(CLOSED) Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT and BAY LAKE TOWER INFORMATION THREAD

[WDWKOOK]

We recently returned and stayed in an amazing 1 bedroom at BLT. The space, the space!!

As for coffee makers, it was a regular one, not a K cup.

Bell services will certainly do a resort to resort transfer of bags!

I definitely recommend Garden Grocer. Couldn't have been easier! When our room was ready, Bell Services brought our transferred bags and groceries (cold was properly stored) to the room.

I told DH that as a child, I used to want to stay at every resort once. Of course, there were a lot fewer resorts then! But now CR/BLT is home.

So glad you had a great vacation, carolinamama. Welcome back from your home away from home. Do you know yet when you'll be able to return?

 

[::danielle::]

Thank you! Our request was any room with the discount, lol. When we booked in January (we thought we would not be able to go to Disney this year so we didn't book when the offer was first announced) there was only a Garden Wing Room and two CL rooms available with the discount. We took the GW room even though it was a king bed and we really wanted two beds. (The CL rooms were $1000.00 more for the week.) We were fine with the GW. We kept calling back every few days or so to try to get a room with two beds and last week the tower room opened up. I can not wait to sit on that balcony!!
After reading this thread, I see that it's possible to get a one bedroom in BLT with the discount. (?) Am I reading this correctly? Because that would be awesome!! If they announce this offer again, I will be on the phone within a second trying to get one, lol.

Per the summer discount thread (by Danny25) BLT will be included in the next round of discounts through August. It should be around 23% off the rack room rate.

 

[cheesemouse]

Hi - We are just back from a 6 night stay at the CR. Just thought I'd share some thoughts on our stay. We were there for a convention for my DH and were lucky enough to get a BLV tower room on the 5th floor (thank you Jessica!!!). This was our 1st time in a tower room (did a garden wing room before). My kids were thrilled with having the monorails right outside the room. We loved having a balcony to hang out on during nap time.

The 5th floor had not been refurbished yet. The 6th floor was closed off all week but they finished the work on our last day and took down the barriers. I assume they started at the top and were working their way down and the 5th floor would be next. There was definitely a fair bit of wear and tear on the room.

We put the pack n play in the bathroom and it fit with plenty of room to spare. There was a fair bit of noise in the room. We were at the far end from Chef Mickey's but could hear the horn of the boats every morning starting at 6:30. Also, we could hear the squealing of the brakes of the monorails. No noise from Chef Mickey's. I'm a light sleeper and no one else heard these things.

It was very nice being so close to the restaurant for refills on the mug and bathroom runs when the baby was sleeping. My kids had fun with the pool games one afternoon and went to the evening movie the last night. They also loved watching the water parade from the room.

I had to do a fair bit of laundry and only 2 out of the 6 dryers were working properly. 3 were simply out of service and taped off so you couldn't even try to use them. The 4th was supposedly working, but after 3 cycles of drying, the clothes were still very wet. A waste of $6.00. For a deluxe resort, I expect everything to be in working order.

Bell services was very prompt both times that we used them. Overall great stay. I can't say that we'd ever spring for the CR, much less a tower room, during spring break, but since DH's work was covering it, it was awesome.

Oh, and I didn't see any sign of magic bands or FP+ being used or tested yet. Just an FYI.

 

[disneynanacat]

Glad you had a good trip!


Need some help with studio request. We have LV booked and I've read enough here to know to request north for possible MK view. But I think I'd prefer the lake view. Lol If I want to see the electric water parade what should I request? Is that same side as the pool or opposite?

Also I can tell from diagram on this wonderful thread that there are two elevators. Do you go in the main entrance and then left or right to your elevator or are there other entrances? Would like close to elevator. I'm assuming south side is closest to sky bridge, correct?

Thanks!

 

[nonnasally]

Glad you had a good trip!


Need some help with studio request. We have LV booked and I've read enough here to know to request north for possible MK view. But I think I'd prefer the lake view. Lol If I want to see the electric water parade what should I request? Is that same side as the pool or opposite?

Also I can tell from diagram on this wonderful thread that there are two elevators. Do you go in the main entrance and then left or right to your elevator or are there other entrances? Would like close to elevator. I'm assuming south side is closest to sky bridge, correct?

Thanks!

Great guestion. I also need to know the answer. I have been studying this awesome thread for two months before I make a room request for October. Sure someone will answer us soon

 

[WDWKOOK]

First day of spring break here in NoVA and there is snow everywhere. Good thing I have a new ticker and can look forward to being at the CR soon

Hi - We are just back from a 6 night stay at the CR. Just thought I'd share some thoughts on our stay. We were there for a convention for my DH and were lucky enough to get a BLV tower room on the 5th floor (thank you Jessica!!!). This was our 1st time in a tower room (did a garden wing room before). My kids were thrilled with having the monorails right outside the room. We loved having a balcony to hang out on during nap time.

