Contemporary, Never Again!

[MAGICX2]

For all of you who are thinking about staying at the Contemporary Resort, DON"T DO IT!!! We stayed at the CR 1/15 thru 1/18, short stay i know but we were only there for the weekend for DD 1st . Let me sum it up for you:
CHECK-IN
The lobby is ok, lots of space for the kids to run around while I check-in. The CM's were not up to par. No one greeted us with a friendly smile, no one even said have a magical day! They knew it was DD's b-day and did not even wish her a happy birthday. Told room wasn't ready (checked in at 9am so this was fine.) Went to parks and returned at 1pm for nap time.
ROOM
We had a garden view room in the north wing. Room it's self was spacious and decor wasn't as hideously 80's as I thought it would be. We must have gotten a room that recently underwent an update. That was about all that was updated! The wing building itself was dated. The hallway carpets were so old and worn there were stains everywhere and it was rolling/bunching up so much that it was difficult to push a stroller down the hallway. Walls were stained and fadded. Over all I felt like I was in a low budget motel, not a Deluxe Resort at WDW.
SERVICE
People were not very nice at all. They didn't greet or speak pleasantly. They didn't go the extra mile to make sure our stay was a nice one. I am only speaking about the hotel staff not park staff, they were awesome! Mousekeeping typically left at least one trash can full, and NO towel creatures. We have gotten this at every resort we have stayed at, even All Stars.
CHECK-OUT
Same experience as check-in. No one was friendly. The gentleman checking me out even had the nerve to bad mouth all guests directly to me. I was slightly confused about the charges to our room and the balance we owed and I asked if he could please explain the way they handle the room balance and charges and why I showed a negative(-) balance when I had charged $800 to the room? He said "I don't know why people make this so difficult to understand. It's not that hard." He was very serious and mean about it.
All in all we had an excellent trip, however I will not stay at the CR again, even if it is the conc. level. I would rather pay less money at the Port Orleans and have nicer people than to stay there again. The only bonus for staying at the CR was being able to walk in less than 10min to MK or just hopping on the monorail. All I have to say is weigh your options carefully. Deluxe is not always better.

 

[Chicago526]

Sorry you had such a rough time! Next time you want deluxe, try the Poly. We stayed for 8 nights in December and had a perfect trip!

 

[tinkerbee]

I'm sorry to hear about that. I was thinking about staying there in May because we are now staying three extra days now I'm not so sure.

 

[Skywalker]

That CM sounds very obnoxious. I would file a complaint about him. I can take a lot of mishaps happening and I don't get angry but I hate being talked down to. Anyone with such a condescending attitude toward paying guests needs serious re-training or else a nice, long vacation.

 

[ducklite]

Don't discount CR 14th FL CL. WOW! We arrived and let the valet know we were 14th FL CL, he had someone from bell services whisk us right upstairs to check in with the concierge. They immediately took DH to the room while I did the paperwork.

Need housekeeping? The button on the phone goes directly to the concierge desk. In fact they handle everything for you--it's quite wonderful.

Our room was spotless and fresh, the bathroom did need some updating though, but it was clean, clean, clean as were all the common areas on that floor!

Anne

 

[goofy4tink]

Sorry you had such a bad experience at CR!!! We were there for two nights in August at the same time as Hurricane Charley. I have to say that even under that pressure we found the CM's to be pretty good. No, we didn't get any of those nice, cheery "Have a magical day." statements but no rudeness either!! Our room was also in the North Garden Wing and yes, the hallways are worn. But, I didn't spend much time in the halls. We found the people at the CR to actually be nicer than those at the Polynesian. Different people obviously have different experiences at each resort.

I understand that the CR will be undergoing a rehab. Maybe that will spiff it up a bit. But, I still love it there...even with the old carpet in the halls and the needs to be updated rooms!!

 

[tygerlilli]

sorry to hear you had such a disappointing experience. definitely try Port Orleans (Riverside). We had a fantastic time there --everyone was nice, the transportation to the parks was easy...overall the best time i've had!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

CHECK-OUT
Same experience as check-in. No one was friendly. The gentleman checking me out even had the nerve to bad mouth all guests directly to me. I was slightly confused about the charges to our room and the balance we owed and I asked if he could please explain the way they handle the room balance and charges and why I showed a negative(-) balance when I had charged $800 to the room? He said "I don't know why people make this so difficult to understand. It's not that hard." He was very serious and mean about it.

