can say is that before I stayed there I never wanted to stay in the garden wing and now with how convenient the location was I would do it again.

We are staying in the deluxe garden wing room in September. We got it mainly because of the convenience factor but upgraded from a standard room b/c of the sitting area. There will be a large group of us and wanted a space that wasn't claustraphobic for when we all gather together.

 

[dolce20]

It doesn't matter what the reviews say good or bad, if you have your heart set on trying the Contemp, you should fulfill your dream. It's a classic and an original. I know the garden wing may have bigger rooms and closer to the pool BUT take it from someone who's been to WDW 35+ times (with plenty of stays at the Contemp), I strongly prefer and almost insist you stay in the main building. The top reason I say that is because of why you mentioned you want to stay at the Contemp -- for the monorail. Why spend the big bucks only to stay at the building next door (with no monorail to speak of going thru it)! Enjoy your stay and good luck!

 

[disneysince71]

I Love the contemporary we even purchased DVC at Bay Lake Tower. We visit it EVERY visit even if we are not staying there. These are some of the things we love about the contemporary!
1) Monorail
2) Watching the Fireworks from the Patio of the Hotel
3) Lake Buena Vista- Boating/View
4) Love to take a boat to Wilderness Lodge/ or Campground for a change of scenery or a great meal.
5) The Fudge in the gift shop
6) The pools
7) Love the way the birds fly over you while you are eating at Chef Mickeys
8) The staff
9) Chef Mickey
10) The 3 min walk to MK
Hope this helps

 

[gardenia]

I had the bug too, but didn't like the cost, so I booked just ONE night at the start of a 4-day trip five years ago. I booked a standard lake view room in the tower. When I checked in, the CM said "Oh, we gave you the best room!". Turns out, I was upgraded to a one-bedroom suite on the top floor, closest to the Magic Kingdom. I can't even tell you how amazing the room and the concierge lounge were. We had THREE balconies, all overlooking the fireworks at MK. We had two cast members show up to do the "turn down" service. We had full access to the concierge lounge that had the most amazing food. I will never forget it!

So get the bug out of your system... just book a night or two. Doesn't have to be a whole trip. Just try it. And who knows... Maybe you'll be pixie dusted too.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

Tower MK view is an absolute must experience in my opinion. Getting up in the middle of the night and opening the curtain and seeing the Castle still lit up is so cool.

 

[rob0519]

So I have had a bee in my bonnet about going to the Contemporary for like a year now. Every time I look to see how much it's going to cost, I get freaked out and I don't pull the tigger.

I just really want to stay at the hotel with the monorail going through it! I might do it this September if there's a good deal!

What do you guys think? Is going to the Contempo a "must do" experience? Also, is Garden Wing as good as staying in the Tower itself?

The CR is an amazing hotel and if you have the means to do it, I think every serious WDW fan should stay there at least once.

Well, we've been fortunate enough to have stayed in the CR many times. We have stayed in the Garden Wing and the Tower on both the Bay Lake and MK view sides.

The Garden Wing, while nice does not give you any feeling of of the Tower building. So if you want to experience the monorail going through the hotel, cross this off the list immediately.

Staying in the Tower puts you smack in the middle of all the sights and sounds that is the CR. If you stay on the Bay Lake side you can come out of your room and watch the monorails run through as these rooms face the monorail station.

However, there is nothing for a Disney fan like waking up in the morning with the Magic Kingdom in full view from your balcony. You can see the Ferries going back and forth from the TTC to the MK, the monorails running in both directions, hear the sounds of the train whistle and yes even the buses sound good. At night you can watch Wishes and then just watch the castle as it changes colors and the park empties.

Do you need to do it, no, but if you want a unique experience and are willing and able to pay for it, I highly recommend a night or two for sure.

 

[s&k'smom]

It's on my bucket list of disney resorts. DH hates heights so the tower is out but we love the garden wing especially when it over looks Bay Lake. It's funny my brother told me that when he was little he always wanted to stay at the CR and once he was able took his family and absolutely loves it.