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

Status
Not open for further replies.
::danielle:: said:
Hi Everyone! I am new to this thread. I'm planning a trip to WDW in December 2013. At this time I am planning to rent DVC points to stay at BLT in a 1-bedroom. I could use some advice/opinions/insight.

I've noticed in the past few years, a 35% discount was offered to Visa holders, AP holders, FL residents and eventually the GP. The discounts were release as early as September and always encompassed the dates that I intend to go.

I am curious to know if anyone has ever booked a 1-bedroom at BLT using the standard reservation system then switched it to the discounted rate when the rates were released in the fall. I would prefer this option over renting DVC points. I've searched and searched but I have not found an example of when someone has actually been able to do this!

I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere in this thread!

My family stayed in a 1 bedroom at baylake tower 11/27-12/4. I booked in March and tried the entire time for any kind of a discount, free dining, AAA, room discount, just anything and it never happened. Each time a discount was released they told me nothing was available at BLT. They said if I would switch to AKL, WL, Contemporary or GF I could get free dining, but I was foolish enough to decline because I was determined to stay at BLT. We had 4 adults, a six year old and 4 month old and the cost was 9600 with deluxe dining and park Hopper tickets. This didn't include airfare, so needless to say, this was more than I intended to spend.
 
Hi Everyone! I am new to this thread. I'm planning a trip to WDW in December 2013. At this time I am planning to rent DVC points to stay at BLT in a 1-bedroom. I could use some advice/opinions/insight.

I've noticed in the past few years, a 35% discount was offered to Visa holders, AP holders, FL residents and eventually the GP. The discounts were release as early as September and always encompassed the dates that I intend to go.

I am curious to know if anyone has ever booked a 1-bedroom at BLT using the standard reservation system then switched it to the discounted rate when the rates were released in the fall. I would prefer this option over renting DVC points. I've searched and searched but I have not found an example of when someone has actually been able to do this!

I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere in this thread!

My family stayed in a 1 bedroom at baylake tower 11/27-12/4. I booked in March and tried the entire time for any kind of a discount, free dining, AAA, room discount, just anything and it never happened. Each time a discount was released they told me nothing was available at BLT. They said if I would switch to AKL, WL, Contemporary or GF I could get free dining, but I was foolish enough to decline because I was determined to stay at BLT. We had 4 adults, a six year old and 4 month old and the cost was 9600 with deluxe dining and park Hopper tickets. This didn't include airfare, so needless to say, this was more than I intended to spend.

The thing to remember is that now that BLT is considered a "sold out" DVC resort, Disney only has a very small percentage of the rooms to use for cash reservations.

Discounts are used to fill empty rooms and they typically can fill BLT without having to offer discounts, so discounts for that resort have been few and far between.

Just remember that by the time you determine that the discount may or may not cover BLT, it will be too late to get into BLT sing rented DVC points.
 
Blizzard Beach closed 12/22 due to cold weather - Blizzard Beach, one of Walt Disney World's two water parks, will be closed 12/22/12.

Spirit of Aloha dinner show cancelled 12/22 due to cold weather - The Polynesian Resort's Spirit of Aloha dinner show is cancelled on 12/22 due to cold weather.
 
sheilanne said:
My family stayed in a 1 bedroom at baylake tower 11/27-12/4. I booked in March and tried the entire time for any kind of a discount, free dining, AAA, room discount, just anything and it never happened. Each time a discount was released they told me nothing was available at BLT. They said if I would switch to AKL, WL, Contemporary or GF I could get free dining, but I was foolish enough to decline because I was determined to stay at BLT. We had 4 adults, a six year old and 4 month old and the cost was 9600 with deluxe dining and park Hopper tickets. This didn't include airfare, so needless to say, this was more than I intended to spend.



Missyrose said:
The thing to remember is that now that BLT is considered a "sold out" DVC resort, Disney only has a very small percentage of the rooms to use for cash reservations.

Discounts are used to fill empty rooms and they typically can fill BLT without having to offer discounts, so discounts for that resort have been few and far between.

Just remember that by the time you determine that the discount may or may not cover BLT, it will be too late to get into BLT sing rented DVC points.

Thanks to both of you!

sheilanne, your situation is exactly what I was worried about. I was hoping they would convert an existing reservation to a promo reservation but it doesn't sound like they will.

Missyrose, thank you for explaining the reason why they don't discount the cash ressies at BLT!
 


My family stayed in a 1 bedroom at baylake tower 11/27-12/4. I booked in March and tried the entire time for any kind of a discount, free dining, AAA, room discount, just anything and it never happened. Each time a discount was released they told me nothing was available at BLT. They said if I would switch to AKL, WL, Contemporary or GF I could get free dining, but I was foolish enough to decline because I was determined to stay at BLT. We had 4 adults, a six year old and 4 month old and the cost was 9600 with deluxe dining and park Hopper tickets. This didn't include airfare, so needless to say, this was more than I intended to spend.
Disney apportions a set number of villas as cash reservations. You can book a rack rate cash reservation and later apply applicable discounts. If they aren't filling rooms, they will move more villas over to cash and even discounted reservations, so the amount does fluctuate.

The amount of reservations that a discount can be applied to is finite. Sometimes, however, they will place more rooms into the discounted pool. For example, in august I used the military 40% off discount to book a BLT one bedroom, but I wasn't able to book the room until about two weeks prior to arrival because it was unavailable up until then with the discount. You never know when someone will cancel or when they will place more rooms into the discounted inventory - so keep trying and don't give up!
 
