Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[KurtC]

Returned home yesterday.

Brief summary.

Arrived last Sunday at Orlando airport and when we approached the line for the Magical Express it was very long, but made it thru checkin in about 10 min.
5 min. wait till we boarded the bus, and off we went.

We did on line check in and as we were approaching the resort our phone texts told us our room was ready

We walked in the lobby and took the elevator to the 6th. floor and were in room 4205.
Neat how the first two numbers add up to your floor.
Opened the door loved the room. Yup the bathroom sinks are goofy.

Dropped off our bags and grabbed our coats (47 degrees and windy) off to Animal Kingdom.
Went to bus transportation and as we walked up Animal kingdom bus was there, got right on.
With construction on the roads took us 35 min to get to the Kingdom.

Got a quick lunch, rode Dinosaur, 5 min wait.
Walked the tour with all the birds from bats on to other birds I cannot remember

Our fast pass was for 4:30 for Flight of Passage
We walked over at 4:15 and I was eager to try out the test banshi (sp) since I recently lost 30 pounds to make sure I fit in.
Nervously I approached sat down and the bar went all the way to the closest lock in position and the attendant goes your ok, your little......MADE MY DAY

So now we waited in line about 25 min, yup the fast pass line, when the standby line said 210 min

All I can say is IT IS SO WORTH THE WAIT.
AWESOME
AWESOME
AWESOME

Then we went to Rain forest for dinner and we had reservations and waited about 20 min.

At dinner we do not do desserts and they eagerly substituted our dessert for a Ceasar salad.
We had steaks beans and potatoes and was too much food we could not finish

As we waddled back to the bus we waited 25 min for a bus to Contemporay.



Monday we went to Hollywood studios and did Aerosmith, a couple shows, walked on star wars ride both times, and saw two different versions of the simulator.
Ate at Prime time, chicken was good, But the waiter Ryan when asked about substituting the dessert for a salad, said Disney does not do that. We asked if he could ask his manager and he said ok. Well he did not walk away far enough or give it enough time, because we could see his reflection against a wall just killing time and then he came back and said sorry. Bad cast member.

Then we went to Magic Kingdom, it was not a Halloween ticket night and walked on Mine ride and waited for Thunder mountain and space mountain.

Tuesday it warmed up it was our pool day and Halloween nights. Ate at Tonys They substituted salad for dessert.
Yup it was great.

Wednesday was EPCOT
Test Trak, Soarin, and walked the countries did THE Land and underwater fake ride, cannot remember think it was memo

Took Monorail back to Polynesean and ate at Ohanna, loved it.


Thursday was Magic Kingdom, and had a great day, and ate at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness lodge, took the Boat over and no we did not ask for ketchup and yes they substituted salad for desert


Friday was awesome.
Did the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM tour.
OMG
OMG
OMG
Was unbelievable.
Our guide KELVIN, was awesome,
I learned so much and he made the experience awesome!!!!
I thought I knew everything about Disney Magic Kingdom, but boy was I wrong.
The behind the scene tour from floats to Jungle cruise and Haunted Mansion, boy many kept secrets the visitor does not realize.
Then going down into the underground tunnels and passage ways of Magic Kingdom, it is its own city.
There was so much more to Magic kingdom I never realized.


We ate at Chrystal Palace, and love that place!!!!!

That evening the park seemed to empty out after fireworks, we walked on and of and on and off 4 times on Thunder mountain.



To sum up

We usually stay at Grand Floridian ( last 5 years) but this year wanted something different.

The Contemporary offered.
Must have been a couple cancellations, no one in rooms around us.
Friendlier employees
Easy access to all indoor locations
Two clean pools, two Jacuzzis
Abundant room soaps, shampoos, towels,

did not like
goofy sinks
And
When we checked out a cockroach was outside the door of 4206 (eweeeeeeeeeee)


Grand Floridian
Offered twice a day made service.
Nice pools, and jacuzzi
Some of workers were to busy to help with simple questions.
Room never got turned over to 3-4 in afternoon, and then evening maid service was at 6????
Had to go building to building if you were not in main building and when it rained you got wet.


