Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review
Chances are, if you are hoping to stay on Disney property and ask the internet about resorts, Disney’s Contemporary is going to be among the top of the list. It might even sound familiar to you, because this resort is an iconic one in the Magic Kingdom area. I stayed at the Contemporary recently in a theme park view room, a bucket-list stay for me for many years I was able to finally cross off my list! You might be asking, “Is staying at Disney’s Contemporary resort worth the money?” Here’s my honest review of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Contemporary Resort Overview
Disney’s Contemporary resort is located in the Magic Kingdom resort area. Part of what makes this resort so great is in fact it’s location! The contemporary is right across the street from Magic Kingdom. In fact, it’s a quick 5-6 minute walk and you are at the Magic Kingdom entrance! This is a deluxe resort, meaning it has bigger rooms, a prime location, more on-site dining choices, transportation options, and the best perk: Extended evening theme park hours for deluxe resort guests only on select nights. This resort is most known for being able to ride the monorail right from the inside of the resort-the 4th floor to be exact! It lives up to its name in its design, which is contemporary. Sleek and modern, you see that right from the outside of the building and as soon as you step inside. I love the contemporary, Disney themed art around the resort, furniture in the waiting areas, and the rooms are….incredible! Pun intended, because these rooms were recently re-themed to be Incredibles themed, and they are perfection (more on that below). Set on Bay Lake, you have lake views on one side, and those coveted castle, theme park views on the other side. There are three main areas at this resort: Main Tower, Garden Wing, and Bay Lake Tower (mostly DVC rooms and suites). Here are some “fast facts” about Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
Number of Restaurants: 5
Number of Bars & Cafés: 5
Number of Pools: 2
Additional Amenities: Resort campfire, movies under the stars, watch the Electrical Water Pageant at Seven Seas Lagoon, basketball, volleyball, tennis, jogging trails, fitness center, you can even go fishing or rent a boat to watch the fireworks from the water!
Complimentary transportation to Disney Parks & Disney Springs: Walk to Magic Kingdom, monorail from the resort to EPCOT, bus to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, bus to Disney Springs.
Contemporary Resort Room Tour
The star of the show y’all, these rooms! If you are a Pixar fan, you are going to LOVE the Incredibles theming here and all the details. These rooms are equipped to sleep 5, so all families of 5 just said “amen.” I know how difficult this can be, and love that the rooms here are great for larger families. Each standard room has 2 queen size beds, and a sleeper sofa that pulls out into a day bed. The bathroom has double sinks, a shower tub combo, and separated toilet area. In addition, these rooms have so much storage space! There’s a size-able closet with a multiple sets of drawers, shelving, and hanging space. Suitcases can easily be stored under the bed and out of the way. You will also have a coffee station with Keurig coffee maker, and a mini fridge (no microwave unless you are in a Deluxe Studio room).
Standard rooms alone are SO SPACIOUS! I loved how we didn’t feel like we were on top of each other here, and did I mention the theming? It is enough to notice and be fun, but also not so over the top and in your face. These rooms come in 3 different view types: Theme Park, Water (views of Bay Lake or Seven Seas Lagoon), or Resort (obstructed views, garden, or parking lot). We splurged and snagged a theme park view room and let me tell you, waking up to that view every day did NOT disappoint, and being able to watch fireworks FROM OUR BALCONY was truly magical. But, you can’t go wrong with any view type here!
If you are needing a little more space, want some additional amenities in your room, or are a big group or family that wants to all stay in one space, I highly recommend Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary resort. Here there are Delxue Studios with a queen bed, double size sleeper sofa, and kitchenette. This will definitely give more of a “homey” or small apartment type feel. There are also 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas and suites that can sleep up to 10 adults. It’s important if you need something that size to book early, and reminder that my planning services are complimentary when you book your vacation with me, and will cost the exact same if you booked it yourself!
Video tour of a theme park view standard room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World.
Pros & Cons
As always, just like with my clients, I give my honest review with my personal and professional opinion! While I love this resort, I also know that every Disney resort has its own unique personality, so it’s not always going to be for everyone-that’s why there’s so many choices and I help my clients narrow that down. Here’s my pro/con list for Disney’s Contemporary resort.
