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

[lissiesmum]

Awww, that was so sweet

right back atcha! I feel like we're a special little bunch over here on the CR thread!

 

[disneymath]

<snip>My mom got that great PIN code and we currently have three CR garden wing/garden view rooms on a courtesy hold. (The only reason we haven't put the deposit down is that we REALLY were hoping for a 2 bdrm at BLT, but none were available with the code. Just need a day or so to make sure we're really ok with monorail and no villa - or if we need to look into a villa at WL.)<snip>

Oh I'm so excited!!!

I called back yesterday and by moving our dates up a few weeks we were able to get rooms at BLT with our PIN code! The It'll be me, sis, bil and their 3 toddlers in a BLV 2BDRM and my parents will be in a BLV Studio.

My sister was so excited when she found out at work that it took her three tries to enter her email password! Her comment was that this was going to go from a great vacation to a fantastic one.

(I gotta say, it was a bit of a hair-raising experience. I was calling on my cell during lunch hour at work. After some date juggling - which is time consuming because apparently they can't just randomly see availability ona day by day basis - the CM had found the 2BDRM! He was in the process of transferring things over and put me on hold while he did so. There I am in Disney bliss when all of a sudden the call dropped!

I kinda freaked out - of course I'm thinking worse case scenario is I've lost my entire ressie. I called right back and was muttering "how will I get the same agent" and the digital system lady cut herself off to say "You want to speak to an agent?" and I was like "Yes, please!".

Anyhow, it was a bit confusing, because of course I didn't get the same CM. Since I was changing an existing booking, everything was saved under my existing confirmation number - so it all worked out in the end.

Both calls combined took about 90 minutes, but at least the deposits are made and we're set to go.

As an added bonus, we will now be celebrating my dad's 60th birthday at the World!

For those of you who were interested in using your PIN for Garden Wing Garden View rooms - three were released yesterday for arrivals Aug. 15 and departures Aug. 22. Hope this helps someone!

 

[Retye81]

Just wanted to say Hi! I've been reading this thread for the last few days and it has been awesome. My soon to be husband and I are staying at the CR for our honeymoon for 8 nights in January and I am SO excited thanks to all the info in this thread.

I've been to WDW 20+ times (grew up in FL) but he's NEVER been so I'm looking forward to introducing him to "the madness". lol. We are staying Atrium Club Level MK view and have the DxDP. I've only stayed at a Deluxe one other time at the Poly with my mom years ago and have never been lucky enough to do CL and I've never used the dining plan either so I really can't wait.

What are some fun things at the CR we should make sure to look for? and what are some things I should make sure to show a first time Disney go-er?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just wanted to say Hi! I've been reading this thread for the last few days and it has been awesome. My soon to be husband and I are staying at the CR for our honeymoon for 8 nights in January and I am SO excited thanks to all the info in this thread.

I've been to WDW 20+ times (grew up in FL) but he's NEVER been so I'm looking forward to introducing him to "the madness". lol. We are staying Atrium Club Level MK view and have the DxDP. I've only stayed at a Deluxe one other time at the Poly with my mom years ago and have never been lucky enough to do CL and I've never used the dining plan either so I really can't wait.

What are some fun things at the CR we should make sure to look for? and what are some things I should make sure to show a first time Disney go-er?

Congratulations on both your upcoming marriage and your soon-to-be DH's first WDW trip! I think you guys would get a kick as newlyweds doing CM and of course, you have to eat at the CA Grill during Wishes.

I have to admit, when I got to the part where you mention doing BOTH the Atrium Club level AND the Deluxe Dining Plan, I had to re-read the sentence. May I ask why you are doing both? What is the primary reason that you are doing CL? I hope you won't think I'm out of place mentioning this, but it might be a challenge for you to do both CL AND the DxDP - that is a lot of food! With 3 table service credits per day/per person and 2 snack credits PP/PD AND the CL breakfast, snacks, h'ors d'oeuvres and desserts - yikes! IMHO, I would not recommend doing both.

Have a great honeymoon!

 

[lissiesmum]

Congratulations on both your upcoming marriage and your soon-to-be DH's first WDW trip! I think you guys would get a kick as newlyweds doing CM and of course, you have to eat at the CA Grill during Wishes.

I have to admit, when I got to the part where you mention doing BOTH the Atrium Club level AND the Deluxe Dining Plan, I had to re-read the sentence. May I ask why you are doing both? What is the primary reason that you are doing CL? I hope you won't think I'm out of place mentioning this, but it might be a challenge for you to do both CL AND the DxDP - that is a lot of food! With 3 table service credits per day/per person and 2 snack credits PP/PD AND the CL breakfast, snacks, h'ors d'oeuvres and desserts - yikes! IMHO, I would not recommend doing both.

Have a great honeymoon!

