For years, our family remained content next door neighbors of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, opting to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort instead. Once we decided to give it a go, we were amazed by the fantastic views of Magic Kingdom, and the kidlets loved watching the monorail whiz through the building. The convenience of walking to Walt Disney World’s flagship park is no small perk, especially if you have littles in tow. Take a look and see if it’s a good fit your your crew.

Lobby | Shopping | Guest Rooms | Club Level | Bay Lake Tower | Dining Options | Recreation | Around the Resort

Rates: $511+/night
Room Occupancy: 4/5 (standard), 4+ (suites)
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Transportation: Monorail (Monorail Loop Resorts, Magic Kingdom, Epcot via Ticket and Transportation Center), Bus (Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, Water Parks), Foot (Magic Kingdom via walkway), Boat Launch (to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and Villas)

Lobby

The main lobby is located on the first floor of the resort.  This is where you’ll find check-in and the concierge, as well as seating areas.  From the lobby you can also access the pool area and bus stops, as well as Steakhouse 71 restaurant and Contemporary Grounds for grab and go items and coffee.

Shopping and Sundries

Bay View Gifts, the largest of the three gift shops located on the fourth floor of the Contemporary, offers clothing, character merchandise, seasonal items, fudge (yummy!!), luggage, sundries and more.

Fantasia Market

Just to the side of Fantasia, the Market offers food, alcohol and other sundries.

Guest Rooms

All rooms are non-smoking and feature a safe, voice mail, cable (including Disney programming), complimentary WiFi, iron and ironing board, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, microwave (upon request) and a hairdryer.  Tower rooms will feature a private balcony.  First floor rooms in the Garden Wing will have shared patios.  Balconies are not guaranteed in the Garden Wing.

Standard Room

All standard rooms feature 2 queen beds or one king bed, 1 day bed (in select rooms), desk/table and chair, vanity area with 2 sinks.  A door separates the water closet from the shower an sinks.

The Tower offers standard rooms with Bay Lake Views or Theme Park Views and the option to upgrade to club level.  The Garden Wing offers standard rooms with standard views (parking or obstructed views) and garden views.

Deluxe Room (Garden Wing Only)

Deluxe rooms sleep up to 4 and feature a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa with a small seating area and a larger space.  They offer garden or water (pool, lake, marina) views.

Garden Wing One Bedroom Suite (Club Only)

A one bedroom suite sleeps up to 5 and includes a king bed, a queen sleeper sofa and a twin sleeper chair.  Garden and Bay Lake views are available.

Garden Wing Hospitality Suite (Club Only)

A hospitality suite sleeps up to 7 in a king bed, a queen sleeper sofa and a day bed OR 2 queen beds, a queen sleeper sofa and a day bed.  The suites also includes a seating area, dining area and wet bar.  Views will be standard (parking or obstructed).

Tower One Bedroom Suite (Club Only)

A one bedroom suite sleeps up to 2 and includes 2 queen beds in the bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living area.  Bay Lake views are available.

Tower Two Bedroom Suite (Club Only)

A hospitality suite sleeps up to 8 in a king bed, 2 queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa OR 4 queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa.  Bay Lake views are available.

Club Level

All Disney deluxe resorts offer club level accommodations. We really enjoy the extra services from the concierge staff, as well as the club lounge for a snack or drink throughout the day. Read here to decide if it’s worth it for your stay.

Atrium Club Lounge

The food services were fantastic and always offered something to please everyone in our crew.  The lounge, unfortunately, did not have much for one of our friends with food allergies, but they did carry some specialty foods.  Chat with a lounge attendant about your dietary restrictions.

Bay Lake Tower

Disney Vacation Club’s tower at the Contemporary Resort offers the conveniences of home just steps from Magic Kingdom!

Deluxe Studio (Standard, Lake or Theme Park View)

A deluxe studio sleeps up to four adults in a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. Also includes a kitchenette with sink, small fridge, microwave and other small appliances and a balcony.

One Bedroom Villa (Standard, Lake or Theme Park View)

A one bedroom sleeps up to five adults in a king bed, queen size sleeper sofa and twin sleeper chair. It also includes two full bathrooms, full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

Two Bedroom Villa (Standard, Lake or Theme Park View)

A two bedroom sleeps up to nine adults in a king bed, two queen beds, queen size sleeper sofa and twin sleeper chair. It also includes three full bathrooms, full kitchen, living and dining areas, washer and dryer, and a balcony.

Bay Cove Pool

Dining

There are many dining options in the area surround the Contemporary, but the resort itself offers many of Walt Disney World’s heavy hitters just an elevator ride from your room.

Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s, Walt Disney World’s quintessential character meal, is located on the 4th floor of the Contemporary and is a great option for all guests but especially if you’re staying at the resort.  This character buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

California Grill

The Contemporary’s signature restaurant atop the iconic hotel offers fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom and her fireworks and is a very coveted reservation.  If it’s on your list, be sure to call as soon as your dining window opens.  Offering world class steak, seafood and sushi, there is no shortage of dinner indulgences at California Grill.

Steakhouse 71

Named for the year Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Walt Disney World itself first opened, Steakhouse 71 harkens back to the design style of the 1970s, reimagined in a contemporary, comfortable and sleek way. Fare offers tastes for the entire family.

Contempo Cafe

Contempo Cafe is a 4th floor quick service option offering a hot breakfast, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, baked goods and more, as well as an open dining room so you can watch the monorails sail past during your nosh.  This also happens to be a favorite stop of my friends with food allergies.

The Sand Bar

If you’re lounging pool side at the Contemporary, hit the Sand Bar for dogs and burgers topped off with a grown-up libation.

Contemporary Grounds

Get your caffeine and baked goods fix at Contemporary Grounds.  Located in the main lobby, this quick stop is the perfect place to grab a quick bite before you hit the parks or on your way up to your room.

Lounges

The Contemporary offers three lounges to grab a pre- or post-dinner drink or just relax and soak up the atmosphere.  Some lounges offer appetizers and light fare.  Check out The Steakhouse 71 Lounge located in Steakhouse 71, the California Grill Lounge and the Outer Rim located on the fourth floor.

Recreation

The Contemporary is a hub of recreational activity, especially of the aquatic variety!  With Bay Lake and the pools, there’s no shortage of water fun!

The Main Pool

I find it weird that it doesn’t have a Disneyfied name…but it does have a slide, fountains and hot tubs.

Bay Pool

The Bay Pool, the Contemporary’s leisure or “quiet” pool, offers cabana rental and great views of Bay Lake.

Bay Lake Recreation

There are a ton of recreation options at based at the Boat Nook Marina.

• Fishing excursions from Take Me Fishing
• Motorized Boat and Sea Raycer rental
• Parasailing from Sammy Duvall
• Personal water crafts from Sammy Duvall
• Tubing from Sammy Duvall
• Wakeboarding from Sammy Duvall
• Water skiing from Sammy Duvall
• and more!

More Recreation

Tennis courts and sand volleyball are available, as well as jogging trails and an arcade.

Campfire and Movie Under the Stars

Wind down with complimentary sticks and marshmallows at the nightly campfire, then head to the Movie Under the Stars.

Around the Resort

I definitely need to take more pictures around the Contemporary, but here are a few for your viewing pleasure!

Christmas