Contemporary Vs. Wilderness Lodge

[jeanninepl]

Hi there!

I have posted a few questions while trying to plan my 2008 vacation. I am trying to decide on a hotel! I have stayed at the Contemporary last year and really loved it. I am trying to decide between the Contemporary, again, for 2008 or Wilderness Lodge. I am looking for some opinions when trying to decide between the two.

Another question, how is transporation from WL - to parks and other resorts?

 

[simonkodousek]

Hi there!

I have posted a few questions while trying to plan my 2008 vacation. I am trying to decide on a hotel! I have stayed at the Contemporary last year and really loved it. I am trying to decide between the Contemporary, again, for 2008 or Wilderness Lodge. I am looking for some opinions when trying to decide between the two.

Another question, how is transporation from WL - to parks and other resorts?

Hello,

We loved the WL in 2004, especially the theming. In my opinion, the CR doesn't have any theme, and presents itself to be a boring, business-oriented, hotel that doesn't really fit in with the other accomidations on WDW property.

In terms of transportation, the WL was very good. The buses were quick, without long waits, and so were the boats. However, if you get sea-sickness easily, the boats aren't for you. Honestly, I'd much rather stay at a resort with monorail access just for easier transportation, but WL is pretty good.

Overall, my vote goes to WL for exceptional theming, great transportation, and a nice stay!

~Simon

 

[ktink]

I'm just subscribing to the thread. We will be staying at WL for the first time in September of this year. I'm really looking forward to the stay as the WL gets so many great reviews!

Another reason why I'm enjoying this thread is because DH and I are going on another trip in Jan/Feb and I'm debating on for a value stay/ ASMu, moderate stay/ PORS, deluxe stay/ CR. And I'd like to see if CR would be a great place for an adult only trip. The new rooms look great.

 

[deej696]

Simon is right in that CR doesnt really have a "theme" that fits. Of all the hotels on property, it is the one that shows it was built in 1971, cause well it was contemporary for 1971. VWL has a great theme, and is awesome at Christmas, but for me, the Contemporary still wins out for its convenience to the parks. Not to mention a tower MK view is tough to beat

 

[bellebud]

I'd vote WL, mainly because you stayed at CR last time. You've got to mix it up

At WL, there's a boat to MK, then there's another boat that runs from WL to CR to Fort Wilderness. Everything else is bus, which is fine. And as you know, you can jump on the monorail at CR for the poly and GF after you boat there from WL if you had dinner there or something.

WL is absolutely beautiful, inside and out! You'll love the cozy, warm feeling of the lobby and rooms. The rooms are definitely smaller (don't be shocked coming from the huge rooms at CR), but it is also less expensive.

There are little sitting nooks all around the hotel, and the beautiful fireplace w/ rocking chairs.

The fast food place is comparable to all the other deluxe ones, the Whispering Canyon cafe is great, and Artist's Pointe is great (so I hear). The pool is very nice and there's the quiet pool by the villas.

The only thing it's lacking is the view of MK... but you're paying less, and I think the main reason for the cost difference is the location and room size.

hth!

 

[momtobrynncess]

Okay, now I will steer you in a different direction. Having stayed at both CR and WL, my vote is for CR, and here is why:
1) CR does not lack theme, it is, contemporary. Plus, it was the original resort built first, along with Poly, and having stayed there as a child in the 70's, it is VERY Disney to me.
2) In my opinion, transportation is not that good. Nothing to complain about, but CR is better. At WL, everything is by bus or boat to MK only. At CR, you can monorail to MK, as well as Epcot.
3) CR, in my opinon, does NOT show it was built in the 70's. If you have seen the newly refurbished rooms, then you know how simply fabulous they are.


WL, yes is beautiful. However, the rooms are considerably smaller. I guess I just have a personal attachment to CR. Every time we try another resort, we say the same thing. Yeah, it's nice, but it's not CR......

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am voting the Contemporary and to defend it as well.

In terms of transportation you can't beat the Monorail which is some thing the Wilderness Lodge does not have and it makes for an easier time when going to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and wanting to visit the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Don't forget they also have the walkway to the Magic Kingdom.

Even though the Contemporary does not have an in your face theme like the Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian or Grand Floridian, they do have a theme and I think it comes on the 4th floor. That is where all the action is with Chef Mickey's, Chef Mickey's Express (when it opens in August 2008) the arcade, some great shops and the Monorail station is right there.

Finally even though the Contemporary does host a lot of conventions, you have to remember other Resorts like Corondao Springs, Yacht Club, Boardwalk and Grand Floridian also host a number of conventions during the year, so why not call them business Resorts? I personally think people give the Contemporary that stereotype because of their lack of a theme, where as those Resorts have more of a better theme and I personally think that's un fair.

 

[boomhauer]

Having stayed at neither (WL this December!), but having been to both, I vote for WL hands down. Contemporary, to me, has no theme at all. It reminds me of either any other fancy hotel in a major city or a ballroom hall where my company might have it's Christmas party.

As for the rooms, the pics from the old rooms of the CR are just ghastly. The pics of the new rooms look like the Sheraton down the street from my house. Very nice, just nothing unique about them. WL on the other hand completely transported me from the 2nd I walked in. The pics of the rooms are just gorgeous and unique.

