Boardwalk Inn vs Contemporary Garden Wing

[need2travel]

Hi All,
My husband & I will be heading to Disney World in April (so happy!!!) and are trying to decide between the Boardwalk Inn (standard room) and the Contemporary (garden wing-standard room).

We have stayed at the BWI before and LOVE it but thought a change might be nice this time and really like the look of the rooms and the pool at the CR. So, while I realize that everyone's opinions are different-what are your pros and cons of each one? I know they are apples and oranges but go ahead and let me have it, those of you who have stayed at the CR what did you like/dislike? Those of you at the BWI-what did you like/dislike?

Please don't throw other resorts into the mix-these are the two we are interested in. Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[tinkermommyof3]

We have stayed at both, BWI and CR.

BWI - Pros: Beautiful classy resort. Lovely, large rooms with a balcony. Close to Epcot and DHS. Cons: Have to go outside resort to get to any Counter Service or Table Service Restaurants.

CR - Pros: Walk to MK. Very large rooms. Easy access to Monorail. Easy access to Table Service and Counter Service. Cons: Garden Wing no balcony. Not as "pretty" as BWI (subjective, I guess).

Bottom line is it just depends on what area you prefer to be closest to MK or Epcot/DHS.

 

[kate2961]

I agree with all of the above. I think it would depend on which park I wanted to be closest to.

If I were going during Flower & Garden I would want to be within walking distance of Epcot. So I would pick BWI for April.

Another pro for BWI is that there are just more food choices within walking distance (E, BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin, BW, HS).

But I love both and either would make a great vacation.

Good luck!
Kate

 

[davedmaine]

We've stayed at both CR and BW several times and always enjoy BW more. Being able to walk to 2 parks is great and the nighttime entertainment on the boardwalk is a lot of fun. The water slide at BW is the best on Disney (and yes, I'm including the overrated slide at SAB)
Nothing wrong with CR and we've always had a good time there, but we prefer BW more.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I like them both. Which parks will you spend more time at? MK/EPCOT? or EPCOT/DHS?

For us, being able to walk to EPCOT and DHS is a major plus. Plus, we seem to do a ton of dinner dining in EPCOT so being able to walk back to the resort after (without waiting for a bus or monorail) is great.

However, staying at CR makes it VERY easy if you plan on eating at some Disney resorts for a meal and don't have a car. You simply walk to MK and hop on the correct resort bus.

As for pools, they are about even. (But we are biased against all vs SAB )

Room decor= quite different, but both are attractive (to us, at least). I believe CR just went through a soft good refurb (new linens, carpet etc).

Possible room discount- better chance at BWI than CR (although it depends on when in April you are going since I think Easter is late next year and that will affect discounts period)

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[need2travel]

We'll be going Easter week, staying 8 nights (the longest ever, we've always stayed 6) so we thought some real resort time would be great, with a really good pool and come on-aren't most of us a little scared of the clown face at the BWI's pool? We like the BWI's quiet pool but it's not "wow" but we love being so close to Epcot. The CR's pool looks awesome and we would do some monorail dining, especially with the new Cali Grill. Ugh, it's going to be such a tough (but fun!) decision......

Any more opinions out there?

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

We'll be going Easter week, staying 8 nights (the longest ever, we've always stayed 6) so we thought some real resort time would be great, with a really good pool and come on-aren't most of us a little scared of the clown face at the BWI's pool? We like the BWI's quiet pool but it's not "wow" but we love being so close to Epcot. The CR's pool looks awesome and we would do some monorail dining, especially with the new Cali Grill. Ugh, it's going to be such a tough (but fun!) decision......

Any more opinions out there?

Because you asked, if you have stayed at the Boardwalk, you know how convenient it is to EPCOT and DHS. Personally, as much as I want to try to branch out and stay at some places I've never been (Contemporary, Polynesian mainly), I'd have a very difficult time not staying in the Boardwalk area. For me though it's about the convenience, and the atmosphere. I love being able to walk to 2 of the 4 parks. Any less time I have to spend on a bus is a win for me. And there are just so many awesome landmarks in the EPCOT area. You can see the ball, some of the countries' decor and buildings, the Y/B, S/D, the Boardwalk itself. Plus Fantasia Gardens being walking distance...just seems to be the place to be!

 

[need2travel]

I think it'll probably be the BWI unless there is a huge price difference with CR coming out a lot cheaper when the 2014 rates come out. (Anyone know historically if the CR runs less Easter week than the BWI or about the same?)

We love the Boardwalk atmosphere & I think we'd miss it if we weren't there, I miss it already just reading all the posts from you guys!!

 

[tinkermommyof3]

I think it'll probably be the BWI unless there is a huge price difference with CR coming out a lot cheaper when the 2014 rates come out. (Anyone know historically if the CR runs less Easter week than the BWI or about the same?)

We love the Boardwalk atmosphere & I think we'd miss it if we weren't there, I miss it already just reading all the posts from you guys!!

According to Mousemisers, BWI was 30% off, CR was 20% for Spring 2013, i.e. February 18 - June 14, 2013. There were some blackout dates. May have been Easter. Here is the link:

http://www.mousemisers.com/2013/2013-disney-world-spring-savings/