I just called WDW to see about pricing for next August, and I had a mini heart attack! Three and a half thousand dollars for 7 nights at the Contemporary! We have annual passes, but they won't tell me what the discount with that will be until April or May of next year. Now we're considering getting a cheaper room with the dates we wanted originally at the Polynesian, no matter what the view, or possibly Animal Kingdom Lodge. Everyone else is talking about just staying at a cheaper hotel, but this is one ting I just won't do. I REALLY want to stay at a deluxe resort for this trip, since we are going for such a long time (the longest I've ever been consecutively), and don't know what to do. Any suggestions as to where I should look next? We went ahead and reserved the expensive room at Contemporary, but we have to make a decision on that before next week, so I need help fast! Please help me decide whether it's worth spending the money on the hotel and spending less on souvenirs (we DO go at least a few times a year, so we've got other hotel costs then, too), or to stay at a room without a view. Thanks!

I think the simple way to look at this is.... how much time are you going to actually spend in the room or even doing things at the resort itself? At the same time, you are necessarily going during the slowest time of the year so the price does not really shock me at all.

Personally, I would spend less on the room and more on the activities. But at the same time, that does not necessarily mean that you skimp. If you desire a Deluxe, try the Beach Club or Boardwalk since they have some great rooms, great pool areas (very important in August!), and are very close to Studios and Epcot. Also, the Wilderness Lodge is well known for being probably the lowest cost Deluxe resort in many cases, and would also be an excellent choice.

You could make 2 reservations-- One through WDW and one through AAA. Just keep a close eye on the rate discounts and the cancellation dates and when you get close, cancel the more expensive one.

This summer I had the Beach Club through AAA, Yacht Club through WDW and wound up at the Carribbean Beach through WDW with an AP discount.

Happy Planning.

Thank you both so much! I think we've come to a conclusion, but let me know if this sounds good: I think we will still go with Contemporary, but just hold back on souvenirs and everything since we go so often. The trip we are planning for spring break, we'll stay at Port Orleans or another moderate resort. I've wanted to stay at Contemporary since I realized that it was one of two of the first Disney resorts. The location and theming and everything is just too good for me to give up. Let me know how the Contemp. is though! I'd like to hear more about it, since I only went in for an hour or so to look at the stores and everything. Let me know if it's great to stay in, if you don't mind. We have until Oct. 22 to decide whether to go ahead and pay for the first night or not. Thanks!

That's a really hard decision to make and one only you and your family can make, but here's my take on it....
Like you my family goes several times a year including day trips so the resort is very important to us. We take a very relaxed approach to the parks because we go to them so often but only actually 'stay' once or twice a year. This makes for a lot of time spent at the resort. I would say if this is something you have always wanted to do...go for it. Vacations at Disney are for living out your dreams and that is always how I choose where to stay. Of course reality means a budget, but we do what we can. LOL

As far as the CR itself I think it is a great resort. I have stayed there several times including my first trip to WDW at age 3. CR has always held a special place in my heart and always will. However, I can honestly say that I prefer the 'old school' decor. I haven't been impressed by the last two rehabs. That's just a matter of taste. My DH and DS(14) and DS (8) love it. If you check out pics of the rooms, lobby etc. and find it to your taste....again, go for it. My only concern would be the construction currently going on. I have no idea how long that project is going to take. I'm sure someone else on here knows more about that.

Let us know what you decide and have a great trip!

I really appreciated your input, Grumpymom! You helped us make our decision A LOT! We called Disney again last night, and found out that, by changing our dates just a little, we'll save about a thousand dollars total, plus savings from being passholders, and we'll get to be there on my birthday (a dream since age 2, my first trip). I am staying in the only remaining Garden Building, though, which concerns me a little. That is what's saving us so much money, and the standard view in that week is a thousand more than the theme park view in an earlier week. Has anyone here ever stayed at the Garden Buildings? Is it too far from the tower building? Any major complaints? Have the rooms there been renovated? I've been looking for trip reports of people who have stayed there, but they are surprisingly hard to find. Thanks again, everyone!

