|
|
Location
|
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
|
|
Category
|
Deluxe & Deluxe Villa
|
|
Theme
|
The 70’s modern architecture still manages to look futuristic after all these years. The large amount of stone and concrete try to give the hotel a ‘contemporary’ feel, but many find it put-offish. Everyone does agree that the monorail gliding through the 4th floor atrium is very cool. A recent renovation brings softer earth tones, woods and fabrics to the décor - the color palette straight from Disney Legend Mary Blair's Grand Canyon tile mural. While still very ‘contemporary’, the resort is far more inviting than it used to be.
|
|
Central Building
|
The central A-frame building has registration, dining, shopping and the arcade.
|
|
Resort Layout
|
The South Garden Wing has additional guest rooms.
|
|
Bay Lake Tower, a new DVC expansion is under construction to the North.
|
|
The Convention facilities are on the Second floor and extend to the large building outside.
|
Facts & History
|
Opening year
|
1971. Bay Lake Tower to open in 2009. |
| History |
During it's early concept days, this was the Tempo Bay Resort, later to be named the Contemporary Resort. Since it's opening day, this resort - above any other - struggles to live up to it's name. In it's earliest days of the 1970's, orange 'groovy' glass and patterns seem to dominate it's sightlines. The late 80's saw a redesign to bold crispness with too much metal, punctuated with eye searing teal and purple. This unfortunate styling trend lasted into the late nineties when new management finally realized it had been neglected too long. At long last, the new millennium has brought modern (and perhaps saner) design sense to the resort that so wants to be Contemporary. Metal has been torn down and replaced with rich woods and fabrics. Much of the original (and rather permanent) structure is stone, and it too has been tempered with the new decor. Earth tones (minus seventies orange) are predominant now with plenty of colorful splashes - yet still evoking a modern, and yes, Contemporary feel. This resort has it's critics - they say it doesn't have that joie de vivre, that 'Disney Feel' that the other resorts have. Sure, it's nice, but it's just like any other hotel out there. To them I say bah. What is more 'Disney' than a monorail gliding through the fourth floor Grand Canyon Concourse? |
| Rooms renovated in 2006 |
| Design |
Designed by Welton Becket and Associates and constructed by US Steel Realty Development. Innovative for it's time, the primary structures of steel were built on site, while the rooms were built at another location. Once ready, the rooms were slide into place like drawers. Legend has it this was done so for future renovation the old rooms could be pulled out and new rooms slide in. While this is a nice idea, I have my doubts that this was the original plan seeing that they were firmly welded into place and natural settling and Florida's humidity would make it impossible to extract the rooms once in place. |
| Expansion |
The convention facilities were expanded out into the parking lot with the addition of the Fantasia Convention Hall in 1991. It is connected to the facilities located in the original A-frame building via a walkway on the second floor. |
| In January 2007, the North Garden wing was demolished. In it's place, a new tower is being constructed. As tall as the original A-Frame, the tower is round in shape, open on the Bay Lake side and will have a central courtyard. Named Bay Lake Tower, it will be the ninth Disney Vacation Club property. |
| Christmastime |
Out front of the resort is a giant Christmas Tree decked with simple, bright ornaments and colorful lights. Inside you'll find small trees and garlands decorated in cream, rust and red ornaments. Simple, elegant. Be sure to go to the Grand Canyon Concourse and see what Marzipan creation the chefs have come up with. |
Types of rooms
|
Garden Wing – Standard
Garden
|
437 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower, double vanity, separate toilet, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
Variable Sq ft. Deluxe room. 2 Queen beds or King, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
437 Sq ft. King, Tub/shower, double vanity, separate toilet, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed. Accommodate 3 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
Tower –
Bay Lake
Magic Kingdom
|
437 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower, double vanity, separate toilet, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
Atrium Club-
Standard
Magic Kingdom
|
437 Sq ft. Club level room. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV/DVD, nightstand, fold-down daybed. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
Tower Club
|
437 Sq ft. Club level room. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower, double vanity, separate toilet, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV&DVD, nightstand, fold-down daybed.. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
437 Sq ft. Club level room. King, Tub/shower, double vanity, separate toilet, desk with chair, dresser, flat panel TV & DVD, nightstand, fold-down daybed. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 3 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
Suites
|
Suites available. Inquire for information
|
|
Handicapped
|
437 Sq ft. King, Tub/shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, fold-down daybed. Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
|
|
|
Additional fee for each person over 2 people per room. No charge for children under 17 staying with adults.
