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

[ms.ojo]

We are currently booked in 2 south wing rooms for September 2009. Yes, I know that the rooms are identical in size and decor as the tower rooms, I know we are close to the pool, (which we plan to use a lot) but......I can't shake this feeling that we're really going to be missing out on everything if we don't stay in the tower. .......Has anyone else who was booked in the wing building gone through these feelings? Were you truly happy once you got there?

I share your angst! We are booked for 2N CR Tower MK view and 6N ASMo. The code announced today would not let us be in the tower. I opted to keep the MK view. This is our 1st time staying at the CR. The big thrill is being in the tower, w/ the monorail and the view. If we really like the location, on a future trip we might opt for a GV having "been there/done that" w/ the Tower. It's a personal dec'n for your family, I too would LOVE to hear what others who have actually been to GW first have to say.

OT I don't see the great deal on this new promo for Oct-Dec travel. These were the prices for us:

Opt #1 AAA room only discount on 2N CR - MK View and 6N ASMo 7day passes through ticket broker for 2A, 2C purchased before Aug. =$2300

Opt #2 New Pkg deal 3N CR - Garden Wing/GV and 4N ASMO (so 7N vs 8N overall though it is 3N at CR vs only 2 w/ Opt 1) and 5 day passes (2 less days) = $2270. Forgot to note, this does include $100 insurance.

 

[skifast22]

I have a question for Contemporary fans but I am not sure this is the right place. Just curious about what everyone's thoughts are.

We stayed at CR in June 2006 and LOVED it. We stayed at the GF this July and really liked it too but we knew the CR really was our favorite. This has us thinking about buying the CR DVC when it opens. We go to Disney every other year, love the CR - but usually get a pin code. What are fans of the CR thinking of the new tower?

I've been thinking about this too. My concern is that DVC is very expensive compared to other timeshares. You can go to places other than Disney, but it can cost ALOT of points, especially the international locations. And, if I eventually move to Florida as I hope to someday do, I may not want to take all my vactions to Disney World. I guess at this point I'm very curious about the new tower and hope to be able to see a model room in Sept '09, but I'm not really sold on becoming an owner just yet.

 

[spaceace510]

I have a question for Contemporary fans but I am not sure this is the right place. Just curious about what everyone's thoughts are.

We stayed at CR in June 2006 and LOVED it. We stayed at the GF this July and really liked it too but we knew the CR really was our favorite. This has us thinking about buying the CR DVC when it opens. We go to Disney every other year, love the CR - but usually get a pin code. What are fans of the CR thinking of the new tower?

We currently have a contract with AKV, and I am seriously thinking about CRV. CR is my fav resort and it is on the monorail, which gives me great access to MK and EPT. But buying into DVC, is a huge decision. I mean, you really have to take time and play with the numbers and compare them to what you would pay cash. Cause I know i was playing with some numbers last week (thinking about an 09 vacation) and I looked at CR and DVC saved quite a bit of money, so it was a huge saving there. The savings would be even greater at a DVC resort, so it really depends on what you want to do. I really haven't looked at any of the international locations though. But the Adventures by Disney, I have read some pretty amazing things about them, so that might be something to think about too. And check out the DVC boards too!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I hear so many different things regarding how long it is from the garden wing to the tower... one person says not far at all and the next person says too far away etc.....
What would you compare it to? Regarding walking from one of the long houses to the main building at Poly or Grand Floridian buildings.....
Or walking to the bus from one of the far rooms at AKL or to the boat from YC.....
Maybe if I had some comparisons.

 

[ms.ojo]

I hear so many different things regarding how long it is from the garden wing to the tower... one person says not far at all and the next person says too far away etc.....
What would you compare it to? Regarding walking from one of the long houses to the main building at Poly or Grand Floridian buildings.....
Or walking to the bus from one of the far rooms at AKL or to the boat from YC.....
Maybe if I had some comparisons.

Yes, it's all relative isn't it. While I haven't stayed there (not til this NOV ), I have eaten at the CR and toured the grounds. Walking out from the main bldg to the pool, which brings you near the wing, is not a far walk. Comparable perhaps to walking from the boat dock at POFQ to the front entrance...or the boat dock at WL to the front entrance. It's closer than the walk from MK entrance to the lobby of CR and everyone thinks that's a short walk.

I think it's all in one's expectations. If you equate CR w/ the Tower and monorail and expect to be in the tower, than there is disappointment w/ finding you're in a wing. If you know the tower and all the ammenities are close, and your saving big bucks, and having a very pleasant garden view w/ nice beds, while still being able to hop on the monorail or walk to MK, enjoy a great pool, dining and boating/water fun on the lake, then you tend to find those ppl quite content w/ the wing.

For our family, who usually stays in mod or value, it's a dream come true to stay at CR. We're doing a split stay w/ ASMo and for our dream to be complete...that means the tower. If we find we really like the convenience of the monorail and CR location...next tip we'll happily book the wing. But for this trip, it's tower-mk view.

 

[crazy4wdw]

A new rumor has surfaced regarding the new quick service location at the Contempoary. The name of the replacement for the Concourse Steakhouse is rumored to be "Comtempo Cafe" not Chef Mickey's Express or Mickey's Express. I don't particulary care for this name. Still no rumors on when the new place will open.

 

[spaceace510]

A new rumor has surfaced regarding the new quick service location at the Contempoary. The name of the replacement for the Concourse Steakhouse is rumored to be "Comtempo Cafe" not Chef Mickey's Express or Mickey's Express. I don't particulary care for this name. Still no rumors on when the new place will open.

Where in the world did you hear that????? that does sound bad...

