Contemporary Resort

[michagain]

Hi All,
I'm glad to see someone talking about the Contemporary. We are scheduled to arrive there on 12-22 and will be staying in the North Garden Wing. Would love to hear any info anyone might wish to share about this resort!

 

[d-r]

Welcome to the DIS!

I love the Contemporary - although I prefer the tower. I don't think you can beat the convenience of it and we love California Grill. Some people don't care for the theming here, but I truly believe the theming is Disney - its an original!

Hope you love it!

Melissa

 

[SamR]

While I love the Beach Club and PO-Riverside, the Contemporary will always occupy a special place in my heart. My wife and I have had several wonderful stays there, including a week in the Tower for our honeymoon thirteen years ago. As d-r stated, some folks don't care for the theme or the "hustle-and-bustle" of the Contemporary, but I really like it. I still enjoy just watching the monorail glide past just above the concourse.

Of course, the greatest advantage of the Contemporary may be that it is the only resort from which you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. If you are leaving the park near closing, or after a parade ends, you can just walk right by the throngs streaming for the monorail, boats, and buses, and follow the relatively short path back to your hotel.

Be sure to go sit on the dock or beach in the evening and catch the water pageant (or watch it from your room if your view allows).

If you have kids, you should definitely consider booking a character meal (either breakfast or dinner) at Chef Mickey's on the Contemporary Tower Concourse. The food is pretty average (although plentiful), but the character interaction makes it worth every penny.

Another dining choice that I have enjoyed at the Contemporary is the Concourse Steakhouse. It has been a few years, but I remember some very nice meals there.

If the weather is nice, taking a spin around the lake in a water sprite is also a fun diversion.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[dizfamily]

Just got back today from a stay at the Contemporary...our first time at a Deluxe hotel. We loved it! Our kids were thrilled to be staying where Chef Mickey's is and where the monorail goes through. It was neat to walk out of our room and peek over the railing down at Chef Mickey's. We could hear the music from Chef Mickey's in our room (but not loudly...only when we were near the door). Even the elevators were fun. Disney characters tell you what floor you're on. We had a bay view in the tower and could watch the EWP from our balcony. We did that twice, I think. Also watched the fireworks a few times from the observation deck on the 4th floor. Never crowded. Really a great view! We were on the 10th floor. No vibrations from the monorail. No noise. It was great. We could see the beach and pool from our balcony also. Loved to watch the crazy people swimming when it was 50 degrees outside! Oh, and yes, it was very convenient to walk to MK!

 

[michagain]

Thanks Sam & Diz for adding to the anticipation! This our first time staying at WDW so we are slightly overwhelmed gathering all the information. My 3 kids are all teenagers now, (17, 16 & 14) do you think it would be worth doing the character meal? Or would they think it too corny? One never knows when dealing with teenagers what will work and what won't. I have no experience with any of this, we have only been to WDW once (in '92) when they were small and we only went to the MK. My 16 yr old went to WDW with our high school marching band 2 yrs ago and has informed her sibs that the MK is too young for them now. Any specific advice for teens is also appreciated! By the way Diz, how was the weather? Still trying to figure out what to pack! Summer??? Winter????? All of the above????

 

[TaraG]

We just got back tonight from staying at the Contemporary for 3 nights. Our first time staying there also. We were on the 12th floor with a view of the Magic Kingdom. It was AWESOME! The three of us were me, hubby and 5 year old son.

We ate at the California Grille and watched the fireworks from their observation deck. The food was absolutely wonderful!

Chef Mickey's was a blast too! I had told them when I booked the room we would be celebrating my son's birthday (it was a surprise for him for his birthday - he didn't have a clue until we got to the room, lol). When we got to our room there was a birthday cake, balloons and a signed picture from Mickey. The next night we get back to our room and there was a stuffed animal, more balloons and a signed picture from Buzz Lightyear & Woody. How cool!

Then at the Character Breakfast they brought our son a cupcake with a candle and a "It's My Birthday" button.

We had an AWESOME time. We're pooped but happy. Trying to convince hubby we need to go back in a couple of months. lol

 

[SamR]

...do you think it would be worth doing the character meal? Or would they think it too corny?

