Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[wuzzle02]

Hi - I'd like to have a crib delivered from an outside vendor. The latest drop off time they offer is 6PM, but we won't have landed yet. Can it be dropped off at bell services without me there to pick it up? Will bell services charge us for holding it until we arrive?

 

[crazy4wdw]

My wife and I are wanting to come back to the Contemporary after our opening week of club level stay. We’ve been looking in January and February for tower club, and nothing is available. Not tower, atrium, or even non club level rooms. Is this because some of the Bay Lake view rooms are still under renovation, or is there something crazy going on that we don‘t know about? We are currently booked RPC for 4 days and BWI Garden Cottage for 3, but we would like to spend some (if not all) of that time at CR.

*Edit*: Also, forgot to add this. Has there been any news on the boats from CR to WL reopening?

The room renovations in the tower have been completed since the end of October, so the club level rooms are most likely booked. Sometimes checking for more nights than you actually need will work. You can generally book the reservation then call CRO and have the extra nights that you do not want removed.

The Contemporary is one of Disney's major convention hotels so it could be that there several meetings scheduled there during that time period.

As far as I've been reading on the boards, the boats from the CR to Wilderness Lodge are still not running.

 

[HBGdancermom]

CR is pretty easy, IMO… meaning there’s not much that’s not already obvious. I wish the CR-WL-FW boat was running because I really like to use that to make Geyser Point an extension of CRs dining options (cmon Disney!).

As far as the 4th floor observation deck…. If it’s jammed don’t be afraid to head up the exit stairwells for a better/higher view. You still get the audio from what’s playing in the general area, for the most part.

California Grill is my favorite restaurant on property, so I always try to go there whenever possible. I’m not good at booking ADRs in advance but have sometimes (not always) had success with bar seating (my fav) or the mobile walk up list feature. I don’t totally love the current prix fixe menu though.

Have fun!

As far as bar seating goes at Cali Grill, can you just go for a drink (or two )? Or do you have to order the prix fixe menu at the bar?

Thanks!

 

[sdk1231]

I'm choking over the Contemporary's New Year's Event "A Golden New Year's Eve in Wine Country" at California Grill that costs $700 per person. Unbelievable. Information is on the California Grill page.

 

[mickey916]

I'm choking over the Contemporary's New Year's Event "A Golden New Year's Eve in Wine Country" at California Grill that costs $700 per person. Unbelievable. Information is on the California Grill page.

Definitely gives some insight into what income level patron they're catering to....

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm choking over the Contemporary's New Year's Event "A Golden New Year's Eve in Wine Country" at California Grill that costs $700 per person. Unbelievable. Information is on the California Grill page.

Well, did you book?

 

[sdk1231]

Well, did you book?

Ha ha ha! I'll probably be watching the fireworks from the GF boat dock with the rest of the poor people. But hey, at least the calendar's officially been updated to show Fantasy in the Sky at 11:50 on the 30th and the 31st. The early fireworks show is still Enchantment (bummer) but I'm glad Fantasy in the Sky will be happening!

 

[trishadono]

Ha ha ha! I'll probably be watching the fireworks from the GF boat dock with the rest of the poor people. But hey, at least the calendar's officially been updated to show Fantasy in the Sky at 11:50 on the 30th and the 31st. The early fireworks show is still Enchantment (bummer) but I'm glad Fantasy in the Sky will be happening!

I’ll be at gf! I probably will ditch dh ( he could care less) and watch from Gaspies. That’s a great spot too! I usually watch Ewp from boat dock.

 

[trishadono]

I hope this is the right place to ask (if not, please point me in the right direction). We are staying at the Contemporary for New Years week this year - our first time staying at the Contemporary. I'm wondering about the 50th Anniversary Contemporary merchandise - I've seen some items I definitely want to get, but wondering about availability/if they're already selling out. I see so much popping up on resale sites (at greatly inflated prices!), so it makes me worry they are already selling out and won't be there when we get there in 3 weeks. Mostly it's a sentimental reason - I want to purchase my souvenirs THERE (somehow it doesn't feel as special buying from a reseller). Logically, I keep thinking the Anniversary celebration is supposed to last over a year, so surely they bought large quantities. But a lot of items I saw available on ShopDisney sold out before I acted on them. And there are a few things from the Contemporary merchandise I really want, and don't know if I should risk waiting to see if they are available when we get there or if I should go ahead and buy to make sure I get them. Anyone have any insight on how much is still available, or what might already be sold out?

