Contemporary Observation deck only for restaurant patrons now???

[Timon]

I read a couple of posts stating that the observation deck at the Contemporary Resort is now ONLY for patrons of the restaurant. Is that true?

When we went last time in January 2001 the side closest to the restaurant was open to patrons only, so we bought a drink at the bar and went out to watch the fireworks but the other side of the deck was open to everyone.

Anyone have any recent experiences?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi ya Cass... it's me... Cass (the other Cass)!

We just saw the fireworks from the contemporary a couple of weeks ago. There was no one checking ID or if you had a meal there.. anyone could go out and see the fireworks.

I am talking about the deck on the same level as Chef Mickey's at the opposite end of the building. The music is piped in and it is a good view.

>>^..^<<

 

[CamColt]

We were up there a couple weeks ago...actually I think it was Aug 24.

We took the elevator up and when we got off we werent really sure where to go. We asked the people at the desk of the restaurant and they directed us to the left. We went out and took some pictures and video and then left. It was really windy up there and there was a beautiful rainbow over us.

 

[NavyDotz]

I think it's the observation deck from the California Grill on the top floor (15th) that is only open to patrons now.

The 4th flr deck is still open to the general public.

 

[GeekChic]

We were there the night this went into effect last October, and yes, the 15th floor observation deck is supposed to only be for California Grill diners now.

I don't know if they ask for your reservation when you get up there, or how it works (we were dining). But there were signs in the lobby by the elevators telling people that you had to eat there to enjoy the view.

Ro

 

[Timon]

Yeah, I was talking about the one on the 15th floor. Wow, I can't believe they would close it off to restaurant patrons only! That was our tradition, Chef Mickeys and then fireworks from the 15th floor!

Cass, so the 4th floor observation deck has a decent view? I guess we're gonna have to settle for that huh?

 

[PaintedStuff]

what about the 15th floor for guests staying at the CR?

 

[GeekChic]

what about the 15th floor for guests staying at the CR?

Unless they changed things since last October, it doesn't matter if you're staying there or not, no dining, no observation deck...we will be eating there when we go in 8 days, when I get back, I'll let you know if they've changed their position on this.

Sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news!

 

[Grumpy37]

What is the view like from the 14th floor concierge lounge at the CR?

 

[miko]

You might want to try and go to lounge/bar and see if that qualifies you.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by GeekChic
Unless they changed things since last October, it doesn't matter if you're staying there or not, no dining, no observation deck...we will be eating there when we go in 8 days, when I get back, I'll let you know if they've changed their position on this.

Sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news!

I guess I should have specified in my first post...we were up on the 15th floor observation deck, not the 4th and did not eat or drink at CG. We asked where to go and the CMs directed us, no questions asked. This was 2 weeks ago, so maybe things are changed... or maybe they were just in a good mood that night.
And I hadnt heard that it was closed except for diners. If I had, I never would have gone up there. Now Im almost embarrassed that we did go up, if it were wrong.

 

[tardin1964]

I was wondering about the view from the 4th floor deck also. I don't want to blow a day on our park hoppers on our arrival date, but I want to pick a good place to see the fireworks from. If the 4th floor deck isn't that good I may just view them from the poly.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The Obeservation Deck was closed to non-California Grill guests at night because it was getting too crowded, and was impacting guest dinners. As far as I know, during all other times, it is open to everyone else.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by tardin1964
I was wondering about the view from the 4th floor deck also. I don't want to blow a day on our park hoppers on our arrival date, but I want to pick a good place to see the fireworks from. If the 4th floor deck isn't that good I may just view them from the poly.

SuAnne has a link to photos including the castle and fireworks from the contemporary 4th floor deck on her trip report.


http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=433079

>>^..^<<

 

[LIFERBABE]

We just returned and although we had PS's for CG during the FW we cancelled and opted for the 4th floor. Being Sept. it was not crowded at all. Some people viewed from the stair landings that are outside the tower floors. They were higher up, but we stayed on deck and found the show to be a much better view than standing in front of the castle at MK which we did on 8/31/03 and the Castle obstructed our view. You will not see Tinkerbell, but you will see all the FW's and the sound system was great and as good as being there, only less crowded and a faster exit!

When you enter the observation deck, the best spot is to the right. Most people will crowd to the left corner of the deck, but the fireworks are so close, we found the better view was to the right and moved back.

 

[tardin1964]

>>^..^<<


Thanks, that's just what I was looking for.

 

[tardin1964]

>>^..^<<


Thanks, that's just what I was looking for.

 

[robinb]

I have been to the 15th floor many times for the FW. It's a great view from the observation deck and from the restaurant. I can understand why Disney is closing the restaurant and deck off to non-California Grill guests. I ate dinner there once and on-lookers crowded around my table and even in front of my then 2 year old DD! I had to ask the people in front of my DD to move and it made me a bit grumpy.

OTOH, I think that buying a couple of drinks at the bar should make you a customer . Personally, I do not feel comfortable using the deck without a purchase. We always buy a drink to enjoy before and during the fireworks when using the deck.

 

[MrBill64]

We were at the CG on 8/25. As you step out of the elevator and are facing away from the MK, take a left and then another left and procede down to the end of the hall out onto the catwalk observation deck. Great view there and to my knowledge open to anyone. We ended up watching the FW from our table and the view was great, although the glass was a bit fogged up. The catwalk observation deck on the dining room side was closed to everyone the night we were there.

After dinner we went over to the observation deck on the opposite side of where we ate and got a great view of the castle and MK. It appeared that if you are into climbing stairs that you could also just observe from the outside stairwells without having to go all the way to CG.

Bill

 

[Gabrielle]

I think watching the fireworks from the 4th fl deck is actually better than the 15th floor. Where I stood, the monorail was traveling right over my head, into the CR - great view of it, circling round. It felt like ultimate Disney, standing there with the monorail overhead and the fireworks in front of me. Nice little group of happy people out there on the deck.