Need Help! Contemporary, WL or Swan?

[maui2k5]

My wife and I (30 & 36 yrs old) are heading back to Walt Disney World from May 8-17, 2008 for another return trip. To give a some background as to why we are choosing between the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Swan here is the deal... We are Starwood Preferred Members and have 5 nights free at the Swan we will be using from May 8-13 (can't beat that). Also, the reason as are not looking at the Polynesian is they do not offer a King Sized bed except for in the suites which are too expensive (we do like this resort a lot). We have stayed at the Swan many times and like it quite a bit (free makes it that much better!)

The problem comes in (nice problem to have) is do we stay the remaining 4 days at the Swan or move to another resort. We have narrowed it down to the following:

1) Swan - Stay the remaining nights there and not move resorts.
Cost = $895 (Nurse discount compliments of my wife)
Pros: Proximity to Epcot & DHS, Heavenly Beds, Low Cost for a Deluxe Hotel
Cons: Not the same "Disney feel" as other Disney owned resorts, Stayed there 3x already

2) Contemporary (Never stayed here)
Cost: $2095 for a Magic Kingdom View in the tower
Pros: Proximity to MK (walking distance), Monorail, Big Rooms, View of MK, Never stayed there and have been going to WDW since 1975
Cons: Cost, debatable theming

3) Wilderness Lodge (Stayed 1 time for 4 nights in March 2007)
Cost: $1495 for a Courtyard View
Pros: Theming is excellent. Nostalgia of sorts to when I stayed at Fort Wilderness growing up Hotel Style. Fun & comfortale overall feel of the resort.
Cons: Transportation can take a while at times via boat and bus.

In the end, I think we will enjoy WDW no matter if we stay at the Swan or move to another resort. We have considered others such as Animal Kingdom Lodge, but that is a little too remote for us (also - we did not like Boma too much - I know - hard to believe!) GF was too pricey and the other Epcot Resorts are right next to the Swan so that would not be different enough to move from the location of the Swan.

Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

confused are you saying the rates u listed are for a split stay/only for 4 nights if so seems very high per night?

for $524 a night @ CR, sound like the atrium/concierge rooms to me...most i've seen for dates i've checked there, MK view rack rate, are $400 night.

have u checked codes/AAA rates?

however, if money is no object; i'd pick CR-MK view then WL

 

[maui2k5]

Thanks for the reply. Yes - the rates are for the 4 nights only and the nightly cost at CR is $465 per night PLUS tax... This is not a concierge or Club Level price, but the price on Disneyworld.com for a Tower MK View.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for the reply. Yes - the rates are for the 4 nights only and the nightly cost at CR is $465 per night PLUS tax... This is not a concierge or Club Level price, but the price on Disneyworld.com for a Tower MK View.

, i checked AAA just for fun - that's rack, no AAA for any of those dates-odd

WL came up $247 to $297 + a night for various room types

good luck on your choice; there is a promo out now for those dates wherein the PH/WP is added on free to pkg, may be the problem you're running into as to availability.