DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information Thread!

[mirlow]

Mirlow: You should be aware that the CR is undergoing rehab as well. The rooms in the south wing and tower are nearly done, but the north wing hasn't been started yet. Also, the Concourse (4th floor level) is supposed to be undergoing a major rehab in the next few months (to expand Chef Mickey's, move the Concourse and Outer Rim to the 1st floor, and to move the Food 'n' Fun Center to the 4th floor). You don't mention when your trip is planned, but you might want to keep those changes in mind before changing your res from the Poly. BTW, we stayed at the Poly last fall while the renovations were going on, and we never noticed a thing. Generally, though, I don't think the CR seems to be any more busy than the Poly.

Well this is good to know. We are going to WDW and our reservations at the PR are for seven nights starting on the 13th. It sounds like it will be great once all of the remodeling is done. Now back to the planning board.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

Also, the Concourse (4th floor level) is supposed to be undergoing a major rehab in the next few months (to expand Chef Mickey's, move the Concourse and Outer Rim to the 1st floor, and to move the Food 'n' Fun Center to the 4th floor). You don't mention when your trip is planned, but you might want to keep those changes in mind before changing your res from the Poly.

WHAT??!! Do you have any more info on this? This is the first I have heard of the 4th floor restaurants being renovated/moved (I don't mean to sound like I am questioning you; I am just freaking out right now). I just switched my Sept 26th ressie from the Poly to the CR since my DH and DS's really wanted to stay in the tower, but if this type of rehab is going on, I do not want to be there.

I'm still hoping this is a joke and I got sucked in. Can someone please give me some insight?

Thanks.

 

[zizzyx]

I have reserved a junior suite in the garden wings. A quick question. Do you enter the room from the outside or a hallway? Thanks.

 

[te2077]

Do any of you know if the Chef Mickeys etc rehab will by done by the end of november?

 

[lyeag]

I have reserved a junior suite in the garden wings. A quick question. Do you enter the room from the outside or a hallway? Thanks.

The hallway. All the deluxes have interior halls I am pretty sure.

 

[liveforthemagic]

I am interested in that Chef Mickey rehab. We will be there on 10/30--any idea how extensive it is and if it will affect the "ambience"? Or maybe, it will be done by then? Its not a visit to Disney without going to Mickey's restaurant!

 

[cindyfan]

WHAT??!! Do you have any more info on this? This is the first I have heard of the 4th floor restaurants being renovated/moved (I don't mean to sound like I am questioning you; I am just freaking out right now). I just switched my Sept 26th ressie from the Poly to the CR since my DH and DS's really wanted to stay in the tower, but if this type of rehab is going on, I do not want to be there.

I'm still hoping this is a joke and I got sucked in. Can someone please give me some insight?

Thanks.

I need info too. We will be at CR next week and we weren't aware of this going on yet. Anyone know the dates??

 

[5DisneyNuts]

According to the original poster, there wasn't any sign of any rehab yet. I called the CR front desk yesterday and while the CM had heard of a proposed plan to work on the Grand Concourse, nothing was on the schedule. She told me that the room rehab's are running behind schedule so she doubted anything else would start this year.

I also emailed the CR, and will post what I hear. I mentioned on another post that I am encouraged by the announcement of a new celebration starting Oct 1st. I'm guessing WDW wouldn't be able to finish the renovation that was discussed by then and I doubt they would want one of the original hotels torn up. But again, just guessing

I think you will be fine next week. Have Fun!

 

[RCBlackburn]

We just spent a great week at DW - the Contemporary Hotel was great - loved it - loved staying in the new rooms - we had a pool view on the 3rd floor of the South Wing - it was great.

I'll be happy to answer any questions that anyone has!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

I'll be happy to answer any questions that anyone has!

I do! We have never stayed there but we are in Aug. How far was the walk to the main tower and to the MK from your room? I would assume the South is all renovated now, correct? I would like a new room b/c I heard some of the old ones are really run-down. Did you make a specific room request? Travelling with 2 girls, 7 & 4 so similar ages to yours, Did the kids enjoy this resort? Anything you wish was different that you would change for next time?

Thanks so much for sharing. I love learning from these boards.

