Tell Me All You Can (Good or Bad) About The Contemporary

[Wish Upon A Star]

We were originally planning on staying at Boardwalk Inn for our April 06 trip, but, now, we are contemplating staying at the Contemporary in the tower facing MK. It'll be extremely crowded (Spring/Easter) and we figured it would be an easier location since we can walk to MK and just hop on the monorail to the TTC.

Just looking to get everyone's experience who stayed at the Contemporary. It'll be myself, DH, DD (16) and DS (12).

Thanks in advance.

 

[cstraub]

We were there for Christmas time 2004/2005, also a very busy time! We loved being able to walk the short walk home instead of taking the very crowded busses and monorail.
I have stayed at a few of the resorts and have come to the conclusion that we like to stay at the monorail hotels or Wilderness lodge. Everywhere else seems to be too far away from everything that means Disney to us. We spend most of our time in the MK or Epcot. I just like to be able to hear the train whistle and see all the action. A tower room is the best spot for watching the fireworks at night. I think the CR really feels like WDW.

The rooms are not that great (feels like a 3 star, which I think it is). The rooms are nice and big and it is fun to be on the platform inside the hotel waiting for the monorail to pull up.

Good luck with whatever you choose!!

 

[jimmiej]

Five of us stayed at Contemporary in June '04. Here's what I wrote upon returning:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=592362

 

[bethbuchall]

The walk from the MK to the CR was the best! It was so nice to bypass the long monorail and bus lines and stroll leisurely back to our room.

We had a tower room with a view of MK, and it was wonderful to watch the castle at night and see Wishes from our balcony.

The room was very big, and our family of 5 was comfortable.

The kids enjoyed the pools and slide (though we didn't have a lot of pool time in our schedule).

We were only there 4 nights (after a week off-site). We drove our rental car to AK and Epcot from there. The bus to MGM wasn't horrible, but it did stop at GF and the Poly, so it took a while. We also didn't visit the Food 'N Fun Center.

Beth

 

[NCombs]

Funny, we are booked for the Contemporary Tower for 2006 and now I'm thinking of switching to the Boardwalk, so just the opposite of you.

They are remodeling now so the rooms should look great when they are done.

Just in case you didn't know, previously the MK view was just a request, but starting in 2006 the Tower-MK view is actually a room type that can be reserved. It costs about $40 more than a regular Tower room reservation.

Good luck deciding-I'm trying to do the same thing.

 

[swilphil]

We stayed at the Contemporary the week before Easter this year. We would just roll out of bed and stroll over to the MK for their 7 a.m. opening. (They had EMH at MK all week) It was also nice to take an afternoon break when things started to get crowded. My kids loved the arcade and the beach area. The rooms are HUGE!

 

[tinkerrn]

Its fantstic!!! It has the monorail running through it, great pools, and you can WALK to MK!! It also has many restaurants and has many water sports!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We stayed on the tower club level over New Years 2002, and had a great time. It was a very crowded time (and expensive, lol), but it was very quiet up on the club level (it was full, too). We had a MK view, it was awesome. I'd love to stay at the CR tower again. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

[Byrd]

We have been to WL, Boardwalk, YC, and CS. Contemporary is by far my favorite due to the location and view.
I know that certain areas are worn, but sometimes you have to go with your heart.
You will have a great time where ever you stay,
Have fun making the decision, that's part of the fun.
Byrd

 

[montblanc]

I stayed there last year, my kid absolutely loved it. The rooms were large and although the pool had little theming the view was excellent. Watching the monorails going in and out was a lot of fun and added to the excitement. We felt close to a lot of the parks and could see the fireworks at night. Overall one of my favorite resorts but I have only been at 3 so far.

 

[Keith]

Location was great. Riding the boat from MK to Luau at at Poly, walking to GF, and then taking monorail back to CR was awesome.

North wing was O.K.. We kind of got tired of walking the long hallway to get to the tower (our room was 2nd from the end). My mom has trouble walking and I felt bad for her. We requested a room close to the tower for medical reasons, but didn't get it. I kept wishing we could afford to stay in the tower. It would have been so much nicer.

