(CLOSED) Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT and BAY LAKE TOWER INFORMATION THREAD

[mickeynut1]

Here is an older map of CR that shows the rooms:

The Atrium Club lounge is about where 38,37,36 is located. There are only 10-11 rooms on either side of the lounge. The furthest TPV room to the north or south of the lounge is probably about a 30 second walk. When you're in the Tower, all the rooms are very close to both the elevators, which are in the middle of the Tower rooms and the lounge, which is also in the middle of the MK (west) side.

Thanks, KOOK....that helps a lot . Even though the CR has never been on our radar as we don't care for the theme/decor, I am getting more excited every day to try it after reading so many great reviews and seeing so many pics . I'd love to try all of the deluxes (as well as club levels) and BWI and YC will be the only ones left to try after our upcoming trip. However, those will be a hard sell to my DSs as they need their CS, which the Epcot resorts unfortunately don't have . AKL CL is next on the list and if the other Epcot resorts don't ever pan out, I guess I'll just have to do repeats of other clubs we love .

 

[poohgirl6]

Getting excited around my house....only 10 more days until we check into CR for 12 nights

Can't wait to be back there and feel the buzz of activity on the Concourse and eat one of those Red Velvet Cupcakes from Contempo Cafe

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

DH thinks the GF looks like a fancy nursing home, if I'm being honest, but he feels that it has a "theme" which he doesn't get at CR. And, the position of the TV's in the CR rooms bothered all of us. Such trivial items....

Sometimes when we are picking resorts I feel like Seinfeld picking a woman. The smallest thing pushes us over the edge....(the man hands, the naked sneezes... ) We are nuts!!!

Had to emerge out of lurkdom to comment......I almost spit out my coffee on this one! It is so true. Seinfeld can be applied to anything and everything in our daily lives. Love that show.

I have been having similar turmoil for our upcoming late July 2014 trip. I really want to stay at the Poly but with the impending DVC construction, I am looking for the best alternative. I keep seesawing between GF and CR because it MUST be a MK resort. We have stayed CR garden wing before but would not again because we really like a balcony. The tower rooms are convenient but the lack of theme(just our opinion) and here it comes.....the picky Seinfeld part.....no "good" sitting chair. We spend a lot of time in the room decompressing from the park crowds and I NEED a real chair to sit and chill out. Those awful desk chairs just don't do it for me. I put up with one of those our last trip to CSR and I am done with all that. I was hoping with the last room upgrade that they would add it but they did not.

SO......we are planning on GF even with the old lady décor. Hate the bedspreads and wallpaper but I am crossing my fingers that the rumor is true and they will do a soft goods refurb (and go to white duvets at least) after the Poly room refurb is complete.

Now if GFDVC causes really large pool crowds at GF....we might be back at CR Decisions are so hard sometimes......

 

[Mousemommy1]

Had to emerge out of lurkdom to comment......I almost spit out my coffee on this one! It is so true. Seinfeld can be applied to anything and everything in our daily lives. Love that show.

I have been having similar turmoil for our upcoming late July 2014 trip. I really want to stay at the Poly but with the impending DVC construction, I am looking for the best alternative. I keep seesawing between GF and CR because it MUST be a MK resort. We have stayed CR garden wing before but would not again because we really like a balcony. The tower rooms are convenient but the lack of theme(just our opinion) and here it comes.....the picky Seinfeld part.....no "good" sitting chair. We spend a lot of time in the room decompressing from the park crowds and I NEED a real chair to sit and chill out. Those awful desk chairs just don't do it for me. I put up with one of those our last trip to CSR and I am done with all that. I was hoping with the last room upgrade that they would add it but they did not.

SO......we are planning on GF even with the old lady décor. Hate the bedspreads and wallpaper but I am crossing my fingers that the rumor is true and they will do a soft goods refurb (and go to white duvets at least) after the Poly room refurb is complete.

