Worried about CR

[Dory41]

After reading negative comments about CR, I'm wondering if I should change to another resort. We are booked for 10 days there! Maybe a change to the Poly? But then there are the comments about the mold. Any thoughts guys?

Aloha!

 

[MELSMICE]

We've stayed at the CR 2X & have enjoyed both stays.

I have to say that last year when we went in April we found that maintenance was slacking on the outside of the resort - railings & benches needed to be painted, landscaping needed weeding, etc., but we enjoyed the resort.

It is extremely convenient to the MK - a short walk & just a monorail ride to EPCOT.

We've never stayed at the Poly, so I can't comment on that.

 

[Micca]

What negative things did you hear?

 

[tiggersmom2]

First off let me say I love both resorts. However, The poly is my favorite, but the Contemporary holds memories of my childhood so it is extra special too. I think you would really love the CR, they are the largest standard rooms on property. As for the mold at the Poly, I have never encountered it, and I have been there MANY times.

 

[Dory41]

I read a few posts (I think one of them was on the Passporter and I can't remember the others) about cleanliness and the condition of the rooms in the garden wings, which is where we will be staying unless we are really lucky and get upgraded. Please don't get me wrong though because I've read a lot of good posts too. I just got worried when I read more than one negative post.

Thanks again!

p.s. Oh and I don't think that I'm an overly critical person...at least I don't think I am....where is my family anyway?

 

[susy]

Dory, not to discourage you (I really want to help), BUT when we stayed at WL over Thanksgiving, we went over to the CR for dinner at Chef Mickey's. I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I really thought the place was very lacking in ...well... any beauty at all!!! Right away I thought of the post where the little girl asked her mom, "Is this the airport?" It did look just like Ft Lauderdale airport, but the airport is MUCH nicer! It did look very rundown and plain to me. The lobby was nothing, with pink walls and CM's in bright purple jackets-yuk! The WL was just breathtaking!!!!! All of the other deluxe resorts I've seen really have some sort of ambience-I didn't see it at CR. The pool area---------Oh my God!!! I never saw anything so "concrete"! Unless I was in the tower with a guaranteed view of the castle, I would not stay here. Also, as we passed by on the boat, the outside of the garden wings looked very dirty and ugly. I have visited the Poly and liked it very much. Very tropical and laid back, but still had a luxurious "resort" feel. I have stayed at the WL and AKL-both amazing!

 

[floridafam]

We also dropped by the CR on our last trip. The walls were dirty, the elevator had trash in it. It just looked run down.

 

[Kteacher]

We're staying in the CR for the 3rd time this April. My room has always been spotless. the pool area does not have the theming of some of the other resorts, but I've always enjoyed the retro feel of the CR resort. I love being able to walk to MK, being so close to Chef Mickey's and the California Grill, and there's nothing like laying in bed and watching the castle change color Check out the Contemporary Resort FAQ thread-I'm sure you'll find lots of positive reports

 

[Aisling]

Wow, I hope we like CR because I just booked our last two nights there after AKL!

I love the idea that this was the first hotel in WDW, that it was a dream of Walts, and I'm hoping to find some of that original Disney magic there.
The unadorned pool area is actually appealing to me, it really reminds me of something futuristic, not overly themed.

But I'm happy that I will get to experience AKL and CR, strikingly different resorts! Maybe you'd consider splitting your stay?

 

[hucifer]

DH and I stayed in the CR last September, in the North Garden Wing.

The room was huge and clean, we had a beautiful lake view, and we really enjoyed staying there. Plus, like Melsmice said, you cannot beat the 5-minute walk to the MK.

I do not think you will have any issues with the resort. We loved it.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

My husband and I stayed at the CR last November and we REALLY liked it. We had no issues with anything. We did stay in a tower room and the view was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! Since you are from Hawaii, I don't think I would stay at the Poly just for that reason.

Take a deep breath, you will really enjoy your stay at the CR. Enjoy the Magic!

