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

[1mama2three]

Thanks for your reply. We have three girls so I am happy to see you stayed there with your kids too. did it seem crowded?? did you book standard view or garden view?? did you request patio level?

I am thinking it is our best option to be closest to MK without breaking the bank. LOL. I would love Theme park view but not sure it is worth it if we arent in the room a lot.

This past January was definitely busier than any past Januarys that we've been at Disney. When we checked in, we were told they (the CR) were full on many of the nights were were there...they had at least two large conferences back-to-back she said. The main building was always busy, but the Garden Wing felt like a stark contrast to that. You could see that many rooms were occupied, but it was just a lot quieter out there. Most days we were the only people out on the beach. We never seemed to have to wait long for an elevator to the monorails either, but I will say that most mornings we walked to the CR and rode the monorail back in the afternoon. We booked the Garden View, and we did request to have ground level/patio.

 

[princessap]

This past January was definitely busier than any past Januarys that we've been at Disney. When we checked in, we were told they (the CR) were full on many of the nights were were there...they had at least two large conferences back-to-back she said. The main building was always busy, but the Garden Wing felt like a stark contrast to that. You could see that many rooms were occupied, but it was just a lot quieter out there. Most days we were the only people out on the beach. We never seemed to have to wait long for an elevator to the monorails either, but I will say that most mornings we walked to the CR and rode the monorail back in the afternoon. We booked the Garden View, and we did request to have ground level/patio.

Thanks!! we will do at least one prepark opening at either CRT or BBB again, loved it last time! so I like the convenience of being close by MK. We loved poly but my husband likes staying new places everytime...it took convincing to get him onsite this year for two nights as we previously have always stayed at Bonnet Creek...now he sees the convenience of it and will only stay deluxe! LOL. I won that battle for now!

 

[mickeynut1]

That's a great idea!!! I think we will do that!!

When are you booking for your Dec stay? I have to wait for 2014 rates to come out first or maybe I will call and book it!

Do garden wings sell out faster than theme park views?

I'm looking to book within the next few weeks (that is if I can decide which room type to book ). It will be quite awhile before discounts for December are out (that is IF there are any discounts to be had ), so I think I'll go ahead and book the room now and see what happens as far as discounts. I don't have experience with booking at the CR, but I do think the GW rooms sell out quicker than anything else because they are cheaper.

 

[1mama2three]

thanks. How long to walk to the monorail?? longer than say the POLY to the TTC??

The walk from the far end of the garden wing over to the MK is longer (distance-wise) than the walk from the TTC to the Poly's GCH, but it sure "felt" like the walk from the Garden Wing was shorter because you could see the MK once you walked out the front doors of the CR. There was so much to SEE on the walk. When we did the walk from the TTC to the Poly it felt longer to me, but the maps show it wasn't.

 

[princessap]

The walk from the far end of the garden wing over to the MK is longer (distance-wise) than the walk from the TTC to the Poly's GCH, but it sure "felt" like the walk from the Garden Wing was shorter because you could see the MK once you walked out the front doors of the CR. There was so much to SEE on the walk. When we did the walk from the TTC to the Poly it felt longer to me, but the maps show it wasn't.

Thanks, we didnt find the walk bad at all from the poly. So I am sure the girls will love walking and seeing the park, heck I am sure I will love it!

how long does it take to get to monorail?

 

[princessap]

1mama2three.....I just noticed on your ticker that you are doing EXACTLY what we are thinking of doing!! Bonnet creek and then CR! We did a family stay and ended at the poly and loved it! so thinking of doing the same thing this time....want to go to CR for magical express but think it will be a letdown to go to bonnet creek after CR.

Did you like the split stay?? how long did you do at both??

 

[Koh1977]

The walk from the far end of the garden wing over to the MK is longer (distance-wise) than the walk from the TTC to the Poly's GCH, but it sure "felt" like the walk from the Garden Wing was shorter because you could see the MK once you walked out the front doors of the CR. There was so much to SEE on the walk. When we did the walk from the TTC to the Poly it felt longer to me, but the maps show it wasn't.

Like the walk from BC to Epcot? I wasn't fond of it in the heat and humidity last September.

 

[Koh1977]

This past January was definitely busier than any past Januarys that we've been at Disney. When we checked in, we were told they (the CR) were full on many of the nights were were there...they had at least two large conferences back-to-back she said. The main building was always busy, but the Garden Wing felt like a stark contrast to that. You could see that many rooms were occupied, but it was just a lot quieter out there. Most days we were the only people out on the beach. We never seemed to have to wait long for an elevator to the monorails either, but I will say that most mornings we walked to the CR and rode the monorail back in the afternoon. We booked the Garden View, and we did request to have ground level/patio.

Anyone know what sort of view you'd get from one of the deluxe rooms? Patio/ground floor better?

 

[closetmickey]

With regard to which rooms sell out faster, we are staying in the garden wing the third week of August. All garden wing rooms were sold out by the end of February/beginning of March, if not sooner. Both room types are still available in the tower. Hope that helps.

