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

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

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?

Standard. We are staying only 2 nights before we go on the Disney Fantasy, so we wanted to me closest to MK (Our only park). I don't think we will be in the room much, but the daybed will be nice for our kids (DD10 and DS12) to not have to sleep together.

 

[princessap]

Thanks mickeynut! You know how to convince me! Lol

for anyone who books lake view can I ask why you book that versus theme park view? I was pricing out our options and there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the two? Am I wrong on that or missing something?

I think I am back to my original plan of booking garden wing and then if a discount comes up and we can afford to upgrade we will. Everyone's opinions on here helped me decide that I have to do what is right and what works for our family. I know in the end I would end up resenting anyone who changed our plans. Plus this is probably our last visit for a while until our youngest is older. And right now she is free so we should take advantage of that right? Lol. Anything to convince Ourselves! Ha ha

 

[princessap]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;48220181]Standard. We are staying only 2 nights before we go on the Disney Fantasy, so we wanted to me closest to MK (Our only park). I don't think we will be in the room much, but the daybed will be nice for our kids (DD10 and DS12) to not have to sleep together.[/QUOTE]

We did the same thing this year when we stayed at the poly. We only did MK and wanted somewhere close. We loved it but my DH likes trying new places ad cr has always been the dream resort for me! You will have to let me know what you thought of it!

 

[CoolPool]

Thanks mickeynut! You know how to convince me! Lol

for anyone who books lake view can I ask why you book that versus theme park view? I was pricing out our options and there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the two? Am I wrong on that or missing something?

We are trying the CR for the first time since the eighties. We knew we wanted CL. This way we have the calm Bay Lake view and we can watch the fireworks from the CL lounge. Just felt it was a more effective use of funds.

 

[lovegrumpy]

We got Mickey mail yesterday and I had to hide it. It says where we are staying and the kids have no idea where staying here.

 

[Wendy31]

Thanks mickeynut! You know how to convince me! Lol

for anyone who books lake view can I ask why you book that versus theme park view? I was pricing out our options and there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the two? Am I wrong on that or missing something?

I think I am back to my original plan of booking garden wing and then if a discount comes up and we can afford to upgrade we will. Everyone's opinions on here helped me decide that I have to do what is right and what works for our family. I know in the end I would end up resenting anyone who changed our plans. Plus this is probably our last visit for a while until our youngest is older. And right now she is free so we should take advantage of that right? Lol. Anything to convince Ourselves! Ha ha

Last year, we stayed at the CR for the 1st time & booked the Bay Lake side. We're staying there again this year, & we again booked the Bay Lake side.

While I would enjoy a nightly fireworks view, we book the Bay Lake side for the following reasons:

1. I request a room on a lower level, overlooking the pool. Our 2 older kids are old enough to go down to the pool by themselves. We'll often send them down to the pool ahead of us if they're changed into swimsuits & ready to go before we are. This way, DH & I can go out on the balcony to make sure they've made it down. Also, if younger DS is napping or goes to bed early, & either DH or I go down to the pool w/ the big kids, the other one of us can sit out on the balcony & watch the swimmers. I got some awesome pics last year of our kids on the pool slide & in the pool from our balcony.

2. DH loves the nightly Electric Boat Parade - one of his favorite things to do is sit out on the balcony, at the end of day, & watch the boat parade. It's one of the longest-running attractions at WDW, & we enjoy the "nostalgia" of it.

3a. The Bay Lake view is a really lovely view - the boats coming & going, the sunrises... it's just nice & peaceful.

3b. To me, the Magic Kingdom view is kind of "interrupted" by the parking lot - that's not to say I wouldn't love seeing the castle all lit up at night, & I'm pretty sure I could ignore the parking lot, given the opportunity. LOL! However, the Bay Lake view is just scenery - no parking lots or anything.

4a. It's less expensive. We can spend the difference somewhere else

4b. When you add up how many times we're actually in the room to see the fireworks, it's really not all that many, so we just don't feel like the extra cost is worth it.

*DISCLAIMER: However, I will say, last year, for our 1st night, we were given a room on the 11th floor (Bay Lake side), closest to Bay Lake Tower - we were 2 rooms from the end. (This was about as opposite as you could get from our requests - lower level, near Chef Mickey's, overlooking the pool - and we were moved down to the 5th floor, overlooking the pool, the next day.) Anyway, that first day, when we walked out of our room, the view of the castle was breathtaking! Since we were 2 rooms from the end, when we walked out of our room, we had this gorgeous view from the windows at the end of the building. I could imagine that rooms on that side of the building w/ a Magic Kingdom view would be wonderful!

