Just returned from a week at the Contemporary Resort-Any Questions?

[blessedby3]

We are just back from a week at the Contemporary Resort. WOW! We are in love with this resort. I have read so much about this not being very "Disney Themed", but we did not find that to be the case. We have 3 children (13,7 and 4) and it was SO convienent to be able to hop on the monorail and over to the MK. We spend most of our time there and this was a great blessing. We loved the atmosphere and all the "goings on " at the 4th floor with the stores, Chef Mickeys and monorail. Our 4 year old was singing the "Celebration"song that they sing at Chef Mickeys after being there for a couple of days and we didnt even eat there. We loved looking over into the area and seeing the characters down below. We were on the 11th floor facing the MK. What a view. We watched fireworks from our balcony almost every night and the electrical light parade also. The room was HUGE and bright. The elevators were great- fast and we loved hearing from the characters what floor we were on. This is not the case in the wings. No character voices. We went over to the South Wing one day to do laundry. The atmosphere was very different there. I am glad we were able to upgrade to the tower since we had a wing room booked. It wasnt complimentary, but they wanted another $600 and my husband talked them down to $325. It was very much worth it. We even arrived there about 9:30 am and they got us straight into a room- no waiting. We are definately looking to stay there for our next trip. WE are spoiled now to the CR and cant wait to start planning again. Any questions you have I will be happy to try and answer. Wishing we were still there.....

 

[cinmell]

Hi blessedby3,
The Contemporary is our favorite resort and I'm glad you enjoyed it! I do have 2 questions if you don't mind. Did the resort seem crowded to you and were the water sprouts or water jets (not sure of the real term) working around the pool?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

That is so cool! I'll have to remember that the next time we check-in and ask for an upgrade.

 

[Carl]

I will be staying at the Contemporary in 2 weeks. I have heard that it is a very short walk to MK from one of the wings. Which wing is that? My reservation says that it is a wing, but doesn't say which one.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, we are staying at the CR-Garden Wing, this Summer on a Military Rate(my DH is in the Air Force). Is it possible to get and upgrade and pay for it when you are on this rate?? Thanks, Joan

 

[Kallison]

I read so many negative comments about the CR before our trip I almost switched resorts until my friend told me to get a grip -- what could be more Disney then the monorail running through it. I completely agree with you for all the reasons stated, we loved the CR too.

 

[PrincessTanyuhKaypoo]

Every year when my family went on our Christmas vacations to Disney the first resort we stayed at was the Contemporary. We stayed there a few times and then tried the Poly which was also very nice but the CR just holds a special place for me. I guess it's because that was the first resort we stayed at and you're right Kallison- what could be more Disney then a resort with a monorail running through?
FH and I will finally be going back to the CR in just a few weeks (thanks to a Military discount) and I just can't wait!

 

[palmtreegirl]

This is not the case in the wings. No character voices.

Glad you had a good trip but just to let you know they do have character voices in the North Garden Wing elevators we were just there at the end of March and heard them.

 

[anne freeman]

Actually I think the Contemporary is the definitive Disney resort, The mere thought of the monorail swiftly appearing into the concourse,conjures up memories of when Disney was only one Park..and two Hotels...We plan on staying there for old times sake this August(we have been staying at GF,the last 2 years)..I have not stayed there in years,and Im really looking forward to it this year..

 

[pooh2001]

We will be checking into the CR on Friday,
May 23 around noon.

When did you get to the CR and when was your
room ready ?

I hope we can get into our room.
We have a standard, North Wing request.
I guess we'll face the parking lot and
monorail - hey we got into the CR

My DH will have been up since 3:30 AM.
We sleep in the car for the 2 hour ride to
the airport (hee hee).
So, DH will want to sleep and I'll
take our DS & DD to MK.

Do you know when you think our room
will be ready ?
I'll try for a manager upgrade.
I'd pay another $300 - $400 to be in the
tower !

