Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[WDWKOOK]

Have planned this trip for months but we've been building a house, then my son graduated from HS shortly after we moved in. Finally, I can concentrate on our first time at Contemporary Resort. Soooo looking forward to this! After 30+ Disney trips, finally we are at CR. Not looking forward to the summer crowds though!

So much to celebrate and how exciting building a new house. Don't worry about the crowds. With FP+, EMH and downtime at the resort, the crowds are less of an issue. We went over Christmas and had no crowd issues at all, of course, we always avoid the parades and fireworks (in the parks) and head to rides instead

This will be our first stay at a Deluxe Resort. Staying at the Contemporary in the Garden wing from 11/13-11/20. So excited to be staying in a "monorail" resort for the first time. Have stayed at Art of Animation, Port Orleans Riverside, and All Star Movies in the past so this feels like an exciting upgrade for my family. My wife and 3 kids are thrilled.

Welcome and I'll add your dates to the Log-orail. I guarantee your first Deluxe won't be your last and what a great Deluxe to start out with

Staying at Bay Lake Towers for the first time from 08/26-09/02 (2 previous trips in the 80s at Contemporary) with my wife, parents and 3 year old. So excited to be taking him to the place my folks took me at his age. Quick question I may have missed earlier in this thread. Everyone says a huge advantage is the MK is an easy walk, but something about taking the monorail that first day is to magical to avoid. How long is the walk from BLT to the monorail station in The Contemporary? Hard to judge the distance of that walkway from the pics.

I'll add your dates, too and welcome to the thread. The walk to the monorail platform at CR from BLT does depend a bit on where in BLT you're staying, but in general, I'd say it's about 10 minutes with elevator and escalator rides.

We went to Disney World in May and while we loved the Wilderness Lodge, I really want to stay at a monorail resort. Neither my husband or I have stayed at the Contemporary but would like to! We are trying to plan a trip for next fall, ideally September or October, and are looking to stay 8-10 days. I've done some research but want some "real world experiences." When is the cheapest time to go, and if you've stayed at the Contemporary about how much was it? I am just looking at a ball park figure, ie for room and 7 day tickets we paid $xxxxx. Thanks!

Welcome. VALUE season is the least expensive. The WDW website shows you exactly the cost of a prospective trip and even shows some available public discounts. HERE is the section for CR and you can choose the ROOM RATE tab at the top. I encourage people never to pay rack rate as there is usually some sort of discount that's applicable to most reservations. There are a few times a year that all discounts are blacked-out, like around Christmas. MouseSavers also shows all available discounts HERE.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I've been searching through the thread regarding cabana rentals, and so far I've gathered that they used to all be by the Bullseye pool, and now some are there and some are at the main pool. So all the cabanas are at the CR not at BLT?

We are staying at BLT, so we're considering this, but I had a few additional questions I couldn't find clear answers to. It says standard cabanas with amenities can be booked in advance. What are the amenities and how much do these cabanas cost? It also said standard cabanas without amenities are on a walk up basis. What is included in these cabanas, and how much are they? Are they in high demand (like how early would you need to "walk up" to be able to get one?) Lastly, where in the pool area are the cabanas located? Does anyone have pictures?

Thanks so much!!

BLT doesn't offer any cabana rentals. There are two cabanas available at the Bullseye/Bay Lake pool at CR and two available at the feature/Mickey ear pool at CR. I took the cabana photos posted in the thread near the feature pool. All the cabana information is in the RECREATION section of the thread HERE .

 

[SRUAlmn]

BLT doesn't offer any cabana rentals. There are two cabanas available at the Bullseye/Bay Lake pool at CR and two available at the feature/Mickey ear pool at CR. I took the cabana photos posted in the thread near the feature pool. All the cabana information is in the RECREATION section of the thread HERE .

Thanks, KOOK. I promise I saw that before I posted. I don't want to be one of those people who ask questions that are answered in the first post I guess I wanted to see if anyone had any pictures of where the cabanas are situated in relation to the pools. I can see where the two Bullseye ones are located in this picture - what about the other two?

I also was unclear about the standard with amenities vs no amenities. Are they the same four cabanas, and they just remove all the extras if you don't pay for them? What's included if you choose to have no amenities?
Thanks

 

[SRUAlmn]

I've been doing some digging regarding the cabanas, and this is what I found on a site called disneycontemporary.com. Can anyone confirm the accuracy? It looks fairly old since it still has all 4 cabanas listed at the bullseye pool.

It looks as though this is what you get if you choose the "no amenities" option.

This was the written info regarding pricing:
"This pool could also be considered the "adults" pool, as this is where the brand new Contemporary cabanas are located. Cabanas can be reserved by resort guests for morning (10am-2pm, $100), afternoon (3pm-7pm, $100), or all day (10am-7pm, $185) sessions. What do you get for that price? Complementary drinks (check your refrigerator!) and fruit basket, lots of luxurious pool-side seating, an IPod docking station with speakers, and a flat-screen TV. Massages (schedule in advance) and private dining can be requested -- use the phone in your cabana to call for room service."


EDITED: I called the Disney recreation line on June 12 and they clarified some of this information. There are still 4 cabanas. They do NOT have the option to rent them without the amenities. They are $158 for the half day option and $233 for the full day.

 

[bama belle]

Thanks Bama Belle! Did you find you walked to the MK or took the monorail more often?

We took the monorail a couple of times, but that was after having dinner at the Poly and GF. We walked to and from MK the other times. It's a great option if you're in a hurry to get there and when leaving MK with the crowds at night.

