Contemp Garden Wing Vs. Boardwalk?

[harbin]

Sooo

In my constant obsession with resorts I am once again contemplating switching resorts. Currently booked at BWI over Spring Break. Booked it because I like the activity of BWI, being able to walk to Epcot and DHS, and the pool. But was pricing various resorts tonight because it's become my favorite pastime Can book Contemporary Garden Wing, Garden View for $100 LESS than BWI. Now I don't really care that much about $100 in the grand scheme of things, but every bit helps. What I am more interested in... we would be staying at a monorail resort! Park plans are 1 day AK, 1 day DHS, rest of time MK, Epcot, and lounging around resort, total of 8 days. What would you do here? Switch to Contemporary? Or stay put at BWI. We have two adults and two kids, (age 7 & 3).

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would switch to the Contemporary. I love love love the Epcot resorts, but I love the monorail resorts just a teeny bit more. Good luck picking!

 

[MyOtherSS]

Our last stay was at the CR Garden Wing and although it was very nice, I'm not sure we would stay there again. We felt like it was lacking that Disney touch you find at places like the Poly and AKL. I will say that it is extremely convenient to be on the monorail loop and being able to walk to MK. I haven't stay at BWI but it's on my list because of the location, a lot more going on right outside. I think that walking distance to two parks is awesome plus if you have the park hopper you could always walk through Epcot to the monorail and head to MK!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Actually..on second thought, if it was me, I would do a split stay between BWI/CR. 8 days is long enough to make it worth it IMO.

 

[trishadono]

With kids that size the ability to walk to MK is very convenient. You will be able to go back for a rest quickly.You can stay and watch fireworks or parades and not worry about long lines home. Even better watch fireworks from your hotel.

I love the water pageant and the GW has great views of that. Also boating over to WL is fun too. Ds loves to explore the first 3 levels of the lobby there. There are fireplaces and cases with rocks scattered up there boys love rocks you know

There just is so much more for kids that age to do at MK that you will find being that close is great. We often split up at night or nap time. One parent takes younger home earlier for nap/bed and the other stays for a few more rides with older child. It is nice to have some alone time too. Not all the time has to be together.

Mine are 18 and 16 and my memories are equally great of time together and the times I had alone with the kids too.

Ds loved a quick night swim before bed. Dd loved a last roller coaster ride and shopping.

BWI I would pick if you really had your heart set on a balcony.

I just don't see kids 3 and 7 loving HS and Epcot. There just isn't that many rides for little ones there.

 

[TJA]

We've stayed at both. CR is a great choice given the transportation/walking path to MK, but if you're looking for a whole "resort" experience, you will probably enjoy BWI a bit more. You mentioned lounging at the resort -- the entire boardwalk area is gorgeous with plenty to do and see. It was/and still is a favorite area for our family to stay, and we've been going to Disney since my twins were 7 months old. We do prefer BC over BWI, but it's still the same Epcot resort area and it's the atmosphere that makes it such a great area to stay (imo). Not taking anything away from CR because we love it there too, but just trying to give an opinion based on your needs. Once, we stayed for 3 nights in the CR wing so that we could utilize the walking path to MK, then we switched for our remaining 6 nights to BC so we could utilize walking paths to both Epcot and HS. That's a way to get the best of both worlds.

 

[Babsy]

I would switch or do a split stay. With the age of your kids, the CR convenience is perfect. The walk to MK is awesome. We are planning a trip this Nov and are planning a stay in CR for that very reason. (We are then splitting our stay with the YC for a bit of time convenient to Epcot and DHS - best of all worlds!) With young children, you spend an awful lot of time in the MK. Being able to walk to MK in 10 mins means you can be at the park by close to the time some people at BWI are just getting to/waiting at their bus stop! Epcot is great too, but a little more suited to older kids and adults. It just seems that young children gravitate to the MK most of the time and, as a result, so do their parents.LOL

The CR is one of the 2 original WDW resorts. IMO, you don't get any more authentic Disney than that!! I understand that the 'theming' is less overwhelming at the CR for some people, but the rooms are large and very comfortable. If you look at the hotel with an eye to the futuristic atmosphere that Walt was going for in the early 70's then you can appreciate the grandeur and WoW! factor that he had in mind. In a way, I see the CR as perhaps the MOST Disney themed resort of them all!

