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

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

thanks...that's a great idea~ I know for sure my MIL wants to golf and the courses at disney look great so they could always golf and meet us somewhere afterwards. Plus my FIL wants to take the older girls fishing so he and my husband could do that while we go to the spa at the GF. I was trying to think about everyone's different vacation styles and think CR would work best. Like you I am a disney nut and would love it in my face all the time! LOL

If I can snag a discount on garden wing rooms maybe we could do that...did you get a discount??

Hi! I just had to respond to you. As someone with very interesting family dynamics, I have to tell you: Choose your resort and let them know your plans! You are all adults and should have a say in where you each will be comfortable. CR is very convenient with small children and even if it wasn't, that is where you want to stay! You can easily meet up in the parks, for ADRs, and if they want to spend time with your kids. Life is all about choices. If they choose not to use their RCI points, then that is fine. If you choose to stay at CR, that is fine too. Disney is far too expensive to plan a trip that you are not 100% happy with. You are not required to stay with them. Would you like to? Yes. But again, you can not be help hostage to the wishes of others, especially if they are coming on a trip you had already planned. Be kind and sweet and tell them what your plans are. Then tell them they are welcome to join in on any part that they want. Period...end of story!
On another note, we scored a GW discount for July and are looking forward to our first CR stay. Poly is our usual, so we are trying something new. Hope we love it!

 

[AirGoofy]

I just have an opinion question....what do people think is the perfect age for splurging at WDW for theme park view??? I have read comments that as kids get older they aren't in their rooms that much so it would be a waste of $$$...so I am wondering if it is better when they are younger??

I'm sure you'll get lots of answers. I'm going to say the younger the better, as it is all real.

We took ours the first time (Allstars) when oldest was 3 and youngest was 15 months. That first trip, our youngest was scared of all the characters, but oldest was speechless she was so happy. The next year, we did PoP, and both enjoyed the characters, with youngest not liking Buzz light year and Stitch. But, it was all real - just like Christmas morning. The following year, another dose of magic, and we bought DVC, did two trips a year a couple times, and have stayed at them all (except BC).

As they aged, they just seemed more in amazement at each resort. However, the one that gets the most significant reaction is still BLT. At 11 & 8, the magic of the characters has faded (although is still there like it is in me), but the amazement of seeing Cinderella's castle is still there and something we all talk about often.

 

[hgeisler]

Thanks. I want honest opinions so thank u!

We have only stayed onsite once and it was this past year at the Poly and we loved it! My girls loved seeing the castle from the pool so I think they would love seeing it from their room!

I am not sure how much my inlaws really understand how much there is to do at disney and that we are wanting the convenience of the CR. we will be spending a lot o time at MK.

i am thinking it might be tough to convince her to stay onsite and thought this might be a compromise. To be honest my DH and I only want to stay at deluxe resorts. we like the convenience of it and if we have to take buses to every resort and fold a stroller up we might as well stay at Bonnet Creek. to my mom she thinks I am spoiled. lol. but we like to splurge and I think my older girls are at a great age to stay there

I am going through this as well. It is my kid's first trip, and we booked a theme park view room. My dh wanted to pay for my mom and his mom, but my sister-in-law invited herself, her dh, and her dd and decided she didn't want to pay to stay there. So, my mil decided to stay with her off site.
The way I look at it...you stay where you want to stay so your trip is not spoiled because they are being difficult. Let them figure their end out, and they can meet you in the parks, or any other adr's they might be able to reserve at the same time as you.
It sounds harsh, but my trip was all about my children experiencing Disney for the first time, not about changing my plans for an adult that acts like a child when she doesn't get her way:/

 

[princessap]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;48211198]Hi! I just had to respond to you. As someone with very interesting family dynamics, I have to tell you: Choose your resort and let them know your plans! You are all adults and should have a say in where you each will be comfortable. CR is very convenient with small children and even if it wasn't, that is where you want to stay! You can easily meet up in the parks, for ADRs, and if they want to spend time with your kids. Life is all about choices. If they choose not to use their RCI points, then that is fine. If you choose to stay at CR, that is fine too. Disney is far too expensive to plan a trip that you are not 100% happy with. You are not required to stay with them. Would you like to? Yes. But again, you can not be help hostage to the wishes of others, especially if they are coming on a trip you had already planned. Be kind and sweet and tell them what your plans are. Then tell them they are welcome to join in on any part that they want. Period...end of story!
On another note, we scored a GW discount for July and are looking forward to our first CR stay. Poly is our usual, so we are trying something new. Hope we love it![/QUOTE]

