Well, I have bit the bullet and am trying a different resort in April! Couldn’t resist the rate I got for the Atrium Club Level at the Contemporary, so I went for it. Hoping it isn’t a mistake. Please fill me in on what to expect. I am going in with a totally open mind.
Warning, TLDR... sorry. Can't help it. I love CR.
I think and speak of CR Atrium Club the way I see people on the thread (including you) speak of BWI CL. It's certainly not the perfect resort or CL (not that any of them are) but I have a real soft spot for the place. It continues to be the only resort and CL where we've been consistently recognized as a repeat guest. It's also the CL where we've had the most impressive CL CM interactions overall (of course this can vary on any given trip).
CR seems to either be a love or hate kind of resort for some folks. I like the nostalgia factor, I'm a nerd and think the monorail running through it is just about the coolest thing ever (just like I did as a kid), the location can't be beat. I don't need crazy immersive themeing so CR works fine, but I see people complain about the theme (or lack thereof) a fair amount around the DIS.
Things I like...
- The Atrium Club floor is on the 12th floor, so the second to top floor of guest rooms - nice high views.
- The lounge is in the middle of the floor on the MK side - so has great MK and fireworks views. Fireworks audio is played on the lounge balconies.
- Both TPV rooms and Standard (which is really Bay Lake View) rooms are great options - there's really not a bad room view here at all regardless of view category or location on the floor. No real stressing about room requests or where you will be (just minor nuances).
- In some ways a Standard view gives the 'best of both worlds' as you have the calm serenity of the Bay Lake view (and nightly EWP viewing) and the lounge for a MK view/fireworks viewing.
- No room is far from the lounge.
- While this always can vary by a shift change at any resort, we've generally found the CL CMs there genuinely warm and caring. The CL desk right off the elevator and close to the lounge is a nice setup that promotes interaction and pleasantries.
- Food offerings are a little less abundant than some other CLs, but what they do provide has been pretty darn good in my opinion.
- The lounge and CM desk location relative to the elevators makes it convenient to grab a beverage or a bottle of water (upon request) coming or going to your room.
- We've recently taken a liking to California Grill, so no complaints when it's right upstairs. Also (with one exception) have enjoyed The Wave in the past.
- Walkability to MK with dedicated security entrance. Can't beat the convenience.
- Boat service to WL and FW - that really expands dining and entertainment options when staying at CR and the boat trip is pretty short.
- The lounge doesn't close overnight or between services.
Things that aren't my favorite....
- The pools. Major kudos for the setting, vibe, and that you usually have no issues finding shade or a chair. But, the pools themselves are underwhelming compared to the other Deluxes.
- No splash pad (only a dinky spray area with a few nozzles). Probably N/A for you but it's more of a big deal with kiddos my age (8 and 4). No zero entry area for the pool also gets a few knocks.
- With all due respect to Walt's original design and to the CMs that work there, the Cove Bar is probably the worst pool bar on property in terms of a setting. Someday they are going to re-do the whole pool/bar/dock area (I hope) and it will make me very happy. CR is screaming for a Geyser Point-type equivalent (in my opinion)
- The CR elevators can get busy, especially in the evening. But time spent waiting on an elevator is about the same as what you might spend walking the halls of an Epcot resort or to another building at places like Poly, so it kind of equals out in a way. Just 'feels' longer as you're sitting there waiting.
- The lounge is a bit on the small side. May have had a few times here and there where seating was full, but we've experienced that everywhere to some extent. But not a major consideration when thinking about CR for us.
- Getting back from Epcot via monorail (which is the only Disney transport option from Epcot) 'feels' like it takes awhile (since it kind of does).
- Chef Mickey's does draw a lot of traffic and can create some noise. We had a room that was directly above Chef Mickey's once and you kind of know when they start up in the morning. I don't consider this a major negative unless you happen to be super sensitive to noise, just an observation.
I have sometimes described CR as my "business trip" resort vs my "vacation trip" resort (a lot of that is due to my comments about the pools above). We usually try to stay there when it's a shorter trip and MK-centric, like during party season. We had been in the habit of staying at CR for a
MNSSHP trip every fall, until this year. Availability has been tough (as have discounts) and we caught the Epcot resort bug, so I've been neglecting CR this past year. We do have a trip planned there in the spring and we can't wait.
These have some age to them, but here are links to 2017 and 2016 trip reports:
CR Atrium Club - Sept 2016
CR Atrium Club - Sept 2017
Alright, I've rambled on enough. Probably said a lot of things you already know (sorry). But hope it helps!
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