One of the most iconic hotels in Orlando, the Contemporary Resort was one of the two original Disney World hotels. The resort opened up on October 1, 1971, the same time as Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Since it opened 51 years ago, this resort has remained popular with guests due to its close proximity to Magic Kingdom.
While the resort may be 51 years old. It doesn’t feel like it is with the many renovations that have happened throughout the years. This includes new buildings, updated rooms and dining.
Perhaps the reason many guests at Disney and around the world know this resort is for the monorail that goes right through the resort. That’s right it goes through the resort, not around the resort. It is one of the coolest things to see outside of the theme parks.
We recently stayed at the Contemporary Resort in a theme park view room. It was for one night in August and we are going to tell you all about it below. From what we liked to what we didn’t and everything in between. Hopefully, it helps you decide if you want to spend the big bucks to stay so close to the magic.
Room
Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers both suites and standard rooms. Even though it is one of the oldest resorts at WDW, the standard rooms are some of the largest on property coming in at around 422 square feet.
The rooms have two queen beds (or one king bed), couch, TV, nightstand, mini fridge, large bathroom, and balcony or patio. The rooms in the main building have been themed around the Pixar movie The Incredibles.
The rooms also feel very roomy. There was plenty of room for all of us in this room. Not once did we feel like we were on top of each other. That even includes standing on the balcony at night to watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks.
The beds were nice and comfortable too! They were a little on the firmer side of things but that’s how I like them. The pillows were on the softer side.
Overall, I was still able to get a night’s rest. The couch was even big enough and comfortable enough to sleep on. There was also an extra set of bedding for the couch.
I do have to say I found the bathroom set up to be a little strange. There is a large sliding door that separates the bathroom area from the rest of the room. In here you will find the sink, shower, and toilet. Now what I found strange was the toilet was in a little area off to the side with it’s own door.
Normally not a bad thing but one person couldn’t use the toilet while another was in the shower. Someone could use the toilet and another person could use the sink. You just couldn’t have one family member using the toilet while the other took a shower.
Now the flushing power was pretty good with the toilet. We stayed on the 10th floor and didn’t have any issue with flushing power.
Water pressure in the shower was also very good. Finding the perfect temp to the shower was a bit of a challenge but overall, easy enough.
Now the big draw for this room was the theme park view. You could easily see Cinderella’s Castle. You could also make out many other rides and lands. At night is when the view is truly amazing.
You can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom with no crowds. The TV even plays the music for the show. It really was amazing.
Now I know why this room costs so much per night. Even with a 30% discount in the beginning of August, it still cost more than $600 a night. But it was still worth the money. Even if I could have added three more days to my stay staying at a value resort.
Transportation Options
Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a lot to offer. First, it is only minutes away from the Magic Kingdom. You can walk or take the monorail. While we find walking to be quicker. Riding the monorail is more enjoyable.
You can take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, or Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). From the TTC you can grab a monorail to EPCOT. Remember that the monorail travels clockwise. This means from the Contemporary resort, the Magic Kingdom stop is the last one. Once you board at Contemporary you stop at the TTC, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and finally the Magic Kingdom. It’s easier and quicker just to walk over to the theme park. However, once leaving the park you grab the Resorts line and the Contemporary is the first stop.
Don’t worry you can still grab a bus from the Contemporary. Buses are offered for travel to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. Unfortunately, there are no buses to EPCOT.
Around the Resort
The Contemporary Resort has a lot going on around the resort. From things you will find at all the Disney Resorts to some things that are a little more unique. If you are planning on spending a day away from the parks and just enjoying the resort, you picked a great one to do that.
Like all the other resorts at WDW, you will find an Arcade here. However, this might be the best one on property and one of the larger ones too.
Outside you will find basketball hoops, shuffleboard, beach volleyball, and tennis courts.
A fitness center can be found within the Resort too! Olympiad Fitness Center is found on the third floor and is free to all guests 14 and older staying at the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower.
Here you will find treadmills, bicycles, and ellipticals to get your cardio workout in before you head to the parks. Free weights are also available and go up to 50lbs. There is also a limited amount of machines to use as well. In August 2023 there was some remodeling going on.
Personal training is also available for a fee and is appointment only.
Out the back of the resort along Bay Lake you will find a small marina that offers boat rentals. You can rent a Pontoon boat that holds up to 10 people for $45 per half hour. It will give you an interesting and unique view of Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.
Another water activity you can do at the Contemporary is a bass fishing excursion. No need to bring your own gear. Rod, reel, tackle, bait, and more are provided when you book a fishing excursion.
