Hubby and I disagree- POR or CR garden wing?

[lovemy3girls]

We just got back and of course I need to start planning for next year. This year we did a package at Pop, and moved over to POR for 3 nights at the end. I really liked POR. I thought it was beautiful, and I wish we had had more time there. We have stayed at the CR twice, once tower and once south wing. DH thinks we should stretch our budget and stay at CR wing- he loves that resort. I think if we can't stay in the tower (we can't afford it), why not save the $ and stay at POR. I would love to hear everyone's opinions. He is betting me that everyone will side with him.... So help us out with our friendly bet Thanks!

 

[BrianD]

To me it all comes down to how important location is to you. That's the only reason I would want to stay in the wing at the CR. But that is a great location.

If it's more about the resort itself, then save the money and stay at POR.

 

[ElizabethB]

Have stayed at both POR and CR -- I'd pick CR hands down due to the convenience to MK plus the large comfortable rooms. We stayed in a garden wing room first floor with a patio and a pretty view of a pond and trees. We'd stay there again in a minute. We also thing POR is very pretty but, for me, room size and proximity to MK win out.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

This is how I see things. POR is a Moderate Resort and Contemporary is a Deluxe Resort, so based on that I would go with the Contemporary. In the end you still end up with a bigger room, you're at the closest Resort to the Magic Kingdom and you get a lot more ammenties at the Contemporary then you would at POR.

 

[fla4fun]

I think it would depend on the amount of savings.

If it's not much difference in price, you get so much more space at CR, not to mention a larger bathroom, that it would be a no-brainer for me (not to mention those queen size beds). However, with the construction going on at CR, it's not as peaceful a resort as it usually is. You do have the advantage of location, and the monorail transport to MK and Epcot, but the buses there to AK and the Studios often get complaints.

So if the difference in price is significant, I would probably pick POR right now. No construction to deal with, you do have a TS in addition to the food court (so your dining options are good, like at CR), you can still rent boats (or bikes), and they have that lovely boat ride to DTD.

That being said, I'll be staying in a CR wing room in December, and I'm really looking forward to it - construction or not!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

However, with the construction going on at CR, it's not as peaceful a resort as it usually is.

I think it should be said the South Garden Wing rooms are not near any of the construction going on in the Tower, or where the North Garden Wing buildings use to be.

 

[fla4fun]

I think it should be said the South Garden Wing rooms are not near any of the construction going on in the Tower, or where the North Garden Wing buildings use to be.

But it's not as relaxing to hang out in the tower as it usually is, when there's no construction going on. I was there for lunch a couple weeks ago, and the noise from the shop construction was unbelievable. I'm hoping they will have most of that done by the time I'm there in December.

Under normal circumstances, with all the shops and restaurants up and running, there's no contest between CR and POR. These just aren't normal circumstances.

 

[Desnik]

Sorry, I have to side with your DH!
I have stayed at POR, and we will be at the CR for the first time in a few days. Hey, it is possible that you could get a discount and stay in the tower room at CR! I have heard of people getting great discounts so keep that in mind. Either way I would think tower or wing you would still have a great room, and great location.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But it's not as relaxing to hang out in the tower as it usually is, when there's no construction going on. I was there for lunch a couple weeks ago, and the noise from the shop construction was unbelievable. I'm hoping they will have most of that done by the time I'm there in December.

Under normal circumstances, with all the shops and restaurants up and running, there's no contest between CR and POR. These just aren't normal circumstances.

When I was there this past August a Cast Member in the Sundires sore told me the new store is to be finished and opened by the 1st week of December, if nothing major goes wrong. Once it opens there will be no more renovations inside because the lobby should be completed sometime in November and they won't start on closing the Concourse Steakhouse until next April. As for the location of where the Food & Fun Center use to be, I was told by some friends of mine they have closed off the entrance to it so no guests can see or hear them working inside there.

 

[Andi]

I'm going to go against most of the other people who replied and vote for POR. I think saving some cash and being surrounded by the lush beauty of Port Orleans Riverside is a much better choice than staying in a Garden Wing at the Contemporary. Is the Contemporary conveniently located? Sure, but as far as I can tell, that's about the only thing it has going for it. Just not a fan...

 

[f7prez]

CR definitley. While POR is one of our favorite moderate resorts, it doesn't come close to a deluxe resort, especially one on the monorail loop.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Sorry, another vote for CR...nothing is like a deluxe and with a marina view at CR (considered Garden View), cannot go wrong. POR is pretty, but I find it too stressful wondering where we'll wind up.

