BWI Garden View or Contemporary Garden Wing Garden View?

[Dug720]

Heading down at the end of August for a trip. So far it's just me - but I've invited my sister to come (she's not sure if she can, and she doesn't care which resort besides teasing me about changing a lot), so there could be two of us.

I'm currently in a BWI Garden View room, but I'm pondering switching to a Contemporary Garden Wing Garden View room. Both would be new experiences. Just unsure.

Some considerations...
* no car - I don't drive, and I doubt my parents would give up a car for a week to let my sister drive down (the nature of her job, she hasn't replaced her former car as it would be sitting 4 months at a time, and her home base on vacations is our parents' house in Tennessee)
* most trip days are starting at Epcot...BUT my focus there is more Future World (whatever they're calling it now) and Cosmic Rewind - so the IG entrance puts me on the opposite side of where most of my interest is (in spite of being adults, drinking around the world doesn't really interest us, especially with August heat) - the other 2 are starting at AK
* not really planning on doing Studios much if at all, there's a chance I'll hop over one evening to hit Tower of Terror, MMRR, and maybe RnRC. I have zero interest in Star Wars and only slightly more than zero in Toy Story (my least favorite of the Pixar movies)
* doing MNSSHP one night
* definitely planning on taking advantage of the 2 nights of Extra Evening Hours - again, the Epcot interests putting me at the other side of the park

Pros for BWI
* the Boardwalk area for walking
* walk to the 2 parks if I decide to hit Studios at all
* easy access to restaurants, etc, at YC/BC

Cons for BWI
* older rooms
* the refillable mug situation seems like a challenge, especially if the bakery is closed for the switch to the deli
* limited counter service, especially since I'm gluten-free
* bus to MK and AK, and reportedly often infiltrated by people from S/D/SR who walk over

Pros for Contemporary
* newly redone
* much easier access to refill a mug
* walk to MK, monorail to Epcot
* easy access to other monorail resorts
* better QS options, especially since I'm gluten-free

Cons for Contemporary
* it would be Garden Wing, not in the Tower, so the walk would be a little longer
* not the biggest Incredibles fan - I don't hate the franchise, it's just never my first thought when pondering a re-watch

I realize it looks like the pro/con list should make it obvious - but I'm struggling to decide. Help!

Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

Heading down at the end of August for a trip. So far it's just me - but I've invited my sister to come (she's not sure if she can, and she doesn't care which resort besides teasing me about changing a lot), so there could be two of us.

I'm currently in a BWI Garden View room, but I'm pondering switching to a Contemporary Garden Wing Garden View room. Both would be new experiences. Just unsure.

Some considerations...
* no car - I don't drive, and I doubt my parents would give up a car for a week to let my sister drive down (the nature of her job, she hasn't replaced her former car as it would be sitting 4 months at a time, and her home base on vacations is our parents' house in Tennessee)
* most trip days are starting at Epcot...BUT my focus there is more Future World (whatever they're calling it now) and Cosmic Rewind - so the IG entrance puts me on the opposite side of where most of my interest is (in spite of being adults, drinking around the world doesn't really interest us, especially with August heat) - the other 2 are starting at AK
* not really planning on doing Studios much if at all, there's a chance I'll hop over one evening to hit Tower of Terror, MMRR, and maybe RnRC. I have zero interest in Star Wars and only slightly more than zero in Toy Story (my least favorite of the Pixar movies)
* doing MNSSHP one night
* definitely planning on taking advantage of the 2 nights of Extra Evening Hours - again, the Epcot interests putting me at the other side of the park

Pros for BWI
* the Boardwalk area for walking
* walk to the 2 parks if I decide to hit Studios at all
* easy access to restaurants, etc, at YC/BC

Cons for BWI
* older rooms
* the refillable mug situation seems like a challenge, especially if the bakery is closed for the switch to the deli
* limited counter service, especially since I'm gluten-free
* bus to MK and AK, and reportedly often infiltrated by people from S/D/SR who walk over

Pros for Contemporary
* newly redone
* much easier access to refill a mug
* walk to MK, monorail to Epcot
* easy access to other monorail resorts
* better QS options, especially since I'm gluten-free

Cons for Contemporary
* it would be Garden Wing, not in the Tower, so the walk would be a little longer
* not the biggest Incredibles fan - I don't hate the franchise, it's just never my first thought when pondering a re-watch

I realize it looks like the pro/con list should make it obvious - but I'm struggling to decide. Help!

Thanks!

I think you already know the answer. The CR GW room is a better fit for your plans this time around. BWI is due for a refurb soon. Save it for your next visit for one of the less alcohol-centric festivals like F&G .

 

[Marthasor]

BWI is my least favorite of the EP resorts, but, in your case, I would still pick it over CR. If you are starting in EP most mornings, walking there from BWI will be far more convenient than taking two monorails over. We've stayed at YC and Swan over the past year and, even with S/D/SR guests walking over, busing was never an issue. We also like the fact that when at AK or MK, we can jump onto any EP resort area bus and get back to our resort rather quickly. In terms of QS, I completely understand. The food situation at BWI is pretty bad, IMHO, but you do have the other restaurants/QS around the Boardwalk. I think the QS at CR is pretty bad as well. I only stay at CR if the price is right and it is a MK heavy trip. I stayed in one of the Incredibles rooms in December and really, really disliked it. I think Disney really missed the mark in the room refurb there - it doesn't fit the general theming of the resort at all.

