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

[Jonathan Swift]

Have you stayed in garden wing before?

Yes, I was there a few weeks ago. Why?

 

[princessap]

Yes, I was there a few weeks ago. Why?

Just wanted someone who had stayed there before to answer a few questions if you could?
Did you enjoy it or wish you were in the tower?
What room requests did you submit?

Thanks!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Just wanted someone who had stayed there before to answer a few questions if you could?
Did you enjoy it or wish you were in the tower?
What room requests did you submit?

Thanks!

Well, since I wasn't in the Tower, it's a little unfair for me to make comparisons, but it appeared to me that getting to your room in the Tower was a bit of a hassle since I saw people waiting for elevators frequently. There didn't seem to be many elevators in general, but I didn't count them.

The room I was in wasn't too far from the main building and since it was on the first floor, I had a little patio area. My son and I left through the sliding glass doors to go to the pool, which was a nice perk. The water slide connected to the pool could have been better. I happened to see the play area at the Grand Floridian (2nd picture on this link) and thought it would have been nice to see something similar at the Contemporary.

For requests: first floor, near the main building, facing the pool, and if it's a special occasion like an anniversary, they may surprise you with some mini chocolates in your room.

BTW, I booked "Garden Wing - Garden View" on the website. I doubt you can get a pool side room if you book "Garden Wing - Standard View." There is a $54 a day rate difference (before discounts), so keep that in mind.

 

[princessap]

Well, since I wasn't in the Tower, it's a little unfair for me to make comparisons, but it appeared to me that getting to your room in the Tower was a bit of a hassle since I saw people waiting for elevators frequently. There didn't seem to be many elevators in general, but I didn't count them.

The room I was in wasn't too far from the main building and since it was on the first floor, I had a little patio area. My son and I left through the sliding glass doors to go to the pool, which was a nice perk. The water slide connected to the pool could have been better. I happened to see the play area at the Grand Floridian (2nd picture on this link) and thought it would have been nice to see something similar at the Contemporary.

For requests: first floor, near the main building, facing the pool, and if it's a special occasion like an anniversary, they may surprise you with some mini chocolates in your room.

BTW, I booked "Garden Wing - Garden View" on the website. I doubt you can get a pool side room if you book "Garden Wing - Standard View." There is a $54 a day rate difference (before discounts), so keep that in mind.

Did you enjoy your stay there? It will be five of us there (one infant) and I like the close proximity to MK without the big price tag! Lol

I agree about the splash pad at grand Floridian. It looks super cute! I am going to attempt to get a studio there if I can for our trip so the cr is our back up if we don't get it or poly is under construction. For some reason I cannot get over the lack of kid friendly pool there.
My DH likes all the food options there and he wants to try somewhere new so we are in a great debate!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am wondering how people are able to keep the air condition running during the night while sleeping in bay lake towers.

Does anyone have some good ideas?

Welcome! The AC has never shut off for us at CR or BLT. We've never had to override the system either. You should be as cool as a cucumber

Any updates/pictures on the 14th floor refurb? I am booked for my honeymoon in a king room tower club for September.

Welcome and congratulations on your engagement! I haven't seen any new Tower Club room photos yet, hopefully, someone will post some soon

 

[Deb & Bill]

Did you enjoy your stay there? It will be five of us there (one infant) and I like the close proximity to MK without the big price tag! Lol

I agree about the splash pad at grand Floridian. It looks super cute! I am going to attempt to get a studio there if I can for our trip so the cr is our back up if we don't get it or poly is under construction. For some reason I cannot get over the lack of kid friendly pool there.
My DH likes all the food options there and he wants to try somewhere new so we are in a great debate!

If you are looking at a BLT studio, you know they are really small? When you pull out the sleeper sofa, you might have a hard time trying to find a place to put the packnplay. Are the other four in your party all adults or two adults and two small kids? I'd go for the Wing room instead of the BLT studio any day. Much more room. All you lack is a microwave and they have one at the counter service area.

 

[WDWKOOK]

If you are looking at a BLT studio, you know they are really small? When you pull out the sleeper sofa, you might have a hard time trying to find a place to put the packnplay. Are the other four in your party all adults or two adults and two small kids? I'd go for the Wing room instead of the BLT studio any day. Much more room. All you lack is a microwave and they have one at the counter service area.

