Need help to get excited about the Contemporary

[Lewski709]

Other than it being on the monorail and the largest rooms of all, please help me get excited. I don't care for the decor. Tell me what is great about the place, please. Is there anything special for kids since they closed the kids club there? Chef Mickeys is there, but it....nor any other rest in the place....... is not on our list to eat.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

You can walk from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom - you may get a room that faces the MK and you'll be able to see the fireworks - if not, you may have a good view of Bay Lake and be able to see the Electric Water Pageant.

I hear that the arcade is one of the largest on property.

Sticky mickeys??

Great Marina...

My wife and I loved the California Grill on our last trip (without the kids)...

-Joe

 

[travellady]

we did a split stay this past April - Poly and Contemporary. the poly was for me, the CR for my husband. Well, I actually ended up preferring the CR. Our room was light and bright (Poly room was dark with only a view of bushes and lawn), not far to walk to the restaurants (it was a hike at the Poly to eat), walking distance to the MK, and best of all we had a MK view from our Tower room.

In the past it never would have been one of my choices but it's now on my list for future stays.

 

[CheezDoodle]

They have a lot of stores there, and we often shop there rather than fighting the crowds at DD. And make sure to try the Peanut Butter Chocolate fudge from the candy store!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I was also going to mention the great shopping, LOL! Their arcade is amazing -- my ds loves it. I think it's the largest of all the resort hotels. The pool isn't really themed, but we enjoyed it - the slide was fun. And you can see the Electrical Water Pageant every night -- that's not to be missed!

And of course proximity to the MK -- you can even walk back and forth if you want to.

HTH you get a little more excited! It's truly a magical place!!

 

[swilphil]

Lewski-We are booked at the CR in March, and I was feeling the same way about the room decor. From looking at the pictures it seems SO bright, but I just talked to a friend this morning at church. She has stayed there and she really liked the decor. She travels a lot for business, staying at nice hotels, and she has very good taste. I felt much better about the CR decor after talking to her.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I do know they have a playground and the pool has a fountain area where the kids can play. Someone mentioned that it had squirty things in one end of it. It may be zero-depth entry, but I'm not sure about that.

My kids are 2 and 4, and I'm really looking forward to just walking or monorailing over to MK for a quick hour or two, maybe just to get something to eat or play in the playground at Toontown.

 

[wdw4us2]

Aside from the rooms being big, the bathrooms have the best set-up of any resort on Disney property making it easier for multiple people to get ready in the mornings.

There is the option of taking the boat to the MK instead of the monorail. Also, if you're looking for something else to do, you can take the boat over to Fort Wilderness and check out all the activities there.

The CR is still one of my favorite Disney resorts, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[robinb]

I'm confused. Why did you book there if you don't think you'll like the decor and you don't like any of the restaurants?

I personally love the CR. I was booked there for your same dates, but my DH requested the AKL so we switched. I love the kitch of the place ... the retro 70's futuristic feel. I love how the monorail goes through the hotel. I love being about to walk to the MK. I love the big mickey mouse neon trimmed statue in the walkway to the marina. I love watching the water parade from our room and the fireworks from the parking lot. I love the California Grill and the Orbital Rim bar. I love the hussel and bussel of Chef Mickey's. I love the CM's outfits. I love walking through the concourse level and I love riding the talking elevators. The arcade is the best on property and connected to the snack shop. I love the size of the room and even the ugly-bright-retro decor.

There are only two things I don't like about the CR. There is a lack of parking when the MK is open and the pool needs to be refurbished. There's a rumor that the next DVC resort will be at the CR. If so, I will buy pre-sale!

 

[FWCamper]

Best arcade ever from my kids point of view (9 & 11). We hang out there alot when we are camping across the lake. You can also rent the little boats or go to the campground on a fishing excursion. The monorail is so fun to ride even if you aren't going anywhere. It is so convenient and the restaurants are great. I also slept there once and thought the rooms lacked a warm feeling but the hotel inself is great and the snack bar is good. I think it is a great hotel for kids.

 

[Kallison]

Best arcade I agree. The bathrooms got me excited, finally a deluxe where I don't feel claustrophobic on the toilet!! Loved the stores and talking elevators, watching the electrial light parade from my balcony. I love the Contemp, have a great trip.

 

[Disfreek]

I LOVE CR!!! I LOVE the fact that I can walk back to my room from MK w/o having to wait for transportation!!

I love the room. The decor was not that bright. I absolutley loved the large bathroom.

Waking up every morning and seeing the monorail zoom by underneath you is breathtaking and so DISNEY.

