My husband and I are trying to decide where to stay for our upcoming Disney vacation. We have 2 little ones (aged 3 and 2) and want a very Disney experience. We also want to easily get to and from the parks. I do know contemporary is on he monorail and we has the boats. Any thoughts, suggestions?
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Where should we stay? contemporary or wilderness lodge?
- Thread starter Stephenandlinds
- Start date
NYwdwfan
Well-Known Member
I agree with Steve for convenience - however - to play devil's advocate:
Wilderness is convenient to the Magic Kingdom but is also worlds away from it. The boat ride give syou a chance to relax and remove yourself from the stresses of a theme park. Once you arrive at Wilderness Lodge the theming transports you to a national park, worlds away from theme park commotion. The resort is beautiful and highly themed, as opposed to the somewhat sterile environment of the Contemporary. It is also close to $1000 cheaper at WL, depending on the time of year and classification of room.
Wilderness is convenient to the Magic Kingdom but is also worlds away from it. The boat ride give syou a chance to relax and remove yourself from the stresses of a theme park. Once you arrive at Wilderness Lodge the theming transports you to a national park, worlds away from theme park commotion. The resort is beautiful and highly themed, as opposed to the somewhat sterile environment of the Contemporary. It is also close to $1000 cheaper at WL, depending on the time of year and classification of room.
Because we are military, there is a nice discount for us. (Were actually going for my husbands return from deployment). For our 6 night stay, it is a $600 difference between the bunk bed room at WL and theme park view at Contemporary if that helps. I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid, so I have no idea what anything is like.
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
I love both resorts, if I had to choose i would go with the Contemporary, walking distance to MK, monorail through the building and Chef Mickey's.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
At those ages, I'd actually say Wilderness Lodge. The theming is so much more wonderful and it's more of a destination unto itself. At the Contemporary, I find the monorail to and from Epcot to take forever and the walk to MK is a wonderful perk, but lacking it wouldn't be a deal breaker to me (well, it's not a deal breaker--we went to Contemp with our then-7-month olds in August and I am much more excited for Wilderness Lodge in January when they turn 1-year old). I really don't care for the theming at Contemporary and Chef Mickey's is a quick boat ride from Wilderness Lodge (they have direct service b/t the two resorts by boat).
HollyAD
Well-Known Member
Having stayed at both places I have to say WL is my favorite of the two. To me the WL theme is more "Disney." The lodge is beautiful and I feel that the bus service has been better for visiting other parks. We really enjoy the boats as well! The contemporary is fun and an easy visit from WL. Of course they have Chef Mickeys right on location at the Contenporary but the whole environment there is a little boring for kids. This is just my opinion. I love the contemporary too but for kids I love the WL a little more.
Tinkerbell397
Well-Known Member
On our first trip to Disney in 1988, we stayed at the CR. Our children were 3 and 5 at the time. The convenience of the CR with small children should not be minimized. We loved being able hop on the monorail to go to the hotel in the middle of the day for naps and pool time. As far as the theme of the CR and the WL, I am not really sure if it makes a difference to a 2 and 3 year old. I have stayed at both resorts ( the CR being my all time favorite) and I have seen small children mesmerized by both. The WL lobby is quite impressive but walking out of your room (if you stay in the tower) and hearing the monorail and the sounds of Chef Mickey is wonderful. Then being able to ride on that monorail is magical for children.
You can't go wrong with either hotel, but my vote would be the CR. You will get on the monorail at the MK and get off in your "home away from home"....no worry about rain, cool temperatures at night.....you are inside and safe. What month are you planning to go? Have a magical trip!
You can't go wrong with either hotel, but my vote would be the CR. You will get on the monorail at the MK and get off in your "home away from home"....no worry about rain, cool temperatures at night.....you are inside and safe. What month are you planning to go? Have a magical trip!
Glasgow
Well-Known Member
As others have said, the WL theming is wonderful but there is no denying the convenience of the Contemporary. So, cost-wise and general "take me away" theming, wilderness lodge. For convenience and a highly unique experience with the monorail, it's contemporary. Good luck, and thanks for your family's service!
Skibum1970
Well-Known Member
Contemporary to me is Disney. Just from the historical aspect. Plus, the easy walk to the MK is wonderful. I love the Wilderness Lodge and prefer it but Contempo is a little more Disney to me. I loved the monorail and food court/shopping area at the Contemp. Either one is awesome and provides a great vacation resort.
jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
I am leaving on a jet plane tomorrow for 5 days at the WL before we hop over to Boardwalk for Thanksgiving week. This past summer the grandkids and I finally went over to the Wilderness Lodge to "check it out" and my grandkids were totally impressed with the lobby, the pool area and the gift shop at WL. We have never stayed at Contemporary but I think we are going to try it next Easter. However we have visited CR every visit to WDW since we started going and the kids have never been overly impressed with CR except for of course Chef Mickey...
