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

[Disneymama5816]

Has anyone heard any updates on the pool renovation lately? Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[si-am]

We just booked Contemporary (Garden Wing) for Thanksgiving this year! I'm super excited because I haven't stayed there since I was about 12.

Just wondering: does anyone have any pics of the "new" Outer Rim? This used to be our favorite place in all of WDW to relax with a drink (love the view over Bay Lake), and I was so disappointed when it closed.

I'm hoping it will still be a nice place to hang out!

[Craig-TMIP]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

This is from an email from a CR/IPO:

..."We now offer pool cabanas at the Contemporary resort exclusively for Contemporary Resort Guests. Four hour rentals (10 am to 2 pm - morning or 3 pm to 7 pm - afternoon) are $100 plus tax per session, or you may rent a full day (7 hours
continuous) for $185 plus tax. Rentals include chairs and lounges,
towels, complimentary sodas and water, complimentary fruit basket, 32
inch LCD television, DVD player on request, and iPod docking station."

thanks for the update. I will make the changes on my site to show the new prices. The info I have on my site is from a pre-release memo sent out to cast members. If you look closely at the pictures the name on the card is Seargent Family. That is the name of the general manager at the hotel

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by Disneymama5816

Has anyone heard any updates on the pool renovation lately? Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Here's the most recent photos link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread....140296&page=41

A PP mentioned recently that the pool area will be completed in June.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by 3"Mouse"keteers

We'll be at Contemporary in 10 days! Does anyone know how many days out they do the room assignments? Also, does anyone have a fax number where I can fax my room requests to and do you think it helps to do that as well as have them noted on reservation? We did both with our stay at Pop last fall and we got exactly what we requested!

How exciting!

Some will say faxing doesn't matter at all and that at some resorts they are overwhelmed and don't even look at them. I guess I'm old school, I always fax because it doesn't hurt and I don't mind doing it (and I'm slightly anal retentive).

I believe rooms are generally assigned 3-5 days prior to arrival.

So, fax away! The fax# is: (407) 824-3539.

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by tinkerbellmagic

Hi, I have an all important question... where can I find the homemade potato chips I heard about?

edited to answer my own question: at the Contempo Cafe

You made that easy for us!

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by si-am

We just booked Contemporary (Garden Wing) for Thanksgiving this year! I'm super excited because I haven't stayed there since I was about 12.

Just wondering: does anyone have any pics of the "new" Outer Rim? This used to be our favorite place in all of WDW to relax with a drink (love the view over Bay Lake), and I was so disappointed when it closed.

I'm hoping it will still be a nice place to hang out!

Here is a link to a couple of photos from Feb:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Outer...er-Rim-bar.htm

and, a few more:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jacksp..._resort_1.html

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by Craig-TMIP

thanks for the update. I will make the changes on my site to show the new prices. The info I have on my site is from a pre-release memo sent out to cast members. If you look closely at the pictures the name on the card is Seargent Family. That is the name of the general manager at the hotel

You're welcome and, it looks like you already updated your site.

What are your thoughts (and, everyone else's, too!) about the location of the cabanas surrounding the quiet pool only? It seems the CR might be excluding a segment of potential cabana renters since there aren't any at the main pool area. Parents probably wouldn't be renting the cabanas since they couldn't keep an eye on their youngsters. Unlike the GF, that has the cabanas positioned directly in front of the main pool.

[si-am]

Originally Posted by WDWKOOK

Here is a link to a couple of photos from Feb:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Outer...er-Rim-bar.htm

and, a few more:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jacksp..._resort_1.html

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thank you! It looks great!

[peyjax]

Just back and I have to say we loved the contemporary. We stayed off site first at the JW Marriott and thought we would like it more. We were wrong the rooms were so much bigger and nicer at the contemporary.

We got an upgrade to a tower room so I was so excited. We were on the 7th floor above Chef Mickey's. Now that part was crazy!! Getting woke up at 6:50 in the morning with crazy loud music was a little annoying and had I paid for that I might have been upset. I imagine that is why they upgrade people to those areas. We had a bay view which was so nice right above the pool. Walking to MK was even better than I thought. If we wanted to ride the monorail we could if not we just took the five minute walk.

In reality I just really loved the room decor and its size. If we had gotten the garden room I believe we would have been just as happy.

The pool renovations are still going on and I stood on the balcony for awhile trying to figure out what they are doing? Anyone know the details? It looks like they are adding another pool or kiddy pool area?? I am sure it will be nice when it is done. It would be nice if they had a zero depth entry for the little ones. We still had a blast at the pool.

I never got why people said that the contemporary was just like any other hotel. It is far from it and really does have its own personality. My ds excitedly said he was staying at the monorail station. LOL What other hotel can you say that about?

[brergnat]

Originally Posted by peyjax

Walking to MK was even better than I thought. If we wanted to ride the monorail we could if not we just took the five minute walk.

