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

[Pjimmeyer]

Thanks for the info!!! I need to take the time read this thread since there is some really good info and I love seeing the beautiful photos!

You're welcome!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you are going to do it, you might strongly consider a splurge on a cab ride instead. I'm guessing, but I'd say a cabride will cut out at least 50 minutes roundtrip, no exaggeration. We've never made it to DD in less than 45 minutes one way.

I would agree with that if they don't have their own car, because taking a taxi from the Contemporary would take about 15 minutes. I came to that time because that's about how long it takes my family and I going to Downtown Disney from the Contemporary, because we always take our own car when going there.

 

[Little_Sister]

I would agree with that if they don't have their own car, because taking a taxi from the Contemporary would take about 15 minutes. I came to that time because that's about how long it takes my family and I going to Downtown Disney from the Contemporary, because we always take our own car when going there.

CR Resort Fan...You are my CR Guru!

Question for you...

Our flight arrives at MCO at 11:45am...

We're using Magical Express to get to the CR...staying Club Level...

We made reservations for 3:00 at TRex in DTD and plan on taking the Disney Bus transportation there.

Do you think we are cutting it too close to make that reservation in DTD?

I figured we'd arrive at the CR between 1 and 2pm....and have just about an hour (give or take) to get to the restaurant...thoughts?

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

My family and I have not stayed in any of the Garden Wing rooms, however since they are the same exact size as the Tower rooms I can say they would be enough because the Contemporary has some of the largest standard rooms among the Deluxe Resorts.

Thank you!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan...You are my CR Guru!

Question for you...

Our flight arrives at MCO at 11:45am...

We're using Magical Express to get to the CR...staying Club Level...

We made reservations for 3:00 at TRex in DTD and plan on taking the Disney Bus transportation there.

Do you think we are cutting it too close to make that reservation in DTD?

I figured we'd arrive at the CR between 1 and 2pm....and have just about an hour (give or take) to get to the restaurant...thoughts?

Well I am not sure how long the Magical Express bus ride would take, since my family and I have never used it before. Now if you get to the Contemporary around 1:00 PM and assume you're room is ready, if you don't wait to long to leave then you should be ok taking the Disney bus to Downtown Disney. However then you have to factor in waiting for the bus to arrive, stopping at the other resorts and what if someone with an ECV needed to get on, because it takes time to load them onto the bus.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thank you!

You're welcome.

 

[Little_Sister]

Well I am not sure how long the Magical Express bus ride would take, since my family and I have never used it before. Now if you get to the Contemporary around 1:00 PM and assume you're room is ready, if you don't wait to long to leave then you should be ok taking the Disney bus to Downtown Disney. However then you have to factor in waiting for the bus to arrive, stopping at the other resorts and what if someone with an ECV needed to get on, because it takes time to load them onto the bus.

Good points...I won't risk it...I'll grab a cab...thanks for weighing in!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Good points...I won't risk it...I'll grab a cab...thanks for weighing in!!

You're welcome and I think it's a great idea taking a cab. Also there is usually three or four of them sitting outside the main entrance and incase there is none someone from bell services will call and one will be sent over within 5 minutes.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Can anyone help me with this? We are currently booked with a split stay in ASMusic Family Suites for one week when we'll have 3 adults and 2 kids - moving to WL the 2nd week after one of the adults leave. I've always loved the idea of staying at the Contemporary, but wondered about the price/value. Has anyone stayed in one of the Garden Wing rooms with 3 adults and 2 kids or have an opinion on if this is comfortable space-wise or not? THANKS for any input!!!

Maximum occupancy in a Queen Room is 5 in the GW, just like in the Tower. You will have to pay an additional $25 per night for your third adult.

We have stayed in the GW, but with only 2 adults and one child. I think you'd be more comfortable there after one of the adults has left and you only have 2 adults, otherwise your sleeping arrangement would have to be:

Two children in the daybed or

One child in the daybed and one child with one adult or

One adult in the daybed.

Here is a link to a photo of the open daybed, it's about the size of a twin bed without a headboard:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/contemporary/room/pages/05.htm

 

[Little_Sister]

You're welcome and I think it's a great idea taking a cab. Also there is usually three or four of them sitting outside the main entrance and incase there is none someone from bell services will call and one will be sent over within 5 minutes.

This is why you're my guru!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Maximum occupancy in a Queen Room is 5 in the GW, just like in the Tower. You will have to pay an additional $25 per night for your third adult.

