Reporting LIVE from the Contemporary

star2500

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
487
Hi Everyone...

Well we made it...after only sleeping for 2 hours last night, waking at 3 am, limo pick up at 5:30 am, arriving at the airport at 7 am, 6 people through security (nerve racking lol).....some delays with traffic with the airplanes....finally landing in Orlando at 12:51....the following are some of the things I liked and didn't like so much so far....


Magical Express checkin was very easy and quick. The line moved very quickly. We got to the RED carpet and found the line for the Contemporary....yeahhhhhhh no line and saw a sign that stated WL & CR bus !!!!!:banana: WOOOO...wait....banana dance too fast....we get on the bus and the driver (not so magical but it was fine...we weren't in magical moods at that point lol....veryyyyy tired)...proceeds to say "First stop, Poly, 2nd stop GF, 3rd stop WL....and I'm looking at her thinking no way are we on the wrong bus THEY PUT US ON HERE lol....I yell...and the CR lol....and she says YES and last the CR. So yes we are last on another 45 minute ride lol.

Checkin....VERY EASY. No line, I was the first one next. Asked the CM if it was at all possible to get a high room ( we had the Bay side reserved in the Tower)....and she said, "The hotel is booked solid; however, you do have a good room." HMMMMM????? good room??? did they upgrade me????? lol....well another 30 minutes til we find out.

All of us proceeded to get something to eat at the grab and go place. Lunch food wasn't bad. I didn't think the choices were as limited for a counter service as I thought it would be.

So after we eat we go see if our room is ready and it was. We are on the 7th floor and we are on the bay side and our view is directly in front of the pool. It is one of the best views I think on the bay side. At least from what I could tell. We are literally in the center of the pool view. So it is a great view room on the bay side. Can see the construction on the DVC...but I was prepared and it doesn't bother me.

Now for the room....It is definitely bigger than the pictures seems to make it. Remember....we are 6 of us in here:scared1: Me, DH, my mom, DS 13, DD10, DS 2. So my worry was that with each person having one piece of luggage...2 toiletry bags...carry on bags...cases of water delivered...cases of soda delivered..porta crib....ahhhh lol...I was really worried about where we would put the luggage. Well to our surprise the room is definitely wider than it seems. Our luggage is lined up right in front of the tv/center. Fits perfectly and still plenty of walking room. Porta crib fits fine at the end of the bed and still plenty of room between the porta crib and the couch.

Now the things I think could be different. I know I was warned about these sinks lol...but I can't believe anyone in their right mind would build these things. lol. The only good thing about it is that due to lack of counter space (non) you can definitely use one as a "counter" and only use the one sink. And they are on the low side...very low side lol. The size of the bathroom is fine. There is extra room in the "toilet area". Which fits our toiletry bags fine. And we have a mesh bag hanging from a hook in there with dirty clothes.

Housekeeping...hmmmm well the bathroom was cleaned fine. The rug was fine. This dark wood is crap. There was definitely a light coating of dust. Not real bad but there. I had lysol and lysol wipes delivered too. And wiped everything down which I would do anyway. I did notice even after I wiped...about a few minutes later i see a little dust...or some bits of the paper towel. So it's defintiely not the best to keep clean...but I know they did not wipe it down. You can see they cleaned the glass sliding door....but not that great...can see missed spots on that and on the glass desk.

My kids love the computer...and obviously I do too since I am writing on there lol. Christmas decorations here lack tremendously. As of now so far. So if you are expecting a WOW feeling of Christmas when you walk in...it's definitely not there...not like the others. The Christmas Tree is beautiful outside....but inside other than the Pinnochio Chocolate Sculpture they have....I really didn't see anything else.

Anyhows....I hope that helps a little for you all. I will try and keep posting...if not I will definitely post when I get back. If anyone has questions....I'll try to answer them.

Pixie Dust to all....
 
Thank you so much for reporting live. I love it live. It makes me feel like I am right there. Keep us posted.
 
Have a wonderful time!!! I love reading live reports - it makes you feel like your there. I can't wait till next week.
 

So nice to hear from someone staying where we will be in a couple of weeks! I am preparing for stowing our toiletries creatively as you are! And glad to hear that all six of you are settling in!

When we stayed in the Contemporary Tower in December '99 we barely noticed the lack of Christmas decorations; we were so excited to just walk out our door and see the monorail whiz by. And this year you can walk to the stairwell at the north? end and look at the castle lights every night.

Are you going to a MVMCP? If by any chance you are taking pictures, could you try uploading to somewhere? Some of us are still waiting to see if the computers allow uploading. (We know you can use the USB port for charging i-pods etc.)

