Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary Resort (Tower)?

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Hi. We are going to WDW the last week of August for 4 nights. It will be dh, dd (2) and I, so we will probably only visit MK and will hang some time at the hotel.
Our dilemma is going to the Contemporary Resort, to a Tower room, or to the Wilderness Lodge. We are not sure if the Contemporary is worth all that $$$$ just for the monorail. I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge 8 years ago with my 12 yo sis (thanks dad) but since we were hardly at the hotel, I don´t remember much, and of course I wasn´t looking for the same things that I look now.
So dh and I would be so grateful for any advice you can give us.
TIA
Julie

p.d. excuse my English, but it is only a second language to me

 

[FINFAN]

We satyed at CR for 5 nights, but Garden Wing North. We also stayed 4 nights at WL woodsview this past December. While I think the 2 could not be farther apart theme wise...for a shorter visit. 4 days or less, I would opt for the CR because the monorail is RIGHT there! We rode theboat to MK from WL, and we used the bus service, and we also rode the boat to CR from WL and then rode the monorail to Epcot...if you are planning to spend a lot of down time at your resort, I would go with WL, but if you will be hitting the parks each day, CR. The room size in the Garden Wings is pretty mufh the same as the tower, if you don't mind being there, it can save some decent $. We pais $135 a night for CR garden wing standard view (but it was of the castle!)but that was in July of '01.

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

Pam

 

[Capn' Hook]

We have debated whether the CR is worth the $$$ too. We've stayed at WL twice and enjoyed it both times. The rooms are small, but the theming is beautiful and the price is much less than the Tower. One day we will stay at CR, but so far, each trip's budget makes us decide to make it "not this time."

 

[sunnyd11]

I suggest the Wilderness Lodge. I love it because it is so peaceful, but only a two minute ride to the hub of it all!!! The Contemp is a great resort, but I feel is more dated for it's time.




1975 Contemporary 2001 Wilderness Lodge
1980 Poly 2002 Disney Wonder
1988 Swan 2003 Wilderness Lodge
1993 Poly 2004 Wilderness Lodge/Disney Magic
1994 Poly
1994 Wilderness Lodge
1995 Contemporary
1996 Beach Club
1997 Wilderness Lodge
1998 Poly/Disney Magic
1999 Wilderness Lodge
2000 Animal Kingdom Lodge

 

[MinnieM3]

If money's no object, go with CR Tower. It is fabulous!
BUT, WL is our second favorite. It is beautiful! Ask for a north side woods view and you may still get a Mk view.

 

[jeannej]

Never stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. I happen to like the CR Tower rooms.

jeannej

 

[Deesknee]

Geee tough choice I have never stayed WL, but have stayed at CR tower & wing with 3 toddlers. I loved the CR tower!!!!! We happened to have had a room with a view of the castle. Beautiful. We have also stayed at the Poly & BW with toddlers. The convenience of CR towers IMO cannot be beat.
Either way have a great time.

 

[Micca]

Julie welcome to the Dis I guess the CR is the best choice if you are only going to MK, but I think WL is the better resort. Are you sure you won't try the other parks?

BTW, your English is outstanding

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Thank you for all your answers. We are still not sure.

We don´t really need the room that the CR provides since we only have 1 dd and she is a calm child, but we would like the convenience of the monorail. If we chose the CR it would definetly be the tower, I much think I would prefer WL than a Garden Wing at the CRI can´t remember how much time does the boat from WL to MK takes. What I do remember is that our room was quite far from the bus stop at the WL, but then again, it is not very probable that we will take many bus rides if any. And, after all, our dd will sit in her own stroller, so the only ones doing the walking will be dh and I.

And Micca, thanks for your comment on my English

Julie.

 

[minijeanie]

definitely stay in WL....I believe it is better for younger children....
pool nicer and it is only a quick hop on the boat to MK

we have been there a few times when kids were younger & loved it
think you will find decor much nicer.

 

[Minky]

I have stayed at both, and CR is by far my favorite....actually its my favorite of all of them. Besides the monorail, its really only a 5-10 minute walk right into the park....we actually barely used the monorail. Im a MK fanatic and laying in bed at night watching the castle change colors and watching wishes from our room with the music playing on the tv, I was in HEAVEN. Wilderness lodge is themed INCREDIBLY well, but I thought the boatride took a while and it stops at Fort Wilderness so it can get cramped, the rooms are nice, but not as big as CR.

