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

[turningleaf]

I don't understand I thought this was not allowed in the first place? How are they getting in past the gate?

 

[onelilspark]

I don't understand I thought this was not allowed in the first place? How are they getting in past the gate?

"Hi I'm here to have breakfast at Contempo Cafe."

For a while Disney was giving out 3 hour parking passes to people, (so if you really were there to have breakfast at Contempo Cafe you could) but recently they stopped handing them out. Obviously the problem of parking at the monorail resorts increased and at the busier times it poses quite an issue, so they're beginning the crack down again. If I were a betting man (which I'm not really a gambler or a man...but you know, figure of speech and all) I would say that this will continue well into the summer months until it's not an issue again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't understand I thought this was not allowed in the first place? How are they getting in past the gate?

Besides saying they are going to the Contempo Cafe they could also have had confirmed ADR's at the California Grill, Chef Mickey's or The Wave and once they are done eating walk over to the Magic Kingdom. So because they are on a list of confirmed ADR's they will be let in without any problems.

Now this past December the first time my family and I went to visit the Contemporary we said we were going to the Contempo Cafe and that was 100% true. Believe me I am the last person who would recommend parking there and going off the Magic Kingdom. The second time we went there so my Mom could purchase a Tinkerbell watch at the Bay View Gifts store. Now both times we didn't get a 3 hour parking pass, however they saw our Boardwalk Inn parking pass and asked to see our Key To The World card from there.

 

[Elise79]

I also noticed there are different colored monorails. (One has a blue stripe, one has a black stripe, etc.) What do those stand for? Do the colors pertain to a certain park or place? I don't want to get on say a blue stripe monorail if it goes to Epcot when I'm trying to go to MK.[/color]

The monorail colors are how the pilots refer to the monorails so that they can communicate where they are on the system.

The tronorail (monorail coral) mainly runs the Epcot line but I ha to go round the MK loop to get in and out of the roundhouse.

 

[dvczerfs]

Besides saying they are going to the Contempo Cafe they could also have had confirmed ADR's at the California Grill, Chef Mickey's or The Wave and once they are done eating walk over to the Magic Kingdom. So because they are on a list of confirmed ADR's they will be let in without any problems.

Now this past December the first time my family and I went to visit the Contemporary we said we were going to the Contempo Cafe and that was 100% true. Believe me I am the last person who would recommend parking there and going off the Magic Kingdom. The second time we went there so my Mom could purchase a Tinkerbell watch at the Bay View Gifts store. Now both times we didn't get a 3 hour parking pass, however they saw our Boardwalk Inn parking pass and asked to see our Key To The World card from there.

we like heading over to the contemp. when we are staying at okw. eat at the contempo, just hang around in the grand con. the last few times, they didnt even ask me why,id or anything. my parking pass has dvc member parking on it. they just signal me in.i think they should at least ask what your doing there? im glad there cracking down, that lot is there for a reason. i dont recall what they did during the construction of blt?

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Has anyone stayed in both a CR room and a BLT studio? We had a cash reservation thru Member Services for our stay in a couple weeks for a MKV studio. We've been trying for a 1 BDRM for months to no avail (we are paying cash because we used points for a stay at the BLT last week......we're sooo in love with the BLT AND the TOWL that we decided to go thru MS for a cash reservation just so we could use the TOWL).

Then we realized that we could get a room at the CR for less $$ (using our Annual Pass), and have more space to live in (we really don't need a kitchen this trip...we plan on eating out a lot), so yesterday I canceled our BLT res and booked the CR (MK view).

We're sad we won't be able to access the lounge, and hope we won't be disappointed. Not sure if I did the right thing.....those of you who share our CR/BLT addiction understand my dilemma! LOL!! Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WDWKOOK]

To my fellow CR fans:

HAPPY EASTER

 

[WDWKOOK]

Has anyone stayed in both a CR room and a BLT studio? We had a cash reservation thru Member Services for our stay in a couple weeks for a MKV studio. We've been trying for a 1 BDRM for months to no avail (we are paying cash because we used points for a stay at the BLT last week......we're sooo in love with the BLT AND the TOWL that we decided to go thru MS for a cash reservation just so we could use the TOWL).

Then we realized that we could get a room at the CR for less $$ (using our Annual Pass), and have more space to live in (we really don't need a kitchen this trip...we plan on eating out a lot), so yesterday I canceled our BLT res and booked the CR (MK view).

