Deluxe with a Theme Park View worth the cost?

[Anri]

My mom and I just got back from our April trip and will be going back next April. My mom would start to tucker out pretty early, even on our light days, so we didn't really get to see any of the fireworks. We are thinking about splurging for a deluxe hotel on the monorail for next year so it's easier for us to get back to the resort and I'm wondering if springing for a theme park view is worth it? For me it would be really awesome to see the fireworks from the room, but are the views good or are they only so-so? Are the views better from a particular hotel? My mom doesn't really like the theming of the Contemporary so I'm personally leaning towards the Polynesian.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you think you would be more comfortable sitting on your private balcony to watch the fireworks, sure! If you think you would be ok to simply walk to the Poly beach or GF marina or boat dock to see the fireworks, I would save the money and book a standard or garden view room. Another idea, for about the same price as theme park view, you could book a CL garden view at Poly and watch the fireworks from the lounge or beach or book outer building CL at GF and simply walk to the boat dock or marina (these are very short walks). Personally, for the price, I'd rather have the CL amenities than the view.

 

[pixarmom]

For us, the theme park view is not worth the cost but many will feel differently. I love a water view (lagoon at Poly, for example) but paying more to see a theme park is not a good value for us. I feel like it's a better value to book a garden view room, club level and then watch the fireworks from the beach or the lounge. For that cost, we have breakfast, snacks, appetizers, wine/beer, desserts, all the extra space of the lounge and a wonderful view of the fireworks just steps from our room. When staying CL, we're also guaranteed a room close to the main pool and not far from GCH. The Poly club lounge is absolutely my favorite place to watch Wishes - so relaxing, light desserts, coffee, no crowds and seconds later we're back in our room!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Our last 2 trips and this upcoming we're booked at Contemporary Theme Park View room . I've never seen Wishes by the Poly or GF so I can't compare, but we watch Wishes from our balcony and love everything about it.

 

[Babsy]

I have had a TPV room, a CL TPV room and a CL non TPV room (also regular standard or garden view rooms) at all the MK resorts on monorail. I absolutely LOVE having TPV from my room. If you can afford the extra $$$ it is lovely. If you tire easily, it is an easy way to still see the fireworks without battling the crowds. You can watch the fireworks in PJ's and drop right into bed afterwards. LOVELY!

I have loved the theme park view of the MK from the Poly in the past, but I am not sure that I will still like it now that the bungalows are in place. I realize that they won't block the view from the TPV rooms, it's just that they will be IN the view. I'm not sure until I see it how much of an impact (if any) that the presence of these buildings will have. My plan is to stay Poly CL TPV next Jan, so we will see then. The Poly was the first on site resort that I stayed in in WDW, and I believe that it has a very wide appeal to most people, so it is a good choice for many.

My very favourite TPV is at the CR either on a high floor (floor 11) or from the CL (12 or 14th floor). Any TPV room in the tower is excellent, however. The TPV from the rooms in the tower of the CR is panoramic of the entire MK resort areI think of it as a mountaintop experience. You will see the castle, the MK, the fireworks, the monorail loop, the GF and the POLY. You can watch the buses and boats arriving and ELP on the water at night. The magic of the CR is in staying here, not in visiting. It apparently isn't for everyone. I didn't think that I would enjoy staying here, but was pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of my very favourite resorts in WDW. It is a contender along with the GF for my favourite resort in all of WDW.

GF TPV are also very nice, just my third choice for watching fireworks from the room. When staying at the GF I usually like garden view just as much for fewer $$$. Just had RPC MK view last Jan, however and it was amazing!

