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

[HarvardAce]

We (DW, DS2 (1st trip), mom, sister, MIL, FIL, and me) are staying in the GW from 8/24 through 9/2. Had been reading about the Magic Bands and FP+ for a while, and luckily happened to be on the MDE site on 7/23 and saw that we were eligible for bands and were able to customize them. Just got them the other day, and we now have FP+ booked for every day of our trip as well. I'm hoping that we'll still also be eligible for regular FP as with our DS we're not really sure how he'll do with naps so timing is a bit tough. We also plan to park hop (park in the morning, nap/pool back at the CR, and then back to another park in the evening) so being able to pick up regular FPs will be nice.

I never got an email or other advance notice about the Magic Bands or FP+, just happened to be on the site at the right time. If I hadn't been on the site, the first time I would have found out about the Magic Bands is when I got an email saying that they had shipped. Is everyone staying at the CR in August part of the test? Did anyone actually get an email describing it?

I had asked earlier but didn't see a response -- if we put in an order through GardenGrocer or a similar service, will the CR charge us their package handling fee, or is that only for standard UPS/FedEx deliveries?

 

[WisconsinDad]

We (DW, DS2 (1st trip), mom, sister, MIL, FIL, and me) are staying in the GW from 8/24 through 9/2. Had been reading about the Magic Bands and FP+ for a while, and luckily happened to be on the MDE site on 7/23 and saw that we were eligible for bands and were able to customize them. Just got them the other day, and we now have FP+ booked for every day of our trip as well. I'm hoping that we'll still also be eligible for regular FP as with our DS we're not really sure how he'll do with naps so timing is a bit tough. We also plan to park hop (park in the morning, nap/pool back at the CR, and then back to another park in the evening) so being able to pick up regular FPs will be nice.

I never got an email or other advance notice about the Magic Bands or FP+, just happened to be on the site at the right time. If I hadn't been on the site, the first time I would have found out about the Magic Bands is when I got an email saying that they had shipped. Is everyone staying at the CR in August part of the test? Did anyone actually get an email describing it?

I had asked earlier but didn't see a response -- if we put in an order through GardenGrocer or a similar service, will the CR charge us their package handling fee, or is that only for standard UPS/FedEx deliveries?

I can't answer your question about GardenGrocer but regarding FP+ we received our Magic Bands prior to receiving the invitation e-mail. We received the email today and are 17 days away from our trip. Many others have also reported receiving the email 17 days out.

 

[blo2002]

We (DW, DS2 (1st trip), mom, sister, MIL, FIL, and me) are staying in the GW from 8/24 through 9/2. Had been reading about the Magic Bands and FP+ for a while, and luckily happened to be on the MDE site on 7/23 and saw that we were eligible for bands and were able to customize them. Just got them the other day, and we now have FP+ booked for every day of our trip as well. I'm hoping that we'll still also be eligible for regular FP as with our DS we're not really sure how he'll do with naps so timing is a bit tough. We also plan to park hop (park in the morning, nap/pool back at the CR, and then back to another park in the evening) so being able to pick up regular FPs will be nice.

I never got an email or other advance notice about the Magic Bands or FP+, just happened to be on the site at the right time. If I hadn't been on the site, the first time I would have found out about the Magic Bands is when I got an email saying that they had shipped. Is everyone staying at the CR in August part of the test? Did anyone actually get an email describing it?

I had asked earlier but didn't see a response -- if we put in an order through GardenGrocer or a similar service, will the CR charge us their package handling fee, or is that only for standard UPS/FedEx deliveries?

I'm curious about the delivery fee as well, no other resort has charged us for packages before. This time we are planning to have Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew delivered by Garden Grocer, instead of my usual staples order.

 

[KathieSmallwood]

If anyone is going to cancel their Bay Lake 1 bedroom theme park view October 27th-Nov3rd, please let me know. I would love it.

 

[princessap]

Standard!

Did you call??? I cannot get it for our dates more than a year out!!! augh

 

[mickeynut1]

WOOHOO I am so glad you were able to get the 20%! It is still a hefty price tag, but soooo worth it!

Thanks . When I heard about the possible release of RO discounts, I did some figuring with different percentages (although thinking it would only be the 5%). I got online this morning before I called and saw TPV, standard CL, and TPV CL were all available. After talking to the CM, I kept thinking we could see MK from the lounge, but how nice it would be to see if from our room . So, without (too much) hesitation, I heard myself saying "lets go with TPV CL" . The difference wasn't that much between that and standard CL, so I'm happy. Now that I'm booked, I'm REALLY excited to try the CR .

We made it to the CR, room does have a fridge. CR is not affected by the fridge fiasco. BTW, DW still thought we were at POR until we got to ME. The surprise worked!! Wish I would've got a picture of her face!

What a great surprise.....I'm glad you were able to pull it off until you got to ME. Have a great trip .