Pros
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You will be hard pressed to find a resort that has a better or more convenient location. When I’m asked the closest place to stay at Disney World, my answer is the monorail loop (there’s 3 resorts on this loop-Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian). The fact that you can walk over to Magic Kingdom, see the fireworks without the crowds right from the resort, and have the ability to hop on the monorail right from the resort are all huge perks, especially for families with young kids who want a less stressful experience.
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The last thing you want after a long day in the parks is to come back and feel cramped. These rooms are airy and spacious, and the fact that they can sleep up to 5 is a huge perk. Even if you don’t need that 5th sleeper, it’s nice to have a couch with a little table in the room for extra storage/eating area. In addition to the balcony, it just made me get back from the parks and go, “ahhhhh” and wake up with a peaceful start to my day.
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There is so much to do at this resort, you won’t be bored if you’re looking for activity, but you can also relax and chill here. Too many people just think of Disney as “the parks,” and don’t enjoy the resorts, which are an experience in and of themselves! I always highly recommend my clients take a rest day in between park days, and this resort has so much to offer between the pools (with waterslide), beach areas, there’s also ping pong tables, even just taking a peaceful walk around the lake, the additional amenities here are worth it because this is truly a resort, not just a hotel-there’s a difference.
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Brunch at Steakhouse 71, date night at California Grille, character dining at Chef Mickey’s, grab your morning coffee at Contemporary Grounds, sip on an adult beverage by the pool with The Sand Bar, mobile order something quick and easy from Contemp Cafe. There’s more, but I really love being able to have more than “cafeteria” style choices, and some of these restaurants are highly sought after on-property!
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I’m going to say it, I got real spoiled in that theme park view room. Truly it was so peaceful walking down in the mornings to grab my Joffrey’s iced latte from Contemporary Grounds, pick up my mobile ordered breakfast from Contempo Cafe, and sit on my balcony with those beautiful, peaceful views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella Castle gleaming in the sunlight as the monorail went by. Even if you aren’t in a theme park view room though, the views are beautiful simply around the resort! You can see the castle and lagoon from the 4th floor observatory deck, the beach and trail by Bay Lake are so nice, it’s just lovely here. The older I get and with young kids, I just appreciate a lack of stress.
Cons
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This is where it is going to depend on the person, and also, a one-time experience for me in the main tower. When we checked in, we requested a higher floor because…theme park view room. We were on the 11th floor, views were incredible. However, because we were in the main tower and right above Chef Mickey’s we could hear that music blasting at times. We also woke up at points with our beds shaking, and it had to be because of the height and the monorail below. However, we happened to meet the manager of the resort at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and she sincerely said that was the first she had ever heard of the beds shaking. I don’t know if it was the people above us who were often loud (and we absolutely should have called to let the resort know when it was quiet hours-the manager confirmed this), but I would be willing to give it a second a chance in the main tower. None of my clients who stayed in the main tower have every complained about either of these things, and both friends on that same trip stayed in the Garden Wing and said it was SUPER quiet. This is one of my most booked deluxe resorts, and every one of my clients who has stayed here has loved it. I think this was circumstantial and the manager was lovely-we did not hear the Chef Mickey music that night after talking with her (checked out the next day). Just something to note if you are a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, then the main tower may not be for you. I’m upfront with clients about this, so if that is a concern either for themselves or young children, then I recommend the garden wing or Bay Lake Tower.
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I only say that it can be busy here because there are several ballrooms and areas where conventions and special events are hosted. I never felt like the resort itself was too busy or overcrowded (see all my peaceful vibes above), but in the main lobby there were certain times of day that there was a lot of coming and going. The ballrooms/event spaces though are in a different area of the resort, so much like with Coronado Springs, there can be things going on, but doesn’t always mean you’ll even know!
So, is Disney’s Contemporary Resort worth it? That’s ultimately a personal choice that I am here to help guide you. I personally say yes, but it also depends on what kind of vacation and experience you want to have at Walt Disney World! This is where I come in to take out the overwhelm. If you would like to book this resort as part of a Walt Disney World vacation package, or want to customize your vacation experience, fill out a vacation request form to begin the process of working with me and my complimentary planning services!
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