Contemporary Vs Grand Floridian

[mmeb144]

My aunt has hinted that she might pay for a room in either of these resorts. I wanted to steer her to the Contemporary because it has a cool looking water slide. But... I looked at the pictures for the Grand Floridian and it has a water slide, too! We are planning to take this trip in February 2004. Which would you choose, Contemporary or Grand Floridian, and why?

 

[Lisa in Pa]

Hands down, no contest, no brainer, whatever! Grand Floridaian would be, and is my choice. We are going in September. We have been 6 times and checked them all out. The Grand Floridan has a more relaxed vacation feel. It does feel more upscale than the rest of the resorts. The Cont. is more hectic and dated. I would recommend eating at Chef Mickey's and the Concorse Steakhouse. Both are in the loby of the Cont. Have fun!

 

[PoohBWV]

I love both of these resorts, although we have never stayed at the GF (only visited) because both of my teenage dd's have said it feels way to "stuffy" and they love the Contemporary.

 

[BrianD]

Forget about the water slides at these two resorts. There are much greater differences to compare. The Grand Floridian is Disney's "flagship" hotel, meaning they consider it to be their best. It is very luxurious, with elegant Victorian architecture, a live orchestra playing in the lobby, etc. The Contemporary is 30 years old, was futuristic looking 30 years ago, but now appears very dated. The monorail does go through the lobby, which is cool, but in terms of decor, the Contemporary is extremely plain when compared to the Grand Floridian.

All this being said, they are both deluxe resorts and while there are many that say the GF is best, there are also those who swear by the Contemporary.

Check out some pictures of both places, and read about them before making your decision. You may love the Contemporary, but I could see some folks looking across the lagoon to the GF, saying to themselves, why am I not staying there?!?!?!

 

[Tonyspad]

I have stayed at both and the GF is NOT stuffy. It is terrific. The slide is great and the peole are wonderful. Anyone who says the GF is stuffy has never stayed there.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've stayed at both.

I LOVE both.

I loved GF for it's beauty, location, the view I had of the lagoon and MK, and it's new pool. I just felt relaxed here. I felt I was living a dream! It's convenient on the monorail as MK is the first stop! 1900 Park fair character meals and the Alice's Wonderland Tea party are nice when you have kids.

I loved Contemporary Tower for it's convenient location (monorail/mk) and how you can walk to MK, how everything you need is in the Main building (you don't have to leave the Tower for food), the monorail going right through it, the great view we had of MK. It was much closer appearing than GF's view was. I loved it for the characters talking on the elevators! The Food and play area is better than GF IMHO. It's the first stop going home at night on the monorail! Chef Mickey's is a great character meal. Concoarse Steak house is great for breakfast. I've heard nothing but great things about the California Grill on the top floor for their food and view!

If I really had to choose, though, I'd probably choose the GF again, but I'd also stay at the Contemporary Tower again in a heartbeat!

 

[BounceyOne]

I would sya, how much time are you spending at the resort itself? We have stayed at both and love both. If I will be around the resort more I choose the GF, if we are on a get up and go kind of trip, I choose CR.

 

[las3888]

I've stayed at both and prefer the Contemporary myself. The GF is supposed to be the "flagship" resort of WDW, but I couldn't find anything that made it better than the rest of the deluxes. That's not to say it isn't nice, it's just not worth the extra money in my opinion. I love the CR, although I grew up going there some many years ago, and it feels like home to me. I don't think it is dated. As with all WDW resorts, they do major upgrades and renovations constantly. It doesn't have a dated feel at all in my opinion. I also like that you can walk to MK from there as well. Both are nice, and you can't go wrong, my bottom line just says the extra $ isn't worth it at the GF.

Good luck!

 

[Demosthenes]

Well, here's another vote for the Contemporary, though it is rooted in nostalgia more than anything else. The GF is lovely, but its Eisner's vision of WDW's flagship resort. Personally, I prefer Walt's idea of a flagship in the Contemporary. Both are great, but if you go concierge, GF's concierge doesn't hold a candle to the 14th floor concierge at the CR.