Wildnerness Lodge v. Contemporary Tower room (Aack!)

[HeatherPage]

I'm driving myself nuts here. We currently have reservations (on DVC points) for a studio at the Wildnerness Lodge Villas at the end of May. I am considering changing my reservation to a tower room at the Contemporary for the convenience of the monorail (my son will be 19 months old then). My husband wasn't too thrilled with the Contemporary when we stayed a couple of days in the North Garden wing a few years ago (he didn't like the theming) but he loved the Wilderness Lodge theme and I'll admit, the pool/hot tup area is more interesting (the Lodge part). I plan on going back again in November and could stay at the Wildnerness Lodge then on points. As it is now to afford a Contemporary Tower room for 5 nights, I can stay four nights on DVC points and pay one night cash ($370) to get the 5 night stay I want in May. I know the Wilderness Lodge has the boat to the Magic Kingdom and Contemporary but that darn monorail zipping through the resort itself is so appealing (I also kind of like the theming to the Contemporary). Sorry if I'm babbling, but if anyone has stayed at either the WL or the CR, and taking into account our toddler could you please give me some pros and cons of each?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Love both, but I think I'd go with the Contemporary. If you'll be spending at lot of time at MK, you can WALK from the hotel. Or just hop on the monorail. Also it's just a monorail ride away from the TTC and the monorail to Epcot.

Of course, WL has a MUCH better pool, but Contemporary has 2...

Contemporary has a better view of MK, and if you're staying in a tower room the view can be fantastic.

 

[CRCrazy]

As you can probably tell by my name - we would definitely choose the CR, but we love the theming there! I even like the pool - it is in the shape of a Mickey Head after all. I think your little one would love Chef Mickey's, and you wouldn't even have to pay for his meal! Unfortunately for your husband - the Tower rooms have the same sort of decor as the Garden wings - but we like them!

Wilderness Lodge does have great theming - we went over for breakfast on our last trip, and the pool looks awesome, but we live for the monorail.

That said, if you plan on pool time with your little one, you may want to stick with WL if it has zero entry in it's pool. That is one area the CR is lacking! My girls are 6, 12 and 14, so it doesn't bother them - they are all good swimmers, but with a toddler, it could be a factor.

The rooms in the CR are substantially bigger - don't know if that's an issue for you - happy choosing!

 

[sgtdisney]

Here is a vote for WL.. If you are staying in the Villas, you didn't mention what kind of accomodations you had set.. 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom studio? Even with the studio you will get the kitchenette which can come in very handy with a toddler with the fridge and everything. The Contemporary is a great resort but give me Vacation Club level accomodations anytime. The monorail is great but you do have transportation direct from MK to VWL. We have gone numerous time with my kids who are now 6 and 1 and it has always been OKW for us and that is even farther than VWL.

 

[Jen D]

When I read the subject line I thought CR, but when I read you have a villa reserved, I saw go with WL. Having a fridge in the room, and free laundry (I'm assuming you have a studio) is great, and when the pullout bed is folded in the room feels really spacious. It's nice to be able to really relax in the room.

But-- if your gut wants the Contemporary and you just can't get that cool monorail going through the lobby out of your head, go for it! I think sometime we don't choose a resort, but a resort chooses us, and why fight it?

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for the replies everyone! You all had very valid points (of course I'm still no closer to a decision ) but I do very much appreciate your opinions

 

[bat4less]

we just left the wl with a 5,2, and 6 month old. we had our own stroller with us. we had absolutely no problem at all with transportation- and that includes an early cindys ressie b4 the park opened. there are actually 2 separate boats going in diff directions that both can get you to mk- one stops at cr and you can take the mono from there- the other goes to mk after a quick stop to wilderness villas
the atmosphere at the wl is easily a disney atmosphere- our kids loved it and we will easily go back

we didnt really like the cr theming at all- and our kids thought it was like a building instead of a disney resort
good luck