Contemporary...Ick!

[November Girl]

Just got back from a week at WDW and it was a great experience at the parks. Wish I could say the same about the Contemporary. We stayed at the WL and took a boat over to have dinner one night at the Contemporary. It really looks dated overall and is showing its age inside and out in all of the pubic areas. There were a lot of plain white construction walls up, really awful flourescent lighting on the concourse level, and the Contempo Grab and go was just dirty and understocked at 6pm on a Friday. A soda was spilled all over the floor and on the table near us and was never cleaned or even noticed by staff in the time we sat there. There were some menu signs up for a new quick serve, and when I asked a cast member where we could order from that menu he said "oh we're just putting it up as a test. You can't actually order any of this right now." So since we were hungry, we ate at the Contempo, I asked if they were serving any hot food, but it was just a choice of some microwave type pizza. Other than that some cold sandwiches, and a hot pork sandwich served out of a grubby crock pot. My husband requested extra BBQ sauce and was told they didn't have any, even though it was on the pork already. I asked another cast member..."this is a deluxe hotel-where are my other non-reserved dining options?" and she told us to take the monorail to the Poly, unbelievable for a hotel at that price point. Although we stayed there once years ago and loved it, needless to say, that hotel is now permanently off our list. On the other hand, the WL was great, clean and awesome service. I just wonder what the people staying at the Contemporary right now are thinking?

 

[disneychic71]

That's interesting. I have never stayed at the Contemporary, but was considering it since the redecorated rooms look so nice. I guess we'll stick to our favorites instead!

 

[RussJT]

It really looks dated overall and is showing its age inside and out in all of the pubic areas.

Ick is right!

 

[November Girl]

Total typo on the PUBLIC...sorry about that one!

 

[westie]

Sorry to hear that. When we stayed there it was very nice. We only hit the fast serve rest. late at night. All the other times we ate at the CA Grill restaurant and had great meals. I'd suggest the restaurant if you ever go back.

 

[Figment1986]

Considdering they are in the final transformations of the main building and working on a lot of the grand canyon concorse as well as other levels there are bound to be some problems.. like no no hot food at their quick service at the moment, though once the new new quick service is finnished their most likeky wont be a problem with hot food im sure.

Maybe around your next visit the problems will be taken care of?

 

[tnemgif]

Does anyone know exactly when the main construction is scheduled to be finished in the "old" building of the contemporary? I know the new tower is supposed to be completed mid-end of 2009? but I'm not sure about the revamping of the old building.

 

[rsoxguy]

Say it ain't so! I have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary. There's something about a hotel with a monorail going through its center that fascinates me. Perhaps the construction has led to a temporary lapse in quality control? They will hopefully correct every negative issue and bring this resort up to WDW standards.

 

[Scooter]

Sorry you had such a bad experiance at The Contemporary, but I can assure you that isn't the norm there.

We have stayed at The Contemporary at least 8 times and have never had a bad time or bad dining experiance.

As someone mentioned before, they are in transition to a new Counter Service dining place so there are bound to be some glitches in the system during these changes.

It's also funny how you mentioned you won't ever go back and try it agian.

The first time my wife and I went to The Wilderness Lodge to eat we had a horrible experiance. First we tried the counter service place and it was so small there was no where to sit. We ended up eating at Whispering Canyon and had no idea about the loud theming and yelling and screaming that went on in there. We found it to be anoying and intrusive. We vowed never to return to WL again after that.

That was a few years ago. We went back to WL on our last trip and had a very enjoyable dining experiance.

My point? One bad experiance doesn't neccessarily make for a bad place.
I would urge you to give The Contemporary Resort another try after all the building and dining changes have been completed. The employes there are being shifted around and are learning new jobs and I'm sure once they are all settled in things will be as they should.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

There were a lot of plain white construction walls up, really awful flourescent lighting on the concourse level, and the Contempo Grab and go was just dirty and understocked at 6pm on a Friday. A soda was spilled all over the floor and on the table near us and was never cleaned or even noticed by staff in the time we sat there. There were some menu signs up for a new quick serve, and when I asked a cast member where we could order from that menu he said "oh we're just putting it up as a test. You can't actually order any of this right now." So since we were hungry, we ate at the Contempo, I asked if they were serving any hot food, but it was just a choice of some microwave type pizza. Other than that some cold sandwiches, and a hot pork sandwich served out of a grubby crock pot. My husband requested extra BBQ sauce and was told they didn't have any, even though it was on the pork already. I asked another cast member..."this is a deluxe hotel-where are my other non-reserved dining options?" and she told us to take the monorail to the Poly, unbelievable for a hotel at that price point.

