Back from Contemporary Standard View Wing- the good and bad

[sjc]

We just got back froma three night stay at the Contemporary. Last May we stayed in the Tower, but decided to economize this time. We used the BAP code to get a $180 rate. Ok, on to the good and bad....

Positives-
Even though we had probably one of the least requested room views possible (garden wing south first floor facing the parking lot,) the room itself was in great shape and we got our King bed request. Actually the room was identical to the tower room in layout and size and seemed in slightly better condition. Even though our view was primarily limited to the parking lot, we were able to see the monorail from the room. The main "plus" with this resort continues to be its location. We were able to shoot to Ohanas for our first night dinner, walk to the Grand Floridian for a romantic stroll and then take the monorail back to the room. Our room was very accesible to the pool, the snack bar, the monorail etc. On our third night, we took the boat to the WL for dinner at Artist Point. Bus service to MGM and the Water Parks was excellent.

Negatives-
Both my wife and I found the Bell Staff to be very unhelpfull. As this was a short stay, we both had our rolling suitcases. We checked them on arrival until our room was ready. When we went to pick them up, the Bell Staff seemed offended that we did not want them to bring our 2 rollers to the room (instead of giving them to us in the lobby.) One of them made the snide comment "Well if you want to work on your vacation, feel free."

Upon check out, we once again left our bags and went off to the parks. Upon return, the bell captain did not seem intersted in returning the bags and sent me outside to the check in stand (which was swamped with people checking in.) I went back to him and asked nicely if he could just get our bags for us. I received major attitude and was told that there was nothing he could do. Only after demanding to see a manager, did he huff off and get our two bags (which were basically right next to him.) Not the best way to start and end our stay.

Other than that issue our only other complaint was with the motion/heat sensing air conditioning that was in the room. The system kept the room at about 76 degrees. If you adjusted the thermostat to a lower temperature, the unit would only run if it sensed body motion in the room. So when we got hot at night, sitting up in bed would cause the ac to cycle on for about 2 minutes. If you did this for several cycles, you could get the room to cool back down. I think the Swan has the same system. I understand that it saves the hotel money, but it is a little annoying to those of us that like a cold room at night.

So that is it. Sorry for the length. Just wanted to provide some feedback for those considering the "non tower" experience.... steve c

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think the Bell Services bad attitudes had anything to do with your staying in a 'wing', do you? I would imagine that the services should be the same no matter where you are staying...tower or wings. I think their shortness with you had more to do with the fact that they probably thought they were going to miss out on a tip if they didn't bring your bags to your room. But I have to say that I don't know what their problem was when you were trying to leave. Were they going to try and hold your bags hostage unless you tipped them? What would their response have been if your car service(for example) had shown up and you needed to leave at that time?

 

[ccotis]

You know, the CR is my favorite WDW and will always love it. It's funny though, the only complaints I have ever had with the CR have been the bell service and the ever troublesome A/C thermostats. I like my room cool and my luggage delivered to my room in a reasonable amount of time.(not 45 minutes after calling down to have my bags brought up)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I've always liked the Cont too, but have not stayed there in several yrs because I find the decor a bit too bright for my taste - otherwise I have enjoyed both a Tower Room and a North Wing view of the monorail, which was terrific with 7 and 9 yr olds (I liked it too). I did find the CM's to be a bit less, shall we say, gracious, than some of the other resorts. Nevertheless, nothing can compare to the Cont - it's an original and it's special - even though it does feel like being in a city...a bit.

As for the air conditioning, I just returned from 3 nights at the GF and had the same problem - and last Feb the same thing at the POP. I guess this is the newest ac for Disney resorts, but it is not comfortable. Also like a cooler room at night and it just would not happen. For the most part I never found the room absolutely comfortable. ...although this is not a true complaint because I had a wonderful 3 days away!!

It was interesting about your room being in the south Wing and maybe does not get as much usage as Tower rooms or North Wings...did you request that location or take whatever was assigned at check-in?

 

[DisneyKidds]

I think location is the best attribute the CR has. We're not big fans of the decor, and the Garden Wings aren't all that special (just our opinion), but the location is great.

Curious. How did you.....

walk to the Grand Floridian for a romantic stroll

Wasn't aware you could do that.

