The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort FAQ with PICTURES! (APR 2009)

[Jellomaker]

CR Resort Fan, If you are driving through Wadsworth, Ohio you can borrow my laptop!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

How is the buses lately? What order of hotel is Contemporary? Is it the first and then 2 more resorts? I know when we were staying at GF and we went to DTD, it was contemporary, WL and GF. I was hoping its the first resort...I know this is silly but my husband did not like the bus system at GF (we always stood going to HS and AK so we started taking taxi). With free dinning, I'm starting all over with our December resort...I was planning Swan but free dinning is to hard to not try. My son and I never stayed at Contemporary but my husband has before with his family. My other choice is BC.
Another question, is the elevator usually crowded to go to your rooms?

 

[mdrob214]

How is the buses lately? What order of hotel is Contemporary? Is it the first and then 2 more resorts? I know when we were staying at GF and we went to DTD, it was contemporary, WL and GF. I was hoping its the first resort...I know this is silly but my husband did not like the bus system at GF (we always stood going to HS and AK so we started taking taxi). With free dinning, I'm starting all over with our December resort...I was planning Swan but free dinning is to hard to not try. My son and I never stayed at Contemporary but my husband has before with his family. My other choice is BC.
Another question, is the elevator usually crowded to go to your rooms?

We used busses for DTD, WPs, AK and HS. The buses were great! We shared with Poly and WL & GF shared. I think we did share with GF, too at HS. THe only thing was that it took forever to get to DTD and then on to Typhoon Lagoon (about 45 min) but we never waited long for buses at all. And there's a CM at the busstop in the morning asking where you're going. Idk for sure, but I think she caled a HS bus because we had just missed one. We waited all of 5 more min. and the next one was there!
The buses were never so crowded that anyone stood, either.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What are the hours for the Atrium Club? Do they offer hot chocolate? We always like to fill our mugs with hot chocolate when we get back from the parks, was just wondering if we will need to buy mugs if we stay club level.

Their hours are from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM and yes Hot Chocolate is available up there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hey all you CR buddies, I saw this a couple of weeks ago and was wondering if anyone is going to it? We will be arriving at about 3:00ish on the 15th but my DD13 would like to zip in to do some pin trading.

Mickey's Pin Trading Afternoon (formerly Mickey's Pin Trading Night) will be held Saturday, August 15, 2009, from 2 to 5 p.m. This free activity is open to all ages and will be held at Disney's Contemporary Resort - Convention Center, Fantasia G Ballroom. There will not be a pin trading activity in September, but the monthly event will resume in October.
This is from Allears.

After seeing the pics from the breakfast food in the lounge I want one of those pasteries NOW!!
Well, only 17 days (really 18) until I can get one.
Thanks you for all the great info and pictures everyone!!!!

We will be decorating our door with Mickeys (12th floor) so you will know where "your DIS people" are; come say HI!
Hope to see some DIS fans!

I am actually a very serious WDW pin collector/trader and I will be going to the afternoon pin trading and maybe I will see you around there or in the lounge.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan, If you are driving through Wadsworth, Ohio you can borrow my laptop!

Well we are driving down Interstate 75 which will take us into Ohio, however I don't think were going through your town.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How is the buses lately? What order of hotel is Contemporary? Is it the first and then 2 more resorts? I know when we were staying at GF and we went to DTD, it was contemporary, WL and GF. I was hoping its the first resort...I know this is silly but my husband did not like the bus system at GF (we always stood going to HS and AK so we started taking taxi). With free dinning, I'm starting all over with our December resort...I was planning Swan but free dinning is to hard to not try. My son and I never stayed at Contemporary but my husband has before with his family. My other choice is BC.
Another question, is the elevator usually crowded to go to your rooms?

Based on my experiences with them in the mornings they share with either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge. Then in the afternoon they share with both the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. However no matter what the locations they share with the Contemporay guests will always be picked up frist and dropped off first.

As for the elevators they have never been that crowded and on each floor of the Tower there is 4 or 5 elevators, so incase they are crowded it shouldn't be long for another one to arrive.

 

[suzdisneyfan]

Their hours are from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM and yes Hot Chocolate is available up there.

Thank you for answering all my questions, so after 10:00 you can't get any drinks from the lounge? What about on the 4th floor if you have a refillable mug, how late can you get drinks there?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you for answering all my questions, so after 10:00 you can't get any drinks from the lounge? What about on the 4th floor if you have a refillable mug, how late can you get drinks there?

After 10:00 PM the Cast Members working on the Atrium Club floor go home for the evening, so that means they take all the drinks and etc which go in the storage room. However you purchased a mug you can drink anytime you want at the Contempo Cafe.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life, no matter what the locations they share with the Contemporay guests will always be picked up frist and dropped off first.

