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

[aggie98]

Is there a place to watch football at the CR? A lounge or bar or something? DH and FIL are Giants fans and FIL is concerned about watching the NYG/Carolina game next Sunday night

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

Refurbishment/Closure/Update Schedule at Walt Disney World
Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at

Current

Barbados Quiet Pool (Caribbean Beach Resort) closed through 12/19/09. Guests may use the other 5 village pools and the main pool.

Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) closed through 12/20/08 for refurbishment.

Typhoon Lagoon closed through 3/21/09 for refurbishment.

Animal Kingdom Villas will be under construction through 4/30/09. The construction will occur in phases. During this time, guests will hear and/or see construction staff and equipment inside the resort as well as in the external areas of the property during the daytime hours.

The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) closed through 7/1/09 for refurbishment and installation of the new President.

Surfing School (Typhoon Lagoon) closed until sometime in 2009. Surfing classes and private surfing events will not be available while maintenance is performed on the wave mechanisms. The wave pool will continue to operate for guests.

Upcoming

Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom) will not offer character dining after 1/4/09.

Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/4/09 - 1/17/09 for refurbishment.

Studio Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) closed 1/4/09 - 2/28/09 for refurbishment.

Beach Pool (Grand Floridian Resort) closed 1/5/09 - 1/23/09 for refurbishment. The Courtyard Pool (quiet pool) and the kiddie pool will be available. Guests may also use the Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian Resort.

Old Key West Village Pool Slide (Old Key West Resort) closed 1/5/09 - 1/23/09 for refurbishment. Guests may use the Old Key West Pool; only the slide will be closed. All other pools at Old Key West will also be open.

Contemporary Feature Pool (Contemporary Resort) closed 1/5/09 - 3/15/09 for refurbishment. The Bay Lake Pool will be available. Guests may also use the Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian Resort.

Universe of Energy/Ellen's Energy Adventure (Epcot) closed 1/5/09 - 3/22/09 for refurbishment.

Stormalong Bay Pool (Yacht & Beach Club Resort) closed 1/5/09 - 4/15/09 for refurbishment. Guests may use the three leisure pools in the resort or the feature pool at Disney's BoardWalk.

Dream Along With Mickey (Magic Kingdom) will not be offered 1/6/09 - 1/20/09.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/7/09 - one day only - for refurbishment.

Peco's Bill Cafe (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/11/09 - 2/13/09 for refurbishment.

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Polynesian Resort) will not be performed 1/13/09 - 1/19/09.

Sunset Savanna (Animal Kingdom Lodge) will not have animals 1/15/09 - 4/15/09 due to construction at the Animal Kingdom Villas. Animals will remain on the other savannas around the Lodge.

Mickey's PhilharMagic (Magic Kingdom) closed 1/18/09 - 2/6/09 for refurbishment.

Martinique Quiet Pool (Caribbean Beach Resort) closed 1/26/09 - 1/30/09 for refurbishment. Guests may use the other 5 village pools and the main pool.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Hollywood Studios) closed 1/27/09 - 1/29/09 for refurbishment.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Is there a place to watch football at the CR? A lounge or bar or something? DH and FIL are Giants fans and FIL is concerned about watching the NYG/Carolina game next Sunday night

Try the bar at the Wave.

 

[Christine9125]

Thanks! So this is now called the Garden Wing Deluxe Room?

By looking at the pictures, it looks like these are 2 bedroom suites, is this correct?

 

[aggie98]

Try the bar at the Wave.

Thank you! I wasn't sure if they had a bar. That's where I'll direct them.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We are here now. I am posting a running trip report on the DIS. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2028715 We are out in the Garden Wing.

The resort itself is ok. There is a lot of noise at Contempo Cafe during the day because of construction, the monorail, and Chef Mickey's. I think the food is just fine at Contempo Cafe, Corey and my MIL don't care for it. The only meal that everyone agrees is really good here is breakfast at The Wave. Oh, if anyone cares, the Bloody Mary at the Wave is very spicy and totally awesome!

MIL has a handicap accessible room and we are on the ground floor. We can see the parking lot and the monorail from our rooms. I have never really wanted to stay at CR. Corey and her mom stayed here several times in the tower suites when she was a little kid. The interior is nice enough. The rooms are plenty dark enough to allow us to sleep well. The beds are very firm. Mousekeeping is very good so far.

Overall, it's a nice enough resort. I just don't care to come back for another stay at CR. The food options totally suck with a picky eater.....I am traveling with two of them. I think we will do the Poly or POR again for our 2010 trip.

 

[catne]

Santa sprinkled some pixie dust (to mix my metaphors, lol) and allowed me to upgrade from garden wing to the Tower, MK view. I am so excited!

Questions now...can you see the fireworks from all "Tower, MK view" rooms? Do they all have balconies?

Thanks, much!

36 days until Mickey time!

 

[angboys3]

We just got back from our first stay at CR, and we absolutely LOVED it!
We were on the 14th floor, room 4913 and the view was breath taking.
Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I was really surprised by it all.
I thought that it would be a little too "cold & modern" for me but I was so wrong. We are already checking the calendar to see when we can go back!
I have to say that I liked it a lot better than the GF - I know they are completely different resorts but there is just something about the CR that has got me hooked!

I haven't posted much on here but I have read ever word. Thanks to everyone on here for all their advice and helpful hints. We really had a great time!

Oh and as far as the construction, we took a DVC tour to see the new rooms and we were told by them that BLT is supposed to open in Sept.09 so the major construction should be done by late spring.

We sat out back by the water most afternoons and the noise was not a problem. We knew they were but we really didn't "hear" it.

