Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[Disney & ME]

We saw him and Smee there in Nov. We happened to be getting off the elevator in the south bank (ones closer to CR) when he, Smee, and their handler came in the door there from the path to CR. We followed them into Community Hall and visited and got pics with them. I want to say it was close to 8 (maybe 7:45 ish) when we ran into them? Not sure how long they stayed as they were still there when we left and headed up to Top of The World Lounge for appetizers and drinks. We then later ran into Peter Pan around fireworks time (9:45 ish) when we were returning to Top of the world lounge to see the fireworks. This was a Christmas party night when the fireworks start around 10 pm. Since Happily Ever After is earlier (9:15 this past week) I’d assume you’d catch the characters earlier than we did if they show at all. My understanding is that if they are ready to meet guests earlier than they need to appear at The Pirates and Pals party they will swing by BLT community hall as a surprise.

Thanks for this info. We are staying at BLT in September for our niece's first trip and she would love this. We have never stayed at BLT yet but have a quick trip in May to check it out and can't wait.

 

[suzywindy]

I could not believe that the old game room reopened at the Contemporary. We visited for dinner and my husband came to get me like he saw a ghost. Said the old game room on the 4th floor is open and I took my granddaughter immediately there. I talked to the maintenance guy there and he said they reopened around April 8th after one year of closing to make it a day care area. All the machines brought back along with the brown benches and some new additions. Made our trip! Still the same type of action without it costing an arm and a leg and something great for the children when it rains! So happy!!!

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

Hi - we've stayed in the garden wing before and had a recent offer tempt us to upgrading to a tower room. Can anyone who has stayed in the tower tell me if the elevators are a pain or is it pretty efficient? DH is concerned it would be a longer wait for elevators in the main tower, and that it would take longer than going to the garden wing.
I'm not sure it's worth the extra $ if the only difference is the view from the balcony (especially since our upgrade would be to lake view, not theme park view).
Any advice?

 

[Dave006]

The standard Tower rooms are the same size as the Garden wing rooms. The balcony is a nice place to start the morning on the Bay Lake side. The open atrium just outside of your room is also a plus over the lower ceilings in the tower room. Watching the monorails glide by always entertained the kids.

The elevators can be busy during the morning and evenings when many guests and visitors are all trying use the elevators since the monorail entrance is on the 4th floor. We have never found it longer to wait for the main tower elevators than the walk to the south garden wing or the north wing that was demolished to accommodate the BLT DVC building. Just how many times do you think you would need to go back to your room per day?

Only you can decide if the extra $s are worth spending...

Dave

 

[ninafeliz]

Hi - we've stayed in the garden wing before and had a recent offer tempt us to upgrading to a tower room. Can anyone who has stayed in the tower tell me if the elevators are a pain or is it pretty efficient? DH is concerned it would be a longer wait for elevators in the main tower, and that it would take longer than going to the garden wing.
I'm not sure it's worth the extra $ if the only difference is the view from the balcony (especially since our upgrade would be to lake view, not theme park view).
Any advice?

I haven’t stayed in the garden wing, so I can’t compare from experience, but I think my preference would be very much for the main tower. The garden wing always seemed kind of dark and dingy when we walked over to do laundry. The tower views are amazing, and the bay lake view is arguably better except for not being able to see fireworks. So peaceful and beautiful, not a road or car in sight, and the lake and pool are great views. The elevators can occasionally be a minor pain from the 1st or 4th floor going up, but never to the point of a problem. I like the iconic views over the rails inside the tower down to the monorail and 4th floor.

However, I would choose a garden wing room over a non monorail resort, etc, it’s not like I think they would be bad, just not as preferable.

 

[princessebird]

Deleted

 

[ajh88]

We are coming for our first visit at the Contemporary in a couple of weeks! I'm excited since we have never stayed here before. We are in the main tower and I have read reviews in the past that said it is "complicated" to get to the monorail. I don't know if that is accurate or not - do any of the experts here have an opinion about that? Just don't want to get confounded and lost!

 

[ninafeliz]

We are coming for our first visit at the Contemporary in a couple of weeks! I'm excited since we have never stayed here before. We are in the main tower and I have read reviews in the past that said it is "complicated" to get to the monorail. I don't know if that is accurate or not - do any of the experts here have an opinion about that? Just don't want to get confounded and lost!

I wouldn’t say complicated, you just have to go to the 4th floor and then take either an escalator or separate elevator to the monorail level. You go through security just prior to this elevator/escalator. It is a separate step, the main elevators don’t go there to the monorail level, but I wouldn’t have ever thought of it as complicated, just as the way it is. It is a PITA if you need the elevator for a stroller or wheelchair, since you occasionally get off at a terrible place for the line and either feel like you are cutting or getting the short end of the stick, but despite it having the potential to be frustrating we never found it bad, even when we went over Christmas. You also go to a different spot to get down (to the elevator rather than escalators) when you get off the monorail, but also not a big deal once you realize it the first time.

 

[MeridaCanada]

Can anyone give me any information on the showers in the Bay Lake Tower studio rooms? From my research, I see that the showers are attached to the wall and do not have a detachable head but I don’t know if this is current info or not. Thanks in advancez

They do not have a detachable shower head they just have the nozzle on the wall.

 

[MeridaCanada]

Hoping to stay here in November. Wanting to get a 2 bedroom at the BLT. How far is the walk to the monorail?