 

[blessedby3]

Hello to cinmell
The CR didnt seem crowded to me. When we checked in (although it was 9:30 am and probably not one of their busier times for check in) we walked right up to the desk with no waiting and about 4 other workers waiting to take check-ins. I do reccomend checking in as early as possible. If a room is available you can get in right away like we did. We had the rest of the day just to soak in all of the wonder of the CR and use all of its offerings. We were going to go to the pool anyway until our room would be ready if we couldnt get in right away. The pool was not too crowded either. The kids went up and down the slide as many times as they wanted with only 1 or 2 people in front of them. The fountains were running also and my kids loved them.

Hello to Carl
The North wing is the closest to the MK. We never walked across to the MK since we were in the tower, but I have heard that it is not too bad of a walk. We could see the walkway when we would leave out in our car, but couldnt actually see where it ended.

Hello to Joan S.
I dont know about the upgrade for the discount you have, but I would sure ask. I had reservations under a discount code that I made back in Jan. and when we checked in and they said that it would be another $600 for the tower and that was with our code discount. Do like my husband did and offer them a lower price. I would have never thought to do that, but luckily he did. The woman checking us in kept going in to a room behind the desks and speaking with a mgr. I guess. If you can go to the tower I would. And ask for the MK view- awsome. We watched the fireworks from there and they were beautiful.

Hello Palm Tree Girl
Sorry about that mixup. We only went into the South Garden Wing and the elevators never had voices. Maybe they were just out of order at that time?

Hello pooh 2001
We got to the CR about 9:30am to check in. We had driven down from VA and stayed in Kissimmee the night before so we could get up really early and get to the resort to spend the day. It was worth it. Even with switching from the Garden Wing to the tower our room was ready then. We even got to pick the floor (we went with the highest that wasnt conceirege- that is 11th) and the view we wanted. I guess it depends on how crowded or booked they are as to how quickly you can get into your room. Go for the upgrade if you can- you wont be sorry. I had also requested the North Garden Wing before we left home so that we would be closer to the MK and it is all nonsmoking. It seemed like they had not gotten my fax because they had us in the South Garden Wing. She said that they could have changed that also if we had chosen to stay in the wing. I didnt ask if they got our fax or not, but had stated on it that we have 2 in our family with allergies and needed the totally nonsmoking wing. Makes me think they didnt get it or didnt key that info in. Have fun!!

 

[pooh2001]

Thanks - your info is great.
I will try for tower when we check in.

I will strongly request NORTH wing, if
they give us South. North wing is on
my ressie

I am now not sure if we can swing another
$600. I just made reservations for Lake George,
New York for the end of June when NY schools get out.

We have a pool - so we do not travel much for July & August.
We stick around the house, go to minor league baseball games,
and do day trips.

Again thanks for the info and enjoy your new WDW pictures

 

[tkgdisney]

I am glad you had a great trip - and happy o hear all about it - a few questions-

How was the landry area - we will need to wash half way through the tri. Did you use the water sprites - boat rental? The boys are really looking forward to them - do they have the length of stay rental package still? Did you use the mugs and if so are they worth it.

How was the pool and the beach? Did the 14 yo like it - I have 2 andthey were wondering. Did they try the arcade? And how were the food areas? Just trying to find out if my picky eaters are going to find much to eat.

We are booked for the end of May and hoping to enjoy it as much as you have - just getting a lot of questions now.

Thanks!

 

[pooh2001]

tkgdisney - we'll be at the CR end of May too !
May 23rd - May 31st
Look for my green ribbon !

 

[blessedby3]

Hello tkgdisney
Well, I answered your questions this morning and then lost everything. Hopefully this wont post twice, but if it does you will know why.
The laundry was fine for us. I had read posts before we left that said the machines werent great. We washed laundry in the South Wing about 1/2 way through our vacation. We took it down as we were going to the pool and put in two loads. We then headed to the pool and I went up about 45 mins later and put the stuff in the dryer. I think it was $2 for washing and $2 for drying. They also sold detergent there in a vend box, but I took some Purex detergent tablets and they worked great. After another 30-45 mins my husband went and got everything out of the dryers. I think they did fine. Just dont overload the machines and you will be fine. We got a roll of quarters from the bank before we left to use for washing. I also bought a foldable laundry hamper that we took with us. I got it at WalMart for about $6 although I think we could have used 2 for our family of 5. One for colors and one for whites. They fold up to the size of a dinner plate (like those fold up sunshades). VEry handy- we just left them popped up in our room and threw all laundry in it as we changed. They also have handles so you can carry them to the laundry room and fit nicely into luggage since they fold up. My son uses it in his room now that we are back.