I am so glad to hear that you had a good time! We are going in June and I am really excited as I have always wanted to stay at Contemporary since was a kid so that's a lot of expectation for a hotel. How was Contempo Cafe, did you eat there? I don't think it's a big deal for us as we will spend most days eating lunch and dinner in the park. We will probably only eat one meal at Contempo Cafe, that's all we did when we stayed at POR. Though we do plan on eating at Chef Mickey's, and California Grill.

 

[spaceace510]

Santa sprinkled some pixie dust (to mix my metaphors, lol) and allowed me to upgrade from garden wing to the Tower, MK view. I am so excited!

Questions now...can you see the fireworks from all "Tower, MK view" rooms? Do they all have balconies?

Thanks, much!

36 days until Mickey time!

Yes can see it from every room. And every room also does have a balcony.

 

[4luvofthemouse]

I am so glad to hear that you had a good time! We are going in June and I am really excited as I have always wanted to stay at Contemporary since was a kid so that's a lot of expectation for a hotel. How was Contempo Cafe, did you eat there? I don't think it's a big deal for us as we will spend most days eating lunch and dinner in the park. We will probably only eat one meal at Contempo Cafe, that's all we did when we stayed at POR. Though we do plan on eating at Chef Mickey's, and California Grill.

Thanks! I'm sure that it will meet all your expectations and more!

We only ate at the Contempo cafe once. It was around 10:30pm so we didn't really want too much. I had one of their sandwiches with house chips and DH had a burger. We both thought it was pretty good.
We noticed a fair amount of people there during the day so I am assuming that the rest of the selections aren't that bad either.

 

[trirae]

By looking at the pictures, it looks like these are 2 bedroom suites, is this correct?

I'm writing live from a garden wing deluxe room, and it is not really 2 bedrooms. This thread shows pictures of the layout of the room very well. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=417291&page=179

It's a large room, and we love the layout, but it's not the same thing as a suite. We are on the ground floor so we actually have two patios. They garden deluxe suites are quite close to the main building, and we've been very happy here.

 

[joeatdisney2008]

We're on the Deluxe in April. I have been trying for 4 months (prior to the changeover to Deluxe) to find out what they are going to do about the mugs... I will let you know in April if I don't find out anything before then.

 

[jackal]

Is there an issue with the refillable mugs at the contemporary? we are staying there in 12 days. We love our refillable mugs! Can't you get refills at the new Contempo place?

 

[hematite153]

We're on the Deluxe in April. I have been trying for 4 months (prior to the changeover to Deluxe) to find out what they are going to do about the mugs... I will let you know in April if I don't find out anything before then.

Is there an issue with the refillable mugs at the contemporary? we are staying there in 12 days. We love our refillable mugs! Can't you get refills at the new Contempo place?

Yeah, I don't understand his question either. Why not just use your refillable mug for drinks at the drink station?

 

[Buckeye Lurker]

the jack spence blog shows a picture of the checkout area of the contempo, and there are shelves of the mugs right by the register. I can't post direct links but it is the november 16, 2008 post.

land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/

 

[crazy4wdw]

Here's some construction updates for the Contemporary based on recent construction permits filed by Walt Disney Co:

1) The main pool area's refurbishment will begin in January 2009 and will feature new landscaping and a water play area. The area will include water fountains that are arranged in a grid and can create an ever-changing water maze. Also for adults, new cabanas will be available for guests to rent to use as their own private area around the pool. Expected completion: March 2009

2) California Grill is scheduled to be refurbished. The remodeling will be done in phases to allow the restaurant to continue operations without being closed.

3) Chef Mickey's is also scheduled for a refurbishment. The remodel will done in phases to allow the restaurant to continue to operate without being closed.

4) Concourse Sundries and Spirits will be refurbished in early 2009. The store will offer new items for the new Bay Lake Tower which opens in Fall 2009. The expanded store will be renamed "Fantasia Market" and is expected to open around May 2009.

5) The new Outer Rim Lounge, now under construction, is expected to open in late January 2009.

Remember that the opening dates are tentative and may change as construction progresses.

 

[spaceace510]

Here's some construction updates for the Contemporary based on recent construction permits filed by Walt Disney Co:

1) The main pool area's refurbishment will begin in January 2009 and will feature new landscaping and a water play area. The area will include water fountains that are arranged in a grid and can create an ever-changing water maze. Also for adults, new cabanas will be available for guests to rent to use as their own private area around the pool. Expected completion: March 2009

2) California Grill is scheduled to be refurbished. The remodeling will be done in phases to allow the restaurant to continue operations without being closed.

3) Chef Mickey's is also scheduled for a refurbishment. The remodel will done in phases to allow the restaurant to continue to operate without being closed.

4) Concourse Sundries and Spirits will be refurbished in early 2009. The store will offer new items for the new Bay Lake Tower which opens in Fall 2009. The expanded store will be renamed "Fantasia Market" and is expected to open around May 2009.

5) The new Outer Rim Lounge, now under construction, is expected to open in late January 2009.

Remember that the opening dates are tentative and may change as construction progresses.

Thanks for the update. That answered so many people's questions...

 

[Pamjr]

Thank you for the pictures of the MK view from BLT. I have to tell you it kind of makes me teary eyed. To think that I could actually stay at a place that would have a view of MK is sort of unthinkable (out of reach). Amazing.

I'm so happy we made this investment in DVC so many years ago.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I heard the construction of the new Outer Rim Lounge might be complete in April or May of 2009 when I asked today, although hopefully it will be done in Janurary 2009.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just wanted to say the Online Concierge program really works. Just after 11:00 PM we requested some more shampoos and soaps which were delivered to our room 15 minutes later. The surprising thing was that someone was there this late to handle it. So I hope this information will help others out in the future.