Well, you're not going to like this. I've stayed in a tower room overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon and the MK, and I've stayed in one of the wings. The difference is night and day. The wings feel like just another hotel (albeit a nice one), while there's real magic in looking out your window at all the boats and monorails and activity. I can't say that it's worth a thousand dollars. But for me, if I were relegated to the wings, I'd just save up even more money and go for one of the moderates, which are all nice in their own ways.

I really need help! We have booked a room at the Contemporary for next summer in the Garden Building. I really need help knowing whether or not I want to go ahead and pay for the first night and stay there and ask for an upgrade when we get there or what. Have the garden rooms been renovated like the tower rooms? Is the construction noise too loud? Is it too far a wakl to Magic Kingdom and the Tower building? If it rains, will we be able to walk to the tower without getting drenched? Please tell me ANY information you can find, I've had such a tough time finding anything on it. I was wondering about anything you can tell me about the Garden Building. Another quick question: when you get there, and they have an upgrade available, do you pay more or no? I think you do, but this is the first time I'm in charge of planning the trip, so I need help knowing whether I need to cancel the garden reservation. Thanks in advance!

I'm glad I could help!

As for the room you booked....I have stayed in both Tower and Garden Building Wing rooms (although it has been years since I was in the wing) and I would say... save the thousand dollars! IMO the rooms are all nice and big. I believe all rooms have been remodeled including the Wing. The Wing does have a longer walk to the stores and restaurants, but it is a covered one. (Unless this has changed recently) The Wing has a shorter walk to the marina and pools. Honestly the CR is not so spread out that anywhere is a FAR walk. Okay, now this again is based on my opinion, but I wouldn't worry over not having a Tower room. The savings is huge and to me it's just not worth the view. Also not all Tower rooms have a MK view. The other side of the resort overlooks Bay Lake and while they are both GREAT views I don't think it is worth the money. Another point that I wasn't really comfortable with in the Tower was feeling like I was right in the middle of the resort when I walked out of my door. It can sometimes be noisey and I'm not much for walking through the BUSY lobby in my bathing suit on my way to the pool. :rolleyes:

For us the overall feel of the resort is what makes it special and not so much the view from our room. Did you ask if they had any Garden/Lake view rooms avail in the Wing? This might be a compromise you can be happy with.

I'm so happy for you! (jealous too! LOL)

iheartwdw... I merged your two related threads.

As for the upgrade, it never hurts to ask, but never expect it. If you get one, consider it extra-special pixie dust! :)

You have the Garden Wing ressie you wanted so don't cancel that unless you really want to change plans. I say that because if you cancel, you may loose the chance to rebook if you change your mind again.

Thanks for the advice, I think we're going for it!

i am staying in CR end of october in garden wing, i have researched it quite a bit , and think it's going to be great, you can get great pictures of the resort from lots of sites just got to look. i spoke to some one who just got back and they said construction you could hear but that it was not that bad to bother you. as far as the view goes. don't worry, how much of the time are you going to be standing at the window , when you get back to the room from doing stuff all day , or hanging at pool , everybody just hits the beds and crashes out. (at least my family dose) got to get up early and do something else! always something.
i would rather be closer to pool anyway , and it dose not look like such a far walk to tower.(let you know about all this when i get back)
i have a full week planed and i can't wait.

as far as the walk to the park , who cares , with all the walking around you will be doing how bad could it be, i did hear about 10 min walk ? hope there write.

We have always stayed at deluxes but it's going to have to be a moderate for our next trip.

Thanks, mlyons! I think your advice is great! You calmed me so much, helping me think that it really can't be much different than the tower, and I'm glad to know you'll be able to let me know how things go when you go in a few weeks! I'm so jealous! Wish we weren't waiting until next summer to go! Although I think we'll break down and go over spring break week. Went this year for spring break and the crowds were surprisingly minimal. I agree that we won't be spending much time on a balcony, especially in the heat of the summer after a full day at a park. Glad to be so close to the monorail, for once! Also, WDW Heart, it's neat to learn that you're staying at a moderate resort. If you haven't already made reservations, I would suggest Port Orleans French Quarter, our favorite moderate. Let me know when you decide, please!