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

[mickeynut1]

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!!!!

Thanks.....I'm hoping for a decent discount, too . What an amazing upgrade to a one bedroom suite.....I love hearing about pixie dust upgrades!!! I hear you on the snacks.......WL CL and GF CL both had sugar cookies that I couldn't stay away from . We don't stay CL every trip, but it is nice to have every once in awhile . I am leaning toward standard CL over a TPV so we can kill two birds with one stone (trying the CR for the first time as well as CL there), but I'll also be happy if we ended up with just a regular TPV as I am very excited just to try the CR .

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

The garden wing rooms are sometimes hard to come by as those tend to get booked up first since they are cheaper than the tower rooms. The rooms in both the garden wing and tower are identical, with the location being the difference. The tower rooms are just an elevator ride away from the monorail, Chef Mickeys, and shopping......with the garden wing rooms being a short walk away. Have fun planning......we are trying the CR for the first time in December and I can't wait .

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

 

[Koh1977]

Where can you refill your mug? That was definitely a perk of BC over Poly was the ease of refilling mugs, as opposed to the longish walk to the GCH from our longhouse.

Also, laundry location(s)?

Is there a map somewhere that has the locations of things like the deluxe garden wing rooms, etc?

 

[mickeynut1]

Where can you refill your mug? That was definitely a perk of BC over Poly was the ease of refilling mugs, as opposed to the longish walk to the GCH from our longhouse.

Also, laundry location(s)?

Is there a map somewhere that has the locations of things like the deluxe garden wing rooms, etc?

I can't help with the laundry locations, but mugs can be filled at Contempo Cafe. You might be able to get refills at the pool bar, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will be able to give more information on that as well as laundry locations .

 

[Koh1977]

I can't help with the laundry locations, but mugs can be filled at Contempo Cafe. You might be able to get refills at the pool bar, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will be able to give more information on that as well as laundry locations .

I found it! Laundry is on the second floor in the garden wing. Hmmm...that might be a bit of a pain if we were in the tower?

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

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!

I'm not sure about the hours for the TOWL since we are renters.....

But refillable mug station was only at the pool bar as of last September. We ultimately decided to skip it and just ordered more sodas/coffee for the room....too much trouble!

 

[mickeynut1]

I found it! Laundry is on the second floor in the garden wing. Hmmm...that might be a bit of a pain if we were in the tower?

Glad you found it . Seems strange, though, that there isn't a laundry facility in the tower as well .

 

[buzzrelly]

Has anyone ever slept on that sleeper sofa? I assumed that DS 11 would sleep with me and DD9 would sleep with my mom. But now both kids are saying they don't want to sleep with Grammy! Haha! It's ok...she understands...she snores terribly! Anyway, I'm thinking now that DS could sleep on that sofa...will mouse keeping bring sheets or make it up? Thanks.

 

[Koh1977]

Has anyone ever slept on that sleeper sofa? I assumed that DS 11 would sleep with me and DD9 would sleep with my mom. But now both kids are saying they don't want to sleep with Grammy! Haha! It's ok...she understands...she snores terribly! Anyway, I'm thinking now that DS could sleep on that sofa...will mouse keeping bring sheets or make it up? Thanks.

What sleeper sofa are you talking about?

 

[buzzrelly]

What sleeper sofa are you talking about?

Sorry...we are staying in the Tower, TPV. I was just looking at the pics and there's a pic of a sleeper sofa next to the sliding glass doors. I remember it being there when we stayed in 2010 also, but we never used it for sleeping.

 

[princessap]

i just read that the CR doesnt have balconies. is that only in the garden wing??

 

[Koh1977]

i just read that the CR doesnt have balconies. is that only in the garden wing??

Yes, the garden wing rooms don't have balconies.

 

[WDWKOOK]

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

There are 3 Deluxe rooms. The first page has more information and a link to photos and a video. The link is posted in my answer below.

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.

A lot has changed since the 80s - mercifully! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and your kids will love it! Congratulations!

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

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

As Mickeynut1 said, the GW does tend to sell out faster than the Tower since the rooms are less expensive. One big difference though is that none of the GW rooms have balconies, whereas all of the Tower rooms do. However, the GW does have the laundry and the Tower does not. Otherwise, the rooms are identical, though views vary.

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

Yippee!! Will you be able to report live to us?

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!

I believe that ALL BLT guests can visit the 16th floor BLT Observation Deck until 4, then only DVC members/guests can visit the TOTWL from 5 - Midnight.