Now if GFDVC causes really large pool crowds at GF....we might be back at CR Decisions are so hard sometimes......

Yeah, I am hoping for a GF soft goods rehab as well, but I don't HATE the decor, it's just....well...you know....

The other thing DH didn't like about the CR was the wall mirror...he has this thing about mirrors, and dolls....

He saw that huge mirror and was like "NO WAY, we are DONE here!"

Same thing though, we absolutely wanted to be on the monorail, and at Poly, but it's looking like GF it is! I think it will be great!

On another note, I really do adore the hidden mickey's and other characters in the wallpaper at GF...and Tink in the bedspread!!!

 

[live2teach123]

Have the BLT villas been affected by the refrigerator problems? I got a letter in the mail saying they had been removed.

 

[KathieSmallwood]

Have the BLT villas been affected by the refrigerator problems? I got a letter in the mail saying they had been removed.

That's strange. I heard they were not included in the refrigerator problems.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Had to emerge out of lurkdom to comment......I almost spit out my coffee on this one! It is so true. Seinfeld can be applied to anything and everything in our daily lives. Love that show.

I have been having similar turmoil for our upcoming late July 2014 trip. I really want to stay at the Poly but with the impending DVC construction, I am looking for the best alternative. I keep seesawing between GF and CR because it MUST be a MK resort. We have stayed CR garden wing before but would not again because we really like a balcony. The tower rooms are convenient but the lack of theme(just our opinion) and here it comes.....the picky Seinfeld part.....no "good" sitting chair. We spend a lot of time in the room decompressing from the park crowds and I NEED a real chair to sit and chill out. Those awful desk chairs just don't do it for me. I put up with one of those our last trip to CSR and I am done with all that. I was hoping with the last room upgrade that they would add it but they did not.

SO......we are planning on GF even with the old lady décor. Hate the bedspreads and wallpaper but I am crossing my fingers that the rumor is true and they will do a soft goods refurb (and go to white duvets at least) after the Poly room refurb is complete.

Now if GFDVC causes really large pool crowds at GF....we might be back at CR Decisions are so hard sometimes......

Almost snorted out my water while reading your post...too funny ! I remember earlier this year the "drama" of CR soft goods replacement and how some thought the carpet looked liked eggs. We were there in Feb for the half marathon ...stayed club level with all the refurb and really didn't think carpet looked that bad. Would I do my house in contemp....no....but we pick hotels on ....location...location...location !

Have you thought about a DVC at BLT ? After many, many, years of staying at shades of green we did a DVC presentation and flat out told our sales rep he needed to beat the per night price of SOG. Yes there is a break even point but bottom line we wish we had bought YEARS ago...BLT has great amenities and just for you...really comfy chairs !

 

[Kimi313]

Getting excited around my house....only 10 more days until we check into CR for 12 nights

Can't wait to be back there and feel the buzz of activity on the Concourse and eat one of those Red Velvet Cupcakes from Contempo Cafe

We just got back from Cont last Friday and we had such a wonderful time. It has been years since we stayed there and everything has changed, in fact we didn't think we would love then new decor but we did. I want to go back so bad! Hope you and your family have a great time, I know you will!

 

[poohgirl6]

We just got back from Cont last Friday and we had such a wonderful time. It has been years since we stayed there and everything has changed, in fact we didn't think we would love then new decor but we did. I want to go back so bad! Hope you and your family have a great time, I know you will!

Thank you! We are counting down the days now. I submitted my Garden Grocer order today, and I think I've checked everything off my shopping list. Won't think about packing until next week.

Glad you liked the new decor

 

[mickeynut1]

We just got back from Cont last Friday and we had such a wonderful time. It has been years since we stayed there and everything has changed, in fact we didn't think we would love then new decor but we did. I want to go back so bad! Hope you and your family have a great time, I know you will!

Glad you had a great time and liked the new decor. I'm excited to try the CR in December .

