Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[bhyer]

This is just my own opinion, and probably not the norm, but we really love the Bay Lake View and I actually prefer it. Now, this may be based on the fact that our CR stay was CL, so we had access to the lounge with the MK view when not in the room. But I thought the Bay Lake View was so quiet and peaceful and a wonderful retreat from the parks while having MK so close and convenient at the same time! For this reason, and the fact that TPV includes some parking lot, we'll always book Bay Lake View. Just a thought if you're worried about the TPV.

Hmmm. More to think about Thank you.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you!!! I also booked a cabana for a full day of leisure at the pool! DH said this is the first change where it makes sense, and looks great. I did good

Insert Pastastic Family here…

Just wanted to post a bit about my recent stay at the CR etc. A few things about the room that I was disappointed with where 1) There is no full length mirror in the room ANYWHERE. Not even in the bathroom. I thought this was pretty odd. We girls like to check ourselves out before we leave the room. Especially if we're dressing up for dinner. Waist up. That's all you're gonna get.

Another thing is 2) the lack of counter space in the bathroom. I solved this problem by just laying a towel out on the sink when I got ready in the morning. Not a huge deal. Not as inconvenient as the missing full length mirror. Other than this the room was awesome. The view was exceptional if you don't mind seeing roof tops and parking area. Didn't bother me a bit! Mousekeeping was good. There was one day when my daughter left the room later in the morning than us and she accidentally left the do-not-disturb sign on the door. The DIS came through for me (as always) and I was able to find the direct number to the CR while we were at AK. I called and let them know and our room was done when we got back a couple of hours later.

Check-in was smooth. I did NOT do online check-in (just ran out of time). We arrived at around noon on a Friday and our room was ready for us. Check-out was the same. I let the CM checking us out know that there was a drawer full of clothes left behind by a previous guest and she immediately got on the phone to mousekeeping so they could go collect it. She thanked me for that. She asked me when we discovered this and I told her that it wasn't until that morning as my mother just assumed they were mine and my DD's and never said anything. It wasn't until we were packing up that she learned they weren't ours. It was several items of clothing too. Looked like the previous guest forgot a completely full drawer! Hopefully they'll be returned. I know I left behind a pair of ankle boots at the WL one visit and never realized it until they arrived in the mail! I was shocked that Disney had taken the time to do that. Another reason I'm a fan.

The monorail was back in service when we arrived. I was so relieved at that news. We got the refillable mug and that worked out great. No issues at all. Just need to remember that you have to wait 90 seconds before you can refill it. FYI... We loved getting the soft serve ice cream ($4 and they give you a clear plastic "bowl") and making our own root beer floats. So good. I transferred the ice cream to a metal Castaway Club mug and then poured the root beer into that. Kept it ice cold! My daughter just made hers in the refillable mug. Yummy!

Wish the FP+ and MDE were as efficient. Thought I would like not having to run for FP's but NO. This new system did not work for us. Not too worried about it as I know it will be changing in the near future to add more FP's per day.... however, one of our main problems was REMEMBERING when to use them! It's just too easy to get side-tracked by this or that and before you know it, your FP time has come and gone and there's no getting it back. Now you're down to just 2 FPs. Not cool.

I read before I left that WDW was becoming slack with keeping trash picked up. I have to agree on this one. There was one ride where a bunch of trash had accumulated on the inside wall of a loading area. Bottles and such. Not cool.

We did run across a couple of downright rude CM's inside the parks but otherwise every CM we encountered was your typical friendly and helpful Disney CM. I really appreciate them!! There were a couple that rode the elevator down with my DD the morning we left and she said they chatted with her and one helped move her luggage to the front lobby. Wish every CM was like that but people are people. All in all it was a good visit.

Thank you for posting your TR! Overall, it sounds like your stay was good. Do you think you'd book CR for your next stay or will you try another resort? Was this your first stay at CR?

