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

[centurythree]

That would have been me. Here is what I replied to you here:

The highest non-CL floor is the 11th. If you are on the 12th (Atrium Club) and you are near Chef Mickey's (as I was in August) you can still hear the "celebration song." Being on the 12th floor is not any quieter than being on a non-CL high floor, especially if you're away from CM.

So really it's better to stay out in the wing if you're looking for quiet? I've seen lots of people saying that their requests to be away from Chef Mickey's weren't granted.

 

[cjsull]

IF you're planning on eating only on site anyway, and IF you weren't planning on bringing stuff to eat (like cereal in the room etc) than the regular dining plan will work. Again, I wouldn't say it'd save you much money, but it'll keep you to budget.

Yes, I plan on buying stuff for bkfst, and the things we liked about the deluxe plan was that we could choose between both counter service and table service, not be limited to one or another. Also, we get a mug, and we would be using more than one meal point to go to the Castle and HDDR. Our kids are great eaters, and I think that it is also the idea of not having to worry about money. Would we use all those snack things? Yeah, probably. Are all these positives worth the money? I don't know yet. But I appreciate hearing all opinions.
Thanks!

So, few other small questions.
1. Is it only the first floor in the wing that has a door/porch you can walk out?
2. these mugs. Where can you refill them? Only at the resort? Or is it called that because the resort is on them? And are they worth it? My H loves the idea of getting a CR mug!

 

[cjsull]

I've done some numbers, and this is what I have.
Using the fact that we get the rooms 40% off military, and assuming that the rooms won't be sold out for Sept next year...
Rooms and Dining Plan
Garden View in Wing (GV) for week is $1482
Tower MK view for week is $1983
Basic Dining for our fam of 5 for the week $972
Deluxe dining for the week $1686

Now, the idea we were seriously looking at after ruling out the club level was to stay in the tower and get the basic dining plan, which would at least help cover some stuff. The cost of that (TowerMK + BD) for week is $2955.

After hearing from some of you, we started to rethink what the money might be better spent on, priority-wise. So we started thinking about going back to the wing, but getting a Garden View, and seeing how much the deluxe plan might be so that more of the meals are covered, if not everything (since I hope to bring cereal for most of our breakfasts). The cost of GV with DD for the week is $3168.

So, the difference between staying in the Tower with a MK view and the basic dining plan and staying in the wing with a Garden View but the deluxe dining plan is only $213.
I know there is nothing "only" about $213, but when you're talking about a week-long Disney trip, money amounts start sounding different than they do in real life!

So there you go. I hope I'm not bothering/boring you. I just thought that things would look differently for me once I had them translated to solid numbers. But no, I'm still confused. I'll have to show my H all this later.

Thanks for letting me "think out loud"! I'm getting really excited about the Contemporary, no matter what we do. It's all still Disney!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

2. these mugs. Where can you refill them? Only at the resort? Or is it called that because the resort is on them? And are they worth it? My H loves the idea of getting a CR mug!

You purchase the mugs at the Contempo Cafe and it's also where you get them refilled. However just so you know they are not selling a Contemporary logo mug, because all the resort counter service locations are selling a generic mug design.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ah, that's great! Now, I'm personally wondering if the "going all out" part of our trip can look more like this...
garden wing garden/lake view and get the deluxe dining plan so that we can have more choices with our dining every day. Also, we want to eat at Cinderellas Castle once, and go see the Hoop-dee-doo (sp?) Review. I know they aren't on discount, but do you all think the dining plans are really worth it? It sounded like a great deal, but I'm not 100% sure.
As far as the tower is concerned... we can still go to the 4th floor some night to watch the fireworks, right? And we are still at a resort where we can easily walk to the monorail and MK. I wish there were a way to get a MK or monorail view from the wing without getting a standard view. I'll have to research now which rooms in the wing to possibly look at.

Thanks for your help!!!

Here is a link to the DP thread within the Restaurant forum. I think it will help you to make a decsion:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116

AllEars has reviews of all the DPs which may also help you:

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=126

Yes, I plan on buying stuff for bkfst, and the things we liked about the deluxe plan was that we could choose between both counter service and table service, not be limited to one or another. Also, we get a mug, and we would be using more than one meal point to go to the Castle and HDDR. Our kids are great eaters, and I think that it is also the idea of not having to worry about money. Would we use all those snack things? Yeah, probably. Are all these positives worth the money? I don't know yet. But I appreciate hearing all opinions.
Thanks!

So, few other small questions.
1. Is it only the first floor in the wing that has a door/porch you can walk out?
2. these mugs. Where can you refill them? Only at the resort? Or is it called that because the resort is on them? And are they worth it? My H loves the idea of getting a CR mug!

Yes, only the ground floor has a patio. The second and third floors have sliding glass doors, but no balcony.

I've done some numbers, and this is what I have.
Using the fact that we get the rooms 40% off military, and assuming that the rooms won't be sold out for Sept next year...
Rooms and Dining Plan
Garden View in Wing (GV) for week is $1482
Tower MK view for week is $1983
Basic Dining for our fam of 5 for the week $972
Deluxe dining for the week $1686

Now, the idea we were seriously looking at after ruling out the club level was to stay in the tower and get the basic dining plan, which would at least help cover some stuff. The cost of that (TowerMK + BD) for week is $2955.

