Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[kmorlock]

Why weren't you able to change to an Epcot-area resort?

We were offered BC but, could not pass up BLT. After thinking about it, I believe my preference is more category than location. We like MK and Epcot resorts for different reasons. For some reason, this trip, MK area has been super busy. Crowds are high, and the MVMCP only adds to the swarm. CM's have even remarked how much higher crowd levels are that what were expected for this week.

We have had the good fortune to be in Villas the last few trips. BLT, BW, VWL, and BCV. The DVC 's are removed from the hustle and bustle and offer what we need most when at WDW in quiet and amenities. CR staff were amazing and kind when helping us make the room transfer. Our villas is huge! I am looking at the castle change color as I type, letting my little one take a nap. Only the boat horn in the distance and the sound of my 4th load of laundry tumble dry. We might need to become DVC soon!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Touring plans is reporting that the California Grill will soon offer a Sunday brunch. The price is on the high side - $80 per adult!

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/12/14/california-grill-to-offer-brunch/#more-102560

Edit: There is also some info posted on Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...debuts-february-7th-2016-at-california-grill/

Interesting news and thank you for posting the links. Looks like they found the Narcoossees brunch to be a success so they're trying it at CA Grill? ADRs can be made beginning 12/16 for the 2/7 debut. The price point seems like unchartered territory for WDW. Narcoossees started a Sunday brunch recently and they charge $69/adult. I wonder what percentage of tables they fill?

Why weren't you able to change to an Epcot-area resort?

We were offered BC but, could not pass up BLT. After thinking about it, I believe my preference is more category than location. We like MK and Epcot resorts for different reasons. For some reason, this trip, MK area has been super busy. Crowds are high, and the MVMCP only adds to the swarm. CM's have even remarked how much higher crowd levels are that what were expected for this week.

We have had the good fortune to be in Villas the last few trips. BLT, BW, VWL, and BCV. The DVC 's are removed from the hustle and bustle and offer what we need most when at WDW in quiet and amenities. CR staff were amazing and kind when helping us make the room transfer. Our villas is huge! I am looking at the castle change color as I type, letting my little one take a nap. Only the boat horn in the distance and the sound of my 4th load of laundry tumble dry. We might need to become DVC soon!

Glad you're happy and BLT is wonderful. Enjoy the rest of your vacation

 

[cgh]

I'm thrilled to join this thread on a bonus WDW trip at the contemporary 1/27-1/30!!!! (we are staying at the four seasons and the poly in August). My husband has a conference to go to at the contemporary and after my comments on how envious I am, he said the kids and I can tag along! He travels a lot so we can go down on miles, and his company pays for the room, so why not?!? So now I have to see if I can get some dining reservations...

Oh, and not hotel related but my youngest is getting close to needing a haircut. I'm thinking what better place for a first haircut then WDW?!?

 

[mickeynut1]

Touring plans is reporting that the California Grill will soon offer a Sunday brunch. The price is on the high side - $80 per adult!

We were offered BC but, could not pass up BLT. After thinking about it, I believe my preference is more category than location. We like MK and Epcot resorts for different reasons. For some reason, this trip, MK area has been super busy. Crowds are high, and the MVMCP only adds to the swarm. CM's have even remarked how much higher crowd levels are that what were expected for this week.

We have had the good fortune to be in Villas the last few trips. BLT, BW, VWL, and BCV. The DVC 's are removed from the hustle and bustle and offer what we need most when at WDW in quiet and amenities. CR staff were amazing and kind when helping us make the room transfer. Our villas is huge! I am looking at the castle change color as I type, letting my little one take a nap. Only the boat horn in the distance and the sound of my 4th load of laundry tumble dry. We might need to become DVC soon!

Sounds like you're having a great time at BLT! You can't beat seeing the castle and watching it change colors from your room .

