Exploring Disney’s Contemporary resort.

Overall Impression

This is a top notch hotel. The room was especially great (atrium level on floor 9). There was a beautiful view of the lake and pool below. You could see the sunrise if it wasn’t cloudy and you could see all the way over to downtown Orlando in the distance. The benefit of being high up in the Atrium was that the magic doesn’t stop after you get to your hotel room! The light boat parade goes right by at night on the lake side of the hotel. The nights we stayed at The Contemporary, the parade passed by around 10:20pm. When you’re a light sleeper, you can hear the music from the boat parade in your room. However, after a day at the park, nothing could wake me up!

On the note of noise, the Atrium (the main building of the Contemporary) is quite noisy with the restaurants and shops in the building. However, as soon as you close the thick room doors, you can’t hear any commotion from the building.

Amenities

• Hair dryer
• Coffee Maker
• Free Wifi
• Iron and Ironing Board
• In-room Safe
• Mini Refrigerator
• (Optional) Pack ‘n Play
• Pools
• Beach
• Movies under the stars
• Campfire with s’mores
• Lots of recreational activities like parasailing and boating.

Comfort

The pillows were top notch, and I’m picky about pillows. The sinks and bathroom were wonderful, as well! The shower felt like it almost had an instant water heater at the shower head because I would get hot water a lot quicker than at the sink.

There was plenty of room to spread out with the two queen-sized beds, desk, shelving and couch.

Positives

• A quick walk to the Magic Kingdom. I highly recommend leaving the hotel 1 hour earlier than the park opens. Just bring your coffee and breakfast along with you! They’ll allow you to scan your magic band so you’ll be ready to run as soon as the park opens. The best part, however, is the opening show at the Magic Kingdom. It started around 30 minutes prior to the park opening (both days we were there) and it’s best to stake out a spot at the front (you know, in front of the picket fence at the flower garden where everyone takes photographs). We sat there and enjoyed our breakfast and coffee until the show started. The benefit of being right there is that no one came even CLOSE to crowding us at the wall. They all had strollers and wanted their children to see the show that was performed where the Steam Engine Train was parked, so they were a good 5 feet back from the wall. As soon as the short 10 minute show is over, they allow you into the park! Since you’re up at the front, you’re literally one of the first people in the park and it’s a good 20 minutes before the park is officially supposed to open! The cast members are out of the stores along Main Street waving you into the park. It’s so fun! Then, you get to go on a few rides during that first 30 minutes, practically wait free. Those first 30 minutes were our ‘most productive’ the entire trip. Such a great way to start your day!
• The monorail runs right through the Contemporary Resort. You’re a hop away from the TTC (ticket & transportation center) to get to Epcot and simply a bus ride away from the other parks. If you get there early or have a down-day, I recommend cruising the monorail and visiting the resorts along it. It’s so fun to go inside the Polynesian and Grand Floridian to do some shopping and eating along the way!
• On your way to the Bay Lake Tower from the Atrium, is a little platform under the monorail. There are seats that are angled toward the Magic Kingdom that are PERFECT for viewing the sunset and the fireworks show from the hotel. The breeze on a hot day is wonderful there, as well.
• Not exclusive to the Contemporary, but all Disney resorts, is the beautiful bonus of never having to worry about a hotel key. Your magic band is your hotel key. Easy peasy!

Negatives

• No fan in the bathroom.
• The coffee in the lobby at Joffery’s isn’t that great. I recommend going to the Contempo Café for a quick (and cheaper) latte and pastry for breakfast.

Price

It’s one of the cheaper places to stay on the monorail and in my opinion has the most beautiful rooms. In 2016, you can stay at the Contemporary for $400+. We actually booked just the Garden Wing – Standard View room, but they gave us the Standard Room – Atrium Club Level (but without the club level amenities). The view was perfection!

This was NOT a sponsored post. I’m just sharing my experience and love for Disney. All opinions are my own.