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

[Scrapmom3]

We use two different types... This first one we use at home... We have three, one in each bedroom. Perfect sound levels and last a long time... We've had these about three years with no issues... http://www.amazon.com/Marpac-Dohm-DS-Speed-Sound-Conditioner/dp/B000KUHFGM

This one we bought for our camper... It's a little smaller... Has 6 different "sounds" and can run off batteries (when we dry camp)... The volume on this guy can really be cranked up too (campers are not very sound proof)... http://www.amazon.com/Marsona-DS-60...qid=1392555905&sr=1-30&keywords=Sound+machine.... Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Awesome! Thanks so much for this information!

 

[Scrapmom3]

We have this and LOVE it! We have one at home that we use every night and a second one we use for travel. It works wonders. We have had both of ours for around 7-8 years and still going strong.

Once, we forgot to pack our sound machine (OH! the horrors....) and DH downloaded a "sleep machine" app to his phone. He liked it but I did not(kids didn't care). I laid in bed hearing the "repeat" in the sound simulation over and over and over... DH said I was nuts and he could not hear the mechanical repeats. SO...if you are "nuts" like me, you will not like the sleep app I say go for the Marpac! You WILL become addicted

We found a sleep app but it sounds so artificial that it has the opposite result of being relaxing! Probably because the speakers on the phone aren't anything to write home about. Definitely going to try out the Marpac. Thanks!

 

[glvsav37]

with the new refill mugs that got some press today...I was wondering, has any of the beverage choices changed at the Centempo Cafe since the change over to the RFID rapid fill system?

We are not soda drinkers and used the Iced Tea, Poweraid and lemonade all the time. But while the PwrAd and Lemonade were both on the vend machines, the iced tea and coffee were both in their own carafes.

Has there been any changes to the drink area?

 

[WDWKOOK]

We'll be at BLT lake view studio 9/8 through 9/10

Yippee!

WDWKOOK, I've changed our dates from what's posted on the first page. As great as 7 days in the Atruim Club sounds I felt the need to break up our stay. We're GF RPC now Aug 17-21 and CR TPV "only" Aug 21 - 24. Have never stayed CR before and looking forward to it very much. Can't wait to see MK from our balcony. Thanks!

I'll edit your dates and I like your new split

We are also staying at the BLT 1-bedroom TPV Nov. 1-9th.

Thanks!

I'll add your dates, too to the Logorail.

Just saw that Fantsia Market seems to have a large selection of groceries. Any need to order from one of the grocery delivery services? Prices looked reasonable as well. Just need milk, sandwich and snack stuff anyway.

If that's all you need then Fantasia has all those items.

Is love to know that too! All we want is milk, bagels, cream cheese.

They have Thomas' Bagels at Fantasia and Philadelphia brand cream cheese in the cardboard box in the fridge with the cheese.

with the new refill mugs that got some press today...I was wondering, has any of the beverage choices changed at the Centempo Cafe since the change over to the RFID rapid fill system?

We are not soda drinkers and used the Iced Tea, Poweraid and lemonade all the time. But while the PwrAd and Lemonade were both on the vend machines, the iced tea and coffee were both in their own carafes.

Has there been any changes to the drink area?

As of December, it was unchanged from your description.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Tables in Wonderland
The Wave . . . of American Flavors Discovery Dinner
At Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Thursday, March 20, 2014
6:30 p.m. Reception; 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Meet at The Wave… of American Flavors Main Podium
Dress Code - Casual Evening Attire
$110 per person, includes tax and gratuity


The Wave…of American Flavors has an exciting evening planned for the March Tables in Wonderland Discovery Dinner. This month’s Discovery Dinner will be celebrating the Central Florida Strawberry Season. Our Farmer/Chef dinner will feature Lott Farms, located just west of Plant City, Florida. Mike and Sandy Lott started their farm in 1979 on rented land. In 1983 purchased and built their 50 acre family farm. They have lived on and farmed this land with their children and grandchildren ever since. Mike’s great strawberries are sold under the Classic label through C&D Produce Distributors.

Our wine speaker, Tim Mahr is the Vice-President of Southern States. He is a native New Yorker and has made Tampa, Florida his home for the last 25 years. Tim is a graduate of the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. Upon completion, he held the position of Cellar Master at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas. There, he was responsible for over 800 wines and achieved The Wine Spectator Grand Award for their wine list. After 4 years, Tim joined Glazer's Distributing as Fine Wine Manager for Central Texas. In 1989, Remy Martin Cognac and Antinori Tuscan Wines recruited Tim to be their Fine Account Specialist for Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states, residing in Washington DC. Tim always had passion around representing a California Winery, so in 1990 he joined the Benham Brothers and assisted in the development of popular brands known today, which include; Blackstone and Mark West wines. Upon the sale of these wine brands to Constellation Wines - US, Tim accepted a position as CW-US's Sales Manager for Southeastern States. In 2007, Tim was reunited with Courtney Benham, now proprietor of Martin Ray Winery, and continues to assist Courtney and their winemaking team in producing and marketing Martin Ray, Angeline and Courtney Benham Wines.


