Contemporary or not?

tmoisan · 07-29-2003

we are going to disney for christmas this year and i have reservations at the contemporary. because we are going to be at disney on christmas day, we thought it was best to stay at a hotel on the monorail for ease of getting ot the park. we are (not happily) paying the full $344 a night to stay there in a regular garden wing room. i have seen posts that the garden rooms are not nice or worth the money. i am considering changing the reservation.

are the rooms as bad as i have heard? should i change the reservations? has anyone had personal experience with these rooms or disney on christmas day? please help!

dznygrl · 07-29-2003

I have not stayed at the Contemporary, but that seems like a ridiculously high price to pay for a garden wing room!

jwdj4lfe · 07-29-2003

Welcome to Disney Central tmoisan! The deluxe resorts can be really expensize, especially during the busiest times of the year (i.e. Christmas, lol). I've stayed at the contemporary but in the tower rooms, during off season and I found them really nice. How much more money would it be to get an upgrade to one of the tower rooms? I think it would be well worth it, as long as its not a ridiculously higher rate. Or I would consider transfering your reservation over to the Poly, the rates should be about the same. And that way you are still on the Monorail Line. Or you could try the Wilderness Lodge, which is usually the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. Its off the monorail line, but it does have ferry access to the MK, and I hear its beautiful during christmas! I hope one of my suggestions helps you! lol. Welcome aboard agian!
Joe:)

Thumper · 07-29-2003

We stayed at the Contemporary last October in the North Garden Wing through Shades of Green. For the discounted rate we paid, it was nice, especially with the Monorail and the really large rooms. But, we really didn't feel that they were worth the full price, we only paid $90 a night, and would do it again for that price, but no way for full price. The rooms left a lot to be desired, even the hallways had a dark and dingy feel to them. I can only speak for our experience in the North Garden Wing, I don't know if the South Wing rooms or the Tower Rooms are any better. Good luck with your decision! :)

mickaholic4077 · 07-30-2003

Keep looking at the front page of Disney Central for discounts,if any,for that time,then call to cancel and rebook.

Amneris · 07-30-2003

I agree that it looks like you ought to move!
1. How much more is an upgrade to the Tower??? I've stayed both there and in the Garden Wing. Tower is quite nice. But the Garden Wings are NOT worth that much money -- they are more like a moderate resort than a deluxe one.

2. Try the Polynesian if you want to stay on the monorail. If you can get whatever their equivalent of a "Garden Wing" room is for the same price, do that. That resort is MUCH more themed. It's all palm trees and thatched roofs and the main building you walk thru to get to the monorail has a beautiful waterfall (someone here has it as their avator(sp?)).

3. Best Christmas themeing is at the Animal Kingdom lodge. GIANT tree. And the resort is just so gorgeous it's like a vacation in and of itself. However, no monorail access. The Grand Floridian is the best-decorated on the monorail track. At least, the main building is. Nice tall tree and a life-size gingerbread house. The Contemporary just has a tree like in your living room (yawn). The GF is probably more than the Contemp or Poly, which is why I suggested moving to the Poly -- but it can't hurt to price check.

RozL · 07-30-2003

We stayed in a garden wing room at the Contemporary the first time we went to WDW (back in 1995). It was nice and quiet, but we did find it to be quite a hike to the main building/monorail. However, our room was about as far away as you could get -- maybe you could try to get a room in the garden wing, but ask for one closer to the main building.

MrDisneyfan1 · 07-30-2003

Another option for that price, look into the studio rooms at the Boardwalk. It was beautiful at Christmas time, turn of the century decorations, a true old fashion Christmas feel. But, as someone else noted, the Wilderness Lodge is top notch, and the ferry boat (not the big ferry, but a smaller one) gets you right over to the park, an excellent way to escape (or enter) the crowds.

Anywhere in Disney is Magical...especially at Christmas

den

tragic312 · 08-05-2003

so far, from what i'm reading, everyone seems to like the contemporary. rob and i are looking for good word on the hotels to pick for our guests to stay at. we're looking at the contemporary as one of the choices. if those who've stayed at the contemporary before, can you please give me a grade on it? (A, B, C..) pluses and minuses will be good, too. thank you guys.

RozL · 08-05-2003

The Contemporary was the first place we stayed in WDW and, at the time (Dec 1995), we were very impressed with it -- especially the service and the staff. However, two years later, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and were completely blown away by the atmosphere there. In comparison, the Contemporary seems a little sterile. If I were to give it a grade, based on the stay in '95 and a couple of meals there in later years, I'd give it a B+ (but I'd give the WL an A!).

