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

[WDWKOOK]

Okay, does anyone have any last minute tips. I have read quite a bit of the other thread several months ago, but now I have forgotten it. Eek! I can't afford the time to wade through it again right now.

I know you can request microwaves but how about refrigerators? I don't think we would ever use microwave but refrig would be nice.

Any particular garden room locations we should request?

Should we check in on line or not? I have seen that some people do it, and some just wait till they get to the hotel.

I have I mentioned how excited I am? Our first stay at Contemporary, always a childhood dream of mine!

OK, take a deep breath, you're going to have a great time!

Each room already has a fridge.

If you'd like to be in a faster check-in line when you arrive, then go ahead and check-in online. However, if you need to request a room type, and you haven't already put it on your reservation, then DON'T check-in online because you can't make room requests.

For GV/GW definitely request: Bay Lake view/ground floor. But, again you CAN'T make any room location requests online. Call and have them place it in your reservation.

Don't forget about that walkway to the MK and give us a CR TR when you return!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Okay, does anyone have any last minute tips. I have read quite a bit of the other thread several months ago, but now I have forgotten it. Eek! I can't afford the time to wade through it again right now.

I know you can request microwaves but how about refrigerators? I don't think we would ever use microwave but refrig would be nice.

Any particular garden room locations we should request?

Should we check in on line or not? I have seen that some people do it, and some just wait till they get to the hotel.

I have I mentioned how excited I am? Our first stay at Contemporary, always a childhood dream of mine!

The advice said by WDWKOOK is great and the only thing I want to add is just to take things make sure you will have everything you need and to take your time. Finally have a great time because your going to Walt Disney World and staying at an amazing location.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As we all know a few months ago Contemporary Cast Members took away the in room computers out of all the Contemporary rooms. However I was just on the WDW website and it's description of the Atrium Club Level they still list the in room computer as something which is included.

Concierge service at the Atrium Club includes personalized Front Desk and Guest Services, turndown service and a lounge with continental breakfast, midday snacks, evening wine and cheese and evening cordials and dessert. Magic Kingdom View Rooms have 2 queen-size beds or one king-size bed, day bed, table, chairs and a large bathroom with private commode. All rooms are non-smoking. One wheelchair-accessible room is available. Amenities include a large flat-screen TV, desktop computer, in-room safe, voice mail, data port, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, coffeemaker and refrigerator. A crib is available upon request. Located in the Tower Building, Concierge Magic Kingdom View Rooms offer views of a parking area and Magic Kingdom theme park.

The computers are also mentioned in the room descriptions for the Tower Magic Kingdom View, Tower Bay Lake View and the all Garden Wings rooms.

All rooms have 2 queen-size beds or one king-size bed, day bed, table and chairs, ceiling fan and large bathroom with private commode. All rooms are non-smoking. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. Amenities include a large flat-screen TV, desktop computer, in-room safe, voice mail, data port, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, coffeemaker and refrigerator. A crib is available upon request. Located in the Tower, Tower Magic Kingdom Rooms offer views of the parking area and Magic Kingdom theme park.

So for anyone who reads this and is planning a future reservation at the Contemporary no matter the room category, ignore the desktop computer feature because those are no longer available.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Odd that they write: "Magic Kingdom view rooms have..." when BOTH MK and BL rooms offer the exact same room configuration in both the tower and GW (except GW deluxe). And, they don't even mention that the MK view is also of 7 Seas Lagoon, GF and Poly, they only mention parking lot and MK. I think the WDW website often confuses people more.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Odd that they write: "Magic Kingdom view rooms have..." when BOTH MK and BL rooms offer the exact same room configuration in both the tower and GW (except GW deluxe). And, they don't even mention that the MK view is also of 7 Seas Lagoon, GF and Poly, they only mention parking lot and MK. I think the WDW website often confuses people more.

I also noticed those things you mentioned and WDW should really take the time to update their site with the correct information.

 

[mom2aredhead]

We have decided to drive this time. Would you recommend driving over to AK or DHS since we will have our own car?

