Please tell me what you think

[ndgqccmiller]

We had booked POR for May 25-June 1. When they came out with the 7 for 4 my knee jerk reaction was to book a Deluxe bc I felt like this would be a chance for us to stay at the Contemporary so I changed my ressie. It ended up being about the same as the moderate before the deal. Now I am wondering if the no view regular room at the contemporary is really worth the savings I would have if I kept the POR(right at 500.00). They both have pluses, but I have never stayed at either. I mean if I had a tower room with a MK view it would be another story. I need everyones opinion on what you would do. Here are my pros and cons list so far.

Contemporary Pros
Looks like more comfortable beds and more room (there are 5 of us)
monorail access
Chef Mickeys (one of our favorites) is close
Just a few mins from MK and Epcot
rooms are newly remodeled

Cons
Cost more
no view
construction
a walk up to the main building food center, shop etc

POR pros
less money
carriage ride
boat ride to downtown disney
water view and hopefully closer to main building

Cons
heard bad things about buses
size

Don't get me wrong it's Disney my family will have fun no matter what. But I just want a to stay where my kids will feel the Disney magic. We seriously loved POP last time it was great. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[GatorLady]

The location factor IMO is the biggest difference. To me this is like any kind of upgrade issue. Is the price difference worth it to you? That I can't answer.

But as far as some of the pros/cons you listed...

There are some rooms at the CR Garden Wing that do have a water view.

I have stayed at Riverside but not FQ, but I would assume you might have the same type of walk to the main building depending on where they put you.

Since you are going in May I would think most construction issues would be pretty much done by then. I haven't been reading about any issues with the new tower being a problem, just the current interior construction. Which again should be completed.

As you can see by my signature we are staying at the Contemporary next year. This was our original choice before the 4/3 deal. We thought about upgrading to the tower, even club level at AK, but decided against it. We are not in the room much and would rather use the savings by not upgrading to do Pirate/Princess Party and other extras like that.

 

[Belinderella]

I had booked CR Garden Wing before the 4/3 then upgraded to GF and DH is upset because he wants the advantage of walking to MK. We walked last March after our Chef Mickey b-fast and he thought that was the best. We picked the Wing because of the reviews of the noise in the tower and the walk to the tower is only a few miniutes. DH wants me to cancel the GF and get the wing back.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

Thanks. I appreciate any input!

 

[michelle1]

I have stayed at POR twice and loved it but we are one of those families that have a hard time justifying the cost of a deluxe. That being said, between this deal that has come up and the 40% pin code I received our next trip will probably be a deluxe because of the savings. For almost the same price I would choose CR!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I would go with the Contemporary. Monorail definitely makes it worth it, you'll have easy access to 2 parks and you can explore Poly/GF.

The gorgeous rooms are just another benefit, and you'll appreciate the extra space.

 

[GatorLady]

I had booked CR Garden Wing before the 4/3 then upgraded to GF and DH is upset because he wants the advantage of walking to MK. We walked last March after our Chef Mickey b-fast and he thought that was the best. We picked the Wing because of the reviews of the noise in the tower and the walk to the tower is only a few miniutes. DH wants me to cancel the GF and get the wing back.

You might not want to wait. We are not going at the same time, but for June the wings are already showing sold out for the 4/3 deal!!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I would go for CR - you can walk into MK - what a bonus!!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

We stayed at both the CR and POR in August. If the price is the same, I would go with the CR. Can't beat that location for MK. Walking from your room to the monorail is awesome. And when the day is done, you're "home" in just minutes!!

 

[ndgqccmiller]

We stayed at both the CR and POR in August. If the price is the same, I would go with the CR. Can't beat that location for MK. Walking from your room to the monorail is awesome. And when the day is done, you're "home" in just minutes!!

You know I need to add that to my pros list bc it will not be a 30 min bus ride from MK or Epcot. Does anyone know how long the bus is from AK and Hollywood studios. Please keep the advice coming!

 

[wdw1972]

I cannot even imagine cramming 5 people into a little POR room!

The contemporary rooms will be so much larger, and there will be real bedding and a bigger bathroom. If you can't swing 2 connecting POR rooms then I'd go with the Contemporary. The Contemporary Tower rooms would be best, but the inside of all the rooms are the same....you just don't have a balcony outside of the tower.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

I cannot even imagine cramming 5 people into a little POR room!

