CR Tower Rooms-Is it worth it?

[Bobbysdog]

Hi! We're booked into the CR wing standard view for the last five nights of a 15 night stay in September. Last night DW mused out loud about possibly upgrading into a tower room (about $100/night more at AP rates) and we started to look seriously into it. Based on what I've been able to determine so far, there's no guarantee that we'll get a MK view (the bay view, although undoubtedly pretty, is relatively meaningless to us and that might be the deal breaker, since we'd be upgrading mainly for the fireworks and park view).

I thought I'd tap into the vast knowledge out here; are there any other meaningful perks outside of the view that we'd get by doing the upgrade?We've never stayed at the contemporary, although we've been inside it many, many times, so please feel free to get as detailed as you want.

(And, by the way, not that I'd ever count on it, but what would folks say are the odds that we might be able to get a free upgrade at the front desk during the last week of September when we're there?)

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[Selket]

We stayed in a room in the North Wing last month and I thought it was well kept - the biggest complaint folks have about the wings might be the condition of the rooms. I haven't stayed in the tower so I can't compare that. I know in the north wing you are out the door and right on the walkway to the MK. For us not worth the extra to stay in the tower. We didn't miss the balcony that much.

I must say though, like yourself, I'd be tempted to stay in the tower if I could guarantee myself a MK view. Since you're traveling on an AP rate it probably would be substantially more expensive to upgrade to the tower at check-in though.

I haven't kept up with the threads about the CR rennovation but wondering if any of that would be done when you're there? I"m guessing not but not sure. I don't think upgrades from wing to tower are that common - certainly not like the AKL upgrades from standard to savannah view.

I think for the extra $$$ I'd rather stay in the wings. I know with my luck i'd get a bayview room I've read here that some standard view rooms have a bit of a view of the MK - perhaps the top of the castle and the fireworks - certainly the monorail!

 

[swilphil]

We stayed in the North Wing in March and loved it! It's so easy to walk to MK from there. I would highly recommend a ground floor so you will have a patio. I actually prefer the wings to the tower, but that's just me.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I've stayed in both the North wing and the Tower and have to say the Tower was definitely worth the $$$ for us! The look on my family's faces when we opened the curtains and saw MK from our room was priceless!! Watching Wishes from our bed, being able to hop on the monorail or take a quick elevator ride down to BVG or the Food and Fun Center--yep, it was worth it. The rooms were spacious and clean, but the carpeting showed signs of wear and the resort will definitely benefit from the planned renovations.
When I booked, I only requested non-smoking with a MK view. Got both.
We were on the 10th floor, so had no noise from Chef Mickey's to bother us. But I understand some rooms on the lower floors that are on Chef Mickey's side can be noisy.
The only drawback for us was dragging a suitcase of dirty clothes to the laundry in the wings.
If we were to do the Contemporary again (it'll be a while--we try to hit a different resort each trip) I would get another Tower room. But I'm of the mindset that a Disney vacation is magical and therefore worth spending lots of money on--more money than I'd ever spend at any other hotel...

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I used to stay in the CR tower just about every trip. Its nice, but I dont know if its really worth the upgrade in price. The views are great and the location is usually better..those wings can go on forever...god help you if your placed at the end of the wing and you want to go to the lobby or the monorail! I'd probably upgrade, but there nothing really different as far as the room goes.

Jungle Josh

 

[dznyntnh]

I was in the same boat, I was going to change my rez to CR and get a wing room and pray, beg, flirt and bribe to get upgraded to the Tower, but wanting to make sure I got the Tower, I booked it.

I would not book CR and stay in the wings. Just not the same for me. I don't care which view I get (would prefer MK, like everyone else). Staying in teh Tower is definitely worth it.

 

[Bobbysdog]

Thanks for all the replies so far. My wife and I thank you....but I'm not sure my wallet shares the enthusiasm!

Sigh......if only they'd guarantee the MK view.......

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

While making the reservation, tell them you want a romantic vacation with your wife, and a great view of MK is in order! Im sure they will try their best to accomodate you.

 

[Bobbysdog]

While making the reservation, tell them you want a romantic vacation with your wife, and a great view of MK is in order! Im sure they will try their best to accomodate you.

That's an excellent idea!
.......maybe I can ditch my DD11 somewhere in MK for six days/five nights.....lol

 

[MinnieM3]

When we've stayed at CR we've only stayed at the Tower. The wings, while nice, would be like staying at a Motel 6 to us. The reason we do the CR IS the Tower. We've always requested a Mk view and have always gotten it, although sometimes we were told it wasn't available. I was always very nice at check in and would ask them to please check again, we were willing to wait, etc. Every time, within seconds, a Mk view came up. We're MK freaks, so to us, being able to see MK anytime is worth it.

 

[Bobbysdog]

When we've stayed at CR we've only stayed at the Tower. The wings, while nice, would be like staying at a Motel 6 to us. The reason we do the CR IS the Tower. We've always requested a Mk view and have always gotten it, although sometimes we were told it wasn't available. I was always very nice at check in and would ask them to please check again, we were willing to wait, etc. Every time, within seconds, a Mk view came up. We're MK freaks, so to us, being able to see MK anytime is worth it.