Our kids (4 & 6) LOVED the arcade. I've never seen one like it at any hotel. My son loves skee ball, and he was in heaven having the skee ball machines right there in his hotel. We're staying at OKW this Dec., and we plan on hitting the CR arcade after Chef Mickey's.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

My little cousins...oh who am I kidding, even I LOVE the arcade...it's a lot of fun to go play after a long hot day in the park!

The pool is fun...a nice slide (not great but nice).

Management is pretty good there...I know a lot of them personally, they take good care of their guests.

The rooms are big, nice and spacious, but they are in serious need of a rehab. Last time I stayed on the 12th floor limited concierge and the wallpaper was peeling, the carpet was stained with something very much resembling blood. It was kinda gross. It made me find somewhere else to stay during my last trip, when I fell in love with the Poly.

unfortuantly the elevators get crowded at peak times because of the monorail on the 4th floor.

Oh and the location is PERFECT! Monorail at your doorstep, the views are amazing (especially castle view).

Hope you have fun!

Jungle Josh

 

[dreamalittledream]

Just in case you didn't know, previously the MK view was just a request, but starting in 2006 the Tower-MK view is actually a room type that can be reserved. It costs about $40 more than a regular Tower room reservation.

.

WOW! this is the first I am reading about this!!! Where did you get the info? I don't know if I am upset that I will have to pay more or if I am happy that It will take the stress off getting the MK view. LOL

I can call for my ressie in 2 weeks and I wonder if they will know about the new room type and be able to book it or if they won't and I'll get passed over because I am mearly *requesting* MK view.
OK now I'm happy, I have something new to worry about.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Love the shopping, the monorail, and CA Grill

 

[Annette_VA]

WOW! this is the first I am reading about this!!! Where did you get the info? I don't know if I am upset that I will have to pay more or if I am happy that It will take the stress off getting the MK view. LOL

I can call for my ressie in 2 weeks and I wonder if they will know about the new room type and be able to book it or if they won't and I'll get passed over because I am mearly *requesting* MK view.
OK now I'm happy, I have something new to worry about.

If you look here you can see the rack rates & where it lists the option for a MK View in the Tower

 

[NCombs]

If you look here you can see the rack rates & where it lists the option for a MK View in the Tower

Yes, this is where I noticed it.

I called CRO on Sunday. When I talked to the CM she did not know about it at first but did see the choice pop up as an option after I mentioned it. However, the rate sounded completely wrong (way too low) and I didn't pursue it any further.

 

[dreamalittledream]

If you look here you can see the rack rates & where it lists the option for a MK View in the Tower

Thanks for the info! I had looked there before the new rates were posted. I'm glad I have a while to save up for the view!

 

[LibertyLover]

I've stayed at the Contemporary twice. The first time was 18 years ago. It was, with the Poly, the practically the only game in town, so to speak - Grand Floridian was being built and there was a hotel on the golf course that later became SOG. I had my 2 teenaged nephews and my preteen niece. It was great then. The monorail was fabulous. The only thing I didn't like was walking out of our room into the hall - which for all intents and purposes was outside. We were there in August and the heat and humidity were a bit daunting, even for east coasters. More recently I stayed there for 3 nights in May with DD2. I did it for the convenience of the monorail since I was there with her on my own with DH staying home with the dogs. I liked it very much, although truth be told, I think that my favorite hotel is still AKL. The theming is fun, the restaurants are good and the gift shops are excellent.

 

[kyirish25]

Another CR lover here! Nothing beats MK view and falling asleep watching Wishes and waking up with the castle in view. I can't wait for the rehab rooms but would still stay there even if they weren't updating.

I like the idea of having MK view as a pricing option. This in line with the other resorts having water view or garden view. Plus it takes away from my stress levels of wondering whether or not my request of MK view will be the lucky one picked out of the pile.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Thanks for all the replies! I really appreciate it!

Does anyone know when the updating is scheduled to be completed?