Theme at Contemporary--Any ideas?

[Ladyhawke10]

You know, this is just a dream of mine that many may not agree with, but I wanted to see if anyone else felt the same. I've never stayed in CR because the retro futurama theme didn't appeal to me. I would think they don't need another resort along the lines of GF/ Yacht Club/ Beach club/ Boardwalk but I think the location of the Contemporary could really be utilized with a theme that was more appealing...I mean, some of the themes are more dated than others, and Contemporary is one of the first resorts. I think the space theme is really unique and goes with Walt's vision, but wouldn't it be great to really jazz up the space theme and make it much more "elegant universe" (I know, weird juxtaposition) than old-fashioned-in-need-of-rehab 50s space? That's just my personal fantasy for the contemporary. I love the location and amenities, just wish the theme could be revamped a bit

What do others think? If they rehabbed the Contemporary, what would your ideas be?

 

[Yacht Club Guy]

I think They Are Rehabing The CR. Cheak Out The DIS Newsletter...

 

[micmacmissy]

Ooooh, I love this thread! This is right up my alley!

First of all, I was shocked at what a dump the CR was when we went to eat there last month. I posted and said they should bulldoze the place and start over.

So many ideas: how about a castle/princess theme, with turrets and canopy beds...or maybe that would compete too much with Cinderella's castle in MK???

Or a Mickey & Friends themed hotel, each floor could feature a different classic Disney character...Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, etc. Everyone there presumably loves Disney, this hotel could be totally kid focused--wallpaper, furniture, etc, everything done in the theme!

I think it would also be cool to have a Jungle/Rainforest hotel (picture waterfalls and monkeys in cages in the lobby), or a winter/swiss chalet kind of thing (think ski lift taking you to different floors)...

I could go on forever with corny ideas...somebody shut me up!

 

[gingermommy94]

Ooooh, I love this thread! This is right up my alley!

First of all, I was shocked at what a dump the CR was when we went to eat there last month. I posted and said they should bulldoze the place and start over.

So many ideas: how about a castle/princess theme, with turrets and canopy beds...or maybe that would compete too much with Cinderella's castle in MK???

Or a Mickey & Friends themed hotel, each floor could feature a different classic Disney character...Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, etc. Everyone there presumably loves Disney, this hotel could be totally kid focused--wallpaper, furniture, etc, everything done in the theme!

I think it would also be cool to have a Jungle/Rainforest hotel (picture waterfalls and monkeys in cages in the lobby), or a winter/swiss chalet kind of thing (think ski lift taking you to different floors)...

I could go on forever with corny ideas...somebody shut me up!

I LOVE your ideas!! All of those sound great..and definitely places I would pay top dollar to stay!

 

[swilphil]

After seeing pictures on www.allearsnet.com, I didn't think CR looked as bad as many people say. We booked a room there for March on a great AP rate, and my kids are so excited about staying at the "monorail" hotel. But I have to admit that the resort isn't very "Contemporary." If they keep the same name, I think they should do a "Big City" type of theme. I also like your "elegant universe" space theme. It does look like they could do a lot more with the landscaping and the pool, too.

The last I heard the rehab is off in the distant future. No one seems to know when it will take place, and there are rumors that they might put in DVC somewhere over there. Primo location for that! This may be the only time we can afford to stay there.

 

[Kimberle]

I like the "theme" just fine. Plenty of other resorts for people who don't care for it.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

I totally agree Kimberle!! I have stayed at the contemporary 3 times in the past year and am going again for a weekend in February. I have stayed in the wings and tower and both are fine with me. I would be heartbroken if they changed the Contemporary. If you don't like the "theme" don't stay there so there is more room for us who do!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Love the ideas about the big city, rainforest and castle.

My ideas for the elegant universe revamp would be to make the inside of the Contemporary look more like the inside of space mountain. That would be really neat with the monorail going through the lobby, reminiscent of a rocket. It wouldn't have to be dark but it could be gorgeous to have comets, milky ways, planets, stars, and of course, characters like Buzz and Stitch. The pool could be built like it was in an iceberg, the way that water forms around ice on certain planets.

 

[DisneyResortsFreak]

Love the ideas about the big city, rainforest and castle.

My ideas for the elegant universe revamp would be to make the inside of the Contemporary look more like the inside of space mountain. That would be really neat with the monorail going through the lobby, reminiscent of a rocket. It wouldn't have to be dark but it could be gorgeous to have comets, milky ways, planets, stars, and of course, characters like Buzz and Stitch. The pool could be built like it was in an iceberg, the way that water forms around ice on certain planets.

I was thinking a modern-colored theme. With reds, greens, yellows, blues, purples. In the rooms I was thinking of a spa-themed room (relaxation!) The exterior of the hotel will be painted a bluish color (colour) and the pool would have a Mickey and Friends theme with a new waterslide, and a pool in the mickey-ears shape. The resort would also get new hall-designs, with a seating area in the lobby that shows disney fun-in-the-sun. The trees that are there will be added-on to, with shrubs in the shape of disney characters. The 2 wings would be painted in a red or light yellow, and would attract more people to them. I think this wuld be a great look for the Contemporary Resort! As you may be able to tell, I want to be a Disney Resort Designer, and Design a few disney resorts!!!!
Great Topic!

 

[katter24]

I can't wait to see the new renovations at the Contemporary resort.....your ideas are great!!!!

 

[sotoalf]

I don't see turrets and towers in the Contemporary's future. To construct themw ould mean tearing down the entire edifice, and it's not gonna happen.

What Disney needs is a "regular" hotel, one hotel that's unthemed; that's what Disney had in mind for the Contemporary in the early '60s (hence the name). I don't mind Disney sprucing it up, but they may have their work cut out for them: there's not much you can do with such a monolith.

 

[snowbunny]

I personally love the Jetson's/60s theme of the Contemporary. It could use freshening up, but I hope they do not radically alter the theme. It reminds me of my visits to Disneyland as a kid in the 1960s - when Walt Disney was alive and in his creative prime.

 

[eeyore0062]

I like the theming, and always thought that it was "Mickey's" resort, with Chef Mickey's, the Mickey icon at the bottom of the round pool, the Mickey sculptures and modern art. I think if they repainted the rooms, went with a different color scheme in the rooms, replaced carpet and basically do what they are planning (I hope that they will put the character voices back in the elevators!) with a few more Mickey type touches in the main lobby making it more welcoming it would be just fine. I would be really disappointed if they totally went away from the original concept, as it was Walt's concept and should be respected.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

What Disney needs is a "regular" hotel, one hotel that's unthemed; that's what Disney had in mind for the Contemporary in the early '60s (hence the name). I don't mind Disney sprucing it up, but they may have their work cut out for them: there's not much you can do with such a monolith.

That's actually how I see the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland. There are scattered representations of Disney icons, such as the peter pan pirate ship near the pool area and a courtyard that looks very Alice in Wonderland. I've heard its described as a cross between the Contemporary and Peter Pan, but I think its less themed than that...just kind of an unthemed Disney hotel. I stayed there but I really love the Grand Californian which is like the Wilderness Lodge somewhat but with a Bambi theme. It was incredible. I guess I like the heavy themes. I would like the Contemporary to stay space but just wish it was more elegant universe than Jetsons (I love the location, can't help fantasizing about the alternatives....). We might stay in the tower someday for the view. I have high hopes for the renovations as well!