Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[alliecat523]

I've checked other places and the first post but I want to be 100% sure on these so my expectations are in check:

1. When we arrive via DME, will we be taken directly to Bay Lake Tower to check in?

2. At BLT, do they have their own Bell Services desk where I can retrieve my Owners Locker?

3. When using the buses is it quicker to walk outside directly to the buses at Contemporary or should we use the skybridge over to the Contemporary?

DME will drop you right at BLT.

I don't know about the Bell Services but maybe some else can chime in or you can ask on the DVC board.

I think walking outside directly is quicker.

 

[Cluelyss]

Hello all!

I'm looking for some input on how hard it actually is to get in to the Cali Grill Lounge (the area that doesn't require reservations). My birthday is on Saturday and I'm realizing (*quite late in the game*) that what I'd really really like to do for my birthday is head up there for some drinks and dessert and watch the fireworks. There are of course no reservations to be found on such short notice, so I'm wondering what our chances would be of getting in to the lounge. We'd just be 3 people, looking to get in around 7 and just mill around til fireworks at 9. In all honesty, what are my chances of making this happen? @lurkyloo any experience here? Previous tips and advice appreciated!

I don't have any experience with the lounge, but I will say that I have seen many coveted reservations open up very close to the date, like within 24 to 48 hours prior. So I wouldn't give up hope of snagging a reservation just yet! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

 

[Buzzed Lightbeer]

Thanks so much for that, GADisneyDad14! I truly appreciate the information and insight, and thought the pics were a nice example of what to expect even from farther away. I hope to remain in the park if possible (perhaps a mid-day pool/nap respite back at CR may help in this regard), but if that doesn't work out it is nice to know that there is still a plausible method to enjoy the show. Cheers!

 

[Roxyfire]

DME will drop you right at BLT.

I don't know about the Bell Services but maybe some else can chime in or you can ask on the DVC board.

I think walking outside directly is quicker.

Thanks, I'll take a look over there

 

[shan981]

How far is it either in minutes or actual distance to walk from Garden Wing to MK versus staying in the tower? And what do you think the odds would be of getting a 1st floor room if requested?

Yes, I'm still debating this.

Right now we have a theme park view tower room booked and I just keep wondering if it's worth it. I know that answer will vary depending on the person, but after reading about the new fireworks show being more projection based and best viewed from inside the park (at least for the first time), I just don't know that we'll even care about watching from our room. We will have a 10yo who isn't super into fireworks, and two almost 2yos who will probably be asleep most nights.

The main draw to the tower is, well, being in the tower. And having a guaranteed balcony for when the littles go to sleep. But we could switch to lake view for about a $200 savings (doesn't seem worth it to switch), or to GW for $882 savings, which is more significant. Not having to deal with the elevator with a double stroller seems like a big benefit of the GW, too, but I don't want to add on a lot of walking either.

 

[melanielll]

I have stayed in both the tower and the garden wing multiple times.

I don't find the walk time to be noticeably different. When you stay in the tower, you have to wait for the elevator. To me - that is close enough to the time it takes to walk to the garden wing. Now - some of the garden wing rooms are a bit farther away. But - again - to me - it's not a consideration. One of my kids feels as though the difference is almost unbearable. I feel that if I walk 60 miles in a week, that short distance is negligible. If you are going to be running to the Contempo Cafe or the grocery store gift shop (I can't remember the name of it) a lot - that maybe makes the walk a small consideration. But I still say it is a small one. Plus - you can send one person on those runs if you have to.

As far as the cost goes - 3 of the 4 of us feel it is worth it to stay in the tower. On the tower side of the argument it's my daughter who hates the extra walking, me who likes the view and my other daughter who likes everything about the tower. My husband just sees the dollars floating out of the sliding door and would rather stay in the garden wing. To compromise - we stay once in the garden wing for every two or three tower stays. We call it our white trash vacation when we stay in the garden wing.

We only stay facing the park. I don't feel that facing a lake is a big deal. I can do that near my home or on any number of other vacations. Plus - you can get a lake view from the garden wing.

So - not really a definite answer - in part because they are all great places to stay. If I had small kids, I would go tower so that I could easily watch the fireworks when they want to sleep. I feel that staying in the tower facing the park is the ultimate in Disney resort stays. If you can swing it financially, it is worth doing at least once.

I will add that you will be dealing with elevators and the stroller in the garden wing unless you get first floor.

 

[lurkyloo]

Hello all!

I'm looking for some input on how hard it actually is to get in to the Cali Grill Lounge (the area that doesn't require reservations). My birthday is on Saturday and I'm realizing (*quite late in the game*) that what I'd really really like to do for my birthday is head up there for some drinks and dessert and watch the fireworks. There are of course no reservations to be found on such short notice, so I'm wondering what our chances would be of getting in to the lounge. We'd just be 3 people, looking to get in around 7 and just mill around til fireworks at 9. In all honesty, what are my chances of making this happen? @lurkyloo any experience here? Previous tips and advice appreciated!

