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

[Nickb23]

Just some thoughts on our recent trip to Disney and our stay at the Contemporary. We stayed from 8/4-8/11. We are a family of four, including my wife and two daughters, ages 4 and 3. This was our first trip with them to WDW.

Positives:
-Disney Express was quick and we were also the first stop. The luggage arrived while we were at dinner as well. Checking out and checking the luggage was even easier. Take advantage of this service if possible.
-When we checked in, we were surprised to be awarded "family of the day honors." These came with a certificate, balloons for the girls, and a delivery of chocolate and a family photo to the room. A nice way to start. We might have received this because it was the girls first trip and our anniversary.
-The room was very modern and large. The trip to the elevator, monorail, or pool were all quick and helped with two young kids.
-We liked the Contemp Cafe and Chef Mickey's (althought the wait was long even with reservations).
-Pool area was large and the new kids splash area was also a lot of fun.
-Monorail service was always fast and we even walked back to the hotel from MK a few times.
-The MK view was unbeatable (10th floor), as was the view of the fireworks every night.

Negatives:
-Everyone mentions the sinks, and they aren't the most effective design.
-Housekeeping was slow and we didn't always get great service from our housekeeper. I believe this was an individual issue, as we interacted with other housekeepers for turn down service and they were more helpful and dilligent.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would stay at the property again.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by Nickb23

Just some thoughts on our recent trip to Disney and our stay at the Contemporary. We stayed from 8/4-8/11. We are a family of four, including my wife and two daughters, ages 4 and 3. This was our first trip with them to WDW.

Positives:
-Disney Express was quick and we were also the first stop. The luggage arrived while we were at dinner as well. Checking out and checking the luggage was even easier. Take advantage of this service if possible.
-When we checked in, we were surprised to be awarded "family of the day honors." These came with a certificate, balloons for the girls, and a delivery of chocolate and a family photo to the room. A nice way to start. We might have received this because it was the girls first trip and our anniversary.
-The room was very modern and large. The trip to the elevator, monorail, or pool were all quick and helped with two young kids.
-We liked the Contemp Cafe and Chef Mickey's (althought the wait was long even with reservations).
-Pool area was large and the new kids splash area was also a lot of fun.
-Monorail service was always fast and we even walked back to the hotel from MK a few times.
-The MK view was unbeatable (10th floor), as was the view of the fireworks every night.

Negatives:
-Everyone mentions the sinks, and they aren't the most effective design.
-Housekeeping was slow and we didn't always get great service from our housekeeper. I believe this was an individual issue, as we interacted with other housekeepers for turn down service and they were more helpful and dilligent.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would stay at the property again.

Thank you for posting.

After all your stays at the Poly, it must have been hard to stay elsewhere! It says a lot that you would return to the CR, and that you stayed there for your family's first trip, too. It seems perfect that you were awarded "family of the day."

I suppose there will always be varying opinions on both housekeeping and those infamous CR sinks, huh?

[Nickb23]

It was difficult to stay away from the Poly (and my heart is still there), but the Contemporary was certainly convenient and made for a pleasurable stay.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Originally Posted by Nickb23

Just some thoughts on our recent trip to Disney and our stay at the Contemporary. We stayed from 8/4-8/11. We are a family of four, including my wife and two daughters, ages 4 and 3. This was our first trip with them to WDW.

Positives:
-Disney Express was quick and we were also the first stop. The luggage arrived while we were at dinner as well. Checking out and checking the luggage was even easier. Take advantage of this service if possible.
-When we checked in, we were surprised to be awarded "family of the day honors." These came with a certificate, balloons for the girls, and a delivery of chocolate and a family photo to the room. A nice way to start. We might have received this because it was the girls first trip and our anniversary.
-The room was very modern and large. The trip to the elevator, monorail, or pool were all quick and helped with two young kids.
-We liked the Contemp Cafe and Chef Mickey's (althought the wait was long even with reservations).
-Pool area was large and the new kids splash area was also a lot of fun.
-Monorail service was always fast and we even walked back to the hotel from MK a few times.
-The MK view was unbeatable (10th floor), as was the view of the fireworks every night.

