Just Back from 8 Nights at Contemporary MK View

[LoriZH]

Just got back from an 8 night stay at CR MK View and we had a fabulous time at the resort. We were Magic Band testers so besides the glitches with the Fast Pass Plus, they worked great there for our room keys, our charging privileges, park passes and dining plan (we transferred to ASMu Suite for the last night and it was a nightmare with them, another story lol). Lots of fun using them and just enjoyed our stay at CR as usual!

The staff was amazing, so friendly! Not a bad one in the bunch and I had to visit them everyday, lol. The view was beautiful, especially first thing in the morning and of course at night. The resort is gorgeous, the rooms are very large, beds are so comfy! Wish I knew where they got their pillows, I didn't have one neck problem all week long! Loved the heated floors in the bathroom and the set up (sinks are ehh..but not a deterrent). We fully enjoyed ourselves. Just the whole atmosphere at CR screams Disney to us. I know it's a preference thing and a lot of people don't find it very Disney like, but we do. The arcade is fun, the food court is good (could have more healthy choices) love the gift shops, pool and beach <3. I really feel like we never left when we arrived.

We did have some cons though...
Mousekeeping was very much lacking. I hate to tattle on people, but we were there 8 nights, there were 4 people, 2 adults (myself and dh) and 2 teenage boys and they never cleaned the toilet even after I requested. It was dirty when we arrived (black under the rim, I know gross lol). I had to ask management after Mousekeeping didn't honor my request. I felt bad but geez for the amount of money we paid they should be cleaning the toilets every day. There was also cobwebs everywhere and about an inch of dust, I didn't complain, I'm not that petty. They also didn't change the sheets one time until I again had to go to management after they didn't honor our request to change them. I don't even think they vacuumed. I also didn't like that on our last day there they decided that 8:30 AM would be a good time to clean our room. Now they know check out is at 11, we were at the MK until almost 1 AM (not that they knew that but still) they must know people are showering and packing, why would they think that 8:30 AM would be appropriate? It didn't put a damper on our trip just a note.

The second thing was the transportation, oh boy! I haven't been at this resort in 6 years and I can say the only complaint I had the last time regarding the transportation was MGM (Hollywood Studios) and it has now gotten worse with every bus and now the monorail. It took us 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to DTD one night. We were literally stuck on monorails or taken off them and detoured to buses, you name it. People were getting furious. Disney has gone way downhill with the transportation.

Another thing that bothered me was people staying off property using the resort monorail to get to and from the MK and making resort guests waiting or walking to their resorts. When you can't find a seat for your disabled child or yourself because people are "cheating the system" as I heard them put it themselves and laughing about it, it sort of makes you think to yourself, why am I paying these prices for "free transportation" as a perk if everyone can have it staying off property and not pay these prices? Something to think about in the future. I would get on at CR, they would pile on at TTC the next stop, the the poor people from the Poly and GF would either have to stand or wait for another monorail. How is that fair for them? Anyway, that was really the only thing that bothered me about the CR, the transportation.

Otherwise, a very nice stay there. Not sure we'll be going back to Disney anytime soon, but if we do, we may try another resort even though CR is our favorite. I'm thinking of going back to the Dolphin, they had amazing transportation or trying the Animal Kingdom, I've always wanted to stay there.

Last night we stayed at ASMu in a Suite (my daughter and her friend were there for a week and we had to get up early and I wanted us all in the same room so we wouldn't miss our flight). Great room, resort is a hot mess, nice food court, but they messed with our magic bands because they thought they were cool and lost our last 4 snacks, 4 quick service meals and table service, they put them in cyberspace somewhere. They also lost our luggage, it arrived at 6:30 PM was supposed to be there no later than 3PM. Thankfully we just rolled with the punches. I'm not sure we'll be able to recover that $240.00 we paid for the meal plan that day because we had to pay cash for our meals and missed some of our fast passes. We only got to do 2 attractions that day due to waiting and and being on hold I do wish that resort wasn't so busy because we LOVED that suite!

