Disney’s Contemporary Resort: An In-Depth Review

Posted on October 31, 2022 by JT Timbs

An Overview of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Nestled within walking distance to one of Disney World’s most iconic parks, Magic Kingdom, is a deluxe resort that celebrates the Grand Canyon and the American Southwest with breathtaking views and 655 magical rooms for your next Disney vacation.

Located in the north-central part of Disney’s sprawling 27,000 acres of fun, your family is sure to find something that suits their needs at the Contemporary Resort. Choose between several dining options, swimming pools, and other recreation activities. Finally, be our guest on the monorail that runs right through the hotel!

Consisting of two wings, the A-Frame Contemporary Tower and the nearby Garden Wing, you’ll fall in love with the Contemporary’s charm and fun Disney atmosphere. Given a 4 out of 5-star rating on Tripadvisor, this resort checks all of the boxes for a fun, family-friendly Disney World Theme Park vacation.

What Type of Rooms Does Disney’s Contemporary Resort Have?

If you’re a fan of variety, you’ll love the wide array of room types available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. When you plan your stay within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, you have your choice between four popular room options:

Rooms & Suites that sleep up to 5 adults
Rooms & Suites with Club-Level Service that sleep up to 8 adults
Deluxe Studios which sleeps up to 4 adults
One, two, and three-bedroom Villas that can sleep up to 12 adults

Deluxe studios offer a kitchenette and sleeper sofa and queen-sized bed for at-home comfort.

Villas feature a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living room, and dining room areas, separate bedrooms, and a washer and dryer. For three-bedroom Grand Villa guests, you can enjoy a private porch or balcony to take in the magical sights or just relax after a long day at the parks.

No matter what room type you choose, you still enjoy the same great amenities and Disney theme. And all rooms are still within walking distance of Magic Kingdom.

What Amenities Does Disney’s Contemporary Resort Offer?

Regardless of what room you choose for your family, you’ll love the wide array of amenities that Disney’s Contemporary Resort has to offer.

Each guest at Disney’s Contemporary Resort enjoys complimentary WI-FI access, air-conditioned rooms, and the following amenities:

Pools, Waterslides, and Hot Tubs, Oh, My!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a variety of swim destinations for all ages. Relax as you soak up the sun and beautiful Marina and white sand beach views in their heated Feature Pool. Your kids will love to swoosh down the 17-foot tall curved water slide for a rip-roaring, splashing-good time.

Create your own private oasis by the pool with cabana rentals. Reserve your outdoor lounge area by the hour or by the day.

Each cabana comes with a:

Fruit tray
Ceiling fan
Flat-screen TV
Padded furniture
iPod docking station
Complimentary resort phone
Complimentary miniature fridge

It’s the perfect spot to kick back and just enjoy the day poolside. Your family will love the laid-back, relaxing vibe!

While your littles splash it up at our fountains and waterspouts within our futuristic playground, you can conquer the day at our Bay Lake Pool. This all-ages pool gently discourages loud noises and splashing. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the sun — and some peace and quiet.

As the sun goes down, you can take refuge in one of our two hot tub areas or have a drink at our seasonal poolside bar.

Recreational Activities Galore

After you take some time to relax, get your body moving and break a sweat at any of our outdoor or indoor recreational amenities.

They created a list of fun activities that are sure to meet the needs of any family. As a guest at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’ll enjoy recreational activities like:

Tennis
Volleyball
Basketball
Boat rentals
Jogging trails
Gaming station
Fishing excursions
Indoor Fitness Center

Your family will love spending quality time getting active and enjoying all that Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers.

Create Memories With Family-Friendly Activities

Build memories that will last a lifetime with Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s family-friendly activities.

Here is a quick list of great family-friendly activities you can enjoy:

Specialty Cruises
Movies Under the Stars
Electrical Water Pageant
Contemporary Resort Campfire

So whether you’re planning a specialty fireworks cruise, eating s’mores around the campfire, or taking in the sights and sounds of the water pageant or movies under the stars, you’re sure to create lasting memories.

What Types of Restaurants Does Disney’s Contemporary Resort Have Available?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a variety of restaurants to meet any family’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat on the way out to the parks, a sit-down meal made for kids, or sophisticated dining, they have everything you need.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the dining options available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

Casual, Family-Friendly Dining Choices

For family-friendly dining choices that won’t break the budget, Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a wide array of choices for fun dining experiences.

Here is a list of our favorite family-friendly dining experiences:

Chef Mickey’s Family Feast

Nothing says Disney quite like a character breakfast and dinner. At Chef Mickey’s your family will enjoy a family-style all-you-care-to-eat meal as Mickey and his friends make surprise appearances.

You’ll even leave with an autographed card signed by Mickey himself as a keepsake. While you eat, you can take in views of the monorail, a 90-foot tall mural created by one of Disney’s beloved artists, Mary Blair, and enjoy unending views of Bay Lake.

Steakhouse 71

Named after the year the Contemporary Resort opened, and food selections inspired by Walt Disney’s favorites, your family is sure to enjoy this American-style, casual dining experience.

