Resort Choice Help

[PrincessTess]

My family is booking our next trip to Disney this June. Right now we have a tower room at the Contemporary reserved. We havent stayed at the CR in years due to the price, but were splurging for our mini trip and for the location and monorail access. Just discovered, the Grand can be booked for about 300$ less in total for an outer building.
Is the swap worth it? Only concern with GF is our last visit there many many years ago, the walls seemed paper thin. And is it better to be in the main building (CR) than having to make a hike to the lobby everyday (GF)?

Please help, im bursting with excitment at the thought of staying in a monorail resort for the first time in years as opposed to an epcot resort, so im scared of making the wrong choice.

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The "outer buildings" at GF aren't an especial hike to anything, and are lovely and quiet.

I think it comes down to theming and who is on your trip. I see Alice imagery in your signature; GF is Victorian elegance and has an Alice-themed children's splash area for children under 48". Contemporary is modernist slab. Both have nice waterslides, but the Contemporary Resort splash pads are concrete with water jets -- especially nice for the toddler set, but of diminishing returns as you approach pre-K or older, even under 48".

 

[hedberg1661]

Personally, I love everything about CR so I wouldn't change. Plus the ability to walk to MK is a big plus.

 

[kitnrose99]

So on the good side, either option is amazing and you won't be sorry.

It really does come down to theming, preferences, and budget. Would you really rather have the Victorian theming? Is the idea of watching the monorail zip into your hotel lobby just the coolest thing ever? Would being a bit farther away from the lobby detract from the experience or would you prefer being a bit less in the center of things? Is the ability to walk to MK and being just one stop away from the TTC a huge deal for you or is it just a minor, but nice, perk? Would you rather just be one stop away from MK? What would you use that extra $300 for and does that change the balance?

Like I said, whatever you choose, you'll love it! I adore the Contemporary which shocked me - I tend to prefer secluded, more spread out resorts and don't tend to like 80s contemporary design and yet ... and yet. Somehow the CR just makes me happy. OTOH, the GF is wonderfully luxurious and makes you really feel like royalty. So no bad options, whatever you pick!

 

[WildGinger]

I have stayed at both and prefer the GF. The theme, pools, rooms, restaurants, and 1 stop to MK make it preferable to me.

 

[Babsy]

Some Things that I like about the GF:

Large comfortable rooms, most with balconies
most views are good, (although some garden views are obstructed or look at the back of a building by the pool)
Ability to watch Wishes and ELP from the resort
Wonderful Victorian theme
2 really nice pools, good splash play area for children
LOTS of nice restaurants, especially 1900 Park fare for dinner (hilarious)
monorail and boat service to the MK
sheltered benches to sit on while waiting for the bus
good shopping
walking distance to the Poly
monorail to the CR


Some things that I like about the CR tower:

AMAZING views, especially the TPV, but even Bay Lake view is lovely
large comfortable rooms, ALL have great balconies
large comfortable rooms, except the sinks are FLAT (what were they thinking)
walk to the MK*****wonderful!
boat to WL and FW
Monorail to Poly and GF
monorail goes through the hotel! TOO COOL!
everything under one roof
great restaurants, especially California Grille and Chef Mickey's
walk to the MK bus stop (5-10 min) and get bus direct to any other resort on Property

As others have said, bit properties are among the best of the best at WDW. You will have an amazing time in either one, it just depends upon which one appeals to you the most.

Personally, I have given up trying to decide which of the Poly, CR and GF is my favourite. they are officially tied for first place. I decide between them based on who is going with me, what I am focusing upon this trip, any available discounts and the presence of any construction issues. When going with children in strollers, I choose the CR. When planning to visit other resorts for dining or whatever, I choose the CR. When planning to spend time swimming, I choose the GF. When planning to primarily visit both MK and Epcot while not moving to an Epcot resort, I choose the Poly.

Good luck with your choice. Not sure if I helped or not, but I'm hoping either the thought processes or the lists might come in handy!

 

[loves to dive]

I'd go with GF, saving money and getting to stay in a pretty resort. I'm not a fan of the CR because it's just a tad too contemporary for me and I love the feel of the GF. As far as walking to MK, GF is the last stop on the way there so there is that and you can hop on the resort boat on the way back, it's the first stop.

 

[PrincessTess]

Wow- thank you all so much for the help and imput, im definitely weighing things i havent considered before! You guys have all been a HUGE help

 

[Missymoe4]

I love the Contemporary. I call it my second home. I have stayed in the wings and tower. The Tower view is amazing. One thing that truly disappointed me was the elevator situation. During high periods of travel, you may wait a long time to go up/down. After fireworks, the elevators are called up to the Cali Grill and come down chalk full of people. (I waited for 30 mins for a single open space for me to ride down).

The Contempo Cafe is constantly packed and closes down early. You will not be able to refill your mugs (if this is something you plan on doing) past closing, leaving you to purchase a beverage (or just bring your own) from a vending machine. Also, if food is an issue, you may want to check out their menu.

Due to BLT, Chef Mickey's and the monorail going through, the resort is ALWAYS really busy. Over the years I have noticed a huge upswing in loudness levels. Depending on how you resort, you may/may not like the loudness thought. You will not hear it in the rooms. I still think they are some of the best in WDW (although those sinks are a pain in the rear!!).

I have not tried the GF. I have stayed at the Poly. and Wilderness, so I'm finally completing the loop of MK resort hotels this summer when I stay at the GF. No matter what you choose, you will have a wonderful trip. You truly cannot go wrong.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We definitely like the CR better than the GF outer buildings. We love the theme. We also love that you can walk to MK. The restaurants are good at both (TS and CS). But we would pick the CR over the GF each time.

 

[Giraffeitis]

I'd really take into hand what Babsy had to say, and I'd also consider this, is $300 a big part of your budget or is it something that you are willing to spend for the closer location to MK and having access to the monorail?

 

[PrincessTess]

Thank you so much all for the abundance of help! I think were really leaning towards the CR, thanks to some extra considering after hearing what you all had to say!