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

[mickeyplanner]

I'm 40 and the magic hasn't worn off yet. Does that count for anything??

I'm 26 and have gone pretty much every year since I was 5! lol I still LOVE it, even more than I used to I think. The trips change as you get older, the love for Disney doesnt. Atleast not for me

Not yet 40 and I still have the magic. I didn't experience WDW magic until we Disneymooned there in 2000. Our dds, 10 & 8, still have the magic. We've been every year since our youngest was 15 months and twice a few of those. Looking forward to another 40 or whatever we have on our DVC contracts.

Same here, didn't go for the first time until I was 31

I just always worry that our kids might get bored or something with ALWAYS going to Disney. My parent's say we take our kids their too much and it won't seem as special. So far our family loves every trip and all the new experiences we share. Every time the kids are "in" to something else and we would have missed those memories. That is why we bought into a DVC resale. Thanks for all the encouragement.

 

[psac]

Three words for those staying soon (seems like we have a few):

Contempo Cafe Cupcakes.

That is all.

 

[psac]

The "Contemporary Grounds" just to the right inside the front entrance has decent coffee. I get a coffee there every day we stay at the CR.

Also agree with that. In our stay last year, we went every day for hot and or iced coffees, mochas, lattes, etc., and we liked everything we had.

 

[applefans]

Can anyone weigh in on the pros and cons of booking a standard view 1-BR villa at BLT either through AAA, or through DVC point rental? The cost is comparable for our dates in 2013, and I'm leaning toward AAA because of the no cancellation policy for DVC point rentals. Is there any advantage to doing a point rental when the cost is approximately the same? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[mickeyplanner]

I finally placed an order with Garden Grocer today. How will that work staying at BLT? Will someone call us when they make the delivery? Will we have to pick up the order from bell services at CR or will the bring it to our room at BLT?

 

[NandK]

I finally placed an order with Garden Grocer today. How will that work staying at BLT? Will someone call us when they make the delivery? Will we have to pick up the order from bell services at CR or will the bring it to our room at BLT?

The way it has worked for us (we drive) - we call when we are roughly two hours out from our resort and both times (AKL - Kidani and BLT) it has been at bell service waiting on us. Bell service then delivers it to our room with our luggage. If we are unable to get in a room right away, then bell service holds all of our belongings (including groceries) and delivers to our room when the room is ready and we call. I assume you are flying from PA so it might be perfect timing if you call when you exit your plane. I would assume that if you have already made it to your room before the GG delivery then they would call when it arrives. I hope this helps!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Can anyone weigh in on the pros and cons of booking a standard view 1-BR villa at BLT either through AAA, or through DVC point rental? The cost is comparable for our dates in 2013, and I'm leaning toward AAA because of the no cancellation policy for DVC point rentals. Is there any advantage to doing a point rental when the cost is approximately the same? Any advice would be appreciated!

I am shocked that AAA would be able to give you such a great rate as compared to a DVC Rental. If you are worried about possibly having to cancel and the rates are that close, I would go with AAA.

 

[mickeyplanner]

The way it has worked for us (we drive) - we call when we are roughly two hours out from our resort and both times (AKL - Kidani and BLT) it has been at bell service waiting on us. Bell service then delivers it to our room with our luggage. If we are unable to get in a room right away, then bell service holds all of our belongings (including groceries) and delivers to our room when the room is ready and we call. I assume you are flying from PA so it might be perfect timing if you call when you exit your plane. I would assume that if you have already made it to your room before the GG delivery then they would call when it arrives. I hope this helps!

Thanks for the information. That is an awesome tip on calling once we land for a future trip.

I actually scheduled my two hour window, 3pm-5pm, when I know we would be at the resort after check in time opens. Since we are landing at 8:30am, I didn't think our room would be available that early. Just to make sure I know how this will work since I scheduled a delivery, will Garden Grocer call my cell phone when they delivery my groceries to bell services or will bell services call us or do I call bell services after 3pm to see if our order was delivered? We have a 5pm Chef Mickey reservation so I hope our delivery arrives before that.

 

[annej]

We have used Garden Grocer almost every trip. I schedule my delivery time online and I have always received a call from them after it has been delivered to the resort. Sometimes it is before we arrive - late flight - sometimes after we are in the room. Bell services has always brought it to us. My experience has been that they have always been in the early part of the delivery window. They have never been later than scheduled or at the last possible minute.

 

[NandK]

Thanks for the information. That is an awesome tip on calling once we land for a future trip.

I actually scheduled my two hour window, 3pm-5pm, when I know we would be at the resort after check in time opens. Since we are landing at 8:30am, I didn't think our room would be available that early. Just to make sure I know how this will work since I scheduled a delivery, will Garden Grocer call my cell phone when they delivery my groceries to bell services or will bell services call us or do I call bell services after 3pm to see if our order was delivered? We have a 5pm Chef Mickey reservation so I hope our delivery arrives before that.

We have had the same experience as annej. I am not sure whether it will be GG or bell service calling since the delivery has always beat us to the resort, but I am sure one or the other will let you know when it arrives. You may want to move you two hour window up an hour or two if you want to receive it before your Chef Mickey ressies to be safe. However, if you keep the window with GG at 3-5 p.m., bell service will hold it until you are ready. Also, we have been pleasantly suprised with early check-in. The past two visits (one to BLT and the other to AKL - Kidani) we have checked in before 10 a.m. and a room was ready both times. The only catch is we have never been real picky as to the room location.

