Why is the Contemporary so Expensive?

[Aurora0427]

You can easily stay in a beautiful suite at the Four Seasons for less money than you'd spend for any Deluxe.

No you can't. This is just not accurate. We always price a regular room at the FS vs. whatever we book at Disney- last trip a FS regular room was slightly less expensive than a Garden View at the Grand, and only because the FS was running the buy 3 nights get a fourth free.

I will buy that poly and GF are priced very similarly. But a suite at the FS is going to be more expensive than a standard room at any deluxe.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

CR is the Original Disney. It's theme is OMG MONORAILLLLLLL.

Do these kids, looking out over a construction site and parking lot think it's not Disney enough? Nope!

 

[PastryLover]

No you can't. This is just not accurate. We always price a regular room at the FS vs. whatever we book at Disney- last trip a FS regular room was slightly less expensive than a Garden View at the Grand, and only because the FS was running the buy 3 nights get a fourth free.

I will buy that poly and GF are priced very similarly. But a suite at the FS is going to be more expensive than a standard room at any deluxe.

It can indeed be done. Last fall my family (2A 2C) stayed in a Golden Oak Suite for $480 per night. We got the rate through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner that my DH uses often for business travel. I think the rate might have been lower in the off season but we did not have the luxury of switching dates.

 

[PastryLover]

I believe they have a program than you know of only if you are supposed to know there is a program.

There was a rumor sometimes ago, about it being changed to a more "public" one, but nothing has been announced yet.

Yes, the name of the program is By Invitation Only and entrance is handled exactly in that manner. DH is still waiting for his. Lol

 

[msb578]

Disney admitted they don't do luxury, by letting the FS build inside the "walls" of WDW.

With the CR, it's not only the monorail- it's being able to walk to MK. No other resort has that.

 

[Aurora0427]

It can indeed be done. Last fall my family (2A 2C) stayed in a Golden Oak Suite for $480 per night. We got the rate through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner that my DH uses often for business travel. I think the rate might have been lower in the off season but we did not have the luxury of switching dates.

Can the majority of people get this rate? Can anyone book it online? Because it sounds like a special you received due to a preferred partner used for your husbands business travel. If the average person can call and book a suite at the FS for $480 per night without using a preferred partner, then I stand corrected.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We stayed at the Contemporary because we were there for a convention a couple weeks ago. I was geeked b/c it's a deluxe, and as long as we have 2 kids tagging along, a deluxe isn't an option if we are footing the hotel bill.

We stayed in the Garden Wing, which is a simple, convenient walk back to the main building. Have to say, I was disappointed in the room. Maybe it's my fault, high expectations. The room was nice, but no different than a mid level hotel, and no bigger than what you'd see at a regular hotel. The proximity to Magic Kingdom was wonderful, but not 4 times what a value costs wonderful.

How does it compare with the other deluxe resorts, and would those be considered better values than the Contemporary, especially if you are looking at the Garden?

Don't want to come off like a grump, was curious more than anything.

Location Location Location! It's the only resort that you can walk to Magic Kingdom from. Lots of folks will pay lots of cash for that! Yes, you can walk to Epcot and HS from the Epcot resorts, but Epcot and HS are not the same as the
Magic Kingdom.

 

[♡ Mimi ♡]

Can the majority of people get this rate? Can anyone book it online? Because it sounds like a special you received due to a preferred partner used for your husbands business travel. If the average person can call and book a suite at the FS for $480 per night without using a preferred partner, then I stand corrected.

A Four Seasons Preferred Partner is really just a TA that specializes in FS properties. I don't think we're allowed to link specific agencies, but absolutely, anyone can use them. Whether or not they have different rates for different clients is something I don't know.

Yes, the name of the program is By Invitation Only and entrance is handled exactly in that manner. DH is still waiting for his. Lol

I was talking to Dad last night & mentioned this out of curiosity. He said that at the time he was invited, he had been traveling with them extensively for almost 10 years & he still waits every year to see whether or not he made it back in. It doesn't sound like any other loyalty program I've ever heard of. Good luck to your DH!

