I have loved the Contemporary since 1990s. I love the HUGE rooms in the main Contemporary building and garden wing - and the 5th bed is very comfortable. I love chef Mickey's and the California Grill. and enjoyed the quick service food near the 4th floor shopping area. we love the character voices that announce the floors in the elevators in the garden wing. I love to walk to and home from MK. We have watched the fireworks from the outside stairs of the A-frame for years- Great view and you hear the music. I love the pools. The pool snack area has great food. We like to rent boats from the marina. Years ago, we could take a parachute ride behind a speed boat, but sadly that is gone now. Nowadays, we always get a theme park view for the fireworks and dont have to go sit outside, but the view from the top of the world lounge is great. i love everything and my grown kids still request that resort I am a monorail resort kind of vacationer, I love all the monorail resorts and rotate now with the VGF and BLT. BLT has a great Community Hall for arts and crafts and games. My daughter loves the coffee bar near the front door of the contemporary. they do the pictures in the latte foam and have nice smoothies that young kids like. the one down side for me is the BLT rooms are actually a bit smaller than other DVC Villa rooms so size up! I cant see the beauty in the Riviera... For that money, i want to be convenient to some park and not just close to Caribbean beach
Love your honest review on the resort. You really made some good points about it. I agree with not wanting to pay the price for it when you can stay at another resort that fits your needs better.
I really love your videos, most have nothing to do with me as my kids are in their 20s, but you are so genuine and I feel like I'm watching a friend. I appreciate your are honest, always! Thanks for all you do Bekah!
Just visiting the Contemporary (before our Steakhouse 71 reservations) it was too busy and loud for us. We like a more homey feel. It felt like an airport terminal with all the people coming and going all the time. Cool to visit, but too hectic for me. We love Animal Kingdom Lodge for the mellow vibes and Beachclub when we want to be closer to parks but still want a cozy feel.
I agree that this resort feels very busy, and some families just prefer a more low key atmosphere of resorts like you mentioned! ❤️ It’s all about cozy for us too 👌🏼
Stayed in the main building for the fireworks and loved the view. Trying to get on the elevator in the mornings was terrible. And it was always loud. We would never stay there again but at the time we liked staying close to the Kingdom.
My husband and I are staying here for our 20th wedding anniversary in June. It’s been a bucket list item for me since the first time I went to Disney in 1989. Iconic!!!
Thanks for the review! Going to book here since it’s the only monorail resort available for my travel dates, but good to hear pros and cons from another toddler parent!
Wow, thanks for your honesty! We ate at Chef Mickey’s back in September and I was in awe of the contemporary, especially its location. Def do Chef Mickey’s on your next trip, we had the best time!
A girl after my own heart. My family has discussed staying here several time but each time we end up at the Grand Floridian. We keep thinking it won’t have the same “Disney feel”. We also love the Yacht Club. This resort also gives us the warm Disney feeling.
Hi Bekah! I've really been enjoying your videos! Thanks so much!! I have a stay booked for the garden wing. The online check in gives an option to request "close to lobby." Does that mean close to the lobby in the main tower? Or does the garden wing have its own lobby?
Yes! Love the perk of having access to all resorts just by walking to the Magic Kingdom bus stops! We also fell in love with Steakhouse 71 this pst week 🤤
We just recently stayed in the tower and absolutely LOVED it!! We did have to go over to the garden wing to do laundry and it was terrible... the ceilings are SOOO low and is very dark and dingy it was like being in the twighlight zone, it really gave me the creeps. I would NEVER stay here in the garden wing section. I would stay in the tower again in a second. I absolutely loved it. I also thought it would be loud but it was incredibly quiet. They did excellent job in sound proofing the main tower.
Thank you for the easy to understand points. May I ask what type of discount got you to that rate/night? We are going in September for our anniversary and will be going to a different resort for each upcoming trip. Thank you!
Definitely appreciate the honesty! I’ve never stayed there because the Grand Floridian and Polynesian have more ‘atmosphere’ in essentially the same location.