Post updates when you get a chance! And have a wonderful stay!:santa:
 
Thanks for the report! DF and I will be there next Sunday for our honeymoon! I am excited about having a computer in the room! Does the internet cost anything?
 
I am excited about having a computer in the room! Does the internet cost anything?
I have stayed at the Contemporary 3 times since they installed these computers in every room and everytime the internet has been free. So I would assume right now it's still free, since no one has reported that there is now a cost for using it.
 
Thanks for reporting live. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

I agree with you on Magical Express. I love it.
 
Hey Everyone....

Ok...let's see...last night was way too much for all of us to go to DD and eat at Portobello's. Kids went swimming. They are so thrilled it's open til midnight...and yes it was HOT yesterday lol. Humid and warm. They say they are having a little warm front. We ordered room service which was fine but obviously on the expensive side. $8 for mac and cheese...when I had $1 one from my shopping order sitting on the counter. lol....I just thought they had microwaves in the room. They don't but I did find out this morning that at the temp, Grab & Go place there is one you can use any time.

Went to Chef Mickey at 7 am this morning. Was a great time to go. We were the first table all the characters came to. My little one did great! Thought at first he would flip out. But he didn't...was a little hesitant but he gave them all hi-fives...pictures...autographs...and even a kiss with Minnie.:love:

Just a tidbit...read many debates on room service and if people should leave their trays outside their room or not. You definitely leave it outside your room, BUT...make sure you call down to the first and tell them to come get it. They will immediately send someone to grab the dirty dishes outside your door.

On our way to MGM. Just waiting for my mom to get ready...really wanted to be there for opening with breakfast with JoJo..but yesterday was alot for everyone and my mom had a headache when she awoke so we let her sleep it off for awhile then we are off.


So nice to hear from someone staying where we will be in a couple of weeks! I am preparing for stowing our toiletries creatively as you are! And glad to hear that all six of you are settling in!

KLMALL....yes toiletry issue isn't bad as long as you either leave your stuff in the 2nd sink....there is that shelf under the sink you can store it on...just have to bend down and get it all the time...my son and daughter put their stuff there....or you leave it all organized in your toiletry bag your brought and just put the bag in the other sink while you are getting ready. That's what the adults are doing...and it's not that bad really. Actually keeps the bathroom looking neater anyway since the room itself is a....hmmm....let's just say...overloaded :rotfl2:

When we stayed in the Contemporary Tower in December '99 we barely noticed the lack of Christmas decorations; we were so excited to just walk out our door and see the monorail whiz by. And this year you can walk to the stairwell at the north? end and look at the castle lights every night.


We feel the same way. Just wanted to prepare people who were expecting a "WOW Christmas feeling in here". Christmas music is being played...there are some garland up...but it's not things that catches your eye. If someone is expecting that, so far it's not there. Only thing I can think of is they will still bring stuff out. I'll keep notice. And I agree with you...my older son (which is the reason we picked here he reallly really wanted to stay here) told me at breakfast that he was sooo happy we were staying here and thanked me for everything and booking our stay here. He is an exceptional 13 year old boy:love: ...and that's what it really is all about!


Are you going to a MVMCP? If by any chance you are taking pictures, could you try uploading to somewhere? Some of us are still waiting to see if the computers allow uploading. (We know you can use the USB port for charging i-pods etc.)

Post updates when you get a chance! And have a wonderful stay!:santa:


Yes we are going Dec. 4th. Upload pictures...ohhh forgot to mention...our digital camera broke or I messed something up on it in the limo coming here...ahh...good thing I bought disposables as backups. Going to try and fix it...and if I do will try and upload.


Thanks for the report! DF and I will be there next Sunday for our honeymoon! I am excited about having a computer in the room! Does the internet cost anything?

It doesn't cost anything so far. My kids love it in here...they are on it as one of us is getting ready. We check the weather on it in the morning...post here lol...it's a good feature.


Thanks for reporting live. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

I agree with you on Magical Express. I love it.

Yes....Magical Express was well worth it with the party of our size. If it was just me and my husband maybe...and 2 bags...might be different. But with all 6 of 8 pieces of luggage...carry ons....stroller...and us "bodies" lol...It's alot. And the extra time on the bus was well worth the time for not having to touch our luggage at all. My DH was so thrilled you would have thought we had....hmmm let's put this family like...."parent time alone" for a week....:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Well maybe not that excited...but close 2nd lol.


Ok...off to MGM...in the foggy misty, humid, air lol....will check daily...so ask away and I'll try and get as many answers back as possible.....

