Walt Disney World® Resort original 3 resorts along
with the Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney's
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgroundwhich all
opened when the Magic Kingdom® Park did on
October 1, 1971. During construction the room
where prepared at a U.S. Steel site in Orlando
complete with all plumbing, bedding, carpets and
lights and were trucked to the site and 'plugged'
into the frame as they where trucked in. While
Disney's Contemporary Resort has gone through
many rehabs the outside has remained virtually
unchanged since it's opening except the addition
of the 900,000 sq. ft. convention center in the Fall
of 1991. Located in a separate building, it is
connected by a second floor enclosed walkway to
the original convention space in the main hotel. And as with nearly all Disney attractions they have done many major landscaping changes. It consists of a large A-frame section (the Tower ) and two wings
(called Garden Wings ). The fourth floor of the Tower is known as the Grand Canyon Concourse where you will find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as the monorail station which is on the 5th floor.
As one of the Monorail hotels the Disney's Contemporary Resort is very well located. Magic Kingdom® Park is only a short monorail ride (or walk) away and getting to Epcot® simply requires transfer to another monorail. Also, the rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort at 422 square feet are among the largest at Walt Disney World® Resort and one of the few resorts that allows 5 guest per room. Each room has two phones, a table with two chairs, a large closet containing a safe for valuables, cable television, iron, ironing board, hair dryer and 4 mirrors. There are several dining options within the resort itself and a wide variety of recreational activities are offered. The Concierge Floors - 12 and 14 - have two types of rooms - standard and suites.
The standard rooms are identical to the Tower rooms below, only with a larger balcony area. Standard rooms are available on the 12th floor only. The 14th floor has both standard and suite rooms, but you CANNOT book the standard rooms on the 14th floor. The standard rooms serve as a connecting parlor to the suites. There is a BIG difference in the concierge services between the two floors.
The 12th floor is called the Tower Club , which is basically Contemporary Concierge Light. Concierge services are available from 7am to 4pm on the 12th floor.Special services on the 12th floor include: complimentary continental breakfast, and concierge services during 7-4pm. Use the Concierge. They can perform miracles for you. No reservations available at Chef Mickey's you say. Call the concierge, and not only will you get a dinner reservation, but you will be seated at the next available table. Remember you are paying for their services - USE THEM .
Now, the 14th floor concierge is a full service concierge. There is a FULL continental breakfast (much bigger than the 12th floor), daily appetizers catered by the California Grill, and nightly desserts catered by the California Grill. There is a nightly turndown service, and they leave a little chocolate Mickey (solid chocolate) on your pillow every night. The concierge is available from 7am to 10pm to make dining reservations, plan outings, answer questions, everything.
The concierge lounge on the 14th floor ONLY has free beer, wine, soda, and water bottles all day. Each 14th floor level room has a refrigerator stocked with free soda, water,
beer, and wine. Room rates are double the average tower room, so
you can determine if the service is worth the added expense.
Discounts are offered on the 12th floor rooms, with Annual Passholder.
No discounts are offered on the 14th floor suite rooms. Small, in-room
refrigerators are available for a daily charge of $10.60 (includes tax).
To arrange for an in-room refrigerator simply request one at check-in.
If you require one for medical reasons, have CRO put a note on your
reservation form.There are coin operated laundry machines located in
the north and south garden wings. Additionally, dry cleaning services
are available for a fee. The washing machine costs $1.00, as does the
dryer.
The Contemporary Resort has 3 Full service restaurants:
The California Grill - This is the premiere restaurant of the Contemporary Resort. It is located on the 15th floor of the Tower building and offers California-style cuisine. The views of the Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas are breathtaking and the lounge or outer balcony are perfect spots from which to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. California Grill serves dinner only.
The Concourse Steakhouse - This restaurant is located on the Grand Canyon Concourse and offers a wide variety of steaks, burgers and prime rib. The Steakhouse offers full service breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chef Mickey's - This is the spot for character meals at Disney;s Contemporary Resort . A buffet breakfast with Mickey and the gang is offered every morning. In the evening a buffet featuring prime rib, seafood, and a variety of other dishes is offered, also with Mickey and Co.
Disney's Contemporary Resort offers a full room-service menu. Items from room-service are, of course, at a premium. Guests can also visit the Food and Fun Center located on the first floor of the Tower . The snack bar here is open from 6:00am until midnight and offers a variety of snacks and other light fare.
The 4th Floor Grand Canyon Concourse
is where you will find most of the restaurant's and shops with Chef Mickey's and the Concourse Steakhouse,
The Fantasia Shop - Offers Disney character merchandise and clothing,
Bayview Gifts - Offers souvenirs and gifts. This is also the spot for fresh flowers,
The Contemporary Man - Offers casual clothing for men. This is the place to stop for men's bathing suits as well,
The Contemporary Woman - Casual clothing and beachwear for women is carried here,
Kingdom Jewels, Ltd . - A jewelry shop which also offers jewelry items featuring the Disney characters,
Concourse Sundries & Spirits - Offers a variety of reading material (newspapers, magazines, etc.), snacks and liquor. This shop also stocks health and beauty items guests may need.
Disney's Contemporary resort offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Guests can rent a number of different water craft from the marina, there are six tennis courts (Disney's Contemporary Resort is the home to the Walt Disney World® Racquet Club ), there is a health club and a very large video arcade. Guests who wish to go golfing must travel to one of Walt Disney World® golf courses, located throughout the property (check with bell services for transportation options).
There are two basketball hoops located near the pool area (get a ball from the marina area - resort id required). A children's playground and sandbox is located near the north wing . Beach volleyball is located in the beach area (resort id required to get a ball). Water-skiing equipment and instructor can be rented at the Marina.
Another advantage of staying at the Disney's Contemporary Resort is that Magic Kingdom® Park fireworks can be easily viewed from the resort. One of the best spots for this is the 15th floor California Grill Lounge. The music which accompanies the fireworks is piped into the lounge so guests don't miss a thing. Guests with Tower Rooms facing the Magic Kingdom® Park can also view the show from their terraces. Also Electrical Water Pageant can be seen for the resort the Pageant circles the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake so guests at Disney's Contemporary Resort have ample opportunity to see the show. Again, the California Grill Lounge offers a good view, if somewhat high up. The beach on the Bay Lake side of the resort is also a good bet. Check with Guest Services for the approximate time the pageant will pass by Disney's Contemporary Resort.
While some people feel the themeing is not up to Disney standards I like it. Everything is modern, abstract shapes and bright pastel colors with a lot of stainless steel. The each of the 5 'talking' elevators are one of the neat little features that the kids love with a different character announcing your arrival to each floor. All the guest room floors in the Tower have balcony's that overlook either Bay Lake and the Marina or the Magic Kingdom® Park and parking lot. Also all the hall's over look the Grand Canyon Concourse, except the 14th floor which is enclosed. All in all travel to the parks is not bad with the use of the Monorail system to the Magic Kingdom® Park and EPCOT® and buses to all other parks.
