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

[mickeynut1]

Parking lot??? What parking lot??

We LOVE TPV, LOVE watching the Castle turn colors all night from our bed.....ahhhh

Isn't it just wonderful that there's a view for everyone!

That's exactly what I keep thinking about.......watching the castle change colors from bed .

 

[WDWKOOK]

I can't tell you HOW many times we have done that!! We have booked half a trip at one Resort then the other half at the CR.....only to find that after one night at another Resort we call the CR and BEG them to take us sooner!

We FINALLY learned (FOR US)....there's no place like the CR/BLT!!!

I love that you've done the same thing! But you call? Twice, I've hopped on the monorail, once from Poly and once from YC. Then I go down to the lobby, ask to speak to a manager, explain my 'problem', then she comes back with a piece of paper with my new reservation number and room number and I am all smiles. I can't pack fast enough to get right back to the CR. I think one time I packed all of our stuff up in 15 minutes, loaded the car, and we were at the CR in about 30 minutes. You would think I've learned my lesson, but I still get flummoxed with resort booking.

So do you only book CR/BLT now?

 

[Koh1977]

I love that you've done the same thing! But you call? Twice, I've hopped on the monorail, once from Poly and once from YC. Then I go down to the lobby, ask to speak to a manager, explain my 'problem', then she comes back with a piece of paper with my new reservation number and room number and I am all smiles. I can't pack fast enough to get right back to the CR. I think one time I packed all of our stuff up in 15 minutes, loaded the car, and we were at the CR in about 30 minutes. You would think I've learned my lesson, but I still get flummoxed with resort booking.

So do you only book CR/BLT now?

Lol. I am trying to decide between tower bay lake view at CR or a garden view room at the Poly...

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I love that you've done the same thing! But you call? Twice, I've hopped on the monorail, once from Poly and once from YC. Then I go down to the lobby, ask to speak to a manager, explain my 'problem', then she comes back with a piece of paper with my new reservation number and room number and I am all smiles. I can't pack fast enough to get right back to the CR. I think one time I packed all of our stuff up in 15 minutes, loaded the car, and we were at the CR in about 30 minutes. You would think I've learned my lesson, but I still get flummoxed with resort booking.

So do you only book CR/BLT now?

THAT IS SOOOO FUNNY!!!

Hmmmmm....I've called, gone to front desk of current resort, or have gone over to the CR in person (jeez, now you have me thinking....THREE TIMES WE'VE DONE THIS....how terrible)!!! The first time was at the Poly. Was looking forward to the TPView that we paid for. Sadly our view had an overgrown tree in the way . When we went around the sides of the tree we were heartbroken to see that the Castle seemed so far away . The grounds are BEAUTIFUL, just too far away from the Magic for us I guess. When they couldn't give us another room (with perhaps no tree blocking the view), we asked if they could please see if the CR had room to take us 4 days early......and so we moved.

We did it two more times (Coronado Springs and AKL). Don't know why we didn't learn our lesson THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME!! Grrrr! Lol!!

We don't "feel the magic" unless we're at the CR/BLT. We have points at OKW, and although its a wonderful resort, we just feel like we're "missing something" when we're staying there as well

And so we have FINALLY learned our lesson!!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

That's exactly what I keep thinking about.......watching the castle change colors from bed .

There is absolutely NOTHING like it!

 

[jlcd]

How is the coffee at Contemporary Grounds? Hoping better than the stuff you get in the refillable mugs?!? Looking forward to our first CR stay I'm less than 2 weeks!!

 

[psac]

How is the coffee at Contemporary Grounds? Hoping better than the stuff you get in the refillable mugs?!? Looking forward to our first CR stay I'm less than 2 weeks!!

Their premium drinks (hot/iced lattes, cappuccino, etc.) are really good. Their regular iced coffee was very good as well. The one thing we didn't try was the regular hot drip coffee.

 

[mickeynut1]

There is absolutely NOTHING like it!

The pics I've seen look amazing . I really want to try CL as well as have a castle view from my balcony/bed (not too picky, huh?? ), so I decided to look at MKV CL. We aren't going until December, so no discounts (if any) will be out for awhile, but without a decent discount, $800/night for a lounge and view from my room is a little steep . Do you know if discounts are usually offered for MKV CL rooms? I have seen discounts for TPV and standard CL, but haven't really paid much attention to MKV CL rooms with discounts .

 

[WDWKOOK]

New DVC benefits:

Complimentary D23 Membership
DVC members will have access to a special level of the D23 fan club. They will receive the weekly D23 FanFare email newsletter and a D23 Membership Number giving them access to web content, to purchase exclusive D23 Member merchandise and select discounts. DVC Membership level does not include D23 Membership Card or Certificate, Annual Membership Gift, access to D23 events or a subscription to Disney twenty-three printed magazine. Register your email address at DVCMember.com to receive information about how to join.
From the DIS

HAPPY EASTER​

Lol. I am trying to decide between tower bay lake view at CR or a garden view room at the Poly...

You're preaching to the choir here, but I would book CR Tower. I've stayed at both the Poly and CR. These are the main advantages to me in booking CR over Poly:

Everything is under one roof at CR.

Every room has a balcony.

Every room has an unobstructed and higher (more commanding) view.

Every room has two sinks. (The Poly rooms are being rehabbed now and will all eventually have two sinks, I believe).

You can walk to the MK.

You can take the Blue Flag boat directly to WL and FW instead of having to boat to MK and transfer.

There is more water recreation at CR (Sammy Duval's).

CR has its own health club - Poly guests have to go over to the GF.

Chef Mickey's offers a character dinner - Poly only has a character breakfast.

The pool seating area at CR is larger.

CR has two hot tubs - Poly has none.