Just booked the deluxe garden room for a quick "girls" trip with my sister, niece and daughter. The room looks so unique! We normally stay at the grand floridian so I am looking forward to the change. It's been since 1981 since I've stayed at to he CR!!

Yippee for booking the elusive Deluxe GW room! It is very unique. Will DD get the sleeper?

My daughter and I are doing a split stay. First part of our trip at POR and second at Contemporary. I'm soooo excited I FINALLY made a decision

Question - I was reading that if you request and pay for a theme park view that it's actually a bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not you actually get a good view or if you are looking at the roof of the convention center.

Just wondering how true that is. What to manage my expectations!
So excited.

DD and I also did a mother/daughter split stay which included CR (twice in one year) and we had a blast. Our favorite Disney room view is of Bay Lake so we always book BLV. If you look out from the TPV rooms then you won't see the parking lot. If you want to be far from the convention center you could request a room on the north end or end closest to the MK. You could also request to be far from the convention center. All those requests should work, but there's no guarantee.

Thanks for the info about the accessibility of the walkways. Am hoping to book a deluxe garden room for my 60th birthday next year.

You're welcome and let us know when you book your birthday trip!

Just booked an "adult only" trip for this Nov 14-17!!!!

We were down at WDW a couple weeks ago but sadly I BROKE AN ANKLE THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT!!!! Because we have a son with Autism who eats, sleeps, breaths Disney, we just didn't have the heart to cancel 24 hours in advance. So we went.......and it was difficult.....and even tho I had a scooter I could feel every bump. Plus, I'm non-weight bearing, so I really couldn't transfer to ANY rides . We even came home 3 days early. DS son still had an AWESOME time cuz DH took him everywhere he wanted to go (well, basically he only wants to do the monorail.....which was sadly down 11:30-7..... but, eh, what are you gonna do??). As long as he's happy we're happy...after 5 days of being in the WORLD he was ready and willing to come home!

Anywoo.....while I'm stuck with one leg being elevated for the next month, at least now I have something to look forward to!!

NOOOOOO! That is horrible! But aren't you the trooper for going through with the trip anyway. You must have felt awful, but your DS's happiness must have made up a bit for all your pain. You really do need a do-over vacation so I'm glad you were able to book for November. Is this your first adult trip?

 

[DLBDS]

Thank you for posting your TR! Overall, it sounds like your stay was good. Do you think you'd book CR for your next stay or will you try another resort? Was this your first stay at CR?

Actually, my favorite resort has always been and probably always will be the CR for sentimental reasons going back to childhood. I stayed there once as a child and again more recently in the Garden Wing (free upgrade from POR!). This will probably be my one and only time staying in the tower but only because of the cost (split it with DM). I would stay there every time if I could! My second favorite (and much more affordable) resort is the WL. We all love the atmosphere there and it's my DD's favorite... because it was her first?? Her first WDW visit (and my first visit back as an adult) was perfect... full of pixie dust and magical experiences. We stayed at the WL then.

 

[jecon]

Yippee for booking the elusive Deluxe GW room! It is very unique. Will DD get the sleeper?


I am definitely sleeping in the king bed!! The girls (ages 14 and 9) have been warned already they are on the sleeper! I am so excited about this room! We did this on a whim and we are so lucky to get the room we did!!

 

[Grand Admiral]

This only applies to the Queen bedded rooms on the 14th floor (Tower Club) there is no price difference in these rooms.

Regular tower rooms and 12th floor Atrium Club rooms have different prices for Bay Lake View and MK view.

Once upon a time all rooms in the 1-12th floor of the tower were the same price. 14th floor has always been more expensive.

Thank you for explaining that.

 

[trishadono]

My daughter and I are doing a split stay. First part of our trip at POR and second at Contemporary. I'm soooo excited I FINALLY made a decision

Question - I was reading that if you request and pay for a theme park view that it's actually a bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not you actually get a good view or if you are looking at the roof of the convention center.