 

[Yarbogash]

Virtuoso is the name of their main preferred TA program. Google Virtuoso four seasons and you will find lots of agents. Anyone can book it. Standard benefits are best rate, free breakfast, upgrade if available, $100 dining or spa credit per stay. Great program especially for one night stays.

Four Seasons Orlando has a big price spread. For our dates in May base rooms started at $385 but those were gone quick and price jumped to $700. Wish I'd decided sooner. It is an awesome property. Simply does not compare to the other 5 stars. Transportation to WDW is smooth. The resort amenities and staff are outstanding. It is IMHO far and away my favorite and the best hotel in Florida.

 

[anonfrank]

We stayed in a Garden Room at the Contemporary for our first visit to WDW a copule of years ago and for our first visit....it was well worth the extra money just for the ability to walk to the Magic Kingdom! We're staying further away for our trip next month, but that's mostly because we're having to pay for a suite to accomodate my mother-in-law.

I'd stay in the Contemporary again, and I will, eventually....

 

[Ensusieasm]

CR is the Original Disney. It's theme is OMG MONORAILLLLLLL.

Do these kids, looking out over a construction site and parking lot think it's not Disney enough? Nope!

Thanks so much for the video!

 

[ellie05]

This is like asking why does a beach front property cost more.

 

[wildviper]

We have stayed on-site several times at the value resorts. Best experience by far was in a family suite in the All-Star Music. While not luxurious it had enough privacy and comfort to make it our favorite place to stay so far.

Our next trip is being planned for this fall. Since there will be 6 of us we are planning on a 2 Br at SS or perhaps even at the BW. BW makes more sense because we plan on spending time at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and the convenience of walking may be too hard to pass up.

 

[Dean Marino]

Original post - "Why is the Contemporary so Expensive?" - well , because that is what WDW wishes to charge for it. It does not mean you must PAY for it.

All personal opinion. I will not be replying to posts.... I didn't do it.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I just stayed at the Contemporary for 5 nights last month. This was after a 4 night stay at the POP. No comparison.
Yes, it was soooo expensive (about $600 a night) but the monorail was extremely convenient, not to mention fun- I rode it just to look at the beautiful views! It was also great to have the walking option.
The room itself was much larger, roomier, the beds were huge with tons of soft pillows and sheets, in general the furniture was gorgeous, the TV was enormous (not that we watched much..) the bathroom was bright and inviting, we got luxurious hair and skin products (really amazing!) and in general the hotel (we stayed in the main building) had a much nicer feel to it. Pop was adorable. CM was just gorgeous. And the most incredible, amazing, worth-every-penny part was that we had a theme park view.
Meaning that we could see the fireworks from the balcony! And every night, as I lay in bed, I said goodnight to the castle and thanked the stars I was lucky enough to be there
Pure magic.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Yes, the name of the program is By Invitation Only and entrance is handled exactly in that manner. DH is still waiting for his. Lol

Um well there is one By Invitation Program I mean but this is not for travel agents . But a Four Seasons Preferred Partner is very different to this. A group of travel agents most often Virtuoso as well have additions at the cost of of a normal rate. I booked my Four Seasons stay through one for this very reason. FSPP is a very similar program but has additional amenities but they are very similar.

 

[curlyqs]

Location, great walk to MK. That being said, that was the only thing I liked about the hotel. I felt it was old, not enough elevators (consistently waited every time), the monorail was down or not functioning correctly, and lacked the special disney touches I felt. And the pool was just ok. WL has many more special touches. We are trying BC next trip. I stayed there as a kid and remember loving it!

 

[msmama]

Last week, sitting out on the balcony of my 12th floor room at the Contemporary, feet up, Mickey bar in hand, watching Wishes = PRICELESS!!

 

[mefordis]

Can the majority of people get this rate? Can anyone book it online? Because it sounds like a special you received due to a preferred partner used for your husbands business travel. If the average person can call and book a suite at the FS for $480 per night without using a preferred partner, then I stand corrected.

Yes, I agree. It sounds like a corporate rate, which we can get as well at various luxury hotels by just giving them the name of the company when booking.

 

[mkla2015]

It's all about the location!! Nothing can beat being able to walk to the magic kingdom in my opinion. We spend the majority of our time at MK and gladly pay a little more to stay at BLT for convenience.