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

[krbq]

Ok, this is a little weird, but since WL has VWL attached to it, there are more grocery items in the WL gift shop. You may want to consider wegoshop or another or the web based grocery delivery places. Disney also has direct grocery delivery, but do not know how available it may be for non-DVC resorts.

That's a fantastic idea! DVC's always have a pretty good grocery selection. You can combine the trip with a meal at Whispering Canyon or Artist's Point and enjoy the boat ride, too.

OK, here are some photos of the construction Triplefigs saw:

An overview of the partially completed project

A close-up of the large island

A close-up of the small island

An overview of the project looking straight down from the main tower on May 4

Another view of the project on May 9

A photo of the finished large island at ground level. It's right across from the bus stop.

The new plantings are more tropical than the ones typically planted at the CR. The palm trees and larger plants still have the fronds bound together.

Traffic to the main entrance is being re-routed by a right turn immediately after passing the guard house then turning left onto the plaza (where the white trucks are in the third photo).

 

[nemofans]

We have decided to stay at CR on our next trip! This is our 1st stay there. We have only been there for dinner at Calif Grill. Right now we are planning our trip for Feb 2010. This board has been so helpful in learning about the resort!
I like the idea of taking a boat to WL to stock up on some food.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Quick question. Have people been able to get the free dining plan while staying in the MK view rooms? I was told it was unavailble for my room last Septemebr, but I think that was because I booked through AAA.

I have not heard of anyone being able to secure MKV w/ Free Dining in September 2008. I know of a few people who checked for it for various dates.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

krbq,
Thanks for posting those photos.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We have decided to stay at CR on our next trip! This is our 1st stay there. We have only been there for dinner at Calif Grill. Right now we are planning our trip for Feb 2010. This board has been so helpful in learning about the resort!
I like the idea of taking a boat to WL to stock up on some food.

Well you will sure have a lot of time to plan your stay at the Contemporary, so good luck with that and if there is anything you need don't be afraid to ask.

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks for those pictures, krbq! It was weird. There was nothing there on Wed when we checked out, and on Friday when we came back to eat, we couldn't get to the parking.

And I took a ton of pictures of our room view from the 7th floor MK side, Sundries store, etc that I'll post soon!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And I took a ton of pictures of our room view from the 7th floor MK side, Sundries store, etc that I'll post soon!

I can't wait to see them.

 

[krbq]

Actually, there is! If you enter the wing through the main entrance you'll find a very small lobby with a couple of chairs.

Here are a couple of photos of that lobby in the garden wing:

And here are a few other lounge spots in public areas in the Tower -- first, across from the registration desks on the first level:

On the second level, accessible from the outside either by the stairs or by taking the elevator or escalator from the first level (this is a large and brightly lit area):

And finally at the north end of the Concourse (4th level):

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Those pictures look amazing.

 

[krbq]

We just got back from a stay in room 4915 on the 14th floor of the Tower. It's the only ADA room on the floor and the main difference is in the bathroom. It was especially large with a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink, and handrails on almost every wall. (If anyone wants detailed pictures of the bathroom, please PM me.) In the room itself there was a button in the entry way that could be pressed to release the door to admit someone (such as room service delivery) but it didn't actually open the door. The benches at the foot of each bed could be removed to make the room wider for wheelchair access, but the room was pretty wide as it was. There were 1-BR suites on both sides with connecting doors to the room. There were families with children in both suites and we could hear the family on one side, but I think it was because they were particularly loud people (we could even hear them when we were in the hall and they were in their room). We never heard the folks on the other side except when we were all on the balconies watching Wishes. The balconies on the 14th floor are much larger than the other floors and the patio furniture is a little different. The rooms are also decorated differently, with much less lighting which made reading difficult. I liked the drawer space and closet space MUCH better than in the rooms that have been re-styled.

So, here are some of the pictures:

 

[krbq]

Some more photos of 4915:

 

[krbq]

More of 4915:

 

[crazy4wdw]

It's been reported that Disney recently submitted construction permits to Orange County for the construction of a new coffee counter in the lobby of the tower. This new counter has been rumored to be coming to the hotel for the last several months.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

KRBQ....
Thanks so much for posting those pictures!! We were in that room last month and took pictures...but haven't even unpacked the camera yet!
Didn't you just love the extra storage, the larger bathroom (the deep sinks) and the extra large balcony? I wish they had just done a "soft rehab" on all the other floors...I miss the storage and the better sinks on the lower floors that they had before the changes.
Glad you had a magical time!!

 

[MassJester]

It's been reported that Disney recently submitted construction permits to Orange County for the construction of a new coffee counter in the lobby of the tower. This new counter has been rumored to be coming to the hotel for the last several months.

I walked thropugh the lobby from the rear a couple of weeks ago and stopped dead when I saw that the coffee bar I had remembered between the desk and the elevators was gone. As it was the only place in the park I knew of to get a good cup of coffee I was shaken--but then I saw the station up front in the corner.

 

[MassJester]

krbq -- great photos -- thanks for sharing them with us!

 

[Freiden8]

When is Kingdom Towers suppose to be completed?

.. we're looking at a Dec 2009 trip.

 

[MomLC]

My family and I are thinking about staying here next April and I could use a little help w/a room request. We have never stayed here before so which room would you recommend for a first time visitor? I will be staying w/my dd(6) and mom(73) and would like a nice view.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okay- I don't want to get flamed for this-as I too love the Contemporary.But...it seems even less Disneyish to me since they renovated it.Maybe it's the pictures, but I think I liked it better the old way. Mind you, I am still trying to get a ressie for our next trip-but that's just my opinion. Does it seem that way to anyone else? I know it's "contemporary styling" but-where's the mouse?
And I am having a hard time getting a room quote to come up. I guess I should call in, but everything I plug in says unavailable-except the suites & that is not an option. And this is for any time after the end of Oct. -Dec!! It was like this in Jan as well-we really wanted to go back and couldn't work it out!

 

[jcb]

DM3 - I was on the wdw website last week and had no trouble finding plenty of options for a four night stay from 12/15/08 to 12/18/08. ALmost all room types were shown as available. That very much surprised me even considering this would be value season, mid-week, etc.

As to styling, I guess we can disagree though I certainly understand your perspective. I sure hope no one flames you for this. I just have always thought that the contemporary was more of an early hint of EPCOT than meant to be disneyish (in the MK sense).

And as for photos of 4915, THANK YOU krbq!