 

[ktlm]

For us, the theme park view room is not worth the cost, but I will say that once the GF upgraded us to a theme park room, and I do have to admit that is the best room we have ever had at WDW. (Yep- there might have been some tears when the wonderful CM upgraded us, because that was kind of my dream room, but I can't stomach the theme park view cost). I loved standing out on the patio and hearing the sounds of MK and watching the boats go by our room and listening to the boat horns in the room. (Some people are not fans of that sound in their rooms, but I thought it was fantastic). The electric water parade also went by our room which was nice. Realize it is not like you are close though. MK is a good distance away and you will see the castle way off in the distance. Ours was during the Christmas season and I loved being able to see those castle lights from our room. Also from Boca Chica, the view is angled more towards the Contemporary. I can't recall if we could see the castle from our window without stepping out on the patio. I know the best view was if we stepped out. If it is just for the fireworks, you can get a garden view room at GF and go out to the boat dock to watch fireworks. They have benches out there too. That view is a little more from the side. The Poly is more of a direct center view for fireworks. Again, you can book a garden room at the Poly and go out to the beach to watch the fireworks.

 

[Texas Mickey]

We are booked at Poly in October with a TPV. Its our 2nd alone trip and the first in a Deluxe. I stayed CR as a kid but the DW has never stayed Deluxe. We are hoping for the fall discount to offset the cost. If we get it great, if not we won't stress it. We could stay anywhere else but this is what we decided on for our trip. We are excited about sitting on the balcony on our short nights and enjoying the fireworks! Everyones finances are different and everyones priorities are different. Do what makes you happy as long as your not stressing the cost. Hope you have great trip whatever you decide!

 

[trishadono]

My mom and I just got back from our April trip and will be going back next April. My mom would start to tucker out pretty early, even on our light days, so we didn't really get to see any of the fireworks. We are thinking about splurging for a deluxe hotel on the monorail for next year so it's easier for us to get back to the resort and I'm wondering if springing for a theme park view is worth it? For me it would be really awesome to see the fireworks from the room, but are the views good or are they only so-so? Are the views better from a particular hotel? My mom doesn't really like the theming of the Contemporary so I'm personally leaning towards the Polynesian.

At poly the GV CL rooms are the same price as the TPV rooms. I choose CL for my mom. Great views at any time during the day. She loved getting up early and sitting in the lounge with her coffee before I got up. Then we had a private balcony if she wanted to have some privacy. The best of both worlds.

 

[Networth]

The only resort where I always book a TPV room at is the CR. When we stay at the GF (9 times out of 10 until kids) we either do RPC or Lagoon.

 

[Nancyg56]

WE were upgrades on our last visit. WE stayed at teh GF, adn while that view was amazing, I would not pay for it. I agree with an earlier poster who suggested taking that money and booking a Club level room. Your Mom might get more value for the lounge and treats, and tehn just find a cozy spot to see teh fireworks from the resort.

I think if I was traveling with my Mom, I would choose the GF club room. The grand has that grand lobby with a pianist every afternoon, followed by the Grand Ochestra. It is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy. The Club offerings in the afternoon include a light tea, which was honestly one of the nicest respites. If I was going to find a way to keep my mom entetained while ensuring she relaxed, this is how I would go.

The GF is not nearly as large as it looks, so the walking fom one point to another is not too bad for someone with limited amount of strength, and has an atmosphere that is welcoming and relaxing all at teh same time.

 

[Marionnette]

My mom and I just got back from our April trip and will be going back next April. My mom would start to tucker out pretty early, even on our light days, so we didn't really get to see any of the fireworks. We are thinking about splurging for a deluxe hotel on the monorail for next year so it's easier for us to get back to the resort and I'm wondering if springing for a theme park view is worth it? For me it would be really awesome to see the fireworks from the room, but are the views good or are they only so-so? Are the views better from a particular hotel? My mom doesn't really like the theming of the Contemporary so I'm personally leaning towards the Polynesian.

I've had rooms with views of the MK 3 times. Once at each of the monorail resorts. Of the 3, the CR tower view was by far the best. The GF view was too far to the one side and the Poly view was a good distance from the castle. The CR feels like you are almost in the park.

