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

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We just got back from the Contemporary. Wonderful trip. Here's some observations....

We were in the tower MK view room with the 7 for 4 promo (only way I was able to experience this).

Room View: Room view was great. Would I do it again with out the discount...nope. I am glad I experienced it...but can't justify the extra money for our family since we are gone from morning til night. It is nice waking up and opening up your curtains and seeing the castle...but we are rushing in the morning to get out ...and within an hour we have a close up view. Bottom line (for us)..I would do that view again only with a decent discount.

Tower vs. Wing: Tower for us (this I can justify the extra money). I have 2 teens and a little one in a stroller. Staying in the tower gave our teens some independence. They ran downstairs, grabbed food, shopped, arcade...on their own and I was comfortable (one is 11 (pre teen other is 14). It was nice for my husband and I going on the 4th floor and take a breather for 20 minutes looking at the castle while the kids were in the room. It was also convenient with the stroller...monorail...etc.


New Contempo...our family preferred the old temporary one. My kids didn't care for it at all. They missed the grapes/cheese/crackers...that kind of stuff. My son liked grabbing a turkey sandwich out of the refrigerator then ordering something...that he really didn't want. Personally I think it would be ok if they did add some the quck things you can grab out of the refrigerator. There is definitely more room...more tables and chairs (bonus). Alot of people have issues with the ordering system..my DH hates those things LOL...so needless to say I did the ordering.

Our Room...they are still doing construction on the CR. I felt the rooms that were renovated not too long ago...are showing it's wear already. At least our room did.

Trying to think what else...oh...my husband and I was discussing once the DVC Bay Tower opens...how much extra traffic will be in the tower. Monorail crowds? Hopefully most people in the DVC building will walk to MK. By the time they walk to the monorail...they could be at the MK gates. But you will see some extra crowds on the monorail for people going to Epcot or other places.


Overall we love the Contemporary. We feel the convenience is worth it to us. My kids love the resort and aren't good with change either lol. They rather stay there then anywhere else (they never stayed anywhere else lol). They love the idea of the monorail going through the building...and they see it as the best theme because they know it was one of the first resorts there....and what can be better than the monorail zipping through.

Any questions...let me know

Thank you for posting your review and this is my question. When it comes to the construction on the construction they are still doing I assume you mean on the 4th floor when it comes to turning the Sundries store in the Fantasia Market. Anyway how much of it has been completed or was it all blocked off from the outside?

 

[brergnat]

Kim,

Could you hear construction noise from INSIDE your room at all?

How is the pool renovation coming?

How was the bus transportation to DHS, AK, and Downtown Disney?

Can you elaborate on the Contempo Cafe? Do you mean that there is NO option of grab and go refrigerated stuff anymore? Like, there is no fresh fruits, yogurts, and cold sandwiches you can just grab from a fridge anymore? I didn't really understand this part from your review.

I'm heading to a MK Tower View room at the CR at the end of March (first time in the Tower). I haven't been to the CR since 2003, so this resort is practically "all new" to us at this point, with all the changes. Just want to know what to expect.

Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can you elaborate on the Contempo Cafe? Do you mean that there is NO option of grab and go refrigerated stuff anymore? Like, there is no fresh fruits, yogurts, and cold sandwiches you can just grab from a fridge anymore? I didn't really understand this part from your review.

I realize I am not Kim but here is what I saw in December when it comes to food that is refrigerated at the Contempo Cafe. They still have some items however now it's very limited because things like the sandwiches and salads are now made fresh each time you order them, so I guess that's why they are no longer sold as being pre-made. However they still sell some very small salads that are refrigerated, yogurts and fresh fruit, although like I said before it's not a big selection and the salads they make every time you order one like the Chicken Caesar Salad is a lot better then what they had in the past. Also here is a photo I took of the fridge at the Contempo Cafe and things like the small salads, yogurt and fresh fruit are located on the left side of the top shelves.

 

[glovergirls]

Do they have quick service kid food (mac & cheese, pb & j, chicken strips) and quick service mickey waffles? I don't want to have to do a full sit down meal every time. I wanted to be able to do a quick service meal. I am kind of confused if the CR has this.