 

[juliebug1997]

Another thing that bothered me was people staying off property using the resort monorail to get to and from the MK and making resort guests waiting or walking to their resorts. When you can't find a seat for your disabled child or yourself because people are "cheating the system" as I heard them put it themselves and laughing about it, it sort of makes you think to yourself, why am I paying these prices for "free transportation" as a perk if everyone can have it staying off property and not pay these prices? Something to think about in the future. I would get on at CR, they would pile on at TTC the next stop, the the poor people from the Poly and GF would either have to stand or wait for another monorail. How is that fair for them? Anyway, that was really the only thing that bothered me about the CR, the transportation.

No one from Disney stops them from using it though. We've used it before when we've stayed on property, but at another resort. Besides, I think some who get on at the TTC might be going to one of the resorts for a reservation or such. But again, Disney has a stop at the TTC on that loop.

Glad you enjoyed the room though. That has been our favorite resort room so far.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for your review. I'm sorry about the few mishaps with housekeeping and the transportation, but I'm glad your trip overall was good. We are excited to try the CR for the first time in December.

 

[mousefan73]

I believe the monorail is not exclusive to resort guests. It's also a major connector for MK and EP. So,you have off property guests with park hoppers, hopping between parks and ADRS. Disney would be stupid and upset more people by not allowing this. Imagine the traffic situation if every non- monorail guest had to drive or bus between these two parks or the hotel restaurants for ADRs. The Poly and GF attract more than enough non-resort guests for their character, ohana, luaumshows to,cause a real traffic problem.

IMO I think the idea back then when building the monorail was not to exclusivly benefit monorail hotel guests, but to make WDW it's own world where one leaves their car "offsite" and it transferred, quickly about

 

[pepe of ohio]

I also believe the "express " monorail should be for resort guests only.... Not stopping at the TTC at all....outsiders can use the regular MK monorail for the MK. and then stopping at the TTC for EPCOT transfer ...

 

[Missyrose]

I also believe the "express " monorail should be for resort guests only.... Not stopping at the TTC at all....outsiders can use the regular MK monorail for the MK. and then stopping at the TTC for EPCOT transfer ...

How would you like guests staying at the monorail resorts to get to Epcot? That requires a stop at TTC.

 

[monorailsilver]

I hate the monorail thing too!

A few years ago we got to the poly monorail satiation. A monorail came and it was full. Totally not cool. They made sure the next one was empty and didn't allow people to get on at the TTC.

Even leaving the MK, the resort monorail is packed. And a few times we left the contempory over the years to head back to the poly post fireworks, again a packed monorail. I really wish they would limit am and pm express monorail to those guests staying on the monorail loop.

Last week, we took the resort launch a few more times then normal from the MK just to avoid being squished on the monorail.

And housekeeping wasn't great for us at the poly either. Two days they didn't do our room because we returned from the park at about 1-2 and we needed a nap. One day our room was done by 1-2. I think there was 1 day that our room was done post park/by our mid day break and that was because they didn't do it the day before. One day I opened the door with my key at 3:50 since we were in the pool and found a housekeeper right behind it. There was no sign out saying housekeeping was in there. No housekeeping cart in the hallway. The door lock wasn't flipped to keep the door open either. That really ticked me off!

 

[Cadyrose]

I believe the monorail is not exclusive to resort guests. It's also a major connector for MK and EP. So,you have off property guests with park hoppers, hopping between parks and ADRS. Disney would be stupid and upset more people by not allowing this. Imagine the traffic situation if every non- monorail guest had to drive or bus between these two parks or the hotel restaurants for ADRs. The Poly and GF attract more than enough non-resort guests for their character, ohana, luaumshows to,cause a real traffic problem.

IMO I think the idea back then when building the monorail was not to exclusivly benefit monorail hotel guests, but to make WDW it's own world where one leaves their car "offsite" and it transferred, quickly about

I don't think the OP meant only monorail resort guests can use the monorail. Absolutely, it was meant to add to the feeling of its own world.

They have the monorail which travels from TTC to MK which makes stops at the 3 hotels but there is a monorail that goes in the other direction called the Resort Line and yet it makes the stop at TTC...