I agree! People REALLY underestimate this perk! Glad you took advantage of it.

Originally Posted by peyjax

The pool renovations are still going on and I stood on the balcony for awhile trying to figure out what they are doing? Anyone know the details? It looks like they are adding another pool or kiddy pool area?? I am sure it will be nice when it is done. It would be nice if they had a zero depth entry for the little ones. We still had a blast at the pool.

They are adding a kid's splash area, supposedly with sprayers, water cannons, and a "water maze". There are no plans to change the main pool to "zero entry" at this time. That would mean COMPLETELY replacing the main pool. To be honest, I think that is an overhyped feature. It actually takes away a large percentage of "swimmable" pool area for other guests. The kids still have the kiddie pool at CR. The resorts that DO have zero entry pools do NOT have kiddie pools...

Originally Posted by peyjax

I never got why people said that the contemporary was just like any other hotel. It is far from it and really does have its own personality. My ds excitedly said he was staying at the monorail station. LOL What other hotel can you say that about?

I totally agree. I hate all those "it's too sterile" and "it has no theme" arguments. That is total bunk! I think the CR is themed to the HILT. I mean, duh!!! The theme is CONTEMPORARY! "Of the Modern Age". Pretty well executed, I would say, especially after the rehab. I also think it's SO "Disney". There are little Disney touches EVERYWHERE. I also love that it's one of the original hotels. I think it's still one of the best too. But, if everyone else prefers the Poly, or the Beach Club, well...then more room at the CR for us.

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by 3"Mouse"keteers

We'll be at Contemporary in 10 days! Does anyone know how many days out they do the room assignments? Also, does anyone have a fax number where I can fax my room requests to and do you think it helps to do that as well as have them noted on reservation? We did both with our stay at Pop last fall and we got exactly what we requested!

Unless I am wrong I thought all the WDW Resorts no longer take requests that were sent to them by a fax.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Craig-TMIP

thanks for the update. I will make the changes on my site to show the new prices. The info I have on my site is from a pre-release memo sent out to cast members. If you look closely at the pictures the name on the card is Seargent Family. That is the name of the general manager at the hotel

Once you make the changes in the Cabana section will I need to change the link on the 1st page or will it adjust itself once it's fixed?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by peyjax

Just back and I have to say we loved the contemporary. We stayed off site first at the JW Marriott and thought we would like it more. We were wrong the rooms were so much bigger and nicer at the contemporary.

We got an upgrade to a tower room so I was so excited. We were on the 7th floor above Chef Mickey's. Now that part was crazy!! Getting woke up at 6:50 in the morning with crazy loud music was a little annoying and had I paid for that I might have been upset. I imagine that is why they upgrade people to those areas. We had a bay view which was so nice right above the pool. Walking to MK was even better than I thought. If we wanted to ride the monorail we could if not we just took the five minute walk.

In reality I just really loved the room decor and its size. If we had gotten the garden room I believe we would have been just as happy.

The pool renovations are still going on and I stood on the balcony for awhile trying to figure out what they are doing? Anyone know the details? It looks like they are adding another pool or kiddy pool area?? I am sure it will be nice when it is done. It would be nice if they had a zero depth entry for the little ones. We still had a blast at the pool.

I never got why people said that the contemporary was just like any other hotel. It is far from it and really does have its own personality. My ds excitedly said he was staying at the monorail station. LOL What other hotel can you say that about?

Congragulations on the upgrade and thanks for posting your review. Also about your last paragraph I agree 100% because sometimes I laugh at the comments people make about the Contemporary, because it's not just a standard hotel considering it's location and everything it offers. However if people keep making those comments that means there would be more rooms available for those of us who enjoy staying there.

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Originally Posted by brergnat

I agree! People REALLY underestimate this perk! Glad you took advantage of it.




They are adding a kid's splash area, supposedly with sprayers, water cannons, and a "water maze". There are no plans to change the main pool to "zero entry" at this time. That would mean COMPLETELY replacing the main pool. To be honest, I think that is an overhyped feature. It actually takes away a large percentage of "swimmable" pool area for other guests. The kids still have the kiddie pool at CR. The resorts that DO have zero entry pools do NOT have kiddie pools...



I totally agree. I hate all those "it's too sterile" and "it has no theme" arguments. That is total bunk! I think the CR is themed to the HILT. I mean, duh!!! The theme is CONTEMPORARY! "Of the Modern Age". Pretty well executed, I would say, especially after the rehab. I also think it's SO "Disney". There are little Disney touches EVERYWHERE. I also love that it's one of the original hotels. I think it's still one of the best too. But, if everyone else prefers the Poly, or the Beach Club, well...then more room at the CR for us.

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

So there is a kiddie pool? I wasn't aware that there was one!