Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[SaintsManiac]

I'm staying at Contemporary after AKL, and I'm not super excited about it... any Contemporary hype people out there? Get me excited for this stay!!

We haven't stayed at CR since 2009, but after watching Tim Tracker's video tour we knew we should switch over for our September trip!

 

[TeacherDL]

Need some advice.....

We're staying at Bay Lake Tower on our next trip. It's me, the wifey, and our daughters who will be almost 3 and 6.

The price of a 1 bedroom villa w/ a MK view, and a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view - are the exact same. Literally within about $10 of each other total.

So, what would you do? Get the 2 bedroom and extra space so the girls can have their own room, or do the 1 bedroom and have the MK view for fireworks?

Something to take into account is that my wife isn't exactly a "Disney person" the crowds and noise levels give her anxiety. She loves me dearly, so she bears with it, and overall has an ok time on these trips, but it's mostly for me and the kids. In other words, she wouldn't plan any of these trips, or try to go without me and the girls pushing for it. So, having that extra space for her to do yoga, or just take a break away from all the energy that is Disney World may also be a bonus for a 2 bedroom.

Any advice is welcome, especially from those of you w/ young kids that have stayed at BLT, or with spouses that aren't nearly as big of Disney fans as you are.

Thanks!

We just stayed in a one bedroom with a MK view....It was my husband, two daughters ages 19 and 13, oldest daughter's 19 year old boyfriend, and me. We were fine in the one bedroom. The girls and I slept on the king. Hubby slept on the pull out sofa and the boyfriend on the pull out chair. Everyone was comfy and the two bathrooms was wonderful. So, I think you'll be fine in the one bedroom.

 

[PurpleJesus]

Well if the kiddos were teens I would do the 2 bedroom. However with young ones they should be fine in the pullouts.

I finally got a TPV room at blt last year vs our usual bay lake view. With kids that young , with bedtimes early , seeing the fireworks right from the pullout couch is a treat!then you and wifey can hang out on the balcony while they sleep.

Now if they go to bed so early they won't be awake for fireworks then go with 2 br.

If 3 yr old goes to bed earlier then do 2 br and leave dw in room and take dd6 for a short walk to watch them then back to the room in no time.

We just stayed in a one bedroom with a MK view....It was my husband, two daughters ages 19 and 13, oldest daughter's 19 year old boyfriend, and me. We were fine in the one bedroom. The girls and I slept on the king. Hubby slept on the pull out sofa and the boyfriend on the pull out chair. Everyone was comfy and the two bathrooms was wonderful. So, I think you'll be fine in the one bedroom.

Great advice! Thanks very much to both of you.

 

[paradesintherain]

If you reserved a Bay Lake Tower room at any rate and it was confirmed in the Disney central reservation system (CRS) then you should try to get it resolved as soon as possible. Please don't just wait until you get to the Front Desk to see what can be done to fix the issue. When conferences are being held there is often no flexibility (available rooms) left in inventory.

Did you book directly with Disney Group Sales or use the conference accommodations agency? Just contact the appropriate entity and attempt to get it resolved now. It could be a quick simple fix now but not possible once you wait until your arrival date or after the Conference room block is released back into inventory.

Note: The main tower can be exciting but it can also be quite loud with very slow crowded elevators. The Garden wing has the exact same rooms and is much quieter and less crowded. Some of the Standard View Garden wing rooms have great views of the Monorails.

Dave

So, after I replied, I actually decided to try to fix it and THEY DID!

The guy said he couldn't guarantee there'll be no issues at the front desk, so hopefully this doesn't jinx it... But I'm just so thankful for that CM for taking the time to look into the issue!

 

[Vern60]

So happy to hear people enjoying their stays at the CR. We have our first visit there coming up in mid August, can't wait!
Can anyone think of a reason NOT to request a ground floor garden wing with a garden view?

 

[trishadono]

So happy to hear people enjoying their stays at the CR. We have our first visit there coming up in mid August, can't wait!
Can anyone think of a reason NOT to request a ground floor garden wing with a garden view?

It would be my 1st choice with the patio.

The only reason not to have 1st floor is noise. More people will walk along hall to get to a staircase or elevator. Also outside traffic could occur depending on where you get your room.

The price to stay out there is really good for a deluxe. You can explore the tower anytime you want to.