 

[Koh1977]

With regard to which rooms sell out faster, we are staying in the garden wing the third week of August. All garden wing rooms were sold out by the end of February/beginning of March, if not sooner. Both room types are still available in the tower. Hope that helps.

There were still some garden wing rooms available with the summer discount for the 1st week of August when we booked this week.

 

[sjs314]

Anyone know what sort of view you'd get from one of the deluxe rooms? Patio/ground floor better?

I believe when I was researching the Deluxe room you had a partial view of the pool.

 

[princessap]

Thanks to everyone's replies on here!! Did those who book garden wing rooms book garden view or standard view??

I am really leaning towards calling and booking for next year!!
I am thinking of booking garden wing and then if we can afford it splurge when discounts are released for theme park view for maybe only last night!
would that be a pain to move rooms though??

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Does anyone know what time the gift shop usually closes? We will be arriving late in October our first night and we would like to be able to stop into the gift shop (an arrival night ritual ) but it doesn't look like we will be getting there until 9:30pm - 10pm.

 

[sjs314]

Thanks to everyone's replies on here!! Did those who book garden wing rooms book garden view or standard view??

I am really leaning towards calling and booking for next year!!
I am thinking of booking garden wing and then if we can afford it splurge when discounts are released for theme park view for maybe only last night!
would that be a pain to move rooms though??

I have never switched rooms or done a split stay so I can not help you there but I do think it is a good idea to book the GW room now as they do sell out before the tower rooms, then upgrade when discounts come out.

I booked the Deluxe room in GW one year then changed to tower TPV when RO discounts came out but unfortunately ended up changeing again to another resort. One day I will stay in my CR tower TPV

 

[mickeynut1]

I am thinking of booking garden wing and then if we can afford it splurge when discounts are released for theme park view for maybe only last night!
would that be a pain to move rooms though??

It's not a pain (IMO) to change rooms as Disney makes it very easy (and you could just walk over to the tower with your luggage to check in), but if it were me, I wouldn't want to do it for just one night. You would have to be out of the first room by 11:00 a.m. and there's the possibility of the TPV room not being available until later in the day. However, if you will be at the parks most of the day, having a room not ready wouldn't be that much of a problem. I have been there trying to decide just what resort and room type to book on trips, but have always had great trips no matter where we've stayed. So I know you'll have a magical trip no matter which room you choose .

Does anyone know what time the gift shop usually closes? We will be arriving late in October our first night and we would like to be able to stop into the gift shop (an arrival night ritual ) but it doesn't look like we will be getting there until 9:30pm - 10pm.

I want to say the gift shops close around 10, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will be able to give the correct info on that .

I booked the Deluxe room in GW one year then changed to tower TPV when RO discounts came out but unfortunately ended up changeing again to another resort. One day I will stay in my CR tower TPV

It's great that there are so many resort choices, but it's also not so great for that same reason because it makes it harder to choose just one .

 

[princessap]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will book garden wing and then switch to theme park if I can....looks like DH wants to try theme park view so it might just happen!

 

[princessap]

I have never switched rooms or done a split stay so I can not help you there but I do think it is a good idea to book the GW room now as they do sell out before the tower rooms, then upgrade when discounts come out.

I booked the Deluxe room in GW one year then changed to tower TPV when RO discounts came out but unfortunately ended up changeing again to another resort. One day I will stay in my CR tower TPV

Thanks...what made you switch resorts from theme park view?

I see you are staying at the Polynesian resort soon...we loved it there!! That is what I am debating between poly and cr?

 

[Koh1977]

Thanks...what made you switch resorts from theme park view?

I see you are staying at the Polynesian resort soon...we loved it there!! That is what I am debating between poly and cr?

I loved our stay at the Poly a few years back, but decided we'd try something different this time around. Hence the CR this trip. Won't know which we like better until we try them, right? . BC was last year and although nice, liked the convenience of the Poly better. I figure CR will be convenient as well!

 

[Carable]

We are staying on property for the 1st time ever, and couldn't be more excited to be at BLT. We are checking into Bay Lake Towers Lake View, 2 bed villa, on May 11th. We are a group of 6, including 2 grandparents and kids ages 5 and 7. I want to go ahead and check in online, are there any specific requests I should put in for room location?

 

[1mama2three]

1mama2three.....I just noticed on your ticker that you are doing EXACTLY what we are thinking of doing!! Bonnet creek and then CR! We did a family stay and ended at the poly and loved it! so thinking of doing the same thing this time....want to go to CR for magical express but think it will be a letdown to go to bonnet creek after CR.

Did you like the split stay?? how long did you do at both??

We liked the affordability that the split stay with BC provided...We stayed there 3 nights when room rates over MLK weekend were the highest, and then stayed 6 nights at CR when room rates were better with the AP discount. I thought the split stay was nice because we were able to move with washed laundry, and it didn't seem like too much of a hassle. We'll never stay at BC again, but that's a whole separate issue. I would think that going from CR to BC would be a letdown...we did it the opposite, and once we got to CR we wished we had just paid the extra to stay there the whole time.