I read the OP's situation as being on the "resort" line and hearing people boasting about cheating the system...and there is no "official" rule that states only resort guests can use it. That being said, if rooms on the resort line can start with a rack rate of $500+, marketed because of the convenience of the monorail, yet the resort guests can't get on because of guests parked at TTC, that's a tough pill to swallow.


In our case, we are doing the GF, on a deal, in 4 days and I know that I'm paying for convenience. We park hop and the last 2 trips we have found ourselves at MK every day but we ended up using the boat because it was more reliable. The monorail kept breaking down in December and when CR, Poly, and GF all share a bus for the other 3 parks and DTD...well let's just say we ended up in a taxi more than we would have liked just to make ADRs.

Again, I know those resorts are that price due to convenience and not a guarantee of the monorail solely...but I will say that I feel bad for those not on the DISboards. I see the issues with the monorail, know I can take a boat as an alternative, and I decided to pay the rates with all the info. But for those not on here, the MK resorts are also known as the monorail resorts and with that I would think there is a level of expectation for transportation that when a guest arrives, they find it is not met. Disney's marketing of those resorts does not reflect that in ways transportation is worse than the other levels of resorts.

It just makes me wonder that if there is a strong stance against pool hopping because non-resort guests didn't pay for that level of pool, is it really that unreasonable to have one monorail line for non-MK resort guests that stops at MK, resorts (for those with ADRs), and TTC for the Epcot monorail and then have the resort line for those guests that pay that price? I don't know the right answer since the number of visitors is increasing every year it seems and the monorail is breaking down more and more...but I also don't think the comparison is really that far off...

I get why Disney is paying all that money for RFID, not sure how I feel about it since I haven't used them yet, but I do get it...but do we really need an Avatar land? Couldn't they have taken that money and replaced the monorails since I thought I read on here they are suppose to be changed every 15 years or so and the current trams have exceeded that?

Back to the OP, sorry about the mousekeeping and dining issues but I'm glad that overall your trip was great!

 

[pepe of ohio]

How would you like guests staying at the monorail resorts to get to Epcot? That requires a stop at TTC.

Take the regular mo or ail around to the TTC, not the resort monorail that should skip stopping at the TTC... Resort monorail should serve the 3 resorts and MK only...

Other monorail line can serve all resorts, MK and TTC.....seems straight forward to me and stops the short changers staying off property from using the resort only line getting back to their cars... They have to use the normal line... Express, resort line for MK loop guests only!

 

[hedberg1661]

Take the regular mo or ail around to the TTC, not the resort monorail that should skip stopping at the TTC... Resort monorail should serve the 3 resorts and MK only...

Other monorail line can serve all resorts, MK and TTC.....seems straight forward to me and stops the short changers staying off property from using the resort only line getting back to their cars... They have to use the normal line... Express, resort line for MK loop guests only!

Problem with this is if you stay at any Monorail Resort and you want to go to Epcot you would have to get off at MK...transfer to an express Monorail and then get off at the TTC and transfer to the EC Monorail Line.

Then when you want to return from Epcot you would have to get off at TTC and transfer to an MK Express Monorail and transfer there to a Resort Monorail to get back. That would be way worse.

While people do use Monorails incorrectly I find this to be few and far between. Who would want to stop at the Poly and GF on their way to MK from TTC? Why not go directly to MK on the Express?

I was there when some contractor cut the electricity to the entire Monorail Line and it was out for 4 hours. Disney was prompt though and brought extra buses in right away to take you everywhere from the TTC.

Also note that they are adding a 3rd Bus Stop at MK so that should help with some traffic on the Monorail.

 

[mommalissa]

I have been told when leaving the MK at closing that I could not get on the resort monorail unless I was a resort guest. I wasn't and had gone to the wrong line because I wasn't paying attention. They could do this at the TTC, MK and Epcot at park opening and closing. I understand that non-resort people need to get to the monorail resorts for dining ressies and they should be allowed to use the monorail but how many people have ressies at park opening or closing. However, at the really busy times, Disney should do more for the guests paying to stay on the monorail.

