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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't even see that BLT thread listed in the FAQ list, and it seems the other DVC resorts' FAQs are combined with the "host" resort, so maybe we should do that here.

I don't want to combine the Bay Lake Tower info onto here, so I think it's better to leave them as seperate threads. Also with the exception of checking-in at the Contemporary lobby and sharing transportation, they are two different buildings.

 

[BetsyRNBSN]

I want this thread to have more focus on the things offered for Contemporary guests.

I guess that is the point, even though I am staying at the BLT, I am still a CR guest, especially since all the restaurants and shops, etc. etc. are in the CR and are shared.

It is almost like trying to make the distinction between the garden wing and the tower...

 

[pixie921]

I realize that but I think since there is a Bay Lake Tower FAQ thread some of the questions posted on here might be better on there, because I want this thread to have more focus on the things offered for Contemporary guests.

BLT guests ARE Contemporary guests.

I don't even see that BLT thread listed in the FAQ list, and it seems the other DVC resorts' FAQs are combined with the "host" resort, so maybe we should do that here.

That's my point exactly. The amenities in the main tower are all shared by both sections of the resort -- why run two FAQs, especially when the only thing going on at BLT is rooms and a pool? There's no check-in, no bus stops or other transportation, no restaurants, no shops, no arcade -- those are all in the main tower for all guests of the Contemporary, even those "interlopers" at the BLT . (I have my tongue in my cheek, but I'm really getting that vibe here -- some posters definitely don't like the fact that BLT is part of "their" CR.)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It is almost like trying to make the distinction between the garden wing and the tower...

Well the Tower guests and Garden Wing guests still get all the same amenities that come with staying at the Contemporary, the only difference is their room location and cost per night. So even though it's true Bay Lake Tower guests will still be using the Contemporary amenities the difference I see is how the Contemporary guests can not use their amenities. I don't have a problem with that because I understand things are different for DVC Resorts, so I just want to be clear about that.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As a compromise I added a link to the Bay Lake Tower FAQ Thread at the bottom of the 1st page, so if anyone wants to respond to it you know where it is.

 

[pixie921]

As a compromise I added a link to the Bay Lake Tower FAQ Thread at the bottom of the 1st page, so if anyone wants to respond to it you know where it is.

CR Fan, does it really matter that much to you? And if so, why?

It seems you're really digging your heels in and it honestly doesn't make much sense. Two sections of the same resort; shared everything (except the pool at the one section). What is the problem here?

And honestly, I don't think you can restrict what part of the resort is talked about, no matter how much you might want to. I'm not trying to be mean, I just don't see the problem.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

they do have the door tags for breakfast room service. But I have never used them. When we order breakfast we have had it show up anywhere from 20 mins-45 mins. It's always hot and the service is always friendly.

Yes they have them and you need to check off your order before 2:00 AM which is when the Cast Members look at each of the rooms to see which guests put the ordering tags outside on their doors. Also on the tags you check off what time you want your breakfast to be delivered to your room, so that should be the time it arrives at.

Thanks guys!! I love the door tags!! DS will get a hoot being woken up for breakfast in bed!

Cinderumbrella,
I just wanted to say had you not asked that question about ordering breakfast on those door tags, I would never have thought about posting it as tip #8 in the accomodations section on the 1st page.

Aw, shucks I promise to take a picture of the room service menus too since all the ones I keep seeing on line are more than 2 years old...

How do I put the counter in?

you need to paste the

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Fan, does it really matter that much to you? And if so, why?

It seems you're really digging your heels in and it honestly doesn't make much sense. Two sections of the same resort; shared everything (except the pool at the one section). What is the problem here?

And honestly, I don't think you can restrict what part of the resort is talked about, no matter how much you might want to. I'm not trying to be mean, I just don't see the problem.

Alright I added the information posted on the Bay Lake Tower FAQ Thread onto the bottom of the 1st page and I found the 2009 rates from the Walt Disney World website. The only thing I could not add was the picture of the 2009 points chart for DVC members because I am at the limit of 25 images to be posted on one reply.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks guys!! I love the door tags!! DS will get a hoot being woken up for breakfast in bed!

You're welcome.

