Contemporary Resort/SoG

[Alice28]

Hi All,

Just returned last night from the Contemporary Resort, North Garden Wing. We stayed 9 nights with the Shades of Green prices. We had a wonderful time. We checked in about 4:45 on 2/27. Check-in line was long & I never saw it that long again for the rest of our trip. While Bob (DH) was checking us in and checking my parents in (they were arriving later that night) I bought the refillable mugs at 10.99 each. You've got to do this if you like coffee/tea/soda!! A deal! None of my room requests that were faxed in 4 days before were granted because they didn't get it! Maybe it's better to call. But no big deal- we got connecting rooms with my parents and my mother in law was right on the other side of my parents (she was there for 6 nights, my parents for 9). We were in room 7232 which is on the second floor of the stem part of the "Y" if you think of the N. Garden Wing shaped like a Y. Kind of a hike just to get a refill of soda, but we're young. Two lamps in our room were out of service, but a handyman came right away and fixed them. We got a fridge and a crib and we thought the room was very spacious and nice. Very colorful carpeting and bedding, but fun. Hidden Mickey's in bedspread and couch. I liked how the shower curtains made rainbow prisms while taking a shower. Pretty! The bathroom has a separate alcove for a toilet and make-up counter. It also has a double sink. Our view was very nice- the shores of Bay Lake and at 7 we were mesmerized by the fireworks going off! We could see them perfectly from our window! Magic!

I left a tip for mousekeeping every day but only one time did they arrange the kids' stuffed animals in a cute way. No towel animals, or nothing. Oh well. Lots of kids running up and down the hallways, but nothing too late or too early. The washers and dryers stank!!! I did laundry twice and the second time only 2 out of the 6 washers were operating!!!!!!!!!!!!! With a lot of military families in this wing, this was not a good thing---lots and lots of families trying to laundry and no machines to wash your clothes in...the dryers left your clothes still damp, but I didn't feel like spending more quarters so I hung all our underpants along side the crib. Tacky, but you gotta do what you gotta do. It's two bucks per load so it gets pricey.

We loved the shopping here- two large shops- one with lots of kids stuff-toys & clothes, general souveniers & sundries/snacks. The other had a very nice selection of adult clothes, home items (bath & kitchen), jewelry, & a yummy candy counter with lots of delicious chocolates!! In the foyer there was a great pin kiosk ( gigantic kiosk) & lots of 2003 Disney stuff & all the monorail toys. Very cool to look at.

We went upstairs and thought the California Grill had the most awesome view, but we never made it there to eat. We ate at Chef Mickey's and Food and Fun Center- I posted my thoughts in the restaurant boards.

I loved being able to hop on the monorail and see the other resorts. We took the launch to WL for dinner one night and that was fun. Unfortunately the pool was being rehabed, but we were able to swim at the Poly and the GF. I think we would have swam more if we didn't have to get on the monorail though.

All in all it was a great stay and I would return. Although if I could stay anywhere, I probably wouldn't choose the Contemporary only for lack of theming. The service was top notch and we liked being so close to the MK. If you have any questions, please email or post!!

 

[Joan S.]

Thanks Alice for such a great post! I have 10 nites booked for July, but my hubby thinks that is too long in one hotel(we are DVC members and will then switch to BCV).You have given such a positive review and being a military family I told him we will not get to stay there again for so long at such a great rate!!I would hope that they would fix the washers in the Laundry Room!Glad you had such a GREAT TIME!! Joan

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for a great detailed report about your stay. We are staying at the CR for the first time this July. We are at the A/S Movies for the first 3 days, then more to CR for 7 nights. I will probably do a little laundry at the A/S Movies before moving over after reading your post. Especially since the A/S have some of the best laundry facilities on property. Since we are not SOG, we will most likely be in the South Wing.