 

[mickeyplanner]

We have used Garden Grocer almost every trip. I schedule my delivery time online and I have always received a call from them after it has been delivered to the resort. Sometimes it is before we arrive - late flight - sometimes after we are in the room. Bell services has always brought it to us. My experience has been that they have always been in the early part of the delivery window. They have never been later than scheduled or at the last possible minute.

We have had the same experience as annej. I am not sure whether it will be GG or bell service calling since the delivery has always beat us to the resort, but I am sure one or the other will let you know when it arrives. You may want to move you two hour window up an hour or two if you want to receive it before your Chef Mickey ressies to be safe. However, if you keep the window with GG at 3-5 p.m., bell service will hold it until you are ready. Also, we have been pleasantly suprised with early check-in. The past two visits (one to BLT and the other to AKL - Kidani) we have checked in before 10 a.m. and a room was ready both times. The only catch is we have never been real picky as to the room location.

Thank you, now I know what to expect.

 

[psac]

I am shocked that AAA would be able to give you such a great rate as compared to a DVC Rental. If you are worried about possibly having to cancel and the rates are that close, I would go with AAA.

Totally agree with this. In fact, there are multiple benefits for going through AAA:

1) Cancellable
2) As a cash booking, you would get full housekeeping every day, which you would not get with DVC booking
3) Direct contact with Disney; with DVC rentals, the member always has to be involved as a middle man, even with things like room requests
4) No risk of defaulting by DVC owner

Usually all of this is offset by the price of DVC rentals being MUCH better than any cash booking, regardless of discount. If prices are comparable, go with AAA.

(I'm a DVC owner if it makes any difference.)

 

[zima-cheryl]

Totally agree with this. In fact, there are multiple benefits for going through AAA:

1) Cancellable
2) As a cash booking, you would get full housekeeping every day, which you would not get with DVC booking
3) Direct contact with Disney; with DVC rentals, the member always has to be involved as a middle man, even with things like room requests
4) No risk of defaulting by DVC owner

Usually all of this is offset by the price of DVC rentals being MUCH better than any cash booking, regardless of discount. If prices are comparable, go with AAA.

(I'm a DVC owner if it makes any difference.)

If you do AAA ask about the Diamond Parking pass too (assuming you will have a car when you are there). Should get you to a special parking area for each of the parks that is just for AAA folks.

 

[applefans]

If you do AAA ask about the Diamond Parking pass too (assuming you will have a car when you are there). Should get you to a special parking area for each of the parks that is just for AAA folks.

Thanks for all the helpful information! I was surprised at the comparable cost too. We haven't done a DVC point rental before, so I priced it out on what looks like a reputable site. For our stay, the AAA room-only quote was about $20 more. It looks like we could do a point rental for less $ per point if we go through a different site, though.

Is there any difference between the rooms, whether we book a standard view 1-BR villa through DVC point rental or through AAA?

 

[Disneyfriend]

Can someone please take pity on me and give me a quick recommendation for a room request for a 1-BR lake view at Bay Lake Tower?

We are staying there for the first time (on points, if it matters) this fall.

Are the hallways terribly long at BLT? Should I be sure to request something by the elevator? I ask because, during our last trip to Kidani, we were so *unbelievably* far away from the lobby! It felt like miles after a long day in the parks.

Any other tips would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[magrudersmakes3]

I just read that BLT is now going to have its own check in desk starting 8/20. I will be excited to read reviews and how it works.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I just read that BLT is now going to have its own check in desk starting 8/20. I will be excited to read reviews and how it works.

That is very interesting....we will be checking into BLT on 8/31. Did you read if the check in desk will still be in CR or in the BLT lobby?

 

[psac]

Thanks for all the helpful information! I was surprised at the comparable cost too. We haven't done a DVC point rental before, so I priced it out on what looks like a reputable site. For our stay, the AAA room-only quote was about $20 more. It looks like we could do a point rental for less $ per point if we go through a different site, though.

Is there any difference between the rooms, whether we book a standard view 1-BR villa through DVC point rental or through AAA?

I really don't think so, it should be the same. There aren't too many standard view rooms, so there isn't much to distinguish them.

Can someone please take pity on me and give me a quick recommendation for a room request for a 1-BR lake view at Bay Lake Tower?

We are staying there for the first time (on points, if it matters) this fall.

Are the hallways terribly long at BLT? Should I be sure to request something by the elevator? I ask because, during our last trip to Kidani, we were so *unbelievably* far away from the lobby! It felt like miles after a long day in the parks.

Any other tips would be much appreciated. Thank you!

See this thread for tips. The last page has some lake view recommendations, but teh first page is a treasure trove.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

I just read that BLT is now going to have its own check in desk starting 8/20. I will be excited to read reviews and how it works.

Very interesting! It's big enough, I guess that means its own bell staff as well.

 

[Missyrose]

That is very interesting....we will be checking into BLT on 8/31. Did you read if the check in desk will still be in CR or in the BLT lobby?

According to what I've read, when the BLT check-in process starts up, anyone arriving by car will check in at BLT and those arriving by DME will check in at CR. Beyond the Aug. 20 start date, there was nothing else to tell how long that split setup will last.

 

[PoohsFan1]

According to what I've read, when the BLT check-in process starts up, anyone arriving by car will check in at BLT and those arriving by DME will check in at CR. Beyond the Aug. 20 start date, there was nothing else to tell how long that split setup will last.

Thanks for the info. We will be arriving on the DME so I guess we will just head into the CR to check-in, unless they direct us to some place else .