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

[beebeeryan]

We'll be at CR in 2 days...changed our flights to fly down Thursday morning to beat the storm and avoid travel delays Friday. We get an extra day!!!

Can someone confirm if the laundry room accepts the KTTW like is says in the info or do I need to bring quarters? Is there a change machine? Trying to pack like crazy now that I've lost a day! I'm gonna miss my washer/dryer I had in the villas last year, but hopefully I'll just need to do laundry once.

 

[icicle]

We're staying in a 2 bedroom villa at BLT with a cash reservation through WDW (no points or DVC involved). I know we will have a coffee make but I can't remember if we get any kind of ground coffee and filters or will I have to bring our own? I'm sure I knew the answer to this way back when I made the reservation but I just can't remember.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We'll look forward to hearing your thoughts about CR - we're considering a split CR/BC stay at some point and will be interested to hear what you think!

We did a CR/BCV split stay in June and it was the absolute BEST!!!! DH and I positively love the CR and always start off our trips at MK -- that walk to MK cannot be beat!! Love every single thing about the CR and enjoyed five glorious nights there before moving over to BCV for our final four nights. We had stayed at BC before and loved it for the theming, Stormalong Bay, and the close proximity to EPCOT. Tried BCV this time around for our first stay ever in a Villa and LOOOOOOOVED it!! Loved being able to spread out in our one bedroom and then being able to enjoy all the BC has to offer. (Our girls like BCV better than CR because of SAB..thought the CR pool was a bit boring. But they did like the other CR amenities and being on the monorail, too.)

A CR/BC split is the very best combo in my opinion. Being able to walk to MK for part of the trip and walk to EPCOT for the other part is awesome. Would do it again in a heartbeat!!

 

[KimStaR]

Hello all,
I am going to be staying at the Contemporary next month! Yay! I am interested in watching HalloWishes from the resort. My question is which spot would be better. I know that they pipe in the special holiday fireworks music on the 4th floor observation deck, but I wanted to know if the holiday fireworks music is also in the rooms on channel 20. I have a theme park view room, and I am wondering which location would be better for viewing, if the special music will be in my room. THANKS!

 

[Disneymama5816]

We'll be at CR in 2 days...changed our flights to fly down Thursday morning to beat the storm and avoid travel delays Friday. We get an extra day!!!

Can someone confirm if the laundry room accepts the KTTW like is says in the info or do I need to bring quarters? Is there a change machine? Trying to pack like crazy now that I've lost a day! I'm gonna miss my washer/dryer I had in the villas last year, but hopefully I'll just need to do laundry once.

We were there last Aug, and yes, you can use your KTTW card for laundry. I dont remember seeing a change machine. My mom and I did laundry late one evening while having a cocktail and watching Law and Order.

 

[louey]

Just got back from a week at the Contemporary Garden Wing!!! Even though I think we had one of the farthest away rooms I LOVED IT!!!!! Room #5151 right on the water, private patio because we had no one next to us since we were on the end. We sat on our patio and boats would go by and the people would wave, could have been because we were having a couple of beers You could also see the monorail to the right. There were 5 of us in one room, they brought a fold up cot for my son. I have stayed in Tower and I think this room was wider and a little bit roomier Our maid service was great always did a nice job, room was clean. We love the Contemporary

 

[beebeeryan]

We were there last Aug, and yes, you can use your KTTW card for laundry. I dont remember seeing a change machine. My mom and I did laundry late one evening while having a cocktail and watching Law and Order.

Thank you, makes it easier!

Getting so excited now! One more day!!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We'll be at CR in 2 days...changed our flights to fly down Thursday morning to beat the storm and avoid travel delays Friday. We get an extra day!!!

Can someone confirm if the laundry room accepts the KTTW like is says in the info or do I need to bring quarters? Is there a change machine? Trying to pack like crazy now that I've lost a day! I'm gonna miss my washer/dryer I had in the villas last year, but hopefully I'll just need to do laundry once.

I know it's been confirmed, but I'm re-confirming that the laundry only accepts your KTTW card so you don't need to bring cash.