Thanks! I needed to hear that! We stayed at poly this year and loved it...my DH would stay there again as he liked the size of the room. Do you mind me asking what you paid for garden wing?? that is what I was thinking and then if I can save up enough then switch to TPV/

 

[princessap]

I am going through this as well. It is my kid's first trip, and we booked a theme park view room. My dh wanted to pay for my mom and his mom, but my sister-in-law invited herself, her dh, and her dd and decided she didn't want to pay to stay there. So, my mil decided to stay with her off site.
The way I look at it...you stay where you want to stay so your trip is not spoiled because they are being difficult. Let them figure their end out, and they can meet you in the parks, or any other adr's they might be able to reserve at the same time as you.
It sounds harsh, but my trip was all about my children experiencing Disney for the first time, not about changing my plans for an adult that acts like a child when she doesn't get her way:/

Thanks!!! It is my dream to stay at CR TPV so I will probably do it! My oldest is starting to question if things are real becasue of her friends at school so I want one last trip where all the magic is there!!!
Thanks for your advice.

 

[DisneyFans222]

I just have an opinion question....what do people think is the perfect age for splurging at WDW for theme park view??? I have read comments that as kids get older they aren't in their rooms that much so it would be a waste of $$$...so I am wondering if it is better when they are younger??

Personally, I have taken my children to WDW collectively 35+ times (always staying on property) and I have never splurged on TPV rooms. My philosophy is why would I pay for the up sell price of a TPV over a garden or lake view, for the 20 minute firework show put on each evening and a long distance view of the Castle. We can view the fireworks from other places on the hotel property and we get up close and personal with the Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc. when we are at the parks. My rationale has always been that for us using the money saved on the room to make memories at Chef Mickey's ($$$), renting a boat, taking a fireworks cruise, or hiring an in room sitter and enjoying an adults only evening made more sense and has worked out beautifully.

My youngest child and are booked into CR on an AP discount over July 4th and while I originally booked a GW room, I have since switched to a Tower-BLV because of the need to have a balcony due to claustrophobia issues. We will as we have in the past scope out the best vantage point for fw viewing and join the number of other families that do the same. Have a fabulous vacation no matter how all the details come together!!!

 

[applefans]

.

 

[princessap]

Personally, I have taken my children to WDW collectively 35+ times (always staying on property) and I have never splurged on TPV rooms. My philosophy is why would I pay for the up sell price of a TPV over a garden or lake view, for the 20 minute firework show put on each evening and a long distance view of the Castle. We can view the fireworks from other places on the hotel property and we get up close and personal with the Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc. when we are at the parks. My rationale has always been that for us using the money saved on the room to make memories at Chef Mickey's ($$$), renting a boat, taking a fireworks cruise, or hiring an in room sitter and enjoying an adults only evening made more sense and has worked out beautifully.

My youngest child and are booked into CR on an AP discount over July 4th and while I originally booked a GW room, I have since switched to a Tower-BLV because of the need to have a balcony due to claustrophobia issues. We will as we have in the past scope out the best vantage point for fw viewing and join the number of other families that do the same. Have a fabulous vacation no matter how all the details come together!!!

thanks...that's one of our reasons for wanting tower too is for the balcony..my DH and I like to sit out there when the girls are sleeping. When I priced out lake view or theme park view the difference wasn't that much more if I remember correctly. Of course this all is dependent upon discounts being released. We stayed garden view at POLY and loved it so that is still a consideration too

 

[princessap]

I'm sure you'll get lots of answers. I'm going to say the younger the better, as it is all real.

We took ours the first time (Allstars) when oldest was 3 and youngest was 15 months. That first trip, our youngest was scared of all the characters, but oldest was speechless she was so happy. The next year, we did PoP, and both enjoyed the characters, with youngest not liking Buzz light year and Stitch. But, it was all real - just like Christmas morning. The following year, another dose of magic, and we bought DVC, did two trips a year a couple times, and have stayed at them all (except BC).

As they aged, they just seemed more in amazement at each resort. However, the one that gets the most significant reaction is still BLT. At 11 & 8, the magic of the characters has faded (although is still there like it is in me), but the amazement of seeing Cinderella's castle is still there and something we all talk about often.