So as far as the themes of both resorts I have to agree WL has real beauty and the grounds are beautiful too. That being said each time I have visited CR I find more and more interesting and novel fixtures in the expansiveness of that place and it has definitely become a resort I really need to stay at in the near future.
If WL is only $600.00 dollars less than CR for the dates you are looking I think I would go with CR, because like others with small children have mentioned it is a very "quick" return to the resort for naps and breaks and such. That does matter with young children. The convenience of the monorail resorts is also nothing to be discounted and if the monorail happens to be broke down if your resort is the CR you can easily walk...
Welcome to wdwmagic !
So as far as the themes of both resorts I have to agree WL has real beauty and the grounds are beautiful too. That being said each time I have visited CR I find more and more interesting and novel fixtures in the expansiveness of that place and it has definitely become a resort I really need to stay at in the near future.
If WL is only $600.00 dollars less than CR for the dates you are looking I think I would go with CR, because like others with small children have mentioned it is a very "quick" return to the resort for naps and breaks and such. That does matter with young children. The convenience of the monorail resorts is also nothing to be discounted and if the monorail happens to be broke down if your resort is the CR you can easily walk...
Welcome to wdwmagic !
DisneyJunkie
Well-Known Member
Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge.....that's definitely a tough one. Both are deluxe resorts and both have a LOT to offer. On one hand, if price IS a definite concern, you might lean more towards the Wilderness Lodge as it can be significantly less expensive than the Contemporary. It is a gorgeous resort, very cozy tucked away in its location. If the Magic Kingdom will be a frequent stop, it's only a brief (and enjoyable) ferry ride away. It also provides a convenient bus stop to head out to the other parks. Its eating places inside the resort are great, especially for the little ones (as is the pool outside). On the other hand, for a real "Disney experience", I'd probably lean more towards the Contemporary (if $$ isn't too big a concern) and go for a tower room facing the Magic Kingdom. Heading there is only a brief walk or quick monorail ride around Seven Seas Lagoon. It too has some very nice eating places and a nice pool for the kids.
I've stayed at Wilderness Lodge 4x now, and still waiting for the opportunity to stay at the Contemporary (though I have visited and checked it out). Personally, I WANT to stay at Contemporary to say I've done it. But I do know Wilderness Lodge really is gorgeous and beautifully themed and great for those with children. And it has the bonus of being a little easier on the old wallet.
I've stayed at Wilderness Lodge 4x now, and still waiting for the opportunity to stay at the Contemporary (though I have visited and checked it out). Personally, I WANT to stay at Contemporary to say I've done it. But I do know Wilderness Lodge really is gorgeous and beautifully themed and great for those with children. And it has the bonus of being a little easier on the old wallet.
Courtneylee212121
Member
Contemporary! You will not regret it!!! My family's all time favorite resort! We have stayed many places but I think the only places we will ever frequent are the contemporary and animal kingdom lodge! Contemporary is amazing! Great atmosphere, chef mickeys, theme park view, beach , boat rides, and an indoor monorail!!!!! Plus so many more hidden treasures!!!
EvilQueen-T
Well-Known Member
Congrats on being back and for having two great places to choose from. For me the deal breaker would be weather or not I was running back to the resort mid day for the kids to nap. If I was and wanted to spend the least amount of time going to/from the resort to do that then the contemporary would edge out. If that's not a concern then I'd consider wl. As others have said the theme really takes you away and the contemporary (aside from the monorail of course) is more in line with most hotel chains (like a hilton) in terms of decor.
Soarin2u
Well-Known Member
I'd personally go for the Wilderness Lodge, very beautiful, extremely well done and two fantastic restaurants, (Whispering Canyon and the Hoop Dee- Doo show) I loved visiting it as a kid (just to look around) and hope to stay there someday. I grew up going to the Coronado Springs,and rode the bus everywhere, which I now associate with the magic of Disney. As a child, around 4 years old, I didn't need naps, when I was up, I was up. But I understand the concerns there may need to have the kids to take naps. Even then I still suggest the Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary seems a bit less kid friendly and more a bit more mature. But it's really to what fits your needs best, if you have the needs for convince, go for Contemporary, if you want to stay at a hotel that will take you somewhere else, then the Wilderness lodge.
MaryJaneP
Well-Known Member
Wilderness Lodge for a "very Disney" experience. Although I really like CR, and Chef Mickey's is very Disney, the vast majority of CR is not very Disney. I also like the walk to MK from CR but you can sort of approximate that and add some memorable transit by combining walking with a short boat ride from CR dock to WL dock. Dock approach to WL is also beautiful and photo-worthy.
RMichael21
Well-Known Member
If you're looking for an easy commute, then I would pick the Contemporary. It's only a quick walk/monorail ride away from MK and it has a shorter bas commute to the other parks then the wilderness lodge. I've never stayed at either, but I walked around both. If you want a more secluded vacation, then go with Wilderness Lodge. It's tucked away in the woods. When I was there I was amazed I was at WDW. But, You should choose. Have fun on your trip! 