 

[princessap]

Last year, we stayed at the CR for the 1st time & booked the Bay Lake side. We're staying there again this year, & we again booked the Bay Lake side.

While I would enjoy a nightly fireworks view, we book the Bay Lake side for the following reasons:

1. I request a room on a lower level, overlooking the pool. Our 2 older kids are old enough to go down to the pool by themselves. We'll often send them down to the pool ahead of us if they're changed into swimsuits & ready to go before we are. This way, DH & I can go out on the balcony to make sure they've made it down. Also, if younger DS is napping or goes to bed early, & either DH or I go down to the pool w/ the big kids, the other one of us can sit out on the balcony & watch the swimmers. I got some awesome pics last year of our kids on the pool slide & in the pool from our balcony.

2. DH loves the nightly Electric Boat Parade - one of his favorite things to do is sit out on the balcony, at the end of day, & watch the boat parade. It's one of the longest-running attractions at WDW, & we enjoy the "nostalgia" of it.

3a. The Bay Lake view is a really lovely view - the boats coming & going, the sunrises... it's just nice & peaceful.

3b. To me, the Magic Kingdom view is kind of "interrupted" by the parking lot - that's not to say I wouldn't love seeing the castle all lit up at night, & I'm pretty sure I could ignore the parking lot, given the opportunity. LOL! However, the Bay Lake view is just scenery - no parking lots or anything.

4a. It's less expensive. We can spend the difference somewhere else

4b. When you add up how many times we're actually in the room to see the fireworks, it's really not all that many, so we just don't feel like the extra cost is worth it.

*DISCLAIMER: However, I will say, last year, for our 1st night, we were given a room on the 11th floor (Bay Lake side), closest to Bay Lake Tower - we were 2 rooms from the end. (This was about as opposite as you could get from our requests - lower level, near Chef Mickey's, overlooking the pool - and we were moved down to the 5th floor, overlooking the pool, the next day.) Anyway, that first day, when we walked out of our room, the view of the castle was breathtaking! Since we were 2 rooms from the end, when we walked out of our room, we had this gorgeous view from the windows at the end of the building. I could imagine that rooms on that side of the building w/ a Magic Kingdom view would be wonderful!

Thanks. That's exactly the opinions I like hearing. when I was pricing it out the lake view and theme park didn't seem to be a huge difference so I wondered why people liked lake view. It sounds very peaceful.

Our kids are still young and I think they might be at the age where they have the "wow" of the castle still so that's why I am thinking about it.

We have always stayed offsite at bonnet creek and only done day trips. Even this year we stayed onsite but only two nights and only did MK. But we stayed at the poly and loved the convenience of it all! It was amazing. Next time we are staying a week and doing all the parks so I am thinking onsite is a must!

 

[NJRRK]

Our kids are still young and I think they might be at the age where they have the "wow" of the castle still so that's why I am thinking about it.

At what age does this stop?

This 52 year old "kid" sill has the wow if the castle, so does my mother who is 89!

 

[Wendy31]

I just posted a bunch of pics from our stay at the CR last September in the Contemporary Photo Thread!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks mickeynut! You know how to convince me! Lol

Everyone's opinions on here helped me decide that I have to do what is right and what works for our family. I know in the end I would end up resenting anyone who changed our plans. Plus this is probably our last visit for a while until our youngest is older. And right now she is free so we should take advantage of that right? Lol. Anything to convince Ourselves! Ha ha

Glad I could help .

I totally agree with your post here. You do have to do what's right for your family. If this will be your last trip for a while, I would go with what you want and let everyone else make the decision on what works best for them. If that happens to be staying at the CR with you, great; if not, you can always make arrangements to meet up for dinners, at the park, etc., but I think you will regret not staying at the CR if that is what you really want to do. Good luck and have fun with all of the planning .

We are trying the CR for the first time since the eighties. We knew we wanted CL. This way we have the calm Bay Lake view and we can watch the fireworks from the CL lounge. Just felt it was a more effective use of funds.

I am considering CL for our first CR stay and I am looking at this option as well. It seems to be the best of both worlds .

We got Mickey mail yesterday and I had to hide it. It says where we are staying and the kids have no idea where staying here.

Mickey mail is the best . What an exciting surprise for the kids!!!

We have always stayed offsite at bonnet creek and only done day trips. Even this year we stayed onsite but only two nights and only did MK. But we stayed at the poly and loved the convenience of it all! It was amazing. Next time we are staying a week and doing all the parks so I am thinking onsite is a must!

