You are right - being in a monorail hotel is arguably the most convenient for easy access to both the MK and Epcot. (The other contender is the Poly because you catwalk to the TTC and take the monorail to Epcot without having to change monorails at the TTC) For access to the MK, the CR is the most convenient because you can easily walk to/from the MK. The walk is about 10 min along an easy pathway, but it does cross a road and parking lot.
The monorail goes right through the CR tower, so it is especially easy access from rooms in the tower - you just go downstairs! However, it does take either two elevators or an elevator and escalator to get to the monorail platform. If you are staying in the garden wing, you will have to walk along a very short covered walkway (after exiting the garden wing) to get to the CR tower, then proceed up to the monorail platform. It may be a little longer getting to the monorail from the garden wing, but it really isn't that much of a difference. It largely depends upon where your room is in the garden wing
Garden wing rooms are identical to the rooms in the tower. The main differences are the lack of balconies and view.
The garden wing is three stories high, I believe. The ground floor rooms have patios, but the second and third floor rooms do not have balconies. They have sliding glass doors that open to a railing only. If you want a ground floor room, the garden wing is your only option at the CR.
The MK views from the tower are of the MK area which includes: the main parking lot below, the monorail, Seven Seas lagoon, the boats going to the MK, the Poly, the GF and the MK! It is a real panoramic overview and it is great fun to watch wishes from your balcony in your PJ's at night.
The Bay lake views are exactly that: views of bay Lake. This view is very peaceful and serene. In some ways it is more beautiful than the MK view, but it is less exciting, IMO, so we (slightly) prefer to be able to watch the action from the MK side. The views from the Garden wing are either standard view or garden view. The number of standard view rooms is limited so they go quickly because they are the least expensive of all rooms on the monorail line. However, they are parking lot views only. The garden view rooms vary somewhat. They can be of Bay Lake, the pool area or of the manicured grounds of the CR. The views can be quite lovely from many of these rooms and they are convenient to the pool area.
The laundry room is in the garden wing, so if you will need to use that facility, then it is somewhat more convenient to the garden wing rooms.
We like the TPV rooms in the Tower the best. They do save steps and have wonderful views that are fun to watch. Staying in the tower also has the dining and shops of the CR just an elevator ride away. Chef Mickey's character meal is downstairs and the California Grille is upstairs. the Contempo Cafe has great quick service meals as well and the Wave is also pretty good. Many other shopping and dining options are just a monorail or boat ride away.
Bottom line: The tower is the ultimate at the CR with its amazing views and ease of access to everything that the CR offers. The garden wing rooms are a LITTLE less central and so are slightly less convenient. The difference in convenience is marginal, IMO. The big difference is in the atmosphere. There is something special about being in the tower with the mountain top views and the ability to watch the monorail glide through the building below. the three advantages of the garden wing are: ground floor rooms, laundry room close by, and the lower price.
Whichever you choose, staying in the CR is an ultimate Disney experience. We LOVED staying here!
Enjoy!
