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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi all! Thanks for such a helpful thread! I am posting b/c we are supposed to arrive in early May, staying at the Contemporary for the first time, but now we need to change our dates to late April instead - We had planned to stay in a theme park view room but that type of room is not available (or anything in the tower) for the new dates. There was last night when I checked but this morning, when we knew for sure that the new dates would work, there isn't anymore. I just wondered what you think the odds might be for a cancellation for that type of room so short notice? I'm sure it's like impossible to say.. just wondering others' experiences trying to get a certain type of room at short notice.. thanks for any info!

I would check online everyday and maybe a couple of times each day because you never know when something will become available.

Also even though you say nothing is available in the Tower for your new set of days, have you thought about the Garden Wing or do you not want to stay in that section?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I kept trying to get one with the train and the monorail...but could never get the timing right

That would be awesome!

 

[happymamma]

Garden wing actually is available, and we're thinking about booking that and hoping to upgrade if it becomes available. It's not that we don't want to stay there, we just reallllyy want to stay in the tower for the convenience factor. I'm sure it's not a huge difference? But in theory it just sounds like it would be cool And would really like the theme park view.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Garden wing actually is available, and we're thinking about booking that and hoping to upgrade if it becomes available. It's not that we don't want to stay there, we just reallllyy want to stay in the tower for the convenience factor. I'm sure it's not a huge difference? But in theory it just sounds like it would be cool And would really like the theme park view.

Throwing some pixie dust your way in hopes you are able to find the booking you want.

 

[happymamma]

thanks, Pjimmeyer!!

 

[LowesChevy]

Hello all, just want to share some of my BLT room photos from a two bedroom villa

Master
bathroom

Second bedroom

3rd bathroom

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

LowesChevy,
Thanks for posting those pictures.

 

[Mr Wes]

Can't wait til August! We will be staying at CR for the first time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can't wait til August! We will be staying at CR for the first time.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[Julylady]

We just decided yesterday to spend the first three nights of our June trip at the Contemporary before moving over to the Boardwalk for the remaining 5 nights. It made sense since we have Chef Mickey, Aloha luau, and Pirates/Pals fireworks cruise booked those first days!

When I called this morning, I was offered a Deluxe Wing Room. We have a group of 4 (two adults, two kids). In doing a bit of research it appears that the room has 1 king bed and 1 sleep sofa (double). Some descriptions also list a 2nd sofa in the unit. Does anyone know for sure?

I decided to go for the Deluxe room as we normally stay in DVC units and are used to our "space." Does this room feel larger than a standard room?

Any photos or details of one of these rooms would be greatly appreciated!

Donna

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We just decided yesterday to spend the first three nights of our June trip at the Contemporary before moving over to the Boardwalk for the remaining 5 nights. It made sense since we have Chef Mickey, Aloha luau, and Pirates/Pals fireworks cruise booked those first days!

When I called this morning, I was offered a Deluxe Wing Room. We have a group of 4 (two adults, two kids). In doing a bit of research it appears that the room has 1 king bed and 1 sleep sofa (double). Some descriptions also list a 2nd sofa in the unit. Does anyone know for sure?

I decided to go for the Deluxe room as we normally stay in DVC units and are used to our "space." Does this room feel larger than a standard room?

Any photos or details of one of these rooms would be greatly appreciated!

Donna

Here is a link to some pictures of their Deluxe Room and yes it's larger then a Standard Room.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20816669&postcount=2681

 

[WDWKOOK]

We just decided yesterday to spend the first three nights of our June trip at the Contemporary before moving over to the Boardwalk for the remaining 5 nights. It made sense since we have Chef Mickey, Aloha luau, and Pirates/Pals fireworks cruise booked those first days!

When I called this morning, I was offered a Deluxe Wing Room. We have a group of 4 (two adults, two kids). In doing a bit of research it appears that the room has 1 king bed and 1 sleep sofa (double). Some descriptions also list a 2nd sofa in the unit. Does anyone know for sure?

I decided to go for the Deluxe room as we normally stay in DVC units and are used to our "space." Does this room feel larger than a standard room?

Any photos or details of one of these rooms would be greatly appreciated!

Donna

I don't think there is a second sofa. Here is a link to some older Deluxe Garden Wing room photos:

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

And, some newer:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43281594&highlight=luvluvluv#post43281594

 

[Julylady]

Wow! You guys are fast! THANKS so much. If anyone has additional details on these deluxe rooms, I would love to hear them.

We stayed in BLT two years ago and LOVED the location. But we don't know much about the "wing" area.

I am really getting excited about this trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Wow! You guys are fast! THANKS so much. If anyone has additional details on these deluxe rooms, I would love to hear them.

We stayed in BLT two years ago and LOVED the location. But we don't know much about the "wing" area.

I am really getting excited about this trip!

You're welcome. But, I was 1 minute slower than CRRF4L

LuvLuvLuv last posted photos of the Deluxe room. She is a real sweetie, so feel free to PM her with any questions you might have. You can tell her I sent you

 

[221HEMT]

Hi!
I'm new at this, hope I do it right.
Can anyone tell me anything about the cost of trip insurance and is it something you would recommend.
Thank you

 

[zima-cheryl]

Hi!
I'm new at this, hope I do it right.
Can anyone tell me anything about the cost of trip insurance and is it something you would recommend.
Thank you

We have used trip insurance for certain types of trips. Sometimes a little extra money is worth the peace of mind.

I always get ours through insuremytrip.com I tend to find, for our needs, it is usually better than what is offered via the airlines or travel companies. And personally, I like that you can compare & contrast offered policies from different companies on one website.