I hope you have a great vacation and don't let a little rain ruin it. Just make sure you come prepared with extra walking shoes, a mini travel umbrella, rain hat and raincoat. We find that the lines are shorter and it cools things off nicely

We're staying in a 2 bedroom villa at BLT with a cash reservation through WDW (no points or DVC involved). I know we will have a coffee make but I can't remember if we get any kind of ground coffee and filters or will I have to bring our own? I'm sure I knew the answer to this way back when I made the reservation but I just can't remember.

The should replenish the coffee (it already comes in the filter), since you're staying on a cash reservation.

Hello all,
I am going to be staying at the Contemporary next month! Yay! I am interested in watching HalloWishes from the resort. My question is which spot would be better. I know that they pipe in the special holiday fireworks music on the 4th floor observation deck, but I wanted to know if the holiday fireworks music is also in the rooms on channel 20. I have a theme park view room, and I am wondering which location would be better for viewing, if the special music will be in my room. THANKS!

If you have a TPV, then you should watch it from your balcony. I believe the music is still on channel 20, but hopefully someone else here can confirm this for you.

Just got back from a week at the Contemporary Garden Wing!!! Even though I think we had one of the farthest away rooms I LOVED IT!!!!! Room #5151 right on the water, private patio because we had no one next to us since we were on the end. We sat on our patio and boats would go by and the people would wave, could have been because we were having a couple of beers You could also see the monorail to the right. There were 5 of us in one room, they brought a fold up cot for my son. I have stayed in Tower and I think this room was wider and a little bit roomier Our maid service was great always did a nice job, room was clean. We love the Contemporary

Thanks for your mini TR! I'm glad to hear you liked your GW room even though it was far away. Did you book a bounceback?

 

[Disneymama5816]

Just got back from a week at the Contemporary Garden Wing!!! Even though I think we had one of the farthest away rooms I LOVED IT!!!!! Room #5151 right on the water, private patio because we had no one next to us since we were on the end. We sat on our patio and boats would go by and the people would wave, could have been because we were having a couple of beers You could also see the monorail to the right. There were 5 of us in one room, they brought a fold up cot for my son. I have stayed in Tower and I think this room was wider and a little bit roomier Our maid service was great always did a nice job, room was clean. We love the Contemporary

Glad you had a great trip! We stayed in that exact room during spring break 2010. Love the CR!

 

[Disneymama5816]

Thank you, makes it easier!

Getting so excited now! One more day!!!

You are welcome!

 

[bluejasmine]

We have a Bay lake view room booked in the Main Tower in Nov, do some of the bay lake views also have a view of the MK and castle?

 

[WDWKOOK]

We have a Bay lake view room booked in the Main Tower in Nov, do some of the bay lake views also have a view of the MK and castle?

You cannot see the MK/Castle from any BLV/CR rooms.

I hope you have a great stay at the CR - you're going to love the BLV - that's what we always book and we just LOVE the view.

 

[wdhinn89]

We have a Bay lake view room booked in the Main Tower in Nov, do some of the bay lake views also have a view of the MK and castle?

No. Love the Bay Lake view. Personally I prefer it to the MK view. The water is beautiful and there more so see then the parking lot on the MK side. We went on the fire escape stairs to view the fire works. Just wedge something in the door because if it closes, you can not get back in. We used a food tray

 

[louey]

I know it's been confirmed, but I'm re-confirming that the laundry only accepts your KTTW card so you don't need to bring cash.

I hope you have a great vacation and don't let a little rain ruin it. Just make sure you come prepared with extra walking shoes, a mini travel umbrella, rain hat and raincoat. We find that the lines are shorter and it cools things off nicely

The should replenish the coffee (it already comes in the filter), since you're staying on a cash reservation.


If you have a TPV, then you should watch it from your balcony. I believe the music is still on channel 20, but hopefully someone else here can confirm this for you.


Thanks for your mini TR! I'm glad to hear you liked your GW room even though it was far away. Did you book a bounceback?

No we didn't book a bounce back, if you do that don't you have to go back within the year? We usually go every 2 to 3 years. We had dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse very good by the way next time I am thinking I may want to try the Yacht Club? just thinking about it though

 

[WsPrincess]

We just got back from our 5 nights at CR. We stayed in 4840 and had a beautiful view of the park! Housekeeping was amazing and we had 3 towel animals left! I had worried about making the change to CR (over BC) but we totally made the right decision for this trip. We were there the night the monorail was not working because it was hit by lightning and it was so nice to walk back instead of being in the mess of people trying to get back to their resorts. We went to MK every day we were there and had the best time. We will definitely stay at CR again while the kids are young, it was so convenient!

