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

[lumpy08]

Can anyone tell me about going over to WL from the CR? How long does it take? I am thinking for breakfast. (Has anyone done the Whispering Canyon for breakfast?) I have one day that I need to add a sit down breakfast. I already have breakfast at Chef Mickey, 1900 Park Fare and (2) at Poly. My kids are 8 and 5? Is the breakfast good?

Also, I heard they have a smores things the kids do at night? Do they do this at CR? Or better yet what activites are at the pool area at the CR at night?

 

[amy1976]

I have the same question about activities for the kids at CR. Do they do the movies at night like BC?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

There is a boat to WL from the CR, but I have never taken it. We did breakfast at WCC a couple of years ago and will NEVER go again. We were seated 20 minutes late in a half empty restaurant, while walk ups were put in before us. We ordered the all you can eat skillet, which took forever to come out, and even longer to be refilled. If only they spent half as much time on serving food as they did on yelling "ketchup" .... (Can you tell we aren't fans?? )

They do movies on the beach and campfire/smores at the CR. (Although I believe the actual location has moved since the opening of BLT Hopefully someone can chime in on that one)

There is also the Pirate & Pals Fireworks cruise that leaves from the CR for a trip to watch the MK fireworks. It's not cheap, but gets great reviews.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm#piratespalscruise

 

[mdrob214]

IIRC, the boat goes CR-FW-WL in the mornings, so you'll have to check that and possibly allow for more time--30 minutes, maybe?

We had breakfast at WCC and it was good--it was 5 years ago, though.

 

[lilasmom]

Ok, we will be staying at the BLT at the end of May. We were able to get a 1B TPV room. We have never stated there before, does anyone have any advice or tips for us ? We plan to use the pool daily, how is it ? How is the bus transportation to DS and AK ? How are the fireworks from the rooms ?

Thanks !

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ok, we will be staying at the BLT at the end of May. We were able to get a 1B TPV room. We have never stated there before, does anyone have any advice or tips for us ? We plan to use the pool daily, how is it ? How is the bus transportation to DS and AK ? How are the fireworks from the rooms ?

Thanks !

BLT uses the bus stop at the CR. The CR is always the first stop picked-up and dropped-off.

If you are staying on points, you'll be able to use the TWL. You also have the option of using the CR's pools.

There is a great thread with many BLT experts focusing on BLT room locations and views that will help you to make a room location request and answer your fireworks question:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

 

[WDWKOOK]

Can anyone tell me about going over to WL from the CR? How long does it take? I am thinking for breakfast. (Has anyone done the Whispering Canyon for breakfast?) I have one day that I need to add a sit down breakfast. I already have breakfast at Chef Mickey, 1900 Park Fare and (2) at Poly. My kids are 8 and 5? Is the breakfast good?

Also, I heard they have a smores things the kids do at night? Do they do this at CR? Or better yet what activites are at the pool area at the CR at night?

IMHO, everyone should try the WCC at least once; if it's not your cup of tea (or your "gallon of soda" - you know what I mean if you've been there at breakfast) then you shouldn't return. But, in our experience, it's a real hoot and we enjoy it. The breakfasts are hardy and all-you-can-eat and their dinners are a meat-lovers' dream. (My DH is going to miss not being able to dine there with us this year since he's deploying.) They even have free refills on milk shakes! Here's the link to the AllEars breakfast menu:

http://allears.net/menu/menu_wcb.htm

and the kid's menu:

http://allears.net/menu/men_wcbk.htm


The servers put on a good show and I think your kids would love it. If you have to wait to be seated, the kids can play at a Lincoln Log table while you sit in the breath-taking lobby or look around the gift shop. The kids even get to run around the dining room at dinner time in a hobby horse (stick horse) race. If you get a good CM, you'll have even a better time. You've really got to be willing to play along though. I would not recommend WCC for those with very shy kids or kids with autism, for example. I think it might be too overwhelming with all the "horse play" and hootin' and hollerin'.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can anyone tell me about going over to WL from the CR? How long does it take? I am thinking for breakfast. (Has anyone done the Whispering Canyon for breakfast?) I have one day that I need to add a sit down breakfast. I already have breakfast at Chef Mickey, 1900 Park Fare and (2) at Poly. My kids are 8 and 5? Is the breakfast good?

Also, I heard they have a smores things the kids do at night? Do they do this at CR? Or better yet what activites are at the pool area at the CR at night?

The boat to the Wilderness Lodge also stops at Fort Wilderness, however I forget which way it goes after leaving the Contemporary and I know at some point in the day it changes direction of the way it goes. What I do know it operates from 6:45 AM - 11:30 PM.

There are also various activties for the kids which can be done at the Contemporary pool and are listed on their activties board which you see when you enter the pool area, plus you will also get an activties sheet listing everything up to a certin date when you check-in.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

BLT uses the bus stop at the CR. The CR is always the first stop picked-up and dropped-off.

If you are staying on points, you'll be able to use the TWL. You also have the option of using the CR's pools.

There is a great thread with many BLT experts focusing on BLT room locations and views that will help you to make a room location request and answer your fireworks question:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

Don't forget that all transportation options including the Resort Monorail and boat to the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are also located at the Contemporary incase they didn't know that. Also that check-in no matter if it's online or in person is done at the Contemporary lobby, plus the Contemporary is where they will go for bell service, valet service and the dining locations.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

They do movies on the beach and campfire/smores at the CR. (Although I believe the actual location has moved since the opening of BLT Hopefully someone can chime in on that one)

In December 2009 when I was thee the location for the movies was still on the Contemporary beach, unless it has changed since then and if it has I have a hard time seeing where else they could move it to.

