Which Deluxe Resort?

[kjh73]

Hi, we just recently won a trip to WDW. We get to stay at a deluxe resort...
we have narrowed it down to three. Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, or Animal Kingdom. I think we want to be close to MK, but I also think my son who will be 6 would think seeing the animals at AKL would be cool. Anyone have any suggestions to help us make this decision! I was at WDW when I was in grade 4 so I really have no idea.... Thanks

 

[BionicEar]

Congratulations!!!

I totally recommend a monorail resort - which would be the Contemporary.

Why not consider the Polynesian? Being able to play on the beach while watching the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle was a huge hit with my kiddos.

 

[ProudMonkey]

I have never stayed at any of those but if the choice was there I would take the contemporary in a heart beat. I love the wilderness lodge but its out of the way and isnt on the monorail line.

 

[slug]

Definately the CR. You're on the monorail, you can walk to MK if you'd like, and you can watch the fireworks from your room every night. And the rooms are all renovated. No downside.

 

[mickeyhat]

We've stayed at Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. We lreally ove WL, but if it were a free trip I'd probably pick Contemporary. Your son will love watching the castle change colors all night and watching Wishes from your room.

 

[rcraw45425]

Another vote for the CR, as much as I love the rest of the Magic Kingdom resorts, the CR just screams Disney!

 

[PrincessLinds]

I stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge a couple years ago, and although it's a ways from the MK, it's well worth the longer ride. Every morning when I would get up, you step out onto the balcony and there are animals just grazing right outside your room...it's a once in a lifetime experience, and one I think everyone should take advantage of given the opportunity.

 

[bucky1023]

Another for CR. I've stayed there and really liked it. We could watch the Electrical Water Pageant from our room. We were also in the tower right on the corner facing MK. If we went outside our room we could see Space Mountain and see the castle.

I have never stay at the other resorts, but I have eaten at Boma in AKL. It seems like a really nice resort and we went out to see the animals before our meal (very cool), but it is a bit of a hike to the parks (except AK) and nothing beats a monorail right in your hotel.

CONGRATULATIONS AND ENJOY NO MATTER WHAT RESORT YOU CHOOSE!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is another vote for the Contemporary which would be your best choice. You said yourself you want to be close to the Magic Kingdom, well the Contemporary is the closest Resort to the Magic Kingdom. It's also my favorite Walt Disney World Resort Hotel as you can see based on my user name, so I am biased when it comes to selecting the Contemporary.

 

[kjh73]

Thanks Everyone....Out of the three resorts I was leaning towards the CR, I called and told them the CR would be our choice of resort.

 

[vbarry]

I would definately do a monorail resort if it was free!! You can always go back to WL or AKL at a much cheaper price!!

Congrats and have a great time!!

Did you consider the Poly or BC/YC area???

 

[TheatreLady]

Yay you get to stay at a Deluxe Resort!
I suggest the CR. It has a great view everywhere! Enjoy your trip and have a mickey bar for me!

 

[Leigha]

I don't suppose you could split your stay between the two could you?? I would go Contemporary & AKL if possible!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Betweem CR. WL and AKL I would pick CR any day. The convenience of the monorail is wonderful. However if I had to pick any deluxe I would be choosing between GF, Poly and BC/YC.

 

[ccigliano]

I vote Wilderness Lodge as the boat ride is a wonderful 10 minute trip on Bay Lake to MK. The CR while on the monorail has a much colder look to me than the WL and its fireplaces, waterfalls, and pacific northwest woodsy feel. The AKL is very seperated from everything but is also a beautiful resort. The WL and AKL were designed by the same achitect so they do have the same look and feel to me. Just my 2¢ but I have only stayed at the WL out of those three so I can only compare it from my several visits to each resort.

