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

[jlcd]

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 %. Can anyone tell me what the tax rate is at WDW? I need to figure this out! LOL Thx!!

FWIW.....tried for BLT 1 BDRM TPV abut 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!!

We booked the Disney Visa promo for mid April and it was 20% off the room portion. Still trying to decide if the package is worth it. It's only $47 less than buying tix thru AAA and locks us into a package... We usually do room only and buy the tix on our own

 

[NJRRK]

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?

Garden View definitely quieter, just request to not be on the pool side.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I wish all of our posters and lurkers, a healthy and happy 2013!

 

[AirGoofy]

I wish all of our posters and lurkers, a healthy and happy 2013!
]​

Same to you. Another great picture by the way.​

 

[WDWKOOK]

Same to you. Another great picture by the way.

Thank you, but it's probably obvious I didn't take it. But, I did copy and paste it! I like how it shows off all of the BLT and CR grounds and Bay Lake, too.

 

[AirGoofy]

Thank you, but it's probably obvious I didn't take it. But, I did copy and paste it! I like how it shows off all of the BLT and CR grounds and Bay Lake, too.

What? I figured you chartered a helicopter and flew up there to take that picture for us.

 

[WDWKOOK]

California Grill closed 2/2/2013 - 8/31/2013

Bay Cove Pool Slide at Bay Lake Tower closed 1/15/2013- 2/8/2013. Pool will remain open.

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

 

[WDWKOOK]

What? I figured you chartered a helicopter and flew up there to take that picture for us.

Actually, here I am:

 

[psac]

Actually, here I am:

I thought maybe you had a really good telescopic lens that could see all the way from the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[amandaw]

Joining in so I can follow all the CR chatter!

My DH & I have wanted to stay at this resort for so long. But, we always said we would only do it if we could stay in the tower. The only problem is every time I book it, I change our reservation because the price always scares me.

Well, I have convinced him to let us take an "extra" vacation in 2013. We'll be going Dec. 7th - Dec. 14th. We had narrowed our resort choices down to CR and BWI. I ended up choosing BWI because, once again, the CR TPV price made me a little .

However, I got a text from my sister tonight. She is in Disney right now with her family staying at CR. They were booked in a Garden Wing room but I convinced her to upgrade to a TPV to watch the NYE fireworks. She says the whole family is in love with CR - especially the TPV. Both of her boys love seeing the park, the monorail and the ferry boats going to MK. She said even her 7 month DD is captivated by the sights from their room. Needless to say, she convinced me tonight that it will be worth it to book the TPV at CR. And I figure since it'll be a surprise trip for our DS (if I can keep my mouth shut ) and we'll be celebrating our anniversary - why not?

Since the Disney website was acting all crazy I didn't book online. But, I will be calling in the morning!

 

[mickeyplanner]

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.

Thanks for the info, we will find out soon about having to switch our APs to paperless. I wonder why Disney is having everyone read about Fast Pass+ on their website now?

 

[Missyrose]

Thanks for the info, we will find out soon about having to switch our APs to paperless. I wonder why Disney is having everyone read about Fast Pass+ on their website now?

I think Disney thought no one would notice the added language in the terms and conditions for the new Web site. I'll be there at the end of the month and again in May, so I'm sure at some point this year I'll have to convert our paper APs to the new system, it's a matter of when not if.

 

[lolobug]

Can anyone tell me how much a trip to the contemporary for 4 (kids 5 and 3) would cost w a MK view? We'd like to go some year in late Jan. I'd love to start planning/saving. Thx!

 

[mickeyplanner]

I think Disney thought no one would notice the added language in the terms and conditions for the new Web site. I'll be there at the end of the month and again in May, so I'm sure at some point this year I'll have to convert our paper APs to the new system, it's a matter of when not if.

I will let you know what happens during our trip, is we have to covert our APs or not. I forgot to update our ticker, we aren't in Disney today but will be there on Sunday

 

[Hulles]

Joining in on this thread also, Ill be staying at BLT April 20 - 27.

Does anyone know if they ever fixed the door that goes out to the walkway between BLT and the Contemporary? Last time I was there that door was constantly getting stuck and groups of people while pile up behind it all trying to get their cards to work lol Usually till someone came from the BLT side and it would open. That door was pretty annoying if you were tying to make a quick run back to the room haha.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I thought maybe you had a really good telescopic lens that could see all the way from the Wilderness Lodge.

From WL or from BLT to WL

Joining in so I can follow all the CR chatter!

My DH & I have wanted to stay at this resort for so long. But, we always said we would only do it if we could stay in the tower. The only problem is every time I book it, I change our reservation because the price always scares me.

Well, I have convinced him to let us take an "extra" vacation in 2013. We'll be going Dec. 7th - Dec. 14th. We had narrowed our resort choices down to CR and BWI. I ended up choosing BWI because, once again, the CR TPV price made me a little .

However, I got a text from my sister tonight. She is in Disney right now with her family staying at CR. They were booked in a Garden Wing room but I convinced her to upgrade to a TPV to watch the NYE fireworks. She says the whole family is in love with CR - especially the TPV. Both of her boys love seeing the park, the monorail and the ferry boats going to MK. She said even her 7 month DD is captivated by the sights from their room. Needless to say, she convinced me tonight that it will be worth it to book the TPV at CR. And I figure since it'll be a surprise trip for our DS (if I can keep my mouth shut ) and we'll be celebrating our anniversary - why not?

Since the Disney website was acting all crazy I didn't book online. But, I will be calling in the morning!

Have you booked yet, Amanda? I know many love TPV, but personally, BLV is our favorite and it would save you some money. But, I do think you'll love the Tower no matter which view you book - the view is amazing!