Reception
Strawberry Tequila Shooter with Lime Caviar
Strawberry Sweet Tea Braised Short Rib Slider
Kumamato Oysters in Strawberry Gelee with Micro Wasabi
MARTIN RAY CHARDONNAY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY


First Course
U-12 Scallop Crudo with Strawberries Five Ways and McGregor Farms Opal Basil
MARTIN RAY SAUVIGNON BLANC, NAPA VALLEY


Second Course
Venison Tenderloin with Strawberry Honey, Roasted Chestnut and Pink Peppercorn Powder and Strawberry Basil Lavash
MARTIN RAY PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY


Pasta Course
Braised Wild Boar with Strawberry Infused Pappardelle and a Foraged
Chanterelle Cream Sauce
MARTIN RAY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SONOMA VALLEY


Main Course
Duck Leg Confit with Celery Root Purée, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms,
Glazed Cippolini Onions and a Strawberry Reduction
MARTIN RAY MERLOT, NAPA VALLEY


Cheese Course
Echo Mountain Goat, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Rogue River Blue
Pistachio Powder, Marcona Almond Praline, Quince Paste
MARTIN RAY RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY


Dessert
Strawberry Crepe Cones with Citrus Mascarpone Mousse
Strawberry Sherbet with warm roasted Strawberry Compote
Chocolate and Balsamic Strawberry Sauce
MARTIN RAY RESERVE CHARDONNAY, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

For reservations, please visit the following website www.disneyurl.com/thewavemarch
for self-booking and instant confirmation. The website will go live and begin taking reservations on February 24, 2014 at 10:00am.


Please have the following information ready:
Tables in Wonderland Ticket Number starting with the “W” (i.e. if you purchased your Membership at Epcot® your card number would begin WEC)
First and Last Name of everyone in your party (maximum is Party of 8)
Home address
Phone number
Credit Card Number
Billing Address of the Credit Card (Your credit card will be charged at the time of booking, and you will receive an immediate confirmation email.)
Personal Email Address (Please use a personal email address as many work email addresses think the confirmation email is spam.)
Special Dietary Needs (if any)


Guest Policies
The event is limited to 40 Guests, and is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members. You must show your valid Tables in Wonderland ticket to gain entrance into the event.

 

[VbChristy]

This is interesting--could you share the name? Might solve a lot of problems on this end!

SleepMachine lite (the light represents it is the free one). It is perfect!

 

[2bPooh]

My family is made of die hard BC fans and this trip is no exception. We are booked 8/17-8/25 BC CL. What they don't know is I booked an extra first night at the Contemporary atrium club level, TPV
Can't wait to see the look on their face when I get them up at 4 am a day early to catch our flights...
This thread is great and I've learned a lot. Thanks !!
Sammy

 

[jaz0308]

My family is made of die hard BC fans and this trip is no exception. We are booked 8/17-8/25 BC CL. What they don't know is I booked an extra first night at the Contemporary atrium club level, TPV
Can't wait to see the look on their face when I get them up at 4 am a day early to catch our flights...
This thread is great and I've learned a lot. Thanks !!
Sammy

That is so cool! I wish someone would surprise me like that one day!

 

[WDWKOOK]

My family is made of die hard BC fans and this trip is no exception. We are booked 8/17-8/25 BC CL. What they don't know is I booked an extra first night at the Contemporary atrium club level, TPV
Can't wait to see the look on their face when I get them up at 4 am a day early to catch our flights...
This thread is great and I've learned a lot. Thanks !!
Sammy

I'm so glad the thread has been helpful, Sammy and welcome to the thread! Do you think it might be hard to move from the Atrium Club after that one surprise night?

 

[SRUAlmn]

I'm so glad the thread has been helpful, Sammy and welcome to the thread! Do you think it might be hard to move from the Atrium Club after that one surprise night?

I was thinking that too but I didn't want to spoil the excitement....my experience.... On our one year anniversary the CR gave my husband and I a free two night stay club level MK view due to some issues that occurred during our wedding stay there (long story.) After those two days we stayed at CSR for our previously planned trip (that we could afford, ha!) It was a little bit of a bummer to switch even though we still had fun and were so grateful! I wish we would've done the two CR nights at the end.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I was thinking that too but I didn't want to spoil the excitement....my experience.... On our one year anniversary the CR gave my husband and I a free two night stay club level MK view due to some issues that occurred during our wedding stay there (long story.) After those two days we stayed at CSR for our previously planned trip (that we could afford, ha!) It was a little bit of a bummer to switch even though we still had fun and were so grateful! I wish we would've done the two CR nights at the end.

Sammy is splitting with BC-CL so they'll still be CL after CR, but they might just fall in love with the Atrium Club's views, size, seeing Wishes and those great rooms. But, the nice thing about WDW is that if there's room, they can always cancel BC and remain at CR. The last minute onsite switcheroos can be fun

 

[WDWKOOK]

The children's water play area at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort will be closed for several weeks to complete scheduled maintenance. It will be unavailable through February 28, 2014.
~AllEars

 

[skateshome]

WDWKOOK.......thanks for all the info dude......or dudette? Cheers!!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK.......thanks for all the info dude......or dudette? Cheers!!!!