|
|
|
All Disney resorts are smoke free. Smoking allowed in designated locations.
|
| |
Interior hallways |
|
|
Garden Wing rooms do not have balconies. First floor rooms do have patios. All Tower rooms have private balconies.
|
Coming soon:
|
Deluxe Villa Studio
Magic Kingdom
Bay Lake
Standard
|
339 Sq ft. Queen bed, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, Dresser with flat panel TV/DVD player, nightstand, full sleeper sofa, coffee table, table & two chairs, ceiling fan. Kitchenette with small sink, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, coffeemaker, dishes & utensils. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
**Information & layouts provided are speculation based on similar DVC properties and permits supplied to Orange County Comptroller.**
|
|
Deluxe Villa One Bedroom
Magic Kingdom
Bay Lake
Standard
|
803 Sq ft. In bedroom, King bed, Dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, desk with chair, ceiling fan. Split bathroom with Whirlpool tub & single vanity and Shower & toilet. Kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, sink with disposal, pots, dishes & utensils. Sitting room has queen sleeper sofa, coffee table, easy chair, Twin sleeper chair, dresser with flat panel TV/DVD player and table & chairs, ceiling fan. Second bathroom has Tub/shower, toilet and single vanity. Washer & Dryer, vacuum, broom. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail. Electric mixer by upon request.
Accommodate 5 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
**Information & layouts provided are speculation based on similar DVC properties and permits supplied to Orange County Comptroller.**
|
|
Deluxe Villa Two Bedroom
Magic Kingdom
Bay Lake
Standard
|
1152 Sq ft. In Master bedroom, King bed, Dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, desk with chair, ceiling fan. Split bathroom with Whirlpool tub & single vanity and Shower & toilet. In second bedroom, two Queen beds (or a Studio room if it is a “lock-out”), dresser with flat panel TV, nightstands, easy chair, ceiling fan. Bathroom with tub/shower & toilet and double vanity. Kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, sink with disposal, pots, dishes & utensils. Sitting room has queen sleeper sofa, coffee table, easy chair, Twin sleeper chair, dresser with flat panel TV/DVD player and table & chairs, ceiling fan. Third bathroom has Tub/shower, toilet and single vanity. Washer & Dryer, vacuum, broom. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail. Electric mixer by upon request.
Accommodate 9 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
**Information & layouts provided are speculation based on similar DVC properties and permits supplied to Orange County Comptroller.**
|
|
Deluxe Grand Villa
Magic Kingdom
Bay Lake
|
2044 Sq ft. In Master bedroom, King bed, Dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, desk with chair, ceiling fan. Split bathroom with Whirlpool tub & single vanity and Shower & toilet. In second & third bedrooms, two Queen beds, dresser with flat panel TVs, nightstands, easy chair or desk, ceiling fan. Second floor also has loft with couch, coffee table and flat panel TV. Bathroom with tub/shower & toilet and single vanity. Kitchen with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, sink with disposal, pots, dishes & utensils. Sitting room has queen sleeper sofa, coffee table, easy chairs, dresser with flat panel TV/DVD player, ceiling fan. Dining room with table and 10 chairs. Third bathroom with tub/shower, single vanity & toilet. Washer & Dryer, vacuum, broom in laundry room. Pak-n-Play crib. Hair dryer, in-wall safe, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail. Electric mixer by upon request.
Accommodate 12 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
**Information & layouts provided are speculation based on similar DVC properties and permits supplied to Orange County Comptroller.**
|
|
Handicapped
|
Accessible versions of all accommodations exist. Inquire when making reservation.
|
| |
Interior Hallways |
| |
All rooms have private balconies or patios. |
|
Room amenities
|
Mini-refrigerator, Hair dryer, in-wall safe, coffee maker & coffee/tea packets, refrigerator, TV with limited cable, alarm clock radio, iron & board, phone with voicemail and ceiling fan. Newspaper on weekdays.
|
| Club Level amenities include Club Level check in & assistance 7:00am-10:00pm; Secured key access to club level; nightly turndown service, upgraded bathroom toiletries, free fax service, 2 adult bathrobes, Refreshments in Concierge Lounge, library of Disney movies at Concierge desk. |
| See room description for Deluxe Villa amenities. |
|
High-speed internet free for DVC members. All others there is a daily fee.
|
|
Crib, bed boards/rails and high chair available by request
|
|
Connecting rooms available. Put in your request when booking your room; they are not guaranteed.
