Just back from Contemporary - disappointing!

[sotoalf]

Look, it's very simple. If you get a bad room, ask to be moved. If you get noisy neighbors, ask to be moved. If it's in your power to change a bad situation, do it. You can't worry about what hasn't happened yet.

We stayed in a NGW room last year and I was worried we'd get a tired room. Fortunately our room, view, and the maid service were superb. But don't think I would have settled for a bad room.

Just relax and count down the days till your vacation!

 

[DznyDreams]

. . . . .When I went to the desk to get the new keys, the Cast Member made a snide comment -- something like "well this is the room you would have had anyway if you would have just waited." . . . .

You know...I don't understand why the CM couldn't have kept that comment to himself. I know they deal with a lot of crap, but come on. Was it really necessary to continue beating the poor, one-breath-away-from-dead horse? It's as if this CM just HAD to have the last word, which is exactly the way I remember the CR front desk staff during my stays. (Are they trying to hold some sort of record for this, or something? )

I have stayed at the CR 2 times, and based on my own personal experiences, I've never met so many rude, snobbish CMs in one lobby in my entire WDW traveling-life as the ones I dealt with at this resort. It's as if it is part of their training to respond in the manner above. Instead of being warm and friendly when you walk up to them, it appears that they're expecting a problem before they've even heard what you have to say. There were a couple of CMs who literally seemed to put on their stone-cold look when approached. Would it kill them to smile be friendly?

I LOVE the CR, but NOT for the front desk staff. If I ever decide to stay there again, which won't be until AFTER the current renovations are complete, I'll just do as I did on my 2nd visit -- STAY AWAY from the front desk whenever possible (which is apparently what they like anyway).

 

[Cass]

I detest this hotel, It always looks grubby in the public areas.

Had an awesome dinner at the Californian Grille though, well worth it - once you get past the rude check in and stained, run down elevator

 

[disneyfan3]

If I checked in at the contemporary and if a cm was rude to me, I would immediately ask for a manager to complete my transaction and tell him that the cm was rude to me. I wouldn't go to that extreme if they didn't smile but if they were giving me a hard time I would ask for a manager and if everyone did this I bet the manager would get tired of this and take a closer look at his employees.
I have encountered cms that were "all business" and they weren't overly friendly but I noticed if I was friendly back they would usually smile before I left. Kindness breeds kindness. But being rude and snobbish and saying smart aleck comments to a guest is completely unacceptable.

 

[DznyDreams]

. . . Kindness breeds kindness.. . . .

My motto too -- but it didn't work with the guys I dealt with at the CR front desk. My own cheerful disposition did not appear to be even remotely appreciated, but that's okay -- I honestly did not let it get me down. My solution to the problem was to deal with everything via the phone. For some reason, they were much more congenial over the phone.

The CMs weren't as rude to me as they were to the OP, so there was really nothing that would validate a complaint to the manager. I just didn't appreciate the cold attitude is all. (A conflict between personalities, I suppose.) It was a step beyond "all business" and actually bordered on snobbish, but what's to complain about? I just know I don't appreciate being snubbed by the staff while on vacation.

 

[WonderWomanDC]

To: Wonderwomandc,

Thank you for your comments! As I was reading the posts I was wondering when someone would defend disney and betsy did just that. Her comments were : "you should think more positive" or "don't complain or you will lose the disney magic." oh brother....if someone stayed at a motel 6 and complained about the service , I can see someone saying, " oh,think positive or you will lose the magic at motel 6 if you complain.....just try to look past the hair in the bed and the mold on the walls....after all, this is motel6! No one in their right mind would defend service that was poor no matter where it is.
wonderwoman, I hope you write a letter to a supervisor and complain. Your service was ridiculous for a deluxe hotel! That is the only way things will change. It is obvious there are "disney zombies" that will take any kind of service and say, " so what? I am at disney...how bad can it be?"
Don't get me wrong...I grew up at disney and I am positive and try to find the best in every situation but come on...lets complain when service is less than desirable to make improvements for others. I feel like you are complaining when you say they didn't make towel animals for you or didn't recognize your birthday but when you can't even get into your room all day and then it looks horrible, that is not complaining.
Sorry your trip wasn't up to "disney standards" and maybe one day it will go back to the way it was.

Dear Disneyfan,
Thanks for your post You understood me perfectly and I agree with you!! I did indeed deal with management about the problem. In fact, this horrible experience was the night before my planning session for our Disney fairytale wedding. LOL needless to say when we arrived at our appointment the next morning, I was not in a very fairytale frame of mind!! My event manager handled the situation and we were moved to AKL, credited the previous night, etc. and it was all handled very professionally by her. LOL if I'd been on my own I would've raised you know what and written a letter!! But I would not try the Contemporary again unless/until the full renovations are completed and I would stay only in the Tower. It was extra disappointing too because that was the hotel that I'd wanted to stay at when I was a kid and my parents never had the money for us to stay on property!!

 

[Stitch Inside]

Sorry y'all had bad experiences.
Anyone know how far along the renovations are, and when they will be completed?

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

Sorry to hear that you had such a difficult time. We were there June 3 to 5 and had absolutely no problems. We did get an upgraded view from a standard wing to garden, without asking, even given our room around noon. We were given one of the newly renovated rooms on the 3rd floor of the north wing, which was wonderful. It was the most comfortable hotel bed we have ever slept in. There was even a mini fridge hidden away in one of the closed cabinets. Too bad we didn't find it until we were getting ready to check out! The staff was great, as was housekeeping. I do wish they would upgrade the food and fun center, especially the food part because it is just so small with not enough variety. But other than that the place looked better than it has in years!

Laura

 

[Stitch Inside]

Sorry to hear that you had such a difficult time. We were there June 3 to 5 and had absolutely no problems. We did get an upgraded view from a standard wing to garden, without asking, even given our room around noon. We were given one of the newly renovated rooms on the 3rd floor of the north wing, which was wonderful. It was the most comfortable hotel bed we have ever slept in. There was even a mini fridge hidden away in one of the closed cabinets. Too bad we didn't find it until we were getting ready to check out! The staff was great, as was housekeeping. I do wish they would upgrade the food and fun center, especially the food part because it is just so small with not enough variety. But other than that the place looked better than it has in years!

Laura

Thanks Laura,
We just changed our reservation from POR to CR Standard Wing this morning, and then found this thread. It's good to find out that the place isn't a total dive. We're really looking forward to it. This will be our first stay at a "Monorail" Resort, if you don't count SOG.

 

[Beachangel]

Wow! We stayed at CR for the first time last Columbus weekend and loved it. We had a beautiful, upbeat room in the tower with a fabulous view. Never wanted to stay there but we enjoyed it our three days.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Well, I thought I would chime in with a positive note about the CR front desk. I took my two DD's (9 & 7) to the CR by myself last November. My younger daughter has some emotional problems and my agent made a note about it in my reservations. Anyway, we had been booked in a wing room. But, after asking me about her needs. I asked for a wing room closest to the tower. This way she is not to far from the monorail and food places. I told them we could face a wall and it would not matter. Anyway, not only did they upgrade us to a tower room...it faced the MK and were able to see the fireworks. The only problem is that they could only give us the room for 3 of the 5 nights. I said thats fine, you are doing me the favor. Well when it came down to the day we had to switch. They told us to stay in the room. They were always very pleasant. And made the trip so much easier for me and my daughter.

ps-But, I agree with what others say. If you have an inadequate room or a nasty CM. Definitely say something. You are the customer and spending a lot of money. Just say it politely and never get nasty.

 

[C.Ann]

When someone finds that elusive Disney Resort that has never had a dirty room - ever - could you please let me know?

Thanks!

