Cont vs Cabins - for 6*

[greener255]

Tried a few searches to no avail, and the likely answer is probably "depends on your preferences."


Although I have traveled extensively to Disney in the past, our trip next June will be a new experience. My DW and I are early 30's and want to take our 2.9995 year old (she will turn 3 the day we get home from the World) and then 4-5 month old. Additionally, we want to take my parents in their mid-60's. Thus, the requirement of a "5" person room. My DF and DM took us to the campground numerous times growing up, so my DF is particularly set on the cabins. Given this is one of our last chances to stay at a deluxe resort without getting 2 rooms (not an option this trip), I preferred Cont.

Assuming trends in the past, I imagine the seasonal discount of 30% (Cont) vs. 20% (Cabins) will make the 6-night stay comparable (within 10% of total cost).

My question to the experts is whether anyone had similar experiences at the Cont - our almost 3 year old loves the princesses, so I envision 3 days minimum at MK. I also know that we will spend the majority of the afternoons at the resort, wherever that may be. Is 6 really pushing the limits of the deluxe room? To keep costs contained and be close to the pool, I am planning to request a 1st floor garden room as that at least opens to a patio.

I realize we sacrifice a full kitchen, door to a separate bedroom, and +/- 80 SF by choosing Cont. I think the convenience of being a short walk to the Kingdom with easy access to Epcot offsets these inconveniences.

Thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

[AJKMOM]

You can't beat the convenience of walking to the MK from the Contemporary for sure. If it is always going to be the 6 of you, maybe you could ask for a compromise, Contemporary this time, FW next? That's what I would do.

Instead of 2 rooms, you could fit into a family suite, (I think they are at AllStar Music).

 

[greener255]

Thank you AJKMOM,

I should have clarified....we want to stay in the MK general area. We loved the 1 BDR Villa @ Boardwalk last year, and I will consider the AoA suite and All-Star Music suite in the future, but don't to be that far out this time with the little one and the little little one.

Ironically, the 1 BR Villa @ Boardwalk has a lower capacity than a "normal" room at the Boardwalk Inn - since the Inn has 3 sleep surfaces, just an FYI.

So I already ruled out AoA, ASM, OKW Villa, SS Villa, BW, BC, YC, POR (murphy bed room), and GF, leaving only Cont., Poly, and the Cabins as options. The garden wing at the Contemporary is a few hundred dollars cheaper, so we're leaning that direction between the two deluxes.

I agree that you can't beat the convenience!

 

[jimandami]

Thank you AJKMOM,

I should have clarified....we want to stay in the MK general area. We loved the 1 BDR Villa @ Boardwalk last year, and I will consider the AoA suite and All-Star Music suite in the future, but don't to be that far out this time with the little one and the little little one.

Ironically, the 1 BR Villa @ Boardwalk has a lower capacity than a "normal" room at the Boardwalk Inn - since the Inn has 3 sleep surfaces, just an FYI.

So I already ruled out AoA, ASM, OKW Villa, SS Villa, BW, BC, YC, POR (murphy bed room), and GF, leaving only Cont., Poly, and the Cabins as options. The garden wing at the Contemporary is a few hundred dollars cheaper, so we're leaning that direction between the two deluxes.

I agree that you can't beat the convenience!

Have you considered a 1 bedroom at BLT? Granted, 2 people will have to sleep on the pull-out in the living room, but you get a lot more space.

 

[greener255]

Thank you jimandami,

I love BLT but that puts us past the price point for this trip. When compared (again, using some historically offered discounts) to the Cabins, BLT is a 34% increase.

That is why I dropped BLT (and the Tower at Cont, too) from consideration this time.

 

[jimandami]

Thank you jimandami,

I love BLT but that puts us past the price point for this trip. When compared (again, using some historically offered discounts) to the Cabins, BLT is a 34% increase.

That is why I dropped BLT (and the Tower at Cont, too) from consideration this time.

Even if you rent points?

 

[smiths02]

We stayed at AKL with my ILs, me, DH, and my 2.9999999 year old (he turned 3 ON the trip. Many thought we were crazy, but it was a wonderful trip!

I can't really help you decide. That being said, if we went with the ILs and had the 2.9999 year old and the baby, we would want 2 separate rooms, a suite, or a cabin. I know the Contemporary is bigger, but I would need some privacy. I breastfeed. I am comfortable with breastfeeding and I am comfortable with my FIL, but with a 4-5 month old, I want some privacy and quiet to breastfeed sometimes. Also, the it helps if baby has a dedicated quiet place to rest (that the cabins can provide). I know even on our AKL trip, we all felt like we needed to leave the room at times. We were all beholden to the sleep schedule of the 2.99999 year old.

I would get the opinion of your wife and parents and put the most stock in that. You are going with your kids, your wife, and your parents...people you can let it all hang out with. Your wife is going to have a man she is not married to or blood related to in the room.Opposite goes for your dad.

 

[greener255]

Thank you smiths02,

Those are great insights and obviously applicable to our situation.