Contemporary is special to me just because of staying with the family in the 70's, we stayed in main A frame . I have only stayed in the garden wing since I was adult stay in the 90's just because of the cost. Thanks for sharing your mother & daughter vacation 🥰
That’s for such an honest review! We definitely want to try it someday! Mark Alan really wants to stay in the tower to be around the “hustle and bustle” and for a theme park view, but that price tag though… 😬
For sure! That’s a great way to put it, it’s definitely a busy resort if you’re staying in the main tower. But oh yes, the price tag on those theme park view rooms 😅
Thanks for your review! I can’t decide between here and beach club! Would you share which resorts give you the fuzzies and Disney feel so I can also look up those as I really liked your review 😊 we are heading over from Europe for our 10 year anniversary with 3 young kids ages 2-9. We won’t be coming to florida again anytime soon if ever so really want to get the Disney resort we choose right thanks! We are more inclined to going deluxe since it’s our anniversary
Absolutely! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! My “tug at your heart strings” resorts are Old Key West, Grand Floridian, Riviera, and Wilderness Lodge. We’ve never stayed at the Beach Club though! I know a lot of people love it ☺️
I LOVE this resort!!!! We’ve stayed here 4 times and visit it all the time for shopping and dining! To me, it has SUCH a Disney feel!! They also have a wonderful, large arcade that’s super fun for down days or rainy days! You can also do the paint a castle craft up in California Grill on select days. I think the resort has so much to offer and would stay there again in a heartbeat!! NO ROOM on property will beat a theme park view room there. It truly is magical from watching daybreak over MK to watching fireworks from your balcony at night. You can even lay in bed and watch the fireworks! Ugh, I love it!!!! 😍
That’s how I feel also. I truly would expect something a little different here. Like maybe a slightly elevated sleek feel. With little nods to whimsy and magic but I wouldn’t think incredibles 🤔
I ate at Chef Mickey's breakfast on 10/3 and it was amazing! I was pleasantly surprised because I also heard mixed reviews. I love the family style service instead of buffet and the food was very fresh!
Never stayed there but I loved the vibes going through when we went to our date night at California Grill. God willing we get to stay on a future trip!
My 1st trip to WDW was in 1976 after H.S. graduation. I didn't stay on Disney property but when I saw the Contemporary Resort I did not like the look of it. It's just not my style, I have never been a fan of modern, sleek lines. I too like a place with warm fuzzy feelings. I'm glad you told about the carpet. I prefer no carpet due to allergies. Your video was so helpful!!! Carry out meals of you are a guest is almost enough to make it worth staying there. Your video was VERY helpful.😊❤
I think I’ll feel like you described! I want to stay to say I’ve stayed and be a skip and hop away for my little transportation needs. Buuuut it is so cold looking/feeling.
I enjoyed Bay Lake Tower too, and I think it’s a great alternative if you still want to be at the Contemporary, but find a great deal by renting DVC points 👌🏼
Why the theming, again? The post-war movement in interior design was Mid-Century Modern which lasted until the 1970s. The Incredibles' aesthetic is Mid-Century Modern. Akin to retro-futuristic. While the resort isn't for everyone, the correlation to The Incredibles makes sense. Personally, I would've preferred non-IP themed rooms. Moana and Mary Poppins-themed rooms already exist on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
We have never stayed at the Contemporary. Our usual go-to resort has been the Poly. But, I've been to the Contemporary a LOT, in my Over 100 visits to WDW. My first visit to Disney was Christmas of 1971, just after Magic Kingdom opened. My oldest brother used to work as a musician at Magic Kingdom. I personally do not like the Incredibles Theming. Just not my thing. I always thought it would be a treat to stay there, but my gut impression is that the Contemporary is so "sterile", lacking the immersion into the Disney magic. Just my opinion and personal taste. We have done the dining at Chef Mickey. Especially for the character breakfast for the kids. We do like the location and transportation amenities of the Contemporary. The pool is ok, but we like the pools at Beach Club and Poly better. At this stage in our lives, we would only give priority to the Contemporary if we had the grandkids with us and Magic Kingdom was our primary park. Otherwise, we would probably choose another resort. I do agree with the nostalgia factor. In 1971, riding on the monorail through the Contemporary was such an AWE factor for an 11 year old.
I kind of laugh when people complain about the theming because I remember what the rooms looked like back in the late 1990s when it definitely had a Mickey themed room!! 😂 I stayed there during that time and honestly was disappointed when they went so modern that it didn’t seem to have any Disney theme to it. I think I would enjoy the Incredibles theme but I know it’s not for everyone!
Has anyone heard if Bay Lake will get a refurb soon? I've heard other vloggers say it needs one. Would love to rent points over there but after a refurb.
I've always thought this resort was very sterile. I agree, the walking path and monorail are why people pay an over inflated price for this resort. Personally, I wouldn't stay here, even for $250/ night. It is a nice place to go on a MK day.😊
I was apprehensive before we stayed here for our honeymoon, cause everyone was really negative about it. But I loved it for something special. So I guess I'm in the minority here. Staying in the garden wing for the first time in March, so we will see if my opinion changes.