Thank you CR Resort Fan 4 Life, that's the answer I'm looking for...I don't mind if we have to share buses at other resort but I want to be able to get a sit with my four year...it was hard for him at the bus when we had to stand when we were at GF. I like the idea of being first drop off after a long day in the parks too. I think my husband will be more open to staying at CR, when I asked him WL...his response is lets stay home and go to Disney next year.
Thank you...if we book CR I'm sure I'll have more questions

 

[Jellomaker]

Hope to see you there! It sounds like fun! We have lots of pins but I'm sure they aren't anything special; I hope someone will want to trade!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you CR Resort Fan 4 Life, that's the answer I'm looking for...I don't mind if we have to share buses at other resort but I want to be able to get a sit with my four year...it was hard for him at the bus when we had to stand when we were at GF. I like the idea of being first drop off after a long day in the parks too. I think my husband will be more open to staying at CR, when I asked him WL...his response is lets stay home and go to Disney next year.
Thank you...if we book CR I'm sure I'll have more questions

You're welcome and at least in the mornings you should have the best chance of getting seats on the bus, when getting on at the Contemporary because it should be empty and because you would be picked up 1st. However when getting on the buses from the parks in the afternoon that's a different story, since there will also be guests lined up for the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hope to see you there! It sounds like fun! We have lots of pins but I'm sure they aren't anything special; I hope someone will want to trade!

Well if we run into each other I will trade with you if we are able to work something out, because it depends on the types of pins we have and what were both looking for.

 

[Mary T in PA]

CR Resort Fan, I look forward to you CR report! I am hoping you can tell us what it's like as I think you will be there after BLT is open. I am wondering how this will impact monorail service and the 4th FL concourse area.

I wish we were going with you! I know, I have another trip in a few months, but I'm impatient, lol.

Mary

 

[TaraPA]

So glad to have found this thread! Just booked BLT 2BR Villa for November - for 5 adults -girls only trip! I've never stayed at CR before so this is a real treat for us. I'm going to go read this entire thread now....and hopefully when BLT is officially open (isn't it next week?) there will be some great reviews & pics on here as well!

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

On our trip a few weeks ago DH fell in love with CR and would love to stay there on our next visit. We have one cutie-pie of a problem though- DD (1) is a very restless sleeper (she grunts and moves a lot in her sleep!) and we can't get a good night's sleep when we are in the same room with her. There's no way I can justify spending the money for a 1 bedroom or 2 connecting standard rooms. We thought of the possibility of putting DD's pack n play in the outer bathroom (by the tub). Does anyone think this would work? We have a standard Graco pack n play, but I'm not sure if it would fit. Despite waking everyone else up, DD can sleep through anything so I don't think she would wake up if we had to walk past her in the outer bathroom to use the inner bathroom. I know this sounds weird, but I think it might be the only way to make DH's dream of staying at CR a reality...TIA!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We are planning our vacation Dec 5th-Dec 12th, does CR decorate for the holiday? Is there a place where Santa visits the resort?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan, I look forward to you CR report! I am hoping you can tell us what it's like as I think you will be there after BLT is open. I am wondering how this will impact monorail service and the 4th FL concourse area.

I wish we were going with you! I know, I have another trip in a few months, but I'm impatient, lol.

Mary

I said this before and I will say it again, I don't think Bay Lake Tower will have much as of an impact as you might think. Since it's been gone for a long time let's not forget when they had the North Garden Wing they had more total rooms then what Bay Lake Tower is getting. Plus on my families recent stays without the North Garden Wing building there were a few times at night when we had to wait for another Monorail to arrive, because of the line. Now besides having Contemporary guests in line I am willing to be there was guests for the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, those getting to the Magic Kingdom to get on a WDW Resort bus and offsite guests going to the TTC.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are planning our vacation Dec 5th-Dec 12th, does CR decorate for the holiday? Is there a place where Santa visits the resort?

A few years ago when my family and I would stay at the Contemporary just before Christmas Day, on Christmas Eve they would have Santa in the lobby. So chances are if they are still doing that it would not be around the dates your staying there, however they do have a meet Santa at Downtown Disney Marketplace by the World of Disney.

 

[Jellomaker]

Hey CR Resort Fan, I just thought of an issue.
1.We are flying to WDW landing at 2:00.
2.We are using the Magical Express.
3.We can not take our pins on the plane in our carry on so they will be in our luggage which will not be delivered to our room right away.
So going to the pin trading is probably not in the cards.
I'm kinda bummed.