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

[princessap]

I always think its better to book and then try to apply discounts if they come out rather than not book and have it sell out.

thanks! Does theme park view sell out quickly?? I have been looking with the summer offer and all dates I put in it is available

 

[tcherjen]

Hoping to rent points in January 2014 for August 2014!!!! My family and I really want to stay here!!

 

[CoolPool]

Would the Wishes Dessert Party be overkill if staying CL at CR (and could just watch from the lounge)? I'm not a crowd person so either way would be a relief from standing on the pavement.

 

[babyberger]

Would the Wishes Dessert Party be overkill if staying CL at CR (and could just watch from the lounge)? I'm not a crowd person so either way would be a relief from standing on the pavement.

For our Dec trip we had a BLV room booked and the Wishes Dessert Party. Then the CL rooms opened up with an AP disc and we decided to swap out the Dessert Party for CL, well CL cost a lot more But we loved grabbing some CL desserts and sitting on the lounge balcony and watching Wishes. No crowds to fight getting out of the park, no hassle, it was honestly perfect. And because the music is pipped in on the balcony you don't even miss that. I do know people who love the Dessert Party, but then again they aren't staying at CR CL and have that magnificent view!

 

[CoolPool]

For our Dec trip we had a BLV room booked and the Wishes Dessert Party. Then the CL rooms opened up with an AP disc and we decided to swap out the Dessert Party for CL, well CL cost a lot more But we loved grabbing some CL desserts and sitting on the lounge balcony and watching Wishes. No crowds to fight getting out of the park, no hassle, it was honestly perfect. And because the music is pipped in on the balcony you don't even miss that. I do know people who love the Dessert Party, but then again they aren't staying at CR CL and have that magnificent view!

Thank you! That sounds perfect!

 

[babyberger]

KOOK did you ever get through to add your day today Are you really going to stay at CR for 11 nts and not sneak over to the OFC for a few of those nights

You know how I feel about your advice

I am so happy to have something booked again and of course to have that be at CR/BLT. The funny thing is that DH told me if BLT doesn't get discounted we will have to downgrade to CR

Oh, funny story....we were talking this weekend about booking a quick weekend in May and told DS that if we book it would not be at the CR because prices are too high right now. He looked at us and said if he cant stay at CR, he would rather not go He finally said he would settle for YC if we couldn't do CR, but there was no way he would stay at any of the All Stars DH looked at me and said he definitely gets that from me

Melissa

 

[mickeynut1]

I just tried to add on another night to our CR/CL reservation so that we could stay 11 nights instead of 10. ("Please, take my money WDTC"). But, the WDTC TA told me that the entire reservation system has been down since this morning (for "enhancements") and I should call back in a couple of hours. I know it's not her fault, but why can't the phone system let callers know it's down at the start of their call rather than after going through 5 minutes of prompts and then hold time? Rant over, I'll try again later...

Have you booked yet? Have you booked yet? Just don't call now

Yes, the Wave's breakfast buffet and their waitstaff have always been great when we've dined there. I highly recommend it for breakfast, but I wasn't crazy about their dinner service and I haven't tried it at lunch.

I'm sorry you weren't able to add another night.....hopefully the computers are (or will be) back up and you're able to extend your trip .

I have not booked yet, but I'm hoping to soon. I think I've decided on the room type, now just trying to make a decision on room only or package. Leaning toward room only, but still debating .

Glad to hear good reviews of the Wave for breakfast. We always book a TS breakfast at our resort on our departure day and I assumed it would be Chef Mickey's for our CR stay, but I think I'll have to look into the Wave now .

thanks Kook! I am so excited and am sure I will have tons of questions over the next few months while I wait to book!

I take it from the comments on here you are the expert!!
looking forward to you helping me out

Yes, KOOK is one of the CR experts, IMO .

I am waiting for packages to come out but maybe I should be booking room only right now?! My reasoning for not doing that is someone said that they won't release discounts for CR if the rooms are booked up and the only way we would stay there is with a discount so does it make sense to wait? because if I need to rebook with discount doesn't there have to be rooms available under the discount??

If you want a package, it's probably best to wait until the 2014 rates are released. If you book room only now and change to a package later, the room only will have to be cancelled/refunded and the package booked, requiring a new $200 deposit. Room only and packages are different reservation systems, so money paid toward one cannot be applied to the other.

