Just back from Contemporary - disappointing!

[BostonRob]

I just got back from a wonderful vacation at the standard wing rooms.....I paid $144.00/night.

You can brag about discount rates all you want (I know, I got a great one at AKL this spring), but that really has no relevance when comparing the cost of one resort to another or the condition of a resort compared to its price.

 

[skiwee1]

We are paying the $244.00 per night in Sept. (of course we are getting the free dining, but didn't know that at the time of booking)
Not to be rude but...
You think that this is cheaply had? Wow, what is your budget?

Less than 90 days now

I meant to say that compared to OTHER resorts that the wing rooms ARE lower priced. Oh, and I don't have a budget.

 

[tiggersmom2]

You can brag about discount rates all you want (I know, I got a great one at AKL this spring), but that really has no relevance when comparing the cost of one resort to another or the condition of a resort compared to its price.

Another poster claimed the wings were not to be had at a cheap rate .....they certainly are. I have stayed at the CR 4 times in the last 2 years with comparable rates (I'll brag some more!!!! ). My rooms have never been is disrepair.

Too bad my post rubbed you the wrong way.

 

[Dalton5]

I meant to say that compared to OTHER resorts that the wing rooms ARE lower priced. Oh, and I don't have a budget.

Thanks!! I did need a laugh...but....If you really don't have a budget, would you adopt me?

 

[BostonRob]

Another poster claimed the wings were not to be had at a cheap rate .....they certainly are. I have stayed at the CR 4 times in the last 2 years with comparable rates (I'll brag some more!!!! ). My rooms have never been is disrepair.

Too bad my post rubbed you the wrong way.

Maybe I need to clarify my point. If you get a good rate using a discount code, a code that can be applied to ANY resort, then that doesn't really say anything about the rates of any specific resort. Yes, you've stayed at the CR at some really cheap rates, but since those rates aren't available to the general public at any given time, then I fail to see the relevence. You probably could have stayed at the WL for a similar rate or at the Pop for about $50 a night. But that isn't relevant either.

It is similar to saying "Rooms in Las Vegas can be had for free". Yes, that is true. If you're a high roller or frequently drop lots of money in the casinos, the casino is likely to 'comp' you a room. But that information does nothing to help your average person decide where to stay in Las Vegas.

 

[WonderWomanDC]

-------------------------

Nope - no problem whatsoever with someone expecting a clean room and voicing their displeasure when they don't receive one.. It can happen anywhere - on-site, off-site and at the most expensive hotels in the world..

You're right that it can happen anywhere. However I probably should've mentioned in my first post - my MIL was with us, since it was for our wedding planning session. Her room was dirty and rundown too. Not trying to start anything, just saying that in this case it wasn't an isolated incident.

 

[erinz]

The reason I said we waited several hours is that the desk clerk told us at 10:00 am to return in "a few hours" and the room would be ready. We returned 3 hours later at 1:00 and then were continually told "give us another half hour."

If they had told me at 10:00 to "come back at 3:00", then that's what I would have done. If they had told us at 1:00, "your room won;t be ready until 4:00" I would have left the lobby and found a more pleasant use of our time.

So I spent 3+ hours waiting in the lobby because the front desk kept telling the room would be ready in a half hour.

Sharon

First of all, I can totally understand what sharonk is saying, and I think this situation would have been frustrating for any of us. If she had been told to come back after 3pm, she would have been fine with it.

Second.....I think we just need to understand that until the renovation is complete, we may be getting a room that is all worn out. The only thing that can be done to fix this is being done.

I'm just going to expect a worn out room in December and be OK with it. We will have a glorious view (on either side) and be right on the monerail, so to me the money will be worth it.

We happen to be slobs at home, so worn out won't bother us. But I know that most (normal....which we are not ) people would not like it at all. So maybe, if you don't want to be "surprised" by an old room that is falling apart, it may be best to stay somewhere else until 2006. And THEN, wahoo!! luxury here we come!!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

First of all, I can totally understand what sharonk is saying, and I think this situation would have been frustrating for any of us. If she had been told to come back after 3pm, she would have been fine with it.

Second.....I think we just need to understand that until the renovation is complete, we may be getting a room that is all worn out. The only thing that can be done to fix this is being done.

I'm just going to expect a worn out room in December and be OK with it. We will have a glorious view (on either side) and be right on the monerail, so to me the money will be worth it.

We happen to be slobs at home, so worn out won't bother us. But I know that most (normal....which we are not people) would not like it at all. So maybe, if you don't want to be "surprised" by an old room that is falling apart, it may be best to stay somewhere else until 2006. And THEN, wahoo!! luxury here we come!!

thank you for putting the icing on my cake, this post made a lot of sense to me and for days now I have stirred about changing resorts and etc etc but the truth in my heart tells me we will like the CR and the view of MK and the castle and walking to MK, we love to walk as a family...and bike, can you rent bikes at the CR? We like tons of things about the CR and even though my dh and I have agreed that room decor is not one of those things, I read your post and feel I made the best choice, afterall I did upgrade from POR to deluxe thanks to the free dining and for that I can be thankful...I hear the restaurants are LOVELY the steakhouse gets great reviews and CM's is still one of the #1 character dinners at WDW and the pools, even though not uniquely themed still set near the lake and have a great little side! There are so many things to be thankful for here and even though I haven't gone yet, this is a big step up from my dh originally saying we had to stay at the Roadway Inn!!! this thread is getting really heated and sometimes nasty...personally I think it is fine for people to come here and gripe about things, this is after all a free country. I agree that the CR is doing what they can now to make the changes and updates necessary and until then Disney gives us TONS of options if we do not want to stay there...

