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

[psac]

I've never done any TIW dinners.

I just returned from WDW and the WiFi was terrible at BWI and great at WL, but I can't comment on BLT. Guess it depends on the amount of traffic/users

I hope you have a great vacation!

Thanks! I'm totally in vacation mode already, getting very little work done today...

 

[psac]

(duplicate)

 

[tinkermommyof3]

Staying CR in October for MNSSHP. Our July vacation had to be rescheduled due to a family reunion. Thought CR and MNSSHP would be a great combination to get over the disappointment of the cancellation of Summer trip. Really looking forward to MNSSHP. Will be a first. Stayed CR once and loved the location, restaurants and rooms. Now to think about Halloween costumes...

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Staying CR in October for MNSSHP. Our July vacation had to be rescheduled due to a family reunion. Thought CR and MNSSHP would be a great combination to get over the disappointment of the cancellation of Summer trip. Really looking forward to MNSSHP. Will be a first. Stayed CR once and loved the location, restaurants and rooms. Now to think about Halloween costumes...

Oh those family reunions. This happened to us as well in 2004. We had to reschedule our WDW trip that year too.

We did MNSSHP back in 2002 when our DS was 6 and he/we loved it. He was Stitch and the CM's gave him extra candy because he was the only Stitch that they had seen that whole night. He had enough candy for 10 kids. We still talk about it to this day. You guys will have a great time trick or treating around MK.


This is a question for those who have stayed CL.We will be staying CL in June so what food was/is your favorite? I am sure they change the menu from time to time but like to see what some of you have chosen as a great nibble. TIA

 

[Belle72]

Were you able to use the slide at BLT by chance? I just booked the CR for 1 night as a surpise for ours boys since they love the pool and slide there. What a bummer. If not I may have to see if I can change it now to someplace else. We leave next week. ugh

they said we could us the pool at Wilderness Lodge but it is a boat ride away. I would imagine that since you will be after the two week busy period surrounding Easter you might be allowed. I never asked since my kids were ok with the pool. Give a call to the Recreation Dept at the Contemp maybe...

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm back from a split stay at BWI/CL and WL/CL. Here are some photos I took over spring break for all of you:



It appears they were still working on some of the exterior of the Tower rooms:

I took this about a week ago. The splash area was closed, but the next day it was open:

This is the 4th floor observation deck:

BLT and the Skybridge taken from the 4th floor observation deck:

Escalators on the 4th floor to the monorail:

Contempo Cafe (which we love!) taken from the monorail landing:

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I'm back from a split stay at BWI/CL and WL/CL. Here are some photos I took over spring break for all of you:

Oh WDWKOOK Thanks so much for the pictures. I am excited about our CR/BLT split stay in June and after seeing your pics, I want to be there yesterday. I see they closed in the skybridge to BLT. Oh when that wind gets whipping on the bridge it's like a tornado. Thanks for sharing your great pictures. Hope you had a great time!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Hey everyone! As of today I am officially booked for the Contemporary For July 27-29. I switched from the Dolphin when I saw the summer offer. It's my first time staying here and since I'm going solo I wanted to try a new resort. I've been reading through the pages, but since I can't use the search function I feel overwhelmed. Any tips for my stay to fully enjoy the Contemp? I currently have a regular tower TPV ressie. One thing I didn't do was request a floor...I'm thinking I'd want a higher one, right?

ETA: Since I'm a resort changer at heart I ended up moving to BC CL for less monies. I think it will fit my needs better in the long run due to my dining ressies around Epcot. Thanks anyways for those tips

 

[tinkermommyof3]

Oh those family reunions. This happened to us as well in 2004. We had to reschedule our WDW trip that year too.

We did MNSSHP back in 2002 when our DS was 6 and he/we loved it. He was Stitch and the CM's gave him extra candy because he was the only Stitch that they had seen that whole night. He had enough candy for 10 kids. We still talk about it to this day. You guys will have a great time trick or treating around MK.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Our family is really looking forward to our first MNSSHP. Can't wait for October to get here!!

 

[psac]

Great pics KOOK. I'm here now at BLT and the Contemporary slide is definitely open. We just walked over there after a great dinner at the Wave, and there were kids using the slide.

