Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information & Questions

[Miffy]

I’m not sure about Contempo Cafe, but for coffee and real espresso beverages, Contemporary Grounds in the lobby is a great spot, in my opinion.

Enjoy your trip!

@GADisneyDad14: Thank you so much! I didn't know this existed.

 

[trishadono]

You are one of the nicest and most helpful people ever, thank you so much! That really helps us plan!

You are welcome. I have my next stay at blt. I love it!

 

[pixiedust2u]

Thank you for all of you great tips!! We finally past the 60 day mark. Will be putting ADR worries behind us and start to get strategies ready for park touring! We haven't been since August. This time seems quite the challenge. But Disneyfan Commando will be ready thanks to you!

So helpful and exactly the information we are looking for! We plan to hit SDMT first, then Splash Can't wait!!

 

[ElizabethG]

We're staying at Bay Lake Towers in June, in a two bedroom villa. Every sleeping area will be filled between all 9 of us, but my two sons desperately want to sleep in the living room, where the other kids will be sleeping on the chair and sleeper sofa. Is there any way to do this? It doesn't look like inflatable mattresses will fit. This is my first time at this hotel, so I have no idea on room sizes. Thank you.

You didn't say what view you have. Theme park view is on the outside of the 'C'. Lake view has most on the inner 'C', but some on the outside as well. The standard view is around the bottom on both areas. The pictures a few posts ago show the setup on the outside of the 'C'. It is a little tighter in the living room on the inside. There is no overhang on the island with chairs. The living room is a little more narrow.

 

[luckydriver]

with half the hotel shut down. do i have more or less a chance at early check into morrow. my flight gets in 830 and i assume with ME id get there by 1030

 

[trishadono]

with half the hotel shut down. do i have more or less a chance at early check into morrow. my flight gets in 830 and i assume with ME id get there by 1030

How’d it go?

Hope you have a great vaca!

 

[miked1978]

What type of coffee creamer does the market have? I need coffee mate french vanilla (liquid) and was wondering if I should buy some before staying here or can I buy it at the market.

 

[yaksack]

with half the hotel shut down. do i have more or less a chance at early check into morrow. my flight gets in 830 and i assume with ME id get there by 1030

How did it go? What was the ME wait like?

 

[nicket]

We will be staying at the CR next month and I didn't realize that it has just one big bus station versus individual park bus lines. The last time my husband and I went we stayed at All Stars and before that it had been years since I stayed onsite with my own family growing up. So that's just how I thought all the bus lines were, but guess not! We have a 2 year old so we wanted to stay at CR for walking distance to MK.

Question with all the emphasis to arrive at the bus station 90 minutes prior to a park opening if it's just a free for all station, where should we be standing to ensure late arrivals aren't just waltzing up to the bus right as it pulls up when we've been standing there for 30 minutes? Thanks!

 

[jods]

We will be staying at the CR next month and I didn't realize that it has just one big bus station versus individual park bus lines. The last time my husband and I went we stayed at All Stars and before that it had been years since I stayed onsite with my own family growing up. So that's just how I thought all the bus lines were, but guess not! We have a 2 year old so we wanted to stay at CR for walking distance to MK.

Question with all the emphasis to arrive at the bus station 90 minutes prior to a park opening if it's just a free for all station, where should we be standing to ensure late arrivals aren't just waltzing up to the bus right as it pulls up when we've been standing there for 30 minutes? Thanks!

I stayed at the CR last month. When I was there they had a person working the bus lines in the morning. They had different lines for the different parks during busy times. It was well organized and monitored. They had movable signs for bus line for each park.

 

[trishadono]

What type of coffee creamer does the market have? I need coffee mate french vanilla (liquid) and was wondering if I should buy some before staying here or can I buy it at the market.

They had the little containers of the french vanilla and regular in the Contempo. The condiments are on the backside of the coolers. It may be worth it to make a mobile order and grab what you need.

 

[nicket]

I stayed at the CR last month. When I was there they had a person working the bus lines in the morning. They had different lines for the different parks during busy times. It was well organized and monitored. They had movable signs for bus line for each park.

Great, thanks so much for the info. Glad to hear they have someone helping organize the morning rush for the bus line!

 

[slp9999]

You didn't say what view you have. Theme park view is on the outside of the 'C'. Lake view has most on the inner 'C', but some on the outside as well. The standard view is around the bottom on both areas. The pictures a few posts ago show the setup on the outside of the 'C'. It is a little tighter in the living room on the inside. There is no overhang on the island with chairs. The living room is a little more narrow.

Thank you! We have a lake view.

 

[tcrandal]

I'm noticing most of early December is sold out for DVC. Is this 50th anniversary traffic and revenge travel at work, or do they have some retail hold backs that get released as the date approaches?

 

[yaksack]

Are boats available to rent?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm noticing most of early December is sold out for DVC. Is this 50th anniversary traffic and revenge travel at work, or do they have some retail hold backs that get released as the date approaches?

Early Dec is always booked for DVC resorts close to 11 months out.

 

[firefly1010]

Hi all!

