Which would you choose?

[gone2carolina]

1. Wilderness Lodge

2. Grand Floridian

3. Contemporary

I know all of these hotels are really nice but which one would you prefer? What makes one better than the other? Is it just personal preference or are the ammenities different? I have never been to either one of these hotels but I'm considering it. Thanks in advance for any tips or advice you can give.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I chose Contemporary for the price and location and I kinda like the funky colors and decor of it...if I had the money I would do GF instead even though I have never been but the GF seems so....grand I also chose CR due to the fact that three of my dining choices were RIGHT THERE in the hotel...and I like the idea of being able to walk to MK after the fireworks is the monorail is too crowded or whatever...

 

[gone2carolina]

I chose Contemporary for the price and location and I kinda like the funky colors and decor of it...if I had the money I would do GF instead even though I have never been but the GF seems so....grand I also chose CR due to the fact that three of my dining choices were RIGHT THERE in the hotel...and I like the idea of being able to walk to MK after the fireworks is the monorail is too crowded or whatever...

Hmmmm that makes sense about the Contemporary because of the location. I'm actually leaning toward the Wilderness Lodge but I want to hear a few opinions on the hotels I mentioned. Your decision about the Contemporary sound like a good one especially where you have the restaurants that you want right there. I like the looks of the wilderness lodge though. I don't know. Decisions! Decisions!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

well I also have three small girls and being on the monorail was important to me...as was space, CR are next largest after GF so that was important to me too. WL looks quite nice though but depending on your family or your style I hear the GF can't be beat...

 

[milmore104]

I vote for CR. having the monarail right there is a HUGE plus. An added plus for us is Chef Mickey's we love eating there! The rooms are larger so if space is an issue every inch counts! Have fun planning.

 

[Princess Mommy]

Right now, having 2 small girls- CR if I could afford it again. CM's and Concourse Steakhouse are our family favorites! Plus you cannot be the location. The GF is GORGEOUS, but the CR is more kid frindly, IMHO. WL is great too... but CR's location and kid dining is better, again just my opinion.

 

[gone2carolina]

Great tips so far. I appreciate them all. Thank you!
Looks like I have a lot of homework to do.

 

[JMD]

I know some people love The Contemporary, but I think its hideous. I've never really liked it.

I would definitely stay at the GF. Its a beautiful hotel, plus the monorail is right there. You can get to any of the restaurants on the monorail loop in about 10 minutes. I love Wilderness Lodge too, but the I have to give GF the edge because of the monorail, its easier than using the busses.

 

[gone2carolina]

Yes, I did notice that the monorail doesn't go to the wilderness lodge. I wonder if it will some day. That seems like the only drawback to the WL.

I know some people love The Contemporary, but I think its hideous. I've never really liked it.

I would definitely stay at the GF. Its a beautiful hotel, plus the monorail is right there. You can get to any of the restaurants on the monorail loop in about 10 minutes. I love Wilderness Lodge too, but the I have to give GF the edge because of the monorail, its easier than using the busses.

 

[3lilprincesses]

i would pick GF as my #1. we have 3 children, so WL is out unless we do a villa. would like to try it one day though because i love the theme. CR is not appealing to me at all. i like Chef Mickey, but i would rather take the monorail there, and then leave! maybe it will be more appealing when they re-do the rooms.

GF is beautiful and very kid friendly. love the zero entry pool and water slide. also love the kiddie pool. love, love, love the turndown service. love the childrens bathrobes. love 1900 park fare. guess i just love it all!!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would choose WL and stay in the Villas. Yes, being on the monorail is nice BUT, the boat ride from WL is relaxing and doesn't take long at all. The bus service from WL is quick and efficient as well. I love the theming and overall feeling of the WL better than the CR. Maybe I'll consider it when they get all the rooms renovated. While the GF is a beautiful resort, it's not one of the top three resorts I would choose. It's just a matter of personal preference, as all the WDW resort have something special about them.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

If money is not an issue I would choose Grand Floridian based on location,the monorail, theme, and amenities. Second choice Contemporary. I find WL totally unappealing so that isnt in the running. Good Luck deciding!

