Just got back from 4 nights at the Contemporary. Here is my mini review! I booked a garden wing standard view room through a
travel agency exclusive deal. I did online check in around 60 days out and requested Ground Floor and close to transportation. Our flight got into Sanford at 5pm, and we rented a car, so I put our expected arrival time at 6pm. At 6pm on the dot I got my text that my room was ready and I could bypass the front desk. I drove to the Contemporary and through the main entrance. I told the bellman/valet guy that I was checking in and that I had my room ready text. He was VERY nice and made sure I had a magic band, asked if I needed help with my luggage, and gave me directions on how to park in the garden wing area. I drove over there, there were plenty of available spots.
Our room was 5165. This met both our requests! I was surprised when we got there that it was a king bed room. This worked fine since it was just me and my three year old, and I would be lucky if I got him to sleep in a bed by himself in a hotel, ha ha. This also left plenty of extra space in the room which was nice. The room was in great shape and very clean. The patio was very nice and as always, my son loved the monorail view. I can see how the walk to the lobby could be far for the other wings of the garden wing, but from our location it was super easy and we were so close to the pool. Comfortable bed with plenty of pillows. Room fridge was super cold which I love. 4 nights and we didn't turn on the TV even once if you can believe that, so I cant speak about that. I was expecting the sinks to be a problem from what I read but since I was expecting a problem I thought they were just fine! I give the location and room a big thumbs up.
After we settled in the room I went to the front desk to ask about our dining plan and mugs. I was actually a little off put by this interaction. I just walked up and said, "we just got here and went straight to our room after our text," and I swear I thought he rolled his eyes at me, but I continued "and I was wondering where we pick up our dining plan mugs?" He just says "contempo café." With no other explanation or offer of information, which felt odd and very impersonal. So yes, I know that I need to go up to the 4th floor and get the mugs from the café now, but I've only been in this building once in my life and that was via monorail. I feel that when I told him I literally just checked in he should have offered that information, or at least offered me a map, I didn't even know where the elevators were. So my front desk interaction gets a thumbs down.
Mousekeeping was great. I had no problems and the room seemed to be done nice and timely. Thumbs up.
Noise level: Almost none! Very quiet room. No connecting door which I think helps. Mild noise in the hall since we were near the door but nothing bad and I was not woken up at night even once (which happened SEVERAL times a night last trip at Yacht club). Thumbs up.
Pool area is a bit boring compared to some of the other deluxes, but it was SO EMPTY that it more than made up for it. I never had to wait to order food, there were chairs available no problem, etc. The sand bar café doesn't have a self-refill for your mugs, you ask at the counter and they give you are regular cup of soda instead. Pool area thumbs up.
Transportation was spotty. Of course the walk to MK was just magic. Worth the price of staying there for sure. I can't believe how fast we were in bed after Wishes! It's just a great feeling to veer away from the masses at the exit and head down that walkway. Two days we had early plans and the monorail wasn't working. We took a bus to Epcot instead and it was easy. Both the bus home from AK and DHS seemed to take a bit longer than expected. The bus home from AK was terribly crowded, lots of people going to dinner reservations and the bus was shared with Wilderness Lodge. Overall thumbs up though compared to other Disney resorts!
Great stay overall! Next time we go back we are staying at the Poly again but I would definitely consider coming back to the Contemporary, especially if I got a good rate in the main building, but would easily stay garden wing again as well.
Appreciate your advice!
We are currently booked for the CR Bay Lake View this June 2-5!! We cant wait!!! Is anyone else worried about the monorail closures? Could someone tell me more about it? Id hate to be there and not be able to take the monorail its one of our favorite parts and we have a first timer joining us!
