DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information Thread!

[NJRRK]

Is the door dividing the toilet from the sinks a regular swinging door or a sliding door? I am wondering because I am thinking of buying an over the door organizer for our toiletries and this idea won't work if it's a sliding door. Thank you.

All the bathroom doors are the sliding type. Unless you're staying on the 14th floor, they might still have reguloar doors in the bathroom.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is the door dividing the toilet from the sinks a regular swinging door or a sliding door? I am wondering because I am thinking of buying an over the door organizer for our toiletries and this idea won't work if it's a sliding door. Thank you.

It's a sliding door.

 

[momto2]

Here is a link to information on the renovation of the Contemporary from Allearsnet.com and you will see pictures of the Tempo Grab & Go location on the 4th floor, with a picture of the menu saying what foods they sell there. http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/jackspence/2007/09/contemporary_resort_updates.html

Thanks. It look similar in terms of the refrigerated food, etc. The menu choices are far less, but who cares it is still the CR!

By the way you really are THE CR Resort fan 4 life - you know everything about it! Thanks for sharing

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks. It look similar in terms of the refrigerated food, etc. The menu choices are far less, but who cares it is still the CR!

By the way you really are THE CR Resort fan 4 life - you know everything about it! Thanks for sharing

You're welcome and when it comes to helping others with Contemporary info I am very happy to help.

It's also good to know they have all the items which were sold in the fridges still for sale, because if my parents and I ever stay at the Contemporary and Chef Mickey's Express is not opended yet, at least we know what foods to expect after seeing the pictures.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thinking of CR for our kids 2nd trip. 1st trip was at the Poly - loved it but want to try other Disney resorts. I'm looking at the CR and had a few questions. I'm confused by the construction - we wouldn't be going until spring 2009 so I'm in hopes it will be done by then. We did visit CR during our last trip (went to CM) but didn't walk around much as the kids were tired and wanted to go back to our room. So I have a few questions:

Are the wing rooms far from the main lobby? I saw they have two categories for the wing room - std & garden view. I understand that the rooms are same decor but which rooms might be closer to the main lobby w/the restaurants & monorail? Now whats the advantage to booking the Tower room besides the view? Is it closer to the main lobby? By looking at the map it appears that but everything (distance) appears different in person - KWIM. W/the Poly map it appeared like it was spread out where it seems the longhouses were pretty close to each other. The wing rooms must be closer to the pool area.

What are the pros and cons of each type of room? Seems like the only difference is the view as the size & decor are the same & of course the price. Any words of advice to help convince my husband to try this resort. I think the kids would love it but he can't get over the outside of the resort - cement. I guess we should walked around the grounds - hows the landscaping? Anyone know if the arcade looks the same as the pics on allears.net - I know things are changing at CR. Not sure if the arcade is done. Thanks again for any info.

Joanne

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My parents and I have only stayed in the Tower, however here is what I know about the Garden rooms. Since they only have the South Garden Wing it's about a 5 minute or less walk to the Tower. The only advantage I can see to booking a room in the Tower either on the Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake side besides those great views, is that your a short elevator ride away from the 4th floor where all the shops and restaurants are and to the lobby.

What I can say say by the spring of 2009 all the construction inside should be finished, however chances are they would still be working on the outside where the North Garden Wing building use to be. However that has 100% no effect for the guests who stay in the Tower or South Garden Wing.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

My parents and I have only stayed in the Tower, however here is what I know about the Garden rooms. Since they only have the South Garden Wing it's about a 5 minute or less walk to the Tower. The only advantage I can see to booking a room in the Tower either on the Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake side besides those great views, is that your a short elevator ride away from the 4th floor where all the shops and restaurants are and to the lobby.

What I can say say by the spring of 2009 all the construction inside should be finished, however chances are they would still be working on the outside where the North Garden Wing building use to be. However that has 100% no effect for the guests who stay in the Tower or South Garden Wing.

Thanks for the info. When we were there last month it did look like the new construction may take a while. Maybe by the time we can go again DH will be open to the CR. I'm going to watch this thread for more info. Thanks again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for the info. When we were there last month it did look like the new construction may take a while. Maybe by the time we can go again DH will be open to the CR. I'm going to watch this thread for more info. Thanks again.

You're welcome. As for the construction taking a while, the new store on the 4th floor is set to open the 1st week of December and the lobby renovation should be completed sometime in November. Once that is done there won't be any construction taking place inside until the Concourse Steakhouse closes. That was suppost to happen in April 2008, however that might be delayed by a few months.

Like I said before the construction which will be there for a while is where the North Garden Wing building use to be, but once again I say that has no effect on anything which happens inside the Contemporary.

