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

[familygoboston]

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

LOL! Yes, with teen girls bathrooms The girls actually thought VWL was a nice choice too, they would be excited about either, but Dh really wanted the walk and monorail! If the $600 were the difference between eating or not or going on another trip or not, it would be no question, it's just against my "yankee" thrift to spend money I don't have too. Actually, I think it's the bed sharing that will put BLT over the top. Not having to listen to them squabble over who has the "biggest half" has to be worth 600!

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.

Kook, I loved your review. It was great!! We can't really split the trip- it's already a short trip. We are visiting my DM and DD on the West coast and just adding 3 nights at WDW expressly to see FLE.

I have to contact the agent today, and I think we will stay put. The extra bath, bed and walking distance are well worth it. So we stay put!

 

[StephLS]

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!

Well I just want to put in my little thoughts. The walk to and from MK is really special and my kids really loved the convience of it. Also monorail to Epcot is nice and short compared to busing it.
Since you are making it a short trip those extra time savers are useful.
Just saying, either way you are going to Disney so Yippee! Enjoy!

 

[familygoboston]

Well I just want to put in my little thoughts. The walk to and from MK is really special and my kids really loved the convience of it. Also monorail to Epcot is nice and short compared to busing it.
Since you are making it a short trip those extra time savers are useful.
Just saying, either way you are going to Disney so Yippee! Enjoy!

Thanks Steph- yes, in the end, that's what we decided, it was a short trip, and the convenience factor ( shorter time to parks, quicker " getting ready" morning times with the extra bath etc) will be huge to allow us more time in the parks and to enjoy the resort.
We are so looking forward to it! My young cousin just visited and I put some of her photos on the New Fantasyland thread, and my TA went last week and loved it! Even though my girls aren't "little" any more, they still love the " magic", guess I brought them up right!

 

[dchi]

Just got back from our third trip to the Contemporary. Magic Kingdom view for the third time. ( I'm hooked on that view ) We were in room 4341 this time. Talked to a CM that said they were remodeling the lobby and replacing all the mattresses in January. I think the lobby looks great but new will be fun. Of course I am not sure if this is going to happen for sure only telling what I was told by one of the concierge. We had a great trip as usual. I started staying here after reading what CR resort fan for life wrote and now I don't think I can stay anywhere else or have any other view. Woke up one morning and opened the drapes and they were decorating the Christmas tree out front. I loved just watching the man finish up the decorating while it was still very dark outside.

 

[closetmickey]

Just got back from our third trip to the Contemporary. Magic Kingdom view for the third time. ( I'm hooked on that view ) We were in room 4341 this time. Talked to a CM that said they were remodeling the lobby and replacing all the mattresses in January. I think the lobby looks great but new will be fun. Of course I am not sure if this is going to happen for sure only telling what I was told by one of the concierge. We had a great trip as usual. I started staying here after reading what CR resort fan for life wrote and now I don't think I can stay anywhere else or have any other view. Woke up one morning and opened the drapes and they were decorating the Christmas tree out front. I loved just watching the man finish up the decorating while it was still very dark outside.

Really? Remodeling the lobby? We are going next August- that would be fun to see!

 

[babyberger]

Just got back from our third trip to the Contemporary. Magic Kingdom view for the third time. ( I'm hooked on that view ) We were in room 4341 this time. Talked to a CM that said they were remodeling the lobby and replacing all the mattresses in January. I think the lobby looks great but new will be fun. Of course I am not sure if this is going to happen for sure only telling what I was told by one of the concierge. We had a great trip as usual. I started staying here after reading what CR resort fan for life wrote and now I don't think I can stay anywhere else or have any other view. Woke up one morning and opened the drapes and they were decorating the Christmas tree out front. I loved just watching the man finish up the decorating while it was still very dark outside.

Hmmmm, this will be interesting. We are going in Dec and again in Feb, I wonder how much will change????

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Wonder how long it would take them to renovate the lobby? With the 14th floor and California Grill also being renovated next year, there will be quite a bit of work going on.

We'll be there in June (at BLT) so I hope the lobby would be done by then. I just love seeing newly designed spaces!

A couple food questions for those of you who frequent the resort. Any experiences with room service or food at Outer Rim, Top of the World, Sand Bar, or the bar at The Wave? Looking for ideas of where to eat if we don't want a traditional table service or counter service meal. I'm good with appetizers and drinks instead of dinner some nights, and we'll have a couple young children in our party so I'm sure some of the family will need some away time. Thanks!

 

[shanemc921]

Just a quick question. I'm doing a split stay in December for the holidays, between the Contemp and the Dolphin. I've heard mixed reviews, since the Dolphin isn't a Disney owned hotel, but will the Contemp transfer my bags to the Dolphin?

I got to use the bag transfer service in October during my split stay at the Contemp and AKL, and was hoping to take advantage of this great service again.

Thanks for the help!

 

[annej]

Question - and I apologize if I missed this answer somewhere else - where are the smoking areas at BLT and the CR?

Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just got back from our third trip to the Contemporary. Magic Kingdom view for the third time. ( I'm hooked on that view ) We were in room 4341 this time. Talked to a CM that said they were remodeling the lobby and replacing all the mattresses in January. I think the lobby looks great but new will be fun. Of course I am not sure if this is going to happen for sure only telling what I was told by one of the concierge. We had a great trip as usual. I started staying here after reading what CR resort fan for life wrote and now I don't think I can stay anywhere else or have any other view. Woke up one morning and opened the drapes and they were decorating the Christmas tree out front. I loved just watching the man finish up the decorating while it was still very dark outside.

Thank you for posting about your recent trip - glad to hear you had a great time. Thank you for posting about the lobby rehab, too. (I feel like it was just redone a few years ago). I hadn't heard anything about it so it will be interesting to follow this story.

