Struggling with room decision.

[maj42169]

I am planning my trip for Thanksgiving week. I am stuck between spending the extra money to go deluxe at either COntemporary or WL. I know CR is on the monorail making travel to parks easier. I just don't know if it is worth all the extra money. We usually just stay at POP because I don't like to put my money into a room that we don't spend much time in. It will cost me around $2,000 more to do CR. I just am having a hard time justifying it. I know each year the crowds get heavier and heavier during Thanksgiving, so easier access to parks would be nice. I would like some opinions on what to do. Thanks.

 

[danceteachermom]

What about a moderate resort? I have stayed at CR and WL but I prefer the CSR. It is not on the monorail or boat service...but I have found bus service good. It would be between the two options. There are several bus stops and the resort does not share buses with any other resort.

The extra money for a moderate is worth it to use over a value because we prefer the queen size beds at CSR.

Plus in November it may be nice to have a hot tub...there is a 22 person hot tub at CSR.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at the CR, but we love the WL. I think the WL is a great resort for the cost as it's quite a bit cheaper than any of the monorail resorts but is still a deluxe. We love the MK area and if we weren't able to stay at a monorail resort, the WL would be our choice. It's a beautiful resort with convenient boat transportation to MK as well as to the CR where you can hop on the monorail to the TTC for Epcot or to visit the Poly and GF. For us, the extra cost would be worth it.

 

[maj42169]

I looked into the moderates, but the problem with the week that I go is the transportation. It is very crowded, so waiting on busses is a problem. I have done a lot of research about times for bus travel around the resort. If I am not close to the first stop then we run the risk of waiting for other busses to come by because the first rounds will be full. I just worry that we will miss early morning dining because of waiting for busses.

 

[shannonstar]

Have you considered renting DVC points? I ended going that route this year.

We are doing a split stay at the BCV and then AKV. Previously we have stayed at the Dolphin and POFQ, and this rental was the same price as the POFQ.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary because you will also have the walkway to the Magic Kingdom, their rooms are the biggest among the Deluxe Resorts and assuming you are staying in the Tower then you are guaranteed to get a full size balcony.

 

[maj42169]

I am not staying in the tower at CR, I can't afford it. I am staying in the wing garden view. I had a 30% off code. That is the only way I could even swing CR. my room choice for WL is also a courtyard view. If I stay at POP I will go with a preferred room. I don't rent DVC points because we like a food court, and I don't need a kitchen. I don't plan on cooking while on vacation.

I do appreciate your opinions. That is why I posted this question. I guess I could look more into the mods but my fear if of poor bus service during the busy time.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

If the only concern is the transportation, couldn't you rent a car or call a cab for faster access to all 4 parks? I wouldn't spend $2K just to have access to the monorail. Now, if you're really itching to stay at a Deluxe for other reasons, go for it!

 

[DisneyDre]

We've never stayed at the CR, but we love the WL. I think the WL is a great resort for the cost as it's quite a bit cheaper than any of the monorail resorts but is still a deluxe. We love the MK area and if we weren't able to stay at a monorail resort, the WL would be our choice. It's a beautiful resort with convenient boat transportation to MK as well as to the CR where you can hop on the monorail to the TTC for Epcot or to visit the Poly and GF. For us, the extra cost would be worth it.

I agree!! The WL is my fave. MK is also our fave place to go, so thats another reason we love staying there. Just a quick boat ride to MK. Just love the whole atmosphere. You almost feel like you are not at Disney,(in a good way) because you dont feel the hussel and bussel. Im sure you will have fun any where you stay!

 

[KrazeeK120]

I haven't ever been to Disney at Thanksgiving but have been during spring break and am going again over spring break this year.

I'm sure the crowds aren't as bad at spring break as at Thanksgiving, but it's still a very crowded time of year.

I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and absolutely loved it. The great thing about POFQ is that it has only one bus stop and it's the first stop both picking up and dropping off (it then goes to Riverside) so I always got a seat on the bus. I didn't find the bus service to be poor.

I really would highly recommend looking into this resort - it will be MUCH easier on your wallet and I don't think you'll have the transportation problems you mentioned with it being the first bus stop.

 

[nwbearcat]

I don't know if this will help or not, but I had similar issues with a stay. I called disney, and spoke with a CM. Based on my wants (transportation was an issue for me as well) He suggested I stay at BC instead. I told him I would but BC and YC were booked for my dates. After confirming, He took $700 off a room at the POLY making it comparible with BC/YC/WL.. Done deal!!!!

I don't know if you plan on being at MK for most of the trip... If not, you could also consider BC, YC, or BW because of their proximity to epcot, and HS, eliminating two potential bus trips. They all tend to be cheaper than CR.

 

[jujube]

If the only reason you want to stay at the CR is the monorail, then stay at WL. The monorail gets very crowded and there are long lines because of all of the people going to the CR restaurants. We went over Thanksgiving a couple of years ago and it was a gigantic pain in the rear.

The WL will have the Christmas decorations up and the WL is stunning at that time of year.

 

[earthfaries]

It's all a matter of opinion but I've visited all the resorts a lot ~ and I personally would say don't splurge on CR ~ especially for Thanksgiving weekend.

The monorail resorts get SO busy during the holidays and the CR is crazy ~ especially the monorail and monorail line. I wouldn't book that resort JUST because of it's convenience ~ in those crowds no where is convenient, lol.

Good luck with your trip planning!

 

[maj42169]

Thanks for the input! Growing up I always wanted to stay in te CR, but now that I am an adult, I just don't know if it is all that I dreamed. The atmosphere just doesn't seem to impress me like other resorts. I think my best bet is to go with WL. We will spend most of our time at MK, and I love the lodge atmosphere of the Great Wolf Lodge Waterparks, so I think this will work for my family. Thanks!

 

[Sue M]

We love WL. the boat to MK is a nice way to get there. I wouldn't spend $2000 more to stay at CR.
All rooms at WL have full balconies too, and you can't beat the beautiful theming. The CMs are wonderful too. And if the Christmas decorations in WL are up - wow.

 

[momH2the4th]

Thanks for the input! Growing up I always wanted to stay in te CR, but now that I am an adult, I just don't know if it is all that I dreamed. The atmosphere just doesn't seem to impress me like other resorts. I think my best bet is to go with WL. We will spend most of our time at MK, and I love the lodge atmosphere of the Great Wolf Lodge Waterparks, so I think this will work for my family. Thanks!

My family prefers WL for the same reason you stated about CR ~ we just didn't feel like we were at a Disney resort. The theme or lack of at CR doesn't work for us. We prefer the Poly for many reasons, but we've outgrown it and can't afford 2 rooms at this point in our lives. We love WL for many reasons also, but like that it's a deluxe on a better price scale for us. We stayed in a 2 bedroom @ VWL last year and that was perfect for our family of 6. I didn't even consider using the kitchette, but it was nice to have a microwave and refrigerator to keep snacks and some breakfast items. I even ended up using the washer & dryer at night and didn't have a pile of dirty clothes to take care of when I got home! The boat is very convenient for getting to MK and to CR if you want to catch the monorail to Epcot. I really think you'll enjoy WL! We're going back this year and have 2 rooms @ WL.

BTW, I've heard the Christmas decorations @ WL are amazing! Have a great trip!

 

[patty57]

Wilderness Lodge also has the Villas. You could look into renting points there. The Contemporary has Bay Lake Towers, where you could also rent points. Granted, there is a very good chance that both places are booked already, but it might be worth looking at. It's a very short walk to the main hotel for counter service from both places.