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

[Cinderumbrella]

Congragulations on getting a reservation and have a great time.

I also agree once you stay at a Resort on the Monorail line it's hard to stay somewhere without it.

To say that I was surprised that there was availability less than 2 months out is the understatement of the century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were booked on the 4/3 deal and guest services was able to make the upgrade happen (Even though that promo had expired). But if you look at WDW.com for rack rates, the whole resort had availabilty (except standard garden wing rooms) I was STUNNED!

 

[brergnat]

The toilet is in a separate little room with a sliding door that closes (separate from where the sinks and shower/bath are located. There USED to be an additional sink in there, but it was removed. There is just a big empty space in front of the toilet now. There's a hook up on the wall (we used it to hang wet workout clothes), and you can put your suitcases on the floor there without compromising any space in that room that you need.

 

[Dawn68PA]

That is awesome! Good deal they let you keep the 4/3 too!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The toilet is in a separate little room with a sliding door that closes (separate from where the sinks and shower/bath are located. There USED to be an additional sink in there, but it was removed. There is just a big empty space in front of the toilet now. There's a hook up on the wall (we used it to hang wet workout clothes), and you can put your suitcases on the floor there without compromising any space in that room that you need.

Gotcha!! Thanks for clearing that up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

That is awesome! Good deal they let you keep the 4/3 too!

I know!!! We are going for 8 nights though, so I am paying rack rate for the final night. I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting AP rates, but since my package is due Saturday, I didn't want to risk missing out in case they aren't out this week (although they are rumored to come out tomorrow )

 

[brergnat]

The coffee in the "pods" in the room is NOT Nescafe. It's another brand (Cafe Valet, maybe?). Anyway, it's not that bad *IF* you make the coffee with bottled water. One pod is really only good for ONE cup of coffee. If you try to get more than one cup out of it, it will taste watered down and nasty. I like my coffee strong, though. They provide enough coffee, and if you use it and leave the coffee pot out somewhere obvious (I put it on the computer desk, and left the empty coffee envelope in plain sight), along with a basic note to the housekeeper to "please leave more coffee", you should be fine. I did that and got LOTS of coffee and "supplies" (the packet that has a napkin, stirrer, splenda, and powdered creamer). After the first day, the housekeeper was good about restocking the coffee if I used one. I always washed out the coffee pot myself, though. I brought some dish soap from home to do so, because I wanted it to be CLEAN!

HOWEVER, with that said, I went downstairs to Joffrey's (the coffee stand in the lobby) more than I made coffee in the room. The "plain" coffee is only $2.75/cup and it's GOOD. I also wanted some specialty coffees a couple of times (mochas, lattes, etc) and they were really good as well. Plus, being in the tower and just being able to take the elevator down and then back up to my room was FASTER than waiting for the coffee pot to make coffee in the room...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To say that I was surprised that there was availability less than 2 months out is the understatement of the century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were booked on the 4/3 deal and guest services was able to make the upgrade happen (Even though that promo had expired). But if you look at WDW.com for rack rates, the whole resort had availabilty (except standard garden wing rooms) I was STUNNED!

Well there is a great example of being able to switch resorts even though the 4/3 deal reservation window has ended, because if you don't ask you never know and I would think a lot people who want to swtich think it can't be done and don't bother trying to call.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

The wing is not connected to the tower. There is a short, covered walkway closest to the tower. BLT is connected to the tower by a covered bridge.

Google maps: http://maps.google.com/
provides great overhead imagery of the CR (and all of WDW).

Thank you for the info! I was able to see CR very well on the google map. And thanks also to the other person who mentioned the walk is very short.

Now I am wondering what criteria Disney used to knock down the North Tower instead of the South Tower? Not having stayed at CR before, the answer may be obvious, but I don't know what the answer would be, in case anyone knows? If I'm looking at the map right, it looks like the North Tower provided more space to work with? Thanks for any help.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Well there is a great example of being able to switch resorts even though the 4/3 deal reservation window has ended, because if you don't ask you never know and I would think a lot people who want to swtich think it can't be done and don't bother trying to call.

I can't take credit for the switch, my superduper TA worked it for me

brergnat, thank you so much for the 411 on coffee!! We are in a wing, but I can always swing past Joffrey's on my way to the bus stop, right? (can you tell I NEVER go down there! My only experience ever at the CR is Chef Mickey's and Cali Grille, so I am still learning the ropes about what floor everything is on )

One more question, is Contempo Cafe 24 hours, like Gasparillas??
(OK, 2 more questions) Has anyone tried the Wave for breakfast I am still up in the air about whether or not to keep that ADR...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Now I am wondering what criteria Disney used to knock down the North Tower instead of the South Tower? Not having stayed at CR before, the answer may be obvious, but I don't know what the answer would be, in case anyone knows? If I'm looking at the map right, it looks like the North Tower provided more space to work with? Thanks for any help.

I am guessing they picked the North Garden Wing because it's closer to the Magic Kingdom, so those staying in Bay Lake Tower with a Magic Kingdom View will make it look very good. Also the walkway from Bay Lake Tower to the 4th floor of the Contemporay will be located by the back of the Bay View Gifts store, so I am guessing they could not put it on the other side because of Chef Mickey's.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One more question, is Contempo Cafe 24 hours, like Gasparillas??