In addition to the pool bar, you can walk over to the Contempo Cafe for drink refills. Let us know if you have any other questions

Is there a map somewhere that has the locations of things like the deluxe garden wing rooms, etc?

The first page has Deluxe room information. There is a Deluxe Room hyperlink in Post 1 in the table of contents. Within that link is another link that has photos, video and more room location information: http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/08/contemporary_resort_part_two_1.html

I found it! Laundry is on the second floor in the garden wing. Hmmm...that might be a bit of a pain if we were in the tower?

I've done it many times without a problem. When you walk into the GW from the Tower's covered walkway the elevator and stairs are right there.

Sorry...we are staying in the Tower, TPV. I was just looking at the pics and there's a pic of a sleeper sofa next to the sliding glass doors. I remember it being there when we stayed in 2010 also, but we never used it for sleeping.

Actually, that is a daybed. When it's unfolded it's about the size of a twin mattress. I only have a photo of the Poly daybed unfolded, but it's the same as the the CR daybed:

Tripadvisor

i just read that the CR doesnt have balconies. is that only in the garden wing??

Yes, this is only the GW. All Tower rooms have a balcony.

 

[meredith1]

Has anyone ever slept on that sleeper sofa? I assumed that DS 11 would sleep with me and DD9 would sleep with my mom. But now both kids are saying they don't want to sleep with Grammy! Haha! It's ok...she understands...she snores terribly! Anyway, I'm thinking now that DS could sleep on that sofa...will mouse keeping bring sheets or make it up? Thanks.

It's very comfy. My daughter slept on it on our last trip but, I am 5' 7" and I would have been fine on it.

 

[NJRRK]

Sorry...we are staying in the Tower, TPV. I was just looking at the pics and there's a pic of a sleeper sofa next to the sliding glass doors. I remember it being there when we stayed in 2010 also, but we never used it for sleeping.

My kids have slept on that sofa. It was already made up when we opened it up. It's a day bed so it's more comfortable than a fold out sofa bed, and it's standard twin size.

 

[mickeynut1]

It's very comfy.

Glad to hear it's comfortable. My youngest DS loved the daybed at the Poly, but hated the one at the GF. I'm hoping he likes the one at the CR .

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I believe that ALL BLT guests can visit the 16th floor BLT Observation Deck until 4, then only DVC members/guests can visit the TOTWL from 5 - Midnight.

.

Hey KOOK, not sure about this ..... I don't believe you can get up there prior to 5PM (unless of course ur staying in a GRAND VILLA.....then you can sneak out there anytime you want)! You can only get up to that floor via the elevator that's accessed by a special CM card, I believe?

Did you read that somewhere? Cuz IF IT IS true.....I'd be thrilled!!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I found it! Laundry is on the second floor in the garden wing. Hmmm...that might be a bit of a pain if we were in the tower?

This I have to agree with!! Oh how I wish they had laundry in the Tower. What a PAIN to lug ur laundry over to the Wing. This the ONLY downfall of staying in the Tower.

I actually looked up how much it would cost to send it out. Ummmm.....around $200 we figured. No thanks!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hey KOOK, not sure about this ..... I don't believe you can get up there prior to 5PM (unless of course ur staying in a GRAND VILLA.....then you can sneak out there anytime you want)! You can only get up to that floor via the elevator that's accessed by a special CM card, I believe?

Did you read that somewhere? Cuz IF IT IS true.....I'd be thrilled!!

Yes, but I'm almost embarrassed to reveal my source, Wikipedia (hangs head in shame). I also found a YouTube video of the Observation Deck that the poster claimed was taking during the daytime.

This I have to agree with!! Oh how I wish they had laundry in the Tower. What a PAIN to lug ur laundry over to the Wing. This the ONLY downfall of staying in the Tower.

I actually looked up how much it would cost to send it out. Ummmm.....around $200 we figured. No thanks!!

Easy solution - book a BLT one bedroom or bigger

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Yes, but I'm almost embarrassed to reveal my source, Wikipedia (hangs head in shame). I also found a YouTube video of the Observation Deck that the poster claimed was taking during the daytime.

Yeah, I remember reading a while back about someone enjoying their morning coffee up on the Observation deck but I thought they were staying in a GV. Hopefully someone will chime in soon and solve the mystery lol!!

Easy solution - book a BLT one bedroom or bigger

So true......but none were available ....but we'll "suck it up" this trip in honor of our beloved CR!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

PS: KOOK...... Thank you for taking SOOOO much time to monitor this Thread!! You are a wealth of information......not to mention you have impeccable taste in resorts!