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

[WDWKOOK]

All this talk about brining stuff reminds me that my family and I need to start packing, because this coming Friday we are starting to drive down to Clearwater Beach and then it's off to WDW.

How long a drive is it from Toronto?

We drive down to Boca Raton for the weekend and then back up the Turnpike to WDW (where the vacation really starts).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How long a drive is it from Toronto?

We drive down to Boca Raton for the weekend and then back up the Turnpike to WDW (where the vacation really starts).

This year we are taking it slowly driving down, so on our 1st day of driving we are stopping in Lexington, Kentucky. We had originally planned to drive all the way to Cleveland, Tennessee the 1st day, but we figured it's best to not drive to far in one day. We have driven there before in one day, but it's like 15 - 17 hours. So instead we are staying there on our 2nd day of driving and then we are staying in Valdosta, Georiga. So finally after Valdosta we are arriving in Clearwater and then on August 10 it's off to WDW.

 

[AirGoofy]

I always play the "Imagination" song ...

For every sound you're ears are hearing ...
One spark of light ...
One little spark, of inspiration ...

That's the best I can do.

All this talk about brining stuff reminds me that my family and I need to start packing, because this coming Friday we are starting to drive down to Clearwater Beach and then it's off to WDW.

Wow, that's a drive. We have a 12-13 hour drive. In the past, we have left in the evening, drove straight through, and started our vacation at 8 or 9 AM. We are going to do a hotel this year - getting older.

 

[disneysuncat]

This year we are taking it slowly driving down, so on our 1st day of driving we are stopping in Lexington, Kentucky. We had originally planned to drive all the way to Cleveland, Tennessee the 1st day, but we figured it's best to not drive to far in one day. We have driven there before in one day, but it's like 15 - 17 hours. So instead we are staying there on our 2nd day of driving and then we are staying in Valdosta, Georiga. So finally after Valdosta we are arriving in Clearwater and then on August 10 it's off to WDW.

I have often wondered, how many times have you been to the Contemporary now? You're so knowledgeable about it! I'll wave at you as you pass through my state (Kentucky) on your way this time. Have fun!

We've decided on Bay Lake Tower 1 bedroom for our next trip. There's a slight chance we may flip it back over to the Contemporary concierge, but I think we will be better served with the extra room at the 1 bedroom.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have often wondered, how many times have you been to the Contemporary now? You're so knowledgeable about it! I'll wave at you as you pass through my state (Kentucky) on your way this time. Have fun!

We've decided on Bay Lake Tower 1 bedroom for our next trip. There's a slight chance we may flip it back over to the Contemporary concierge, but I think we will be better served with the extra room at the 1 bedroom.

I started staying in May 1998 and after that there were a few stays at the Wilderness Lodge. However we then had a lot of stays at the Contemporary from January 2000 until August 2007. In December 2007 we stayed at the Polynesian because the Atrium Club was not available for our dates when we made our reservation. However since then we have gone back to the Contemporary and it took seeing the Contemporary from our room at the Polynesian and visiting there to realize how we missed staying there.

Anyway congratulations on staying at Bay Lake Tower and should you decide to change back to the Contemporary you can't go wrong with either decision.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Wow, that's a drive. We have a 12-13 hour drive. In the past, we have left in the evening, drove straight through, and started our vacation at 8 or 9 AM. We are going to do a hotel this year - getting older.

Actually we have driven down every summer since 1996 and are use to it.

 

[AirGoofy]

I'll wave at you as you pass through my state (Kentucky) on your way this time. Have fun!

We've decided on Bay Lake Tower 1 bedroom for our next trip. .

Where are you in KY? I was hoping to get to BLT 2011 Spring Break, but it now may be 2012. Just have to take in one trip at a time.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Does anyone have a recent copy of the activity schedule at the Contemporary that they could post?

We plan to spend a lot of time at the resort this time around, and I'd like to see what kind of activities they'll have to keep our kids busy!

We recently moved our reservation from the Poly to CR, and my perception is that the CR has less to do for the kids, which has me a bit worried. We'll be going in December, so I'm not sure how much time we'll be able to spend at the pool.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does anyone have a recent copy of the activity schedule at the Contemporary that they could post?

We plan to spend a lot of time at the resort this time around, and I'd like to see what kind of activities they'll have to keep our kids busy!

We recently moved our reservation from the Poly to CR, and my perception is that the CR has less to do for the kids, which has me a bit worried. We'll be going in December, so I'm not sure how much time we'll be able to spend at the pool.

Thanks in advance!

I don't have a schedule I am able to post but I am sure someone else will because I have seen it on here before. Also I can assure you that they have a lot of activties each day for the kids to do and the Contemporary is very kid friendly.

 

[elgerber]

One month from today I will be checking into the CR for the very first time for our 20th Anniversary! We are only staying at CR 2 nights, but I've always wanted that darn MK view, and now I will have it!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One month from today I will be checking into the CR for the very first time for our 20th Anniversary! We are only staying at CR 2 nights, but I've always wanted that darn MK view, and now I will have it!!

