The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower FAQ with PICs! (July 2011)

[WDWKOOK]

Actually, nope. I just ran the numbers. I bet we actually were booked for atrium club the whole time and there was just a confusion with the room type. Seriously no big deal. As long as it's straightened out, I'm good with it.

Just booked a tower room at the Contemporary for February. So, so, so excited. Have wanted to stay there since I was a kid!

Also have two quick questions: How far of a walk is it to the elevators if you're in the tower? Let's say you're on the far end... we stayed very close to the elevator bank at BC in July and I got spoiled and loved being able to use my resort mug really easily.

Also, can't quite justify the six hundre dollar price jump to pay for an MK view, especially because I'm so excited about a lot of other things about the Contemporary....so my second question is this: what is like to go and watch the fireworks from the fourth floor?

TIA!

Congratulations on booking! It's interesting that you mention that you've wanted to stay at the CR since you were a kid because many people seem to feel that way, too.

The elevators are in the middle of each floor so they aren't far at all. I'd say the furthest room would only be maybe a one minute walk.

I can't comment on how it is watching Wishes from the Observation Deck since I've never done it. Some have reported that it can get quite crowded out there. You could also watch it from the exterior stairs on your floor, but make sure to prop the door open. If you eat at CA Grill you can view it from there either during or after dinner, if you show your receipt.

Also, I don't know exactly how much more it would be, but if you upgraded to the Atrium Club/BLV (12th floor), you could watch it from the lounge every night and hear the soundtrack, plus you'd have all the club level amenities

 

[SuperRob]

Hey, CR Experts! Got a question I'm hoping someone can answer.

FW and I are staying at the Contemporary Sept. 15-24. According to our reservation with our travel agency (DU), we booked a Standard Garden Wing room. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what I booked. It just says "Contemporary, Garden View."

I didn't notice this when I first got my documents from Disney, but the docs say "CONTEMPORARY-DLX-GARDEN WING."

Does this mean we got pixie dusted with one of the elusive Deluxe Garden Wing rooms?

There is an off-chance we actually booked this room, but I'd like to think I'd have remembered if I had.

 

[tinacaplan]

Congratulations on booking! It's interesting that you mention that you've wanted to stay at the CR since you were a kid because many people seem to feel that way, too.

The elevators are in the middle of each floor so they aren't far at all. I'd say the furthest room would only be maybe a one minute walk.

I can't comment on how it is watching Wishes from the Observation Deck since I've never done it. Some have reported that it can get quite crowded out there. You could also watch it from the exterior stairs on your floor, but make sure to prop the door open. If you eat at CA Grill you can view it from there either during or after dinner, if you show your receipt.

Also, I don't know exactly how much more it would be, but if you upgraded to the Atrium Club/BLV (12th floor), you could watch it from the lounge every night and hear the soundtrack, plus you'd have all the club level amenities

Thanks! I'm so excited to finally be doing this! Now I'm just debating upgrading to an MK view.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hey, CR Experts! Got a question I'm hoping someone can answer.

FW and I are staying at the Contemporary Sept. 15-24. According to our reservation with our travel agency (DU), we booked a Standard Garden Wing room. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what I booked. It just says "Contemporary, Garden View."

I didn't notice this when I first got my documents from Disney, but the docs say "CONTEMPORARY-DLX-GARDEN WING."

Does this mean we got pixie dusted with one of the elusive Deluxe Garden Wing rooms?

There is an off-chance we actually booked this room, but I'd like to think I'd have remembered if I had.

You do seem to be booked in a Deluxe Garden Wing/Garden View room, however, you didn't pay for a Deluxe Room according to your TA.The Deluxe Rooms have a King bed and a pullout and are corner rooms that are larger than the STD GW and Tower rooms.

Whatever the WDTC reservation says is what you have booked. Closer to arrival, the room assignor may choose to upgrade you and this would appear on your confirmation. But, it seems you're not arriving for a few weeks so it surprises me that you would have been upgraded this far out, but it is possible. Since you can't view your Disney confirmation online, could your TA confirm, through Disney, your room type and can your TA confirm what you actually paid for?

 

[SuperRob]

You do seem to be booked in a Deluxe Garden Wing/Garden View room, however, you didn't pay for a Deluxe Room according to your TA.The Deluxe Rooms have a King bed and a pullout and are corner rooms that are larger than the STD GW and Tower rooms.

Whatever the WDTC reservation says is what you have booked. Closer to arrival, the room assignor may choose to upgrade you and this would appear on your confirmation. But, it seems you're not arriving for a few weeks so it surprises me that you would have been upgraded this far out, but it is possible. Since you can't view your Disney confirmation online, could your TA confirm, through Disney, your room type and can your TA confirm what you actually paid for?

Don't know why I didn't think to log into Disney's site. Maybe because I avoid their websites like the plague if I can.

Sure enough, it says ...

