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

[WDWKOOK]

I understand that there is free Wifi in the rooms at the CR. Is that correct? How reliable and fast is the connection? Will I be able to log in to the office and stay connected to do work? How about downloading a movie to my Ipad? Is there a hard wire connection still available in the room using a cable?

All WDW resorts now have free resort and park WiFi. The ethernet cables are no longer in the rooms. Connection speed and reliability are spotty. I've used the free WiFi at BWI, WL and BLT. I've uploaded photos to Photobucket, posted to the DIS, surfed, e-mailed... basic functions. My iPhone's 3G connection was more reliable. I found that when using our MacBook or iPad, I frequently had to disconnect and reconnect to get the connection moving again and then it was fine. I'm assuming that the more demand resort-wide on the connection, the spottier the service?

You'll be able to get work done, however, you will most likely experience times when the connection just is too slow to be useful, then you'll have to close out your connection and re-start. Experiment with connecting at different times of the day and in different areas of the resort. Sometimes public areas maintain the connection better than your room.

 

[wdwfun!]

Thanks for the information. If I bring my own cable can I connect that way or has the service been shut down to the rooms?

 

[Missyrose]

Thanks for the information. If I bring my own cable can I connect that way or has the service been shut down to the rooms?

There's no other connection other than the wireless. The wired connection was through a different contract than the wireless and Disney ended that contract. So wireless is the only option. FWIW, I had pretty good connection at BCV and AKV-Jambo last month on my iPad.

 

[doberlady]

Leaving next Thursday YIPPEE

Does the CR still provide the wonderful bath products?

 

[psac]

Thanks for the information. If I bring my own cable can I connect that way or has the service been shut down to the rooms?

If you're thinking in terms of VPN, it ain't happening. As was said, the connections are very spotty. For downloading a movie, I found whenever I would try to do something data intensive, like update a big (>1GB) app on my iPhone, it would consistently drop the connection -- as if it intentionally would prevent high data activities. Also agreed the wifi in the public areas are a LOT better, especially in the CR tower building public areas (like the lounge next to the Contempo Cafe), maybe because of the conferences held there?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

If you're thinking in terms of VPN, it ain't happening. As was said, the connections are very spotty. For downloading a movie, I found whenever I would try to do something data intensive, like update a big (>1GB) app on my iPhone, it would consistently drop the connection -- as if it intentionally would prevent high data activities. Also agreed the wifi in the public areas are a LOT better, especially in the CR tower building public areas (like the lounge next to the Contempo Cafe), maybe because of the conferences held there?

Thats good to note, I'll have to take the iPad down there and enjoy a drink.

 

[psac]

Thats good to note, I'll have to take the iPad down there and enjoy a drink.

It's also a different Wifi in the public areas than the room wifi, so even if you can still connect to the room wifi (from the lower rooms), you'll want to switch. That lounge has some comfortable couches and chairs, and they make good drinks, so it's pretty much a win all around. . (Ps-- they don't serve until 4 if I remember correctly, but its physically always open.)

 

[prosplace]

Hello everyone, I brought up about staying in BLT as a non-DVC member and was not allowed access to the TOTWL, even though over the prior two years while staying there we were allowed. I sent a nice email over to Disney, just inquiring on the policy. Was pleasantly suprised, to get a phone call yesterday from management on the concern and thanking me for staying at the resort. The policy has recently within the past 4-6 months been enforced, and wasn't so much luck prior, but that the policy was not being enforced. The policy allows for people who rent via a DVC member or a DVC member to have access, as the room cards will have DVC or some marker to show they are utilizing a room via DVC. Either way, follow up by management was great, policy not so much...lol, but nothing reserving a room with a magic kingdom view won't fix

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello everyone, I brought up about staying in BLT as a non-DVC member and was not allowed access to the TOTWL, even though over the prior two years while staying there we were allowed. I sent a nice email over to Disney, just inquiring on the policy. Was pleasantly suprised, to get a phone call yesterday from management on the concern and thanking me for staying at the resort. The policy has recently within the past 4-6 months been enforced, and wasn't so much luck prior, but that the policy was not being enforced. The policy allows for people who rent via a DVC member or a DVC member to have access, as the room cards will have DVC or some marker to show they are utilizing a room via DVC. Either way, follow up by management was great, policy not so much...lol, but nothing reserving a room with a magic kingdom view won't fix

Thanks for the confirmation, prosplace

 

[bosox2001]

Does anyone know to whom to direct room requests at BLT?

