The Contemporary

[Senderella]

Ok. We've pretty much decided on staying at the Contemporary, but I'm wondering what everyone's got to say about their experiences there. Good Bad & Ugly. I've read a few less than wonderful things and that's why I'm 2nd guessing it. We dont want to pay a lot of money and get there look around and think we could've done better elsewhere. :lookaroun Know what I mean?

Any Contemporary experiences or stories or anything you can offer would be *really* appreciated. We want to make sure we're makin the right choice for us because.. I know we can hotel hop on future trips, but the way *we* are... we find a place we love & that's home. Period. Thanks in advance!!

 

[leeocean]

I have stayed at the Contemporary several times growing up and on my own as an adult. I love the location. It can't be beat: walk to MK and one stop to the TTC. The only suggestion I would make would be to stay in a tower room if at all possible. The wing rooms have bad water pressure and the view isn't as nice.
The Outer Rim is great, so is the Concourse Steakhouse, and Chef Mickey's. If you can, eat at the California Grill during the fireworks. It is very magical to watch the fireworks over dessert. The music is pumped into the dining room so it feels like you are right there on Main Street USA.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We stayed in the Contemporary in February and loved it. I agree, stay in the tower if possible. If you can't, however, we stayed in the North Garden Wing and felt close to everything. We didn't have problems with water pressure, maybe it was broke when leeocean was there. We had a view of the lagoon. We could see the floating electrical parade every night which was neat.
We really loved it and highly reccomend it. It is so convenient! The rooms are huge!

 

[Senderella]

Originally posted by leeocean
I have stayed at the Contemporary several times growing up and on my own as an adult. I love the location. It can't be beat: walk to MK and one stop to the TTC. The only suggestion I would make would be to stay in a tower room if at all possible. The wing rooms have bad water pressure and the view isn't as nice.
The Outer Rim is great, so is the Concourse Steakhouse, and Chef Mickey's. If you can, eat at the California Grill during the fireworks. It is very magical to watch the fireworks over dessert. The music is pumped into the dining room so it feels like you are right there on Main Street USA.

Those were my thoughts. I like being able to walk to MK and having the nice view of the MK from the rooms. Let me ask you a question. I know the parking lot is huge for MK. When people are talking about a 10 min. walk to MK does that mean you're right there basically or do you have to trek through the land of the parking lot before you get there? I think Pam's getting us into a tower room so that's not a problem I hope. I'm wondering about the whole walk to MK/TTC/parking lot thing. I don't remember how things are set up it's been so long.

 

[Djali999]

you start walking from the Contemporary, cross a few streets (not busy), pass some topiary elephants, and pretty soon you're looking at the flower bed Mickey. so yeah, it takes you right to the security booths. it's quite nice! =)

I love the Contemporary. decor is a bit cheesy, yes, but it's got a fantastic location, good eateries, a good pool AAANNNDDDD a five-legged goat. anything with a five-legged goat is good.

 

[luvJC4saken]

Ok, I haven't stayed in the Contemporary since I was about 9 or 10. Maybe the Contemp's service, environment, whatever isn't at par w/ the other resorts, but take it from me. If you have kids, they will LOVE IT!

No child w/ any imagination at all can resist falling in love w/ the site of those monorail trains being engulfed by the huge structure that is the Contemporary. I also remember the feeling of importance I got from staying there. "The monorail is coming inside MY hotel!"

If you don't have kids, maybe you'd rather stay at a cheaper resort that's more geared toward "bigger kids" like you. Either way, Disney's themed resorts are one of my favorite things about visiting. I'm even guilty of "pool hopping" between resorts. We seem to visit (not stay) somewhere different each time.

Wherever I visit, I'm always amazed by the environment and attention to detail.

 

[Senderella]

Originally posted by Djali999
you start walking from the Contemporary, cross a few streets (not busy), pass some topiary elephants, and pretty soon you're looking at the flower bed Mickey. so yeah, it takes you right to the security booths. it's quite nice! =)

I love the Contemporary. decor is a bit cheesy, yes, but it's got a fantastic location, good eateries, a good pool AAANNNDDDD a five-legged goat. anything with a five-legged goat is good.