While there are better pools around Walt Disney World, the one at Contemporary will not disappoint. The main pool features a 17 foot tall water slide that will appeal to kids of all ages. Adults can enjoy the two hot tubs in the area while sipping a cold drink from the poolside bar.
The bay cove pool over at Bay Lake Tower also offers a slide. The pool might not be as big but it is still just as enjoyable.
Cabana’s are available to rent and might be the perfect choice if you have money to burn and are spending the day at the resort and by the pool. The cabana’s include padded furniture, bluetooth speakers, TVs, ceiling fan, and a mini fridge stocked with complimentary sodas and water.
Dining
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is home to two sit down restaurants, one character buffet, three lounges, one quick service location, and two pool bars. You will have a hard time finding something that you won’t enjoy.
The Cove Bar just serves up drinks while the Sand Bar serves drinks and quick service classics like hot dogs, burgers, and fries among other items.You can even grab a Mickey Pretzel from this location.
If you are looking for a location with a great view and amazing drinks, you need to check out the Outer Rim Lounge. While there, try out the bourbon flight.
If you are looking for a delicious steak to enjoy, Steakhouse 71 is the right place for you. Choose from Filet Mignon, Top Sirloin, Prime Rib and more. Of course, the place is a little on the pricey side of things. A 6oz Filet will run you $38.
Steakhouse 71 is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also the Steakhouse 71 lounge next door. Here you can get amazing drinks and apps. Check out the crab cakes, loaded Mac & Cheese, or PB&J wings.
If you want one of the best views of Magic Kingdom and an amazing location to view the fireworks. A reservation at California Grill is a must. The three course meal isn’t cheap. The cost is $89 plus tax for adults and $39 plus tax for kids. However, the food is said to be some of the best in Disney World.
Start off with black truffle pizza, rainbow roll, or many others. Have a main course of oak fired filet, venison, or black sea bass. Finish off with chiffon cake, creme brulee, or other tasty options. After your meal head to the observation area to watch the fireworks.
Had a meal here earlier in the day? Don’t worry, save your receipt and come back later to go to the observation deck. There is also a lounge at the California Grill.
One of the most popular character dining locations can be found at the Contemporary Resort. Of course, we are talking about the one and only Chef Mickey’s. Here you can enjoy a breakfast or dinner buffet with the fab five (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald). This is the only dining location at Walt Disney World where you can see all five of them together.
If you plan on eating here, make sure you book your reservation as soon as you can. The spots fill up quickly.
Contempo Cafe is the quick service dining location at the Contemporary. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here and they are open from 7am to 11pm. Nothing here will blow you away but that’s not saying the food is bad. The food is pretty good, just nothing that is a must try.
Interesting Facts
The nightly Electrical Water Pageant can be seen from the beach area of the resort.
President Richard Nixon’s famous quote “I am not a crook” was made at the Contemporary Resort on 11/17/1973.
Disney’s Vacation Club Bay Lake Tower opened on 8/4/2009.
Was originally going to be called Tempo Bay Hotel.
The Mary Blair mural is 90 feet tall.
The resort rooms in the main building were constructed off site and hoisted into place when the frame was completed.
The bad
Overall, a stay at the Contemporary Resort is a great time. I only had one issue while I stayed here. Maybe not everyone will have this issue but I have a feeling everyone will. The issue I had was with the elevators.
As far as I could tell there are only 5 elevators located in the same area that service the whole hotel. This includes the main floor (floor 4) where just about everything is located. This floor is where you find Chef Mickey’s, the shops, and so much more.
During the day the wait for an elevator isn’t too bad. However, once the evening rolls around that changes. One of the elevators it appears is only for California Grill. That leaves only 4 elevators for everyone else.
There was a huge line of people waiting to get into the elevators on the 1st and 4th floors. It was pretty crazy to see that. They really seemed to start getting busy around 5pm. The lines would continue till after 10 pm as well.
I would say that anyone who visits Walt Disney World often should stay one night at the Contemporary Resort at least once in their life. It really was amazing staying here for one night. The views of the park are something I will not forget. Pictures don’t do the view justice.
I doubt I will ever stay at this resort again. It is just out of my price range but I can understand why it is priced where it is at compared to other Disney Resorts. A short walk has you right at Magic Kingdom. Or you can hop on the Monorail to get you there too.
Have you ever stayed at the Contemporary Resort? Would you stay there? Let us know in the comments below.
