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

[WDWKOOK]

Those are some very good points.

Thank you. It's always easy to give advice when it's someone else's money and trip

 

[jkstewart1800]

i am hoping what we experienced was a fluke.
also, my husband started with the front desk. he was physically there-that is when it began to go downhill. in hinesight, we should have just had all of us sit in the lobby--including all of our children. then they could see what we were dealing with with the wait. I guess going to his parents room made it seem like we only had a few people with us to manage. In the future, phone calls are out, we will stay close to the front desk--thanks for telling me not to call. it makes no sense to me they are so accomodating to some and then we experienced what we did.

also, we are not huffy people AT ALL. I even hesitated saying anything on this board b/c it seems if you have anything negative to say, people immediately jump on you and think your just hard to please.

when it says check in is at 4pm, I guess I just assumed it meant just that. 4pm. If I can't check in at 4pm, then what, I need to be ready to wait until when...? How do you know when to schedule anything? We had an ADR to get to at 640pm. I didn't think I was being unreasonable trying to check in at 4pm and then get settled and onto our ADR.

Honestly, if they had just been nice about it and said, I am sorry for the confusion, your room was actually ready, we made an error, it would have gone a LONG way with us. But it was like they tried to cover up the mistake. That made it worse.
We will go back, and we did have a good stay.

I have learned a few things from my trips to Disney over the years.... 1) always talk to someone face to face....2) always ask for a manager 3) remember everyone's name you talked to (face to face... phones are call centers) when you finally get to speak to the manager and 4) like you said... STAY PUT!!! you can't be ignored when they can see you !

We were at the Poly this August and the same thing happened with my Aunts room... the room was clean, but not put in the system as clean... they waited over 2 hours with (and here it is again) multiple phone calls.... oh well... SH!T happens, and now you know for the future.... Pack a bag with the swinsuites separatley !!! LOL

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If anyone has read various comments about the Contemporay on other threads you will see others on here say they have a sterile lobby and basically no theme. While that is their opinion and I respect it I couldn't help myself to think that after visiting the Swan & Dolphin how is their themes any different then the Contemporary? Just like the Contemporary they are also convention resorts and while I was walking through their lobby's I thought to myself they look almost like the Contemporary lobby and where exactly is their theme? Now I also know they are not owned and operated by WDW so maybe that's one reason why, but in my opinion how are the Swan & Dolphin any different? Don't get me wrong they look like nice places to stay and I know they have very good rates, but after that I didn't think they were anything special.

 

[LMO429]

I'm not sure if I read it on this thread or not. But I remember someone commenting about noise or something being wrong with rooms that ended in 02 at BLT...Does anyone recall what it is or was? Sorry for the vague post. I just know I read it somewhere and I am pretty sure it was here.

We check in BLT in less than 3 weeks. I have a request for the 5th floor. any favorite locations on the 5th floor..thanks

 

[Pjimmeyer]

If anyone has read various comments about the Contemporay on other threads you will see others on here say they have a sterile lobby and basically no theme. While that is their opinion and I respect it I couldn't help myself to think that after visiting the Swan & Dolphin how is their themes any different then the Contemporary? Just like the Contemporary they are also convention resorts and while I was walking through their lobby's I thought to myself they look almost like the Contemporary lobby and where exactly is their theme? Now I also know they are not owned and operated by WDW so maybe that's one reason why, but in my opinion how are the Swan & Dolphin any different? Don't get me wrong they look like nice places to stay and I know they have very good rates, but after that I didn't think they were anything special.

What these people fail to mention is that nothing happens in the lobby. It's all about the 4th floor and pool areas. You want themeing and Disney love you can't get more than that. The giant mural is pure IASW. The shops...Chef Mickey's...even the small details and sculpture...and the WDW monorail runs through it all. How much more Disney can you get?

 

[SydneyFalco]

If anyone has read various comments about the Contemporay on other threads you will see others on here say they have a sterile lobby and basically no theme. While that is their opinion and I respect it I couldn't help myself to think that after visiting the Swan & Dolphin how is their themes any different then the Contemporary?

Yeah, those remarks irk me, too. But to be fair they usually don't quote the Swan or Dolphin as an example of theme done right. If they do mention another plave, it's usually something more overly themed: the Poly, the Pop, what have you. I usually infer from such comments these are people who like the full bore colour scheme and big Disney totems of some sort, a more immersive atmosphere in terms of "story". And I understand where they're coming from, at least a little bit.