 

[mdrob214]

The boat to the Wilderness Lodge also stops at Fort Wilderness, however I forget which way it goes after leaving the Contemporary and I know at some point in the day it changes direction of the way it goes. What I do know it operates from 6:45 AM - 11:30 PM.

There are also various activties for the kids which can be done at the Contemporary pool and are listed on their activties board which you see when you enter the pool area, plus you will also get an activties sheet listing everything up to a certin date when you check-in.

The boat goes CR-FW-WL in the mornings and CR-WL-FW in the evenings. I can't remember what time they switch. It was like this when we stayed at both WL in '05 and CR in '09.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The boat goes CR-FW-WL in the mornings and CR-WL-FW in the evenings. I can't remember what time they switch. It was like this when we stayed at both WL in '05 and CR in '09.

Thanks for that information.

 

[lumpy08]

I have the same question about activities for the kids at CR. Do they do the movies at night like BC?

Oh Amy... Just noticed your ticker --- 9 days!! I'm jealous.

 

[of the seas]

You will also get an activities list in your room when you check in. This was last years:

 

[schoolinmy3]

I currently have a MK view at the Poly for August however I'll be honest that we were really torn between the CR & the Poly. Reading some of the negative reviews as of late of the Poly I'm really thinking about going with CR. My number one criteria is cleanliness and for that amount of $ I just don't want to take chances. I also think in some ways the CR is more "our style." So tell me - will I love a MK view at CR better than the Poly. I know of course that this is subjective and everyone's opinions are different but I'd love some feedback on CR stays. Do you find maintenance issues and cleanliness issues? Any hotel can have a bad day but on the average is what I'm looking for...

Thank you!!

I just booked CR Tower MK view as well. My husband has ALWAYS wanted to stay in CR and so we are taking this trip by ourselves without our children to fulfill that dream. He has had this dream since he was 8 - when CR first opened - and that was almost 40 years ago. Last year we had a wonderful Disney vacation at Bonnet Creek Resort with our children (now ages 10, 17, 19) This year (Sep 23-26) is all about the adults.
diane

 

[amy1976]

So, they still have the movies, right?

 

[amy1976]

Oh Amy... Just noticed your ticker --- 9 days!! I'm jealous.

I know...We are soooooo excited!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

So, they still have the movies, right?

Yes they do.

 

[Disneymama5816]

Hi Everyone-Just thought I would pop in for a quick review of our trip in April. Sorry this took so long. I have been playing catch-up since I got back.
Since we are trying to take 3 trips this year, and we need two rooms, we decided to stay in the Gardenwing Gardenview on this trip. Check in was quick as always. Loved being greeted by Judy!!! She is amazing. So nice and always remembers us. We were in rooms 5148/5149. First floor down at the end of the hallway. At first, we were not thrilled with this location, but learned that it had it's positives also!!! When we walked into the rooms, I noticed they were not as "sparkling" as we are used to. One of the rooms was missing a hairdryer. After the first day, we noticed that the mousekeeper barely made the beds (very sloppily) and missed a lot of regular things. The next morning I spoke with the mkeeper for that day (and gave her a nice tip) and mentioned that we needed a hairdryer, and if she could pay special attention to the rooms. After that, everything was great!! Regarding the location of the room..in the mornings it was beautiful with the fog rising over the water, the sun rising, and the boats. In the evening we had a wonderful view of the EWP. Walking to the tower was a little trek, but we got used to it quickly. We also moved our car over to the gardenwing parking area, which is EXTREMELY close to the double door entry way. As usual, the Contempo Cafe had great service and food. Our dinner at Chef Mickeys was probably one of the best ones we have had at that restaurant - even though Donald forgot to stop at our table. All-in-all, we had another FABULOUS trip and look forward to staying there again.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi Everyone-Just thought I would pop in for a quick review of our trip in April. Sorry this took so long. I have been playing catch-up since I got back.
Since we are trying to take 3 trips this year, and we need two rooms, we decided to stay in the Gardenwing Gardenview on this trip. Check in was quick as always. Loved being greeted by Judy!!! She is amazing. So nice and always remembers us. We were in rooms 5148/5149. First floor down at the end of the hallway. At first, we were not thrilled with this location, but learned that it had it's positives also!!! When we walked into the rooms, I noticed they were not as "sparkling" as we are used to. One of the rooms was missing a hairdryer. After the first day, we noticed that the mousekeeper barely made the beds (very sloppily) and missed a lot of regular things. The next morning I spoke with the mkeeper for that day (and gave her a nice tip) and mentioned that we needed a hairdryer, and if she could pay special attention to the rooms. After that, everything was great!! Regarding the location of the room..in the mornings it was beautiful with the fog rising over the water, the sun rising, and the boats. In the evening we had a wonderful view of the EWP. Walking to the tower was a little trek, but we got used to it quickly. We also moved our car over to the gardenwing parking area, which is EXTREMELY close to the double door entry way. As usual, the Contempo Cafe had great service and food. Our dinner at Chef Mickeys was probably one of the best ones we have had at that restaurant - even though Donald forgot to stop at our table. All-in-all, we had another FABULOUS trip and look forward to staying there again.

Thanks for posting your review. It looks like you're headed to CBR next?

I'm glad that you said something to the mousekeeper about your room; I think it's always best to speak-up when something isn't right so that they have a chance to correct the problem. Donald Duck, however, is a whole other issue