How is the Contemprary Resort Garden Wing?

[Phillip Williams]

Staying there from 9/18/2017 - 9/24/2017. It looks like a good area to stay at. From everybodys experience how was it?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's fine. Don't expect much in terms of views.

 

[Quellman]

You have a short covered walkway to the main tower where you then need to go up a couple of floors to the main amenities and the monorail. Views are likely of the pool or the water if you booked that category. Close to the pool as well, and parking isn't horrible. Rooms are generally nice and the first floor has a patio. It can be kinda of secluded from the hustle and bustle of the main resort depending on the view.

 

[LoopyDoopy]

The Contemporary is probably the best located resort in all of Disney World. It's close to Epcot and MK, which are parks people seem to spend the most time at. It's got three great restaurants (Wave, Chef Mickey's, and California Grill) and is a monorail ride away from the other top deluxe resorts and their dining, too. It's the first stop back from the MK on the monorail. The rooms in the Garden Wing are much less expensive than inside the tower. It's not that far away from the tower, so if the rooms are in your budget, I say go for it.

 

[DLgal]

I've stayed there twice and once in the tower. Honestly, I didn't love the garden wing. It's dark and dreary, the elevators seem ancient and the hallways and stairwells smelled pretty bad (musty). Plus, there are no balconies and the windows were so dirty we couldn't see out of them. When we were there, it didn't really feel like we were staying at the Contemporary, as odd as that sounds.

The tower was a completely different experience though and I loved it.

 

[Marthasor]

I think it's great! It's typically the most budget-friendly way to stay at a monorail resort. As PP noted, don't expect a great view. I would request a first floor room if you'd like a patio (2nd floor rooms don't have balconies). It is a little removed from the main tower, however, what I love about it is you can access the buses, monorail and restaurants (and your room) without having to deal with the main tower elevators which are always packed!

 

[ErinsMommy]

[QUOTE="Marthasor, post: 57422721, member: 87733"you can access the buses, monorail and restaurants (and your room) without having to deal with the main tower elevators which are always packed![/QUOTE]

This - I never stayed in the Garden Wing because we've been spoiled by TPV rooms there but those elevators can be a total pain.

 

[Phillip Williams]

Thanks for the information. Having a view really isn't a huge deal for me but I like being able to jump on the monorail so easy.

 

[kboo]

We really enjoyed it! It was quiet (we had a 2nd floor pool/trees view) and away from the hustle and bustle of the tower, but close enough to feel a part of the action. And yes, very nice not to deal with the tower elevators much (you can get to the monorail via escalators, which was often easier than waiting for the elevators).

 

[caliope]

Thanks for asking this question. I'm back and forth on whether to book a garden wing room and save money or book a tower room and deal with backed up elevators. The location of the CR is really appealing so we definitely want to stay there soon. I'm just so indecisive!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We stayed in the Garden wing back when there was still a North Wing Bldg (since demolished and rebuilt as BLT) and South Wing Bldg. I thought it was extremely convenient not having to wait for elevators all the time. Being on the second or third floor it was really easy to take the stairs. Then it was less than five minutes to get to the main building and the monorail (or bus stop). It was nice having our car parked right next to the building, too. We had a nice pool view. Plus we were pretty close to the pool. The room was very big and the bathroom was also pretty big. We'd stay there again.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We absolutely loved the GW rooms at Contemporary. We usually stay at POFQ, but have also stayed at PORS, POP and Beach Club. The Contemporary GW rooms were really big and my teen DD's loved that they didn't have to share a bed (there was the small day bed along with the 2 queen beds), Spacious rooms, lovely bathroom and nice toiletries (we got full size shampoo / conditioner / bottles of water). Housekeeping was terrific. The GW rooms were really close to the pool which was important to us. It was also a quick walk to boat area (we took boat to Fort Wilderness for a meal). And we thought the 10 minute walk to MK was fabulous. If we can get a good deal again, we will definitely return to the GW rooms!

 

[Rera2528]

We just stayed in the Garden Wing for the first time last month, and we really liked it! We were on the first floor, at the very end of the hall. Our view was technically standard, but our patio opened out onto the canal. It was fantastic to go outside every morning with coffee and muffins and watch the early fishing excursions. We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge twice, and the Garden Wing had that same "out of the hustle and bustle" feel. At the same time, the pool, restaurants, monorail, and Magic Kingdom were incredibly close by and convenient.

The beds were extraordinarily comfortable, room was large and well-appointed, and the housekeeping was terrific. Our overall review of the resort was that it felt like a convention center (since it is), and we aren't planning to stay there again on our next trip. But we had no regrets about the Garden Wing at all and had a great stay. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

 

[FredtheDuck]

For those that have stayed in the GW on the pool side, how was the pool noise? I have a request in for a room in the 5125-ish area (obviously nothing guaranteed), and am wondering if the pool noise will be too disruptive when my 1.5 year old is napping in the afternoons. We have a white noise machine, if that helps.

 

[spiceycat]

have stayed in the GW on the pool side on the second floor - loved it. It was pretty quiet - now I wished for a view of the lagoon or bay lake - but at least got the pool. mother hated the steps so we took the elevator.

I was paying for it and for the price it was great. Generally use my DVC points for these trips but out of points and WDW was having a special on CR GW.
Long before BLT was built. Now I stay in BLT.

Walking to the MK is faster than taking the monorail. coming back it can also be faster - depending upon the crowd level. besides WDW has changed the path to make it more welcoming. think they did an excellent job.

 

[Tk0021]

We loved the garden wing. We stayed last June for a week and it was great. Me, my wife, and two little girls (5and 3) really liked the walk to MK. The only reason we are not staying there this year is we are renting points from a friend and saving a lot of money. We went to MK 4 days out of our trip and it really had a big impact. We could come and go as we pleased and the girls could stay in the stroller and fall asleep. We did not have to take them out to get on a bus. This let them sleep and let us enjoy the park more. The room was nice and quiet also. The walk to the main build was short and we even had the room furthest away. The pool was close too.

 

[Tk0021]

We just stayed in the Garden Wing for the first time last month, and we really liked it! We were on the first floor, at the very end of the hall. Our view was technically standard, but our patio opened out onto the canal. It was fantastic to go outside every morning with coffee and muffins and watch the early fishing excursions. We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge twice, and the Garden Wing had that same "out of the hustle and bustle" feel. At the same time, the pool, restaurants, monorail, and Magic Kingdom were incredibly close by and convenient.

The beds were extraordinarily comfortable, room was large and well-appointed, and the housekeeping was terrific. Our overall review of the resort was that it felt like a convention center (since it is), and we aren't planning to stay there again on our next trip. But we had no regrets about the Garden Wing at all and had a great stay. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

sounds like we might have stayed in the same room. Haha