Most of your issue here will be very much rectified once the Contempo Cafe is open. Tempo Grab and Go was a necessary evil while the new counter-service locale was being built. I do agree, though, that the new lighting is way too bright. Unfortunately, that Cast Member should have directed you downstairs to the Sand Bar out by the pool for the other counter-service option, assuming it was open at that time.

It really looks dated overall and is showing its age inside and out in all of the pubic areas.

Can't much to that as all of the decor is brand spankin' new, all that's left to do is the aforementioned construction areas, and maybe some Chef Mickey's TLC, maybe some BVG and Concourse Sundries and Spirits work. Could just be personal taste, which is okay.

Although we stayed there once years ago and loved it, needless to say, that hotel is now permanently off our list. On the other hand, the WL was great, clean and awesome service.

I wouldn't be so quick to write us off. Give us a chance to get through our growing pains, and you will probably have a much more pleasant experience! :wave:

I just wonder what the people staying at the Contemporary right now are thinking?

Most of them I've talked to over the past few days have really enjoyed staying here!

 

[elabron]

I've always loved the Contemporary........stayed there in a suite right after the remodel.....it was awesome.

The place has a lot of nostalgia for me, as it reminds me of trips to WDW with my grandparents in the late 70's/early 80's. We never stayed there (they preferred the Poly), but I can remember my grandpa taking me over there to play in the arcade, and seeing the monorail wisk through the lobby was pretty cool to a 4 yr old.

I love the place. :sohappy:

 

[wbt06]

It is funny you mention there is no hot food at the quick serve place. Where I work you would be surprised how many people go off on me about us not serving any hot breakfast since we are the only quick serve place open really early. Also how many people where working there and how busy was it. Sometimes it becomes hard to keep up with everything. We do try to keep everything under control and everything looking nice at least where I work. I worked by my self last Sunday and let’s just say it was not fun but luckily everyone understood and did not get mad that there was a line. Trust me it is great most of the time working for Disney but every place has there off days. Give it another chance and see how it goes you have to try everything twice to really see if it is good or bad. (We need a spell check on this thing)

 

[tn1999]

No offense to the OP, but perhaps you were looking at things through some puke-green colored glasses (the opposite of rose colored glases I suppose), and I say this because almost all of the contemporary is finished with its COMPLETE face-lift. The Lobby which is amazing, The Wave, Fantasia, the seating area for Contempo Cafe, The Atrium Club Concierge Level, all of the guest rooms, and all of the landscaping are all new or newly refurbished public areas, and rather well done. Also, some of the public areas that have not been redone yet, such as the 2nd floor convention concourse, the 1st floor convention lobby, and the Tower Club Concierge Level are still in immaculate shape and for this reason may not be touched as part of this current face-lift. The only public areas I see that need help, without any plans of help coming, are the old merchandise locations (BVG & Concourse Sundries), the new Arcade (truly ICK!), Chef Mickey's, and Cali Grill. The pool is scheduled for its face lift this winter. So perhaps it is all about taste then? If its a matter of up-keep as pointed out by the spilt soda, please understand that "Tempo Grab & Go" is the Con"tempo"rary's "tempo"rary quick service option. And EVERYONE can agree that it is not anywhere near the standard of a deluxe resort, it is out-of-place, awkward, ugly, small, and inconvenient. But I do understand it is necessary up until this Thursday when Contempo Cafe opens YAY! which will (cross you fingers) be among the better quick serves on property. In the end, give credit where credit is due, criticize with research and understanding, and pick your battles. Disney, and its interests in WDW's quality, are swirling around the edge of a porcelain bowl right now. I think we all need to start accepting that budget cuts are going to undermine the Disney we love. Entertainment cuts, fireworks cuts, holiday party cuts, employee cuts, and yes, this might even mean a split soda might sit there all night. It not right. I dont like it. but it is happening none-the-less.