So next year where to stay?

Of course the Contemporary, those workers are awesome and love the resort.
(minus the cockroach)


Have a great day, we had a great vacation!!!!!!



Sue

Great trip report! I have an odd question about the Keys to the Kingdom tour, how fast is the walking pace during the tour? My wife and I are signed up for that tour next month and my wife has arthritis in her knee. I am not worried about her making the distance, but she can't always walk as fast as most folks. Thanks!

 

[Lyons Family]

We had Kelvin as our tour guide and he used to play football, and since those days he kinda is a little out of shape.

We waked leisurely to spot to spot and many of the talking parts there were chairs and tables to rest.

We had three bathroom breaks and they included lunch which you got to pick from a list of options, so if you are on Disney plan you will save a counter service.

We went behind the scenes and ended up in the tunnels beneath Magic Kingdom AWESOME,

There were two staircases we had to descend and then ascend at the end of the tour.

They provide power pack head phones so you can hear everything.

Well worth the cost and there were some elderly folks that participated in our group and he walked steadily and slowly and no one had a problem.

The furtherest distance we walked without a stop was from in front of Cinderellas castle to the jungle ride and that took about 5 min.

Remember he was the leader and we were his chick-aDees, he was dodging guest along the way and we followed.

Enjoy, we did.

Safe travels.

 

[Gryhndmom]

Just booked our BLT stay for 14-21 Oct 18! We love having the ability to book 11 months out at our home resort which also works great since DH already has a vacation schedule for next year

 

[WDWKOOK]

We're coming back in April! From 4/7 - 4/15 we will call CR TPV "home".

Congratulations and welcome back, @Jan1114. I'll log your dates

Just booked our BLT stay for 14-21 Oct 18! We love having the ability to book 11 months out at our home resort which also works great since DH already has a vacation schedule for next year

YIPPEE for BLT! I'll add your dates, @Gryhndmom!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I am wondering if someone here knows... I usually book DVC, so call member services to make room requests. I booked the Contemporary for a short trip in December -- what number do I call to make a room request (knowing that there are no guarantees)? Is it a main booking number or the hotel itself?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am wondering if someone here knows... I usually book DVC, so call member services to make room requests. I booked the Contemporary for a short trip in December -- what number do I call to make a room request (knowing that there are no guarantees)? Is it a main booking number or the hotel itself?

Hi there. Main booking number will be fine: (407) 939-5277

Anything that says it’s the “hotel number” is really just routed to a call center anyway.

Hope that helps!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Hi there. Main booking number will be fine: (407) 939-5277

Anything that says it‘s the “hotel number” is really just routed to a call center anyway.

Hope that helps!

Oh cool -- perfect -- thanks so much!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Oh cool -- perfect -- thanks so much!!

BTW, if you happen to have a TPV room... remember that you can see the castle when lying in bed from the odd numbered rooms!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

BTW, if you happen to have a TPV room... remember that you can see the castle when lying in bed from the odd numbered rooms!

Ooooh!!! Awesome tip -- thank you!! This is a short mother/daughter trip with my 11 year-old -- should would LOVE that!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Disney’s Magical Express Will Now Pick Up Guests Four Hours Before Their Flight​

 

[Lyons Family]

OMG

About time

We were at the Contemporary and our time to board the magical express was 9am.

Our flight was for 11:45am.

REALLY

Then calling the number on our reservation I found out that the Contemporary would be the first of three stops to MCO.

We had TSA pre-cert., but were very concerned we would have enough time to safely get to the gate.

We did UBER, and bypassed the bus.

Cost us $37 including tip.

We included in our evaluation this time constraint, and am so happy to see the change.

