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Grand Floridian vs. Contemporary ????
Trying to decide between GF and Contemp for a 3 night stay in Jan 2013.....haven't stayed at either but stayed at BLT and thought being able to walk to MK was great.(3 kids ages 9, 7 and 4) GF rooms nicer? what about construction in both properties? thanks for your 2 cents!!!!
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MAJOR construction will be going on in the GF area in January. I'd choose Contemporary, myself. Love that resort!
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
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The rooms at the Grand Floridian are very spacious - outside of vacation club villas - they are the largest I stayed in on property. While I would ordinarily select this venue, I'd probably go with the Contemporary due to the current construction at the Grand Floridian.
I especially like the Magic Kingdom view rooms in the Contemporary tower and, as you noted, it is quite nice to be able to walk on over to the Magic Kingdom.
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
[email protected]
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I'm a big fan of the Grand Floridian. I love it there, but-- construction. It wouldn't bother me much because I already love the resort. But for a first time stay, I might save it for another time and choose the Contemporary this time. As you say, the walk to MK is a major convenience. While the GF also has some great options to MK (monorail or boat), the walk still beats that.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
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The Contemporary for sure! We’ve stayed there and at the Polynesian. While the Poly is probably our favorite(our girls call it "home"), it really was wonderful to walk to the Kingdom in under 10 minutes(as you know)! Our room location was not the greatest…RIGHT over Chef Mickey’s. It was in December and the LOUD Christmas music every morning was nice for the first couple of days but got old fast. I would request to be higher up and on the opposite end of Chef Mickey’s.
We’ve never stayed at the Grand Floridian and probably never will because I’ve heard from two totally different people (one who stayed twice/ the same report) that their rooms felt musty and damp. Hmm…not sure if they just happened to stay in the same room or the same area close to the same time or what but I don’t know that I’d want to chance it. Plus, the GF people are the last ones on the monorail when it’s already packed and they never look happy. Then, they’re the last to be dropped off at the end of the night. They don’t have to stand long on the way to MK but I wouldn’t like having to try to find space on the monorail every morning. It would be so nice if you could walk there!!!
Have a magical trip!
Maria
1980?–DL,1988 – DL,Nov. 2002(off-site),Oct.'04 WL, Oct.'07 WL,Feb. '09 Poly, Feb.'10 Poly,Dec. 2010 Contemp., April '11 DL. Sept.'11-Poly, Dec.'11-Yacht Club , June '12- POFQ,Aug. 2012-Disneyland ,Oct. 2012 I-15 BC NEXT UP: April 2013- The Disney Fantasy Cruise
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Maria, I've stayed at the GF lots of times and have never had a musty or damp room. Also, there is a boat launch to and from the MK, so there's not a sole reliance on the monorail. We love taking the monorail to the MK (even when it's crowded, it's just a very short ride) and the boat launch from the MK back to GF (first drop off in that direction). It's not for everyone, but neither is the Poly, or the Contemporary, and you will see a mix of reviews on every resort. If you're ever curious to try the GF, I wouldn't let those few reviews put you off. It's not the norm to my experience at all.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
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Another vote for the Contemporary. For what you will pay at the GF for a standard room, you can usually book a Tower room at CR for about the same amount.
My first home is in Coastal Georgia, 30 feet from the saltwater marsh, and 3.5 hours from WDW!My second home is the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort!CR,Poly,GF,BC,BW,WL,AKL,Dolphin,Swan,DL,CSR,POFQ,C BR,POP,AS,Vero.
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As much as I like Contemporary, if you have a chance to stay at the flagship property, do it. GF is just nice. Hard to pass up such a great place.
My name is Gator. You killed my Sorcerer's Hat. Prepare to die.
DL 2-17,8-17, 11-17; DL 2016; DL 11-2015; DL-DL-Hotel 2-2015; DL 2014; DL-Paradise Pier 2013; POFQ Dec 2012; CSR - Jan 2011; AKL-Kidani - Jan 2010; A.S.Mov - Dec 2008; CSR - Dec 2006; DL Feb 2006; CBR - Feb 2004; POR - Jun 2002
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Originally Posted by SBETigg
Maria, I've stayed at the GF lots of times and have never had a musty or damp room. Also, there is a boat launch to and from the MK, so there's not a sole reliance on the monorail. We love taking the monorail to the MK (even when it's crowded, it's just a very short ride) and the boat launch from the MK back to GF (first drop off in that direction). It's not for everyone, but neither is the Poly, or the Contemporary, and you will see a mix of reviews on every resort. If you're ever curious to try the GF, I wouldn't let those few reviews put you off. It's not the norm to my experience at all.