We are counting down the days now. I submitted my Garden Grocer order today, and I think I've checked everything off my shopping list. Won't think about packing until next week.

You will be at the CR before you know it .

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Have the BLT villas been affected by the refrigerator problems? I got a letter in the mail saying they had been removed.

I got it too, it is our first time in a studio, didn't know they have smaller fridges. Someone on FB told me.

 

[disneynanacat]

So BLT studios don't have refrigerators? I didn't think dvc was effected? I'm trying to keep a positive attitude but so far: no fp+, no mb, no ppf, no railroad, now no refrigerator. How do we keep our milk and drinks cold for heavens sake? Ridiculous.

 

[disneynanacat]

Is there somewhere in BLT besides the pool to refill mugs?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks, KOOK....that helps a lot .

You're welcome.

Getting excited around my house....only 10 more days until we check into CR for 12 nights

Can't wait to be back there and feel the buzz of activity on the Concourse and eat one of those Red Velvet Cupcakes from Contempo Cafe

It won't be long now and your vacation sounds very relaxing - those RV cupcakes are delicious.

Had to emerge out of lurkdom to comment......I almost spit out my coffee on this one! It is so true. Seinfeld can be applied to anything and everything in our daily lives. Love that show.

I have been having similar turmoil for our upcoming late July 2014 trip. I really want to stay at the Poly but with the impending DVC construction, I am looking for the best alternative. I keep seesawing between GF and CR because it MUST be a MK resort. We have stayed CR garden wing before but would not again because we really like a balcony. The tower rooms are convenient but the lack of theme(just our opinion) and here it comes.....the picky Seinfeld part.....no "good" sitting chair. We spend a lot of time in the room decompressing from the park crowds and I NEED a real chair to sit and chill out. Those awful desk chairs just don't do it for me. I put up with one of those our last trip to CSR and I am done with all that. I was hoping with the last room upgrade that they would add it but they did not.

SO......we are planning on GF even with the old lady décor. Hate the bedspreads and wallpaper but I am crossing my fingers that the rumor is true and they will do a soft goods refurb (and go to white duvets at least) after the Poly room refurb is complete.

Now if GFDVC causes really large pool crowds at GF....we might be back at CR Decisions are so hard sometimes......

Just had to and throw in another MK resort - WL. All WL rooms were rehabbed last year. WL has bus, boat and walking trails to FW. It even has a non-stop bus to MK. There is 1 TS and one 2 TS restaurant and a QS, indoor bar and poolside bar. Unlike CR, you can even use the VWL pool/hot tub or the main pool which has a slide, kiddie pool and two hot tubs. Every WL room has a balcony (except ground floor have patios), and no flowery wallpaper or bedspreads. You can even get bunk beds.

With the lower prices at WL, maybe you could add CL? The Old Faithful Club is wonderful! Just think of all the cozy areas you'd have to sit down and relax throughout the resort in front of a fireplace or in the lobby and the CL lounge area has a lot of seating, including sofas. Feel free to come on over to the thread anytime.

Have the BLT villas been affected by the refrigerator problems? I got a letter in the mail saying they had been removed.

I've heard about this letter at BWV, too and it just doesn't make sense. The letter is generic, at least the BWV one is. The initial Disney press release did not pertain to DVC. It could be that Disney is just over planning or their lawyers suggested they do this. The fridge in the Studio is a mini fridge, but it's not like the other mini fridges that were recalled and it's newer. But again, maybe the Disney lawyers told them to remove them out of an abundance of caution

If you need one, make sure it is noted in your reservation and ask again at check-in.

That's strange. I heard they were not included in the refrigerator problems.

Initially, DVC wasn't included.

We just got back from Cont last Friday and we had such a wonderful time. It has been years since we stayed there and everything has changed, in fact we didn't think we would love then new decor but we did. I want to go back so bad! Hope you and your family have a great time, I know you will!

