Just back from CR -- I'M HOOKED!

[sotoalf]

TJA, how booked was the hotel? did you have a problem getting requests?

 

[sotoalf]

TJA, how booked was the Contemporary? any trouble getting your requests?

 

[TJA]

Antiguan: I understand your dilemma. We stayed at WL two years ago and absolutely love the resort, its layout, its decor, its beauty. When I first walked in and looked around at CR, I was feeling like I made a mistake staying there. But after a day or two, I was able to overlook the decor (and actually begin to like it!) because the CR just has so many pluses, such as three fabulous restaurants, the walkway to MK, and the monorail. We will surely return to WL one day, but for now CR is the resort for us. I can't recommend which resort would work the best for you. All I can say is that I highly doubt you'd be disappointed with CR. It is actually very kid-friendly and was jam-packed with little ones! Also, when you are on the 4th floor eating at Chef Mickeys or the Steakhouse, or browsing in the shops, it is cool to watch the monorail pass through.

Selket: We held our one-year-olds and just walked around in the smaller pool as there weren't many people in that one. Our girls aren't yet interested in playing in the pool, so we didn't have a problem with it. I see your dilemma and don't know what we'll do next time we visit CR and our kids are at that in-between stage. You can get all the usual foods at FFC, plus they make a ham and cheese quiche which I ordered a few times (I really liked it). Yes, my DH found the nut in the room and was very upset about it. My girls don't have allergies, but it sure could've caused one of them to choke. Though it could've been an isolated incident, we, like you, will certainly have to check any room we stay in more thoroughly now that we have little ones.

Others: Regarding the monorail vs. buses vs. boat.....we don't mind the buses, and actually used to love them before having two babies. Now it is tedious for us to fold up the double stroller and carry the babies, etc., to get on and off the bus. The monorail is a dream come true for us because we could just roll the stroller on with the babies in it. Also the walkway took us to MK in about 5 minutes, so we could hop over there whenever we felt like it. Surely once we don't need our double stroller the monorail won't be such an issue for us.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at CR.

We stayed four nights last August through SOG (deal of a lifetime! $89 a night!!).

We absolutely loved it! We were in the North Garden Wing, parking lot view. But the view was actually great.
Some trees, but there was a big gap in the trees in front of our window. We had a wonderful view of Space Mountain, Tomorrowland---beautiful lit up at night, Cinderella's castle, and the monorail entering the main tower.
I would definately request this view again.
I had requested top floor, near the main tower. We got second floor, which was fine, and were right by the first bend in the building----very close to the main tower.

Our room was spotless, we had a very sweet Mousekeeper. She was very nice to us, and to our kids when we would run into her.
I had expected to hate the decor, I am not in to the "modern" look. But I actually thought it was fun. My son loved looking for hidden Mickey's in the decor, my daughter loved the talking elevators.

We loved the fact that MK was just a 5 minute walk away.

We ate at the Food and Fun Center twice. Food was really good both times. Also had a refillable mug, so we went several times a day to get Coke icee....................................kids!
My son loved the arcade, they have every game imaginable.

We spent lots of time at the pool, morning noon and night! The lifeguards are very friendly and really take their jobs seriously. I had a nice time chatting with them.
My daughter was 3 at the time, and most of her pool time was spent by or on the steps into the pool. She loves to walk up and down them. She doesn't like to get her face wet, so this is how she has enjoyed WDW pools since she was 2 (she will be turning 5 next month and this is still how she spends her pool time.)
I only swam in the quiet pool once, at night, but really liked how it overlooks Bay Lake.

We watched the MK fireworks from the boat dock once. They are beautiful reflected over the water. Also watched the EWP.

I can't think of anything bad about the CR.
We loved it so much the kids have been begging to go back.

 

[Aisling]

the CR reeks of retro-futurism. Imagine sleeping inside Space Mountain.

This is what I'm looking forward to! First AKL, and then I'll be Aisling Jetson! I've never been to CR before, but I have a feeling this is going to be my favorite resort.

