Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[princessap]

Thanks. We are booked in the garden wing but considering moving to the tower if the discount works out cheaper. I have never stayed at the CR before but have always wanted to so really this part is for me before we move to akv for my kids.

Is it worth moving to the tower?? What are pros and cons of tower vs garden wing?? Three kids under 7 if that helps!

 

[Cluelyss]

Thanks. We are booked in the garden wing but considering moving to the tower if the discount works out cheaper. I have never stayed at the CR before but have always wanted to so really this part is for me before we move to akv for my kids. Is it worth moving to the tower?? What are pros and cons of tower vs garden wing?? Three kids under 7 if that helps!

In the tower you will be "in the action" but that could also equate to "louder" as well. I've also read about people having issues with the elevators in the tower (GW too, but not as big of a problem since there are much fewer floors! Lol!) There are some beautiful water views available in the GW, but you can get views of MK in the tower. Obviously all the pros of staying at CR apply to both - monorail access, the ability to walk to MK, etc. We chose GW for our upcoming stay b/c we still take breaks to nap in the afternoon, and wanted a quieter environment. Also, we don't plan to watch fireworks from our room, so the TPV wasn't important to us. But I can definitely see how that would be a selling point! Also, while this promo says "up to 30% off on deluxe resorts" the last RO offer was only 15% at the CR, so not sure the promo will make the tower rooms much lower in price, compared to GW. Whatever decision you make, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful stay!!

 

[gwynne]

In the tower you will be "in the action" but that could also equate to "louder" as well. I've also read about people having issues with the elevators in the tower (GW too, but not as big of a problem since there are much fewer floors! Lol!) There are some beautiful water views available in the GW, but you can get views of MK in the tower. Obviously all the pros of staying at CR apply to both - monorail access, the ability to walk to MK, etc. We chose GW for our upcoming stay b/c we still take breaks to nap in the afternoon, and wanted a quieter environment. Also, we don't plan to watch fireworks from our room, so the TPV wasn't important to us. But I can definitely see how that would be a selling point! Also, while this promo says "up to 30% off on deluxe resorts" the last RO offer was only 15% at the CR, so not sure the promo will make the tower rooms much lower in price, compared to GW. Whatever decision you make, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful stay!!

I just wanted to add that the general public fall offer that expired a couple of days ago was 30% off for the Contemporary Resort, including club level. We booked two nights with that discount.

Hopefully the next round of offers will still be at the 30% level.

 

[princessap]

I hope it is 30% off…i was going to rent points for a studio at BLT but didn't and now its not available so am hoping its good for the CR!!!

 

[Cluelyss]

I hope it is 30% off…i was going to rent points for a studio at BLT but didn't and now its not available so am hoping its good for the CR!!!

Looks like it's 30% for regular rooms,10% for suites

 

[princessap]

What does everyone think about me switching our reservation from garden wing to tower lake view?? If it's available and cheaper is it worth it to be in tower?

I have our lump sum for our trip but how will I know from my reservation what I paid per night???

 

[MountainMouse]

I think the tower studios are significantly smaller than the garden view rooms (460ish vs 340ish sqft). Also in the tower someone will be sleeping on a pullout (double) and in the garden wing you get two queen beds. Depending on where your room is in the garden you could have a few more minutes in walking back from the MK. Monorail distance is about the same. Also, you get a small but usable kitchen area in the tower, the garden gives you a mini fridge and a microwave but no counter top area or utensils. Not sure if all tower guests get access to the rooftop viewing area or just DVC members. Depends on your circumstances and preferences, but I would probably take the tower as long as the kids take the pullout.

 

[princessap]

Sorry I think I worded that wrong. I am not considering BLT. I am considering a standard room in the CR tower vs garden wing room. Sorry for that confusion.

 

[MountainMouse]

Assuming the rooms are comparable, I would take the main CR tower over the garden.

 

[coriwis]

Sorry I think I worded that wrong. I am not considering BLT. I am considering a standard room in the CR tower vs garden wing room. Sorry for that confusion.

I would also suggest a tower room. You have to deal with sometimes slow elevators but we did not care for the garden rooms when we stayed in them. We felt that those rooms were sort of forgotten about in terms of housekeeping and maintenance. Our room was pretty run down over there.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hey KOOK

Nothing booked yet for our family trip, but I did book Poly CL for a girls trip for August under that "magical" TA Labor Day deal that is offered every year. Still working on the family trip. There may be as many as 15 of us going, so that will take a little more planning .

Any trips booked or in the planning stages for you and your family?

The Poly should be nice and spiffy for your August trip - sounds like fun! No Disney trips booked/planned right now - this is a first

27 days until we arrive at BLT!

Thanks for this info about the monorail. Question - I am looking at doing Epcot evening EMH until 11 on November 5, and MK closes at 9 that day. The Epcot monorail will stop running at 10pm while Epcot is still open? I guess there will be buses after the monorail stops running? Thanks!

You're welcome. Buses are available at times when the monorail isn't.

