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

[scjo68]

We stayed in the garden wing in 2010 and we loved it! We were the first room ( a suite-we ere upgraded) in the wing coming from the tower.

If we had been in the far end of the wing then it is possible that we might have felt far from the rest of the resort. But we felt very close to everything where we were. I have not ever stayed in the tower so I can't really compare.

We liked the garden wing so much that that is where we are staying over thanksgiving. I can't find any discounts for that time (holiday) - not even AAA. So as of now we are paying rack rate. Rack rate in the GW of the CR is high enough. Never mind the price in the tower!

 

[GinCar]

So we are debating CR garden wing or Lake view tower...I was planning two nights with TPV at CR before poly but cannot justify that price all week

I have read lots of reviews on here about the garden wing not feeling as part of the magic as the tower and people not liking their stay there so am a bit nervous about it...anyone have any thoughts?? I like the lower price tag and think my girls would like the lake view plus the walk to MK after MNSSHP is very enticing!!!

We have stayed in the garden wing and Tower, Bay Lake view. (Castle view- someday.)
Although my preference is the tower, I did not feel away from the rest of the resort. It seems like a much shorter walk than most resorts can be to your room. We had a lake view and patio- ground floor. I thought it was lovely- not a complaint to be given.
If price is an issue- go with the garden wing and you will not be disappointed. We are staying in the garden wing next month and very happy with our choice.

 

[familyabgar]

Thanks for the congrats! DSis is now in a garden view garden wing room.


Does anyone know approximately how long the walk from the Garden Wing to Bay Lake Tower is? And if its an easy walk? DSis and DBIL will be using our villa for hanging out and kitchen storage. We have our fingers crossed that maybe a studio in Bay Lake will open up...not sure what the price would be.

 

[heathere3]

Wohooooo! My wait list came through. We'll be staying in a theme park view studio at BLT over marathon weekend in January. We've owned at BLT since 2010, but this will be our first time staying here. I can't wait!

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

I'm trying to book the Contemporary for 2/2/2014-2/8/2014, but all of the room types are unavailable except for tower theme park view! This seems strange to me because it is a less crowded time of year. I checked some of the busier times of the year also and I was able to find more room availability then??? Does anyone know why this might be? I'm trying to decide if I should book something at another resort as an alternative then call back to have the reservation modified if something becomes available. Thanks for the help!

 

[CoolPool]

I'm trying to book the Contemporary for 2/2/2014-2/8/2014, but all of the room types are unavailable except for tower theme park view! This seems strange to me because it is a less crowded time of year. I checked some of the busier times of the year also and I was able to find more room availability then??? Does anyone know why this might be? I'm trying to decide if I should book something at another resort as an alternative then call back to have the reservation modified if something becomes available. Thanks for the help!

It sometimes helps to put in each night to see which are the problem nights. Your issue seems to 2/4 to 2/6. Maybe there is a convention that week and they are holding rooms? My suggestion would be to call and see if they have availability or book the nights you can and wait for the others to open up later.

 

[DisMama3]

It sometimes helps to put in each night to see which are the problem nights. Your issue seems to 2/4 to 2/6. Maybe there is a convention that week and they are holding rooms? My suggestion would be to call and see if they have availability or book the nights you can and wait for the others to open up later.

I just made a separate post about this for a friend. She is having the SAME issue for 1/22-1/28 so I have to believe it is something wrong with the website. Problem is when she called the CM couldn't be any help because they use the same system.

 

[letsgoreds]

Ok just booked a 2 bedroom at BLT for January! Please tell me we will love it here? We were debating the Poly but this comes out a little cheaper. Any suggestions are appreciated (booked through Disney did not rent points)

BLT is my favorite resort. Love the more current decor, intelligent design,and the walk to MK (we walk to MK, and monorail it home because of CR spot on the monorail loop). The space in a 2br is awesome. We were upgraded from a 1br to a 2br with a cash reservation 2 years ago, and got hooked. Absolutely awesome with kids. We are heading back in early December with my inlaws, 2br lake view!

I will warn you, that it will be difficult to go back to standard rooms at WDW.

 

[princessap]

I just checked availability for BLT for September 2014 and nothing is showing up....does that mean they just aren't released yet?? looking at cash reservation...

 

[SRUAlmn]

I just checked availability for BLT for September 2014 and nothing is showing up....does that mean they just aren't released yet?? looking at cash reservation...

Another DISer and I have been researching for cash stays next summer and it looks like you cannot even attempt to book online through CRO until 11 months from your check OUT day.