Aw, shucks I promise to take a picture of the room service menus too since all the ones I keep seeing on line are more than 2 years old...

That would be great if you remember to do that.

 

[pixie921]

Alright I added the information posted on the Bay Lake Tower FAQ Thread onto the bottom of the 1st page and I found the 2009 rates from the Walt Disney World website. The only thing I could not add was the picture of the 2009 points chart for DVC members because I am at the limit of 25 images to be posted on one reply.

I think that was a great choice ... if anything, it should generate more interest and more discussion in the CR as a whole.

 

[Cmbar]

As a cash paying guest (in December at BLT), I am not sure how I feel about not have access to certain aspects of my resort. I can honestly see both sides of this issue. My question for you folks is: What has been done at other DVC resorts? Are there amenities at those other places that the non-DVC members do not have access to?

If that is the case, I can see the rationale for making it DVC only... otherwise I am not so sure. (no offense meant to DVC members)

No offense taken

I believe they had this for the Boardwalk area on top of the boardwalk Villa. It was meant to watch the fireworks over Epcot. It was shut down and now used for special parties. This is what is going to happen I suspect for the Towers as well. I don't know how I feel about that. I will say, I never bought BLT to be able to use this one room at the resort, I bought it for its location.

I still kinda think of it as a benefit of DVC ownership though. We don't get that many benefits for ownership. We pay in intital investment and dues each year, so any little tiny benefit does feel like it is warranted. So I kinda can see both sides. Because if I booked to stay there, I would think I would get to use all the amenities. This is a hard one!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was able to find a link to the 2009/2010 Bay Lake Tower points chart from wdwinfo.com and added it to the Bay Lake Tower information.

 

[mom2aredhead]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life, I just wanted to thank you for spending the time to maintain a very informative thread about the Contemporary Resort. The addition of BLT information will be extra work, and please know that we appreciate you taking the time to add it on.

Now, when I went to the DVC sales center earlier this month, we were very clearly told in these exact words:
"You can use theirs, but they can't use yours"
regarding the BLT pool, the sky bridge, the lounge, the grounds, and anything else that was related to being a guest at the Bay Lake Towers. So the DVC sales team themselves may be the ones that started the whole us/them ours/yours thing. To me it creates a little bit of a vibe from the onset, but the "exclusivity" may be what they were going for from a marketing perspective.
Essentially everything at the CR is open to BLT guests, but BLT is closed to CR guests. This way, they could fill the BLT building with income-generating rooms and not waste space on a check in desk, store, and restaurant when there is one right over the bridge.
As far as not being allowed at the BLT pool, we were told that was due to the sheer volume of people since there are only about 300 rooms in BLT and about 700 in CR (forgive me if the numbers are off a bit). The BLT pool will be significantly smaller than the CR pool, and the CR pool is getting a rehab partially to make it as up to date and attractive as the BLT pool so that the CR guests will not have reason to want to wander over to BLT.
I think the problem (if you can call it that) that some people have is that this is the first time there has been such a distinct separation. VWL and WL guests can come and go freely between the buildings, as can AKL/AKV, BC/BCV, BW/BWV. New things take time to get used to.

So while I can kind of see the "we check in at your building so add us to the thread" side of it, I can also see the "I can't use your pool so go start your own thread" side of it.

All of which is kind of silly since we're talking about a hotel...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life, I just wanted to thank you for spending the time to maintain a very informative thread about the Contemporary Resort. The addition of BLT information will be extra work, and please know that we appreciate you taking the time to add it on.

Now, when I went to the DVC sales center earlier this month, we were very clearly told in these exact words:
"You can use theirs, but they can't use yours"
regarding the BLT pool, the sky bridge, the lounge, the grounds, and anything else that was related to being a guest at the Bay Lake Towers. So the DVC sales team themselves may be the ones that started the whole us/them ours/yours thing. To me it creates a little bit of a vibe from the onset, but the "exclusivity" may be what they were going for from a marketing perspective.
Essentially everything at the CR is open to BLT guests, but BLT is closed to CR guests. This way, they could fill the BLT building with income-generating rooms and not waste space on a check in desk, store, and restaurant when there is one right over the bridge.
As far as not being allowed at the BLT pool, we were told that was due to the sheer volume of people since there are only about 200 rooms in BLT and about 700 in CR (forgive me if the numbers are off a bit). The BLT pool will be significantly smaller than the CR pool, and the CR pool is getting a rehab partially to make it as up to date and attractive as the BLT pool so that the CR guests will not have reason to want to wander over to BLT.
I think the problem (if you can call it that) that some people have is that this is the first time there has been such a distinct separation. VWL and WL guests can come and go freely between the buildings, as can AKL/AKV, BC/BCV, BW/BWV. New things take time to get used to.