:veryconfu LOL Esplain Lucy!! 5 legged goat???? You mean I'm not gonna be able to get away from goats? (my husband raises goats on the side!)

 

[dizneeboy]

I love the contemporary. However, as cool as the tower is, the garden wings aren't very exciting at all. If you can get into the tower, then yes, go for it. If only the wings are available, I would say try somewhere else...just my opinion.

The atmosphere staying in the tower is very cool. Califonia Grille is excellent. The walk to the MK is very nice and short. And the rooms are really nice size. I like the decor, its cheeziness is what makes it fun!

Ask politely if a MK view is available ; )

 

[ltbeach]

i stayed there in Jun 03 in the north garden wing. I thought it was pretty good. (but not as nice as my beloved shades of green). we also had a lagoon view and we could watch the water parade. the walk to MK was short, and the bus stop was also at the north side so that was close too. i did not have any water pressure problems either. all in all, i thought it was a very nice disney hotel, and very close to the action. i agree the rooms were very large but i wish there was a balcony. I would stay there again.

Larry


BTW the goat is in the mural in the hotel and it has 5 legs.

 

[polynesiangirl]

The Contemporary is FANTASTIC. Even though I try not to pick favorites, cos they're all so good, it is certainly up there with some of the most consistently good hotel experiences I have had at WDW.

The last two times I was there we stayed in a Tower room (with amazing, wonderful views,) and I have to tell you, it has spoiled me on a lot of other rooms. Not only are the rooms there slightly larger than most (if not all, I'm not sure what the exact numbers are) standard rooms on property, that location just cannot be beat. Last time we were on the floor just above the Grand Canyon Concourse, and so it took us like literally 30 seconds to get to the monorail. It's so exciting!

Wing rooms are generally quieter (though I don't think I have ever noticed noise in the tower rooms, some people have mentioned it,) and while there are a few with crummy views (ie parking lot) they are generally just as nice as the tower, though some require more walking to and from the tower than others of course. Just depends on whether or not you feel like shelling out the extra cash for the tower.

The pools have always been my big complaint there, if I had to have one - as you probably know there are two, one has a slide and one is a large, round "quieter" pool several feet away from the other one. The big hassle for us was when we went during more crowded times as the pools just never seem big enough for all those people! (Last time we went it was less crowded and that helped a lot.) The marina is lovely and we always take aboat out for a spin if we can.

All in all, this place is great. Just being able to walk to the MK is something wonderful in and of itself, especially as you watch everyone else marching off to crowded buses and monorails. Add the beach, the rooms, and the general vibe of the place to that and you should be in for a happy experience.

Sorry for babbling. Hope this helps!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I stayed there a couple of years ago in Dec. I had a tower room with a MK view. It was fantastic watching the fireworks from Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party at night. The rooms are quite large and my oldest daughters favorite thing about the room was the bathroom. She thought the way it was decorated was "Cool:.

Pam

 

[DivineMadness7]

Both bad and good can be said about the contemporary, just as with any resort...

The contemporary is a little dated (making the title not just a little ironic) but not too terribly so.

I still love the atmosphere there regardless. There's just something about the place that makes me feel like I'm at Disney world...it was where we stayed on my first Disney trip (age 5) and that probably has something to do with it, but it's just incredible...

I think you'll have a wonderful time there!
plus, who can beat the location, right?
and be sure to check out the water parade!

Oh, and the one time they gave my grandfather an upgrade to a Suite for NO REASON! Gotta love that kind of Disney magic!

 

[jcamacam]

You'll love it!

I don't feel like I'm on Disney property until I step into that lobby at the Contemporary. I've been staying there since the mid 80's.

The location can't be beat. We love watching the MK fireworks from the observation deck - the Wishes finale sets off the car alarms in the parking lot!

You can always catch the water electric parade at night, the rooms are very well insulated so that you don't really get the noise from Chef Mickey's, the monorail, etc., etc.

The rooms are, if I'm not mistaken, one of or THE largest on the resort property (with the exception of suites of course).

