Disney's Contemporary Resort

We had a fabulous once in a lifetime vacation at the Contemporary! From the minute we pulled up to the security and were welcomed "home", to valet taking our luggage so we could go check in, everyone was so very welcoming and we definitely experienced the Disney difference! We had reservations in the main building. We went to our room to find we had been upgraded to a Magic Kingdom view! The room was a handicapped room so when we opened the door, it finished opening and held open while we entered. There was plenty of room for my daughter's Scooter and a recliner we had to rent for her to sleep in as she can't sleep in a bed. Speaking of beds, the beds were so very comfortable! So soft! The bathroom only had a shower, which we already knew, and it was plenty big for our needs. A quick call to housekeeping brought extra towels to the room. We were able to step out on our balcony (the scooter wouldn't fit, but she was able to walk to chair and sit out with us) to watch the fireworks and water parade from Magic Kingdom! Oh, and if you have a lift and handicapped placard, valet is free. Otherwise it is $33 a day. Self parking is $25 a day, so we would recommend valet. It was so nice to be able to run downstairs to the quick serve restaurant and bring dinner or lunch back to the room, or hop on the monorail and visit the other hotels or Magic Kingdom. The rooms were pretty quiet. The only time we heard anything is when a crying child walked past our door. The kids loved the pool! It is supposed to be heated, but it really didn't feel like it was. Pretty cold going in, but we got used to it pretty soon. I can not think of one negative thing about this hotel. We had a great time! Read less

Checked in and out in less than 30 minutes. We choose the Contemporary due to its location on Disney property and easy access to the parks using the monorail. We've stayed on several Disney properties over the years and enjoy the additional "magic hours" and perks. This trip we where excited to be staying at one of Disney's "Deluxe Resort Hotels" and comparing that experience with the other Disney Resorts. (In the past, we've stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Coronado Springs Tower, and the Swain & Dolphin Hotel.) As we pulled up to the front of the hotel we found it odd that we where not greeted by valet and that no one was available at the bell services counter so we proceeded to unload our own luggage and self park for check in. We stood in line about 5 minutes to be greeted by a very unenthusiastic front desk cast member who offered little help and no apology for the lack of service at curbside. We got our room key (which we where paying $473 per night) and proceeded to the room. We had a garden wing room with a standard view. The hallways were narrow, elevator was old and very small (dearly fit 2 adults and 3 children) and ceiling tiles black with dust. When we got to our room, the maid was still in the room "freshing up" but insisted that she was done cleaning and hurried out the room. We took one step in the room and realized this was not the case. The furniture was worn, sheets looked used, finger prints all over door handle, sink dirty, and outside window looked unclean for months... just to name a few. If I wanted a motel experience I would have paid for one on I-Drive for $29 a night but not what I expected from a "Deluxe Resort" on Disney World Property! We demanded our money back and quickly made a few calls to transfer to the Swain & Dophin Hotel. This experience left us feeling less than "magical " and more disappointed. If I could rate my experience less than a one star I would... not the Disney we've come to love and enjoy. If I had to sum up this hotel in a few words it would be... old, worn and over-rated with management that stopped caring decades ago. Read less

We’ve stayed before, always for the proximity to the Magic Kingdom and pleasant cast members, and never had any major issues. This time our stay started off rocky and didn’t get any better, so we asked to switch resorts. I got upset enough to cry (and I’m not a crier), so we knew we needed to move to salvage the trip. I have to give the leadership cast member, Amber, her well earned praise for how she handled our concerns and request to move. She was very patient, empathetic, and her concern and warmth were genuine. She is everything you’d hope to have in a leader and she deserves recognition for being really great at what she does. It can’t be easy to have to try to appease angry or upset guests, or to rectify tough situations, but Amber is able to do it without missing a beat, and with a healthy dose of compassion. I left there feeling better just for having met her—she restored my faith in all things when I was having such a bad day. For those in charge who may read this: Amber is a keeper. Read less

We stayed at the Contemporary Resort for our first family trip to Disney World and it was awesome. The resort is in a perfect location right next to the Magic Kingdom. Every night we see the fireworks from our balcony. We stayed at the Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary and it is super nice and convenient for families. We had a One bedroom suite with a theme park view. The room had a full kitchen , 2 full baths, a washer and dryer, living room and master bedroom. It is seriously an apartment. The only bad thing is that the water smells bad!!! Don’t know why but the minute we entered the room there was a smell and I didn’t know what it was. Then I turned the water on and found out. This is honestly my only complaint. The maids that come daily are amazing. They leave towel art on the bed and organize your room. It is super nice. There is a walk way between Bay Lake Towers and the Contemporary which is super nice. 2 great pools the kids loves them both. The electric water parade comes right in the back of the hotel every night and you can watch from the hot tubs or pier. Restaurants and food was great. Literally walking distance to the Magic Kingdom. I would come back. I don’t know if the water smell is just the Contemporary or all Florida water but it really is annoying. Other than that I would recommend this resort to everyone! Read less