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

[shelleylmu]

Originally booked a studio, but pulled the trigger today and changed to a one bedroom. Used up all of out points but I think it will be worth it with 2 very energetic 3 and 4 yr old boys! Love the idea of doing laundry in the room too. My parents booked a studio, think there's any chance we could get connecting rooms for a bonus 2 bedroom lock off?

 

[Julie521]

Hello everyone just subbed to this thread a couple days ago Fingers are crossed to be at BLT next September for my 2 year anniversary trip with my DH. Waiting to get a price for the trip and availability to see if it is going to work, but hoping for BLT Studio with Lake View. (BLT LV) LOL I don't think we need to splurge more for the TPV. I have gotten through 75 pages so far, and will continue reading until I am all caught up. I hope all this reading is for nothing. This will probably be the last trip for a little while for DH and I because the plan is to buy a house and start a family after returning home. We will be in Disney from 8/31-9/11 driving from Massachusetts. Our last trip was last year for our honeymoon and cannot wait until next year! Thanks for the amazing info in this thread!! If all plans fall into place, I am sure I will have plenty of questions to come.

 

[YCFAN]

I remember seeing the video of the new lounge on the 14th floor but has anyone come across any pictures or video of the newly refurbished suites?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for this info!!!

Laura

You're welcome, Laura.

And I thought I had gone to a good enough source, the GM at CBR.

GM Vs. Room Assignor. Well, are you sure s/he wasn't a bus driver?

Wow! Are we ever having a great time! The CR is wonderful! It has such comfortable rooms nod amazing views and is so convenient. DH sys he has a new favourite! We have now moved to YC CL and it doesn't fare well in comparison to the CR. E like everything about the CR better - even the pool, surprisingly. We enjoyed sitting poolside and looking out over Bay Lake.

Thanks to everyone who helped us with info on the CR and helped us to decide to try it out again. We are thrilled and plan to stay here again next visit.

The CR is great, isn't it? Once we were booked as part of a split stay at YC/CL and after the first night, I really missed CR. The next day, we were going to the MK and I made the executive decision to see if we could switch from YC to CR. A CR manager took care of everything and switched us on the spot! I was thrilled and we went back to YC and immediately moved over to CR

Glad you're having a great time!!! Can't wait to stay at CR in August!!!

Wait for it, wait for it...

Thank you everyone. These boards are amazing!!! I am still debating between standard and lakeview...any thoughts???

I would definitely book LV. We loved our LV at BLT and the windows are floor to ceiling so you do see the view in a big way.

For shame Ms. KOOK, I have changed our vacation plans again.

Magical erasing quill....

Third time's a charm you know.

We've never stayed at BLT, but if both are available, I think I'd go with lake view .

Originally booked a studio, but pulled the trigger today and changed to a one bedroom. Used up all of out points but I think it will be worth it with 2 very energetic 3 and 4 yr old boys! Love the idea of doing laundry in the room too. My parents booked a studio, think there's any chance we could get connecting rooms for a bonus 2 bedroom lock off?

You won't have any regrets. You will love all the extra space and the boys will have their own bathroom and the laundry is indispensable, but I can't answer your connecting room question.

Hello everyone just subbed to this thread a couple days ago Fingers are crossed to be at BLT next September for my 2 year anniversary trip with my DH. Waiting to get a price for the trip and availability to see if it is going to work, but hoping for BLT Studio with Lake View. (BLT LV) LOL I don't think we need to splurge more for the TPV. I have gotten through 75 pages so far, and will continue reading until I am all caught up. I hope all this reading is for nothing. This will probably be the last trip for a little while for DH and I because the plan is to buy a house and start a family after returning home. We will be in Disney from 8/31-9/11 driving from Massachusetts. Our last trip was last year for our honeymoon and cannot wait until next year! Thanks for the amazing info in this thread!! If all plans fall into place, I am sure I will have plenty of questions to come.

So glad you are enjoying the thread and welcome! Let us know if you have any questions and when you book.

I remember seeing the video of the new lounge on the 14th floor but has anyone come across any pictures or video of the newly refurbished suites?

