CR garden wing or AKL Pool View which would you choose?

[Luv2trav]

I am trying to decide between these two resorts. Which would you choose.

We can't afford the tower or we would go with CR. We have a 4 year old and 20 month old. We love the monorail access but love the theming at AKL more....

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Based on what you said, what about the WL (similiar to AKL, but different)? That would put you close to monorail resorts. Where will you be spending most of your time? If at MK, then I would choose CR or WL. We loved staying at the CR North Wing Room. We had a view of the parking lot, monorail & castle. We were able to see the fireworks from our room. We also loved the WL when we stayed there one night. We ate at Boma's one night and walked around AKL. I thought it was a beautiful resort, but I just don't like the location. I prefer to be closer to MK, where we spend most of our time. HTH.

 

[Luv2trav]

We looked into WL but the only rooms available were Courtyard and for that price I would rather have monorail access.... Although my DH feels differently... :lol:

Did I mention my DS 4 loves the monorail. It's his favorite thing about Disney. My main concern about CR is what kind of shape is the Garden Wings rooms are in. I actually like the decor. However I don't want stains on the carpet, mildew smell, broken door room.

 

[HClayton]

Having a similar debate myself though after listening to everyones advice I now have WL on my list.

I think theming of AKL looks fab but am a bit worried about transport to MK where we will spend most of our time.

I love the monorail access of CR but I'm thinking that it doesn't maybe won't have as much to do when chldren are tired after time at the parks. Having said that we have eaten at chef mickeys before and the children were in awe of the whole thing especially the monorail in the building.

Let me know your decision - we are going April 2006 so not likely to get a discount otherwise the Poly would have been my decision

Helen
x

 

[HClayton]

Having a similar debate myself though after listening to everyones advice I now have WL on my list.

I think theming of AKL looks fab but am a bit worried about transport to MK where we will spend most of our time.

I love the monorail access of CR but I'm thinking that it doesn't maybe won't have as much to do when chldren are tired after time at the parks. Having said that we have eaten at chef mickeys before and the children were in awe of the whole thing especially the monorail in the building.

Let me know your decision - we are going April 2006 so not likely to get a discount otherwise the Poly would have been my decision

Helen
x

 

[Luv2trav]

Helen,

Poly is my first choice but there is no availability. I would actually spend the extra money to stay there if it were available. I just love that place. I am not sure if I love the Poly because of the atmosphere or the large rooms and monorail access... That is one of the reasons I would love to CR. We stayed at AKL last February and really liked it there. We did rent a van so transportation was not a factor for us.... HOWEVER, Nothing beats having monorail access... With 2 strollers it just so nice... I might bite the bullet and try CR... I just hope I don't regret it.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Without a doubt I would choose AKL. CR has zero appeal to me. Your kids will love AKL.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Did I mention my DS 4 loves the monorail. It's his favorite thing about Disney. My main concern about CR is what kind of shape is the Garden Wings rooms are in. I actually like the decor. However I don't want stains on the carpet, mildew smell, broken door room.

We stayed in Dec. 2004. The corridors did look worn, but our room was fine. The only problem we had was one drawer was hard to close and sometimes the toilet was hard to flush. My parents had the room next to us, and there room was fine. The room size was wonderful. There is a playground for the kids to play on. Also, you can take the boat to the FW to eat and go to the petting zoo. There is also campfire storytelling at night at FW. It was also nice to be able to walk back to CR after MK and not have to wait for the monorail and fight the crowd when it was closing.

When are you going? South garden wing is being refurbished now and might be finished when you go, so you could possibly get a new room.

Some people love CR and some don't like it. We are one of the ones that love it. The location can't be beat, that alone makes it worth it to me to stay there.

 

[Luv2trav]

We are going the 1st week in October. Do you think they will be done by then?

 

[swilphil]

Did I mention my DS 4 loves the monorail. It's his favorite thing about Disney. My main concern about CR is what kind of shape is the Garden Wings rooms are in. I actually like the decor. However I don't want stains on the carpet, mildew smell, broken door room.

We stayed at the CR North Wing in March with our then 4 year old and 2 year old. We all loved it! Our room was in great shape, though the bedspreads were kind of ugly (aren't all Disney bedspreads ugly?). No mildew, broken items or stains though.

In Feb. the South Wing rehab will be complete, but I don't know about the North Wing. We did like the North Wing because of its quick access to MK (10 min. walk) and to CR food court and arcade. It was only about 2 minutes to the Food Court door from our room. We stayed in a ground level room with a patio. I would highly recommend that as the upper wing room floors do not have balconies. There's a little beach off the garden wing rooms that our kids loved playing on. The rooms are also huge!! The only downside to the CR is the landscaping. There isn't a whole lot, but the grounds are well maintained and they have some fun Mickey shaped bushes.

