A POP girl is staying at the Contemporary!

[michygoomy]

Hmm...we went from no Disney trips this year (none, absolutely not!) to an 8-day trip in June staying at the Contemporary? How does this keep happening?

Anyway, I lucked out and got scheduled for a conference. The room rate was so fantastic I couldn't pass up bringing everyone and staying longer. I have some questions:

1.) Is there a bad view, really? My room request is Tower (and the CM said she already had me in a Tower room, though not guaranteed, of course) and I just added MK view today. I don't want to push my luck with anything else. If those requests are filled, can I even get a bad room?

2.) How is the renovation going? Is the food court (I forget the name) still closed? DH is a mite concerned that we won't be able to get refillable mugs. I'm not sure if the trip is worth it if the man doesn't get his coffee in the morning.

3.) We have dinner for Cali Grill booked at 9pm one night just for DH and I. Are there any seats where you *can't* see the fireworks?

4.) Do you think I'll have a problem asking for seperate checks during a romatic dinner with my husband? Hey, expense account, y'know.

5.) Do you think the front desk would be willing to split the room bill between two credit cards? (Work paying for three nights, me the rest).

6.) Will my family ever be satisfied to stay at POP again after this is all over?


The travelling party is me, DH, DS14, DD12 & DD3. We have a few trips under our belt (this is the toddler's third!) and most of the time we stay at values (which we love and adore, really and truly).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1) There are no bad views in the Tower, so if you get the Magic Kingdom view great. If not the Bay Lake view is also very good.

2) The Food & Fun Center has been closed since September and right now on the 4th floor there is the Tempo Grab & Go location. Besides that by the pool there is the Sand Bar, which had a similar menu then the Food & Fun Center. As for the renovation when you will be there they will be working where the North Garden Wing building use to be and they will be working on turing the Concourse Stakhouse into Chef Mickey's Express, which is to be the new counter service location that is replacing the Food & Fun Center and is opening this August.

3) I have never had dinner at the California Grill, however you might not get a table to see the fireworks. I do know you can still get up and view them once they start.

4) I am not sure.

5) Once agian I am not sure.

6) That depends because once you stay at any Deluxe Resort it might be hard to try a Value Resort again, so only you will be able to figure that out.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Up until last summer we had only stayed at Deluxe resorts - the kids and I stayed at Pop last August. We really loved it. We had to get past the fact that the bed is about 2 inches from the door......but, still. My only complaint about Pop was the distance to the bus stops at the parks. The Pop bus stop at MK is like walking all the way to the CR!

Anyway, you will be fine going back to Value. They all have their pros and cons. This summer we are doing a week at Pop then a week at BWI. It will be DHs first value experience - but we are getting 2 rooms.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

1) With the Contemporary, you have to book your room category:
Standard, Garden, and Deluxe categories rooms are in the South Garden Wing exterior building of the resort. If you physically book a Tower room it will provide you with a view of the Bay Lake. A Tower room with a Magic Kingdom view is a seperate room category. I'd double check your conference rate and room category that you booked so you know what better to expect! If you have booked a Tower room, I'd request a higher floor as they offer more "vast" views. As another poster said though, there really aren't any bad views!

2) Not %100 sure on this so will let others answer!

3) Yes, some seats will provide obstructed views of the fireworks or no view at all. The best thing to do would be to request "table for fireworks viewing" on your reservation and again when you check-in for your ADR. If the fireworks are at 9pm, I'd make a reservation for at least an hour beforehand. Tables tend to "hang around" if they've finished eating before the fireworks have started which delays other reservations that would have normally been seated in time. They're really isn't a "bad table" in the place, but certain tables have better views than others!

4) Nah, you shouldn't have a problem at all lol. Just make sure you mention it before you give your orders and confirm everything before your about to pay. I doubt your server will even give you a glance about it!

5) Not %100 sure on this one either, but from past expereince with booking packages, we had no issues with this or when settling our room charge bill with two different credit cards.

6) Hmm.. guess it just depends on your kids. Pop definately has some major eye candy for the little ones and a more kid friendly appeal than the Contemporary. The monorail, pool area and slide, beach, location to MK, and water pagent could sway them though!

One thing I do miss with the Deluxes is having a full food court like we get with the values. Otherwise, the deluxes do tend to spoil you. I'm sure the extra space in the room will be a huge help with 3 kids too!