Just wondering how true that is. What to manage my expectations!
So excited.

Actually we always end up on end by convention center which has a better view across to poly and gf and still has great view of sm and castle

Also request an odd numbered room so you can see the castle from your bed. It is an option for on line check-in or call CRO.

I love seeing the other resorts. As jack spence from allears always said " I'd rather stay at cr and have a great view of the other hotels vs staying at gf and have a view of cr" .

 

[erikamacelroy]

Add me to the 2014 list!!! Staying BLT theme park view Sept 30-Oct 7! Can't wait!!!!!!

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

We are staying for the first time at the CR and I have two questions about the pool area at the CR. We too are renting a cabana for the day and I have searched endlessly for info about the cabanas and can only find that there are four available around the bullseye pool. Since my kids will likely be spending all their time on the slide, I'd like to be able to supervise from the comfort of my cabana. When I called to book, they assured me there was a cabana by the main pool (yes, I know they are often wrong over the phone), so I am checking with the experts... anyone know for sure if there is one? I suspect not, but am wishfully thinking...

Second, one reason we booked the CR is the pool slide at BLT, but I have since learned that those staying DVC at BLT can access the CR pools, but CR customers cannot access BLT. Can someone explain this to me? I can't think of a DVC where the pools aren't one and the same (BW, GF for example) or at a bare minimum shared (AKL, WLV, BCV). Am I right in assuming this exclusive pool for DVCers applies to BLT only, and what could possibly be the reasoning? My kids would have loved to have tried their slide, I am sure... now I have to make sure they don't accidentally see it!

Anyone know why they did that? And why sharing only works one way?

 

[pas130]

Insert Pastastic Family here…

We can't wait

 

[adrianna_sarah]

You should be greeted by a CM who will escort you to the 12th floor. If you aren't, just ask for a Club Level Runner or CM who can escort you to the 12th floor where you will check-in. We always drive so the gate guard announces our arrival which alerts the staff. A CM should be waiting to greet guests outside as soon as they arrive, but that doesn't always happen.

Is this true, even if on checks in online ahead of time? Summer of 12 we stayed CL at BWI and were just told by a couple of College Program kids at the Bell Desk to schlep our bags up to the Club Level and we'd be checked in there. The cast member who buzzed us in was appalled and rolled her eyes about the College Program, but then told us our packet was waiting at the downstairs check in since we had already checked in online. There was not a dedicated downstairs check in for CL, which is why the College Program kids sent us upstairs in the first place. Now online check in was still pretty new then, but in our previous experience staying CL at the BC, we were greeted by a CL cast member the minute we stepped off the Magical Express.

 

[LvsTnk]

We are staying for the first time at the CR and I have two questions about the pool area at the CR. We too are renting a cabana for the day and I have searched endlessly for info about the cabanas and can only find that there are four available around the bullseye pool. Since my kids will likely be spending all their time on the slide, I'd like to be able to supervise from the comfort of my cabana. When I called to book, they assured me there was a cabana by the main pool (yes, I know they are often wrong over the phone), so I am checking with the experts... anyone know for sure if there is one? I suspect not, but am wishfully thinking...

Second, one reason we booked the CR is the pool slide at BLT, but I have since learned that those staying DVC at BLT can access the CR pools, but CR customers cannot access BLT. Can someone explain this to me? I can't think of a DVC where the pools aren't one and the same (BW, GF for example) or at a bare minimum shared (AKL, WLV, BCV). Am I right in assuming this exclusive pool for DVCers applies to BLT only, and what could possibly be the reasoning? My kids would have loved to have tried their slide, I am sure... now I have to make sure they don't accidentally see it!

Anyone know why they did that? And why sharing only works one way?

Just got back, and yes there are only 2 cabanas by the bullseye pool and there are def cabanas by the main pool.

