The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower FAQ with PICs! (July 2011)

[pas130]

pas - too funny! It is truely a disease but I do the same and have been known to race to turn on the computer before even heading to the bathroom when I wake up.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Disney Parks Blog has a few pictures up of the Christmas tree that was once displayed in the Grand Canyon Concourse. Enjoy!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/12/vintage-walt-disney-world-the-trees-of-christmas-past/

Thanks for posting that link.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Dis...ort-'Health-and-Wellness'-suites-canceled.htm

 

[jenneth79]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Dis...ort-'Health-and-Wellness'-suites-canceled.htm

Thanks for the update! Not a big surprise in this economy, but I wonder what the refubs will entail?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for the update! Not a big surprise in this economy, but I wonder what the refubs will entail?

You're welcome and I found this news to be a surprise since Mary T in PA who is there right now mentioned this would happen in 2012. However since it didn't happen this year like it was originally scheduled I am also not shocked at this news.

 

[WDWKOOK]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Dis...ort-'Health-and-Wellness'-suites-canceled.htm

Thank you for confirming this for us. I wonder if they'll even rehab the rooms in 2013 as mentioned in the article. I can't recall when the last rehab was of the Tower Club. Maybe it was done when the rest of the rooms were done?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you for confirming this for us. I wonder if they'll even rehab the rooms in 2013 as mentioned in the article. I can't recall when the last rehab was of the Tower Club. Maybe it was done when the rest of the rooms were done?

I think during the 2006 renovations the 14th floor got a minor renovation, although it was nothing like the other Tower floors and Garden Wing got.

However at least this news confirms that those with Atrium Club reservations in 2012 won't have to worry about switching resorts because of construction noises that would have been happening on the 14th floor.

 

[jenneth79]

I think during the 2006 renovations the 14th floor got a minor renovation, although it was nothing like the other Tower floors and Garden Wing got.

However at least this news confirms that those with Atrium Club reservations in 2012 won't have to worry about switching resorts because of construction noises that would have been happening on the 14th floor.

Nope, just cheerleaders.

This is only because I am jealous I never got to go to WDW and compete when I was a cheerleader all those years ago.....

 

[Mary T in PA]

Story came out this morning in Orlando Sentinal stating that the health & wellness concept is jettisoned. Floor will be rehabbed in 2013 and the roof will also be redone at that time. I believe Cali Grill may get an update at that time too. This is the first I've had time to post today, but I found out this morning. I'm sorry I wasn't able to post sooner.

I'm relieved that concept is dead. I'm relieved that a rehab for this floor is still on schedule as it needs done.

I normally don't do reviews but I took alot of pics of our room and will update once I'm home to upload the pics off my good camera with a few comments.

We had an ok stay, but I will say the Poly & Boardwalk CL CMs have the Tower Club beat.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We had an ok stay, but I will say the Poly & Boardwalk CL CMs have the Tower Club beat.

I will agree with you about the Club Level Cast Members at the Boardwalk Inn and until August 2010 I never that's something I would have said.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the update! Not a big surprise in this economy, but I wonder what the refubs will entail?

It depends what rehab rotation cycle they're on as to whether they do a soft or hard rehab. A soft rehab would only be the linens and mattresses, for example and they do those about every 3-5 years, I think. A hard rehab would be a top to bottom replacement of furniture, fixtures, etc... and they do those about every 8-10 years.

Nope, just cheerleaders.

This is only because I am jealous I never got to go to WDW and compete when I was a cheerleader all those years ago.....

Well, if you want to experience what it would be like, just catch a bus over to the AS or POP during Cheer Week. Or, I guess you could also follow a Brazilian tour group around the park all day...

Story came out this morning in Orlando Sentinal stating that the health & wellness concept is jettisoned. Floor will be rehabbed in 2013 and the roof will also be redone at that time. I believe Cali Grill may get an update at that time too. This is the first I've had time to post today, but I found out this morning. I'm sorry I wasn't able to post sooner.

I'm relieved that concept is dead. I'm relieved that a rehab for this floor is still on schedule as it needs done.

I normally don't do reviews but I took alot of pics of our room and will update once I'm home to upload the pics off my good camera with a few comments.

We had an ok stay, but I will say the Poly & Boardwalk CL CMs have the Tower Club beat.

I imagine the roof will be a major undertaking and disruption. It has been plagued with leaks and I'm guessing is a long over-do project. The rumor last year was that the GCH at the Poly would also be either razed or get a roof replacement. Maybe 2013 will be the year of the roofs!

Thank you for checking-in with us and I'm sorry to hear that the Tower Club hasn't been great. I know it's not the same CL, but when I stayed at the Atrium Club in '10, I was not impressed at all and it didn't even begin to compare with the CMs over at the WL.

