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

[twogirlsandthatsit]

EEEEEEK! We leave tomorrow morning. So, so, so excited!!!!!!
I have 2 quick questions before we head off that I was hoping one of the lovely CR experts could help me out with.

1. Does the CR have towels at the pool? Or should we bring our own?
2. Do they have life jackets for the little ones to use? DD #2 will need one and if they don't have one I am going to try to fit something in our suitcases.

THANKS!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

EEEEEEK! We leave tomorrow morning. So, so, so excited!!!!!!
I have 2 quick questions before we head off that I was hoping one of the lovely CR experts could help me out with.

1. Does the CR have towels at the pool? Or should we bring our own?
2. Do they have life jackets for the little ones to use? DD #2 will need one and if they don't have one I am going to try to fit something in our suitcases.

THANKS!!

Yes they have towels at their pool so you don't bring your own.

As for the life jackets I have seen other little kids in them before so they do have them, however I am not sure where you ask to get one.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

Yes there are towels at the pool and I am quite sure that there were kid's life jackets there as well.

 

[twogirlsandthatsit]

Thanks! You guys are the best! I am so thankful for all the help you have given me throughout my planning process. I will let you know how it goes when we get back!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks! You guys are the best! I am so thankful for all the help you have given me throughout my planning process. I will let you know how it goes when we get back!!!!

You're welcome and I hope you have a great time.

 

[schoolinmy3]

I am sitting on our awesome balcony with a spectular view of the castle and space mountain as I type. We arrived Thursday early afternoon to find out that our Tower rooms were not ready yet but we had been upgraded to the club level on floor 14! Apparently there was a last minute cancellation and we had been moved to club level! This was just incredible! We have never stayed at CR before and booked this trip to fulfill dh's wish since CR was built when he was a boy to stay here just once
Diane

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am sitting on our awesome balcony with a spectular view of the castle and space mountain as I type. We arrived Thursday early afternoon to find out that our Tower rooms were not ready yet but we had been upgraded to the club level on floor 14! Apparently there was a last minute cancellation and we had been moved to club level! This was just incredible! We have never stayed at CR before and booked this trip to fulfill dh's wish since CR was built when he was a boy to stay here just once
Diane

Congratulations on that amazing upgrade.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/disney-world-tests-new-role-for-mickey-mouse-at-chef-mickeys/

Chef Mickey’s has been testing a new role for Mickey Mouse this month. Instead of circulating among the tables at the very popular Contemporary resort restaurant, Mickey has been posing for photos with each group of diners in the lobby.

The change seems to be upsetting quite a few commenters on several Disney-themed message boards. Many have said they will cancel their difficult-to-secure reservations if Mickey does not interact with kids at the tables.

I actually like the idea of a character photo better. Our family has eaten at Chef Mickey’s many times over the years, and we’ve even hosted a birthday party there. Although the characters always cooperate for photos, it’s sometimes tough to frame a nice shot while you’re eating. Plus, table greetings mean dirty dishes and other guests are likely to be in your photos. The new system also better accommodates group photos.

Disney does allow guests to use their own cameras, so if you opted not to buy the $29.95 package, you still could take home the memory.

Good news for those upset by the change: A Disney official confirmed today that the change was a test that has ended. Mickey Mouse is back in the dining room greeting guests at their tables along with Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Pluto.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Thanks! You guys are the best! I am so thankful for all the help you have given me throughout my planning process. I will let you know how it goes when we get back!!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yes they have towels at their pool so you don't bring your own.

As for the life jackets I have seen other little kids in them before so they do have them, however I am not sure where you ask to get one.

I believe that you can get the life jackets at the marina. Just go to the window and ask.

 

[WDWKOOK]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/disney-world-tests-new-role-for-mickey-mouse-at-chef-mickeys/

Chef Mickey’s has been testing a new role for Mickey Mouse this month. Instead of circulating among the tables at the very popular Contemporary resort restaurant, Mickey has been posing for photos with each group of diners in the lobby.

The change seems to be upsetting quite a few commenters on several Disney-themed message boards. Many have said they will cancel their difficult-to-secure reservations if Mickey does not interact with kids at the tables.

I actually like the idea of a character photo better. Our family has eaten at Chef Mickey’s many times over the years, and we’ve even hosted a birthday party there. Although the characters always cooperate for photos, it’s sometimes tough to frame a nice shot while you’re eating. Plus, table greetings mean dirty dishes and other guests are likely to be in your photos. The new system also better accommodates group photos.

Disney does allow guests to use their own cameras, so if you opted not to buy the $29.95 package, you still could take home the memory.

Good news for those upset by the change: A Disney official confirmed today that the change was a test that has ended. Mickey Mouse is back in the dining room greeting guests at their tables along with Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Pluto.