 

[RCBlackburn]

We were in room 5319 in an adjoining room to my brother and his family. It took us about 5 minutes to walk from the room out the side/pool entrance and then over to the tower. Never a problem - not even after a long day in the park. We loved being on the side near the pool - spent time there every morning and every evening. The lifeguards were great - my 4 year old lost a brand new earring ($100 down the drain I thought) but then the lifeguard brought it over and asked if it was ours - he had seen her crying and wanted to know if that was the problem... what a lifesaver!!! Kids loved the resort - we would order room service Pizza and then take it out to the pool - we "borrowed" a life jacket from the marine for the duration of our stay so we wouldn't worry about our 4 year old - you just go to the Marine with your room key and you can have it for no charge. Some parts of the south wing are still being done but looked to be near completion - you shouldn't have a problem at all in August. We did Chef Mickey's one night - just be sure to arrive around 15 minutes prior to your reservation - the line is long!

If you plan on doing laundry - the facility is small and HOT and very crowded - we started one night at 9:00 pm and didn't finish until around midnight - there were about four other moms waiting on our stuff to finish up. You have to run the dryers through two cycles if you're drying a lot of stuff.

The only thing I would change for next visit is watching how many times I pulled out the room key to charge things - that folio on checkout was quite a surprise - you never realize how much you're charging until you get the final bill!

Any other questions out there?

 

[Mom2R&D]

We just spent a great week at DW - the Contemporary Hotel was great - loved it - loved staying in the new rooms - we had a pool view on the 3rd floor of the South Wing - it was great.

I'll be happy to answer any questions that anyone has!

We were at the CR the same dates as you! We had an 11th floor Tower/Bay Lake View Room and loved it! This was our first stay at the CR (we've been diehard ASMo fans 'til now) and will absolutely, positively stay here again.

 

[MomPlanner22]

Is the North Tower still untouched? We have requested a non-smoking room & a refurbished room (we are getting either north or south since we are in the "standard" category). What category/view did you have and what did you see out your window?

How was the food & fun center? Were there lots of options/quick snacks to pick up for the kids if need be? In particular, I wondered about little boxes or bowls of cereal. It is my kids favorite snack.

Was your room non-smoking? We have requested a non-smoking room and I heard only the second floor of the South wing is non-smoking.

Thanks in advance for helping all us other newbies out!

 

[IandGsmom]

Yipee!! All these happy, positive posts get me more and more excited to our December trip to the CR.
My only requests when I booked was a non smoking renovated room. We paid for a garden view so heres hoping to a good room...
When you all come back from your trips make sure you give us all updates on the rehabs.

 

[Christopher5927]

Now I know this has been asked before, but what is the current status of the tower rooms at the Contemporary? We have a stay in a Bay Lake Tower room in August - what are the chances that the tower refurbishement will be complete? Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Mom2R&D]

Now I know this has been asked before, but what is the current status of the tower rooms at the Contemporary? We have a stay in a Bay Lake Tower room in August - what are the chances that the tower refurbishement will be complete? Thanks for any help you can offer!

I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. The only visible construction that I could see was being done on what I believe is the sixth floor (the very first floor of the Tower that contains hotel rooms). We had a Bay Lake Tower Room on the 11th floor (Room 4706) and is was refurbished. My only word of advice is that you need to figure how to override or beat the sensor on the air conditioner. I managed to override it one day and our room was FREEZING. Every other day it was rather warm and took awhile for the room to cool down.

How was the food & fun center? Were there lots of options/quick snacks to pick up for the kids if need be? In particular, I wondered about little boxes or bowls of cereal. It is my kids favorite snack.

The Food & Fun Center was okay. We're used to the gigantic food courts at the All Stars so this was a dramatic difference for us. There are several snacks ranging from fruit to giant, frosted cupcakes as well as a selection of refrigerated items as well. I can't recall but I feel certain that little boxes of cereal were available as well. I know there were PopTarts, too.

If you order hot food there's a bit of a wait as most of it is cooked to order. There's not much to choose from but you have the basics: hamburgers, hot dogs and fries.

We were a little bummed because the frozen Coke machine was out of order at the beginning of our trip and then completely disappeared towards the end. I don't know if they have plans to replace it or not, just be aware.

That being said, I can see the need to refurbish the F&FC, it's very tiny and not really equipped to handle a large volume of traffic.

Was your room non-smoking? We have requested a non-smoking room and I heard only the second floor of the South wing is non-smoking.

We also requested a non-smoking room and it was granted. No problems there.

 

[mindystar]

We were a little bummed because the frozen Coke machine was out of order at the beginning of our trip and then completely disappeared towards the end. I don't know if they have plans to replace it or not, just be aware.