Your family will eat steakhouse fare as you take in the retro 70s vibe. Enjoy steakhouse favorites like:

Walt’s Steakhouse 71 Feast
Walt’s Prime Rib Hash
French Onion Soup
Filet Mignon
Pork Chops

Available for casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, your family will love the food and stay for the atmosphere.

Quick Hits for Noshing and Fast Food

If you’re in a hurry, or just looking for something fast, we recommend trying out some of these Contemporary Resort choices:

Contempo Cafe – the signature cafe for Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it’s the perfect spot to grab a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal with plenty of options to choose from.

Contemporary Grounds – need a pick-me-up or a quick snack item, they have a variety of coffees, teas, hot chocolates, and baked goods for a grab-and-go treat before heading to the parks or back to the room.

The Sand Bar – Got a hankering for hot dogs and hamburgers while you’re out by the pool? It’s the perfect pit stop between swimming sessions.

Sophisticated Dining Experiences

If fine dining is your idea of a good time, you won’t want to miss the spectacular views and world-class food at California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Keep in mind that the California Grill is only open for dinner, so if you’re looking for breakfast or lunch, you’ll have to choose one of the other restaurants on the list.

Your family will enjoy a 3-course meal prepared by culinary chefs inspired by California cuisine. Choose one appetizer, entrée, and dessert for your meal as you enjoy breathtaking views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom.

With plant-based options available, it’s a restaurant that caters to your specific diet choices and pallets.

PRO TIP: Due to its sophisticated ambiance, there is a dress code in place, so make sure to wear proper attire.

When dining at California Grill, make sure to wear:

Khakis, Capri pants, skirts, dresses, or dress shorts
Jeans can be worn, but only if they are in good condition
No tank tops, flip flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats, cut-offs, ripped clothing of any kind, or t-shirts with offensive language or graphics

While the California Grill has a dress code in place, bear in mind, it’s anything but stuffy and a great place to have a relaxing, chef-inspired meal.

Bar & Lounge

For those nights when you have a free moment to yourself, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a variety of bar and lounge spots to grab a quick cocktail or bar food.

You have your choice of a few options:

California Grill Lounge – perfect for before/after meal cocktails
Steakhouse 71 Lounge – perfect for before/after meal cocktails
Cove Bar – private poolside bar for Bay Lake Tower guests and Disney Vacation members
Outer Rim – enjoy bar cuisine, cocktails, and lavish sunsets

What are the Transportation Options at Disney’s Contemporary Resort?

One of the great perks of staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is its close vicinity to Magic Kingdom. Guests can enjoy a short walk to Magic Kingdom.

Monorail

Don’t feel like walking? No problem. You can take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. You can also ride to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to go to EPCOT.

Buses

From the Contemporary Resort, you can travel using Disney World resort buses to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, or the Transportation and Ticket Center. Buses run regularly, so your wait time is only a few minutes.

Boats

If you want to spend the day in the great outdoors, there’s no better way than to hop on the Blue Line to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

You can spend the day riding bikes, hiking, or riding in canoes.

Conclusion

While no resort will check every single box, Disney’s Contemporary Resort comes pretty close. With tons of amenities, plenty of transportation options, loads of dining options, and beautiful views, it’s a great Disney World Destination Resort.

If you’re sold on Disney’s Contemporary Resort, we don’t blame you. We hope you have a magical time!

If not, stay tuned for the next stop on our tour when we visit Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Is Disney Vacation Club Financially Worth it?

Posted on October 15, 2022 by JT Timbs

How Does Disney Vacation Club Work?

Disney Vacation Club is the perfect option for Disney-obsessed families looking to visit often. Club Level allows you to stay at several Disney properties across the United States.

Here is a list of the Disney resorts your family can stay at:

Disneyland
Disney World
Disney Aulani, in Hawaii
Disney Hilton Head Resort in South Carolina
Disney Vero Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Florida

Using a points system, your family can save between 40% to 70% off Disney Resort prices. That includes some of Disney’s nicest properties.

For example, using your Club Level status at Disney Resorts, you can stay in Disney’s Aulani 2-bedroom Ocean Villa for roughly $500 per night. That same room would cost $1,500 per night without your Club Level Walt Disney Resort status.

Just imagine a week-long Hawaii vacation for less than $500 per night, including Disney!

How Do the Disney Vacation Club Points Work?

Disney Vacation Club works off a points system for the home resort of your choosing. Your family can purchase as many points as you wish. Points are provided every year based on your plan and can be banked from year-to-year.

The contract for Disney Vacation Club lasts 50 years, so the points you purchase would be broken down over 50 years.

Even though your family will choose a home resort, you can still choose whatever resort you’d like to stay at each year. So you can use your points to stay at different Disney properties.