Merry Christmas​

Disneys-Contemporary-Resort_Full_9120.jpg
 
From WDWINFO:

The salon at the Contemporary will be closed effective 12/25/2012. Guests can use the Ship Shape Massage Salon and Fitness at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.
 


Joining in. Just booked tower bay lake view room for April using the Disney Visa promo. Kids are thrilled as they have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary. I'm a Poly lover and hoping I will enjoy the CR too!
 
I am considering switching to CR but it is not available for my dates with discount. Is there any chance rooms will open up with new discount being released January 3??
 
We stayed at the contemporary last July and we loved it! Its clean and beautiful! The kids loved the pool with the waterslide! They are great with poolside games and activities for all ages. I would definilty book there again! But this time my husband wants to stay at the Wilderness Lodge which looks absolutly beautiful too! I just loved being right on the monorail! Have a great trip!

I wish we could take advantage of the Disney card members discount but unfortnatly my husband can not go during the times offered.:wizard:
 
Is this a permanet closure or jus for the holiday?
I believe it's permanent, but if I find a re-opening date, I'll post it.

Joining in. Just booked tower bay lake view room for April using the Disney Visa promo. Kids are thrilled as they have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary. I'm a Poly lover and hoping I will enjoy the CR too!
Being able to walk to the MK is so convenient and you can still easily take the monorail over to the Poly for a bite to eat. The Bay Lake View rooms are our favorite. I think you'll love it!

I am considering switching to CR but it is not available for my dates with discount. Is there any chance rooms will open up with new discount being released January 3??
CR fills fast since it's the most popular convention resort. Never give-up trying to get a discount though as guests cancel all the time.

Is anyone at BLT now? Have the posted activities and movies for January yet!
Unfortunately, my source (Mouse for Less) for calendars hasn't posted calendar updates since November:upsidedow


We stayed at the contemporary last July and we loved it! Its clean and beautiful! The kids loved the pool with the waterslide! They are great with poolside games and activities for all ages. I would definilty book there again! But this time my husband wants to stay at the Wilderness Lodge which looks absolutly beautiful too! I just loved being right on the monorail! Have a great trip!

I wish we could take advantage of the Disney card members discount but unfortnatly my husband can not go during the times offered.:wizard:
You might just have to go without DH:scratchin
 
Just rebooked our current CR TPV April reservation using the Disney Visa card. Also ordered our tix as well. Still trying to figure out exactly how much we saved (can't compare to the old because we were planning on dropping a day prior to this deal ....and it's TOO confusing for me lol), and the CM couldn't give me a %. :confused3 Can anyone tell me what the tax rate is at WDW? I need to figure this out! LOL:hyper: Thx!!:thumbsup2

FWIW.....tried for BLT 1 BDRM TPV but they only had Standard View (due to special needs child and the fact that we spend LOTS of time in our room we could not take the chance of not having a view of the Castle).....so the CR it is!!! No complaints tho.....WE LOVE THE CR!!:lovestruc
 
Also is anyone at WDW using Fast Pass+? Or have you had to convert APs to paperless tickets/RF bracelets yet?

No one is using FP+. It hasn't been rolled out officially and the next round of testing hasn't been announced either. Stay tuned.

Though the RFID KTTW cards (for resort door entry and touch to pay) are being used by all resorts now.
 
I am considering switching to CR but it is not available for my dates with discount. Is there any chance rooms will open up with new discount being released January 3??

As KOOK said, keep checking, people cancel all the time. But I will tell you when I booked my Feb trip I did so based on availability at CR figuring I would be able to move it to better dates for us, but nothing has come available so it looks like we will be sticking with the dates we booked.

Just rebooked our current CR TPV April reservation using the Disney Visa card. Also ordered our tix as well. Still trying to figure out exactly how much we saved (can't compare to the old because we were planning on dropping a day prior to this deal ....and it's TOO confusing for me lol), and the CM couldn't give me a %. :confused3 Can anyone tell me what the tax rate is at WDW? I need to figure this out! LOL:hyper: Thx!!:thumbsup2

FWIW.....tried for BLT 1 BDRM TPV but they only had Standard View (due to special needs child and the fact that we spend LOTS of time in our room we could not take the chance of not having a view of the Castle).....so the CR it is!!! No complaints tho.....WE LOVE THE CR!!:lovestruc

I think the WDW tax rate is 12 or 12.5%. From what I saw on the Visa disc page CR was at the 20% discount.

I have been trying for a 1br at BLT but nothing has been offered with a discount so we are sticking to our TPV room as well ;) We just learned that DS has wheat allergy and we were hoping to be able to do a bit more cooking ourselves, but no luck. DS is also on the autism spectrum and being able to watch the fireworks from CR and not have to deal with the noise and crowds was perfect! Have a great time!


38 DAYS TIL WE ARE BACK AT CR :dance3:
 
Contemplating CR for Jan 2014. We stayed at AoA in a suite for our last trip & loved the space, however we have a toddler, a teenager and will hopefully valve an infant as well. My husband really wants to stay at the Contemporary for its location on the monorail and being able to walk to MK. He likes the idea of not having to get the kids in & out of strollers after a long day at the parks. I'm a little worried about costs, especially since he wants to do the Deluxe meal plan as well, but hoping the convenience would be worth the extra cash! In my dream scenario we'd have a MK view, but I think GV might be more affordable. Would GV or BL view be quieter with two little ones? I figure well be back for nap time int he afternoon, but likely out for dinner/parks at night most nights. Any advice?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Latest posts

Top