A Contemporary Stay!

I don’t know if there’s a more iconic resort on Walt Disney World property than the Contemporary Resort. It’s one of the original resorts from opening day. Who doesn’t have their own memory of this resort?! As a child, I remember riding the monorail through the resort and being amazed that the monorail can even do that. I remember seeing all the people in the lobby below me. I stared in awe at the beautiful tile mural by Disney Legend Mary Blair. As a kid, I didn’t understand the history, I just wanted to stay at this hotel I was fascinated by. As an adult and Disney Nerds, I learned the history of the resort which just grew my love for so many reasons. When I have the chance to stay at the Contemporary it’s more than just a hotel stay for me.

It’s staying in a piece of Walt Disney World history.

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at the Contemporary twice. I must say this last trip was the best so far. I usually stay in a Garden Wing room which is a smaller building located to the right of the main building. These rooms are sometimes cheaper. You do have a further walk from the dining, shops, and transportation but there are perks too. I think the garden wing rooms are quieter. Since they are not a part of the main building there’s less traffic in the hallways. The hustle and bustle of people dining at Chef Mickey or Contempo Café, which are side by side in the lobby, is not a concern when staying in the garden wing rooms. To me, this is a perk. I want to have a relaxing space after a long day in the parks or to be able to really relax on a day off from the parks when I want to enjoy the resort.

I had an amazing water view!

This last trip though, there was a little something extra to my room. I had an amazing water view! The garden view buildings do have a side that overlooks Bay Lake which I was lucky enough to get one of those rooms! I thoroughly enjoyed waking up every morning with the sun rising over Bay Lake. I was a breathtaking view and perfect to watch the boats come in and out for the day. It’s also was great to watch the Electrical Water Pagent from my room every night. I do want to state that garden view rooms don’t have balconies. If you are not in a ground floor room, you are still able to open the doors of the outside. The doors are double doors so there is a wide opening that you don’t miss having a balcony.  Now if you must have a balcony, I recommend a ground floor room in the Garden Wing or a room in the main building.

But there’s more to the room than the view.

The rooms themselves are beautiful! Being a Deluxe resort at Walt Disney World, you first enter the rooms to a small hallway with the bathroom on one side and a closet and refreshment station (mini fridge, coffee, etc) on the other side. The closets are wonderful because I always find it easier to unpack when I’m doing a longer stay at Disney (5 days or more). I love that the closets have dark wood and plenty of space to hang items or store things on the shelves or small drawers. There are two closets and between the two is the refreshment station which has a Keurig machine, coffee and tea pods, cups, and ice bucket. Below, in the cabinet is the mini fridge which I always utilize while I’m at Disney.

On the other side is the restroom which is has a sliding dark wooden door to close the bathroom if you need it. There’s also this beautiful brown and white marble tile on the floor and backsplash for the shower. There is a double vanity and storage under both with two mirrors that have a great backlight! This was perfect for getting ready in the morning. There was also a magnifying mirror on a swinging arm if you need it. The shower and vanity are in the same space but the toilet has a sliding barn door for privacy if need be. I even noticed the shower head was similar to the ones being put into the upgraded room across property which made me happy. I’m a huge fan of a nice shower after spending all day in the parks!

Now there’s also the actual room!

There is a glass desk against the wall when you first enter the room. This creates an L-shape with the dresser beside the bed. This offers a lot of counter space if you need it or workspace. The two beds are Queen size (unless you have a King Bed room) and have huge headboards that go the ceiling. They are white fabric and lined in the same dark wood throughout the room. There is a nightstand in between the two beds and a nice daybed/couch across the room. The TV is on this beautiful wood entertainment center with shelving and this great decorative light at the bottom made of beige tile. It gave off a glow almost like a fireplace. It was very calming and beautiful. I do love these rooms and my only complaint was no raised bed. The rooms that have recently gotten upgraded are getting raised beds which are perfect to store your luggage so it’s only a matter of time before the Contemporary gets them too.

The rooms are beautiful!

Some say that the Contemporary doesn’t really have a theme like some of the other resorts. I can understand where they get this from. Staying in the Contemporary Resort just feel like you are staying in a very beautiful, upscale resort. But my argument is this, you are staying in a part of Walt Disney World history. Knowing that you are staying at one of the original resorts with its iconic A-frame building then it’s hard not to get a sense of the magic. Speaking of magic, you literally steps away from the Magic Kingdom! You can’t beat that at any other resort! I think at least one stay at the Contemporary Resort is a must do for any Disney Nerds!

If you’d like to plan a trip and stay in one of these beautiful rooms at Contemporary Resort be sure to contact the official travel agent of The Disney Nerds Podcast, Once Upon a Time Travel.