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

[christine*]

Thanks!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks!!

You're welcome. Those DIS posting gremlins are at it again today...

 

[Angie789]

Phew... just got through reading the entire thread! My family is planning a trip to Disney in 2013 - hopefully, the first of many! Just waiting for my youngest to turn 2 so we will all enjoy the experience a little more. Right now CL is at the top of my list - can't beat the TPV and the walkway to the MK!!! I haven't seen this addressed anywhere - has anyone used the babysitting services at the CL? If so, what were your experiences like?

Also (related question!), is there a place in the CL where DH & I could go to have a drink after hours? We are thinking after days in the park and watching fireworks with the kiddos, we'd be more likely to want to unwind close by instead of heading off to Downtown Disney.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Phew... just got through reading the entire thread! My family is planning a trip to Disney in 2013 - hopefully, the first of many! Just waiting for my youngest to turn 2 so we will all enjoy the experience a little more. Right now CL is at the top of my list - can't beat the TPV and the walkway to the MK!!! I haven't seen this addressed anywhere - has anyone used the babysitting services at the CL? If so, what were your experiences like?

Also (related question!), is there a place in the CL where DH & I could go to have a drink after hours? We are thinking after days in the park and watching fireworks with the kiddos, we'd be more likely to want to unwind close by instead of heading off to Downtown Disney.

to the DIS and the CR thread, Angie789.

There is a separate CL/Concierge thread that you might enjoy. The thread OP and I have many Atrium Club photos posted there on the first page.

There are (outsourced) babysitting services available at all the resorts and Kids' Activity Centers located at some of the Deluxe resorts. The CR no longer has one, but the GF, Poly and WL do, and they are just a boat or monorail ride away from the CR. I don't have personal experience with the babysitting services, but there isn't a "CL babysitting service." They will come to your room whether CL or not.

There are two club levels at the CR: The Atrium Club is the 12th floor and the Tower Club is the 14th (technically the 13th). The 14th floor is mostly suites and the 12th floor are standard rooms. Both have lounges that are open until 10PM. Beer and wine is put out at 5, but can be requested earlier. Cordials are put out with dessert at 8PM. You also have the option of putting beer in your rooms' fridge. Some like to sit out on their balcony and have a drink. There is also a lounge balcony that overlooks the lagoon and MK and of course, seating in the lounge, which you can see in the photos on page one of the CL thread hyperlinked above.

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[Turk February]

Officially 1 week away from checking in! It's our first stay at CR, we're incredibly excited. Booked this back in February and I can't believe it's finally here!

I saw a photo of CR from over the weekend and it looks like they're still doing exterior work on the resort on the theme park view side, which is kinda sad because I really wanted to get some good pictures of the resort without a "band-aid" on it haha. Maybe they'll finish before we get there!

 

[psac]

Phew... just got through reading the entire thread! My family is planning a trip to Disney in 2013 - hopefully, the first of many! Just waiting for my youngest to turn 2 so we will all enjoy the experience a little more. Right now CL is at the top of my list - can't beat the TPV and the walkway to the MK!!! I haven't seen this addressed anywhere - has anyone used the babysitting services at the CL? If so, what were your experiences like?

Also (related question!), is there a place in the CL where DH & I could go to have a drink after hours? We are thinking after days in the park and watching fireworks with the kiddos, we'd be more likely to want to unwind close by instead of heading off to Downtown Disney.

Were you using the CL to mean Club Level, or just the Contemporary (usually "CR") in general? At the CR, there is a smallish open area bar/lounge area next to the entrance to Chef Mickeys on the fourth floor. It opens at about 4 in the evenings, and the one cocktail we each got there was good. People also say the bar at The Wave is good to just go and sit at. I don't know how late each one is open.

There is also a bigger bar next to o'hanas at the Poly a monorail ride away.

 

[nklooz]

Phew... just got through reading the entire thread! My family is planning a trip to Disney in 2013 - hopefully, the first of many! Just waiting for my youngest to turn 2 so we will all enjoy the experience a little more. Right now CL is at the top of my list - can't beat the TPV and the walkway to the MK!!! I haven't seen this addressed anywhere - has anyone used the babysitting services at the CL? If so, what were your experiences like?

Also (related question!), is there a place in the CL where DH & I could go to have a drink after hours? We are thinking after days in the park and watching fireworks with the kiddos, we'd be more likely to want to unwind close by instead of heading off to Downtown Disney.

I know that CR doesn't have a kid's club like some of the other deluxe properties, but you could use one of the babysitting services. Don't know much about it, but I'm sure you can find info somewhere on this site specific to that.

As far as evening time with the DH, there is The Wave, which has a bar, and California Grill, a nice signature restaurant, both on site. I asked on here and was told that The Wave bar would be very nice for going down in the evening to get a drink and relax. There would also be the pool bar for a casual, outdoor option. You are also just a monorail ride away from the signature dining at the Grand Floridian or a boat ride away from signature dining at Wilderness Lodge.

We booked the CR after much deliberation amongst the other monorail resorts with two of our big reasons being the things you pointed out: most reasonably priced TPV and walkway to MK.

Happy Planning!

