Contemporary Resort Question...HELP!!

[jaycns]

We have stayed at the AKL and ASM (multiple times at both) and thought we would try something a little bit different and on the monorail (a big thing for us since we LOVE the MK). My question is this...is the Contemp. a place for kids? After reading some of the reviews I am a bit worried...is the Disney magic still alive and well there? We don't need over the top stuff...just good quality without losing the fun....will we find it here? THANKS for any help! Especially those of you that have been there with little ones! **we do LOVE to visit this resort, we LOVE Chef Mickey's and we love the monorail**

 

[bicker]

The issue with the Contemporary is that you pretty-much need to create the magic completely in your head, at least with regard to the theming. The other deluxe resorts all have a very strong backstory that comes through in the architecture, decor, and staff uniforms. It is so much easier for the CMs to play their parts, and for the guests to lose themselves in their parts of the show.

 

[Tinker74]

Don't worry opening post......I think its one of the most appealing to kids...from all I have read here.

I just read one post on another thread where a 12 yr old thought that POR had no themeing at all ...he complained it wasn't like the CR.
It seems to kids mickey is theming!! ....they don't get adult theming like we do ....so the WL or POR might not appeal to them in the same way as to us

CR is the capital city of disney....its concourse is bustling...with shops ...chef mickeys...a brill arcade...the monorail running straight through...waving your napkins ....Kids will love it.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I am biased I love the CR as for me it's one of the two original WDW resorts. If you stop and think about it all of the resorts are not themed Mickey Mouse 24/7 except some of the values. You can't beat the views, monorail and dining options at the CR. We love it!

 

[Deborah_Mary]

Add us to the CR lovers list! My 7 year old adores the resort (so does dh and me too!) and are hoping our next trip we'll be able to stay there. CR can not be beat as far as proximity to the MK and the monorail, Chef Mickey's, walkway to MK, Concourse Steakhouse and for us we actually like the pools they have too! Last year we did not stay there and we were missing it even though we did enjoy our stays at AKL and Poly. It was not CR though.

Good luck to you!

Deb*

 

[triplefigs]

We went last December and stayed at the GF. We had a fabulous time and LOVED the GF. It was full of hidden Mickeys in the room, Disney wallpaper, had the giant full-size Gingerbread house, 2 Character meals, and lots of fun stuff. HOWEVER, we ate dinner our first night at CM, and that was the highlight of my DS's trip. To my kids the CR was the coolest and best resort we visited! They loved the monorail going right through the middle of the resort, CM, riding the escalators and elevators, and the fun shops in the concourse. So much, that they still talk about the CR non-stop and call it the "Chef Mickey hotel". So guess which Resort we're staying in December this year?! You guessed it, the Chef Mickey hotel!

 

[Tinker74]

We went last December and stayed at the GF. We had a fabulous time and LOVED the GF. It was full of hidden Mickeys in the room, Disney wallpaper, had the giant full-size Gingerbread house, 2 Character meals, and lots of fun stuff. HOWEVER, we ate dinner our first night at CM, and that was the highlight of my DS's trip. To my kids the CR was the coolest and best resort we visited! They loved the monorail going right through the middle of the resort, CM, riding the escalators and elevators, and the fun shops in the concourse. So much, that they still talk about the CR non-stop and call it the "Chef Mickey hotel". So guess which Resort we're staying in December this year?! You guessed it, the Chef Mickey hotel!

Thats so cute! ...I hope my kids love it as much....but I just know they will....I don't miss not going to WL one bit....I don't think my 6 yr old would have loved it as much. She is so excited about chef mickeys and the monorail...so when I told her we were staying in THAT hotel I thought she would burst ...and my 13 yr old is looking forward to the shops and arcade. .....Its almost like being in the MK its soooo close...what kid wouldn't love that.

 

[disneysnob]

Count us in too!!! We've stayed at WL, GF and CR and my kids always talk about CR and how it is their favorite....We'll be back there again in June Like a previous post said, the kids don't really care about the 'theme' of the hotels (nor do I , for that matter),. We like the proximity, the monorail and the big rooms! You can't beat CR. I still feel the 'disney magic' when we're there. If I wanted to feel like being in the woods, or at southern mansions or carribbean beaches, I would go to those places, and not go to Disney. That's just MHO.

 

[triplefigs]

Thats so cute! ...I hope my kids love it as much....but I just know they will....I don't miss not going to WL one bit....I don't think my 6 yr old would have loved it as much. She is so excited about chef mickeys and the monorail...so when I told her we were staying in THAT hotel I thought she would burst ...and my 13 yr old is looking forward to the shops and arcade. .....Its almost like being in the MK its soooo close...what kid wouldn't love that.

