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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

HELLO!

I have a quickie question! Does anyone know where to find a "convention schedule" for the CR in June? Our vacay starts June 1st and I was trying to get a heads up on if any conventions will be taking place during that time

Thank you!

I would try doing a Google search because I think that's the best way to find out that information.

Now if there is a convention taking place and are worried about those guests I wouldn't. Whenever I have stayed at the Contemporary and a convention was going on I didn't see those guests, unless I was walking along the 2nd floor of the Tower or inside the convention center. The only time when I remember it being crazy was in 2001 when Raymond James had a convention and when those guests were checking-in the line up in the lobby was almost out the door.

 

[mickeynut1]

We're glad you're here and I'm happy to share my CR knowledge with you in exchange for all your GF knowledge

Well, thank you.....I'm happy to be here . Anything you need to know about the GF, just ask. I'm not an expert, but I will try my best to help .

HELLO!

I have a quickie question! Does anyone know where to find a "convention schedule" for the CR in June? Our vacay starts June 1st and I was trying to get a heads up on if any conventions will be taking place during that time

Thank you!

I can't help with the convention schedule, but I wanted to say how exciting for you that your trip is so close .

 

[WDWKOOK]

HELLO!

I have a quickie question! Does anyone know where to find a "convention schedule" for the CR in June? Our vacay starts June 1st and I was trying to get a heads up on if any conventions will be taking place during that time

Thank you!

This is what I found by doing a Google search. I've never seen a convention schedule, per se, for the CR, like I've seen for CSR.


Thursday, June 21-23, 2012
NALEO


June 11 - 15, 2012
Western CPE


June 6-10, 2012
2012 Florida Liability Claims Conference
Disney's Contemporary Resort


I'm sure there are many others, but that's about all I could easily find for June. There were also a couple of Disney Institute programs at the CR during June.

 

[nklooz]

I would plan on one hour, so I would take the 0700 bus. I don't think the monorail will be running. I saw this post here that might be helpful:

We had an early ADR at Akershus the past 2 trips. This last trip we stayed at the Poly and walked to the TTC from there around 7:30/7:40. They had a CM standing at the entrance to the Epcot monorail telling us to head to the bus stop--the monorail wasn't running yet but the bus took us directly there with no stops. We got there in plenty of time!! The trip before they didn't have a CM there and we waited until 8 am for a monorail to arrive. Needless to say we were late to Akershus but it wasn't a problem. They realize there can sometimes be transportation issues!!

So that I got it right for you, I went to AllEars:

Buses for Epcot (Princess Breakfast at Norway) will start running at 7:00-7:15am DAILY.

This information is valid EVERY DAY, and for ALL DISNEY RESORTS serviced by Bus transportation.

These buses are for Breakfasts only, and should not be used for general park access. Always let the driver know where you are going upon boarding the bus. Most times, the driver will be able to take you directly (ie: Contemporary, for Chef Mickey's) but sometimes this is not possible. As such, you should always allow time for a connection when going Resort to Resort. Actual arrival times will vary by location.




TQUOTE]

Thank you. To clarify, is this a bus running from TTC or from CR? Are there buses from CR or am I going to have to take the resort monorail to TTC then get on a bus there? Where will I go to get the bus? Will it be obvious when I arrive at the TTC? Thanks!

 

[nklooz]

If we decided to just take a cab to not mess with the hassle, how long should we allow for the cab ride? What time would we want to leave CR in the cab? Thanks!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you. To clarify, is this a bus running from TTC or from CR? Are there buses from CR or am I going to have to take the resort monorail to TTC then get on a bus there? Where will I go to get the bus? Will it be obvious when I arrive at the TTC? Thanks!

According to AllEars, the schedule is for all Disney resorts serviced by bus transportation. So you would catch the Epcot bus at the CR between 0700-0715. Hopefully, someone who has actually used the first CR Epcot bus of the day can tell you more about their experience since I haven't used it that early.

 

[WDWKOOK]

If we decided to just take a cab to not mess with the hassle, how long should we allow for the cab ride? What time would we want to leave CR in the cab? Thanks!