 

[Sandiea]

Thank you for all your information on the CR & North Garden Wings. We will be there for 9 nights the end of this month and you helped answer many of the questions I had! I will pack enough clothes for the trip to avoid the laundry room for one! The refillable mugs are a great idea, never had these at SOG. We asked for a first floor room since the "In-laws" are coming and she is deathly afraid of heights-Guess "Tower of Terror" is out! Did you happen to try and walk over to SOG to see the progress? Also do you know if Evergreens is open to the golfers? Finally what did you think of the food court at CR? Thank you again!

 

[Jodi1980]

Do you know when the pool will be finished? Did you pay extra for the water view? Thanks!

 

[Alice28]

Jodi- the pool was supposed to be finished on the 8th- our departure day. I didn't walk by it that day to see if it was done or not. We did not pay extra for the water view- we just lucked out!

We could see big giant construction cranes over by SoG, but didn't go over there to look. They had a display map/drawing of the new grounds in the SoG office in the CR. It looks really nice. I don't know if the golf course was open or not- sorry!

We ate at the food court several times and it was good. My Dad really liked the turkey sandwich and they have a toppings bar that you can practically make a little side salad with the ingredients. You can get burgers, chicken strips, salads, breakfast food, sandwiches, desserts- we got a fruit plate several times that came with watermelon, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew and grapes and it was about $5. It was enough for the 4 of us to share easily. Oh------and they had Mickey Bars in the freezer too! And frozen ice cream- the soft serve kind! The soda refills also had Cola or Cherry Icee to drink-- my 5 year old thought that was the coolest. There is also a toaster and microwave for guest use- you can use it for something you buy there, or I brought down some popcorn and popped it and it was no problem.

Have Fun!!! You'll really have a great time.

 

[Jodi1980]

I've paid an extra $10 per night for the water view - but now I'm thinking that may mean any view but the parking lot which is fine. Did ducks come by your door for food? We are bringing a couple of boxes of crackers for them!

 

[Alice28]

No ducks. We were on the second floor though, so we wouldn't have had ducks come to our door even if we had crackers.

 

[Joan S.]

Jodi, I also paid an extra $10. for a waterview in July 2003.When I called the other day to add on 2 more nites at first she said no all booked up and waitlist closed and then she checked my res. again and said wait you have a PATIO room booked. Then she was able to book the 2 more nites I wanted! So maybe it is waterview 1st floor that you get for the extra $10.??Joan

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Joan S.
Jodi, I also paid an extra $10. for a waterview in July 2003.When I called the other day to add on 2 more nites at first she said no all booked up and waitlist closed and then she checked my res. again and said wait you have a PATIO room booked. Then she was able to book the 2 more nites I wanted! So maybe it is waterview 1st floor that you get for the extra $10.??Joan

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this when I learned of the change a month or two ago, but I'll bring it up again. There is no longer a "water view". It was changed to a first floor (or patio) room for the additional $10/nt. I do not know if SoG notified those guests who would be affected. I'm guessing....not.

 

[Joan S.]

Firstno, Thanks for the info! So do some Patio Rooms face the water?? Sorry to be so uniformed, but we only stayed at the CR once and that was our 1st visit to WDW back in 1987!! Thanks, Joan

 

[FirstNo]

Originally posted by Joan S.
Firstno, Thanks for the info! So do some Patio Rooms face the water?? Sorry to be so uniformed, but we only stayed at the CR once and that was our 1st visit to WDW back in 1987!! Thanks, Joan

The layout of the buildings haven't changed. Some face the water. Some face the parking lot/MK. Not too bad. I've seen a lot worse one could have for a view.

 

[skoi]

We're heading to CR through SOG in September. I have a question about the patio rooms. How do we know if we have one? What if we do and we don't want one? Anyone know?

Thanks,
Julie

 

[JOC]

If you paid an additional $10 per night for your room, then you have a patio room. If you were charged the going rate for whatever rank you're reserving for and did not have an extra $10 tacked onto that rate, then you do not have a patio room. If you didn't specifically ask for a patio room during the reservation process (in which case they would have charged you the extra $10 per nght), you don't have a patio room. Hope I didn't confuse you!

 

[skoi]

Nope, not confused, and thanks for the info. I hadn't heard about this before, and we just decided to book it.

Thanks again,
Julie