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

[meredith1]

You need to attempt to rent Thanksgiving at 11 months out. You might not get standard or theme park view, but you should get lake view about that time (once they get the BLT points available).

I put my ressie in with David's 12 months prior to what I needed this year for a 2 BR at BLT and at the 11 month mark, there wasn't anything. It was "to many" points and they didn't have them so, really, even at the 11 month mark it's hard to get the higher end resorts. I had to eat it and do a cash ressie.

Since then, I've tried numerous times to do a one nighter through David's and they keep telling me they don't have anything. I'm starting to get a complex.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Yes, and DVC probably has various wait lists for members for these times in case a cancellation does come up. Most members that do rentals, don't want to waitlist because you might not get anything at all.

Thank you for the information! Appreciate it.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

I put my ressie in with David's 12 months prior to what I needed this year for a 2 BR at BLT and at the 11 month mark, there wasn't anything. It was "to many" points and they didn't have them so, really, even at the 11 month mark it's hard to get the higher end resorts. I had to eat it and do a cash ressie.

Since then, I've tried numerous times to do a one nighter through David's and they keep telling me they don't have anything. I'm starting to get a complex.

Lol I was too! But it makes sense since it is such a popular time. Thanks.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you for the information! Appreciate it.

Yes, we all appreciate Deb sharing her great wealth of DVC knowledge

 

[rlovew]

If I ship stuff to the CR from Amazon and it comes in separate boxes, but on the same day and in advance of my reservation, will I get charged per box or will they group it all together and charge just once? From the experience of my friends it has been a per box charge.

Are the prices in the first few posts of this thread still accurate? Is there a chance they won't be charged? The only chance for it not to be charged would it not being delivered to the convention center. As far as I know this means it would have3 to be brought in by a person not a delivery service.

What about orders from a place like gardengrocer or wegoshop? Do those get charged as well? These are dropped off at bell services and therefore not charged.

Basically trying to figure out the most cost-effective and time-effective way to get baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.) as well as snacks and breakfasty foods to our resort. I will probably want milk for my DS but if that is the only perishable item I'm purchasing I would probably just buy it on-site.

If we get breakfast foods that need to be heated up/toasted, are there toasters and microwaves available for general use anywhere in the resort?

I think there is amicrowave and possibly a toaster at the contempo cafe.

 

[Happyjen27]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

Someone mentioned it to be comparable to the walk from the GCH to the TTC at the Poly. Is that about right? We stayed in Tokelau and I didn't mind the walk to the TTC at all, and it was so much faster than the resort loop to the TTC.

 

[wdhinn89]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

Someone mentioned it to be comparable to the walk from the GCH to the TTC at the Poly. Is that about right? We stayed in Tokelau and I didn't mind the walk to the TTC at all, and it was so much faster than the resort loop to the TTC.

We have walked before when the monorail was down. Not a long walk at all. Would not want to do it in the summer heat though.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We have walked before when the monorail was down. Not a long walk at all. Would not want to do it in the summer heat though.

Funny, the only times we've done it have been in the summer heat! We prefer walking over taking the monorail. All the starting and stopping, waiting for loading, super crowding, etc... is not our favorite. We prefer to walk (we're fast walkers) and get there more quickly. From MK to CR, however, we normally take the monorail since it's the first stop ( although that ramp is a PAIN after a long day in the parks! Ha!)

 

[jdcthree]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

We walked from BLT. We plan to stay at BLT again and the number one reason is so we can walk to MK. I realize BLT is slightly closer that the Contemporary, but we would walk from the Contemporary as well. (We planned to stay there in a garden wing room, but they were booked at 11 months out.)

 

[honeymo78]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

Someone mentioned it to be comparable to the walk from the GCH to the TTC at the Poly. Is that about right? We stayed in Tokelau and I didn't mind the walk to the TTC at all, and it was so much faster than the resort loop to the TTC.

We walk over to MK nearly every time we head to MK from BLT. I do like an occasional monorail ride but its a quick and easy walk. We often walk back as well but that depends on whether a monorail is pulling into the station as we leave the park.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

Someone mentioned it to be comparable to the walk from the GCH to the TTC at the Poly. Is that about right? We stayed in Tokelau and I didn't mind the walk to the TTC at all, and it was so much faster than the resort loop to the TTC.

Depending on where you are at CR I would say it is about the same as from Tokelau to TCC (we've stayed at both resorts, in several locations). If you are at BLT then shorter, of course. We used to walk it from the old North Garden Wing before there was a walkway. My guess is they built that walkway do to many guests making it a shortcut! .

p.s. We usually walked during our late August trips and have done it in February as well. It really is not bad in the heat because there is always some walking involved, even from the monorail or bus.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

we always walk. It's just quicker. Sometimes we'll hop on the monorail to go "home" but most times we'd rather deal with a quick walk than a crowded monorail.

 

[Gryhndmom]

DH and I always walk to MK from BLT and CR. Not that long a walk and as someone else said you can avoid the sometimes slow and crowded tram.

Here's a question for the DVC veterans...the DVC vacation planner just mailed out says on page 109 "use of your membership points for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited. Commercial purpose includes a pattern of rental activity....". Are owners not depositing points every year thus avoiding the "pattern " or is DVC giving a pass to some rental points brokers?

We have always booked at the 11 month window and will bank points for next year's use so we have never "sold" our points.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I put my ressie in with David's 12 months prior to what I needed this year for a 2 BR at BLT and at the 11 month mark, there wasn't anything. It was "to many" points and they didn't have them so, really, even at the 11 month mark it's hard to get the higher end resorts. I had to eat it and do a cash ressie.

Since then, I've tried numerous times to do a one nighter through David's and they keep telling me they don't have anything. I'm starting to get a complex.

