Is the CR Tower worth the extra $$?

[Kanga1]

Currently booked at CR (standard wing.) Now I'm dreaming of upgrading to the tower. I know the tower boasts wonderful views, but is it REALLy worth the extra money, since we'll have the convenience of the location anyway? We would be spending an extra $1,000 for 9 nights. Whew...that's alot of money that could be used for meals, souvenirs, new computer to check the DIS boards with , etc. What do you think. Is it worth it?

 

[nygrl]

personally i think it is worth it. i would only stay in the tower but i am sure you will find many wing fans that say they love the wings.. you cant beat the view from a tower room and also being in the main building is where all the magic is. when you open your door and look over the concourse you just feel disney all around. i just dont see that happening in the wing buildings. so yes i do think it is worth the extra money. if you can swing it i would say go for it!!!!

 

[javaj]

For me, a tower room would not be worth an extra $1000. We've stayed at both CR wings and tower, and while the view from a tower room is wonderful, we'll only pay a little bit more for it. We were able to stay in a tower room last December with an awesome Shades of Green overflow rate of $179. A garden wing room was $149, so we took the tower room.

Convenience of being in the tower isn't really that big of a deal for us. It was nice being closer to the monorail and the fast food center, but we had quite a walk to go to the laundry room. When we stay in the wings, we always request as close to the main building as possible. And while the MK view from the tower room was amazing, we really liked the monorail view or the pool/bay view from the wings.

 

[wdw4us2]

This is a matter of personal preference, but I think everyone should try to stay in the Tower at least once!

It also depends on your view - if it's a MK view, you can see Wishes which is amazing to watch from your balcony; if it's a water view, you can watch the Electrical Water Pageant from your balcony which is great.

You didn't mention the ages of the people in your party which can make a difference. It's quite a hike from some of the Wing rooms to the Monrail/Bus Stop, which you should consider if you have young kids. Also, my son used to love watching the Monorails go by when he was younger.

If you can afford it, go for it; but if you're going to worry about what you could be spending the money on, skip it.

 

[cmonroe]

That's a tough question. Let me pose a question to you to perhaps help answer yours.
If you did spend the extra 1,000 dollars for the tower, will you still have enough money to spend on meals, souveniers, etc and be comfortable with your finances when you returne home?

If the answer is yes, you have that extra money, I'd do it. Just once as wdw4us2 suggested. Staying in the tower is indeed a magical experience (IMHO). If you can comfortably afford it, I'd do it.

However, if it would compromise the spending habits on your trip and put you in debt back home, I'd pass. I've stayed in the tower many times, but find that we can really no longer justify it. In fact, unfortunately, our next trip will not be at a deluxe. Our finances will no longer allow it.

But we know that we will be happy at Disney no matter what.

It is ultimately your choice. If you can afford it, do it! If you cannot, don't!

You'll make the right decision!

Have fun!!!!!!

 

[missypie]

We are staying 5 nights in the tower (doing a YC/CR split) because DH has wanted to stay there since he was a kid. For him, staying in the wings wouldn't fullfil that "dream." So for us, it's worth it.

 

[ms.ojo]

First, I need to say, I have never stayed in CR...but ever since my first visit to MK as a young girl I have wanted to. And we WILL be staying there this December!

Now I am debating the same as you. Part of me says, The wing gives me the convenience (in fact from the north wing walking is actually easier) so why not pocket the money. To be honest, it was hard to rationalize spending even the wing rates when there are so many other great Disney hotels available for less.

But, the other side of me says hey, if this is to make a dream come true, will I really feel like I've stayed in the Contemporary if I'm not opening up my door and looking down into that vast lobby and seeing the monorail glide right through my hotel!!!!! I just don't know.

Wanted to add, our children will be 6, and turning 3 on our trip in Dec!

 

[Lives4Disney]

For me - and we have stayed in the CR 2X a yr for the past 10 yrs - I would only want to stay in the tower. You get off the monorail and take the elevator up to your room and you can hear the Chef Mickey music when you arrive on your floor. You can hear/see the monorails gliding through. It is exciting. You still feel a part of the magic. The views are just wonderful. I love lying in bed at night watching the castle change color. It is the best!

If you stay in the wings, when you get off the monorail you take the elevator down, walk through the lobby, out of the building and to me, lose a part of the magic. You walk away from all the cool stuff that makes that resort so fun.