The rooms didnt blow me away like what I would expect from Disney. That’s the problem with Disney. They charge these outrageous prices for these supposedly “amazing” experiences that turn out to be over crowded, mediocre experiences . Disney is over priced and they definitely over sell
We splurged on a theme park view at the main tower last year. Although the fireworks view was incredible and so was the short walk to magic kingdom, there was a lot of noise at night 😫. We were right on top of where the monorail zooms by and we could hear beeping and conversation on walkie-talkie every night. The front desk did move us further up to a higher floor but we could still hear noises at night and the kids had a hard time sleeping. For the price we were pretty disappointed.
Ah man, what a bummer to have all that noise right near your room. That’s great to know about being right by the monorail. So glad they were able to move you to a high floor though! But yes, for the price of a theme park view, I would have been disappointed too 😕
Im a DVC owner. And I can honestly say that the benefits of the contemporary is singularly the walk to magic kingdom. Outside of that there's not much else. It's very dated ,it has too much for hodgepodge of themes. The best resorts for small children and immersiveness is ironically the All-Star resorts. I would recommend doing the All-Stars plus a rental car. The Polynesian is probably the best of the bay lake area. Fort wilderness would be second.
Have you stayed at the Contemporary? What are your thoughts on this resort? ☺️
I loved staying there! How can you not love that castle view?
Right?! You can’t beat having a view of Magic Kingdom 👌🏼 For a reasonable price of course 😆
I have loved the Contemporary since 1990s. I love the HUGE rooms in the main Contemporary building and garden wing - and the 5th bed is very comfortable. I love chef Mickey's and the California Grill. and enjoyed the quick service food near the 4th floor shopping area.
we love the character voices that announce the floors in the elevators in the garden wing. I love to walk to and home from MK. We have watched the fireworks from the outside stairs of the A-frame for years- Great view and you hear the music. I love the pools. The pool snack area has great food. We like to rent boats from the marina. Years ago, we could take a parachute ride behind a speed boat, but sadly that is gone now. Nowadays, we always get a theme park view for the fireworks and dont have to go sit outside, but the view from the top of the world lounge is great.
i love everything and my grown kids still request that resort I am a monorail resort kind of vacationer, I love all the monorail resorts and rotate now with the VGF and BLT. BLT has a great Community Hall for arts and crafts and games. My daughter loves the coffee bar near the front door of the contemporary. they do the pictures in the latte foam and have nice smoothies that young kids like. the one down side for me is the BLT rooms are actually a bit smaller than other DVC Villa rooms so size up! I cant see the beauty in the Riviera... For that money, i want to be convenient to some park and not just close to Caribbean beach
Love your honest review on the resort. You really made some good points about it. I agree with not wanting to pay the price for it when you can stay at another resort that fits your needs better.
Thanks Tonya! Yes, it’s all about deciding what your priorities are in a resort 🙌🏼
I have stayed here twice, you are right it is wow, expensive, but its hard to take away its location!!
I really love your videos, most have nothing to do with me as my kids are in their 20s, but you are so genuine and I feel like I'm watching a friend. I appreciate your are honest, always! Thanks for all you do Bekah!
Aw Angie! This comment means the world. Thank you so much ❤️
Just visiting the Contemporary (before our Steakhouse 71 reservations) it was too busy and loud for us. We like a more homey feel. It felt like an airport terminal with all the people coming and going all the time. Cool to visit, but too hectic for me.
We love Animal Kingdom Lodge for the mellow vibes and Beachclub when we want to be closer to parks but still want a cozy feel.
I agree that this resort feels very busy, and some families just prefer a more low key atmosphere of resorts like you mentioned! ❤️ It’s all about cozy for us too 👌🏼
Stayed in the main building for the fireworks and loved the view. Trying to get on the elevator in the mornings was terrible. And it was always loud. We would never stay there again but at the time we liked staying close to the Kingdom.
My husband and I are staying here for our 20th wedding anniversary in June. It’s been a bucket list item for me since the first time I went to Disney in 1989. Iconic!!!
Thanks for the review! Going to book here since it’s the only monorail resort available for my travel dates, but good to hear pros and cons from another toddler parent!
This really was a great resort for the location with a toddler 🙌🏼 Especially not having to tear down the stroller for any reason!
Wow, thanks for your honesty! We ate at Chef Mickey’s back in September and I was in awe of the contemporary, especially its location. Def do Chef Mickey’s on your next trip, we had the best time!
Absolutely! And it’s so true, the location can’t be beat 🙌🏼 Chef Mickey’s is definitely on my list to try!
A girl after my own heart. My family has discussed staying here several time but each time we end up at the Grand Floridian. We keep thinking it won’t have the same “Disney feel”. We also love the Yacht Club. This resort also gives us the warm Disney feeling.
