Contemporary to undergo construction; DVC coming?

[ArnyVee]

From MousePlanet Website
*********************
The South Garden Wing of the Contemporary Resort is closed for refurbishment May 30 through October 31. This first phase of a major renovation for Disney's oldest resort hotel is badly needed, with the resort really showing its age. We hear that the new room decor will be done in earth tones with white duvets. The furnishings will be more up-to-date as well, with glass and steel desks and flat-screen or plasma televisions. Reportedly, a model room has been completed and looks very nice.

The rumors that we hear is that the entire resort is repositioning to target a specific clientele. Or, rather, two specific clienteles. Supposedly, the buildings in the South Garden Wing will be gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. The remainder of the hotel would be modified to target conventions, with families with children to be steered toward the Wilderness Lodge. We are still trying to confirm these changes.

 

[tjkraz]

In today's post at www.mouseplanet.com:

Contemporary to undergo construction; DVC coming?

The South Garden Wing of the Contemporary Resort is closed for refurbishment May 30 through October 31. This first phase of a major renovation for Disney's oldest resort hotel is badly needed, with the resort really showing its age. We hear that the new room decor will be done in earth tones with white duvets. The furnishings will be more up-to-date as well, with glass and steel desks and flat-screen or plasma televisions. Reportedly, a model room has been completed and looks very nice.

The rumors that we hear is that the entire resort is repositioning to target a specific clientele. Or, rather, two specific clienteles. Supposedly, the buildings in the South Garden Wing will be gutted and rebuilt as Disney Vacation Club villas. The remainder of the hotel would be modified to target conventions, with families with children to be steered toward the Wilderness Lodge. We are still trying to confirm these changes.

Comments: I'm really confused by this posting. The first paragraph says that the South Garden Wing will close for 6 months for a rehab. The second paragraph says that the South Garden Wing will be gutted and rebuilt.

The only thing that would make sense is if the first paragraph was actually referring to the NORTH Garden Wing. DVC getting the South wing is the same rumor that's been floating about for ages.

DVC issues aside, if there's any truth to these rumors, I think it's a shame they are going this route with the CR. Monorail through the resort...close access to the MK...great room views of the MK...location right on the lake...Chef Mickey's...and the best they can come up with is to position it as a CONVENTION DESTINATION?!?!

Is convention space at WDW really in that much of a demand? Coronado Springs is expanding its space. You've got convention space at the Boardwalk, YC/BC, probably others I'm forgetting...

I can't claim to have any warm spot in my heart for the CR. I think it's kinda ugly and really have no interest in staying there as it stands today. But if this info is correct, too bad they couldn't come up with something better.

 

[DisnutDave@work]

Wow, that'd be nice to finally have it confirmed. But it seems a little early for it to happen now, with SSR construction still in full swing. Have they ever had construction on 2 DVC properties going on at one time?

 

[DebbieB]

If they were going to gut them and turn them into DVC it would take longer than 5/30 to 10/31. Look how long they've been working on converting the models at BWV. By the time they are done it will be about a year.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

I wonder IF this happens at the contemporary, how many units would there be? The wings are not that big , Maybe they will build them up, instead of out, but it is my favorite hotel, and I am hoping for this to happen. Happy Holidays to everyone.

 

[goofy4tink]

I double checked my CR floor plan they gave me when we were there last summer. The South Wing has about 107 regular rooms per floor. So that would be over 300 rooms, just in that one wing. I would think that they could put in some DVC type units fairly easily. I for one, would be very happy staying there. It's one of our favorite resorts!!!

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

Anyone know what the square footage of the existing Contemporary Rooms is in the wings? Could DVC rooms be made quickly because they don't have to start from scratch?

 

[tjkraz]

I double checked my CR floor plan they gave me when we were there last summer. The South Wing has about 107 regular rooms per floor. So that would be over 300 rooms, just in that one wing.

