17 days of "Contempary" wdw / reviews

[mkymouse4ever]

Just back from 17 nites at the Contempary Resort. Can a Tower girl like the garden? Sis & I are serious wdw fans. And with 3 trips planned this year, we thought about being more frugal. Was worth a try wasn't it. Hard to think of "wdw" as a frugal idea?

First adventure: Southwest airlines. Great price but wasn't convinced about the seating policy & no disney luggage service. [we don't magical express, but rent a car]. I loved it. The plane loaded more easily than united or american. And from chicago: midway is actually nicer than ohare. [well, at least cleaner & more food choices] The seatings with the numbers and letters worked well & quick. Heard from several disney "people" that they want to add southwest to its luggage service soon. [not the magical express just baggage handling on return to airport] Overall: will definately do this again.

National Rental car: We are regulars here. Love Emerald aisle. Scored a black, mazda mr3. Brand new with 4 miles on it. Quick in and out, no price haggling what so ever.

Contempary Resort. We have stayed there several times before and a few times in the garden. We did 2 of the 7 for 4 packages [one being 9 for 6?] So, being frugal comes in here. We chose gv / gw. but the 2nd package could not keep this category and took the "deluxe room" / gw. Our first room was on the farthest end right overlooking the lake and next to the big suite on the end facing the pool / 3 rd floor. Totally a great location. Very, very quiet. Not many people come down there. Great view of the lake. We had 2 water parades a nite cause the wl viewing we could see great as well as the cr's. Room was clean, and well maintained no issues. Towel animals daily & I collected them placing on the mandle daily. The best housekeeping at CR definately in the GW! Now, the move: We got the large corner room on the first floor. Near the entrance, to the tower area. facing the pool. This is a great and cool room. 2 patio's, king bed, and queen couch sleeper, oversized large tv, with dvd, large bathroom with stand alone shower & tub/shower. Still private commode. Extra tables and chairs too. Unfortunately with the pool work we got a great view of gaint fencing and the walkway was VERY near the room if you kept the curtains open and lots of foot traffic. This is definatly NOT a quiet location. Since the curve of the halls is right at that door, kids / people run ahead and then wait [and yell] to there party behind them right here. The housekeeping staff like to hang out outside here too, since it is near there station / area. Housekeeping was alot slower here, and not as bad as we have had in tower, but not up to the other end's work. I liked this room, but definatly would be better on 3rd floor. Might be quietier with a better [more distant view]. Rooms are all decorated the same as the tower. No ceiling fans here either. I can live with the weird sink's. Nice being by the pool and great parking. But you do feel more distant. Less, in the thick of things, the feeling I love about the tower. Lots of loud, conventioners in the gw and many late "meetings?" Overall: Love the CR, and the gw is just a different experince. Still wonderfull.

next eating at wdw for 17 days?

mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Dining, yes we ate. no disney dining thou, just "tables in wonderland".

Tables in wonderland aka: disney dining experience. We had this card the last few years. Our first experience using since the tip is now included. However, I found a few places did not take the manditory tip. I think they where hopeful for a different tip?

GF cafe, we ate here a few times. It is a beauitful room, and often overlooked for dinner or lunch. Great service and good food.

GF gardenview tea, We love the tea. Nice, quiet activity. A great break. Wonderful scones & finger sandwiches.

Planet Hollywood, We actually ate here twice. Find it fun. Love the texas tostadas for appy. We had "free" entrees here with our package.

France's chef de france, We had lunch & a dinner here. Wonderful food. Love the appy: La Tartla Flamme [sp?] it is a flat bread with cheese, bacon and onions. Macaroni for dinner, or the Pork chop. Both are great. Saw chef Remi, he comes to your table!

Sci fi, I love this place. Yes, very limited menu & we always wind up being "hitch hikers" getting a back seat with a family. But it is cool, dark and you can't beat the film clips.

Garden Grille, My fav. character meal in all wdw. They come to you. Its table service and mickey.

Tony's town sqare resturant, service is too fast here. Great if your hurrying or starving. Otherwise, the food is so so.

Spoodles, we always wanted to try this. But, I guess I was wrong. I thought it was more of a fancier place than it was. I was worried about what to wear, and it was loud, active, mostly kids and families. No one dressed other than park clothes. Good food, spicy for me. I prefered it to marakessh thou.

Liberty tree, we had lunch here. It has a nice menu, and everything I have had here is good. Nice americana.

Plaza, I have decided over the years it is spotty with service & food [except ice cream] But it was really nice. We split the corned beef sandwich and no fuss. Very nice, and great service.

Canada, Le Celliar, My last 2 try's here, we swore it off. I said 3rd time has to be the charm. Wrong. Seated 35 minutes after ressie, Our waiter was so busy with the demanding table next to us [also table of 2] that we where totally neglected. I guess, I should of assertived myself more, but not interested in being needie. [too passive aggressive] Took our order, here is your bread and pop, then someone else brought out food. [prime rib was dry] and waiter brought us the check. Sorry, we will not try again. I know lots of people love canada's resturant, but they can have my ressie from now on.

China, sorry forgot name, We love the new version. I liked the old one too thou. A little brighter than was before. And always good service. Kept favorites on menu from before. We had a great time here.

T-Rex, nice and interesting. Rainforest cafe + dino's.

We also ate at many of the fast food offerings. Loved: The land, America at epcot. Tommorrowland Terrace & Columbia harbor house, pirates of pirata is sis's all time fav. at MK, Backlot at DHS. AK: Pizzafaria.

Off property we ate at: Friendlies on International drive, cleaned up! and love there cherry coke. Tony Roma's ribs on international drive: Very nice and good food. Great taco bell @ the goodings plaza. AK's mcdonalds is under construction but still open.

mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We had a great time. And loved the march weather. No rain except a few sprinkles one afternoon for less than 5 minutes. Spring break was busy off and on. Cooler at nite but we wore shorts exclusively the whole time. Parks where busy and fast pass helped alot. Our biggest problem was the time change. We just changed to daylight savings and then eastern time.

Hope these help someone, mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

My buddy here in the corn loves the Garden Grille. It's her favorite. They had to cancel their June trip due to a new job and no vacation time for her DH. I don't think the 60% pay cut helped either.

 

[candizfan]

Hi MKY - glad to see you made it home safe and sound.

I love the Garden Grill at Epcot as well. I think the food is wonderful and the characters add the extra touch.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Great Trip Report MKY ! ....thank you for sharing it with us !!
Our fav. counter service restaurants are CHH and Pizzafari ..Love the Tuna on Whole Grain bread at CHH
So happy that you had great weather as well !!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting your review.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Thanks everyone!

mky

 

[tripplanner2]

MKY: Welcome Home!!!

Have not been getting updates but glad I checked in. So happy to read your report. Glad you liked SW. We are always happy with them.