 

[married@wdw]

I'd choose GF -- it's the only Deluxe I haven't stayed at! That said, I haven't stayed there because it was actually the least appealing to me when we were paying cash (now we're DVC).

I've stayed at Wilderness Lodge the most of the three. I think it's my favorite resort, though I adore OKW and BW as well.

If I were going with children though, I choose Contemporary because of the easy walk to MK and the close proximity to Chef Mickey's (a must if you're taking kids) and the easy view of the fireworks without having to be in the park.

 

[PamNC]

I would choose the Grand Floridian first, CR next and WL last.

The Grand and the CR are on the monorail line and that is of the utmost importance to us. You can't beat the convenience and the views from the monorail resorts. We stayed at WL once and were quite disappointed with the boat transportation. SLOOOOOW!

I would almost vote CR, but the rooms are in need of renovating - and they are doing just that as we speak. I've seen pics of the new rooms and they look fabulous. If you are going when the renovation is complete, I would probably pick CR over the Grand.

WL is a beautiful resort, but most of that beauty lies on the surface. Meaning, the lobby and exterior, and the grounds, are breathtaking. The rooms leave a little to be desired. They are small and dark. And, IMHO in need of repair. Although WL is a MK resort, we felt far removed. The bus transporation left a lot to be desired. However, we loved the geyser and the trail to FW. I wouldn't call our visit to the Lodge a bust, but it certainly isn't a resort we're clammoring to go back to.

The Grand is, well...GRAND. But, a tad stuffy for our taste. But, the rooms are beautiful, the CMs are top notch and there are great restaurants to choose from. Again, if CR's rooms are renovated by the time you go, I would pick CR over Grand. Simply because of the stuffy factor.

Our favorite MK resort is the Poly. In fact, it's our favorite resort overall, followed closely by YC/BC. You didn't have that one down as a choice but I would think about it. It's the #1 resort for convenience. Not only do you have the monorail to MK, but it's a short walk to TTC where you can hop on a monorail to Epcot. The landscaping is so wonderful and the volcano pool wins the best MK resort pool contest. The CMs are great, the food choices are excellent. Think it over - you might just want to add the Poly to the list.

Have fun whatever you decide.

PamNC

 

[Tea Please]

All are such nice resorts, can't go wrong with any of them.

Have fun choosing.


BTW, Welcome to the Dis

 

[gone2carolina]

Thanks everybody for all the opinions and information. I might have to flip a coin to decide. Actually for some reason the WL still just appeals to me. It looks like more our style even though the monorail doesn't go there.
thanks again,

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

My Choices.....

1) GF - Beautiful Resort, great location and atmosphere.
2) WL - Theme & wonderful lobby.
3) CR - Great location....as others have said....it needs room renovations.

Good Luck!

 

[johnsonet]

I would choose GF #1 - no question;
WL #2 and CR #3, unless you are talking more like a year from now when all the renovations at CR are done and then I would probably pick it #1 or 2;
The theming at WL is wonderful and very relaxing;
GF is #1 for its luxuriousness, beauty, dining options, proximity to the MK; walkway to the Polynesian for dinner~ Gorgeous rooms (I love Boca Chica best!) Lobby, etc.

 

[lovmy2girls]

The monorail can't be beat ! Just staying where you have but steps to get on one is such a plus. If you have kids, that makes it even better.

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

We just returned last week and spent 1/2 the trip at WL and the other 1/2 at GF. I love WL - the theming is beautiful and the service is wonderful. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a monorail.

On the other hand, I would NEVER stay at the GF again. I posted a review, so I won't repeat everything, but I'll just say we were extremely diasappointed. Perhaps, we just caught several CMs on really bad days and it's usually wonderful, but at the price you pay to stay there, I don't care to stay again to find out.

Also the walls at GF seemed unusally thin. We were on the 3rd floor near the atrium in Sago Cay and could hear every time someone came in through the main entrance 3 floors below. We could also hear the TV in the room next to us. It was very distracting for our DS3. He had a hard time falling asleep there.