The bathrooms have TONS of room.

They have a great coffee bar in the lobby.

Have a great time!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Actually, I believe at 455 square feet Shades of Green has the largest standard rooms on property. Next is the Grand Floridian at 440, then the Contemporary at 436. Boardwalk Inn's rooms are 422, Polynesian's are 409, Yacht and Beach Club's are both 381 and the smallest deluxe resort rooms are the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness lodge at 344 and 340 respectively.

That is all according to the Unoffical Guide. Actually it contradicts itself slightly between the individual descriptions and diagrams. But I digress...

So, probably more info then you wanted, but either way you can see the Contemporary rooms are huge. You'll love them!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Okay, I have solved the discrepancy. In the Unofficial Guides update on their website it corrects some of the square footage so Contemporary's rooms are a little smaller then I thought:

Correction:
Grand Floridian 400 sq feet
Polynesian 407 sq feet
Contemporary 394 sq feet

These are averages. Like many people have said the rooms feel VERY large. We had three adults, two kids and tons of luggage and didn't feel crowded at all in our room.

 

[Senderella]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all of the replies with all of the help. I didn't expect this thread to get as many re's as it did. Yall just confirmed my suspicions and settled my overactive 2nd guessing mind. Contemp it is. For sure. First gut instinct!! :sohappy: :sohappy: Thanks again everyone!! I *REALLY* appreciate it

 

[cloudboy]

I thought the Polynesian and Contemporary used the same pre-fab units. Of course, not all the rooms were built at the same time, and obviosuly there has to be some differences in room size due to the placement with utility rooms and closets...

It stands to reason however that the Poly and the Contemporary have the largest rooms, simpply because the average hotel room size when they were built was much larger than it is today.

 

[ancbob]

Stayed at the contemporary in 2001. We were given one of the end wing rooms. The location worked out great for our 4 year old. Enjoyed character b-fast while there.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I don't really love the contemporary. Sure I still think of it as the Disney World original, but I think there are much better places to stay.

Unless you are staying in a tower then I really don't see an advantage in your room situation. You also have to keep in mind that a tower room costs about the same as a room at the Grand Floridian. The garden wings don't really offer any benefits. You are a pretty good distance from the tower (and everything important is in there).

For less money you can stay at the Wilderness Lodge which will still give you good access to the Magic Kingdom. You can also stay at AKL but that is a totally different location.

You also don't get the best features from the contemporary. In my opinion it isn't the nicest of the Disney resorts (needs a refurb). It also doesn't have a great pool area. But, you get a great game room (if that matters) and good transportation.

You have to weigh all the factors and decide if it is your best option. But there are a lot of things elsewhere that beat it out.

 

[bigfatdonna]

The Contemporary is the ULTIMATE Disney Resort experience in my book. I've stayed at and have toured many (if not all) of Disney's Resorts and the "Disney Feeling" is at its peak when I'm at the Contemporary. As others have said, staying in the tower makes all of the difference. The last time we were there, I remember standing outside my room door, leaning on the railing, overlooking the 4th floor concourse. I could see and slightly hear parts of Chef Mickeys ("Celebrate with Mickey Mouse"), pin traders meeting at the north end of the 4th floor, a monorail cruising through, and out of the HUGE windows to my right I could see the Castle in all of its spendor. I remember closing my eyes and taking in the smells of the chocolate that is being piped out from the gift/candy shop below( I could almost taste it!) and listening to the subtle "whoosh" of the monorail passing. It is one of my fondest yet simplest memories of Disney. My senses were so completely saturated with Disney that I actually remember getting choked up. If my 5 year old would have let me, I probably would have stayed right at that spot for the rest of the night.

There is also a viewing area for the firework show right outside the 4th floor that pipes in the corresponding music from the show simultaneously. If your room is high enough up on the side facing Bay Lake, you can see Spaceship Earth (it's especially beautiful glowing at night) and even catch some of the higher fireworks of Illuminations.

We're going to go in a few weeks but this time we'll be staying at Port Orleans. I must say.............I'm very jealous of you!!