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

[Cinderumbrella]

Also, I noticed we can do online check-in? We get to MCO around 9:30am so is it necessary to do online check in?

We arrivd at MCO around the same time a couple of weeks ago. Chances are there will be no wait when you arrive at the CR. I have never done on-line check in and haven't had to wait to check in for at least 4 years.

 

[mdrob214]

I ended up going with the DxDDP and just realized that we will receive the Resort Refillable Mugs. I stopped drinking soda over a year ago so what are the other options at CR other than soda. Do they have unsweetened ice tea? Also, where do you refill your drinks? When do you receive your mugs?

Also, I noticed we can do online check-in? We get to MCO around 9:30am so is it necessary to do online check in?

They have iced tea and Minute Maid light Lemonade. I can't remember, but I think it was CR that had Powerade in the fountain?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

They have iced tea and Minute Maid light Lemonade. I can't remember, but I think it was CR that had Powerade in the fountain?

Yes they do have Powerade on their soda machine.

 

[katepass72]

I'm thinking the iced tea dispenser is separate and that they had a couple of flavors. Or maybe you could choose between hot/cold tea?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm thinking the iced tea dispenser is separate and that they had a couple of flavors. Or maybe you could choose between hot/cold tea?

Yes it is by itself and not with all the other drinks on their soda machines.

 

[tinkgurl]

It has been quite a few years since we've stayed at the CR and I had a question that I was hoping someone could ask me. We have drink mugs that we got when we were staying at the CR and we were told that they were good to use forever. Now, I know that some rules about the mugs have changed. Can we still use our mugs since we got them so long ago when it was okay to keep bringing them back to use?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It has been quite a few years since we've stayed at the CR and I had a question that I was hoping someone could ask me. We have drink mugs that we got when we were staying at the CR and we were told that they were good to use forever. Now, I know that some rules about the mugs have changed. Can we still use our mugs since we got them so long ago when it was okay to keep bringing them back to use?

I remember back in the old days when the Food & Fun Center use to be their main counter service location that they had signs which said the mugs were good on any return stays at the Contemporary, plus the Cast Members said the same thing when we bought those mugs. Also those mugs didn't have any rules written on them like they do now, so I would say you can bring back those mugs.

 

[WDWKOOK]

It has been quite a few years since we've stayed at the CR and I had a question that I was hoping someone could ask me. We have drink mugs that we got when we were staying at the CR and we were told that they were good to use forever. Now, I know that some rules about the mugs have changed. Can we still use our mugs since we got them so long ago when it was okay to keep bringing them back to use?

You might want to look at the refillable mug sticky here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447967

Here is a FAQ from the thread that pertains to your question:


But when I bought my mug they told me it was good forever? Was I lied to?

Maybe. Depends on when you bought your mug. General rule of thumb is that if you bought before 2000 or 1999 these may well be the ‘forever’ mugs. Otherwise, yeah, you were lied to. Look on the side of your mug for printing if you’re unsure.

 

[branv]

I think we've finally settled on CR for our stay next May I do have a few random questions I was hoping that someone could answer.

The Wave doesn't seem to be in the highest demand. How is it for walk-ups if we opt to do a seated breakfast the day of?

We will have a car. How is the parking situation (especially near the Garden Wing)?

On that note, we'd normally take our car to dine at other resorts, but in case we decide to go for the whole bottle of wine : is it better, for instance, to take the CR bus to DHS and walk/boat to the BW area; faster to monorail to TTC for the Epcot monorail, and walk through Epcot; OR better to walk over to MK and catch a bus directly to one of the BW resorts. My odds are on the latter but I know I've read complaints about the multiple stops the buses to the BW resorts have. Thoughts?

Third, will need to do laundry at the end of our stay as we'll be heading on over to cruise DCL. It's been my experience at other resorts that on weekend mornings machines can be quickly taken up, but night time is usually pretty empty. Is it the same at CR?

Odd questions, I know . But thanks for any assistance you can provide.

 

[andee515]

We ate at the Wave 3 times on a busy spring break week (2 breakfasts and 1 lunch), we had no reservations and were able to walk right in. The food was good-great and the servers were exceptional. Not much as far as atmosphere, but very good restaurant.

 

[mdrob214]

I think we've finally settled on CR for our stay next May I do have a few random questions I was hoping that someone could answer.

The Wave doesn't seem to be in the highest demand. How is it for walk-ups if we opt to do a seated breakfast the day of?

We will have a car. How is the parking situation (especially near the Garden Wing)?

On that note, we'd normally take our car to dine at other resorts, but in case we decide to go for the whole bottle of wine : is it better, for instance, to take the CR bus to DHS and walk/boat to the BW area; faster to monorail to TTC for the Epcot monorail, and walk through Epcot; OR better to walk over to MK and catch a bus directly to one of the BW resorts. My odds are on the latter but I know I've read complaints about the multiple stops the buses to the BW resorts have. Thoughts?