As far as discounts, your are correct that if a certain resort/room type is booking up, Disney will see no need to offer that particular resort and/or room type at a discount (or it may be offered at a lower discount). If you will only book TPV with a discount, I would wait to see what discounts (if any) are released. It's easy to have a discount applied to an existing reservation, but the resort/room type you have booked has to be available under the discount in order to do that.

WOW...that seems so far in advance! How did you book so far ahead?? making me worry that I wont get a theme park view next february!

As the pp said, you can book room only 499 days out, with a required deposit equal to 1 night's room rate + tax. If you are booking for 2014, you will be quoted the highest rate for 2013 for that room type, which will automatically be adjusted once the new rates are released.

Just wondering if I should book now or wait for discounts?!?!?!

If you will only book TPV with a discount, I'd wait to book because that room type will have to be available under any discounts that may come out as having a reservation already in place does not guarantee a discount can be applied.

For our Dec trip we had a BLV room booked and the Wishes Dessert Party. Then the CL rooms opened up with an AP disc and we decided to swap out the Dessert Party for CL, well CL cost a lot more But we loved grabbing some CL desserts and sitting on the lounge balcony and watching Wishes. No crowds to fight getting out of the park, no hassle, it was honestly perfect. And because the music is pipped in on the balcony you don't even miss that. I do know people who love the Dessert Party, but then again they aren't staying at CR CL and have that magnificent view!

I have considered the dessert party, but just can't seem to decide whether or not it's worth it. You make a good point about CR CL and having the view as well as desserts/snacks while watching Wishes (and no crowds ). However, even if we weren't staying CR CL, I'm still hesitant to book it as I'm just not convinced it's worth it .

 

[jlcd]

Is the 4th floor observation deck for watching Wishes closed due to construction? Thought I read that somewhere but now I can't find it. TIA!

 

[babyberger]

Is the 4th floor observation deck for watching Wishes closed due to construction? Thought I tread that somewhere but now I can't find it. TIA!

It was when I was there in Feb. it was being used as a staging area for the 14th and 15th floor renovations. My guess is that it is still closed but I don't know for sure.

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[RapunzelsGoodMom]

Would the Wishes Dessert Party be overkill if staying CL at CR (and could just watch from the lounge)? I'm not a crowd person so either way would be a relief from standing on the pavement.

Totally depends. We usually do LV so the party is great for us. With two Little ones, having a seat until it starts is priceless. Plus pretty good desserts. No crowds, somewhere to sit and wait on the clouds to clear after, I think it is definitely worth it. We usually do it on a non-ELP evening and eat early at BLT. Then leisurely enjoy he desserts and show. Just depends on your touring style (and room location, kids ages, etc.).

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Though I've never taken ME, I believe it always picks up guests at least 3 hours prior to your flight time, so you would be picked up at 3.

ME picks you up approximately 3 hours before flight time (exact time will be assigned in a letter of instructions and sent to your resort room). If you want to use the resort airline check-in desk, you have to do that at least three hours before flight time, or you will take your bags with you on ME and check them in at the airport. Call the number on the instruction letter prior to using the resort airline check-in desk to pre-pay any baggage fees.

Renting points are from individuals, like me, who purchased a point based Disney time share. BLT is one of those time share resorts at WDW. You can attempt to rent from individual owners. There are also several DisBoard sponsors over in the DVC section of these boards that rent points as a business. They have contracts and will charge half up front/ final payment before check in. You may want to check that out.



I can't answer about ME as we drive. The boat from CR dock to FW is the best route. It is a part of the CR, FW, WL loop. It is a short trip over - 15 minutes max - and short walk up to HDDR. Remember, even though you have the ADR, you still have to get the HDDR tickets. Concierge at CR should be able to print those out for you, unless something recently has changed.

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Thank you all very much for the info! We have never used the ME before and never stayed deluxe so your info is so valuable to me

 

[princessap]

Have a great time!! I cannot wait to stay here next trip!

 

[Raya]

Pool help, please?

My favorite resort is YC/BC because I love to sit in the shade by the pool. I can't handle much sun and that complex is just perfect for me. However CR is DH's favorite.... So that's where we're staying. Are there any shady area by the pool? Maybe with lounge chairs and drink service? (Yes I'm daydreaming on that one.)

