Will I regret?

[mrs moon]

Hi all.
My question is , will I regret booking a garden wing room at Contemporary instead of Tower? Thoughts please?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In my years around here I tend to see two divided camps to this answer - the Garden Wing does have a loyal fan base who tend to appreciate it for the more quiet vibe, quick walk to the pools, no need to deal with elevator congestion in the Tower, and the lower price point. Non-fans tend to not like the inferior views (although some are quite lovely), grungy stairways and elevators, the lack of balconies on the second and third floors, and more isolated location requiring a 'longer' walk to building amenities. The Garden Wing rooms are ever so slightly smaller in depth than the Tower rooms which is hard to really notice, but is technically the case.

Personally, I'm a Tower guy - if I'm going to spend the time/money to stay at CR, I sort of want the "full deal" experience of the monorail, a balcony, and views (as the views on both sides are pretty awesome). The Tower isn't without flaws though - elevator congestion can happen, especially the evenings, some find the parking lot views on the TPV side less desirable, the TPV side will bake in the afternoon sun on a cloudless day/afternoon, Chef Mickey's and central atrium noise is nearly ever-present.

Like anywhere you have a mix of pros/cons, and where you fall on either side is very subjective. And ultimately I don't think you can make a wrong choice here, so that's good!

 

[mrs moon]

In my years around here I tend to see two divided camps to this answer - the Garden Wing does have a loyal fan base who tend to appreciate it for the more quiet vibe, quick walk to the pools, no need to deal with elevator congestion in the Tower, and the lower price point. Non-fans tend to not like the inferior views (although some are quite lovely), grungy stairways and elevators, the lack of balconies on the second and third floors, and more isolated location requiring a 'longer' walk to building amenities. The Garden Wing rooms are ever so slightly smaller in depth than the Tower rooms which is hard to really notice, but is technically the case.

Personally, I'm a Tower guy - if I'm going to spend the time/money to stay at CR, I sort of want the "full deal" experience of the monorail, a balcony, and views (as the views on both sides are pretty awesome). The Tower isn't without flaws though - elevator congestion can happen, especially the evenings, some find the parking lot views on the TPV side less desirable, the TPV side will bake in the afternoon sun on a cloudless day/afternoon, Chef Mickey's and central atrium noise is nearly ever-present.

Like anywhere you have a mix of pros/cons, and where you fall on either side is very subjective. And ultimately I don't think you can make a wrong choice here, so that's good!

Thank you so much for that …much appreciated

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I'd have to know why you think you might?

I've stayed both now.
And I went from the highest of highs to the "lowest of lows" in room categories.
First time was Club Level, Theme Park View.
Second time was Resort View, Garden Wing.

I loved both!

The Garden Wing is so peaceful.
I rarely saw others and its so quiet.
My room was facing the parking lot but also I had a great view of the Monorail coming out of the main tower.

Only downsides that I noticed... The shower leaked onto the floor (others have mentioned this was true for them as well) and because of the refurb now the top portions of the beds are connected via platform that in the middle has the nightstand so when someone flops around in one bed the other bed feels it.

Overall a great experience though and would do it again.

 

[Summer2018]

Back in 2015, we booked a garden wing room because that was all we could afford. At the time, we had a wonderful travel agent who got us upgraded to a high tower bay view room one floor below club level at no extra cost. The view was breathtaking. I will never forget that experience as long as I live.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Go big or go home, but then again the cost difference can be a night at value difference

 

[Marthasor]

I prefer the garden wing! It’s quieter than the tower and it’s a short walk to the lobby and MK path.

 

[snacks]

We have always had a soft spot for the one bedroom suites out in the garden wing. We love the quiet and we love the views. However, we just returned from a garden wing stay which may be our last. We were devastated to see that the beautiful natural view of the lake and trees on the opposite bank is now marred by the new resort that is being built. I often roll my eyes when people complain about new things being built, but this time I guess I'm one of the complainers. That view was so amazing. There we were in the middle of one the busiest places on earth but we could stare out our windows and see nothing but water, trees, and sky. It was bliss. Not anymore. Previously the only real negative of the garden wing was the lack of balconies. I will say we never stayed more than a few days because the walk does get old. I feel the same about other resorts that have outer buildings as well (fine, even fun, for a few days but not a long stay).
Due to the new building (Lakeview Lodge?) we won't stay water view in the Contemporary Tower now either. We'll stick with Theme Park View for trips where we want to watch the bustle, and go elsewhere when we want calm and quiet.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I often roll my eyes when people complain about new things being built, but this time I guess I'm one of the complainers.