Third, will need to do laundry at the end of our stay as we'll be heading on over to cruise DCL. It's been my experience at other resorts that on weekend mornings machines can be quickly taken up, but night time is usually pretty empty. Is it the same at CR?

Odd questions, I know . But thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Your best bet is to take a car. Other than that, option 3: walk to the MK bus stop (you pass by it on the way to MK, so don't even have to walk all the way), then hop a bus to the other resort.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I think we've finally settled on CR for our stay next May I do have a few random questions I was hoping that someone could answer.

The Wave doesn't seem to be in the highest demand. How is it for walk-ups if we opt to do a seated breakfast the day of?

We will have a car. How is the parking situation (especially near the Garden Wing)?

On that note, we'd normally take our car to dine at other resorts, but in case we decide to go for the whole bottle of wine : is it better, for instance, to take the CR bus to DHS and walk/boat to the BW area; faster to monorail to TTC for the Epcot monorail, and walk through Epcot; OR better to walk over to MK and catch a bus directly to one of the BW resorts. My odds are on the latter but I know I've read complaints about the multiple stops the buses to the BW resorts have. Thoughts?

Third, will need to do laundry at the end of our stay as we'll be heading on over to cruise DCL. It's been my experience at other resorts that on weekend mornings machines can be quickly taken up, but night time is usually pretty empty. Is it the same at CR?

Odd questions, I know . But thanks for any assistance you can provide.

I can't speak for breakfast but one time during luch my family and I just asked to see their menu and the Cast Member working at the host stand asked us if we wanted a table? We had plans so we didn't go there but if we wanted to we could have went for lunch without an ADR and got seated right away.

Parking there is very easy there are also self parking spots that face the Magic Kingdom View rooms, however in that section the 1st and 2nd rows is the valet parking lot.

I also agree that no matter what taking your car is always the fastest way possible to get around WDW then using their buses, unless you wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom.

As for your laundry question that's one thing my family and I have not done while at WDW, so can't answer that for you.

 

[tinkgurl]

I remember back in the old days when the Food & Fun Center use to be their main counter service location that they had signs which said the mugs were good on any return stays at the Contemporary, plus the Cast Members said the same thing when we bought those mugs. Also those mugs didn't have any rules written on them like they do now, so I would say you can bring back those mugs.

You might want to look at the refillable mug sticky here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447967

Here is a FAQ from the thread that pertains to your question:


But when I bought my mug they told me it was good forever? Was I lied to?

Maybe. Depends on when you bought your mug. General rule of thumb is that if you bought before 2000 or 1999 these may well be the ‘forever’ mugs. Otherwise, yeah, you were lied to. Look on the side of your mug for printing if you’re unsure.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks so much for your help!

You're welcome.

 

[branv]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[whitney37354]

Congratulation on your Family of the Day upgrade!


Quick question. Do the Tower rooms have IPod docks? I believe they do but I am not positive. TIA

Yes, they do.

 

[whitney37354]

Well during my families previous Club Level stays at the Contemporary a Cast Member from the Bell services desk has called someone on the Atrium Club Level floor to let them know we arrived, then after that was done another Cast Member came down to meet us and take us up to check-in. So there might not be someone waiting all day for you, however after Bell services calls them to say you arrived then a Cast Member will come down to meet you.

The man in the guard shack called the hotel, and a CM was waiting with our packet when we pulled up to the hotel. She took DD & me to the room while another CM helped DH unload the luggage. We felt like royalty!

 

[whitney37354]

Hello
After reading through this thread--i am amazed at all the info i picked up
But i still have a question
When you get to the guard shack--do you have to have your reservation printed out or can you just give him/her your name and reservation #

thanks

We just handed him the packet that came to us 30 days before our trip, opened to the first page. It had all our trip info on it. I'm sure your name &/or confirmation number would suffice.

 

[whitney37354]

I would return to CR for sure. I loved the hotel. However, compared to the Yacht Club, Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierges, I think the Atrium Club was lacking. They did not even provide complimentary copies of USA Today like the other resorts have. I'm sure it's all due to budget cuts.

We were on Atrium Club Level June 5-11 and there was a USA Today paper in front of our door every morning when we left the room. Don't know why you didn't have one...

 

[whitney37354]

I'm thinking the iced tea dispenser is separate and that they had a couple of flavors. Or maybe you could choose between hot/cold tea?

We were there a couple of weeks ago. They had unsweet, sweet, & I think a raspberry. I think they also had hot water & tea bags. Possibly a choice of green or black tea, but I really don't remember on that one.