Not being a parent or traveling with kids, I don't really consider that the CR is hardly the most kid-stimulating place (as opposed to the Pop, say). But what do kids know? (Anyway, I loved the CR as a kid. I found the concourse electrifying then and I still find it so.)

I was concerned when I took the wife to the CR that, after our Poly and NOT sharing my nostalgia for the CR, she'd find it boring. She liked it just as much. It's really her style.

May they NEVER get rid of the mural.

 

[skifast22]

Now I also know they are not owned and operated by WDW so maybe that's one reason why, but in my opinion how are the Swan & Dolphin any different? Don't get me wrong they look like nice places to stay and I know they have very good rates, but after that I didn't think they were anything special.

I really think you answered your own question. Most people know they are not owned by Disney, so the people who go there expect a nice luxury resort, not over the top Disney themeing. Also the rates are much more comprable to typical luxury hotels. You know I love the CR, but lets be honest with each other...$450/night ( i lbelieve thats going rack rate for MK view?) for a single room, 2 queen size beds is a little much, view or no view. Hasn't stopped me from making 2 trips, but was a key factor into buying in at BLT knowing prices would only continue to rise through the years.

edit: Also, Sydney made a very good point....the CR haters don't mention Swan or Dolphin as resorts oozing "theme"

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

What these people fail to mention is that nothing happens in the lobby. It's all about the 4th floor and pool areas. You want themeing and Disney love you can't get more than that. The giant mural is pure IASW. The shops...Chef Mickey's...even the small details and sculpture...and the WDW monorail runs through it all. How much more Disney can you get?

Those are some exact same reasons I have said about how much Disney they can be.

Yeah, those remarks irk me, too. But to be fair they usually don't quote the Swan or Dolphin as an example of theme done right. If they do mention another plave, it's usually something more overly themed: the Poly, the Pop, what have you. I usually infer from such comments these are people who like the full bore colour scheme and big Disney totems of some sort, a more immersive atmosphere in terms of "story". And I understand where they're coming from, at least a little bit.

Not being a parent or traveling with kids, I don't really consider that the CR is hardly the most kid-stimulating place (as opposed to the Pop, say). But what do kids know? (Anyway, I loved the CR as a kid. I found the concourse electrifying then and I still find it so.)

I was concerned when I took the wife to the CR that, after our Poly and NOT sharing my nostalgia for the CR, she'd find it boring. She liked it just as much. It's really her style.

May they NEVER get rid of the mural.

It's great that your wife enjoyed the Contemporary.

I really think you answered your own question. Most people know they are not owned by Disney, so the people who go there expect a nice luxury resort, not over the top Disney themeing. Also the rates are much more comprable to typical luxury hotels. You know I love the CR, but lets be honest with each other...$450/night ( i lbelieve thats going rack rate for MK view?) for a single room, 2 queen size beds is a little much, view or no view. Hasn't stopped me from making 2 trips, but was a key factor into buying in at BLT knowing prices would only continue to rise through the years.

edit: Also, Sydney made a very good point....the CR haters don't mention Swan or Dolphin as resorts oozing "theme"

Well since the Swan & Dolphin still use the same WDW transportation options as the Boardwalk, Yacht Club/Beach Club (with the exception of Magical Express) I think they should be under the same microscope that the WDW owned resorts get, because they are still located very close to Epcot & Hollywood Studios, just like the Contemporary is close to the Magic Kingdom and like I said before both are also convention resorts. So it's not like their the various hotels located across the street from Downtown Disney that don't get the same WDW Resort perks, which others consider to be offsite hotels even though they are technically onsite. I agree that compared to the Swan & Dolphin the Contemporary standard rates are more expensive if you don't get a discount of some kind, but after that I don't see much more differences.

 

[jandkmom]

Well, I can only speak for myself, but I'm looking forward to the BLT "theme". After staying at and LOVING the Poly, I thought I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. But when my mom (who is coming with us) suggested BLT and I researched it, I starts to fall in love with it's new, chic, upscale theming. And the proximity and the view to the MK can't be beat! My kids will be obsessed with finding Hidden Mickeys all over the place.

