Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[Kimberly9701]

A few months ago I booked 3 nights TPV. I'm seeing now that it is no longer allowed. If I'm already booked, they can't change it, can they?

I just checked MDE and my 3 nights are still showing, along with just a 1 day ticket (which I also think isn't allowed anymore!).

I'm soooooo glad I changed it when I did!!!! Now nothing is showing available at all that week. Tpv or lake view.
I thought early December was supposed to be a slower time!!?!?

 

[lovingeire]

Thanks! That doesn't sound too bad.
I've contemplated renting a car for 2 main reasons- getting to the resort from port Canaveral faster, and to go to DTD.

Number 1 reason why I don't want to rent a car-
Dealing with my own luggage.

This may sound trivial, but since just me and my 6 year old traveling, I'd rather not be juggling all of our bags on my own.. So I'd prefer to just use Disney transport systems.

I dont' think you'll have an issue relying on Disney transportation. Just allow extra time to get to Disney Springs if you have any dining reservations. other than that I don't think it's too inconvenient. We always drive to Disney, but always use Disney transportation when we're there. The only time we haven't is one time driving over to Boma on our arrival day for dinner. Other than that we like not having to drive and just sit back and relax to get from point a to b. I've taken the cruise transportation to the port and it was so convenient!

 

[nursemelis374]

Just booked a 1 BR at BLT on rented points for September 10-17. My last two trips have been in cold weather so am looking forward to some warmth!

This is also my last monorail resort to try out and we are so excited!

 

[lovingeire]

Just paid off our retirement celebration trip! I wasn't sure it was going to happen due to tax return fraud, but managed to get 'er done! 29 days until our "dream" trip to celebrate my husband's time in the Marine Corps!!!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks! That doesn't sound too bad.
I've contemplated renting a car for 2 main reasons- getting to the resort from port Canaveral faster, and to go to DTD.

Number 1 reason why I don't want to rent a car-
Dealing with my own luggage.

This may sound trivial, but since just me and my 6 year old traveling, I'd rather not be juggling all of our bags on my own.. So I'd prefer to just use Disney transport systems.

At the airport hire a porter to get and move and load your bags. At the resort have bell services help you.

Just takes a bit more money and there is NO need to mess with bags.

On the way home, if you have a flight with a participating airline that's not too early, you can use resort airline checkin and drop the bags so you don't even take them to the airport and only take carryons. (Totally allowed even if you don't ride the bus to the airport and you can be upfront with them about those plans)

 

[Kimberly9701]

At the airport hire a porter to get and move and load your bags. At the resort have bell services help you.

Just takes a bit more money and there is NO need to mess with bags.

On the way home, if you have a flight with a participating airline that's not too early, you can use resort airline checkin and drop the bags so you don't even take them to the airport and only take carryons. (Totally allowed even if you don't ride the bus to the airport and you can be upfront with them about those plans)

From the ship to the rental car is what I'm concerned with. I rented a car on the last day of our Disney trip in September bc we headed to SoFla then Key West for a week. Bell Services was GREAT! They picked us up from our building in a golf cart and loaded everything up for me and then into the car. I need to find out more info about Port Everglades and how much I would have to deal with between customs and renting a vehicle.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Just paid off our retirement celebration trip! I wasn't sure it was going to happen due to tax return fraud, but managed to get 'er done! 29 days until our "dream" trip to celebrate my husband's time in the Marine Corps!!!!!

So sorry about the tax return fraud but so happy you get to go on your dream trip to Disney ! From one military wife to another be proud of your service too and ENJOY the Disney fun !

 

[michashell]

I am so conflicted and am hoping to gather some first hand experiences to help with my problem. This will be our first time staying at the CR. Currently, we are booked to stay in the tower with a MK view in October. My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary. Our boys (9 and 6 will be with us). We are considering upgrading to Club Level if the price comes down. This far out, it was an additional $250/night. Wow! I was expecting about 1/2 of that. My problem is that I can't decide if I'd rather stay in a 1-bedroom DVC over at BLT. Every time I vacation at Disney I make a Scarlett O'Hara worthy proclamation that "I will never do laundry on vacation again!" and every time I do. I love the idea of having a washer/dryer right in our villa, extra 1/2 bath and separate bedroom. However, since I have no experience with the CR and have NEVER stayed in a DVC I'm not sure what to expect. We usually stay at the BC, and I love being so close to the marketplace (and everything else). I just don't know how to compare BLT to CR. We will have a car, so I don't see us really using the monorail much as we will drive to the other parks (and walk to MK). A great view is important, but its the CR. Aren't all the views pretty nice? We've also never done CL which is very appealing. We definitely plan on enjoying the amenities of the resort - great restaurants, boating, etc. I feel like I'm talking myself in circles. Any advice to help make this decision? TIA!