I've been following this thread for a bit as we've booked a TPV room for early December. (We had originally booked a room at Poly CL but were really not thrilled with the amount of construction at the Poly so we switched to CR. We would have loved a TPV CL room at CR but haven't found one to date (although I check several times a day).) We really appreciate all the info in this thread and can't wait to arrive.

Thanks to all for the great questions and answers. Thanks also for all the wonderful pictures as it really helps for those of us who haven't stayed at CR yet.

Welcome to the thread and let us know if you have any unanswered questions.

I just wanted to add that the general public fall offer that expired a couple of days ago was 30% off for the Contemporary Resort, including club level. We booked two nights with that discount.

Hopefully the next round of offers will still be at the 30% level.

Just curious, you were never able to get the Military rate for your dates?

What does everyone think about me switching our reservation from garden wing to tower lake view?? If it's available and cheaper is it worth it to be in tower?

I have our lump sum for our trip but how will I know from my reservation what I paid per night???

Not sure why it would be cheaper unless you're paying rack rate for the GW. But, I would definitely recommend the Tower BLV - it's our favorite view. You'll have a guaranteed balcony and unobstructed view of beautiful Bay Lake

I think the tower studios are significantly smaller than the garden view rooms (460ish vs 340ish sqft). Also in the tower someone will be sleeping on a pullout (double) and in the garden wing you get two queen beds. Depending on where your room is in the garden you could have a few more minutes in walking back from the MK. Monorail distance is about the same.

Also, you get a small but usable kitchen area in the tower, the garden gives you a mini fridge and a microwave but no counter top area or utensils. Not sure if all tower guests get access to the rooftop viewing area or just DVC members. Depends on your circumstances and preferences, but I would probably take the tower as long as the kids take the pullout.

to the DIS and the CR/BLT thread, MountainMouse.

We usually refer to Bay Lake Tower, the DVC part of Disney's Contemporary (CR), as BLT. At CR, "The Tower" is the main building with the monorail.

You're right, those BLT Studios are smaller than any Standard room at CR and unless you need the kitchenette, it's better to get a room at CR Vs. BLT's Studio. But, none of the rooms at CR have a microwave, only the BLT rooms include one and only DVC members and their guests have access to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.

 

[princessap]

I have the garden wing booked at rack rate but if discounts are released Thursday then the tower would possibly be included where the garden wing rooms usually aren't. Make sense??

 

[WDWKOOK]

I have the garden wing booked at rack rate but if discounts are released Thursday then the tower would possibly be included where the garden wing rooms usually aren't. Make sense??

You might be surprised at what will be available with the discount. Certainly anything you can book with a discount is always better than Rack Rate

Let us know what you get

 

[princessap]

I don't think the garden wing rooms will be discounted as they are already sold out for our dates but the tower rooms aren't…fingers crossed. My plan was always to upgrade to the tower if the discount was right!! its only for our first two nights before we head to AKV!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I don't think the garden wing rooms will be discounted as they are already sold out for our dates but the tower rooms aren't…fingers crossed. My plan was always to upgrade to the tower if the discount was right!! its only for our first two nights before we head to AKV!

This change was meant to be - I can feel a happy Tower BLV announcement coming soon

 

[princessap]

I hope so!!!!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I don't think the garden wing rooms will be discounted as they are already sold out for our dates but the tower rooms aren't…fingers crossed. My plan was always to upgrade to the tower if the discount was right!! its only for our first two nights before we head to AKV!

I would definitely make the change!!!

I am still stalking for a TPV room....no luck so far....

 

[MountainMouse]

The Poly should be nice and spiffy for your August trip - sounds like fun! No Disney trips booked/planned right now - this is a first You're welcome. Buses are available at times when the monorail isn't. Welcome to the thread and let us know if you have any unanswered questions. Just curious, you were never able to get the Military rate for your dates? Not sure why it would be cheaper unless you're paying rack rate for the GW. But, I would definitely recommend the Tower BLV - it's our favorite view. You'll have a guaranteed balcony and unobstructed view of beautiful Bay Lake to the DIS and the CR/BLT thread, MountainMouse. We usually refer to Bay Lake Tower, the DVC part of Disney's Contemporary (CR), as BLT. At CR, "The Tower" is the main building with the monorail. You're right, those BLT Studios are smaller than any Standard room at CR and unless you need the kitchenette, it's better to get a room at CR Vs. BLT's Studio. But, none of the rooms at CR have a microwave, only the BLT rooms include one and only DVC members and their guests have access to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.

Thanks and I appreciate the correction and acronym education. We were just at CR in the garden wing and I could have sworn it had a little microwave over the fridge. I'm probably mistaken.

 

[princessap]

I would definitely make the change!!!

I am still stalking for a TPV room....no luck so far....

When are you going? How was your August trip?? Where did u end up staying? Lol

 

[princessap]

Okay now my next question. I have decided to upgrade but wondering if I wi be okay to wait until 7am to call or should I book a new reservation online?? Or will they even let me do that??