Thanks...it really is my dream to stay TPV at CR...so one day and am just wondering if sooner is better

 

[lmhall2000]

I.


Well, welcome back! I believe the slide was a BLT slide which means that you have to be a registered guest at BLT to use the pool which has keyed access. BTW, congratulations on being only 5 pounds within goal
?

Aww! I WISH!! I have lost 75 pounds and have 45 more to go...but have already lost 9 pounds since April 1st and tomorrow is my weigh day so hopefully I can lose 15 this month and well on my goal weight the day before we leave for the Contemporary!! So sad that I got up that high (had 2 mortgages for 31 months and gained more than I lost the last time!) I weighed 175ish when we went to Contemporary the last time (8 years ago)and had lost over 60 pounds to get there...this is the FINAL hurrah, so it's kind of neat that we are staying at the Contemporary again! The rooms are all different and while I liked the bright colors I find the new decor sooo relaxing!!!

This is really motivating me to make it to GOAL!!! I think I'll break down and cry honestly, but until that moment, I am working out everyday and sticking to a healthy diet!!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Sorry to ask again but post appeared to buried a few pages back.


How long/far is the walk from garden wing to the tower? My biggest concern is filling our refillable mugs. Hubby is a big coffee drinker likes it the moment he wakes, I realize rooms have a coffee maker but the coffee that comes from them is just ehhh! Lol

I'm surprised they wouldn't have put a drink station in the garden wing.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

If you are staying in the furthest room from the CR, walking on the Lake side, it is less than .25 mi walk (which is anywhere from 4-6 minutes)

 

[psac]

thanks...that's a great idea~ I know for sure my MIL wants to golf and the courses at disney look great so they could always golf and meet us somewhere afterwards. Plus my FIL wants to take the older girls fishing so he and my husband could do that while we go to the spa at the GF. I was trying to think about everyone's different vacation styles and think CR would work best. Like you I am a disney nut and would love it in my face all the time! LOL

If I can snag a discount on garden wing rooms maybe we could do that...did you get a discount??

You'll be in separate rooms, correct? So why not let them book GW and you book TPV? It's not like booking CR and Poly, the GW is really close and it would be easy for them to meet you at the walkway, monorail, etc. Maybe they would like the Bay Lake view more (if they book that), and they would get the lower cost, and essentially, they would be the ones with the extra walk to meet up with you, with maybe the exception of you dropping off the kids for babysitting. (Unless they babysat in your room for a Wishes night.). That might make everyone happy. Besides, even if you were both in the GW, there is no guarantee you would get adjoining rooms anyway.

 

[katydoll]

Hello friends!

I haven't been on the boards in ages, but we leave Sunday for a week at BLT and I've got a couple of questions.

First, how many towels can each person have at the pool? I have a dd on the autism spectrum who HATES the feeling of being wet when she gets out of the pool. (Loves it in the water...but not out!) I'm trying to decide if I need to pack extra beach towels. Hate to do it b/c they take up so much space!

Second, is there a shower for washing hair at the pool? Again, b/c of her sensory issues, she usually does better if we can get out of the pool and straight into a warm shower.

I am SO, SO, SO excited about staying at CR/BLT! We've stayed at most of the properties, but never this one, and since I was a little girl it's always held a certain mystique for me. I always wanted to be the family getting off the monorail at the Contemporary!

Thanks in advance for your tips!

 

[AirGoofy]

Hello friends!

I haven't been on the boards in ages, but we leave Sunday for a week at BLT and I've got a couple of questions.

First, how many towels can each person have at the pool? I have a dd on the autism spectrum who HATES the feeling of being wet when she gets out of the pool. (Loves it in the water...but not out!) I'm trying to decide if I need to pack extra beach towels. Hate to do it b/c they take up so much space!

Second, is there a shower for washing hair at the pool? Again, b/c of her sensory issues, she usually does better if we can get out of the pool and straight into a warm shower.

I am SO, SO, SO excited about staying at CR/BLT! We've stayed at most of the properties, but never this one, and since I was a little girl it's always held a certain mystique for me. I always wanted to be the family getting off the monorail at the Contemporary!

Thanks in advance for your tips!

At BLT, the towels are in the self-service bin where you take the ones you need. I'm not sure there is a limit, but I would think you could get by with a few towels as needed. They have the poolside rinse your body/hair before entering in the pool. There was a shower in the men's BLT bathroom by the pool, so I assume there would be one in the women's bathroom. Have a great trip.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[katydoll]

Thanks!!

