Contemporary: Pros? Cons?

[Holly]

The last time I visited Disney was in '76 - and we stayed at the Polynesian. At the time, I thought the Contemporary was the *coolest* hotel ... after all, the monorail goes right through it!

So when we decided to take our family to Disney in November, the Contemporary was where I wanted to stay - but since booking it, I've heard some not so nice things about the place. "Hasn't been updated" "Not a great hotel for kids" "Ugh - you're not staying at the CONTEMPORARY are you????"

If anyone has some input, I'd appreciate it. I really want to stay there (childhood fantasy and all) but if the cons outweigh the positives, well, maybe we'll move to the Polynesian.

 

[The Mom]

I've stayed at both, and as long as you're in the tower, it should be fine. I like it because you can walk to the MK, and you really feel like you're in the "heart" of things. Will I be staying there again? Of course!

 

[Lance]

Originally posted by Holly
I really want to stay there (childhood fantasy and all)

Exactly why I stayed in the Contemporary last August, after years and years of going through it and walking around the concourse........I always wanted to stay in a room and walk out to see the monorail go by you in front of your room..........let me tell you, it was worth every penny.....

Pros: Tower Rooms are the only way to go, arcade, snack bar, balcony, very nice interior decorating, very spacious bathroom, elvator is quick, great lobbies, monorail, stores right below you, pool, rentals, walk to MK, great view.

Cons: Garden Wing Rooms, A LOT OF SNOBS take the elevators during the nite because of the California Grill.

 

[jmarc63]

While on family trips to WDW at christmas time we stayed at the contempoary from 71 to 76 and at the old Lake Buena Vista Villas from 77 to 80. and in that time we say the rooms remodeled at least three times with new everything in the rooms. and when I was there in 93 I walked thru the wings and say that they had compleatly changed all the room interiors and even changed the style of the furiniture from the space age formicas and plastics they had in the 70s to more wood accents and furiniture today. and compleatly did a major remodel at the check in area. So they have been updating an remodeling the contemporary often.
the least changed area there is the feista fun center.

 

[Worldphile]

We stayed at the Contemporary a few years ago. We liked it a lot.

Our favorite park is the MK. We had the room at the very end of the garden wing. So, to get to the MK, we went down the stairs next to our room, and across the parking lot to the MK. I think we were closer to the MK than to the monorail stop in the hotel itself. That was great for us.

We are park commandos, so we don't spend much time in our room anyhow. But, I had no complaints about our room. It served its purpose. We are more concerned with location than ambience though. So, if that is important to you, a newer resort might be better for you.

Chef Mickey's is a good character breakfast, and the other restaurants are good as well.

Overall, I liked the resort and would stay there again.

 

[LoriL]

I also stayed at the Contemporary when I was a kid (the year WDW opened!) and wanted to stay there again when I went back as an adult. Unlike the other people who have replied, I was disappointed. I felt that the "contemporary" theming felt today like staying in a Hyatt Hotel with an atrium. The monorail going through the lobby was okay, but it is so noisy all of the time. The next time I went back and stayed at the Polynesian and loved it-- thought that the theming still held up and the room I stayed in had been more recently renovated than our room at the Contemporary. This year we went with our 2 1/2 year old son, and we stayed at the Polynesian again although we did go to Chef Mickey's twice.

If you are going with kids, then I think it depends on their ages. You might want to show them pictures of both hotels and see what they think, if they are old enough. Both are so close to the MK, although from the Polynesian you can also walk to the TTC to get to Epcot quickly, if you plan on going there for dinners.

basically, you can't go wrong with either choice! When I go back next time, it will be to the Animal Kingdom Lodge-- which is SPECTACULAR. We went there for dinner at Boma, and I can't wait to go back and stay there.

 

[instidude]

Contempory the Last 5 Visits

Four the last 5 visits (over the last 6 years), we have stayed at the Contemporary. My kids are now 4 and 2 (so yes, my wife and I were there on our own prior to kids), and the Contemporary is great for this age. We always stay in the tower, beacuse both kids MUST see the monrail, and they can look down at Chef Mickey's and see the characters. My son loves the huge arcade by the Food and Fun Center. For next years trip, I've asked my son if he wants to stay anywhere else, and he doews not want to (I think it's because of the monorail).

During the day, when people are at the parks, the Grand canyon Concourse is great because the kids can run around outside the shops a little bit to let loose some energy. Plus, being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom is a plus (put them in the stroller, and you've got sleeping kids in a few short minutes). The elevators also have Mickey and Friends announcing what floor you're on.

When the kids are older, we'll try other places, but the convenience factor, plus the monrail and room views from the tower, make this the place where my family always stays!

 

[mousecar]

I've stayed at the Contemporary and nothing beats the convenience of the MK walking distance! We stayed in the tower and had a view of the park everynight. A tower room is more expensive but as stated in previous posts - it is worth it. There's a great arcade downstairs and a nice little shopping area. Chef Mickey's was great for character meals. We ate at the California Grill and watched the fireworks. And the best feature of all -
THE MONORAIL!