The NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort FAQ with PICTURES! (Feb 2008)

[contemporarymom]

Those rooms on the 14th floors WERE renovated. Did you all see what the rooms looked like PRIOR to the renovation of 2006? With all the colors and such?

The rooms on the 14th floor received new soft furnishings (bed linens, towels, wallpaper, carpets, etc.) and SOME new furniture. The only thing they didn't refurbish fully were the bathrooms and the bed headboards.

If you want to see what the rooms looked like PRE 2006, Allears has some photos in their archives in the Contemporary Resort facts page...

And, just FYI, whenever they renovate entire resorts, they NEVER make the suites look the same as the rest of the resort "standard rooms". The suites ALWAYS have higher quality furnishings in them, better linens, bedding, etc. That is why they don't "match" the rest of the rooms. They are not meant to. This is because the suites command a much higher price tag, and so they don't utilize the same mass produced stuff they used in all the other rooms.

I was responding to the poster's question asking if the suites had been refurbished in the same manor as the other rooms had. Almost every time we've gone there has been a slight difference in the suites. Whether it be drapery or different candy trays there always seems to be something new.

You are correct that the biggest change was back in 2006. The bright colors were swapped out for the more muted tones. IMO pictures don't really do the suites justice. They are really very nice and of course the views (or the size of the balconies) can't be beat.

 

[Trena]

Hey guys - just wanted to post an update. I was in Orlando this weekend and got a chance to swing by the Contemporary to check it out before my family's April/May trip.

Visited around 2 pm on Sunday, March 1st. The main pool is completely drained with a barrier surrounding it. While I was there, I didn't see anyone working on it. It appears they are re-surfacing the pool and doing some paint work. Hard to tell if they're making any other changes/additions, but if they really are going to be finished in 2 weeks (Mar 15), I'd be surprised if it's anything more than re-surfacing, paint work and adding the cabanas. I've read multiple reports of a kids splash/play area w/ fountains, but I couldn't locate anything resembling that. I'm still holding out hope that something like this will be added, as my 2 year-old would undoubtedly love it.

From the outside, Bay Lake Tower is starting to look like a finished building. It certainly changes the landscape of the monorail resort area as you circle around seven seas lagoon, as it commands attention.

Happy to say the resort looks great. I've never stayed @ the Contemporary before and haven't been inside the resort since our last WDW trip ('04 - WL) when we ate at Chef Mickey's. Still, I made a "blind" reservation knowing that, for us, the proximity to the Magic Kingdom w/ a 2 year-old was more important than anything else. My little visit made me feel good about our decision, as the resort looks great. I do have to admit, though - the Poly was looking sharp too!

Thanks for posting. Let me make sure I've got this right....the main pool (with the slide) is closed, right? Isn't there another pool by the edge of the bay? Is it open? is there a hot tub, or is it part of the main pool?

Can we swim at WL or the Poly while the main pool is closed?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for posting. Let me make sure I've got this right....the main pool (with the slide) is closed, right? Isn't there another pool by the edge of the bay? Is it open? is there a hot tub, or is it part of the main pool?

Can we swim at WL or the Poly while the main pool is closed?

I believe their smaller pool located closer to Bay Lake is open, there is a hot tub in the middle of the main pool and others have posted you can swim at either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[PolynesianAlex]

Is an Atirum Magic Kingdom View better then standard RPC?

 

[Trena]

I believe their smaller pool located closer to Bay Lake is open, there is a hot tub in the middle of the main pool and others have posted you can swim at either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

Thanks for the quick reply! We should be ok with the smaller pool then. I think that would be easier than take 3 kids pool hopping.

 

[ploto]

Here is a link to the Contemporary fan site that has pictures of the Tower Club lounge, plus some pictures of the Presidental Suite and Vice Presidental Suite.
http://contemporaryresort.net/towerclub.html

Thank you very much!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is an Atirum Magic Kingdom View better then standard RPC?

I am not sure if the Royal Palm Club comes with a Magic Kingdom View or maybe they do and it's not a guaranteed one that can be made through a reservation. Anyway here is a picture of my families Atrium Club Magic Kingdom View from August 2008, so you can see what it looks like.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for the quick reply! We should be ok with the smaller pool then. I think that would be easier than take 3 kids pool hopping.

You're welcome and yes I would agree it's easier using the smaller pool then going to swim somewhere else.

Thank you very much!

You're welcome.

 

[mikkiwikki]

CR Standard view

Were my pics helpful to anyone?

 

[Jax]

Were my pics helpful to anyone?

I just looked through your pictures and they were very helpful. I just booked the Contemporary this week for my upcoming trip (2 weeks away) and your pictures help to prepare me for all the cool things I get to look forward too.

Now I really can't wait...

Thanks!!

 

[Bricket]

CR Standard view

So beautiful!!! TYSM for posting these!
I can't believe I finally get to stay there. The room looks devine!
Oh how exciting!

 

[SoScary'09]

Not trying to hijack or anything, but when I saw the post, I thought the person was saying that he/she did not know that you could REQUEST a microwave (as in, the ability to REQUEST a microwave being the "service that Disney provided" was being referenced). I did not notice anywhere that you could request a microwave for your room on the reservation. I've actually never heard that this is possible either, in 15+ visits to WDW staying on property.

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on the matter. When I read those posts, *I* assumed the "service" being discussed was the ability to request a microwave prior to arriving at the resort, NOT the ability for Disney to bring a microwave to your room once you have already arrived...

Um, thank you I came back and didn't realize I had started drama for some weird reason. Totally not my intention promise It's exactly as brergnat said. I didn't know anything at all about the request service even being availabe. Hope that clears it up

 

[PopArtGal]

Happy Women's Day!

 

[Noelle Luvs Disney]

Any updates on the pool rehab?

 

[Disneymama5816]

Were my pics helpful to anyone?

Your pix are beautiful and very helpful. In the past, we have only stayed on the first floor in the garden wing. Your pictures look like they are on the second (or third floor). Does the sliding door open in this room, or is it just a large picture window? Thanks so much.

 

[gmi3804]

Second and third floor rooms in the Garden Wing have sliding glass doors, but very shallow (about two-foot) balconies.

 

[4rkdz]

Is there enough drawer space for 2 adults and 3 kids (8,7,7) for our trip in May or will we be living out of our suitcases? I have scoured the pictures but don't see much storage space. I would appreciate any experience/recommendations...thanks.

 

[1bandaid]

I know over planning but I was wondering how big the fridge is? Could it hold a gallon of milk and still have room for other things or is it a little cube size? TIA for you help.

 

[Trena]

I'll be there on Sunday March 22. I can take photos of the pool rehab, and photos of the drawer space (or lack of drawer space). I'll check on the fridge size too. We plan on eating breakfast in the room each day.

Just let me know if there are any questions or request for photos and I'll do the best I can while I'm there.

 

[4rkdz]

Thanks Trena. Pics would be great!
1bandaid - see pages 217/218 about your question.