Andreah and Brian - Dec 8th, 2009 (Reception Photos Posted)

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Lovin' it! Can't wait for more!

 

[29apr00]

I agree, your hair is awesome!! It's so long and curly! I LOVE IT!!

Great start....can't wait for more!

 

[pinkcow]

 

[acwinsett]

Thank you!

Boardwalk_bride, thanks for the compliments on the coat! I get a lot of comments on it and it is just an inexpensive coat from Target . . . and it's on sale right now if Santa needs a little last-minute inspiration

Click here

I'm thinking about buying it in blue, which is more like "indigo", very vivid.

 

[tammyandtommy]

Um we are having a snow day here... some readng material would be good bout now! LOL <JK> My daughter and I are patiently waiting!

 

[acwinsett]

I needed to run to the ladies' room and "freshen up" when we got off the bus, but I sent Brian to the line designated for guest that had used online check-in. A few moments later, I joined Brian in line, and the cast member gave me a big smile and "Congratulations!". He told Brian that there was a problem with the room key and that he'd be back in just a minute. In fact, he picked up the laptop computer he was using and took it into the back room. When he came back, he gave us our packet and our room keys.

The reservation we made was for a "Garden Wing - Garden View" room. That is not the type of room we were assigned. For starters, our room was in the main tower on the 9th floor, Room 4535. Here's the view from outside our room:

And this is what the room looks like on the inside . . . (I'm going to take this opportunity to give a review of the resort and room for anyone that may be interested in selecting the Contemporary as their hotel)

The Contemporary Resort and the room itself, in my opinion, are A+++++!!! I would TOTALLY recommend this resort for any wedding couple. I could do commercials for the Contemporary, seriously!

Location, Location, Location / Transportation, Transportation, Transportation

The location is outstanding! It's located conveniently on the monorail line, which provides direct access to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts. The Ticket and Transportation Center is the next stop on the monorail line after Contemporary, where you can switch to the Epcot monorail or catch a bus to Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney or Water Parks. (We realized pretty quickly, that hopping over to the TTC by monorail is a little quicker than waiting for buses at the Contemporary, which shares its buses with the Polynesian.) You can take a monorail over to the Magic Kingdom if you'd like, but it's four monorail stops away and the monorails are often packed coming from the Magic Kingdom - especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Walking to the Magic Kingdom is usually a much better alternative. The walking path is something like this: go to the bus stop, walk around the parking lot, cross a street, walk a couple hundred feet and you're at the place where resort buses park for Magic Kingdom - very quick!

The Rooms

The rooms at the Contemporary are the largest on Disney property (excluding suites and villas, of course!). The decor is sleek and simple, not "themey" at all. Just, very elegant in my opinion. I'm so glad they killed the bright colors, weird shapes and retro-futuristic style in the last rehab!

What made the room IDEAL for a wedding couple is (1) the size, (2) the storage (3) lots and lots of mirrors (because we HAVE to look our best!) We had 5 ladies, plus a cosmetologist in the room when we were getting ready and all of our getting ready stuff, and we didn't feel cramped. The space is very open. There is TONS of "horizontal space" and places to store things.

There are two small closets. One has two hanging rods (top and bottom) and a shelf. The other has one hanging rod and a shelf up high. There are two small drawers and a safe down low. Between the two closets are a nice-size counter space with a coffeemaker. Our leftover cake sat there for a few days, to give you an idea of how large that space is. Underneath the counter is a small refrigerator and a little shelf space.

King Size Bed

The bed is very comfy!

On the left side of the bed are are two large drawers and a really nice marble countertop that extends all the way to the wall. And, underneath the marble, I discovered the perfect little nook to store shoes that weren't being worn.

On the right side of the bed is a nightstand with an alarm clock that will dock an iPhone:

Office Area

The office area is really cool. There is a looooonnnnnnggg desk area, large enough to hold all of our gadgets and then some. There was a rolling chair, and a really great rolling table that you can stow under the desk or move it around the room. We used the rolling table to eat our breakfast most days and Patricia found it very handy to set up all of her hair and makeup stuff on the days she was there.

Television and Entertainment Center

The room has a nice flat-panel TV and even MORE shelf space! It was a nice place to set out the gifts and keepsakes from our wedding. See that gold tile mosaic under the shelf? It lights up! The housekeepers turn it on in the evening when they turn down the bed . . . very cool!