 

[Gryhndmom]

I am so conflicted and am hoping to gather some first hand experiences to help with my problem. This will be our first time staying at the CR. Currently, we are booked to stay in the tower with a MK view in October. My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary. Our boys (9 and 6 will be with us). We are considering upgrading to Club Level if the price comes down. This far out, it was an additional $250/night. Wow! I was expecting about 1/2 of that. My problem is that I can't decide if I'd rather stay in a 1-bedroom DVC over at BLT. Every time I vacation at Disney I make a Scarlett O'Hara worthy proclamation that "I will never do laundry on vacation again!" and every time I do. I love the idea of having a washer/dryer right in our villa, extra 1/2 bath and separate bedroom. However, since I have no experience with the CR and have NEVER stayed in a DVC I'm not sure what to expect. We usually stay at the BC, and I love being so close to the marketplace (and everything else). I just don't know how to compare BLT to CR. We will have a car, so I don't see us really using the monorail much as we will drive to the other parks (and walk to MK). A great view is important, but its the CR. Aren't all the views pretty nice? We've also never done CL which is very appealing. We definitely plan on enjoying the amenities of the resort - great restaurants, boating, etc. I feel like I'm talking myself in circles. Any advice to help make this decision? TIA!

Since DH and I have stayed at both CL and BLT ( we now own at BLT) I will give you my thoughts. LOVE having CL and all the food already prepared for breakfast, snack time etc. I can totally make a meal out of the evening offerings but DH always needed a sandwich or salad since evening can really be considered light snacks versus a meal. At CL we were lucky to be at the very end and have a great view of the fireworks but I believe some CL have lake views. Staying at CL made me feel a little like having my own Downton Abby staff ! With all that being said....BLT has great advantages. We own a 1bd lake view and request outside even numbered room which generally gives us a
Lake view but also a view of MK and the fireworks. The extra room is WONDERFUL! DH gets up earlier than I do and can go in the living room and watch TV etc. without waking me up. Two bathrooms really saves time getting ready in the morning, a kitchen is nice for coffee, fixing a meal, full size refrigerator though I have to admit I don't do much cooking on vacation on since we are there at wine and food festival and eat out most of the time. The small stacked washer and dryer is also nice to have so you don't have to pack as many clothes and it leaves more room for shopping ! Hope this helps!

 

[michashell]

Since DH and I have stayed at both CL and BLT ( we now own at BLT) I will give you my thoughts. LOVE having CL and all the food already prepared for breakfast, snack time etc. I can totally make a meal out of the evening offerings but DH always needed a sandwich or salad since evening can really be considered light snacks versus a meal. At CL we were lucky to be at the very end and have a great view of the fireworks but I believe some CL have lake views. Staying at CL made me feel a little like having my own Downton Abby staff ! With all that being said....BLT has great advantages. We own a 1bd lake view and request outside even numbered room which generally gives us a
Lake view but also a view of MK and the fireworks. The extra room is WONDERFUL! DH gets up earlier than I do and can go in the living room and watch TV etc. without waking me up. Two bathrooms really saves time getting ready in the morning, a kitchen is nice for coffee, fixing a meal, full size refrigerator though I have to admit I don't do much cooking on vacation on since we are there at wine and food festival and eat out most of the time. The small stacked washer and dryer is also nice to have so you don't have to pack as many clothes and it leaves more room for shopping ! Hope this helps!

Thank you so much! Do you really feel that far away from everything at BLT? I hear that there can be a bit of a wait for tower elevators, so I would think that it's about the same (especially when you're staying on a higher tower floor).

 

[Gryhndmom]

Thank you so much! Do you really feel that far away from everything at BLT? I hear that there can be a bit of a wait for tower elevators, so I would think that it's about the same (especially when you're staying on a higher tower floor).

We don't feel that far away from CR and the wait for elevators doesnt seem any longer than when we stayed up on CL ( of course depending on time of day some waits can be longer)

 

[lovingeire]

So sorry about the tax return fraud but so happy you get to go on your dream trip to Disney ! From one military wife to another be proud of your service too and ENJOY the Disney fun !

