Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[JM_97]

Why are there no balconies on 2nd and 3rd floor room in the GW? Seems like an unusual quirk

 

[Dave006]

In the late 60's they did not tend build the most buildings to support balconies. This was the standard building practice for hotels and residential buildings and it kept the construction prices down.

The A-Frame tower was unique in that the balconies fit into the design of the building. Another odd thing about the rooms at the Contemporary and the Polynesian, the rooms were built as a complete module (about 8 tons) including interior walls, electricity, and plumbing on property but not at the resort location and transported and slid into the buildings.

Dave

 

[JM_97]

In the late 60's they did not tend build the most buildings to support balconies. This was the standard building practice for hotels and residential buildings and it kept the construction prices down.

The A-Frame tower was unique in that the balconies fit into the design of the building. Another odd thing about the rooms at the Contemporary and the Polynesian, the rooms were built as a complete module (about 8 tons) including interior walls, electricity, and plumbing on property but not at the resort location and transported and slid into the buildings.

Dave

Interesting. I knew that about the Tower and the Poly.

 

[Ecomommy09]

All right! Hours extended to 8am opening. That means we walk to MK at 6:30!!! Right! Please verify for me. Thank you!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

All right! Hours extended to 8am opening. That means we walk to MK at 6:30!!! Right! Please verify for me. Thank you!

With current 9am openings they start letting you past the security station/temp check more like 45-60 mins pre park opening, not 90.

 

[closetmickey]

All right! Hours extended to 8am opening. That means we walk to MK at 6:30!!! Right! Please verify for me. Thank you!

Last week we were allowed through the temp check on the walkway from the CR at 8:15am for a 9am opening. Loved not having to get there too early in order to rope drop.

 

[aboveH20]

And if you really want to go first class they even sell corkscrews at the Fantasia Market store for any "high" priced bottles of wine.

Dave

First class and high priced wines, two things I know nothing about

They also have a corkscrew at checkout to open it for you before taking to your room.

Good to know. I have a travel corkscrew but as the result of a miscommunication with a dog I can’t grip with my right hand. Corks can be mighty feisty

 

[yaksack]

I usually buy wine based on how cool the label looks.

 

[Dug720]

I usually buy wine based on how cool the label looks.

I have been guilty of this. I do have certain types I like (all in the Reds family) and pretty much go from there.

 

[supersnoop]

Asking for a friend

Gift shop sells bottles of wine that don’t require a corkscrew, correct?

The DVC rooms, at Bay Lake Tower, come stocked with a corkscrew, even in the studios.

 

[supersnoop]

A resort can just close a pool with minimal or NO notice for an entire stay and do nothing for guests?

They have always done something; never "nothing." I've seen them give free access to the water parks when a feature pool was closed at other resorts.

 

[mickey916]

Question about arriving before check-in: We plan to check out of the Swan on a Thursday morning and will have a rental car. We will be checking in that evening at the Contemporary. Is it possible for us to drive over to the Contemporary parking lot that morning even though we can't check in until the afternoon, leave our car in the parking lot, walk over to the MK and spend the day there and then check into our room at the Contemporary that evening? I'm assuming that will be okay but thought I should check here.

 

[bcuinohio]

Question about arriving before check-in: We plan to check out of the Swan on a Thursday morning and will have a rental car. We will be checking in that evening at the Contemporary. Is it possible for us to drive over to the Contemporary parking lot that morning even though we can't check in until the afternoon, leave our car in the parking lot, walk over to the MK and spend the day there and then check into our room at the Contemporary that evening? I'm assuming that will be okay but thought I should check here.

If you’re staying there it should be fine. I have done it at the Poly without an issue.

 

[Dave006]

Is it possible for us to drive over to the Contemporary parking lot that morning..

Yes and you can. The guard will just want to check that you have a reservation which you do. You can "check-in" and yes online check-in counts any time after 6:30 AM but your room may not be available until later in the day you should get a text or see your room in MDE when it is ready.

Since you are going in May you may want to drop your luggage with Bell Services. It can be quite hot even in May and things in your luggage many not be happy after all day in the trunk.

Dave

 

[mickey916]

Yes and you can. The guard will just want to check that you have a reservation which you do. You can "check-in" and yes online check-in counts any time after 6:30 AM but your room may not be available until later in the day you should get a text or see your room in MDE when it is ready.

Since you are going in May you may want to drop your luggage with Bell Services. It can be quite hot even in May and things in your luggage many not be happy after all day in the trunk.

Dave

Thank you! Good point about dropping our luggage with Bell Services...wasn't thinking about that..we'd probably find liquid deodorant after a day in the parks!

 

[Dug720]

Gotta say, if the refurbs are as beautiful as the ones the Poly is getting, the Contemporary will definitely be on my radar for future trips!

 

[hereforthechurros]

For this who have stayed in both, do you prefer Garden Wing or BLT?

 

[Dave006]

Hmm totally different experience since BLT is a DVC building and the Garden wing is a regular Hotel room exactly like the Contemporary A-frame Tower rooms.

How many guests and do you want / need the extra amnesties of a DVC Studio or 1 BR?

Dave

 

[hereforthechurros]

Hmm totally different experience since BLT is a DVC building and the Garden wing is a regular Hotel room exactly like the Contemporary A-frame Tower rooms.

How many guests and do you want / need the extra amnesties of a DVC Studio or 1 BR?

Dave

Three guests, two adults and a child. I don’t believe we need anything extra that DVC may offer. We’ve stayed in many DVC and regular rooms and because we’re a small family the differences never really matter much.

I’ve read the BLT elevators can be a pain, but the garden wings looks so removed, and like a longer walk to MK. But views from BLT look superior.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Three guests, two adults and a child. I don’t believe we need anything extra that DVC may offer. We’ve stayed in many DVC and regular rooms and because we’re a small family the differences never really matter much.

I’ve read the BLT elevators can be a pain, but the garden wings looks so removed, and like a longer walk to MK. But views from BLT look superior.

If you are looking at a studio, your child will be sleeping on a sleeper sofa (not very comfortable, but kids can manage). The other bed will be a real queen sized bed. They will be very close to each other when the sleeper sofa is opened up. The Wing room will probably seem larger than the studio and should have two queen beds and a day bed. It just won't have the kitchenette that the studio will have.