Garden view vs. Tower at the Contemportary?

[jacksonsmom]

We will only be at the Contemportary for 4 nights. We have never stayed at this resort.

Could someone please explain the difference in the two? I am questioning if being in the Tower is worth the extra money. To be honest we will not be in our resort that much since we will only be in the World for 4 days.

Our main priority is GOOD transportation, especially to & from Magic & Epcot.
I read that it is somewhat of a walk to the monorail if you are staying in the Garden Wing? How much of a walk are we talking about? 5, 10 minutes? Is the walk inside the resort or would we have to go outside to reach the monorail station?
In that situtation would it be better just to walk to Magic?

Also how far is the food court area from the wing section?

Is there a 'better' wing section then others?

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions........

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

If you are going to do the garden wing then I would suggest north garden wing as close to the tower as possible. It's really not that far a walk to get into the tower to get onto the monorail, plus the contemporary is within walking distance of the MK.

To get to epcot you would take the monorail and then transfer at the TTC.

If you really really want to take advantage of the view from the tower then stay in the tower, if not, then stay in the garden wing.

 

[dw123]

We were at the Contemporary for 4 nights at the end of April and stayed in the Tower with a Magic Kingdom view. It was great and I'd highly recommend it. When we go back again we definitely will!

You literally feel like you're in the Magic Kingdom the entire time. The view is fantastic, and looking into the Contemporary concourse is just as nice.

 

[frazzled one]

We were in the tower for our last trip (in 1997) and had a phenomenal room - 11th floor, I think, with MK view. Although I was skeptical at first about paying the premium for a room with a better view when we'd be spending so little time there, I can't tell you how glad I am that we did. I felt a thrill every time we came in and saw the castle, the boats on the lagoon, the GF across the way ..... This was during the 25th anniversary celebration, so there were fireworks every night, which we caught several times without having to fight the crowds on Main Street. (We could even see Tink make her flight!)

We're going again in November, and I can't get the CR for our dates - but I'm going to keep trying.

fraz

 

[beattyfamily]

If you want to save money then try to get the North wing rather than the South. The North wing is closer to the bus stop, the food court, and MK walkway. Try to get a room as close to the Tower as possible. But I believe only the South wing has smoking rooms...

You do have to walk outside briefly to get to the Tower and the food court and monorail.

We've done both and MUCH preferred the convenience and view of the Tower room vs. the North wing room.

It was AMAZING having a view of MK and seeing the Goodnight Kiss of the Castle each night. Plus the fireworks too! It was VERY magical.

You'd then have a balcony. We didn't in the Wing.

You just hop on the elevator and your at the monorail or Chef Mickey's or the shops. No going outside.

It all depends on what's most important to you.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

My family stayed in the tower during our Millenium trip. We checked in Christmas 1999 and checked out January 2, 2000. I loved it! If I were staying at that resort I would definitely want a tower room. Have you considered the Poly? That is my favorite resort. They are right on the monorail and you can walk to the TTC.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by Favorite Auntie
Have you considered the Poly? That is my favorite resort. They are right on the monorail and you can walk to the TTC.

Yes, the Poly was definitely on my list. It was between the Poly & the Contemp. but my son & DH out voted me for the Contemportary so it looks like we are going to stay in the Contemp.

I am just so wishy washy if we really want to spend the extra money on being in the tower. I am not one to care too much about the "view" from my resort, since we mainly sleep there.
The most important thing is the ease of transportation.

Of course this will be a Christmas gift for myself & DH so maybe we should try for the Tower?

Does anyone know if APs rates include the Tower views? I think that would be a big factor for us.

Thanks everyone for your opinions

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We loved the NGW ! Short walk from the door to the Food and Fun center and it is covered! So no, you won't get rained on .
We wanted 3rd floor for peace and quiet, and a view of The lake and the fireworks. We got this about halfway down the middle hall. It was wonderful. Remember those rooms in the wings closest to the tower are HEAVY foot traffic and would be loud, IMHO. We would walk to MK and monorail back, since that was quickest. Very easy to monorail to Epcot also since TTC is the next stop. If the AP rates include tower and are not much more, go for it. But I don't think it is worth a lot of extra money if you are not in your room much. I would stay in a wing again in a heartbeat.

 

[MJames41]

My preference is the South Wing, close to the pool. Our first trip to the Contemporary, we were very fortunate to get room 5111, 1st floor, South Wing, just steps from our patio to the pool.

It is a very short walk to the monorail - the tower is closer, but we are talking, for some rooms a matter of seconds, not minutes. Is it worth it? My vote for myself would be no, but I also have a fear of heights which plays into it. No matter where you are though, the Contemporary has the monorail - which is great transportation to MK and to Epcot. Also, if you are going to Epcot more than MK, the next stop after the Contemporary on the resort line is TTC, for the switch to the Epcot monorail. Enjoy.