Thanks for the advice!

This past trip a few weeks ago, we would park our car in the lot on the side of the building where the bus stop was, and bring our car keys when we were leaving for a park. We'd give the bus a few minutes, but for the most part, we'd quit waiting and end up driving. Our previous experience (late Sep last year) the bus to DHS stopped at the Poly then a water park before going to DHS. Including the time we waited for the bus, it was about an hour long event just to get to the park - not the way I want to spend vacation time.

Personally, that's what we always do: Drive to DHS, water parks and AK, walkway to MK, boat to FW and Monorail to TTC-Epcot.

Exactly!!

And a kind of related question - for those of you that took the monorail TO MK instead of walking. Do you get off at TTC and switch back onto the "Express" that goes back through the CR and onto to MK, or do you do the whole loop through TTC/Poly/GF? Is one faster than the other? We always walked over, so I was just curious.


Now, on a side note...
In reading all of these posts about room requests for the ground floor, high floor, close to the walkway, away from the restaurant, near the pool, away from the something or other, I started to wonder...

I have ALWAYS reserved the least expensive room available for our stay, because if that's what I can afford, and that's what gets me to WDW, that's fine with me. At CR both times our reservations were Garden Wing, once standard view, once garden view. Our stays at AKL, I always reserved a standard room. We also always go off-peak times - May/Oct/Dec.

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, made a room request... no specific floor, location, nothing. As I say to my son "you get what you get and you don't get upset".

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, stayed in the room type I have reserved. All of our stays at AKL we were upgraded to Savannah view rooms, and once a pool view room, all for no charge, and all (but once) already in the computer when we checked in. Both of our stays at CR, we were upgraded from the Garden wing to the Tower, and this past trip, it was a MK view.

Is it a coincidence?

I'm sure there are people that requested "ground floor" with their garden wing reservation that would have been thrilled with a free tower upgrade, but by making specific requests, maybe the CM that assigns the rooms saw it and thought "oh well, not going to move these people to the Tower because they really want to stay on the ground floor in the Garden Wing"

Any thoughts??

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And a kind of related question - for those of you that took the monorail TO MK instead of walking. Do you get off at TTC and switch back onto the "Express" that goes back through the CR and onto to MK, or do you do the whole loop through TTC/Poly/GF? Is one faster than the other? We always walked over, so I was just curious.


Now, on a side note...
In reading all of these posts about room requests for the ground floor, high floor, close to the walkway, away from the restaurant, near the pool, away from the something or other, I started to wonder...

I have ALWAYS reserved the least expensive room available for our stay, because if that's what I can afford, and that's what gets me to WDW, that's fine with me. At CR both times our reservations were Garden Wing, once standard view, once garden view. Our stays at AKL, I always reserved a standard room. We also always go off-peak times - May/Oct/Dec.

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, made a room request... no specific floor, location, nothing. As I say to my son "you get what you get and you don't get upset".

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, stayed in the room type I have reserved. All of our stays at AKL we were upgraded to Savannah view rooms, and once a pool view room, all for no charge, and all (but once) already in the computer when we checked in. Both of our stays at CR, we were upgraded from the Garden wing to the Tower, and this past trip, it was a MK view.

Is it a coincidence?

I'm sure there are people that requested "ground floor" with their garden wing reservation that would have been thrilled with a free tower upgrade, but by making specific requests, maybe the CM that assigns the rooms saw it and thought "oh well, not going to move these people to the Tower because they really want to stay on the ground floor in the Garden Wing"

Any thoughts??

When my family and I would take the Resort Monorail and were going to the Magic Kingdom we stayed on Resort Monorail and never thought about switching to the Express Monorail.

As for you always getting those upgrades I believe you have just been very lucky, because making a reservation for the least expensive room category does not mean an automatic upgrade. Besides that think of all the other guests who book the same room category as you and have never been upgraded.

 

[WDWKOOK]

And a kind of related question - for those of you that took the monorail TO MK instead of walking. Do you get off at TTC and switch back onto the "Express" that goes back through the CR and onto to MK, or do you do the whole loop through TTC/Poly/GF? Is one faster than the other? We always walked over, so I was just curious.


