Make me love The Contemporary!

[100acreHiker]

We've been switched from WL to the CR due to construction. I've done GF before (and loved it) but was really looking forward to all of the holiday stuff and feel of the WL in December. Still, the idea of hearing jackhammering as they tear up the pool was the line in the sand. I love that the CR is going to be super convenient for getting to MK and Epcot, seeing Wishes, the kids will like the pool I think, and the food options look good. We'll be staying the Garden Wing. If any Contemporary fans can add some positives to the list above, I'd love to hear them!

 

[beccasmom]

We are big Contemporary fans and stayed there many times during our first "decade" of WDW trips (we became DVC members in 1992). We always stayed in one of the wings (of course now there is only one wing). We liked the wings because they are quiet and some rooms have wonderful views of Bay Lake. It is a relatively easy walk to the pool area. The wing is quite large with many more rooms than you would think. We like the variety of restaurants and of course the location is unbeatable with easy access to walking paths and to the monorail (and to the Poly and GF) and watercraft over to Fort Wilderness. The rooms are quite large and very comfortable. I think the level of service is excellent. I have a soft spot in my heart for the CR. We have spent many wonderful vacations there.

 

[diddldonna]

We've been switched from WL to the CR due to construction. I've done GF before (and loved it) but was really looking forward to all of the holiday stuff and feel of the WL in December. Still, the idea of hearing jackhammering as they tear up the pool was the line in the sand. I love that the CR is going to be super convenient for getting to MK and Epcot, seeing Wishes, the kids will like the pool I think, and the food options look good. We'll be staying the Garden Wing. If any Contemporary fans can add some positives to the list above, I'd love to hear them!

We have switched too and staying in the Garden Wing - Garden view one, from research I am really happy with this and have figured out which rooms to put in a request for when we visit.

 

[lovesdumbo]

The CR rooms are huge.

You'll have a daybed so kids won't have to share.

Walking to/from MK is huge plus!

I really liked Contempo cafe.

You can watch Electric Water Pagent.

They have a nightly marshmallow roast.

 

[monorailmom]

I also have a soft spot for the CR. The first trip we took with our kids and my in-laws (2004) we stayed in the North garden wing. I remember we were on the bottom floor and the playground was just steps from our room...it was perfect.

Now we have been DVC members since 2008, and our favorite home resort is BLT!!! (right where that north garden wing used to be!) We love getting to see the Castle and Monorail every day. We love the shopping and the energy in the Grand Canyon Concourse. The pools and view of Bay Lake are just fantastic. There is nothing like getting to watch the Electric Water Pageant at night and then just strolling back to your room. The ability to watch MSEP and Wishes and then just walk back to your room instead of waiting for a bus or Monorail is priceless.

DH and I just stayed at the villas at the GF in May. We absolutely loved it. However, we both said that we still would consider the Contemporary our "favorite" resort.

You will have a Magical time, I'm sure!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Glad I came across this post! After switching the dates of our trip this year 4 times due to having to take an extended maternity leave, we finally settled on going 10/24-10/31 and are staying in a garden view room in the garden wing. First time staying here and really hoping we love it as much as you all. I was torn between BC and CR but after realizing we be spending most of our time at MK and EP it made most sense to book CR. Hope I made the right decision!

 

[oceanmarina]

We loved staying in the Bay Lake Villas, that walkway to the magic kingdom was our favorite walk! Make sure you take a picture by the metal mickey ears outside the contemporary lobby, we had our kids sit in them when we were there last & it was one of my favorite pictures! (Adults can sit in them too!) Their gift shop and food court & quick service are all excellent in the main lobby. It's a great move, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that jackhammering). But to be honest, the theme of the contemporary cant hold a candle to the Wilderness Lodge, but the Contemporary is a must stay at least once!

 

[Mousemommy1]

The rooms are huge.

The pool is never crowded.

You can see the EWP from your balcony (on lake side).

The walk to/from MK is awesome!

The lobby smells good.

When working properly, the monorail is great transportation.

The gift shop is my favorite on Disney property.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We stayed in a CR garden wing-garden view room last November and they had the most adorable Frozen gingerbread display along with a little shop where you could buy gingerbread and other Christmas decorations. It was so cute!

There are no balconies in the garden wing, so if you want an "outdoor" space, request a first floor room. The walk to MK can't be beat!

 

[100acreHiker]

Thank you for sharing all of your favorite aspects of the CR! Still coming to terms with not being in WL for the holiday, but after it was explained to me how intrusive digging up that pool will be, I knew it would not be money well spent.

 

[AngiTN]

We are big WL fans but we did love the convenience of the CR.

Thank you for sharing all of your favorite aspects of the CR! Still coming to terms with not being in WL for the holiday, but after it was explained to me how intrusive digging up that pool will be, I knew it would not be money well spent.

Out of curiosity why? The pool being torn up is at the Villas. It's pretty far removed from the main building. A room in the wing away from the villas would not hear or see a thing. Even when we stayed on the wing near the villas we wouldn't have heard that pool. Or were you staying in the Villas?

 

[goofy4prez]

Ok, let me go against the flow here. I love the WL, especially during the Christmas season. There is almost nothing that would keep me away from the WL during Christmas including construction next door at the VWL. I also have to agree with the post above (AngiTN) and say that if you are not facing the Villa's you will not be distracted by the work going on at the Villa's. Overall I think most will be fine at the WL. With that said, IMHO the Contemporary has two big things going for it; LOCATION and ROOM SIZE; Ok, three big things.. The MONORAIL running through it Other than that I really am not very excited about the generic hotel feel, the noise level of the resort, the boring pool and constantly packed elevators. Do I dislike the Contemporary? No. But the things I don't care about the Contemporary far outweigh the positives. The only thing that will draw me back to the Contemporary/BLT is being so close of a walk to the MK.