Overall we've had some good and bad with BLT. We like it, but we prefer the Boardwalk. Will write a more detailed review another time.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hey everyone! As of today I am officially booked for the Contemporary For July 27-29. I switched from the Dolphin when I saw the summer offer. It's my first time staying here and since I'm going solo I wanted to try a new resort. I've been reading through the pages, but since I can't use the search function I feel overwhelmed. Any tips for my stay to fully enjoy the Contemp? I currently have a regular tower TPV ressie. One thing I didn't do was request a floor...I'm thinking I'd want a higher one, right?

ETA: Since I'm a resort changer at heart I ended up moving to BC CL for less monies. I think it will fit my needs better in the long run due to my dining ressies around Epcot. Thanks anyways for those tips

Oh, I do know all about the itch to switch. You will love walking right over to Epcot (and DHS). I hope you have a great time!

Thanks for sharing your experience. Our family is really looking forward to our first MNSSHP. Can't wait for October to get here!!

It'll be here before you know it!

Great pics KOOK. I'm here now at BLT and the Contemporary slide is definitely open. We just walked over there after a great dinner at the Wave, and there were kids using the slide.

Overall we've had some good and bad with BLT. We like it, but we prefer the Boardwalk. Will write a more detailed review another time.

Thanks, psac. How is the condition of your room? I've read reviews over the years that some of the rooms at BLT show lots of wear and tear - even fairly soon after opening.

Sounds like you prefer the Epcot area so it feels strange for you being on the MK side? Have a great day!

 

[NJBILL]

Does anyone know how much it cost at CR for the washers & dryers?
Is there usually a wait or are there a lot of machines?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Does anyone know how much it cost at CR for the washers & dryers?
Is there usually a wait or are there a lot of machines?

The washers and dryers at the CR take your KTTW card and cost $2 each load. I've never had to wait, as usually only one other person is doing laundry.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We were over at the CR last night having dinner at the CG. The view from the observation deck of the MK and the GF is spectacular, especially as the sun begins to go down.

One of our favorite restaurants at WDW has always been the CG. I have to say last night for the first time we were a bit disappointed. We aren't drinkers, which seemed to bother our waiter a bit. Our entrees were delicious, however when we told the waiter we didn't care for dessert he said he should have taken the bread away so we wouldn't have filled up on bread. Hmmm, it was probably a joke that fell flat. Finally when we left the manager was standing by the elevator and remarked we had a quick dinner. He made us a bit uncomfortable. We will go back to the CG since we really enjoy the food, but a tiny bit of magic was taken away last night.

After dinner we went down to the dock and watched the boats go by for a bit.
It is a lovely, relaxing spot.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you for posting your CA Grill experience, JC. We've also noticed a change in service over the years which has made a "must-do" now a "meh." Same with Le Cellier, but I digress. Maybe the rehab will do them some good and they'll come back new and improved! One thing is for certain, they have the best view in all of WDW, IMHO.

Hope you have a great afternoon/evening!

 

[pas130]

. Finally when we left the manager was standing by the elevator and remarked we had a quick dinner. He made us a bit uncomfortable. We will go back to the CG since we really enjoy the food, but a tiny bit of magic was taken away last night.

After dinner we went down to the dock and watched the boats go by for a bit.
It is a lovely, relaxing spot.

Sorry about the dinner....it doesn't ruin it, but that less than magical feeling

 

[pas130]

Oh, I do know all about the itch to switch.

Naaahhhhh SPEAKING OF BEING ITCHY...

 

[sjs314]

Naaahhhhh SPEAKING OF BEING ITCHY...

And look who scratched that itch Love the new change

 

[poohgirl6]

The washers and dryers at the CR take your KTTW card and cost $2 each load. I've never had to wait, as usually only one other person is doing laundry.

Where are the laundry rooms located at the CR? Although we've stayed there twice before, I never did laundry. However, our upcoming Sept trip is gonna be 2 weeks long, and I forsee logging some laundry time

 

[WDWKOOK]

Naaahhhhh SPEAKING OF BEING ITCHY...

THANK YOU for not mentioning bed bugs!

And look who scratched that itch Love the new change

I looked at your ticker and thought maybe you had booked the Mickey Balloon View at BLT... Now you're given me the CR itch, too, pas130 - it's contagious. I consider it a fact-finding mission to see if the Atrium Club has improved since December 2010

Where are the laundry rooms located at the CR? Although we've stayed there twice before, I never did laundry. However, our upcoming Sept trip is gonna be 2 weeks long, and I forsee logging some laundry time

The laundry room is located in the Garden Wing on the 2nd floor.