For our family - and it is my 3 kids absolute favorite over Poly, GF, YC, BC - the tower is the only way to do the CR. Love that tower.

Good luck on your decision! I vote tower all the way.

Lives4Disney

 

[ms.ojo]

For me - and we have stayed in the CR 2X a yr for the past 10 yrs - I would only want to stay in the tower. You get off the monorail and take the elevator up to your room and you can hear the Chef Mickey music when you arrive on your floor. You can hear/see the monorails gliding through. It is exciting. You still feel a part of the magic. The views are just wonderful. I love lying in bed at night watching the castle change color. It is the best!

If you stay in the wings, when you get off the monorail you take the elevator down, walk through the lobby, out of the building and to me, lose a part of the magic. You walk away from all the cool stuff that makes that resort so fun.

For our family - and it is my 3 kids absolute favorite over Poly, GF, YC, BC - the tower is the only way to do the CR. Love that tower.

Good luck on your decision! I vote tower all the way.

Lives4Disney

I know I'm not the OP....but you've convinced me! (see my post above) I'm going to be good and save my money for the Tower in December!!!! It's going to be wonderful!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Ms. Ojo - you won't be sorry!! If you like the CR and it's special atmosphere ( I know some say it is sterile, etc.) you will be really glad to be in the tower. I cannot imagine staying in the wings. I think it would be like staying in an altogether different resort.

Have a great stay!

Lives4disney

P.S. I don't think the cr is sterile at all. It is hoppin'! Chef Mickey's goes on from like 4pm to 11pm (late) and the music is continuous and the shops on the 4th floor concourse are some of the best of any resorts, the monorail is fun - it is nice not to have to wait outside for it, too, and for kids the CR has the best arcade of any deluxe. I read somewhere that the CR was Walt's creation. So for those that say it isn't Disneyish, they are way wrong. Enjoy!!

 

[triplefigs]

If you have children who are very sensitive to noise and crowds, would you say the Wings are better? I would *LOVE* to book the tower (we have 2 rooms in the Wings booked now), but am worried about my DS. He gets very overstimulated and can have problems with tons of noise.

Also, are the wings quieter for sleeping?

Can't wait until December!

 

[ms.ojo]

Ms. Ojo - you won't be sorry!! If you like the CR and it's special atmosphere ( I know some say it is sterile, etc.) you will be really glad to be in the tower. I cannot imagine staying in the wings. I think it would be like staying in an altogether different resort.

Have a great stay!

Lives4disney

P.S. I don't think the cr is sterile at all. It is hoppin'! Chef Mickey's goes on from like 4pm to 11pm (late) and the music is continuous and the shops on the 4th floor concourse are some of the best of any resorts, the monorail is fun - it is nice not to have to wait outside for it, too, and for kids the CR has the best arcade of any deluxe. I read somewhere that the CR was Walt's creation. So for those that say it isn't Disneyish, they are way wrong. Enjoy!!

I have never thought it sterile and can't really understand those comments when I read them. To me, CR and ASMo are the MOST Disney-ish hotels. At ASMo you have the larger than life icons of some of the most popular characters. How great is that?! Ok, the pool may not have a slide, or zero entry...but especially for families w/ young kids...it's a BIG hit. And then the Contemporary....my goodness. It is one of the original hotels...and has the monorail going right through it! Not just "to" it. As you say, the shops, the music, the monorail, the views....oh I just can't wait to stay there!!!! Thanks again for your input!!!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We stayed at the CR on our first trip. We were in the wings. I could have kicked myself for not booking the Tower. It was such a hike to our room in the wing. We were at the very end of a wing. I felt regret everytime I walked into the Tower. It is just the heart of this resort. It looked like so much fun!

The Tower didn't seem loud to me. People here have posted that they couldn't hear anything in their rooms. I think it gets that reputation from guidebooks.

I did hear many people complaining that there wasn't a laundry facility in the Tower. You could just throw your laundry in a rolling suitcase to the wings.

Lori

 

[Tigger_Magic]

We (wife and 2 girls) stayed at the Contemporary last November in the tower -- our 1st time ever at the Contemporary. We loved it! Easy access to the monorail and I was surprised at how quiet the rooms were. We were near Chef Mickey's but could not hear it with the door closed. We fell in love with the tower and are planning to go back again this coming November. I think it is worth it.

 

[ms.ojo]

I have never heard anyone complain about noise in their rooms in the tower....yet MANY people complain about noise in their rooms at WL. Can Whispering Canyon be louder than Chef MIckey?? I find that hard to believe. Chef mickeys is pretty loud! So CR must have much better room insulation....or perhaps more things in the lobby to absorb the sounds???? Whatever it is, I'm just glad it works!!! B/c I can't wait to book my trip there!!!!!!!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I've done both wing and tower and did the wing first and once I experienced the tower, I could never go back unless I really had to.

I LOVE CR and the Tower. It's my favorite for so many reasons.

I never had a problem with noise in the Tower. I love how convenient it is to everything and the views are amazing.

Of course, I would tell someone who could only afford the wings that it's still worth it to stay at CR. I would just recommend them asking for a room near the Tower so they don't have a big hike to their room. I prefer the North wing as it's closest to the buses and walkway to MK.

Good luck deciding!

 

[cmonroe]

If you have children who are very sensitive to noise and crowds, would you say the Wings are better? I would *LOVE* to book the tower (we have 2 rooms in the Wings booked now), but am worried about my DS. He gets very overstimulated and can have problems with tons of noise.

Also, are the wings quieter for sleeping?

Can't wait until December!

We have children and never had a problem with noise in the tower.

 

[jiggerj]

We stayed in the tower and I LOVED it! Nothing beats the view and opening your door to look down into the lobby in the morning and seeing Goofy at Chef Mickeys is soooo cool! Loved the easy walk to MK. Felt we were right in the middle of the magic by staying at the CR in the tower. I dont think I would be able to stay in the garden now...I would know what I am missing! I am one of those people that are all "about the view" though. The only thing that kinda freaked me out is the balcony. I felt that it had a slight "slope" to it and kinda hugged the wall on the way out to sit in the chair to admire the view. Great view of the Poly, Wedding Pavillion, Grand Floridian and of course MK. If you like watching the castle changing colors all right just leave the curtains open! No problem with noise at all- Have a great time!

 

[cjsmith]

One of the things that I really, really disliked about the wing rooms was the AC set up. Unless it's changed, it's one of those systems that turns on when it detects motion in the room, similar to the system over at the AK. On one of our trips we could only get a wing room at the CR with the FL resident discount and so we took it. I hated the AC as it was August and hot and when I walked into my room I like it on the chilllier side as that's how I keep my house. I find that I have to always move my foot up in the air at night to keep this working so I"m comfortable~it's a sight believe me!! We lasted one night and went to the front desk over at the YC, told them we wanted back here and they were nice enough to move us at a FL discount.
Now the time we stayed in the tower, our room didn't have this system unless they've changed it.
There's nothing wrong with the room, the AC thing was just something that I didn't like.

 

[disneyfan67]

For me - and we have stayed in the CR 2X a yr for the past 10 yrs - I would only want to stay in the tower. You get off the monorail and take the elevator up to your room and you can hear the Chef Mickey music when you arrive on your floor. You can hear/see the monorails gliding through. It is exciting. You still feel a part of the magic. The views are just wonderful. I love lying in bed at night watching the castle change color. It is the best!

If you stay in the wings, when you get off the monorail you take the elevator down, walk through the lobby, out of the building and to me, lose a part of the magic. You walk away from all the cool stuff that makes that resort so fun.

For our family - and it is my 3 kids absolute favorite over Poly, GF, YC, BC - the tower is the only way to do the CR. Love that tower.

Good luck on your decision! I vote tower all the way.

Lives4Disney

I agree! When I stayed in a North garden wing room I noticed how the magic seemed to fade the further we got away from the tower also. I'm not a huge fan of the Cr because I prefer the Poly but if I'm going to stay at the Cr it's going to be a tower room. I think the concourse is the coolest thing about the CR and it would be great to only be a few steps away from the monorail. If you can swing it great, if not I recomend the Poly! LOL! All joking aside, the most important thing is that you're at Disney and staying at classic resort and there's people who go to Disney and just wish they could stay there instead of offsite. I know the first time I went to Disney, I was wishing I had stayed there or the Poly! Enjoy your trip and don't worry about it if you can't or don't want to swing the extra bucks to stay in a tower room. I hope you have fun!