The stores on the 4th floor are large and full of lots of merchandise.

Chef Mickey's is marvelous... Nothing like having PS and just strolling down to the 4th floor--not rushing from another resort to get there on time.

The mousekeepers we had were excellent and we had 3-4 towel creations a day.

 

[DisneyDW]

We were only there 1 night and I'm not into the decor either but there are a lot of perks. Sitting in Chef Mickey's (or anywhere on the 4th floor) and watching the monorial go in and out was the biggest treat for the kids. They thought that was so cool. Watching the MK fireworks from the room was very magical. Feeling like I needed to step over the orange extension cord coming out of the bathroom each time was just funny!

The arcade there is amazing - lots of great and unique games.

You can't beat the location and access to everything!

You will have a great time!

 

[Misty89]

we jsut returned from the CR....we had a south wing room and we loved it! sooo much that we stayed an extra night!!!!!!!
the room was fun! alot of the reports i read on here did not do the place justice! - the halls were clean, nice and cheery room...bathroom was awesome and the best part was the patio to just sit outside and look at the surroundings! My kids and DH loved the pools ....
my whole family loved this resort! the shops were great and the food center and video game room were just as great!
DH and I agree that if and when we get back to WDW...we will will request the same area and not leave till we go home( we stayed 2 nights off property also)
give it a chance! the CR is awesome!
Tina

 

[nygrl]

one thing about the CR I dont know if a lot of people know every morning the lifeguards open the pool at 10 am if your child happens to be in the pool at that time they will ask them to help open the pool they give them a mickey wizard hat and mickey hands and a wand and the do a whole thing with your child where they think they are magically turning the fountains on they also take pics and will e mail them to you and your childs name goes on the board by the pool as mickeys helper for the day.
we happened to be at the pool early one morning last month and my ds got to do this . it was hgreat and he was so excited. i dont know if they do this at all the hotels but that is just one more fun thing at the cr.

 

[nutsforgolf]

Please tell me the differences and if the Tower room is worth the extra $$$.

 

[cmonroe]

one thing about the CR I dont know if a lot of people know every morning the lifeguards open the pool at 10 am if your child happens to be in the pool at that time they will ask them to help open the pool they give them a mickey wizard hat and mickey hands and a wand and the do a whole thing with your child where they think they are magically turning the fountains on they also take pics and will e mail them to you and your childs name goes on the board by the pool as mickeys helper for the day.
we happened to be at the pool early one morning last month and my ds got to do this . it was hgreat and he was so excited. i dont know if they do this at all the hotels but that is just one more fun thing at the cr.

I've only stayed at one other place, one other time at WDW. What I love about it:

1. Walk home from the MK in 10-15 minutes on a crowded night

2. If you get a north wing room or a tower room facing the castle you can see wishes from your room and hear it broadcasted on your t.v. at the same time.

3. The arcade used to be a little bigger, but has been a staple since I was a kid. They did remove the haunted shooting gallery, but it's still great!

4. Chef Mickey's

5. California Grille

6. Shopping on the 4th floor (above poster is correct about the chocolate/candy counter)

7. The monorail (of course)

8. The coffee/ drink bar in the lobby. Good lattes there.
.

 

[airforcewife]

Wow, we leave very soon and all this makes me so ready to go now! That pool thing is great! I didn't know that. I'll have to get my son down there, he would so love that!

 

[mjfox]

We'll be at CR in 9 days for 20 nights. It is our favorate Hotel for MK. If you are staying in the tower try to request a MK view so you can see the fireworks. (Call central res. to add a special request to the file)

If you will be there over New Years be sure to watch from the Hotel. The lake will light up with fireworks.

The monorail is nice to not have to wait for the bus to get to MK or EPCOT. You can even walk to MK.

The Cal. Grill is nice, even with kids.

If MK is your favorate park then CR is the hotel for you. You are back at the hotel by monorail in 10-15 minutes even with a line and you can walk in 15 minutes.

I hope you have a great time their.

 

[kirkharrod]

I think the Tower rooms are worth the money one time. We loved the views of the MK and watching the late night traffic in and out of MK. But we would be happy with a wing room after experiencing the Tower. I would want to be on the wing closest to the MK Walkway and parking lot.

 

[roozlilone]

I feel the same way about the Contemporary....don't care for the decor either....but it does have its advantages....nice pool...great marina....nice shops....some of the best restaurants Disney has to offer...the ability to view the nightly fireworks from the MK....the ability to walk to MK.... and it's on the Monorail! Eventhough I would say it was my least favorite hotel....I still enjoyed myself...and you will too!