Resort Thread Disney's CONTEMPORARY Resort

[jemtx]

We returned from our trip earlier this week and had a great time. We had stayed at BLT about 10yrs ago, but never at CR. We were in the garden wing and found the location to be good. Very convenient to the pool and only a few min walk to the main building. I did request a 1st floor, which was granted. We were facing the lake side and could see the WL boats go by. I’d say our room was about half way down the middle section and was quiet. Now one day I was on the patio and turned around to a black snake blocking my door! I may have jumped over the bushes and ran around the building to get back to my room . The garden wing was also very convenient to have the laundry room in our building. There was maybe ever one other person in there when we used it (about 3x, once just to dry some wet shoes ). We did not feel left out staying in GW. The only thing I wish was that I had a bathtub to soak my back and feet, but we just went to the hot tub at night instead as it was just a minute walk.

Transportation was really good. We had great luck leaving the parks with busses. Every time we walked to the bus stop a bus was already there waiting! I’d say the Epcot monorail transfer was kind of a pain and took the longest time. A few times we just left out the IG exit at Epcot and caught a Lyft at the beach club back to CR rather than walk all the way back to the front.

Food was great. We ate at S71 and a few times at the bar. The burger was my husband favorite and the bartenders were so fun! My teenage son had a blast sitting with us and chatting with the other adults. Contemporary cafe had pretty good food too! The breakfast burrito and the Italian beef sandwich were my favorites from there.

My son ended up liking the circle pool better than the main pool. He said the main pool had too many little kids and the slide was too slow…. There was barely anyone at the circle pool, so it was easy to find a spot in the shade and for him to swim. I will say our last 2 days there were a lot of bugs in the pool and my son wouldn’t go in. My husband said it looked as though the skimmer was full or not working. It had just rained pretty hard so maybe that was why so many bugs?

Happy to answer any questions anyone may have!

Great review—thanks!
I like that Italian beef sandwich sandwich too. Good tip about going out IG to grab a Lyft.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

im. I will say our last 2 days there were a lot of bugs in the pool and my son wouldn’t go in. My husband said it looked as though the skimmer was full or not working. It had just rained pretty hard so maybe that was why so many bugs?

Early May is usually the brief “love bug” mating season. I’ve seen them a lot at CR at times. Not there to know if they’ve been prevalent this year, but I suspect that may be the source of the bugs you saw. When they are out they are usually everywhere.

Thanks for the review. Glad you had a nice trip.

 

[jeankeri]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate place to put these questions. If they need to go somewhere else, please let me know.

We're staying at BLT in June in two rooms (NOT DVC). It's been 10+(?) years since we've stayed there.
1) Do we check in at CR? I assume 'yes'.
2) Can we drop off food the day before to be delivered on check in day? I assume 'no'.
3) Does Bell Service have a refrigerator and/or freezer to store perishable goods if we check in before the rooms are ready? I assume 'yes'.

TIA.

BLT has someone at the desk 24/7 for checkin/out. Not sure how far ahead you can drop off food- I do believe that is held by bell services at CR.

 

[sam_gordon]

Some more questions...

1) If checking in before the rooms are ready, where do drop bags w/bell services? CR or BLT (rooms are BLT)?
2) What kind of coffee makers are in the BLT rooms? Keurig (pod) kind or standard (Mr. Coffee type)? Both?
3) Just to confirm, we'd find out room assignment at some point on check in day or would we know ahead of time?

TIA.

 

[jeankeri]

Some more questions...

1) If checking in before the rooms are ready, where do drop bags w/bell services? CR or BLT (rooms are BLT)?
2) What kind of coffee makers are in the BLT rooms? Keurig (pod) kind or standard (Mr. Coffee type)? Both?
3) Just to confirm, we'd find out room assignment at some point on check in day or would we know ahead of time?

TIA.

The MDE app will show your room assignment day of check-in as soon as it is assigned. You can go to check in at BLT if you want to drop bags with bell services. The coffee makers are basket type, not keurig. You will get a supply of coffee 'bags' (pre-filled pouches you can just drop in the basket). If you want to bring your own grounds, pack coffee filters, though some rooms have cone type, some bowl shape filters.

