Which would you choose? Contemporary Garden View vs Coronado Business Class

[jerivera]

So, I'm torn right now between staying at the Contemporary Garden View and the Coronado Springs - Business Class (which basically gives you breakfast).

Which would you choose? Difference in costs for us is around $1,000 (if you include the breakfast). It's a big sum, but not so big that we wouldn't "splurge" it if Contemporary is much better.

Thoughts? Is Contemporary worth it??

Thank you!

 

[trishadono]

So, I'm torn right now between staying at the Contemporary Garden View and the Coronado Springs - Business Class (which basically gives you breakfast).

Which would you choose? Difference in costs for us is around $1,000 (if you include the breakfast). It's a big sum, but not so big that we wouldn't "splurge" it if Contemporary is much better.

Thoughts?

Well I actually have stayed in both THIS year. I had a planned trip for dd18 birthday. 2 nights CSR BC then transfer to Poly club. Then a last minute weekend with dh that ended up one night. I booked that at CR in GW.

Here's my thoughts:
CSR is my favorite of the mods. I love room decor, resort theming and the food at lounge had great quality. It is not the same as the deluxe clubs because less offerings and room is nice but not a great view like poly and CR have.

I chose CR for my hubby mainly because being on monorail for us is our favorite. The resort is awesome, good food options on monorail path . Can watch fireworks from your hotel. This was first in GW section and it was convenient and relaxing.

So if saving money most important then CSR is a great option for the price . Cr is just such a wonderful experience if can afford it I would recommend it.

Both options are great and you will have a good time either way.

 

[Buddy18]

Just got back from a business class room stay at CSR and we loved it. The location, the lounge, the CM's there are fantastic. It was all good.

 

[disd55]

If you could, splurge for CR. I have not stayed there, and we probably wouldn't but I like the amenities and conveniency that they have much better than CSR. I stayed at CSR and we had only stayed at Deluxes before CSR so I guess we just expected it to be better. I think since Deluxes are compact and small resorts, and convenient to everything, we expected CSR to be that way. We didn't think the main pool would be THAT FAR from everything. It ended up being that the preferred Casitas 1,2 and 3 were the farthest from the main pool, although they were fairly close to El Centro, still a good walk. The pool walk was ridiculous, especially on those humid, hot August days when you really can't walk fast. CSR's theming was lovely but the conveniency to parks sucked.

 

[jerivera]

Thanks for the info everyone!

One thing to keep in mind, CSR Business Class is in Building 9B, right next to bus stop, very close to pool & lobby. It does have access to Coconino Cove (lounge).

So, is Contemporary that much better that it trumps CSR Business Class?

Other than Transportation, is there any other major plus?

Thanks!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks for the info everyone!

One thing to keep in mind, CSR Business Class is in Building 9B, right next to bus stop, very close to pool & lobby. It does have access to Coconino Cove (lounge).

So, is Contemporary that much better that it trumps CSR Business Class?

Other than Transportation, is there any other major plus?

Thanks!!!

Transportation is the only plus in my opinion. For $1,000 less I would probably stay at CSR.

 

[Buddy18]

CSR has a better pool area. And the buses are better at CSR, not shared with other resorts like at CR.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done both...CSR never to return too... Too spread out, period... There are other moderates out there that are more compact and close to entertainment ( POFQ, for one and a boat ride to DTD)...

CR, we cut our teeth there, but north garden wing... Didn't care for the tower rooms at all...sadly, those trips were in the late 70's and 80's.... Great restaurants and fantastic game room back then... It still holds sentimental value fir us but the lost of the north wing and Fiesta Fun Center has moved us off of that resort....

 

[SharonZ]

Another thing to remember about CSR business class is that the lounge has limited access hours. I believe it closes at 10:00 a.m. and doesn't open again until 5:00 p.m. It's great for a continental breakfast as well as snacks and/or beverages at night. I was there in February of this year and I can tell you that on a few of the mornings they did not replenish items. I booked business class solely for room location and looked at the lounge as a bonus. Given the choice, I would rather stay at CR - I like the ability to walk to the Magic Kingdom as well as the convenience of being on the Monorail.

 

[saskdw]

CSR is a great resort. It is IMO almost a Deluxe at the Mod price. It has Deluxe amenities such as Fitness center, Spa, Salon, Sauna, night club style lounge, 2 outdoor lounges. Largest hot tub at WDW and second nicest pool (next to Beach Club) with the longest waterslide at WDW.

Paying for the Business Class room takes the "large" aspect of CSR out of the equation. Some people apparently can't read because they keep mentioning CSR is Large. Cabanas 9B is 1 min from a busstop, 2 mins from the food court, 2mins from the main pool, 2 mins from a quiet pool and laundry. You don't have to walk the rest of the resort if you don't want to. It's actually closer to everything than the Garden Wing rooms are. Myself, I like the spread out resorts. Always a quiet place to relax, but with the Business Class room you get the best of both.