Make sure to go to an upper floor main building and look down over the rail. Its fun!

Also I love to take the boat from there for a ride. Often I go to WL and explore the lobby for 1/2 hr or so then just boat back.

 

[trishadono]

Its getting closer to my trip. I havent been back to Cr in a few years. I did do BLT last year. Its really is a nifty neat experience. SO different from the Poly lushness and the Grand with its garden like atmosphere/.

I usually post lots of pix so stay tuned.......

 

[Vern60]

Thanks trishadono, looking forward to the pics!
Sounds good on the ground floor. Having three playful kids (and me being a goofy Dad), always gives me a chuckle when someone mentions noise, I think we're more at guilt than offended, hehe.
Yep, we love boat rides too, one reason we like the Poly a lot too is being able to take the small boat to MK, soooo maybe I will book that Hoop De Doo show, all the years going to Disney and I've never seen it ... sounds like a blast to take a boat ride over there for some yee haaw fun.

 

[hoffj070]

So happy to hear people enjoying their stays at the CR. We have our first visit there coming up in mid August, can't wait!
Can anyone think of a reason NOT to request a ground floor garden wing with a garden view?

We stayed in a ground floor garden wing garden view room in December and loved it. We got lucky and faced the lake, so it was very quiet and peaceful in the evenings.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm about to do my room request with TP and I am definitely trying for ground floor now!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Need some advice.....

We're staying at Bay Lake Tower on our next trip. It's me, the wifey, and our daughters who will be almost 3 and 6.

The price of a 1 bedroom villa w/ a MK view, and a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view - are the exact same. Literally within about $10 of each other total.

So, what would you do? Get the 2 bedroom and extra space so the girls can have their own room, or do the 1 bedroom and have the MK view for fireworks?

Something to take into account is that my wife isn't exactly a "Disney person" the crowds and noise levels give her anxiety. She loves me dearly, so she bears with it, and overall has an ok time on these trips, but it's mostly for me and the kids. In other words, she wouldn't plan any of these trips, or try to go without me and the girls pushing for it. So, having that extra space for her to do yoga, or just take a break away from all the energy that is Disney World may also be a bonus for a 2 bedroom.

Any advice is welcome, especially from those of you w/ young kids that have stayed at BLT, or with spouses that aren't nearly as big of Disney fans as you are.

Thanks!

If you're asking what I'd do in your shoes...I'd see if there were any bay lake views. If she doesn't like crowds or noise she may be more comfortable with that side because of the lake/views than the other side. I'm not too familiar with the standard views but I hear they are on the lower floors and that makes me think that they would potentially be more prone to outside noise.

If your only 2 options are the ones you stated I'd probably still go with the 2 Bdr for the exact reasons you stated. Either way you are in a good location for fireworks viewing without the crowds.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Need some advice.....

We're staying at Bay Lake Tower on our next trip. It's me, the wifey, and our daughters who will be almost 3 and 6.

The price of a 1 bedroom villa w/ a MK view, and a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view - are the exact same. Literally within about $10 of each other total.

So, what would you do? Get the 2 bedroom and extra space so the girls can have their own room, or do the 1 bedroom and have the MK view for fireworks?

Something to take into account is that my wife isn't exactly a "Disney person" the crowds and noise levels give her anxiety. She loves me dearly, so she bears with it, and overall has an ok time on these trips, but it's mostly for me and the kids. In other words, she wouldn't plan any of these trips, or try to go without me and the girls pushing for it. So, having that extra space for her to do yoga, or just take a break away from all the energy that is Disney World may also be a bonus for a 2 bedroom.

Any advice is welcome, especially from those of you w/ young kids that have stayed at BLT, or with spouses that aren't nearly as big of Disney fans as you are.

Thanks!

Is there any reason to be worried about your daughters having access to the balcony? There will be a balcony off the second bedroom. If you think you might have to worry, you might want to go with the one bedroom since they balcony they would have access to is the same one off your bedroom. Plus the access to the corridor is right next to the exit door from their bedroom. It might be overkill with a 3 and 6 yr old.

 

[paradesintherain]

Do you guys have a favorite room in the bay lake - tower view? (not BLT DVC) or does it really matter? it seems like all the tower views are pretty good.

