Contemporary vs Grand Floridian

[MamaJJ2018]

Hello!

I have a room booked at the contemporary in the garden wing for June and just got emailed about a discount/special offer now available for my dates. It looks like no discounted rooms are available at the contemporary but they are available at the grand Floridian, in an outer building. It makes the price between the rooms comparable (whereas before the grand was more expensive).

I’m tempted to change over to the Grand Floridian but want to be sure it’s actually the better place for us to stay!

About us: we will be a family of 4 with one 4 year old and one 7 month old. Walkability to MK was a heavy decider when booking the contemporary but with the new walkway open to the grand it looks like comparable walks. The pool at the grand looks much better which is making me want to switch over!
Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

With those ages and June weather, you want to be at the GF (in my strong opinion). The pools (zero entry, which CR doesn’t have) and splash pad (a real, well-themed play area, CR only has a pretty dinky squirt zone) would be the deciding factors for us.

I love CR (was just there) but to us it’s a better cooler weather resort).

 

[MamaJJ2018]

Thank you!

I had actually already decided to switch over, so logging in and seeing your input only makes me more confident! Before this, our family has only ever stayed at the Yacht/Beach club. We LOVE it there but with a baby and daughter that loves MK, we figured trying a MK resort made sense! We will be missing stormalong bay so a better pool will help

Now fingers crossed everything is safe enough to allow some princess meals, meet and greets, and maybe even fireworks! I have no idea what June will look like...

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd take the GF over the Contemporary. Of the three monorail resorts I rate the GF next to last and the Contemporary last.

Seriously, go for GF. The new walk-way to the MK should be handy when you want to walk. For other times going to the MK, its only one stop on the monorail. Perhaps by June the boats will be running as well.

 

[SarahC97]

You made a good choice. I'd take GF all day for the same price as CR!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Perhaps by June the boats will be running as well.

Just FYI, the GF-Poly-MK resort boat is running now.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@MamaJJ2018 - just curious your stroller plans for the 4 year old...will you have one? You will definitely want one on the GF-MK walk, it’s not really kid friendly for little legs (in my opinion).

 

[MamaJJ2018]

I'd take the GF over the Contemporary. Of the three monorail resorts I rate the GF next to last and the Contemporary last.

Seriously, go for GF. The new walk-way to the MK should be handy when you want to walk. For other times going to the MK, its only one stop on the monorail. Perhaps by June the boats will be running as well.

Thanks! Yeah unfortunately the Poly appears to be closed for awhile but it does look fun!

 

[MamaJJ2018]

@MamaJJ2018 - just curious your stroller plans for the 4 year old...will you have one? You will definitely want one on the GF-MK walk, it’s not really kid friendly for little legs (in my opinion).

Our 4 year old is generally very stroller averse. We planned to bring just one stroller and then our Ergobaby baby carrier, which our 2 month old loves right now! I figure in lines and such the carrier will be handy. And That way if the 4 year old needs to sit we can use the baby carrier. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Always open to input but we have not purchased a double stroller so far!

 

[OKW Lover]

Just FYI, the GF-Poly-MK resort boat is running now.

Thanks for the info! I should know this living practically next door but haven't been to the MK in a couple of months now.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Our 4 year old is generally very stroller averse. We planned to bring just one stroller and then our Ergobaby baby carrier, which our 2 month old loves right now! I figure in lines and such the carrier will be handy. And That way if the 4 year old needs to sit we can use the baby carrier. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Always open to input but we have not purchased a double stroller so far!

Mine are 10 and 6 so we're out of the stroller phase, but lived it for years! Kind of sad I'm starting to forget just what it was like. :-(

Anyway, I recall back when we first started going to WDW..... "Stay at CR" they said. "The walking path is fantastic if you have kids" they said.

That is until you have to carry your sleeping child 1/2 mile+ at the end of the night. Or if they're awake but slow and complaining the whole time. Those were fun times.

We never had a double, but we had a single Bob jogging stroller they could both sit in in a pinch for awhile that we would use on longer distance walks such as between CR and MK or the Epcot resorts and DHS. I think maybe one trip we had outgrown strollers but ended up buying one of those cheap umbrella ones from the gift shop.

All kids are different so always so hard to predict - good luck!

Enjoy GF!

 

[MamaJJ2018]

Thanks to all for the advice! These boards are so helpful. We are switched over to GF!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks! Yeah unfortunately the Poly appears to be closed for awhile but it does look fun!

