CR Tower or GF Garden View?

[triplefigs]

We are currently booked in GF Garden View for our Christmas trip (Nov 29- Dec 6). There were no CR Tower rooms available when we booked. If any do open up, would you switch?

Some pertinent info:

1)We have triplets who will be 5.5 when we go. 2 have problems walking, so we'll be using strollers a lot. Want the KIDS to have the best time possible, so the resort that would be best for them is the one we'll choose.
2)We are HUGE Christmas nuts and decorations/theming are important to us.
3)Planning on doing 2-3 days MK, 1 day DS, 1 day Epcot, and 1 day AK. Also doing MVMCP and the Family Magic Tour.
4) Convenience, ease of transportation are very important.
5) Not important really, but was looking forward to the turn-down service in GF

 

[poohluvrs]

JMO, I would stay GF, their xmas pic's Ive seen are beautiful, and it seems you have your heart set on it We have twins and booked GF for the comfort and convenience...Just think of how you'd feel if you get there and go to CR, all the time regretting not staying GF....good luck and have fun either way!

 

[cmonroe]

Will the decorations be up by the 6th?

 

[triplefigs]

Will the decorations be up by the 6th?

They start decorating in November so that everything is up for the day after Thanksgiving through New Years (or even early Jan).

 

[cmonroe]

Triplefigs,

Interesting. I'm a big CR fan and have stayed there for Christmas. The decorations and Christmas theming were ok. I have not stayed at GF, but as poohluvrs stated above, I too have seen photos of the decorations at GF for Christmas. It does look nicer. But I can't say 100% as I have never seen them in person.

 

[johnsonet]

You sound very selfless and totally focused on your children. What a great mom you must be
Your children - and YOU - will LOVE GF. Your boys will get a big kick out of the monorail ride to MK and the boat ride back. Your daughter will think she's in heaven when she sees Cinderella at dinner at 1900 Park Faire and the real gingerbread house in the lobby
You deserve that turndown service (of course, you can request it at CR...)
I don't think anyone will argue that the GF is not more festively decorated than the Contemporary. Keep your garden view and ENJOY!

 

[triplefigs]

You sound very selfless and totally focused on your children. What a great mom you must be

Thank you so much for that sweet, sweet comment. You just totally made my day (and week!). I try as hard as everyone else, but sometimes we all need to have a pat on the back. Thanks for the pick me up when I needed it!

 

[triplefigs]

bump!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We're staying CR tower one night before our cruise and then GF post cruise. So I am no help at all!

I have stayed at both and here are my thoughts.

Even if you have a tower room you will probably still have to use the elevator or escalater to get to monorail level.

The GF wins hands down for the Christmas decorations.

The garden view rooms at the GF are all nice views. The boat to the MK is wonderful.

I found the GF to be more kid friendly than the CR. The CR had a lot of guests at conventions when we were there. The front desk was efficent but not friendly.

Good luck,

Lori

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I also would stay at the GF. The decorations are beautiful with an almost heavenly atmosphere!

We will be at the GF the first week of July, and then again the second week of December after 5 nights at the WL. These two resorts are our favorite Christmas resorts.

Enjoy!

 

[tlbwriter]

Oh, your kids will love the GF at Christmastime. The monorail, the boat launch, the gingerbread house, the decorations, the huge tree, the poinsettias all around the grounds, the children's areas in the lobby... my daughter was 5.5 when we went last year and she loved it.

 

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed at both resort during the general time frame you have cited and would suggest:

Contemporary Resort
Transportation: 5-7 minute stroller walk to and from the MK
Chef Mickeys
Mickey Theming
Playground

Grand Floridian
Christmas Decorations

We would select the Contemporary Tower over the GF because you sound like you will have your hands full and the walkway is a major plus when you don't want to do the stroller shuffle to get on or off the monorail depending on how busy they may get. You can always visit the PR and GF to see their decorations. Don't dispair or stress out if an opening does not occur at the CCR-Tower. The GF is great too even if you can't walk to the MK from there. You can walk to the PR from the GF and in December it is cool with few to no bugs.

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks, everyone! It sounds like we are in really good shape with either resort (not a bad situation! ). Still no openings at the CR for the Tower. I think we may just quit worrying about it. DH and I have always wanted to stay at the GF and this is our first trip back since our honeymoon at the Poly 10 years ago... It's also the kids first trip to WDW! So, I think a splurge is definitely in order!

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[Sammie]

The Grand Floridian is hands down my favorite resort and it is so beautiful at Christmas. However there is one draw back, I guess nothing can be perfect.

Unless you are staying main building concierge you will be in the outer buildings which are wonderful until the weather is not. If it is raining or cold you will have to go outside to get to anywhere to eat, take the transportation, lobby etc. Weather in Florida at the time you have chosen can be very unpredictable ranging to beautiful to down right cold.

You can get turn down at any of the deluxe resorts.

Just something to consider.

 

[swilphil]

I loved our stay at the CR, but I would choose GF if I had the chance. Enjoy!!!

 

[cmonroe]

....We would select the Contemporary Tower over the GF because you sound like you will have your hands full and the walkway is a major plus when you don't want to do the stroller shuffle to get on or off the monorail depending on how busy they may get.

MissionMouse,

What do you mean by the stoller shuffle? I agree the walkway is convenient. We use it almost every night on the way back from the MK to avoid the rush. But I was curious what you meant by that because I have never had any problem with the stroller and the monorail in the CR.

Thanks,

Craig