 

[aesalsa]

I have never stayed at ANY WDW resort, and I used to think, "Man, I have absolutely NO desire to stay here." The outside was sooo bland. I never walked inside it before at that point. But once DH and I walked through for the first time together on our honeymoon (12/1/02-12/13/02), we really felt Walt's spirit there. CR and the Poly were truly his conceptions. The CR also seems like the real hub of the "Walt" Disney resort experience, whether you're staying there or not. THERE IS THE MONORAIL RUNNING THROUGH THAT THING!!
The decor is definitely NOT me or DH, but we just "get that feeling" when we're in the Grand Canyon Concourse. We actually, by accident, ate at the Concourse Steakhouse on our last trip in 10/03. I really enjoyed the meal as well as the buzz of excitement that seemed to be everywhere there. The monorail would whiz by periodically during our meal, and we had a great view of the mural. At that point I couldn't believe WHY we never even tried to eat here! It really was so "disney".
I would really like to try it out as a stay--there is so much history there--and so much of Walt, too. Try it out and see if you like it!
Maybe if you read about CR's history, it might make it a bit more appealing to you! Have fun where ever you stay!

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

I have stayed at the Contemporary 5 times both in the tower and in both wings. The last time was Thanksgiving 2002. This past January we decided to stay at the Polynesian. We will defintely be going back to the Contemporary Thanksgiving 2004. It is our favorite resort and nothing compares in our minds to the Disney feel we get there. But I will say it is a matter of taste, most people love POR and you couldn't pay us to go back there, and the Poly we only thought so-so.

 

[Micca]

Well, there's no excuse for the trash and lack of a fresh coat of paint, but I understand the comments about the austere look of CR. In a way, CR suffers from the same problem the old Tomorrowland did. Rather than looking futuristic, it seemed like a long out of date vision of something modern. They remedied the Tomorrowland situation by giving it that retro-futuristic theme which I think is pretty cool. Maybe that is what CR needs--some theming to give it that over-the-top Jetsons appeal.

I also agree that CR is authentic, original WDW design, and can be appreciated for that. I too think it is very cool when the monorail runs through the building. The side of the hotel where all the gift shops run together is also one of the best resort shopping experiences.

 

[Dory41]

Retro-future theme at the Contemporary! My son is a sci-fi fan and would love it. While looking at photos of the various resorts, he said the CR looked sic (sp?), which I think means that he liked it. Oh, and his comment about the Poly (I think because we live in Hawaii) was "It looks kinda boring", although I personally think it looks very tranquil and relaxing. The perfect setting after a long day of touring. This is off-topic but if anyone is vacationing on the Big Island of Hawaii, check out the Kona Village Resort.

Aloha all!

 

[JESW]

We will be staying at the CR for the first time this April - check my countdown! DH has ALWAYS wanted to stay there so we are giving it a try. We are staying 14th floor with a MK view so we are VERY excited!!! We have stayed at several Disney resorts so far and have enjoyed them all. Sure, the CR doesn't have the theming of some of the other resorts and it may look a bit dated, but there's just something about it.... And as someone else posted, - it's got the monorail going through it!! How cool is that?? And to be so close to the MK it's like being smack dab in the middle of the magic.

We are looking forward to our visit and I'll write a report when we get back.

Jill

 

[Kimberle]

We visited & ate several times last Sept. It was clean & well maintained. I just booked our Sept trip for the CR, 14th floor.

We stayed here 2 years ago & really enjoyed our stay.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Aloha Dory41,

I'm sure your stay will be MAGICAL, Disney has a Resort for everyone. If asked "Which resort should I stay at?" Each person would give a different answer...I have stayed in almost every Resort while I do have my favorite I can say I have never had a bad stay at any Disney Resort. Each has something different to offer...I agree that the Poly is a beautiful Resort but since you are from Hawaii...It isn't going to have the same WOW factor for you, that some of the other Resorts might. As a native Floridian I'm sure that's why I love The Wilderness Lodge so much...I don't live in the great Northwest. If you are over concerned I would split my stay with one of the EPCOT Resorts or AKL but don't give up on the CR.