I have three kids myself, but none of them has entered the teenage phase yet, so I can't speak from personal experience. However, I have read trip reports on the DIS before where folks have recounted tales of normally-cynical teens getting caught up in the magic and actually enjoying themselves with the characters. (Of course, I'm sure that there are others that sit there in a sullen stew wondering at the "lameness" of it all. ) Only you can guess whether your kids might also be susceptible to the Disney Magic, but it might be worth taking the chance. And if so, be sure to have a camera ready. Those pictures could make for valuable blackmail material when you return home!

Summer??? Winter????? All of the above????

Recent reports on the DIS have reinforced my opinion from previous trips this time of year that "all of the above" is definitely the correct answer! Things can get quite chilly, especially in the evening and on cloudy and/or rainy days. However, daytime highs in the 80's are not out of the question either. So, it pays to be prepared.

Have a great trip!

 

[michagain]

Gee Tara, sounds like they really made your son feel special! How exciting! Talk about King for a day!
Like you said Sam, it could go either way, they'll either be cynical or revert back to being 5! My goal though, is to try not to waste too much money finding out which of those its going to be! I hear these places are not inexpensive so I'll have to measure the risk of being ticked if we decide to try it and the cynical side rears its ugly head! You really can't tell how it will go until that very day. Teenagers have a funny way of being able to flip flop from moment to moment on nearly any subject!
Its a real crapshoot! I suppose we'll just have to take a good look around once we get there. My kids are most looking forward to MGM and (shhhhhhh...Universal). Those place seem to be teen magnets.
As for the weather, I agree Sam, all of the above is probably the best bet. It just means more "stuff". Thanks though for all the advice! I can't wait to get there and check things out myself!

 

[eeyore0062]

We also love the Contemporary. We stayed in the South Garden Wing overlooking Bay Lake last January. We loved the size of the rooms, the energy, and the fact that it is truly "Mickey's Resort". There are touches of Mickey everywhere. We feel like we are staying in the middle of Disney World, when we stay there... and with the short walk to the MK, it is actually true! The transportation anywhere was great, the castmembers were fantastic, and we really loved the little coffee bar under the esculator on the ground floor!

Have a great time, and hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

 

[patgoofy]

we just got back from our trip to the Contemp. on sat. we stayed in the tower on the 9th floor overlooking the MK. the view was great ,you could see the fireworks from the balcony. At night you can lay in bed and watch Cindarella's Castle change colours. I think my girlfriend is spoiled forever now, she says we can't stay anywhere else now. The hotel was great, the cast members were all very polite and helpful. Overall had a great time and already talking about next years trip.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome to DIS, Michagain~

The CR is my sentimental favorite. I have stayed 4 times - 2x in the Garden Wings and 2x in the Tower. I love the Tower with the MK view. The CR is a Disney original and one that Walt had a hand in. There is plenty to do - great restaurants, boat rentals, super pool, arcade for the kids, and just a great place to people watch. Oh and to see the fireworks!

I have 2 teen DS (17 and 19) and they don't think MK is too young - Splash, Space and Thunder with Alien Encounter and Buzz, too! They all qualify except for Buzz to be thrill rides for them. Also, since they are old enough they were able to leave us and go off on their own and we'd meet up with them at a designated time and place.

Enjoy the CR and know that it is one of the original three resorts built when WDW opened!

 

[dreamflight99]

I'm looking forward to our stay this summer in the tower Concierge. I LOVE the CR, and agree it's a combination of "HISTORY/NOSTALGIA/MAGIC" all wrapped into one big HAPPY
PLACE! They have a GREAT coffee bar by the front desk...(mmm, mocha capps), and the best shopping areas too. The dining is always one of our favs (Calif Grill, CC steak house, Chef Mickey's), and the ARCADE is TOPS...bar none!

When you are all alone in the room...enjoying the quiet of the eve after a day in the parks...lying comfy in the bed...smile, and think of Walt. He LOVED the CR, and envisioned it as the "Wave of the future" with the monorail as the "Transportation of the Future world" (would be nice, eh?!). Enjoy your stay...I know we will!