 

[captainkidd]

Everytime we go to the Contemporary, we're amazed at what a loyal following it has. We've at least visited every Disney Resort and by far, it has the least personality of any of them.

My wife and I went to California Grill (which was very good) and before, we just waited downstairs. We saw more conventioners than vacationers. It has a very business bland feel about it. The current mess due to the construction is understandable. I just don't care for the lack of a Disney feel it has.

 

[Scooter]

Everytime we go to the Contemporary, we're amazed at what a loyal following it has. We've at least visited every Disney Resort and by far, it has the least personality of any of them.

My wife and I went to California Grill (which was very good) and before, we just waited downstairs. We saw more conventioners than vacationers. It has a very business bland feel about it. The current mess due to the construction is understandable. I just don't care for the lack of a Disney feel it has.

I am always amazed when I read posts like this.

I am constantly reading that The Contemporary Resort doesn't feel Disney enough, or it isn't themed well or my favorite that it's Not even Contemporary anymore.

How can a resort with a monorail running through the inside of it NOT be Disney themed or Contemporary?:brick:

If your idea of what makes a resort Disneyish or contemporary fits, then
I guess everyone that checks into The Contemporary should be required to wear space suits and Everyone at The Polynesian should wear grass skirts with coconut bras and/or Hawaiin shirts with Kakhi shorts and everyone who checks into the Animal Kingdom Lodge should wear pith helmets and carry elephant guns.:lol:

 

[captainkidd]

I am always amazed when I read posts like this.

I am constantly reading that The Contemporary Resort doesn't feel Disney enough, or it isn't themed well or my favorite that it's Not even Contemporary anymore.

How can a resort with a monorail running through the inside of it NOT be Disney themed or Contemporary?:brick:

If your idea of what makes a resort Disneyish or contemporary fits, then
I guess everyone that checks into The Contemporary should be required to wear space suits and Everyone at The Polynesian should wear grass skirts with coconut bras and/or Hawaiin shirts with Kakhi shorts and everyone who checks into the Animal Kingdom Lodge should wear pith helmets and carry elephant guns.:lol:

I never said it wasn't contemporary. Even if it wasn't, that wouldn't bother me.

The hotel looks and feels like nothing more than a fancy Sheraton or Marriot. The monorail running through it is cool, but it's not enough to save the dullness of the hotel.

What I love about the Disney Resorts is the theme that goes with them. Even if it's not my cup of tea, it's carried out well. Wilderness, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian, Beach Club, Port Orleans, Coronado.....they've all got excellent themes and transport you. I don't get any of that from Contemporary.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

The Contemporary was always my husband's dream. However, four things have kept us from staying there.
1) $$$ - Need I say more? We could afford it, but we can't rationalize it. Not even with the current promos.
2) Availability - We have a hard time locking in the room we want when we want it. (Of course, if we could, the price would become the deciding factor.)
3) Cleanliness - The people we know that have stayed there were not impressed with it.
4) The Wilderness Lodge - LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT We may never stay anywhere else again.

 

[RiversideBunny]

My spouse once described the Contemporary as 'like living in an airport', referring mainly to the concourse area.

Nice place. Unique. Very little Disney feel and theme to the rooms though as compared to the other resorts.
Some guide books have said that it is 'the least themed' Disney resort.

I like that fact that you can walk to the MK and that it's on the monorail.

 

[mousefan1972]

My spouse once described the Contemporary as 'like living in an airport', referring mainly to the concourse area.

Nice place. Unique. Very little Disney feel and theme to the rooms though as compared to the other resorts.
Some guide books have said that it is 'the least themed' Disney resort.

I like that fact that you can walk to the MK and that it's on the monorail.

That is the only thing we liked about it when we stayed there in May. Glad we tried it, but we won't be staying there again. :shrug:

 

[Eyorefan]

OP, I can understand where you are coming from. When we stayed there in Feb. our number one grab was the lack of a quick service resturant.

We ended up taking the monrail over to the Poly one night after the parks had closed and we hadn't had dinner. It made for a nice little adventure.

Still I won't stay there again, at least not in the tower. Besides the QSR, our other issue was with the people on the elevators. I don't know if it was wacky week or what, but it seemed like there were a lot of adults who didn't know elevator edicate. It got really frustrating after a while because you have to take the elevator to get anywhere in that place.