We stayed at WL and loved it but choose it over the Contemporary because of the cost. If cost is not an issue I would choose Contemp because of the monorail and easy trips to the MK with small children.
We do LOVE the smaller resort feel of the WL. Resturants are good and service was goos though staff was less friendly than most resorts we have stayed at. It is a quick boat ride to the MK but you have to walk to the lake where at Contemp the monorail is inside.
Contemp has cheif mickey.both have kids clubs. WL is close to Fort Wilderness.
I would pick the WL. We stayed there in April 2009 and my kids (ages 5 and 2) loved it. The lobby is amazing! If you stay there be sure to ask for a 'hidden mickey' hunt list. The grounds are amazing, the pool is nice (as is the baby/wading pool). And, the Roaring Fork is really good as a quick service restaurant. And don't forget the Whispering Canyon Cafe if you want to have a fun meal.
I'd also recommend paying a little extra for a courtyard view -- the rooms will likely overlook the pool -- very nice!
And, you can take the boat to the MK...always a fun trip!
I stayed in the Contemporary numerous time growing up and have also stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, and my personal preference is the lodge. I never was a fan the the theming in the Contemporary, and while the monorail to the MK is nice, the boat ride from the WL is not too long and actually very fun for kids.
The children might like the cozier nature of the Wilderness lodge--but they may think staying at the monorail hotel is the coolest thing since sliced bread.
You can always try asking them and see how that goes.
I think Contemporary is more sleek--while WL is just woodsy fun. Both are nice resorts.
I stayed at the WL in January and didn't like it one bit. Yes the lobby was beautiful and the pool was great (although it was literally freezing when we were there) I felt the hallways to the rooms looked very dated, almost like a cheap hotel. I'll probably be banned from the Dis for saying that. The room was nice, but didn't love the theme. The main reason I didn't care for the WL is the selection at Roaring Forks. I was very very disappointed. No Mickey waffles, and maybe only 4 or 5 total options for breakfast and not many more for lunch/dinner. The Roarking Forks is also tiny. I kept thinking I was missing some of it somewhere, like behind a wall, but could never find it.
I've never stayed at the Comtemporary, but think the food choices and ease of the monrail would win out for me. We've also seen the pool and the kids are dying to stay there
We have stayed at both, and I never would have thought I would say this... but I think the Contemporary cannot be beat for location, room size and CM. We loved our week at the WL, but our two nights at the Contemporary were awesome. We are a family of five, and I was shocked at how much bigger the rooms were at the Contemporary. The wet playground they were building looked great, both hotels had fantastic activities for kids... but walking or monorailing to MK cannot be beat. Also the ease to get to EPCOT was fantastic from the Contemporary. Of course if the $$ is the decision, WL would be a better price. We had a Garden view room at the Contemporary, which was so quiet and peaceful. I also thought the CS at the Contemporary was better with more choices.
I stayed at the WL in January and didn't like it one bit. Yes the lobby was beautiful and the pool was great (although it was literally freezing when we were there) I felt the hallways to the rooms looked very dated, almost like a cheap hotel.
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