Why Is Contemporary So Expensive

[cdpa4d]

Location is the main reason for the high prices; however, I would add the rooms are going through a major refurbishment; in fact, it's almost done. This will probably make the prices go even higher.

 

[mickeyfan2]

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.

This is exactly what I was going to say. You beat me to it!!!

 

[phantom728]

We stayed at CR in 2002 because SOG was closed for renovations. We got the CR room for the SOG rate (which was cheaper than value resorts due to military rank tier) and would never pay full price for the rooms we were in. We were on the first floor and every morning were awoken by the ducks who came looking for food and then would s#@! on our patio.

Maybe if we were in the Tower and had an amazing view...might consider it, but I thought everything was overpriced. My DH wanted to use their workout area and they charge for that, so every morning he would run around the outside of the hotel instead.

I did enjoy the monorail being so convenient and can see that as being a big draw for the hotel, but wasn't impressed with the interior on CR. In 1996, stayed at POR, previously Dixie Landings and loved it.

If I'm going to spend that kind of money, then I would rather stay at the Wilderness Lodge...maybe someday.

 

[Jen D]

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.

We're going next year with my 42 year old BIL, who hasn't been to WDW since he was 14, although has done DL many times since. He really, really wants to stay the the Contemporary. To him staying there is the epitome of the Disney experience. My dh to an extent felt the same way although he was more of a Poly guy. To some there is just something about the original resorts.

I don't have a sentimental nostalgia thing about CR but I do like the building and I think it gets a bad rap occasionally... I love that seventies look and the monorail going through.

My main issue was always the fugly room decor, but now that is being corrected too. Now they just need an awesome pool.

We may stay there for a weekend before our DVC stay since it is BIL's dream.. but I am chafing at paying CR Tower prices President's Weekend. (I wouldn't do the wings-- if I'm doing CR I'd do the tower, otherwise I'd just stay at a cheaper resort.) We'll see if I can get an AP rate.

 

[princess mom of 4]

Our last two trips we did stay at the CR, but in the Garden Wing, not the tower. The view would be great, but mostly we want to be IN THE MK, not just view it! So the location, ease of using monorail, ease of just walking to and from the MK were our selling points. I guess I would pay $$$ for the location, but not $$$$$$$ for the view!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Lark--Eyesore? Well I never--harumph harumph! Tee hee hee--just kidding. The Contemporary is one of those things with a face only a mother could love.
I think the CR is awesome and worth every penny to stay there--especially in a Tower room with a MK view. It is Walt's dream--it is ugly and concrete and magical and historic and energetic and alive and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat (after I try out all the other WDW resorts!)
Why so expensive? To concur with others: Location, view, monorail, history, amenities, room size, transportation options...

 

[CheshireVal]

I love the Contemporary: the restaurants, the shopping, the monorail, the arcade, the views....

I think if I could choose to stay anywhere on property, it would be a Tower room. I even kind of like facing Bay Lake instead of the MK.

 

[vpack05]

(sigh)... we stayed at CR 5/2005 and while it was a nice, big room and nice, big resort, we simply didn't fall in love with it like we did AKL. HOWEVER, for the fall dining special, as a single mom with 4 under 12 including one child under 3, I KNEW that the monorail it had to be. I could picture trying to get from EP or MK on a crowded bus and having to stand with my son in my arms, my 7 year old DD ready to kill my 12 year old DD and my 13 year old DD walking away from us all!! I REALLY wanted WL and hopefully I can work out something with a DVC owner I know, but with wanting to go to MNSSHP & EP F&W Fest, the monorail is the only way to keep my sanity. Plus.. my son loves trains! Here I go again, having to book CR for the sake of my family. The things we do for our children!

 

[SamIAm21]

We stayed at the CR last year before the rooms were upgraded. We had a MK view and honestly, if I could afford it again this year, I would do it in a minute. We paid about $130 per night LESS last year vs. this year. However, I have seen photos of the new rooms and they look very chic. So, there may be more of a premium now that the tower rooms have had their Extreme Makeover!

 

[csaribay]

Just incase anyone hasn't seen photos of the new rooms:

 

[goofy4tink]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the CR actually cheaper than most of the other deluxes? It is more expensive than WL and AKL, but it is, or at least it was, cheaper than either GF or Polynesian. We loved it there. We were in the North Wing, on the ground level, facing towards WL and the lake. Even though Hurricane Charley checked in the same day we did, we all fell in love with this resort. I loved the ease of getting back and forth to MK. I liked hopping on the monorail and going one stop and switching to the Epcot line. I loved the dining choices. I don't think there was anything about the CR that we didn't like. In fact, I'm one of the few people that has no interest in the GF and I liked the CR better than the Polynesian. Go figure!!! My home resort is BWV, but if I had to pick a different deluxe to stay at...it would be the CR!!