I've never taken a cab, but they are always easy to get and the drive would only be about 10 minutes. So assuming there is a cab out front and a 10 minute drive and another 15 minutes to walk to Norway and getting there 15 minutes prior to your 0800 ADR, I would leave the CR no later than 0715. But since I've never done this, your mileage may vary

 

[Mrs D]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

So glad that the check-in mess actually ended-up just fine in the end. Was it the entire resort reservation system that was down? Do you know for how long?

You're up awfully late for someone who's going to be up for the next 24-hours. Will you let us know how long the wait time for BTR is at 0300 tomorrow?

 

[Mrs D]

So glad that the check-in mess actually ended-up just fine in the end. Was it the entire resort reservation system that was down? Do you know for how long?

You're up awfully late for someone who's going to be up for the next 24-hours. Will you let us know how long the wait time for BTR is at 0300 tomorrow?

Yes, I believe the entire system was down. I saw a note on the Disney TA site. Not sure how long it was down but we are very happy with our room. Except for the fog so I can't see the Castle!

 

[salann]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

oh I am so jealous!! Enjoy the trip!

 

[nklooz]

According to AllEars, the schedule is for all Disney resorts serviced by bus transportation. So you would catch the Epcot bus at the CR between 0700-0715. Hopefully, someone who has actually used the first CR Epcot bus of the day can tell you more about their experience since I haven't used it that early.

I've never taken a cab, but they are always easy to get and the drive would only be about 10 minutes. So assuming there is a cab out front and a 10 minute drive and another 15 minutes to walk to Norway and getting there 15 minutes prior to your 0800 ADR, I would leave the CR no later than 0715. But since I've never done this, your mileage may vary

Thanks for your help!

 

[mickeynut1]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

Have a great trip .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

Thanks for the update.

 

[wdwnut61]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

Your room location sounds perfect

Have a wonderful time

 

[psac]

We checked into the CR today while their system was down. So no room requests could be found. My Mom was the one here first and said the staff were wonderful drifting everything down by hand and manually processing credit cards. When she got her text with our room # we got 10th fl odd # room.
I am now laying in bed watching the castle change colors! Wow! Just wow!

Very jealous! I just had a coworker ask about Disney resorts basics (wants to stay on the monorail, been to MK once before, knew nothing else), so between that conversation and seeing a post like this, our April trip can't get here soon enough. (Even though we have a BLT Lake view, that's close enough.)

 

[Belle72]

We will be at the Contemporary in 30 days! yay!! do they have organized activities for children around the pool?

We have a tower lake view-- where is it best to view fireworks from the hotel without reservations, being club level etc... I have read about the observatory here- does that get horribly crowded?

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We will be at the Contemporary in 30 days! yay!! do they have organized activities for children around the pool?

We have a tower lake view-- where is it best to view fireworks from the hotel without reservations, being club level etc... I have read about the observatory here- does that get horribly crowded?

Sorry I can't help you on the pool activities for the kids but I am sure someone will chime in soon on that. I am assuming you are staying CL so the information below was copied from the first page of this thread:

Club Level tip #2
If your staying in an Atrium Club - Bay Lake View and want to watch Wishes, go to the lounge on the 12th floor to watch them and they also pipe in the music inside the lounge and outside on the balcony. The same thing can be done for guests staying with a Bay Lake View on the Tower Club 14th floor and the music is also piped in up there. Finally on nights when the Magic Kingdom is having Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the music for either party is also piped into both lounges and lounge balconies.

Also, below is a picture of the observation deck on the 4th floor. You will see the seats all the way in the back just under the monorail for fireworks viewing. It does get crowded so you would have to get there early. But if staying CL, the lounge is your best bet.

Have a great trip.

 

[minniebeth]

Yes, there are organized activities for kids around the pool each afternoon. There are also some organized things like a campfire/marshmallows on the beach and the movies each night as well. When you check in, they will give you an activities guide with the activities and hours with your check-in packet.

Have fun!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We will be at the Contemporary in 30 days! yay!! do they have organized activities for children around the pool?

We have a tower lake view-- where is it best to view fireworks from the hotel without reservations, being club level etc... I have read about the observatory here- does that get horribly crowded?

When you check-in one thing you get is an activity sheet and yes they have things for kids at their pool area.