Its not too far - you go across the bridge on the 5th floor at BLT which comes out on the 4th floor at the CR. It is a short walk to the elevator or escalators up to the monorail. You'll go through security just before going up to the monorail. It is a very short walk to MK as well from BLT if you are just going to MK. It generally takes less time to walk to MK than to go to the monorail and the ride on the monorail takes more time since you have to go through three stops before getting to the MK. It is fast coming home though since CR is the first stop after MK on the resort loop.

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

The standard Tower rooms are the same size as the Garden wing rooms. The balcony is a nice place to start the morning on the Bay Lake side. The open atrium just outside of your room is also a plus over the lower ceilings in the tower room. Watching the monorails glide by always entertained the kids.

The elevators can be busy during the morning and evenings when many guests and visitors are all trying use the elevators since the monorail entrance is on the 4th floor. We have never found it longer to wait for the main tower elevators than the walk to the south garden wing or the north wing that was demolished to accommodate the BLT DVC building. Just how many times do you think you would need to go back to your room per day?

Only you can decide if the extra $s are worth spending...

Dave

Thanks for this. See - we don't go back and forth a lot during the day, but we do sometimes let someone (Mostly DH) run to get Mickey waffles and coffee while the rest of us get ready for the day, or pick up a late snack/dinner after we're done with the parks. He just doesn't want to be stuck waiting for an elevator - or being tempted to do a lot of stairs. If it isn't any more time, then it becomes easier to make my argument. He is afraid he's going to have to be waiting for everyone else at the same time in the morning - and that we'll then be late to wherever we're going. That's his main concern- when we're going either trying to get to the parks early in the am (we rope drop), or when we're getting back and tired because he feels like "everyone" else will be vying for the same elevators...


The balcony does sound nice...

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Question about the layout of the CR. MY DD has always wanted to stay here so I booked a split stay in June, 2 nights in the garden wing. So the lobby is on floor 1. Can I take escalators to Chef Mickeys or is an elevator a must too? I know monorail is on the 4th floor, where is Chef Mickeys?

 

[Dave006]

Chef Mickey's is located on the 4th floor aka the Concourse level. Yes, you can take a series of escalators from the lobby level up to the 4th floor. You don't need use the elevators.

The entrance to the Monorail station is on the 4th floor but you take an escalator or elevator up to the Monorail platform ~ the 5th floor level.

Dave

 

[Ashley Marie]

When you book a cabana over the phone, are you assigned a specific one? Or is it assigned when you check in? I was able to reserve one at the feature pool, and I thought she said “feature pool 3” but when I asked this question she said it’s assigned at check-in. If we do actually have #3, does anyone know which one this is (is it a good one to have? lol).

Second question: did I make the right choice reserving the feature pool cabana vs. the quiet pool cabana? We have two little kids, so I assumed being as close as possible to the bigger pool would be ideal since we will be in and out with them, they will want to play at the water spray area, etc.

Third: If I can choose a specific cabana number, which one would be most convenient with little kids?

 

[myheartisinFlorida]

Staying here for the very first time - 27 days to go. Cannot wait!!!

 

[DLgal]

Question about the layout of the CR. MY DD has always wanted to stay here so I booked a split stay in June, 2 nights in the garden wing. So the lobby is on floor 1. Can I take escalators to Chef Mickeys or is an elevator a must too? I know monorail is on the 4th floor, where is Chef Mickeys?

The lobby is level 1, and the concourse level is level 4, but you only go up 2 escalators. There isn't really a 3rd floor.Well, there is, but you can only access it via elevator. The gym and some admin offices are up there, but it's a level with really low ceilings and no windows, like a hidden level. Its bizarre. We called it the "other dimension" last week when we would go to the gym.

Anyway, getting up to the 4th floor is easiest using the escalators.

 

[Lovetherodent]

Thinking about this resort for my next spring break trip, which is early enough to fall into "regular" instead of "spring" season. Rack rate for the garden wing is lower than the other two monorail resorts, but looks like the discounts have been lower, 15% compared to 25%. Curious what kinds of bargains you all have managed to snag.

 

[amymgould]

Thinking about this resort for my next spring break trip, which is early enough to fall into "regular" instead of "spring" season. Rack rate for the garden wing is lower than the other two monorail resorts, but looks like the discounts have been lower, 15% compared to 25%. Curious what kinds of bargains you all have managed to snag.

Have you looked into renting DVC points and staying in BLT? I’m not sure the price compared to other discounts but when we rented a few years ago before becoming members, it was cheaper to stay at BLT than moderates and some values.

 

[SarahC97]

Thinking about this resort for my next spring break trip, which is early enough to fall into "regular" instead of "spring" season. Rack rate for the garden wing is lower than the other two monorail resorts, but looks like the discounts have been lower, 15% compared to 25%. Curious what kinds of bargains you all have managed to snag.

I booked Thanksgiving week through a travel agency that offers agency exclusives for $423/night garden wing standard view.

 

[Staren]

The lobby is level 1, and the concourse level is level 4, but you only go up 2 escalators. There isn't really a 3rd floor.Well, there is, but you can only access it via elevator. The gym and some admin offices are up there, but it's a level with really low ceilings and no windows, like a hidden level. Its bizarre. We called it the "other dimension" last week when we would go to the gym.

Anyway, getting up to the 4th floor is easiest using the escalators.

After thinking about this I’m convinced that the 3rd flooor at the CR was originally intended as backstage office and storage space. Then they needed space for the gym and it ended up on that floor.