 

[princessap]

thanks! Am debating resorts again

 

[SRUAlmn]

thanks! Am debating resorts again

I completely understand! We went back and forth between the Poly and BLT. I would looooove to stay at the Poly again, but for the space we need, BLT makes more financial sense. I'm just really nervous about the booking process and hoping we'll be able to get it for our dates!

 

[princessap]

I completely understand! We went back and forth between the Poly and BLT. I would looooove to stay at the Poly again, but for the space we need, BLT makes more financial sense. I'm just really nervous about the booking process and hoping we'll be able to get it for our dates!

When are you going??

I am debating between grand floridian villa, garden wing CR or poly...augh...decisions.

 

[princessap]

Okay all you CR fans....help me out here....I am going to go ahead and book a week at the CR for our next trip....now to decide if I want garden wing or lake view?!?!? (Couldn't convince DH for TPV for a week, he said a few days but that seems a pain to move rooms halfay through for the view!).

Pros for garden wing
-cheaper
-close to pool
-not high up as I am slightly worried about balcony in tower with three kids

pros for tower
-more magic?!
-closer to monorail

it will be me DH, and 3 DDs.

thanks!

 

[Cobern]

BLT is my favorite resort. Love the more current decor, intelligent design,and the walk to MK (we walk to MK, and monorail it home because of CR spot on the monorail loop). The space in a 2br is awesome. We were upgraded from a 1br to a 2br with a cash reservation 2 years ago, and got hooked. Absolutely awesome with kids. We are heading back in early December with my inlaws, 2br lake view!

I will warn you, that it will be difficult to go back to standard rooms at WDW.

I had a feeling we would need space. We will have a 3.5 year old and an almost 2 year old along with my parents. We thought it would be nice to be able to all stay together. How long is the walk to MK? Also how long is the walk to the tower building? We will be pushing a stroller so I need to let the kids know about how long they need to stay put.

I keep hoping a 2 br theme park view will open up! I would love to book that as a surprise for my parents! They have never stayed on property before

 

[Cobern]

I just made a separate post about this for a friend. She is having the SAME issue for 1/22-1/28 so I have to believe it is something wrong with the website. Problem is when she called the CM couldn't be any help because they use the same system.

I know this week there is a convention. We are going then and had a long talk with a cm and he told my mom that they have blocks of rooms reserved for the convention and they won't release any of the unused ones until closer.

 

[WisconsinDad]

Okay all you CR fans....help me out here....I am going to go ahead and book a week at the CR for our next trip....now to decide if I want garden wing or lake view?!?!? (Couldn't convince DH for TPV for a week, he said a few days but that seems a pain to move rooms halfay through for the view!).

Pros for garden wing
-cheaper
-close to pool
-not high up as I am slightly worried about balcony in tower with three kids

pros for tower
-more magic?!
-closer to monorail

it will be me DH, and 3 DDs.

thanks!

Additional pro for the tower is a private balcony. Additional pro for GW is not having to deal with the elevators (I'm actually staying in CR for the first time next month so these are both heresy. I've read elevators can be a pain in the tower though).

 

[princessap]

Additional pro for the tower is a private balcony. Additional pro for GW is not having to deal with the elevators (I'm actually staying in CR for the first time next month so these are both heresy. I've read elevators can be a pain in the tower though).

thanks....are you in the tower??

 

[closetmickey]

Is anyone there now, or going soon, who can ask about the refrigerator refurbishment? We are a group of five families arriving August 21st, all placing orders with Garden Grocer. Thanks for any info. anyone is able to provide!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the congrats! DSis is now in a garden view garden wing room.


Does anyone know approximately how long the walk from the Garden Wing to Bay Lake Tower is? And if its an easy walk? DSis and DBIL will be using our villa for hanging out and kitchen storage. We have our fingers crossed that maybe a studio in Bay Lake will open up...not sure what the price would be.

It's an easy walk as all three buildings, Tower, GW and BLT, are within a stones throw of each other. I estimate the walk to be about 5 minutes from the GW to BLT and it's a scenic route

Unless you need a kitchenette, the BLT Studio is actually smaller than a CR room, but I understand that you'd all like to be in the same building. Have you considered one two-bedroom?

Wohooooo! My wait list came through. We'll be staying in a theme park view studio at BLT over marathon weekend in January. We've owned at BLT since 2010, but this will be our first time staying here. I can't wait!

Congratulations! Let me know if you want your dates posted in the Log-orail.