We didnt use the water boats. They looked fun, but my 13 year old is a girl and not into trying too many new things like that. I am sure that your boys would enjoy them a lot. I also dont know about the rental for the length of stay since we didnt use them.

We also didnt use the refillable mugs. Because we drove from VA, I bought some coke products before we left when they were on sale. 5 Six packs were $10. We saved more money doing it this way. We just used the ice from the ice machine and glasses they provide in the room. We also bought 2 cases of water from Sams before we left (for about $4.50 per case) and took this into the park everyday. We took about 8 bottles per day in and sometimes a couple of sodas also. Worked well since water and soda are $2.50 per bottle in the parks.

My kids all loved the pool, although we didnt use the beach. My 4 yr. old did dig in the sand a bit, but you cant swim in the lake and we didnt see much going on at the beach. The pool has a fun slide although my 13 yr. old would have liked the pool to be deeper. I dont think it went over about 4 feet. The adult pool might be deeper but we didnt go there since we had the 2 younger ones also and it is a quiet pool. There are also a couple of hot tubs right around the pool and boy did they feel good after a long day at the park!!

The arcade was lots of fun for my 3. There seemed to be a ton of games- its very noisy- and a good selection for all ages. They have coin changers in there and also trade in bills ( I think quarters trade for a $10) for a roll of quarters. There are many games that give tickets with a prize cabinet to trade them in on. WE did not eat in the food court while we were there, except for one night I was down there with 2 of my kids and we split a french fry order. They were good. We did eat at the Concourse Steakhouse and the food there was really good. My 3 kids got grilled chicken kids meals that came with garlic mashed potatoes(yummy) and corn on the cob. My husband got a grilled chicken salad and said it was very good. I ate off my kids plates what they didnt eat (my 2 girls eat little of nothing) and they were wonderful- although at $9 each they were the most expensive kids meals we have ever bought. I have 3 picky eaters also, but all of them ate off the kids menu everywhere we went so they had access to all the favorites- burgers, chicken strips and pizza. I dont know if the kids meals would fill up your boys or if they would even order off of them, but that kind of food is available.

I know that you all will have a great trip. Wish we were going again in May. Im jealous now. Oh well, guess I will just have to start planning again for our next trip hopefully next year. If you have anymore questions just post them and I will try and answer them.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi, My question is about the condition of the concourse area...

We stopped by the contemportary last August to have lunch at the Concourse Steakhouse (which was very good) and to shop and look around.

We came by the monrail from MK and the first thing we did was go to the ladies room.. I was really surprised by the terrible condition of the rest rooms... the door was all scratched and dirty on the exterior.... inside there were paper towels on the floors and everything looked grungy like a bathroom in a mall... or a bus station.. not like any deluxe resort bathroom I have seen.


I found the concourse level dirty in appearance and as we were early for our PS we went to have a drink at the bar.. the furniture was worn and run down, there were dirty glasses sitting at most of the tables and other table were stained with rings from wet glasses... just again really grungy. They had TV's but it was all static.. the reception was terrible.

The Concourse Steakhouse however, was great, service, food, and cleanliness.. it was just out in the concourse I was disappointed with. At one point we used an elevator and all the buttons were scratched and there were fingerprints everywhere... ewww

Your report sounded so wonderful... I am wondering if things have been spruced up since last year?

Thanx

>>^..^<<

 

[blessedby3]

In response to the Concourse area- I did not find it to be dirty or nasty anywhere. We went into the shops many times and rode the elevators everyday and didnt notice anything like you saw. We didnt use any of the bathrooms on the Concourse level since we were staying right upstairs. The only bathrooms we did use were on the 1st floor outside of the food court in the main lobby. I did notice while we were in there how clean they were. We dont drink so did not go over to the Outer Rim so I cant say about that. I did notice the tvs on when we went to eat at the Grand Concourse and there was no static on them then. Sorry your visit left you with a bad feel for the Contemporary. We had nothing but a clean, enjoyable time. Maybe they had complaints from when you went and have stepped up their cleaning practices.