Cheapest way to stay at Contemporary

[Montegut]

We did a big 30th anniversary stay at Contemporary two months ago, Magic Kingdom view, Deluxe Dining, 8 Day Park Hopper.

We would like to go back to Disney again as a family, with our 20 year old son, who loves the monorail, so we would really like to stay at the Contemporary.

However, there's no way we can do a repeat of our anniversary trip, way too expensive.

Is there any way we can stay at the Contemporary without a huge bankroll? Any advice on cheaper room locations, time of year?

We are Triple A members, but didn't get much of a discount for our prime room, but don't know if other rooms have a better discount.

I was thinking of doing a moderate for our family trip, but friend just came back with horror stories of Carribean and doesn't seem to be worth the cheaper price tag for that misery. She lucked out and got moved to the Contemporary without an up charge. (Must be nice!) But we don't have that kind of luck, so wouldn't count on that.

The alternative is to stay at a newer value, maybe the new animation?, but I don't see how we'd fit three pooh size adults in one of those tiny rooms.

I've been wanting to stay at Swan and Dolphin, but Husband says it's non Disney and we won't have the benefits of an on property resort, like EMH and transportation. Is that true?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

 

[Kimberle]

Go during slow season, August, I think the end of Jan/early Feb. You'll have to check their site to be sure. Stay in a standard view room in the wing. Don't forget, you'll have to budget for a 3rd adult in the room. I think the fee for deluxe rooms is $25 per night. Weekdays are also cheaper, Fri/Sat more expensive.

Perhaps you can a split stay with 2-3 nights at CR, and the rest in a Mod or Value.

 

[jo_de_vil]

Have you looked into renting DVC points at BLT? TTFN Jo

 

[TaraPA]

CR is very expensive all around, but by going in low season, staying in the garden wing, and looking for room only discounts, it may be more manageable than your recent trip.

While Swan & Dolphin do not participate with Magical Express to & from the airport, you can use EMH and Disney transporation when staying there. Their location can't be beat for the price.

 

[JZCubed]

Two things.:

1.) Swan & Dolphin have all of the perks of any Disney resort with one exception - you cannot book ADR's 180-days +10, just 180 days. Package delivery & Extra Magic Hours are just like any other Disney property. Maybe the best food at Disney, although, not part of prepaid Disney Dining Plan. My family stays here because we can use/earn 'Starwood' Hotel points.

2.) 'Renting' DVC points can be a less expensive way to stay at any Deluxe Resort such as Bay Lake Tower. I know that I've seen points available for $13 (typical 1-BR Bay Lake Tower w/ 2 baths is over 40 points) - about $500/night.

 

[nkereina]

Value season (September is good time) and garden wing. As others have said, you can also rent DVC points. I'm not crazy about renting points but it can be a big cost savings. You can also keep your eyes peeled for room discounts. Value season usually offers free dining and some kind of room discount. When staying deluxe, the room discount is always better than free dining, even if you are going to pay for the dining plan.

 

[searlproudbottom]

We are a family of four, DVC owners and have stayed in the Bay Lake Tower for the past three years. One of the ways we conserve is utilizing the Kitchen in our room. Breakfast is a snap cereals, muffins, fruit, coffee, and coco. We Keep bottled water in the freezer and pack it with sandwiches and chips for our lunches. I purchased a soft-sided lunch box that has a shoulder strap and is not much bigger that a six pack. When finished we fold it up and stuff in a back pack. For Dinner we treat ourselves to a couple of table service restaurants and a couple of counter service restaurants. we really like Contempo cafe at the Contemporary and Captain Cooks at the Polynesian. Fort Wilderness Campground has the Cheapest buffet on Disney Property. And it is really good to, we all love the food there. We usually head over to the campground when we are at the Magic Kingdom. Its kind of fun to take the boat over. A couple of nights we will head down to the Pool and BBQ some nice Rib-eye Steaks, bake some nice potatoes and broil some french bread o yes and down a couple of brewskis . All while the kids are enjoying the pool. I really have a hard time paying Disneys prices for food when we can eat just as well by preparing it ourselves. I do realize that our program will not agree with everyone out there but it works for us. Also if you are willing to put out the time and effort you can find DVC members who will rent there points for $10 per point. Another way we save some $ is by taking a late Flight from Ca. It puts us into Orlando about 11:30 We get out of our plane and stay right in the airport at the Hyatt Its a really nice hotel and if you have a Cooperate Code you can get it for $125 plus Tax I'm thinking about $140. We get up early and take Magical Express over to the park. Although I have no points to rent at this time I would be more than happy to give some pointers in renting points or checking availability.
Good Luck to you
Searl

 

[spiceycat]

with BLT the off season
Jan 1-31
Sept 1-30
Dec 1-18

for studio - standard 14 (sun-thurs) lake view 17 (sun-thurs)
the studio are very small (even for a DVC studio) - you have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa

for 1-bedroom - standard 26(sun-thurs) lake view 31 (sun-thurs)
king in the master, queen sleeper sofa and chair bed in the livingroom - you do have 2 bathrooms - plus the kitchen, washer/dryer

if you want 2 beds (both queens) to sleep in - then Garden wings room - stayed there before BLT and had no problems with it.

you should be able to find BLT for $14 a point.

so studio $196 to $238
1-bedroom - $364 to $434

the studios are tiny - when the sleeper sofa is being used they are inches (in the others studio's they are feet) from the queen bed. so be sure to put it up during the day.

 

[beccasmom]

The BLT studios are small. We had 2 adults and 2 Tweens for 2 nights; good thing we like each other - most of the time! . They are very nice but just don't work for every group.

The garden wing rooms are a good bet. They are large and very comfortably appointed. Off-season rates are not too bad, but it's definitely one of the most expensive resorts. But worth it, IMHO.