The contemporary rooms will be so much larger, and there will be real bedding and a bigger bathroom. If you can't swing 2 connecting POR rooms then I'd go with the Contemporary. The Contemporary Tower rooms would be best, but the inside of all the rooms are the same....you just don't have a balcony outside of the tower.

Larger is better plus I hate when hotel bedding is that thin rough stuff. We travel a lot and I always have to bring a ton of our blankets and quilts from home. Even when we stayed at POP we stripped the beds once we got there and used our blankets. Not bringing our blankets will save a ton of room on the trip down. The bedding at the Comtemporary looks like the bedding at the Westin nicier quailty. I wish I could get DH to get a tower room. But with the economy like it is I'm glad he is still onboard for this trip.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I have never stayed at POR but we have stayed at CR in the south wing. We thought it was very nice. The walk to grab a bite to eat in the tower or catch the monorail is very enjoyable and we didn't consider it a minus but rather a plus. I liked NOT being in the tower because the room was very quiet and we had a nice view of the waterway. It was just a few steps to the pool and much more comfortable returning to a wing room in a wet bathing suit not having to go into the tower and elevator all drippy

The beds are so comfortable and they are queen size vs the POR's full size.

The monorail access and being able to walk home from MK after the fireworks at night is awesome. There are beautiful topiaries along the route that keep you interested and make the walk time fly by.

The kids had a great time playing in the sand on the beach and you can watch the EWP and MK fireworks from the CR as well.

The pool is...ok. Nothing spectacular but my kids loved it. We actually prefer the CR waterslide over our favorite hotel(Poly) slide. My DH and I were on that slide ALOT! My kids were too little (and too scared) to go on it but they enjoyed watching us go down and then splash

 

[ndgqccmiller]

I have never stayed at POR but we have stayed at CR in the south wing. We thought it was very nice. The walk to grab a bite to eat in the tower or catch the monorail is very enjoyable and we didn't consider it a minus but rather a plus. I liked NOT being in the tower because the room was very quiet and we had a nice view of the waterway. It was just a few steps to the pool and much more comfortable returning to a wing room in a wet bathing suit not having to go into the tower and elevator all drippy

The beds are so comfortable and they are queen size vs the POR's full size.

The monorail access and being able to walk home from MK after the fireworks at night is awesome. There are beautiful topiaries along the route that keep you interested and make the walk time fly by.

The kids had a great time playing in the sand on the beach and you can watch the EWP and MK fireworks from the CR as well.

The pool is...ok. Nothing spectacular but my kids loved it. We actually prefer the CR waterslide over our favorite hotel(Poly) slide. My DH and I were on that slide ALOT! My kids were too little (and too scared) to go on it but they enjoyed watching us go down and then splash

That's a great point about the pool.

 

[mmmears]

Based on the upgraded location, transportation, and room & bed size, I would recommend you stay at the CR. I think you'll be happier with the extra space & the walk or monorail to the MK.

At either resort, you'll have a walk to the lobby anyway.

And if you walk to the MK, you dont even need to go to the lobby to get there.

And 2 queen beds & a daybed are much better than 2 doubles and a trundle for 5 people IMO. There'll be plenty of room to move around the room this way, plus a more private bathroom.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

Thanks for all the great input!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary and next May all the construction happening inside the Tower and by the pool will be 100% finished. The only thing still going on is the Bay Lake Tower construction, however that will have no effect on your stay.

 

[Lisacope]

Dont wait if you are thinking about doing this! I called on the day the 4/3 deal was announced to see if I could apply it to our 2/13-2/20 stay at CR and the resort was sold out for the deal on our dates - I think it was probably less than 3 hours after it could be booked.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

Thanks everyone. I hate making decisions like this. I love planning vactions for my family and Disney is my favorite but I just hate when there is more then one good option.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I have stayed at the Contemporary and at POFQ (but not Riverside). Although we did walk up to Riverside and use the pool.

I have to say I thought PO felt more "Disney". The Contemporary felt very grown up and kind of sterile. As far as family vacation goes, I would take Port Orleans over the Contemporary. The room at the Contemporary was incredibly noisy, and we actually moved from the Tower room (bay view) to the Garden wing.

Having the MK within walking distance is a huge plus on the Contemporary side.

My family's opinion is the POR pool is better than the Contemporary pool.

So if it were me, I'd take POR over the Contemporary, and use the $500 for something else on my vacation. I might even use that $500 to help pay for a car rental, and then I wouldn't have to worry about the buses at all. I could go wherever I wanted.