 

[disneyfan3]

wonderwomandc:
This is just a friendly tip. I have been reading these boards for the last 2 years and anytime somebody has a negative experience at disney, there are people that say things like:

"Well, I just stayed there and MY room was great!" or they try to argue details about your trip as if you are on trial.

I know disney is not perfect and I always won't get the perfect room but I hope I can come back to the boards and report on what happened on my trip. Most of us like to hear the good with the bad. I like to know what to expect if I decide to go ahead and stay somewhere that someone else has had a bad time at. Just because someone has a bad time at the GF, that doesn't mean I won't ever stay there. I love it there and have never had a problem but if other people do, I like to be prepared and know what to look for.

You can tell the people that can't find anything good to say about disney and I just ignore those posts but lets give people a chance to tell about their experiences without putting them on trial or telling them that they need to give the hotel another chance (c.ann is popular for that...this is the second time I have read where she can't comprehend why you will not try the contemporary again. Just move if you don't like it!) and waste precious time and money.
wonderwoman-find another disney hotel to make a good memory at and maybe down the road you will try the contemporary again and be surprised.
Guess what? that is your right ok I will get off of my soapbox now.

 

[C.Ann]

wonderwomandc:

"Well, I just stayed there and MY room was great!" or they try to argue details about your trip as if you are on trial.

Which is exactly right.. People do find that their rooms are great.. Every resort is going to have rooms that aren't up to par - for any number of reasons - mousekeepers called in sick; not enough employees available for the number of rooms (Disney just had a huge hiring fair and were barely able to hire 10% of the number of employees they had hoped to hire); etc..

It's niave to think you're going to never run across another dirty room just because you change to another resort.. A small percentage may be a problem but the bigger percentage will not..

telling them that they need to give the hotel another chance (c.ann is popular for that...this is the second time I have read where she can't comprehend why you will not try the contemporary again. Just move if you don't like it!) and waste precious time and money.
.

LOL... Wow! I'm "popular"!! And all just because I posted on a few threads that I would give my favorite resort a second chance rather than come totally unglued while on vacation.. Cool!!

I comprehend quite while - I just don't agree with that mind set.. And seeings how intelligent people will normally listen to both sides of an issue, I decided to throw mine out there in the ring as well..

Guess I'm just more of a free spirit these days.. I want to enjoy each and every moment of my day - minus the stress of things that aren't worth stressing about..

 

[triplefigs]

thank you for putting the icing on my cake, this post made a lot of sense to me and for days now I have stirred about changing resorts and etc etc but the truth in my heart tells me we will like the CR and the view of MK and the castle and walking to MK, we love to walk as a family...and bike, can you rent bikes at the CR? We like tons of things about the CR and even though my dh and I have agreed that room decor is not one of those things, I read your post and feel I made the best choice, afterall I did upgrade from POR to deluxe thanks to the free dining and for that I can be thankful...I hear the restaurants are LOVELY the steakhouse gets great reviews and CM's is still one of the #1 character dinners at WDW and the pools, even though not uniquely themed still set near the lake and have a great little side! There are so many things to be thankful for here and even though I haven't gone yet, this is a big step up from my dh originally saying we had to stay at the Roadway Inn!!! this thread is getting really heated and sometimes nasty...personally I think it is fine for people to come here and gripe about things, this is after all a free country. I agree that the CR is doing what they can now to make the changes and updates necessary and until then Disney gives us TONS of options if we do not want to stay there...

Just post an honest trip report when you get back please!

 

[cjsmith]

Remember folks you almost always hear the I did not like stories more than you hear the good stories. Been to CR twice and liked it alot and found it was good for our family. I did not go with high expectations or looking to find issues or expecting worn out rooms. I think sometimes we all can be very critical on these boards and are looking to compare things we see or hear here to our own vacations. I too have done it and then decided that it was not for me to start to compare, I was loosing the magic that way. Don't be nervious about any places in WDW and have fun.

Sorry but I completely disagree with your post. If you are staying at a deluxe resort and spending upwards up $300 a night or more you have a right to go with high expectations. You have a right to a nice room without peeling wallpaper, stained or ripped bedding, and something incredibly clean. Disney charges quite a bit for their deluxe hotels and they need to deliver. I for one wouldn't spend the money and they say, well it's okay, at least I'm at Disney. If you would complain anywhere else, then certainly complain at Disney.

 

[sharonk]

LOL... Wow! I'm "popular"!! And all just because I posted on a few threads that I would give my favorite resort a second chance rather than come totally unglued while on vacation.. Cool!!