It's hard when that feeling hits, isn't it.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed in both. My decision is typically based on budget, time of year, and the size of my traveling party.

If going during hot weather, I usually won’t use the balcony anyway, so a garden wing room is fine. Cooler weather, and I prefer a balcony.

If I can stay eight nights in the garden wing or five nights in the tower for the same money, garden wing wins. If I can get a discount on the tower, but they’re sold out in the garden wing, then tower it is.

When traveling solo, I tend to pick the room that saves me the most money and simply deal with any sacrifices. When traveling with friends and family, having the balcony gives that little bit of extra space to spread out and relax.

When staying in the tower, I usually request a room on a lower floor. This is so I can use the interior stairs if the elevators are congested. I wouldn’t want to walk up to the 11th floor, but accessing the stairs from the concourse on the 4th floor and walking up to the 5th or 6th floor isn’t bad. The trade off for that is the view and being closer to the source of the atrium noise.

When staying in the wing, I do request a ground floor room for the patio. Sometimes I get one, sometimes I don’t. I have never had issues with the elevators or stairs in the wing.

There will be pros and cons to every resort category at Disney. Figure out what you must have, and what you are willing to give up, and book accordingly.

 

[snacks]

It's hard when that feeling hits, isn't it.

Yes it is!
I'm getting older but trying so hard not to fall into the habit so many older folks have where all change is bad and every new thing is automatically a downgrade over what it was in the past.
It sure is a challenge some days not to sound like my grandparents.

 

[Robber Baron]

We stayed in the old North Garden Wing a couple times pre-BLT. The kids were little and we loved the first floor patio so the kids could run around a little outside.

The rooms are big, at that time views were not important to us, everything about it was great.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I loathe the garden wing. I think @GADisneyDad14 's summary in the second post is accurate. Its just that those negative aspects really outweigh the positive for me. After a long day at the parks, the last thing I want to do is take that long walk to my room (or squeeze into a too small elevator)

 

[snacks]

I loathe the garden wing. I think @GADisneyDad14 's summary in the second post is accurate. Its just that those negative aspects really outweigh the positive for me. After a long day at the parks, the last thing I want to do is take that long walk to my room (or squeeze into a too small elevator)

The elevators are hilariously small. On our recent trip we saw a man get his gigantic stroller wedged in the doorway.
I believe the elevators are original to the building. It makes you realize how much lighter people packed when suitcases didn't have wheels!

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

The elevators are hilariously small. On our recent trip we saw a man get his gigantic stroller wedged in the doorway.
I believe the elevators are original to the building. It makes you realize how much lighter people packed when suitcases didn't have wheels!

Elevators are too small, hallways are too narrow, and the rooms feel much smaller than the tower (and I say that as a pretty small guy; I still felt cramped in the room and bathroom). The only positive about the garden wing is the price

 

[rstevens333]

I love both. The Garden Wing may not have a view of the MK, but some rooms have a view of the Electrical Water Pageant. (a $50,000,000 value)

 

[beccasmom]

We stayed in the garden wing(s) many times early on (80’s) due to the cost differential. Once the moderates opened (CBR was the first), we stayed there for a few years (or did a split stay). Then we purchased DVC in 1992.

We have since stayed at the CR for 2-3 nights occasionally (tacked onto the end of a DVC resort stay) and now usually book a tower room or the concierge (12th floor) level as a special treat. The garden wing was much quieter and that can be a nice change after a busy park day. The corridors are quite long. We never minded the walk over to the main tower, but we were younger then too . The tower is vibrant and always busy, very high energy. We love the tower room views, both TPV and lake. I’m not thrilled with the Incredibles theming in the rooms now - to each his own - so it will probably be a while before we return.

 

[CarolynFH]

The elevators are hilariously small. On our recent trip we saw a man get his gigantic stroller wedged in the doorway.
I believe the elevators are original to the building. It makes you realize how much lighter people packed when suitcases didn't have wheels!

LOL, they had Bell Services to carry the luggage for them!