Angie · 08-05-2003

I wouldn't want to stay at the contemporary ever. Especially not at full price and especially not at christmas. The other hotels are so much better themed. For Christmas I would pick the wilderness lodge just because it's got that beautiful lobby and the decorations are supposed to be beautiful. It's just a boatride away from the mk and a nice ride at that. If you really want monorail I would go poly but the contemporary just doesn't even belong in disney imho.
good luck
angie

tragic312 · 08-05-2003

again, i appreciate everyone's input on the resorts. i really do. there are just so many things to think about that go towards this wedding. i also want to get a lot settled before i start school next month. that way, i won't have so much lingering over my head as i study for my classes. thanks again.

ps. angie, i really like your avatar. it is so cute!!

Angie · 08-05-2003

ps. angie, i really like your avatar. it is so cute!! [/b][/quote]
why thankyou! :D

tragic312 · 08-05-2003

you're welcome.

timsha · 08-06-2003

To TMOISAN: Staying at the Contemporary for Christmas is an expensive deal. All of the resorts are going to get top dollar though. Wilderness lodge or Polynesian would be a little but better and are better decorated. You can walk to the MK from the Contemporary though (about 6 minutes). It you want decorations, the Boardwalk is excelent at Christmas, as well as the Yacht & Beach. Christmas day in the park is a ZOO. Everyone on vacation is in the MK for the Holiday parade. (been there and done that).

To TRAGIC312: If I were planning my wedding, I would look to other resorts to get rooms at. You can get rooms in the economy / moderate resorts and keep your guests happy. They will be paying 100+ a night instead of 200+ a night. Besides, you will be there to PARTY, not use a resort.

07-29-2003	#1 (permalink)
tmoisan Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 188	Contemporary or not? we are going to disney for christmas this year and i have reservations at the contemporary. because we are going to be at disney on christmas day, we thought it was best to stay at a hotel on the monorail for ease of getting ot the park. we are (not happily) paying the full $344 a night to stay there in a regular garden wing room. i have seen posts that the garden rooms are not nice or worth the money. i am considering changing the reservation. are the rooms as bad as i have heard? should i change the reservations? has anyone had personal experience with these rooms or disney on christmas day? please help! __________________ A dream is a wish your heart makes! December 1999 Carribean Beach February 2000 All Star Movies October 2000 All Star Music May 2001 Animal Kingdom Lodge May 2003 Port Orleans FQ December 2003 Wilderness Lodge/Wonder Cruise November 2004 Contemporary Resort February 2005 Disney Magic Cruise August 2006 Disney Wonder Cruise April 2007 WDW Grand Gathering

07-29-2003	#2 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The breezy shore Posts: 9,332	I have not stayed at the Contemporary, but that seems like a ridiculously high price to pay for a garden wing room! __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Avatar: Moooom, make Alice stop hugging me! 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music

07-29-2003	#3 (permalink)
jwdj4lfe Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orlando, Fl UCF Posts: 1,089	Welcome to Disney Central tmoisan! The deluxe resorts can be really expensize, especially during the busiest times of the year (i.e. Christmas, lol). I've stayed at the contemporary but in the tower rooms, during off season and I found them really nice. How much more money would it be to get an upgrade to one of the tower rooms? I think it would be well worth it, as long as its not a ridiculously higher rate. Or I would consider transfering your reservation over to the Poly, the rates should be about the same. And that way you are still on the Monorail Line. Or you could try the Wilderness Lodge, which is usually the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. Its off the monorail line, but it does have ferry access to the MK, and I hear its beautiful during christmas! I hope one of my suggestions helps you! lol. Welcome aboard agian! Joe:) __________________ "Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment...magic and make believe are reborn-and fairy tales come true"- Walt Disney Collector of WDW Resorts... Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary, Port Orleans FQ, All Star Sports, Music and Movies,Pop Century, Fort Wilderness Campground and counting... GO KNIGHTS

07-29-2003	#4 (permalink)
Thumper Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 167	We stayed at the Contemporary last October in the North Garden Wing through Shades of Green. For the discounted rate we paid, it was nice, especially with the Monorail and the really large rooms. But, we really didn't feel that they were worth the full price, we only paid $90 a night, and would do it again for that price, but no way for full price. The rooms left a lot to be desired, even the hallways had a dark and dingy feel to them. I can only speak for our experience in the North Garden Wing, I don't know if the South Wing rooms or the Tower Rooms are any better. Good luck with your decision! :) __________________

07-30-2003	#6 (permalink)
Amneris Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 418	I agree that it looks like you ought to move! 1. How much more is an upgrade to the Tower??? I've stayed both there and in the Garden Wing. Tower is quite nice. But the Garden Wings are NOT worth that much money -- they are more like a moderate resort than a deluxe one. 2. Try the Polynesian if you want to stay on the monorail. If you can get whatever their equivalent of a "Garden Wing" room is for the same price, do that. That resort is MUCH more themed. It's all palm trees and thatched roofs and the main building you walk thru to get to the monorail has a beautiful waterfall (someone here has it as their avator(sp?)). 3. Best Christmas themeing is at the Animal Kingdom lodge. GIANT tree. And the resort is just so gorgeous it's like a vacation in and of itself. However, no monorail access. The Grand Floridian is the best-decorated on the monorail track. At least, the main building is. Nice tall tree and a life-size gingerbread house. The Contemporary just has a tree like in your living room (yawn). The GF is probably more than the Contemp or Poly, which is why I suggested moving to the Poly -- but it can't hurt to price check. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1985 - off-site 2000 - Coronado Springs 2001 - Contemporary 2002 - DAKL 2002 - Contemporary 2003 - Western Carribean Cruise 2003 - Contemporary 2004 - DAKL 2004 - DISNEYLAND Grand Californian 2004 - Land / Sea 4-Night Cruise 2005 - SOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Resorts
Contemporary or not?