Not sure the exact reasoning why the BLT pool is exclusively for people staying at BLT except size. I was staying at BLT and didn't use that pool once we liked setting up at the bullseye pool (warmer) and going back and forth to the main pool.

 

[Jennasis]

The pool at KIDANI I believe is exclusively for guests staying at KIDANI as well.

The BLT pool is small and could never handle the crowds that sharing would bring. As a soon-to-be owner.at BLT, I am happy it's that way.

 

[LvsTnk]

The pool at KIDANI I believe is exclusively for guests staying at KIDANI as well.

The BLT pool is small and could never handle the crowds that sharing would bring. As a soon-to-be owner.at BLT, I am happy it's that way.

No Kidani Village and Jambo House share the pools as well. Although DVC members are not allowed to pool hop to those pools.

I own at BLT as well since before it was finished being built and this past stay was my first time there unfortunately it was a disappointment. It's a great location for MK for sure but both bathroom doors were broken we had to have someone fix the TV. Housekeeping never came for our full cleaning mid stay and when we called they apologized that it hadn't been done 2 days prior brought some towels and apparently that was supposed to be the end of it. I called the following morning to make sure they were coming the gal got snippy and said she wasn't sure and hung up. Rather bizarre glad I didn't make a big deal about the bathroom doors.
I found the reports about the rooms being worn for it's age and somewhat dirty to be spot on.

 

[Jennasis]

No Kidani Village and Jambo House share the pools as well. Although DVC members are not allowed to pool hop to those pools.

I own at BLT as well since before it was finished being built and this past stay was my first time there unfortunately it was a disappointment. It's a great location for MK for sure but both bathroom doors were broken we had to have someone fix the TV. Housekeeping never came for our full cleaning mid stay and when we called they apologized that it hadn't been done 2 days prior brought some towels and apparently that was supposed to be the end of it. I called the following morning to make sure they were coming the gal got snippy and said she wasn't sure and hung up. Rather bizarre glad I didn't make a big deal about the bathroom doors.
I found the reports about the rooms being worn for it's age and somewhat dirty to be spot on.

Odd (the pool exclusivety) then.

Sorry your room was less-than. Ours was wonderful on our last trip. Our room at BWV, though, was sub par. We bought BLT for the location (CR is our favorite resort) and for the length of the contract.

 

[LvsTnk]

Odd (the pool exclusivety) then.

Sorry your room was less-than. Ours was wonderful on our last trip. Our room at BWV, though, was sub par. We bought BLT for the location (CR is our favorite resort) and for the length of the contract.

Always pick what you love for sure. I couldn't help myself had to walk every time we went to MK! I haven't stayed in a BWV since the year it opened wow that's a long time ago. I don't let the little things bother me (even tho it was rather uncomfortable having whoever passed be able to see into the bathroom) was just a report, my vac time is spent vacationing I prob should have followed up with housekeeping after snippy girl hung up on me. I will hopefully get an email for a review.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Actually, my favorite resort has always been and probably always will be the CR for sentimental reasons going back to childhood. I stayed there once as a child and again more recently in the Garden Wing (free upgrade from POR!). This will probably be my one and only time staying in the tower but only because of the cost (split it with DM). I would stay there every time if I could! My second favorite (and much more affordable) resort is the WL. We all love the atmosphere there and it's my DD's favorite... because it was her first?? Her first WDW visit (and my first visit back as an adult) was perfect... full of pixie dust and magical experiences. We stayed at the WL then.

I have a big soft spot for WL, too

Add me to the 2014 list!!! Staying BLT theme park view Sept 30-Oct 7! Can't wait!!!!!!

Yippee!

We are staying for the first time at the CR and I have two questions about the pool area at the CR. We too are renting a cabana for the day and I have searched endlessly for info about the cabanas and can only find that there are four available around the bullseye pool. Since my kids will likely be spending all their time on the slide, I'd like to be able to supervise from the comfort of my cabana. When I called to book, they assured me there was a cabana by the main pool (yes, I know they are often wrong over the phone), so I am checking with the experts... anyone know for sure if there is one? I suspect not, but am wishfully thinking...