So while I can kind of see the "we check in at your building so add us to the thread" side of it, I can also see the "I can't use your pool so go start your own thread" side of it.

All of which is kind of silly since we're talking about a hotel...

You're welcome and I actually added the information which was posted on the Bay Lake Tower FAQ thread onto the 1st page, with some extra Bay Lake Tower website links.

Also I was wondering in the future if the Contemporary pool needs to be renovated or it's closed because a baby might have had an accident or something, wouldn't it make sense for the Cast Members to say during this time Contemporary guests can use the Bay Lake Tower pool? It would make a lot more sense it's right there and sounds better then telling them to either swim at the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

Obviously it won't need to be renovated for a long time since they just did that and you would hope parents would use good judgment about brining their babies into a swimming pool, so my question is only hypothetical.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Also I was wondering in the future if the Contemporary pool needs to be renovated or it's closed because a baby might have had an accident or something, wouldn't it make sense for the Cast Members to say during this time Contemporary guests can use the Bay Lake Tower pool? It would make a lot more sense it's right there and sounds better then telling them to either swim at the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

Beats me...guess we'll find out down the road!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I was able to find a link to the 2009/2010 Bay Lake Tower points chart from wdwinfo.com and added it to the Bay Lake Tower information.

I hope I haven't started anything, it was just a suggestion to merge the two threads. I don't see the BLT FAQ thread listed on the Resorts FAQ thread, and I noticed that the other DVC resorts seem to be combined with the host resort, so it seemed like a legitimate question, but I certainly hope it doesn't become contentious.
Perhaps Craig could help us handle the BLT questions until some other "experts" come onboard, seeing that he has the Bay Lake Tower website. Again, only a suggestion.

 

[WDWKOOK]

All of which is kind of silly since we're talking about a hotel...

for reminding everyone of this.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I hope I haven't started anything, it was just a suggestion to merge the two threads. I don't see the BLT FAQ thread listed on the Resorts FAQ thread, and I noticed that the other DVC resorts seem to be combined with the host resort, so it seemed like a legitimate question, but I certainly hope it doesn't become contentious.
Perhaps Craig could help us handle the BLT questions until some other "experts" come onboard, seeing that he has the Bay Lake Tower website. Again, only a suggestion.

I decided to add the information from the Bay Lake Tower FAQ thread onto the 1st page and I also noticed the information from there was originally posted on Craig's website. The only things I could not add were extra pictures because I was at the limit of 25 pictures on one reply, however the pictures can be found on Craig's site in the Bay Lake Tower section and I added the link to it.

 

[spaceace510]

I hope I haven't started anything, it was just a suggestion to merge the two threads. I don't see the BLT FAQ thread listed on the Resorts FAQ thread, and I noticed that the other DVC resorts seem to be combined with the host resort, so it seemed like a legitimate question, but I certainly hope it doesn't become contentious.
Perhaps Craig could help us handle the BLT questions until some other "experts" come onboard, seeing that he has the Bay Lake Tower website. Again, only a suggestion.

well there is a BLT thread.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2097600&page=8
however it is not very "active." all of the questions seem to come here. I feel like that is ok, i mean us CR people prolly know more about it than anyone else.

Look at it like this: BLT people can use CR amenities... so why not let them use our DIS Board thread too

 

[BlueSkies]

I don't even see that BLT thread listed in the FAQ list, and it seems the other DVC resorts' FAQs are combined with the "host" resort, so maybe we should do that here.

I think this is a good and time saving idea too!

and thanks again CR Fan for keeping it all pulled together on here!