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

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks, KOOK, for the great pics of the Wave breakfast...nice variety and most everything we prefer, so I'll go ahead and make an ADR now.

You're welcome, neodymm. Good call on making the ADR

KOOK - thanks so much for posting the buffet pics, I do so hope they continue it as I think there is enough food there for DH

Sad to hear there is no resort specific merchandise other than the bracelets

As you may have noticed by my new ticker when we postponed our trip to March, we decided to stay at CR. When we originally booked or should I say rebooked when we had to postpone our trip in 2010, we had booked our stay at CR. DH has always wanted to stay there so it was easy to get him to give up WL but who knows what might happen before March

Sheila, I've been in your position having booked the CR, "un-booked" the CR, then booked the WL, etc... You can't go wrong with either. Though I would say that IMHO, the WL has a much better CL, but the CR has a much better room and amazing lounge view. The Tower BLV is our favorite WDW room and view - you're going to have a great vacation and it can't come soon enough after all you've been through with Irene.

For KOOK or any of the other CR lovers, would you rather eat breakfast at the Wave or dinner?

Right now we're scheduled to have breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe and dinner at the Wave, but the photos of the buffet have me thinking about swapping.

Thanks!

For those of you playing along at home, I've switched my reservation again...this time from Poly to CR. But this time, we're sticking. CR is my dream resort!

Well, the cat's already out of the bag on your question - I would eat breakfast at The Wave and dinner at the GFC. The GFC has pretty standard breakfast fare. I used to LOVE when they had the Japanese breakfast, but that disappeared years ago.

So you're a resort changer, huh? You know we have a thread for DISers like you

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

WDWKOOK,
Thanks for posting the pictures of The Wave's buffet breakfast.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One of the Cast Members from the Innkeeper's Club at the Boardwalk Inn told me he use to drive the Monorail. Well I said how come the Contemporary doesn't have doors that open and close when the Monorail comes in so they can keep out the birds that fly in. He told me there have been a lot of complaints about that and it's something they are looking into, although I doubt that will ever happen.

 

[brunette8706]

Hey All!

How does everyone pay for the stays at the Contemporary and or Concierge level? Just curious

We have a vacation fund that goes directly into our savings account. This account is strictly for vacations. Does anyone do anything different? Would love to hear them... Thanks All! Brunette

 

[soarinup]

Hey All!

How does everyone pay for the stays at the Contemporary and or Concierge level? Just curious

We have a vacation fund that goes directly into our savings account. This account is strictly for vacations. Does anyone do anything different? Would love to hear them... Thanks All! Brunette

I admire your dedication to a savings acct. but I'll tell you what I do. I have a rich brother who always told me "If you save up for that big vacation that you've always dreamed of, you'll never get to take it. Spend the money now, then pay it off" That has been my vacation philosophy. In these tough times, I know it isn't PC to talk like that, but I get by just fine with my budget.

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK,
Thanks for posting the pictures of The Wave's buffet breakfast.

You're welcome. Have you tried it? Did you make it over to the CR at this trip?

One of the Cast Members from the Innkeeper's Club at the Boardwalk Inn told me he use to drive the Monorail. Well I said how come the Contemporary doesn't have doors that open and close when the Monorail comes in so they can keep out the birds that fly in. He told me there have been a lot of complaints about that and it's something they are looking into, although I doubt that will ever happen.

I only really notice those little sparrow-type birds when we're eating at the Contempo. Though I suppose you would also notice them over at Chef Mickeys, too. While it doesn't bother me, you can't help but think about how, ummm, indiscriminate birds are with their "eliminations." I do wonder if this has been a problem for any guests or if it's just the same risk as eating outside.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hey All!

How does everyone pay for the stays at the Contemporary and or Concierge level? Just curious

We have a vacation fund that goes directly into our savings account. This account is strictly for vacations. Does anyone do anything different? Would love to hear them... Thanks All! Brunette

Personally, we save and then spend what is within our budget. That menas we can't afford club level, which isn't a huge priority for us anyway. IMHO, its always better to spend within your means with cash.

 

[mhconley]

Hey All!