I hope the rest of your vacation is enjoyable and we can't wait to read your TR.

I will agree with you about the Club Level Cast Members at the Boardwalk Inn and until August 2010 I never that's something I would have said.

I never thought you'd say that either. I can't wait to compare BWI CL with the WL CL. We're staying at BWI in July, which I only mention because apparently my ticker only rotates for me and not for anyone else and I've been told is stuck on AKL

 

[sjs314]

It depends what rehab rotation cycle they're on as to whether they do a soft or hard rehab. A soft rehab would only be the linens and mattresses, for example and they do those about every 3-5 years, I think. A hard rehab would be a top to bottom replacement of furniture, fixtures, etc... and they do those about every 8-10 years.


Well, if you want to experience what it would be like, just catch a bus over to the AS or POP during Cheer Week. Or, I guess you could also follow a Brazilian tour group around the park all day...


I imagine the roof will be a major undertaking and disruption. It has been plagued with leaks and I'm guessing is a long over-do project. The rumor last year was that the GCH at the Poly would also be either razed or get a roof replacement. Maybe 2013 will be the year of the roofs!

Thank you for checking-in with us and I'm sorry to hear that the Tower Club hasn't been great. I know it's not the same CL, but when I stayed at the Atrium Club in '10, I was not impressed at all and it didn't even begin to compare with the CMs over at the WL.

I hope the rest of your vacation is enjoyable and we can't wait to read your TR.

I never thought you'd say that either. I can't wait to compare BWI CL with the WL CL. We're staying at BWI in July, which I only mention because apparently my ticker only rotates for me and not for anyone else and I've been told is stuck on AKL

KOOK - Your ticker rotates for me!

 

[WDWKOOK]

KOOK - Your ticker rotates for me!

Thank you, Sheila for telling me! Several DISers have told me that it was "stuck" on AKL for them. I even re-did it yesterday and pas said that it still didn't rotate for her, but it has always rotated for me so I couldn't figure out what was going on.

By chance, do you have Verizon or a Mac? Verizon is our ISP and we only use Macs and Apples and these rotating tickers have always worked for me so maybe that makes a difference. Anywho, thanks for mentioning that it rotates through 4 resorts for YOU - at least that makes two of us

BTW, now that there won't be a rehab taking place until at least 2013, are you still happy with switching to BWI?

 

[Mary T in PA]

Some initial thoughts. We are in flight right now,,,, we spent a week on 14th fl room #4914 which is the room we usually get. The suite is spacious, probably the biggest 1bdrm without being DVC or presidential. We love this aspect and the fact that the master bath is huge and the 2nd bath is decent sized too.

We noticed several issues and did bring them to concierge attention ASAP- light out in master bath, sink in bar area would back up and toilet in master bath was funky. Also the room was very clean but rundown. We've stayed in Gf and Poly 1bdrm suites and will say that the Princess Suite at the Poly is better but lacks a 2nd bath and we have DH use the 2nd bath as his own man cave as he's outnumbered by me and our 2DDs when we stay Tower club.

I hate to say we never rode the monorail on this entire trip. Just seems like such a hassle as compared to previous yrs. we had a car so just drove over to the other parks.

We did 2 MVMCP and the walkway was totally convenient. Plus the parties were great, not crowded at all.

Elevators worked good this trip, no trouble with key entry at all. Quick too. I noticed the 1 separate elevator across from the rest wasn't working.

We had a family discussion and decided that we will book BWI next year and get a deluxe room. It's a great room also and the Boardwalk has grown on us. Their CL staff is top notch.

The CL CMs at CR are clueless. We don't expect alot- they're not our personal slaves but with so few rooms on 14, and us being there the same week every year the past 4yrs, at least learn our names. Also security was up there yesterday and today- most likely one of the celebs was staying there for the parade taping. I didn't even bother to ask, i could care less about celebs. Last month we stayed at BWI and a CM told us who the celeb was staying in the Steeplechase suite.

We had a good trip, but I think our love for CR has waned a bit. Maybe we will try in a few years after the 14th FL is refurbed. It's to be like an upscale hotel.

I'm sorry my sentences may be jumbled up, hard typing on my cell.

IMHO if you can spend $$$ on a suite stay elsewhere. Just not sure it's worth it until the 14th FL is redone. And trust me, it saddens me to put that out there. I'm grateful to have stayed in the suite but we were treated better at the BWi and Poly.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Some initial thoughts. We are in flight right now,,,, we spent a week on 14th fl room #4914 which is the room we usually get. The suite is spacious, probably the biggest 1bdrm without being DVC or presidential. We love this aspect and the fact that the master bath is huge and the 2nd bath is decent sized too.

