Just booked the Contemporary! First time staying there, and have questions...

[marybogue]

I grew up going to the Polynesian, and am super excited to be returning to WDW with my mom and 2 children (ages 6 and 5). My last trip was in 2002. I have never stayed at the Contemporary, so if any of you Disney pros have any advice or tips, I am all ears!

My particular question is, how long is the walk to the MK, and what part of the park does it put you in? Any reviews or thoughts on the Wave restaurant? I saw the California Grill will be closed when we are there in May.

Thanks!

[spiceycat]

walk to MK - depends upon where you start and how fast you walk - anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes from the front door of the CR.

where it puts you - MK does not have any entrances except the main one - it is not like Epcot.

you walk pass the buses to the main entrance at the MK

[marybogue]

Originally Posted by spiceycat

walk to MK - depends upon where you start and how fast you walk - anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes from the front door of the CR.

where it puts you - MK does not have any entrances except the main one - it is not like Epcot.

you walk pass the buses to the main entrance at the MK

Thank you very much! We are staying in a standard room in the Garden Wing.

[lililoo12]

are you staying tower or garden wing? the tower has a shorter walk than the wing to mk

[Bearybear]

When we were there, in the garden wing (almost as far from the tower as possible) it took us 15-18 minutes from our room to walk to bag check. It was faster than the monorail by quite a bit.

[spiceycat]

Originally Posted by marybogue

Thank you very much! We are staying in a standard room in the Garden Wing.

would then not bother to go in the tower - just turn left - walk pass BLT - you will see signs.

[KrazeeK120]

I stayed there in March (tower) and it took us about 10 minutes to walk.

As soon as you cross the street from the Contemporary, you'll see the MK bus stops (where people from the other resorts are being dropped off). And as a pp mentioned, there is only one entrance to the MK.

I've been to the Wave (2009) and I liked it very much. DH didn't care for it. I think some of the entrees are a little hit and miss. You didn't mention if you're on the dining plan. If you're not particularly looking to burn a TS credit, the Contemporary has a very good QS place called the Contempo Cafe (located near Chef Mickey's). I think it may be better use of your $$ than The Wave. YMMV.

[marybogue]

Thanks for the great info everyone! I love the idea of walking to the MK. I was under the impression that we would have a balcony (I thought all Deluxe Resorts had one) at the CR's garden wing, but it looks like that is only for the first floor. I would prefer a balcony(or I guess technically it would be a patio) because I can put the kids to bed, and my mom and I can enjoy a cocktail outside.

Does anyone know if you can request a room with a balcony/patio?

[MyOtherSS]

Good thread, some great info so far! I grew up staying at Poly with my family but my girlfriend and I are staying at the CR for the first time in the garden wing as well.

[marybogue]

Originally Posted by MyOtherSS

Good thread, some great info so far! I grew up staying at Poly with my family but my girlfriend and I are staying at the CR for the first time in the garden wing as well.

I love the Poly! The price difference between the Poly and CR wasn't much, and I am so partial to Poly, but thought we'd try something new. It looks like you will be there before us, hope you have fun and love the CR!

[AliceIn]

We loved The Wave when we went there last year.

I've stayed at CR and loved it. I got a kick out of looking down and seeing the monorail come and go. The rooms are beautiful!

The walk to MK is pretty short, IIRC, maybe 10 minutes or so?

[Bearybear]

Originally Posted by marybogue

Thanks for the great info everyone! I love the idea of walking to the MK. I was under the impression that we would have a balcony (I thought all Deluxe Resorts had one) at the CR's garden wing, but it looks like that is only for the first floor. I would prefer a balcony(or I guess technically it would be a patio) because I can put the kids to bed, and my mom and I can enjoy a cocktail outside.

Does anyone know if you can request a room with a balcony/patio?

Yes, you can request a ground floor room. It isn't a guarantee, though, but it doesn't hurt to ask. You can call and add it to your reservation.

[marybogue]

Originally Posted by Bearybear

Yes, you can request a ground floor room. It isn't a guarantee, though, but it doesn't hurt to ask. You can call and add it to your reservation.

Thanks - calling right now!

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Originally Posted by lililoo12

are you staying tower or garden wing? the tower has a shorter walk than the wing to mk

That depends on where your room is. You also have to consider the waits for an elevator. There really isn't that much difference between the two. I've stayed in both several times.

Originally Posted by marybogue

Thanks for the great info everyone! I love the idea of walking to the MK. I was under the impression that we would have a balcony (I thought all Deluxe Resorts had one) at the CR's garden wing, but it looks like that is only for the first floor. I would prefer a balcony(or I guess technically it would be a patio) because I can put the kids to bed, and my mom and I can enjoy a cocktail outside.

Does anyone know if you can request a room with a balcony/patio?

The bottom floor does have a small patio. The rooms above do have what some call a Juliet balcony, you can open the door but there is no real balcony.

I would request a first floor room now, and repeat the request at check in. Tell the CM you will wait for a first floor room, instead of taking another room earlier.

Another tip, the way the building is configured there are several bends in it. If you are in the end farthest from the tower it can be faster to located the exit nearest your room and walk outside instead of through the building. Maybe you can tell in this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/contempmap.htm

Also on the map is the bus stop, it is 17. You will walk by that to get to MK. On the way back from MK take the monorail if the line isn't to long, as it is the first stop and faster than the walk.

[marybogue]

Originally Posted by J.C.&ALI'SMOM

That depends on where your room is. You also have to consider the waits for an elevator. There really isn't that much difference between the two. I've stayed in both several times.



The bottom floor does have a small patio. The rooms above do have what some call a Juliet balcony, you can open the door but there is no real balcony.

I would request a first floor room now, and repeat the request at check in. Tell the CM you will wait for a first floor room, instead of taking another room earlier.

Another tip, the way the building is configured there are several bends in it. If you are in the end farthest from the tower it can be faster to located the exit nearest your room and walk outside instead of through the building. Maybe you can tell in this map: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/contempmap.htm

Also on the map is the bus stop, it is 17. You will walk by that to get to MK. On the way back from MK take the monorail if the line isn't to long, as it is the first stop and faster than the walk.

Fabulous tips - thank you! I just got off the phone with Disney and they added the request to the reservation. He said that 10 days before the arrival, the hotel will generate a list of the requests and try to meet them. But upon arrival, I will definitely tell the CM we are willing to wait for a patio room. I am sooooo excited!