Resort Thread Disney's CONTEMPORARY Resort

[kylenne]

Did you see anything new at the Contemp Cafe, active construction work or any noise (2 - 5 PM)?

Not at all, either day. I went down today at 4 to get a mobile order and saw no walls or anything. Same thing yesterday. Whatever they were doing appears to be over.

Any initial feedback on your first viewing of the Starlight parade or what location you picked, and if your location was repeatable or just a one time location?

I watched from outside the Main Street Theater, sat with a couple of very nice ladies. Main concern was booking it out immediately afterwards so I could quickly walk back to CR to catch HEA from the room. Very doable spot and excellent view being further back and slightly elevated so you can really see the floats given how tall they are but just be aware people will come and stand at the railing so you’ll probably need to stand when the parade starts if you were lucky to grab a bench. Loved the parade a lot though!

 

[trishadono]

Got a night cap to go from Outer Rim for fireworks viewing after I came back from the Starlight parade. Photo trademark @trishadono

View attachment 998806

Live love love that! Thx girl.

 

[kylenne]

All checked out from CR, was in 4625. All in all was very surprised by how much I liked it despite the very cheap looking rooms (imo the incredibles stuff looks even worse in person). The convenience of the tower and proximity to MK were amazing as were the views and dining and honestly made up for the deficiencies to me. I didn’t even have issues with the elevators. Would absolutely stay again. Rope dropping HS and bell services will take my bags to Swan.

 

[Dave006]

All in all was very surprised by how much I liked it despite the very cheap looking rooms (imo the incredibles stuff looks even worse in person).

Yes the colors, materials, and the quality of the construction was awful. Our group only staid there once so far since the Incredibles, and we all agreed that even with the best balconies in WDW we could wait until the next refresh before returning.

I didn’t even have issues with the elevators

Yes the elevator crowds are very seasonal, during busy periods it seems to take forever. This time of year crowds are manageable in the elevators.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

It appears the check in desk at BLT has been removed, as posted on the DVC Fan FB page…

 

[PolyRob]

It appears the check in desk at BLT has been removed, as posted on the DVC Fan FB page…

View attachment 1001784

I'm hoping CMs with iPads will still be present to help BLT guests, but it's always a bummer when things are cut

 

[kylenne]

I'm hoping CMs with iPads will still be present to help BLT guests, but it's always a bummer when things are cut

That seems to be the wave of the future there. Island Tower was purpose built with no desks to have CMs with iPads in the lobby.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

That seems to be the wave of the future there. Island Tower was purpose built with no desks to have CMs with iPads in the lobby.

I hate the iPad no desk situation that’s going on. The desk gives you something to lean on, place stuff on and is more formal. The iPad thing only just is a tad tacky. Is there a way it saves Disney money?

 

[jemtx]

The main CR still has desks. It seems like most of the CL lounges have gotten rid of desks in favor of iPads and podiums.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It appears the check in desk at BLT has been removed, as posted on the DVC Fan FB page…

View attachment 1001784

Can confirm. Certainly explains my awkward check in, the staff is not ready. There are desk type things off to the left and right with CMs behind them. I walked in and stood there awkwardly trying to figure out if I should go to one desk or the other. Finally a manager type lady stopped chatting and walked over to escort me to a desk and do the check-in.

A little bit of re-training (if you aren’t doing anything, be out front- not chatting behind the desk) and it should flow fine.

 

[elvispursley]

We just returned from a split stay at OKW and WL and both places, despite having the desks, used iPads to check us in. Wasn't too annoying as it seemed they didn't want us queuing up but at WL, they somehow screwed adding my mom's cc to the room. DIdn't know until we were getting breakfast the next day--required a trip to the front desk.

 

[Dave006]

Wasn't too annoying as it seemed they didn't want us queuing up but at WL, they somehow screwed adding my mom's cc to the room.

They don't need an iPad to screw up adding a CC to your room folio for an individual or many. They have been messing this up since the 90's. We always make a small purchase in the gift shop to confirm each CC / MB pairing works.

Dave

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Lovely Contemporary Resort aerials courtesy of user @Bioreconstruct on X.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1969802466868035697

https://twitter.com/x/status/1969802971870646528

 

[BostonEd]

https://bsky.app/profile/bioreconstruct.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3lzed5xnk5c22

Bioreconstruct is on Bluesky.

 

[Lynne G]

We stayed 8 nights at the beginning of September, on the 9th floor. We really liked the view, as did not pay for a park one. We could clearly see and hear the water boat parade at night.



Liked walking into the MK park so much, booked a preferred one bedroom at BLT in December, for a week.

And during our September stay, we did that tie dye shirt craft at BLT one afternoon. Washed them a week after we got home. Fun, and they look great.

 

[PennyW]

This will be our first stay at the Contemporary next month, and am wondering if anyone has room request suggestions for main tower water view?

 

[Dave006]

This will be our first stay at the Contemporary next month, and am wondering if anyone has room request suggestions for main tower water view?

Do you want a higher floor, near the elevator bank in the center of the building or lower floor? The rooms that overlook Bay lake begin on the 5th floor and run to the 11th floor for regular guest rooms.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

It appears the check in desk at BLT has been removed, as posted on the DVC Fan FB page…

View attachment 1001784

Adding to this:

Bay Lake Tower Lobby, Community Hall Refreshed​

Following a trend across Walt Disney Worldresorts, Bay Lake Tower's massive front desk has been removed. Fun fact: when the resort opened in 2009, it didn't even have a staffed front desk. Now the large windows facing the rear of the resort are home to a variety of comfortable chairs and tables.

Cast Members are still present in the lobby. However they now have a smaller workstation situated on the side of the lobby. The ability to be more mobile and work from tablet computers has eliminated the need for the large desk.

Seating is positioned by both the front windows and rear windows.

Some of the seats even have USB ports built in to the base which guests can use to recharge while waiting for a ride.

Up the hall, the resort's Community Hall has also received a refresh. Changes include a colorful new paint scheme, new flooring and new seating.

The Community Hall caters to younger guests, hosting a variety of activities throughout the day. Kids can enjoy movies, games, craft projects and more. Some of the activities are highlighted in the published resort activity schedule. But families are welcome to stop by the Community Hall to talk about what they have on tap.

Interior refurbishment work appears to be complete at Bay Lake Tower. The Bay Cove Pooland nearby bar are scheduled to close for several months beginning in January. Disney has also warned guests of some exterior refurbishment work planned to run through July 2026.