 

[momto2]

Joanne,

I have to agree with CR Resort Fan. The convenience of being in the tower and riding the elevator to catch the monorail is a pretty big plus for us. We did stay in the wings once and had a beautiful view of the garden and the lake. The rooms were identical in size as the tower rooms. At the time we went we were in the North Wing (which has been demolished for the new construction), so we didn't mind too much because it was an even closer walk to the MK then going from the lobby. That being said, I say if you can afford to stay in the tower, it is most definitely worth it. You didn't say how old (or young) your children are, but at the end of a long day, the shorter the trip to your room the better

Finally as for the outside(you mentioned your husband didn't like it), I think it is the shape, design and the wonderful idea that the monorail goes right through the hotel that screams Disney to us. We see the CR and see Disney. It is the first resort that was desgined for WDW. There was an excellent WDW special on the travel channel that explained a lot about the resort. Tell your husband to think how cool it is that they thought to design a hotel with a monorail running through it!! WOW, if that ain't magic, I don't know what is! People can take their atmosphere they claim is in other places, I'll take the magic

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

People can take their atmosphere they claim is in other places, I'll take the magic

I have always thought to myself the people who claim there is no atmosphere there and would never stay there, always go there for their amazing restaurants. Again it's just a theory of mine.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Joanne,

I have to agree with CR Resort Fan. The convenience of being in the tower and riding the elevator to catch the monorail is a pretty big plus for us. We did stay in the wings once and had a beautiful view of the garden and the lake. The rooms were identical in size as the tower rooms. At the time we went we were in the North Wing (which has been demolished for the new construction), so we didn't mind too much because it was an even closer walk to the MK then going from the lobby. That being said, I say if you can afford to stay in the tower, it is most definitely worth it. You didn't say how old (or young) your children are, but at the end of a long day, the shorter the trip to your room the better

Finally as for the outside(you mentioned your husband didn't like it), I think it is the shape, design and the wonderful idea that the monorail goes right through the hotel that screams Disney to us. We see the CR and see Disney. It is the first resort that was desgined for WDW. There was an excellent WDW special on the travel channel that explained a lot about the resort. Tell your husband to think how cool it is that they thought to design a hotel with a monorail running through it!! WOW, if that ain't magic, I don't know what is! People can take their atmosphere they claim is in other places, I'll take the magic

Thanks for the reply. Our kids would be 10, 7 & 4 when we go again unless I can convince DH to go sooner. He really wants DD2 to be a little older and hopefully will remember more - I guess that would be nice. We just got back a little over 3 weeks ago (stayed at the POly) so I guess we should probably wait. I just read about all these trips being booked and trip reports and I want to go yesterday. I keep telling him we can book for next fall & have all year to pay it off - doesn't work. Oh well - whenever we do go that will be my strategy - kind of like layaway. Thanks again for the info.

 

[JPN4265]

I have always thought to myself the people who claim there is no atmosphere there and would never stay there, always go there for their amazing restaurants. Again it's just a theory of mine.

All it takes is one time and your hooked. One of my all time favorite resorts.

 

[jenwag2007]

We will be staying at the Contemporary 3/29-4/5. Does anyone know which one of these restaurants is taking ADR's during this time period?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will be staying at the Contemporary 3/29-4/5. Does anyone know which one of these restaurants is taking ADR's during this time period?

The renovation schedule said the Concourse Steakhouse was to close somtime in April 2008, however crazy4wdw has posted something saying that the closing might delayed and that construction on the Waive has not started yet.

Disney is behind on its initial schedule for the rehabs at the CR. The new shop was supposed to be completed in August and the construction didn't start until Sept. It's rumoured that they're hoping to have it completed before Thanksgiving. Disney has not started construction of The Wave yet. They just submitted construction permits to Orange County. Its now thought that The Wave will most likely not open until mid to late summer 2008 which would delay the construction of Chef Mickey's Express.

 

[LOLA2]

Hey everyone just got back Sunday. First of all let me say we had a big surprise!!