 

[Gryhndmom]

From outside appearances it looks like undiscounted Contemporary rooms start at about $500 a night. What sort of discounts can a person theoretically hope or expect to find and how much is the final cost per night after those are factored in?

Military discount is 40% off at deluxe resorts if rooms are available. Can be active duty or retired to use the discount.

 

[jaz0308]

So I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I just wanted to ask here...this is my first time at CR. At Poly I have never done online check in b/c I always wanted a specific longhouse and figured if I didn't get my request, i would be able to ask. i also waited no longer than 5 minutes ever to check in!

What are the CR faithfuls thoughts on online check in at CR? Are there usually long check in lines if you don't do it? My requests are a quiet room (away from Chef Mickeys) and a good castle view (we are booked in the tower/theme park view). We will be arriving long before check in, probably about 11:30. Any recommendations...do online check in or don't? Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

So I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I just wanted to ask here...this is my first time at CR. At Poly I have never done online check in b/c I always wanted a specific longhouse and figured if I didn't get my request, i would be able to ask. i also waited no longer than 5 minutes ever to check in!

What are the CR faithfuls thoughts on online check in at CR? Are there usually long check in lines if you don't do it? My requests are a quiet room (away from Chef Mickeys) and a good castle view (we are booked in the tower/theme park view). We will be arriving long before check in, probably about 11:30. Any recommendations...do online check in or don't? Thanks!

FYI, even if you do online check in if you don't like your room location you can still ask to be moved. So it's up to you whether you do online check in or not. It will have zero affect on whether you get your request granted or not.

 

[Karebear]

Just curious if the CR has volley ball in the pool? I know they have one on land, but my son really enjoys the pool ones Also, do they do campfires with marsh mellows at the CR? Thanks so much!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just curious if the CR has volley ball in the pool? I know they have one on land, but my son really enjoys the pool ones Also, do they do campfires with marsh mellows at the CR? Thanks so much!

Yes, they do have pool volleyball and the nightly free marshmallow roast is held on the beach between CR and BLT. I have photos in the Recreation section of the thread.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I called the Disney Recreation line to ask about the cabanas and got some updated info (take it as just the word of one CM,) so I updated post #475 with what I was told

 

[Karebear]

Yes, they do have pool volleyball and the nightly free marshmallow roast is held on the beach between CR and BLT. I have photos in the Recreation section of the thread.

Great--thanks so much for the info!

 

[mom2jcg]

Hi! We are Poly transplants and are staying for the first time in a 1BR standard view at BLT. I have tried to find advice on what location to request, but I am overwhelmed with so many pages of info. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks so much!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

So with the monorail schedule changes, will there be boat service to MK or will they just assume everyone will walk?

 

[jaz0308]

So with the monorail schedule changes, will there be boat service to MK or will they just assume everyone will walk?

Jumping on that question...what about getting to EPCOT before rope drop? Anyone know if they will have buses running?

 

[WDWKOOK]

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

 

[WDWKOOK]

This new schedule starts the day we arrive, in one week. I'll post if I find out more information while there.


Beginning 6/22/14: The monorail will have a different operating schedule than normal as an automation upgrade takes place.* An automated monorail will allow for faster switching times, more frequent dispatching of trains, and accurate arrival information. Additional buses and watercraft will be available during this time. This schedule will be in place for a few months, but no specific end date has been set. The schedule will be:

Epcot - 9:00am-11:00pm

Resort monorail - 9:30am-11:30pm

Express monorail - 8:30am-midnight.
Outside of these hours, alternate watercraft and bus transportation is available.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/monorail.htm#schedule

 

[YCFAN]

This new schedule starts the day we arrive, in one week. I'll post if I find out more information while there. Beginning 6/22/14: The monorail will have a different operating schedule than normal as an automation upgrade takes place.* An automated monorail will allow for faster switching times, more frequent dispatching of trains, and accurate arrival information. Additional buses and watercraft will be available during this time. This schedule will be in place for a few months, but no specific end date has been set. The schedule will be: 
Epcot - 9:00am-11:00pm
 Resort monorail - 9:30am-11:30pm
 Express monorail - 8:30am-midnight. Outside of these hours, alternate watercraft and bus transportation is available. http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/monorail.htm#schedule

For those of us who are more familiar with the Epcot resorts.........could you please explain the difference between the resort monorail and the express monorail? TIA

 

[WDWKOOK]

For those of us who are more familiar with the Epcot resorts.........could you please explain the difference between the resort monorail and the express monorail? TIA

The Express Monorail goes to the (TTC) Transportation and Ticket Center then on to the MK and back to the TTC.

The Resort Monorail goes from the TTC, to the Poly, the GF then stops at the MK, CR and back to the TTC.

 

[WDWKOOK]

A test is taking place for arrivals 6/16-6/28 that will allow guests to bypass check-in and go directly to their hotel room. This will include guests at the Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Pop Century, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas - Jambo House and Kidani Village.

Before their arrival, guests will receive a text message or email letting them know the room assignment and they can then use their MagicBands to unlock the hotel room door. For guests to be eligible for the test, they must be using My Disney Experience and have their profile completed, as well as have received their MagicBands in the mail, have done Online Check-In, set up an account PIN number and paid their balance in full. Once Online Check-In is complete, the MagicBands are active and can be used for park tickets, FastPasses, dining plan credits, etc.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/reso...disney-updates+(Disney+Updates+-+wdwinfo.com)