 

[tami82]

We've been switched from WL to the CR due to construction. I've done GF before (and loved it) but was really looking forward to all of the holiday stuff and feel of the WL in December. Still, the idea of hearing jackhammering as they tear up the pool was the line in the sand. I love that the CR is going to be super convenient for getting to MK and Epcot, seeing Wishes, the kids will like the pool I think, and the food options look good. We'll be staying the Garden Wing. If any Contemporary fans can add some positives to the list above, I'd love to hear them!

We stayed in the garden wing and loved it. If you can try to get a room with patio. It was closer to pool, we could watch electric parade from patio, and my kids were able to,sit outside and not cramped up in a room when they got bored. It was a little walk to the tower but not much and didn't mind it at all. If I had to,would stay in gw again as it was more convenient for the above reasons especially the pool.

 

[100acreHiker]

We decided to jump ship for a couple of reasons: it was explained to me that during the period of our stay, the focus of "construction" was actually extensive demolition (jackhammering up the pool and felling trees, etc). Generally speaking, demolition is not quiet work. Our dear friends who we are traveling with have had a heavy construction project in their backyard for over 6 months, and that would not feel like a vacation to them. I just can't risk taking them there and it being intrusive, so we made the decision. We have three boys between us, so I think the novelty of the monorail and modern look will work for them, and the convenience of getting to both MK and EP is a huge plus. I feel a bit ambivalent about it, but I also know that staying at the Contemporary is a lot better than sharp stick in the eye. Looking for the positives here!

 

[DJFan88]

They have great and sometimes different cupcakes at Contempo!

 

[mimi1016]

Our first stay last August was at the Contemporary and I will say that I didn't experience any of the noise I often read about. We had a tower theme park view and it was amazing. Aside from that, being able to walk to the resort after watching the fireworks while avoiding the backlog waiting for buses and monorails was priceless. Also, during our stay I never experience a crowded elevator. Perhaps it was the timeframe I was there or I just got lucky. I can't compare to WL because I've never stayed there but if you plan on spending the majority of your time at MK the location can't be beat. Also, the lack of theming and sterility didn't really bother me or the three kids (11) (6) and (2) but then again it was our first visit so we have nothing to compare that to either. Lastly, they had these AMAZING cupcakes at the contempo cafe!

 

[Babsy]

We've been switched from WL to the CR due to construction. I've done GF before (and loved it) but was really looking forward to all of the holiday stuff and feel of the WL in December. Still, the idea of hearing jackhammering as they tear up the pool was the line in the sand. I love that the CR is going to be super convenient for getting to MK and Epcot, seeing Wishes, the kids will like the pool I think, and the food options look good. We'll be staying the Garden Wing. If any Contemporary fans can add some positives to the list above, I'd love to hear them!

The CR is one of our favourite WDW resorts! It is amazing, IMO!

The CR is one of the first WDW resort hotels. It's history is quite interesting - it was originally intended to be almost an extension of tomorrow land in the MK. The theme certainly matches and is so in tune with the Tomorrow Land area that you can catch glimpses of the CR while inside the MK!
The atrium is definitely exciting with the monorail running through the Grand Concourse, where most of the shops and restaurants are located. Chef Mickey's is a regular for us, the Contempt Cafe is a really good QS and there is the California Grille for that special dinner! The Wave is also good with some nice healthy options! Of course, you are just a monorail ride away from the restaurants at the Poly or the GF as well!! If you want to dine at the FW (Hoop Dee Dee revue) or the WL you have a boat that will take you directly there. If you want to dine at any other WDW resort, you can walk to the MK bus stop and take that resort's bus directly. The CR is the only resort that provides easy direct transportation to any WDW resort!!

The CR rooms are huge and very comfortable! Those beds are second only to those in the Swan/Dolphin, IMO. The rooms are identical in the GW to the higher priced rooms in the tower. The only difference is that the second and third floor rooms do not have balconies. However, they do have sliding doors that open to a rail allowing fresh air and lovely views from your room. The first floor does have patios, so you can request a first floor room, if that is important to you.

The GW has the guest laundry in the same building, which is convenient. the rooms here can be quite convenient to the pool and to the boat dock. The views are so beautiful and peaceful, you would probably pay a premium for it at any other resort. At the CR, these are the lower priced rooms! These rooms also have the advantage of being a really good value for staying on the monorail. Yes, you do have to walk outside to get to the tower, but the walkway is not long and it is covered. It really is not a problem at all!

Finally, there is the walkway to the MK! Everyone mentions this because IT IS SO GREAT!!!! Walking to/from the MK from you hotel really is a huge benefit that alone makes the stay at the CR especially magical. Of course, if you really want to see the WL and the lovely decorations that they have, it is only a quick boat ride away. You don't have to miss out or even be inconvenienced to see these.

The CR is a WONDERFUL place to stay in WDW!!! You will LOVE IT!!!

Enjoy!

Glad I came across this post! After switching the dates of our trip this year 4 times due to having to take an extended maternity leave, we finally settled on going 10/24-10/31 and are staying in a garden view room in the garden wing. First time staying here and really hoping we love it as much as you all. I was torn between BC and CR but after realizing we be spending most of our time at MK and EP it made most sense to book CR. Hope I made the right decision!

Yes, I believe that you will LOVE the CR! Do not worry! We always include it in our top three resort list. It is a contender as a place to stay on every trip to WDW. We choose to stay here often for the comfort and convenience.

 

[DJFan88]

I didn't even want to stay at the CR my next stay, but now I would consider it! LOL.