Thank you! Fortunately getting the tax fraud cleared up was fairly painless, but we had to manually file so it's taking longer than normal. I think DH is most excited about watching Wishes from the room. It's where he's dreamed of staying so I'm super excited to make that happen for him!

 

[lovingeire]

What are the chances of not getting a pack n play if you request one? We are driving so I'm wondering if we should pack one. We normally do, but DH wants to "pack light".

 

[AnnieLytical]

We just booked 2 nights at BLT - Lake View for Dec 17 and 18! This is our first time staying deluxe. We rented points. The rest of our stay will be at SoG.

Can rented points DVC rooms access the viewing deck? (For wishes)

 

[BlueFairy]

I am booking a magical deal for the Destination D event in November. Can anyone point me to a portion of this thread or elsewhere that discusses being a convention guest?

 

[Cluelyss]

I am booking a magical deal for the Destination D event in November. Can anyone point me to a portion of this thread or elsewhere that discusses being a convention guest?

What questions to you have? Many of us here have booked magical deals. Your reservation won't operate any differently than if booked through Disney direct, except that you cannot upgrade or modify your tickets onsite.

 

[BlueFairy]

What questions to you have? Many of us here have booked magical deals. Your reservation won't operate any differently than if booked through Disney direct, except that you cannot upgrade or modify your tickets onsite.

Thanks. Actually, I guess that was confusing. My questions are regarding Destination D and the CR. Not related to my reservation. Just wondering if any of you CR fans have attended conventions, or Destination D in particular, at the CR convention center. How do conventions affect meals, coffee, and the like around the resort? Is it difficult to get QS during meal breaks? Tips for monorail travel? What about lining up for the convention itself? How does registration work and entry each morning? I have asked a general question on the Theme Parks board and it was very helpful, but it really does seem that knowledge is limited.

Anyone here have convention experience to share?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just booked a 1 BR at BLT on rented points for September 10-17. My last two trips have been in cold weather so am looking forward to some warmth!

This is also my last monorail resort to try out and we are so excited!

I'll log your dates and yes, the weather will be much warmer (and wetter).

Just paid off our retirement celebration trip! I wasn't sure it was going to happen due to tax return fraud, but managed to get 'er done! 29 days until our "dream" trip to celebrate my husband's time in the Marine Corps!!!!!

This will be such an exciting trip. I know you've been planning it for a long time. Will you be PCSing one last time or staying put?

So sorry about the tax return fraud but so happy you get to go on your dream trip to Disney ! From one military wife to another be proud of your service too and ENJOY the Disney fun !

What she said!

What are the chances of not getting a pack n play if you request one? We are driving so I'm wondering if we should pack one. We normally do, but DH wants to "pack light".

Don't bother packing one, they'll have one. Just ask at check-in and/or when you get to your room, just call housekeeping.

We just booked 2 nights at BLT - Lake View for Dec 17 and 18! This is our first time staying deluxe. We rented points. The rest of our stay will be at SoG.

Can rented points DVC rooms access the viewing deck? (For wishes)

It might be a bit hard going from BLT to SoG, but you're going to love BLT. Only DVC owners and their guests can go up to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT. But, you can just walk across the SkyBridge and use CR's 4th floor observation deck. It's not as high, but the view is great and you can also see the monorail really well.

I am booking a magical deal for the Destination D event in November. Can anyone point me to a portion of this thread or elsewhere that discusses being a convention guest?

POST 3's Convention Center section has more information and a link.

 

[AnnieLytical]

It might be a bit hard going from BLT to SoG, but you're going to love BLT. Only DVC owners and their guests can go up to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT. But, you can just walk across the SkyBridge and use CR's 4th floor observation deck. It's not as high, but the view is great and you can also see the monorail really well.

I am sure we will love BLT, but I am nervous about the size of the room compared to SOG.

How are DVC owners and their guests differentiated between people that have rented DVC points? Hope that doesn't sound snarky, this is all new to me!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am sure we will love BLT, but I am nervous about the size of the room compared to SOG.

How are DVC owners and their guests differentiated between people that have rented DVC points? Hope that doesn't sound snarky, this is all new to me!

Not snarky at all!

I'm not a DVC owner and have only stayed DVC on a cash reservation, but I believe you have to show your DVC membership card as proof, which if you're renting, you wouldn't have.