 

[taximomfor4]

I have stayed at both, and CR is by far my favorite....actually its my favorite of all of them. Besides the monorail, its really only a 5-10 minute walk right into the park....we actually barely used the monorail. Im a MK fanatic and laying in bed at night watching the castle change colors and watching wishes from our room with the music playing on the tv, I was in HEAVEN. Wilderness lodge is themed INCREDIBLY well, but I thought the boatride took a while and it stops at Fort Wilderness so it can get cramped, the rooms are nice, but not as big as CR.

can you listen to the WISHES music at all the hotels? We watched wishes from our balcony in WL, but wished we could hear the music.

BEth

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Our family has stayed at both. My recommendation would be to stay at WL. Since your DD is only 1, she probably won't appreciate the CR, although mom and dad would probably love it. The boat ride from WL to MK is not that long and it is quite relaxing and fun. We enjoyed the anticipation it built as we watched MK come into view.

Save the CR for a later trip when DD is older and all of you can enjoy the fun of the Tower together!

 

[Kimberle]

Hi there!

I have stayed at both WL & CR. We have stayed in both a tower room (14th floor) and a wing room. Both resorts have their plus and minuses.

Are you planning on swimming? If so, WL has a wonderful kiddie pool. Your child can have a ball splashing around. CR does not. They have a few pop jets, but they become boring after a while. The main pool's shallowest end was about 3.5 feet.

We actually preferred the boat ride from WL to MK than the monorail. The monorail was always making long stops (like 6 minutes, I timed them) either at other stations or in the middle of the track.

Regardless of which you choose, it is VERY easy to get between these resorts as the blue launch (boat) runs from 6:45am - 10pm each day. When you take the green launch to the MK, you can just roll your stroller aboard, no folding is necessary.

Also, all WL rooms have a balcony (patio on 2nd). Only the tower rooms have balconies. The 1st floor wing rooms have a patio (not to private). 2nd & 3rd floor have nothing.

We love both resorts. Have a great stay!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Thank you all for answering. We have decided on the WL. We might try the CR when dd is 4 or 5 and doesn´t want the stroller outside the parks, I think we will benefit more from the monorail then.

Kimberle: how full is the WL in september? We will arrive on August 29th and leave on September 2nd and would like to know how full it is at that time.

Julie

 

[Kimberle]

Thank you all for answering. We have decided on the WL. We might try the CR when dd is 4 or 5 and doesn´t want the stroller outside the parks, I think we will benefit more from the monorail then.

Kimberle: how full is the WL in september? We will arrive on August 29th and leave on September 2nd and would like to know how full it is at that time.

Julie

Our stay at WL was in Sept. The resort was busy, but didn't seem "full". We never had a problem at the pool getting a chair, or anything. Also, the quiet pool was never busy. Our room overlooked this pool so we had a good view. There were never more than a handful of people there.

You will have a great time! If you want to eat at Chef Mickey's, it's so easy to hop on the blue launch. The ride is maybe 5 minutes. Trails End (FW) is also a great place to eat with kids. It's a buffet and they have pizza, mac & cheese, mac w/ red sauce, etc.

Be sure to visit the WL faq thread, part 5. Page 1 has lots of info and pictures.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I have been looking at this thread and the advice is great comparing WL and CR But I am now confused. so here is my dumb question of the day.
Can someone explain the transprotation options at WL? Or can I get to WL from CR on a boat and then go to Epcot by momorail?

 

[Kimberle]

I have been looking at this thread and the advice is great comparing WL and CR But I am now confused. so here is my dumb question of the day.
Can someone explain the transprotation options at WL? Or can I get to WL from CR on a boat and then go to Epcot by momorail?

There are 2 boat routes.
Green Launch - large boat, goes WL/FW/MK (any order). I think it generally runs about 1 hour before & after MK opens/closes.
Blue Launch - small boat, goes WL/CR/FW (any order, but there are generally 2 boats running at a time, 1 clockwise and 1 counterclockwise).

There is now a direct bus to MK. This replaces the TTC bus.
The FW internal (orange) bus has a stop at WL. You can use this if you want to attend the nightly campfire/movies.

Buses to Epcot, MGM, AK, DTD, BB, & TL.

I would not take the blue launch to CR, then monorail to Epcot, unless you want to "sight see" as it would take quite a bit of time. The WL-Epcot bus is around 20-25 minutes.

WL generally shares buses with GF in the am and FW in the PM.

The transportation is great. Lots of options and it's very easy to visit the other MK resorts.