How does everyone pay for the stays at the Contemporary and or Concierge level? Just curious

We have a vacation fund that goes directly into our savings account. This account is strictly for vacations. Does anyone do anything different? Would love to hear them... Thanks All! Brunette

We have money set aside each paycheck for vacations and holidays. We're one of those people that use credit cards as free money, i.e., pay them off each month. We have used 6 / 12 month same as cash credit card offers but have never paid a finance charge, nor do we own cards with yearly fees. In this or any economy why even give away penny of your hard-earned money?

Martin

 

[F&WfestFoodie]

We have money set aside each paycheck for vacations and holidays. We're one of those people that use credit cards as free money, i.e., pay them off each month. We have used 6 / 12 month same as cash credit card offers but have never paid a finance charge, nor do we own cards with yearly fees. In this or any economy why even give away penny of your hard-earned money?

Martin

I completely agree. I have some money set aside for just vacations, but I completely agree on the free-money thing, but I like to make sure I get something in return for spending my free money (cash back rewards, etc). no annual fees, all rewards

Great Minds think alike. Enjoy the Contemporary!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome. Have you tried it? Did you make it over to the CR at this trip?

We have never been there to eat and yes I went one time to visit the Contemporary.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just letting everyone know that I posted a link to post #294 which was WDWKOOK's pictures of The Wave's Breakfast Buffet and mentioned that credit of those pictures goes to her.

 

[heatherenae71]

If Wishes is at 8:00 p.m., do you know what time we will see the Electrical Water Pageant on the Bay Lake side of the Contemporary?!

Thanks!!!!

A little more than 2 months to go til our first family vacation to the World...I am getting sooooo excited!

 

[minniebeth]

WDWKook, great pictures of The Wave's breakfast buffet! We had breakfast there this past June and really enjoyed it. DD had the breakfast buffet and I ordered off the menu. Both were very good and I love that they offer a little more unique choices in addition to standard breakfast fare.

Missyrose, I would definitely recommend changing out GFCafe's breakfast for The Wave. We had breakfast there too~ it was good, but I'd go with The Wave. We've eaten at The Wave for dinner on a prior trip and weren't all that impressed. Our next trip I'd love to try lunch.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just letting everyone know that I posted a link to post #294 which was WDWKOOK's pictures of The Wave's Breakfast Buffet and mentioned that credit of those pictures goes to her.

Wow, I've finally made it to the first page

If Wishes is at 8:00 p.m., do you know what time we will see the Electrical Water Pageant on the Bay Lake side of the Contemporary?!

Thanks!!!!

A little more than 2 months to go til our first family vacation to the World...I am getting sooooo excited!

The EWP is always at 10:05 every night.

I hope you and your family have a memorable first trip to WDW. Don't foget to wear your "first trip" buttons

WDWKook, great pictures of The Wave's breakfast buffet! We had breakfast there this past June and really enjoyed it. DD had the breakfast buffet and I ordered off the menu. Both were very good and I love that they offer a little more unique choices in addition to standard breakfast fare.

Missyrose, I would definitely recommend changing out GFCafe's breakfast for The Wave. We had breakfast there too~ it was good, but I'd go with The Wave. We've eaten at The Wave for dinner on a prior trip and weren't all that impressed. Our next trip I'd love to try lunch.

Thanks, minniebeth and it sounds like our Wave dining preferences certainly are in sync

 

[brunette8706]

We have money set aside each paycheck for vacations and holidays. We're one of those people that use credit cards as free money, i.e., pay them off each month. We have used 6 / 12 month same as cash credit card offers but have never paid a finance charge, nor do we own cards with yearly fees. In this or any economy why even give away penny of your hard-earned money?

Martin

*
Heh heh! We do the same thing. We also, just put x amount of money into a SAVINGS account just for vacations. But like you said earlier we use the Disney Visa INTEREST FREE for 6 months to pay for stays at WDW. This is a great way to vacation too. Plus you get Disney reward points!

Loved everyone comments about vacation finances, they're always an interesting read. Keep them coming....


Brunette

 

[heatherenae71]

Thanks WDWKOOK!! I have 10:05 written down in my "folder" but second-guessed myself thinking I might have wrote that time down when Wishes was at a later time in the summer or something!!!! We plan to catch this at least 2 times from our balcony overlooking Bay Lake

 

[Missyrose]

Well, the cat's already out of the bag on your question - I would eat breakfast at The Wave and dinner at the GFC. The GFC has pretty standard breakfast fare. I used to LOVE when they had the Japanese breakfast, but that disappeared years ago.

