The ALL NEW Disney's Contemporary Resort FAQ with PICTURES! (APR 2009)

[islandbound1day]

I actually did not request that particular room. The only requests that I made was a high level room on the opposite end of Chef Mickeys. When I checked in around 1:00 that day, I was originally told that I would be assigned a room on the 9th floor but it was not ready. When I checked back around 3:00 the room was still not ready and I explained that I had gotten sick earlier and I really would just like to be put in another room that was ready. Room 4747 was the one they put me in. I could not have been more pleased. I loved lying in my bed and watching the fireworks.

Originally Posted by lrab1126

islandbound1day thanks for your great review !! Did you request that specific room? I have read some others who have also stayed in that room and loved it.

[RussellDisney]

Just back home about 4 hours ago from 6 nights at the CR. Our first time there, and first Deluxe. IT...WAS...AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

We loved the hotel and my son literally cried when we left this afternoon! :-(

I'll post more later. Trip was great!

[PopArtGal]

Originally Posted by RussellDisney

Just back home about 4 hours ago from 6 nights at the CR. Our first time there, and first Deluxe. IT...WAS...AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

We loved the hotel and my son literally cried when we left this afternoon! :-(

I'll post more later. Trip was great!

awesome!

will we get a TR?

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I saw a link on the first page of this thread referring to a discount for Sammy Duvall's watercraft, but when I went to the site I couldn't find it....anyone know if there's still one available ? THx!

[brergnat]

Just wanted to post that I returned a few days ago from my first stay in a TOWER MK VIEW ROOM!

IT WAS AWESOME! We were in room 4637, 10th floor, practically dead center, first room you see when you get off the elevators. I thought this would be problematic (noise issues), but once you go in the room and close the door, you hear NOTHING. It was glorious. The soundproofing is awesome there.

Our view was spectacular. The beds faced the castle, and we could see from Space Mtn. to the Grand Floridian from our beds. Once out on the balcony, we could then see the Poly and out to Expedition Everest waaaaay out in the distance.

The room was really clean and our Mousekeeper did a good job overall while we were there. Nothing spectacular (she never vacuumed, for example), but we never wanted for anything, always had clean towels, a clean bathroom, and freshly made beds when we returned to our room.

I did get the dreaded stomach bug on the first full day of our trip, which really stunk, and I was confined to the room for 2 days, but I was happy to at least be in the room we had! I had a glorious view, got to watch Wishes from my bed 2 nights, and was able to get a lot of much needed rest in the SUPER comfortable beds. They were SO nice...the best I've slept in at Disney.

We did find the lack of drawer storage to be frustrating. Three women for a week at Disney have a LOT of clothes, so... Plus, the lack of hangers in the closets was baffling, given the surplus of bar space to hang stuff.

We found the bathrooms to be just fine. Our sinks drained well, so I don't see what all the fuss was about. I actually liked the sinks. And the mirrors. I also liked the sliding doors. Made for more available space in the bathrooms. Just didn't like how the towel bar was so far from the shower. Kind of odd. LOVED the little sensors and glow lights for nighttime! Wish I had those at home so I could use the bathroom at night without having to turn on any lights. Coolest feature in any WDW hotel room ever, hands down!

We loved the Contempo Cafe. SUCH good food, decent prices, and everything was always fresh. Favorite meal was the Honey Lime Chicken sandwich w/ cold green bean salad. YUM! I could eat that every day. I also LOVED the waffles with bananas and salted caramel sauce. So good. Wish I had eaten it earlier than our last day, but I was sick, so I really couldn't. Everything we ate there was just so good. It's almost like TS restaurant quality food, but it's CS. Really great. I just think they could use a bit more seating. It gets crowded during busy meal times. I can't imagine what might happen when BLT opens up...I can forsee a lot more people taking food "to go", especially those with rooms in the Tower.

Transportation was okay. Buses were actually pretty bad FROM the resort. Waits were really long, if you happened to just miss one, which happened to us about 50% of the time. The waits FAR exceeded "20 minutes". They were more like 40-50 min, on average. We always shared with Polynesian. Bus service back to the Contemporary from the parks or Downtown Disney was not as bad. The monorail, as well, was dicey. They did a lot of "safety testing" each day. We stopped on the monorail several times, and the trips took longer than they should have. We utilized the walk to MK several times, and that is really a better option when traversing the MK-CR route, in either direction. The walk really is not long at all (less than 1/2 mile). Even for kids, it's short. We saw many families with small kids doing it, and it's really nothing.

I'll add more later...gotta go now!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by brergnat

Just wanted to post that I returned a few days ago from my first stay in a TOWER MK VIEW ROOM!

