Disney's Contemporary Resort

Walt Disney World, Orlando

Virgin rating

The hotel

The closest hotel to the Magic Kingdom Park is the height of retro, '70s cool. The monorail enters the lobby through a 'curtain' of air to drop off and pick up. The stylish, gourmet 15th-floor California Grill restaurant offers incredible bird's-eye views over the Magic Kingdom Park. Meet your favourite characters in Chef Mickey's Restaurant, while tired parents can revive themselves in the cocktail lounge. There's a big swimming pool, tennis courts and even water-skiing on the lake.

Amenities

  • Tennis
  • Water Skiing
  • Babysitting service
  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Free Parking
  • Free transport to theme parks
  • Games Room
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service

Where is it

Magic Kingdom Resort area. Transfer time from airport: approx 30 minutes.

Hotel information

655 rooms and suites on up to 15 floors in 3 buildings with 4 lifts (in main building). All have air-conditioning, cable TV with Disney Channel, safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, iron and board. Garden Wing - Standard Rooms have 2 double beds or 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children, plus a child under 3 in a cot.

Main Tower Lake View Rooms have 2 double beds or 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children, plus a child under 3 in a cot.

Main Tower Theme Park View Rooms have 2 double beds or 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children, plus a child under 3 in a cot.

Please note: cots must be requested at time of booking.

Use of the Walt Disney World Resort Transportation System is included in your stay. Complimentary hotel parking.

California Grill and Lounge (fine dining), Contempo Café, The Wave... of American Flavors and Chef Mickey's (character dining). Outer Rim Cocktail Lounge, The Sand Bar (open seasonally), The Wave Lounge and Contemporary Grounds (offers snacks).

Main pool with whirlpool (closed for winter 2023), quiet pool and water play area. Games arcade*. Playground. Jogging trail. Movies under the stars. Campfire activities. Health club. Beach volleyball. Watercraft rentals*. Water-skiing*. Tennis* (reservations required). Fishing*.

Disney-themed shop. Complimentary WiFi. Disney Water Transportation to other Disney Resort Hotels. Disney bus transportation. Minnie Van service*. Laundry and dry-cleaning services*. Babysitting service*. Room service*.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

Minimum stay 5 nights at all times.

Maximum stay 21 nights.

Please note: To enter a Disney park now requires a Disney Park Pass reservation for the dates you wish to visit, in addition to your Disney ticket. Please read our Must do’s before visiting Walt Disney World in Florida.

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: rollaway beds no longer available.


Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1686)
  • Very good (1124)
  • Average (523)
  • Poor (246)
  • Terrible (181)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Concierge floor room facing the park is the bomb for large group fireworks viewing!

Nov 9, 2023 Ken S

Family-of-ten Disney Trip made easier by staying at the Contemporary. The recent refurbishment to an “Incredibles” theme is nicely done. Staff was terrific across the board. Watch elevator times though because the Mickey Mouse breakfast on the fourth floor is very popular and long lines and short tempers were common around 9:00. Our Grandpa… Read more
Family-of-ten Disney Trip made easier by staying at the Contemporary. The recent refurbishment to an “Incredibles” theme is nicely done. Staff was terrific across the board. Watch elevator times though because the Mickey Mouse breakfast on the fourth floor is very popular and long lines and short tempers were common around 9:00. Our Grandpa and Grandma reservation was upgraded to the 14th floor concierge status. Very nice! We had a large terrace facing the park and the extended family lounged in comfort watching the fireworks every night (Disney approved, just don’t strip the lounge of goodies). The food selection from breakfast to late night cognac and dessert was of good quality and the wine selection very (burp) lovely. Because we did not pay any upgrade charge for this floor it is hard to gauge how good a deal it is. But, the luxury of having a relaxed fireworks experience (grandkids on the king bed watching movies) was pretty cool. Maybe multi room groups should upgrade one of the rooms to the 14th floor to experience Disney at its finest. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fabulous monorail resort!

