The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower FAQ with PICs! (FEB 2010)

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this thread and CR/BLT and I have one pressing question and another request for thoughts or opinions. Hoping you guys can help out.

First a little background:

I have just booked our first trip home to BLT. As you can see in my sigy we have only ever stayed value. Though staying at the CR has always been a dream of mine. Last year Hubby agreed to take the tour and we bought in @ BLT! So excited. This year was to be our off year, however as an incentive we were given one year worth of points free...I was undecided what to do with them (crazy I know). At 182 days out I decide to try and book a LakeView Studio for 10 days. Low and behold it was available for the exact dates I wanted and I totaly expected them to be booked solid. This is a surprise trip for the kids.

So here is my pressing question.

My kids are pickey eaters..sort of Is there anywhere at the CR that serves - Chicken tenders and fries, cheeseburgers (with or without bacon) and fries, Cheese (pepperoni) pizza?

I have looked at the menus for the Tempo Quick service but I didn't notice any of the above on the menu. I did see the flatbread and I might be able to pass that off as pizza but what about the rest?

My other question is really a request for thoughts, opinons and experiences.

When traveling to non monorail parks (DTD, Water parks, DHS, AK) how would you rate the bus transportation? Do buses arrive promptly and frequently? Do you find your more or less likely to have to stand on the buses?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provided and sorry for the long post.

Have a magical day!

The Contempo Cafe is one of the more upscail counter service locations if you want to call it that based on their menu, because they offer more then the standard Burgers, Hot Dogs and etc. Now They still have a Cheeseburger and the difference compared to other locations is that they use an Angus Burger. The Flatbread Cheese Pizza would be something good for kids and is actually better then a regular Pizza, at least that's what I think. Now I am not sure what's avaiable on the kids menu and from the menus online I have seen I didn't see any specifc items listed for it. So to actually find out you will have to look on their touch screen ordering system when you order.

As for bus transportation I find it to be good when going to Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. However I find that the buses to Downtown Disney are the worst, although that seems to be a problem with all the Deluxe Resorts and not just the Contemporary.

 

[cmac609]

Subscribing

 

[disneygal922]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this thread and CR/BLT and I have one pressing question and another request for thoughts or opinions. Hoping you guys can help out.

First a little background:

I have just booked our first trip home to BLT. As you can see in my sigy we have only ever stayed value. Though staying at the CR has always been a dream of mine. Last year Hubby agreed to take the tour and we bought in @ BLT! So excited. This year was to be our off year, however as an incentive we were given one year worth of points free...I was undecided what to do with them (crazy I know). At 182 days out I decide to try and book a LakeView Studio for 10 days. Low and behold it was available for the exact dates I wanted and I totaly expected them to be booked solid. This is a surprise trip for the kids.

So here is my pressing question.

My kids are pickey eaters..sort of Is there anywhere at the CR that serves - Chicken tenders and fries, cheeseburgers (with or without bacon) and fries, Cheese (pepperoni) pizza?

I have looked at the menus for the Tempo Quick service but I didn't notice any of the above on the menu. I did see the flatbread and I might be able to pass that off as pizza but what about the rest?

My other question is really a request for thoughts, opinons and experiences.

When traveling to non monorail parks (DTD, Water parks, DHS, AK) how would you rate the bus transportation? Do buses arrive promptly and frequently? Do you find your more or less likely to have to stand on the buses?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provided and sorry for the long post.

Have a magical day!

Hi! I really like the Contempo Cafe for QS. I've had the flatbreads and they are really tasty, like a really thin crust pizza. I haven't had a burger there but I'm sure they are good.

As for the bus service, I think it is great. We never had to wait more than a few minutes and they were never so packed we had to wait for another bus or even stand. Also, it's nice that at the CR bus stop they have benches and not specific queues for the different parks. When your bus arrives you just stand up so they know you are going with them! Love the CR/BLT

 

[scjo68]

We really liked the Contempo cafe for quick service. I will say, though, that if you are used to values or moderates, you will find that deluxe quick service does not have as many options (especially kid-friendly ones) as the food courts do.

The moderate food court is the thing we have missed most while staying at POly and CR after many trips at POR/FQ. It is still worth it to us because we have loved the deluxes but they do not have what you could call a food court.

Regarding busses, I agree with PP that CR busses to parks are fine. You may stop at the POLY before heading on to a park, so allow time for that.

I also agree that busses to DTD are not efficient at all- and not just from the deluxes. I think they purposely make bus transportation to DTD inefficient so off site folks don't park there and hop on a bus to a resort and catch a bus to parks there. So they make sure that would take forever!

In fact, the only time we have ever been sitting for an hour waiting for our bus was to get back to our resort from DTD. We were at POR and had taken the boat to DTD, but it was so cold that night, that they warned us that boat service would be closing early and we would have to take a bus back. THat was the last time we relied on bus transpo to/from DTD. We always drive now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

tinkerbell3747,
One thing I forgot to mention with the Contemporary buses is that in the mornings they share with either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge. Then in the afternoon/evenings they share with both the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. However the Contemporary guests are always 1st to be picked up and 1st to be dropped off.