Oh, no! I love that frozen Coke machine at CR--it's the main reason for me getting a refillable mug It's a small thing that makes me happy, and if it's not replaced I'll be so sad

I guess I'll just have to make do with being at Walt Disney World -he, he!

Thanks for that bit of info though

 

[ptmmg]

which wing faces the lake where the have the parade at night?

 

[jaycns]

We were at the CR the same dates as you! We had an 11th floor Tower/Bay Lake View Room and loved it! This was our first stay at the CR (we've been diehard ASMo fans 'til now) and will absolutely, positively stay here again.

First I catch a glimpse of the photo in your signature and I think it's my very own 6 year old...then I read that you guys are die hard AS Movies fans (we are die hard ASMo and AKL fans) AND that you just took your first visit to the CR (ours will be in September). SO...all of those co-inky-dinks later, I am thinking it is good for our family that yours enjoyed your stay at the CR.

Any "comparison" kind of feelings about the two? I know they are very different...but any off the top of your head thougts?
Did your little ones like the CR as much as ASMo? Any special hints and tips for fun kids activities (not nec. the arcade or anything so obvious but something you may have stumbled upon and are willing to share).

TIA!! I am glad to hear you had a great trip! We cannot WAIT for our trip!!

 

[Mom2R&D]

First I catch a glimpse of the photo in your signature and I think it's my very own 6 year old...then I read that you guys are die hard AS Movies fans (we are die hard ASMo and AKL fans) AND that you just took your first visit to the CR (ours will be in September). SO...all of those co-inky-dinks later, I am thinking it is good for our family that yours enjoyed your stay at the CR.

Any "comparison" kind of feelings about the two? I know they are very different...but any off the top of your head thougts?
Did your little ones like the CR as much as ASMo? Any special hints and tips for fun kids activities (not nec. the arcade or anything so obvious but something you may have stumbled upon and are willing to share).

TIA!! I am glad to hear you had a great trip! We cannot WAIT for our trip!!

Weird! Maybe we're long long Disney twins?

In all honesty, I don't think I can compare CR with ASMo. My DH and I commented several times that this vacation was totally different from any other Disney vacation we've taken before. For starters, the rooms are much bigger and will hold a family of four much easier. That being said, other posters aren't kidding when they say that drawer space is minimal. Three of us were able to unpack while my oldest DS lived out of his suitcase.

I love the level of activity in and around the hotel but it's not overwhelming. There was always plenty of room wherever we went, rather it be the pool or the Food Center (even though it's small).

My two DS's (10 and 8) LOVED the pool. We went swimming every afternoon and they had no problems finding other kids to play with. And the pool is guarded by no less than three lifeguards at once. My DH and I could actually lounge on the pool deck and not watch the boys every single nano-second they were in the pool. Of course, they both loved the slide, too. And a couple of times while we were there, the lifeguards got in the pool and played with the kids. And every morning there would be two or three ducks swimming in the pool. The boys loved sitting on the balcony watching them.

We also took them out on the dock where there's a telescope (25¢ required). They got a kick out of that.

We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's our first morning and my youngest DS wanted to go back every morning because he could hear the music and activity down below. We happened to be on the fourth floor one morning when they played the "Celebrate" song and were tickled to see all of Housekeeping leaning over the inside balconies waving washcloths with the music.

They also loved watching the monorail go through the resort.

And I know that there's a special kids' night for pin trading every Friday night from 7PM til 10PM.

More than anything, I was impressed with the transportation. The first two busses we caught to MGM were empty--and stayed that way! Every other bus was timely and never full, we were always the first stop. Granted, people picked up after us might have to stand but we never did unless we offered our seats to someone else. And the longest we had to wait for a bus was from MGM back to the CR. The first bus was full (I think we shared the stop with the Poly) and it took 15-20 minutes for the next bus. Which, when you've been spoiled the whole week, seems like FOREVER!

All in all, my only beefs are these:

1. More drawer space!
2. Those stupid AC sensors (which can be overridden).
3. Housekeeping was somewhat lacking. One morning we woke up to no coffee cups (*gasp*) and no bath mat. One phone call (to a very nice housekeeping CM) fixed it.

We will definitely stay here on our next trip as the Pro's FAR outweigh the Con's. We're CR converts, all the way!

Anything else? I'm more than happy to answer!