Negatives:
-Everyone mentions the sinks, and they aren't the most effective design.
-Housekeeping was slow and we didn't always get great service from our housekeeper. I believe this was an individual issue, as we interacted with other housekeepers for turn down service and they were more helpful and dilligent.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would stay at the property again.

Thank you for your review, It will be my son and my first time at CR but my husband used to stay there as a kid....can't wait for our December trip. My son will be so excited to at CR...we usually visit CR in his last 4 trips and play at the game room.

[AxlRose330]

We had similar Mousekeeping problems. They were inconsistent with the time of day that they would service the room. Some days the room would be really nice some days not so much. One time we came back to find the day bed(that I used evry night) still as messy as I left it. Other times there were pillows missing. I didnt really mind the sinks though. I would just push the puddles to the drain and spit my toothpaste over the drain. But the sinks and the spotty Mousekeeping werent enough to deter me from staying there again.

[SINYMom]

We are heading down next week and much prefer our own coffee, so my question is, what size filters will fit in the coffee pot? We have the basket filters (8 to 12 cup size) that we used during our DVC stay last year, will these work?

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by SINYMom

We are heading down next week and much prefer our own coffee, so my question is, what size filters will fit in the coffee pot? We have the basket filters (8 to 12 cup size) that we used during our DVC stay last year, will these work?

You will want to buy the filters that are for 1-4 cups, anything else would be too large.

[SINYMom]

Thanks WDWkook, I will look for them. However, if I can't find them do you know if the diameter of the filter is the same? I'm guessing no but just thought I would ask.

Also, if I remember correctly, the small frig will hold 1/2 gallon containers, can you confirm?

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by SINYMom

Thanks WDWkook, I will look for them. However, if I can't find them do you know if the diameter of the filter is the same? I'm guessing no but just thought I would ask.

Also, if I remember correctly, the small frig will hold 1/2 gallon containers, can you confirm?

You're welcome.

I think your guess is correct that the diameter wouldn't be the same. I did a Google search for them and Amazon was sold-out of the paper kind, and since you're leaving so soon it might be best to check locally for them. It's possible that an Orlando grocery delivery service might have them. There's always "CR Grounds" in the lobby, they make a good cup of Joe.

The 1/2 gallons should fit - here is a link to a fridge photo:

http://www.contemporaryresort.net/standard_room.html

Have a great vacation in just 6 days!

[Craig-TMIP]

Hey everybody!
Thanks for all the links to the site, I'm glad we can help!

CR-Resort-Fan-4-Life now has his own page over at contemporaryresort.net!
he shares pictures of the tempo grab-n-go and a nice shot of the hotel before BLT was built.

Thanks Jason!

http://www.contemporaryresort.net/cr...tfan4life.html

[Nicole721]

We're back from an amazing week at BLT! I took 1500 pictures over the course of our trip (a few days in Georgia, a few days in Orlando and a week at BLT) and I have a LOT of room pics (1BR BL view). I'll be putting them up on my blog in the next few days, so if anyone's interested, I'll post the direct link when I get it up

Someone asked before I left about hair dryers: there's one, it's in the master bathroom (in a 1BR), but it's not attached to the wall, so it can be taken from the master bathroom into the other bathroom. It was quite powerful, too.

We were on deluxe dining. I think we did all of the dining in the CR, including in-room dining (Contempo Cafe, The Wave, Cali Grill, Chef Mickey's twice and room service).

There might be some dissent, but I didn't think the CR was overrun with BLT guests, nor did I think traffic in the CR (and at the bus stops) was any different really than our last trip to the CR in May 08. The busses weren't all that crowded when we took them, the monorail station was never all that long and we never had to wait for a second one due to crowding, the stores weren't crowded (nor were the public areas). I think the most crowding I found was around the locked areas, as the key card access was a bit tricky and sometimes took a few tries.

