Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[trishadono]

I believe they are still providing the grapefruit at CR, however, suites and some CL rooms sometimes provide the Sea Salt. We also had the Sea Salt in August at GF, but grapefruit at Poly, CR and WL.

We had grapefruit at BWI but sea salt at BC cl.

 

[trishadono]

What is the dimension of the balcony window at BLT? Staying in a studio after Thanksgiving and thinking of putting up lights to get in the holiday spirit...and see the room from outside. Or better, if anyone can tell be what size strands of either icicle lights or a strand to go all the way around. And how well do suction cups hold them up. TIA

They are sliding double doors.

What about the removable sticky hooks?

Enjoy the holiday time at WDW

 

[Happyjen27]

I believe they are still providing the grapefruit at CR, however, suites and some CL rooms sometimes provide the Sea Salt. We also had the Sea Salt in August at GF, but grapefruit at Poly, CR and WL.

Best news ever! I don't care for the Sea Salt at all, the grapefruit, however, is divine. Thank you!

The closer our trip gets, the less excited I am about Contemporary. I can't put my finger on it but, it just doesn't hold much appeal especially for Christmas. We are staying Non-club level TPV which looks like more of a parking lot view from pictures. I fear we are going to feel like we're in a subway or airport...

And then, those fireworks light up the sky. And then, as you're doing something in the evening, and you look up and get a clear, beautiful glimpse of Cindy's castle. And then at the end of the night, you walk past huge masses of people waiting for buses, boats and monorails to get back to their rooms, and you're in your room in 8 minutes flat. And then you will be walking to your room and hear the Chef Mickey song, and hum along, wishing you had a napkin. And then, even though you're a grown adult, you stop and marvel every time the monorail runs through your resort.

During those moments, you will fall in love with the CR.

 

[Ewoks]

When you're at the Contemporary, you're staying in Tomorrowland. That's a huge part of what makes it so fun. The theme is unlike any other WDW resort. Instead of a themed hotel, the hotel itself IS the theme. The monorail, the old-school "futuristic" design, everything. It's so much more than just convenient. I get it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I think once you give it a chance to wow you, you won't regret it.

 

[mickeynut1]

The closer our trip gets, the less excited I am about Contemporary. I can't put my finger on it but, it just doesn't hold much appeal especially for Christmas. We are staying Non-club level TPV which looks like more of a parking lot view from pictures. I fear we are going to feel like we're in a subway or airport...

I feel exactly the same way. We moved from WL to CR because of the construction, but I'm having a hard time getting excited about the CR atmosphere. Just hoping the convenience will make up for it!

The CR has never been on our list to try as the theme/decor has never appealed to us, but after reading reports of other people's stays and seeing a lot of great pics, it is now a resort we want to try. With that said, I hope you both have a great time and enjoy the resort. You might not fall in love with it and put it at the top of your list of favorites, but I hope you like it more than you think you will .

As a compromise, we're planning to have dinner at WL and take in the holiday atmosphere. I'm hoping that will give us enough of the holiday magic, and also trying to get excited about the bigger rooms and convenience of CR. Hope you have a great trip

I think that's a great plan! The WL is amazing during the holidays and although the CR doesn't have the same atmosphere/feel, it does have its own unique style. I'm sure you'll have a great time .

No matter what, a day at Disney is way better than a day at work.

And then, those fireworks light up the sky. And then, as you're doing something in the evening, and you look up and get a clear, beautiful glimpse of Cindy's castle. And then at the end of the night, you walk past huge masses of people waiting for buses, boats and monorails to get back to their rooms, and you're in your room in 8 minutes flat. And then you will be walking to your room and hear the Chef Mickey song, and hum along, wishing you had a napkin. And then, even though you're a grown adult, you stop and marvel every time the monorail runs through your resort.

Great description .

 

[WDWKOOK]

Some aerial footage of yesterday's monorail/tow accident is located HERE. Here are some screen caps. from the video:

 

[kmorlock]

Thanks everyone, I hope I like it more than I think as well. We will enjoy Disney no matter what.

 

[Candycane83]

Just so you are aware, there is a hefty price tag on the themepark rooms at BLT. You mentioned flexability with regards to renting points. We have a 2 year old and we stay at BLT as DVC owners. We always get the Theme Park view. But we also spend more time in the room than many other guests. During our 7 days, we only go to the park 4 days, and the days we go, we don't usually get there before 1030 and leave usually before 7. We love spending time looking out and watching the transportation and Magic kingdom come to life. We also enjoy the fireworks from our room balcony each night, or depending on which direction our bed faces, just laying in bed and watching them.

