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

[PopArtGal]

Great! Thanks!

 

[pixie921]

also remember that, once upon a time, there was a north garden wing with a whole lot of rooms. i don't know how the total number of rooms in BLT compares to what was in the north garden wing, but hey, we lost some crowds before and now we're gaining some back.

The garden wing had 250 rooms. According to allearsnet, BLT has 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas (and each 2-bedroom sleeps up to 9!). Many of those two-bedroom units can be split into studios and one-bedroom units, thus multiplying the amount of rooms available. So if they were full, it seems like there would be quite a bit more occupants than the wing used to have.

I'm editing to add info from Webmaster Doc, posted on another thread on this board:

Here is a breakdown of the BLT resort villas.

There will be 133 2Br Lockoffs, 148 Dedicated 2BR villas and 14 GVs for a maximum of 428 villas.

Studios- 339 sq. ft.
1BR villas - 803 sq. ft.
2BR villas - 1152 sq. ft.
Grand Villas - 2044 sq.ft. (2 floors)

Hi there!! We just got back yesterday....I don't have much time to write right now, but wanted to let you all know a few things:

Took JetBlue....as always, awesome, awesome, awesome....never a problem in the many years we have used them....just wish they would fly out of TF Green.

Stayed at OKW for a couple of nights (we own points there that we purchased from a dear friend last year with the intent to use them at the BLT)....OKW was beautiful, the rooms were HUGE....buses were no problem, and our room was located near the HH, so it was convenient.

Moved to the CR on Tuesday....it was wonderful to see all the 12th floor staff again!! As always, love the MK view!!

They are very busy working on the pool area, and although I didn't get a finish date, it should be soon. A lot more trees (palm) went in, and it will be beautiful when it's done! Also, they have activities at the pool all afternoon long for the kids....that's new since last year I believe.

One more thing....the washer and dryers don't take quarters anymore....woohoo!! U use your room key now....also to purchase detergent, etc. We were so happy they changed that!! MUCH more convenient!!

Finally, we LOVED the new counter service!! Yummy selections!! It was a hit!!

I will be writing more later this afternoon.....I'm sure I'm missing a lot....and will try to answer any questions....

Glad to know you had such a great time! The new pool sounds like it's going to be great!

 

[Mary2e]

re: Smoking Areas..

I just looked at the map and can only see 3 DSAs. For a resort this size, shouldn't there be a few more?

 

[oasispaul]

They are very busy working on the pool area, and although I didn't get a finish date, it should be soon. A lot more trees (palm) went in, and it will be beautiful when it's done! Also, they have activities at the pool all afternoon long for the kids....that's new since last year I believe.

Thanks for the update!
Glad to hear the rumored palm trees are a reality! Quick question - we will be arriving at the Contemporary on Tuesday, April 28 for a 7-night stay. Should we expect the area surrounding the pool to be pretty much dirt & contstruction fences? (I know the pool is open, but I'm curious as to what the view of the pool area from our room will look like).

Thanks again!

Also, can you confirm that the only washers/dryers in the Contemporary are in the South Garden wing?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

also remember that, once upon a time, there was a north garden wing with a whole lot of rooms. i don't know how the total number of rooms in BLT compares to what was in the north garden wing, but hey, we lost some crowds before and now we're gaining some back.

Good point!! Sure, BLT will have more occupants than that, but I am breathing a tad bit easier. I agree with PP about the buses though. But that seems to be a problem at ALL the reosrts (with the EPCOT area ones being among the very worst!! I have never waited under 20 minutes for a MK one to arrive, and after you make ALL the stops, it is always an hour to get there which is the main reason we won't stay there anymore)

Hi there!! We just got back yesterday....I don't have much time to write right now, but wanted to let you all know a few things:

Took JetBlue....as always, awesome, awesome, awesome....never a problem in the many years we have used them....just wish they would fly out of TF Green.

Stayed at OKW for a couple of nights (we own points there that we purchased from a dear friend last year with the intent to use them at the BLT)....OKW was beautiful, the rooms were HUGE....buses were no problem, and our room was located near the HH, so it was convenient.

Moved to the CR on Tuesday....it was wonderful to see all the 12th floor staff again!! As always, love the MK view!!