 

[michygoomy]

Thanks for the great responses!! Keep 'em comin', I'm still curious about the mugs!

1) With the Contemporary, you have to book your room category:
Standard, Garden, and Deluxe categories rooms are in the South Garden Wing exterior building of the resort. If you physically book a Tower room it will provide you with a view of the Bay Lake. A Tower room with a Magic Kingdom view is a seperate room category. I'd double check your conference rate and room category that you booked so you know what better to expect! If you have booked a Tower room, I'd request a higher floor as they offer more "vast" views. As another poster said though, there really aren't any bad views!

That's what's confusing me a a bit. I have one flat rate for the conference ($197) and no specifics. I book through group reservations. At the end of the conversation I asked where they usually put the conferences guests. She said it could either be in the garden wing or the Tower. I asked if I could put a room request in for a Tower room. She said no problem, and that she already had me slotted in a Tower room (do they get to do room assignments themselves?) but it wasn't guarenteed. I called back today to add a MK view, and she just added it to the reservation. I'm afraid I'm getting greedy now!

Yes, some seats will provide obstructed views of the fireworks or no view at all. The best thing to do would be to request "table for fireworks viewing" on your reservation and again when you check-in for your ADR. If the fireworks are at 9pm, I'd make a reservation for at least an hour beforehand. Tables tend to "hang around" if they've finished eating before the fireworks have started which delays other reservations that would have normally been seated in time. They're really isn't a "bad table" in the place, but certain tables have better views than others!

Fireworks are at 10pm and our ressies are at 9pm. I just told DH that we couldn't add a request for a fireworks view to the ressie, so now I have to call them back when he's not home or I'll have to eat my words.

 

[vicceja]

I can only warn you.....

You will not be able to go back to POP....

 

[Princess_Belle]

I wouldn't count on getting an MK view with the "conference rate." The normal rate in June is $465 a night! Maybe you will get lucky but don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen. I hope that you do get the request because it is the most amazing feeling waking up to the Castle!!! Sending you some Pixiedust.

Also I don't think that the new counter service will be ready in June. So Your DH won't have a refillable mug. I was pretty mad about that myself but hey what can you do

 

[typhoonlagooner]

That's what's confusing me a a bit. I have one flat rate for the conference ($197) and no specifics. I book through group reservations. At the end of the conversation I asked where they usually put the conferences guests. She said it could either be in the garden wing or the Tower. I asked if I could put a room request in for a Tower room. She said no problem, and that she already had me slotted in a Tower room (do they get to do room assignments themselves?) but it wasn't guarenteed. I called back today to add a MK view, and she just added it to the reservation. I'm afraid I'm getting greedy now!

Ah ok! We're going down on a conference rate in March for the Grand Floridian... regularly 520 a night, we're going for 310ish. DBF recieved a brochure that gave him the option of a garden view room or a 1-bedroom suite in the main building... but we couldnt come up with the $800 a night for the suite. Either way, the discount worked out to be %35ish off rack rate which for us was peak season. I had him call conference booking directly and they seemed to be pretty informative on what exactly was being offered room category wise. Using that same "discount logic" on your reservation, I'd say that would put you in a standard/garden view room.

I will say there is no harm in requesting a tower mk view even if it is a garden wing room. Whats the worst case? They say no? Maybe they'll surprise you and upgrade you to a tower at check-in!

 

[Trixiezzz]

Hi, I'm writing this from the contemporary right now. Up till now, we had never stayed anywhere but Pop and POR.

PROS-

The main thing that has really spoiled me is the MONORAIL. It is so much of a time saver and effort saver to just ride the monorail back "home" to the CR. We have not been on a bus yet! I just love it and wonder how I'll be able to go back to those long POP lines and long rides back after the MK closes.

Secondly, these in room computers are just great, too. Right now there's free internet and we've all enjoyed having that!

The pool slide is great and my kids love it.

CONS-

The food court is closed and we have gotten tired of the very limited offerings in the Grab and Go (which gets really busy at night) and the pool restaurant which only has outside seating. We did Chef Mickey's (which we loved) but that and the Concourse can get expensive.

The theming is not really "obvious" Disney. My DD asked me the first day why we didn't stay "onsite". She didnt even realize this was Disney! But they love it now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for the great responses!! Keep 'em comin', I'm still curious about the mugs!