After hearing from some of you, we started to rethink what the money might be better spent on, priority-wise. So we started thinking about going back to the wing, but getting a Garden View, and seeing how much the deluxe plan might be so that more of the meals are covered, if not everything (since I hope to bring cereal for most of our breakfasts). The cost of GV with DD for the week is $3168.

So, the difference between staying in the Tower with a MK view and the basic dining plan and staying in the wing with a Garden View but the deluxe dining plan is only $213.
I know there is nothing "only" about $213, but when you're talking about a week-long Disney trip, money amounts start sounding different than they do in real life!

So there you go. I hope I'm not bothering/boring you. I just thought that things would look differently for me once I had them translated to solid numbers. But no, I'm still confused. I'll have to show my H all this later.

Thanks for letting me "think out loud"! I'm getting really excited about the Contemporary, no matter what we do. It's all still Disney!!!

Actually, the difference isn't just $213, you're comparing two different dining plans with two different room locations. I think you might need to decide which is most important to you and your family: DP meals (table service or quick-service) or room view and then start narrowing it down from there.

With the DxDP you get 3 table service credits per person/per day, but with the basic DP you only get 1 table service and 1 quick-service credit PP/PD. You could use two of the day's DxDP credits for a character meal or dinner show each night and use the remaining one credit for a quick-service lunch or breakfast and then eat OOP for the remaining meal (if you like 3 squares a day).

 

[WDWKOOK]

So really it's better to stay out in the wing if you're looking for quiet? I've seen lots of people saying that their requests to be away from Chef Mickey's weren't granted.

We've stayed many times in the Tower and they have always granted our request of being far from CM. This last trip, we cut short our YC/CL stay (because we missed the CR) and switched mid-trip to the CR. Even though the Atrium Club costs about 15% more than the Regatta Club we had already paid for, they didn't charge us the difference. So when we were put near CM, I didn't complain because the CR guest services manager went above and beyond to switch us from the YC to the CR.

When you check-in, you can ask to see on the room map where your room will be located. If you are on the BL side and you are to the right of the elevators, near CM, you can ask for a room to the left of the elevators which is away from CM (do the reverse for MKV). Some guests are never bothered by CM and some, like us, are sensitive to it.

As far as GW Vs. Tower noise, the times we have stayed in the GW, I may have noticed more hallway noise than in the Tower.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We've stayed many times in the Tower and they have always granted our request of being far from CM. This last trip, we cut short our YC/CL stay (because we missed the CR) and switched mid-trip to the CR. Even though the Atrium Club costs about 15% more than the Regatta Club we had already paid for, they didn't charge us the difference. So when we were put near CM, I didn't complain because the CR guest services manager went above and beyond to switch us from the YC to the CR.

Since it was a fluke that my family and I were staying in the room next to you, I was wondering even though we were close to Chef Mickey's did you actually hear any noise from there? Personally we did not hear anything from there.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Since it was a fluke that my family and I were staying in the room next to you, I was wondering even though we were close to Chef Mickey's did you actually hear any noise from there? Personally we did not hear anything from there.

I remember hearing the last song every evening around 10, right before the EWP and in the morning when I'd get back from the Olympiad I'd hear it. But my DD was never awakened in the AM by it. It probably just depends on what time you're in your room. Personally, I'm most sensitive to it in the evening since we seldom do PM EMH and we're usually in our room.

I suppose I just like things as quiet as possible in hotels. When I'm not at WDW, I always request the highest floor, so that there won't be anyone above us, and usually a corner room without a connecting door so that we only have one room next to us. I'm extra picky

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I remember hearing the last song every evening around 10, right before the EWP and in the morning when I'd get back from the Olympiad I'd hear it. But my DD was never awakened in the AM by it. It probably just depends on what time you're in your room. Personally, I'm most sensitive to it in the evening since we seldom do PM EMH and we're usually in our room.

I suppose I just like things as quiet as possible in hotels. When I'm not at WDW, I always request the highest floor, so that there won't be anyone above us, and usually a corner room without a connecting door so that we only have one room next to us. I'm extra picky

Well the next time we stay at the Contemporary if we are on the Chef Mickey's side I would hope we could get a room in that area just before Chef Mickey's, since it was not a problem for us.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Well the next time we stay at the Contemporary if we are on the Chef Mickey's side I would hope we could get a room in that area just before Chef Mickey's, since it was not a problem for us.

Were you ever in your room before the last song at 10 PM?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Were you ever in your room before the last song at 10 PM?

On some nights I was and I honestly don't remember hearing the last song.

 

[cjsull]

Actually, the difference isn't just $213, you're comparing two different dining plans with two different room locations. I think you might need to decide which is most important to you and your family: DP meals (table service or quick-service) or room view and then start narrowing it down from there.

