Which MK Resort for CL?

[Golden Rose]

We were originally planning a trip for May 2008 with my mother to help out, but it looks like she is not going to be able to make it... it is really too bad we won't have the help with DS, age 3, but it gives us more flexibility in where we stay and what we do. We usually stay at Epcot resorts; we've never stayed at any of the MK resorts. (We like both BC and BWI, we just want to do a MK resort.)

This is a short trip, just three nights, and we think we want to focus almost exclusively on the MK for DS. We hope to do all our meals either in the MK or in the MK hotels this trip. We like CL in general and are leaning towards doing it, although we may have to chose between it and a view. So, which would you suggest for a family of three that includes a three year old?

Also, what are the real differences these days between the two types of club levels at the CR and the GF? (I understand the differences may be less than they used to be?)

 

[nurse.darcy]

My 15 year old wants more than anything to stay at CR. If I was doing an MK stay, that is where I would go. He was not interested at all in the Poly or GF. . .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is my take on the differences between the 12th floor Atrium Club and 14th floor Tower Club at the Contemporary.

With the Atrium Club a Magic Kingdom View room has to be a request, just like with a Bay Lake View room. So the only thing you will be guaranteed is a room up there, however you may not get the view you want.

With the Tower Club there are a total of 16 rooms, 5 of which are standard rooms and the rest being 1 & 2 Bedroom Suites, a Vice Presidential Suite and a Presidential Suite. With the standard rooms once again there is no guarantee of a Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake View. However with any of the Suite rooms it will say Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake and that means you are guaranteed to have that specific room view. Chances are you could get a Magic Kingdom with a standard room since 4 of them are on the Magic Kingdom side and one is on the Bay Lake side. Of course that is not a 100% guarantee, because if you were to stay there they could be taken by other guests. So that means you would be in the Standard Room on the Bay Lake side.

The lounge on the 12th floor is bigger with more seating then the one on the 14th floor. However since they took out 2 or 3 rooms then the 12th floor lounge should be a lot bigger. Although the lounge on the 14th floor also offers seating outside on the balcony, which is something that is not offered on the 12th floor lounge.

If noise is not a factor with the 12th floor you can hear everything going down on the 4th floor, although with the expectation of singing going on at Chef Mickey's I don't find it that bad. If noise is a factor then the 14th floor is great because you don't look down to the 4th floor. However that means things would be a lot quieter, if you can live with that.

Finally both floors serve the exact same foods for breakfast, afternoon snacks, 5:00 PM hors d'oeuvres and 8:00 PM deserts & cordials.

So in the end the 12th floor Atrium Club is less expensive then the 14th floor Tower Club, even though on both floors you would get the exact same service. The 14th floor is more expensive because fewer number of rooms and because of the Suites.

 

[TammiMcMan]

This is a short trip, just three nights, and we think we want to focus almost exclusively on the MK for DS. We hope to do all our meals either in the MK or in the MK hotels this trip. We like CL in general and are leaning towards doing it, although we may have to chose between it and a view. So, which would you suggest for a family of three that includes a three year old?

That's a tough one. The CR will definitely put you closest to the MK and you can easily walk back & forth. Are you spending that much time at the resort that either a guaranteed view or club level would make that much difference to you? If you choose either the Poly or CR, even if your room doesn't have a view, you can go to the club lounge and see the castle from there.

Also, what are the real differences these days between the two types of club levels at the CR and the GF? (I understand the differences may be less than they used to be?)

In a word, ambiance. Within each resort, the two club levels have a different feel to them. You get the same basic service from each and the food offerings are the same. As CRFan mentioned, there are far fewer rooms on the 14th floor of the CR, so the lounge is much quieter and it feels more personalized. At the GF, the main building club level is bigger, open and more airy. It feels very romantic. In the Sugar Loaf lodge club level, it's smaller, cozier and has more of a bed & breakfast type feel to it.

 

[thptrek]

I would definitely recommend CR. YOu can read about our trip and our stay in my trip report. I would stay in the tower and go for MK view!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

If you are like me, you tend to plan you WDW trips around your DD. Choosing a resort could be more about her preferences. All the MK resorts are wonderful and couldn't be in a better location! Being able to get up and see the castle is magical in and of itself!

I am afraid, however, that CR may be a little "sterile" for a 3 year old. The newly renovated rooms are amazing and can be appreciated by an adult, but I'm not certain a pre-schooler would "get it."

If she is girly and princessy~the GF is a great choice!

If you think she would enjoy the island feel, than Poly can't be beat! No choice is a bad one. You just have to decide which would be the best one!

 

[spiceycat]

would think the monrail running through my hotel - in the eyes of a 3 yr old - would matter more than interior or exterior design.

the CR wins.

besides if she has a melt down - you can actually walk back to the CR. for Polyn or GF you either have to ride the monrail or take their boat.

that say if she feels like she can take the monrail the CR is the first stop back from the MK - the last stop going to the MK - but when you need it - it is the first stop.