See, I would always go out of my way to explain the "backwards" accounting system that Disney uses. I don't know why they use it, but it's backwards. The worst was when you credit someones credit card... the reciept that prints out lists a positive number under the charge column, so it looks like I charged them instead of crediting them. So I'd have to print out another sheet, where it's still listed as positive, but there's a "Credit" next to it, so they knew it was done properly.

It's a confusing system... it IS that hard to understand. CM's shouldn't be acting that way.

 

[nygrl]

sorry you had such a horrible time . we love the cr and couldnt have had a different expierence on our last stay there. i think you just had some bad luck there we found everybody to be friendly and we did get towel animals from mousekeeping. i guess it depends who is working at the time you are there you cant blame bad service or nasty attitudes on people that arent there so maybe next time there will be a different staff that is friendly and helpful!!

 

[lmhall2000]

Well, your little princess will certainly LOVE the pictures and hopefully when she's older she will have the GREAT CM's!!! It sure is disappointing to pay Deluxe rates and seeing sub-par carpeting....rolling a stroller is hard enough and after a long day at the parks you certainly don't want to fight with that...I had considered staying there..but have heard such mixed reports and if I'm paying Deluxe fare I expect Deluxe accomodations and friendly service.

Tara

 

[Deborah_Mary]

Sorry to hear your stay at the CR was very less than magical. Our family has stayed their a number times (can't get dh away from there!) and always had very pleasant stays there. It's even more disappointing when your expectations are so high as far as staying and paying deluxe resort prices to get less than stellar service and attention.

Deb*

 

[brooke1]

sorry your CR stay was not up to par, but I stayed there this past May in the tower room.......had a wonderful time, cm's were fine, I don't think they said have a magical day but i was having one anyway because I was there.

I would stay there a again in a second

 

[eeyore0062]

Happy Birthday Meredith!

Sorry to hear you weren't pleased with your stay at the CR. We stayed there and loved it, but that was 4 years ago and we were in the South Wing, which had not been used as the temporary Shades of Green for the 2 years it was being refurbished. Hopefully once the rehabs are done on The Contemporary, you will find the to be a more pleasent experience.

If you would like to express your opinions, you can email Guest Communications:
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com.

Glad to hear that they rest of your trip was a pleasent one.

 

[dreamflight99]

See, I would always go out of my way to explain the "backwards" accounting system that Disney uses. I don't know why they use it, but it's backwards. The worst was when you credit someone's credit card... the receipt that prints out lists a positive number under the charge column, so it looks like I charged them instead of crediting them. So I'd have to print out another sheet, where it's still listed as positive, but there's a "Credit" next to it, so they knew it was done properly.

It's a confusing system... it IS that hard to understand. CM's shouldn't be acting that way.

You are so pleasant and patient!!Many Cast members are not so polite. I would urge the OP to lodge a complaint with corporate guest services.

With regards to the Disney accounting system, I concur with you (Chip 'n Dale Express). It most definitely can be confusing, even under simple circumstance. Last summer, I "prepaid" my entire Vero Beach Stay, (Ditto for this summer). Yet, the folio was very confusing, listing credits and charges exactly as you listed them above. Even the person working the front desk was confused, and had to go "to the back" to get someone else to explain(from audit/accounting dept). During this brief interim, I figured it all out! I was jubilant, as I realized it is merely the BACKWARD system used by Disney (as opposed to my own cognitive!).

Even though an account is "prepaid", it's still a series of "CHECKS and BALANCES" implemented/utilized by their wacky accounting system. Just more DISNEY MAGIC!! LOL.

 

[Mom2tmha]

Ok, now I am scared, we are going to the CR in 2 weeks. Has anyone had a GOOD experience there??? Please tell me yes!!
Wendy

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.We stay every year in the North wing room and will do so in a month.I had one problem with a rude CM at the check in once, I demanded to speak to the manager and he gave me a tower room.When I got home, I wrote Disney and complained and she got me 100 dollars in Disney money for my next trip.I have never had a problem with the rooms, they aren't the top but they are clean and to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom is worth any amount of money.