Yeah, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I was just mentioning the two trip ideas my H and I have talked about, but that isn't to say that we won't also look at staying at the GV wing and get the basic dining plan. I was only looking at what ideas my H and I have already had the time to discuss. I haven't had the chance to look at this with him yet. But you have come exactly to the heart of my thinking... which one do we consider more important.
Thank you for the links. I'll have to read some of those when I get the chance. I found the AllEars thing very interesting at first glance, with the Dining plan getting a rating of 7.47, and the Deluxe Dining a rating of 9.54. But I know the good info is going to be in what the reviewers actually wrote, so I'm not going to make any decisions on first glance. I do want to read as much of this as I can. But I'm worried that I'm going to get too confused. We'll see!
Thanks! Oh, and that's too bad that the mug isn't a contemporary mug. I understand it probably saves money to make them all the same, but it would be nice if it was from our resort.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Yeah, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I was just mentioning the two trip ideas my H and I have talked about, but that isn't to say that we won't also look at staying at the GV wing and get the basic dining plan. I was only looking at what ideas my H and I have already had the time to discuss. I haven't had the chance to look at this with him yet. But you have come exactly to the heart of my thinking... which one do we consider more important.
Thank you for the links. I'll have to read some of those when I get the chance. I found the AllEars thing very interesting at first glance, with the Dining plan getting a rating of 7.47, and the Deluxe Dining a rating of 9.54. But I know the good info is going to be in what the reviewers actually wrote, so I'm not going to make any decisions on first glance. I do want to read as much of this as I can. But I'm worried that I'm going to get too confused. We'll see!
Thanks! Oh, and that's too bad that the mug isn't a contemporary mug. I understand it probably saves money to make them all the same, but it would be nice if it was from our resort.

You're welcome.

It is sad about the mugs and many people feel that way. Cost is exactly the reason that WDW stopped offering the resort-specific mugs a few years back.

So just charge us more, I say!

There's a Refillable Mug FAQ sticky here:

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

 

[gmaniaus]

 

[sjs314]

You're welcome.

It is sad about the mugs and many people feel that way. Cost is exactly the reason that WDW stopped offering the resort-specific mugs a few years back.

So just charge us more, I say!

There's a Refillable Mug FAQ sticky here:

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

I so agree, resort specific shirts was one item my family bought each trip along with the resorts mug and I would gladly pay more.

 

[sjs314]

Does anyone know if you can see the electric water parade thing from a MK veiw BLT room? If not, where and when can we see it? Do you have to go out to the beach? We are going in Nov, will it run every night? Sorry for all the questions, I just think it sounds neat and that the kids would like it.

I have seen it from a Magic Kingdom View room in the Contemporary, so you can also see it from that same view at Bay Lake Tower.

Yes, it will run every night. It stops at the back of the CR around 10:05ish. If you don't want to go out to the beach, you could also see it from the 4th floor concourse windows. You and your kids will love it!

I have been re-reading this thread and I am just a bit confused about the EWP and being able to see it from a TPV room, since in my mind I had thought that was something I would be giving up unless I booked a BLV room.
I remember when compareing pictures of the MK views of the Poly, GF and CR with CR you had a view of MK with parking areas in the foreground
I just do not recall seeing any pics of the EWP being taken from TPV, of course I have looked at so much , I might just be losing my mind

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have been re-reading this thread and I am just a bit confused about the EWP and being able to see it from a TPV room, since in my mind I had thought that was something I would be giving up unless I booked a BLV room.
I remember when compareing pictures of the MK views of the Poly, GF and CR with CR you had a view of MK with parking areas in the foreground
I just do not recall seeing any pics of the EWP being taken from TPV, of course I have looked at so much , I might just be losing my mind

Believe me I have had a lot of stays at the Contemporary with the Magic Kingdom View and in each of them I saw the EWP when from there when it was in Seven Seas Lagoon. Now it's actually closer to see it when it goes on the Bay Lake View side and that's when it's scheduled to go by the Contemporary at 10:05 PM, so consider it a bonus that you can also see it from the Magic Kingdom View.

 

[WDWKOOK]

DVC FYI...

This was in the AllEars Newsletter:

The price for Disney Vacation Club points at Bay Lake Tower will increase on December 1 to $130 per point.

 

[sjs314]

Believe me I have had a lot of stays at the Contemporary with the Magic Kingdom View and in each of them I saw the EWP when from there when it was in Seven Seas Lagoon. Now it's actually closer to see it when it goes on the Bay Lake View side and that's when it's scheduled to go by the Contemporary at 10:05 PM, so consider it a bonus that you can also see it from the Magic Kingdom View.

I do believe you , I do. I am even more excited now about staying at CR with the MK view than before if that is even possible, I have never been this excited about staying anywhere at Disney before. It has been years since I have seen the EWP last time being when we stayed WL and we watched it from the beach area there.
Thank you!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I do believe you , I do. I am even more excited now about staying at CR with the MK view than before if that is even possible, I have never been this excited about staying anywhere at Disney before. It has been years since I have seen the EWP last time being when we stayed WL and we watched it from the beach area there.
Thank you!

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