CR buses are the first picked-up and dropped off.

All rooms at CR just received a soft goods rehab which was completed 3/22.





I'm sure I'm missing something, but those are the main differences. I am not opposed to booking the Poly and I'm not suggesting that the Poly doesn't have its own unique and positive features, but if given the choice between Poly GV and a CR Tower room, I would book the Tower.

Let us know what you decide

THAT IS SOOOO FUNNY!!!

Hmmmmm....I've called, gone to front desk of current resort, or have gone over to the CR in person (jeez, now you have me thinking....THREE TIMES WE'VE DONE THIS....how terrible)!!! The first time was at the Poly. Was looking forward to the TPView that we paid for. Sadly our view had an overgrown tree in the way . When we went around the sides of the tree we were heartbroken to see that the Castle seemed so far away . The grounds are BEAUTIFUL, just too far away from the Magic for us I guess. When they couldn't give us another room (with perhaps no tree blocking the view), we asked if they could please see if the CR had room to take us 4 days early......and so we moved.

We did it two more times (Coronado Springs and AKL). Don't know why we didn't learn our lesson THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME!! Grrrr! Lol!!

We don't "feel the magic" unless we're at the CR/BLT. We have points at OKW, and although its a wonderful resort, we just feel like we're "missing something" when we're staying there as well

And so we have FINALLY learned our lesson!!

Glad you've found your 'home'. It's always great to try new resorts and it's also great that Disney is so understanding and flexible about changes

 

[WDWKOOK]

The pics I've seen look amazing . I really want to try CL as well as have a castle view from my balcony/bed (not too picky, huh?? ), so I decided to look at MKV CL. We aren't going until December, so no discounts (if any) will be out for awhile, but without a decent discount, $800/night for a lounge and view from my room is a little steep . Do you know if discounts are usually offered for MKV CL rooms? I have seen discounts for TPV and standard CL, but haven't really paid much attention to MKV CL rooms with discounts .

TPV (Theme Park View) was formerly know as MKV (Magic Kingdom View) so as far as WDW booking is concerned, they are one and the same now.

When discounts are offered, MKV/TPV CL are included (as well as BLV/Standard CL). I would never book without a discount, unless I needed to secure the room now because I was going at a peak time and knew I was applying a discount later. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[mickeynut1]

TPV (Theme Park View) was formerly know as MKV (Magic Kingdom View) so as far as WDW booking is concerned, they are one and the same now.

When discounts are offered, MKV/TPV CL are included (as well as BLV/Standard CL). I would never book without a discount, unless I needed to secure the room now because I was going at a peak time and knew I was applying a discount later. Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks, KOOK . It's good to know standard CL isn't the only CL offered under discounts. If a decent discount comes out and MKV CL is available, I will seriously consider it; otherwise, I think I'd be happy with a regular TPV or BLV CL .

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Thanks, KOOK . It's good to know standard CL isn't the only CL offered under discounts. If a decent discount comes out and MKV CL is available, I will seriously consider it; otherwise, I think I'd be happy with a regular TPV or BLV CL .

I think the ONLY times we have stayed CL would have been because of a discount. . We actually considered staying during our upcoming visit. BUT, probably the main reason we aren't is because it is way too easy to swing by the CL lounge and grab a snack or two or three (or even "let's bring a couple extra brownies back to the room" lol). Of course if you're paying for CL then you SHOULD take advantage of all that there is to offer! But we eat enough of the bad foods throughout the day that we don't need ANY extra help lol! It's just too easy NOT to avoid all the goodies!!

One time we were upgraded to the 14th floor for one night ( our reservations were for the 12th floor CL)!! It was a one bedroom suite!!!! It was incredible!!! Tough to go into a single room when you just had the equivalent to 3 rooms!!


Anyway, it's fun staying CL if just to check it out once. Its exciting to have to slide your room key into the slot (only used for CL floor guests) in the elevators too! .
I hope you can get a discount!!! Best wishes!!!!

 

[Koh1977]

Has anyone stayed in one of the deluxe rooms in the garden wing? Anyone know how many of these exist? On all floors?

 

[CoolPool]

Just moved a reservation in July to the ole CR. It will be my kids first stay here...I haven't stayed here since the 80s. I'm looking forward to catching up with all things Contemporary.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Just moved a reservation in July to the ole CR. It will be my kids first stay here...I haven't stayed here since the 80s. I'm looking forward to catching up with all things Contemporary.

COOL!!! Errr....um....Pool!!!

Can't wait to hear what you think!!!!

 

[princessap]

Thinking of staying here next February instead of the Poly...have looked for garden view rooms for this year to price it out and they are so hard to find....any tips on booking for next year for CR garden wing??

what is the difference between the tower and the garden wing?

thanks in advance

 

[jlcd]

Their premium drinks (hot/iced lattes, cappuccino, etc.) are really good. Their regular iced coffee was very good as well. The one thing we didn't try was the regular hot drip coffee.

Thanks for the info! Hoping its a good sign that the regular coffee will be good too!

 

[inky dinky doo]

Six sleeps till I'm in my happy place, and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lazor460]

It's a very short walk from the garden wing to the tower (main building), and then you can take an elevator right up to the monorail. Enjoy!

ok great! Thanks so much!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We're staying at BLT for the first time this September and I just have two questions (sorry if they've been asked before, I've tried searching).

I see that the Top of the World lounge doesn't open until 5 p.m. Does that include the observation area? My husband was interested in going up there in the mornings to enjoy his cup of coffee and the view while I finish getting ready, but it doesn't look like that will be possible.

Is the only place to refill refillable mugs at BLT still the Pool bar? It would be nice to have a refill station in the gift shop like at Kidani.

Thanks for your help!