You're welcome, skateshome! (And it's ette…)

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

So it seems as though CR has moved up on our list for our stay at the end of July given the Poly construction and my discontent with the value of the GF rooms post refurb. Our very first stay at WDW was in a garden wing room so I am familiar with the resort but a few things are newer and others pertain to the tower of which we only visited. If we move our ressie over to CR it would be for a tower bay lake view room. A few questions...

Do the showers have the retractable clothes line?

Do all of the tower rooms have connecting rooms or are some non-connecting? We had a bad experience with neighbors in a connecting room on our last night in the CR garden wing room

Are we relatively safe for a quiet room if we requested high floor? How loud is Chef Mickey's and/or concourse noise when the door is closed and can you hear or feel the monorail vibration in your room?

Do the bathrooms at the pool have a shower with lockers? We may need to shower/change on our last day before transferring to "the dark side."

Thanks in advance!

 

[WDWKOOK]

So it seems as though CR has moved up on our list for our stay at the end of July given the Poly construction and my discontent with the value of the GF rooms post refurb. Our very first stay at WDW was in a garden wing room so I am familiar with the resort but a few things are newer and others pertain to the tower of which we only visited. If we move our ressie over to CR it would be for a tower bay lake view room. A few questions...

Do the showers have the retractable clothes line?

Do all of the tower rooms have connecting rooms or are some non-connecting? We had a bad experience with neighbors in a connecting room on our last night in the CR garden wing room

Are we relatively safe for a quiet room if we requested high floor? How loud is Chef Mickey's and/or concourse noise when the door is closed and can you hear or feel the monorail vibration in your room?

Do the bathrooms at the pool have a shower with lockers? We may need to shower/change on our last day before transferring to "the dark side."

Thanks in advance!

The Tower BLV rooms are our favorite! We just love the view and I think you will, too. Someone please correct me if I answer any of your questions incorrectly:

I don't recall seeing a retractable line in the shower. I know WL has one, but I don't recall if CR does. We use the outdoor chairs to dry clothing at WDW.

There are non-connecting rooms in the Tower.

Some have reported feeling the vibration of the monorail when they are directly above it, but those would be lower MKV rooms. I've never heard anything from the 4th floor Concourse, but you can hear the Celebration Song from CM if you are near it. We always request "Far from CM, non-connecting room."

I know that WL has lockers, but I don't know if CR does. Hopefully, someone else will comment.

Happy planning!

 

[Missyrose]

Hi Kook! Looks like we need to get back on the log-o-rail. With the rumors swirling that the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party will be Aug. 29, we booked ourselves in a BLT lake view studio for that night! I' excited because I thought it would another year before we got back to CR/BLT.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

The Tower BLV rooms are our favorite! We just love the view and I think you will, too. Someone please correct me if I answer any of your questions incorrectly:

I don't recall seeing a retractable line in the shower. I know WL has one, but I don't recall if CR does. We use the outdoor chairs to dry clothing at WDW.

There are non-connecting rooms in the Tower.

Some have reported feeling the vibration of the monorail when they are directly above it, but those would be lower MKV rooms. I've never heard anything from the 4th floor Concourse, but you can hear the Celebration Song from CM if you are near it. We always request "Far from CM, non-connecting room."

I know that WL has lockers, but I don't know if CR does. Hopefully, someone else will comment.

Happy planning!

Thanks Kook!!! I think I may steal your request verbiage as that is exactly what we want. I think the BL views are just beautiful and I have no desire to be on the TPV side(other than fireworks). My one request when staying at a resort is that I never want to see a car when looking out the window or balcony. TPV for me, is too much of the real world with cars and buses. I will take a lake with boats, swimming pool and the GW rooftop any day!

I am hoping someone else knows for sure about the clothes line. Crossing my fingers for one as it really helps in drying suits although we often use the balcony chairs when needed but I wasn't sure about the wind level in the tower rooms. Would hate to lose a suit from a big gust of wind or see the face of the poor soul who runs across it

Did they ever remodel the pool bathrooms or are they the same from our visit back in 2005ish? I don't remember too much of them other than they looked dated and small. Hopefully someone will chime in on lockers/shower availability.

 

[2bPooh]

Sammy is splitting with BC-CL so they'll still be CL after CR, but they might just fall in love with the Atrium Club's views, size, seeing Wishes and those great rooms. But, the nice thing about WDW is that if there's room, they can always cancel BC and remain at CR. The last minute onsite switcheroos can be fun

It might be tough...my kids are huge fans of Stormalong Bay so that is why we stay at BC. What is the pool like at CR? We won't have park passes for this first day. Just hanging out at the resort. We wanted to try AKL but are a family of 5 so our options are limited.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Nothing to see here.

Hi Kook!