Now, on a side note...
In reading all of these posts about room requests for the ground floor, high floor, close to the walkway, away from the restaurant, near the pool, away from the something or other, I started to wonder...

I have ALWAYS reserved the least expensive room available for our stay, because if that's what I can afford, and that's what gets me to WDW, that's fine with me. At CR both times our reservations were Garden Wing, once standard view, once garden view. Our stays at AKL, I always reserved a standard room. We also always go off-peak times - May/Oct/Dec.

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, made a room request... no specific floor, location, nothing. As I say to my son "you get what you get and you don't get upset".

And I have never, not once in 8 trips, stayed in the room type I have reserved. All of our stays at AKL we were upgraded to Savannah view rooms, and once a pool view room, all for no charge, and all (but once) already in the computer when we checked in. Both of our stays at CR, we were upgraded from the Garden wing to the Tower, and this past trip, it was a MK view.

Is it a coincidence?

I'm sure there are people that requested "ground floor" with their garden wing reservation that would have been thrilled with a free tower upgrade, but by making specific requests, maybe the CM that assigns the rooms saw it and thought "oh well, not going to move these people to the Tower because they really want to stay on the ground floor in the Garden Wing"

Any thoughts??

I've never done it either, we always walk, but, I would remain on the monorail, and not get off at the TTC.

I've wondered the same thing about requests and upgrades and room assigners, but, I really don't think there is any rhyme or reason to either requests or upgrades. If you ask 20 WDW resort vactioners, I'll bet you'll get 20 different personal stories about upgrades and room requests. I advise to do what makes you comfortable, not what you think might get you an upgrade or room request filled. I'm anal retentive so I always add some sort of room location request. In fact, I spend WAY too much time worrying about making just the right request. The CR tower is really easy, but Poly is really hard with all the different longhouses and balcony, no balcony/this view, that view. And, we have our first BC stay in Aug. and I'm still fussing over that request.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In all my families stay at the Contemporary which has been a lot we have been upgraded one time, which was back in May 2000 from a standard Atrium Club room to a standard Tower Club room. Now at the time that was a great upgrade because the Atrium Cub was light Club Level and the Tower Club was full Club Level. However since both of them are the same in terms of service if we got that same exact upgrade to one of their standard rooms on the 14th floor it would not be a big deal, unless it was to a suite. Anyway what I am trying to say is everytime we check-in at the Contemporary all our previous stays will show up on the Cast Members computer, however that will never have any effect on us getting an upgrade and WDW does not give upgrades to guests no matter how many times they have stayed a specific Resort. Personally we don't care if we ever get upgraraded because we are always happy with the reservations we make, so if one is to ever happen again then it will just be pure luck.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I just want to clarify...

My point was not to brag about the upgrades, and I realize that we have been extremely lucky and I am always extremely grateful and thankful when we receive our room assignment. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

I was just wondering if it happened to us more often because we leave them to their own devices rather than being so specific from the beginning.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I just want to clarify...

My point was not to brag about the upgrades, and I realize that we have been extremely lucky and I am always extremely grateful and thankful when we receive our room assignment. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

I was just wondering if it happened to us more often because we leave them to their own devices rather than being so specific from the beginning.

We tend not to ask for room locations either at the deluxe hotels. (We did ask to be in the mansions at POR and a very specific building/floor at Pop and were lucky both times.)

We also book standard rooms and have been VERY lucky to get upgraded (but we are also almost always there for a bday). At AKL for my bday we went from standard to savannah. At the GF for my bday we went from garden view to lodge tower. At the BC we got a king bed, corner room.

Are we happy when we get upgraded- YOU BET!!! Disappointed if we don't- NOPE! But I have always wondered if leaving the requests alone helps it along a little. Needless to say I have no requests on my wing room next month, just a mention of my little guy's bday...

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just want to clarify...

