Possible parking "caution" at the Contemporary Resort

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My incident occured during a combination of Spring Break and CR having a large in house convention. I really hadn't anticipated a problem, because I've even eaten Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners there, and not had a problem getting in. So it was a surprise to me at the time. I don't know if there's any way to get a list of conventions heading into CR, but having worked for a destination management company, you would be surprised how many conventions are booked immediately before and after major holidays. A friend of mine who is still in the business is working a large convention from 12/26-12/31, but that one is at another Orlando convention resort, not on Disney property. Just goes to show they can come at any time.

I couldn't find a central site that lists all the upcoming conventions. However when I did a Google search of upcoming conventions at Disney's Contemporary Resort, I did see a few sites that previously had conventions or is going to have them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My advice to anyone with upcoming ADR's at the Contemporary and had planned on driving there, is to leave a bit earlier then expected and just drive right to the TTC and park there.

Whereas better advice might be to leave a bit earlier than expected and drive right to the Contemporary to park, allowing the extra time in case one is turned away from the CR lot and has to make alternative arrangements.

I was thinking about that before and what if those guests took the Express Monorail from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom and from there transfer to the Resort Monorail, or does that not make any sense?

None. Any minimal time saved by not stopping at two resorts would be eaten by having to exit the Express monorail, go down one ramp and up the other, and wait for the Resorts monorail.

I was thinking about that before and what if those guests took the Express Monorail from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom and from there transfer to the Resort Monorail, or does that not make any sense?

But as was pointed out - a lot of rooms were eliminated, greatly reducing the number of resort Guests needing parking spaces.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I will just call them at 407 824 1000 that morning and ask if there are any issues. I will get the person's name that I speak to (maybe ask for a manager?) so if I get to the gate and get turned away I can say, "I just talked to so-and-so, s/he said I can park here."

If they still turn me down, I *will* be hunting down so-and-so after my looong trip on the monorail from the TTC!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

It happens a lot at the CR, when there are conventions. On days with conventions, the poor CM's sometimes have to park all the way out in Coronado Springs (if MK is supposed to be busy) and bus in!

 

[Luv2Roam]

The few times I have been turned away I have not had an ADR (luckily). Once I wanted to literally just run into the Contemp to buy a pin and leave. I even offered for DH to sit out front in the car, I run in and buy and it and run back out. With a res or ADR number, no access.
The other times I was either wanting walk in (such as eating at BRG on the Boardwalk) or shop.
I have to say each time we were turned away we just left.

If I just "had" to get to the Contemp, and did not have access to park there, I could leave, turn down the road that passes the MK kennel and the Poly entrance. Make a left. Circle around and NOT go through the park gates, but use that short access curve that takes guests into parking lot. Park and go from there. All that and the monorails could easily add an extra half hour.
However, I would almost be more inclined to go to WL, park, and take a boat.
All are a hassle. But seems like whenever we are in a hurry we are on, or behind, a monorail that breaks down.

 

[colleen costello]

BUMMER -- we have NY Eve reservations at Chef Mickey's at 7:10 and all HECK will be breaking loose that evening anyway. We are staying at my parents' retirement home that week and not WDW onsite... Of course we will arrive early but my Mom uses a walker and can't exactly run for miles. I think if we were turned away from parking our easiest bet would be to head for the Ft. Wilderness lot, get the bus, then the boat. Yikes!

Holidays at the resorts are crazy. This past July 4th they about strip-searched me at the Poly guard gate. They claimed they had no record of my reservation and I was NOT having that... I said "Maam, you will need to LOOK AGAIN as I made that reservation 180 days ago at 7am and I am NOT leaving." For some reason my reservation was under my first name and not my last... They called CRO to find me! I did have my ADR number and everything... It's pretty stressful but worth is to have holiday meals at your favorite resort. Everyone needs to have their ADR number info!

 

[Uncleromulus]

We just got back from Disney today. Our first night dinner was at California grill-Saturday night at 8:00. With confirmed Adr's of course. We were staying at SSR and our friends were at AKL. I had earlier informed them of this possible "parking issue" at the Contemporary and we both ageed that there was no way in the world were going to take all that extra time to go to the TTC, etc and we also determined that we weren't going to be turned away with those confirmed Adr's.
Short story--no self-parking available, plenty of valet parking. We were waived right on in and the guard didn't even ask for our ADR #.

 

[Finally08]

What is the TTC???

 

[Uncleromulus]

Transportation and Ticket center. It'sthe "hub" where you can pick up the monorail or ferry before you can access the Magic Kingdom.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

We just got back from Disney today. Our first night dinner was at California grill-Saturday night at 8:00. With confirmed Adr's of course. We were staying at SSR and our friends were at AKL. I had earlier informed them of this possible "parking issue" at the Contemporary and we both ageed that there was no way in the world were going to take all that extra time to go to the TTC, etc and we also determined that we weren't going to be turned away with those confirmed Adr's.
Short story--no self-parking available, plenty of valet parking. We were waived right on in and the guard didn't even ask for our ADR #.

Wow, I am a little concerned that there was no self parking available in early December. I am afraid there will be an issue over Christmas break with both self AND valet. Our breakfast ADR at CM's is Sat, Jan 5 and I have two parties meeting us, so that will be THREE cars parking with my ADR number. I also happen to know that one of our guests does NOT like to valet park, but I guess he'll just have to get over that, or maybe I will treat.

UncleR- Thanks for posting your experience. I am going to look for a CG review from you on the review board.

 

[fla4fun]

Wow, I am a little concerned that there was no self parking available in early December. I am afraid there will be an issue over Christmas break with both self AND valet. Our breakfast ADR at CM's is Sat, Jan 5 and I have two parties meeting us, so that will be THREE cars parking with my ADR number. I also happen to know that one of our guests does NOT like to valet park, but I guess he'll just have to get over that, or maybe I will treat.

UncleR- Thanks for posting your experience. I am going to look for a CG review from you on the review board.

Were they by any chance having their cast service banquets on Saturday? I know they were setting up for them while I was there last week, and I know parking is tight at CR when that is going on, so possibly that was the issue. Since I never saw anyone there for the banquets, I assumed they were going to be on the weekend when I checked out.

 

[kpatches]

This may be a little off topic, but just thought I would bring it here since it has to do with parking at the Contemporary Resort. In September we went to the California Grill had a wonderful dinner using the DDE Card. We told them at valet that we had the DDE Card so that we would receive free valet parking. We were staying at the Beach Club Villas. On our departure day my hubby checked our bill and we were charged for valet parking, not once but three times. So we got that taken care of at the front desk before we left. We were back down the beginning of December staying at SSR. We had reservations again for the California Grill, told them about our DDE card, and specifically mentioned to them what happened on our trip in September. Well on our departure from SSR we again checked our bill and sure enough we were again charged for valet parking at the Contemporary Resort. So back to the desk again this time to get it taken care of. So everyone should make sure to check their statement on checkout!!!