Contemporary in April 2008 anyone?

[seansdad]

Having had our first disney trip in May 2006 (Fort wilderness - fab and fully recommended!), we've now started the plan for the next trip in April 2008. DW is quite keen on the Contemporary and I am torn between Animal Kingdom Lodge and the more budget conscious part of me which would plump for Coronado Springs.

We went with first choice last time (again fab) and will go with a package trip again (cos we're lazy) but I can't find a package operator offering the Contemporary for april 2008 yet - any thoughts guys?

Incidentally be then our two DS will be aged 10 and 4 in case any of you think that one of the above hotels would be more suited to them?

so good to be back on the Dibb after an absence of six months or so!!

[BarryandCaron]

We stayed in both the Contemporary and Animal Kingdom Lodge last year. We much preferred the Contemporary. Our room here had a sofa bed so our 2 boys didn't have to share a bed. Also, the walk to Magic Kingdom was a fantastic way to get to the Magic Kingdom.

Caron

[rusty30]

Not stayed at the Contemporary but visited many times - however we did 2 weeks at AKL in 2005 and wasnt overly impressed. We followed it with 7 nights at the Polynesian and that was about 100 times better! Our kids were 5 and 3 on that trip and staying on the monorail loop meant it was great for one of us to take the eldest one to MK or Epcot later in the evening. They absolutely loved it. The Poly is great for kids - the volcano pool, the Neverland Club plus the wonderful tropical gardens make it a winner for us - Im afraid I do find the Contemporary a bit of a concrete monstrosity - too cold and unwelcoming for me. The lifts drive me INSANE they take so long LOL! Although you can walk to MK - you can get the boat from the Poly or the GF which takes about the same time!

I would definately choose a hotel on the monorail loop over AKL but Id pick the Poly over the Contemp everytime. Plus you will pay about twice as much for either of these hotels through a UK tour op. I got Poly concierge for less than Virgin wanted for a standard room by booking it via Val (Cinders Mum). UK tour ops will charge you per person whereas if you book it with Disney you will only pay for the room - it makes sense to book a fly drive and your room seperately you will save thousands and it is no hassle whatsoever!! Do yourself a favour and ditch the package idea! Contact Val and she will do it for you so it will be like a package anyway!

[TinkTatoo]

We stayed in AKL and Contemporary this trip and didn't rate the ALK much but loved the Contemporary. It was great to be able to watch the fireworks from our balcony and walk to the MK. The kids loved the pool, the slide and the beach area. They did like the pool at AKL and the life guards there always had kids activities at 3pm each afternoon but when I asked them which hotel they preferred out of all the Disney ones we have stayed in AKL came bottom

[seansdad]

Thanks, all of you for your replies - very interesting reading. Rusty, DW wanted to stay at the Poly but the cost from first choice was huge and we couldn't work out why it was so expensive form the UK package operators, so we didn't take it further. Now we're a pretty cautious couple by nature so as soon as I suggest going non-package I'm gonna get questions from DW like what about transfers from airport (cause we don't want to drive). If we could put something together which takes care of those things then it might be a runner - any suggestions?

[rusty30]

Val can book transport from the airport for you as well, so dont worry about that. There are many companies that do it, but you should be able to use Disney's Magical Express if you book your room direct anyway (where they pick up you and your bags and take you straight to your hotel - for free :D). Again, Val will sort this out for you! Give her a PM and see what she can do for you - Im a very happy customer :D .

[seansdad]

Thanks Rusty, Val's on the case as we speak!