ITA....you can't beat the convenience .

At what age does this stop?

This 52 year old "kid" sill has the wow if the castle, so does my mother who is 89!

Me too .

I just posted a bunch of pics from our stay at the CR last September in the Contemporary Photo Thread!

Thanks for the heads up.....I will check them out as we are trying the CR for the first time in December .

 

[WDWKOOK]

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!!

You can do this! Do it for Disney

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)

Great information that I'm going to put on the first page - thank you.

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!

Take all the towels you want, but no, there isn't a shower in the women's bathroom poolside at BLT. I specifically checked last August, but there is a shower outside.

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!!

I've always found it to be the best night's sleep at WDW, too. (Well, the Presidential Suite at WL was probably the best.) Congrats on your weight loss!

for anyone who books lake view can I ask why you book that versus theme park view? I was pricing out our options and there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the two? Am I wrong on that or missing something?

Wendy31 did a great job of summarizing our BLV preference.

BLV is our favorite WDW view because of the illusion of being more secluded and we love looking out at Discovery Island and seeing all the birds. We don't want to see a parking lot below and we prefer not having other resorts/buildings directly in our balcony view line of sight. We can see Wishes from the lounge or CG, but Wishes isn't a must-do for us.

I think if you have small children, MVV/TPV is extra magical with having the castle/MK and Wishes within view when you're in your room. It used to be that when you booked CL, you couldn't book the view and it was by-request only. I think it's great that guests can book exactly what they prefer.

We are trying the CR for the first time since the eighties. We knew we wanted CL. This way we have the calm Bay Lake view and we can watch the fireworks from the CL lounge. Just felt it was a more effective use of funds.

Best of both worlds

We got Mickey mail yesterday and I had to hide it. It says where we are staying and the kids have no idea where staying here.

I don't know how you can keep it a secret

Last year, we stayed at the CR for the 1st time & booked the Bay Lake side. We're staying there again this year, & we again booked the Bay Lake side.

While I would enjoy a nightly fireworks view, we book the Bay Lake side for the following reasons:

1. I request a room on a lower level, overlooking the pool. Our 2 older kids are old enough to go down to the pool by themselves. We'll often send them down to the pool ahead of us if they're changed into swimsuits & ready to go before we are. This way, DH & I can go out on the balcony to make sure they've made it down. Also, if younger DS is napping or goes to bed early, & either DH or I go down to the pool w/ the big kids, the other one of us can sit out on the balcony & watch the swimmers. I got some awesome pics last year of our kids on the pool slide & in the pool from our balcony.

2. DH loves the nightly Electric Boat Parade - one of his favorite things to do is sit out on the balcony, at the end of day, & watch the boat parade. It's one of the longest-running attractions at WDW, & we enjoy the "nostalgia" of it.

3a. The Bay Lake view is a really lovely view - the boats coming & going, the sunrises... it's just nice & peaceful.

3b. To me, the Magic Kingdom view is kind of "interrupted" by the parking lot - that's not to say I wouldn't love seeing the castle all lit up at night, & I'm pretty sure I could ignore the parking lot, given the opportunity. LOL! However, the Bay Lake view is just scenery - no parking lots or anything.

4a. It's less expensive. We can spend the difference somewhere else

4b. When you add up how many times we're actually in the room to see the fireworks, it's really not all that many, so we just don't feel like the extra cost is worth it.

*DISCLAIMER: However, I will say, last year, for our 1st night, we were given a room on the 11th floor (Bay Lake side), closest to Bay Lake Tower - we were 2 rooms from the end. (This was about as opposite as you could get from our requests - lower level, near Chef Mickey's, overlooking the pool - and we were moved down to the 5th floor, overlooking the pool, the next day.) Anyway, that first day, when we walked out of our room, the view of the castle was breathtaking! Since we were 2 rooms from the end, when we walked out of our room, we had this gorgeous view from the windows at the end of the building. I could imagine that rooms on that side of the building w/ a Magic Kingdom view would be wonderful!

Excellent summary!

At what age does this stop?

This 52 year old "kid" sill has the wow if the castle, so does my mother who is 89!

Hopefully never. This 45-year-old gets more excited about our WDW trips than DD does

 

[lovegrumpy]

It's getting hard to keep it a secret. Hopefully no more Mickey mail. Hotel is paid for so no hearing where we are staying. We only have 89 more days. We're doing a split and this is are seconded resort.