TY Disney for listening

Sue

 

[KurtC]

We had Kelvin as our tour guide and he used to play football, and since those days he kinda is a little out of shape.

We waked leisurely to spot to spot and many of the talking parts there were chairs and tables to rest.

We had three bathroom breaks and they included lunch which you got to pick from a list of options, so if you are on Disney plan you will save a counter service.

We went behind the scenes and ended up in the tunnels beneath Magic Kingdom AWESOME,

There were two staircases we had to descend and then ascend at the end of the tour.

They provide power pack head phones so you can hear everything.

Well worth the cost and there were some elderly folks that participated in our group and he walked steadily and slowly and no one had a problem.

The furtherest distance we walked without a stop was from in front of Cinderellas castle to the jungle ride and that took about 5 min.

Remember he was the leader and we were his chick-aDees, he was dodging guest along the way and we followed.

Enjoy, we did.

Safe travels.

Thank you so much for the details!! It sounds awesome and now I am less concerned about the pace.

 

[AaronInWI]

OMG

About time

We were at the Contemporary and our time to board the magical express was 9am.

Our flight was for 11:45am.

REALLY

Then calling the number on our reservation I found out that the Contemporary would be the first of three stops to MCO.

We had TSA pre-cert., but were very concerned we would have enough time to safely get to the gate.

We did UBER, and bypassed the bus.

Cost us $37 including tip.

We included in our evaluation this time constraint, and am so happy to see the change.

TY Disney for listening

Sue

Back when we used to fly (we've driven the past three trips), we nearly missed our plane due to DME. We were on our bus on time, but at one of the later stops (Wilderness Lodge maybe?) we were delayed because of another guest. I don't remember the details, I just remember my wife and I being very frustrated that this person was completely disorganized, held the rest of us up, and might have made us late. The only thing that saved us was that our flight was delayed by an hour; I got the text on our way to the airport telling us this. And we still only had about 20 minutes to spare before boarding. So yeah, if we still flew I'd be 100% in favor of this.

 

[DizMomAndWife]

Has anyone shopped for groceries at Fantasia Market recently and perhaps have pictures? We're going to have to buy a few things, and I want to budget as close as possible. TIA!

 

[prmatz]

How late does luggage services stay open at BLT? Had to drop bags hoping to get them after the Christmas party tonight. Hoping to pick them up instead of waiting for drop off.

 

[Roxyfire]

How late does luggage services stay open at BLT? Had to drop bags hoping to get them after the Christmas party tonight. Hoping to pick them up instead of waiting for drop off.

They close up a lot earlier than that. So you'll have to get them the next morning.

 

[smooreo]

We leave tomorrow and arrive Sunday for our second BLT stay. So excited!

Dishwasher and laundry soap - are they still replenished if we ask? Just wondering if we should bring a couple with us.

TIA!

 

[KurtC]

The Cast Member Appreciation Party is still going strong at MK and you can hear it from CR

 

[KJeff90]

Just booked our stay for August 2018 for a 2-Bedroom Villa at Bay Lake Tower! Will be travelling with a total party of 8. I've only stayed at Pop Century on two previous trips, so this will definitely be a big step up. We had plans to stay at Art of Animation with a larger party(12), but when plans fizzled for some, we found a better deal on a 2-Bedroom at BLT than the original 3 suites we were going to get at AoA. There are plenty of first timers to WDW in our party, and there's definitely a lot of excitement.

I've already called in to put a room preference request. Apparently it's been typed as "highest non lock off villa facing north". Any opinions on this possible view? We have a lake view villa booked, but hoping for maybe a peek of MK. Was trying to avoid the harsh summer sunlight from the south, and having to look directly into other villas on the inner U of the tower.

 

[paradesintherain]

I get to return to the Contemporary nearly 10 years exactly since my last visit! We booked Tower - Bay Lake view for June 24-28! I am so excited! Last time we stayed in the Garden Wing!