IT WAS AWESOME! We were in room 4637, 10th floor, practically dead center, first room you see when you get off the elevators. I thought this would be problematic (noise issues), but once you go in the room and close the door, you hear NOTHING. It was glorious. The soundproofing is awesome there.

Our view was spectacular. The beds faced the castle, and we could see from Space Mtn. to the Grand Floridian from our beds. Once out on the balcony, we could then see the Poly and out to Expedition Everest waaaaay out in the distance.

The room was really clean and our Mousekeeper did a good job overall while we were there. Nothing spectacular (she never vacuumed, for example), but we never wanted for anything, always had clean towels, a clean bathroom, and freshly made beds when we returned to our room.

I did get the dreaded stomach bug on the first full day of our trip, which really stunk, and I was confined to the room for 2 days, but I was happy to at least be in the room we had! I had a glorious view, got to watch Wishes from my bed 2 nights, and was able to get a lot of much needed rest in the SUPER comfortable beds. They were SO nice...the best I've slept in at Disney.

We did find the lack of drawer storage to be frustrating. Three women for a week at Disney have a LOT of clothes, so... Plus, the lack of hangers in the closets was baffling, given the surplus of bar space to hang stuff.

We found the bathrooms to be just fine. Our sinks drained well, so I don't see what all the fuss was about. I actually liked the sinks. And the mirrors. I also liked the sliding doors. Made for more available space in the bathrooms. Just didn't like how the towel bar was so far from the shower. Kind of odd. LOVED the little sensors and glow lights for nighttime! Wish I had those at home so I could use the bathroom at night without having to turn on any lights. Coolest feature in any WDW hotel room ever, hands down!

We loved the Contempo Cafe. SUCH good food, decent prices, and everything was always fresh. Favorite meal was the Honey Lime Chicken sandwich w/ cold green bean salad. YUM! I could eat that every day. I also LOVED the waffles with bananas and salted caramel sauce. So good. Wish I had eaten it earlier than our last day, but I was sick, so I really couldn't. Everything we ate there was just so good. It's almost like TS restaurant quality food, but it's CS. Really great. I just think they could use a bit more seating. It gets crowded during busy meal times. I can't imagine what might happen when BLT opens up...I can forsee a lot more people taking food "to go", especially those with rooms in the Tower.

Transportation was okay. Buses were actually pretty bad FROM the resort. Waits were really long, if you happened to just miss one, which happened to us about 50% of the time. The waits FAR exceeded "20 minutes". They were more like 40-50 min, on average. We always shared with Polynesian. Bus service back to the Contemporary from the parks or Downtown Disney was not as bad. The monorail, as well, was dicey. They did a lot of "safety testing" each day. We stopped on the monorail several times, and the trips took longer than they should have. We utilized the walk to MK several times, and that is really a better option when traversing the MK-CR route, in either direction. The walk really is not long at all (less than 1/2 mile). Even for kids, it's short. We saw many families with small kids doing it, and it's really nothing.

I'll add more later...gotta go now!

Thanks for posting your review.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by RussellDisney

Just back home about 4 hours ago from 6 nights at the CR. Our first time there, and first Deluxe. IT...WAS...AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

We loved the hotel and my son literally cried when we left this afternoon! :-(

I'll post more later. Trip was great!

I can't wait to read what you got to say.

[nemofans]

We will be at CR in January for the 1st time & can't wait!

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We are so excited to make our first visit to the Contemporary in December! I really owe a personal thanks to previous poster brergnat for your endorsement of a Tower Room. You had responded to a question I had about which resort to stay in and you convinced DH to change our room to a Theme Park Tower Room. Thank you!
Having never stayed at CR, should I make any certain room requests?
Thanks,

[Howdy Doodat]

ok, how's this for a long shot?

does anybody have a floorplan that shows which rooms are connecting rooms?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Smiling Cheshire Cat

Having never stayed at CR, should I make any certain room requests?

Request a room on the 11th floor because it's the highest non Club Level floor in the Tower.

[brergnat]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Request a room on the 11th floor because it's the highest non Club Level floor in the Tower.

Without being THAT specific, if you'll be in the Tower, I'd just request a room "as high as possible, far away from Chef Mickey's".

Being high up serves the dual purpose of eliminating ambient noise from the Concourse level and giving you a better view (Bay Lake or Theme Park Side). If you will be on the MK Side, being closer to the MK is a bonus for fireworks watching, and also so you don't have the Convention Center roof as most of your direct ahead view.

If you'll be in the Garden Wing, I'd just recommend requesting a First Floor Room, so you'll have a patio. Then, a room as close to the Tower as possible, to cut down on walking.