Points will vary depending on the Disney property you choose, the size of your room, and the time of year you stay. Here is a break down of the points for 2022 for Beach Club Villas:

Source: https://dvcfan.com/beach-club-villas-2022-dvc-point-chart/

Pro Tips:

Studios are cheap but book up fast.
You can break up your points throughout the year.
You can choose to save points from year to year for a grand Disney vacation.
If you would rather not save for two years, you can borrow from next year’s points.

When choosing your home resort, you’ll want to keep two things in mind:

Annual Dues: Your annual dues can vary based on your home resort.
Booking Window: You can book a vacation at your home resort eleven months in advance and seven months in advance for other Disney properties.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Disney Vacation Club Points

It’s normal to assume that you may not visit Disney every year, and that’s okay. Disney’s Vacation Club is flexible and offers a variety of ways to use your points.

Here are a few options in you’re planning to take a year off:

Bank your points for a dream vacation the following year.
Rent your points using a site like David’s Vacation Rentals.

The great news is that you can even make a little money on your investment by renting out your points. Right now, Club Level owners can rent points starting at $16 per point. With annual dues coming out to around $8 per point. That’s a 100% ROI!

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It? | DVC Purchase Review | DVC Marketplace Review

Breaking Down the Costs

As of July, the average price per point is around $140/50 years. The price per point for 50 years would be $2.80 plus the cost of annual dues, which hovers around $8.50. That means per point, the cost average is $11.30.

To put that into perspective, a one-week stay at Deluxe Studio would be 134 points times your cost per point would be $1,514.20 with all taxes and fees included.

Keep in mind that a deluxe studio can sleep a family of five, and you’re saving a TON on a November vacation.

Is the Disney Vacation Club Worth It?

So, is the Disney Vacation Club worth it? With savings ranging from 40% to 70% — we say it is! Ultimately, you would have to be the judge.

One way to see if it’s right for you is to rent points before you buy, and we encourage that. Whatever you choose, we hope you have the best Disney experience you can dream up!

We hope you raise your game to a Club Level Disney World Resort experience.

Still Looking for more information on all the Disney World Resorts? Check out our resort reviews!

3 Best Pet Hotels Near Disney World

Posted on October 7, 2022 by JT Timbs

1. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Located just 15 minutes from the Disney World property is a lush, 500-acre resort inspired by the pet-friendly family.

You and your canine-friend can enjoy the classic amenities that come with the Ritz-Carlton brand name. Major amenities include luxury rooms & suites with private balconies, marble bathrooms, and the perfect places for your pup to crash after a long day.

While you’ll love the look and feel of your luxurious room, it’s what’s outside that makes this hotel so special.

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is made for active pet-loving families.

Pet-friendly families will love our:

Eco-tours of the 500-acre resort
Lakes for kayaking and fishing
18-hole golf courses
Spa treatments
Tennis courts
Fine dining

Any dogs and cats under 25 pounds are welcome!

However, there are special considerations to consider, such as their one-pet-per-room policy and mandatory $250 pet cleaning fee.

2. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando

This luxury resort located at Universal Orlando and is the perfect Italian getaway for pet-friendly tourists. Designed to replicate a trip to Portofino, Italy, you and your pets can ditch your passports and enjoy all the comforts of Italy, state-side.

Bump the lines at Universal with your stay! Included with your room are the Universal Express Unlimited ride access and early admission, allowing you to move through the park like royalty!

When it comes to pet-friendly hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando has it down to a science. As partners of the Loews Loves Pets program, your pet will be greeted with a care package, including a bowl, tag, and treat.

Pet owners will love the complimentary map with dog-walking routes and a complimentary list of pet services in the area!

Pet owners can choose between several services designed specifically for their pets.

Pet-friendly amenities include:

Daycare & Boarding
Pet shops
Groomers

It is encouraged that pet-friendly guests reserve rooms ahead of time as not all rooms are for pets. There is also a $100 pet fee.

3. Rosen Shingle Creek

If you’re a family that likes to have it all, you can’t do much better than Rosen Shingle Creek. The resort boasts 250 acres of lush golf greens, heated pools, fishing, nature trails, tennis courts and so much more!

Located only 12 minutes from Disney, you can reserve a shuttle to and from Disney. Staying at a Universal Partner hotel, you’ll receive all the amenities of a Universal vacation experience. Better still, you can add a magical Disney experience to truly have it all!

Unlike other hotels in the area, there are no weight limit restrictions! You can bring up to one dog, any size, any breed, any weight. They offer a modest $150 fee for up to 7 days — after that, it’s an additional $50 per day.

If you want a magical experience without paying resort prices this is a place your family (and pup) will want to visit again and again.

Explore Pet-Friendly Hotels in the Pet-Friendliest Places Near Disney!

Your next dream vacation for your pet-friendly family awaits!

Come experience the magic of the most pet-friendly city in the United States all while enjoying a stay at one of the most pet-friendly hotels near Disney.

With special off-campus prices, your family can enjoy a magical experience without the trick of making all your money magically disappear.

Better still, your dog (or cat) will think it’s a tail-waggin good time!

Looking for options for pets on Disney Property? We have more info on that as well.

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