Loved the Contemporary!!! Aug 23-29th

[tami82]

We stayed at Nick Hotel for two nights prior to our stay at Contemporary. We arrived at Contemporary before 10:00 a.m.. I figured we would take a chance and check I, I am so glad that I did. When we arrived it was ready and my request for the patio at the garden wing room was granted. Not only did I get a patio but I also got the marina/lake view which was great (we paid for the standard parking lot view). The pool was just steps from our patio. The bellhop took care of our luggage ASAP and loaded everything up it was stacked way up to the top, I couldn’t believe they fit everything. The next bellhop who brought our luggage to the room was very nice, something I expected of a Disney employee. I was very impressed with how quickly everything was taken care of. I couldnt believe we were able to check in so early that really made my day, I was in heaven!!

By 12:00 I was done unpacking & settling everything and on my way to eat at Contempo Café. We had the chicken salad and I got a gigantic black forest cupcake for the dessert. After that we headed to the Magic Kingdom which I didn’t think we would do until the night but figured we would see what we can accomplish. I was happy we were able to do a few rides before we had to head back to CR to eat at Chef Mickey. The lines weren’t bad at all and I don’t think I waited more than 10-15 mins. We went to Chef Mickey for our arrival dinner and loved it!!! The food selection was very good and better than I expected based on some reviews. For those that said it was a long walk from the garden wing to the tower I just don’t understand because I didn’t find that at all. It was maybe a 2-3 minute walk which was nothing. Also I think the tower is nice but I am glad we were in the garden wing. Having the patio was great my kids could roam a bit outside the room and we had the pool & beach area right there in front of us. That is the best thing when you have kids. Yes the bathroom sinks were very annoying being so low but a small price to pay to stay at Disney. The gift shops were also nice. There are some penny & quarter machines for the pressed coins, also an arcade which we used the 30 minute voucher (this was great one rainy night it occupied my daughter's time) so dont forget about it. Also we had a table service left over and downgraded to a counter service our last day. I had gotten a breakfast sandwich for my kids and 4 rice krispy treats (i had planned to use my last snack credit & pay out of pocket for the rest). The Cm told me i could also include 2 treats from the counter service credit and she threw in the 3rd for free which i thought was nice. Oh for you coffee lovers dont get the coffee from Contempo (i think its Nescafe and wasnt very good). Wait until 7:00 and go to the coffee shop on the first floor (much better coffee - i learned this quickly).

The hotel more then exceeded my expectations and I would definitely stay there again, especially in the garden wing. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

I have provided some pictures, hopefully it will give you a better idea of the setup of this place if you are looking to stay in the garden wings. I know i had a difficult time trying to figure it out before staying there.

[ppan77]

We love the CR! Looks like your room was extra nice! It is a very special resort for MK lovers! Our kids love it especially! We are going to stay at BLT in 2010 bc we love its location! We stayed at the Poly last year only bc CR was booked!

[of the seas]

Nice pictures! Glad you had a great time! We love it, too!

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad the walk to the tower from the garden room was not bad. I booked a room at CR garden room (we are trying to go to Disney in more affordable way so I saw a garden room during free dinning so I thought the price was reasonable...hubby does not know yet). It will be my first time staying at CR (hubby stayed there when he was young...family vacations). How was the buses? Was CR the first resort to be picked up? Was the monorail crowded or the elevator to get to the monorail since you are not in the tower rooms. Thanks for the heads up on the coffee. Did you do free dinning? If so did you have the refill mugs and if so what drinks did they have? Thank you

[AxlRose330]

glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself. I stayed at the Contemporary last month and I loved it too.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting that amazing review and it's great you all enjoyed the Contemporary. Also those pictures you posted also look great, so thanks adding them.

The only question I wanted to ask is what did you think of the Contempo Cafe Chicken Ceasar Salad?