They are very busy working on the pool area, and although I didn't get a finish date, it should be soon. A lot more trees (palm) went in, and it will be beautiful when it's done! Also, they have activities at the pool all afternoon long for the kids....that's new since last year I believe.

One more thing....the washer and dryers don't take quarters anymore....woohoo!! U use your room key now....also to purchase detergent, etc. We were so happy they changed that!! MUCH more convenient!!

Finally, we LOVED the new counter service!! Yummy selections!! It was a hit!!

I will be writing more later this afternoon.....I'm sure I'm missing a lot....and will try to answer any questions....

Thanks for the review!! Any pictures that you can share once you are settled back in???

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the update!
Glad to hear the rumored palm trees are a reality! Quick question - we will be arriving at the Contemporary on Tuesday, April 28 for a 7-night stay. Should we expect the area surrounding the pool to be pretty much dirt & contstruction fences? (I know the pool is open, but I'm curious as to what the view of the pool area from our room will look like).

Thanks again!

Also, can you confirm that the only washers/dryers in the Contemporary are in the South Garden wing?

Unfortunately, the only "public" washers and dryers are looked in the South Garden Wing. Wish there were some in the tower. But, at least we don't need bags of quarters anymore.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi there!! We just got back yesterday....I don't have much time to write right now, but wanted to let you all know a few things:

Took JetBlue....as always, awesome, awesome, awesome....never a problem in the many years we have used them....just wish they would fly out of TF Green.

Stayed at OKW for a couple of nights (we own points there that we purchased from a dear friend last year with the intent to use them at the BLT)....OKW was beautiful, the rooms were HUGE....buses were no problem, and our room was located near the HH, so it was convenient.

Moved to the CR on Tuesday....it was wonderful to see all the 12th floor staff again!! As always, love the MK view!!

They are very busy working on the pool area, and although I didn't get a finish date, it should be soon. A lot more trees (palm) went in, and it will be beautiful when it's done! Also, they have activities at the pool all afternoon long for the kids....that's new since last year I believe.

One more thing....the washer and dryers don't take quarters anymore....woohoo!! U use your room key now....also to purchase detergent, etc. We were so happy they changed that!! MUCH more convenient!!

Finally, we LOVED the new counter service!! Yummy selections!! It was a hit!!

I will be writing more later this afternoon.....I'm sure I'm missing a lot....and will try to answer any questions....

Thank you for the update on the washers/dryers not taking quarters! Glad to hear you liked the Contempo Cafe. When it first opened, the Allears reviews were pretty negative.

Just curious, is it still $2.00 a load?

 

[oasispaul]

Unfortunately, the only "public" washers and dryers are looked in the South Garden Wing. Wish there were some in the tower. But, at least we don't need bags of quarters anymore.

thanks, wdwkook.

 

[spaceace510]

re: Smoking Areas..

I just looked at the map and can only see 3 DSAs. For a resort this size, shouldn't there be a few more?

i think with Disney's firm anti-smoking stance... i doubt they would have more than the bare minimum

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi there!! We just got back yesterday....I don't have much time to write right now, but wanted to let you all know a few things:

Took JetBlue....as always, awesome, awesome, awesome....never a problem in the many years we have used them....just wish they would fly out of TF Green.

Stayed at OKW for a couple of nights (we own points there that we purchased from a dear friend last year with the intent to use them at the BLT)....OKW was beautiful, the rooms were HUGE....buses were no problem, and our room was located near the HH, so it was convenient.

Moved to the CR on Tuesday....it was wonderful to see all the 12th floor staff again!! As always, love the MK view!!

They are very busy working on the pool area, and although I didn't get a finish date, it should be soon. A lot more trees (palm) went in, and it will be beautiful when it's done! Also, they have activities at the pool all afternoon long for the kids....that's new since last year I believe.

One more thing....the washer and dryers don't take quarters anymore....woohoo!! U use your room key now....also to purchase detergent, etc. We were so happy they changed that!! MUCH more convenient!!

Finally, we LOVED the new counter service!! Yummy selections!! It was a hit!!

I will be writing more later this afternoon.....I'm sure I'm missing a lot....and will try to answer any questions....