The 5th floor had not been refurbished yet. The 6th floor was closed off all week but they finished the work on our last day and took down the barriers. I assume they started at the top and were working their way down and the 5th floor would be next. There was definitely a fair bit of wear and tear on the room.

We put the pack n play in the bathroom and it fit with plenty of room to spare. There was a fair bit of noise in the room. We were at the far end from Chef Mickey's but could hear the horn of the boats every morning starting at 6:30. Also, we could hear the squealing of the brakes of the monorails. No noise from Chef Mickey's. I'm a light sleeper and no one else heard these things.

It was very nice being so close to the restaurant for refills on the mug and bathroom runs when the baby was sleeping. My kids had fun with the pool games one afternoon and went to the evening movie the last night. They also loved watching the water parade from the room.

I had to do a fair bit of laundry and only 2 out of the 6 dryers were working properly. 3 were simply out of service and taped off so you couldn't even try to use them. The 4th was supposedly working, but after 3 cycles of drying, the clothes were still very wet. A waste of $6.00. For a deluxe resort, I expect everything to be in working order.

Bell services was very prompt both times that we used them. Overall great stay. I can't say that we'd ever spring for the CR, much less a tower room, during spring break, but since DH's work was covering it, it was awesome.

Oh, and I didn't see any sign of magic bands or FP+ being used or tested yet. Just an FYI.

Great review - thank you! Very frustrating with the washer/dryer. Under the best of circumstances, WDW dryers and especially CR dryers, I feel, do a poor job of drying and must be barely full of clothes to dry anything. I've learned this the hard way over the years and try to use as many dryers as possible with hardly anything in them

Regarding the boat horns, you either love 'em or hate 'em. At 0100 and 0630, guests have a tendency to hate them. I'm an early riser on vacation so it's not a problem in the morning for me, but it was annoying to me at BWI when during EMH they were still tooting in front of our room around 0100. I really love the boat horns (and the train horn), but if you have a lagoon or lake view room, some can be bothered by it.

Are you planning another trip?

Glad you had a good trip!


Need some help with studio request. We have LV booked and I've read enough here to know to request north for possible MK view. But I think I'd prefer the lake view. Lol If I want to see the electric water parade what should I request? Is that same side as the pool or opposite?

Also I can tell from diagram on this wonderful thread that there are two elevators. Do you go in the main entrance and then left or right to your elevator or are there other entrances? Would like close to elevator. I'm assuming south side is closest to sky bridge, correct?

Thanks!

If you book LV and want to see the EWP, then an outer south-side villa or any inner villa will work. We prefer outer so that we don't overlook other rooms. Outer LV villas on the south overlook the CR and marina area and outer villas on the north side overlook the tennis courts and some have a partial MK view to the left.

The elevators are to the left and right as you walk in the main front entrance. The South-side is closest to the Skybridge. This is the sign you will see behind the front desk to your right in the lobby:

The elevator is a short walk away on the right and this is the sign you will find:

Great guestion. I also need to know the answer. I have been studying this awesome thread for two months before I make a room request for October. Sure someone will answer us soon

If your questions aren't fully answered here, the BLT Room View/Number thread by work2play is very helpful and knowledgable of all things BLT room location related. The link is on the first page.

 

[Lazor460]

Hi! We have booked a GW standard view for Sept! It is our first time staying at CR. So excited!! But I was wondering should we request somewhere specific? And if we make a request is there a charge? Thanks for any help!!

Leslie

 

[toodycat]

We booked a one bedroom lake view. I just called yesterday to request a high floor on the south side with even numbers. We want to really see the lake and EWP. This should do the trick, assuming they can honor my request, right? This is our first trip to BLT. We are usually at the GF, but this year we decided to spread out a little. If anyone has any advice or recommendations for what to do or how to pack, we would really appreciate it.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi! We have booked a GW standard view for Sept! It is our first time staying at CR. So excited!! But I was wondering should we request somewhere specific? And if we make a request is there a charge? Thanks for any help!!

Leslie

Congratulations, Leslie. There is never a charge for placing a request into your reservation. The easiest way to do this is to do it through the WDTC or through your TA, (if you aren't book Club Level). It's best to make sure your request is in your reservation at least 3-5 days prior to arrival, as this is the period when your reservation is dropped into the resort's system and the room assignor will see it.

If you booked a STD GW room then the only request you could really add would be a floor request. The ground floor has a patio and the other floors do not have a balcony, but some prefer to be higher so as to be further up from the parking lot and up closer to the monorail.

We booked a one bedroom lake view. I just called yesterday to request a high floor on the south side with even numbers. We want to really see the lake and EWP. This should do the trick, assuming they can honor my request, right? This is our first trip to BLT. We are usually at the GF, but this year we decided to spread out a little. If anyone has any advice or recommendations for what to do or how to pack, we would really appreciate it.

High floor, South Side, Outer Villa was our request and we were very happy with this. You can go out onto two balconies and watch the EWP at 10:05 or you can watch it from the floor to ceiling living room window.