[tami82]

Originally Posted by Pooh&OurHunny

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad the walk to the tower from the garden room was not bad. I booked a room at CR garden room (we are trying to go to Disney in more affordable way so I saw a garden room during free dinning so I thought the price was reasonable...hubby does not know yet). It will be my first time staying at CR (hubby stayed there when he was young...family vacations). How was the buses? Was CR the first resort to be picked up? Was the monorail crowded or the elevator to get to the monorail since you are not in the tower rooms. Thanks for the heads up on the coffee. Did you do free dinning? If so did you have the refill mugs and if so what drinks did they have? Thank you

Hi,
We only took the bus once to go to Hollywood Studios. I made a smart move. There was early morning hours but last minute i decided to go there and got on the 8:30 bus, there was about a total of 9 people on the bus which was great and i think we only waited only two minutes for the bus. Yes we were the first to be picked up, it stopped at Poly but there was no one at the bus stop and then straight to the studios. When we got there we really didnt miss anything even though we werent there right at opening. My kids got on Tower of Terror in about 15 minutes and they got fast passes for the rockin coaster which had an early time still on them. The monorail system was great it was either we would walk right on the monorail or there would be one coming on its way by the time we would get to the gates, we never waited. However on our 6th day there we went to MK at night and that was the most we waited during the whole trip (it must have been around 15+ mins) the monorails were packed with people on a Friday night going to see the fireworks was the only thing i could figure out. We didnt do refillable mugs since i brought so many cases of soda (i will only bring water next time and just two cases of other drinks) and we were on the free dining which was great.

[tami82]

Thank you everyone!

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Thanks for posting that amazing review and it's great you all enjoyed the Contemporary. Also those pictures you posted also look great, so thanks adding them.

The only question I wanted to ask is what did you think of the Contempo Cafe Chicken Ceasar Salad?

Lol CR I knew you were going to ask me this. Yes i really enjoyed the salad very much they give you a nice size portion. The cupcakes were great too!

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed in the same room, at about the same time, two years ago! Ours was on the end, (but not the Deluxe room) in front of BL right next to the pool. My DD loved the ducks who came right up to our door everyday and slept on the patio. We usually stay in the Tower (you'll have to try it someday), but it was a very pleasant surprise how nice that particular GW location is.

How was housekeeping?

Glad to hear that you'd go back!

[tami82]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

We stayed in the same room, at about the same time, two years ago! Ours was on the end, (but not the Deluxe room) in front of BL right next to the pool. My DD loved the ducks who came right up to our door everyday and slept on the patio. We usually stay in the Tower (you'll have to try it someday), but it was a very pleasant surprise how nice that particular GW location is.

How was housekeeping?

Glad to hear that you'd go back!

I know it was much better than expected. I dont know if i would have been as happy facing the parking lot but if i were to stay next time i would probably pay the little extra to know we would get the same type room since upgrades are not always possible. The housekeeping was great since our room was a mess everyday and they would come in and did a great job. The room was clean when we arrived which was a good thing. I didnt know what to expect since people have complained even at other resorts of the rooms not being totally clean.

[Deb & Bill]

Aren't the wing rooms the best? I hope they don't tear them down for another Bay Lake tower.

[KatMark]

So glad you enjoyed your stay at CR. In the number of times we stayed at the CR, we preferred the Garden Wings over the Towers. We thought the rooms were in a great location and very convenient.

[fla4fun]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

Aren't the wing rooms the best? I hope they don't tear them down for another Bay Lake tower.

I don't know if they could, because the south wing was smaller than the north wing to begin with, and there isn't any extra land to use to expand the space, as there was with the wooded land on the north side of the BLT property. I'm not sure another BLT would fit on that space without really crowding the CR tower. Just my opinion though.

I like the garden wing better myself. It's quieter, but you're still close to all the amenitites and convenience of CR.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by tami82

Lol CR I knew you were going to ask me this. Yes i really enjoyed the salad very much they give you a nice size portion. The cupcakes were great too!

That's great to hear that you enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

Aren't the wing rooms the best? I hope they don't tear them down for another Bay Lake tower.

I also hope they don't tear them down because then it will be a lot harder to stay at the Contemporary, since that would only leave the Tower rooms. Plus their Garden Wing rooms are among the least expensive rooms in the Deluxe Resorts, which makes them very popular. Finally since the South Garden Wing rooms got fully renovated that's another reason why I don't see them getting demolished for another DVC building.