For us it is a great experience, but may certainly be a luxury for many, including other DVC members. I have included two photos from our last trip.

Thanks @Quellman I'm going with my DS who will be 2.5 during our trip so it is a consideration. I priced it and it's about $400-500 more than my current reservation by renting points. I'm still thinking about it but not being in control of the reservation does I intimidate me. (Control freak here). Still, thinking about being able to see the fireworks from our room is very appealing and your post is making me think. I have about a month and a half to make up my mind (11month window)

 

[Kathy Jetson]

We'll be there on Saturday. Can anyone there tell me if the tree is up yet? I know the gingerbread display is up.

 

[Skywise]

How about the wreath!!! (Yeah I know.. I can dream though! )

 

[JaimeK]

I'm so excited! I booked the CR for the 2nd part of our stay in March. We're booked at POR for the first half and I wanted to pick something else for a change to end our trip. And I think after busing everywhere the walk and monorail will be awesome.

So... should I keep the 2nd location as a surprise?

 

[5Hfan]

The closer our trip gets, the less excited I am about Contemporary. I can't put my finger on it but, it just doesn't hold much appeal especially for Christmas. We are staying Non-club level TPV which looks like more of a parking lot view from pictures. I fear we are going to feel like we're in a subway or airport...

We stayed over Christmas last year, non CL TPV, and requested high floor away from Chef Mickey's, with the beds facing the MK. It didn't feel like a parking lot view to us, it was magical seeing MK the last thing before sleep and the first thing when you woke up! Youngest is here just staring...



The view over the water toward the GF


We drove and brought a tree, but even without one a strand of lights and stockings on the neat back lit tile feature were Christmasy.


and Christmas night, sitting on the balcony enjoying the fireworks after a great Disney and Christmas Day!





Now I will say if you are coming from someplace where you are used to a white, winter Christmas, it can be disconcerting!! But I've lived away from my childhood "Norman Rockwell" Colorado Mt snow Christmas for a long time now, so that no longer impacts my view of Christmasy.

 

[kmorlock]

We stayed over Christmas last year, non CL TPV, and requested high floor away from Chef Mickey's, with the beds facing the MK. It didn't feel like a parking lot view to us, it was magical seeing MK the last thing before sleep and the first thing when you woke up! Youngest is here just staring...

View attachment 136212

The view over the water toward the PolyView attachment 136215

We drove and brought a tree, but even without one a strand of lights and stockings on the neat back lit tile feature were Christmasy.
View attachment 136213

and Christmas night, sitting on the balcony enjoying the fireworks after a great Disney and Christmas Day!

View attachment 136216

View attachment 136217

Now I will say if you are coming from someplace where you are used to a white, winter Christmas, it can be disconcerting!! But I've lived away from my childhood "Norman Rockwell" Colorado Mt snow Christmas for a long time now, so that no longer impacts my view of Christmasy.

Those are some beautiful pics! I might be in for a better time than I thought after all.

 

[5Hfan]

I'm so excited! I booked the CR for the 2nd part of our stay in March. We're booked at POR for the first half and I wanted to pick something else for a change to end our trip. And I think after busing everywhere the walk and monorail will be awesome.


So... should I keep the 2nd location as a surprise?

That is a very fun surprise! We did that last year, the kids knew we were going to Disney, but not staying at the Contemporary. We arrived a few hours early for our Chef Mickey reservation, Dh took oldest, let him in on the secret, and went and checked in. I took the younger two and explored the gingerbread area and gift shop, bathroom break etc, until Dh texted me. Then took them up to see the view above the monorail, they were loving it, oohing and aahing and saying how awesome to stay there some day etc, all the while just thinking we were killing time until an ADR.

When oldest finally peeled away from looking at the monorail, used his magic band and opened the door behind us, it was beyond excitement! So much fun, a memory I'll never forget!

 

[mickeynut1]

Some aerial footage of yesterday's monorail/tow accident is located HERE. Here are some screen caps. from the video:

View attachment 136144

View attachment 136145

Thanks, KOOK .

Thanks everyone, I hope I like it more than I think as well. We will enjoy Disney no matter what.

Yes, you will .

