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

[WDWKOOK]

Arrived today at AKL. The animals outside our balcony seemed more active after the short rain we just received. The food they put out for the giraffes probably helped, too...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Arrived today at AKL. The animals outside our balcony seemed more active after the short rain we just received. The food they put out for the giraffes probably helped, too...

I didn't realize you were gone too! Have an AMAZING time!!!

 

[Scott MC]

Hello!

We are arriving at WDW in 10 days!

We'll be beginning our stay at AKL and then moving to BLT!

Sooo...
Before we get there, of course I have a few questions.

1. We are a Grand Gathering and had some great T shirts made, but sadly, they turned out to be much smaller than we thought they'd be, so several of us are returning and reordering. At this point, with 10 days left, should I/could I have them sent to the CR/BLT in case they don't make it to my home in time? If I did this, would I simply have them sent to (My Name) c/o Disney's Contemporary Resort, 4600 North World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 ? Will it be O.K. if the tees get there before we do?

2. I've looked around and can't seem to find the pool hours at the CR/BLT. Are any of the pools open 24 hours? We're big fans of late night, post EMH pool lounging.

3. We have 2, 2br units blocked off for us with a lake view, and of course, like everyone else in the know, we'd like to be on the outer edge of the crescent at BLT. Is the right room request "Upper floor, even-numbered room"? I don't care if the view is of the lake/MK or of the lake/CR, I just want one of the lake view rooms on the outside. Any idea what the odds are of getting 2 rooms there? Are there any lake view rooms on the outer
crescent below the connecting bridge?

Whew! Those are a lot of questions! I'd be grateful for any and all answers.
Thanks in advance!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

2. I've looked around and can't seem to find the pool hours at the CR/BLT. Are any of the pools open 24 hours? We're big fans of late night, post EMH pool lounging.

I know that the Contemporary pool the lifeguards there leave at 10:00 PM and it's the same time when the water slide gets turned off, however you are still allowed to swim and to make sure you don't make to much noise late at night.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm so jealous!!! Pick me up on the way!!

have a great time. I can't wait to see pics when you get back.

Thank you.

 

[Music City Mama]

1) CR Resort Fan 4 Life -- Have a wonderful trip!

2) Typically, when they release room only discounts (e.g., 40% off deluxe resorts), are there specific rooms allocated for that discount? My question specifically relates to GW rooms. I would like to reserve a room for next summer in hopes of a room only discount being released (would initially book with AAA rate), but it occurred to me that maybe those room only discounts are only available for tower rooms. If that's the case, I can't do it -- too much money. Thoughts?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

1) CR Resort Fan 4 Life -- Have a wonderful trip!

2) Typically, when they release room only discounts (e.g., 40% off deluxe resorts), are there specific rooms allocated for that discount? My question specifically relates to GW rooms. I would like to reserve a room for next summer in hopes of a room only discount being released (would initially book with AAA rate), but it occurred to me that maybe those room only discounts are only available for tower rooms. If that's the case, I can't do it -- too much money. Thoughts?

Thank you and to answer your question the only thing I know is that on each promotion the resorts offer so many rooms for them, so I am not sure what the % of those rooms are.

 

[Music City Mama]

Thank you and to answer your question the only thing I know is that on each promotion the resorts offer so many rooms for them, so I am not sure what the % of those rooms are.

Thanks -- I knew there would only be a certain percentage of rooms eligible/available, but didn't know if GW rooms were definitely included (although, maybe just a small amount of rooms) or typically never included at all in those discounts. Hopefully, someone will know. If someone knows for sure that GW rooms are never considered in those discounts, I can probably go ahead and cross CR off of my list.

 

[adidas97]

Do they show movies at the pool at CR/BLT? I know FWC does every night, If not does any resort close by show movies besides FWC? Thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks -- I knew there would only be a certain percentage of rooms eligible/available, but didn't know if GW rooms were definitely included (although, maybe just a small amount of rooms) or typically never included at all in those discounts. Hopefully, someone will know. If someone knows for sure that GW rooms are never considered in those discounts, I can probably go ahead and cross CR off of my list.

I would think that some of their Garden Wing rooms would be included in the discounts, but since they are the least expensive rate among the Monorail Resorts they can sell out very fast and that is one reason why they are very popular.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do they show movies at the pool at CR/BLT? I know FWC does every night, If not does any resort close by show movies besides FWC? Thanks

On specifc nights they show movies on the beach of the Contemporary. When you check-in a Cast Member will give you an activties sheet and it will list what nights they are playing what movies are being shown on those nights.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

2) Typically, when they release room only discounts (e.g., 40% off deluxe resorts), are there specific rooms allocated for that discount? My question specifically relates to GW rooms. I would like to reserve a room for next summer in hopes of a room only discount being released (would initially book with AAA rate), but it occurred to me that maybe those room only discounts are only available for tower rooms. If that's the case, I can't do it -- too much money. Thoughts?

