October Dilemma

**steamboatpookster** · 02-05-2008, 06:06 PM

Currently I am planning our trip for October. It will be our tenth wedding anniversary as well as both our birthdays (we were married on mine). We are opting out of our traditional June trip so that we can stay at a deluxe resort. Budget-wise we can stay at the Contemporary or our initial choice, AKL.

We've stayed at AKL and loved it. It's hands-down our favorite resort. But this time around I thought it would be nice to be close to the MK for once. The wife loves the parade and fireworks and it's such a pain in the patookis dealing with parking at MK. The buses from AKL aren't too bad--weren't crowded at all when we stayed there. But if any of you know me, I prefer to drive everwhere.

Since the wife and I spend 90% of our time between the MK and EPCOT, I thought that the Contemporary would be a fun change and I wouldn't have to drive. This would be good as we will be there during the food and wine fest (if you know what I mean, hint, hint).

The Poly is out, because it's just too much. A couple hundred dollars makes a difference.

I've read a lot of mixed reviews regarding the Contemporary, but every time we take the monorail through it I say the same thing, "wow--I would love to stay here some day..."

So what say you fine folks? What is certain is that I refuse to stay at a value resort during this trip. No thanks! The beds are just too hard for my lower back pain.

Stick with AKL, save a few bucks and enjoy the beautiful grounds, animals and decor, or stay at the Contemporary and revel in the ease of the MK. The wife really loves AKL (as do I) but I really hate driving to MK.

How long is the walk from the Contemporary and how long is the monorail ride to EPCOT? Anyone?

Thanks!

02-05-2008 06:06 PM

**Drince88** · 02-06-2008, 04:44 AM

Personally, I'd go for the Contemporary, but I'm very anti-driving if I've had more than one glass of wine with dinner, so that colors my decision here very heavily.

With regard to reviews - I figure that 3/4 of the time the only people who provide review info are dissatisfied (why write if you got what you expected, basically). I think trip reports might be a more 'fair' evaluation. But unless there is something overwhelming in every review/trip report, if I really want to stay some place to see for myself, I will.

If your room was cheaper than the Poly, you're probably getting a quote on a Garden Wing room, and I don't know how the construction/etc is impacting the one wing that's left.

I am pretty sure I walked last year from the MK to the Contemporary, but I don't recall how long it was. If I don't remember it, it wasn't bad - so it's shorter than Boardwalk to the Studios! Plus, it's the first stop back to the resort from the MK on the monorail, so at the end of the day, you have that fairly 'easy' transportation option (as long as you aren't ending your day when everyone else is!)

**steamboatpookster** · 02-06-2008, 05:02 AM

Thanks, Cathy!

**danyoung** · 02-06-2008, 05:35 AM

Seems to me that the most common criticism of the Contemporary is that it feels like the average downtown big hotel (Marriott, Hilton, etc.). My answer to that is how many people get to stay in this class of hotel on a regular basis? I've stayed at the Contemporary a few times, and really love it. It's totally cool to just hop on the monorail and visit the MK or Epcot. And I still have my rental car for the other 2 parks. The walk to the MK takes about 10 minutes, and is really peaceful at the end of the day - while everyone else is scrambling for a monorail, ferry or bus, you take a nice stroll along a well-lit walkway to your hotel. To get to Epcot you'll need to hop onto the resort monorail - the next stop is the TTC. Follow the signs to the Epcot monorail. Your wait should be less than 5 minutes, and the trip itself is about 10 minutes.

Try for a tower room with a MK view - breathtaking!

**steamboatpookster** · 02-06-2008, 05:46 AM

Thanks Dan--I appreciate the heads up from you, being that we are both car guys. I think I am leaning towards the Contemporary. I don't really care if it isn't "themed out"--I like the idea of walking back to the room after a long night!

Unfortunately, there's no way we can afford the tower room. It's an extra grand! YOWSA!

**danyoung** · 02-06-2008, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by steamboatpookster

I don't really care if it isn't "themed out...

It's actually pretty nice, subtle theming, with Mickey worked into the bedspreads and wallpaper. And just as POFQ is themed to New Orleans, the Contemporary is themed to a big city hotel. Works for me!

**anniedg** · 02-06-2008, 08:00 AM

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth about the walk between Contemporary and MK -- it's very easy. Doesn't feel all that much longer than the walk from MK to the end of the bus stops to me. We haven't stayed at Contemporary for 16 years (have had too many kids now and are relegated to values, possibly moderates!), but loved it back then. We generally drive to the parks too, except MK.

Just to throw a curve ball in, Beach Club is our favorite deluxe and it's an easy walk from EP for those nights you've imbibed. It's been quite a few years since we stayed there also so I'm not sure about the bus situation now, but we had no problems back then.