While the views were nice, I don't think that I would pay current prices for them. IMO, the cost is not worth the view. I would rather get a garden view at the Poly concierge and watch Wishes from the lounge, or have a late dinner in Narcoose's with a window table. Dinner at the California Grill entitles you to access to the "roof top" viewing area when you show your receipt, according to the CM I spoke with when I did my ADRs.

 

[thisismyusername]

Agreed with some of the PP: Since cost is usually equal between CL GV and a non CL room with TPV, we always will choose CL as our splurge. It's so easy to find a place to watch the fireworks a few steps outside of your room at any of the monorail resorts to watch the fireworks. AND, sometimes you can even see the fireworks from a non-TPV room. Plus, if you stay CL at the CR or the Poly, you can watch the fireworks from the lounges AND hear the music (they don't do that at the GF, but you can walk down to Narcoossee's and watch from the deck and hear the music). CL really pays off, too, when you're at the resort quite a bit, which it sounds like you will be.

Plus, if you choose to stay CL, you might get lucky and get a complimentary upgrade to TPV anyway.

 

[GATORinaZ28]

It was worth it once for us. Last December, we stayed at the Contemporary MK view and it was great. I wanted my daughter to experience it once. After that, I am happy with a moderate or even value for a short trip.

 

[JasonMouse]

Does Disney still discount BLT for under $300 during times they close MK at 7pm for special events? We got such a theme park view rate with bonus fireworks at 11am during a grad night four years ago. I never see a monorail resort for under $300 anymore.

 

[Kimi313]

We have stayed Theme park view at Poly and Cont. I didn't think the Poly was worth it but we loved the stay at Cont! Is it worth the cost, no, but if it is worth it for your mom to sit on the balcony and watch fireworks and just look over the Magic Kingdom it is worth it! We will do it again one day because we love it not be cause the cost is worth it. Did that make sense?

 

[suzimar57]

We've had the Theme Park View at the CR several times and I have to say a resounding YES IT'S WORTH IT!!! - those times were "special" trips, and we saved up for those deluxe rooms (otherwise we'd be at the Pop...) - my dream is to go back to CR with a MK view and just savor the time on my balcony, gazing at that view (sigh...)

 

[Mary2e]

I'll offer a differing viewpoint. We stayed at the CR with a theme park view for a long weekend in January a few years ago and ended up on a pretty high floor. While the view of the park and fireworks was great, it was the noise from all the buses passing to get to the bus stops for the MK that had us saying "never again." The upside was that it was January and we got some great sun in the afternoon to warm our bones. We do enjoy sitting outdoors and the buses were pretty much a constant droning. Our next trip for a weekend, we reserved Bay Lake View rooms and it was like we were in another hotel entirely.

FWIW - we both work in NYC, and while it is quiet at home in NJ, it's not like we are not accustomed to noise of all kinds. We just don't like it when on vacation.

For us, the extra $$$ spend was not worth it.

 

[Anri]

Thank you everyone for your point of views. We may need to continue putting some thought into it. We've recently started spending more of our time at the resort so there are many different things to consider.

 

[gogo]

Its been a number of years since we stayed at the CR theme park view room. I remember how distracting the honking horns from cars in the parking lot was. To me, looking at the parking lot in a theme park view room was a detraction especially with the car horns going off due to the fireworks. Does this still happen? I'm sure it does not bother some, but just a heads up, if you book it. I watched Wishes from Narcoosee's, in MK, and from the walkway at California Grill and all were really special. Did not get the same feeling from a TPV room at CR. Again, this is a personal opinion, but something to consider. Kids probably would not mind. If I stay at CR again, I'd book a Bay Lake View. Just looks so relaxing from the pictures I've seen, and watch Wishes elsewhere.

 

[Mary2e]

Consider this.... it's less costly to have dinner at the California Grill and use your receipt to go up to the roof deck to see wishes than it is to pay for the TPV room