Disney Resort Hotel Room Type: Garden Wing - Deluxe Room

I'm going to call it our Honeymoon Mini Suite.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Don't know why I didn't think to log into Disney's site. Maybe because I avoid their websites like the plague if I can.

Sure enough, it says ...

Disney Resort Hotel Room Type: Garden Wing - Deluxe Room

I'm going to call it our Honeymoon Mini Suite.

GREAT! I didn't think you could view your reservation online since you booked through a TA. So, did you actually pay for a Deluxe Room? It doesn't really matter though because I think it's much more exciting to think that you've been upgraded

Here's a link to some photos of your Honeymoon Mini Suite

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=417291&page=179

 

[mirage0306]

Don't know why I didn't think to log into Disney's site. Maybe because I avoid their websites like the plague if I can.

Sure enough, it says ...

Disney Resort Hotel Room Type: Garden Wing - Deluxe Room

I'm going to call it our Honeymoon Mini Suite.

That is so awesome!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just wanted to add that the photos I linked to above are from 2007 and the computers are no longer in any of the rooms.

ENJOY your honeymoon!!! Are you getting married at WDW?

 

[SuperRob]

GREAT! I didn't think you could view your reservation online since you booked through a TA. So, did you actually pay for a Deluxe Room? It doesn't really matter though because I think it's much more exciting to think that you've been upgraded

Here's a link to some photos of your Honeymoon Mini Suite

Just wanted to add that the photos I linked to above are from 2007 and the computers are no longer in any of the rooms.

ENJOY your honeymoon!!! Are you getting married at WDW?

Thanks much, and thanks for the photos! We're getting married in Seattle on the 10th, taking a four-night cruise on the Disney Dream, then 10 days at WDW.

I'm pretty sure we were trying to get a Standard Garden room orignally. It says "Garden View" on the reservation (which I believe was the next step up), but who knows what it actually ended up being when we paid for it. All I can tell you when I booked is that ALL of the rooms for those dates in the Garden Wing were sold out. Apparently there's a convention or something our last weekend there. Crazy, because we were booking over a year out.

I'm just gonna call it pixie dust. Honestly, this room looks so nice, I don't know that I'd take a MK View if they offered it, which I doubt they would anyway, due to the booking issues I mentioned. The resort is sold out that last weekend.

 

[princssdisnygina]

GREAT! I didn't think you could view your reservation online since you booked through a TA. So, did you actually pay for a Deluxe Room? It doesn't really matter though because I think it's much more exciting to think that you've been upgraded

Here's a link to some photos of your Honeymoon Mini Suite

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=417291&page=179

FYI... you can see your reservations on the Disney website even if you booked through a TA. You just can't make any payments or anything like that.

 

[mirage0306]

FYI... you can see your reservations on the Disney website even if you booked through a TA. You just can't make any payments or anything like that.

How? I only have my reservation numbers from the TA--I don't have any Disney reservation numbers or anything.

 

[mirage0306]

Okay, I just figured out how to see the reservations. Cool! I didn't know I could use the confirmation # from the TA--I didn't know there was an option to log in if you booked w/one. Thanks!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Some companies will also give you the Disney confirmation number, however, my one experience with not booking directly with the WDTC was last Christmas when I booked our WL stay through Expedia. While they did give us a Disney confirmation number a few days after booking, I was never able to access the reservation online with the WDW site. I would get an error message and it would not pull-up the reservation.

 

[skifast22]

Ok, so I'm getting older and my memory is definitely not what it used to be. I stayed in a studio last year, but I'm having trouble remembering what was in the kitchenette as far as appliances. I remember a small fridge and microwave. Is there a toaster and a stove? Also, how big is the coffee maker? Thanks to whoever has the answers. Been looking everywhere and can't seem to find The details. . 18 days and counting

 

[mirage0306]

Some companies will also give you the Disney confirmation number, however, my one experience with not booking directly with the WDTC was last Christmas when I booked our WL stay through Expedia. While they did give us a Disney confirmation number a few days after booking, I was never able to access the reservation online with the WDW site. I would get an error message and it would not pull-up the reservation.

That must have been really frustrating! Did you have any problems with the reservation when you arrived or was everything okay?

We are using Dreams Unlimited. The confirmation numbers that I can see when I log into the client services page worked to pull up the reservations. Like the pp said, I can't make changes or payments (that goes through the TA) but I can see the resorts, dates, room types and room cost per night.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Some companies will also give you the Disney confirmation number, however, my one experience with not booking directly with the WDTC was last Christmas when I booked our WL stay through Expedia. While they did give us a Disney confirmation number a few days after booking, I was never able to access the reservation online with the WDW site. I would get an error message and it would not pull-up the reservation.