Thanks for posting your review and I can't wait to read the rest of it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As for buses...THAT is going to be a HUGE problem unless Disney does something about it soon. It was already a huge problem, with buses not coming often at ALL (like, only every 40 min instead of 20, and then filling up FAST, since people had been gathering for 40 minutes!). If they don't increase the number/frequency of buses coming to Contemporary, there is going to be a major problem there!

Don't forget that since the Contemporary shares bus service with the other Magic Kingdom Resorts that's all the more reason for extra bus service once Bay Lake Tower opens. However the good things are the Contemporary is always the first location where you are picked up and dropped off at, plus the fact they only have buses to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. So because we have easier access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot things could be a lot worse.

 

[Finally08]

I learn something new everyday...I didn't realize the monorail resorts shared buses. And to think..I upgraded from POR because I was worried about the shared bus situation with the FQ. '

Anywho...this time next week we should be pulling into the CR parking lot to check in for the week! Can't wait to hear DH's reaction since he still thinks we're going to the POR!!!

 

[PopArtGal]

Does CR share DME busses with the other monorail resorts?

 

[spaceace510]

Does CR share DME busses with the other monorail resorts?

Im not 100% sure but I do believe so

 

[puntagordabob]

Originally Posted by goofygal531 I LOVED the floor with the vintage video games! Donkey Kong, Ms. Pacman, Q-Bert,etc... DH played Tetris and I played this hamburger game (stack a burger ) for hours!!


The game you are describing is called BURGERTIME.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Don't forget that since the Contemporary shares bus service with the other Magic Kingdom Resorts that's all the more reason for extra bus service once Bay Lake Tower opens. However the good things are the Contemporary is always the first location where you are picked up and dropped off at, plus the fact they only have buses to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. So because we have easier access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot things could be a lot worse.

I wonder if that will change once BLT opens. I realize that the BC and BWI still share (even with their respective villas) but is seems like so many more people over there rent cars (probably because of the lousy bu service )

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Just curious, is it still $2.00 a load?

Yes, both the washers and dryers are $2.00.

Does CR share DME busses with the other monorail resorts?

When we took DME a couple years ago, on the way to the CR we stopped at the Wilderness Lodge. That same vacation on the way back to the airport the bus picked us up at the CR, then we went to the Poly, THEN we went to the GF!!! Maybe it was just a fluke, but we haven't used the service since.

Glad to hear the rumored palm trees are a reality! Quick question - we will be arriving at the Contemporary on Tuesday, April 28 for a 7-night stay. Should we expect the area surrounding the pool to be pretty much dirt & contstruction fences? (I know the pool is open, but I'm curious as to what the view of the pool area from our room will look like).

Hmm...good question!! I can say that they were very hard at work every day we were there!! I don't think they will be done by Tuesday (unfortunately), but the green fences aren't too bad. And if you want to see what's going on behind them....go up the slide staircase and you 'll have a perfect view!!

Also, I was talking with a bartender at the Wave. She told me that the "Top of the World" Lounge will hold 100 people indoors and that there will be an outdoor space that will hold 400 people!! I was also told that the "Wave" lounge is the largest bar in all WDW....I did not know that!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks, Mrs. B! I can stop putting all my quarters in those baggies now...

 

[crazy4wdw]

Does CR share DME busses with the other monorail resorts?

Yes, it does. I've done ME three times to the CR. The first two trips, the ME bus stopped at all of the Magic Kingdom Resorts with the CR being the last stop. My last trip in 12/08, the ME bus stopped at the CR first.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I wonder if that will change once BLT opens. I realize that the BC and BWI still share (even with their respective villas) but is seems like so many more people over there rent cars (probably because of the lousy bu service )

I am not sure if the bus sharing routes will change, however it will be intresting to see what happens after Bay Lake Tower opens. Personally if they had to I bet they could make the Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian and Grand Floridian share the same bus. When you look at a map all those resorts are located in a straight line from each other, because after a bus leaves the Wilderness Lodge it can drive staight across to the Polynesian and then to the Grand Floridian. So then they don't need to drive farther away to pick up the guests at the Contemporary.