 

[dreamflight99]

YES!!! We LOVE the CR!! We have never stayed in the "wing" area, only in the tower. The last few times, we stayed in Concierge *(once on the 14th, twice on the 12th). Yet, I would also stay on a non-concierge upper floor of the tower anyday. I just prefer the views offered by these accommodations (over the ground-floor wings). It's merely a personal preference, not based on anything in particular.

It's a fabulous property, with so many things to do! The arcade, is open 24-7, and is a blast! We also enjoy the shopping, restaurants, views, CM's and the convenience of the interior monorail station! I've read plenty of positive posts from guests who've enjoyed the wing section. No need to be discouraged. Go, and enjoy your time in the MAGIC!

 

[veruka]

Yes, I have had wonderful experiences there!!! I've stayed there twice, each time for 7 days, in the past year or so, and I haven't had any trouble. In fact, I've found the CMs to be awesome! One time when we were walking to our room, a CM approached me and gave my dd and ds each a disposable camera!!! They've gotten stickers, lots of smiles, and I've always liked it. True, the theming isn't anything like the rest of the disney resorts, but I think it's pretty peaceful and there's a good deal of wildlife. I saw two armadillos just cruising around while I was doing my morning walk, early in the a.m. Along with the usual ducks, rabbits, and lots of other unsual birds (well, at least to me!!!)

I've stayed at most of the properties at WDW, and honestly, the Polynesian is my favorite. But, the CR is great for families - the location is awesome, the rooms, although dated, are HUGE and the arcade and fast food place are probably the best out of all the deluxe resorts (IMHO).

Don't worry - :jumping4:

I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[Lebjwb]

For all of you who are thinking about staying at the Contemporary Resort, DON"T DO IT!!! We stayed at the CR 1/15 thru 1/18, short stay i know but we were only there for the weekend for DD 1st . Let me sum it up for you:
CHECK-IN
The lobby is ok, lots of space for the kids to run around while I check-in. The CM's were not up to par. No one greeted us with a friendly smile, no one even said have a magical day! They knew it was DD's b-day and did not even wish her a happy birthday. Told room wasn't ready (checked in at 9am so this was fine.) Went to parks and returned at 1pm for nap time.
ROOM
We had a garden view room in the north wing. Room it's self was spacious and decor wasn't as hideously 80's as I thought it would be. We must have gotten a room that recently underwent an update. That was about all that was updated! The wing building itself was dated. The hallway carpets were so old and worn there were stains everywhere and it was rolling/bunching up so much that it was difficult to push a stroller down the hallway. Walls were stained and fadded. Over all I felt like I was in a low budget motel, not a Deluxe Resort at WDW.
SERVICE
People were not very nice at all. They didn't greet or speak pleasantly. They didn't go the extra mile to make sure our stay was a nice one. I am only speaking about the hotel staff not park staff, they were awesome! Mousekeeping typically left at least one trash can full, and NO towel creatures. We have gotten this at every resort we have stayed at, even All Stars.
CHECK-OUT
Same experience as check-in. No one was friendly. The gentleman checking me out even had the nerve to bad mouth all guests directly to me. I was slightly confused about the charges to our room and the balance we owed and I asked if he could please explain the way they handle the room balance and charges and why I showed a negative(-) balance when I had charged $800 to the room? He said "I don't know why people make this so difficult to understand. It's not that hard." He was very serious and mean about it.
All in all we had an excellent trip, however I will not stay at the CR again, even if it is the conc. level. I would rather pay less money at the Port Orleans and have nicer people than to stay there again. The only bonus for staying at the CR was being able to walk in less than 10min to MK or just hopping on the monorail. All I have to say is weigh your options carefully. Deluxe is not always better.

I was there in November and totally agree with you regarding the condition of the resort. YIKES! The staff however were wonderful. Sorry you had to deal with that kind of treatment. I've always found the CM's at Disney to be supurb and a BIG reason why I return to Disney over and over. Funny, I found myself wishing I was back at POR too. That's a real nice place.

 

[libba]

We leave in two weeks and we have heard nothing but good things from our friennds who went over thanksgiving and Christmas! We are in the tower rooms and are thrilled to be headed to the CR! :jumping4: