Just back from CR - any questions???

[luvthatdisney]

We had a great time!! I will be posting our trip reports shortly!!

 

[kandeebunny]

where in the CR did you stay? Looking forward to a trip report!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

Did you have a renovated room ? and did you notice the construction ? thanks
hope you enjoyed your trip!

 

[luvthatdisney]

We stayed in room 7338 - which is in the North Garden Wing. We could lie on our bed and watch Wishes every night!! We had stayed in a tower room about 10 years ago - our last stay at CR - so we did not know what to expect with the garden rooms. We really liked it - we found we could walk to the MK whenever we wanted - no waiting for buses or monorails. You did not even have to go through the main resort area - just walk in the North garden entrance. Wonderful!!!

We did notice construction on the 10th floor - I think! - You really could not see anything, it was covered with drapes (inside). Also the South garden wing is under renovation - I believe I saw them putting a new roof on that part. If you want to stay near the pool - a south wing room would be good (once they get done with them!!)

My kids loved the arcade (ages 15, 14 and 11). The food court is lacking in taste!! We did eat breakfast here a few times and lunch twice - dining plan!! It was edible, just not the best thing I have ever eaten!!

Our room was very clean - the bathroom is aged, but functioned fine and the beds were really confortable - I think they have that memory foam in them. I need to get one of these!! The sliding glass door to nowhere was weird, but other than that the room was fine. It does have a small fridge, which with 2 teenagers came in handy for drinks.

If anyone else needs to know something that I did not mention, just let me know!

 

[pooh2001]

We the hallways of the North Wing a bit dark and worn looking ?

Where did the sliding glass doors look out to ? Bay Lake ? Just grass ? A walkway ?

Refrigerator - do you think it stays cold enough for milk ?
We stayed in the tower a few years back (were we bumped from the wing - SOG were staying in the wing b/c Shades of Green was getting an over-hall)
and I know the gift shop sells milk - great for cereal in the room in the AM.

We may stay in the wing next year. I doubt we'll get bumped again to the tower, since SOG can now stay at Shades of Green.

I would love to hear more about your wing room.

 

[luvthatdisney]

pooh2001~

The hallways were not really dark, but were dated. The ceilings are low and they are not very wide, but my group of 5 had no problems. The only problem was with the rather slow elevators (we thought) - we were on the 3rd floor and we took the stairs most of the time.

Our sliding glass door looked out on a garden area and then out to Bay Lake. We did watch Wishes a few times out of the window, but usually we were not in the room until late. We took advantage of the extra hours at the parks most nights. Please note there is not a balcony (unless you are on the first floor - you get a small patio with 2 chairs). The sliding glass door has bars like a railing around the bottom. Kind of strange I thought! If I would have had small kids I would have kept the door locked at all times!

Our fridge would have kept the milk cold enough I think. It is very small and you would have to take out the shelf or lay the milk on its side. We just kept canned drinks and water bottles in it - worked fine.

There was a full size iron and ironing board and a wall safe. there is also a hairdryer in the bathroom.

Sometimes it felt like a trek to get into the main building, but after a day or two it was not that bad and we were on the side of the Food and Fun center, so we probably could get to it quicker than someone staying in the tower. Just depends on how fast you walk!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

Could you also hear the fireworks in your room?

 

[lmhall2000]

Silly question..but is the arcade free or do you have to pay to play? I've always wondered that. We are going to be there in a month...our first time ever there and a very long-awaited trip for us all. Glad to hear a good report...we spend most of our time at MK so it will be nice to walk in to home!

Also...two of our children have bad allergies/asthma and if there's a hint of smoke around they'll get sick...with the North Wing due for refurb...did you notice any smells or was it pretty clean? Thanks!
Tara

 

[pooh2001]

Game Room - you pay to play the games you wish. No entrance fee.
Some games do give out tickets for prizes.
Prizes like those at Chuckie Cheese.
My DD got a coloring book, crayons, a puzzle and a small stuffed animal.
Great way to entertain her (back in 2002).

My DS fell in love with the boxing game. No tickets, but great exercise.

The Game room is the largest on WDW property and is right next to the snack area (burgers, hot dogs, chicken, refillable mugs, etc).

I would not leave a child unattended in the Game Room.
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I am not sure about the smell of the Wing rooms.
Ask for a Non Smoking room. Tell the CR about your children's alergies/asthma.
Have it noted on your reservsation. You may be bumped to a tower room due to medical reasons.

We had a non smoking tower room and there was no smell what so ever of smoke.

 

[luvthatdisney]

The game room was pay as you go. You do put money on a "credit card" and swipe it through the machines - no money or tokens. I did let my teenagers go to the game room by themselves. But did not leave my 11 year old alone there!

I do not even remember looking to see if we had a smoking or non-smoking room. It did not smell at all like smoke. I did see someone smoking out of an open sliding glass door - 2nd floor facing parking lot. That was the only time I smelt smoke at the resort. On our way down we stopped in Jacksonville FL for the night - that hotel was nice but we were given a smoking room - it was horrible. We immediately went to the front desk and they moved us.

 

[PartyOf5]

The game room was pay as you go. You do put money on a "credit card" and swipe it through the machines - no money or tokens.

Could you please expand on this? Whenever we've been there (our last time was 7/2004 & 12/2004) we've used quarters. Has it changed?

I've also heard rumors that they are going to relocate the arcade and food court during the refurb...any evidence of that?

Thanks for all the info so far!

 

[sotoalf]

Could you please expand on this? Whenever we've been there (our last time was 7/2004 & 12/2004) we've used quarters. Has it changed?

I've also heard rumors that they are going to relocate the arcade and food court during the refurb...any evidence of that?

Thanks for all the info so far!

It's quarters, not tokens. And no evidence yet about the planned relocation.

 

[luvthatdisney]

There are machines that you put your money into and buy credits - each game takes a different amount of credits - you get a type of credit card with your purchased credits on it. You can add credits to the card when it is empty. Each game has a swipe pad - just like a credit card machine that you swipe your card through and it tells you how many credits you have left. Each of my kids had their own card and would refill them as needed. The coin slots are still there but I am not sure if they work or not.

I did not see any type of construction or relocation anywhere around the food and fun center.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

The method of payment for the games in the Contemporary arcade has DEFINITELY changed from years past.

You must purchase a 'card' at a machine in the arcade. You can purchase a $1 card if you like .... but that will not get you very far.

If you spend $5 you get a few extra bonus points, $20 even more bonus ponts. It seemed like the $25 cards provided the most 'bonus' points and gave you the most for your money.

We purchase $25 cards for my children -- and in comparison to years past the games that 'use to be' 25 cents were now 13 points. With a $25 dollar card you received 2000 points.

I know ... that's a lot of math to do ... but basically we found that buying the $25 was the best deal and that we actually got to play TWICE as much as if we were putting the quarters in (as in past years). HOWEVER, swiping a card is a WHOLE LOT more addictive than putting quarters in a machine. We found it much easier to keep swiping and not think of the actual dollar amount.

Nearly all the games give tickets that can be redeemed for prizes ... which is at least some consolation for all the $ spent! And the kids really enjoy getting something.

lorie