 

[TJA]

sotoalf: the CR didn't seem very booked while we were there. Funny, but when I called to add one night to my reservations, the CM told me they were completely booked. I called two hours later and a different CM added the extra night to my reservation and told me they had lots of rooms as they were not very busy during my time there. So, having mixed signals, I observed the crowd of people while I was there last week and, while it was busy, it was not overly busy. We didn't have PS's at Chef Mickeys, but had no problems walking in (sometimes we had to wait a half hour or so, but never longer).

Most of our requests were met. When I booked the reservation, the CM gave me a guaranteed nonsmoking room because of the babies (her words). I requested two cribs and a room close to the FFC and tower. Our room location was wonderful and we got our two cribs (pack and plays). The only request we didn't get was a king bed. That was okay with us as we loved our room location and view.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

TJA,

Thanks for your reply. I also have a daughter who is just turning one the day after we arrive, and she is beginning to walk. She still crawls all over the place, and my father is soooo worried I will be letting her on the "filthy" carpet. I told my husband we will have to be careful.

I can't wait to go. There is not much time left.
I will give you my report when I get back

 

[sotoalf]

Originally posted by TJA
sotoalf: the CR didn't seem very booked while we were there. Funny, but when I called to add one night to my reservations, the CM told me they were completely booked. I called two hours later and a different CM added the extra night to my reservation and told me they had lots of rooms as they were not very busy during my time there. So, having mixed signals, I observed the crowd of people while I was there last week and, while it was busy, it was not overly busy. We didn't have PS's at Chef Mickeys, but had no problems walking in (sometimes we had to wait a half hour or so, but never longer).

Most of our requests were met. When I booked the reservation, the CM gave me a guaranteed nonsmoking room because of the babies (her words). I requested two cribs and a room close to the FFC and tower. Our room location was wonderful and we got our two cribs (pack and plays). The only request we didn't get was a king bed. That was okay with us as we loved our room location and view.

Thanks so much for directly answering the question! I can't wait till my June visit.

 

[Gabrielle]

You can't beat the size of the room and the bathroom at the CR - really big compared to the other resorts. And, the room not only has a daybed, it has a stuffed easy chair which my husband liked liked to doze off in.

 

[beastlyprince]

Originally posted by Selket
Ok...I didn't think there was a kiddie pool there - and 3 feet is too deep for him to be in - would be at the top of his head. That seems like a major downside to the hotel because he can't go in the water unless he is being held - at least he can't stand up and play and splash like a regular kid pool. He would like the water fountains to play in but I wish they had a kid pool! How did you 1 year olds play in the pools? Did you hold them or did they go in float vests or ?

There are life jackets available. If I can remember correctly, there's no fee, but you may have to leave some type of deposit.

With the life jacket and an adult right near him/her, he/she will have fun in the main pool.

Next to the main pool is a small kiddie area that has water jets that squirt out of the ground.

 

[sotoalf]

TJA, how big and wide is the sandy area between the wing and Bay Lake? It's big enough to stand out there, right?

 

[TJA]

Sotoalf: Oh yes, the sandy area is quite big and wide. Actually, there are a few sandy areas, maybe 3 or 4. The main one, though, is quite large. Then there are a few little areas where the bay meets the land in different spots.

 

[cmonroe]

I'm biased...

Myself and my family have stayed at the CR for over 20 years.
We absolutely love it! I have not noticed any problems with cleanliness.

We took our DD(2.5) to WDW last year. We, of course, stayed at the CR. She absolutely loved it. She swam in the pool with water wings and loved the Monorail travelling through the hotel!

Each time she'd see it, she'd say, "Mommy, Daddy look. My train!!!".
So she not only got excitement from all the parks, she loved the Arcade and the monorail at the CR.

You wouldn't believe that one of her favorite parts of the trip was riding in the front of the "train"(monorail) with the conductor.

She didn't stop talking about it for weeks.

 

[sotoalf]

Cmonroe,

I've been visiting or staying in the CR for over 20 years too, and it's interesting to talk about how much the palce is changed. Personally, the hotel looked much more dowdy and "sterile" in the '80s than it does now! Remember the vaguely Tex-Mex feel of the place: the orange carpeting, mariachi band, the Pueblo Room restaurant, etc?

 

[cmonroe]

LOL

Holy cow.... you've brought back some memories!!!!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

We love the CR and have so many wonderful memories there. Glad you had a great time!!!