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

[brergnat]

Originally Posted by ShelsGoingToDisney

One thing I am noticing about others that went to the CR at around the same time as me is the people that have had exceptional housekeeping are staying in the tower whereas I got crappy housekeeping in the wing room as well as bed bugs! I am wondering if with all of Disney's lay offs if they are focusing their resources on the more expensive rooms and leaving us poor saps out? If that's the case I'd be scared to see what happens in the moderates or value resorts!

Don't get me wrong I am happy for everyone who had great service and upgrades etc. I am just a little disenheartened with my experience. In all my Disney stays this is the first time my stay wasn't perfect.

I'm really sorry your stay was not perfect. Unfortunately, that seems to be the biggest problem with Disney's housekeeping. Lack of consistency, even within ONE resort.

I can say, NUMEROUS times during our week, I saw Housekeeping managers overseeing the staff on our floor. One day while I was sick in my room, a manager came in to do a "random spot check" in the middle of the day, after the housekeeper had been in there. And, another manager came on a different day to do a "caulking check" on the bathtub. So, I know that they are at least TRYING to stay on top of things, at least in the Tower. They shouldn't be slacking off in the wings, though. I sure hope that's not the case.

As for bed bugs, THAT is something that, like lice, comes from PEOPLE, not the hotels. Someone brought it to that room, most likely in their luggage. It is Disney's responsibility to get rid of it, but the way those things multiply and infest an area, it is a huge problem.

Did you bring it up while you were AT the hotel? I can't recall from your earlier post, but if I had found a bed bug during my stay, you can bet that I'd have marched myself (AND THE BUG) up to the front desk, slapped that sucker on the counter, and insisted on being moved to another room, a.s.a.p. That's the only way to make them aware of the situation at the time, so they can take care of it before it becomes the next guest's problem as well.

Hopefully your next stay will be better.

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Originally Posted by brergnat

I'm really sorry your stay was not perfect. Unfortunately, that seems to be the biggest problem with Disney's housekeeping. Lack of consistency, even within ONE resort.

I can say, NUMEROUS times during our week, I saw Housekeeping managers overseeing the staff on our floor. One day while I was sick in my room, a manager came in to do a "random spot check" in the middle of the day, after the housekeeper had been in there. And, another manager came on a different day to do a "caulking check" on the bathtub. So, I know that they are at least TRYING to stay on top of things, at least in the Tower. They shouldn't be slacking off in the wings, though. I sure hope that's not the case.

As for bed bugs, THAT is something that, like lice, comes from PEOPLE, not the hotels. Someone brought it to that room, most likely in their luggage. It is Disney's responsibility to get rid of it, but the way those things multiply and infest an area, it is a huge problem.

Did you bring it up while you were AT the hotel? I can't recall from your earlier post, but if I had found a bed bug during my stay, you can bet that I'd have marched myself (AND THE BUG) up to the front desk, slapped that sucker on the counter, and insisted on being moved to another room, a.s.a.p. That's the only way to make them aware of the situation at the time, so they can take care of it before it becomes the next guest's problem as well.

Hopefully your next stay will be better.

I totally agree with you about the bug not being Disney's fault. I don't blame them at all. Only thing I wonder is if the housekeeping had been better maybe they might have spotted the bugs instead of me.