I hope you have a great time staying there.

 

[disneysuncat]

Where are you in KY? I was hoping to get to BLT 2011 Spring Break, but it now may be 2012. Just have to take in one trip at a time.

We're in Taylor County (Campbellsville) which is the in middle southern part. We had planned to do BLT 1 bedroom for February, but we're opening a new store in two weeks, so we've pushed the trip back to September 2011.

BLT looks so nice to me, and I love the space of that one bedroom. I have looked at the photos until my eyes go blurry! I hope you get to take your trip in 2011, I know all too well about having to push them back a bit.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

According to my Contemporary countdown ticker 2 weeks from today I will be arriving back there.

 

[kcjnz]

Lets see what my ticker says about my upcoming CR stay!!

 

[J'aime Paris]

Changed my CR tower room to a GW Deluxe room. (hopefully I made a good decision)

Are there only 3 deluxe rooms in the garden wing?

 

[AirGoofy]

We're in Taylor County (Campbellsville) which is the in middle southern part. We had planned to do BLT 1 bedroom for February, but we're opening a new store in two weeks, so we've pushed the trip back to September 2011.

BLT looks so nice to me, and I love the space of that one bedroom. I have looked at the photos until my eyes go blurry! I hope you get to take your trip in 2011, I know all too well about having to push them back a bit.

I think we camped there one year. I live in Owensboro - about 3 hours west of you. Thanks for the wishes and have a good trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

From today's AllEars Newsletter:

Ever wonder what Walt Disney World was like way back when? We rummage around in our archives for this monthly feature, which takes you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World through the ages. This month we go back to August 10, 1994, when the Concourse Steakhouse opened on the Grand Canyon Concourse (4th floor) of the Contemporary Resort. The Steakhouse opened in the space previously occupied by the Concourse Grill. The area was totally renovated to provide a state-of-the-art dining experience. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served daily.

Cast members dressed in black pants and white oxford shirts trimmed in colors. Plates were rectangular instead of round, wine glasses were cut an an angle instead of straight. An English-style, amber beer called Monorail Ale, was created especially for the Concourse Steakhouse.

Unique menu items included: Choose-your-own topping Mickey waffles, home-made Contemporary chips topped with melted blue or cheddar cheese, hand-tossed specialty salads and pizza bread containing bits of olives, shredded pepperoni and sun-dried tomatoes. The Concourse also offered an inexpensive child's menu, displayed on a cardboard monorail which they could put together and take home.

The Concourse Steakhouse remained open until May 31, 2008 when it closed its doors to make way for a major renovation of the Contemporary's 4th floor. Today, the Contempo Cafe occupies that space.

Want to reminisce a bit more?

Read Jack Spence's review from 2006: http://allears.net/ae/issue363.htm

Photos can be found in our Rate and Review Archive: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=168

Hankering for the red wine butter steak sauce that was served? http://allears.net/din/rec_ss.htm

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

From today's AllEars Newsletter:

Ever wonder what Walt Disney World was like way back when? We rummage around in our archives for this monthly feature, which takes you back in history for a glimpse of Walt Disney World through the ages. This month we go back to August 10, 1994, when the Concourse Steakhouse opened on the Grand Canyon Concourse (4th floor) of the Contemporary Resort. The Steakhouse opened in the space previously occupied by the Concourse Grill. The area was totally renovated to provide a state-of-the-art dining experience. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served daily.

Cast members dressed in black pants and white oxford shirts trimmed in colors. Plates were rectangular instead of round, wine glasses were cut an an angle instead of straight. An English-style, amber beer called Monorail Ale, was created especially for the Concourse Steakhouse.

Unique menu items included: Choose-your-own topping Mickey waffles, home-made Contemporary chips topped with melted blue or cheddar cheese, hand-tossed specialty salads and pizza bread containing bits of olives, shredded pepperoni and sun-dried tomatoes. The Concourse also offered an inexpensive child's menu, displayed on a cardboard monorail which they could put together and take home.

The Concourse Steakhouse remained open until May 31, 2008 when it closed its doors to make way for a major renovation of the Contemporary's 4th floor. Today, the Contempo Cafe occupies that space.

Want to reminisce a bit more?

Read Jack Spence's review from 2006: http://allears.net/ae/issue363.htm

Photos can be found in our Rate and Review Archive: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=168

Hankering for the red wine butter steak sauce that was served? http://allears.net/din/rec_ss.htm

Thanks for posting this.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Changed my CR tower room to a GW Deluxe room. (hopefully I made a good decision)

Are there only 3 deluxe rooms in the garden wing?

Yes I believe there are only 3 Deluxe Rooms in the Garden Wing.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for posting this.

You're welcome. I think my ticker is one week ahead of yours