Resort Choice Quandary

[Broncobilly83]

OK, I am getting ready to book our next trip (2020 - I plan far out, ) and after getting thrown a curve ball as I had asked my wife's boss about taking the same time in November as we have usually done, and had approval and then that changed, but all of a sudden early December becomes an option (which in retail seemed odd, but I am running full force with it, LOL)

Back to the resort quandary - As you can see by my signature, we have been loyal Wilderness Lodge visitors, and the thought of going back when it is fully decorated for Christmas has appeal to us both, but after staying at the Contemporary last time, with a theme park view, we are so loving being able to wake up to the site of the castle, being able to go to bed with the castle all lit up, and most of all, the view when it comes time for fireworks from the room, with no elbowing, etc.

I figured based on our "wants" and available budget, we have a couple of options -

1) Wilderness Lodge, Nature View, and try to get 6th floor facing the theme park

2) Wilderness Lodge, Club Level (w/ Nature View) and have 7th floor viewing, plus aid with FP and dining reservations. FP would be a big perk with Galaxy's Edge, Pandora, Toy Story Land, etc.

3) Contemporary Resort, Theme Park View - How can you say no to that view, and WALKING distance to the MK!

What do you all think, and why? Are we thinking too small, and should we consider something else?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I personally love WL CL, standard view. It's the best bang for your CL buck at WDW, IMHO, as it comes with lounge access, CL CM assistance and a fireworks view. We had a great view when we stayed there (CR, the monorail and the fireworks), but the view is definitely not as close as you would get if you were at CR TPV. If you want to think bigger, perhaps consider CR CL TPV?

 

[Nancyg56]

If it is in the budget, I would choose a CL stay, either at CR or at WL. That time of year may be much busier than it normally is, and it is getting busy even without GE.


If you have never stayed at CR, why not give it a try? My personal favorites on the monorail line ar the GF and the Poly, however for your wants, I think CR is the best bet. You cannot beat the walk to the MK, the monorail just because, and CL access view is supposed to be stunning, I have never stayed CL there, so I have no personal knowledge.

I love the resorts all dressed up in their holiday finery, however I do not choose the resort for the lobby. There is so much more to think about, not the least of which is transportation and easy access to a favorite park, a respite fro the holiday crowds in the parks, and the ambiance of coming back "home" every day.

 

[gorkt]

I would personally do WL club level for the perks and theming. I would maybe plan a California grill brunch or dinner to get a view of the fireworks.

 

[KenHutch]

Well I vote for the Contemporary but I have to be honest its been a childhood dream to stay there. My girls have vetoed the idea they don't like the feel of the place, Next trip the Poly (I will manage one trip to the Contemp thou I want a castle view from there).

 

[AEA1127]

We've stayed at CR and done CL at WL. The walk to MK is by far the best thing about CR for us, the theming just isn't our favorite especially not after falling in love with WL. We were completely spoiled by CL at WL. Everyone was amazing and you couldn't beat grabbing drinks and dessert from the lounge and then watching the fireworks from the room, while the kids slept in our case. But it sounds like you've already experienced this

My vote is WL CL Standard View as it has ruined us for almost anything else. In December when the crowds are high, you can escape away from the crowds, relax in the lounge and stare down at the tree! Now I'm just sad we aren't going to be there for Christmas this year

 

[Broncobilly83]

Well I vote for the Contemporary but I have to be honest its been a childhood dream to stay there. My girls have vetoed the idea they don't like the feel of the place, Next trip the Poly (I will manage one trip to the Contemp thou I want a castle view from there).

Your girls felt like my wife did about the Contemporary until she actually stayed there with the theme park view. Where before the trip I could not change her mind about WL being the resort for her (regular or CL) and it took a lot of convincing for her to keep an open mind, now it is a quandary to decide between the two resorts.

Does anyone know how the view of the MK is from a Wilderness Lodge CL room? Can you see the castle? Can you see the fireworks clearly? Do they pump in the music via the TV Station like they do at CR?

 

[lovewdwdvc]

WL CL would be my choice. FP would be nice for Star Wars and we are becoming more and more resort people so CL is nice. Do they still have Moosehead ?

 

[pixiedustedme]

Your girls felt like my wife did about the Contemporary until she actually stayed there with the theme park view. Where before the trip I could not change her mind about WL being the resort for her (regular or CL) and it took a lot of convincing for her to keep an open mind, now it is a quandary to decide between the two resorts.

Does anyone know how the view of the MK is from a Wilderness Lodge CL room? Can you see the castle? Can you see the fireworks clearly? Do they pump in the music via the TV Station like they do at CR?

I think they only pump in the music to the TVs at CR. I know they didn't when we stayed at Grand Floridian with a theme park view.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Contemporary TPV!

I really enjoy being able to walk to a park, and walking to MK is a huge plus for the Contemporary.

DH will not do MK crowds for fireworks, so a TPV at the Contemporary sounds wonderful. We loved watching the fireworks from the CL at the Poly.

 

[AEA1127]

Does anyone know how the view of the MK is from a Wilderness Lodge CL room? Can you see the castle? Can you see the fireworks clearly? Do they pump in the music via the TV Station like they do at CR?

We had a standard CL room and we were able to see the fireworks and the Contemporary but there are too many trees to see the castle. They play the music on the lounge balconies but there isn't a channel on the TV for the music like at the CR. We opted to go back to our room which actually had a better view than the lounge and found the music on Youtube...it wasn't perfect but it was possible to get it pretty close. We were there in the Fall so the 360 degree fireworks were really cool during HalloWishes. It stinks that this year they've changed the fireworks for the parties, but that's a totally different topic.