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

[nemofans]

Chances are there might be some type of convention going on, however in my experience the guests there on conventions are very respectfull of other guests and sometimes they bring their families down so it becomes a working vacation for them. Also if they are going to be in meetings and etc you won't have to worry about them that much.

I guess I am more worried about being able to book a room for the time we want to go. That if there is a convention going on, then we'll be out of luck for a CR room.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I guess I am more worried about being able to book a room for the time we want to go. That if there is a convention going on, then we'll be out of luck for a CR room.

If you are able to make a reservation well in advance you should have no problems getting a room. On the off chance you do that and they are sold out, just keep checking because someone will eventually cancel their reservation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Assuming the information told to krbq is true that Chef Mickey's Express will have a roof over it to block out the noise for guests staying in the Tower, isn't it kind of weird they now close the arcade at 11:30 PM? I know one Cast Member told me they did not so there would be no children running around the 4th floor late at night making noise which makes sense, however since they now have doors to enter why couldn't it stay open for 24 hours like when it was located in the Food & Fun Center? Since my family and I have stayed at the Contemporary when the arcade moved to the 4th floor, we did not hear any noises from there because they have the doors which block out the noise. So what are your thoughts?

 

[crazy4wdw]

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the name of the new tower at the CR has been changed from Kingdom Tower to Bay Lake Tower.

Disney's "Bay Lake Tower" instead of "Kingdom Tower" at the Contemporary?

Looks like Disney may have changed the name of the new time-share tower the company is building next to its Contemporary Resort.

"Bay Lake Tower" has replaced "Kingdom Tower" as the name of the project, at least in filings with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

What's more, earlier this month Disney filed paperwork to create a "Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort Condominium Association," presumably to manage the resort once it is sold off to individual owners. Disney had created a "Kingdom Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort Condominium Association" in January.

Disney still has not publicly announced its plans for the partially-built Contemporary addition, which now stands 14 stories and will be linked to the resort's main A-frame building by a pedestrian bridge. A spokeswoman said the company had nothing to announce today, either. But Disney has indicated in documents submitted to the state that it intends to use the tower for Disney Vacation Club, the company's Celebration-based time-share arm.

The "Kingdom Tower" name was criticized by some Disney fans when it first surfaced in those documents. Some posters on Internet forums said it evoked religious overtones, noting that "Kingdom Hall" is a term for a place where Jehovah's Witnesses worship.

"I think a lot of people were drawing comparisons to Kingdom Hall," said Tim Krasniewski, publisher of DVCNews.com, a website devoted to Disney Vacation Club.

Krasniewski said he was personally fond of "Kingdom Tower," which most assumed referred to the Magic Kingdom theme park that sits next door to the Contemporary. But he said he likes "Bay Lake Tower" -- which refers to one of the lakes that the Contemporary and its addition overlook -- even better.

"I think it's a wonderful name," he said. "I think everybody's familiar with Bay Lake, with the fact that Bay Lake is right there. It has a Disney feel to it."

 

[eeyoresnr]

 

[Joshua_me]

Fourth is a dinner party set-up on the plaza in front of the A-frame. It kinda shows how far north of the plaza the new tower sits.

These pictures are wonderful !!

Still, given how much it costs to have a party set up in that plaza, now one might still feel as if you are very much 'in the shadow of the richer people'.

I suppose the new building is going to take some getting used to, but it's odd to feel like staying at the Contemporary is now going to be 'second best'.

 

[krbq]

Once again your pictures look great, because I am very impressed how you are able to get those shots.

Thanks! I dropped my old camera in the parking lot at Animal Kingdom last fall so Santa brought me a new one for Christmas. This was its first Disney trip and I gave it a real work-out.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks! I dropped my old camera in the parking lot at Animal Kingdom last fall so Santa brought me a new one for Christmas. This was its first Disney trip and I gave it a real work-out.

You sure did give it a work out.

I plan to do the same thing with my camera this August when my family and I stay at the Contemporary.

 

[krbq]

DH wanted me to get close-ups of the white panels as they were being put on the building. In looking through my photos now I can see in the third one how the addition of the white panels is helping the new tower complement the A-frame. Until now I couldn't see how the two buildings could be visually appealing but it seems to be coming together.

 

[spaceace510]

AMAZING PICS!!!

 

[wdhinn89]

The new tower will certainly block the view to the northeast of the A-frame tower but there was never much to see there. Disney's backstage marina, where the ferries and watercraft are stored, is back there so Disney doesn't want the guests to see that area anyway. The view straight out onto Bay Lake will not be affected. Photos are probably the best way to answer your questions.QUOTE]




Thank you! You put my worries at bay.
We are really looking forward to the Bay Lake view. We are a family who loves the water and boating and as the new tower gets taller and taller I become more worried. We picked the CR for the view and we don't want to get there and have a big building in our way.

 

[CNYGuy]

Is there a way to find out if there are conventions scheduled in Feb? Or any big events that may fill up the resorts or parks. I know Pres day is busy & we'll avoid that. I want to pick the week in Feb we will stay at CR, but I don't want to pick a packed week.

Is there a way to contact the resorts and find out what they have scheduled for conferences or conventions? It may help guide when to stay there vs. staying at another resort. Has anyone tried this? Do you think they would release that information in a calendar form?

 

[NJRRK]

I found out that the The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans has a convention at the CR from 2/9-11/09.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

krbq,
In those pictures with the Contemporary being in the far distance where you can see the Tower and the new building being built in the backround, where did you take them from? I want to guess somewhere along the beach between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, or am I wrong about that?

 

[deb0206]

we're here, arrived today. I forgot how to override the thermostat. Does anyone remember? thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

we're here, arrived today. I forgot how to override the thermostat. Does anyone remember? thanks!

I don't exactly remember how to do that, but if you don't mind me asking what type of room you are in and besides that have a great time.

 

[wdhinn89]

we're here, arrived today. I forgot how to override the thermostat. Does anyone remember? thanks!

Here is the thread. I saved it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1760828

 

[deb0206]

I don't exactly remember how to do that, but if you don't mind me asking what type of room you are in and besides that have a great time.

regular garden wing, garden view room. It's nice, but I got spoiled last time with a Tower Bay Lake view. I remember having the instructions on the thermostat last time. It may all work out b/c it's a nice temp here - not as hot as I thought. At least right now, it's not

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

regular garden wing, garden view room.

Very nice.

 

[deb0206]

Here is the thread. I saved it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1760828

YOU ARE AWESOME! THANK YOU! the power of the internet! your organizational skills! WOW!