Can anyone tell me how much a trip to the contemporary for 4 (kids 5 and 3) would cost w a MK view? We'd like to go some year in late Jan. I'd love to start planning/saving. Thx!

Welcome! The easiest thing to do is simply go to the Disney site's booking page HERE and plug in your dates and room choice to see what the cost would be. Discounts and free dining are frequently available and are always listed on www.mousesavers.com. For this January, for example, there was 35% off Deluxe resorts (though I can't recall if CR was excluded?) There are also general public discounts, a 40% military rate, Annual Pass rate, Visa Card... I would never personally pay rack rate, so be on the lookout for discounts and good luck!

Joining in on this thread also, Ill be staying at BLT April 20 - 27.

Does anyone know if they ever fixed the door that goes out to the walkway between BLT and the Contemporary? Last time I was there that door was constantly getting stuck and groups of people while pile up behind it all trying to get their cards to work lol Usually till someone came from the BLT side and it would open. That door was pretty annoying if you were tying to make a quick run back to the room haha.

Welcome to the DIS and the CR/BLT thread. I stayed at BLT in August and never once had a problem with the automatic doors to/from BLT and CR. That would be very annoying if it were always like that. Congratulations on booking BLT again

 

[Valgoof]

Joining in so I can follow all the CR chatter!

My DH & I have wanted to stay at this resort for so long. But, we always said we would only do it if we could stay in the tower. The only problem is every time I book it, I change our reservation because the price always scares me.

Well, I have convinced him to let us take an "extra" vacation in 2013. We'll be going Dec. 7th - Dec. 14th. We had narrowed our resort choices down to CR and BWI. I ended up choosing BWI because, once again, the CR TPV price made me a little .

However, I got a text from my sister tonight. She is in Disney right now with her family staying at CR. They were booked in a Garden Wing room but I convinced her to upgrade to a TPV to watch the NYE fireworks. She says the whole family is in love with CR - especially the TPV. Both of her boys love seeing the park, the monorail and the ferry boats going to MK. She said even her 7 month DD is captivated by the sights from their room. Needless to say, she convinced me tonight that it will be worth it to book the TPV at CR. And I figure since it'll be a surprise trip for our DS (if I can keep my mouth shut ) and we'll be celebrating our anniversary - why not?

Since the Disney website was acting all crazy I didn't book online. But, I will be calling in the morning!

I am with you!! Want to stay at CR TPV, but oh that price! I had it booked last December and paid the one night deposit. Then I switched to Pop for 5 nights and Disney owed me money. We were going to switch to WL, but I lost my job in November, so Pop it was! Great trip, but we discovered we are not value people. I want bigger beds, more space, a balcony and everything in one building. DH really wants CR and we watched someone's live feed of the NYE fireworks from BLT and now he Really wants that view. We have a couple years to save, so we will see. I still like WL, so I will be lurking on both of your threads,Kook.

 

[amandaw]

Have you booked yet, Amanda? I know many love TPV, but personally, BLV is our favorite and it would save you some money. But, I do think you'll love the Tower no matter which view you book - the view is amazing!

I called and booked this morning!!

I did decide to go for the TPV. My sister was texting pictures this morning of the view from their room. It really sealed the deal for me! I'm super-excited and just hope it will all go as planned since it's so far away.

I am with you!! Want to stay at CR TPV, but oh that price! I had it booked last December and paid the one night deposit. Then I switched to Pop for 5 nights and Disney owed me money. We were going to switch to WL, but I lost my job in November, so Pop it was! Great trip, but we discovered we are not value people. I want bigger beds, more space, a balcony and everything in one building. DH really wants CR and we watched someone's live feed of the NYE fireworks from BLT and now he Really wants that view. We have a couple years to save, so we will see. I still like WL, so I will be lurking on both of your threads,Kook.

That's too funny that Disney owed you money! WOW!

We stayed at a value once. My DH told me never again.

We watched the NYE fireworks live feed as well! What an amazing view, right?!?

We've stayed at WL as well. That was in 2011. We did Club Level and had a view of Bay Lake. The resort is really nice. And all of the staff is extremely friendly. I love the grounds of the resort and the lobby is absolutely beautiful. I'll be honest, the only thing I didn't care for were the rooms. But, I wouldn't completely rule out staying there in the future.

 

[psac]

Joining in on this thread also, Ill be staying at BLT April 20 - 27.

Does anyone know if they ever fixed the door that goes out to the walkway between BLT and the Contemporary? Last time I was there that door was constantly getting stuck and groups of people while pile up behind it all trying to get their cards to work lol Usually till someone came from the BLT side and it would open. That door was pretty annoying if you were tying to make a quick run back to the room haha.

We were there in April, and I don't remember the doors not working, but I think I remember people backing up because whoever was in front never had their cards handy. So it wasn't a technology issue as much as a people issue.

 

[Valgoof]

I called and booked this morning!!

I did decide to go for the TPV. My sister was texting pictures this morning of the view from their room. It really sealed the deal for me! I'm super-excited and just hope it will all go as planned since it's so far away.



That's too funny that Disney owed you money! WOW!

We stayed at a value once. My DH told me never again.

We watched the NYE fireworks live feed as well! What an amazing view, right?!?

We've stayed at WL as well. That was in 2011. We did Club Level and had a view of Bay Lake. The resort is really nice. And all of the staff is extremely friendly. I love the grounds of the resort and the lobby is absolutely beautiful. I'll be honest, the only thing I didn't care for were the rooms. But, I wouldn't completely rule out staying there in the future.

Congrats on booking!!

We might do a split stay. They did a refurb on the rooms this year at WL, so they look much better. But still nothing beats that view! And the walkway to MK!! Looking forward to hearing about your trip since mine is a little farther away. Hoping to get there in 2014, but DH keeps talking about these other places he wants to visit??