Interesting news and thank you for posting the links. Looks like they found the Narcoossees brunch to be a success so they're trying it at CA Grill? ADRs can be made beginning 12/16 for the 2/7 debut. The price point seems like unchartered territory for WDW. Narcoossees started a Sunday brunch recently and they charge $69/adult. I wonder what percentage of tables they fill?



Glad you're happy and BLT is wonderful. Enjoy the rest of your vacation

Hi KOOK

I'm thrilled to join this thread on a bonus WDW trip at the contemporary 1/27-1/30!!!! (we are staying at the four seasons and the poly in August). My husband has a conference to go to at the contemporary and after my comments on how envious I am, he said the kids and I can tag along! He travels a lot so we can go down on miles, and his company pays for the room, so why not?!? So now I have to see if I can get some dining reservations...

Oh, and not hotel related but my youngest is getting close to needing a haircut. I'm thinking what better place for a first haircut then WDW?!?

How awesome that you are able to tag along with your DH . Good luck getting ADRs, but I'm sure you'll be able to get some good ones!

Have a great trip .

 

[supergirljennie]

Just booked our first stay here! We're a group of 11 people - 4 adults and 7 kids, including a toddler with Down syndrome - and we're staying in 2 Garden Wing rooms. Nov 26 - Dec 1st of next year. Super excited to be on the monorail with all our little ones!

 

[bethclayton]

We are just back from a glorious week at BLT! If anyone has any questions about the resort, I;d be happy to answer. We were in a standard view studio.

can you tell me what the kitchenette situation is in a studio? they have a microwave and toaster, correct? do they have plates and flatware? i feel like i read somewhere that they do not but now i can't find that info.

how long was your ME ride?

do you have any recommendations for QS?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[Jennasis]

can you tell me what the kitchenette situation is in a studio? they have a microwave and toaster, correct? do they have plates and flatware? i feel like i read somewhere that they do not but now i can't find that info.

how long was your ME ride?

do you have any recommendations for QS?

THANK YOU!!!

Can't help you on the ME front since we drove down in our own car. However I recall back on our honeymoon in 2005 it was a 20 minute ride from the airport on ME.

There were real glasses in the studio but only plastic flatware and plates (we grabbed extra from Contempo Cafe as needed, and we ad one set of real forks since we had a cake delivered by private dining lol). We really like the Contempo Cafe. DH had a great steak salad and I had a really good flatbread. We've also enjoyed the sandwiches and cupcakes there too!

 

[mickeynut1]

Just booked our first stay here! We're a group of 11 people - 4 adults and 7 kids, including a toddler with Down syndrome - and we're staying in 2 Garden Wing rooms. Nov 26 - Dec 1st of next year. Super excited to be on the monorail with all our little ones!

Sounds like an amazing trip! Have fun planning .

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

Hi everyone! We are boating from CR to Ft. Wilderness Campground. Does the boat go straight from CR to FW, or does it make other stops in between? Trying to determine how much time to allow. Thanks!

 

[roxymama]

Looking for BayLakeTower veteran's sage advise on online check in. We are visiting in January and I would like to do the online check in. I see the few choices for room request and wondering what people believe are good things to choose.

We are in the standard view Category and a 2 bedroom villa. All of us are mobile people and a good view is more important than noise/distance to walk. I think we would prefer not to be on the ground floor.

Any ideas?

 

[Gryhndmom]

Only 10 months and three days until BLT checkin! (19 Oct is our magical day) Disney reminded me today of how LONG the wait will be by sending the Disney planning brochure with important dates to remember with the first important date of 19 Apr for dining reservations. Thinking maybe Disney is a bit early on the sending out the information but hey they must know I'm a planning type gal!

 

[focusondisney]

Completed our first stay at the Contemporary today. We had a standard King club level room booked & from reading here, I was looking forward to a Magic Kingdom view on the 14th floor.