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

We will be enjoying our first stay at BLT in just about 30 days....very excited! I kind of liked the original set up for a studio...with the kitchenette and bathroom sink in the same area. I've read somwhere that the studios are being remodeled and the area is going to be reconfigured. Has that been completed? If so, does anyone have the new layout or photos? Thanks...will be anxious to contribute to this thread after our trip.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will be enjoying our first stay at BLT in just about 30 days....very excited! I kind of liked the original set up for a studio...with the kitchenette and bathroom sink in the same area. I've read somwhere that the studios are being remodeled and the area is going to be reconfigured. Has that been completed? If so, does anyone have the new layout or photos? Thanks...will be anxious to contribute to this thread after our trip.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[tinkerbell3747]

I just wanted to say Thank you for all the input and advice. Getting to know our resort before arriving will make our transition from travelling to vacationing alot smoother.

I too would be interested in seeing some new pictrues of the remodeld stuidos. I'll keep looking out for those.

 

[LJD2143]

Someone posted a picture of the renovated bathrooms on another thread:
[post]39939297[/post]

 

[heatherenae71]

I am in the process of changing from a TPV room to a BLV room in the Tower to take advantage of a 40% savings. Pleeeeeease tell me I'm doing the right thing!!!! I've weighed the pros and cons and the savings to a Bay Lake view outweighed seeing the castle outside of our balcony.

What else can you tell me about a balcony overlooking Bay Lake to get me excited about the change?!?!?

Thanks!!!

 

[tinkerbell3747]

I want to call MS today to put a request on my Ressie. I know request are not always able to be honored but I can try.

We are staying in a Lakeview Stuido. I was thinking a nice view of the lake and pool would be great so I wanted to request high floor in the center of the tower. Then I saw that is a possibility to get a view of the lake and MK. If this is what I want should I request a high floor on the north side of the tower?

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am in the process of changing from a TPV room to a BLV room in the Tower to take advantage of a 40% savings. Pleeeeeease tell me I'm doing the right thing!!!! I've weighed the pros and cons and the savings to a Bay Lake view outweighed seeing the castle outside of our balcony.

What else can you tell me about a balcony overlooking Bay Lake to get me excited about the change?!?!?

Thanks!!!

When available, we always book the Tower's BLV because we love seeing the water and all of the birds and we like that there isn't a parking lot below us. It's still my DH's favorite room view. It is a beautiful view and you'll be able to see the EWP at about 10:05 right from your room or balcony. Other than the EWP noise at night it's very peaceful overlooking the pools, marina, Bay Lake and what was Discovery Island and its many birds. You can even catch a glimpse of Illuminations.

You won't be disappointed with the BLV and you can always see the Castle/Wishes from the CL lounge, if you're staying CL or from the 4th floor viewing area outside, the beach or the CA Grill on the 15th floor, if you have a reservation.

Here is a (slightly foggy) morning view from our 12th floor balcony looking off to the right toward FW/WL/Epcot:

 

[WDWKOOK]

I want to call MS today to put a request on my Ressie. I know request are not always able to be honored but I can try.

We are staying in a Lakeview Stuido. I was thinking a nice view of the lake and pool would be great so I wanted to request high floor in the center of the tower. Then I saw that is a possibility to get a view of the lake and MK. If this is what I want should I request a high floor on the north side of the tower?

You would want to request the following:

~North-facing
~Outer Villa
~High floor

 

[tinkerbell3747]

That is beautiful and what I wanted to begin with. My DH is a nature guy and I can see the castle from other places...besides its just a short walk away. I think I will go with a BLV, and request - centre of the tower.


oh...and hope for pixie dust.

 

[WDWKOOK]

That is beautiful and what I wanted to begin with. My DH is a nature guy and I can see the castle from other places...besides its just a short walk away. I think I will go with a BLV, and request - centre of the tower.


oh...and hope for pixie dust.

If you want your bed (as you sit in it) to face away from BLT and toward the view in my photo, you would request an odd-numbered room. Also, if the celebration song from CM's might bother you in the morning or evening, you would want to request a room far away from Chef Mickey's.

I hope you have a great vacation!

 

[heatherenae71]

GORGEOUS PICTURE Thank you!!!!

I know my DH will enjoy this view moreso than the theme park (and parking lot) view!!!

Good to know about requesting an odd-numbered room, too!! Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell3747]

WDWKOOK,

I just made my room request....thank you so much for all your help. You made that very easy and convincing with the picture and all. It is a beautiful view. I hope I get lots of pixie dust on Arrival day....

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am in the process of changing from a TPV room to a BLV room in the Tower to take advantage of a 40% savings. Pleeeeeease tell me I'm doing the right thing!!!! I've weighed the pros and cons and the savings to a Bay Lake view outweighed seeing the castle outside of our balcony.

What else can you tell me about a balcony overlooking Bay Lake to get me excited about the change?!?!?

Thanks!!!

In the distance you will be able to see Illuminations from Epcot and in the morning/afternoon you can see Spaceship Earth. You can also see the Wilderness Lodge and when it's up in the air you will see the Characters in Flight ballon ride from Downtown Disney West Side.

 

[lsumommaof4]

Which side is Chef Mickey's on in the Tower? Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom view? We booked Magic Kingdom View and leave in a couple of weeks. I have 4 kids (and one oops on the way) and will probably want to watch the fireworks in the rooms with whichever kids are awake each night. Should I try to request certain floor/location? Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Which side is Chef Mickey's on in the Tower? Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom view? We booked Magic Kingdom View and leave in a couple of weeks. I have 4 kids (and one oops on the way) and will probably want to watch the fireworks in the rooms with whichever kids are awake each night. Should I try to request certain floor/location? Thanks!

It's located on both sides of either view, so from the floors in the Tower you would just see it on different sides. The only floor you won't be on with the Magic Kingdom View is the 5th floor because of the Monorail station, so your room will be located between the 6th floor - 11th floor.