 

[trishadono]

Heading down at the end of August for a trip. So far it's just me - but I've invited my sister to come (she's not sure if she can, and she doesn't care which resort besides teasing me about changing a lot), so there could be two of us.

I'm currently in a BWI Garden View room, but I'm pondering switching to a Contemporary Garden Wing Garden View room. Both would be new experiences. Just unsure.

Some considerations...
* no car - I don't drive, and I doubt my parents would give up a car for a week to let my sister drive down (the nature of her job, she hasn't replaced her former car as it would be sitting 4 months at a time, and her home base on vacations is our parents' house in Tennessee)
* most trip days are starting at Epcot...BUT my focus there is more Future World (whatever they're calling it now) and Cosmic Rewind - so the IG entrance puts me on the opposite side of where most of my interest is (in spite of being adults, drinking around the world doesn't really interest us, especially with August heat) - the other 2 are starting at AK
* not really planning on doing Studios much if at all, there's a chance I'll hop over one evening to hit Tower of Terror, MMRR, and maybe RnRC. I have zero interest in Star Wars and only slightly more than zero in Toy Story (my least favorite of the Pixar movies)
* doing MNSSHP one night
* definitely planning on taking advantage of the 2 nights of Extra Evening Hours - again, the Epcot interests putting me at the other side of the park

Pros for BWI
* the Boardwalk area for walking
* walk to the 2 parks if I decide to hit Studios at all
* easy access to restaurants, etc, at YC/BC

Cons for BWI
* older rooms
* the refillable mug situation seems like a challenge, especially if the bakery is closed for the switch to the deli
* limited counter service, especially since I'm gluten-free
* bus to MK and AK, and reportedly often infiltrated by people from S/D/SR who walk over

Pros for Contemporary
* newly redone
* much easier access to refill a mug
* walk to MK, monorail to Epcot
* easy access to other monorail resorts
* better QS options, especially since I'm gluten-free

Cons for Contemporary
* it would be Garden Wing, not in the Tower, so the walk would be a little longer
* not the biggest Incredibles fan - I don't hate the franchise, it's just never my first thought when pondering a re-watch

I realize it looks like the pro/con list should make it obvious - but I'm struggling to decide. Help!

Thanks!

I don’t even think I’ve seen incredibles but I enjoyed the room. It’s so fresh and bright ! The bath is so nice too.

I have done bwi/mono area splits. Bwi has a great location for parks but I prefer to be at mono area for the evening, knowing I can watch ewp, fireworks and see the castle just makes me happy.

When leaving Epcot sometimes we just walk to BC and take the bus to MK. We can then mono or walk to CR. It’s not any faster it is just nice to mix it up and visit other lobbies.

For mnsshp, Cr will be a nice benefit. We head over at 4p for bags n pics then you can go back to CR for a break around 6p and cool down or eat if needed. It is so close it’s easy to do. Pace yourself! It’s gonna be hot! Or if it rains, wait it out in your room them head over.

Basically, I vote CR.

 

[Disneylover99]

Contemporary for sure.

Even if you don’t love the Incredibles theme (and I don’t love it either) it still trumps a resort room that’s in need of a refurbishment. Just my opinion.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks all! I decided to go for the change! I'm excited about it!

 

[Boopuff]

I stayed in the CR garden wing, I really liked it. We were lucky with a first floor room and had the patio. We had a really short walk to the pool, and once you figure out short cuts, the walk to your room won't be bad.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Late to reply but I was going to say stick with BWI for an Epcot focused trip. The double monorail to/from CR does get old sometimes, no doubt. Going is always fine, but then coming back when you just want to get there already, it gets old.

I am a CR fan though and while I don’t care for the Incredibles theme itself (very unnecessary, in my opinion) I do really like the renovated rooms. Arguably one of the nicest bathrooms on property at the moment.

 

[Anthony1971]

The Halloween party at MK would make me switch period. The extra magic hours are a plus. Leaving MK late night is an absolute disaster. The monorail will be fine for extra hours from EPCOT but even at normal closing time you would only have to wait for one or two at most to pass at most. The BW area is nice if you are going to HS a lot not really a fan for EPCOT unless you go there later to eat and then walk to the rides. We stayed at BW on our last 2 trips - the first because we have not been in a long time the second because a person traveling with us wanted to stay there. This year it is back to MK area.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Missed the MNSSHP part when reading earlier. I love CR for a trip that includes a MK party. Really can’t beat the flexibility of arrival and departure. Is it earth shattering? No. Is it very convenient? Yes.

 

[Jacq7414]

We had a stay at BC in April and I just love the Epcot area resorts. Like the location is amazing.

