Contemporary and Polynesian in the 1970's-1980's

[sotoalf]

Any veteran WDW fans want to share their experiences at hte Contemporary or Polynesian in the '70s and '80s? I went to WDW quite a lot then and since those two were the only resorts on property (besides Disney Inn, Fort Wilderness, and Village Resort), they had a special allure. I'd like to here from fellow veterans who stayed. Any activites you did then that are gone now?

I remember when the Fun Center in the Contemporary was called the "Fiesta" Fun Center and showed movies!

And the Gulf Coast Room restaurant - the only place in WDW to require men to wear jackets. Anybody eat a meal here? What was it like?

Or the Tangaroa Terrace in the Polynesian, which served breakfast and dinner? It's located by the arcade in the eastern part of the hotel, past the quiet pool.

Any other memories?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I stayed at the CR many times through the 80s. I certainly remember going to see Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan in the movie theater in the CR, I also enjoyed "Broadway at the Top" a dinner show located where the California Grille is now. There were 4 singers who sang tunes from Broadway shows. We did somewhat dress for the venue and we always made it a must do on our trips. I liked this show much better than the "Hoop-De-Do Review".

 

[Micca]

We had the character breakfast and dinner several times at the Papeete Bay Verandah which is now 'Ohana. We also had Sunday brunch at the Contemporary a couple of times at what must now be California Grille.

 

[shoes99]

Eating fried ice cream at the Disney Inn
Seeing Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop at Top of the World
Eating breakfast at the separate building behind the longhouses at Tangaroa Terrace
Paying $29 a night at the Contemporary Wing
Michele

 

[BCV23]

I remember breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace as well as the great buffets at Papeete Bay and Top of the World. Character breakfast in the room on the first floor of the Polynesian where the art gallery is now.

Roped in swimmimg beach and the outriggers on the shore. Different colored flags on the boats including nonstops to FW for HoopdeDoo.

Short rides on the monorail....just CR and Polynesian and MK. I don't think it even stopped at TTC before EPCOT was built?

Some rooms at the Polynesian had coral bedspreads while others had aquamarine ones.

Beauty shop at the Polynesian.

Live music at Papeete Bay in the evening.

Mostly I remember my children as babies, then toddlers....ahh, memories!

 

[spiceycat]

oh yes - those were the times - the little boats that would spin - they were fun - the swan boats that kept breaking down

definitely remember "broadway at the top" - but hey when you are a teenager (my brother) and early 20's me - it was boring - the one first it was fun - by grandmother loved it - so we went back every trip and sometimes twice (she really loved it) - so it got old quick.

getting lost at the Polyn before they put up signs saying what building was what.....

the old main pool - by brother says there a bar under the slide - I was a coward and won't go near the slide - so I can't say for sure about this one.

the play area next to the main pool.

definitely remember the beauty salon - much, much prettier area than either the Cont, GF or the BC/YC- lots of glass - I think it was over in the clothes area.

Kona Cafe was called Coral Island????

here is Steve's site - he has lots of old memories
http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/


we didn't say at the Cont until the late 80's and early 90's - saw the movie theatre - once for a real movie - the other for their first timers lesson - it was great!!! told all the secrets of how to get through the parks, make reservations, etc. Another thing that WDW doesn't do anymore.

 

[DisneyMin]

We stayed at the Contemporary in either '74 or '75. I remember loving the fun center,playing skeeball and watching "That Darn Cat" in the theater. My best memory is,,we were eating dinner late at night(probably in whats now Chef Mickey's)and the monorail came thru. Evidently,it startled the waiter,,who dropped his tray,,dumping a chocolate milkshake ALL over my brother. My sister and i thought this was hilarious,and couldn't stop laughing. My mother sent us away from the table because we wouldn't quit laughing. LOL. I've since told the story to MY son,who also thinks its hilarious. Ironically,,we're meeting my brother and his son at Disney in March. And we have a PS at Chef Mickey's...wonder if i paid the waiter if they'd dump a shake on him,,just for old times sake.....

 

[finnie48]

Gulf Coast Room -

Guess it was in the early eighties when four of us ate here and we did have an excellent meal, and there are two things that stick out in my mind. One, the menus given to the ladies had no prices on them (that was new to us) and the second was that the hot fudge for two sundaes was made from scratch at our table. Have not seen those two things at WDW since after six more trips, but must say have not been to all the restaurants there. Ah, memories!

 

[finnie48]

Gulf Coast Room -

Guess it was in the early eighties when four of us ate here and we did have an excellent meal, and there are two things that stick out in my mind. One, the menus given to the ladies had no prices on them (that was new to us) and the second was that the hot fudge for two sundaes was made from scratch at our table. Have not seen those two things at WDW since after six more trips, but must say have not been to all the restaurants there. Ah, memories! Room in the Tower was $65 with MK view!

 

[Scrufsmom]

I started going to disney with my parents back in 1971. Staying at the Contemporary Tower was an experience. We always stayed in the tower never in the wing. There was just no excitement if we stayed there. We were able to see the MK in full view...what a castle back then and now!

The movies I saw in the "Fiesta" fun center were Song of the South and The Aristacats. Those are my memories.

Were the Concourse Steakhouse is now there used to be a buffeteria. To this day I wish I could get the receipe for those BBQ ribs that they used to serve. I can still taste them!

My most favorite place and wish it was still there was the Top of the World. Nothing beat that restuarant on a Sunday for their Brunch. Disney hasn't been able to come up that same service anywhere else.

 

[sotoalf]

In what kind of cuisine did the Gulf Coast Room specialize? Where was it located. I have an idea it was on the second floor of the Contemporary, instead of the Grand Canyon Concourse.

I also remember the horrifying spray-paint-orange carpet covering most of the lobby

What about the Garden Gallery in the Disney Inn? I remember their French fried ice cream. It was one of the quietest, most pleasant places in WDW to get a meal.

 

[Tinkbell]

I loved the Top of the World buffet for breakfast. This is probably why I haven't enjoyed the California Grill yet.

 

[spiceycat]

oh yea - how could I forget the champage brunch - that was great!!!

 

[Pryncess'mom]

and the Game room! My brother and I (we were 14 and 11) spent many quarters in that game room. We also had our caricatures drawn right as you walked in the door. They used clear transparency film. We still have them! It was the first time we had seen this type of artwork, we really thought they were a hoot!!

But the best memory is the EWP!!. The first night we got there, got checked in and had gone to bed, when all of a sudden, the blaring music begins (tower room, center of hotel looking at Bay Lake). We jump out of bed and run to the balcony to see what it is. Embarassment seeps in when we realize Dad is out on the balcony in his UNDERWEAR!!! EEEwwwwww!!! Dad says, hey it's dark, no one can see me!!!

Really just the wonder of sitting in a restaurant (I really don't remember what it was, it's about where Chef Mickey's is now) and watching the monorail go thru as you ate!! What a neat experience!

The roped off beach for swimming, the play area, only one large pool, riding water mice, taking the boat to Discovery Island and seeing birds so beautiful!!

Riding the boat to FW to see HDD!

I've really had a lot of fun remembering all this, especially since Dad is no longer with us. Now I've gone from laughter to tears!
Thanks sotoalf, for helping me think of all these memories!!

deb

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

My first trip to WDW was in 1976. We stayed at the Poly. It's still my favorite resort.

The Top of the World used to have entertainers. This was before Broadway at the Top. We saw Al Martino (sp).

Our traditional first dinner was at the Pueblo Room at the Contemporary. We did this for years until they remodeled the Grand Canyon Concourse.

Oh and we used to dress up for dinner. Now everything is casual with a couple exceptions.