Look at the cost of your trip and the risk of something happening that could cause you to need to cancel or change it? If you are driving there from GA, probably not needed.
If you are flying in from Vancouver in February... probably a good thing to have the insurance. If you get snowed in & can't leave it covers you so you won't lose out on the day(s) of the trip you miss. Or if you end up stuck in Orlando & unable to fly home for an extra couple days you don't want to pay for all that out of your own pocket.

Do you, or a family member have a medical condition that might require you to cancel, reschedule or leave early from your trip?

Consider your bags. We prefer a short bag delay allowance window. So we have a few basics in the carry on, but if our checked bag is delayed more than say 4 to 8 hours I want a small allowance so I can buy a dress to go to supper that night or a fresh shirt for the next day.

Remember when you are weighing your options that WDW has a pretty generous window for changes & cancelatoins. I think 45 to 60 days depending on the package & rooms that you can cancel/change without a penalty. Other places/resorts are not always so flexible.

Lastly - read the details carefuly so you know the deductible amounts you are responsible for, what traveler(s) are covered, who to contact if anything does happen, what you need to have to file a claim and the time window for filing a claim.

Fortunately we've never had to file a claim (knock on wood.... don't want to jinx myself) but I feel better sometimes when I have it.

Sorry this is a bit long.... but that really isn't a yes/no question. Hopefully this helps a bit.

 

[221HEMT]

We have used trip insurance for certain types of trips. Sometimes a little extra money is worth the peace of mind.

I always get ours through insuremytrip.com I tend to find, for our needs, it is usually better than what is offered via the airlines or travel companies. And personally, I like that you can compare & contrast offered policies from different companies on one website.

Look at the cost of your trip and the risk of something happening that could cause you to need to cancel or change it? If you are driving there from GA, probably not needed.
If you are flying in from Vancouver in February... probably a good thing to have the insurance. If you get snowed in & can't leave it covers you so you won't lose out on the day(s) of the trip you miss. Or if you end up stuck in Orlando & unable to fly home for an extra couple days you don't want to pay for all that out of your own pocket.

Do you, or a family member have a medical condition that might require you to cancel, reschedule or leave early from your trip?

Consider your bags. We prefer a short bag delay allowance window. So we have a few basics in the carry on, but if our checked bag is delayed more than say 4 to 8 hours I want a small allowance so I can buy a dress to go to supper that night or a fresh shirt for the next day.

Remember when you are weighing your options that WDW has a pretty generous window for changes & cancelatoins. I think 45 to 60 days depending on the package & rooms that you can cancel/change without a penalty. Other places/resorts are not always so flexible.

Lastly - read the details carefuly so you know the deductible amounts you are responsible for, what traveler(s) are covered, who to contact if anything does happen, what you need to have to file a claim and the time window for filing a claim.

Fortunately we've never had to file a claim (knock on wood.... don't want to jinx myself) but I feel better sometimes when I have it.

Sorry this is a bit long.... but that really isn't a yes/no question. Hopefully this helps a bit.

Thank you very much for the reply. I will be looking into it further and think that I will be getting it. Again thanks

 

[Trishtack]

We are staying at BLT in October in a Deluxe Studio Lake View. We rented points. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help:

1. DH is paraplegic. There is little BLT info on the Disabilities threads. Anyone know if a Deluxe Studio will be big enough for DH, me and DD (7)? His wheelchair is manual but needs to be by the bed at all times. Our first trip we stayed in a Handicapped Accessible room at the Poly and had no space issues.

2. Are we eligible to use the Top of the World Lounge? I have saw several posts and still are confused.

3. Is the trip from BLT to the monorail a long walk?

4. Does the walk from BLT to MK have a dedicated path for wheelchairs? I'm imagining stroller vs ECV vs wheelchair wars..

5. My research using the boards shows 8014 as the only Deluxe Studio with a roll in shower. How hard is it to get a room request honored and can you be that specific?

I am grateful for any info you can share on the above and anything else anyone can throw in. We are super excited and this will probably be our last trip for quite a while. I want it to be as special as possible!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We are staying at BLT in October in a Deluxe Studio Lake View. We rented points. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help:

1. DH is paraplegic. There is little BLT info on the Disabilities threads. Anyone know if a Deluxe Studio will be big enough for DH, me and DD (7)? His wheelchair is manual but needs to be by the bed at all times. Our first trip we stayed in a Handicapped Accessible room at the Poly and had no space issues.

2. Are we eligible to use the Top of the World Lounge? I have saw several posts and still are confused.

3. Is the trip from BLT to the monorail a long walk?

4. Does the walk from BLT to MK have a dedicated path for wheelchairs? I'm imagining stroller vs ECV vs wheelchair wars..

5. My research using the boards shows 8014 as the only Deluxe Studio with a roll in shower. How hard is it to get a room request honored and can you be that specific?

I am grateful for any info you can share on the above and anything else anyone can throw in. We are super excited and this will probably be our last trip for quite a while. I want it to be as special as possible!

The only answers I can tell you is this.

According to what others say only DVC members staying on points at Bay Lake Tower have access to the Top of the World Lounge. However others who rented points have mentioned being able to go up there, so I guess it depends on the Cast Member who checks for that.

The walkway to the Magic Kingdom does not have any dedicated paths for wheelchairs or ecv's.

 

[psac]

I believe when you book BLT, the accessible rooms can be specifically booked from member services. You should talk to the owner you rented from about trying to reserve one specifically if that's what you need, and if they are already booked out, you need to figure if that is a problem or not.
Good luck and enjoy!