I haven't seen any yet, only the King room.

 

[burg]

I remember seeing the video of the new lounge on the 14th floor but has anyone come across any pictures or video of the newly refurbished suites?

I will be checking in one of them in a couple of weeks. Will be glad to report during or after our trip.

Cheers,

 

[WDWKOOK]

I will be checking in one of them in a couple of weeks. Will be glad to report during or after our trip.

Cheers,

Terrific addition to the thread and to the DIS and the CR/BLT thread!

 

[YCFAN]

I will be checking in one of them in a couple of weeks. Will be glad to report during or after our trip. Cheers,

Would absolutely LOVE that!!!! I'll live vicariously through you until next summer!

 

[FzesandTylersNana]

We will be shipping a box to the CR 7 days in advance of our stay. Our arrival is on a Sunday and we are staying on the CL. We also know there will be a charge for the box. Will the box be available for pickup on a Sunday? Does any one know what the charge is for a small box? TIA

 

[princessap]

Quote:
Originally Posted by princessap
Thank you everyone. These boards are amazing!!! I am still debating between standard and lakeview...any thoughts???
I would definitely book LV. We loved our LV at BLT and the windows are floor to ceiling so you do see the view in a big way.

Thanks! you guys are awesome!! I cannot wait till we book and then I will be so much happier!!!

 

[kellief]

Any advice on doing a split stay would be greatly appreciated. This is our 3rd trip to Disney and it's a girls only trip with my 8 year old daughter. We were staying at the FQ then I found out the pool will be closed so we just moved back to POP for the week. I was checking it out on line and saw I could do a 4/3 split stay at CR TPV and I jumped on it!! How wonderful to give my daughter (and myself) the gift of a Castle view for the last 3 nights. I can't wait! and we got such a good deal on the room we could afford the splurge. I'm always excited to go to Disney but now I'm REALLY excited!!!

 

[Happyjen27]

For shame Ms. KOOK, I have changed our vacation plans again.

Magical erasing quill....

Where are you off to now?

Today I'm doing the happy dance!!

3 weeks and we'll be checking into our BLV tower room in CR. I really have high hopes for CR after subbing so long to this thread. Poly wasn't really our home, and CR is the next resort we're "trying on".

 

[Gryhndmom]

Doing the happy dance in TX just did on-line booking for the week of 19 Oct 14 for our BLT 1 BR lake view...woohoo !!! As a BLT owner love being able to book 11 months out !

For those asking about BLT availability...there is a link on the first page of this great thread kook made that shows which rooms are outer, inner, lake view, MK views etc. great link as it really shows how few std views there are vs the numerous lake views.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We will be shipping a box to the CR 7 days in advance of our stay. Our arrival is on a Sunday and we are staying on the CL. We also know there will be a charge for the box. Will the box be available for pickup on a Sunday? Does any one know what the charge is for a small box? TIA

The business center (where you pick up packages) is open 7 days/week. The pickup charge is the same for everything, but for the life of me, I can't recall what it is. I think it's $5?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I also have a question...we've always been points renters, but for next year I think I want some flexibility to change dates. I've never had any luck getting any BLT rooms to pop up under CRO. Is there a trick to that? Same with the CR garden wing rooms. Do they just book that quickly?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I also have a question...we've always been points renters, but for next year I think I want some flexibility to change dates. I've never had any luck getting any BLT rooms to pop up under CRO. Is there a trick to that? Same with the CR garden wing rooms. Do they just book that quickly?

BLT is pretty much sold out to members. So that doesn't leave much for cash reservations through Disney Reservation Center. Other than inventory turned over to pay for a non-DVC Disney reservation that a member made with points or inventory still owned by DVC.

 

[Julie521]

PHEW!!! Finally made it through the entire thread Have learned so much. keeping fingers crossed the plans pull through for our anniversary trip! Will be an amazing opportunity for us to stay here!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I also have a question...we've always been points renters, but for next year I think I want some flexibility to change dates. I've never had any luck getting any BLT rooms to pop up under CRO. Is there a trick to that? Same with the CR garden wing rooms. Do they just book that quickly?

