News Contemporary Refurbishment--April to Sept 2021

[Bocabear]

It was an issue in the 70's and 80's. They moved the Arcade from the 1st floor to build the Wave, so they pushed the shop under the monorail to the center Atrium. That space for a while was a Pixar Playzone (Kiddie gulag so parents can go play) but was swapped back to an arcade when those facilities were eliminated at all resorts.

Kiddie Gulag! I love that! LOL!!!

 

[Todd H]

Thank you Disney for encouraging me to try a different hotel next summer. Booked a club level savanna view room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Have never stayed there so I’m actually looking forward to it.

 

[UNCgolf]

Random question, but are you canadian?

Very random!

I am not, but my girlfriend is. Why?

 

[castlecake2.0]

Saying

Very random!

I am not, but my girlfriend is. Why?

saying “anyways” instead of “anyway” is usually a give away lol. I’ve lived down here for 10 years or so but I’ve picked up on little things that usually point to someone being a Canuck. Maybe you picked it up from her? Lol. Other giveaways include “hydro bill” and “sorry” haha

 

[jbeechuk]

The new design is absolutely hideous. This is supposed to be a high end resort, now it’s got an ultra-cheap and tacky cartoon feel to the rooms. If this was a value resort, then that might be ok. Who in their right mind would pay big bucks to stay there now? Smh.

 

[MickeyMouse10]

The new rooms look so plain, I was hoping it would be more themed and colorful then the last ones. At first I didn't even notice the monorail on the curtain. Because for some reason they put tan on tan.

Things they could have put to make it better

• a giant monorail on the wall
• a brightly colored (red and/or orange) headboard with the Incredibles logo
• characters powers (lasers, fire, ice)
• a giant version of the baby peeking through the roof (ala Mickey in the Beanstalk)
• something in the shape of a cookie numnum (perhaps the table)

 

[John park hopper]

I know I am in the minority but I kinda like the rooms as they are in keeping with the original design intent of the contemporary and having spent our honeymoon there in 1977
architectural structure shadows the inherent innovation of its design.

"Conceived as a prefabricated hotel, the rooms (that photo to the right is of an original September 1972 room) of the 14-story Contemporary Tower were originally built off-site—under the direction of the U.S. Steel Corporation, architect Welton Becket and Walt Disney.

The rooms were later hoisted and fitted into place by a crane".

then

now

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

"Taking what Disney has announced into account, our sources indicate that The Wave…of American Flavors will absorb the historical theming that the lobby is getting, and the new dining experience that Disney eludes to in their press release will be Steakhouse ’71.

Steakhouse ’71 will reportedly take cues from the Steakhouse 55 concept at the Disneyland Hotel, and the restaurant will be decked out in historical photos of not only construction of The Contemporary, but also early construction of Walt Disney World. This theme will be heavy in nostalgia, and sit in contrast with The Incredibles theme taking place in the guest rooms."

Imagine. Just imagine if the guest room imagineers communicated with the Steakhouse 72 Imagineers what could have been accomplished.

I feel so bad for the families that have saved for years to return to their beloved Contemporary to celebrate the 50th of WDW and what they will be hit with as they exit the elevator and then enter their guest room. It really is a shame Disney has chosen this path for the most iconic hotel on property. I hope the families do not keep themselves in the dark and are prepared for what they will see.

We’ve never stayed at the Contemporary... it just wasn’t our vibe (WL fam then Poly) but we certainly appreciated the history and uniqueness of this iconic resort.

Truly a shame.

 

[Rambozo]

I can't believe how boring this room is. It seems like they wanted to please everyone and they ended up doing the opposite.

It's not plain enough for some people and not themed enough for the others.

 

[Rambozo]

I know I am in the minority but I kinda like the rooms as they are in keeping with the original design intent of the contemporary and having spent our honeymoon there in 1977
architectural structure shadows the inherent innovation of its design.

"Conceived as a prefabricated hotel, the rooms (that photo to the right is of an original September 1972 room) of the 14-story Contemporary Tower were originally built off-site—under the direction of the U.S. Steel Corporation, architect Welton Becket and Walt Disney.

The rooms were later hoisted and fitted into place by a crane".

View attachment 566524then View attachment 566525
now

Both suck, I'd rather it be a more over the top theming. Come on Disney have some fricking fun.