I still get that today. Some days I can see it and some days I get an error message and it won't pull it up. I am my own travel agent so I can pull up my reservations through the Disney Agent site but the regular WDW site is never reliable.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ok, so I'm getting older and my memory is definitely not what it used to be. I stayed in a studio last year, but I'm having trouble remembering what was in the kitchenette as far as appliances. I remember a small fridge and microwave. Is there a toaster and a stove? Also, how big is the coffee maker? Thanks to whoever has the answers. Been looking everywhere and can't seem to find The details. . 18 days and counting

No problem! Yes, there is a toaster (pictured) and no, there isn't an oven:

Here is the list from AllEars:

Listed below are the typical amenities found in the Disney Vacation Club Studio Villas.

The listing (and prices) are subject to change without notice!
Quantities are ONE unless noted.

Kitchen

Beverage Glasses 4
Can Opener
Coffee
Coffee Maker
Coffee Mugs 4
Corkscrew
Dish Soap
Dish Towel
Ice Bucket

Paper Bowls 4
Paper Plates 4
Plastic Forks 4
Plastic Knives 4
Plastic Spoons 4
Recycle Basket
Sponge
Toaster
Waste Basket
Sugar Basket

Closet

Broom
Graco Pack n Play w/Sheet
Hanger Regular 10
Hanger Skirt 4
Iron
Ironing Board
Luggage Rack
Vacuum Cleaner

Items Available Upon Request and Based on Availability

Bed Rails
Blankets
Blender
Decaf Coffee
Hangers
High Chair
Pillows
Voltage Converter

Also included intially: Facial and Bath Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel.

Towels for Number of Registered Guests.

That must have been really frustrating! Did you have any problems with the reservation when you arrived or was everything okay?

We are using Dreams Unlimited. The confirmation numbers that I can see when I log into the client services page worked to pull up the reservations. Like the pp said, I can't make changes or payments (that goes through the TA) but I can see the resorts, dates, room types and room cost per night.

I was really nervous because I've always booked our WDW vacations myself through the WDTC/CRO. The only reason I booked with Expedia for last Christmas was because there are never any room discounts available during the Christmas blackout dates (usually 12/26-31) and MouseSavers posted an Expedia deal (mistake?) where the blackout dates were priced at 40% off just like the non-blackout dates. I immediately jumped on this offer and booked 8 nights CV at the WL and within a day, it was removed and reverted back to only the dates prior to Christmas being 40% off.

With Expedia, you can't make any changes, so once you make the reservation you're pretty much stuck. Not good for a constant tweaker like myself. Actually, check-in went great because we were actually upgraded to CL access (the CL floor was full). However, we were upgraded after check-in NOT by the room assignor prior to arrival. We were, however, given exactly the room I requested before being upgraded to CL access.

I hope I didn't go on to long about that, but I just wanted you to know it all worked out in the end, but I would never do it again unless there was some "glitch" or amazing special. I LOVE being in full control of our reservation and attending to every detail. I always use a savings (pin) code to book, like the military room-only, so for us, that's always the best deal, but again, holidays are blacked-out so the Expedia "special" was unique.

I still get that today. Some days I can see it and some days I get an error message and it won't pull it up. I am my own travel agent so I can pull up my reservations through the Disney Agent site but the regular WDW site is never reliable.

I'm glad you know what I'm talking about then. That must get frustrating, but at least you can access the WDW TA site. That must be so exciting to have access to even more WDW travel planning/booking tools. Do you only book for you and your family, or do you still book for clients?

 

[WDWKOOK]

From the latest AllEars Newsletter:

Disney's Contemporary Resort will host a special event featuring exclusive merchandise for the Haunted Mansion Friday, September 30, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Called "Room for 1 More," the event is billed as "an underworld party" that invites you to "step through the graveyard gates of the Mansion cemetery... where you can dine in a mist-enshrouded banquet realm hidden among the crypts." Guests will have the opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition merchandise, Haunted Mansion themed collectibles and Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary collectibles. There will also be a "deadly" silent auction including a performance art lot by Noah, a conversation with Walt Disney Imagineers, and a meet and greet with renowned Disney artists Robert Olszewski, Jim Shore, and Greg McCullough. For more details on this event:

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/wdw_roomfor1more.html


*Event admission is $285/per guest.

 

[SuperRob]

From the latest AllEars Newsletter:

Disney's Contemporary Resort will host a special event featuring exclusive merchandise for the Haunted Mansion Friday, September 30, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Called "Room for 1 More," the event is billed as "an underworld party" that invites you to "step through the graveyard gates of the Mansion cemetery... where you can dine in a mist-enshrouded banquet realm hidden among the crypts." Guests will have the opportunity to pre-purchase limited edition merchandise, Haunted Mansion themed collectibles and Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary collectibles. There will also be a "deadly" silent auction including a performance art lot by Noah, a conversation with Walt Disney Imagineers, and a meet and greet with renowned Disney artists Robert Olszewski, Jim Shore, and Greg McCullough. For more details on this event:

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/artofdisneyparks/event/wdw_roomfor1more.html


*Event admission is $285/per guest.

And I believe it's already sold out. Boo.

 

[skifast22]

Thanks for the info on the studio kitchenette. I was going nuts last night trying to find it