Contemporary Resort opinions wanted

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks a bunch, I'll hold my reservations until we have more information. Have a safe trip

You're welcome.

 

[klmall]

We love the Contemporary and will be there in mid-December. In 1999 we did a MVMCP package (no longer available) and stayed there for the first time in an MK view room on the 10th floor. I could not keep myself away from the balcony - the view was so wonderful! Our two favorite restaurants are in this resort: the California Grill and the Concourse Steakhouse. The rooms are huge which makes a difference since DS is 6' 2" and DH is 6' 1" and very comfortable which for this trip will be important since we plan to get up early for the parks and come back to relax midday. You can walk to the MK or ride the "rail" as DS used to say. We enjoy the restaurants at the Poly, the GF and Epcot which are convenient to the CR. In fact, we don't even rent a car now that DME is in effect. The only con I can think of is that the laundry facilities for the tower are in the South Wing (as far as I know!).

BUT.......
Just a word of advice to anyone thinking of booking a two-week ressie or switching a two-week long ressie from one deluxe to another deluxe in December '07. Rooms get tight, especially for lengthy stays and/or MK views. i.e. Atrium Club (concierge) at the CR is unavailable for many nights in December '07 for example and you may be very disappointed if you wait to make reservations for mid to late December not to mention your ADRs. We made our Atrium Club ressies in January '07 for December '07 and rooms were going fast.

Our plan: If we think we are going to WDW we go ahead and reserve a room and pay a 1 night deposit. If we're unsure of the exact dates, we book a safe window of dates. Later as school and work calendars fall into place and airfare is purchased we call Disney and drop unneeded nights. This system has never failed us but we don't use the dining plan nor do we go every year etc.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

BUT.......
Just a word of advice to anyone thinking of booking a two-week ressie or switching a two-week long ressie from one deluxe to another deluxe in December '07. Rooms get tight, especially for lengthy stays and/or MK views. i.e. Atrium Club (concierge) at the CR is unavailable for many nights in December '07 for example and you may be very disappointed if you wait to make reservations for mid to late December not to mention your ADRs. We made our Atrium Club ressies in January '07 for December '07 and rooms were going fast.

I agree with you 100% about that. My Dad called CRO in December 2006 for our reservations on the Atrium Club for next month. He again called them this past February to book the Atrium Club for this coming December from the 15-25, however they were 100% sold out. In fact for our dates the only thing at the Contemporary was a Bay Lake view room, Garden Wing room and a 1 Bedroom Suite on the Tower Club. I know we could have got the same service on the Tower Club, but since it is only my Mom, Dad and I we would not have been allowed to have 3 people in a 1 Bedroom Suite on the Tower Club. At 1st we booked the Bay Lake view, however because we wanted the Club Level service we booked a Garden View room in the Club Level building at the Polynesian. So even if you think you're booking well in advance when you look at what happened for our December reservations and when we called CRO, they might not have what you want.

 

[Marilyn Mc]

Will they be making a "new" Food and Fun Center type of place?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Will they be making a "new" Food and Fun Center type of place?

According to the schedule of renovations for the Contemporary, the Concourse Steakhouse location will be the new counter service location and the rumour is it will be called Chef Mickey's Express and should open on August 14, 2008.

April 2008 through August 14, 2008 -The Concourse Steak house will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as the new Counter Service location for the resort. During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

 

[racinjunkie]

I know this thread is about the Contemp. but I was wondering if anyone has stayed @ AKL? We stayed @ CSR last dec and I really liked it, but I am excited at the prospect of seeing some animals. Anyone been there or have any experiences?

There's a whole AKL thread where you're more likely to get some info. We've never stayed there but are heading there in 13 days, I'll be happy to share my opinions when we return.

 

[judykay53]

Let me put my two cents in here. I stayed Cr MK view during Memorial week and OMG - I was in Disney heaven! My goal when I first saw it back in the 70's was to someday stay there. Like another poster said, I could not stay away from the balcony. The first thing I looked at when I got up in the morning was the castle and the last thing I saw was the castle at night. If I got up during the night, then I had to take a peek outside. I would usually wake up around six and there is nothing like hearing the sounds of the MK coming to life. Oh, and even in the room you could also see the castle in the mirror. Sometimes we took the monorail and sometimes we walked to MK. The bus system was pretty good. I did not seem to be "on the road" all the time. The rooms are big and the beds are so comfy. I cannot say enough good things about it. I can't wait to go back.

 

[Aliceacc]

For today's choice, I'm thinking of booking my family of 5 into the Contemporary for next August. I'm hoping that the convenience factor will outweigh having the 5 of us in one room (the kids will be 10,8 and 5.)

