Is the view really worth the $800 at CR?

[Grendalynn]

So... I have been running reservation prices all night long.... Contemporary Resort with Garden view, or the tower view, GF with a view or without... and so on and so forth. Being that the Contemporary has come up the least expensive of the deluxe resorts - we have to ask ourselves.... Is the tower view worth the extra $800+ dollars compared to a garden view in a smaller building at the CR?? I have never stayed at the CR and am not super familiar with the rooms/locations. I do know that the Garden view rooms are located in the smalled 3 story buildings on the property, not in the main structure, and have seen them from the monorail and buses in the past. I dont really mind not having a great view - we are vacationing at Disney - anything you can see is great!! With the exception of Service areas and Parking lots - I may be willing to spend a little more to do without that kind of view...

Can some folks out there give me some feedback of your experiences, thoughts and opinions?? Aslo where are "they" now with the remodeling there? It looks like the pool has been revamped - it that true and is it completed? Any other ins and outs about the CR Ishoudl know about before I book....?? Thanks s much!

 

[Kimberle]

Every penny.

I've stayed in both the wing and 14th fl of the tower. We had a room overlooking the bay. We could see the top of Epcot from our balcony. We'd go to the lounge to watch Wishes from the balacony (soundtrack was piped in). Two incredible views.

 

[corgi_monster]

I've never stayed at the CR, but I did have a Savannah view room at AKL. During out 7 night trip, we spent about 1 waking hour in the room each day, and we spent about 10 minutes looking out the window. The rest of the time, the drapes were fully drawn. So to me, it's not worth $800. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, then I'd say go for it!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think you need to ask yourself how much are you going to be in the room to actually enjoy the view. If you are just there to shower and sleep it's a waste of money.

 

[NHBelle]

Well I have never stayed there, BUT to me with CR it's not about the view as much as it is the LOCATION. If I ever stayed there I would want to be in the Tower because of the monorail, shops etc. That would be the most appealing reason for me to stay at that resort. JMHO. Good luch

 

[swilphil]

I say No. We stayed in the garden view room at CR on the ground floor and loved having the little patio outside our room. During Wishes we could walk outside or go the 4th floor deck to watch the fireworks. I suppose if $800 is chump change to you, then it would be worth it to get an MK view.

 

[happymommy]

It does depend if you plan on being in your room a lot. I have stayed in a Garden Wing rooom once - it was larger than our rooms at the GF have been. The housekeeping wasn't great, but it was when Shades of Green was closed, so the place was SUPER busy - I think they just had a hard time keeping up! Our room was on the first floor, and had a sliding door that opened to a little patio, then right outside our room was a little playground. So we could sit there and the kids could go play right within our sight. I liked the space, and the monorail was nice (my kids were younger, so we did go to MK more than we do now).
I don't know if it's worth paying for a view personally. I like to rest in the room, and as long as I'm not looking at a parking lot I'm fine. Now if the extra is for concierge also, that service is nice. They can book your dining and stuff.
Having stayed at both, if it were me, I'd pick the GF. We weren't impressed with the food court at the CR, as I like to grab and go. I occasionally even now leave the MK and take the monorail to the GF to grab some lunch at their snack bar. It's clean and nice - has nice sandwiches and stuff. I like the GF much more, and if you want to be on the monorail, I'd pick that with a garden view any day.
That being said, I prefer Epcot resorts, as we love Epcot. But if you love MK, then I'd go with the GF.

 

[Grendalynn]

Thanks for the info and shared experiences! I look forward to reading some more about what other Dis'ers out there think! The link a PP posted wasn't any good... Is there a site or a way that i can view the different rooms - garden vs. tower view room? inside the rooms and the view itself? I know there is a site somewhere but cant think of it... thanks in advance.

 

[ElizabethB]

We stayed in a Garden Wing Room (North Wing, which has been torn down) on the first floor. We loved it. I would not pay extra to be in the Tower.

 

[Spectro is #1]

Please be aware that the north wing has been torn down so there is only one wing now.

Construction is going on and it is rumored that a new tower will be built for DVC members.

Discounts maybe attributed to the construction

 

[Dancemom03]

Normally my answer would be no - and it probably still is, just a bit softer now. I'm not normally a "view" person.
However, we stayed in a fifth floor YC room overlooking stormalong bay last month from which the view was so lovely that I may never be happy with the standard room I paid for again. We could see both Epcot and MGM fireworks from our balcony as well as the BWI reflecting so enchantingly in the lake at night. It was just after July 4, and the parks were crowded so we spent less time in the parks - making the view from our room that much more appreciated.

We've stayed in the CR's north wing in the past and in the tower also on different trips. I personally preferred the first floor garden wing. Standing on the balcony we could see the castle and fireworks albiet not as nicely as from the tower room. It was nice not to have to wait on the tower elevator too.
Perhaps you could ask for a wing with a view in that direction. I'm assuming the south wing rooms in the front should be able to view Wishes as well but haven't stayed on that side so I can't say for certain.

The tower room was very nice but we didn't spend much time in the room that trip. I think we saw the fireworks just one night because we were in the parks more at night.

So... will you be in the room much to enjoy the view, especially for the fireworks or will you be in the parks for them?

 

[Cookie Princess]

I have stayed in both. This year we were considering staying in a garden room to save some money...couldn't do it. That view is addicting!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The Magic Kingdom view in the Contemporary Tower is so worth whatever it costs per night, because it's that special of a view and once you stay there you will not want to stay anywhere else.

 

[applechips]

Here is my experience (and opinion). In Dec 2005, we booked a garden view. I walked into the room on the 1st floor of the North wing (now gone) and was NOT impressed. It was dated and dingy.

We slept there for one night then I moved us over to the tower for the rest of the trip and got one of the renovated rooms, bay view and it was magnificent. We have young kids so we are back in the room each night a little early and enjoyed sitting on the balcony looking at the water, the lights and the sky--we even caught the water pageant a few nights. It was magical. Being in the tower was fun as we could see the monorail and Chef Mickey's from outside our door and it felt more like Disney. For me, I wouldn't stay at the CR unless it was a tower room, but I am very picky about hotel rooms (my husband calls me neurotic LOL!), I get skeeved out if they look dirty and dingy.

After a long day at the parks it was nice to get off the monorail and hop on the elevator and be in our room within minutes.

 

[simonkodousek]

There are a lot of pictures of the CR on this page. Just click "Photos" link located near the top of the page.

 

[Lyon_King]

I've stayed in both the wing and on a high floor (can't remember which, 15 rings a bell, but it was years ago) in the main building facing the lagoon... we were able to watch fireworks from the room.. that was nice, but if I had to pay with my own money and my choice was wing or tower for twice as much money, I wouldn't even consider the tower.

That being said, I wasn't a fan of the wing location, so if I were paying with my money and there was availabillty elsewhere, CR wouldn't be in the running.