GF Garden or CR Tower Dec 19 - 23

[travellady]

The price is pretty darn close for both of these - our first thoughts were the Contemporary Tower but since it's our 15th anniversary celebration, we thought maybe the Grand Floridian. What would you pick and why? Our 11 year DS will be joining us.

 

[sotoalf]

Both resorts are terrific, but the Grand Floridian is outstanding. I just returned from a weekend trip (Feb 6-9) at the GF, and the quality of the rooms, the attentive staff, and the sheer beauty of the common grounds place it way above any other deluxe resort. The Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge are its only rivals, in my opinion.

The Contemporary has the largest rooms on property, as well as the best shops. After the GF it houses the best hotel restaurants as well (whether you choose the GF or Contemporary, one of your dinner stops has to be the California Grill!). The monorail station inside the atrium always makes me nostalgic for my first visits to WDW in the '70s, when the Poly and Contemporary were the only resorts on property and the Contemporary was considered the flagship resort. However, the common areas aren't as attractive as the ones at the GF or Poly; and some guests even go so far as to label the hotel "sterile," "dated," and "faceless."

That's my take. Go to wdwig.com for more info. Hope all this helps!

 

[disneydill]

I'd vote for the GF, especially at that time of year - the Christmas decorations are wonderful.

 

[SB in KY]

I like the GF...but there is something incredible and totally Disney about a park view room in the tower at the CR!!! Sitting on your balcony and watching the fireworks at the MK...Falling asleep at night watching the castle change colors....that would be my choice, but either place would be wonderful.

 

[dg39]

We go every year to disney and have stayed at the CR every time we go. The rooms are large, the views from the balcony in the towers can't be beat. The restaurants, shops and staff are great. We stayed last summer at the GF in the main concierge. We had a great time. The staff is just as wonderful and the grounds are beautiful. While the grounds in the GF in my opinion are much nicer then the CR, we missed the CR terribly. We'll be going again this summer, but will be staying at the CR. It's like home to us. My dd did love the pool at the GF better, but she missed the CR just as much as we did. You can't go wrong either way. There's more action at the CR, night and day, with a more casual feeling to it. But, the lobby in the GF is super comfy and the music is relaxing.