Tell me ALL about the Contemporary

[Candlelady]

Couldn't find a Contemporary FAQ. Will be leaving in less than 2 weeks for a last minute business trip for Disney. (DD=business, me=fun solo trip since she will be working)

Tell me anything! Everything! Whatever! lol

Thanks for any and all info

 

[chip64]

Hey Candlelady, we have stayed at the Contemporary. We have only stayed on the 12th floor which is called the Tower Club. We had a magic kingdom view which was absolutely fantastic!! However the price we payed wasn't worth it for what a lot of people call Concierge Light on the 12th floor versus Full Concierge on the 14th. The tower rooms offer great views of the MK or Bay Lake. The rooms if I'm not mistaken are the same size in the tower rooms or the garden rooms except for the suites on the 14th floor of course. The Contemporary has been rehabbed as far as the rooms since we last stayed there. You can check out Deb Wills site at WDWdig for what the rooms now look like with their new decor. The Food and Fun Center offers a lot of great items for a quick bite and or fast food with pretty reasonable prices.The location of the Contemporary is great if for no other reason you can WALK to the MK.. Chief Mickey's is also there which is great for breakfast or dinner along with a steakhouse which I can't remember the name of. The pool is pretty good also. A lot of people don't like the Contemporary due to it's lack of a theme, but we honestly enjoyed this resort quite a bit. We stayed there 2 times, our last being in 1998. I could go on and on but my best advice is to check out different sites and decide yourself. Sorry this was so long, Good Luck, Chip.

 

[patgoofy]

I have stayed here several times in the past and returning in Dec. If you have not been there I think you will love it . You did not say if you were syaying in the tower or the wings, if you can try get in the tower ,it is great ,you can look out to see MK at night. Also make sure you go up to the 15th floor to see the observation deck, you can see for miles, also great spot for fireworks. There are 4 very good restaraunts in the hotel and a couple lounges. I think you will really enjoy the CR hope you have a great time

 

[Candlelady]

patgoofy & chip64.

Thanks for the info! We're not sure where they are putting us up. I figured we'd be in one of the wings, but dd thinks we'll be in the tower. We shall see

Does anyone know what the workout facilities are like at the CR? Is there a charge to use them? I didn't notice any info on Deb Willis' site regarding a gym.

Thanks again!

 

[Grumpy92]

You might want to take the Contemporary Resort tour at www.disneyzone.actusa.com. They have a great overview of the resort.
Some say it is dated but having stayed in the Tower the views are incredible and have the monorail there is very convenient.

 

[Grumpy92]

Sorry wrong address it is www.disneyzone.actusa.net

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

I've always found the resort to be cold and sterile feeling... although the California Grille is the best restaurant PERIOD!!!

 

[freediverdude]

Anyone know how to get up to the observation deck there? While I was there, I tried riding the elevator up to the restaurant, and didn't see any way out to an observation deck, except for maybe walking through the restaurant or something. The elevator didn't seem to have a 15th floor button if I remember right. When I got out of the elevator, they were having some kind of suit and tie party, so I wasn't dressed properly to even try walking through the restaurant, so anybody have a clue? As for the health club, it's properly equipped with weight machines, free weights, stairclimbers and treadmills, and has it's own locker rooms and sauna. It's $15 for one day, or $35 for length of stay. You have to take the elevator (or stairs I guess) to the 3rd floor, since the escalators skip that floor.

 

[Joan S.]

From what I remeber the res. is to the right as you exit the elevators and if you take a left you come to a hallway which leads to the observation deck. Usually there is someone right at the desk when you exit the elevator and they will very happily direct you. People do this all the time to see the fireworks!! It is a "Incredible View" at nite even without the fireworks!! Give it a try and just ask if you are not sure which way to go!! It really is there for all to enjoy! Joan (WE have done it a few times after Chef Mickeys, which is another not to be missed dinner at the CR!)

 

[Momto2funkids]

We also felt uncomfortable walking through the restaurant, so we found that you can also get out there by going to the 11th floor. Be careful with the door though, there is a heck of a wind!

Jo

 

[freediverdude]

Oh! So if you go up all those flights of stairs that are outside the huge windows of the concourse, then you can get up to the roof viewing area that way? Or I guess taking the elevator to the 11th and getting on the stairs from there would be easier huh. When I went up to the restaurant, I did look to the left, and all I saw was doorways that looked like they went to cast member areas, so I didn't try them, but maybe I'll ask next time.

 

[Momto2funkids]

Yes, we went to the elevator to the 11th floor (cause 12 & 14 are concierge and there is no 13), and then walked up the stairs to the top. We went to the observation deck twice. Once at night and once in the daytime. The first time, we did walk through the restaurant. But that is when we figured out that we didn't have to.

You can actually walk all the way down the steps, but I don't know if you are really allowed to do this. The monorail will go right past you on one of the levels. We did walk all the way down and the final door is a fire exit. And it was pretty stinky cause it looked like it was the Cast members smoking area!

Jo

 

[freediverdude]

Oh no! I can just see me falling off the stairs in surprise as the monorail whooshes by and landing in a pile of cigarette butts LOL I think the elevator will have to do.... Thank you for the info!

 

[karensi]

Does anyone know what time the fitness center is open till? Do you pay the money to use it at the front desk/guest services or at the fitness center itself? Thanks in advance

 

[freediverdude]

Well I used the fitness center while I was there, so I can tell you that you have to pay for it at the fitness center- the front desk has nothing to do with it. When I was there, I got conflicting hours from different sources. Since I was there in mid-afternoon I didn't worry about asking, but the door to the fitness center I believe said 9 pm, but other places like the hotel television channel and/or the information booklet you get when checking in seemed to say 7pm. So you might have to ask to make sure, if you were planning to be there later than about 7.