DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information Thread!

[flagrandma]

Our family just got back from staying at the Contemporary for the first time. Thanks to everyone on here for sharing great information. After saying for the umpteenth time, "I read about that" to my husband, he finally said, "where!?" Of course, it was on these boards, where I have been a frequent lurker.

BTW, we stayed in the Garden Wing and loved it! We thought it had a great view and was a perfect location for our family (our boys are 5, 4, and 2). You cannot beat walking to the MK!!

Stacey

Congrats!! Glad you enjoyed your stay at CR. I stayed at CR in May with my family in the tower. It was our first trip to Disney and the CR too. We loved it too.

 

[LoriZH]

Is it faster to go by bus to AK or MGM or DTD or by monorail to TTC and then bus to those places?
Of course from CR.
Thank you. 17 days and counting!!!!

we are here now and I would absolutely NOT use the bus transportation to DTD, TL, BB or AK, you could walk faster. However, I would use it for MGM, it does stop at the Poly & GF so leave yourself plenty of time to get there (maybe 45 minutes) I thought it would be faster but we did it today and that's about what it took, maybe a bit quicker. Go to the TTC or the Poly or the GF for those. The bus service here at the Contemporary is shameful, they should be catering to their many paying guests and they're not, buses at the AS's & Pop are plenty and I've never had a problem with them. We took a bus to AK from the Poly today and it was about 10 minutes! So, if we book for next year, The Contemporary is out, it's our favorite resort but the bus situation has really bummed us out, so much that we are switching resorts next time

Otherwise, on a good note, the resort has been good to us (minus bus service) our housekeeping was horrible first half of the week, but we got it sorted out, it was no big deal, they took care of it and there is a new crew this part of the week and they rock! The staff couldn't be kinder, the view is spectacular (to those who need to know, yes the odd number beds face the castle) pool has been clean, lifeguards having fun with the kids and with the exception of that stow and go or whatever it's called, the food has been great (we did CMs & in room, best buffalo wings EVAH!). We really had a great stress free vacation here with the exception again of taking the bus, it's been wonderful and I'm sad it will be over saturday. Oh forgot to mention the gift shop is nice too, lots of choices and the staff in there are absolutely wonderful! The CR is a very busy place, considering that, it's been very quite, with the exception of the drunks that came in at midnight last night screaming and woke me up, but that was over in seconds oh and the loud family who have very jumpy children or baby elephants, you hardly hear anything. I don't mind the noise from CM's it's fun and it doesn't wake us in the AM either. As far as construction, you would never even know it was going on, and those massive cranes look cool when they move! It doesn't take away from the resort imo.

Well, off to bed, very tired, hope those who have an upcoming trip have a magical one here!!!

 

[skifast22]

we are here now and I would absolutely NOT use the bus transportation to DTD, TL, BB or AK, you could walk faster. However, I would use it for MGM, it does stop at the Poly & GF so leave yourself plenty of time to get there (maybe 45 minutes) I thought it would be faster but we did it today and that's about what it took, maybe a bit quicker. Go to the TTC or the Poly or the GF for those. The bus service here at the Contemporary is shameful, they should be catering to their many paying guests and they're not, buses at the AS's & Pop are plenty and I've never had a problem with them. We took a bus to AK from the Poly today and it was about 10 minutes! So, if we book for next year, The Contemporary is out, it's our favorite resort but the bus situation has really bummed us out, so much that we are switching resorts next time

Otherwise, on a good note, the resort has been good to us (minus bus service) our housekeeping was horrible first half of the week, but we got it sorted out, it was no big deal, they took care of it and there is a new crew this part of the week and they rock! The staff couldn't be kinder, the view is spectacular (to those who need to know, yes the odd number beds face the castle) pool has been clean, lifeguards having fun with the kids and with the exception of that stow and go or whatever it's called, the food has been great (we did CMs & in room, best buffalo wings EVAH!). We really had a great stress free vacation here with the exception again of taking the bus, it's been wonderful and I'm sad it will be over saturday. Oh forgot to mention the gift shop is nice too, lots of choices and the staff in there are absolutely wonderful! The CR is a very busy place, considering that, it's been very quite, with the exception of the drunks that came in at midnight last night screaming and woke me up, but that was over in seconds oh and the loud family who have very jumpy children or baby elephants, you hardly hear anything. I don't mind the noise from CM's it's fun and it doesn't wake us in the AM either. As far as construction, you would never even know it was going on, and those massive cranes look cool when they move! It doesn't take away from the resort imo.