 

[crystalrp]

We had the same problem with the heat in the room when we stayed at AKL. I complained about it then (and also upon my return home.) I later received a call from a very nice CM who explained that ALL the resorts were going to be changed to have the room temps go no lower than 72. I am not a happy camper. I live in Maine and 72 degrees is pretty darn warm here in this neck of the woods...but even more so when returning from a hot day of parkhopping in the Florida heat!

 

[NCRedding]

DisneyKIdds: I read OP's post to mean they went to O'hanas for dinner, then walked to GF from the Poly and then caught the monorail back to the contemporary.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

That's right - same problem at AKL last summer (2003). The thing is - the thermostate can be turned down to 68, but it never went that low once! You're right, it was never below 72 - although I'm sure it never even got that low last week at GF.

I'm curious too...how did you walk to the GF from Cont? When i was on the monorail I thought I saw a pretty path, bit it looked like it ended at water's edge - is there a foot bridge I could not see? I've been wondering about this since last week when we were at GF!

Thanks!!

edit: yep, OP did say they walked from Poly to GF and caught the monorail back...oops!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Originally posted by NCRedding
DisneyKIdds: I read OP's post to mean they went to O'hanas for dinner, then walked to GF from the Poly and then caught the monorail back to the contemporary.

That makes sense!!!

 

[sjc]

To answer a few of the questions above. We had problems with Bell Service when we were in the Tower as well so they seem equal opportunity offendors. As far as walking to the GF, I don't know if I was clear. We took to monorail to the Poly and then walked from the Poly to the GF on a path that takes you by the wedding chapel along Bay lake. Then from the GF, we hopped back on the monorail to get to the Contemporary... ... steve c

 

[sjc]

Originally posted by BaciBecky
I

It was interesting about your room being in the south Wing and maybe does not get as much usage as Tower rooms or North Wings...did you request that location or take whatever was assigned at check-in?

No, we just took the luck of the draw. Our main request was the King bed, so we took whatever they gave us. There was a bit of wear and tear in the hallways, but nothing too bad. .... steve c

 

[goofy4tink]

You know, it just occured to me why I don't remember having any problems with Bell Services at the Contemporary. We checked in the same day H. Charlie did!!! We handled our own bags and no one seemed to care, for obvious reasons. And when it came time to check-out, we were transferring over to BWV so our baggage was shuttled over there instead of to us. My dh was there when they picked up the bags. I wonder if he tipped them. I'll have to ask.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

sjc,

Did you go to the food and fun center at all? Just curious how it was. Trying to decide whether it is worth taking advantage of one day or not. Thanks!

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by sjc
We just got back froma three night stay at the Contemporary. Last May we stayed in the Tower, but decided to economize this time. We used the BAP code to get a $180 rate. Ok, on to the good and bad....

<SNIP>

Other than that issue our only other complaint was with the motion/heat sensing air conditioning that was in the room. The system kept the room at about 76 degrees. If you adjusted the thermostat to a lower temperature, the unit would only run if it sensed body motion in the room. So when we got hot at night, sitting up in bed would cause the ac to cycle on for about 2 minutes. If you did this for several cycles, you could get the room to cool back down. I think the Swan has the same system. I understand that it saves the hotel money, but it is a little annoying to those of us that like a cold room at night.

steve c

I have to admit, I had no complaints or problems with the climate control on both of my most recent stays (Labor Day Wkend for Frances and a couple of weeks ago for Jeanne).

My last stay was in room 7177 which is a ground floor, south wing, king bed, facing the parking lot room (the other was in the south wing, ground floor, facing the parking lot.....room 5164, I think). The only time the a/c refused to run was when I had the sliding glass door open (and there is something in the room advising you of this). Other than that, I had a nice 70 degree room while I was sleeping. Maybe yours had a problem??

 

[sjc]

Ash,

Is the "food and fun center" the arcade/ self service food court on the first floor? I think it is. Anyway, to answer your question, we took advantage of the food court just about every night. We thought it had a great selection for its size. I also picked up a refillable mug (first time getting one) and it was very easy to walk from the room to get it filled.