Can't wait to have a different experience from last year!

 

[SydneyFalco]

I'd say that, to the average Disney-goer, CR, Swan, Dolphin and Shades Of Green would count as non-themed resorts. It's not true, of course, but that's the general concensus: that there's no "story" dictating the design of these places. And, after that, there's he "understated theme" resorts: your Grand Floridians, YC, BC, BWI, etc.. I suppose that the biggest deciding factor with them is their theming is of no great interest to kids. You frequently hear, especially with the GF, or them being "snooty" or "too fancy". All the other resorts are far more overt and in your face, and I suppose some folks just need that to achieve the immersion factor that we, as CR lovers, come by naturally.

I don't mind the heavy theming resorts. I'm just as into the dated Tiki kitsch of the Polynesian as I am the CR. But I don't see CR as a resort without theme. It's past-post-modern, of whatever you might call it, which I love.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well, I can only speak for myself, but I'm looking forward to the BLT "theme". After staying at and LOVING the Poly, I thought I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. But when my mom (who is coming with us) suggested BLT and I researched it, I starts to fall in love with it's new, chic, upscale theming. And the proximity and the view to the MK can't be beat! My kids will be obsessed with finding Hidden Mickeys all over the place.

Can't wait to have a different experience from last year!

I hope you have a great time staying there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't mind the heavy theming resorts. I'm just as into the dated Tiki kitsch of the Polynesian as I am the CR. But I don't see CR as a resort without theme. It's past-post-modern, of whatever you might call it, which I love.

That's a great way to describe the Contemporary theme.

 

[LMO429]

I am going to do online check in for the first time this upcoming trip. Do you find your room is ready when you do the online check in even when you get to the resort before check in time. also do you find whatever requests you made to your reservation before your trip granted when you do the online check in as well.

I know there are no guarantees with check in times and requests just curious about your experience with online check in at BLT

also where is the online check in.

 

[brockash]

Thanks for posting your review and it's weird that the walkway to Bay Lake Tower was closed again for maintenance because last month when I was there it was closed for the same reason, but it then re-opened before we checked-out.

Also do you happen to know if they re-opened the observation deck on the 4th floor, because that had closed for maintenance when I was there.

We just returned as well, and I had read that the 4th floor observation deck had been closed. I called the day before we left (Sept. 2nd,) and was told that it was opened. I was pretty disappointed when we had planned to watch Wishes from the deck on 9/4/10, only to find out it was actually still closed. I happened to notice that on Monday (9/6) it was open again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We just returned as well, and I had read that the 4th floor observation deck had been closed. I called the day before we left (Sept. 2nd,) and was told that it was opened. I was pretty disappointed when we had planned to watch Wishes from the deck on 9/4/10, only to find out it was actually still closed. I happened to notice that on Monday (9/6) it was open again.

Thanks for the update.

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

We are going home for the first time to BLT very soon

A couple of questions:
1. In the 1 bedroom, does anyone know if there is a can opener?
2. Anyone know approximately how much a gallon of milk is at the market at the CR?
3. Does the market sell fresh fruit like bananas or do we have to go to the Contempo Cafe?

Thanks!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

3. Does the market sell fresh fruit like bananas or do we have to go to the Contempo Cafe?

You would need to go over to the Contempo Cafe for items like that.

 

[sto6917]

I'm less than two months away and am getting very excited about my first stay at the Contemporary - Atrium Club. I have ADRs at Chef Mickeys and California Grill!

Are any of the Atrium club level rooms too far from the lounge or anything? I wouldn't think anything on that floor would be too far away, but just thought I'd ask.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm less than two months away and am getting very excited about my first stay at the Contemporary - Atrium Club. I have ADRs at Chef Mickeys and California Grill!

Are any of the Atrium club level rooms too far from the lounge or anything? I wouldn't think anything on that floor would be too far away, but just thought I'd ask.

It's not a far walk from any of their rooms to the lounge, even if you were in a room at the very end of all the hallway.

 

[twogirlsandthatsit]

We are leaving a week from tomorrow!!! Yay!!!!

Should I do online check in? I have requests on my reservation so I don't know if it will help or hurt them. Also, what are the benefits -- is it just quicker check in? We do have groceries and a stroller being delivered so we will have them to pick up too.

Any thoughts?