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?

 

[justducky78]

I'm sorry to hear the OP didn't have a good experience but we should be careful not to get so defensive and jump down her throat! She is just stating her experience and opinion! That's what this board is all about. I personally love the Contemporary -- the monorail is unique, the California Grill is great (although the service not so great the last few times we dined there), and although the theming might be lacking for some people, I've always thought it works somehow.

It may have something to do with my husband - he grew up staying at the CR almost every year as a kid, so he loves it and I think it's rubbed off on me. Do I prefer other hotels to the CR - YES! But, you can't beat the location and the view of the Magic Kindgom and Seven Seas Lagoon! I really like the look of the new rooms as well.

I DO urge the OP to try it again when you go back, as they are undergoing A LOT of changes and suggest you try the California Grill or another restaurant next time. I don't find any of the "self-serve" options exciting anywhere - Disney or not! You simply won't get the same experience of "feel" of a resort by eating a burger/fries on a plastic tray as you would in one of their "deluxe" restaurants.

Again, sorry to hear it wasn't a good experience, but don't let this deter you from visiting there again!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I'm a fan of the Poly(Never stayed,but toured) but I would not mind having enough money to be bored at the Contemporary.

Have a magical day, y'all!:wave::lol:

 

[gibsonc]

I just stayed at the Contemporary for 4 nights from the 30th October. I really liked it myself, not sure what my opinion would have been if I had not booked a Magic Kingdom view though, that was the big wow factor for me (and being upgraded to the concierge floor).

Sure the Grab and Go is a bit uninspiring as is the construction going on in that area, but the new Contempo Cafe looks like it should be good when it opens.

Just on the Concourse Sundries and Spirits store, on the morning I flew home (3rd November) there where some 3 guys with blueprints stood outside the store. Only got a brief glimpse but it looked like the plans where for a new sign at least, maybe new frontage if not more.

 

[Glasgow]

Ick is right!

I'm sorry, I know this is pretty childish but I have had a long, tough day at work and just reading this made me laugh out loud. Thanks RussJT .. lol

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We stayed at the Contemporary last December. I agree, my mother could totally whip some Mousekeepers there into shape. Our room was waaay dirty. No arguement there. That's not the hotel, per se, that's the mousekeeping and doesn't even refer to all the mousekeepers as I'm sure there are good ones out there. I've experienced them in the past and I'm sure to meet up with them again in the future.

I had some issues with other little things around the Contemporary as well (such as the elevators...and the laundry facilities). The closing of some areas and the work in progress was annoying but necessary so I can't hold that against the powers-that-be. I can't say I have any problem whatsoever with the theming. It's the Contemporary. In my mind's eye it's not supposed to be a blatantly over-the-top themed resort like so many of the other ones. It's understated. The lines in the design are clean and modern as is the decor. The "Disney-fication" is felt in an understated way. Mickey is there but he's not everywhere. I love love love the architecture even tho at this point it does sorta date itself. Even if it's "dated" it's in a cool way that I appreciate the retro factor.

We currently have a room booked there again for January. The location and views are incredible. I'm totally looking forward to our visit. And, I know this is really bad, I intend to bring some clorox wipes and pledge wipes. If I have to borrow a broom and vacuum from mousekeeping, I will. After all, I have my hubby on videotape saying "Bring cleaning supplies...I will clean the room for you if we can stay there again!" Little does he know....bwaaahhaahaahaahaaaaaaaa!!! :ROFLOL:

 

[justducky78]

And, I know this is really bad, I intend to bring some clorox wipes and pledge wipes.

:lol::lol: We're very OCD, my husband and I, so we always bring the clorox wipes with us, anyway! This is normal behavior for us! :lol::lol:

 

[SchultzFamily]

Unfortunately, you will read this about every single resort. Personally, we never had any problem at the Contemporary--we just don't like the themeing or the cost and don't stay there anymore. We went to visit WL twice and had really rude CM's when we tried to talk to them about rooms, etc.; we found All-Star Sports to be too crowded and noisy. We've even had a minor problem at our favorite resort which is now our home away from home, the Coronado. Not every resort is going to be perfect.

 

[JustPlainBill]

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:

You're point is a good one.
When I first visited WDW back in early 1973 the only Disney hotels around were the Contemporary, Polynesian and the Disney Inn. For me, the Contemporary will always be an "original."
Though I didn't stay there at the time I thought the Contemporary was a grand hotel, especially the way the monorail whooshed through the building. Nowhere in the world to my knowledge back then could you experience something like that. I was just a kid, I was easily impressed with anything Disney did. While the Contemporary may not hold the same luster as it did when being compared to the more "themed up" Disney hotels today it still holds it's own for what it offers. I will admit I was a bit disappointed myself with the construction and mess while staying there this past August, but I took it all in context. It wasn't like I didn't know it was going on, I expected it. The staff was wonderful, even better than the staff at the Poly, in my experience.

 

[durangojim]

I love the California Grill. Dining there during the fireworks is one of our favorite things to do at WDW. That being said, whenever my wife and I take the boat to the Contemporary from the WL, we feel like we're walking through a funky public park pool area into a Hyatt. Doesn't feel very "Disney" at all, and the themeing, while probably state of the art at the time the hotel was built no feels very dated to me. Give me the WL, BC, or GF any day over the Contemporary (although having a view into the MK would be cool).

 

[ClemsonTigger]

While the Contemporary is not my favorite site, as has been said, many have it as their first choice.

As for swearing things off at Disney, I have said that same thing in the past, but have come to find if you give it some time and try again, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Years ago, eating at the Canada restaurant was a buffet, and I could not understand how people raved about it...come to find La Cellier had changed format just a bit.... Had a few bad experiences at Cali Grille, but our last visit was outstanding. Love 50's Prime Time, but a the last few experiences have been rather flat....will try again.

So I have learned not to write off anything permanently!

 

[charatijennings]

I love the Contemporary. I can appreciate those who say it's not that well-themed. My love stems from childhood memories of staying in the atrium with my parents on our first visit. We only stay there occasionally now since both my DH and DS prefer the Poly. As far as price, I got Fla Resident Rates for December of $210 a night. And it's always the cheapest monorail hotel. I've been sweating the quick service meal issue but am relieved the hear that the new one will be opened by our arrival. We're staying 3 nights at CR and then 2 nights at WL (for the Christmas decorations) and the WL nights were actually $40 more per night without the discount. Can't wait!

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

I stayed at Contemporary during this period and had a blast. It was my first stay there and a friend told me I'd be spoiled by staying at a monorail resort. She was so right. That they are in the middle of a huge construction project didn't bother me. I knew it when I booked it. I definitely would stay there again. Different people, different tastes, right?

 

[LSonDubz]

nothing could be as bad as my stay at coronado springs.. we checked in at around midnight and had diarrhea and blood on the sheets when we arrived to our room and when i complained there response was "well, what would you like us to do".. wrote a letter and several e-mails with no response