Hi there, I would like to echo this comment by WDWKook about the CL plus deluxe dining plan. I stayed club level at the Poly last year and also had just the regular dining plan and I wished I hadn't purchased the dining plan. There are so many snacks throughout the day, dessert/drinks at night, and a great breakfast in the CL lounge and I never used all of meals on my DDP, let alone my snack credits. Just something to think about

 

[Retye81]

Congratulations on both your upcoming marriage and your soon-to-be DH's first WDW trip! I think you guys would get a kick as newlyweds doing CM and of course, you have to eat at the CA Grill during Wishes.

I have to admit, when I got to the part where you mention doing BOTH the Atrium Club level AND the Deluxe Dining Plan, I had to re-read the sentence. May I ask why you are doing both? What is the primary reason that you are doing CL? I hope you won't think I'm out of place mentioning this, but it might be a challenge for you to do both CL AND the DxDP - that is a lot of food! With 3 table service credits per day/per person and 2 snack credits PP/PD AND the CL breakfast, snacks, h'ors d'oeuvres and desserts - yikes! IMHO, I would not recommend doing both.

Have a great honeymoon!

You aren't out of place at all! Thank you for your input. We honestly did CL not for the snacks but just the experience of being CL and so we could take advantage of the concierge, etc. Most of our ADRs are for Signature dining experiences as well which if I understand are two dining credits even on the DxDP? So we thought we may want breakfast in the CL some mornings. And honestly, we aren't worried if we don't use all our credits, we just wanted them available to us.

Does CM mean, Chef Mickey's? Is that really fun for adults? Maybe we can get a last minute ADR for one morning while we are there. Of all the times I've been there I've never done character dining! We may have to give it a try!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If you plan on eating primarily signature meals, then you might be OK. We just returned from GF RPC and ended up missing ALOT of ADR's since the lounge food was sufficient for breakfast (or late breakfasts, thus no lunch). This was our first trip without the DxDDP and I have to say I didn't miss having it at all.

Chef Mickey's is terrific and there are always adults there. It is a tough ADR to get however.

Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And congrats to everyone with the 40% pin! That is how we are staying in the tower with our MK view in June instead of the wing

 

[Retye81]

Chef Mickey's is terrific and there are always adults there. It is a tough ADR to get however.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for a cancellation then! Never hurts to hope for a little pixie dust, right? lol

 

[WDWKOOK]

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for a cancellation then! Never hurts to hope for a little pixie dust, right? lol

Maybe the concierge can work some magic for a couple of honeymooners

People cancel ADRs all the time, so I'll bet something will open up. I think it would make for some really cute photos of you and DH. Make sure you wear those "just married" ears!

 

[Canyon girl]

We stayed at the CR 11/29-12/6 in a tower theme park view room #4746. I have to say that it was a great place to stay!!!. This is the look from our room on the first night that we were there.

And the view during the fireworks.

And during the EWP.

Also, another night castle view.

I have to say that the offerings at the Contempo Cafe were great! The best was the Dulce de Leche cupcake.

We loved the lit Mickey wreath, but it wasn't lit every night.

Of course, the best part of the CR is this!

We would definitely stay here again, but next year we plan on an Epcot resort. Believe it or not, my kids kept asking to go back to Epcot! Who knew that Epcot would trump MK???

 

[WDWKOOK]

We stayed at the CR 11/29-12/6 in a tower theme park view room #4746. I have to say that it was a great place to stay!!!.

We would definitely stay here again, but next year we plan on an Epcot resort. Believe it or not, my kids kept asking to go back to Epcot! Who knew that Epcot would trump MK???

Thank you for posting those great photos.

My DD11 feels the same way now about the Epcot resorts (maybe because she's getting older?) and she would love to stay there, but we keep staying at the MK resorts, and mostly the CR. She says that she just wants to "try something different" and stay at the YC. She obviously doesn't care as much about the rooms as we do. We love the CR rooms, the resort amenities and being in the Tower. I am NOT good with change.

 

[Retye81]

We stayed at the CR 11/29-12/6 in a tower theme park view room #4746. I have to say that it was a great place to stay!!!. This is the look from our room on the first night that we were there.

And the view during the fireworks.

And during the EWP.

Also, another night castle view.

I have to say that the offerings at the Contempo Cafe were great! The best was the Dulce de Leche cupcake.


We loved the lit Mickey wreath, but it wasn't lit every night.


Of course, the best part of the CR is this!


We would definitely stay here again, but next year we plan on an Epcot resort. Believe it or not, my kids kept asking to go back to Epcot! Who knew that Epcot would trump MK???

GORGEOUS! I'm SO excited to stay there now.