**mom22gls** · 02-06-2008, 09:08 AM

We last stayed at the Contemporary four years ago. For location to the MK, it can't be beat. It is a very different atmosphere from the AKL and WL, which are warm and quiet, in theming. The acoustics at the Contemporary seemed loud, not necessarily disturbing, just not calming. It feels more bustling and bright. Our room, to me, looked like a Trading Spaces project. It's not a bad thing, but a very different feeling. Go for it, and enjoy it.

**GusMan** · 02-06-2008, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by anniedg

Just to throw a curve ball in, Beach Club is our favorite deluxe and it's an easy walk from EP for those nights you've imbibed. It's been quite a few years since we stayed there also so I'm not sure about the bus situation now, but we had no problems back then.

I was about to bring this up as an option myself. But to be honest, Epcot is probably our favorite park to just walk through so we dont see it as an inconvenience to walk through Epcot to get to the Mono in order to get to the MK. By no means is it the fastest way, and it can be a long walk, but we do it at times. Bus service at the BC is rather good as well.

**tjrj** · 02-06-2008, 11:27 AM

Haven't stayed at either AKL or the Contemporary-but I visited both last year-and walked to MK from the Contemporary. The public areas in the Contemporary were really loud and bright(over bright if that makes sense) to me. It was however a really easy walk to the MK-about 10-15 minutes from the restaurant to the MK gates. Well lit and marked-agree probably not alot further than the resort buses to the MK gates. AKL public areas were darker(alot) and seemingly quieter-love the theme.

If it's some place you've always wanted to stay then I say-do it. Don't let anyone(including us) talk you out of it. It'll be an especially magical occasion for both of you!

But for me-if I could afford a deluxe-it'd be Beach Club-especially during the F & W fest. The ease of that Epcot WS access can't be beat.

**danyoung** · 02-06-2008, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by tjrj

...agree probably not alot further than the resort buses to the MK gates.

Well, when walking from the MK to the Contemp. you walk right past the busses. I'd say the busses are about the halfway point. Still not a bad walk at all, and pretty cool at night with the monorails speeding over your head!

**steamboatpookster** · 02-09-2008, 04:22 AM

Well...now I'm not so sure. My frugal nature has made me think twice about dropping the coin for a deluxe room. The contemporary is out--it's just too much money. And now I think I'd rather renew our AP's and stay at Pop Century twice instead of one time at AKL in October. I can buy the AP's and still take our June trip. Also, our dog-sitter is graduating from high school and we sorta told him that we might be taking him in June.

Decisions, decisions...

**TinaMouse** · 02-09-2008, 03:50 PM

George, do you really spend that much time in the room? I would always go for more days rather than nicer digs. Of course, I've only stayed at Pop C and POFQ, so what do I know??

**nbodyhome** · 02-09-2008, 08:34 PM

The walk back to the CR is about 10 minutes, and I love seeing Space Mountain off to the left (from a different vantage point).

Denise

**tjrj** · 02-10-2008, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by tdelaney_98

George, do you really spend that much time in the room? I would always go for more days rather than nicer digs.??

Gee...more days at Disney...I'd go for that. However, just make sure you'll be happy at a Value. It sounds like you've stayed there before, so you know what you're getting. Especially if you don't spend much time in the room/resort in any case.

**steamboatpookster** · 02-10-2008, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by tjrj

Gee...more days at Disney...I'd go for that. However, just make sure you'll be happy at a Value. It sounds like you've stayed there before, so you know what you're getting. Especially if you don't spend much time in the room/resort in any case.

We've stayed at the value resorts over 25 times. I'm just sorta tired of the noise and the beds. But, I just can't justify throwing down $309 per night for a room that isn't much bigger, but has more comfortable beds. I think we are going to renew our AP's and hope we can get a good rate at a moderate or deluxe this October.

We're now in the planning mode for June! WOOHOO!

**tjrj** · 02-11-2008, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by steamboatpookster

We've stayed at the value resorts I'm just sorta tired of the noise and the beds. !

Oh, I TOTALLY agree with that. I was really surprised at the uncomfortable beds at Pop as compared to CBR. And hotel noise was an issue there as well as compared to the quietness at CBR.

Sending pixie dust your way, for a great rate at a Mod or Deluxe!

**steamboatpookster** · 02-11-2008, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by tjrj

Oh, I TOTALLY agree with that. I was really surprised at the uncomfortable beds at Pop as compared to CBR. And hotel noise was an issue there as well as compared to the quietness at CBR.

Sending pixie dust your way, for a great rate at a Mod or Deluxe!

Now I'm considering a villa rental. We might have a total of five people and that would be cheap if we split the rental property costs. If not, I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and stay at Pop. JOY!

**Drince88** · 02-11-2008, 06:21 AM

I've started (mentally) dividing my WDW trips into 'Vacations' and 'Visits'. Vacations I want to chill a little more, be a little more relaxed when I'm at the resort, etc - even if I'm not spending any more time there. Visits, I just need a place to lay my head, and are mentally more 'commando' touring.

For vacations I splurge a bit and go for moderates, even if I'm by myself -Visits it's Value. (Though I am considering a Value/Deluxe split for one upcoming vacation!)

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