Hmmmm, this will be interesting. We are going in Dec and again in Feb, I wonder how much will change????

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

you'll have to let us know

Wonder how long it would take them to renovate the lobby? With the 14th floor and California Grill also being renovated next year, there will be quite a bit of work going on.

We'll be there in June (at BLT) so I hope the lobby would be done by then. I just love seeing newly designed spaces!

A couple food questions for those of you who frequent the resort. Any experiences with room service or food at Outer Rim, Top of the World, Sand Bar, or the bar at The Wave? Looking for ideas of where to eat if we don't want a traditional table service or counter service meal. I'm good with appetizers and drinks instead of dinner some nights, and we'll have a couple young children in our party so I'm sure some of the family will need some away time. Thanks!

I've only eaten at the Sand Bar and it was nothing special - basic pool fare which you don't want to leave unattended or the birds will help themselves

Sounds like you'd be a perfect candidate for club level since you sometimes prefer snacks and appetizers to meals. Have you considered the Atrium Club?

Just a quick question. I'm doing a split stay in December for the holidays, between the Contemp and the Dolphin. I've heard mixed reviews, since the Dolphin isn't a Disney owned hotel, but will the Contemp transfer my bags to the Dolphin?

I got to use the bag transfer service in October during my split stay at the Contemp and AKL, and was hoping to take advantage of this great service again.

Thanks for the help!

Since the Swolphin aren't Disney-owned (but they're on Disney property), I don't believe they will transfer your luggage. Your best bet would be a cab.

Question - and I apologize if I missed this answer somewhere else - where are the smoking areas at BLT and the CR?

Thanks!

Here are the BLT and CR DSAs:

 

[crazy4wdw]

Thank you for posting about your recent trip - glad to hear you had a great time. Thank you for posting about the lobby rehab, too. (I feel like it was just redone a few years ago). I hadn't heard anything about it so it will be interesting to follow this story.

I'm fairly sure that the lobby was rehabbed about 4 to 5 years ago, during the time that all of the changes were occurring in the Grand Canyon Concourse. My last stay at the CR was about 5 years ago and I think the changes to the lobby had just been finished. It will be interesting to see if this rumor turns out to be accurate.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm fairly sure that the lobby was rehabbed about 4 to 5 years ago, during the time that all of the changes were occurring in the Grand Canyon Concourse. My last stay at the CR was about 5 years ago and I think the changes to the lobby had just been finished. It will be interesting to see if this rumor turns out to be accurate.

It was four years ago this month that the Contempo Cafe first opened, so it has been about 4 years now since the last lobby rehab.

Here's a link to the old lobby in 2007:

http://contemporaryresort.net/lobbyclassic.html

 

[crazy4wdw]

It was four years ago this month that the Contempo Cafe first opened, so it has been about 4 years now since the last lobby rehab.

The last time I stayed at the CR, Contempo Cafe had just opened but there still was construction in the concourse. I believe they were still working on the Outer Rim. I remember sitting in the Cafe and listening to the sounds of jackhammers and saws.

Seems like a short interval to be doing a lobby rehab again.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I've only eaten at the Sand Bar and it was nothing special - basic pool fare which you don't want to leave unattended or the birds will help themselves

Sounds like you'd be a perfect candidate for club level since you sometimes prefer snacks and appetizers to meals. Have you considered the Atrium Club?

We'll actually be at BLT in a 2 bedroom with my parent's DVC points, but I've had the pleasure to stay on the Atrium Club in the past and really enjoyed it. I wish that was an option this time around but we'd really need 2-3 rooms!

Maybe I'll just plan on picking up some snacks, cheeses, salami, etc at Publix to do some lighter meals.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Here's a link to the old lobby in 2007:

http://contemporaryresort.net/lobbyclassic.html

I think it would be great if they returned the Mickey Mouse and Stravinsky sculpture to the Contemporary lobby. I was told that the sculpture had been moved to the Animation Tour at DHS but I've never been able to find it there.

 

[psac]

I think it would be great if they returned the Mickey Mouse and Stravinsky sculpture to the Contemporary lobby. I was told that the sculpture had been moved to the Animation Tour at DHS but I've never been able to find it there.

I've done that animation tour many times and I've definitely never seen that statue! I hope it does return.

 

[WDWKOOK]

On select dates in November and December 2012, Disney Vacation Club members are eligible for free admission to Disney's Blizzard Beach after 2 p.m. Eligible dates are: Thursday, November 29; Thursday, December 6; Thursday, December 13. A DVC member ID card must be presented at the park gate. Free admission is provided to the cardholder and up to four guests. Advance registration is not available. Additionally, free refreshments will be provided to attendees at the park's Lottawatta Lounge. Note that the park is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. on the listed dates.

From the latest AllEars newsletter.

 

[WDWKOOK]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our wonderful CR/BLT posters (and lurkers, t)!​

 

[EpcotBill]

I think it would be great if they returned the Mickey Mouse and Stravinsky sculpture to the Contemporary lobby. I was told that the sculpture had been moved to the Animation Tour at DHS but I've never been able to find it there.

The sculpture is Mickey and Leopold Stokowski not Igor Stravinsky. Stokowski was the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra when Fantasia was made. The sculpture is from the scene in the movie when Mickey shakes Stokowski's hand.

 

[crazy4wdw]

The sculpture is Mickey and Leopold Stokowski not Igor Stravinsky. Stokowski was the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra when Fantasia was made. The sculpture is from the scene in the movie when Mickey shakes Stokowski's hand.

Yes, that's right. I confused the two. Stravinsky composed "The Rite of Spring" which was used as one of the musical segments in Fantasia.