I am not a huge fan of the look of the Contemporary and Boardwalk is the next resort I want to go to lol. So I’d say BWI

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

Heading down at the end of August for a trip. So far it's just me - but I've invited my sister to come (she's not sure if she can, and she doesn't care which resort besides teasing me about changing a lot), so there could be two of us.

I'm currently in a BWI Garden View room, but I'm pondering switching to a Contemporary Garden Wing Garden View room. Both would be new experiences. Just unsure.

Some considerations...
* no car - I don't drive, and I doubt my parents would give up a car for a week to let my sister drive down (the nature of her job, she hasn't replaced her former car as it would be sitting 4 months at a time, and her home base on vacations is our parents' house in Tennessee)
* most trip days are starting at Epcot...BUT my focus there is more Future World (whatever they're calling it now) and Cosmic Rewind - so the IG entrance puts me on the opposite side of where most of my interest is (in spite of being adults, drinking around the world doesn't really interest us, especially with August heat) - the other 2 are starting at AK
* not really planning on doing Studios much if at all, there's a chance I'll hop over one evening to hit Tower of Terror, MMRR, and maybe RnRC. I have zero interest in Star Wars and only slightly more than zero in Toy Story (my least favorite of the Pixar movies)
* doing MNSSHP one night
* definitely planning on taking advantage of the 2 nights of Extra Evening Hours - again, the Epcot interests putting me at the other side of the park

Pros for BWI
* the Boardwalk area for walking
* walk to the 2 parks if I decide to hit Studios at all
* easy access to restaurants, etc, at YC/BC

Cons for BWI
* older rooms
* the refillable mug situation seems like a challenge, especially if the bakery is closed for the switch to the deli
* limited counter service, especially since I'm gluten-free
* bus to MK and AK, and reportedly often infiltrated by people from S/D/SR who walk over

Pros for Contemporary
* newly redone
* much easier access to refill a mug
* walk to MK, monorail to Epcot
* easy access to other monorail resorts
* better QS options, especially since I'm gluten-free

Cons for Contemporary
* it would be Garden Wing, not in the Tower, so the walk would be a little longer
* not the biggest Incredibles fan - I don't hate the franchise, it's just never my first thought when pondering a re-watch

I realize it looks like the pro/con list should make it obvious - but I'm struggling to decide. Help!

Thanks!

Here are some more, I am voting for Contemporary because you are staying over for Wed EE and the Halloween party.:

Contemporary Garden Wing Pros: (Stayed 4th of July week 2022) There is nothing better than leaving Halloween Party or extended hours at MK and walking or taking Monorail back to contemp. You may be in your room before you will board the boardwalk bus.
As for the mug station, the Contemp refill mug station is open 24 hours, the boardwalk is the worst mug service on Disney property.
Rooms are bigger in Garden Wing Contemporary than in the tower and also than at Boardwalk. Perhaps the Garden Wing single rooms may be the largest on Disney Property
Contemp has a nice quiet pool that in my book, is nice with palm trees and few or no kids.
If you or you and sis want to monorail hop to bars at Trader Sams or the Grand Floridan Enchanted Rose Lounge, after parks close and not doing extra hours. This may be better than Boardwalk bars because it will most likely be raining a lot in the evening in late august in Florida.
Burgers, fries, sandwich wraps and salads at the Contempo pool but not at Boardwalk (we have kids and usually have lunch at the pool). Boardwalk only has small pool lunch menu.
As for the incredibles, I actually hate the movie but the room was pretty cool. The mattresses were brand new, not sure how long the boardwalk mattresses have been there.


Contemp Cons:
Bus back from AK could be very long and you may have to stop first at Wilderness Lodge, for some reason for us, this always took a long time, the wait, the ride, etc...the bus driver took some weird route back that took 2x as long.
The Hot Tubs have been out of service at the Contemp pool all summer, (July 4th for us and we have friends there now, perhaps they are only out during our stays).
Long monorail ride to MK if you don't walk. I like the ride, I could ride it all day but it does make 3 stops and each stop is about 3-5 minutes.

Boardwalk Pros
If you get in late and are hungry, all is closed but room service, you can walk to the Speedway Gas station and grab a hot dog and a beer/white claw. (I hope this doesn't sound uncouth on your post).
Lots of nightlife but it'll be closed by the time you get back from Extended hours/Halloween party
Easy walk in morning to HS and Epcot, France qs breakfast is great to start the day after Riding Rat

Boardwalk Cons:
There is construction right now on the bakery so it may be a little different. I know it is still open.
Keep in mind that when it rains (Lightning), the boats don't operate and neither does the skyliner. We were never able to get a bus from Boardwalk/Beach/Yacht to HS during lighting storms, although others have.
It will rain everyday in late August for long periods of time, you will be wet and when it rains you will get wet if you leave the resort. You can actually go from the Contemp to the Entrance of Epcot without getting wet.
Pool is not relaxing, the quiet pools do not feel like a resort charging $500 a night.

 

[philharmagic fan]

Given the heat, I don't know if you 'd want to sit on your balcony in August (although it IS nice in the morning or evening), but remember that CR garden wing 2nd and 3rd floor rooms don't have a balcony (first floor rooms have a small patio).