The villas are open there and you could get a studio that sleeps five. You and spouse on the queen bed, 4 yr old on the murphy bed and the baby in the pack and play. Then you can leave the sleeper sofa folded up.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

It sounds like you already made your decision, and getting the GF at the garden wing price is very good!

I absolutely love both resorts!

The walk from GF to MK is so pretty, and we even saw deer on our walk.

I prefer the Contemporary pool, but that is probably because my kids are a little older now and we don’t need a splash pad etc...
But the food by the pool at GF to me is much better than the Contemporary pool area food.

Have a great time and congrats on the new baby!

 

[Eastern]

Our 4 year old is generally very stroller averse. We planned to bring just one stroller and then our Ergobaby baby carrier, which our 2 month old loves right now! I figure in lines and such the carrier will be handy. And That way if the 4 year old needs to sit we can use the baby carrier. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Always open to input but we have not purchased a double stroller so far!

If you are ok with carrying the 2 month old all day that's fine. I would definitely have at least one stroller with me for the 4yo for naps or end of day. Kids are doubly heavy at the end of the day when they fall asleep and you have to carry them after walking 8 miles yourself. I also used to love the convenience of having the supplies bag hooked on the stroller handle rather than having to carry it. You can also rent a stroller from the park, if there are any left. (they do run out) We used to do that, too.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. We stayed at the Contemporary last year and found the walk TO Magic Kingdom worthwhile and not so bad, it was early in the day, everyone was well-rested and ready for the day. After everyone has walked x miles at the park, we always took the monorail on the return trip since it was the next stop. Walking back after a long park day and everyone is tired, didn't seem like much fun. The walkway from the Floridian is MUCH longer to Magic Kingdom (wasn't open when we were there last year) and the return trip via monorail would involve several other stops.

As with most topics on which hotel, it depends on your personal preferences, age of your party and how much walking you actually plan to do.

 

[virk4]

The Garden wing is not connected to the main building so when I stayed there some years ago it felt like I was in a separate motel next to the Contemporary.
For you and your family, GF, GF, GF---pool, kids, walking, etc. [BTW, I also like the Contemporary, I'm staying at Bay Lake this coming april].

 

[Blondie58]

Hello!

I have a room booked at the contemporary in the garden wing for June and just got emailed about a discount/special offer now available for my dates. It looks like no discounted rooms are available at the contemporary but they are available at the grand Floridian, in an outer building. It makes the price between the rooms comparable (whereas before the grand was more expensive).

I’m tempted to change over to the Grand Floridian but want to be sure it’s actually the better place for us to stay!

About us: we will be a family of 4 with one 4 year old and one 7 month old. Walkability to MK was a heavy decider when booking the contemporary but with the new walkway open to the grand it looks like comparable walks. The pool at the grand looks much better which is making me want to switch over!
Thanks for the advice in advance.

Easy decision. GF in my opinion. The kids will love the small pool although the large pool is also very nice. Very easy for parents to watch and supervise at the small pool. Great snacks at Sandy Cove - a two minute walk from the pool area. Also Gasparilla's is a great place to eat inside or out with children. You are a five-minute walk along the water to the Poly (closed now for renovations) but there is plenty of sandy area for play between the two resorts. We love GF and can't wait to use the new walkway to Magic Kingdom!! (In normal times Cinderella and Prince Charming come to the lobby area down the grand staircase each day at 3:00. Children love this. I do not know if they are doing in Covid times.) Have a great trip.

 

[Cheburashka]

The Garden wing is not connected to the main building so when I stayed there some years ago it felt like I was in a separate motel next to the Contemporary.

We stayed at the Garden Wing and loved it- so much quieter than the Tower, and so close to the pool/boat dock. We've stayed both at the Garden Wing and Club Level Tower at the Contemporary, and the rooms were exactly the same. The only differences were that the Garden Wing room was quieter, and the Club Level Tower room gave us lounge access.

 

[AliceIn]

Our 4 year old is generally very stroller averse. We planned to bring just one stroller and then our Ergobaby baby carrier, which our 2 month old loves right now! I figure in lines and such the carrier will be handy. And That way if the 4 year old needs to sit we can use the baby carrier. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Always open to input but we have not purchased a double stroller so far!

If you are going in June - the baby carrier might be pretty hot. If you don't have one at home, you can rent a double stroller that meets Disney guidelines. You can use the spare half for carrying things, if the 4 year old doesn't want to get in. After a really hot June day, and a LOT of walking, the 4 year old might suddenly want to get in the stroller for a while. My 2 younger ones were very adamantly anti-stroller - but there were a couple of times that tiredness and achy feet won over.