That's what's confusing me a a bit. I have one flat rate for the conference ($197) and no specifics. I book through group reservations. At the end of the conversation I asked where they usually put the conferences guests. She said it could either be in the garden wing or the Tower. I asked if I could put a room request in for a Tower room. She said no problem, and that she already had me slotted in a Tower room (do they get to do room assignments themselves?) but it wasn't guarenteed. I called back today to add a MK view, and she just added it to the reservation. I'm afraid I'm getting greedy now!

When it comes to the mugs when you are staying there they will not be sold. The Grab & Go location on the 4th floor does not have the equipment for a soda machine, so no reason to sell the mugs there and the Sand Bar also won't be selling them.

I am not sure how they go about putting guests with conferences in rooms, because like typhoonlagooner said anyone staying there who would not be with a convention either books a Tower Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake view or a Standard Garden Wing or Deluxe Garden Wing room. My suggestion if you get a confirmation for a specifc room keep it and bring it with you when you arrive to check-in, incase there are any problems.

 

[michygoomy]

I am not sure how they go about putting guests with conferences in rooms, because like typhoonlagooner said anyone staying there who would not be with a convention either books a Tower Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake view or a Standard Garden Wing or Deluxe Garden Wing room. My suggestion if you get a confirmation for a specifc room keep it and bring it with you when you arrive to check-in, incase there are any problems.

That's a good point. I think I'll wait until I get my first written confirmation and see what it says. For normal guests, it would usually say the room category, right? If it doesn't say anything, I'll call them again.

Thanks, Trixiezzz, for the live report! I hope the rest of your trip is great.

Secondly, these in room computers are just great, too. Right now there's free internet and we've all enjoyed having that!

Seriously, there's a computer in the room? What kind of room?

CONS-

The food court is closed and we have gotten tired of the very limited offerings in the Grab and Go (which gets really busy at night) and the pool restaurant which only has outside seating. We did Chef Mickey's (which we loved) but that and the Concourse can get expensive.

Ugh, this has me a little concerned. When we've stayed at POP, we eat a lot of the meals back at the resort. I guess we're just going to have to plan around it. Do they have coffee in the Grab and Go?

Maybe I'll buy DH a mug from the Poly and send him on the monorail every morning.

 

[ploto]

There are no bad views from the tower, nomatter where you are in tower the view will be fantastic.

Not sure if the new counter service restaurant will be open when you are there, I have heard tempo grab and go (temporary counter service restaurant) is not selling the mugs.

If the Tempo Grab N Go is not working out I would just get on the monorail and go over to Capt Cooks at the POLY.

Enjoy the CR is is one of my favorite WDW resorts, truley a Disney classic its AMAZING....have a great trip.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That's a good point. I think I'll wait until I get my first written confirmation and see what it says. For normal guests, it would usually say the room category, right? If it doesn't say anything, I'll call them again.

Seriously, there's a computer in the room? What kind of room?

Ugh, this has me a little concerned. When we've stayed at POP, we eat a lot of the meals back at the resort. I guess we're just going to have to plan around it. Do they have coffee in the Grab and Go?

Yes all guests who make regular reservations would get a confirmation of the room they selected.

All the guest rooms have a computer on a table with free Internet access.

Yes they Tempo Grab & Go was selling coffee and you filled it up with the paper cups they provided.

Not sure if the new counter service restaurant will be open when you are there, I have heard tempo grab and go (temporary counter service restaurant) is not selling the mugs.

The OP is staying at the Contemporary in June and at that time they will be working on the new counter service location, which is to open this August. And yes you are correct that the Tempo Grab & Go is not selling the mugs.

 

[Trixiezzz]

Seriously, there's a computer in the room? What kind of room?

Here's a picture I took of the computer that's on the glass desk in the room. We had a Garden wing, garden view room.

The computer is connected to the internet and I used it to check email, read this board and a few other things. I have heard others say you cannot upload photos (I didn't try).


My kids played on Webkinz and Disney.com games and amused themselves while we were getting ready. It was a super convenience!!!

There is no printer so you can't print out boarding passes with it. (The front desk will do that for you if you booked air through Disney. Or if you are booked with certain airlines, you can do airline check in directly at the hotel. We were flying Airtran and were able to get boarding passes and turn in our checked luggage 12 hours ahead of time.)

Hope this helps!