Questions? I'll be happy to answer

[my2disneyboys]

Originally Posted by Nicole721

We're back from an amazing week at BLT! I took 1500 pictures over the course of our trip (a few days in Georgia, a few days in Orlando and a week at BLT) and I have a LOT of room pics (1BR BL view). I'll be putting them up on my blog in the next few days, so if anyone's interested, I'll post the direct link when I get it up

Someone asked before I left about hair dryers: there's one, it's in the master bathroom (in a 1BR), but it's not attached to the wall, so it can be taken from the master bathroom into the other bathroom. It was quite powerful, too.

We were on deluxe dining. I think we did all of the dining in the CR, including in-room dining (Contempo Cafe, The Wave, Cali Grill, Chef Mickey's twice and room service).

There might be some dissent, but I didn't think the CR was overrun with BLT guests, nor did I think traffic in the CR (and at the bus stops) was any different really than our last trip to the CR in May 08. The busses weren't all that crowded when we took them, the monorail station was never all that long and we never had to wait for a second one due to crowding, the stores weren't crowded (nor were the public areas). I think the most crowding I found was around the locked areas, as the key card access was a bit tricky and sometimes took a few tries.

Questions? I'll be happy to answer

Thank you for the review!! We will be staying at the CR in February and doing the deluxe plan and will also be eating at the Wave, Chef Mickey, Cali Grill and Contempo Cafe! I cant wait to see your pics and hear more about your trip. Are you doing a Trip Report?

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by Nicole721

We're back from an amazing week at BLT! I took 1500 pictures over the course of our trip (a few days in Georgia, a few days in Orlando and a week at BLT) and I have a LOT of room pics (1BR BL view). I'll be putting them up on my blog in the next few days, so if anyone's interested, I'll post the direct link when I get it up

Someone asked before I left about hair dryers: there's one, it's in the master bathroom (in a 1BR), but it's not attached to the wall, so it can be taken from the master bathroom into the other bathroom. It was quite powerful, too.

We were on deluxe dining. I think we did all of the dining in the CR, including in-room dining (Contempo Cafe, The Wave, Cali Grill, Chef Mickey's twice and room service).

There might be some dissent, but I didn't think the CR was overrun with BLT guests, nor did I think traffic in the CR (and at the bus stops) was any different really than our last trip to the CR in May 08. The busses weren't all that crowded when we took them, the monorail station was never all that long and we never had to wait for a second one due to crowding, the stores weren't crowded (nor were the public areas). I think the most crowding I found was around the locked areas, as the key card access was a bit tricky and sometimes took a few tries.

Questions? I'll be happy to answer

Thank you for posting and we'll be on the look-out for you photo link. Would you stay at BLT on your next trip? It's already time to start planning

[BCV23]

Nicole721, how did deluxe dining work for in room dining at CRT. Were you able to order from the restaurants?

Did you enjoy your 1 BR? How did it compare to other DVC 1 BRs if you've stayed at any? TIA.

[eeyoresnr]

Originally Posted by Nicole721

We're back from an amazing week at BLT! I took 1500 pictures over the course of our trip (a few days in Georgia, a few days in Orlando and a week at BLT) and I have a LOT of room pics (1BR BL view). I'll be putting them up on my blog in the next few days, so if anyone's interested, I'll post the direct link when I get it up

Someone asked before I left about hair dryers: there's one, it's in the master bathroom (in a 1BR), but it's not attached to the wall, so it can be taken from the master bathroom into the other bathroom. It was quite powerful, too.

We were on deluxe dining. I think we did all of the dining in the CR, including in-room dining (Contempo Cafe, The Wave, Cali Grill, Chef Mickey's twice and room service).

There might be some dissent, but I didn't think the CR was overrun with BLT guests, nor did I think traffic in the CR (and at the bus stops) was any different really than our last trip to the CR in May 08. The busses weren't all that crowded when we took them, the monorail station was never all that long and we never had to wait for a second one due to crowding, the stores weren't crowded (nor were the public areas). I think the most crowding I found was around the locked areas, as the key card access was a bit tricky and sometimes took a few tries.

Questions? I'll be happy to answer

can't wait to see your pics...we have a BL view in Dec and can't wait