 

[csaribay]

You're correct, which sort of makes the OP's question a moot point. The CR is one of the lowest priced Deluxe resorts at WDW, and with appreciably larger rooms and an arguably better location than the rest, has a better-bang-for-the-buck.

 

[SamIAm21]

Wow, I haven't seen as detailed picture of the new rooms as the one posted above. That is a BIG improvement over the "Jetsons" look! I would love to stay in that room!

Thanks for the great pic!

 

[abner1776]

As much as I hate to admit it, I have to agree with many of the previous posting when it comes to the CR. Yes, it is old and run down and looks more like a glorified motel 6, but the view to not only MK but to the lake as well and the monorail make the CR a very desirable "resort." With small kids to transport around, many parents will be swayed with the ease of getting to MK and small kids could really careless about where they stay, just as long as it's in DISNEYWORLD. Sooooo..even though it will be a cold day in h... before I stay at the CR, the CR does have it's plusses and it's value at WDW.

 

[harumph]

We stayed at CR in 2002 because SOG was closed for renovations. We got the CR room for the SOG rate (which was cheaper than value resorts due to military rank tier) and would never pay full price for the rooms we were in. We were on the first floor and every morning were awoken by the ducks who came looking for food and then would s#@! on our patio.

Imagine how the ducks feel about waking up every morning to find out that humans have built a huge resort on their home!

 

[DonnaDavid]

I've never found the CR appealing either, but we're booked there in Sept. It was the least expensive deluxe for a family of 5.

 

[lark]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the CR actually cheaper than most of the other deluxes? It is more expensive than WL and AKL, but it is, or at least it was, cheaper than either GF or Polynesian.

Well, it depends. Yes, a standard garden wing room at the contemporary is less expensive than the cheapest rooms at the other five major deluxes, but a little more expensive than the two more intermediate deluxes. The difference between the garden view in the wings at the CR is pretty much right on par with the least expensive rooms at the other deluxes -- $10 or $15 less than the Poly, BWI, BC/YC -- except for the GF.

I think there's a considerable difference in terms of deluxe feel between the other two monorail resorts or the BC/BY/BWI and the contemporary wings. Don't get me wrong, I think the wings are probably, dollar for dollar, the best value in disney, but the real apples to apples comparison for the CR to other resorts is the tower, and that's pretty much right on par with the other major resorts, right down to the concierge, except for the GF main building. The LV class at the GF and the Poly are a little more expensive than the tower MK view, but it's pretty close, and the tower bay side is more expensive than the garden rooms at the other deluxes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, it depends. Yes, a standard garden wing room at the contemporary is less expensive than the cheapest rooms at the other five major deluxes, but a little more expensive than the two more intermediate deluxes. The difference between the garden view in the wings at the CR is pretty much right on par with the least expensive rooms at the other deluxes -- $10 or $15 less than the Poly, BWI, BC/YC -- except for the GF.

I think there's a considerable difference in terms of deluxe feel between the other two monorail resorts or the BC/BY/BWI and the contemporary wings. Don't get me wrong, I think the wings are probably, dollar for dollar, the best value in disney, but the real apples to apples comparison for the CR to other resorts is the tower, and that's pretty much right on par with the other major resorts, right down to the concierge, except for the GF main building. The LV class at the GF and the Poly are a little more expensive than the tower MK view, but it's pretty close, and the tower bay side is more expensive than the garden rooms at the other deluxes.

Have to disagree. I got a room, lakeside in the North wing, ground level, for about $70 less a night than any of the other deluxes...with the exception of WL and AKL. I paid a lot less for my room at the CR than I did for my garden view room at the Polynesian.

 

[Brina]

personally, it was being able to walk to the MK. The first time we went to Disney we had two not quite three year olds. When they reached their saturation point it was best to get out. A wait for a monorail would have been a nightmare for them, for us and for everybody within earshot. Being able to put them into the stroller and start walking was amazing. Generally, they were asleep by the time we reached our room.

When we went last year we discussed staying there again, since we had a new not quite 3 year old with us, but we realized getting two tired 5 year olds to walk away from magic kingdom might be a mighty difficult task.

 

[CuteKatCar]

The CR is my favorite deluxe. Although the rooms were gaudy, they are so big and roomy. There is so much room to put your stuff on - that long dresser; we could all fit at the table. The Poly only had an armoire and a small table. Last year we stayed at the Beach Club and while it was very nice - our room wasn't the best. No door/balcony. Our windows overlooked a roof. The store is nothing. The CR has the best shops and arcade. It just bustles with excitement. And while the pool stinks, sitting out behind the resort looking at Bay Lake is very relaxing.

My family has opted for the GF this year. I'm looking forward to it. I'd rather split the stay between both, but we got the free dining, so it's too expensive to split the stay.

Anna