Would like info on The Contemporary

[VegasGreg19]

Howdy! Yes, I am new here so nice to meet you all!
Ok, We (My wife, six year old and in-laws) are going to WDW for July 4-8 and I would like some info on some things. We have already booked tower rooms at the Contemporary. I have only ever been to Disney once and that was in about 1975. So much has changed there I know but I would like any help or info you can provide for me on the following points:
1. How are the crowds on July4th? I know it will be busy but will it be miserable? As my name implies, I am a Vegas nut so I am used to big crowds there, but just want to know about Disney crowds.
2. Any pictures or info you can give me on the Contemporary or even WDW would be nice. The official site didn't do much for me as far as pictures. So if any of you have links to online photo albums of your trips, that'd be great!
I really appreciate the help and info. Thanks!!

 

[rla5d]

http://wdwig.com/faq_con.htm
Be sure to look through this entire website - it's the best for WDW info!

http://64.41.109.164/contemporary/index.htm
Lots of good pictures

 

[Magic2000]

We have visited twice during the 4th of July week - and it really wasn't that bad (once in 1998 and then in 2000).

In July 2000, we stayed at the Contemporary also for July 1 - 9. On July 4th, we went to the MK in the morning, and then did Epcot that night. The fireworks show at Epcot, along with Illuminations, was spectacular!

Whichever park you choose to do, try to get there at opening - use fast passes, and then take a nap/swim break and go back around 5:00 or so and stay til closing! We were able to see everything we wanted, and rode some of the rides many time (especially the "mountains").

Also, when we were at the Contemporary, we were in the North Garden Wing, and we found it easier and quicker to walk to the MK, and take the monorail back. Its the first stop coming from the MK, but it stops at the TTC, Poly, and GF going to MK. My 5 yr old loved watching Disney movies on the TV right outside the game room/food center! Its a great place to people watch!

Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

1. How are the crowds on July4th? I know it will be busy but will it be miserable? As my name implies, I am a Vegas nut so I am used to big crowds there, but just want to know about Disney crowds.
Yes, they will be BIG!!! Since I have no idea what the crowds are like in Vegas, I have no reference, but be prepared to stand in lines for EVERYTHING!
2. Any pictures or info you can give me on the Contemporary or even WDW would be nice. The official site didn't do much for me as far as pictures. So if any of you have links to online photo albums of your trips, that'd be great!
We loved the Contemporary. We didn't have the opportunity to stay in the Towers, but we did like the Garden/Wing Rooms overlooking Bay Lake. If you want to have a view of the MK, then you need to have them put that on your reservation... it cannot be guaranteed, but it will help. Also, make sure to reask when you check in. Checking in early, also may help your chances of getting the view you would like.
As for the rooms, they are really nice and roomy, with 2 queen sized beds and a day bed. The bathrooms are the best on property. Large and with a good set up. In the rooms you will have a TV, iron, ironing board, and a safe, as well as a comfy chair in the corner. The rooms are very bright art deco... kind of jarring when you 1st open the door, but lend themselves well to the ambience of the resort.
The pools are really nice, there are 2 of them. One is closer to the main building, and has a slide, and 2 hot tubs. The other is round, and the bottom is painted like a bullseye. It sits out on a pier, with Bay Lake surrounding it.
You can rent water craft from the marina.
There are some really nice restaurants to serve every taste... Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner and is host to the character meals. If you want to eat there, call for your PS as soon as possible for the best chance of getting a good time. There is the Concourse Steakhouse, which is open for all meals, and specializes in (yep, you guessed it) Steak! On the top floor is the California Grille. It is open for dinner only, and has a wonderful view of the MK and the fireworks. When you make your PS, request a window seat overlooking the MK.
There is also the counterservice restaurant on the ground floor, around the corner from check in. The food is good, and it is open for beverages 24 hours a day. They serve food until 11 pm. Next to that is a huge game room, which the kids LOVE! There is a great coffee bar under the esculator, where we enjoyed our cup of joe before heading off to the parks. Out by the pool is a snack bar and full service bar.
The monorail does travel through the building, and makes the Contemporary one of the most convenient resorts on property. The MK is also within walking distance, which we definitely took advantage of... it is the fastest way to reach the MK from the Contemporary.
The theming of the Contemporary is well... contemporary. You will find a lot of Mickey everywhere, and we like to refer to the Contemporary as "Mickey's Resort".

Hope you enjoy your stay at the Contemporary as much as we did!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome

the CR is my all time favorite resort - it's a Disney original. The rooms are quite spacious as said in the previous posts. I have stayed in both the Tower and wings. The tower does give you beautiful views of either Bay Lake or MK. The wings offer same views only they are lower since there are only 3 levels but still lovely.

In July, as with all hot weather months, the advice is to go out early mornings and return to the resort in the heat of the day and then go out again in the evenings. CR is a great resort to return to - restaurants, arcade, pools, food court, water rentals... whew! As you can see - wonderful resort.

Have a great trip!

 

[madcoco]

HelloVegasGreg19.Welcome to the boards. Glad you can deal with the crowds.I sure can't anymore. Got in Tuesday night.MCO was empty. LAS was more jammed then usual. Forgot about the Consumer Electronics Show being this week.It is nuts.If you can handle the Strip on the weekend you can handle the 4th crowds.It can get miserable if you overdo it and it is in the mid 90s with 90% humidity.We usually don't do the parks that day but head into MK after the fireworks for the last couple hours. Here are some pics from Halloween at the CR:
9th floor Tower.
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=2&courtesy=1

http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=4&courtesy=1

http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=3&courtesy=1

View
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=8&courtesy=1

http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=9&courtesy=1

http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=0&courtesy=1

Mickey
http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=7&courtesy=1

http://www.printroom.com/_vti_bin/ViewImage.dll?userid=MDM3&album_id=124841&image_id=5&courtesy=1