Contemporary Garden Wing worth the upgrade from POR?

[klacey1]

We are currently booked at POR in a Royal Room for four nights in mid-April. (I have no devotion to the theme of this room, it was the only room type available for our dates.) However, I haven't stayed at a mod since 2011 and am starting to reconsider this decision. We have a bit of extra money to play with and the one monorail resort I have not stayed at is the Contemporary. As we're planning an early morning at the MK, the idea of walking there sounds SO appealing. However, we can only afford a Garden Wing room. Is the Contemporary still worth it? I've heard different things about how inconvenient the walk is from this Wing to the monorail (we're planning one day at Epcot) and the amenities of the tower. TIA for any thoughts!

 

[buzznina]

We love the Mods but since you are only doing 4 nights and just going to MK and Epcot, I would pick CR. If you are walking to MK, I really do not see the issue of walking to the monorail, which would be shorter.

 

[MrInfinity]

Don't know what you're referring to regarding the inconvenient walk to the Monorail. It's right there. The buildings are connected via an awning. Technically you go out the garden wing building, but then under the awning over to the CR. In the building, up the monorail elevator. Since you're doing MK/EC, the CR is perfect. Walk to the MK and Monorail to EC. Way better than the 4x busses you'd take from POR. Garden wing is cheaper, we've stayed there for that very reason. You sacrifice being in the CR with a walk that overlooks the atrium, but you gain all the rest of the perks. Very economical to get into the Deluxe resort by doing the garden wing.

ETA... Did a little measuring on google. You're likely to have a longer walk to the bus stop from a POR Royal room than you are from the worst possible room in the garden wing to the monorail.

 

[diser_fam]

We stayed in a Garden Wing room last February and loved it. We went to MK three different days and walked every time. We also rode the monorail to Epcot and the walk from the wing to monorail was insignificant in my opinion. Less than 5 minutes.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would always pick deluxe over moderate if money wasn't an issue (except for OKW and SSR). I would go with the Contemporary.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We are currently booked at POR in a Royal Room for four nights in mid-April. (I have no devotion to the theme of this room, it was the only room type available for our dates.) However, I haven't stayed at a mod since 2011 and am starting to reconsider this decision. We have a bit of extra money to play with and the one monorail resort I have not stayed at is the Contemporary. As we're planning an early morning at the MK, the idea of walking there sounds SO appealing. However, we can only afford a Garden Wing room. Is the Contemporary still worth it? I've heard different things about how inconvenient the walk is from this Wing to the monorail (we're planning one day at Epcot) and the amenities of the tower. TIA for any thoughts!

I actually find walking from the Garden Wing to the monorail to be more convenient than staying in the tower as long as you don't need an elevator for a stroller or ECV. The garden wing is a simple walk to the main building and then a ride on two escalators. Easy peasy. The elevators at CR get very congested (especially when disembarking from the monorail). If you don't need an elevator, garden wing is awesome!

 

[klacey1]

We love the Mods but since you are only doing 4 nights and just going to MK and Epcot, I would pick CR. If you are walking to MK, I really do not see the issue of walking to the monorail, which would be shorter.

Don't know what you're referring to regarding the inconvenient walk to the Monorail. It's right there. The buildings are connected via an awning. Technically you go out the garden wing building, but then under the awning over to the CR. In the building, up the monorail elevator. Since you're doing MK/EC, the CR is perfect. Walk to the MK and Monorail to EC. Way better than the 4x busses you'd take from POR. Garden wing is cheaper, we've stayed there for that very reason. You sacrifice being in the CR with a walk that overlooks the atrium, but you gain all the rest of the perks. Very economical to get into the Deluxe resort by doing the garden wing.

ETA... Did a little measuring on google. You're likely to have a longer walk to the bus stop from a POR Royal room than you are from the worst possible room in the garden wing to the monorail.

We stayed in a Garden Wing room last February and loved it. We went to MK three different days and walked every time. We also rode the monorail to Epcot and the walk from the wing to monorail was insignificant in my opinion. Less than 5 minutes.

I would always pick deluxe over moderate if money wasn't an issue (except for OKW and SSR). I would go with the Contemporary.

Thank you, everyone!!! You all have sealed the deal for me! I had read a few blogs that said the walk from the Garden Wing to the monorail/MK was "far," but I guess I should have taken that with a grain of salt.

We're also doing one day at AK, but that's a bus from anywhere, so the difference between POR and CR is inconsequential. I also forgot to mention we're doing dinner at the WL, which is another tick in CR's favor. I love the boat between those resorts!!

I actually find walking from the Garden Wing to the monorail to be more convenient than staying in the tower as long as you don't need an elevator for a stroller or ECV. The garden wing is a simple walk to the main building and then a ride on two escalators. Easy peasy. The elevators at CR get very congested (especially when disembarking from the monorail). If you don't need an elevator, garden wing is awesome!

We're two adults in good shape with no kids or strollers, so that sounds super awesome and convenient!

Thanks, everyone!

 

[ColoradoMom12]

We always pick CR garden wing over a moderate. In fact, we've never stayed at a moderate. The proximity to MK can't be found anywhere else. That, in fact, is our entire reason for staying there! It isn't a terribly long walk to the monorail. You have to go outside, but it's covered. It's a much longer walk from an outer building at the GF to the monorail. Obviously my vote is the CR!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

We had a great stay in the Garden Wing once, I really liked it

 

[Doug5984]

We're staying in the garden wing for the first time ever this coming April - will also be focusing most of our trip on MK & Epcot so was really glad to read this thread and how happy everyone was with it.

 

[AFwifelife]

Love love love the Garden wing. Last time we stayed, we had a room in the 6111-6115ish range and it was awesome. Right on Bay Lake.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We stayed in the Garden Wing once and it was awesome, but I’ve heard that they can be difficult to book these days. Since they took down the North Wing to build BLT, there just aren’t that many rooms.

If you can find availability when you want to go, book it. If not, you may want to explore renting DVC points for BLT.

 

[klacey1]

We stayed in the Garden Wing once and it was awesome, but I’ve heard that they can be difficult to book these days. Since they took down the North Wing to build BLT, there just aren’t that many rooms.

If you can find availability when you want to go, book it. If not, you may want to explore renting DVC points for BLT.

I had no problem finding a discounted Garden Wing room!

 

[Hezzy04]

I had no problem finding a discounted Garden Wing room!

If you don’t mind my asking, what rate did you get? Also, what is the standard rate? I’m struggling to find out how much to expect to pay for the cheapest room at Contemporary

 

[dansdad]

If you don’t mind my asking, what rate did you get? Also, what is the standard rate? I’m struggling to find out how much to expect to pay for the cheapest room at Contemporary

For Rack Rates. https://www.mousesavers.com/2018-contemporary-room-rates-season-dates/

 

[beccasmom]

By choice we often stayed in the CR garden wings in our early Disney days (there were two wings at one time! ). Once we became DVC members, that changed, but I highly recommend the CR wing. Many rooms have terrific views and it is quiet and peaceful. The location near the MK is unbeatable. I would change over in a heartbeat.

 

[Amanda999]

Don't hesitate - go CR garden bldg over POR. I'd save $ elsewhere if that's an issue. (We eat 'suitcase' food (protein bars, PB in wraps from home, almonds, etc.) and stay at deluxe hotels.