Welcome to the thread and for the first time to the CR! I have some photos of the feature pool cabana and info. HERE. There were originally four cabanas surrounding the Bullseye/Bay Lake pool. Several years ago they took two of the cabanas and placed them at the feature pool. So don't worry, they are there

Is this true, even if on checks in online ahead of time? Summer of 12 we stayed CL at BWI and were just told by a couple of College Program kids at the Bell Desk to schlep our bags up to the Club Level and we'd be checked in there. The cast member who buzzed us in was appalled and rolled her eyes about the College Program, but then told us our packet was waiting at the downstairs check in since we had already checked in online. There was not a dedicated downstairs check in for CL, which is why the College Program kids sent us upstairs in the first place. Now online check in was still pretty new then, but in our previous experience staying CL at the BC, we were greeted by a CL cast member the minute we stepped off the Magical Express.

We also stayed CL at BWI in April of '12 and after the bellman took our luggage (we drove), we were greeted by a CL Runner who escorted us upstairs. I also did Online Check-In, too and all our materials (except our itinerary) were waiting for us up on the 4th floor of the Innkeeper's Club.

We were once over-looked at YC though. We also arrived by car and the bellman took our luggage and no one greeted us. We wandered around the lobby and asked where to check-in and we were told to just go to the check-in desk. I knew this wasn't right and it wasn't until I explained that we were staying CL that suddenly a CL Runner appeared, apologized, and escorted up to the 5th floor. My guess is the gate guard didn't notify CL of our arrival.

I don't have any experience with ME arrivals so I can't comment on how well that works with CL. I assume there is a CM who has the list of CL guests who checks to see if any are on the bus so they can be escorted upstairs.

 

[erikamacelroy]

So I'm hoping this is the right place to ask this question. I'm staying BLT but I'm wondering if there is a place to use our refillable mugs to get seltzer water? I just saw a picture of the bar down at the BLT pool and it did not have a dispenser for it. Do you think the actual bartender would refill the mug with seltzer water? Anyone have experience with this?

 

[WDWKOOK]

So I'm hoping this is the right place to ask this question. I'm staying BLT but I'm wondering if there is a place to use our refillable mugs to get seltzer water? I just saw a picture of the bar down at the BLT pool and it did not have a dispenser for it. Do you think the actual bartender would refill the mug with seltzer water? Anyone have experience with this?

Due to food handling rules/restrictions, refillable mugs can only be refilled at refillable mug locations and can't cross over into food prep/handling areas. Sometimes, CMs have been known to put a beverage into a cup and hand it to the guest who has a refillable mug, but I've only heard of this happening at the Sand Bar at CR and it's not a common practice.

 

[AaronInWI]

After four previous stays in the Contemporary tower (Lake View - love the Lake View), we will be staying at BLT for the first time at the end of August. Using a AAA room only rate, it was cheaper to stay in a studio room here than a room in the Contemporary tower. We had considered renting points, but the thought of coughing up 1700+ non-refundable dollars, almost a year before the trip, scared me away. I'm hoping we don't end up with buyer's remorse over moving away from the CR. The CR tower room is larger, we love the view on the CR tower Lake side (we turned down an upgrade to the MK view on our last trip), and honestly we take comfort in the familiarity of it. But, we've wanted to stay at BLT since it was announced, so we're giving it a try. I have a feeling if we like the amenities enough, we'll be saving up for a 1-bedroom for our next trip.

 

[erikamacelroy]

Due to food handling rules/restrictions, refillable mugs can only be refilled at refillable mug locations and can't cross over into food prep/handling areas. Sometimes, CMs have been known to put a beverage into a cup and hand it to the guest who has a refillable mug, but I've only heard of this happening at the Sand Bar at CR and it's not a common practice.

Good to know! Thanks for the reply!