Can someone tell me where the "Standard View" rooms-- aka "the cheapest ones in the hotel" are located? And is that location do-able with kids? Is there a particular wing/floor/whatever I should request at that price when I make the reservations?

The last time I stayed at the Contemporary was in 1976, so my memory of it is somewhat rusty!!

Thanks for any help you can give me!1

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For today's choice, I'm thinking of booking my family of 5 into the Contemporary for next August. I'm hoping that the convenience factor will outweigh having the 5 of us in one room (the kids will be 10,8 and 5.)

Can someone tell me where the "Standard View" rooms-- aka "the cheapest ones in the hotel" are located? And is that location do-able with kids? Is there a particular wing/floor/whatever I should request at that price when I make the reservations?

The last time I stayed at the Contemporary was in 1976, so my memory of it is somewhat rusty!!

Thanks for any help you can give me!1

The Standard View rooms would be in the South Garden Wing so it would be called a Standard Garden View, however I can't tell you anything more about it because my family and I have only stayed in the Tower.

 

[Girldreamer02]

Thanx...opinions would be more than welcome!

 

[Brae's Mom]

WOW! Thanks everyone for your opinions. They are so very appreciated. I guess I'll do a bit more research, but it does sound like the CR has some very devoted fans. Thats good to know. Although I have always wanted to stay at the Poly I might just have to try out the CR.

Thanks again for your suggestions

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I seriously think you should stay at the Contemporary. We're going to be going in December 08 and plan on staying at the Poly. The less people I have to fight for ressies, the better!

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

According to the schedule of renovations for the Contemporary, the Concourse Steakhouse location will be the new counter service location and the rumour is it will be called Chef Mickey's Express and should open on August 14, 2008.

Concourse Steakhouse closed too , so the Food and Fun Center and the Concourse Steakhouse will be closed in early December That would only leave Chef Mickeys for breakfast

Thanks in advance for any more information on this.

 

[honeymo78]

Concourse Steakhouse isn't closing until the new restaurant opens in April 08. Once Concourse closes, the space will be renovated for the counter service. This is why the temporary CS location will be around for a year - it has to be open while the new restaurant is completed and then when they rehab the Concourse location.

 

[Ness2289]

I seriously think you should stay at the Contemporary. We're going to be going in December 08 and plan on staying at the Poly. The less people I have to fight for ressies, the better!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Concourse Steakhouse isn't closing until the new restaurant opens in April 08. Once Concourse closes, the space will be renovated for the counter service. This is why the temporary CS location will be around for a year - it has to be open while the new restaurant is completed and then when they rehab the Concourse location.

That information is correct because it would not make sense for the Contemporary to have both the Concourse Steakhouse and Food & Fun Center closed at the same time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

GoingtoWDWagain,
Here is the complete schedule of renovations for the Contemporary, so once you read it you will see how they plan the dates for all the renovations.

August 2007 - Newly renovated Fantasia Shop will re-open.

June 11, 2007 through November 2007 - The Lobby will undergo partitioned refurbishments to update the area's image and decor.

July 2007 through October 2007 - The resort's grounds will undergo partitioned refurbishments to install new landscaping and re-route existing guests paths.

July 30, 2007 through April 2008 - The Food & Fun Center will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as a new table service option, "The Wave". During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

April 2008 through August 14, 2008 -The Concourse Steak house will be closed for major renovations. The location will re-open as the new Counter Service location for the resort. During this time a temporary counter service location will be operating on the Grand Concourse level near the Outer Rim Lounge.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

GoingtoWDWagain,
Here is the complete schedule of renovations for the Contemporary, so once you read it you will see how they plan the dates for all the renovations.

Thanks a bunch CR Resort Fan 4 Life

I was beginning to think I might have to switch to the Poly (which is my fave resort). It didn't make sense that both would be closed at the same time, so thanks for clearing that up for me. I'll be keeping my reservation and start making my ADR's ASAP. Thanks again

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks a bunch CR Resort Fan 4 Life

I was beginning to think I might have to switch to the Poly (which is my fave resort). It didn't make sense that both would be closed at the same time, so thanks for clearing that up for me. I'll be keeping my reservation and start making my ADR's ASAP. Thanks again

You're welcome and I was happy to help.

 

[Brae's Mom]

I seriously think you should stay at the Contemporary. We're going to be going in December 08 and plan on staying at the Poly. The less people I have to fight for ressies, the better!

Very Funny. Maybe I should re-consider the Poly. Honestly it all just depends on $$$$. Who knows maybe we'll see you at the Poly.

GoingtoWDWagain,
Here is the complete schedule of renovations for the Contemporary, so once you read it you will see how they plan the dates for all the renovations.

Thanks so much for all your great information. It looks like all renovations should be complete before December 2008, so that will be nice.