 

[sam_gordon]

You can go to check in at BLT if you want to drop bags with bell services.

Sorry, not totally understanding. Does BLT have bell services to leave bags with before the rooms are ready or is that only at CR?

 

[trishadono]

Sorry, not totally understanding. Does BLT have bell services to leave bags with before the rooms are ready or is that only at CR?

Yes BLT in the lobby on the right is a station for pick up and drop off. A room is off hall to the right is where they store them. Also the rest rooms are right there on the right just as you go down the hall on the right.

There are bathrooms at the pool also if you need to change into swim suits or summer clothing if coming from colder places.

I’m a bit behind. Anybody know if all the rooms remodeled yet? If not call Disney and put note on reservation you request a refurbished room OR ask them for one when you arrive. I stayed at POFQ last Sept and got to see their new rooms by asking. Love a new room!

 

[Dave006]

I’m a bit behind. Anybody know if all the rooms remodeled yet?

No the last rooms are not scheduled to be done until sometime in September.

Dave

 

[ChristianR]

Can you get coffee with your refillabe mug in the morning at Contemporary Grounds before Contempo Café opens

 

[crazy4wdw]

Can you get coffee with your refillabe mug in the morning at Contemporary Grounds before Contempo Café opens

No, just Contempo Cafe on the 4th floor.

 

[kylenne]

Question since I have a couple nights booked in August for the Halloween party, any suggestions for room request for tower lake view non CL rooms? I assume higher up to minimize noise but is there anything else I should be aware of?

 

[Dave006]

I assume higher up to minimize noise but is there anything else I should be aware of?

Yes, at the Contemporary A-Frame with a water view, I would request a room on floor 8-10. The 11th floor is closer the atrium ceiling so noise does increase the higher up your are. Also more noise / foot traffic can be an issue of you ask to near the elevators, and finally the south section over Chief Mickey's.

We ask for a room ending in xx17-24, where xx24 is on the north end closest to BLT.

The first 2 digits (xx) indicate the Floor number. They are start with 41, which indicates the 5th floor on the Bay Lake side. Just add 1 to the base of 41 to as you go up the tower. Rooms that end in (09-16) are close the the Elevator bridge in the middle of the building.

On each floor, the room numbers start at xx01 over over Chief Mickey's (where xx is 41 - 48 (48 is the 12th floor aka Atrium CL).

Dave

 

[jemtx]

Question since I have a couple nights booked in August for the Halloween party, any suggestions for room request for tower lake view non CL rooms? I assume higher up to minimize noise but is there anything else I should be aware of?

Higher floor and north end of tower (away from Chef Mickey’s)

 

[chrisp]

Does anyone have any insight as to the noise level from the BLT construction heard at the Contemporary pools? We don't want to be lounging at the pool and hear construction noise.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone have any insight as to the noise level from the BLT construction heard at the Contemporary pools? We don't want to be lounging at the pool and hear construction noise.

Zero noise from BLT, in my experience.

You CAN hear occasional Lakeside Lodge construction noise from across Bay Lake during the day. Not super loud since it’s at a distance, but you can hear some beating/banging and such, especially now as they’re pouring concrete forms, clanking steel around, etc. It’s not bad and it’s not constant, but it’s there for now while the structure is still being constructed.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

More and more Disney resorts getting into the Pickleball craze…

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Newly renovated BLT Community Hall is lovely.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In critical breaking Disney news, one of the planets on Astro Orbiter (currently closed for refurb) was installed overnight recently. I know everyone is anxiously awaiting this ride’s return.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In somewhat useless WDW info (LOL), sometime recently Disney has changed out the TTC parking lot lights to new LED lights, like you see in most places (roadways, street lights, stadiums, etc) these days. For forever they’ve been those massive orange’ish old style flood lights that would frankly create a lot of light pollution visible from taller spots on property, like CR. You used to really be able to see the orange glow out on the horizon, particularly during damp/soupy evening air conditions.

Current pic...


Vs older pic...


And another older pic...