So you're a resort changer, huh? You know we have a thread for DISers like you

Missyrose, I would definitely recommend changing out GFCafe's breakfast for The Wave. We had breakfast there too~ it was good, but I'd go with The Wave. We've eaten at The Wave for dinner on a prior trip and weren't all that impressed. Our next trip I'd love to try lunch.

Thanks to you both! I went ahead and swapped our ADRs so now we'll eat breakfast at the Wave and dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe. Plus, once I thought about it, it makes soooooooo much more sense to have breakfast at our hotel (and it'll give us a few extra minutes of sleep! ).

Thanks again

 

[minniebeth]

So we are officially booked at the CR in January for the marathon. So excited!

Missyrose, I hope you enjoy your breakfast at The Wave!

 

[sjs314]

I fell behind once again on all my threads over the weekend. Trying to play catch up today.

Sheila, I've been in your position having booked the CR, "un-booked" the CR, then booked the WL, etc... You can't go wrong with either. Though I would say that IMHO, the WL has a much better CL, but the CR has a much better room and amazing lounge view. The Tower BLV is our favorite WDW room and view - you're going to have a great vacation and it can't come soon enough after all you've been through with Irene

KOOK - I actually considered WL CL and just doing DDP when we were changing our trip but there was no CL available then I thought why not check to see if CR TPV was available and the rest is history. DH has always wanted to stay there so I knew he would give up his beloved WL and since most of the trip is paid for already why not upgrade. We are not really CL people, we much prefer a TS breakfast, no longer partake of alcaholic beverages due to the meds we are on. For Us doing DxDP just makes more sense than staying CL.

Many love the BLV better than TPV and it was available but my dream has always been to see the castle and fireworks from my room, like in the "old" Disney commercials

One of the Cast Members from the Innkeeper's Club at the Boardwalk Inn told me he use to drive the Monorail. Well I said how come the Contemporary doesn't have doors that open and close when the Monorail comes in so they can keep out the birds that fly in. He told me there have been a lot of complaints about that and it's something they are looking into, although I doubt that will ever happen.

CR -Somehow I do not see it happening either.

Hey All!

How does everyone pay for the stays at the Contemporary and or Concierge level? Just curious

We have a vacation fund that goes directly into our savings account. This account is strictly for vacations. Does anyone do anything different? Would love to hear them... Thanks All! Brunette

I have always kept a separate checking account for vacations, now that DH and I are both retired, we each have our own accounts and he just gives me money to put into the vacation fund, I add to it also and I am the one to actually make the plans and see that everything gets paid.

Just letting everyone know that I posted a link to post #294 which was WDWKOOK's pictures of The Wave's Breakfast Buffet and mentioned that credit of those pictures goes to her.

Wow, I've finally made it to the first page

The EWP is always at 10:05 every night.

KOOK -EWP is at 10:05 even when the fireworks are earlier? In March when I am going it says Wishes are @ 8pm?

I seem to recall hearing that you can see the EWP from the TPV room also when it goes behind CR? Is this so or am I dreaming

 

[WDWKOOK]

I fell behind once again on all my threads over the weekend. Trying to play catch up today.



KOOK - I actually considered WL CL and just doing DDP when we were changing our trip but there was no CL available then I thought why not check to see if CR TPV was available and the rest is history. DH has always wanted to stay there so I knew he would give up his beloved WL and since most of the trip is paid for already why not upgrade. We are not really CL people, we much prefer a TS breakfast, no longer partake of alcaholic beverages due to the meds we are on. For Us doing DxDP just makes more sense than staying CL.

Many love the BLV better than TPV and it was available but my dream has always been to see the castle and fireworks from my room, like in the "old" Disney commercials




KOOK -EWP is at 10:05 even when the fireworks are earlier? In March when I am going it says Wishes are @ 8pm?

I seem to recall hearing that you can see the EWP from the TPV room also when it goes behind CR? Is this so or am I dreaming

I believe that the EWP is always at 10:05, but may be 10-20 minutes later when Wishes is at 9. It should be at 10:05 when you're there in March. I've never stayed in a TPV room, we always book BLV, but I don't see how you could see it very well from a TPV unless you're watching the back of it while it's at the GF or Poly and you wouldn't hear the music.

I think you made a good choice to do the DxDP instead of CL since you like a table service breakfast