CR is convient if you want to walk to MK or use the monorail to MK/Epcot. But the busses at CSR will get you everywhere else quicker than the Deluxe busses.

The deciding factor for us is always the value. We typically stay for 2 weeks so the cost difference last time was $3500 to upgrade to deluxe. Its alot to pay for 50 sq ft of room space and a better location.

I really think you will enjoy either place though.

 

[Greysword]

For an additional $1k, I would stay at CSR and bank the cash as a down payment on our next return!

Another option for the $1,000 is to see if you can buy first class upgrades on the flight (if you are flying). Then you'll be doing well both on the trip and at the resort.

 

[Buddy18]

Another thing to remember about CSR business class is that the lounge has limited access hours. I believe it closes at 10:00 a.m. and doesn't open again until 5:00 p.m. It's great for a continental breakfast as well as snacks and/or beverages at night. I was there in February of this year and I can tell you that on a few of the mornings they did not replenish items. I booked business class solely for room location and looked at the lounge as a bonus. Given the choice, I would rather stay at CR - I like the ability to walk to the Magic Kingdom as well as the convenience of being on the Monorail.

I stayed there last week in may and there was always 2 cm's there at all times and they refilled everything and asked us for refills constantly. It was great

 

[Yellosno]

If it were 500 I would consider it but 1000 is a lot. Id pick CSR.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

If money were no object, I'd say CR trumps CSR hands down! You CAN NOT beat the ability to walk to MK. Yes, the CSR pool is wonderful, but to us, that's really all it's got going for it. We didn't like the convention feel of the resort nor did we like the fact that it's so spread out - and we are fitness enthusiasts and runners, just prefer not to do it while wanting a mug refill or a swim with the kids.

We also didn't care at all for Pepper Market. The fact that you have to tip at a QS just bothers me (Pepper Market is run by an outside vendor, not Disney), and it's a little chaotic and confusing.

And while we don't mind Disney buses at all (we vary our trips between staying at mods and deluxe during very busy summer season,) you just can't beat having the monorail for 2 of the resorts at your disposal. My vote is for CR.

 

[TJA]

Other than Transportation, is there any other major plus?

Location. Especially with young children. It's hard to beat being able to watch Wishes right from the CR, and being located within a 10 minute walk to MK. If you have a stroller, just walk back and forth to MK -- it's really easy and quick. For us, it changes the outlook of our whole trip.

 

[fallschurch]

I have stayed at both places and in the same room types. It is hard (and not fair) to compare a moderate to a deluxe. I liked the room at the Contemporary better. The pool at CSR is bigger but we like the Contemporary just as well.
We didn't like the food options at CSR, the ordering process is cumbersome. We still don't understand why the kids menu had no Mexican items available. At the Contemporary we really like the Wave but don't like Contempo Cafe. We have been able to get walk up reservations to CA Grill, bonus.
The CSR lounge has very limited hours. Breakfast was ok but nothing fancy. The evening snacks are ok as well. the lounge was never opened when we wanted drinks/snacks. We really like the staff, all very nice. We have stayed in club at the Poly, GF and Yacht, the CSR is a very limited 'lite' version.
We like the Contemporary better because we can walk to MK and take the monorail to Epcot. We also like to view the MK fireworks from the 4th floor viewing area. When we were at the CSR business room, the bus was the last drop off and pick up. It was full many times. We would walk to the main building when we were leaving the hotel. We also didn't like being the last stop. We would get off the first stop and walk back to our room.
For a thousand bucks we would pick the Contemporary. I would only return to CSR (including business lounge rooms) if it was cheaper than other moderate hotels.
My review reads as very critical of CSR, we liked it. I was just pointing out the little things we didn't like. Any day in the kingdom is a good day.

 

[need2travel]

Having never stayed at either I really can't voice an opinion but if I were picking between the 2 I would go for the CR hands down. The restaurants, the pool, the beach, the water, the monorail all combine to make it a place I would love to stay at.

If you can comfortably spend the extra $1,000 then I say go for it and have a great time!

 

[mmorano88]

I find myself in the same situation! For a few hundred extra I can upgrade to the contemporary. I see such mixed reviews on the contemporary which makes me nervous to switch. I would love to hear people's opinions/experiences! I've only stayed at Pop and downtown disney holiday inn.

 

[bluejasmine]

Stayed at all 3 monorail resorts.. CR is the most affordable, while the pool and resort is an over the top theme. The rooms more than make up for it. They look amazing and are quite large!
The monorail is just a plus!

The pool is quite large, plus the bay pool beyond that..

We switched from BWI to CR Tower Room for just a few hundred more for 8 nights.. Love the location!!!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[mmorano88]

I just figured out the math lol. It would be an extra 78$ a night to switch hotels.