|
Registration
|
Check in
|
room guaranteed by 3:00pm/ DVC by 4:00pm
|
|
Check out
|
by 11:00am
|
|
Late check out
|
can be requested the night before check-out
|
|
Early arrival
|
Be sure to Check-in at the Registration desk upon arrival, the room may be ready early, or at the very least they'll give a phone number you can call from any house phone in WDW to get you're room number - therefore you don’t have to go back to the registration desk.
|
|
Express Check out
|
Upon arrival you can leave a credit card on your room account. It can then be used to make charges to your room during your stay. And then, the morning you leave, an itemized bill will be on your door handle. If there are any problems, then you can contact the Front Desk - otherwise you're all set and can leave without going back to Registration.
|
|
Magical Express
|
For those of you flying into Orlando Intl Airport, Disney is making it even easier to get to their World. You’re given special tags to put on your luggage. Then when you arrive in Orlando, just get on the Magical Express bus – they’ll take you to your resort to check in. You go off and have fun, and you’re bags show up in your room later that day. Before your departure, you'll get a letter saying when you should be at the lobby to check your bags and catch your bus to the airport.
|
|
What you get at check in
|
Resort Map: shows the Contemporary resort.
|
|
WDW Info Guide with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map
|
|
WDW Theme Park times Guide
|
| "Your Guide to the Magic" with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map |
|
Key to the World -- your room key not only opens your room, but is also your early entry ID, charge-to-room card, and perhaps your theme park ticket – Don’t Loose It
|
|
If you drove, then you’ll get a parking pass – use it or your room key to park for free at the theme parks, and also to get through the security gate back at your resort.
|
|
What to ask for
|
Wild About Safety coloring book for kids (or big kids)
|
|
Theme Park maps
|
|
Any special activities at the resort, or kids activities
|
Resort amenities
|
Lobby Concierge
|
your source for tickets, dining priority seating, dinner shows, recreation reservations, fishing or fireworks cruises, and other information
|
|
Business Services
|
Full services available in Fantasia Convention Center.
|
|
Bell Services
|
Valet, luggage service, taxi & limo
|
|
Valet Parking
|
Available for a daily fee.
|
|
Airline Check-in
|
On the day of your flight you can print out your boarding passes for select airlines. Located inside Registration lobby.
|
|
Laundry
|
Located in the Garden Wing. Laundry services also available for pick-up/drop-off in your room.
|
|
Fitness Center
|
Olympiad Health Club. Located on Contemporary Tower 3rd floor. No additional fee for resort guests. Massage Treatments 8:00am-8:00pm. Call 407-824-3410.
|
|
Salon
|
Contemporary Salon. Located on Contemporary Tower 3rd floor.
|
|
Child Care
|
Not at this resort. Call "Kid's Night Out" 407-828-0920
|
|
Misc Services
|
ATM & postal box are located inside Lobby. Stamps available for sale in Bay View Gifts.
|
|
Wifi
|
Contemporary Tower 1st floor, Convention Center lobbies, 14th Concierge, and at Main Pool.
|
|
Ice & Vending Machines
|
Located near the elevators in each building.
|
|
Wheelchair rental
|
As a guest of the resort, you can request a length-of-stay wheelchair rental. A refundable deposit is given at Lobby Concierge and you are given use of a push-style wheelchair for the length of your stay. Available on a first-come first-serve basis.
|
Recreation
|
Pools
|
Main Pool – with water slide, pop jets & spa. Located at Contemporary Tower.
|
|
Bay Pool – quiet pool on the shore of Bay Lake.
|
|
Bay Cove pool -with water slides, kiddie pool & spa– under construction, located next to Bay Lake Tower.
|
|
Towels available at all pools
|
| Life jackets available free of charge. Located at Main Pool. |
|
Beach
|
There is no swimming in Bay Lake.
|
|
Arcade
|
The Game Station located in the Grand Canyon Concourse
|
|
Rentals & Sports
|
Marina Pavilion -
Sea raycers
pontoon boats
|
|
Sammy Duvall Water Sports – parasailing, water skiing, etc
|
|
Fishing – available at Marina Pavilion
|
|
Beach Volleyball & ping-pong poolside
|
| Tennis Courts - under construction - located North of Bay Lake Tower |
| Community Hall - under construction - located at Bay Lake Tower |
| Shuffle board and bocce ball courts located at Bay Lake Tower |
|
Playground
|
Currently closed – located at Bay Lake Tower
|
|
Jogging trails
|
There is a walkway from the Contemporary to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom. Inquire at Olympiad Health Club.
