The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort FAQ with PICTURES! (APR 2009)

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It seems that at some point, the maximum occupancy in a Deluxe Garden Wing room (there are 3 of them) changed from 3 to 4.

Does anyone know when this occurred and why?

I discovered this because someone posted questions on the Resorts forum about the Deluxe rooms and I replied. Today, a PP posted that they booked the Deluxe room for 2 adults and 2 children. When I checked the WDW website for the max. occupancy, it now shows 4, but it used to show 3.

I am not sure why this change was made.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just added tip #13 to the 1st page and here it is.

If you wanted to go from the 4th floor to the 3rd floor the only way you can do that is by taking the elevator. For whatever reason when taking the esclator on the 4th floor it goes right to the 2nd floor and skips the 3rd floor.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If anyone was reading the resort board there was a thread about the Olympiad fitness center and these comments were mentioned.

it is open 24 hours.

after you use it the cm there explains that your key should open it 24 hours.

if it doesn't work you are to call security.

so it is open only for BLT & CR guest - 24 hours - not visitors.

Now if anyone has been there the hours listed on the doors say 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM and when I have been there after singning in and etc, the Cast Member never said anything about it being open 24 hours. So I am just wondering is that true or not?

 

[dvczerfs]

That is a good point when looking at from a DVC prospective. However when looking at it from the side of those who just like staying at the Contemporary, would you not agree with only their Tower rooms remaining that would make it harder to get a reservation there? Plus the fact their rooms can be sold out months ahead when it comes to conventions, which is what makes the Garden Wing rooms very good.

Also like I said on that thread I am sure one thing which they could not add from another DVC tower is a walkway to the 4th floor, because of Chef Mickey's. So how would those guests get there and which building would they be reserving?

wow, im just getting up to speed on that rumor. were did that come from? in my op,. that would kill the contemp. as we know it. im a 11 year dvc member.getting on the monorail now can be a treat w/the one new tower much less adding more traffic to the 4th floor. wouldnt the main tower block most of the view if they tried to put a tower on the other side? i wasnt a big fan of the new tower to begin with. i think that rumor got pulled out of a hat somewere. i agree w/ the convention rooms. why would you have the huge convention center and no rooms on site if most of the resort was dvc? i dont post on those threads, its mostly people looking for an argument but you did a good job. scarry thought, centemp. isnt the original home of chef mickeys. it started out in down town disney. lets hope they dont think of moving it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

wow, im just getting up to speed on that rumor. were did that come from? in my op,. that would kill the contemp. as we know it. im a 11 year dvc member.getting on the momorail now can be a treat w/the one new tower much less adding more traffic to the 4th floor. wouldnt the main tower block most of the view if they tried to put a tower on the other side? i wasnt a big fan of the new tower to begin with. i think that rumor got pulled out of a hat somewere. i agree w/ the convention rooms. why would you have the huge convention center and no rooms on site if most of the resort was dvc? i dont post on those threads, its mostly people looking for an argument but you did a good job. scarry thought, centemp. isnt the original home of chef mickeys. it started out in down town disney. lets hope they dont think of moving it.

Thanks for posting your opinion and I agree 100% with everything you said, which was written out very well.

You are also correct that Chef Mickey's use to be located at Downtown Disney before moving to the Contemporary.

 

[havaneselover]

If anyone was reading the resort board there was a thread about the Olympiad fitness center and these comments were mentioned.





Now if anyone has been there the hours listed on the doors say 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM and when I have been there after singning in and etc, the Cast Member never said anything about it being open 24 hours. So I am just wondering is that true or not?

We just checked out yesterday and I used the gym on Monday and Tuesday (got there around 5:30 AM, used my KTTW card to enter). It says it's open 24 hours, but an attendant is on duty starting at 6:30 AM (they seemed to arrive before 6:15). I didn't sign in either. Just picked up a towel and got on an eliptical--didn't see a sheet.

ETA: This is from Disney World's website:
Staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. the facility is accessible 24 hours a day and is available to Guests of Disney's Contemporary Resort 14 years of age and older. Guests 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guests wanting 24-hour access to the club must meet with an attendant to sign a waiver and obtain a 24-hour access key.

Now I'm confused because I didn't sign a waiver, but was able to use my card to get in at 5:30AM.