Thanks!

 

[fla4fun]

Leaving next Thursday YIPPEE

Does the CR still provide the wonderful bath products?

It depends on your definition of wonderful. Earlier this year they switched from the Aquatica line to the Grapefruit Bergamot line. Same type of products - lotion, conditioner, shower gel, shampoo, bath soap and facial soap (the soaps contain sea salt, which is nice). I like citrus, so I prefer the grapefruit.

 

[twodogs]

Does anyone know to whom to direct room requests at BLT?

Thanks!

Just call WDW reservations and they will add them to your reservation. We got all of ours at BLT this May that way. When they send you your email confirmation, you can see the comments where they list your requests.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Starbucks will replace Fountainview Ice Cream in Epcot:

This location will be closed March 2013 through Mid-Summer 2013 to convert to a Starbucks location. The restaurant and cast member costumes will be themed to fit in with the futuristic atmosphere of Epcot. Offerings will include Starbucks beverages, artisan breakfast sandwiches and a selection of baked goods, including muffins, scones and specialty treats.

 

[Cumbley]

Hi all, we check in to the Contemporary on Wednesday (can't wait!). We have stayed there before in a tower room, this time we are in the garden wing. I've got a couple of questions I should know the answer to but can't remember and am hoping you guys can help me! First question - towels - are they available at the pool (anything I don't have to pack is good news!) secondly is it possible to get a toaster delivered to the room? I think we've done this in the past but wanted to check.

Thanks for your help!
Cheryl

 

[NJRRK]

Plenty of towels at the pool. Don't know about toasters.

 

[Cumbley]

Plenty of towels at the pool. Don't know about toasters.

Thank you!

 

[WDWKOOK]

An actual CR resort branded product!

Disney Parks Blog

 

[familygoboston]

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to Wilderness Lodge Villas and save over $600 ( 3 nights).
The family really wanted to stay at a monorail resort this time, we've been to many other villas, but this would be our first Contemporary visit.

My questions are:

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there, but BLT has the ability to walk to MK and monorail to EPCOT.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC, Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there? I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix, so I'm torn! TIA!

 

[WAWDWLUVER]

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to Wilderness Lodge Villas and save over $600 ( 3 nights).
The family really wanted to stay at a monorail resort this time, we've been to many other villas, but this would be our first Contemporary visit.

My questions are:

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there, but BLT has the ability to walk to MK and monorail to EPCOT.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC, Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there? I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix, so I'm torn! TIA!

In terms of "comfort" there is no question BLT would be the best by far. Also, it's what "the family really wanted" so...only you can decide if it is worth $600. The extra full bathroom would be worth the $600 to me!!! LOL

 

[WDWKOOK]

We have an opportunity to change our room only res from a one BR at Bay Lake Towers to Wilderness Lodge Villas and save over $600 ( 3 nights).
The family really wanted to stay at a monorail resort this time, we've been to many other villas, but this would be our first Contemporary visit.

My questions are:

-anyone stayed at both and have an opinion about which is nicer, I know WL has wonderful theming from our visits there, but BLT has the ability to walk to MK and monorail to EPCOT.

-space question; we have two big teens and the extra toilet and second pullout bed in the living area (so the girls wouldn't need to share a bed) at BLT seems like an advantage. The WLV seem to be similar to the BW and YC and BC, Saratoga Springs etc villas we've stayed in before, and there would be one queen sofa sleeper ( can you get a rollaway in there? I don't think so)

Any and all opinions appreciated, basically the savings would pay for the remainder of our tix, so I'm torn! TIA!

Let me qualify my comments by saying that I just love both WL and CR and I've been in your same position in August. We wanted to try a villa for the first time and at one point had BLT booked, then VWL then Kidani and eventually ended up at BLT, (my BLT TR is hyperlinked in my signature). I can't recommend BLT enough - we loved it. But, we did do a BLT - WL/CL split so we got the best of both worlds. That might be something you want to consider doing - a BLT/VWL split stay so you can see for yourselves which you prefer.

Though I haven't stayed at VWL, I researched both very thoroughly and unless you must save the $600, I would book BLT. Only Kidani and BLT have two bathrooms in their one bedrooms. The second bathroom and extra square footage make the villa so much more spread out and roomy. Also, there are no bookable views with VWL, but there are three with BLT. We chose our favorite, BLV and it was amazing.

You'll have much more privacy, more square footage a better view and a newer villa with BLT, not to mention you can walk to the MK. Let us know what you end up booking.