Oct 30, 2023 Juliab571 Crowthorne, United Kingdom

Fabulous hotel. You can walk to Magic Kingdom. Steakhouse 71 is brilliant (and now does take out too). California Grill not to be missed for a special occasion! For a slightly more chilled out time think about the Garden Wing and ask for a first floor room to take advantage of the outside patio.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice Disney perks, but overpriced

Oct 17, 2023 pillowsofwanderlust Pasadena, California

The Contemporary has been a bucket-list hotel for me for many years because of its iconic design with the monorail passing through its middle. It's one of the original 1971 Disney resorts, along with the Polynesian. As a Disney Deluxe Resort (the highest category), it's quite pricey. Fortunately, it was on our convention's hotel list, which… Read more
The Contemporary has been a bucket-list hotel for me for many years because of its iconic design with the monorail passing through its middle. It's one of the original 1971 Disney resorts, along with the Polynesian. As a Disney Deluxe Resort (the highest category), it's quite pricey. Fortunately, it was on our convention's hotel list, which gave us a reduced (but still high) rate. There are many perks to staying at a Disney resort as long as you're planning on doing a lot of Disney things. Disney resort guests have Early Access to Genie+ park and dining reservations, Early Entry to the parks in the morning, free parking at the resorts and parks, no resort fees, and Extended Evening hours (for Deluxe resort guests only). The Contemporary has the added advantage of being within walking distance (about 10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom, with a separate smaller and less crowded security station. Being on the monorail line allows access to other Magic Kingdom resorts (Polynesian and Grand Floridian) and to EPCOT. The resort is comprised of the original A-frame structure, a 3-story South Garden Wing, and the Bay Lake Tower (one of Disney's Deluxe Villa/Vacation Club resorts). The hotel was recently refurbished to incorporate a Incredibles theme. Our room was in the Garden Wing, which is much quieter than the main building but only has 2 small elevators. Ground floor rooms have patios, 2nd and 3rd floor rooms have a sliding door but not a real balcony. Most rooms have water and/or pool views; those that face the parking lot I think get a glimpse of the fireworks. The room was fairly large with 2 queen beds plus a long sofa that held a single bed. There was a fridge and coffeemaker, no robes or slippers. The closet was a decent size. Towels are configured like Mickey when you first arrive. The bathroom was extremely well lit with 2 sinks, a large shower with 2 nozzles and a separate WC. I liked both the Incredibles and Monorail touches. Even with many child guests, the wing was fairly quiet, with any noise coming from the hall and not adjacent rooms. The Garden Wing had its own convenient parking lot that was never completely full. The hotel's pool area is not really themed but has a slide and play area for kids, a separate pool extending into the lake, plus a beach and a snack bar. Bay Lake Tower has its own pool. All the dining and shopping options are within the main building. The options are not extensive for a resort of this size. Three of the restaurants require reservations and are on the pricey side: California Grill and Lounge on the 15th (top) floor, Steakhouse 71 and Lounge, and Chef Mickey's (a buffet with Character interactions). Contempo Cafe is a fast-casual eatery which also has a "market" with numerous grab-and-go items. Hot food can be ordered to go. There's a small bar/lounge called Outer Rim and a coffee place near the entrance. We only had a few meals to go from Contempo, and they were quite good, especially the hot turkey sandwich. Overall a nice stay, if a bit overpriced. One must weigh the cost vs. the convenience of a stay here. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Highly Recommend Staying at The Contemporary

Oct 4, 2023 702brittanye Atlanta, Georgia

The hotel in proximity to Magic Kingdom cannot be beat. While the garden wing is decent (especially for the price), I highly recommend staying in the main tower because of the monorail and restaurants access. We also love watching MK fireworks from the 4th floor balcony.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Really FANTASTIC❤️

Sep 27, 2023 bevb316 Temecula, California

WOW!! What a top notch resort!❤️😍The monorail system can whirl you to the parks or boat & of course the buses! The Chef Micky’s dining-especially the brunch buffet was probably the highlight of our stay🙏🏻❤️💋💋. The restaurant makes sure Mickey & Minnie & Goofy, Donald & Pluto says hello to every table🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️&&&&&& the dancing from these… Read more
WOW!! What a top notch resort!❤️😍The monorail system can whirl you to the parks or boat & of course the buses! The Chef Micky’s dining-especially the brunch buffet was probably the highlight of our stay🙏🏻❤️💋💋. The restaurant makes sure Mickey & Minnie & Goofy, Donald & Pluto says hello to every table🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️&&&&&& the dancing from these 5 AMAZING! Read less