Yes, grand Floridian is the resort that gives me all the Disney feels 👌🏼 Agreed!
Hi Bekah! I've really been enjoying your videos! Thanks so much!!
I have a stay booked for the garden wing. The online check in gives an option to request "close to lobby." Does that mean close to the lobby in the main tower? Or does the garden wing have its own lobby?
Thank you!! The garden wing does have a small lobby, so I would assume that check-in request is referring to that area ☺️
Yes! Love the perk of having access to all resorts just by walking to the Magic Kingdom bus stops! We also fell in love with Steakhouse 71 this pst week 🤤
Such a huge perk! 👌🏼 And omg right! It’s one of our FAVS 😍
We just recently stayed in the tower and absolutely LOVED it!! We did have to go over to the garden wing to do laundry and it was terrible... the ceilings are SOOO low and is very dark and dingy it was like being in the twighlight zone, it really gave me the creeps. I would NEVER stay here in the garden wing section. I would stay in the tower again in a second. I absolutely loved it. I also thought it would be loud but it was incredibly quiet. They did excellent job in sound proofing the main tower.
Thank you for the easy to understand points. May I ask what type of discount got you to that rate/night? We are going in September for our anniversary and will be going to a different resort for each upcoming trip. Thank you!
Definitely appreciate the honesty! I’ve never stayed there because the Grand Floridian and Polynesian have more ‘atmosphere’ in essentially the same location.
Absolutely! Sounds like we enjoy the same resorts 🥰
Contemporary is special to me just because of staying with the family in the 70's, we stayed in main A frame . I have only stayed in the garden wing since I was adult stay in the 90's just because of the cost. Thanks for sharing your mother & daughter vacation 🥰
Love that this resort holds special memories for you! Everyone has that one resort they’re sentimental towards 🥰 Thank you for following along!
That’s for such an honest review! We definitely want to try it someday! Mark Alan really wants to stay in the tower to be around the “hustle and bustle” and for a theme park view, but that price tag though… 😬
For sure! That’s a great way to put it, it’s definitely a busy resort if you’re staying in the main tower. But oh yes, the price tag on those theme park view rooms 😅
Thanks for your review! I can’t decide between here and beach club! Would you share which resorts give you the fuzzies and Disney feel so I can also look up those as I really liked your review 😊 we are heading over from Europe for our 10 year anniversary with 3 young kids ages 2-9. We won’t be coming to florida again anytime soon if ever so really want to get the Disney resort we choose right thanks! We are more inclined to going deluxe since it’s our anniversary
Absolutely! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! My “tug at your heart strings” resorts are Old Key West, Grand Floridian, Riviera, and Wilderness Lodge. We’ve never stayed at the Beach Club though! I know a lot of people love it ☺️
Great review. You covered so many wonderful aspects.
Thank you so much!
I LOVE this resort!!!! We’ve stayed here 4 times and visit it all the time for shopping and dining! To me, it has SUCH a Disney feel!! They also have a wonderful, large arcade that’s super fun for down days or rainy days! You can also do the paint a castle craft up in California Grill on select days. I think the resort has so much to offer and would stay there again in a heartbeat!! NO ROOM on property will beat a theme park view room there. It truly is magical from watching daybreak over MK to watching fireworks from your balcony at night. You can even lay in bed and watch the fireworks! Ugh, I love it!!!! 😍
A Pixar movie theme you would expect in a value resort... Yes, thank you!
Also your hair looks super cute!
That’s how I feel also. I truly would expect something a little different here. Like maybe a slightly elevated sleek feel. With little nods to whimsy and magic but I wouldn’t think incredibles 🤔
I ate at Chef Mickey's breakfast on 10/3 and it was amazing! I was pleasantly surprised because I also heard mixed reviews. I love the family style service instead of buffet and the food was very fresh!
That’s great to hear! It’s super helpful to hear other’s experience there ☺️
Never stayed there but I loved the vibes going through when we went to our date night at California Grill.
God willing we get to stay on a future trip!
Cali Grill is AMAZING 👌🏼 It really is a cool resort to come visit at and soak in the atmosphere.
My 1st trip to WDW was in 1976 after H.S. graduation. I didn't stay on Disney property but when I saw the Contemporary Resort I did not like the look of it. It's just not my style, I have never been a fan of modern, sleek lines. I too like a place with warm fuzzy feelings. I'm glad you told about the carpet. I prefer no carpet due to allergies. Your video was so helpful!!! Carry out meals of you are a guest is almost enough to make it worth staying there. Your video was VERY helpful.😊❤
I think I’ll feel like you described! I want to stay to say I’ve stayed and be a skip and hop away for my little transportation needs. Buuuut it is so cold looking/feeling.