Thanks @Quellman I'm going with my DS who will be 2.5 during our trip so it is a consideration. I priced it and it's about $400-500 more than my current reservation by renting points. I'm still thinking about it but not being in control of the reservation does I intimidate me. (Control freak here). Still, thinking about being able to see the fireworks from our room is very appealing and your post is making me think. I have about a month and a half to make up my mind (11month window)

Good luck with your decision .

We'll be there on Saturday. Can anyone there tell me if the tree is up yet? I know the gingerbread display is up.

I can't answer about the tree, but wanted to say I hope you have a great trip .

I'm so excited! I booked the CR for the 2nd part of our stay in March. We're booked at POR for the first half and I wanted to pick something else for a change to end our trip. And I think after busing everywhere the walk and monorail will be awesome.

So... should I keep the 2nd location as a surprise?

Sounds like a great surprise!

We stayed over Christmas last year, non CL TPV, and requested high floor away from Chef Mickey's, with the beds facing the MK. It didn't feel like a parking lot view to us, it was magical seeing MK the last thing before sleep and the first thing when you woke up! Youngest is here just staring...

View attachment 136212

The view over the water toward the GF
View attachment 136215

We drove and brought a tree, but even without one a strand of lights and stockings on the neat back lit tile feature were Christmasy.
View attachment 136213

and Christmas night, sitting on the balcony enjoying the fireworks after a great Disney and Christmas Day!

View attachment 136216

View attachment 136217

Now I will say if you are coming from someplace where you are used to a white, winter Christmas, it can be disconcerting!! But I've lived away from my childhood "Norman Rockwell" Colorado Mt snow Christmas for a long time now, so that no longer impacts my view of Christmasy.

Awesome pics! Looks like everyone had a great time .

Those are some beautiful pics! I might be in for a better time than I thought after all.

That is a very fun surprise! We did that last year, the kids knew we were going to Disney, but not staying at the Contemporary. We arrived a few hours early for our Chef Mickey reservation, Dh took oldest, let him in on the secret, and went and checked in. I took the younger two and explored the gingerbread area and gift shop, bathroom break etc, until Dh texted me. Then took them up to see the view above the monorail, they were loving it, oohing and aahing and saying how awesome to stay there some day etc, all the while just thinking we were killing time until an ADR.

When oldest finally peeled away from looking at the monorail, used his magic band and opened the door behind us, it was beyond excitement! So much fun, a memory I'll never forget!

What a great memory!

 

[PNO4TE]

Good afternoon ... I don't think I have been on here since before we left for our vacation! I wanted to say "THANK YOU!" to everyone who answered questions I might have had and to those who wished us a good vacation. It was terrific, and we really enjoyed our stay at BLT.

I don't have any additional pictures of our room since they look exactly like the ones already posted (HA lakeview studio #7614) but I did want to make a comment that might affect any others who book this for a mobility disabled family member. The shower is spacious and my husband loved being able to take his walker into that area to take long showers. However, there is no soap dish in the shower, nor are there any grab bars, other than on the door itself. We had to hang a plastic bag on his walker to hold soap and shampoo.

 

[jbharr1]

Booked CR GW for 5/3 thru 5/8. Celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary without the kids. First time at CR and booked mainly to be near MK. I've been thru the thread so I'm up to speed with the resort. Not nearly as complex as YC was for our last visit, which is nice.

 

[Melanie415]

Add me to the Log-o-Rail!
Staying at Bay Lake Towers in a 2 bedroom, Theme Park View villa, for 7 nights, October 16 thru 23!!


It will be Me, DH, DS(8th birthday) and DD(5) and my Mom. I haven't told my mom where we are staying. She thinks it will be a regular hotel room with her sleeping on the couch!

Then (hopefully) we will be moving on to Beach Club Villas for another 5 days.

 

[Quellman]

Thanks @Quellman I'm going with my DS who will be 2.5 during our trip so it is a consideration. I priced it and it's about $400-500 more than my current reservation by renting points. I'm still thinking about it but not being in control of the reservation does I intimidate me. (Control freak here). Still, thinking about being able to see the fireworks from our room is very appealing and your post is making me think. I have about a month and a half to make up my mind (11month window)

Good luck with your choice. It'll be a fun trip no matter what you decide!

 

[tandjr]

We have booked our trip for 11/4-11/12/16 to stay in the GW GV. I see on the website that king rooms are available but they can not be specifically booked. I called Disney and they said that there are no King rooms available in the GW or the Tower. Is this something I have to simply put in on a room request (which I did)? I'm just confused because I cannot find anywhere online to select the room type for the GW or Tower as far as bed selection.