The Contemporary Resort, Not so Contemporary ANY more.

[GS3rd]

If you have ever been on the monorail, then I'm sure you have seen that huge big piece of crap :hurl: of a building hotel JUST before you get to the Magic Kingdom. Its the hotel which is NUMBER ONE in my book, that needs a HUGE renovation, because it is OLD, falling apart, and just plain UGLY to look at...I'm sorry but in all honesty that hotel needs to be gutted, and replaced with a REAL "CONTEMPORARY" resort and spa...comments?:lookaroun

 

[aust]

totally agree

 

[Disneyanna0521]

I don't agree at all!:fork:

 

[Scar Junior]

I think this is a beautiful hotel... but its not upto Disney standards anymore. The only good things about it are the restaurants and the monorail.

If any resort were to get a major renovation, I would suggest the contemporary.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

It has the same problem that Tomorrowland did--the passage of time.

What seemed futuristic in 1971 seems horribly dated today.

Personally, I like what they did to Tomorrowland.

Perhaps something like that is the solution for the Contemporary.

 

[Disneyanna0521]

What do u mean "what they did in tomorrowland" i was just there may 20-25 2002 and i am not quite sure what u are referring 2

 

[leenyden]

im new to this board but just wanted to say i totally disagree...while its not my favorite, its still is a great hotel

 

[Moustronaut]

Originally posted by Disneyanna0521
What do u mean "what they did in tomorrowland" i was just there may 20-25 2002 and i am not quite sure what u are referring 2

Tomorrowland at WDW was built in to represent the society of the future, or what people though of the future in the 1970's. If you count tomorrowland in Disneyland, that goes all the way back to the 1950's.

Not sure of the date, but in the early 1990's. Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World was updated to reflect the future that never was. They barrowed looks and themes from various Sci-Fi futures (Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, etc) to update the section of the part to a more timeless future theam.

Probably the biggest different to see is the Astro Orbiter. Pre 1990 it was modeled after a Saturn V rocket (cutting edge in the 1970's) After the update, the Astro Orbiter is now topped with a giant mobile of a futurist looking solar system.

Now back to the thread...

I totally agree the Contemporary needs a facelift. I was looking at pictures of the rooms last night, and they are so out of date, the are cool again! Very retro! It's now sorta like "That 70's Resort".

Anyway, not sure what should be done other than the obvious paint and building repairs. I guess it would be cost and schedule prohibitive to update it every 5-10 years to keep it in line with contemporary elegance.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Sorry--I should have explained.

A few years back (perhaps ?1997?), Disney realized that Tomorrowland was looking more like "Yesterdayland". What was futuristic in 1970 was looking terribly out-dated in the 1990's.

They decided to go retro and redesigned Tomorrowland to look like H.G. Wells' version of the future. They took their inspiration from books like "Mission to Mars," "War of the Worlds," and "The Time Machine." It is supposed to look like what people envisioned for the 21st century at the dawn of the 20th century.

The themeing reminds me a little of the old "Flash Gordon" movies.

This kind of decor is timeless and doesn't put WDW in the position of needing to update every few years.

Perhaps a more timeless theme is what's called for at the Contemporary.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I guess Mousetronaut just types faster than I do!!

 

[orangefan15]

I don't think Contemporary should be replaced or completely overhauled to the extent that tomorrowland was...but how about some new paint, building repair and redesign of room interiors? This would serve to update the resort, yet not make a major change to this "classic" Disney resort.

 

[Lilo]

I agree with Orange. Update it, but don't totally demolish it. The rooms could use some new and innovative styling, but the lobby area is still pretty modern.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Lilo
I agree with Orange. Update it, but don't totally demolish it. The rooms could use some new and innovative styling, but the lobby area is still pretty modern.

Yeah..no need to send in the demolition crew....it needs a face lift...BAD... For a concept of the new Contemporary, ... think what would it look like in 2030...or..heck.. 2050 for that matter.....put together some quailty concept sketches...with the orig "A" frame...and run with it... My vision is Lots of glass pannels covering the existing frame....with a light tint of blue....and or green... in quality stainless steel framing...

While it was quite "Contemporary" back 1971....think of it as "Retro Contemporary" for now

 

[Debbie]

The Contemporary was contemporary when it first opened. For you younger members here, can you imagine staying at one of the few on site hotels in the 1970's? and having to book it one year in advance? heck, it might have taken a week just to get through to Disney Resort Reservations. The hotel has had it's share of 'updates' but by today's standard, appears not so 'contemporary'. Remember the old cast member costumes for the Contemporary or Polynesian for that matter? I know you all feel it kinda is a dinosaur, but I am still in awe of the place itself, recalling what it felt like to stay on property, while 85% of the rest of visitors had to go elsewhere.

 

[isnet396]

Has anyone noticied the lighting on the outside of the actual A-Building? Between the windows of the guest rooms, there are these lights, and the last time I was there during the 2000 events, they had them set so that the lights made out the 2o0o logo, which ran the vertical span of each side of the building. Anyone know what I'm talking about?


Ian

 

[epcot71]

i wouldnt demolish this grand hotel.it does need some work but this is a major part of wdw and has made many memories for many people-a fresh new paint job and some interior/exterior work and a couple of other things will make this look great

 

[ppiew]

We just stayed in the Towers a month ago, and although I agree some room updates are needed ( spreads, drapes, furnishings) the hotel IS an icon of the original WDW and should remain. However the bathrooms were GREAT (as in large) and the size of the rooms is also very big. Really roomy as compared to the newer resorts.

 

[leeocean]

Update a few things, however, keep the Contemporary - it's wonderful.

 

[Debbie]

when I stayed at the Contemporary in 1981, I recall there being a separate shower as well as a tub.
This place IS such an icon of WDW. I still appreciate everything about the Contemporary and Polynesian because it is such a treat to stay there. I felt so special to stay there in '81, as my aunt and uncle took me for graduation. My mom and dad could have never stayed there with all us kids. Mom really liked it when I took her and my two younger sisters in 1983.

 

[figmentmom]

I have to admit I've never stayed there, but the Contemporary is still a huge symbol of WDW to me. Just riding through it on the monorail is as much of a "must-do" for us as any other attraction there. New paint, yes! Replace it, no!