 

[michagain]

Thank you all for your responses. It makes it all the more exciting to hear from others that they really enjoyed their stay at the CR. It will be cool to be walking through the building and envisioning Walt being there too! I am packing as we speak and can't wait to get there and see things for myself!

 

[Kallison]

I would book the character breakfast just to annoy them. Make sure you twirl the napkin over your head and really embarrass their teenage butts! I bet they will love the arcade. Too old for MK, bite your tongue! I hope it will bring out the youngster in their "I'm too cool" selves. Nothing rolling out of bed, going to Chef Mickey's and being able to walk to the MK in less than 10 min. Have a great time, we loved the Contemp.

 

[lindylou]

"you will love the contemp." Going with 3 teens, that's great! They're more independent. Tell them to visit the snack bar in the lounge area and take it back to the room. As for chef mickeys, take them, even my cornnyist teen had fun and make sure to take pictures with the characters. Christmas is the very best time to go to WDW. I'm soooooooooo happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be careful about the weather, our very first trip was the same date as yours about five years back, we froze our butts off! That's probably why they recommend layering your clothing. Ever since that trip we've traveled to WDW with a suite case of jackets (just in case). ***********I don't know how long your stay will be but one good thing about staying in the wings is the laundry facilities are near. Have a great time, see what you can see and do it all, try to miss nothing. time goes by so quickly, in no time you'll be home planning the next trip!

 

[Mouseteacher]

lindylou is right on regarding the weather. I went for the week through NYE about nine years ago. It was freezing!!!! and I didn't plan correctly and didn't bring warm clothing like a coat just sweatshirts which I was wearing three at a time!!!! I also remember wishing I had gloves for the evenings.

 

[lindylou]

In addition to a suite case of jackets...................is gloves in their pockets with scarfs and something to cover the ears!!!!!!! Mouseteacher and I certainly learned our lesson.

 

[gravymom]

enjoy your stay at the Contemporary. We stayed there in Sept in the North Wing. It was great (not as good as the tower, but still great). Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats being able to walk to MK! You can stay for firewords and parades and not have to hassle with crowds to get to your room. With three little kids I find that invaluable.

We are staying at POR in Feb. because we simply could not swing the cost of the Contemporary for that trip. It is seriously breaking my heart (but I guess any trip to WDW is better than not going at all). Hope you have a good trip and hope the Contemporary is as magical for you as it is for my family.

 

[tiggerlvr]

We were just at the Contemp. for Thanksgiving...only for 1 night, and we had a garden wing booked they upgraded us to 11th floor tower baylake view and our room was ready at 10:30am. It was spectacular the view was just awesome....My 2 children are 13 and almost 15 girls, they absolutely fell in love with this resort...so did I, I would stay here again in a heartbeat....the smell of this resort is heavenly....everyone was soooo nice to us... I hated to leave. We are going back sometime within the next year and seriously are considering trying to swing it to stay here for the whole vacation.... We did Chef Mickeys and even the kids liked it....they also liked the arcade and really loved the balcony off our room....they liked people watching....we could see the fireworks from epcot, and the EWP from our balcony....have a great trip.....

 

[AmyA]

We stayed at the CR for 12 days this last Sept and really liked it. We were in the NGW, and even though it wasn't the tower it was really awesome. We were right on the bay, ground floor and could see the EWP from our bed! It was so convenient to be able to walk/monorail to MK and monorail to Epcot. We had a great time at Chef Mickey's. The food court could be better, but oh well. The quiet pool that's right out on the lake is neat, and the water slide in the main pool is fun.

One of our favorite things was renting watermice from the CR marina--IMHO your teens will love this. You are able to ride on both Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. DH is just an overgrown teenager, and he is STILL talking about those watermice 3 months later.

Since your kids are teens, maybe you and your spouse can slip over to the Outer Rim Lounge, get a drink, and curl up on one of the couches that are in front of the windows that face Bay Lake and watch the EWP.

As silly as it sounds, DH and I loved having the monorail literally in our hotel. I can't explain it--it was just so cool to see that monorail gliding down the track towards you.

I have also heard that the CR has the best arcade on property, so if your kids are into video games (do they make teens that aren't ), that will be a bonus, too.

Just as an added endorsement--we have 2 more trips scheduled this year--both times staying at the CR.