 

[auntie]

Wilderness Lodge all the way! The CR seems kind of old and outdated looking to me. It is one of the original resorts..and yes, the monorail runs through it. I'm not impressed. It reminds me of a cold stone city(sort of an outdated jetsons type city). Maybe that's me..I see the city of NY all the time..so I have no desire to vacation in a city like atmosphere. Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feel. Doesn't offer a tropical feel..I don't see the draw..but that's me..some folks love it. Rooms..I don't know..never had the desire to stay in there. The WIlderness Lodge is a recreation of the Pacific Northwest..complete with an Old Faithful style geyser on Bay Lake. As you enter the drive to the Lodge the lush landscaping and peaceful tranquility envelop you. As you pull up to the entrance..you will enter through huge majestic doors..you will be in awe. The lobby is like NOTHING you've ever seen. Seven stories tall..Totem poles..fireplace, and bridge over the spring that then meanders outside..ultimately leading to a magnificent rockscaped pool area..complete with a slide comming from the bolders. The greenery amongst the bolders and the sounds of the geyser along with the soothing music that is piped throughout the resort puts you into an extremely relaxing state of mind. The check in area is beautifull...complete with Italian marble. You won't want to leave the resort..let alone go to the theme parks. We always choose this hotel..as we enjoy the many amenities it offers. We like to bike ride the adjoining bike/walking path between the Lodge and Fort Wilderness. They offer rentals for adults and children(training wheels too)..and offer child seats for the adult bikes as well. There is a marina where you can rent pontoon boats..and cruise Bay Lake..as well as mouseprites. The pool is so much fun..we love the slide built into the boulders. There is a childrens pool..and also a hot tub. Roaring Forks is a nice place for a quick bite and offers quality food..and you can either eat there or there is a nice patio area outside. Of course you can bring it pool side or to your rooms as well. Whispering Canyon is a spot for great family sit down restaurant..where the waitstaff makes breakfast, lunch or dinner a fun time to be enjoyed by all. The Magic Kingdom is accessible by water launch and it is a truly lovely way to reach the park. Peaceful..and scenic. The Electric Water Pagent is visible from the WL each evening. There is also a playground on the beach area near the marina..and a nice place to sit and watch the pagent. Doesn't hurt to have a Daquari from the nearby pool bar either! What ever your choice..congratualtions on winning your trip! Have a wonderful time!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Wilderness Lodge all the way! The CR seems kind of old and outdated looking to me. It is one of the original resorts..and yes, the monorail runs through it. I'm not impressed. It reminds me of a cold stone city(sort of an outdated jetsons type city). Maybe that's me..I see the city of NY all the time..so I have no desire to vacation in a city like atmosphere. Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feel. Doesn't offer a tropical feel..I don't see the draw..but that's me..some folks love it. Rooms..I don't know..never had the desire to stay in there.

While the Contemporary may not look good to you on the outside it's the inside of where the whole theme of the Resort is. The 4th floor concourse level has some of the best shops in all of WDW and seeing the Monorail pass by is amaizing. This maybe going off topic a little but if you want to say the Contemporary is outdated and reminds you of a cold stone city that's fine since it's your opinion and your entitled to it. However take some Resorts like the Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach Club. While they may look amaizing on the outside I personally think the inside of those Resorts is nothing special and it reminds me of a standard hotel, one example being a Hampton Inn. Take the Yacht Club and Beach Club, the inside is basically hallways leading to the elevators with some stores being the middle and nothing else. It's the exact same way at the Boarwalk however because of the actual Boardwalk with all the shops and restaurants on the outside that is draw of staying there, but once again the inside is nothing special and is something you can see at any standard hotel. I have nothing against those Resorts however some would have to agree the inside of the Contemporary is a lot better then the inside of the 3 Resorts put together.

 

[auntie]

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone who enjoys the Contemporary..not my intention. I only know what I see when I've been through on the monorail..and when we ate at Chef Mickey's. It just didn't seem inviting to me personally. Although obviously there are those who feel much differently. That's why it so nice that Disney World offers so many different resorts with a variety of themes..a little something for everyone!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone who enjoys the Contemporary..not my intention. I only know what I see when I've been through on the monorail..and when we ate at Chef Mickey's. It just didn't seem inviting to me personally. Although obviously there are those who feel much differently. That's why it so nice that Disney World offers so many different resorts with a variety of themes..a little something for everyone!

You did no such thing as offending me because I enjoy staying at the Contemporary. I only said what I did because your not the 1st person to makes those same comments about the Contemporary and I was only giving some examples of how other WDW Resorts look great on the outside, but the inside comes no where close.

 

[rcraw45425]

Here's a link from Deb Wills' site www. allearsnet.com that allows you to see the guest rooms, lobby, etc. :

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_contm.htm