NEWBEE! Seeking Resort Advice!

[DISNEY CHICKIE]

Helloooo everybody! Newbee here!!!

So as I am researching resorts for our next WDW vacay, I came across DISboards and I don't understand how I never came across this site before! I love it and I am addicted! Please forgive me, as I am still learning to navigate the site and forums and trying to figure all the abbreviations, but I love reading all the tips and tricks and I especially love seeing everyone's previous resort stays! And how cool are all the smiley's! Just fun!

OK, enough of me being corny! I was hoping I could get some advice on booking my next Disney vacay package from all the experts here on DISboards! We had a Mom-Son WDW trip last June and stayed at AKL with the QS dining plan and loved it. Since I was not planning on taking DD until she is 3-ish, my hubby recommended that DS and I have another Mom-Son trip....no arguments there!

And now the hard part! The resort choice! I have already purchased our plane tickets for our stay, 6/1/12-6/7/12. DS and I are Magic Kingdom freaks so we thought, let's stay at The Contemporary. As I am reading the many reviews out there for The Contemporary, it seems almost everyone recommends the upgrade from the Garden View to the Tower - MK view. That adds $847 to my already $4000+ package, which I will most likely suck up and pay because in WDW, money is no object! Last year, I booked a standard room at AKL and when we checked in, I took a chance and asked if we can have a complimentary upgrade to a Safari View Room. To our surprise, they said sure! We were beyond thrilled! I don't think I will have that kinda luck 2 years in a row, so I was wondering if anyone that has had any experience staying at The Contemporary (in either the Garden Wing or a MK View - Tower Room) and can throw some tips at me on if to upgrade or not at this resort? Also, I don't likey that they took away the extra snack a day for the QS dining plan this year and I was wondering if the QS plan is even worth it? Any kind of advice, tips, chatter, anything is appreciated!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Missytara]

I would hop over to the CR thread and post your question as well.

You can hop over the Dining plan board regarding the dining plan. There are some changes to the plan this year, some make sense, others don't. I always thought the great thing about the QSDP was the extra snack.

Anyway, WELCOME!!!!

My friend introduced me to this site about 2-1/2 years, almost three years ago and as you can see by my number of posts, I am addicted to it as well.

Enjoy.

 

[Goofy4]

Welcome!

I don't know much about the views at CR. However, have you considered Wilderness Lodge? It also has good access to MK.

 

[Kae]

Welcome!

I don't know much about the views at CR. However, have you considered Wilderness Lodge? It also has good access to MK.

I was gonna say the same thing.

Kae

 

[DISNEY CHICKIE]

I would hop over to the CR thread and post your question as well.

You can hop over the Dining plan board regarding the dining plan. There are some changes to the plan this year, some make sense, others don't. I always thought the great thing about the QSDP was the extra snack.

Anyway, WELCOME!!!!

My friend introduced me to this site about 2-1/2 years, almost three years ago and as you can see by my number of posts, I am addicted to it as well.

Enjoy.

Thanks so much for replying! Can you please tell me how do I find the CR thread? I tried to search but all random threads withj CR in them came up. Thanks again for your help and patience!

 

[Goofy4]

Here's the CR Thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2762185

 

[Warren W]

Welcome!I'm a newbie here too...

 

[gabzee]

Helloooo everybody! Newbee here!!!

My name is Nicky (38) and I live in Buffalo, NY with my hubby Tony (40), my son Matthew (18), daughter Isabella (16 months...she was a HUGE, but pleasant surprise...lol!) and our puggle, Zoey (4). As I was researching resorts for our next WDW vacay, I came across DISboards and I don't understand how I never came across this site before! I love it and I am addicted! Please forgive me, as I am still learning to navigate the site and forums and trying to figure all the abbreviations, but I love reading all the tips and tricks and I especially love seeing everyone's previous resort stays! And how cool are all the smiley's! Just fun!

OK, enough of me being corny! I was hoping I could get some advice on booking my next Disney vacay package from all the experts here on DISboards! Matthew and I had a Mom-Son WDW trip last June and we stayed at AKL with the QS dining plan and loved it. Since I was not planning on taking Bella until she is 3-ish, my hubby recommended that Matthew and I have another Mom-Son trip....no arguments there!

And now the hard part! The resort choice! I have already purchased our plane tickets for our stay, 6/1/12-6/7/12. Matthew and I are Magic Kingdom freaks so we thought, let's stay at The Contemporary. As I am reading the many reviews out there for The Contemporary, it seems almost everyone recommends the upgrade from the Garden View to the Tower - MK view. That adds $847 to my already $4000+ package, which I will most likely suck up and pay because in WDW, money is no object! Last year, I booked a standard room at AKL and when we checked in, I took a chance and asked if we can have a complimentary upgrade to a Safari View Room. To our surprise, they said sure! We were beyond thrilled! I don't think I will have that kinda luck 2 years in a row, so I was wondering if anyone that has had any experience staying at The Contemporary (in either the Garden Wing or a MK View - Tower Room) and can throw some tips at me on if to upgrade or not at this resort? Also, I don't likey that they took away the extra snack a day for the QS dining plan this year and I was wondering if the QS plan is even worth it? Any kind of advice, tips, chatter, anything is appreciated!!!

THANK YOU!!!!

You will hear stories from some people that they got an upgrade from a tower room bay lake view to a mk view or something like that. However, the amount of reservations that they upgrade are SO few that you can't rely on it. If you don't care that much and won't be disappointed if you don't get it then book the Garden Wing. However, personally I think the tower rooms are by far work it. Now, is it worth it to get a MK view room vs a bay lake view... that depends if you are going to get anything out of the view. Are you going to be at the hotel a night or two when wishes are going on so you can watch them from there or will you read on the balcony at admire the view? If yes, then go for the MK view but if not then the bay lake is great too! As others have said you can get more information on the Contemporary board and DDP board.

 

[blessedby3]

We stayed at the CR back in 2003. We loved it! I had booked a garden wing room, and when we checked in I figured I would ask if they had any upgrades available. The CM went in the back room, came back out and said that we could upgrade for $xxx.xx. I cant even remember what the amount was, but we did it...and I am so glad we did. It was the only time we have stayed there, so far, and it was a beautiful view. We had the floor right under the club level, so we were very high up and the views of the MK- our favorite park also- were amazing. There was nothing like looking over into the MK whenever we wanted! We also watched Wishes from our very own balcony a few times.
My sister and her family went later that same year and also booked the CR. They had a garden wing room, and when they checked in they were given a complimentary upgrade to the tower, MK view, at no charge. Guess its the luck of the draw!
Hope you have a great trip...and remember, once your dd turns 3 you have to pay for her a ticket! Before 3 is a great time to take a little one
We also have a late in life baby...but not a surprise. I had her when I was 40 and she has been such a wonderful blessing to our family too! Our little one is 4 now and has been 4 times to WDW. Heading back with her again right after she turns 5
I agree about the CS plan now. We loved it when you got the 2 snacks...but we can actually eat cheaper when we are not on the plan and since they did away with the other snack, it is definately not worth it to us. We have paid for it once a few trips ago, and had it free on our last trip. I would take it if its free, but I wouldnt pay for it again.