Thanks for the info. It's good to know. The two people that I talked to were people that I happened to talk to on 2 different trips and I found it interesting that they both had the same complaint. Weird.
I know everyone has different opinions about different resorts. I think it just depends on personal preference and experiences. I've heard some knock the Polynesian which is one of our favorites. So I definitely shouldn't knock it before I try it. Thanks again for reminding me of that. We might just take your advice and give it a try sometime.
Thanks!
Maria
1980?–DL,1988 – DL,Nov. 2002(off-site),Oct.'04 WL, Oct.'07 WL,Feb. '09 Poly, Feb.'10 Poly,Dec. 2010 Contemp., April '11 DL. Sept.'11-Poly, Dec.'11-Yacht Club , June '12- POFQ,Aug. 2012-Disneyland ,Oct. 2012 I-15 BC NEXT UP: April 2013- The Disney Fantasy Cruise
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I have stayed at every deluxe resort on the property except Old Key West and Poly (both of which I visited) and hands down, the Grand Floridian is the nicest resort at which I have ever stayed. However, there is construction but I am not sure how much it wound effect you as it is a whole seperate complex for the DVC villa section. Either way with your 2 considerations you can not go wrong!
Walt Disney World Trips:
April '91, '93 Magic Kingdom with HS Band
November '93, '03, '04, '06, '10
January '08, December '08
Fall '11 New Central Florida Resident
February '10: Disney Wonder Cruise
November '12: Disney Dream Cruise
DVC Member since 2006
Annual Pass Holder
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Tough choice! With the ages of your kids I would automatically say, hands down, the Contemporary! But since you've already stayed at Bay Lake Tower, maybe you're looking for some variety?
I think for the kids, the CR has an edge on the coolness factor -- Magic Kingdom views, the monorail going through the building and the giant atrium, plus it's less formal on the decor. And of course there's that "extra" MK transportation option -- your feet! But the GF is beautiful and certainly different from BLT and CR.
As others have said, you can't go wrong with either.
Many visits over 35+ years!
DVC member since 2004 (SSR)
Stayed at: Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Dolphin, PO Riverside, AS Sports, AS Movies, Saratoga, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian.
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Never stayed at either, just putting my two cents in based on first impressions.
The Contemporary is not as nicely themed to me as the other resorts that just have that special Disney feeling to them. However, I would stay there if I could afford to stay in the Magic Kingdom view room. I just think laying in bed and watching the fireworks over the castle would be amazing. I would choose this resort only if I could get that view.
The Grand Floridian is just stunningly beautiful. Some people have said that the people staying there are snooty but I've never gotten that vibe. I would like to stay there one day. I think you can get the MK view here too but not sure its as good as the CR view. The only drawback is the construction going on now. Not sure if it would interfere with your enjoyment of the resort or not.
Dec.11-18, 2021 Port Orleans Riverside
Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2017, Port Orleans Riverside
Oct. 29-Nov.4, 2014-Yacht Club
Dec. 17-23 2011-Wilderness Lodge
Dec. 20-30, 2008-Pop Century
Dec. 25,2005-Jan.1, 2006-Coronado Springs
Jan. 1-7, 2003-All Star Movies
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We stayed in CR tower overlooking MK and the view at night is memorable. DD still talks about it. As an adult, I liked the GF better. I don't think my kids cared either way honestly.
Keneva
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WDW
Aug 2022 CR Wing
Aug 2014 BC & GF Club
Aug 2012 Swan & Grand Floridian Club
Aug 2010 Poly LVC
Aug 2008 Poly LVC
Aug 2006 CR Club
Jan 2001 Poly LVC (Honeymoon)
Oct 1995 Off-site
DL
1967-69 Several Visits (Green Lantern Motel?)
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Stayed at Contemporary two years ago and had the MK view - AWESOME. Not much in the way of theming at the hotel, but being first stop on the monorail was wonderful. Don't let them put you right over Chef Mickey, though. They told us we wouldn't hear anything. Wrong.
This year we are trying the GF. Hope it's worth the money
Just Jill.......
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