 

[WDWKOOK]

If anyone was reading the resort board there was a thread about the Olympiad fitness center and these comments were mentioned.





Now if anyone has been there the hours listed on the doors say 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM and when I have been there after singning in and etc, the Cast Member never said anything about it being open 24 hours. So I am just wondering is that true or not?

You have to ask at the Olympiad desk for 24-hour access. You will have to sign a waiver and then you'll receive a key card to open it whenever it's closed. I've never personally used it after-hours, but this is what I've read online. Also, some websites indicate that it opens at 0630, but it's always been open at 0600 when I've stayed there.

Here is a great link with lots of Olympiad photos:

http://www.disneycontemporary.com/content/olympiad-health-club

 

[spaceace510]

Thanks for posting your opinion and I agree 100% with everything you said, which was written out very well.

I also agree. I think that it is fine the way things are now.

But just in response to your previous questions... in terms of distinguishing the buildings, firstly i'm sure they give the other building a new name and then like at AKL, you'd get the option of Jambo House or Kidanhi Village.

And in terms of getting to the tower, they could have a simple walkway like there is now, or come up with a very inventive sky bridge solution...

 

[WDWKOOK]

We just checked out yesterday and I used the gym on Monday and Tuesday (got there around 5:30 AM, used my KTTW card to enter). It says it's open 24 hours, but an attendant is on duty starting at 6:30 AM (they seemed to arrive before 6:15). I didn't sign in either. Just picked up a towel and got on an eliptical--didn't see a sheet.

ETA: This is from Disney World's website:
Staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. the facility is accessible 24 hours a day and is available to Guests of Disney's Contemporary Resort 14 years of age and older. Guests 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guests wanting 24-hour access to the club must meet with an attendant to sign a waiver and obtain a 24-hour access key.

Now I'm confused because I didn't sign a waiver, but was able to use my card to get in at 5:30AM.

Thanks for posting that your KTTW card worked. It sounds like you didn't need a "special" key card or a waiver at all. It couldn't be easier.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We just checked out yesterday and I used the gym on Monday and Tuesday (got there around 5:30 AM, used my KTTW card to enter). It says it's open 24 hours, but an attendant is on duty starting at 6:30 AM (they seemed to arrive before 6:15). I didn't sign in either. Just picked up a towel and got on an eliptical--didn't see a sheet.

Thanks for posting about your experience and it's great since you were just there, so it's not like you did this a long time ago.

You have to ask at the Olympiad desk for 24-hour access. You will have to sign a waiver and then you'll receive a key card to open it whenever it's closed. I've never personally used it after-hours, but this is what I've read online. Also, some websites indicate that it opens at 0630, but it's always been open at 0600 when I've stayed there.

Here is a great link with lots of Olympiad photos:

http://www.disneycontemporary.com/content/olympiad-health-club

Thanks for that information.

I also agree. I think that it is fine the way things are now.

But just in response to your previous questions... in terms of distinguishing the buildings, firstly i'm sure they give the other building a new name and then like at AKL, you'd get the option of Jambo House or Kidanhi Village.

And in terms of getting to the tower, they could have a simple walkway like there is now, or come up with a very inventive sky bridge solution...

Well I guess the only name I could think of is Bay Lake Tower 2, because based on it's location what else could they call it? I also agree with what you said about access to the Contemporary, however since I doubt another building we will be built it's something we don't need to worry about and it's also a complicated thing to even talk about.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Only 10 more days until my family and I are back at the Contemporary and today really hit me that it's upcoming, because when I went to view our reservation online it said we can check-in online starting today. However we are choosing not to use the online check-in. Now we just need to start packing in a few days which we will start doing on the weekend.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Only 10 more days until my family and I are back at the Contemporary and today really hit me that it's upcoming, because when I went to view our reservation online it said we can check-in online starting today. However we are choosing not to use the online check-in. Now we just need to start packing in a few days which we will start doing on the weekend.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

There has been a lot of talk about BLT lately and it has me thinking again about DVC. The only reason I have been holding back is that I just really like staying at the CR itself with daily maid service and being in the same actual building with the monorail, restaurants and stores. The BLT (and from what I understand other DVC properties) don't have quite this level of convenience. Otherwise I would be all over DVC offers. Am I off base with my thinking or am I missing something?

Also, just out of idle curiosity, why no online check-in CR Resort Fan? Do you think it might affect your flexibility for requests when you get there?