C. Ann,

I too will give the CR a second chance..In my original post, I just said that I wouldn't be staying there again "anytime soon." I think I will have a much better chance of having a positive experience there after the renovations are complete.

Also, I don't think anyone is coming "unglued" over this. You make it sound like I'm some kind of raving, unreasonable psycho who let a less-than-perfect hotel room ruin a magical trip to WDW. I've said several times that I did not let this ruin my trip, that I calmly talked to the manager, etc.
I simply had a disappointing stay and wanted to share it with the group. I tried really hard to present the bad AND the good (the fact that the manager moved us to a better room, the wonderful lifeguards, etc.) so if I came across as a negative Contemporary-basher, that wasn't my intent.

Thanks,

Sharon

 

[disneyfan3]

sharonk:
so sorry you felt the need to apologize for telling us about an experience you had at the cr. There really is no need so don't let "certain people" make you feel that way. The majority know that unpleasant experiences happen at any hotel (disney or not) and that if you decide that you won't ever go back it is your choice. I agree that is probably a good idea to go when the renovations are completed and it might work out better for you. Please don't get soured on this trip report. If you go somewhere else on disney property don't feel like you can't share it with us. Just ignore the posts that make you feel like a disney traitor, you're not.

 

[C.Ann]

C. Ann,

I too will give the CR a second chance..In my original post, I just said that I wouldn't be staying there again "anytime soon." I think I will have a much better chance of having a positive experience there after the renovations are complete.

Also, I don't think anyone is coming "unglued" over this. You make it sound like I'm some kind of raving, unreasonable psycho who let a less-than-perfect hotel room ruin a magical trip to WDW. I've said several times that I did not let this ruin my trip, that I calmly talked to the manager, etc.
I simply had a disappointing stay and wanted to share it with the group. I tried really hard to present the bad AND the good (the fact that the manager moved us to a better room, the wonderful lifeguards, etc.) so if I came across as a negative Contemporary-basher, that wasn't my intent.

Thanks,

Sharon

------------------------------------

First of all, I'm glad to hear that at some point in time you'll make a return trip to the resort you were so looking forward to.. To me, that's a rational, logical way to look at the situation - not just swear it off forever.. And when you do return, I hope you have a marvelous time..

Secondly, in no way was I trying to make it sound like you were some kind of raving, unreasonable psycho.. Nor was my reference to people becoming "unglued" directed specifically at you.. However, after reading these boards for almost 4 years now I can assure you that there is not a resort on Disney property that has never been criticized or lambasted here because of a dirty room or a whole slew of other problems.. People just need to be aware of that so they don't pull this big switch (or pay a lot more money) only to be disappointed yet again - only this time the "new" resort they have chosen..

I wish you nothing but the best on your next trip - no matter where you stay.. Just remember, the same things can happen at any of the Disney resorts and with that thought in mind, it might make it a little less stressful and/or disappointing for you..

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We too are staying at the CR at the end of September. DS has always to stay there as well as mom , so this time we got a room in the tower. I have been keeping up to date on these reviews. I reported them to DH and DS. Ds still wants to stay there so we are. DH and I are just going expecting the worse, so to speak. I know we'll have a great time, no matter what, afterall we'll be at WDW.

 

[tif25]

DH & I were talking about staying here in Sept just because it was on the monorail. I am so glad that I found this board

 

[DiscussDisney]

The bottom line is that you can have bad experiences at any hotel anywhere regardless of hotel class, hotel chain, etc...

From my perspective if you are not happy with a room because of cleanliness, simply asked to be moved. Again, at any hotel class, you have the right to a clean room. If a hotel is not accomodating, you can move hotels or you can even dispute the room charge on your credit card (only use this option after you have exhausted all measures, including calling the hotel chain corporate office).

My family and I will be staying at the CR this September. If I am assigned a room that is dirty, I will ask to be moved. I will first ask to look at the new room before having my bags moved to ensure I am happy.

We ALWAYS stay at the Wilderness Lodge, but the past two times we were there, we weren't happy. My personal opinion is that the rooms there are in need of a rehab. On our last trip, we were given a room where the carpet was dirty, two of the lights needed to be changed and the toilet seat had to be replaced (it was peeling something terrible). Having said all that, we didn't want to move because we got the location we wanted. Instead, we asked to have the carpet cleaned, the toilet seat cover replaced and the two light bulbs replaced. The hotel was very accomodating and did everything. So that is another option for a guest.

So I guess my point here is that problem rooms can happen anywhere and it's up to you, the buyer, to decide how you want to handle it (move, have it cleaned, etc...). But you should never have to "settle" for a dirty room.

 

[disneybride96]

Shouldn't a hotel built in the '70s be called "The Retro" instead of "The Contemporary"? Sounds like it's time has come and gone.

 

[C.Ann]

sharonk:
so sorry you felt the need to apologize for telling us about an experience you had at the cr. There really is no need so don't let "certain people" make you feel that way. Just ignore the posts that make you feel like a disney traitor, you're not.

-----------------------------------------

Hope you're having a better day today..

Any day at Disney is better than a day anywhere else..