That's why we booked 5 nights at the CR. We're going to MNSSHP, taking a wishes cruise, and just planning to run amuck for four or five days in the kingdom. The idea of sitting on the balcony to check out Wishes makes me feel like a moth to the flame...........

 

[minijeanie]

I've got an idea???

stay at the tower for only half the time then move over to wings....

Just came back from Tower and loved it. Stayed in peak season and I got MK view.. If you request early enough,they usually try to accomodate.
we actually even stayed one nite concierge...I had to be on 14th floor to see castle...It was magnificent.

we did have to check out and then check back in again...how funny... originally they wanted to put me on 7th floor.. I told them I would wait and low & behold I was put on 11th floor, MK view....

good luck

you will love CR .....it is wonderful....

 

[cinmell]

We love the Contemporary Tower, the view is wonderful! We've never stayed in the wings but our friends who visit the Contempory love the wings. We love hopping off the monorail and taking the elevator to right up to our room. It's also nice to be an elevator ride away from the Concourse area or the the Food and Fun Center. Another thing we like is coming out of our room and hearing the singing from Chef Mickey's (we have NEVER heard any noise/singing/etc. from our tower room when the door was closed). The Tower is definitely worth it for us.

We have been to the CR several times and we requested MK view each time and received it each time . However, we usually go to WDW off season or slow times so that probably is a factor as to why we've been lucky with our requests. Also, we usually arrive at the resort between 10-11 am. Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Thekidsmom]

We just got back from CR and were on the 12th floor with a Magic Kingdom view. We requested it when I made the res the month before. They said they would do everything they could to make sure we had it and sure enough we did. Nothing can beat sitting on the balcony watching Wishes with you family.

 

[Bobbysdog]

I'

ve got an idea???
stay at the tower for only half the time then move over to wings....

Just came back from Tower and loved it. Stayed in peak season and I got MK view.. If you request early enough,they usually try to accomodate.
we actually even stayed one nite concierge...I had to be on 14th floor to see castle...It was magnificent.

we did have to check out and then check back in again...how funny... originally they wanted to put me on 7th floor.. I told them I would wait and low & behold I was put on 11th floor, MK view....

good luck

you will love CR .....it is wonderful....

This is a great idea and a fun way to wrap up the vacation! Maybe I can talk DH into the concierge level for 2 nights after 3 nights in the wing??!!??

Shannon

 

[Densgirl]

We did a split stay back in 2003 and moved from BWI over to CR. What I did was get up early and go and check in, while being as nice and pleasant as possible and explained we were going to the parks for the day and didn't expect an MK view to be ready right at that moment. I told her we were more than willing to wait for one to become available. I called the resort back and 3:00 and indeed did receive my MK view. Watching the castle change colors from your bed can be very hazardous to your sleep though. I would find I'd be awake for hours just checking it out. The sunsets from this side of the hotel are spectacular. I have many friends who actually prefer the bay lake side. They love the sunrises from this side and if they want to see fireworks they just walk out to the balcony at the end of the 4th floor concourse to watch wishes. For them the morning view is most important. Me, I want to see the MK. Either way, the tower is a little more special. You are so centrally located to everything at the resort from the tower rooms. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Bobbysdog]

I'

This is a great idea and a fun way to wrap up the vacation! Maybe I can talk DH into the concierge level for 2 nights after 3 nights in the wing??!!??

Shannon

My wife is apparently a great salesperson! Not only did she close the deal on 12th floor concierge, she got me to convert the entire reservation (all five nights) to the concierge level. We managed to get an AP rate for the room as well! (interesting note; my first phone call to check 12th floor concierge availiability was unsuccessful. I was told there were no more rooms. I had a hunch, and called right back, and lo and behold there was a room available!)

Now I gotta search the Disboards to find the magic phrase that grants us the coveted MK view!! Oh well....one challenge at a time!

Tune in next week when we try to keep a poker face around our DD11 who still somehow believes that we're staying all 15 nights at POR. DW & I are hoping she won't find out about the 10 day split between BC and CR concierge until we get down there.....

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and input...it was truly appreciated and very helpful!

 

[thelionqueen]

Hi! We're booked into the CR wing standard view for the last five nights of a 15 night stay in September. Last night DW mused out loud about possibly upgrading into a tower room (about $100/night more at AP rates) and we started to look seriously into it. Based on what I've been able to determine so far, there's no guarantee that we'll get a MK view (the bay view, although undoubtedly pretty, is relatively meaningless to us and that might be the deal breaker, since we'd be upgrading mainly for the fireworks and park view).

I cannot suggest strongly enough to pay the extra for the tower! The rooms are wonderful and I'm fairly certain you could upgrade at that time (not positive). The wing rooms are so far from the main building, and not very well kept. We were upgraded from a wing to tower with bay view (WONDERFUL!!) and it truly made our trip memorable. I would pay any amount of $$ to stay in tower if I were you. Especially only $100.00 good luck!!

 

[the kabuki]

I can't help with your question since i've stayed in neither but....15 DAYS IN WDW????? CAN I COME TOO????

I'm soooo jealous

 

[Bobbysdog]

I can't help with your question since i've stayed in neither but....15 DAYS IN WDW????? CAN I COME TOO????

I'm soooo jealous

Depends......can you sing and dance?!?