Bathroom - Tub and Vanity

Probably the strangest area is the vanity. The sinks are HUGE and very flat. And there is only a little space between them to put things. But, you can actually put stuff IN the sink if you need extra storage space. There is also a REALLY big shelf under the sink where you can store hair dryers, cosmetic bags, products, etc.

Bathroom - Towel Rack and Separate Water Closet

There is a separate water closet with a sliding door for privacy.

Sofa / Bed

In addition to the King Size Bed, there is a sofa that folds down into a really nice small bed. It was PERFECT for Gavin the few nights he was there. He LOVED it! And if you look close, you can find Mickey!

 

[acwinsett]

The Balcony

The only difference, from what I understand, in the layout of this particular room and other rooms at the Contemporary is the balcony and the view. This is the view from the balcony of Room 4535:

You could literally, open the curtains, sit in bed and watch the fireworks! Wow!

Club Level Amenities

And, as if this AMAZING room wasn't amazing enough, they granted us access to the 12th floor Club Level throughout our stay. It was a great little place to grab our morning coffee, a little fruit and pastry, or an afternoon snack and soda:

So, this was our home for the week of the wedding and I could NOT have asked for anything nicer . . . it was absolutely PERFECT!

I came to the conclusion that, for the money, Pop Century resort is the best value if you're on a budget. If I was considering a moderate level resort, I'd probably just save my money and stay at Pop Century. But, if the budget allows, I will opt for the Contemporary. I do feel the difference in amenities is worth the money.

After a little research, I found that a Tower Room with Magic Kingdom View and Club Level access goes for $600 to $830 per night, depending on the season. So that particular room would be out of reach for us in most circumstances. But we did book a Garden Wing room with King Bed using a "bounce back" offer for a week in July 2010. It came out to about $2,000 for the week - not so bad. And Brian and I decided that every 5th anniversary, we'd splurge and book the Tower Room - Magic Kingdom View - and specifically request Room 4535 - even if it's just for a couple of nights!

Up next . . . Welcome Dinner at 'Ohana!

 

[acwinsett]

Um we are having a snow day here... some readng material would be good bout now! LOL <JK> My daughter and I are patiently waiting!

Tammyandtommy:

Ha ha! You are in LUCK! Just posted a teeny bit of fresh new reading material for you guys . . . Hope you're staying warm and cozy!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Great start!!! I love your room/view/location -- looks amazing.

 

[pezaddict231]

Yay you started your trip report! What a great surprise, that is awesome! The room looks great and what a view!

 

[MainStMandy]

YAY can't wait to read more about it!! The room looks amazing!!!

 

[tammyandtommy]

Thanks! We are nice and toasty and our day is fulfilled with your trip report update! thanks!

 

[gemmybear83]

Yeahy I cant wait to read more! I love the contemporary rooms!

 

[Chilly]

I might try to book a few nights there on a future trip.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I always thought I wouldn't like the contemporary, but it looks amazing in all the pics you have taken! And I agree, I LOVE Pop!!!

Thanks for the tip on the jacket, unfortunately they do not ship to Canada though, and I think my next trip to the US will be for my wedding!

I can't wait to see more pics and read more reviews!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Ohhh..... You started! Yay!! This is making me even more excited for my day. Sound like a great start. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

WOW! We have stayed at the contemportary...about 10 fee tfrom our patio you could watch the fireworks..but the view was NOTHING like that...We were there before the rehab and were disappointed in the lack of themeing and the strange colors and shapes...but your pics! WOW! Might have to put that one back on the charts! Thanks for the review.

 

[twenty3curls]

Great start! We have a Garden Wing Garden View Deluxe booked for our wedding in March....here's hoping for the upgrade you received! Mental note to self: wear bride ears during check-in!

Although, we booked CR for the size of the rooms (for getting ready), because we're having our wedding dinner at Cali Grille, and DF is in love with walking home from the MK, so we'll be happy either way. But man, that view....

Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[polynesianbride]

YAY! I'm so glad you started! Thanks for the great review of the contemporary! Your attention to details really helps! Can't wait to read more!

 

[GoonieBride]

OH im am glad you like the Contemp! I worked there for the winter season on year, swimming pool/lake. loved it! but cant wait to read more!!