As you know, you can't walk to the MK from GF, but you will be able to from CR/BLT which is very convenient. The parking is also more convenient since it's in front of the resort and not across the street. I would recommend the Wave for breakfast. They have a wonderful buffet and they aren't ever very crowded at breakfast. Also, behind the pool there are lawn chairs in the sand and that's a wonderful place to sit and relax next to Bay Lake. If you have kids, you might want to use the Community Center where there are free activities and computers.

 

[cadale]

Quick question about room views: booked a 2br lv and a studio sv at BLT. I asked that they be as close as possible to each other. Any ideas on what floor to ask for? I would rather not be on a lower floor. I was hoping for some where by the walk bridge. I am concerned that they will be far apart because they are seperate views. I tried for a sv 2br but they were all gone.

 

[LSU25]

How hard is it to book a magic kingdom view room? We are planning on January 2013 and I really want the Magic Kingdom view. Would it be over kill to call now and book it or should I have success booking it later this summer? Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

For those interested in seeing behind the scenes photos of the California Grill rehab, a CAG chef has been tweeting demolition photos since the rehab began here:

https://twitter.com/CalGrillchef

 

[WDWKOOK]

Quick question about room views: booked a 2br lv and a studio sv at BLT. I asked that they be as close as possible to each other. Any ideas on what floor to ask for? I would rather not be on a lower floor. I was hoping for some where by the walk bridge. I am concerned that they will be far apart because they are seperate views. I tried for a sv 2br but they were all gone.

I can't answer that, but I'm sure someone else here could or on Work2Play's BLT Room Views thread.

How hard is it to book a magic kingdom view room? We are planning on January 2013 and I really want the Magic Kingdom view. Would it be over kill to call now and book it or should I have success booking it later this summer? Thanks!

There are fewer MKV/TPV CL rooms, so those might be more difficult, but I don't think that non-CL MKV rooms go that quickly at non-holiday times. You can book now and add any discounts that are applicable later

 

[LSU25]

Thanks! I'm going to talk to my DH tonight.

 

[psac]

For those interested in seeing behind the scenes photos of the California Grill rehab, a CAG chef has been tweeting demolition photos since the rehab began here:

https://twitter.com/CalGrillchef

Thanks for posting, neat pictures.

Quick question about room views: booked a 2br lv and a studio sv at BLT. I asked that they be as close as possible to each other. Any ideas on what floor to ask for? I would rather not be on a lower floor. I was hoping for some where by the walk bridge. I am concerned that they will be far apart because they are seperate views. I tried for a sv 2br but they were all gone.

You have some conflicting desires. The standard view rooms are in the first couple of floors not facing Magic Kingdom, or 1-5 (give or take) facing MK. Your best bet to be on the same floor would be one of the "higher" floor (like 4 or 5) MK-facing standard view rooms (which might be hard to get, since everyone would want those) and a lake view room elsewhere in the ring on the same floor. The walk bridge is on 5, so if you request fifth floor for both rooms, you could get lucky.

 

[disneynanacat]

First day of spring break here in NoVA and there is snow everywhere. Good thing I have a new ticker and can look forward to being at the CR soon


If you book LV and want to see the EWP, then an outer south-side villa or any inner villa will work. We prefer outer so that we don't overlook other rooms. Outer LV villas on the south overlook the CR and marina area and outer villas on the north side overlook the tennis courts and some have a partial MK view to the left.

The elevators are to the left and right as you walk in the main front entrance. The South-side is closest to the Skybridge. This is the sign you will see behind the front desk to your right in the lobby:

The elevator is a short walk away on the right and this is the sign you will find:

If your questions aren't fully answered here, the BLT Room View/Number thread by work2play is very helpful and knowledgable of all things BLT room location related. The link is on the first page.

Thank you so much! I think I'll request outer south side. Snowing here in Kentucky too. It happens sometimes. I remember a few snows on Derby Day!

 

[twodogs]

Do 2 bedroom villas at BLT have salt and pepper? I seem to remember coffee, sugar and creamer but can't remember if salt and pepper are there? Also is some of the coffee decaf? Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you so much! I think I'll request outer south side. Snowing here in Kentucky too. It happens sometimes. I remember a few snows on Derby Day!

You're welcome. I grew-up in IN and recall every year when spring arrived saying that it could still snow because one time it snowed on my dad's birthday in the middle of April.

You guys have been hit hard this winter - think happy, warm WDW thoughts!

Do 2 bedroom villas at BLT have salt and pepper? I seem to remember coffee, sugar and creamer but can't remember if salt and pepper are there? Also is some of the coffee decaf? Thanks!

No salt and pepper (though Contempo Cafe has it in packets) but, YES to the decaf. There are packets of sugar for the coffee.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Little late with this, but does anyone know what they are doing with the Olympiad?

From the DIS:

Olympiad Fitness Center closed 3/18/2013- 4/4/2013. Guests may use Grand Republic A in the convention center where a temporary fitness center has been set up.

 

[closetmickey]

Good Morning!
Anyone with any new pictures of the rehabbed/refurbished rooms?