I agree with @Cluelyss. I've gotten way last0minute reservations up there too. Otherwise, I do think that showing up at the check-in desk with a birthday button when you ask about visiting the lounge might help!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We'll be at the Contemporary for the second time this December 14-17. We're doing Tower TPV again. Can't wait! Time to refresh my memory & read through all the tips & info in this thread. It helped a lot last time we were there!

Welcome back and I'll log your dates, @HadesTX.

Well I just booked our stay Dec 25th - Jan 1st next year! This is a surprise trip for hubby and our son, my sis will be going with us, her daughter turns 10 while we are there and our kids are 5 weeks apart, when our son turned 6 we were at Disney World, and now its my nieces turn to have a Bday when we are there. I booked a Theme park view room with the Deluxe Dining, I figure I have 15 months to pay for it lol why not go all out. I also have 15 months to read everything about CR!!! Fun times!

Happy planning! I'll add your dates to the Log-o-Rail, @Disneyhenry.

Hello all!

I'm looking for some input on how hard it actually is to get in to the Cali Grill Lounge (the area that doesn't require reservations). My birthday is on Saturday and I'm realizing (*quite late in the game*) that what I'd really really like to do for my birthday is head up there for some drinks and dessert and watch the fireworks. There are of course no reservations to be found on such short notice, so I'm wondering what our chances would be of getting in to the lounge. We'd just be 3 people, looking to get in around 7 and just mill around til fireworks at 9. In all honesty, what are my chances of making this happen? @lurkyloo any experience here? Previous tips and advice appreciated!

@ALegrande, I've checked-in a couple of times downstairs and been successful in being seated at the sushi bar. However, I don't think it was a Saturday night and it was just me and DD. CA Grill gets a lot of locals on the weekend who also like to sit at the bar or sushi area. Saturday night will be a challenge, along with the fact you're a party of 3 and you want to dine at the peak reservation time.

Your best hope is to get to the check-in desk as early as possible, (once you're up there, they won't kick you out) and ask if there is availability at the bar or sushi areas. If it's not too crowded up there, they'll just let you go up and then it's up to you to snag a spot. If one isn't available, there is an area with sofas where you can either wait and/or have a drink while waiting for a chair.

 

[shan981]

I have stayed in both the tower and the garden wing multiple times.

I don't find the walk time to be noticeably different. When you stay in the tower, you have to wait for the elevator. To me - that is close enough to the time it takes to walk to the garden wing. Now - some of the garden wing rooms are a bit farther away. But - again - to me - it's not a consideration. One of my kids feels as though the difference is almost unbearable. I feel that if I walk 60 miles in a week, that short distance is negligible. If you are going to be running to the Contempo Cafe or the grocery store gift shop (I can't remember the name of it) a lot - that maybe makes the walk a small consideration. But I still say it is a small one. Plus - you can send one person on those runs if you have to.

As far as the cost goes - 3 of the 4 of us feel it is worth it to stay in the tower. On the tower side of the argument it's my daughter who hates the extra walking, me who likes the view and my other daughter who likes everything about the tower. My husband just sees the dollars floating out of the sliding door and would rather stay in the garden wing. To compromise - we stay once in the garden wing for every two or three tower stays. We call it our white trash vacation when we stay in the garden wing.

We only stay facing the park. I don't feel that facing a lake is a big deal. I can do that near my home or on any number of other vacations. Plus - you can get a lake view from the garden wing.

So - not really a definite answer - in part because they are all great places to stay. If I had small kids, I would go tower so that I could easily watch the fireworks when they want to sleep. I feel that staying in the tower facing the park is the ultimate in Disney resort stays. If you can swing it financially, it is worth doing at least once.

I will add that you will be dealing with elevators and the stroller in the garden wing unless you get first floor.

Thank you for the detailed insight! I am leaning toward keeping things the same, because like you said, I would consider the theme park view the ultimate Disney experience. But, with our twins only being 2 at the time, I know they won't remember this trip, so I wonder if we should save it for later. But my older DS being 10 will probably fully appreciate it, even though he's not overly crazy about fireworks. Who knows though, he may feel differently about DISNEY fireworks.

 

[melanielll]

What you 10 year old may like is how much other stuff is going on from the theme park side of the tower. You can watch the monorail go around the lagoon, the bus stops for the MK are within site, early morning there are all sorts of things going on in the park (hopefully he is letting you sleep then - but if not - lots of cranes and testing of projection shows), you can see the Astro Orbiter, etc. There is a lot happening. I have a kid who does not like fireworks, but likes them from that distance and perspective. Enjoy!