It IS possible to get a great deal on the GW rooms (but typically only the garden view rooms, since they are alot more of those than there are standard view rooms), but those are typically the rooms that sell out the fastest. Also, it is a case of the early bird catches the worm.... like the people who happen to get the 1st pin codes, or the people who happen to be at WDW right when the bouncebacks are offered etc.

It also depends on the current inventory at the time of release. For example, if you book a room now at full price, you take one room out of the inventory. If they feel enough rooms at rack rate are booked, and they are confident that the rest will sell out at rack rate, then there is no need to discount it, KWIM?

HOWEVER, I have had GREAT success booking last minute AP rates at CR (ie 45-60 days out). Alot of times, the inventory is greatly reduced because a convention will book early and block out alot of rooms. As the convention draws nearer, they have a better idea of how many rooms are actually needed vs what they out on hold and those rooms are released back out. Sometimes they are put into the discount pool, sometimes they are not.

HTH!

 

[scjo68]

Thanks -- I knew there would only be a certain percentage of rooms eligible/available, but didn't know if GW rooms were definitely included (although, maybe just a small amount of rooms) or typically never included at all in those discounts. Hopefully, someone will know. If someone knows for sure that GW rooms are never considered in those discounts, I can probably go ahead and cross CR off of my list.

We got a Standard view room in the GW with the 40% off room only deal, so they are definitely included at least some of the time. We did not get a pin code, just used the deal that was for the general public. I did book it the day the deal came out to the public. I also feel lucky, because I think those rooms do get booked up fast.

If the GW rooms are booked up under rack rates, they wouldn't be included in the offer, I assume, unless some ressies were canceled later.

So, music city mama, don't give up hope! You may find yourself at the CR one day. We are happy to be on the monorail line for such a great price. I won't even care that we will have a view of the parking lot!

 

[adidas97]

On specifc nights they show movies on the beach of the Contemporary. When you check-in a Cast Member will give you an activties sheet and it will list what nights they are playing what movies are being shown on those nights.

Thanks, enjoy your trip. great thread.
So do you think the leafs will trade for Savard??

 

[thechesters420]

just wanted to see how many more days left on my ticker!

 

[Music City Mama]

It IS possible to get a great deal on the GW rooms (but typically only the garden view rooms, since they are alot more of those than there are standard view rooms), but those are typically the rooms that sell out the fastest. Also, it is a case of the early bird catches the worm.... like the people who happen to get the 1st pin codes, or the people who happen to be at WDW right when the bouncebacks are offered etc.

It also depends on the current inventory at the time of release. For example, if you book a room now at full price, you take one room out of the inventory. If they feel enough rooms at rack rate are booked, and they are confident that the rest will sell out at rack rate, then there is no need to discount it, KWIM?

HOWEVER, I have had GREAT success booking last minute AP rates at CR (ie 45-60 days out). Alot of times, the inventory is greatly reduced because a convention will book early and block out alot of rooms. As the convention draws nearer, they have a better idea of how many rooms are actually needed vs what they out on hold and those rooms are released back out. Sometimes they are put into the discount pool, sometimes they are not.

HTH!

We got a Standard view room in the GW with the 40% off room only deal, so they are definitely included at least some of the time. We did not get a pin code, just used the deal that was for the general public. I did book it the day the deal came out to the public. I also feel lucky, because I think those rooms do get booked up fast.

If the GW rooms are booked up under rack rates, they wouldn't be included in the offer, I assume, unless some ressies were canceled later.

So, music city mama, don't give up hope! You may find yourself at the CR one day. We are happy to be on the monorail line for such a great price. I won't even care that we will have a view of the parking lot!

Thank you both for your feedback -- very much appreciated.

 

[darthtatty]

hi,

weve usually stay in the garden wing.
I know on the WDW site they have split the rooms into different categories eg Garden wing-garden view/standard view/deluxe

Does anyone know how long ago this was done?

any help appreciated, thanks

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks, enjoy your trip. great thread.
So do you think the leafs will trade for Savard??

You're welcome and as for Savard who knows because living in Toronto I keep hearing rumour after rumour, so I say whatever happens will happen.

 

[penguins1]

Hi,

We will be staying at BLT for the first time in Nov. I was wondering if anyone had a recent list showing the kids activites which go on?

Thanks!!!!

 

[4orm]

We're also from Toronto

We're going down in Oct, staying in a Tower MK view room. I have a question about restaurant operation hours. When does the coffee place, Contemporary Grounds open in the AM?