Why Is Contemporary So Expensive

[doc2b]

So I am looking into going to wdw at the end of summer for 6 nights. I am looking at the prices of the hotels and it seems as though the contemporary is really expensive for being one of the originals. Why? Dont get me wrong it looks great but in comparison to GF or WL. Doesnt look quite as nice, Can anyone Help?????

 

[Gaiusrex]

3 words. Location, location, location. It is the only resort that allows you to walk to the MK. Several rooms in the tower have a view of the MK.

 

[csaribay]

Aside from a major renovation that'll bring the resort back up to deluxe spec, the Contemporary is expensive as it is for a couple of reasons. Primarily- people are willing to pay the considerably higher rates provided the resort (think of the resort simply as a commodity, one that is in fairly high demand all year round). With the largest rooms on property and prime location, the Contemporary is meant to be a very premium experience, with a premium price tag. The resort is also re-aliging itself to become a more convention oriented destination, which also provides some justification in room rates.

Just because it's old doesn't make it any cheaper. In Disney's eyes, the properties are a vessel to make money and continue pushing stays on-property. Why decrease rates when people are willing to pay higher prices? There's also a certain novelty at the Contemporary, something people closely associate with a Disney experience.

Keep in mind that the rooms at the CR are among the lowest for its category. Only the WL beats its prices, with the rooms in the latter being considerably smaller.

 

[beattyfamily]

Like the previous posters said: "Location, Location, Location". That's why I love it.

The views, the walk to MK, the monorail going through it. All the deluxe amenities.

 

[lark]

So I am looking into going to wdw at the end of summer for 6 nights. I am looking at the prices of the hotels and it seems as though the contemporary is really expensive for being one of the originals. Why? Dont get me wrong it looks great but in comparison to GF or WL. Doesnt look quite as nice, Can anyone Help?????

The location point really is the best answer, but it's not exactly like the Poly and the GF are poor in the location department. The GF, not the contemporary, actually is the last stop on the monorail and thus a rapid trip. It's also a 3 minute boat ride if you catch it right. Still, that said, it's a 15 story tower that is a few football fields away from, and faces directly at on one side, the most famous theme park in the world. In the world of family man-made entertainment destinations, it's pretty hard to imagine a more significant piece of real estate.

But I think to truly understand the allure of the Contemporary you have to look it at, as best you can, through the eyes of a child. I don't think they have the same sense of asthetics as we do. While to some of us it can look like a seriously out-of-date unthemed concrete mass with very bizzare hedges, as compared to places like the Poly and the GF, children just don't see it that way. To them it's an awe-inspiring building with a train that goes through the lobby.

You also have to understand the nostalgia factor. Many people who stayed there and loved it as kids (or, even more significantly, that couldn't afford to stay there as kids but saw it and were awe-struck by it) are now adults with disposable income. To them, you will never convince them that it's an eyesore. (There, I did it, I used the "e" word -- I'm preparing my flame-suit.) I think all of those things explain its appeal and the difficulty in finding very expensive rooms there during peak times.

 

[DrTomorrow]

lark is right about the nostalgia factor. As a tween, I was lucky enough to stay at the CR in '73 with my parents (now deceased) and I have so many fond memories of that trip. So, when we finally took our own DS to WDW, staying at the CR was very important. Note, however, that for a romantical-type vacation (just DW & me), the Polynesian wins in pretty much every category....

 

[CarolA]

Location! I have stayed at the GF... Give me the CR location any day. The GF is the LAST stop in BOTH directions so when you leave the park you get to stop at all the other hotels (wait for the stations in front to clear etc...) (I am not a big fan of the monorail.. seems to spend about half the time waiting on something)

 

[momto2girls]

I think it really has to be the location.

FWIW, the Contemporary is the only MK resort in which we haven't stayed. I have tried to like it. I really have. I've tried to convince myself that the ability to be able to walk to the MK would make it worth it to stay there. But I just can't seem to convince myself that the location alone would make it appealing enough to be worth the money.

 

[pepe of ohio]

My first trip to WDW was in 1977 and we stayed at the CR for 75.00 a night. Big money back then. The enormity of the resort, the lights of the building at night are things that bring back memories. The game room is huge, and remembering the sounds of the air hockey made our kids eyes light up. We always stayed in the north wing, I don't stay over 4 floors high and the rooms are the largest albeit the Poly, than all the others. The view of Bay Lake, the EWP from the boat dock and seeing the fireworks over the MK rates this resort at the top. Borh CR and Poly should have the higher prices rooms, fit 5 people easy and there's still plenty of room plus location.

 

[pepperw23]

Because it costs a lot of money to run a toaster that big.

 

[NewJersey]

I'll never understand why that hotel is so expensive. The views might be great but when I rode through there on the Monorail last summer, I was not impressed. I'd enjoy another hotel I think.