They close at 12:00 AM, however you could still walk in there anytime during the night to refills your mug if you got thirsty.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you for the info! I was able to see CR very well on the google map. And thanks also to the other person who mentioned the walk is very short.

Now I am wondering what criteria Disney used to knock down the North Tower instead of the South Tower? Not having stayed at CR before, the answer may be obvious, but I don't know what the answer would be, in case anyone knows? If I'm looking at the map right, it looks like the North Tower provided more space to work with? Thanks for any help.

There is a canal from BL to 7 Seas Lagoon next to the south wing. Perhaps this posed construction challenges?

 

[PopArtGal]

And to go to the MK with the monorail..you have to get off at the TTC and take a Magic Kingdom monorail?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And to go to the MK with the monorail..you have to get off at the TTC and take a Magic Kingdom monorail?

Actually when going from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom by Monorail you stay on the Resort Monorail, so you don't get off at the TTC and switch to the Magic Kingdom Monorail.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I am guessing they picked the North Garden Wing because it's closer to the Magic Kingdom, so those staying in Bay Lake Tower with a Magic Kingdom View will make it look very good. Also the walkway from Bay Lake Tower to the 4th floor of the Contemporay will be located by the back of the Bay View Gifts store, so I am guessing they could not put it on the other side because of Chef Mickey's.

Ok, lol, and now I will stop calling them towers, lol. They are wings. Heck, they don't even look like towers. What was I thinking. Thanks for correcting me in that subtle way and for your thoughts on BLT's location. Thanks to the other poster who pointed out the canal's location being a possible factor as well. I guess I'm intrigued by the whole destruction of the wing and then the construction of this new tower. tink

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for correcting me in that subtle way and for your thoughts on BLT's location.

You're welcome.

 

[PolynesianAlex]

Is there any offical word if guest at the Contemporary can use the Sky Bridge If we can i might upgrade from the poly to Contemporary

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is there any offical word if guest at the Contemporary can use the Sky Bridge If we can i might upgrade from the poly to Contemporary

From what I have read it will only be for guests staying at Bay Lake Tower which I don't agree with, however we will know for sure once it opens this August.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Hi All!

I have an update on my bed bug situation. Dh talked with the lady from Disney today. She was very, very nice and helpful. The problem in our room was confirmed after we left. I am not sure if the people after us also complained or if they checked the room after I sent a fax to the CR 2 days after we left. Either way they don't doubt me. She explained that there is a special protocol in place for housekeeping to follow to try and minimize bed bugs so that it doesn't spread. She was very sorry to hear about my other problems with housekeeping and she alluded to the fact that this particular housekeeper is no longer working there so they obviously took it seriously. They are taking care of the room and taking all measures to assure it has not spread.

She did stress that we need to destroy, not just throw away, but destroy all our luggage. She said they stress it be destroyed so that the problem doesn't just keep spreading. Sometimes people will pull what looks like a good suitcase from the dump or wherever and then use it therefore spreading the problem. Understandable I guess.

Anyway I was very happy with the way that Disney has handled my issue. I still wish I had the knowledge at the time so I could have dealt with it there. I would not hesitate to go back to a WDW resort or CR for that matter. All of you going in the future can rest assured that the situation is being dealt with!

FYI when staying at ANY hotel no matter what the level first thing you should do is pull back the sheets and look at the mattress seams. Look for brown dots. It is evidence that bed bugs are there. You should also look around headboards and drawers. They are fast and hard to see until they are their full adult size so it is best to look for the evidence. If you see any get your stuff out of that room ASAP!

So I guess that is the end of my saga!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi All!

I have an update on my bed bug situation. Dh talked with the lady from Disney today. She was very, very nice and helpful. The problem in our room was confirmed after we left. I am not sure if the people after us also complained or if they checked the room after I sent a fax to the CR 2 days after we left. Either way they don't doubt me. She explained that there is a special protocol in place for housekeeping to follow to try and minimize bed bugs so that it doesn't spread. She was very sorry to hear about my other problems with housekeeping and she alluded to the fact that this particular housekeeper is no longer working there so they obviously took it seriously. They are taking care of the room and taking all measures to assure it has not spread.

She did stress that we need to destroy, not just throw away, but destroy all our luggage. She said they stress it be destroyed so that the problem doesn't just keep spreading. Sometimes people will pull what looks like a good suitcase from the dump or wherever and then use it therefore spreading the problem. Understandable I guess.

Anyway I was very happy with the way that Disney has handled my issue. I still wish I had the knowledge at the time so I could have dealt with it there. I would not hesitate to go back to a WDW resort or CR for that matter. All of you going in the future can rest assured that the situation is being dealt with!

FYI when staying at ANY hotel no matter what the level first thing you should do is pull back the sheets and look at the mattress seams. Look for brown dots. It is evidence that bed bugs are there. You should also look around headboards and drawers. They are fast and hard to see until they are their full adult size so it is best to look for the evidence. If you see any get your stuff out of that room ASAP!

So I guess that is the end of my saga!

Thank you for posting that update.