CR garden wing room recommendations?

[DJmommy]

Newbie to these boards, but just booked a week room reservation for the week after Thanksgiving using the AAA discount for now at the CR. Hoping to get a better rate with a discount code. What is the best rate anyone has gotten for this time of year and when did the discounts come out so I really know to keep my eyes open?

Also just booked the standard room garden wing - requested the north wing since I had heard this was closer to the MK walkway and the playground for my little ones. I would love to get an upgrade but don't know about how to get it. Do I mentions something on my reservation request or do I just wait to do it at checkin? Has anyone booked a standard view and gotten a really great room or upgrade to a better view?

These boards have such a wealth of information and I'm so happy to have already gotten such wonderful advice regarding choosing a resort to stay in. Any additional tips re the CR will be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Jackie

 

[lookingforward]

Since your trip is still a while away I would recommend that you keep your reservation for the CR but keep looking for a better deal at another deluxe hotel. I have stayed at many and the CR is not as "disney" as the others. For example, the contemporary was built in the 70's to resemble a futuristic type building. It is really cool that the monorail goes through the center but the hotel has a cold feel to it. It is also a convention hotel with large conference spaces. While it is close to the magic kingdom, so are the Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian. If you are going the week after Thanksgiving the rates should be value season so maybe you could get a deal somewhere else on the monorail. Also, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is great and since it is a bit removed the rates are discounted there more frequently. The boardwalk resorts are great too.

If you plan on sticking with the CR then the north wing is the way to go. Try and get a room on the water so you can watch the electrical parade at night. There is a playground right outside but the pools are closer to the south wing. There is a great game room on site and Chef Mickeys is fun. The California Grill is wonderful and if booked right will offer premium views of the fireworks. I have stayed there many times and have never been upgraded but you are going at a less busy time so just ask! Enjoy your trip!

 

[eeyore0062]

Request a room overlooking Bay Lake. We had one in January 2001 and we could lie on the bed and watch the Electrical Light Pageant. We were in the south wing, 3rd floor. It was fantastic!

 

[sotoalf]

Request a room overlooking Bay Lake. We had one in January 2001 and we could lie on the bed and watch the Electrical Light Pageant. We were in the south wing, 3rd floor. It was fantastic!

I agree. We got a Bay Lake view last June and it was one of the best rooms I've ever gotten. Our patio faced the lake. In the morning ducks would visit us; in the evening I'd enjoy my drink watching the traffic on Bay Lake.

This, however, is not a standard view. This is a "water" view, for which we had to pay extra.