 

[allegracristina]

Because it costs a lot of money to run a toaster that big.

ha!

 

[phyllis1966]

The CR is not my favorite resort, but the photo in my sig. will explain a lot (location!) about the expense - this is probably the best view of the MK I will ever have!

 

[firemanx]

PHYLISS pic says it all. For that view people will pay. If it was just the location you can stay in the wings for appx 215$ a night during value season, and still have the same access to the monorail, the short walk, and the huge arcade. I think the selling point of the hotel is the view. Especially when you request a MK view is almost 450$ a night more. Also the nostalgia plays a huge factor. For our labor day trip it's bringing us back to the Poly just cause thats where we used to stay as young children, and my parents feel that our family vacations are getting limited as us kids start to get older.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

You also have to understand the nostalgia factor. Many people who stayed there and loved it as kids (or, even more significantly, that couldn't afford to stay there as kids but saw it and were awe-struck by it) are now adults with disposable income. To them, you will never convince them that it's an eyesore. (There, I did it, I used the "e" word -- I'm preparing my flame-suit.) I think all of those things explain its appeal and the difficulty in finding very expensive rooms there during peak times.

Yup! That's me. I have loved that building since I was 6 and awestruck by the cool building with the monorail that went through it. I FINALLY have the money to stay there and I'm so excited to be taking my kids while they are young enough to see what I saw at 6 and not what a lot of people see as an *eyesore* (it hurts to type that!) No flames to you at all, but I really do love that building. Of course the location is great too.

 

[slug]

It's impossible to beat the convienience of a monorail resort. The GF is the best but it's also considerably more expensive than the CR. The CR is also less $ than the Poly.

You save a bunch of time during the day using the monorail to go from the MK and Epcot if you like to go to the park early, head back for lunch, and then go back in the evening. I don't mind the buses, but being at a monorail hotel makes this nice and quick and gives you more time to do other things.

And during off-peak, a wing room at the CR is the best deal, dollar-for-dollar, in WDW.

 

[triplefigs]

But I think to truly understand the allure of the Contemporary you have to look it at, as best you can, through the eyes of a child. I don't think they have the same sense of aesthetics as we do. While to some of us it can look like a seriously out-of-date unthemed concrete mass with very bizarre hedges, as compared to places like the Poly and the GF, children just don't see it that way. To them it's an awe-inspiring building with a train that goes through the lobby.

My triplets are in LOVE with the CR. We went last December and stayed at the GF. We had a fabulous time and LOVED the GF. It was full of hidden Mickeys in the room, Disney wallpaper, had the giant full-size Gingerbread house, 2 Character meals, and lots of fun stuff. HOWEVER, we ate dinner our first night at CM, and that was the highlight of my DS's trip. To my kids the CR was the coolest and best resort we visited! They loved the monorail going right through the middle of the resort, CM, riding the escalators and elevators, and the fun shops in the concourse. So much, that they still talk about the CR non-stop and call it the "Chef Mickey hotel". So guess which Resort we're staying in December this year?! You guessed it, the Chef Mickey hotel!

You also have to understand the nostalgia factor. Many people who stayed there and loved it as kids (or, even more significantly, that couldn't afford to stay there as kids but saw it and were awe-struck by it) are now adults with disposable income. To them, you will never convince them that it's an eyesore.

You so captured my 2nd reason for booking the CR. In fact, a few weeks ago I posted a thread on ME wanting to book the CR as I had always longed to stay there as a child. We only camped at Fort Wilderness, and when we would ride through the concourse on the monorail, I was completely amazed, thrilled, and awe struck. So, Chef Mickey hotel here we come! I'm more excited than they are, if that is possible.

 

[phyllis1966]

Wow! Is it really $450/night for the MK view in the tower now?!? When we went 2 years ago, it was a hastily planned trip and there was a discount code out, so the CR was the only deluxe (besides AK, which is too far away for us) with a standard room available, and we got ot for $260/night!

We enjoyed our stay and the view was awesome (especially on Grad Nights when the fireworks started around midnight and were stunning), but I wouldn't pay $450/night to stay there again.

 

[triplefigs]

With our AAA discount, we are getting the Tower MK View for $310 per night during Value Season.

 

[doc2b]

THanks of the knowledgable replies, I from what everyone is saying the view and location are the big two players in regards to the prce at CR. To me, I was born in '82 I have seen the building several times but its just not there for me.

I am looking for something like that but when you talk about the view being several hundred more than the non view room. I just simply cannot justify spending that money although if I had a larger disposable income it would be. Location is important but can't I get that from other hotels?

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE THOUGHTFUL REPLIES!!!!!!!!!

HOPE TO SEE YALL THERE ONE DAY !