Something extra magical about watching the monorail glide by while eating or shopping. Will miss that most about the North Wing - we liked it as much as the Tower, so would alternate between tower and GV - then request North wing monorail view. Ah, those were the days And no difference in cost for either side of the Tower - we never made a tower request, but always had an MK view

So far, looks like your DH is winning the bet!! LOL

 

[disneychic]

I agree with your DH. If you can make it work financially, go with the CR.

 

[lovemy3girls]

OK guys, looks like DH is winning here. He is pretty happy about that, because I am usually the one that is right I do like the CR, especially the location, and we won't be going until probably Nov 2008; hopefully the construction in the concourse will be completed by then. Anyone know? I just liked to peacefulness of POR, and also my kids really enjoyed the pool and pool slide there. Any other opinions?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

OK guys, looks like DH is winning here. He is pretty happy about that, because I am usually the one that is right I do like the CR, especially the location, and we won't be going until probably Nov 2008; hopefully the construction in the concourse will be completed by then. Anyone know? I just liked to peacefulness of POR, and also my kids really enjoyed the pool and pool slide there. Any other opinions?

Here is the renovation schedule for the Contemporary.

August 2007 - Newly renovated Fantasia Shop will re-open.

June 11, 2007 through November 2007 - The Lobby will undergo partitioned refurbishments to update the area's image and decor.

July 2007 through October 2007 - The resort's grounds will undergo partitioned refurbishments to install new landscaping and re-route existing guests paths.

July 30, 2007 through April 2008 - The Food & Fun Center will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as a new table service option, "The Wave". During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

April 2008 through August 14, 2008 -The Concourse Steak house will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as the new Counter Service location for the resort. During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

 

[Kathi OD]

This is why I am so glad DH lets me make all the decisions; where to stay, eat, what extras to do. He loves to have someone else do all the work and I like to do the planning, so it works for us.

 

[PolyAddict]

CR wing hands down-love to walk to MK.

Didn't like POR at all.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

If money wasn't an issue I'd go with the CR garden wing room. The convenience of walking to the MK is worth it.

 

[fla4fun]

When I was there this past August a Cast Member in the Sundires sore told me the new store is to be finished and opened by the 1st week of December, if nothing major goes wrong. Once it opens there will be no more renovations inside because the lobby should be completed sometime in November and they won't start on closing the Concourse Steakhouse until next April. As for the location of where the Food & Fun Center use to be, I was told by some friends of mine they have closed off the entrance to it so no guests can see or hear them working inside there.

I really hope this is true! I'll be there the second week in December, and I'd really like to see the 4th floor shop finished by then. I love to just hang out on the 4th floor and absorb the atmosphere, but it was utter chaos when I was there in September (you couldn't even carry on a conversation, it was so noisy). Although I will miss the open feeling of the concourse, I think it will be nice when it's done.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed at both. I own at DVC and love staying at POP...pretty eclectic taste. So, with that in mind, here are my thoughts...
Love, love, love POR. It was my 'first' WDW resort back when it was DxL. I love the theming there, I love the many pools. I love the food court. We eat once or twice in Boatwrights each time we stay there. I love just walking around the resort. And I love to take the boat to DTD.
Now, I really liked the CR more than I thought I would. My dh and dd were quite distressed when I told them we were staying there in order to try it out a few years ago! Well, they both loved it. I just like the feel of the CR. I love to walk around the back side of the resort and just look out over the lake. The restaurants are pretty good. Having the monorail right there is a plus. And being able to walk to and from MK is wonderful...probably my favorite thing.
I tend to not use resort 'amenities' very much. I use the pool, but hardly ever use the slides. Dd does though. We never use the hot tubs (spas)...hate having to share them with a ton of strangers or kids. So, we just don't use them. Room size isn't a huge issue for us. Yes, the rooms are larger at CR than at POR. But it just doesn't make that big a difference to us. Usually, we don't use the room for much more than down time, sleeping, showering. Of course, when we were at the CR, Hurricane Charley was as well. We spent an inordinant amount of time in our room that night!!! I would have preferred to have been at BW at that point only because we were told to stay in our rooms and not go outside. Well, you have to go outside if you're in the wings, if you want to get to a main area. If I had been at BW we could have gotten together with others in the lobby...that sort of thing.

So...which one would I stay at? Good question. If you are going to spend a fair amount of time at MK or Epcot, then I would go with CR. If you want all the extra shopping and eating options, then go with CR. If you want a more relaxed trip, and don't really need the 'extra's' then go with POR. It's up to you what those extra's are worth in terms of room rates. I don't think one is really better than the other...just different. If money were no object, then go with CR. But if you want to save a bit of money and use it on some great restaurants, then go with POR.