 

[Angie789]

Were you using the CL to mean Club Level, or just the Contemporary (usually "CR") in general? At the CR, there is a smallish open area bar/lounge area next to the entrance to Chef Mickeys on the fourth floor. It opens at about 4 in the evenings, and the one cocktail we each got there was good. People also say the bar at The Wave is good to just go and sit at. I don't know how late each one is open.

There is also a bigger bar next to o'hanas at the Poly a monorail ride away.

Sorry - yes, I meant CR. Good to know there are options close by. Thanks for all the answers!

To be honest, I am not excited about the theming at CR. I travel a good bit, and I am not seeing anything in the pictures that set it apart from any other nicer hotel - except, of course, that amazing view! But our kids will be 2 & 4 when we visit and I am just not seeing any other option that rivals the CR for convenience. I love how easy it will be to manage naps, plus it will allow us to enjoy the fireworks every night while still getting the kids to bed at a reasonable hour. Besides, I think the monorail & Chef Mickey's will make the CR seem plenty Disney for my kids! We are planning on becoming Disney regulars, and I know we'll choose other resorts down the road, but this seems to be a no-brainer pick for when our kids are little. I am somewhat surprised that more families with small children don't see the CR as the best option.

 

[Jedimike]

Currently stayin on 12th floor Atrium Club. Other than the

1. Club itself (food, drinks, etc)
2. Concierge service for planning dining and activiteis
3. Automatic turn down service

are there any other differences in standard rooms? Do the other floors have the same types of rooms? i.e., same beds, linens, sound proofing, etc?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Currently stayin on 12th floor Atrium Club. Other than the

1. Club itself (food, drinks, etc)
2. Concierge service for planning dining and activiteis
3. Automatic turn down service

are there any other differences in standard rooms? Do the other floors have the same types of rooms? i.e., same beds, linens, sound proofing, etc?

All the rooms are absolutely identical, even in the Garden Wing, club level or not. The only rooms that are not the same as the rest of the resort are the Tower Club/14th floor rooms/suites. The configuration and décor are different in those rooms. Also, the Garden Wing rooms do not have balconies, but the first floor rooms have patios.

Just so everyone knows, turn-down service, while automatic while staying CL and at the GF, is available, by request and free of charge for all Deluxe level resort guests.

I hope you're having a fantastic vacation, jedimike. What resort is your other split? What are your initial impressions of the Atrium Club? Has the free WiFi been working reliably? (albeit slow...)

 

[WDWKOOK]

From the AllEars Newsletter:

The Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary Resort is offering seasonal cupcakes: chocolate peppermint and spiced apple! The chocolate peppermint version is decorated with candy cane sprinkles and offers a treat inside -- chocolate syrup!

 

[Jedimike]

All the rooms are absolutely identical, even in the Garden Wing, club level or not. The only rooms that are not the same as the rest of the resort are the Tower Club/14th floor rooms/suites. The configuration and décor are different in those rooms. Also, the Garden Wing rooms do not have balconies, but the first floor rooms have patios.

Just so everyone knows, turn-down service, while automatic while staying CL and at the GF, is available, by request and free of charge for all Deluxe level resort guests.

I hope you're having a fantastic vacation, jedimike. What resort is your other split? What are your initial impressions of the Atrium Club? Has the free WiFi been working reliably? (albeit slow...)

Hiya WDWKOOK -- We spent our first two nights at the AKL Kiliminjaro Club. I posted in the Club/ Concierge Thread that I thought the AKL Jambo House was very nice: well themed, clean, very neat. The CR seems older and not so nice, but the Club Level folks here are MUCH better. We like it here a lot. The location close to MK is definitely a plus. I think the free internet is fine. I've been uploading high resolution photos to Facebook w/o an issue and had no problems downloading emails and such.

The reason I posted my original question is because we like the location, but could probably do w/o the club level service. We planned and reserved our ADRs ourselves, and really only use the club for munchies and drinks, which we could also take care of ourselves.

 

[anne thomas]

We stayed CR Atrium CL and just loved it!! The wi-fi atleast mine worked perfect, CM's were wonderful, snacks and drinks very very handy, just loved the entire week!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed CR Atrium CL and just loved it!! The wi-fi atleast mine worked perfect, CM's were wonderful, snacks and drinks very very handy, just loved the entire week!

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay! Did you book a Bounceback?

 

[WDWKOOK]

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Beautiful!! Thanks for posting!!! I would soooooooooooooooooo much rather be there right now Love the tree!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Beautiful!! Thanks for posting!!! I would soooooooooooooooooo much rather be there right now Love the tree!

You're welcome, Luvx3!

Are you sure you'd rather be there? I'm mean, look at that full parking lot - you'll never get a good spot

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

WDWKOOK,
That picture looks amazing and thanks for posting it.

 

[WDWKOOK]

WDWKOOK,
That picture looks amazing and thanks for posting it.

You're welcome, but I bet it looked even better in person. Did you stop by the CR?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You're welcome, but I bet it looked even better in person. Did you stop by the CR?

I went once to the Contemporary early in my trip.

We also tried to go a second time two nights ago, however we got turned away because the Cast Member at the guard shack said they were busy. The funny thing is my Dad told us he saw empty spots and earlier that night we had no problems parking to visit the Polynesian.