[wdwspider]

Hi, I have been to WDW several times now... I normally go in Oct or May and stay at least a week. However, my next trip will be shorter and also my first trip during Christmas time. I wanted to stay at a resort that was both fun and close to the parks... I have narrowed my choices down to Contemporary and Boardwalk. The problem is I don't know enough about either one to choose, please help. In particular I am curious as to what each resort does for Christmas, which one is better to go to with a 3 (almost 4) year old, what rooms are the best at each, and anything else that could help me decide.

I know little about Contemporary, but I know even less about the Boardwalk. We plan to go to the lights and Fantasmic at MGM, M:S and Christmas around the world at EPCOT, and Philharmagic and MVMCP at MK if that helps any. We will not be going to AK this time, and may want to go to Universal for their Christmas festivities one day as well.

[wdwspider]

*Bump*

:whistle:

[lopo]

Hands down, I would choose Boardwalk! Although I have not yet been to WDW over the Christmas/New Years season (2003: Yippee!), I have been to both resorts and IMHO, I think that the Boardwalk is far superior. It is handy to Epcot, the rooms are nice, the boardwalk itself is fun and features lots of hot spots, the pool is great fun . . . I think that there are only two positives associated with the Contemporary: close proxsinity to Magic Kingdom and it is part of the monorail's loop.

I am sure that others could add more info for you (esp. regarding the holiday experience.)

[ilvminnie]

Although we've never stayed at the Contemporary, we LOVE BWI! It's walking distance to both EPCOT & MGM (you can take a boat to MGM if you prefer) & we just love the feeling of being around the boardwalk. Last time we had a room that was absolutely perfect. It was like the 4th floor & faced the little courtyard. We didn't have the constant direct noise of the boardwalk, but could sit out & see the water & hear the brass band & enjoy the ambiance. I could live there!

[mickey]

I would agree and go for the Boardwalk. I have been to both during Christmas, and they are both well done. I just really don't like the Contemporary. I would stay there if I could get a tower room, but for the same price, I can get a lagoon view at the Grand Floridian, so why should I?

A garden view room at BWI is all you need. The location is convenient to both EPCOT and Disney-MGM, there is plenty to do at night, and there are over 30 restaurants within a fifteen minute walk or less. Really, it is a great choice for a vacation. You should also consider one of the studios at Boardwalk Villas. They are basically the same room, but they have a fridge and microwave in the room, and are usually the same price. The two resorts share lobbies and pools, though the Villa side is much bigger, so you take a chance of being quite far away from the boardwalk itself.

[Amneris]

Boardwalk would get my vote. I have stayed at the Contemporary over the Christmas season. There's always that big pine tree out front, they just put some bows on it. And I think there was a little tree in the lobby too. As you can guess from my vagueness, the Contemporary just doesn't do much for Christmas. (We had lunch at the Grand Floridain and WOW!! Dinner at the AKL was more festive than the Contemporary too as their tree isn't there in off-season.) I don't know what the Boardwalk does for decorations, but it can't be LESS than the Contemporary.

The Boardwalk is also the one I'd pick for taking a child to. I haven't stayed there, so I only know from reading about it. BUT, the hotel seems very nice. The pool has a slide. I have been to the boardwalk itself, and that's a great spot too. There are candy stores and the wonderful Flying Fish restaurant, and I had a great time watching a magician on the boardwalk while waiting for the FF buzzer to go off for our table!! (Apparently there's often street performers along the boardwalk.) I think there's lots of stuff here to entertain a child as compared to a resort that's just a resort. Taking a walk around the boardwalk just for a relaxing walk is great too. Plus you're near the back door to Epcot for fireworks and awesome dining, and within a short hike/walk of the Yacht and Beach clubs for more food possibilites.

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by mickey


A garden view room at BWI is all you need.

Can you see the EPCOT fireworks from these rooms as well?

Also, just to let everyone know, my wife and I have decided at the last minute to take a trip to the World this coming May... so we will try to fit in Fantasmic and anything else we didn't hit last November, so we can fully focus on Christmas things next year. Hey, a trip to Disney is a trip to Disney, who cares why. :p

This will be our first time flying too... any way to get over the nervous jitters?

[mickey]

You cannot see EPCOT from the water view rooms at BWI, they face towards the Swan and Dolphin. It is possible to see some of the fireworks from EPCOT from some of the garden rooms, it just depends on which room you are in. Most of them have good views of parts of EPCOT. Since most of Illuminations is down low, it is difficult to see the show from anywhere but around the lagoon in EPCOT.

[wdwspider]

Ah... OK, and you prefer Garden over Water. I think Boardwalk sounds right for us... choosing the rooms and plan add-ons is the fun part. I believe the festive fun atmosphere is what we were looking for... plus I have now saw some Boardwalk Christmas photos (they won me over a lot). The closeness to MGM AND EPCOT is a big plus. If you can at least see parts of EPCOT from Garden views then that is what I want I think.

Thanks everyone, and feel free to continue the debate... we have plenty of time to listen to differing POV's and may change our minds still, but I'm leaning more and more toward Boardwalk now. :D