ITA about those BLT Studios Vs. CR.

 

[princessap]

I am actually considering a studio t vGF as they fit five and I think it looks super cute! If free dining is the promo out then we will do a stay at only one resort and for that I am thinking of the garden wing. I have read on here it is not convenient for the monorail or filling up your mug though ?

I wish th cr had a cuter pool area for kids!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am actually considering a studio t vGF as they fit five and I think it looks super cute! If free dining is the promo out then we will do a stay at only one resort and for that I am thinking of the garden wing. I have read on here it is not convenient for the monorail or filling up your mug though ?

I wish th cr had a cuter pool area for kids!

It's really no less convenient than a tower room where you have to wait for the elevator (and wait and wait). It was a lot more convenient when the Food and Fun Center was on the ground floor though.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Did you enjoy your stay there? It will be five of us there (one infant) and I like the close proximity to MK without the big price tag! Lol

Yes, I love the Contemporary and would do it again. It's walking distance from MK and it's the first stop on the monorail coming back. The rooms in the wing are great and much more economical than the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. I love the breakfast buffet in "The Wave" and it's on the first floor as soon as you enter the main building from the rear. I'd wager it took me less time to get there than people staying in the main building. The escalators to Chef Mickey's/Contempo are right there, so it's really convenient.

We were three, so I can't comment on 5 because I don't know the sleeping arrangements. However, the room itself is bigger than most hotel rooms and included two bathroom sinks.

My DH likes all the food options there and he wants to try somewhere new so we are in a great debate!

The Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian all have great restaurants. My 8 year old loved Chef Mickey's for breakfast. It was better than I was expecting, but the breakfast buffet at "The Wave" was superior (minus characters) IMHO. The GF has Citricos, which is a must do for dinner. Expensive, upscale and delicious. The Kona Cafe at the Polynesian is great, too. A breakfast consisting of Tonga Toast and Macadamia Nut pancakes was a sinful delight. Dinner at Kona can include sushi, which may not be reflected on the website. Sadly, the California Grill was closed. I wanted to try it so bad.

I wouldn't choose a hotel based on its restaurants. I would choose it on other amenities and price. All three resorts on the monorail are close enough to each other that going to a different one to eat is a quick ride away. Personally, I'd save my money and stay at the Contemporary. It's expensive enough.

 

[princessap]

Thanks

Unless we do TPV it will be garden wing for us! I love hearing about all the dining options at other places.

 

[familyabgar]

Are there quick/counter service places at CR?

 

[chemnerd09]

Are there quick/counter service places at CR?

There is the Contempo Cafe which is located next to Chef Mickeys. I had a really good flatbread there once. We stopped for lunch and it was nice and quiet. Loved watching the monorail go in and out.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Are there quick/counter service places at CR?

Welcome! There are menus/photos and more CR dining information on the first page HERE and HERE

 

[mefordis]

I am actually considering a studio t vGF as they fit five and I think it looks super cute! If free dining is the promo out then we will do a stay at only one resort and for that I am thinking of the garden wing. I have read on here it is not convenient for the monorail or filling up your mug though ?

I wish th cr had a cuter pool area for kids!

I think you can use the BLT pool which has a very cute splash area for the kids, from what I hear.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I think you can use the BLT pool which has a very cute splash area for the kids, from what I hear.

CR guests cannot use the BLT pool. The BLT splash area is cute and there are photos in the BLT/recreation section on the second page of the thread.

 

[mefordis]

CR guests cannot use the BLT pool. The BLT splash area is cute and there are photos in the BLT/recreation section on the second page of the thread.

Oh, sorry. wonder why they allow BLT to use CR pool.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Oh, sorry. wonder why they allow BLT to use CR pool.

No problem at all! I believe that if you have a DVC reservation and you're staying at a DVC resort, the rules are that you can "pool hop."

 

[princessap]

Bummer. that would have been perfect

Is there any splash area at CR?? I wonder why they don't make their pool more enticing!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Bummer. that would have been perfect

Is there any splash area at CR?? I wonder why they don't make their pool more enticing!

CR has its own splash area. There are photos on the first page HERE. There are also fountains in the pool and one hot tub within the pool and one next to the pool and a beach. I think it's a great pool area.