We were booked at CR in the GW for Oct 30-Nov. 4 with just DH, DD3 and myself but had to cancel because DD21 and her boyfriend wanted to come. We rebooked same dates at AoA in a Nemo suite since we are paying for them. When FD dropped DH asked if we could move back to CR. We are now all booked in the tower with a BLV. I have always wanted to stay here. We are paying $500 more than AoA but know it will be worth it.

Congrats on rebooking in the CR tower......you're going to have a great trip .

 

[blo2002]

Congrats on rebooking in the CR tower......you're going to have a great trip .[/QUOTE]



Thank you..The trip will be magical no matter what since we will be in Disney. It is also our first time staying there, first MNSSHP and it's our DD21 and her boyfriend's first trip. I just hope we all fit comfortably in the room.

 

[dopey14]

I am jumping in...what discount are y'all referring to? We are going early January and wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything thanks all!

 

[mariamouse]

I am jumping in...what discount are y'all referring to? We are going early January and wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything thanks all!

Nope, didn't miss anything! January discounts likely won't be released until October or so. These recent discounts only extend until late December.

We are waiting on January discounts too!!

 

[dopey14]

Nope, didn't miss anything! January discounts likely won't be released until October or so. These recent discounts only extend until late December.

We are waiting on January discounts too!!

Thank you!!

 

[KathieSmallwood]

Did you call??? I cannot get it for our dates more than a year out!!! augh

I called. What dates are you wanting?

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you..The trip will be magical no matter what since we will be in Disney. It is also our first time staying there, first MNSSHP and it's our DD21 and her boyfriend's first trip. I just hope we all fit comfortably in the room.

You're right, you will have a magical trip no matter what . We are trying the CR for the first time in December and I'm excited. The Halloween party is a lot of fun. We have been to the party 3 times and we enjoyed the 3rd party just as much as the first. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. I think the 4 of you will do just fine in the room. The CR rooms are among the largest of the deluxe resorts (along with the Poly) .

 

[princessap]

I called. What dates are you wanting?

I called and keep checking online. It isn't till sept 2014 so hoping something opens up.

 

[KathieSmallwood]

I called and keep checking online. It isn't till sept 2014 so hoping something opens up.

Maybe next September is not open? How early do reservations open?

 

[Mousemommy1]

I called and keep checking online. It isn't till sept 2014 so hoping something opens up.

I know my dates in late August 2014 are no longer available now either. They go so fast!

 

[princessap]

Standard has never been available since rates were released

Am thinking I should just book garden view and keep checking for standard view.

 

[TMEF23]

We (DW, DS2 (1st trip), mom, sister, MIL, FIL, and me) are staying in the GW from 8/24 through 9/2. Had been reading about the Magic Bands and FP+ for a while, and luckily happened to be on the MDE site on 7/23 and saw that we were eligible for bands and were able to customize them. Just got them the other day, and we now have FP+ booked for every day of our trip as well. I'm hoping that we'll still also be eligible for regular FP as with our DS we're not really sure how he'll do with naps so timing is a bit tough. We also plan to park hop (park in the morning, nap/pool back at the CR, and then back to another park in the evening) so being able to pick up regular FPs will be nice.

I never got an email or other advance notice about the Magic Bands or FP+, just happened to be on the site at the right time. If I hadn't been on the site, the first time I would have found out about the Magic Bands is when I got an email saying that they had shipped. Is everyone staying at the CR in August part of the test? Did anyone actually get an email describing it?

I had asked earlier but didn't see a response -- if we put in an order through GardenGrocer or a similar service, will the CR charge us their package handling fee, or is that only for standard UPS/FedEx deliveries?

I was able to customize our bands and update our Fastpass + prior to receiving the e-mail. We arrive at the CR August 16th and received our e-mail 2 days ago. I also got information in the mail. I received my magic bands the previous week after customizing them. We scheduled almost all of our fast passes for the morning or early afternoon since I have 2 year old sons and we never know what the 2nd half of our day will be like with nap schedules, etc. When planning our trip, I planned our mornings/early afternoon, and just wrote in suggestions for the evening.

 

[familyabgar]

Did you call??? I cannot get it for our dates more than a year out!!! augh

The garden view rooms we saw online for only one day. Then we got those by calling. Then, the standard view ones popped up on the website but were not there the next day!

 

[nonnasally]

I'm curious about the delivery fee as well, no other resort has charged us for packages before. This time we are planning to have Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew delivered by Garden Grocer, instead of my usual staples order.

Haven't used Garden Grocer in about one year unless they changed their policy I was never charged a fee from the hotel . Had orders delivered to BWV and ASMu and both times no charge from resort. Garden Grocer has a delivery fee but it is worth it and I always included a tip when I paid in advance with credit card. Hope it works out for you.

 

[mickeynut1]

Standard has never been available since rates were released

Am thinking I should just book garden view and keep checking for standard view.

This is what I would do if you know you want to stay at the CR in the GW. Have you tried calling to check availability for standard view? I ask because the website has had some glitches lately, so there is a slim chance that even though it's not showing available online, it might be available by calling. It would be worth a try. Good luck.