I know Deb & Bill's response to you is what everyone told me when we started looking to make a cash reservation for next July, but it actually wasn't the case. At around the 11 month mark (or 10.5ish) WDW.com had a great deal of availability. Standard view was often limited and one bedrooms seemed to go first, but we had no problem booking a cash reservation for a two bedroom MK view! I just started watching at the 12 month mark and watched each day to see if there was a pattern. I actually started a thread to post the progress/process for others who might ask this question down the line, but I don't know how to post it from the DIS app. I'll link it when I'm on my laptop. The pattern we noticed was about 10.5-11 months out from your check OUT day. Good luck!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Any advice on doing a split stay would be greatly appreciated. This is our 3rd trip to Disney and it's a girls only trip with my 8 year old daughter. We were staying at the FQ then I found out the pool will be closed so we just moved back to POP for the week. I was checking it out on line and saw I could do a 4/3 split stay at CR TPV and I jumped on it!! How wonderful to give my daughter (and myself) the gift of a Castle view for the last 3 nights. I can't wait! and we got such a good deal on the room we could afford the splurge. I'm always excited to go to Disney but now I'm REALLY excited!!!

Congratulations! I've done many splits and they're very easy. We always have our car so this makes it even easier. If you don't have a car, Bell Services will transfer your luggage, but it could take up to 3 hours.

Doing the happy dance in TX just did on-line booking for the week of 19 Oct 14 for our BLT 1 BR lake view...woohoo !!! As a BLT owner love being able to book 11 months out !

For those asking about BLT availability...there is a link on the first page of this great thread kook made that shows which rooms are outer, inner, lake view, MK views etc. great link as it really shows how few std views there are vs the numerous lake views.

Yippee for OCI!

I also have a question...we've always been points renters, but for next year I think I want some flexibility to change dates. I've never had any luck getting any BLT rooms to pop up under CRO. Is there a trick to that? Same with the CR garden wing rooms. Do they just book that quickly?

Personally, I've never had a problem booking or looking for cash availability at BLT, even using discounts. I've used the military discount at least 9 months out and at various other times. I've also checked online using the AP rate. I don't have any tricks, I just either call to ask about military rate availability, or I just look online at rack rate just to get an idea of what's available before I check with AP or a general public discount. I've been able to do this very far in advance and up to a week before arrival. Though I had to eventually cancel due to DH's deployment, I was even able to book BLT (pre-opening) at the same time it opened for DVC, using the military rate.

Good luck!

PHEW!!! Finally made it through the entire thread Have learned so much. keeping fingers crossed the plans pull through for our anniversary trip! Will be an amazing opportunity for us to stay here!!!

I hope you get to book soon!

 

[FzesandTylersNana]

Thanks for the package pickup info!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I know Deb & Bill's response to you is what everyone told me when we started looking to make a cash reservation for next July, but it actually wasn't the case. At around the 11 month mark (or 10.5ish) WDW.com had a great deal of availability. Standard view was often limited and one bedrooms seemed to go first, but we had no problem booking a cash reservation for a two bedroom MK view! I just started watching at the 12 month mark and watched each day to see if there was a pattern. I actually started a thread to post the progress/process for others who might ask this question down the line, but I don't know how to post it from the DIS app. I'll link it when I'm on my laptop. The pattern we noticed was about 10.5-11 months out from your check OUT day. Good luck!!

Thank you! I was able to go to your profile and look at your started threads list and found it. If we do October again (kids today said they'd like to wait for December and see Disney Christmas-ed up, but we'll see) our check out date will be 11 months from the end of this week. So, I'll just check daily until TG and see if anything pops up.

Thanks for the package pickup info!

Not a problem! Just be prepared to feel like you're leaving the Disney bubble when you walk into the Contemporary's convention areas (which is where the Business Center is). I was shocked at how un-Disney the Contemporary feels once you get to the convention area of the hotel. It feels like any regular old Marriott down there, IMO.