Epcot was actually always my favorite park when I was a kid, I loved MK too but Epcot was SO cool and futuristic and the world showcase was FUN. So many new things to see that I had read about. I wanted to stay at a Monorail hotel this time because it is DH's first trip but next time we will definitely stay at an Epcot resort.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

I've never used the dining plan either so I really can't wait.

What are some fun things at the CR we should make sure to look for? and what are some things I should make sure to show a first time Disney go-er?

Don't miss ...

The pool slide ... even my "no thrill rides" husband liked it. The hot tub is a delight after a long day of walking and standing.

The Wave ... the best meal of our 7 sit down meals (and we ate well: Crystal Palace, Yak & Yeti, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Chef Mickey's, Coral Reef, Artist Point, Cinderella's Royal Table, Le Cellier & The Wave )

My other favorite thing was definitely the walking path to the Magic Kingdom, because we have little kids. But I think this would be attractive to any family/group that doesn't want to spend all day every day in the parks. We spent 6-12 hours away from the Contemporary depending on the day, but the best days featured several hours enjoying the pool.

Just back, got to go change the

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Could anyone tell me if the pool music playlist that is listed on the contemporary.net site is still the one that they use?? I am loving those old songs..especially Hootie! LOL

 

[Retye81]

My other favorite thing was definitely the walking path to the Magic Kingdom, because we have little kids. But I think this would be attractive to any family/group that doesn't want to spend all day every day in the parks. We spent 6-12 hours away from the Contemporary depending on the day, but the best days featured several hours enjoying the pool.

I'm really looking forward to the walking path to MK actually. The monorail is really fun but it is nice to be able to walk back and forth as well. I definitely want to spend a few hours here and there by the pool, I'm glad you said the slide is fun, I was worried. We LOVE waterslides.

Thanks, for all your thoughts everyone, given us lots to look forward to. I've never been to the CR except for taking the monorail through it. lol

 

[Canyon girl]

Thank you for posting those great photos.

My DD11 feels the same way now about the Epcot resorts (maybe because she's getting older?) and she would love to stay there, but we keep staying at the MK resorts, and mostly the CR. She says that she just wants to "try something different" and stay at the YC. She obviously doesn't care as much about the rooms as we do. We love the CR rooms, the resort amenities and being in the Tower. I am NOT good with change.

You're welcome! We are going to stay at YC next year. The kids are looking forward to Stormalong Bay as well as being closer to Epcot and DHS. As far as change, change is my middle name. I like to stay at a different place each time and often change the place 2 or 3 times before settling on the final place. This time, it was POFQ to YC to CR. We are determined to stay with YC for next year, though.

GORGEOUS! I'm SO excited to stay there now.

Epcot was actually always my favorite park when I was a kid, I loved MK too but Epcot was SO cool and futuristic and the world showcase was FUN. So many new things to see that I had read about. I wanted to stay at a Monorail hotel this time because it is DH's first trip but next time we will definitely stay at an Epcot resort.

I was so SURPRISED at the Epcot attraction for the kids, but I chalk it up to having been to Disneyland already and their seeing MK as the same as DL. CR is the perfect place to stay for the first time! Have a great time!

 

[Pjimmeyer]

another brief message from my smartphone so please pardon the mistakes =)

This has to qualify as our best trip ever. I highly recommend both MVMCP and wishes desert party. We have always loved the CR but I actually think they are bringing their "A" game back on CM service...mousekeeping...attitude and attention to detail. It has been our first visit near Christmas time and will probably be repeated from here on out. Crowds have been great...not dead but no waits over 15 minutes with liberal fastpass use. Planning my marathon haunted mansion ride tomorrow night. Talk to you more when we get back tuesday.

 

[WDWKOOK]

another brief message from my smartphone so please pardon the mistakes =)

This has to qualify as our best trip ever. I highly recommend both MVMCP and wishes desert party. We have always loved the CR but I actually think they are bringing their "A" game back on CM service...mousekeeping...attitude and attention to detail. It has been our first visit near Christmas time and will probably be repeated from here on out. Crowds have been great...not dead but no waits over 15 minutes with liberal fastpass use. Planning my marathon haunted mansion ride tomorrow night. Talk to you more when we get back tuesday.

Thanks!

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Quick question..I always see the beach areas of different resorts being talked about. Like the Poly beach and watching Wishes from it, etc....even Fort Wilderness gets mentioned quite a bit. I assume the CR has a decent beach area unless I am mistaken. What kind of beachy area does CR have ? (also I know that they show movies on the beach!)

 

[MMitchell29]

Quick question..I always see the beach areas of different resorts being talked about. Like the Poly beach and watching Wishes from it, etc....even Fort Wilderness gets mentioned quite a bit. I assume the CR has a decent beach area unless I am mistaken. What kind of beachy area does CR have ? (also I know that they show movies on the beach!)

This is a great question, I would like to know the answer to this as well