It’s definitely a bucket list resort ☺️ 👌🏼
This is one of my fav resorts
Hello an you show the rooms pleace i would like to see them
Check out my room tour linked in this video ☺️
I stayed at both Garden Wing and Bay Lake Tower. I really liked Bay Lake tower.
I enjoyed Bay Lake Tower too, and I think it’s a great alternative if you still want to be at the Contemporary, but find a great deal by renting DVC points 👌🏼
Thank you for your honest review!
Absolutely! Thanks for watching!
Why the theming, again? The post-war movement in interior design was Mid-Century Modern which lasted until the 1970s. The Incredibles' aesthetic is Mid-Century Modern. Akin to retro-futuristic.
While the resort isn't for everyone, the correlation to The Incredibles makes sense. Personally, I would've preferred non-IP themed rooms. Moana and Mary Poppins-themed rooms already exist on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
totally feel the same way. it doesn't give that Disney feel, which most of the disney resorts do... it feels kind of like a busy airport.
We have never stayed at the Contemporary. Our usual go-to resort has been the Poly. But, I've been to the Contemporary a LOT, in my Over 100 visits to WDW. My first visit to Disney was Christmas of 1971, just after Magic Kingdom opened. My oldest brother used to work as a musician at Magic Kingdom.
I personally do not like the Incredibles Theming. Just not my thing. I always thought it would be a treat to stay there, but my gut impression is that the Contemporary is so "sterile", lacking the immersion into the Disney magic. Just my opinion and personal taste.
We have done the dining at Chef Mickey. Especially for the character breakfast for the kids.
We do like the location and transportation amenities of the Contemporary.
The pool is ok, but we like the pools at Beach Club and Poly better.
At this stage in our lives, we would only give priority to the Contemporary if we had the grandkids with us and Magic Kingdom was our primary park. Otherwise, we would probably choose another resort.
I do agree with the nostalgia factor. In 1971, riding on the monorail through the Contemporary was such an AWE factor for an 11 year old.
I kind of laugh when people complain about the theming because I remember what the rooms looked like back in the late 1990s when it definitely had a Mickey themed room!! 😂 I stayed there during that time and honestly was disappointed when they went so modern that it didn’t seem to have any Disney theme to it. I think I would enjoy the Incredibles theme but I know it’s not for everyone!
Has anyone heard if Bay Lake will get a refurb soon? I've heard other vloggers say it needs one. Would love to rent points over there but after a refurb.
I’ve heard rumors of a refurb at BLT! But no idea on the timing. It desperately needs one though 🙌🏼
I stayed there in 1977. ......85 dollars a night ...so things have changed . But I still say it's the beat hotel they have there ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I've always thought this resort was very sterile. I agree, the walking path and monorail are why people pay an over inflated price for this resort. Personally, I wouldn't stay here, even for $250/ night. It is a nice place to go on a MK day.😊
Agreed 👏🏼 The walking path is great! But not my personal style ☺️
I was apprehensive before we stayed here for our honeymoon, cause everyone was really negative about it. But I loved it for something special. So I guess I'm in the minority here. Staying in the garden wing for the first time in March, so we will see if my opinion changes.
You will love the garden wing in that case! And you have those really special memories from your honeymoon at this resort ☺️
The rooms didnt blow me away like what I would expect from Disney. That’s the problem with Disney. They charge these outrageous prices for these supposedly “amazing” experiences that turn out to be over crowded, mediocre experiences . Disney is over priced and they definitely over sell
We splurged on a theme park view at the main tower last year. Although the fireworks view was incredible and so was the short walk to magic kingdom, there was a lot of noise at night 😫. We were right on top of where the monorail zooms by and we could hear beeping and conversation on walkie-talkie every night. The front desk did move us further up to a higher floor but we could still hear noises at night and the kids had a hard time sleeping. For the price we were pretty disappointed.
Ah man, what a bummer to have all that noise right near your room. That’s great to know about being right by the monorail. So glad they were able to move you to a high floor though! But yes, for the price of a theme park view, I would have been disappointed too 😕
Im a DVC owner. And I can honestly say that the benefits of the contemporary is singularly the walk to magic kingdom. Outside of that there's not much else. It's very dated ,it has too much for hodgepodge of themes. The best resorts for small children and immersiveness is ironically the All-Star resorts. I would recommend doing the All-Stars plus a rental car. The Polynesian is probably the best of the bay lake area. Fort wilderness would be second.