[brergnat]

Originally Posted by Smiling Cheshire Cat

We are so excited to make our first visit to the Contemporary in December! I really owe a personal thanks to previous poster brergnat for your endorsement of a Tower Room. You had responded to a question I had about which resort to stay in and you convinced DH to change our room to a Theme Park Tower Room. Thank you!
Having never stayed at CR, should I make any certain room requests?
Thanks,

You're welcome! You are NOT going to regret the decision to upgrade! All thoughts of any extra money spent will go out the window when you see that view for the first time...and the second time...and the third time...and every morning when you wake up, and at night when you come back to your room and see the pretty colors of the castle, etc. etc. etc. I can't even REMEMBER how much I paid for that view now, and I don't even care! I don't care how much it will ever cost in the future. I'm sold for life. It's that good.

I'd just recommend making this request:

"highest floor possible, away from Chef Mickey's"

This will put you on the 10th or 11th floor (most likely), and on the half of the building between the elevator hallway and the Magic Kingdom, which puts a good buffer between the side where Chef Mickey's is, which can get loud. Although the rooms are well soundproofed, I can imagine it being MUCH louder if you are on, say, the 6th or 7th floor, and directly above Chef Mickey's. That restaurant is LOUD, and not only during mealtimes. Between mealtimes, when they are setting up, they are really loud with dishes clanging and people yelling and stuff. This happens midday; prime naptime. I didn't hear ANY of it from our room (even midday...I was stuck in the room for 2 full days, really sick, and I never head a THING, except the magical sounds of the MK, which I didn't mind at all). But, I did hear this while eating at Contempo Cafe a couple times, and there are rooms RIGHT above there, so I can't imagine having one of those...

[RussellDisney]

Just returned on Sat from 6 nights at the CR. It was absolutely fantastic, best trip ever.

As for the CR itself, we just can't say enough good things. My wife is VERY picky and she loved it. If you knew her, I could end this report right there and EVERYONE would immediately book the CR and the other Disney hotels would close down!!!

We had room 4445 on the 8th floor. We were the 4th room from the end on the MK end and had the MK view. It was wonderful, we never got tired of looking out the sliding doors. Speaking of those doors, they were very nice and quiet. I also loved the two latches, one being high and out of reach of small children. Our beds faced the castle and I must say, being able to lie in bed and watch the castle change colors at night was great!

We did online checkin and that worked out really well. Our ME bus was not that crowded and I'm sure regular checkin wouldn't have taken very long, but doing online saved even more time. We were met just inside the doors by Judy and I told her we checked in online. She looked at her clipboard and immediately said our names and walked us over to the checkin counter. We were on our way in about 5 minutes!!!

As to those who think the CR is a sterile, ordinary convention hotel I say check it out for yourself. The set up is so very different than most hotels. In the tower, you have no rooms on the opposite side of your hallway. Being able to look down onto the Grand Canyon Concourse is just the best. All of the activity on the 4th floor is nice and we heard none of that noise in our room. I certainly thought it was Disney-themed enough and to be honest, I liked that it wasn't over-the-top themed after being in the parks all day.

As to the room itself, very large and comfortable with a nice layout. We had a Garden Grocer delivery and had plenty of room for both groceries and clothing, etc. I didn't miss the computer, as it would have taken up counter space and would actually have been in the way. Beds were very comfortable, again my picky wife loved them. She wanted to take those heavy comforters home with her! We all loved the fireplace and my wife commented on how the mantle decorated with pottery was more home-like than hotel-like - VERY NICE JOB DISNEY!!! Sofa came in handy, but we never actually slept on it. The balcony was wonderful, could have been a little bigger but was just fine. My wife and I ate roomservice dinner out there one evening while the kids were at the Neverland Club. Wonderful evening, best view at Disney and the food was great!!!

We called housekeeping just after arrival to request a microwave. They said none were available, but would put our name on the list. They indicated it may be a couple days before one came available. Well then about an hour later, a lady arrived with one and set it up for us!! It came in very handy during the week.

The bathroom was good, loved the sliding doors but wished they could latch. The towel bar was a bit far from the tub/shower and there was a lack of counter space. There is storage underneath the sinks and I used one sink as a counter while shaving, etc. Had minor drainage issues with those sinks, but they certainly are stylish and "contemporary". Loved the lighted mirrors and the shaving/makeup mirror is a nice, luxury touch. The closets were nice and roomy, but need more hangers. The safe was large.

The Contempo is nice, good selection and great food. We ate "take-out" from there twice. We ate breakfast at Chef Mickey's, again my picky wife loved that place and the character interaction. We shopped on our departure morning in the shops and found a good selection.

The pool, beach and movies at night were just great!! My daughter did the slide about 35 times and I even made it down once!! Quite a sight to see... My son loved the sand and we all watched WALL E and Finding Nemo on two nights. The were lots of people in the pool/beach area but it never felt crowded. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful spot!! My wife loved the beach area in the evening! The construction fence is still up, but I saw nothing going on. Looks as though the splash area and new landscaping are coming. Pools and beach are completely usable as they are now.