Yeah, I tried David's (and a few other DVC website rentals) at 12 months out for our stay at BLT this September. I needed enough points for 2 studios for one week. None of them could help me. One of them emailed me back saying that the more popular resorts (like BLT) are harder to get DVC owners to rent out their points.

I've rented three times through three different owners through the DVC rent/trade board here on the DIS. I've found if you follow the guidelines as they suggest it takes a lot of the stress and worry out of the transaction. I started trolling the DVC rent/trade board at about 12 months out (September 2012) looking for BLT owners that had enough points. I had to use two separate owners to get the two studios. Even at the exact 11 month window for the last week in September, one of our rooms had to be waitlisted for two nights for a standard view studio (it came through in February).

Anyways, I just thought I'd share my experience! We are so excited to stay here for the first time and I can't wait to be able to walk back to my room at night instead of being crammed on a bus or monorail! We walked to the Contemporary many times from MK when we've stayed at WL and the boats and busses were super packed. Then we just took the boat from the CR to WL. It's a nice peaceful walk at the end of a noisy, fun day. We've stayed at the Poly several times and almost always walk to the TTC for the monorail. IMHO, the walk from the GCH area to TTC is probably very close in distance from the walk from MK to CR (maybe slightly further).

I watch Bay Lake Tower videos on You Tube almost daily

 

[honeymo78]

DH and I always walk to MK from BLT and CR. Not that long a walk and as someone else said you can avoid the sometimes slow and crowded tram.

Here's a question for the DVC veterans...the DVC vacation planner just mailed out says on page 109 "use of your membership points for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited. Commercial purpose includes a pattern of rental activity....". Are owners not depositing points every year thus avoiding the "pattern " or is DVC giving a pass to some rental points brokers?

We have always booked at the 11 month window and will bank points for next year's use so we have never "sold" our points.

The brokers are not making the bulk of their reservations using their own points, if they have any. They are a third party just connecting renters with owners. DVC does have an unpublished threshold that they use to constitute commercial purpose and have cracked down on the behavior in the past. Renting out a portion of your points each year or even renting all your points now and then doesn't meet the commercial purpose. There is nothing against renting in and of itself in DVC contracts. It's when it starts looking like the only reason you have points is to rent them that DVC will look into it.

I suspect most owners that rent out points don't do it every year and/or don't rent out all their points. Until there is a clear commercial pattern, it looks no different from families who let aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers etc use their points for a vacation.

I have rented out points 4 times in the last 3 years to pay for cruises. I expect to rent out at least half of my 2014 points for a Panama Canal cruise. Renting points is not a commercial venture for me.

 

[AirGoofy]

Informal Poll:

Who really walks to the MK from the Contemporary?

I know that is listed a big perk of staying at this resort, but who really takes advantage of it?

We walk it going to the park and back from the park to BLT. It is shorter in AM and you avoid the crowds waiting for monorail in the PM.

 

[Irishlisa]

Yeah, I tried David's (and a few other DVC website rentals) at 12 months out for our stay at BLT this September. I needed enough points for 2 studios for one week. None of them could help me. One of them emailed me back saying that the more popular resorts (like BLT) are harder to get DVC owners to rent out their points.

I've rented three times through three different owners through the DVC rent/trade board here on the DIS. I've found if you follow the guidelines as they suggest it takes a lot of the stress and worry out of the transaction. I started trolling the DVC rent/trade board at about 12 months out (September 2012) looking for BLT owners that had enough points. I had to use two separate owners to get the two studios. Even at the exact 11 month window for the last week in September, one of our rooms had to be waitlisted for two nights for a standard view studio (it came through in February).

Anyways, I just thought I'd share my experience! We are so excited to stay here for the first time and I can't wait to be able to walk back to my room at night instead of being crammed on a bus or monorail! We walked to the Contemporary many times from MK when we've stayed at WL and the boats and busses were super packed. Then we just took the boat from the CR to WL. It's a nice peaceful walk at the end of a noisy, fun day. We've stayed at the Poly several times and almost always walk to the TTC for the monorail. IMHO, the walk from the GCH area to TTC is probably very close in distance from the walk from MK to CR (maybe slightly further).

I watch Bay Lake Tower videos on You Tube almost daily

I have also rented three times here through the rent/trade board and have had a great experience. Last June we rented points to stay at AK Kidani Village just 3 months out for a September stay. This year we rented points last month for a November stay just 6 months out for BLT.

 

[Irishlisa]

We walk it going to the park and back from the park to BLT. It is shorter in AM and you avoid the crowds waiting for monorail in the PM.

How long does it really take?

 

[Senor_Jorge]

Funny, the only times we've done it have been in the summer heat! We prefer walking over taking the monorail. All the starting and stopping, waiting for loading, super crowding, etc... is not our favorite. We prefer to walk (we're fast walkers) and get there more quickly. From MK to CR, however, we normally take the monorail since it's the first stop ( although that ramp is a PAIN after a long day in the parks! Ha!)

We actually do it the other way around. Monorail in the morning and walk home in the evening if the monorail is packed. Standing in place is what usually kills my feet. After a long day I appreciate the option to not be sealed in a vehicle with others that have had a long day as well

 

[AirGoofy]

How long does it really take?

About 15 minutes, and I walk slow. There is a road/ crosswalk that goes through there, so the stop light may add time, depending on how you catch it.

Walking there is the morning, I've had my rest, caffeine, and am super excited to get there. On the way back, 9:00 PM or so, I've been in the parks all day and am tired. On the way back at close, I can usually count on two monorails going overhead (from MK to CR). Of course, that time depends on how fast they are loading.

Now, that time is subjective depending on where you start it and stop it. I am considering from outside BLT resort to where I can see the MK entrance. If you're considering the time from the CR entrance vs walking around from the outside (not staying in tower), then that time will vary.