 

[Disneymama5816]

We just got back from our 5 nights at CR. We stayed in 4840 and had a beautiful view of the park! Housekeeping was amazing and we had 3 towel animals left! I had worried about making the change to CR (over BC) but we totally made the right decision for this trip. We were there the night the monorail was not working because it was hit by lightning and it was so nice to walk back instead of being in the mess of people trying to get back to their resorts. We went to MK every day we were there and had the best time. We will definitely stay at CR again while the kids are young, it was so convenient!

Thanks for the trip report. So glad you had a good time!

 

[mhconley]

Your trip is coming up soon, Martin. Your DS is going to be so surprised, but I don't know how you can keep it a secret

Seeing that I'm a Disney Resort enabler, I think you should add an extra day

Well, I went and done did it, added the eighth night as a separate room only reservation using the FL resident discount. So now we have 7 nights with tickets and dining + 1 night room only, all tower theme park view. 22 days and counting... Woo-hoo!

I'll ask them to link them when checking in at the hotel so we can stay in the same room.

I have another completely unrelated question and I am hoping someone here can help me... How strict is the parasailing operation in enforcing the 330 lb. weight limit? My 56 lb. DS wants to go but he'd have to go tandem. DW will absolutely not go with him and together he and I will be around 345 lbs. (I working hard to lose weight before we go; already down 20+ lbs.) I'm really hoping we can go together...

Thanks!

Martin

 

[WDWKOOK]

We just got back from our 5 nights at CR. We stayed in 4840 and had a beautiful view of the park! Housekeeping was amazing and we had 3 towel animals left! I had worried about making the change to CR (over BC) but we totally made the right decision for this trip. We were there the night the monorail was not working because it was hit by lightning and it was so nice to walk back instead of being in the mess of people trying to get back to their resorts. We went to MK every day we were there and had the best time. We will definitely stay at CR again while the kids are young, it was so convenient!

That's great! Were you pleased with the Atrium Club? (I see your room was on the 12th floor.) I love all the transportation options at the CR, too. Hope you can go back soon!

Well, I went and done did it, added the eighth night as a separate room only reservation using the FL resident discount. So now we have 7 nights with tickets and dining + 1 night room only, all tower theme park view. 22 days and counting... Woo-hoo!

I'll ask them to link them when checking in at the hotel so we can stay in the same room.

I have another completely unrelated question and I am hoping someone here can help me... How strict is the parasailing operation in enforcing the 330 lb. weight limit? My 56 lb. DS wants to go but he'd have to go tandem. DW will absolutely not go with him and together he and I will be around 345 lbs. (I working hard to lose weight before we go; already down 20+ lbs.) I'm really hoping we can go together...

Thanks!

Martin

Good call, Martin! I don't think you'll regret that extra night. Don't forget that even though it will be a continuing reservation, you will have to get new KTTW cards in the morning. They'll have to "check you out" of your first reservation and then "check you in" to your one night room-only. It sounds like a big deal, but it really isn't at all.

I can't answer your weight limit question, but hopefully someone will. I think it's great that you've lost over 20 pounds! Congratulations!

 

[Invisable89]

Hey guys!

How many Hospitality Suites are there? & does anyone know if there's a oven/cooker in the kitchen section? & how much space is there in the kitchen section? I've seen some pictures but i can only see a full size fridge & microwave & a little bit of counter top space.


Thanks!

 

[mhconley]

Good call, Martin! I don't think you'll regret that extra night. Don't forget that even though it will be a continuing reservation, you will have to get new KTTW cards in the morning. They'll have to "check you out" of your first reservation and then "check you in" to your one night room-only. It sounds like a big deal, but it really isn't at all.

Thanks WDWKOOK. Here is a question I had not considered. I planned to have dining credits (1 CS, 1 TS & snacks) and 1 park day left on the original KTTW card to use on Sunday. Will those still be valid?

Martin