We're sad we won't be able to access the lounge, and hope we won't be disappointed. Not sure if I did the right thing.....those of you who share our CR/BLT addiction understand my dilemma! LOL!! Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

I would have done the exact same thing. Since you don't need the kitchen, booking the studio just for the TOWL wouldn't compel me to stay there. The larger and cheaper CR room with a MK view will be terrific! With the money you've saved, perhaps you could book a meal at the CA Grill? Also, you never know, a one-bedroom might still open up before you leave.

Don't be disappointed. You'll be right in the Tower with a gorgeous view, larger room and no temptation to cook anything.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I would have done the exact same thing. Since you don't need the kitchen, booking the studio just for the TOWL wouldn't compel me to stay there. The larger and cheaper CR room with a MK view will be terrific! With the money you've saved, perhaps you could book a meal at the CA Grill? Also, you never know, a one-bedroom might still open up before you leave.

Don't be disappointed. You'll be right in the Tower with a gorgeous view, larger room and no temptation to cook anything.

You're a doll!! Thanks for that!! I was just discussing with Hubby how I will still call and try for a 1 BDRM (great minds think alike - heehee)! And you're right....we could absolutely do the CA Grill (even appetizers up there is a fun thing to do)!! And AGAIN you're right....we WILL be in the Tower with a gorgeous view (one we have always loved for many years)!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Has anyone stayed in both a CR room and a BLT studio? We had a cash reservation thru Member Services for our stay in a couple weeks for a MKV studio. We've been trying for a 1 BDRM for months to no avail (we are paying cash because we used points for a stay at the BLT last week......we're sooo in love with the BLT AND the TOWL that we decided to go thru MS for a cash reservation just so we could use the TOWL).

Then we realized that we could get a room at the CR for less $$ (using our Annual Pass), and have more space to live in (we really don't need a kitchen this trip...we plan on eating out a lot), so yesterday I canceled our BLT res and booked the CR (MK view).

We're sad we won't be able to access the lounge, and hope we won't be disappointed. Not sure if I did the right thing.....those of you who share our CR/BLT addiction understand my dilemma! LOL!! Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

We haven't stayed at Bay Lake Tower, however we have had a lot of stays at the Contemporary inside their Tower rooms and they are a lot bigger then the Bay Lake Tower Studios. Plus you are an elevator ride away from their stores, restaurants and Monorail station. So you won't need to deal with walking over from the skybridge and etc when coming from Bay Lake Tower.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To my fellow CR fans:

HAPPY EASTER

That's very nice and Happy Easter to you.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We haven't stayed at Bay Lake Tower, however we have had a lot of stays at the Contemporary inside their Tower rooms and they are a lot bigger then the Bay Lake Tower Studios. Plus you are an elevator ride away from their stores, restaurants and Monorail station. So you won't need to deal with walking over from the skybridge and etc when coming from Bay Lake Tower.

Agreed!! Just wish we could go over to the TOWL....ahhhh! LOL!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

You're a doll!! Thanks for that!! I was just discussing with Hubby how I will still call and try for a 1 BDRM (great minds think alike - heehee)! And you're right....we could absolutely do the CA Grill (even appetizers up there is a fun thing to do)!! And AGAIN you're right....we WILL be in the Tower with a gorgeous view (one we have always loved for many years)!

Oh, you're welcome. I understand how you feel not being able to get the room you were looking forward to.

I'm certain you've investigated this, but is there any way as a BLT DVC owner that you can use the TOWL if you're staying at the CR? Have you posted this question already to the DVC thread?

 

[Holly324]

Quick question. We are staying at Bay Lake Tower, and I want to get water delivered from Costco. What address do I use? Thanks!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Oh, you're welcome. I understand how you feel not being able to get the room you were looking forward to.

I'm certain you've investigated this, but is there any way as a BLT DVC owner that you can use the TOWL if you're staying at the CR? Have you posted this question already to the DVC thread?

I wish!! Sadly, you have to be DVC staying at the BLT to get in.

... At this point I just hope it stays open to DVC members in some capacity!! .

 

[SuperRob]

Out of curiosity, can someone familiar with this resort tell me what the most efficient way to travel from the Contemporary to various locations around WDW would be? (CTR to DTD, for example.)

For example, I know the monorail will take you to the TTC to go to most locations. Is it better to go to the Poly and walk to the TTC, or just stay on the monorail?

My only previous experience was at the GF and taking busses to most locations, and I found it to be frustrating at times, though the busses from the TTC seemed fairly reliable overall. Of course, from my research, it suggests that bus service has gone far downhill in the decade since.