 

[Cotillard]

LOVE the new room updates!! So excited we rebooked back to the CR!! Can not wait!! Now I am more motivated to get to my goal weight by our trip!!!

I hope to get to CR very soon. Enjoy your trip and good luck with your weight loss

Great link and thanks much for posting it here! Lots of great photos of the rehab and Deluxe room and one bedroom GW suite. I'll have to post a link on the first page, and give you credit for the link

Thanks!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

LOVE the new room updates!! So excited we rebooked back to the CR!! Can not wait!! Now I am more motivated to get to my goal weight by our trip!!!

Soooo excited for you!!! And congrats on your weight loss too!!. I have also lost weight (around 60), but just gained 10 pounds back during my trip last week. . Oh well.....worth every ounce....and now back on track!! Best wishes to you!!!


Hey all......I forgot to mention how WONDERFUL I slept at the CR!!!! OMG......LIKE A BABY.....EVERY NIGHT!!!!! I want that mattress, comforter, oh......AND that view!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks. I am so surprised she is like this. She is not a penny pincher by any means for herself, drives a Mercedes, golfs, travels etc. but when it comes to spending Money on others she just doesn't do it. But my FIL does. Weird eh? She doesn't buy our girls much and I don't expect her too. But I thought for our one trip to WDW together she would spend the money. Will let u know what happens!

Thanks for your kind words as well

Good luck with everything. Like I said in my previous post, don't try talking her into staying at the CR, but show her how convenient it would be and let her make the final decision. Try to enjoy the planning and try not to stress too much about it .

Maybe we should each do our own thing and just meet up at parks and dinners?!

This actually wouldn't be a bad idea, IMO .

Mickeynut1....have you booked yet?

Not yet . I'm still trying to make a decision about APs. If we get APs this trip, I will be booking room only and getting the TiW card for meals. If we don't do APs, we will probably book a package with the DDP. I'm just trying to avoid booking one type of reservation and then cancelling and rebooking the other if things change.

It is my dream to stay at CR TPV so I will probably do it! My oldest is starting to question if things are real becasue of her friends at school so I want one last trip where all the magic is there!!!
Thanks for your advice.

I think you just made your decision .

When I priced out lake view or theme park view the difference wasn't that much more if I remember correctly.

I found the same to be true when I was pricing things out.

it really is my dream to stay TPV at CR...so one day and am just wondering if sooner is better

I say go for it .

Aww! I WISH!! I have lost 75 pounds and have 45 more to go...but have already lost 9 pounds since April 1st and tomorrow is my weigh day so hopefully I can lose 15 this month and well on my goal weight the day before we leave for the Contemporary!! So sad that I got up that high (had 2 mortgages for 31 months and gained more than I lost the last time!) I weighed 175ish when we went to Contemporary the last time (8 years ago)and had lost over 60 pounds to get there...this is the FINAL hurrah, so it's kind of neat that we are staying at the Contemporary again! The rooms are all different and while I liked the bright colors I find the new decor sooo relaxing!!!

This is really motivating me to make it to GOAL!!! I think I'll break down and cry honestly, but until that moment, I am working out everyday and sticking to a healthy diet!!

Just wanted to say congrats on the weight loss .

I haven't been on the boards in ages, but we leave Sunday for a week at BLT and I've got a couple of questions.

I am SO, SO, SO excited about staying at CR/BLT! We've stayed at most of the properties, but never this one, and since I was a little girl it's always held a certain mystique for me. I always wanted to be the family getting off the monorail at the Contemporary!

Thanks in advance for your tips!

I can't help with any questions, but wanted to say have a great trip and I hope you enjoy the CR .

I forgot to mention how WONDERFUL I slept at the CR!!!! OMG......LIKE A BABY.....EVERY NIGHT!!!!! I want that mattress, comforter, oh......AND that view!!

Glad to hear this as I was wondering how comfortable the beds were .

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Thanks! I needed to hear that! We stayed at poly this year and loved it...my DH would stay there again as he liked the size of the room. Do you mind me asking what you paid for garden wing?? that is what I was thinking and then if I can save up enough then switch to TPV/

$261.00 per night which is about $296.00 per night with tax.

 

[princessap]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;48219084]$261.00 per night which is about $296.00 per night with tax.[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much. We paid 306 for the poly garden view this year and thought that was great price so 296 for cr is great. Is that standard or garden view?