Well, off to bed, very tired, hope those who have an upcoming trip have a magical one here!!!

We are also here now and agree with the bus situation. I can't complain too much because it does save use alot of money from renting a car. But just yesterday we said the same thing about how we're gonna try going to the TTC then busing from there. It just takes too long going to all the other hotels first.

For all you coffee drinkers, I have some bad news. Just yesterday the Contemporary Grounds raised their prices ~ 75 cents per cup. A large regular coffee went from $3.25 to $4.00.

We just got back from the pool. We got there at 9:50, 10 minutes before the lifeguards. There were alot of ducks swimming in the pool. As soon as the life guards turned on all the fountains though, the ducks got out and hung out in the shade by the bushes. There was some poop on the pool deck, but not enough to say it was dirty. Overall I still think the pool area has been very clean.

 

[honeymo78]

What busses run from TTC? We are definitely thinking of heading over there to catch a bus if the waterpark ones stop there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What busses run from TTC? We are definitely thinking of heading over there to catch a bus if the waterpark ones stop there.

The buses that go back and fourth to the TTC come from MGM and the AK. I also want to say there is one for DTD, however I am not 100% sure about that.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

we are here now and I would absolutely NOT use the bus transportation to DTD, TL, BB or AK, you could walk faster. However, I would use it for MGM

I agree 100% about never using the bus tranportation to DTD, however my parents and I have never had problems when going to MGM or AK.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For all you coffee drinkers, I have some bad news. Just yesterday the Contemporary Grounds raised their prices ~ 75 cents per cup. A large regular coffee went from $3.25 to $4.00.

Has Contemporary Grounds moved back into the lobby, or is it still temporarily located in the convention center?

 

[shorebird]

Great info on this thread..Thanks ALL..

7 more sleeps and I'll have my first stay here !!!

 

[Marc A.]

The things I'm hearing about the bus problems scare me. Don't want to change our DD's nap times too much for ADR's if they are running so slow to AK and MGM.

 

[wishstar]

I was planning on taking a taxi to MGM for the Fantasmic show and to DTD for dinner (a different night). I didn't want a 30-40 bus ride before dinner. Does anyone know how much a taxi will cost me from the CR?

Thanks,
JC

 

[kawaba]

It is great that everyone shares their experiences with the buses but remember that the experience being shared is for the dates that the poster is at the World. You can not assume that this will be the same for your trip. We go on a yearly trip in Feb. and have never had a issue with the buses. I think there are problems when the crowds are small and they do not run enough buses so you are waiting all the time or the crowds are hugh and you are packed in like sardines.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

A taxi will cost around $15-$17 plus tip. Well worth it. Time is money at WDW.

 

[Blue Skies]

We are looking to go to Disney a year from November (2008). I was checking rates at Disney.com and the CR is booked already for the week after Thanksgiving and the first week if December.

I was not planning on booking until around the first of the year - but now I am worried because DS really wanted to stay at the CR this trip.

Is it likely that a convention is holding a large block of rooms - and that is why there is no availability? Does this happen often? Do rooms usually open up at a later time?

I guess I am just a little disappointed that we might have to choose a different resort.

 

[skifast22]

Has Contemporary Grounds moved back into the lobby, or is it still temporarily located in the convention center?

It's in the lobby, directly across from the main entrance.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It's in the lobby, directly across from the main entrance.

Thank you for that information.

