DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT Information Thread!

[ameraumi]

It looks like our 2008 trip will mean a stay at CR! I was hoping for a WL stay, but DS was good in his debate with me: CR means castle view!

So my question: Do all of the MK view rooms have a daybed? We are a family of 4, but the kids each like having their own bed. DD will be 6 and I figured the daybed will work perfectly for her. I am also hoping to get lucky with connecting rooms with the ILs as they are coming along as well. I understand it is just a request and I am fine with that. We would just like to have the rooms as close as possible to help us out.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I have a question regarding the North Wing. I have seen that a few people have gotten ressies for the North Wing later this year, but on another thread, someone has posted pictures of destruction going on at the North Wing and I again have seen the Permit for water at the CR for DVC resurface again today. Are they going to build DVC at CR or aren't they? I'd like to see Disney leave it as it is, the way that Walt intended, but I do understand progress as well. I was just wondering what was going on?

 

[ploto]

I have a question regarding the North Wing. I have seen that a few people have gotten ressies for the North Wing later this year, but on another thread, someone has posted pictures of destruction going on at the North Wing and I again have seen the Permit for water at the CR for DVC resurface again today. Are they going to build DVC at CR or aren't they? I'd like to see Disney leave it as it is, the way that Walt intended, but I do understand progress as well. I was just wondering what was going on?

Nobody knows. There is a ton of evidence and rumers on both sides, we don't know what is true and what is a rumer. In reality we will not know untill whatever they do is complete.

I hope they leave NGW the way it is.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I was only at CR for 3 nights so I didn't bother with a hamper like I do on longer trips. I was thinking it would fit in the bathroom with the toilet-that room seemed pretty big.

we actually put a storage tote in there, and used it to get stuff out of the way, I had "tink" gifts hidden in there. we also hung the life vests for the pool on the hook.

we put our empty suitcases in the space between the headboard and the sliding glass door, the curtain hid them nicely.

I kept one suitcase out on the rack and one under it with the girls clothes in their ziplocs.

I brought clothes already on wire hangers (it made unpacking a breeze) and just left them there. I did get more with clips from Mousekeeping for shorts.

I hung a $1 store shoe holder in the closet over the safe to hold diapers, swim suits and stuff.

I used a "freedom bag" in the bathroom and hung it on the towel ladder. It kept the meds and razors away from the kids.

there is more storage than you think, you just have to get creative.

Now my poor DB had a wing King room which had an adjoining door, thier desk setup lacked the L part with the 2 drawers. so they had nothing but the 2 little drawers in the closet.

 

[american pie]

CR Experts,

I'm looking for information on the garden wing garden view rooms. Can you please tell me which wing this would be (north or south). I do not know much about CR and this will be my first trip. Which rooms have been remodeled? Should I request a specific room? Help!

I appreciate your answers!

 

[csaribay]

CR Experts,

I'm looking for information on the garden wing garden view rooms. Can you please tell me which wing this would be (north or south). I do not know much about CR and this will be my first trip. Which rooms have been remodeled? Should I request a specific room? Help!

I appreciate your answers!

Since the North Garden wing has closed (and is widely speculated to be demolished soon), any garden wing stays will be at the newly refurbished South Garden Wing. All rooms available at the resort have been refurbished and remodeled within the last year or so, reflecting the modern contemporary luxury standard.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[american pie]

Thank you so much for your help.

One more question- Is there a big difference between garden wing garden view rooms and garden wing standard view rooms?

 

[csaribay]

Is there a big difference between garden wing garden view rooms and garden wing standard view rooms?

The only notable difference is the view- as indicated by the category. Standard rooms may overlook landscaped areas and/or parking lots (a lot of these rooms also have the monorail visible), while view rooms will have views of landscaped areas, Bay Lake and potentially the resort pool.

All guest rooms at the resort (whether standard wing or view wing, or tower) carry the same features and same layout, and are virtually identical to each other.

 

[american pie]

Thanks again!

 

[IandGsmom]

CR Experts,

I'm looking for information on the garden wing garden view rooms. Can you please tell me which wing this would be (north or south). I do not know much about CR and this will be my first trip. Which rooms have been remodeled? Should I request a specific room? Help!

I appreciate your answers!

we stayed in a garden view garden room 5136. It was PERFECT. Bottom floor so we we got the little patio looking out on trees and grass and had ducks come to out door every day. Very private and oh so nice. South building of course since North is closed off. The kids loved the pool and the nightly show on the water. This is truly a wonderful resort. I will miss it this year as we are doing to the POP.

 

[american pie]

we stayed in a garden view garden room 5136. It was PERFECT. Bottom floor so we we got the little patio looking out on trees and grass and had ducks come to out door every day. Very private and oh so nice. South building of course since North is closed off. The kids loved the pool and the nightly show on the water. This is truly a wonderful resort. I will miss it this year as we are doing to the POP.

Should I request this building or are all of the garden wing garden view rooms just as nice? I have never been to CR, just trying to make sure I get a great building.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

It looks like our 2008 trip will mean a stay at CR! I was hoping for a WL stay, but DS was good in his debate with me: CR means castle view!

So my question: Do all of the MK view rooms have a daybed? We are a family of 4, but the kids each like having their own bed. DD will be 6 and I figured the daybed will work perfectly for her. I am also hoping to get lucky with connecting rooms with the ILs as they are coming along as well. I understand it is just a request and I am fine with that. We would just like to have the rooms as close as possible to help us out.