 

[Sammyjo199]

Anyone staying at the Contemporary now hearing anything about Brunch being discontinued? It’s been removed as a booking option and isn’t available this week or out into December. I sure hope this is just a glitch!

I have it booked for Thanksgiving day

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Do you guys have a favorite room in the bay lake - tower view? (not BLT DVC) or does it really matter? it seems like all the tower views are pretty good.

The view is pretty much the same on that entire side of the building. A little more toward BLT would give you a closer look at BTL, I suppose, while the end would put you with a slightly better view of the Garden wing. but I can't really think of why you'd choose one over the other. We've stayed near both ends and felt the view was similar. Both also offer a solid view of the water parade at night.

Where the BL view rooms differ though is perhaps the noise level.
1. On all floors, the end rooms will be quietest, because few folks walk down to the end.
2. we haven't stayed on a lower floor for quite some years, but when last we did, we could hear some noise form Chef Mickey's/4th floor dining. At the time, it was the music we heard, not the people or the monorail. Since we started staying on the upper floors, we haven't heard any music. Maybe the music is now gone or much quieter.

That said- ALL BL view rooms are not 100% quiet. You WILL HEAR the boat horns some(starting in AM and going late) AND you WILL HEAR the water parade at night. We don't mind these at all though. We're up fairly early to arrive rope drop o'clock, and also love the water parade.

We actually prefer rooms that are closest to the middle of the hotel because they are closest to the elevator. BUT... it isn't a big deal if we get stuck at the far end of the floor, because none of the rooms are all that far from the elevator. Compared to other WDW and non-WDW hotels, all walks are short (at least all rooms in the CR main tower building.)

At CR, we actually prefer BL view over theme park view, as it is quite pretty. Another bonus is that you can see the pools. Seeing the pool from our room can sometimes save us an unnecessary walk to the pool if a pop-up thunderstorm is in the area. Most FL hotels (All?) clear the pool well before the lightning arrives: often while it is still sunny! Other times, folks happily swim in the rain if no lightning!

 

[jtwibih]

We are staying at CR for the first time in a month. We are very excited about this because we have never stayed at one of the monorail resorts. We have a Garden wing room with a garden view. Does anyone have any recommendations for room requests? Does it matter where we are? I know I read that some of the rooms are double beds for accessibility purposes which we don’t want. Thanks

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Need some advice.....

We're staying at Bay Lake Tower on our next trip. It's me, the wifey, and our daughters who will be almost 3 and 6.

The price of a 1 bedroom villa w/ a MK view, and a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view - are the exact same. Literally within about $10 of each other total.

So, what would you do? Get the 2 bedroom and extra space so the girls can have their own room, or do the 1 bedroom and have the MK view for fireworks?

Something to take into account is that my wife isn't exactly a "Disney person" the crowds and noise levels give her anxiety.
Thanks!

We've never stayed at BLT, but we stay at CR, and took the BLT DVC tour, so I've seen the rooms.

I'm sure you'll be fine with either choice, but I'd probably go for the two bedroom. Those rooms are really nice.

If she doesn't like crowds, she'll probably enjoy being able to see the MK fireworks from BLT. When we stay at CR, we almost always view the fireworks from CR. It is much more relaxing to see them from CR, and not having to fight the crowds.

Even w/ the standard view rom, you'll have options at BLT/CR to see the fireworks, just not your room.

The only downside is that you might get spoiled, and she might decide she loves staying there!

 

[GoldnSilverPixieDust]

Just curious for those of you who love staying at this resort, how do you handle the sink situation? I have read that they splash more and what do you do about your toiletries (toothbrushes, cosmetics, etc). It seems like the sink area doesn't have a lot of counter space to accommodate much. Thanks.

 

[Vern60]

I'm glad you asked this as looking at pictures I have been wondering the same thing but it didn't occur to me to ask. Thanks GoldnSilverPixieDust!
My wife and I will be sharing with our 3 kids ... that's a lot of toothbrushes and what not

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just curious for those of you who love staying at this resort, how do you handle the sink situation? I have read that they splash more and what do you do about your toiletries (toothbrushes, cosmetics, etc). It seems like the sink area doesn't have a lot of counter space to accommodate much. Thanks.

Ha!

We tend to use one sink as a "counter" and one sink as the real sink.

There is decent storage on the shelf underneath the sink, although we don't tend to use it in practice (don't like to organize/put stuff away each day).