07-30-2003	#5 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	Keep looking at the front page of Disney Central for discounts,if any,for that time,then call to cancel and rebook.

07-30-2003	#7 (permalink)
RozL Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 20	We stayed in a garden wing room at the Contemporary the first time we went to WDW (back in 1995). It was nice and quiet, but we did find it to be quite a hike to the main building/monorail. However, our room was about as far away as you could get -- maybe you could try to get a room in the garden wing, but ask for one closer to the main building.

07-30-2003	#8 (permalink)
MrDisneyfan1 Mouse Meister Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,287	Another option for that price, look into the studio rooms at the Boardwalk. It was beautiful at Christmas time, turn of the century decorations, a true old fashion Christmas feel. But, as someone else noted, the Wilderness Lodge is top notch, and the ferry boat (not the big ferry, but a smaller one) gets you right over to the park, an excellent way to escape (or enter) the crowds. Anywhere in Disney is Magical...especially at Christmas den __________________ As a Connecticut Annual Pass Holder some of our highlights were: Port Orleans - Engaged Wilderness Lodge - Honeymoon Dolphin & boardwalk Treehouse Villa (great free upgrade!) Old Port Royal & Animal Kingdom Lodge Cabins & The Disney Wonder Disney Wonder & PC 2004 Disney's Grand Californian 2005 DISNEYLAND HONG KONG 2006 BEST DISNEY MOMENT: Navigating the Mark Twain throught the Rivers of America at Disneyland and sounding the whistle!!

08-05-2003	#9 (permalink)
tragic312 jay & silent bob's mommy Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 3,421	so far, from what i'm reading, everyone seems to like the contemporary. rob and i are looking for good word on the hotels to pick for our guests to stay at. we're looking at the contemporary as one of the choices. if those who've stayed at the contemporary before, can you please give me a grade on it? (A, B, C..) pluses and minuses will be good, too. thank you guys.

08-05-2003	#10 (permalink)
RozL Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 20	The Contemporary was the first place we stayed in WDW and, at the time (Dec 1995), we were very impressed with it -- especially the service and the staff. However, two years later, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and were completely blown away by the atmosphere there. In comparison, the Contemporary seems a little sterile. If I were to give it a grade, based on the stay in '95 and a couple of meals there in later years, I'd give it a B+ (but I'd give the WL an A!).

08-05-2003	#11 (permalink)
Angie Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 413	I wouldn't want to stay at the contemporary ever. Especially not at full price and especially not at christmas. The other hotels are so much better themed. For Christmas I would pick the wilderness lodge just because it's got that beautiful lobby and the decorations are supposed to be beautiful. It's just a boatride away from the mk and a nice ride at that. If you really want monorail I would go poly but the contemporary just doesn't even belong in disney imho. good luck angie __________________ Angie

08-05-2003	#12 (permalink)
tragic312 jay & silent bob's mommy Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 3,421	again, i appreciate everyone's input on the resorts. i really do. there are just so many things to think about that go towards this wedding. i also want to get a lot settled before i start school next month. that way, i won't have so much lingering over my head as i study for my classes. thanks again. ps. angie, i really like your avatar. it is so cute!!

08-05-2003	#13 (permalink)
Angie Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 413	ps. angie, i really like your avatar. it is so cute!! [/b][/quote] why thankyou! :D __________________ Angie

08-05-2003	#14 (permalink)
tragic312 jay & silent bob's mommy Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 3,421	you're welcome.

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08-06-2003	#15 (permalink)
timsha Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Foster. RI Posts: 1,260	To TMOISAN: Staying at the Contemporary for Christmas is an expensive deal. All of the resorts are going to get top dollar though. Wilderness lodge or Polynesian would be a little but better and are better decorated. You can walk to the MK from the Contemporary though (about 6 minutes). It you want decorations, the Boardwalk is excelent at Christmas, as well as the Yacht & Beach. Christmas day in the park is a ZOO. Everyone on vacation is in the MK for the Holiday parade. (been there and done that). To TRAGIC312: If I were planning my wedding, I would look to other resorts to get rooms at. You can get rooms in the economy / moderate resorts and keep your guests happy. They will be paying 100+ a night instead of 200+ a night. Besides, you will be there to PARTY, not use a resort.