Looking for advice

[BearaNBananasMom]

We are a family of 4 and I'm planning a DW vacation this July. This will be my better half's first trip to WDW and I haven't been since 1999?! So, with that being said, in your opinion is a Contemporary Atrium Level room worth it and which do you feel is a better experience, a bay view or a MK view?

We are not huge eaters, maybe 2 meals a day with an emphasis on breakfast & dinner. Do you think a dining plan is a good deal? If we did the deluxe, that's $1700...is that a deal?

As far as the Memory Maker goes...do you feel it's worth $250? I just don't know how that works either, do they just snap photos randomly around the parks or....

TIA!

 

[terri33inne]

I've only stated garden wing at CR so I can't comment on either view, but if in the budget I would def get the Theme Park View... watching the fireworks from balcony can't be beat.

If you're not big eaters then I wouldn't think the dining plan is a good deal...it is A LOT of food. How old are your kids? Are you planning a lot of character meals? We find at Disney one big meal usually carries us through the day. We keep breakfast stuff in our room & snacks. There are online calculators that can help you figure what you'll be paying out of pocket vs the dining plan.

Memory maker is great... if you buy it ahead it's $149. There are disney photographers throughout the parks who will take your pictures, as well as on-ride photos. To purchase a digital download after you get home is around $15 each, so if there are at least 10 pictures you want to download the pre-purchase will save you money.

How long are you staying? I'm considering getting an annual pass just for myself for our upcoming trip to get the better resort discount, and memory maker is included. The cost works out to be about $100 less, but we are going for 10 days so that math really only works for longer stays.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are a family of 4 and I'm planning a DW vacation this July. This will be my better half's first trip to WDW and I haven't been since 1999?! So, with that being said, in your opinion is a Contemporary Atrium Level room worth it and which do you feel is a better experience, a bay view or a MK view?

We are not huge eaters, maybe 2 meals a day with an emphasis on breakfast & dinner. Do you think a dining plan is a good deal? If we did the deluxe, that's $1700...is that a deal?

As far as the Memory Maker goes...do you feel it's worth $250? I just don't know how that works either, do they just snap photos randomly around the parks or....

TIA!

Just to clarify, are you asking about Contemporary Club Level - Atrium Club? If so, that is one of my favorite places to stay.

I can elaborate further and help with your questions if you are in fact asking about Club Level.

 

[cutigerlady]

I would definitely vote for the MK view!! We have stayed here and we thought it was worth the cost. At the time, my son was 4 and still taking naps during the afternoon. We planned to spend all our time at MK and loved being able to walk back for his nap in the afternoons. He loved sitting on the balcony and watching the boats, monorail, buses, water pageant, and fireworks. My husband had a conference at the Contemporary last summer and we were in the Garden wing. I tried for weeks to get us moved into the main building, but they were completely sold out. I thought I was going to hate it, but it wasn't bad either. My younger son loved being close to the pool!

Overall, I thought the service and amenities at the Contemporary were better than our experience at GF! I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I don't think it's probably worthwhile to do both club level and the dining plan. In my opinion, that's going to provide way too much food, especially if you're not huge eaters.

I'm not a huge eater. My husband eats more than I do. We are doing club level when we go in May (at WL). We will get breakfast in the lounge and I can easily make a meal out of the evening offerings. My husband will be fine grazing...he will probably fill up on the nighttime desserts. Lol.

I have heard great things about the Contemporary atrium club and it sounds like it would be a good fit for your family.

 

[Allie B]

Memory maker definitely worth the cost but make sure to stop at as many photographers as you can. They take the best photos for lifetime of memories.

 

[Allie B]

Ps memory maker also includes photos of you and your family on rides including splash mountain, rockin roller coaster, mine train

 

[piglet1979]

I have never stayed at the CR so I can't really comment on what is better, however I would choose the park side so i could see the fireworks from my room.

If you are not big eaters the deluxe dining plan may be too much. We love the dining plan so that I don't have to worry about food. The quick service or regular dining plan might be better for you.

Memory Maker is definitely worth it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

CR TPV is on my bucket list so I would definitely do that.

I would not do club level and the DDP, especially not the deluxe plan. I would do breakfast in the lounge and signature dinners OOP.

Memory Maker is very much work it IMO.

Sounds like you are going to have an amazing trip!

 

[elaine amj]

Definitely don't do club and deluxe plan if you are lighter eaters. I can't even imagine doing justice to both and we can pack it away!

I wouldn't typically recommend deluxe to first time visitors. It is a lot of time spent eating. We get the DDP and it already is a lot of time eating. We love it though and consider the dining a big part of our WDW experience.

 

[nkereina]

The dining plans are not meant to be a "deal". If you eat normally the same way the plan is set up, then depending on the restaurants you go to and what you order, you *may* save a nominal amount of money. But eating 2 meals a day and being light eaters at that, you will definitely lose money with a dining plan. Especially the deluxe plan. The deluxe plan comes with 2 snacks per day plus 3 TS credits per day. Each TS meal comes with an app, entree, and dessert PER PERSON. So it's a ton of food. And you do pay for all that food in the cost of the plan. It's priced to include that.

 

[BearaNBananasMom]

Just to clarify, are you asking about Contemporary Club Level - Atrium Club? If so, that is one of my favorite places to stay.

I can elaborate further and help with your questions if you are in fact asking about Club Level.

Yes, the Contemporary Club Level - Atrium Club! And thank you, I may take you up on that!

 

[BearaNBananasMom]

Thanks everyone! I made our reservations yesterday! I did not purchase the Memory Maker, but I think I'm going to go back to add that upon your advice!

 

[MichaelWill&Megan'sMom]

1) you will be happy with either room - you really can't go wrong

2) memory maker is awesome - unlike every other vacation, I am actually in all of our Disney pictures! (I'm usually the photographer)

3) deluxe dining is possibly more food than you can even picture. My husband and I tried it for our kid free anniversary trip to the food and wine festival - should have been easy to use up, right? I had three 2 credit meals booked, 2 regular table service, and expected to eat our way through food and wine. We had 7 or 8 meals remaining when it was time to go home. Had to get LOTS of candy and snacks from the resort to being to the kids. Huge waste of money. I do recommend the regular dining plan, but not if you plan on using credits on breakfast. If you will primarily do. Real fast and dinner, the best bang for your buck will be to pay out of pocket for meals.

 

[Nancyg56]

Before you decide the value of the dxddp I suggest that you make some plans and do the math. I don't know the ages of your children or what dining experiences you will want to choose. Depending on those factors we can help you cost out dining oop or paying for a plan.

I suggest memory maker. The cost is minimal in the cost of your trip and the picture are awesome.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Thanks everyone! I made our reservations yesterday! I did not purchase the Memory Maker, but I think I'm going to go back to add that upon your advice!

What did you end up picking???

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yes, the Contemporary Club Level - Atrium Club! And thank you, I may take you up on that!

Ahh, cool! One of my favorites!

I don't think you can go wrong with either a TPV or standard view. The lounge is on the TPV side, so if your view is on the bay lake side, you always have the lounge! The Bay Lake view is beautiful in its own right.

My advice is the DP is way too much food / not worth it with CL, but some people do it.

Happy planning!

 

[Hopefully]

We are regular DDP (1 snack, 1 Quick Serve, 1 Table Serve) meal plan advocates.
I find we "break even", but I like the convenience. I would not, however, use it with CL as well. Have a great trip

 

[BearaNBananasMom]

What did you end up picking???

We went with the Bay Lake View, the memory maker and no dining plan!! Once again, thank you all for your advice!!