Pixie Dust to all.....
 
Hey Star 2500: I'll be joining you at the CR on Sunday! But I'll be accross the concourse in a MK view room. I had the same experience regarding ME last year. Instead of staying on the bus for the four stops, I got off at the Poly and took the monorial over to the CR. I figured it would be faster.
 
Hey Star 2500: I'll be joining you at the CR on Sunday! But I'll be accross the concourse in a MK view room. I had the same experience regarding ME last year. Instead of staying on the bus for the four stops, I got off at the Poly and took the monorial over to the CR. I figured it would be faster.

Can you do that???? That would really awesome because DF and I really don't like sitting on the bus for long periods of time.
 
Hey Star 2500: I'll be joining you at the CR on Sunday! But I'll be accross the concourse in a MK view room. I had the same experience regarding ME last year. Instead of staying on the bus for the four stops, I got off at the Poly and took the monorial over to the CR. I figured it would be faster.
Why would the ME bus stop at the Poly before the Contemporary? Does it have to do with the number of guests staying at each Resort on the bus at the time, or does the schedule of how the bus will stop change each day? The reason I am asking is because the Disney Transport buses when coming from MGM, AK and DTD always stop 1st at the Contemporary since it's the farthest one away and then it's off to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
 
Thanks for the report.

Are you in a suite.....I didn't know you could have 6 in a room...
what is the bedding arrangements....can you fit any more?

I didn't know there were computers in every room....Niiiiice....
Kerri
 
I love the reports. I am so excited. We will be arriving 12/8 - 12/15 - tower MK view.

Thanks a bunch!!
 
Can you do that???? That would really awesome because DF and I really don't like sitting on the bus for long periods of time.

Yes, you can. I only had one small piece of luggage so it wasn't a big deal to take the monorail. If you have alot of luggage, it probably wouldn't work.
 
Why would the ME bus stop at the Poly before the Contemporary? Does it have to do with the number of guests staying at each Resort on the bus at the time, or does the schedule of how the bus will stop change each day?

When I used Magical Express last December, it was the same route - Poly, Grand Flo., WL, and then the CR. Maybe that is the established route for ME for the MK resorts? Being a Disney veteran, I knew this was going to take a great deal of time with unloading some luggage, etc. I grabbed a monorail at the Poly and just headed over the CR in about 10 minutes.
 
When I used Magical Express last December, it was the same route - Poly, Grand Flo., WL, and then the CR. Maybe that is the established route for ME for the MK resorts? Being a Disney veteran, I knew this was going to take a great deal of time with unloading some luggage, etc. I grabbed a monorail at the Poly and just headed over the CR in about 10 minutes.
Oh well as long that works for you then I guess it makes sense to always to do it.
 
Hey Star 2500: I'll be joining you at the CR on Sunday! But I'll be accross the concourse in a MK view room. I had the same experience regarding ME last year. Instead of staying on the bus for the four stops, I got off at the Poly and took the monorial over to the CR. I figured it would be faster.


Hi Crazy...you are going to have a great time. The gift shop is all done. It does look nice. A little congested but it looks great. Christmas decorations...I see a little more today. We are on the 7th floor bay side. ME was great other than us being last, which to be honest being last would not prevent me from using them again. It was well worth it!!!!! Luggage arrived no more than 3 hours after check in....and we didn't have to call them they brought it immediately up. Immediately brought us up our food too from our garden grocer order too.....you are going to have a great time...it's been great so far.


Thanks for the report.

Are you in a suite.....I didn't know you could have 6 in a room...
what is the bedding arrangements....can you fit any more?

I didn't know there were computers in every room....Niiiiice....
Kerri

Hi Kerri...no we are in a regular bay room. We can do 6 because we have 3 adults, 2 children, and a 2 year old in a porta crib. A little tight but we are only in here to sleep and shower anyway. Enough room for our luggage lined up in front of the tv without being in the way at all. I was shocked myself. This was one thing I was very nervous about. Can we fit anymore? lol...ummmm....unless they want to sleep on the balcony lol... The amount of who we have in here is the max..tight but not as bad as I thought it would be. Only drawback is one bathroom...and sinks not outside of shower. That would have been alot easier. But I have the kids all showered at night along with DH..and me and my mom in the morning....in fact my 13 year old son showered and put on what he's wearing tomorrow :rotfl2: :rotfl2: he said so all he has to do is brush teeth and wallaaa...lol. any other questions ask away.


Will update on our 2nd day here on a different post...

Pixie dust to all....
 












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