If someone could please help. I saw the contempo cafe menu but that doesn't have any kid friendly food. Also are they still supposed to open the Mickey Express or if we need kid food are we better staying at the Poly.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If someone could please help. I saw the contempo cafe menu but that doesn't have any kid friendly food. Also are they still supposed to open the Mickey Express or if we need kid food are we better staying at the Poly.

I don't remember seeing the kids items on the actual menu because you can ask for one at the cash register which I did, although I am sure they are listed on the ordering kiosks. Also Chef Mickey's Express it will not be opening since they decided to change the name to the Contempo Cafe before it opened, so it would still be the same location and menu had the name not changed. Finally here is a link to the Captin Cook's menu so you can see that kids items that are available.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=22

 

[glovergirls]

Thank you so much for all your help. Do you think they would have the same kids items available at the CR or would we have to go to the Poly to get them? Also do they have Mickey waffles available for counter service at the CR?

Thanks again.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

http://allears.net/menu/men_conrs.htm

another source

 

[Lisacope]

I don't remember seeing the kids items on the actual menu because you can ask for one at the cash register which I did, although I am sure they are listed on the ordering kiosks. Also Chef Mickey's Express it will not be opening since they decided to change the name to the Contempo Cafe before it opened, so it would still be the same location and menu had the name not changed. Finally here is a link to the Captin Cook's menu so you can see that kids items that are available.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=22

I looked this morning and there were no mickey waffles at the contempo cafe. They did have adult waffles (about 6 bucks) and smaller waffles for kids. I think they are doing construction on the expansion of Chef Mickeys - I could hear a little noise from the cafe but absolutely no noise from the room, and we are on the 7th floor on the Chef Mickey's side.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I looked this morning and there were no mickey waffles at the contempo cafe. They did have adult waffles (about 6 bucks) and smaller waffles for kids. I think they are doing construction on the expansion of Chef Mickeys - I could hear a little noise from the cafe but absolutely no noise from the room, and we are on the 7th floor on the Chef Mickey's side.

Back in August one Cast Member told me they planned to renovate Chef Mickey's to add more tables since it's so popular, so I guess that is what they are doing right now.

 

[spongemomsquarecar]

Just returned yesterday from staying 5 nights in a bay view room in the wing. Compared to AKL and Wilderness Lodge, I don't think I'll be going back.
The place just didn't live up to my expectations - no hating, just had high hopes and expected more from the place. The room did show a bit of wear. I think it might have been the double rounds of water parade later than I like to go to bed, and then the horns on the bay in the early morning that sealed my opinion.
The construction of the pool cannot be heard from your room, at least from around the corner, and they were doing ALOT of jackhammering and sandblasting when we were there. But the guys only seemed to work in the morning (they must have a good union). They send you to the poly, but they are working on the little pool there too, so it got a bit cramped. (We ended up sneaking over to WL just for a soak in the hottub).
I agree in that I don't know how contemporary will handle more monorail traffic. We were there partly for light times, then after valentines the traffic really picked up. Add the tower traffic to spring break traffic, and well... it has the potential to be quite a mess.

 

[VirginiaMom]

Is there anyone who's visited recently w ho can give us approximate prices for food? Is the counter service food at Contempo more expensive than normal counter service food?

Also bummed about the lack of Mickey waffles. My kids were really excited about those.....

 

[pixie921]

It's gone right now; they're still doing construction on the area to expand Chef Mickey's and put in (IIRC) a smaller lounge.

They are not expanding Chef Mickey's. They are re-building the Outer Rim Lounge.

Really? My mistake then. That's what a Cafe CM told us in December.

Well from what I saw the construction was happening in area where they had the old Outer Rim Lounge, so it made sense that it was not to expand Chef Mickey's. Also each of the Cast Members I spoke with and friends of mine who know Cast Members say it's not for Chef Mickey's.

Back in August one Cast Member told me they planned to renovate Chef Mickey's to add more tables since it's so popular, so I guess that is what they are doing right now.

CR Fan, I had to point out that you and I had a "conversation" on this thread about a month ago when I said they were expanding CM's and you debated that with me. I guess you just remembered what you were told back in August.