As for reporting to them while there. No I didn't and I am mad at myself now. When we found the bug I really didn't know much about bed bugs and I honestly thought they were too small to see. This bug looked more like a tick to me except different coloring from the ticks we have in NE. I put the bug in a ziploc and looked all through the sheets and didn't see any more bugs. I thought maybe it was a tick we brought in on the stroller or something. At the time none of us were itching. It was also about 1 AM and 2 of my 3 kids were sound asleep. I didn't want to make the long walk to the front desk. It was my Mom and I traveling with the 3 kids and she was kind of crabby and didn't want to have to change rooms at 1 AM over what we figured was a tick. I am also hearing impaired and not confrontational so I admit I was a little scared of looking like a fool if it was just a tick. Hindsight is 20/20 though and I admit I was wrong and should have done something about it right then. I did keep the bug and brought it home to look it up on google just in case so I didn't contaminate my house. Once I googled there is no question that it is a bed bug. I have also learned that you need to inspect the mattress seams and headboards, not the sheets as I did while there. Also I learned that bed bugs are indeed about the size of an apple seed, not so small you can't see them as I thought. Also I learned that bites can take up to 9 days to appear. All of my children have developed bites as well as myself. My 4 yr old had his well check at the Dr on Wed and the Dr confirmed that they indeed looked like bed bug bites all over his arm, neck and back.

As I said I did send the letter and pictures to Disney. I would email if I didn't have to do it through the website because I can't send pictures that way. I did fax it to Contemporary right away so they can get into the room and save others from getting bit.

As I said I DO NOT blame Disney for the bugs and I don't expect anything from them. I know it was brought in by another guest. I do blame Disney for the very poor housekeeping we had though. Our room was not very clean and replacing towels was ridiculous. Unlike you I never saw a housekeeping cart or anything around the halls during our entire stay! We often left our room at 10-11 AM too and never anyone around. This is why I am wondering why the big difference between the towers and the wing? That irks me.

I really wanted to like the CR as we love the monorail and always wanted to try it. The bug/housekeeping issues have turned me off though. Unless I got an unbelievable deal in the tower I would not choose CR again.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

ShelsGoingToDisney,
I am just wondering was your room on the 1st floor because that's the only way I can see the bugs getting in there.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by brergnat

One of the things I kept reading about was the "unfriendly CM's" and let me tell you, I think the CM's at the CR were among the MOST FRIENDLY we encountered anywhere at WDW the entire week we were there! Several went out of their way for us in different ways, and they were more gracious and personable than, I would say, 75% of the CM's in the parks. Just my 2 cents, but I think the CM's at the Contemporary get a bad rap for nothing.

I just wanted to share a great story about the Cast Members at the Contemporary and how one of them really helped us out when we were there last August.

As my family and I were heading out and got into my dad's Jeep it would not start so there was something wrong with it. Well one of the Cast Members working at the bell stand inside the lobby was able to get one of the managers who happened to have a laptop and looked up locations for a Chrysler/Jeep dealerships in the Orlando area. He highly recommened a specific location because their employees are very friendly and it's where he got his car. Anyway we had my dad's Jeep towed to that location and this manager was right, because they knew right away what the problem was, they were very friendly and we got the Jeep back the very next day. Anyway this Cast Member happened to see us again and asked if everything was ok and we told him yes, then thanked him over and over for helping us. Finally when we arrived back at the Contemporary this past December one of the Cast Members from the Atrium Club floor was waiting for us to arrive and standing next to her was the Cast Member who helped us with back in August with the Jeep. When we asked if he remembered who we were he said yes I do. So that's what makes the Contemporary Cast Members some of the best in all of WDW.

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

ShelsGoingToDisney,
I am just wondering was your room on the 1st floor because that's the only way I can see the bugs getting in there.

Yes we were on the first floor. Wing room 6128 last building out by the beach. Bed bugs don't come in from outside though so I don't think that was the problem. At the time I had thought of the fact that we were on the 1st floor in thinking maybe it was a tick. However there is no question that this is a bed bug. I took some pictures but I don't have the best camera and taking it through the ziploc blurred it. Here is a link to a bed bug picture and the one I have looks EXACTLY like the one in the top right corner. He is getting more and more see through though because he hasn't eaten in at least 14 days.

http://bedbugger.files.wordpress.com..._lifecycle.jpg

My best advice is to anyone is to educate yourself about bed bugs before traveling anywhere so that you don't make the same mistakes as I did!