As far as the climate control being broken, my "theory" is that the position of the king bed (closer to the sliding door and away from the wall unit and sensor) may have contributed to the unit needing a good "wave" motion to continue cycling. The unit worked but it was a little too eager to decide that the room was unoccupied. Maybe if we had the queens and stayed in the bed near the sensor, it might have worked better. steve c

 

[webmomom]

sjc------ We stayed at a resort (not Disney) in June. We did not realize that they also had the motion detector thermostat.

We were with my daughter and sil and children. When we woke up the next morning we all complained about being hot. We went and did our thing for the day and when we came back it was really hot in the room. Well we thought the Air was broken. So SIL went to office to tell them the air was broke and he found out about this. They did not have paddle fans nor could we open the windows. Needless to say we will not go back to that resort again. Now I know it saves them money, but is it worth the price of losing guests?

 

[beastlyprince]

Originally posted by sjc

Negatives-
Both my wife and I found the Bell Staff to be very unhelpfull. As this was a short stay, we both had our rolling suitcases. We checked them on arrival until our room was ready. When we went to pick them up, the Bell Staff seemed offended that we did not want them to bring our 2 rollers to the room (instead of giving them to us in the lobby.) One of them made the snide comment "Well if you want to work on your vacation, feel free."

Upon check out, we once again left our bags and went off to the parks. Upon return, the bell captain did not seem intersted in returning the bags and sent me outside to the check in stand (which was swamped with people checking in.) I went back to him and asked nicely if he could just get our bags for us. I received major attitude and was told that there was nothing he could do. Only after demanding to see a manager, did he huff off and get our two bags (which were basically right next to him.) Not the best way to start and end our stay.

The first thing I would have done (in both instances) is get the name of the bell staff (both of them) and report them to a manager. Than when I got home, report your exact story above to WDW guest relations.

The last thing you need on your vacation is a bad attitude, especially from someone whom you're paying their salary by staying at that resort.

Disney doesn't need these type of CMs. They reflectly badly on the company.

 

[PolyAddict]

sjc-
Thanks for the report! Considering CR next trip b/c of price and monrail.

Questions= When in the wings is it an enclosed walk from monrail to that location. Have you stayed at the Poly and how would the walk compare from GCC to Hawaii building? Was your room considered a Standard room? Do you see any advantage to the North tower over your location?

Thanks so much!!

Michele

 

[sjc]

Beastly,

I agree and plan on sending a letter. Unfortunatly we had our towncar waiting for us and there was a line at the desk... Plus I was a little pumped with adrenalin after the "scene" that occured.. I also was trying to avoid having these incidents spill over onto the rest of the trip or our trip home... If the letter gets written, and I get a response, I'll let everyone one know.

Michele,
it is not completely enclosed, but I think that the path to the lobby is covered. It really is not a bad walk to the monorail. Our room was a "standard". We have never stayed at the Poly. We plan on it some day but for this particular trip, the Poly was coming up at about $100 a night more expensive than the Contemporary and I didn't feel the extra cost was worth it. We also were planning on eating at Artist Pointe at the Wilderness lodge which is easier to get to from the Contemporary.... steve c

 

[dreamflight99]

Last summer while staying in several resort properties, we also experienced mutiple problems w/AC. In each resort (including the Dolphin, CR & PBH) we made a call the the engineering department and spoke with a supervisor on duty. In the Loews property, they were able to "override" the system control via computer...leaving us with a flexible A/C thermo unit. At the Dolphin/CR, an associate from this dept. was sent to the room to "physically" alter the motion detectors. This provided the same "override" as the PBH, and the room was sometimes SO cold, there was FROST on the windows!! (LOL). We prefer a nice COLD room, especially while hibernating at night under the heavenly feather bed duvets of the WDW Dolphin.

We have never experienced much resistence with these requests. When we have, we remain politely insistent. It makes the entire stay SO much better. I understand the position of the resorts, especially if/when guests used to leave balconies doors wide open (w A/C running), or just leave the room for the entire day with the A/C on 60 degrees! I believe the entire system should be contingent on the DEADBOLT. When this is thrown, the system should be OPEN to override for the guest's individual comfort. When the Deadbolt is OPEN, the system should automatically raise the room temp accordingly. This way, the resort would save money, and the guests would be comfy and happy!