We have stayed in the GW, but with only 2 adults and one child. I think you'd be more comfortable there after one of the adults has left and you only have 2 adults, otherwise your sleeping arrangement would have to be:

Two children in the daybed or

One child in the daybed and one child with one adult or

One adult in the daybed.

Here is a link to a photo of the open daybed, it's about the size of a twin bed without a headboard:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/contemporary/room/pages/05.htm

Thanks for the pic! DDs are 8 and 5, so either one of them could bunk up with my sister (the 3rd adult) and the other can take the daybed - thank you!!! Did you see any disadvantages to staying GW vs Tower?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

This is why you're my guru!

I am always happy to help.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Thanks again for all the great tips...you can get most of what you would ever need to know in the faq section on the first page but reading through everything gave me a nice Disney/CR fix at work over the last few days.

Here are a couple of pictures from our last trip at the end of April. We had a bay lake view then and have booked an mk view for the next trip.

In December my wife and I are taking our first vacation alone together since the kids started coming 22 years ago. Of course it has to be the CR! Hope to see some of you there!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Pjimmeyer,
You're pictures look amazing so thanks for posting them.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks for the pic! DDs are 8 and 5, so either one of them could bunk up with my sister (the 3rd adult) and the other can take the daybed - thank you!!! Did you see any disadvantages to staying GW vs Tower?

You're welcome. We stayed twice in the GW, once in each wing (North Garden Wing RIP)

Advantages:

We loved having the ground floor "Garden View" room at the end closest to the pool and facing Bay Lake - it was wonderful. Ducks on the patio everyday and bunnies all around and just a few steps to BL.

You would also have the laundry in the same building if you were in the GW.

It is cheaper than the Tower, but you're still at the CR!

Disadvantages:

If you have a 2nd or 3rd floor room, you would not have a balcony, which for some is important.

If you are in a "Standard Room" you might have a parking lot view.

We didn't like having to walk back and forth past those who smoke out on their patios. It's not as bad as the Poly, but this is one reason we don't stay at the Poly anymore.

I will have to admit that after we stayed in the Tower, we were hooked and now only stay in the Tower because we love being high up with the beautiful BL view (which is less expensive than the MK view and it doesn't have a parking lot below). But, if you are looking to not spend that much more than WL, then I would absolutely recommend the GW - you won't be disappointed! (And, you can still take the boat right over to WL from the CR to go to the WCC, AP or the Cub's Den.)

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

oops-some how got on wrong thread-sorry

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

We didn't like having to walk back and forth past those who smoke out on their patios. It's not as bad as the Poly, but this is one reason we don't stay at the Poly anymore.

I thought smoking wasn't allowed anywhere except the DSAs??? Are they just breaking the rules?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I thought smoking wasn't allowed anywhere except the DSAs??? Are they just breaking the rules?

If those guests were smoking on their patios then yes they were breaking that rule.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Since guests aren't supposed to smoke inside the rooms, some smokers smoke instead out on their patios and balconies. Also, there are tall ashtrays placed outside some doors into the GW which, IMHO, encourages smokers to hang-out next to the door where guests go in and out. So often we would see/smell some smokers smoking right near the doors and out on their patios.

Maybe we're extra sensitive, but it is one thing that for us makes the Tower more desirable, but wouldn't be a deal breaker if we could only stay at the GW.

 

[SoScary'09]

Since guests aren't supposed to smoke inside the rooms, some smokers smoke instead out on their patios and balconies. Also, there are tall ashtrays placed outside some doors into the GW which, IMHO, encourages smokers to hang-out next to the door where guests go in and out. So often we would see/smell some smokers smoking right near the doors and out on their patios.

Maybe we're extra sensitive, but it is one thing that for us makes the Tower more desirable, but wouldn't be a deal breaker if we could only stay at the GW.

Bleh I hate this sort of thing! It's the same sort of scenario here at my apartment complex. People aren't supposed to smoke inside the building, so they'll lazily prop the main door open and smoke in the doorway as everything just wafts back inside with the breeze. While it wouldn't be a deal breaker to me either if I came across something like this at the Contemporary, I would most definitely tell an employee about it, especially if they were blocking a main door. But with the GW having patio ashtrays, I guess that just sort of encourages it

But consider it. You don't want to spend x amount of cash to have your room smelling like smoke, right?