-Jimbo

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Some more pictures and info on the new giant Mickey at the CR:

http://www.disneyeveryday.com/contemporary-resort-hangs-gigantic-mickey-christmas-wreath/

 

[WDWKOOK]

Some more pictures and info on the new giant Mickey at the CR:

http://www.disneyeveryday.com/contemporary-resort-hangs-gigantic-mickey-christmas-wreath/

Great photos!

Wow, that IS gigantic. I hope it doesn't pull down the stairwells

 

[WDWKOOK]

There has been a lot of talk about BLT lately and it has me thinking again about DVC. The only reason I have been holding back is that I just really like staying at the CR itself with daily maid service and being in the same actual building with the monorail, restaurants and stores. The BLT (and from what I understand other DVC properties) don't have quite this level of convenience. Otherwise I would be all over DVC offers. Am I off base with my thinking or am I missing something?

Also, just out of idle curiosity, why no online check-in CR Resort Fan? Do you think it might affect your flexibility for requests when you get there?

-Jimbo

Don't forget that you don't have to be a DVC member to stay at the BLT. They accept cash reservations AND, unlike DVC, you can use pin code discounts such as the 40% off; general public promos such as free dining or 4/3, and you WILL receive daily mousekeeping on a cash ressie.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Only 10 more days until my family and I are back at the Contemporary and today really hit me that it's upcoming, because when I went to view our reservation online it said we can check-in online starting today. However we are choosing not to use the online check-in. Now we just need to start packing in a few days which we will start doing on the weekend.

Congratulations on reaching the 9-day mark today

I'm wondering the same thing as Pjimmeyer, why no online check-in?

 

[WDWKOOK]

From the AllEars Newsletter:

Marty Sklar, Disney Legend and former Executive Vice President and Imagineering Ambassador, will present "Herbert Dickens Ryman: An Artist's Journey to Walt's and Other Worlds" on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 6 p.m. in Disney's Contemporary Resort Room Fantasia J. Sklar will take listeners on a journey through the life and legacy of Herb Ryman and the establishment of Ryman Arts, founded in his honor by six friends, including Walt's daughter Sharon Disney Lund and Marty and Leah Sklar. Herbert D. Ryman (1910-1989) created the first overall illustration of Disneyland, drawing as Walt Disney described his dream for a new kind of family entertainment, and continued to work on every Disney theme park until he died in 1989. Don't miss this rare opportunity to listen to Marty speak about and show Herb Ryman's contributions to key milestones in the history of The Walt Disney Company, including the story of the Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Herb's world travels, including his amazing paintings of people and places. Tickets are $125. Each ticket includes dinner and The Herb Ryman Story presentation.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $250 (begins at 5 p.m. in Disney's Contemporary Resort Nutcracker III). This special experience includes: a private reception at which Marty Sklar will present "Writing for Walt", which includes footage of the last time Walt was filmed; preferred seating for dinner and The Herb Ryman Story presentation; a photo with Marty; a copy of "A Brush with Disney: An Artist's Journey", published by Ryman Arts and signed by Marty.

Visit http://rymanarts.org/calendar/index.stm for more information and to purchase your ticket. All proceeds will benefit Ryman Arts, which Marty serves as President of the Board of Directors.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Some more pictures and info on the new giant Mickey at the CR:

http://www.disneyeveryday.com/contemporary-resort-hangs-gigantic-mickey-christmas-wreath/

There's a Disney Christmas special currently showing on the Home & Gardens Channel (HGTV). There is a segment on the show which shows CM's assembling the giant wreath for the CR and it also has a segment on the new gingerbread display in the Grand Canyon Concourse. Here're the days/times that the special, behind the magic: disney holidays, will be showing during the rest of the month -

December 11, 2009, 8:00 PM e/p
December 11, 2009, 3:00 AM e/p
December 20, 2009, 5:00 PM e/p
December 24, 2009, 4:00 PM e/p
December 25, 2009, 8:00 PM e/p
December 25, 2009, 3:00 AM e/p

 

[nicole0992]

Hello!

I have stayed at the CR twice now both in tower and in the garden wing/garden view room. This time I am trying to save a bit of $$ and thinking of booking a standard room. What is the difference? Is it just the view? Any info. on this category would be so helpful and greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Nicole