O.k. so we are all tired and cranky and I tell my DH to stay in car while I go check in. I go up to counter and the friendly receptionist starts checking me in. Next thing I know she goes over to a manager whispers something in his ear and looks over at me. I'm thinking "is it possible that my credit card is being declined on my first day of vacation what's going on. The receptionist comes back and without a word starts typing away in computer again. Meanwhile a lady comes and leans against counter next to me bearing a clipbord in her hand. I try to look away showing I am not interested in whatever she may be advertising. She starts asking how I am doing and I say tired. She still stands there and asks if there is anything I would like, I said yes my room. Meanwhile receptionist is going crazy slow and I'm thinking hurry up before this lady next to me starts taking a survey or something. Well then the lady with the clipboard asks if I like Nascar? I'm thinking what the? No I don't but I am a packer fan I replied. I turn away again. Then she says is your family here with you. I said no they are in the car so the kids are not running around the lobby.(Can you say ADHD )
She says well you might want to go get them because I have something to tell you but I can't until your whole family is here. I'm looking at her wondering what is going on, then she says its a surprise. So I start walking towards to carthen lightbulb YOAMD now I'm sprinting towards car I yell through window grab the kids hurry, I think we won something. Family still sitting there looking at me (DH has no clue about YOAMD) I am like Hello I am serious they are waiting for us. So family hurriedly gets out of car and we run into lobby trying to look dignified while doing so. There are about 20 CMs standing by desk with balloons and clapping for us. Can you say blush. So the lady announces we are family of the day and hands us balloons and a certificate that says family of the day.
Then she proceeds to tell us we get to stay in concierge floor!! Yeah
We had somone take us up and show us room and food area.
(lady with clipboard later told me she was stalling earlier asking me questions
trying to get staff together to came to lobby, we were laughing at my crabby attitude and how she was wondering what to say to me, I felt so stupid that I was trying to brush her off, but let me tell you after this we were smiling ear to ear for the rest of the day.)

Room was nice and renovated. Watching the firworks from the balcony was better than watching in the park. Most perfect view and no crowds.

We really loved staying here, access to MK was so easy. Only negative was the ducks. There was so much ppop floating in water by pool and all around pool area I was thouroughly grossed out. I know this is hard to control but yuck. Also, the lovebugs were everwhere tottaly covered the patio furniture, no where to sit. Later we saw a ton in our room on ceiling. I had a very hard time sleeping.

We enjoyed this resort and would stay again.

 

[momto2]

How exciting As I mentioned in an earlier post, the CR is filled with magic!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hey everyone just got back Sunday. First of all let me say we had a big surprise!!

O.k. so we are all tired and cranky and I tell my DH to stay in car while I go check in. I go up to counter and the friendly receptionist starts checking me in. Next thing I know she goes over to a manager whispers something in his ear and looks over at me. I'm thinking "is it possible that my credit card is being declined on my first day of vacation what's going on. The receptionist comes back and without a word starts typing away in computer again. Meanwhile a lady comes and leans against counter next to me bearing a clipbord in her hand. I try to look away showing I am not interested in whatever she may be advertising. She starts asking how I am doing and I say tired. She still stands there and asks if there is anything I would like, I said yes my room. Meanwhile receptionist is going crazy slow and I'm thinking hurry up before this lady next to me starts taking a survey or something. Well then the lady with the clipboard asks if I like Nascar? I'm thinking what the? No I don't but I am a packer fan I replied. I turn away again. Then she says is your family here with you. I said no they are in the car so the kids are not running around the lobby.(Can you say ADHD )
She says well you might want to go get them because I have something to tell you but I can't until your whole family is here. I'm looking at her wondering what is going on, then she says its a surprise. So I start walking towards to carthen lightbulb YOAMD now I'm sprinting towards car I yell through window grab the kids hurry, I think we won something. Family still sitting there looking at me (DH has no clue about YOAMD) I am like Hello I am serious they are waiting for us. So family hurriedly gets out of car and we run into lobby trying to look dignified while doing so. There are about 20 CMs standing by desk with balloons and clapping for us. Can you say blush. So the lady announces we are family of the day and hands us balloons and a certificate that says family of the day.
Then she proceeds to tell us we get to stay in concierge floor!! Yeah
We had somone take us up and show us room and food area.
(lady with clipboard later told me she was stalling earlier asking me questions
trying to get staff together to came to lobby, we were laughing at my crabby attitude and how she was wondering what to say to me, I felt so stupid that I was trying to brush her off, but let me tell you after this we were smiling ear to ear for the rest of the day.)

Room was nice and renovated. Watching the firworks from the balcony was better than watching in the park. Most perfect view and no crowds.

We really loved staying here, access to MK was so easy. Only negative was the ducks. There was so much ppop floating in water by pool and all around pool area I was thouroughly grossed out. I know this is hard to control but yuck. Also, the lovebugs were everwhere tottaly covered the patio furniture, no where to sit. Later we saw a ton in our room on ceiling. I had a very hard time sleeping.

We enjoyed this resort and would stay again.

Congragulations.

 

[jenfur]

My family will be at CR in less than a month We are all so excited! I was wondering if they still accept fax requests? We have a theme park view, we have only stayed at a deluxe once before during the CBR refurb and is was Poly standard so we are really looking forward to the view. All I want to request is to be as high up as possible and close to the MK side. I don't want to request specific room numbers because I think thats just too much, but how should I describe the request so that they know what I am talking about?

 

[jenfur]

bump

 

[skifast22]

Describe it just as you said in your message, they'll understand I made a similar request, only to be on the Chef Mickey's side to avoid the noise from the gift shop construction when I was there. We ended up on the 9th floor, and right above Chef Mickey's. It was great