If a location isn't on the monorail line, should we just go to the TTC and transfer?

Places we're going are ...

Animal Kingdom
Blizzard Beach
Downtown Disney
Epcot (monorail, of course)
Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom (walking there, monorail back)
Universal Studios (cab or shuttle bus?)

Any suggestions or tips are appreciated!

 

[ZZUB]

From The CR, the Monorail reaches the TTC before the Polynesian. When transferring to the EPCOT line at TTC, it's a matter of walking down a ramp and then up the next one. There's no reason to go to the Polynesian and then walk back.

As for the the other Disney parks, the busses from the CR are about as convenient as any other resort. I wouldn't recommend riding the Monorail to the TTC to then walk over and wait on a bus. I think you'll do better to just wait on the bus right at the CR.

Plus, in our experience, when the CR does share busses with other resorts, the CR gets picked up and dropped off first.

 

[SuperRob]

Thank you, sir! I think that's everything I needed to know!

From The CR, the Monorail reaches the TTC before the Polynesian. When transferring to the EPCOT line at TTC, it's a matter of walking down a ramp and then up the next one. There's no reason to go to the Polynesian and then walk back.

As for the the other Disney parks, the busses from the CR are about as convenient as any other resort. I wouldn't recommend riding the Monorail to the TTC to then walk over and wait on a bus. I think you'll do better to just wait on the bus right at the CR.

Plus, in our experience, when the CR does share busses with other resorts, the CR gets picked up and dropped off first.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

Out of curiosity, can someone familiar with this resort tell me what the most efficient way to travel from the Contemporary to various locations around WDW would be? (CTR to DTD, for example.)

For example, I know the monorail will take you to the TTC to go to most locations. Is it better to go to the Poly and walk to the TTC, or just stay on the monorail?

My only previous experience was at the GF and taking busses to most locations, and I found it to be frustrating at times, though the busses from the TTC seemed fairly reliable overall. Of course, from my research, it suggests that bus service has gone far downhill in the decade since.

If a location isn't on the monorail line, should we just go to the TTC and transfer?

Places we're going are ...

Animal Kingdom
Blizzard Beach
Downtown Disney
Epcot (monorail, of course)
Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom (walking there, monorail back)
Universal Studios (cab or shuttle bus?)

Any suggestions or tips are appreciated!

We've stayed at CR twice and loved it I wouldn't stay anywhere else, we think the MK view is worth every penny.

We really enjoy the monorail but we are jinxed when it comes to the bus. We alway use the buses when leaving the parks and heading back to CR, no problem. But anytime we've tried to use the buses to go to AK or DHS we've regretted it.

On our last trip we decided, never again We will always pay the $20 for a cab to get to the park and take the bus back. Usually we take a cab in the morning because we have an early ADR for breakfast before the park opens. But after waiting almost an hour for a bus to AK and missing almost all of the early magical hour. DH decided that if we can afford CR that we can afford $20 for cab to make sure our day starts out on a positive note

I always said it was a waste of money, afterall the bus is free. But really we figure if we pay for a cab a few times, what is $100 compared to the overall cost of the trip

So if you are trying to make an ADR or trying to get to your destination in a hurry, pay $20 and take a cab

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Out of curiosity, can someone familiar with this resort tell me what the most efficient way to travel from the Contemporary to various locations around WDW would be? (CTR to DTD, for example.)

For example, I know the monorail will take you to the TTC to go to most locations. Is it better to go to the Poly and walk to the TTC, or just stay on the monorail?

My only previous experience was at the GF and taking busses to most locations, and I found it to be frustrating at times, though the busses from the TTC seemed fairly reliable overall. Of course, from my research, it suggests that bus service has gone far downhill in the decade since.

If a location isn't on the monorail line, should we just go to the TTC and transfer?

Places we're going are ...

Animal Kingdom
Blizzard Beach
Downtown Disney
Epcot (monorail, of course)
Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom (walking there, monorail back)
Universal Studios (cab or shuttle bus?)

Any suggestions or tips are appreciated!

The Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach share the same bus. Also in my experience the Aninal Kingdom was the first stop, with Blizzard Beach being the second stop on our way back. Besides that when going to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or Downtown Disney via the Disney Transport buses the Contemporary will share their route with the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge during the morning. Then in the afternoon/evening they share with the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. However no matter what the Contemporary guests are first to be picked up, then to be dropped off.

As for going to Universal whenever we went there we always had a car, so I am not sure how to get a shuttle bus over there. Basically unless you can figure out another way I would recommend taking a Taxi.