My point was not to brag about the upgrades, and I realize that we have been extremely lucky and I am always extremely grateful and thankful when we receive our room assignment. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

I was just wondering if it happened to us more often because we leave them to their own devices rather than being so specific from the beginning.

I didn't think you were bragging at all. Again, I'd stick with what makes you comfortable, and heck, it works for you so far so why start doing something you normally don't.

Maybe you should post your experience as a question on the resorts' page and see what responses you get. Then you'd have more to base your theory on and you (and we!) could see if it's just luck or not.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just want to clarify...

My point was not to brag about the upgrades, and I realize that we have been extremely lucky and I am always extremely grateful and thankful when we receive our room assignment. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

I was just wondering if it happened to us more often because we leave them to their own devices rather than being so specific from the beginning.

I also didn't think you were bragging about the upgrades you got in the past, because everyones experience with them are always going to be different.

 

[Leni-J]

Can anyone tell me about the salon at the Contemporary? My wife would like to get a full set of nails and pedicure while we're down there in September and I was wondering if this would be a good place to have that done or would she be better visiting somewhere like the Floridian or Saratoga Springs.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just on the WDW website and noticed three things mentioned about the Contemporary that does not seem right in the recreation part. First it mentions there is a smaller arcade located by the pool, although I never saw one or heard of it. It also mentions the arcade on the 4th floor is open 24 hours however on their doors it says 8:30 AM - 11:30 PM, unless they are referring to the hours you can get prizes.

Disney's Contemporary Resort includes a high-tech game room that features both classic arcade games and the latest in video game entertainment. Located on the fourth floor of the Contemporary Tower and open 24 hours. There is also a smaller arcade near the pool.

Also and maybe I am wrong about this they also list a 1.1 mile jogging trail around the Contemporary passing Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, is that actually there?

Take off on a scenic 1.1-mile run around Disney's Contemporary Resort, passing picturesque Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/contemporary-resort/

 

[brergnat]

I was just on the WDW website and noticed three things mentioned about the Contemporary that does not seem right in the recreation part. First it mentions there is a smaller arcade located by the pool, although I never saw one or heard of it. It also mentions the arcade on the 4th floor is open 24 hours however on their doors it says 8:30 AM - 11:30 PM, unless they are referring to the hours you can get prizes.



Also and maybe I am wrong about this they also list a 1.1 mile jogging trail around the Contemporary passing Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, is that actually there?



http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/contemporary-resort/

The arcade DEFINITELY closes. We were going to go there one night after a late dinner at Contempo and it was locked at 11:30.

The jogging trail that is mentioned doesn't really exist anymore. It was the sidewalks that wind around both garden wings, and then back around the front parking lot. But, since the N. Garden Wing is gone, you can't really do it anymore.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The arcade DEFINITELY closes. We were going to go there one night after a late dinner at Contempo and it was locked at 11:30.

The jogging trail that is mentioned doesn't really exist anymore. It was the sidewalks that wind around both garden wings, and then back around the front parking lot. But, since the N. Garden Wing is gone, you can't really do it anymore.

Thanks for confirming that information.

 

[angboys3]

OK, take a deep breath, you're going to have a great time!

Each room already has a fridge.

If you'd like to be in a faster check-in line when you arrive, then go ahead and check-in online. However, if you need to request a room type, and you haven't already put it on your reservation, then DON'T check-in online because you can't make room requests.

For GV/GW definitely request: Bay Lake view/ground floor. But, again you CAN'T make any room location requests online. Call and have them place it in your reservation.

Don't forget about that walkway to the MK and give us a CR TR when you return!

Thanks so much! Now back to figuring out t-shirt transfers!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just added Club Level tip #3 on the 1st page in the Club Level section, so here it is.

Both the rooms on the 12th and 14th floors will have two bath robes each in the hallway closet which you can use during your stay, so they would be great to wear after taking a shower.

 

[crystal273]

I have been lurking on these boards for a long time and I have read the entire CR Thread, so forgive me if this question has already been answered.
Are all CR's standard rooms in the Garden WING?

TIA