 

[DiscussDisney]

We changed from the CR SGWR to the AKL PVR during your time frame. We were a little nervous about staying at the CR because of all the bad reports posted here on DIS and on Tripadvisor. AKL received much better reviews overall. Additionally, we were concerned about all the renovations being done and didn't want to be affected by noise, closed areas, scaffolding, etc.... We will stay at the CR once the rehab is completed in 2007.

 

[Leota]

As much as I love the Savannah view at AKL, I would choose CR wing hands down. With your age kids, the convienence of CR is just too hard to pass up, even if you don't love the theme. I wouldn't be loving the theme of the bus rides from AKL to MK with 2 young ones. It's fine with my 16 yo, but 2 little guys? Nope. I'd take the walk or monorail anyday. Esp. given how much the little folks like the monorail- it's an attraction all in itself to them.

 

[4mykids]

We stayed at the CR in Feb in South Wing. Had a great time. We love the AKL, but even with our own car, it is "out there". With younger kids, you will probably go to MK the most. Cannot beat the ease of access.

I always read about the stark, boring motif of the CR. And the horrible decor of the rooms. We find it to be whimsical. I love the bright colors and odd shapes of the table, mirrors, vanities. Although the new pics of the rehab look very nice, I will miss the old retro "what the 70's view of contemporary looked like".

Anyway, our room in Feb overlooked Bay Lake and the pool. Very nice. No stains, mildew, etc. Room was very clean. We asked for non-smoking close to the main building. We were approximately 5 doors into the wing.

As for the AKL, I do that when it is just me and my best friend going. My kids (14 and 11) were with me about 4 years ago and loved seeing the animals for about 30 minutes. Then they did not even know they were there. My DH loves the theming, but rates it low on his list of resorts due to location.

Hope this helps!

 

[Samsma]

Hard decision. I love the AKL, the CR doesn't appeal to me at all, except for the location. If your kids like swimming the AKL has a great pool, the bus service is actually very good, but the monorail is great. And Chef Mickeys is right there at CR. That is a must do for us.

If you are spending most of your time at MK it would be a hard trip back during those meltdowns that come along with kids your age. You could walk back from MK in that case in a hurry to a cool room and nap. Hmmm. I guess I would choose CR, but definitely stay at AKL when the kids are bigger. Have fun!

 

[Luv2trav]

I think I am switching to CR..... I am nervous but I really want the monorail access and the POLY isn't available and GF is TOO MUCH...

We stayed at AKL last February and we had a nice time and loved the resort but we did feel like we were "out there". The wouldn't stop us from staying again..... After looking at my touring plan and seeing most of our time at MK and Epcot the CR seems like a no brainer...

Keep the opinions coming...I change my mind every 2 hours...

 

[Tiffany]

I am trying to decide between these two resorts. Which would you choose.

We can't afford the tower or we would go with CR. We have a 4 year old and 20 month old. We love the monorail access but love the theming at AKL more....

If you are planning on spending the majority of your time at the MK then I would say go with the CR. Its location to the MK cannot be beat. You can walk!!!!!! If you are not going to be spending most of your time at the MK then go with the AKL. We so do love this place as we go into relaxation mode as soon as we see the roof.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

I love AKL, but for the location the Contemporary just can't be beat.

Maybe it's because I've stayed at AKL in a Savannah view room twice, and never at the Contemporary yet, but my vote would go the CR!

But now... I dunno... gee I think these two are just about equally wonderful!

The thing I love best about AKL is that it's such a relaxing place to come "home" to at the end of the day. But I think I'd feel more relaxed being a five minute walk from "home" when I leave the Magic Kingdom.

Boy, good luck, what a terrible problem to have, this choice you have to make!!

 

[HClayton]

Well I too am swaying towards CR after seeing everyones advice - my chidren will be 6 and 2 so perhaps AK when they are older and will probably appreciate it a bit more.

Now the choice is between WL and CR, just wondering if WL will be as convenient for MK as the theming and childrens activities seem better than CR. Any reason why WL is not on your list - seems highly rated by all and access to MK by boat

Keep me posted on your decision!
Helen

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Now the choice is between WL and CR

I've stayed at WL and vowed NEVER AGAIN. It took me over an hour and half to get to WL from the MK after Wishes one night, when my son was waiting for me at the Cub's Den! And I only made it back that fast because I knew to stop waiting for the WL ferry, and hoof it on foot the the Contemporary's boat dock, and take the resort-resort launch. If I'd waited for WL transportation, it would have easily been over two hours to go less than two miles.

Now, having said that, I saw a bus stop for WL at the MK. If anyone could confirm there's a bus available now, I'd consider staying there again.

 

[swilphil]

I prefer the monorail transporation over the WL boat, plus I LOVE walking to and from MK, especially during those busy times. Those busses after Wishes always wait until the fireworks are completely over and the bus is full. We've tried to return to the resort via bus early because of sleepy kids, but had to wait. I also don't care for the WL theming. I know others love it, but it doesn't seem like a deluxe to me.