Too bad they can't do both the character photo in the lobby and at the table; the best of both worlds

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am sitting on our awesome balcony with a spectular view of the castle and space mountain as I type. We arrived Thursday early afternoon to find out that our Tower rooms were not ready yet but we had been upgraded to the club level on floor 14! Apparently there was a last minute cancellation and we had been moved to club level! This was just incredible! We have never stayed at CR before and booked this trip to fulfill dh's wish since CR was built when he was a boy to stay here just once
Diane

Wow, what an upgrade! You'll have to take some room and lounge photos and post them, if you can.

Since you're out on the balcony, I'm Just curious what you're using for your WiFi connection since the in-room connection requires an ethernet cable.

 

[katepass72]

EEEEEEK! We leave tomorrow morning. So, so, so excited!!!!!!
I have 2 quick questions before we head off that I was hoping one of the lovely CR experts could help me out with.

1. Does the CR have towels at the pool? Or should we bring our own?
2. Do they have life jackets for the little ones to use? DD #2 will need one and if they don't have one I am going to try to fit something in our suitcases.

THANKS!!

We were there in June and they most definitely have life jackets in a bin by the pool. Excellent life jackets, BTW - my kids hate them but these are nice in that they don't ride up. Your kids are about the same age as mine . . .be sure to check out the new splash/fountain area by the pool. You're little one will especially enjoy it. Have a great trip!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Too bad they can't do both the character photo in the lobby and at the table; the best of both worlds

When I first heard of them testing that out I said right away it's a bad idea. I am sure a lot of people go to Chef Mickey's so they don't need to wait in line to see the characters like at the parks, because Mickey would be the most popular one since the lines to see him are always long. Well doesn't making the guests line up to see him at Chef Mickey's defeat the purpose of going to a character meal, since he is supposed to go up to your table?

 

[WDWKOOK]

When I first heard of them testing that out I said right away it's a bad idea. I am sure a lot of people go to Chef Mickey's so they don't need to wait in line to see the characters like at the parks, because Mickey would be the most popular one since the lines to see him are always long. Well doesn't making the guests line up to see him at Chef Mickey's defeat the purpose of going to a character meal, since he is supposed to go up to your table?

I was imagining Mickey being available while you're waiting for your table. They take those photos of your family before your meal, so I thought they could have the characters available at that time/location while you're waiting.

 

[LMO429]

I know this is probably on the first two pages but I am having trouble finding out if wifi is available at BLT..is there a fee if so how much?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I know this is probably on the first two pages but I am having trouble finding out if wifi is available at BLT..is there a fee if so how much?

I am not sure if there are any areas of Bay Lake Tower where you can get wifi, however if you go over to the Contemporary here are their areas where you can get it and it's cost.

Main Lobby
Tower Club 14th Floor Club Level Lounge
Outer Rim Bar
1st Floor Convention Center Lobby
2nd Floor Convention Center Lobby
Main Pool

It is not free; cost if $4.99 for the first 60 minutes, or $9.95 for 24 continuous hours. You'll need a credit card for payment, as the wi-fi is provided by an outside vendor and is available to anyone, whether staying at CR or not.

 

[schoolinmy3]

Wow, what an upgrade! You'll have to take some room and lounge photos and post them, if you can.

Since you're out on the balcony, I'm Just curious what you're using for your WiFi connection since the in-room connection requires an ethernet cable.

Sitting on the balcony for our final evening at wdw. fireworks are great fun to watch from here! To answer your question we brought our iPad which has 3G and is great for connecting to the Internet just about anywhere! My husband is pretty convinced this was our most awesome trip to wdw ever. Of course our kids may not agree since we didn't bring them.I will try to get some pictures up later this week. We were just in a standard room though - not a suite. Can't have everything... Wine and cheese every evening plus more alcohol late evening hmmm pretty nice.
Diane

 

[WDWKOOK]

Sitting on the balcony for our final evening at wdw. fireworks are great fun to watch from here! To answer your question we brought our iPad which has 3G and is great for connecting to the Internet just about anywhere! My husband is pretty convinced this was our most awesome trip to wdw ever. Of course our kids may not agree since we didn't bring them.I will try to get some pictures up later this week. We were just in a standard room though - not a suite. Can't have everything... Wine and cheese every evening plus more alcohol late evening hmmm pretty nice.
Diane

What a great trip! We'll be looking for your photos.

We have the iPad, too but we didn't get it with the 3G and actually, my DH has it in Afghanistan now.

Are you now watching the EWP? It should be out on BL right about now

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sitting on the balcony for our final evening at wdw. fireworks are great fun to watch from here! To answer your question we brought our iPad which has 3G and is great for connecting to the Internet just about anywhere! My husband is pretty convinced this was our most awesome trip to wdw ever. Of course our kids may not agree since we didn't bring them.I will try to get some pictures up later this week. We were just in a standard room though - not a suite. Can't have everything... Wine and cheese every evening plus more alcohol late evening hmmm pretty nice.
Diane

I hope you had a great time and I can't wait to see your pictures.