We're looking at a mid- to late- October stay so maybe it won't even be swimming weather but still.....

And while I'm here any ideas on the travel time from CR to EPCOT via monorail? Are we better off getting a bus?

 

[AirGoofy]

Pool help, please?

My favorite resort is YC/BC because I love to sit in the shade by the pool. I can't handle much sun and that complex is just perfect for me. However CR is DH's favorite.... So that's where we're staying. Are there any shady area by the pool? Maybe with lounge chairs and drink service? (Yes I'm daydreaming on that one.)

We're looking at a mid- to late- October stay so maybe it won't even be swimming weather but still.....

And while I'm here any ideas on the travel time from CR to EPCOT via monorail? Are we better off getting a bus?

There are cabanas you can rent at the CR pool. I'm not sure of the cost or if it entails drink service, but that may be an option. There are some large trees that provide som shade and a pool side bar that makes very good drinks. I do not remember there being a bus to Epcot, so monorail is the only way to go, unless you want to walk over to MK and double bus ride that way. It is an enjoyable monorail ride over, maybe 30 minutes, but that would depend on the time at the platform and transferring at TTC.

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[princessap]

Oh the cabanas sound like a great idea!!! might have to look into those!

 

[princessap]

I have a question about the pools...I was hoping that the pool at CR was zero entry for our youngest daughter but I found out it isn't. i was told by a CM that CR guests can use BLT pool....but I read on here that they cannot. Does anyone know for sure? the one at BLT is zero entry so we might head there one day.
thanks

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Oh my goodness. So I've been second guessing how much we're going to enjoy our standard view studio at BLT this September and if we'll regret not staying at some of our other favorite resorts (Poly, OKW, WL) and I just looked at the room view link. Thank you so much for posting this!! I had it in my mind that a standard view was going to be a bland, boring view of like a wall or dumpster, but I would be so excited to have any of those room views!! I am incredibly excited!!

 

[Gryhndmom]

It was when I was there in Feb. it was being used as a staging area for the 14th and 15th floor renovations. My guess is that it is still closed but I don't know for sure.

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Were we there at the same time in Feb? DH and I were there to kill ourselves at the Princess Half Marathon 21-26 Feb.

Now those mean 'ole run disney people have added a 10K to the full marathon week at the end of Jan....hmmmm...do I just make a res at CR or BLT and then just let DH scream when he gets the credit card bill?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Two questions (which of course will lead to other questions I am sure):

1-I reserved my Two Bedroom-Lake View room renting points through David's. Do all two BR's come with the studio 2nd room with the kitchenette? If not, how do I find out if mine does or not?

2-Since I have rented points through a DVC owner, are we allowed use of the TOW lounge for Wishes viewing?

 

[AirGoofy]

I have a question about the pools...I was hoping that the pool at CR was zero entry for our youngest daughter but I found out it isn't. i was told by a CM that CR guests can use BLT pool....but I read on here that they cannot. Does anyone know for sure? the one at BLT is zero entry so we might head there one day.
thanks

This may be outdated info, but it was my understanding that those staying at BLT can use both pools, but those using the CR pools can only use the CR pool. I'm sure there are guests that use both and there is no pool police, unless perhaps if the pools are at capacity. The BLT pool has a key card entry if someone remembers to close the gate.

Two questions (which of course will lead to other questions I am sure):

1-I reserved my Two Bedroom-Lake View room renting points through David's. Do all two BR's come with the studio 2nd room with the kitchenette? If not, how do I find out if mine does or not?

2-Since I have rented points through a DVC owner, are we allowed use of the TOW lounge for Wishes viewing?

There is another website that lists the inventory, but I am not sure if there is a specific inventory of dedicated two bedrooms or lock offs. I have never booked a 2 BR anywhere, and am not sure if there is a seperate booking category at BLT. You could ask David's to make a request for you, but unless there is a booking category, there will not be a guarantee and you wouldn't know until you get there. As for the TOTWL, the policy has changed numerous times. It originally was for owners only staying there, then for owners staying anywhere, then who knows. I don't know the current policies, but more importantly, many of the CMs don't know it either as it has been enforced at times and not enforced other times. It also may change between now and the time you arrive. You are supposed to check in at the front desk in the evening to get to the only staffed elevator car with access. but, I have seen other guests bypass this step and just join in the car. Good luck on this one.

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