BREAKING Contemporary Reasort News

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

According to a phone call from the CR concierge today, there are no major renovations planned for this year to the Grand Concourse. All of the moving around we are talking about is planned for next year (?).

hmm...I've been having some switching remorse about leaving WL for CR next July, and I think the possibility of renovations will cause me to switch back. (at least my dh will be happy if I stop asking him about it and if we made the right decision... )

 

[mandy200587]

Can someone send me a picture of this photo? I'm curious as to what is going on.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

so some people say there is construction happening right now and some say it's not?? i'm sooo confused i just have a CS ressie in October and i hope it's okay!!

 

[Disney? Again?]

We were just at WDW July 31 and when the monorail rode through the Concourse, guest rooms on two floors had big tape across them and there were other construction signs there. They were also boarding up areas on the Convention floors as if they were remodelling near the ballrooms. None of the construction stopped us from getting around, but we weren't staying there so I cannot comment on the potential noise.

 

[Aidensmom]

We were just at WDW July 31 and when the monorail rode through the Concourse, guest rooms on two floors had big tape across them and there were other construction signs there. They were also boarding up areas on the Convention floors as if they were remodelling near the ballrooms. None of the construction stopped us from getting around, but we weren't staying there so I cannot comment on the potential noise.

They have been rehabbing all of the guest rooms. That I believe is actually supposed to be complete in September.

I do think that if they are rehabbing/moving the restaurants/stores/arcade that they are not doing it right now. I believe the post that said it is happening next year if it is happening. I honestly don't believe ADR's are going to be given for a restaurant that doesn't exist, if nothing else Disney would say there was nothing available there for those dates. Unless they plan on doing this moving around of places to various floors overnight one night, I don't think it is scheduled for the immediate future.

 

[tnkrbell]

Anyone get any new news??????

 

[minnie61650]

They have been rehabbing all of the guest rooms. That I believe is actually supposed to be complete in September.

I do think that if they are rehabbing/moving the restaurants/stores/arcade that they are not doing it right now. I believe the post that said it is happening next year if it is happening. I honestly don't believe ADR's are going to be given for a restaurant that doesn't exist, if nothing else Disney would say there was nothing available there for those dates. Unless they plan on doing this moving around of places to various floors overnight one night, I don't think it is scheduled for the immediate future.

When a major restaurant is being moved in a big hotel they usually keep the restaurant open until the new one is ready. It is literally possible to eat dinner in the old location one night and then eat dinner the next night in the new location. We did that in Vegas last December!

 

[pilferk]

I've heard the same stuff on other boards, NG's, etc. Sounds like a rumor, but it does make sense.

If they're going to do it, I'd think they'll do the Food and Fun Center move, first. They'll build the new facility, first, so there is no interuption of food court service. One day it will be in the lobby area, the next that area will be closed and the "new" place will be open.

After that, they'll start the remodel on changing the old FFC area into the Contemp Steakhouse (can't call it Concourse Steakhouse, can they?). Again, they'll do the entire remodel, first, so as not to interrupt service at CS. One day CS will be open in the Concourse, the next it will close and reopen down in the lobby area.

Once THAT'S done, Chef Mickeys will claim the old CS space, that will get remodeled and just opened when it's finished, so as not to ever cause Chef Mickeys to need to close.

That would be the plan that would make sense to me, anyway.

 

[momimouse27]

I'll be staying at CR for the first time end of Sept. and all this is making me a little nervous! We almost booked YC and I almost wish we had now. We will be staying in a standard view room, so the Tower renovations I guess will not affect us. But I'm really hoping we get a renovated room. However, all this talk about closing down Food n Fun makes me feel a little iffy...

 

[PatriciaH]

I would not be surprised if they took ADR's even when planning renovations. Remember years ago the Caribbean Beach had to offer a ton of people $99/night at Deluxes because they had reservations there and then they decided to rehab?

 

[tnkrbell]

I just got off the phone with Disney asking about the gameroom being closed in Sept. She told me that there is a rumor that this may be happening in Sept but nothing is for sure. So basically I guess its a wait and see kind of thing!!! I still love the location and will probably still keep my ressies for September.

 

[sotoalf]

The opening of the GF probably brought about the closing of Gulf Coast. GC closed 5/88, GF opened 6/88. Before the GF, the Empress Room on the Lilly and the Gulf Coast Room were the premiere restaurants at WDW, after 6/88, Victoria and Alberts took over that spot, and is the only eatery at WDW still requiring jackets. IIRC
Around the same time(1988-89), The Pueblo Room and Cocino Cove were closed and the area was swallowed up by what is now Chef Mickey's.