Deluxe resort rooms run about 350-370 sq ft. That's about the same size as a DVC studio, half the size of a DVC 1B (700 sq ft) and 1/3 of the size of a 2B (1100 sq ft). If we assume that they would make the entire thing lockoff 2Bs, you'd get a total of 105 lockoff 2Bs, or 210 total rooms if reserved separately as a 1B / Studio.

That's smaller than VWL...half the size of BCV...25% the size of BWV.

Seems pretty narrow-minded IMO.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Just remember that Mouseplanet deals with both facts and rumors as well. They could be wrong with the conventioneers, or wrong with DVC, neither, or both.

 

[mochabean]

My guess is they are refurbishing one wing to remain hotel rooms, and will convert the other wing to DVC at a later date. Which wing is which is all rumor anyway at this point.

 

[CarolA]

Well I figure if they do it should make it easier on folks like me to get what I want since I have NO desire to ever stay near the MK LOL!

 

[spiceycat]

okay I am confused.

I though the South Wing was staying with the Cont as hotel rooms and the North Wing MIGHT become part of the DVC.

I though it was the North Wing that needed the rehab badly.

 

[rascalmom]

We stayed in the South Wing a few summers ago. The room we were in was definitely in need of rehab at that time. That along with some MAJOR housekeeping issues led to me writing a letter to Disney. I did receive a response that led me to believe that the wing rooms are modular units built & then placed in position much like the main part of the hotel. Which has led to some major water damage & mold issues over the years. I think the North Wing gets mentioned as being in need of rehab more frequently because that area absorbed most of the SOG guests during the SOG reconstruction period. Theory being that they were more heavily booked during that period because it was quite a bargain for those eligible for SOG rates.

 

[RobDoc]

DVC issues aside, if there's any truth to these rumors, I think it's a shame they are going this route with the CR. Monorail through the resort...close access to the MK...great room views of the MK...location right on the lake...Chef Mickey's...and the best they can come up with is to position it as a CONVENTION DESTINATION?!?!

Is convention space at WDW really in that much of a demand? Coronado Springs is expanding its space. You've got convention space at the Boardwalk, YC/BC, probably others I'm forgetting...

The CR already has a large (and old) Convention Center. It has hosted the Disneyana Conventions over the years as well as many others. As you face the CR from the MK, the Convention Center is the whole right side at ground level. I'm sure that would need a rehab if they intend to upgrade the need for improved convention facilities.

As for the DVC portion of the rumor ...

Stay Tuned!

 

[Vacationeer]

We stayed at the Contemporary two weeks ago, and the Welcome Home message was displayed on the television.

 

[JimC]

Anyone know what the square footage of the existing Contemporary Rooms is in the wings? Could DVC rooms be made quickly because they don't have to start from scratch?

Contemporary rooms are about 436 square feet according to Disney. The Poly range from 391 - 483 square feet. They built them larger back then.

 

[Cruelladeville]

And the rooms at the far end of the wings are mammoth, by hotel standards. I stayed there back in my pre-DVC days. We got two queens AND a king pull-out couch for the 5 of us, and we still had tons of room to spare. We are still talking about the size of that room within our family, 15 years later.

 

[CharlesTD]

I have heard about the refurb going on at or planned to happen at CR but that was just to relocate the arcade and the concourse steakhouse and make it more of a convention resort. I had not heard anything about the DVC stuff as of yet. I do know that rumours abound regarding them turning a garden wing into a DVC section but only time will tell really.

 

[DizneyNutz]

That sounds pretty ominous. Maybe it will become a DVC---on the MONORAIL---it still wouldn't hold any particular interest for me---I am thinking that SSR will be our pick (Home Resort) maybe throw in VWL and possibly a PO trip. My DH and I fell in LOVE with WL on our first two trips, but we are SO EXCITED about going home, especially since we had the opportunity to "explore" the DTD area last visit!

 

[lenshanem]

The Contemporary holds no interest for me, but hubby said he'd buy points there if they made it DVC. I think that pool really needs a rehab, too. The slide looks like the one at the YMCA. I'm all about theming baby.