 

[jeannej]

Not taking anything way from the Garden wings, but, my attitude is this: Why would nayone want to stay at the Contmeporary if you don't stay in the Tower? I have stayed at the Contemporary twice and both times in the Tower. I love the Tower rooms and I love opening my door and loooking into the concourse level, seeing all the people and watching and hearing the monorail coming through the the hotel. It sort of gives the place a Jetson, 50's view of the future feel. I love the place but I will only stay there is I stay in the Tower.

Jeanne

 

[kda]

We stayed in the North Garden wing (about 1/2 way down) and in the Tower (MK) view during the same trip. Both were great. It was a thrill to stay in the Tower and see the MK, but you don't sound like that's really that important to you because you won't be in the room much. Very understandable. You're the only one who can decide how much you're willing to pay for a Tower room. There's no guarantee of a MK view --- 1/2 the rooms face the pool and the other side of Bay Lake, which is a lovely view.

Almost no one mentions that the MK view also includes the view of the parking lot, if you look down, and when you sit on the balcony you hear all the MK bus traffic going by. We prefer a more peaceful balcony, but the wings don't have balconies --- first floor rooms have a patio. There are sliders that open for fresh air, however.

It was convenient to get to MK from both rooms. It was about a 4" walk from our room in the north wing to the monorail, and just a few feet were outside. The monorail, which you board from inside the Tower, circles all the way around Bay Lake and stops at the Poly and GF before arriving at the MK. It's about a 7 minute walk to MK from the North wing or the North door of the Tower. The resort monorail FROM MK stops at the Contemporary first, so it's a very quick trip.

The monorail to Epcot is a real quick trip to TTC and then a change to the Epcot monorail. It seems like there's also a bus to Epcot, but I'm blanking out on that one.

South wing is somewhat closer to the main pool --- north wing has the kiddie playground area. The far end of the South wing would be farther away from the monorail, busses, and food court than any room in the north wing (I'm guessing about 7-8 minutes, but not sure).

Good luck choosing and have a great trip!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by jeannej
Not taking anything way from the Garden wings, but, my attitude is this: Why would nayone want to stay at the Contmeporary if you don't stay in the Tower?

For the ease of transportation (especially to Magic) would be my reason.
Personally, I am not a person to pay out $$$ just to have a certain view. If a good discount code comes along then I may
be willing to pay for but as it stands right now, paying almost $100 extra just to look at MK or a lake isn't worth it. I know alot of people feel it is worth it but I don't, especially at rack rates.

Thank you KDA & everyone else for your detailed posts. I think if we do stay in the Wing roms, the North wing is better for our family.

Not saying it would not be 'magically' staying in the Tower but unless I can get a code I can not justify paying rack rate just to stay in the Tower.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Well - I am very biased - I have only stayed at the contemporary when on site - the garden view I am sure is just fine - you may have to walk into the tower to get to the monorail... but geez... it is just a short walk to the MK anyway. Literally you can walk there faster then the monorail can get you there. If I were to stay in one of the "wings" I would want to have one of the rooms that opens on to the pool... I have no idea what numbers or wing that is ...but as my DD and I were swimming I gave those rooms a serious look... can't imagine much of anything more convenient then pool access

BUT - I have only stayed in the tower for no other reason then I did once when it first opened as a kid - and I wanted to spoil my kid by staying "up high" as she says...and by getting concierge service... our view was incredible... as much as you won't be staying much time in the room it is still pretty cool to look out and see the electric water parade or the MK.

On the other hand - if MK is the park you will do the most of... and you'd rather save the money then do one of the wings and just walk to MK

 

[LIFERBABE]

We will be staying in the North Garden Wing next month.
We have always stayed offsite and this trip is a bonus as we went last month so I too am contemplating room requests.

What I looked at most when making my decision is there an equivalent resort comparison as opposed to staying in the wings? No other resort compares to the Contemporary's Wing Rooms when you compare all amenities and access and price.
Even if the Wings were a separate Resort on shared property, you would still come out ahead in the wings.

I too like a view and when it's just Dh and I on vacation that is more important.
What's important to us in WDW is not having to say no to activities, Character Meals, green veggies or anything else we want to do because I wanted a room with a view!

Every time I make a cut in our trip budget, I reward our family with another fun activity. Im currently considering cutting the Patio room for a standard wing room and using the money for the Captains Package at the marina.
Dh was not really excited about having a patio but he was about unlimited water mice access!
I think the Wings will be fine any closer to MK and we'd be sleeping in the Castle! I wouldnt worry about a few extra steps.

This reminds me of the episode of Frazier when Niles and Frazier stressed themselves out over elite men's spa membership only to find there were different levels of elite once they gained admittance. Then they wriggled their way through the Gold door status only to see there was a Platinum door. They had to be on the Platinum level and when they burst through the door it led outside to the garbage alley! and the door locked behind them.

The moral of this story is "It is better to be inside then in some garbage alley, not matter what the level"

That's my take on the Contemporary Garden Wings.