Yes, the tower rooms have 2 queens (I believe instead of doubles but not 100% sure) and a daybed. The new day beds are very easy to set up. The rooms in the CR tower are some of the biggest on the WDW property. We are a family of 5 including 2 teenage boys and we never feel cramped there.

We have always asked and gotten connecting rooms. Just a FYI, there is a difference; adjoining rooms are next to one another, connecting rooms have the shared door between (at least that is what we were told by CRO and we have always had connecting rooms with my SIL).

The only problem for us staying in the CR tower is now the kids are always wishing we stay there!

Have fun!

 

[3for Me]

Should I request this building or are all of the garden wing garden view rooms just as nice? I have never been to CR, just trying to make sure I get a great building.

You can request a certain floor, but your room will be in the South Wing. The only other building is the tower. I stayed in a 1st floor room in the North Wing and also had a beautiful view of the water and lots of ducks. It was nice to have a patio area as well. Perhaps you would want to just request 1st floor if the descriptions above interest you.

Hope this helps.

 

[cam&chris]

Anyone done a fishing excursion from the marina at CR? My dad is interested in this one morning while my mom and I go shopping with my kids.

 

[MickeysAttic]

We go to Disney about once a month and have stayed at CR for most of our 300 trips...But things change and our last trip was our last stay at CR unless we are at a special event hosted there...We really hate the new rooms and its a shame we have loved every remodel they have done until this one!
Plus if you want Tower with Kingdom view you will pay $40. more per night now for the view!!! Also, $7.00 per night parking plus tip and the car parking is outsourced now.

 

[cheerbop]

From the photos we have seen, we really like the clean look of the newly remodeled rooms...
What is it that you do not like?
We are planning to stay there in Sept...

 

[jaycns]

We go to Disney about once a month and have stayed at CR for most of our 300 trips...But things change and our last trip was our last stay at CR unless we are at a special event hosted there...We really hate the new rooms and its a shame we have loved every remodel they have done until this one!
Plus if you want Tower with Kingdom view you will pay $40. more per night now for the view!!! Also, $7.00 per night parking plus tip and the car parking is outsourced now.

Sorry you didn't like the redone rooms...I personally (along with the rest of my family) LOVE the new rooms. I think they could have done a few things better on the usage front (more drawers/a bit more counter space in the bathrooms) but in general I was actually speechless when I saw them. That doesn't happen very often!! The redone rooms at the CR are my flat out favorite resort/hotel rooms ever!

However, I understand that not everyone likes what I like. So...I get it that it may not be everyone's cup of tea and actually, I THANK GOODNESS for that. I don't want to be unable to get reservations there because everyone has the same favorite. I myself, was not crazy over the Poly. I know that a LOT of people LOVE the Poly. It's just not "me".

The whole paying for a location thing is in effect at EVERY WDW resort and at almost every non WDW hotel as well. You are right, in the past, you could request a view and hope for it. These days you pay for knowing you WILL get it. However, it is NO recent thing that some rooms cost more because of location. Disney is simply defining a new room catagory (based off of supply and demand). It is a long standing practice of a hotel (any hotel) to charge more for something that more people want and less for something else. You have pool view rooms/ garden view rooms/first floor rooms/etc almost anywhere. Now the CR (along GF and the Poly) all have "Magic Kingdom" view rates. To me, it's like AKL having savannah view rates. It doesn't offend me...and actually makes me happy so I can pay a bit extra to get just what I want if the view in question is important to me.

As far as the parking, we rarely valet park...however, when we do, I always knew I would be paying for it. The Contemp. has plenty of free parking available to all registered guests of the resort. If valet parking was ever free at the Contemp. then it was "before my time" and I was unaware that it had ever happened. Which is possible I just mean, the whole valet thing doesn't personally bug me. And no matter what WDW resort I went to, I would have to pay a valet if I wanted to make use of their services. If they have outsourced it, I would still expect the same high standards as if it were "in house". If not, I am sure they will hear of it and they will change back. I guess I never gave a second thought as to if the valet who took our car and/or brought it back was a Disney employee or a third party.

Good luck finding a place that fits you. We are all different and Disney cannot appeal to every guest in every instance. And like I said earlier, thank goodness that we all have so many choices so that we can all find something to our own liking!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Jay, what is the monkey looking thing shaking it's booty? Where did it come from?

 

[IandGsmom]

We also loved the rooms. It was great having a little extra room and the computer with internet access was perfect for us web addicts. Heaven forbid we go on vacation and not check email

I just couldnt get over the location. I think its the best located hotel on property. You can walk to the Magic Kingdom, what else do you need.

The only hotel that beats it IMHO is the Grand Californian at Disneyland, which I hope to get away to next week since I deserve it. I just found out I passed the boards.. I am now a Registered Nurse

 

[MickeysAttic]

What we didn't like about the remodel is that it feels like a "spa" type hotel..we have stayed there since 1971 and every remodel felt modern but with a fun twist...this black/brown/tan room is depressing...if I wanted a spa room I would book into a spa.
As far as valet, no they have never had a per night charge for any Disney owned hotel valet...you just tipped the valet every time someone takes your car or brings your car up for you...this is now $7.00 per night that Disney keeps. The valets have had problems ever since disney did this because people stopped tipping them, assuming that they are splitting the $7.00. Now they are talking about doing what the Swan has already done and charge for the "free parking areas" that they currently have..so every car that pulls in is paying.
The swan is $14.00 pre night if you valet and when you move to self park you find oput when you check out that you were charged $7. to park it yourself.