As for friendly CM's at the CR I have to agree with CR Fan. EVERY CM I had contact with in the restaurants, shops, desk, bell services, front entrance, etc. were all super, super friendly and helpful. Only one that was a little on the rude side, and still not bad, was at the Sand Bar by the pool. He was just kind of quick and didn't smile much, but not mean or bad.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by ShelsGoingToDisney

Yes we were on the first floor. Wing room 6128 last building out by the beach. Bed bugs don't come in from outside though so I don't think that was the problem. At the time I had thought of the fact that we were on the 1st floor in thinking maybe it was a tick. However there is no question that this is a bed bug. I took some pictures but I don't have the best camera and taking it through the ziploc blurred it. Here is a link to a bed bug picture and the one I have looks EXACTLY like the one in the top right corner. He is getting more and more see through though because he hasn't eaten in at least 14 days.

http://bedbugger.files.wordpress.com..._lifecycle.jpg

My best advice is to anyone is to educate yourself about bed bugs before traveling anywhere so that you don't make the same mistakes as I did!

I forogot that you mentioned it was a bed bug so my bad.

[darthtatty]

thanks for starting the new thread, lots of great info here
just a month till i go, cant wait.

[drinkoj]

Thx for the info, using it for our next trip.

[BetsyRNBSN]

I too LOVE this thread! We are scheduled to go to BLT in December, but not as DVC members, just regular folk...

Can you answer a question? I have read that DVC members have to pay extra for housekeeping service more than every 4th/7th day. Is that the same type of housekeeping service I will experience as a regular guest in a DVC resort? Kind of makes me a little nervous, especially after reading about the whole bed bug incident!
Thanks!

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by BetsyRNBSN

I too LOVE this thread! We are scheduled to go to BLT in December, but not as DVC members, just regular folk...

Can you answer a question? I have read that DVC members have to pay extra for housekeeping service more than every 4th/7th day. Is that the same type of housekeeping service I will experience as a regular guest in a DVC resort? Kind of makes me a little nervous, especially after reading about the whole bed bug incident!
Thanks!

"Cash reservations" (non-DVC bookings) receive daily housekeeping.

[BetsyRNBSN]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

"Cash reservations" (non-DVC bookings) receive daily housekeeping.

Thanks so much, that is one less thing that I will have to worry about!

[WDWKOOK]

You're welcome! (From a fellow former Hoosier.)

[Bricket]

We are so very, very excited! When my seven year old woke up this morning, he said, "One more day momma!"...and then he randomly started singing a song he wrote on the spot about me, him and his dad going to Disney. (he's such a talented little cutie!)

It's going to be very difficult for me to get through a whole day of work tomorrow. Time is going to slowly creep by, I know.

We are going to leave around 10pm tomorrow and drive straight through Tn-Ga-Fl. We are looking at about 12hrs.

I'm trying to convince my husband to read up here about online check in tomorrow as he has the day off. I've seen so many people posting about it and highly recommending it.

I'm both nervous and excited about staying at the CR. As I've posted many times, I've always dreamed of going to Disney and staying there, but in my heart I never thought it'd really happen. Just being at Disney last year for the first time was a dream come true! And now, here I am, not only going to Disney for the second time, but staying in my dream resort! I'm more than just a little stoked!!! How'd I get so lucky? (thank you buy four get three free!)

I'm putting the final touches on my packing. Only leaving out hair products/stylers I won't be using at Disney and using old make up to "put my face on" for work tomorrow. I've thrown in our ponchos, found my fanny pack from last year and made sure all medications are packed. We're pretty much set.
I also bought a can of bed bug spray and threw it in there.


Yay us!
Can't wait to get there!!! This is going to be the best vacation we've ever had!

[Bricket]

about online check in...

is confirmation number the same as reservation number?

[Bricket]

Husband says we cannot pre-check in because we do not have a confirmation number. He said he puts in our "reservation number" from the Trip Information Booklet and it tells him "invalid confirmation number" or something like that.