 

[greener255]

Thanks again, I'm showing that I would need 253 points for those 6 nights, so at $12/point that puts me $980 (about 35%) over the cabins. What we should do is start building our DVC membership, but I'm waiting another year for that move. If I can figure a way to get BLT at a better rate, that would be ideal (obviously). Again, appreciate the consideration as I hadn't really considered renting the points.

 

[jimandami]

Thanks again, I'm showing that I would need 253 points for those 6 nights, so at $12/point that puts me $980 (about 35%) over the cabins. What we should do is start building our DVC membership, but I'm waiting another year for that move. If I can figure a way to get BLT at a better rate, that would be ideal (obviously). Again, appreciate the consideration as I hadn't really considered renting the points.

Totally understand. In that case, I would choose the cabins over a standard room at the CR. I think all 6 of you in one room could get claustrophobic very quickly!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

We just stayed in GW rooms at CR this summer. They were lovely, all redone. I am not sure how 6 people would be (we are 4), but we liked it. Pools were fun and walking to MK was great since the monorail seemed to break down a lot. The only thing is, if you don't get ground floor, you don't get a balcony, which would cut into adult time while kids sleep.

 

[Babsy]

I am a big fan of the CR garden wing rooms, but with the grandparents and children I would opt for the Cabin in Fort wilderness. You get 2 rooms for privacy and lots of sleeping space.

Have you considered 2 connecting rooms in WL? Four beds and 2 bathrooms. 2 separate rooms for privacy. Still in the MK area and at one of the nicest themed properties in WDW (IMO).

We are going this Nov with very much the same configuration - 2 young adults, 2 grandparents, one 3 year old and one 9 month old. We opted for 2 rooms at MK hotel and then move to 2 rooms at Epcot hotel. We requested connecting rooms and are REALLY hoping that we get them. It will make life so much easier for babysitting.

 

[Babsy]

Sorry, I just looked at rates. WL is way higher than I expected and CR GW much more reasonable.

Obviously, the cabin is the way to go IMO. It is a great value!

 

[greener255]

Thanks Babsy,

I think the best option at WL is the club level deluxe room - which again is a bit out of this trip's budget.

With the input we have received and to maximize everyone's "comfort" level, I'm now leaning toward the cabins - I guess dad know's best! That might free up the GP's budget to further spoil the little ones.

Then, in the back of my mind, I can start budgeting for a bounce back trip in the fall with just the 4 of us!

 

[ldo]

cabins--I would want the separate rooms and space and kitchen--nothing like giving a tired child a quick dinner vs. having to get something from a restaurant. I also grew up going to FtW as a kid. They have added a slide to the pool. We usually stay at AKL or OKW (DVC members), but go over to FtW to fish and go to the campfire and Chip and Dale sing-a-long.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

One thing to keep in mind about the cabins is bed configuration. 1 double in the BR, a double murphy bed and a set of bunk beds.

The queen beds alone at CR would be more than enough to make our decision.

 

[jesster]

Our family of five stayed at the Cabins the last time we went, when our youngest was a babykins and it worked great! We had the pack-n-play at the foot of the bunk beds, our older two kiddos slept in the bunks, and DH and I slept on the full. It was cozy, but worked just fine as we don't mind each other too much I also used the Murphy bed at naptime (for some reason my kids won't nap if I'm in the room?) and it was actually very comfortable!

It was nice for DH and I to hang out in the living room area after we put the kids to bed. And from the kid POV... our kids LOVED the Cabins and the Ft Wilderness grounds and pool - especially riding around in the golf cart!! Taking the ferry to the MK was an adventure for them, too. The buses the other resorts ran very efficiently, too. We rode our golf cart to the bus stop, and rarely had to wait long on buses to the other parks or DTD, and we didn't share a bus stop with other resorts which saves a lot of time, too!

Have fun planning!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks again, I'm showing that I would need 253 points for those 6 nights, so at $12/point that puts me $980 (about 35%) over the cabins. What we should do is start building our DVC membership, but I'm waiting another year for that move. If I can figure a way to get BLT at a better rate, that would be ideal (obviously). Again, appreciate the consideration as I hadn't really considered renting the points.

You'd be lucky to get your points for $12 a point. It looks like $14 a point is now the new going rate.

 

[smiths02]

One thing to keep in mind about the cabins is bed configuration. 1 double in the BR, a double murphy bed and a set of bunk beds.

The queen beds alone at CR would be more than enough to make our decision.

See I would rather share a double with my DH then a queen with my DH and a 3 year old!

 

[Happyjen27]

I can't imagine 4 adults and 2 children staying in one hotel room unless it was absolutely an emergency or some other very compelling reason. Money savings to me would not be compelling enough. Are 4 adults really going to be quiet enough to have the kids fall asleep and stay sleeping? Is 1 bathroom enough for 4 grown adults and 1 child?

I would rock the cabins for sure. Otherwise I would either increase my budget to allow for the location I prefer, or change the location so I could get 2 rooms within my budget.