This is my post on "Disney Ratings and Reviews" for the CR (you should check out all the posts on the deluxe resorts):
We have stayed at the Contemporary Resort 14 times over the years - the first when our children were 4, 7 and 9 and the latest with extended family (and our "children" were 18, 21 and 23). We have tried other resorts but always return to the CR.
Some people have commented that the CR looks sterile, but we don't agree. It depends on your taste and what you're looking for.
We love the fact that the monorail goes through the hotel. It puts you in the Disney mood the moment you see it. The convenience of staying at a monorail resort is wonderful - you can get to the parks easily (even if the park is a non-monorail park, the buses stop at the CR often and in our experience are never crowded). Being able to return easily in the middle of the day to the CR for a nap, swim or meal is a big plus.
Chef Mickey's is tons of fun for all ages and the food is pretty good. There are also two top restaurants there, the Concourse Steakhouse which is very good and the California Grill which is very high priced, but excellent. The Food N Fun center offers quick meals and is great for a quick breakfast and for filling your refillable mugs. There is a game room next to the Food N Fun center which offers a nice diversion, but is quite noisy (I wish it weren't open to the Food N Fun center, but instead had doors).
The pools are average, but Bay Lake offers boat rentals and such, which to me, means resort living.
As we were able to afford it, we started staying in the tower instead of the garden wings. The tower is well worth the extra money if it fits your budget. The rooms in the tower either overlook the MK or Bay Lake and all have balconies. I personally love having a cup of coffee in the morning on my balcony before starting the day - which reminds me, there are no coffee makers in the rooms, but there is a nice coffee bar on the first floor. The rooms are, I believe, the largest non-suites offered in the Disney resorts. The bathrooms are very nicely laid out, with a large sink area and shower, with a separate door leading to a commode and another sink.
From the halls of the tower, you look down on Chef Mickey's and the concourse/shop area. There's nothing like getting off the elevator and hearing a faint sound, the realizing everyone at Chef Mickey's is singing, so you look over the railing and see everyone waving their napkins. It's also a great way to start the day as you leave your room.
The cast members are among the best at WDW. We have always had helpful, friendly and smiling cast members greet us - the fun starts at check-in. The maid service is terrific and we sometimes get fun surprises in our room.
Last but not least, Walt himself had a hand in the design.
. BUT... it will probably be the only deluxe we ever stay at because once we tried it, we fell in love!!!!! I can't imagine staying anywhere else!!!