 

[kirby428]

Magic plus bands, RFID cards grants access to all monorails for Disney Resort Guests only. Ferry boats and a TTC-MK bus and a TTC-GF-POLY-CR bus for the rest. ummmmm FP plus reservations and queue for the monorails only for Disney Resort Guests. FREE TAXI SERVICE for Disney Resort Guests!!! Gorsh! Sum-thin to make those sky high room rates actually buy something.

 

[buzznina]

Great trip report. MK view at CR is on our bucket list, maybe one day
I would not classify complaining about thick dust and webs as "petty". Petty would be like finding dust behind the picture frame, not right out in the open, so for what they charge per night I would have complained. They need to holdoff on building new DVC resorts and put the $$ into re-doing the monorail system, every year it gets worse. Oldest DD still does not want to get on it since we were stuck in it for over 3 hours after park closing one night
Your issue with the bands is why I am so leary about them, if a CM messes up and erases the info on it, the fix is going to be time consuming.

 

[buzznina]

I have been told when leaving the MK at closing that I could not get on the resort monorail unless I was a resort guest. I wasn't and had gone to the wrong line because I wasn't paying attention. They could do this at the TTC, MK and Epcot at park opening and closing. I understand that non-resort people need to get to the monorail resorts for dining ressies and they should be allowed to use the monorail but how many people have ressies at park opening or closing. However, at the really busy times, Disney should do more for the guests paying to stay on the monorail.

The problem is just telling people and not having anyway to verify it, is not going to stop the folks who parked at CR and are not staying there. When I lived in Orlando, I cannot tell you how many stories I heard of the locals going to MK and parking at CR so they did not have to pay for parking. I think the only way to cut down on this is for all resorts to have a seperate non-resort guest parking area so it would be easy to monitor and start towing them

 

[pepe of ohio]

The problem is just telling people and not having anyway to verify it, is not going to stop the folks who parked at CR and are not staying there. When I lived in Orlando, I cannot tell you how many stories I heard of the locals going to MK and parking at CR so they did not have to pay for parking. I think the only way to cut down on this is for all resorts to have a seperate non-resort guest parking area so it would be easy to monitor and start towing them

It's easy, no parking at resorts unless you are staying there or have a bonafide restaurant reservation.. No pretend look see and sneak... It's what I have a parking pass on my car for..

 

[buzznina]

It's easy, no parking at resorts unless you are staying there or have a bonafide restaurant reservation.. No pretend look see and sneak... It's what I have a parking pass on my car for..

Here is an issue with that, we like to resort hop when we are there to look around especially during the holidays, maybe grab lunch or a snack (no reservation). Your way would mean we would not be able to do this and I would not be a happy camper

 

[LoriZH]

"I read the OP's situation as being on the "resort" line and hearing people boasting about cheating the system...and there is no "official" rule that states only resort guests can use it. That being said, if rooms on the resort line can start with a rack rate of $500+, marketed because of the convenience of the monorail, yet the resort guests can't get on because of guests parked at TTC, that's a tough pill to swallow."

Yes this is what I was referring to. I'm not suggesting that Disney Resort Guests not be allowed to use the Monorail that goes to the Resorts or that Guests who are going to one of the Resorts that have reservations for breakfast/lunch/dinner/shopping not allowed either. I'm soley speaking of those who are using it simply to skip the express from TTC to MK only and then sit there and laugh and literally say "this is cheating but oh well!" and then some poor child in a wheelchair at the Poly or an elderly couple at the GF has to take another monorail or stand because these 5 young kids are taking up an entire seat and laughing about it, not cool Not trying to make a big deal over this, but it's an easy fix with the magic bands and cards, they can put a stand at the MK station only and don't let them off or on without a resort card, voila, done! I know it's hard, but so many people ruin it for those who don't break the rules. Enough about that My vacation was too fabulous to worry about it now! lol

Anyway, thanks for the feedback all. To those who are planning on visiting this resort, please do so, it's really worth it and the blips regarding the transportation aren't worth skipping this magnificent resort! I didn't want to keep complaining that's why I let the cobwebs go lol. I had to go to concierge each morning to do our fastpasses and they were just so nice, really, they went above and beyond! I missed it the moment we left there. I'm starting to rethink that whole "I may not visit again for a while" thing lol Sort of poking around haha...shhh don't tell the hubby!