It's great for others to read that even though you were apprehensive about the new décor, you loved it. Hope you get to book soon.

So BLT studios don't have refrigerators? I didn't think dvc was effected? I'm trying to keep a positive attitude but so far: no fp+, no mb, no ppf, no railroad, now no refrigerator. How do we keep our milk and drinks cold for heavens sake? Ridiculous.

Make sure you add a fridge request to your reservation, just in case. BLT Studios have fridges:

Unfortunately, BLT was not included (yet) in the MB/FP+ testing (CR is). I posted some MB info. on page 164. As far as the railroad, we love it, too. We also enjoy riding the AK RR to Affection Station and there is the Carolewood Pacific Room near the VWL lobby. It has photos of Walt and train models/memorabilia and I have more information in Post 15 of the WL/VWL first page of info.

Is there somewhere in BLT besides the pool to refill mugs?

No, mug refills are available at the BLT pool or at the Contempo Cafe on the 4th floor of CR.

 

[snausman]

Wait, Did I miss something...is the railroad at MK going to be down for maintenance or something? How did I miss that, not like I am not following how many topics right now.lol

Laura

 

[WDWKOOK]

Wait, Did I miss something...is the railroad at MK going to be down for maintenance or something? How did I miss that, not like I am not following how many topics right now.lol

Laura

Walt Disney World Railroad will be closed September 30 through November 20 for refurbishment.

 

[mickeynut1]

Just had to and throw in another MK resort - WL. All WL rooms were rehabbed last year. WL has bus, boat and walking trails to FW. It even has a non-stop bus to MK. There is 1 TS and one 2 TS restaurant and a QS, indoor bar and poolside bar. Unlike CR, you can even use the VWL pool/hot tub or the main pool which has a slide, kiddie pool and two hot tubs. Every WL room has a balcony (except ground floor have patios), and no flowery wallpaper or bedspreads. You can even get bunk beds.

With the lower prices at WL, maybe you could add CL? The Old Faithful Club is wonderful! Just think of all the cozy areas you'd have to sit down and relax throughout the resort in front of a fireplace or in the lobby and the CL lounge area has a lot of seating, including sofas. Feel free to come on over to the thread anytime.

I have to say I agree . The GF and CR are convenient as they are on the monorail, but the WL is a great alternative with just as good (IMO) transportation to MK via boat or bus (and costs quite a bit less ).

 

[ABCastillo]

We just got back from Cont last Friday and we had such a wonderful time. It has been years since we stayed there and everything has changed, in fact we didn't think we would love then new decor but we did. I want to go back so bad! Hope you and your family have a great time, I know you will!

Glad to here you had a great stay!

 

[KathieSmallwood]

So BLT studios don't have refrigerators? I didn't think dvc was effected? I'm trying to keep a positive attitude but so far: no fp+, no mb, no ppf, no railroad, now no refrigerator. How do we keep our milk and drinks cold for heavens sake? Ridiculous.

Did you call the resort to see if this is true? When are you going? If it is true, maybe the problem will be fixed by the time you go.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

GRYHNDMOM I have thought about DVC several times but it just isn't for us. I like the flexibility of booking a reg resort room and the cost of a 1 bdrm DVC is a little high for us.


WDWKOOK I do love the WL resort areas but the rooms and the restaurants are my hesitations. The rooms are smaller and the décor looks just like all of the resorts and finished basement décor of half the places here in Wisconsin. It doesn't make me feel like I am getting away from home because it looks....well... just like home....KWIM? And the limited menu at Roaring Forks as well as the overwhelming taste of smoke in a majority of the WC meals is a turn off for our family. I like the antics at WC and maybe one meal there every other trip or so but it is otherwise not a must do for us. AP is nice but there are so many other places that rank above it for us that it does not help sway the decision either. I do love the price at WL though Also complicating matters is youngest DD is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy and bananas so the food offerings of CL would just be another challenge that we don't need to add into the trip.