|
|
Children’s activities
|
By Main Pool, ask marina staff.
|
|
pressed penny machines
|
Grand Canyon Concourse
|
|
Disney cartoons
|
Playing in Lobby
|
|
Other entertainment
|
Electrical Water Pageant can be seen nightly off the shore of Bay Lake
|
Dining
|
California Grill
|
Fine dining. Priority seating highly recommended, especially for late dining due to fireworks! Located on Contemporary Tower 15th Floor – but guest check-in is on the 2nd floor.
|
|
Dinner
|
|
The Wave
|
Table service. American flavors and Screw-cap only Wine Selection. Located in Contemporary Tower 1st Floor.
|
|
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner 5:30-
|
|
The Wave - Lounge
|
Full service bar. Located on Contemporary Tower 1st Floor.
|
|
|
|
Top of the World Lounge
|
Full service bar. Located on top floor of Bay Lake Tower. Under construction. |
| |
| Chef Mickey’s |
Buffet style character dining. Priority Seating a must – don’t bother if you don’t have one. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse.
|
|
Breakfast 7:00am-11:30am
Dinner 5:00pm-9:30pm
|
|
Outer Rim
|
Full service bar. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse |
| |
| Contempo Cafe |
Counter-service, 24-hour. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse.
|
|
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Sand Bar
|
Counter-service and Bar. Located at Marina Pavilion by Main Pool
|
|
Lunch
|
|
Cove Bar
|
Full service bar. Located at Bay Cove Pool. Under Construction. |
| |
| Contemporary Grounds |
Coffee bar, located on Contemporary Tower 1st Floor
|
|
|
|
Room Service
|
Full selection of entrees, deserts and beverages.
|
|
Breakfast 6:00am-11:00am
Lunch 11:00am-5:30pm
Dinner 5:30pm-11:00pm
Overnight 11:00pm-6:00am
|
| BBQ Grill |
under construction - Self serve grill available. Located at Bay lake Tower |
|
Refillable Mug
|
Available for purchase and use at Tempo Grab-N-Go
|
Shopping
|
Bayview Gifts
|
Candy, fresh flowers, nick-nacks, housewares and collectables. Contemporary logo items/clothes as well. Resort wear. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse.
|
|
Fantasia
|
Children’s clothes, toys, plush. Pins. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse.
|
|
Fantasia Market
|
Food, drinks and various sundries available. Also books, magazines and travel gear. Located in Grand Canyon Concourse.
|
|
Package Pick-up
|
Packages sent to the resort from the Theme Parks can be picked up at the designated counter at Bayview Gifts.
|
Transportation
|
Monorail
|
Monorail station is located in Grand Canyon Concourse. Escalator or Elevator will get you up to the platform.
|
|
This monorail Travels to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC), Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom and back to the Contemporary
|
|
To get to Epcot, go to the TTC and transfer to the Epcot Monorail
|
|
Buses
|
Bus stop out the Contemporary Tower main door to the North
|
|
Bus transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Water Parks and Downtown Disney is found
|
|
Boat
|
Dock is located beyond the pools on Bay Lake.
|
|
Boat transportation to Ft Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge
|
|
Walkway
|
Walkway to the Magic Kingdom across the parking lot, follow signs.
|
|
Pros
|
Grand Canyon Concourse – the 4th Floor atrium. In the center is the tiled Grand Canyon mosaic designed by Disney Legend Mary Blair.
|
|
From the 10th floor, you can walk down to the stair wells outside for spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom. You can also see Epcot from the south stairwells
|
|
Monorail!
|
|
The walkway to the Magic Kingdom is nice – no wait
|
|
The Contemporary and the Polynesian have the largest standard rooms at WDW
|
|
The remodeling of the resort is turning out beautifully!
|
|
Cons
|
Many feel that it’s lacking that ‘Disney’ feeling. And while I can sorta agree with them, I do like the hotel.
|
|
The crowds for Chef Mickey’s are nuts! So be prepared if you want to eat here.
|
|
Parking can be a nightmare! If you get a spot – leave your car in it!
|
Other info
|
My last stay was
|
December 17-19, 1995
|
|
Number of times I’ve stayed here
|
3
|
|
Address & phone
|
4600 North World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Main: (407) 824-1000
Fax: (407) 824-3539
|
|