 

[WDWKOOK]

According to wdwmagic.com:

The new California Grill is expected to reopen on September 1 2013

 

[psac]

According to wdwmagic.com:

The new California Grill is expected to reopen on September 1 2013

Excellent, it would good to be able to go there on our end of Sept Poly trip. With the trip we're on now, I promised a Wave review a few pages back, but we changed our minds, cancelled, and went to Bluezoo instead. . That was excellent. We do have the Wave on our Sept agenda, though, so I'll report back then for sure!

 

[disneydreamin247]

According to wdwmagic.com:

The new California Grill is expected to reopen on September 1 2013

Oh yay! I am dying to get there in October. I am planning on dining there on our arrival night.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Welcome back home! So what are the tentative anniversary plans? Where might you be dining and staying?

Thanks! We are booked into CL / park view for Dec 3-12. We always debate about which side of the tower and usually end up alternating. The park view is great obviously, but the lake view is fantastic in its own way (beautiful view, and a quiet alternative to the sometimes hustle and bustle of the theme park view side).

We'll probably do our normal for that time of year with a MVMCP and wishes desert party or two. Still too early for reservations but we're looking forward to trying Belle's new place. A couple of things we've never tried is the segway tour around Epcot and dinner with an imagineer at DHS. Any cool ideas and suggestions are welcome!

30 years. I swear it was just yesterday we were honeymooning at WDW (stayed at a Sheraton just off property). Time flies.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I answered a question yesterday on the Resort's forum about the construction across the street from CR/BLT (the bus depot expansion) and thought it might be useful to post my answer here:



Bus depot expansion details:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportat...p-expansion---construction-walls-in-place.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportat...as-third-loop-construction-gets-underway-.htm



Here is the PDF of the aerial image of the plan:

http://my.sfwmd.gov/entsb/docdownload?object_id=0900eeea86c3bf3d

 

[WDWKOOK]

Excellent, it would good to be able to go there on our end of Sept Poly trip. With the trip we're on now, I promised a Wave review a few pages back, but we changed our minds, cancelled, and went to Bluezoo instead. . That was excellent. We do have the Wave on our Sept agenda, though, so I'll report back then for sure!

We usually end-up changing our ADRs onsite, too. It's harder, too because you're staying at AKL so it's a bit easier to eat there. How many Zebra Domes have you had?!

Oh yay! I am dying to get there in October. I am planning on dining there on our arrival night.

Sounds like the perfect way to start your vacation! Time it so you're there for Wishes

Thanks! We are booked into CL / park view for Dec 3-12. We always debate about which side of the tower and usually end up alternating. The park view is great obviously, but the lake view is fantastic in its own way (beautiful view, and a quiet alternative to the sometimes hustle and bustle of the theme park view side).

We'll probably do our normal for that time of year with a MVMCP and wishes desert party or two. Still too early for reservations but we're looking forward to trying Belle's new place. A couple of things we've never tried is the segway tour around Epcot and dinner with an imagineer at DHS. Any cool ideas and suggestions are welcome!

30 years. I swear it was just yesterday we were honeymooning at WDW (stayed at a Sheraton just off property). Time flies.

Sounds like a great plan and I know just what you mean about time just slipping away. It's 26 years this summer for us, but we didn't have a honeymoon. Does going to WDW with your DD every year count as one?

Congratulations on 30 years and make sure it's noted in your reservation

 

[mickeynut1]

According to wdwmagic.com:

The new California Grill is expected to reopen on September 1 2013

Thanks for the update. We've never tried CG, but I am considering it for our trip in December since we will be at the CR anyway .

30 years. I swear it was just yesterday we were honeymooning at WDW (stayed at a Sheraton just off property). Time flies.

Congratulations on 30 years .

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks! We are booked into CL / park view for Dec 3-12. We always debate about which side of the tower and usually end up alternating. The park view is great obviously, but the lake view is fantastic in its own way (beautiful view, and a quiet alternative to the sometimes hustle and bustle of the theme park view side).

We'll probably do our normal for that time of year with a MVMCP and wishes desert party or two. Still too early for reservations but we're looking forward to trying Belle's new place. A couple of things we've never tried is the segway tour around Epcot and dinner with an imagineer at DHS. Any cool ideas and suggestions are welcome!

30 years. I swear it was just yesterday we were honeymooning at WDW (stayed at a Sheraton just off property). Time flies.

Congrats on the 30 years. We are doing the BoG dinner before a MNSSHP this year. Make your ADR for there early, or you just may have to go with the QS lunch option. Have you tried Victoria & Albert's, dinner fireworks cruise, or AKL safari? Those, and the Segway tour are on my list.

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