There was no one outside the hotel except bell services when we arrived, so we went inside. I approached a CM in a suit near checkin. He called upstairs but finally brought us up himself. He took us to the 12th floor where we were checked in. Since this was our first CR stay, I didn't question this. After the paperwork, our room (4902) was ready so the CM walked us there. I was dismayed that we stayed on the 12th floor & were down the lakeside hall above Chef Mickey's. Neither of our bands would open the door, so she took us back to her desk. That's when she realized she had brought us to 4802 & that we were supposed to be on 14. So she escorted us up there. That's when we found out we had been upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite!! However, it was a lake view, not MK view.

I was so looking forward to a MK view that I asked if the king room was available instead. It wasn't & the CM from 14 was afraid I was going to be terribly disappointed. I apologized & assured her we were thrilled to receive such a wonderful upgrade. I just watched fireworks from the lounge twice instead of from my room.

So the room was great: 2 bedrooms with 2 queen beds each, a kitchenette, dining table, living room complete with a Christmas tree, an entry hall with another full bath. There was a large balcony plus 2 smaller balconies. We had sodas & bottled water in the fridge plus the larger sized & upgraded toiletries.

We did have problems with the door & our magic bands tho. Originally, only my DH's band would open the door. The club CM called tech support & maintance 2 days in a row. After the first day, they "fixed" it so mine would work. Unfortunately, my DH's no longer worked! They called maintance again after trying a new band for DH. This time the woman from maintance didn't even try to fix anything. She basically said: as long as 1 of your bands work it's not maintance's problem. We had already spoken to 4 different CMs at the desk over 2 days of a 4 day stay. Plus it was just the 2 of us anyway & we were together all the time anyway, so we gave up at that point. But I do intend to report this after we get home. I'm hoping the Contemporary sends a survey after your stay like the YC does.

The lounge was fine, but we didn't care for their offerings very much. We are not adventurous eaters & prefer the YC's appetizers. As we returned from dinner Sunday, a few other guests got on the elevator with us. Some got off on other floors, but a family of parents & 2 teenagers got off on 14 with us & walked down the opposite hallway from us. I went to the lounge about 5 minutes later to watch the Chridtmad party fireworks & this family was there with several other guests. It was drizzling & everyone was standing close together. This family was right next to me. Just before the fireworks started, the club CM approached them & quietly offered his apologies, but said there were more guests than normal there due to the weather & that the area was reserved for guests staying on this floor. The family quietly left then. I thought the CM handled it well; if I hadn't been so close, I never would have heard him.

Loved the walk to MK, especially after the Christmas party, & seeing the water parade every night from my balcony. The boat to Wilderness Lodge was a bit of an issue Saturday. There were many people waiting. One group of 9 people said they were waiting about 30 minutes. Then 2 boats came at once & there was confusion over where each was going. So that family wasn't in the right line & by that time there wasn't room for them on the WL boat. They let the boat captain know they weren't happy. I don't know what he told them but they were leaving the dock as we pulled away.

I'm glad we tried the CR, but I think we prefer the ambience & amenities at the YC.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Hello all! We have just booked into the Contemporary for a quick trip to celebrate my husband's military retirement May 6-9. The Contemporary is his dream resort and he really wants a MK view room. Right now we are booked in a Theme Park View Atrium Club level. I'm torn though on if the extra price tag for club level is worth it, however there are no theme park view rooms besides club level with the military discount. My other option is a Bay Lake View room. Is the extra $500+ worth it for the view? I told myself I didn't mind splurging, after all he's done 20 years in the military, but I am having a hard time stomaching the price difference.

DH and I like CR CL when we don't stay at BLT. The Bonus for us doing the CL is having breakfast, snacks and "happy hour" just down the hall. We also loved being able to sit on our own balcony and watch the fireworks in our Jammies I think it would be worth the splurge especially to celebrate the 20 years in the military.