Finally, the value of the CR GW rooms is amazing for a monorail hotel.

Either way, both are awesome resorts! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Lisann]

I think I would go with CR. My sisters and I were surprisingly impressed with the garden wing, and ended up loving it's location. And it seemed a little more quiet at night, which was nice. A little too much chaos going on in the Tower.

I've stayed at BWI, but in this case, with your young children, I would stay closer to the MK.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

My niece and I stayed at GF a year ago, and she loved being able to take the monorail to the TTC and then getting on the EPCOT monorail and heading to either EPCOT or DHS -- the ride is pretty quick, about 8 minutes. Of course, it depends on if you get off the CR monorail and there is an EPCOT monorail arriving shortly thereafter. But, we found it more convenient. The only time we took a bus was to go to the AK and I think we spent more time in EPCOT and DHS than anywhere else.

Tom

 

[harbin]

Sooo after reading all of the responses, I am thinking Spilt Stay!! It works out perfectly with our touring plan. The crowd calendar is only posted for the first part of our trip so far, but will arrive and be at BWI for 4 nights, and then Contemporary for the last 5. I am sooooo excited!! Now I need to research everything about split stays since I know nothing about them really. Will wait to change our reservation until Spring discounts come out, but for now this is my plan and I couldn't be happier. Thanks so much for all the advice!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Sooo after reading all of the responses, I am thinking Spilt Stay!! It works out perfectly with our touring plan. The crowd calendar is only posted for the first part of our trip so far, but will arrive and be at BWI for 4 nights, and then Contemporary for the last 5. I am sooooo excited!! Now I need to research everything about split stays since I know nothing about them really. Will wait to change our reservation until Spring discounts come out, but for now this is my plan and I couldn't be happier. Thanks so much for all the advice!

I love a good split stay, and THIS is a good split stay!!!!

 

[Robbi]

The only way I'd choose CR over BWI is if we were staying in the Tower. Then again, I'd still probably choose BWI. We love walking to Epcot in the evenings for dinner.

 

[kappyfamily]

Split stays are fantastic! Nice choice!

 

[Masonmj84]

Sooo after reading all of the responses, I am thinking Spilt Stay!! It works out perfectly with our touring plan. The crowd calendar is only posted for the first part of our trip so far, but will arrive and be at BWI for 4 nights, and then Contemporary for the last 5. I am sooooo excited!! Now I need to research everything about split stays since I know nothing about them really. Will wait to change our reservation until Spring discounts come out, but for now this is my plan and I couldn't be happier. Thanks so much for all the advice!

This thread has convinced me to do the same thing!

Our original plans included the Poly but decided to cancel due to the potential construction issues.

Now, we've got 6 nights at CR followed by 6 nights at BWI.

The great thing about this split is that it enables you to walk to the parks almost every day. And being able to walk straight back to the resort will be especially nice after Wishes and Illuminations. Plus, it opens up a ton of convenient to reach restaurants.

 

[Robbi]

Split stays are so much fun! You all will have a blast. This is a great way to try the different WDW resorts.

 

[Babsy]

Split stays are the best!!! You let Bell services know that you are moving, give them your bags and go about your day in the parks. Mid afternoon or when you are finished touring you go back to your next resort, pick up your keys at the checkin counter and go to your new room. Let bell services know where you are and they bring your bags to you. It is so easy and almost like a second holiday as you check out the new resort and the advantages of staying in a new area!!!

We love it and do a split stay on any visit 6 days or over. Enjoy!! I think that you will love the BWI and the CR!!!!

 

[harbin]

Thanks so much! I am beyond excited!

 

[Disneyhenry]

CR gets my vote, the transportation is great, walking to MK is nice too. But then again I am one of those weirdo's that think CR looks fun