Transportation was the only real downer. We went to DHS on the first day and waited 45 minutes for a bus!! 3 for DTD and 2 for AK came while we waited. Return bus was fine. Monorail service was generally very good, even the transfer to EP was nice and short for us each time - must have good timing on that one! Resort monorail was down for about 30 minutes on Wed evening, making us late to the Neverland Club with the kids. No problems with the club by being late, but it did cut into "mommy and daddy" time

Overall a fantastic resort!!! We are now spoiled, will be hard to step down to a lesser resort next time! I'm planning an overall TR soon over on that board.

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Originally Posted by RussellDisney

Just returned on Sat from 6 nights at the CR. It was absolutely fantastic, best trip ever.

As for the CR itself, we just can't say enough good things. My wife is VERY picky and she loved it. If you knew her, I could end this report right there and EVERYONE would immediately book the CR and the other Disney hotels would close down!!!

We had room 4445 on the 8th floor. We were the 4th room from the end on the MK end and had the MK view. It was wonderful, we never got tired of looking out the sliding doors. Speaking of those doors, they were very nice and quiet. I also loved the two latches, one being high and out of reach of small children. Our beds faced the castle and I must say, being able to lie in bed and watch the castle change colors at night was great!

We did online checkin and that worked out really well. Our ME bus was not that crowded and I'm sure regular checkin wouldn't have taken very long, but doing online saved even more time. We were met just inside the doors by Judy and I told her we checked in online. She looked at her clipboard and immediately said our names and walked us over to the checkin counter. We were on our way in about 5 minutes!!!

As to those who think the CR is a sterile, ordinary convention hotel I say check it out for yourself. The set up is so very different than most hotels. In the tower, you have no rooms on the opposite side of your hallway. Being able to look down onto the Grand Canyon Concourse is just the best. All of the activity on the 4th floor is nice and we heard none of that noise in our room. I certainly thought it was Disney-themed enough and to be honest, I liked that it wasn't over-the-top themed after being in the parks all day.

As to the room itself, very large and comfortable with a nice layout. We had a Garden Grocer delivery and had plenty of room for both groceries and clothing, etc. I didn't miss the computer, as it would have taken up counter space and would actually have been in the way. Beds were very comfortable, again my picky wife loved them. She wanted to take those heavy comforters home with her! We all loved the fireplace and my wife commented on how the mantle decorated with pottery was more home-like than hotel-like - VERY NICE JOB DISNEY!!! Sofa came in handy, but we never actually slept on it. The balcony was wonderful, could have been a little bigger but was just fine. My wife and I ate roomservice dinner out there one evening while the kids were at the Neverland Club. Wonderful evening, best view at Disney and the food was great!!!

We called housekeeping just after arrival to request a microwave. They said none were available, but would put our name on the list. They indicated it may be a couple days before one came available. Well then about an hour later, a lady arrived with one and set it up for us!! It came in very handy during the week.

The bathroom was good, loved the sliding doors but wished they could latch. The towel bar was a bit far from the tub/shower and there was a lack of counter space. There is storage underneath the sinks and I used one sink as a counter while shaving, etc. Had minor drainage issues with those sinks, but they certainly are stylish and "contemporary". Loved the lighted mirrors and the shaving/makeup mirror is a nice, luxury touch. The closets were nice and roomy, but need more hangers. The safe was large.

The Contempo is nice, good selection and great food. We ate "take-out" from there twice. We ate breakfast at Chef Mickey's, again my picky wife loved that place and the character interaction. We shopped on our departure morning in the shops and found a good selection.

The pool, beach and movies at night were just great!! My daughter did the slide about 35 times and I even made it down once!! Quite a sight to see... My son loved the sand and we all watched WALL E and Finding Nemo on two nights. The were lots of people in the pool/beach area but it never felt crowded. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful spot!! My wife loved the beach area in the evening! The construction fence is still up, but I saw nothing going on. Looks as though the splash area and new landscaping are coming. Pools and beach are completely usable as they are now.

Transportation was the only real downer. We went to DHS on the first day and waited 45 minutes for a bus!! 3 for DTD and 2 for AK came while we waited. Return bus was fine. Monorail service was generally very good, even the transfer to EP was nice and short for us each time - must have good timing on that one! Resort monorail was down for about 30 minutes on Wed evening, making us late to the Neverland Club with the kids. No problems with the club by being late, but it did cut into "mommy and daddy" time (get the picture?!!!)

Overall a fantastic resort!!! We are now spoiled, will be hard to step down to a lesser resort next time! I'm planning an overall TR soon over on that board.

Great review! Thanks for posting about your experience!