 

[Betsyt82]

C.Ann "When someone finds that elusive Disney Resort that has never had a dirty room - ever - could you please let me know?"

Amen!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Thanks Laura,
We just changed our reservation from POR to CR Standard Wing this morning, and then found this thread. It's good to find out that the place isn't a total dive. We're really looking forward to it. This will be our first stay at a "Monorail" Resort, if you don't count SOG.

that is exactly what we did...changed from POR AB too small of rooms I thought and wanted monorail resort with little kids...

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Sorry to hear that you had such a difficult time. We were there June 3 to 5 and had absolutely no problems. We did get an upgraded view from a standard wing to garden, without asking, even given our room around noon. We were given one of the newly renovated rooms on the 3rd floor of the north wing, which was wonderful. It was the most comfortable hotel bed we have ever slept in. There was even a mini fridge hidden away in one of the closed cabinets. Too bad we didn't find it until we were getting ready to check out! The staff was great, as was housekeeping. I do wish they would upgrade the food and fun center, especially the food part because it is just so small with not enough variety. But other than that the place looked better than it has in years!

Laura

Laura: you mean you were in a new room with the flat screen tv and white bedspreads????

Glad yo hear not everyone thinks the CR is a 300 per night Motel 6

 

[LibertyLover]

I certainly have to agree about the Food and Fun Center. I stayed at the CR for 3 nights a few weeks ago on a brief "mother-daughter" trip. I had to be in Florida anyway with the kidlet and since she turns 3 at the end of June, it would be our last "free" trip with her. Because I was by myself I opted to stay at the CR, which had been my first resort back in 1987, so that I was on the monorail. The room was in the tower, cleanish, decorated ok and with a view on Bay Lake, which I had requested so DD could watch the Electrical Light Parade from our balcony. The first night I ordered room service. It was slow and only ok, with the tuna sandwich very "fishy" and not enough mayo. The next 2 days we went to MK in the am, came back to CR for lunch and the kidlet's nap and then did EPCOT in the evenings for dinner. We ate lunch both times at the Food and Fun Center and I was less than impressed. The CMs were only moderately polite and the place was dirty feeling. It may have been the drabness and lack of light or decoration, as well as the noise, rather than actual uncleanliness, but still it was less than pleasant. But it was a hot dog and OJ for the kidlet and got her in the mood to nap, so I guess I can't complain.

 

[maxiesmom]

We stayed at the CR in October, and it is now my family's favorite resort! And as such I feel the need to defend it. You know they are in the process of remodeling, so while the decor might be lacking, they are taking steps to fix it. I did notice that the hallway needed some new carpet, pronto! We had 2 rooms 3rd floor North Garden Wing, and loved being just a short walk from the MK. If the room was unacceptable, why would it have been acceptable if you didn't have to wait for it? Was it more you were frustrated with the wait? If it was a bad room wouldn't it have been bad early in the day too? We also found the CM's friendly and helpful. I guess every resort has bad rooms and every resort has some crabby CM's. I'm sure the fact that you were tired didn't help any either. Try not to let this experience put you off of this wonderful hotel. I can't wait till 2006 when we get to try the new rooms!

 

[Disney Debbie]

When someone finds that elusive Disney Resort that has never had a dirty room - ever - could you please let me know?

Thanks!

So so you think if someone gets a dirty room they should just be happy with it? or that they should just shut up about it on the DIS boards? I don't think the OP is unreasonable in expecting a clean room - and at the prices the CR charges I would expect the best room of my life personally!

So I don't understand the problem you and Betsy have with the complaint - I'm not trying to start something up but wondering if I'm missing something?

 

[maxiesmom]

No, I don't think a dirty room is acceptable. But the OP stated that she would have taken it if she had received it early in the day. If it was so dirty it was unacceptable, why would it have been ok if she had been able to get it earlier in the day?

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Disney Debbie: is that southern thing supposed to be a joke or what???