Next week, I'm going to be fulfilling a bucket list item by checking into the Contemporary with my 17 yr old DS to celebrate my 50th birthday! We are booked for the Garden Wing. I was thinking about going to the front desk to check in personally, and hoping I get hit with some pixie dust and get an upgrade? But, do I even want an upgrade, due to the construction right now? Any suggestions on how to increase my odds of getting an upgrade?? My TA was told to put BIRTHDAY all over the reservation!
As far as meals, are you able to do mobile order for the coffee shop? How is the breakfast from the Cafe?
How long does it take to get to HS or AK via the buses? I was thinking of just using Uber/Lyft to attempt to get to the parks for rope drop (we are not early risers by nature!), unless you all think the buses would get us there almost as fast?
Do the rooms have Keurigs? We're not coffee drinkers, but do like hot chocolate and could bring our own pods.
Any other tips or words of wisdom?

TIA!

 

[Dug720]

Hi all!

Next week, I'm going to be fulfilling a bucket list item by checking into the Contemporary with my 17 yr old DS to celebrate my 50th birthday! We are booked for the Garden Wing. I was thinking about going to the front desk to check in personally, and hoping I get hit with some pixie dust and get an upgrade? But, do I even want an upgrade, due to the construction right now? Any suggestions on how to increase my odds of getting an upgrade?? My TA was told to put BIRTHDAY all over the reservation!
As far as meals, are you able to do mobile order for the coffee shop? How is the breakfast from the Cafe?
How long does it take to get to HS or AK via the buses? I was thinking of just using Uber/Lyft to attempt to get to the parks for rope drop (we are not early risers by nature!), unless you all think the buses would get us there almost as fast?
Do the rooms have Keurigs? We're not coffee drinkers, but do like hot chocolate and could bring our own pods.
Any other tips or words of wisdom?

TIA!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but...

If you're not going to be happy in a Garden Wing room, change your room type at the Contemporary or change to another resort (I personally wouldn't want to be in the tower with all the renos going on). The general rule of thumb is if you ask for the upgrade, expect to pay for it.

Pretty much everyone is celebrating something at Disney every day and they cannot upgrade everyone. Yes you hear on here and other places online about all these upgrades, but what you don't hear about are the thousands of people who get exactly what they paid for.

 

[olive]

Hi all!

Next week, I'm going to be fulfilling a bucket list item by checking into the Contemporary with my 17 yr old DS to celebrate my 50th birthday! We are booked for the Garden Wing. I was thinking about going to the front desk to check in personally, and hoping I get hit with some pixie dust and get an upgrade? But, do I even want an upgrade, due to the construction right now? Any suggestions on how to increase my odds of getting an upgrade?? My TA was told to put BIRTHDAY all over the reservation!
As far as meals, are you able to do mobile order for the coffee shop? How is the breakfast from the Cafe?
How long does it take to get to HS or AK via the buses? I was thinking of just using Uber/Lyft to attempt to get to the parks for rope drop (we are not early risers by nature!), unless you all think the buses would get us there almost as fast?
Do the rooms have Keurigs? We're not coffee drinkers, but do like hot chocolate and could bring our own pods.
Any other tips or words of wisdom?

TIA!

Have a wonderful 50th!

It certainly can't hurt to ask about an upgrade! Although the only times I got an upgrade, I didn't request it. I have read that not making any specific room requests can help (I think because the room requests could limit which available rooms fit your requests), but not sure if that is true.

I haven't seen the coffee shop/Contemporary Grounds on mobile order yet, but maybe I missed it?

I believe the coffee makers all take pods, but not 100% if the brand is Keurig or Cuisinart.

Walking to MK is of course a wonderful perk from CR! And the water pageant is cute, too. I also like grabbing a dole whip at the Poly - quick hop on the monorail.

 

[Dug720]

It certainly can't hurt to ask about an upgrade! Although the only times I got an upgrade, I didn't request it. I have read that not making any specific room requests can help (I think because the room requests could limit which available rooms fit your requests), but not sure if that is true.

Probably depends on how specific the requests are. If they are general (like "Third Floor" - talking Poly here - then there is more flexibility.

But again, if you ASK for an upgrade, be prepared to pay for it. (I've heard people say they have led with "How much would it cost to upgrade to X?" and been pixie dusted with the upgrade without being charged, but not in all cases. Pretty much all cases where someone just asks "Is there anything better available?" they are quoted the price to change to something better. Always outliers - or those who admit to pimping out their kids with having them look adorable and ask some kind of "Can we see the castle from our room Daddy?" of course.) So basically a) book the type room you will be happy with and b) if you're going to ask, ask how much it would be and don't assume you'll get pixie dusted. Be prepared to pay.

Edit: And yes. I'm practicing what I'm preaching. I'm booked at the Poly for my 50th in July - checking in opening day. I was in a Standard View, but decided I'd rather pay more for a Pool/Marina View. Would I love a TPV? Sure, and if they pixie dust me with one, I'm not going to go and ask to be downgraded. BUT I'm happy with a Pool/Marina View and will not go and ask for something better because I'm celebrating. I trust that my TA has it noted, and I'll let magic happen where it will.