Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[B. Shoe]

A first-time poster here, as I'm just a few days from finalizing plans for a four-day stay in at the CR in October 2018 with my DD (will be 10, I hope I have my abbreviations right)!

I've spent the better part of the past two days debating between CR and BW, but the threads and comments have been very helpful in making that decision. Thanks to all of you for your help, and I look forward to learning more from all of you to make it the best trip possible!

 

[rstevens333]

A first-time poster here, as I'm just a few days from finalizing plans for a four-day stay in at the CR in October 2018 with my DD

Hope you enjoy it! CR is pretty much the best building in the world.

 

[rstevens333]

... There is also a boat that goes to Wilderness lodge correct?

You betcha. It's a smaller boat and it serves the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. (under 5 min to the Lodge, I believe.) You may even get lucky and get the singing boat captain.

If you need a change of pace and an inexpensive meal, Roaring Fork and Geyser Point in the Lodge are at least on par with the CR options. The lobby is really fun to hang out in, too.

 

[B. Shoe]

Hope you enjoy it! CR is pretty much the best building in the world.

Thank you! There's a lot I do like about BW, but the more I thought about how we'd likely spend our time (most likely starting the day early and ending our evenings at MK), along with a couple of other factors, everything points to staying at CR. Plus, we're always a monorail ride and a short walk to the BW area if we want to explore during some down time!

 

[Lupeix]

We have just confirmed our reservation at BLT for September 2018. We are so excited! A question about transportation, we have little kids and like taking midday breaks, how doable is it for AK? I heard the buses take a long time to get there and back, how long do they really take? Will renting a car be something we should do? (we will be going 1 day to seaworld)

 

[DiaryofaDisneyKid]

You betcha. It's a smaller boat and it serves the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. (under 5 min to the Lodge, I believe.) You may even get lucky and get the singing boat captain.

If you need a change of pace and an inexpensive meal, Roaring Fork and Geyser Point in the Lodge are at least on par with the CR options. The lobby is really fun to hang out in, too.

Thank-you we have reservations at Whispering Canyon (DH request). I will have to check out Roaring Fork and Geyser Point in case we want to go back. Less then 5 minutes makes that possible.

 

[Cluelyss]

You betcha. It's a smaller boat and it serves the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. (under 5 min to the Lodge, I believe.) You may even get lucky and get the singing boat captain.

If you need a change of pace and an inexpensive meal, Roaring Fork and Geyser Point in the Lodge are at least on par with the CR options. The lobby is really fun to hang out in, too.

The singing captain is one of WDW’s true hidden gems.

 

[rstevens333]

On our last trip, I started talking to one of the cast members working the window at Geyser Point... and it turned out she was dating the Singing Captain. Luckily, I only found out because I mentioned I was a fan!

 

[melana]

Hi again.
Checking into blt this morning around 830. I know my room won’t be ready...but. Where do I check in? The Contemporary orbit lobby?

 

[crazy4wdw]

Hi again.
Checking into blt this morning around 830. I know my room won’t be ready...but. Where do I check in? The Contemporary orbit lobby?

If your reservation is for the Tower or South Garden Wing, you check-in at the Tower. If your reservation is for Bay Lake Tower, you check-in there.

I hope you have a great visit!!

 

[AlixaLock]

Good morning!

I am so sorry to do this, but I searched and couldn't find the info that I am sure is already here. Can some detail what the security changes are for the Walkway to the Magic Kingdom (if there are any!) We've stayed at the Contemporary dozens of times, but I last visit was in December before the changes. How have these changes affected the time needed to make it from the hotel to the tapstiles? I was able to find details about the monorail, but not this.
Thanks!
Jen

 

[Gryhndmom]

Good morning!

I am so sorry to do this, but I searched and couldn't find the info that I am sure is already here. Can some detail what the security changes are for the Walkway to the Magic Kingdom (if there are any!) We've stayed at the Contemporary dozens of times, but I last visit was in December before the changes. How have these changes affected the time needed to make it from the hotel to the tapstiles? I was able to find details about the monorail, but not this.
Thanks!
Jen

We found the security on the walkway to MK was easy and fast. For EMH there was a total of 7 people walking to MK when we did so only added a couple of minutes. A bigger crowd will add a little more time.

 

[AlixaLock]

We found the security on the walkway to MK was easy and fast. For EMH there was a total of 7 people walking to MK when we did so only added a couple of minutes. A bigger crowd will add a little more time.

Thank you so much for this. So basically, just clarifying, there is a kiosk now along the walkway just for people walking from the Contemporary? After that you continue along the same path and go straight to the tapstiles and enter the park, no additional security?

 

[Gryhndmom]

Thank you so much for this. So basically, just clarifying, there is a kiosk now along the walkway just for people walking from the Contemporary? After that you continue along the same path and go straight to the tapstiles and enter the park, no additional security?

Really just a table to put your backpack or purse on for the security guard to look at then walk through a metal detector. (Same pathway) No additional security after that just go stand in line to scan your magic band or ticket to get into MK.

 

[AlixaLock]

Really just a table to put your backpack or purse on for the security guard to look at then walk through a metal detector. (Same pathway) No additional security after that just go stand in line to scan your magic band or ticket to get into MK.

Perfect! Thats what I was assuming. Thank you so much.

 

[ParrotBill]

Hi again.
Checking into blt this morning around 830. I know my room won’t be ready...but. Where do I check in? The Contemporary orbit lobby?

Did you register your phone number and check in online? Then no reason to check in unless you need luggage put in storage. Main lobby for that.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Good morning!

I am so sorry to do this, but I searched and couldn't find the info that I am sure is already here. Can some detail what the security changes are for the Walkway to the Magic Kingdom (if there are any!) We've stayed at the Contemporary dozens of times, but I last visit was in December before the changes. How have these changes affected the time needed to make it from the hotel to the tapstiles? I was able to find details about the monorail, but not this.
Thanks!
Jen

Your question has been answered, but just wanted to say I find the new security setup on the walkway great. Very quick/efficient. Have fun!

 

[Mrs. W]

Hello!

My husband and I will be staying at CR for the first time ever, next fall. We booked a standard view in the Garden Wing and my travel agent asked for a room request and I was totally stumped.

My questions are: is there any way to avoid a parking lot view? Also, are there any rooms with even a partial view of fireworks?

Thank you!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Hello!

My husband and I will be staying at CR for the first time ever, next fall. We booked a standard view in the Garden Wing and my travel agent asked for a room request and I was totally stumped.

My questions are: is there any way to avoid a parking lot view? Also, are there any rooms with even a partial view of fireworks?

Thank you!

The standard view rooms either overlook the south parking lot or have an obstructed view. You might luck out and be assigned a garden view. You could request a 1st floor room so you would have a patio. The 2nd and 3rd floor rooms do not have balconies. None of the garden wing rooms would have a view of the fireworks. You'd need to upgrade to a tower theme park view room in order to view the fireworks from your room.

 

[Cluelyss]

Hello!

My husband and I will be staying at CR for the first time ever, next fall. We booked a standard view in the Garden Wing and my travel agent asked for a room request and I was totally stumped.

My questions are: is there any way to avoid a parking lot view? Also, are there any rooms with even a partial view of fireworks?

Thank you!

A parking lot view = a monorail View