 

[MonicaInFlorida]

A new rumor has surfaced regarding the new quick service location at the Contempoary. The name of the replacement for the Concourse Steakhouse is rumored to be "Comtempo Cafe" not Chef Mickey's Express or Mickey's Express. I don't particulary care for this name. Still no rumors on when the new place will open.

Lol, sounds like a store I used to shop in when I was a teeny-bopper... "Contempo Casuals".

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

A new rumor has surfaced regarding the new quick service location at the Contempoary. The name of the replacement for the Concourse Steakhouse is rumored to be "Comtempo Cafe" not Chef Mickey's Express or Mickey's Express. I don't particulary care for this name. Still no rumors on when the new place will open.

Thank you for posting that update.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I hear so many different things regarding how long it is from the garden wing to the tower... one person says not far at all and the next person says too far away etc.....
What would you compare it to? Regarding walking from one of the long houses to the main building at Poly or Grand Floridian buildings.....
Or walking to the bus from one of the far rooms at AKL or to the boat from YC.....
Maybe if I had some comparisons.

I don't think you can compare the South Garden Wing to the other buildings at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Those Resorts have several buildings where some are a lot farther out then others and the Contemporary just has the one Garden Wing building.

 

[sotoalf]

We are headed down in less than two weeks for a stay in a GW room. These are exactly my worries. I keep thinking that we'll wish we were in the tower. But...I'm hoping that the peace of the GW rooms will make it all worth it. If we have time we'll check out the tower rooms. I believe they will show you a room if you ask?
I'm sure your trip will be fabulous regardless of view!

If you request a first floor patio room with a view of Bay Lake, you'll have one of the best locations in WDW: quiet and scenic.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I don't think you can compare the South Garden Wing to the other buildings at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Those Resorts have several buildings where some are a lot farther out then others and the Contemporary just has the one Garden Wing building.

But that is what I'm asking..... I would like it compared to how far you would walk from certain buildings..... trying to get an idea of how far so if it was compared to "this place to that place it would be helpful.
I know all the buildings are in different places so if someone named a building it would give me an idea.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But that is what I'm asking..... I would like it compared to how far you would walk from certain buildings..... trying to get an idea of how far so if it was compared to "this place to that place it would be helpful.
I know all the buildings are in different places so if someone named a building it would give me an idea.

When I have walked from the South Garden Wing to the Tower I thought it took no more then 5 minutes. At the Polynesian we stayed in the Hawaii Longhouse and from there to the GCH was about 2 minutes, however from the other Longhouses to the GCH it was more then 5 minutes. The only one I can not comment on is the Grand Floridian since my family and I have not stayed there.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

When I have walked from the South Garden Wing to the Tower I thought it took no more then 5 minutes. At the Polynesian we stayed in the Hawaii Longhouse and from there to the GCH was about 2 minutes, however from the other Longhouses to the GCH it was more then 5 minutes. The only one I can not comment on is the Grand Floridian since my family and I have not stayed there.

Thanks
That gives me more of an idea

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks
That gives me more of an idea

You're welcome and I am happy that will be able to help you.

 

[diseverestfan]

When walking from the wing to the tower, where do you enter at? Is there an entrance at the end nearest the wing, or do you need to walk to the middle of the tower?
Also, once in the wing, where do you go to access the 4th floor shops and eateries?
Sorry for all the questions, but I like to have an idea of what I'm doing once I get there. Thanks for all the help I've received here so far.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When walking from the wing to the tower, where do you enter at? Is there an entrance at the end nearest the wing, or do you need to walk to the middle of the tower?
Also, once in the wing, where do you go to access the 4th floor shops and eateries?
Sorry for all the questions, but I like to have an idea of what I'm doing once I get there. Thanks for all the help I've received here so far.

When walking from the South Garden Wing building to the Tower you will see some automatic doors which go right into lobby, so you can't miss them. So from there you can either take the elevator or two escalators up to the shops on the 4th floor.

 

[diseverestfan]

When walking from the South Garden Wing building to the Tower you will see some automatic doors which go right into lobby, so you can't miss them. So from there you can either take the elevator or two escalators up to the shops on the 4th floor.

Thanks again!

CR Fan 4 Life, I know you are about to leave for your next stay there. Can you find out if the movies on the beach will be permanent? I think that would be a great thing to do some evening as an alternative to the parks.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks again!

CR Fan 4 Life, I know you are about to leave for your next stay there. Can you find out if the movies on the beach will be permanent? I think that would be a great thing to do some evening as an alternative to the parks.

You're welcome and I will ask a few Cast Members if the movies will be a permanent thing.

 

[oasispaul]

Hi, fellow Contemporaries.

We just booked our little girl's 1st Disney trip for April 28 - May 3, 2009. I have 2 questions...

1) Apparently there are no AAA discounts for these dates or any dates around this timeframe (as a matter of fact, the rep I spoke to said as of right now, there aren't many AAA discounts available AT ALL for the Contemporary in '09). So my question is - should I expect AAA discounts to eventually become available as we get closer to that date, or am I probably just going to have to pay rack rate? I can't imagine AAA discounts are booked up for those dates, so my guess is no one has them. Can anyone w/ AAA discount experience offer some insight?

2) We booked a Bay Lake view Tower Room. The rep I spoke with asked me if I was aware of the construction going on (DVC Tower) at the property. I said yes, but from what I've read & seen (via pictures), I was of the understanding that the construction is off to the side of the main A-frame tower, and really didn't obstruct any views (of Bay Lake, the pool, etc.). Is the construction (sight & noise) more prevalent than this? Should we expect our Bay Lake view to be marred by the construction & noise? I figured the DVC tower should look nearly complete by next May and most of the heavy-duty construction would be done. Thoughts?