Last weekend dd was disappointed the loungefly CR ears were sold out, I grabbed the ones from Poly before they were gone. The 3 puzzle collection I saw a few different places. It looks like the CR purse was just put out. It looks adorable!

 

[MommyMouse143]

Has garden wing update construction started yet? I keep checking back for updates- staying GW in FEB.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This was announced awhile ago and is still a year away, but just a reminder:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1474430120848986112

 

[Jennasis]

This was announced awhile ago and is still a year away, but just a reminder:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1474430120848986112

FINALLY! The resort desperately needs a pool makeover. I hope they do it justice!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FINALLY! The resort desperately needs a pool makeover. I hope they do it justice!

Unfortunately I think there’s some debate as to how much of a makeover this will be vs just “maintenance work” as the term is used in that announcement.

But I do hope there’s at least a little something other than pipes and pumps involved! Although 3ish months is a long closure, but not long enough for the wrecking ball they should bring in (sorry CR!).

 

[sdk1231]

Unfortunately I think there’s some debate as to how much of a makeover this will be vs just “maintenance work” as the term is used in that announcement.

But I do hope there’s at least a little something other than pipes and pumps involved! Although 3ish months is a long closure, but not long enough for the wrecking ball they should bring in (sorry CR!).

Is the pool that bad? I haven't ever gone and looked at it. I won't be able to check out the Contemporary this year... I'm back to the Grand Floridian for my NYE trip. My CM daughter's discount became available for the GF, so we've switched back.

 

[OKWFan88]

I’ll be staying at BLT for the first time in a few weeks. Is there construction currently going on there Or at the contemporary? We will have a 2bedroom theme park view room and wasn’t sure how far the walk is to the monorail or is it easier to just walk to magic kingdom? Thanks

 

[bcuinohio]

I’ll be staying at BLT for the first time in a few weeks. Is there construction currently going on there Or at the contemporary? We will have a 2bedroom theme park view room and wasn’t sure how far the walk is to the monorail or is it easier to just walk to magic kingdom? Thanks

It’s about a 10 minute walk to MK. Probably better to walk to MK. If you take monorail you have to stop at TTC, Poly and GF before arriving at MK. CR is first stop when leaving MK.

 

[100AcreWood]

Quick question, we stayed at CR in July. Is there a way to get to EPCOT without going through the ticket and transportation center?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Quick question, we stayed at CR in July. Is there a way to get to EPCOT without going through the ticket and transportation center?

The only way would be to take a taxi or call for an Uber. Or if you have a car, you can drive. If you use Disney Transportation, you have to change monorails at the TCC to get to Epcot.

Another option would be to walk to the Magic Kingdom and take a bus to the Yacht Club, Beach Club, or Boardwalk, and then walk to the back entrance of Epcot at the International Gateway.

 

[crazy4wdw]

I’ll be staying at BLT for the first time in a few weeks. Is there construction currently going on there Or at the contemporary? We will have a 2bedroom theme park view room and wasn’t sure how far the walk is to the monorail or is it easier to just walk to magic kingdom? Thanks

The construction in the main tower building was completed in late October. At some point, the rooms will be renovated in the garden wing. If you're going to the Magic Kingdom, the quickest way is to walk. From the CR, the monorail will stop at the TCC, Poly, and Grand Flo before the Magic Kingdom stop. When leaving the MK, I'd take the monorail. The Contemporary will be the 1st stop on the monorail system.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Is the pool that bad? I haven't ever gone and looked at it. I won't be able to check out the Contemporary this year... I'm back to the Grand Floridian for my NYE trip. My CM daughter's discount became available for the GF, so we've switched back.

Personally, I do not find the CR pools to be terrible. They simply do not have the wonderful theming that many other resorts have with their pools and pool areas. That's why CR pools are heavily criticized.

Now, if the fine folks at Disney wished to upgrade the CR main pool and leave the quiet pool "as is", I'm game. In particular, I'm very much game if the improvements were not IP based and simply presented a more modern design of a pool area.