 

[ALegrande]

I agree with @Cluelyss. I've gotten way last0minute reservations up there too. Otherwise, I do think that showing up at the check-in desk with a birthday button when you ask about visiting the lounge might help!

Ooh great idea about the button! thank you Carrie!

 

[ALegrande]

@ALegrande, I've checked-in a couple of times downstairs and been successful in being seated at the sushi bar. However, I don't think it was a Saturday night and it was just me and DD. CA Grill gets a lot of locals on the weekend who also like to sit at the bar or sushi area. Saturday night will be a challenge, along with the fact you're a party of 3 and you want to dine at the peak reservation time.

Your best hope is to get to the check-in desk as early as possible, (once you're up there, they won't kick you out) and ask if there is availability at the bar or sushi areas. If it's not too crowded up there, they'll just let you go up and then it's up to you to snag a spot. If one isn't available, there is an area with sofas where you can either wait and/or have a drink while waiting for a chair.[/QUOTE]

@WDWKOOK Thank you SO much for your input! I will definitely try to get there earlier than 7 then if we can't snag a last minute reservation. My spirits are lifted! :-D

 

[ALegrande]

I agree with @Cluelyss. I've gotten way last0minute reservations up there too. Otherwise, I do think that showing up at the check-in desk with a birthday button when you ask about visiting the lounge might help!

@Cluelyss That's so great to hear about the last minute reservations! I won't give up hope yet! Thank you!

 

[Disneyhenry]

I have stayed in both the tower and the garden wing multiple times.

I don't find the walk time to be noticeably different. When you stay in the tower, you have to wait for the elevator. To me - that is close enough to the time it takes to walk to the garden wing. Now - some of the garden wing rooms are a bit farther away. But - again - to me - it's not a consideration. One of my kids feels as though the difference is almost unbearable. I feel that if I walk 60 miles in a week, that short distance is negligible. If you are going to be running to the Contempo Cafe or the grocery store gift shop (I can't remember the name of it) a lot - that maybe makes the walk a small consideration. But I still say it is a small one. Plus - you can send one person on those runs if you have to.

As far as the cost goes - 3 of the 4 of us feel it is worth it to stay in the tower. On the tower side of the argument it's my daughter who hates the extra walking, me who likes the view and my other daughter who likes everything about the tower. My husband just sees the dollars floating out of the sliding door and would rather stay in the garden wing. To compromise - we stay once in the garden wing for every two or three tower stays. We call it our white trash vacation when we stay in the garden wing.

We only stay facing the park. I don't feel that facing a lake is a big deal. I can do that near my home or on any number of other vacations. Plus - you can get a lake view from the garden wing.

So - not really a definite answer - in part because they are all great places to stay. If I had small kids, I would go tower so that I could easily watch the fireworks when they want to sleep. I feel that staying in the tower facing the park is the ultimate in Disney resort stays. If you can swing it financially, it is worth doing at least once.

I will add that you will be dealing with elevators and the stroller in the garden wing unless you get first floor.

Why would you call it your white trash vacation? I just wonder, it there a huge noticeable difference in the type of people who stay in the towers vs garden wing? I myself almost chose a deluxe garden room for the space but then I remembered I GET TO PLAN THIS VACATION lol so tower room with a park view

 

[melanielll]

We call it white trash because we are fun, and we do it to pick on my husband. We also say we are slumming when we are in the garden wing. It's a joke. My husband gets into it, too. He calls the swimming pool the cement pond on those trips. One year there was a snake in the hallway at the Garden Wing. We made jokes about that for the next three trips.

 

[Cluelyss]

We love CR for the room size (which is exactly the same in GW and tower) and the proximity to MK. We are never in our room at fireworks time, so for us, we cannot justify paying more for a view that we will never use. Plus, as a family that takes midday breaks, the peace and quiet of the GW is preferable over the tower. Every time we have stayed in the GW I have requested a first floor room and been granted it. I choose it for the outdoor space, but it is also nice not having to deal with any elevators at the end of the day. Make it your only room request, and you should be fine.

 

[tgarre06]

Does anyone know if a packnplay will fit in the kitchenette in the studio? TIA!

 

[DizMomAndWife]

We'll be at the Contemporary for the second time this December 14-17. We're doing Tower TPV again. Can't wait! Time to refresh my memory & read through all the tips & info in this thread. It helped a lot last time we were there!

Woohoo! We'll be there the 13-16th! We'll be over in BLT though. Have a great trip!

 

[HadesTX]

Welcome back and I'll log your dates, @HadesTX.

Thanks!

Woohoo! We'll be there the 13-16th! We'll be over in BLT though. Have a great trip!

It's getting closer! You too!

 

[dmetcalfrn]

Please add us for BLT 10/11-15/17 for MNSSHP!! Thanks