Not trying to be mean ... just wanted to point out that the expansion really was happening. I'm glad for it, too. They can use the extra space!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just returned yesterday from staying 5 nights in a bay view room in the wing. Compared to AKL and Wilderness Lodge, I don't think I'll be going back.
The place just didn't live up to my expectations - no hating, just had high hopes and expected more from the place. The room did show a bit of wear. I think it might have been the double rounds of water parade later than I like to go to bed, and then the horns on the bay in the early morning that sealed my opinion.
The construction of the pool cannot be heard from your room, at least from around the corner, and they were doing ALOT of jackhammering and sandblasting when we were there. But the guys only seemed to work in the morning (they must have a good union). They send you to the poly, but they are working on the little pool there too, so it got a bit cramped. (We ended up sneaking over to WL just for a soak in the hottub).
I agree in that I don't know how contemporary will handle more monorail traffic. We were there partly for light times, then after valentines the traffic really picked up. Add the tower traffic to spring break traffic, and well... it has the potential to be quite a mess.

Thanks for posting your review and it's to bad you did not enjoy the Contemporary that much, however at least you got to try it once.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Fan, I had to point out that you and I had a "conversation" on this thread about a month ago when I said they were expanding CM's and you debated that with me. I guess you just remembered what you were told back in August.

Not trying to be mean ... just wanted to point out that the expansion really was happening. I'm glad for it, too. They can use the extra space!

Honestly I forgot what that Cast Member said, so I had one of those moments where the info came back to me.

 

[ms.ojo]

Is there anyone who's visited recently w ho can give us approximate prices for food? Is the counter service food at Contempo more expensive than normal counter service food?

Also bummed about the lack of Mickey waffles. My kids were really excited about those.....

We visited in Dec. A hotdog is $5 at the Contemporary..and that's all you get. At AllStars $5 gets you the hot dog, 2 sides and a drink!

It was our 1st time at CR (we opted for Tower-MK view) and really enjoyed ourselves though would probably not spring for it again any time soon. It was a "wow, that was nice!! But now let's go back to the Mods for us" Enjoy your stay! It really is a great hotel.

 

[shduncan]

This is my first post and Nov. '09 will be my first stay at the Contemporary . I have looked at all of the pictures of the standard rooms and I have a question. Is the computer chair the only chair in the room? Also, is there another small table in addition to the computer desk/table? We plan to eat breakfast in our room most mornings. With 3 kids under 10, I would prefer they not sit on the beds to eat. We have a couple of small fold up stools that we can bring with us if we need to. Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

This is my first post and Nov. '09 will be my first stay at the Contemporary . I have looked at all of the pictures of the standard rooms and I have a question. Is the computer chair the only chair in the room? Also, is there another small table in addition to the computer desk/table? We plan to eat breakfast in our room most mornings. With 3 kids under 10, I would prefer they not sit on the beds to eat. We have a couple of small fold up stools that we can bring with us if we need to. Thanks!

That is the only chair in the room, however besides the table where the computers use to be (they were taken away a few weeks ago) there is another table that slides out. So you could push it towards the beds and maybe others can sit on there and it eat.

 

[kyirish25]

This is my first post and Nov. '09 will be my first stay at the Contemporary . I have looked at all of the pictures of the standard rooms and I have a question. Is the computer chair the only chair in the room? Also, is there another small table in addition to the computer desk/table? We plan to eat breakfast in our room most mornings. With 3 kids under 10, I would prefer they not sit on the beds to eat. We have a couple of small fold up stools that we can bring with us if we need to. Thanks!

The computer desk chair is the only actual chair. You do have a couch/fold out bed that will sit 4 adults comfortably. The table is a little rolling table that can be put in front of the couch or slide up under the desk to move out of the way.

I believe that 3 children would be fine sitting on the couch and using that table to eat but there wouldn't be enough room for 2 additional plates of food on it for you and DH to join them.

 

[gmi3804]

If you have a king-bedded room, there's an upholstered chair (and ottoman?) in the corner near the sliding glass doors next to the night stand.

 

[shduncan]

I looked at the pictures again and I see the rolling table you guys mentioned. I think it will work just fine for a "breakfast" table sitting at the daybed or on one of the other beds.
I'm really learning a lot from this thread...thanks to everyone who is contributing to it!