The muddled history of the Concourse restaurants has always fascinated me. It's as if by changing their names Disney could change their food or ambience...

I remember eating at the Pueblo Room in 1987 – an Italian sit-down meal, I think. It was located in the extreme northern end of the concourse, where Chef Mickey's is now.

I have no memory of Coconino Grove, though. Anyone care to refresh my memory?

 

[vonpluto]

The muddled history of the Concourse restaurants has always fascinated me. It's as if by changing their names Disney could change their food or ambience...

I remember eating at the Pueblo Room in 1987 – an Italian sit-down meal, I think. It was located in the extreme northern end of the concourse, where Chef Mickey's is now.

I have no memory of Coconino Grove, though. Anyone care to refresh my memory?

IIRC, Cocino Cove was a small lounge near the Pueblo Room. It was removed before the Pueblo Room was devoured by Behemoth Mickey's.

A little trip down restaurant name memory lane:

•Concourse Steak House
Grand Canyon Terrace 10/71 - 1972
Terracce Buffet 1972 - 73
Terracce Buffeteria 1973 - 89
Concourse Grill 1989 - 95
Concourse Steak House 1995 -
•Chef Mickey’s
Grand Canyon Terrace Cafe 10/71 - 1972
Terrace Cafe 1972 - 86
Character Cafe 1986 - 89
Contemporary Cafe 1989 - 96
Chef Mickey’s 1996 -

There was also a small lounge called "the Monorail Club Car" that opened in 1971 and closed in the early 1980's. I've not been able ti figure out where it was located.

 

[Bibbidi]

I'll never forget the Pueblo Room! We ate there in 1986 when I was 10 and the big comfy chairs were on casters, which at 10 years old was a VERY cool thing. Don't remember a thing of what we ate or what type of cuisine it was, but the rolly chairs were enough to create a very fond memory that has lasted 20 years.

 

[sotoalf]

There was also a small lounge called "the Monorail Club Car" that opened in 1971 and closed in the early 1980's. I've not been able ti figure out where it was located.

Thanks, vonpluto.

From what I've been told the Monorail Club Car was part of the Outer Rim. I'm sure someone can confirm this.

PS: LOVE your avatar! I remember the days of color-coded buses well. As a child I would flip thru the voluminous Disney bus guide.

 

[vonpluto]

Thanks, vonpluto.

From what I've been told the Monorail Club Car was part of the Outer Rim. I'm sure someone can confirm this.

Thanx for that info, I'll update the master timeline.

 

[crazy4wdw]

This is the response I received from WDW on-line guest services. Not sure what to make of it - future refurbishments should not have an effect on their guest's stay. Well, having construction going on in the concourse would certainly affect my stay!

Dear *****,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

As you are aware, we constantly refresh, repaint and restore our facilities to make sure everyting is 'neat and pretty' when you visit.

Currently Disney's Contemporary Resort advises that any future refurbishments should not have an effect on their guest's stay.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ann Polson

WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior
to your visit.

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------
Message:
I am currently holding a resevation at the Contemporary Resort for travel dates Nov. 28 - Dec. 3.
My reservation is for a Tower Magic Kingdom View room. I understand that a major refurbishment of
the Grand Canyon Concourse has recently started. Can you tell me if the refurbishment will be
completed by the time I am scheuduled to arrive at the Contemporary? If there is going to be
construction going on inside of the tower during my travel dates, I will be changing my reservations
to another resort. I stayed at the Contemporary several years when there was construciton taking
place and I wish that I had been notified of this prior to my trip.

 

[nbodyhome]

They have been rehabbing all of the guest rooms. That I believe is actually supposed to be complete in September.

When talking to an agent at Disney, I was told that the Contemporary was "all finished". However, I don't believe anything has been done with one of the wings (a friend of mine is discussing it with me, the north wing) will be DVC and will not be renovated like the others.

I plan to stop at the Contemporary tomorrow to check it out (as far as the renovations).

 

[bicker]

Which doesn't really mean anything, since taking the monorail to have dinner at the Kona Cafe can be considered not having "an effect".

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

My family was going to eat at Concourse Steakhouse, guess we should make it a good "last" visit?