 

[John park hopper]

I don't think the original intent of the Contemporary was over the top theming or even extensive theming

Marty Sklar’s description of the resort :

“The Contemporary is very special because that term contemporary meant that we were trying to do something that represented a step into the future. We made a deal with US Steel to actually build those hotel rooms offsite and put all the amenities into it the beds the wallpaper everything was put in those rooms off-site then trucked to WDW lifted into place and slid into the Contemporary- Like putting a chest of drawers into the framework."

Marty Sklar was a famous Disney imaginer, who died not long ago.

I'm not trying to convince anyone to like the refurb just explain why it is the way it is

 

[docandsix]

I can't believe how boring this room is. It seems like they wanted to please everyone and they ended up doing the opposite.

It's not plain enough for some people and not themed enough for the others.

It looks a little like a prison cell or the location where brainwashing occurs in a dystopian future featuring an all-knowing world government. I wonder if the closets come with pre-fitted shiny jumpsuits instead of bathrobes.

Blech.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Saying

saying “anyways” instead of “anyway” is usually a give away lol. I’ve lived down here for 10 years or so but I’ve picked up on little things that usually point to someone being a Canuck. Maybe you picked it up from her? Lol. Other giveaways include “hydro bill” and “sorry” haha

Well, I must be a Canadian then because I always use “anyways” over “anyway” lol.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I have decided that my taste and that of the majority in here are certainly not aligned.

Saying these rooms are plain or prison cell like is… shocking to me?

I can understand if you don’t like the IP touches, but the rooms to me are gorgeous. Clean, mid-century modern. It’s all my style.

I love that they adjusted the architecture around the balconies, adds interest and a 70’s flare.

 

[Robbiem]

This is a good point. They may have missed an opportunity to make this a "DisneyWorld hotel" and just theme the whole thing to the history and design of WDW, MK, or Tomorrowland. Similar to Disneyland Hotel.

I love the idea of theming the hotel to ‘vacation kingdom of the world’ era disney. Mid century furniture, a modernised version of the world map in each room with Mary Blair art, concept art from the various eras bring back the top of the world lounge as a modernised California grill And the original Mickey globe logo. You could still have some incredibles rooms as a subset like the pirate rooms at the carribean beach and appeal to multiple groups of people

 

[peter11435]

I love the idea of theming the hotel to ‘vacation kingdom of the world’ era disney. Mid century furniture, a modernised version of the world map in each room with Mary Blair art, concept art from the various eras bring back the top of the world lounge as a modernised California grill And the original Mickey globe logo. You could still have some incredibles rooms as a subset like the pirate rooms at the carribean beach and appeal to multiple groups of people

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this and other threads that really would be the best future for the property and now would have been the best time to make it happen. Huge missed opportunity

 

[castlecake2.0]

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this and other threads that really would be the best future for the property and now would have been the best time to make it happen. Huge missed opportunity

Can we hope for the 60th? Like what were they thinking with this? Who ultimately approves this decision? I feel bad for the resort GM and Cast that now have to deal with this mess.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't think the original intent of the Contemporary was over the top theming or even extensive theming

Marty Sklar’s description of the resort :

“The Contemporary is very special because that term contemporary meant that we were trying to do something that represented a step into the future. We made a deal with US Steel to actually build those hotel rooms offsite and put all the amenities into it the beds the wallpaper everything was put in those rooms off-site then trucked to WDW lifted into place and slid into the Contemporary- Like putting a chest of drawers into the framework."

Marty Sklar was a famous Disney imaginer, who died not long ago.

I'm not trying to convince anyone to like the refurb just explain why it is the way it is

Nowhere in that quote does he talk about how the hotel needs to be “Disney”.

 

[Indy_UK]

I think they look great

 

[GimpYancIent]

I know I am in the minority but I kinda like the rooms as they are in keeping with the original design intent of the contemporary and having spent our honeymoon there in 1977
architectural structure shadows the inherent innovation of its design.

"Conceived as a prefabricated hotel, the rooms (that photo to the right is of an original September 1972 room) of the 14-story Contemporary Tower were originally built off-site—under the direction of the U.S. Steel Corporation, architect Welton Becket and Walt Disney.

The rooms were later hoisted and fitted into place by a crane".

View attachment 566524then View attachment 566525
now

An ICONIC, solid construction, that was not enhanced by this refurb but rather downgraded. The rack rate needs to should reflect the downgrade I say it's now economy level.