 

[JRennie]

Hello everyone. I've read mixed reviews, but could someone tell me what the noise level in CR is like? I just wonder how noisy the monorail is and how the sound between rooms is? Thank you

 

[kmorlock]

Hello everyone. I've read mixed reviews, but could someone tell me what the noise level in CR is like? I just wonder how noisy the monorail is and how the sound between rooms is? Thank you

We were 8th floor 7445 MK view. Not as much noise from monorail but you can hear it even w/door closed. The major noise for us was the cars and everyone coming & going just below our room. Car alarms were going off a lot during the MVMCP dates. Everyone parks there. We preferred BLT & would not mind Garden Wing if walk is not an issue.

 

[JenK0108]

Hello everyone. I've read mixed reviews, but could someone tell me what the noise level in CR is like? I just wonder how noisy the monorail is and how the sound between rooms is? Thank you

We're at CR right now. We're on the 11th floor of the tower, Bay Lake view, room 4706. We've been here for 2 days and have heard absolutely no noise when in the room other than the boat horns (and we've been here in the middle of the day). It's actually very peaceful. Of course, when you walk out of the room there's the noise of the monorail and Chef Mickey's, but can't hear it at all from the room. We also have a great view of EWP, as well as a side view of Illuminations in the distance.

This is our first time at CR and I really wasn't sure I would like it, but LOVING it so far. Happy to answer any questions!

 

[Scott C.]

New member to Disboards. Booked a room at the BLT Standard View 1 bedroom from Oct 15-20th with our second half of our trip staying at a Universal Resort. So excited, have been wanting to stay at the BLT for some time now. We stayed at AOA and the Dolphin in the past. What time are the fireworks typically at? What are the chances of getting a reservation at California Grill during the fireworks? Can you see them from the restaurant?

 

[courtneybeth]

We just got home from the BEST vacation and I wanted to thank everyone on this thread for their assistance as we booked a room at the Contemporary.

The Garden Wing Deluxe room was an odd room but worked perfectly for 4 adults! We had our friends pull out the sofa bed and it warranted enough space and privacy for a great trip. The second shower was tiny but allowed us to have couple 1 and couple 2 shower/dress without taking up too much time.

The Contemporary was a great hotel. May stay here again in the future but just seemed really busy and crowded.

 

[lovingeire]

Congratulations! How exciting! Just think how many future trips you can make with the new pension.

We always book BLV (with the military rate), it's our favorite WDW view. With CL, you have a view of the MK and Wishes every time you're in the lounge so I personally would not spend $125 more per day for a CL TPV room. Just think of all the fun recreation he could do like fishing, boating, golf etc.. with the savings

Thanks @WDWKOOK I was looking forward to your thoughts! Our options with the military discount were 1) Bay Lake View regular room or 2) TPV Atrium Club Level. I might call back and check on options, but I think for now we are sticking with the TPV CL. It really is a great deal! It will fulfill hubby's wish list. And really that is what matters for this trip! Now if I can just get him to be veteran of the day at MK!

Oh, and not hotel related but my youngest is getting close to needing a haircut. I'm thinking what better place for a first haircut then WDW?!?

My youngest got his first haircut at the Harmony Barbershop and it was amazing! I wish I'd waited for my middle's first cut to do it there. As a matter of fact, even my husband had his hair cut there last month!

DH and I like CR CL when we don't stay at BLT. The Bonus for us doing the CL is having breakfast, snacks and "happy hour" just down the hall. We also loved being able to sit on our own balcony and watch the fireworks in our Jammies I think it would be worth the splurge especially to celebrate the 20 years in the military.

Thank you for the feedback! We will definitely utilize the breakfast and happy hour! I figure while the little's nap my teenager and one of us can go enjoy snacks and then the adults can switch. And I'm always a fan of happy hour! Does anyone know if you can get a glass of wine during the fireworks in the evening when they have the "cordials" out? I'm not a big cordials drinker, but I love a glass of wine in the evenings! Add in Wishes and that sounds like a perfectly magical evening!

 

[tiger4me2]

Staying on 14th floor eith bay lake view or MK view. How does one do to get the MK view I know it is a gamble but I just don't want to spend the money for views of the Baylake view. I did put it in when I made the ress# MK view. Any thing else I can do ? tIA