Contemporary resort

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

I got a great AP rate of 199 per night at the Contemporary for 3/22 through 3/27. The Contemporary is probably my least favorite resort. Would much rather be staying at AKL or Yacht Club. Can anyone reassure me that this resort won't be too much of a disappointment?
I'll probably be eating alone for some meals and aside from the California Grill (where I wouldn't want to dine alone), there isn't much left to choose from. Also, there seems to be a very limited room service menu.
Also, do the pools get very crowded? I realize I will be there at a very crowded time but is it usually possible to find a chair by the pool?
Thanks everyone.

 

[jehma]

What are you looking for in a resort? Are you going to spend much time there?

We love the Contemporary! I know there's no real theming, but we absolutely love watching the monorail some into the building, and seeing the MK from the room. You can't beat the convenience of being on a monorail resort. Since we don't spend much time at the hotel, go mostly to MK, and want to be able to get back quickly from there for a quick break, it's a great choice for us. However, I'm thinking of trying the WL or BC when we next go back (maybe not for another 5 years).

Are you in the tower?

I can't answer your question about the pool since we go in Feb and it's much cooler then - not too many swimmers!

 

[Northern Lights]

We love the CR, but only b/c of the Tower, monorail, Chef Mickey's and the walking option to MK. We have never stayed at the wings so if that is where you are staying then I would understand if you were a bit disappointed.

We did not like the food court but tend to get counter service at the parks anyway so we didn't care too much. We usually don't do room service either as we enjoy the ambience of the Disney restaurants, so I have no idea what the offerings are - but if it comes from the food court kitchen then I think you might want to avoid it.

The pool was virtually empty when we went last May.

Short answer: If you are in the Tower then you got a great rate and definitely do it. If you are in the wings, then you may be disappointed.
I'm surprised you could not get AKL - typically when we book the CM tries to sell us a room there for $199 per night at rack rate.

 

[Scoootch]

Short answer: If you are in the Tower then you got a great rate and definitely do it. If you are in the wings, then you may be disappointed.

I completely agree...if you are in the tower than go for it, if not...you may want to try for something you KNOW you'll like. We booked 2nights this past Dec. in the Garden wings at CR and hated it. We ended up switching resorts after the first night...went to the front desk and had it arranged. So if it's not the tower, and you don't think you'd like it than my advice is don't do it. If we had had the tower, it may have been a much different experience for us..but we didn't

 

[dreamflight99]

We love the CR~but have only stayed in the tower (as the wings never appealed to us). I have read so much lately about the "run-down" condition of the wings, (mostly hall carpets, etc)., I would be very hesitant to stay there anytime soon. The resort itself, is lovely. Chef Mickey's is fab, as is the concourse steakhouse! You can always dine in the nice lounge area of the Cali Grill which is open and adjacent to the dining room seating area (sit near the window, viewing the MK & sights...etc), and not feel so odd/alone if you are solo. All of the restaurants also offer "take-out" (so you could order and bring it back to your room to enjoy alone). The little food court area near the arcade offers great fast~food, wonderful sandwiches and salads too.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thanks everyone for you replies. I would have gladly chosen another resort but there were no AP discounts available and even a room at AKL was too much. I'll try the contemporary. The worst that can happen is that I'll be very unhappy and try to make a change when I arrive.
Also, I didn't realize that all of the restaurants offered take out. Does this include the California Grill? I wouldn't mind eating in my room if the food comes from there.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Politely request a North wing room close to the tower. This is very close to the "back door" of the Food and Fun Center and you can get to everything quickly.

We had an unacceptable room this summer and promptly went to the phone and called the front desk. They were very helpful and changed our room quickly. We got the very first room and the third room away from the tower on the third floor, with a great view of Bay Lake and the EWP at night.

 

[cmonroe]

As you can see from my signature, I have significant CR Experience. I've stayed in the towers and the wings. JC and Ali's Mom is correct, if you are staying in a wing, request the North wing. I have stayed in the south wing, and it feels too far from everything, although technically it is closer to the pools. The pools can definitely be busy in the afternoon, but we normally have no problem finding a chair by the pool. There are two pools as well, so you shouldn't have any difficulty.

I'm not trying to make enemies here, but I'm a little surprised by some posters saying they "have never stayed in the wings" and "they can understand how they would be disappointing." How can you give an opinion of the wings if you've never stayed in them? If I interpreted those incorrectly, I apologize. Sincerely.

The North wing rooms are very large as well. The lavatories have two sinks and the commode is in a separate room. If you have a room that faces the MK, you can see the fireworks from your room. You can also turn on, I believe it's channel 22 or 21, to have the wishes music piped into your room.

The carpets I believe people are referring to are the hallway carpets. They do need to be replaced. I wouldn't say they are dirty but let's face it, how many children trample through those hallways each day. Furthermore, I've never had dirty or bad carpets in the rooms themselves.

The food court. Well it's not bad food, but it is also about the same food as you get for counter service throughout the parks. This is not a restaurant. It is a short order grill where you can get burgers, chicken, fries, etc. Personally I don't think the food is bad there. But if I want top-of-the line, I wouldn't go to counter service.

Clearly the tower rooms are better for the simple fact of the location and opportunities for breathtaking views. They are more expensive, but if you have the money, they are worth it. Now, to be fair, I have never stayed in CR concierge. I have read conflicting reports on this board about the price you pay compared to the level of service and pirks that you receive. So I cannot speak for those.

The CR isn't for everyone, but many many people love it. If you haven't stayed there, I guess you won't know if you like it until you do.

You'll make the right decision. If you do decide to stay there, I hope you enjoy it.

 

[swilphil]

We are staying CR garden wing (hopefully North) right before you get there. We plan to just walk over to MK for many of our meals. The menu for Concourse Steakhouse also looks pretty good, and it's not as fancy as the CG.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thanks everyone. You've all made me feel a bit better about this trip. I will let you know how this trip turns out.

 

[Taratink]

I stayed at thr CR 12 years ago and I didn't care for it. I was 17 at the time and I guess I didn't appreciate or understand the large room size and convience that the CR offered.My family and I went to Chef Mickeys last week and we walked around. The kids loved it there and I will definately consider it. I would want a tower room. When I stayed there we stayed in the wing buildings and I was dissapionted because I thought that we would be in the tower room. Give it a shot. It is all in your mind set. If you decide that you will have fun exploring a new place then you probably will. Happy planning!
Tara

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Love the tower - not a fan of the garden wings.

But I have to say, I had dinner by myself at the California Grill and had a great time. I had a seat by the window, drank great wine gazing at the lights of the MK, and was entertained by friendly servers. To be honest, it might have been one of my favorite times ever there.

 

[libba]

Just got back from a 4 night stay in the tower! Wonderful resort! Food was good although we didn't do the fast food court excellent meals at both Cali grill and the concourse steakhouse. I am spoiled and may not be able to stay elsewhere due to the convenianece factor!

 

[DissyLove]

And don't forget about Chef Mickeys! Yes, it is a buffet, and yes, a charecter meal, but many consider it to be the best of the bunch.....