Hope you have a great time! With kids, I don't think you can beat the monorail and location. My DS wants to decorate his room by having a painting done of the CR with the monorail and CM and the Castle in the background. If that's not kid-friendly, I don't know what is!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our very first visit was in 1977, and we stayed at CR. Even to this day when you talk or think Disney World, the thought of the monorail resort comes first to mind. Our kids lived in the games room, largest on property, and the food court is great also. The sit down resturants with the monorail gliding in is a great perk. Fabulous shopping, great views and walking out the boat dock at night is great also. We have been to other resorts on property, but the CR is one of our old stand bys and you will not regret staying there.

 

[jaycns]

THANK YOU ALL! *puts worries in a bottle and casts them out to sea* Your responses have just soothed my worried soul! I know that just being in the "hub" of all things Disney will amaze my boys! And hearing that others not only enjoyed it but LOVED it makes all of my "should I call in and switch resorts" delusions disappear! I guess I am just nervous to try new things...when they come with a price tag in the thousands BUT...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting your feedback. And I will be sure to post just how much we loved our stay at the Cotemp. when we return! **sigh** We don't get to travel until September But the wait is fun in itself THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! You just made a fellow Disney dreamer feel at ease!

 

[annameg]

We just booked for the end of October. DD7 and DD4 were thrilled when I told them. We have never stayed there and this thread has soothed my worries. Thanks.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I was pushing for the CR or the Poly this time. DD was 3 at the time and called it the city, the WL was a castle.

 

[Tam1067]

I'll trust the voices of those experienced folks, but it does surprise me because on our visits (we've never stayed there--just eaten and attended an Easter service once), I thought it was really unimpressive. Sorry! Maybe I need to rethink my opinion?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

opps, double post

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Our very first visit was in 1977, and we stayed at CR. Even to this day when you talk or think Disney World, the thought of the monorail resort comes first to mind. Our kids lived in the games room, largest on property, and the food court is great also. The sit down resturants with the monorail gliding in is a great perk. Fabulous shopping, great views and walking out the boat dock at night is great also. We have been to other resorts on property, but the CR is one of our old stand bys and you will not regret staying there.

Our first visit was also in 1977 and we stayed at CR for a week. The game room was awesome and they had an ice cream parlor in there too. Back then they gave everyone who stayed on-site a paper ID, and for some reason my dad didn't know that we had charge privileges, I was 12, and my brothers were 10 and 8.. I wanted some ice cream and was looking at the parlor a CM asked what I wanted, I said I didn't have any money, he asked for my ID, checked it out and said I could charge it to the room.....we had about $50 worth of ice creams tacked onto the bill, but Disney magic took over a checkout and my dad wasn't even angry - he kinda laughed it off.

OP, sorry for the hijack, I was strolling down memory lane - CARRY ON

 

[ploto]

We stayed at CR Dec.2005 and LOVED it.

The magic is SO ALIVE there. Many reviews and people say it is old and outdated but really it's not!!!!! It is under renovation and the new rooms are so futureistic!!!!! (We had one). The views are great!!!! It is right on top of the MK. Don't worry at all you will love the Contemporary!!!!!! Also the monorail runs THROUGH the lobby.

2003-offsite

2004-pop century

2005- Contemporary Resort

 

[jaycns]

Thank you all again for your great reviews!! I am very much looking forward to staying there now!

 

[blondie34]

okay, we just returned from cr wednesday. LOVED it. i had debated on CR, WL, or Poly. I decided on CR because of it's close proximity to MK and monorail. it was worth every penny. we try to avoid the buses as much as possible and if that is important to you then CR is definitely a place for you. personally, i'm not crazy about all the wild colors and theming because you get all that at all the parks and when i come back to the hotel i want to relax. we got a renovated room in the south garden wing and it was beautiful! flat screen tv (nothing much on the cable but disney channels though LOL), very spacious, just a really nice and pretty room. the monorail was so worth it because you just go up the elevator in the lobby and the escalator and you are there and you can go to MK, epcot with a transfer, poly, and GF. we had to ride the bus to AK which is a long ride and to blizzard beach and downtown disney. other than that we used the monorail and the boats. you can hop on the boat at CR and be at WL in about 5 minutes. the dining at the CR is outstanding as well. Hope this helps. i would definitely stay on one of the monorail resorts again.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Another CR lover here

I just have to reiterate what everyone else says. My kids love the CR, as do I and my DH. The rooms are huge - the arcade is great - the shops are better than most deluxe hotels (you should see what they have at the Beach Club - puny!) - you have to love the hustle and bustle of the 4th floor to really appreciate the hotel. We had a MK view one year - you can see Tinkerbell fly out of the castle from your room - it's amazing. Walking to MK: priceless.

You will hear everyone rave about the Poly - not my cup of tea. You really have to go and make the decision for yourself. Let us know how you like it!

The CR

Anna