 

[CrzyGmer789X2]

I've never had problems with the busses. The only thing that's annoying is with one particular driver I had. So, the Typhoon Lagoon/DTD bus comes and my mom and I get on with a bunch of people (Dad was almost throwing up sick after a huge dessert buffet at Chef Mickey's ). So then we go to Poly, and pick up people. At this point, the bus is as full as it can get without anyone standing. So then we go to DTD first, and almost everyone gets off. So then at this point, the bus is a POR/POFQ return bus from DTD & Typhoon Lagoon. So then we go to Pleasure Island and the last couple gets off, and the bus driver is waiting for 10 minutes to (try to) fill the bus. One family gets on, and asks if the bus is going back to POR/POFQ, and he says yes. So then the family sits down, and then the bus leaves. So then the bus PASSES the Typhoon Lagoon side, which we were going to (the only ones). So then at a red light, my mom kindly walks up and tells the bus driver that he needs to go back, because we've been on the bus for an hour already. So as we turn around and pull into TL, the mom who asked about the POR/POFQ was *****ing about how this isn't fair and she was told that the bus was going to POR/POFQ & blahblahblah.


I'm just gonna stop at this point because it would be irrelevant, but Typhoon Lagoon isn't that great to get to from CR, because it goes to Poly, DTD, AND PI before TL. Plan to leave at least an hour earlier if you wanna go to TL.

 

[skifast22]

Thank you for that information.

Your welcome. And btw, have you ever seen the Hallowwishes from your balcony? We just watched it about an hour ago and it was AMAZING!. We both agreed it was better than the regular wishes. The finaly takes place over the entire Magic Kingdom. From the right of Space Mountain all the way to over Adventure land. It seemed like we could even feel the heat. A truely amazing experiance to say the least.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Your welcome. And btw, have you ever seen the Hallowwishes from your balcony? We just watched it about an hour ago and it was AMAZING!. We both agreed it was better than the regular wishes. The finaly takes place over the entire Magic Kingdom. From the right of Space Mountain all the way to over Adventure land. It seemed like we could even feel the heat. A truely amazing experiance to say the least.

No I have not, but last December I have saw Holiday Wishes for MVMCP and last month I saw the special Wishes fireworks during the Pirate & Princess Party from the Magic Kingdom view rooms my parents and I have had.

 

[cheerbop]

Your welcome. And btw, have you ever seen the Hallowwishes from your balcony? We just watched it about an hour ago and it was AMAZING!. We both agreed it was better than the regular wishes. The finaly takes place over the entire Magic Kingdom. From the right of Space Mountain all the way to over Adventure land. It seemed like we could even feel the heat. A truely amazing experiance to say the least.

This is what the Pirate and Princess Party fireworks are like and also the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Fireworks....yes--VERY cool!

 

[krbq]

We are looking to go to Disney a year from November (2008). I was checking rates at Disney.com and the CR is booked already for the week after Thanksgiving and the first week if December.

I was not planning on booking until around the first of the year - but now I am worried because DS really wanted to stay at the CR this trip.

Is it likely that a convention is holding a large block of rooms - and that is why there is no availability? Does this happen often? Do rooms usually open up at a later time?

I guess I am just a little disappointed that we might have to choose a different resort.

I know how you feel because it happens to us all the time. The CR seems to be the hardest resort to get reservations in, even a year in advance. When it's this far out, I just keep calling for the dates we want since people cancel all the time. Sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't.

If your DS really has his heart set on staying there, maybe you should call CRO and try different dates to see what's available (that is, if you can be flexible with your dates). There are probably rooms available on various nights, just not the same room for the dates you're inputting. If that's the case, you might be able to split your stay: spend part of your stay in a tower room, part in the wing, or treat yourself to a few nights in concierge. Changing rooms, especially within the same resort, isn't difficult. Your DS might really get a charge out of that! Or you could split your stay between resorts: a few nights at the CR, a few nights at the Poly, the WL, FW or any other resort your DS might choose. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!