There was a poll on this last week sometime and close to 70% chose WL. Considering the CR is probably the most well known Disnesy resort, if I was trying to decide between the two, that would speak volumes for me.

 

[LilGMom]

We have stayed at CR and WL and I would pick WL over CR any day! I absolutely love the WL and really hated our stay at the CR.

At the CR we stayed in the North Garden Wing (the one they just demolished) and while it did have a good sized room and being on the monorail was nice I was less than impressed with the service at the front desk, the food court wasn't very good and the paper thin walls were awful. We stayed there before the rooms were remodeled so the 70's decor wasn't that thrilling to look at either. I have seen pictures of the newly refurbished rooms, at both the CR and the WL, and must say that the CR does look better but still not as "homey".

The WL has always been a very relaxing stay and just feels homey as soon as we walk in. We love the WCC for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And being able to hop onto boat for a nice short and relaxing ride to the MK is a plus too. It kinda gets us pumped up when we come around the bend by the CR and see the castle in the distance and in the evening it is a nice wind-down trip for the kids. We had a north facing room at the WL once, over looking the service entrance, and were treated to a wonderful view of the nightly fireworks at the MK. We were able to sit on our balcony and enjoy the show after the kids had fallen asleep in the room - very nice. While the WL might be lacking the monorail it does have the boat and the overall feel of the resort makes up for the monorail.

 

[grinningghost]

I've been dying to stay in the CR since I was a kid - I mean, how cool is it that the monorail goes right through the hotel?!

I'm also stuck trying to decide between a couple different resorts and the CR is on the list. I'm kind of waiting for codes to make my final decision, but this thread has helped alot in swaying me toward the CR.

 

[jmkrat]

Contemporary all the way. It does have a theme it is modern. I just cancelled my New Year's reservation from the Wilderness back to the Contemporary. I loved it there. The Wilderness looked nice, but I love the Contemporary. It is funny how the CR always fills up before the Wilderness, but people say they go to the Wilderness over the CR. Transportation is another key factor. How is the transportation at the Wilderness. I heard mainly bus service. We stayed at the tower, I would suggest to anyone unsure of it, to actually stay there. Tower is a must if you can.

 

[boomhauer]

Contemporary all the way. It does have a theme it is modern. I just cancelled my New Year's reservation from the Wilderness back to the Contemporary. I loved it there. The Wilderness looked nice, but I love the Contemporary. It is funny how the CR always fills up before the Wilderness, but people say they go to the Wilderness over the CR.

I think the point being made about the CR theme is that you can get modern anywhere. WL is unique. Sort of why I don't care for Yacht and Beach Club. I live in New England, so resorts like that aren't uncommon to me.

As for which one fills up first, I have no idea. I would assume it's the CR because it's the most famous Disney Resort. As to which has a more loyal following, from these boards and guide books, WL hands down.

It's great that so many people have different tastes. It would be no fun if we all liked the same thing. Plus, it would be much harder to get reservations.

 

[K&D'smom]

You can't go wrong with either of these resorts. CR and WL are my absolute 2 favs. I do agree that the WL has more of a theme but the rooms at CR are much larger and IMO, much nicer. The other thing to consider is do you normally stay at the parks until close? If yes, the commute back to the CR only takes minutes vs. waiting for a boat back to WL can be a long wait (30-45 minutes). I, personally, don't mind the wait for the boat but towards the end of our vacation, when my feet are feeling sore, the wait can be "painful"

If the wait for the boat is not an issue for you and/or your family I agree that staying at the WL may be the way to go since you have already experienced CR. But again, you can't go wrong with either decision.

 

[Renee1061]

I can't help but laugh at how people feel the need to "defend" their favorite resort.

I'm not going to tell you that WL is better than all of the other resorts. For one thing, I haven't been to all the other resorts. And for another, everyone has different tastes. Some people like modern, some people like rustic, some people like tropical, etc.

I fell in love with WL during my stay there in April, and it will be hard for me to go anywhere else. I'm already planning my next stay there in June, 2008!!

 

[TJA]

To the OP, since you have already experienced CR, no need for me to tell you the pros and cons of CR. We stayed at WL pre-kids, so about 4-5 years ago, and we loved it there. It has a great lobby, great theming, great pool. I'm sure most people would be in agreement that WL is a very appealing resort. We will most definitely be staying there again once our kids are not stroller age.

As far as CR goes, we think CR is exciting because it's right next to the MK and we can walk there in 5 minutes. Our girls also favor Chef Mickeys character meal over most other character meals and it's great to leave our room each day and be right at Chef Mickeys. And having the monorail go through the hotel is fun too. Also the rooms are very large. We're staying in the tower facing MK this September, can't wait!

 

[ransom]

Tonight...at Thunderdome...CR vs. WL!

Two Resorts Enter. One Resort Leaves. Two Resorts Enter. One Resort Leaves!

-----

Or, for you 'They Might Be Giants' fans...

Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge hates Contemporary
They have a fight, Wilderness wins.
Wilderness Lodge.

-----

Seriously, they're both great resorts. Depends on what you're interested in on a given trip, really! Like remote, woodsy resorts with heavy theming? Go WL! Like centrally located, modern resorts with subdued theming? Go Contemporary!

Enjoy!

 

[jeanninepl]

Thanks for all the wonderful and helpful opinions!

I didn't mean to cause a rumble!