We noticed several issues and did bring them to concierge attention ASAP- light out in master bath, sink in bar area would back up and toilet in master bath was funky. Also the room was very clean but rundown. We've stayed in Gf and Poly 1bdrm suites and will say that the Princess Suite at the Poly is better but lacks a 2nd bath and we have DH use the 2nd bath as his own man cave as he's outnumbered by me and our 2DDs when we stay Tower club.

I hate to say we never rode the monorail on this entire trip. Just seems like such a hassle as compared to previous yrs. we had a car so just drove over to the other parks.

We did 2 MVMCP and the walkway was totally convenient. Plus the parties were great, not crowded at all.

Elevators worked good this trip, no trouble with key entry at all. Quick too. I noticed the 1 separate elevator across from the rest wasn't working.

We had a family discussion and decided that we will book BWI next year and get a deluxe room. It's a great room also and the Boardwalk has grown on us. Their CL staff is top notch.

The CL CMs at CR are clueless. We don't expect alot- they're not our personal slaves but with so few rooms on 14, and us being there the same week every year the past 4yrs, at least learn our names. Also security was up there yesterday and today- most likely one of the celebs was staying there for the parade taping. I didn't even bother to ask, i could care less about celebs. Last month we stayed at BWI and a CM told us who the celeb was staying in the Steeplechase suite.

We had a good trip, but I think our love for CR has waned a bit. Maybe we will try in a few years after the 14th FL is refurbed. It's to be like an upscale hotel.

I'm sorry my sentences may be jumbled up, hard typing on my cell.

IMHO if you can spend $$$ on a suite stay elsewhere. Just not sure it's worth it until the 14th FL is redone. And trust me, it saddens me to put that out there. I'm grateful to have stayed in the suite but we were treated better at the BWi and Poly.

Loved reading your review. It's a rare find to read a review of the Tower CLub.

It's sad that you've seen the service and quality diminish over the years. It sounds like it USED to be a family tradition for you to stay on the 14th. But, I think that you're making the absolutely right decision to spend your money elsewhere. You paid a lot of money to stay on the 14th and like you said, with so few guests, you should have received more personalized attention and service and a room that was not in a state of disrepair. If they didn't even make a point of calling you by your name or doing something special for you, then that reflects poorly on management.

As I already mentioned in another post, I experienced a real indifference on the Atrium Club level back in '10. They did nothing to make us feel welcome or appreciated. We also experienced issues with them not enforcing any lounge rules at all, not cleaning up very quickly after messy guests, acting as if they've been inconvenienced if you asked for milk when it wasn't out, they argued with each other in front of guests and often the concierge table was unoccupied - it was just an overall negative experience and I don't think we'll ever return, even though we love the CR.

I hope you have a safe trip home and enjoy your BWI stay. Will this be your first Innkeeper's Club stay? We're staying there for the first time in July and we can't wait!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The CL CMs at CR are clueless. We don't expect alot- they're not our personal slaves but with so few rooms on 14, and us being there the same week every year the past 4yrs, at least learn our names.

When it comes to their Club Level Cast Members being clueless I think part of the reason is they always get a huge turn over of brand new ones working up there, at least that's what happens when I have stayed on the Atrium Club 12th floor and I think it would be the same for the 14th floor since they switch them on different days between both floors. With the exception of three of their Cast Members who still work Club Level all the others we use to know either work in the lobby, at another WDW Resort or don't even work at WDW anymore.

I am sure you know at the Boardwalk Inn they have the same Club Level Cast Members and it was on our second time staying there in December 2010 that they knew all our names and etc.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The DIS is posting strangely again. Maybe the new server will help...

Anyway, here's a vintage CR Christmas tree photo from today's Disney Parks Blog:

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Anyway, here's a vintage CR Christmas tree photo from today's Disney Parks Blog:

Very cool picture and it's hard to believe the 4th floor use to look like that.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Forgot one photo and boy, the post sequencing is really screwed up today.

 

[Mary T in PA]

Lounge experience... Just meh. One thing that irritated me was that we could get Dasani water bottles stocked in our fridge but the CMs made such a fuss to go and get some more for us. And 1 time a cM said regular rooms up there don't get stocked fridge. I didn't like that comment because if the CM was trying to make us feel great it didn't work- we are not superior above someone in a regular room. That bugged me.

Several times we came past the desk and can see the computer screen- several CMs were shopping and goofing off.

I realize that there is turnover as CRFan stated but if you've got time to play solitaire and shop on the Internet, then you got time to learn names.