Online Check-in is available 10 days prior to your stay. Look for the special Online Check-in line at the resort's front desk.

Check in for the Bay Lake Tower is located in the lobby of the Contemporary. All entrances and recreational areas of Bay Lake Tower require key-card access. This includes the Lobby, Courtyard, and Pool area.

Check-in time is 4pm. Upon arrival head to the front desk at the Contemporary. Early check-in allows you to leave luggage with bell services, get your "Key to the World Card", receive your theme park tickets (if you don't already have them) and head off to the parks or relax around the resort. You will be given a phone number to call periodically to see if your room is ready. When you call in, answer a few questions. You will then be given your room number and your "Key to the World" cards will open your door! OR -- Text alerts are also available, just provide a cell phone number to the front desk cast member.

Check-out time is 11am. Express Check-out is available to all guests paying with a credit card, arrange for this service at check-in. A detailed hotel bill is delivered to your door by 7am. If the bill is correct you simply leave. Your room key serves as a Disney souvenir. Late Check-out of noon can be requested without additional cost (very limited availability). If you need Late Check-out, request it at Check-In and as soon as possible the morning of check out (the number of eligible rooms are limited).

Resort Airline Check-In Service at your Disney resort is only available if you are flying domestically (includes Puerto Rico) on specific airlines It is a complimentary (free) service and allows you to check your luggage.

How can I access the Bay Lake Tower from the Contemporary?

After obtaining a "Key to The World" at the Contemporary front desk, guests of Bay Lake Tower can wither walk across the way to enter on the lobby floor or access the Sky Bridge from the 4th Floor concourse of the Contemporary. This actually connects to the 5th floor of Bay Lake Tower.

What are the different room types?

Room types include Studios, One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Grand Villas.

The kitchens have granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Studio - Sleeps up to four, Queen Size bed, plus full-size sleeper sofa, Flat-panel TV and DVD player, small refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. Square footage measuring in at about 300 feet. Laundry facilities are located on the first floor off the lobby area.

One-Bedroom Villa - Sleeps five, Master bedroom suite with king-sized bed, Master bathroom with walk-in shower, whirlpool tub and a second bathroom just off of the living area, Queen-size sleeper sofa in living room, Sleeper chair in living room, Flat-panel TV and DVD player in living room, and flat panel TV in master bedroom. Full kitchen includes: coffee maker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, cookware, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Laundry area contains a stacked washer and dryer, private balcony.

Two-Bedroom Villa - Provide an additional bedroom with a private bath, one queen-size bed, and a double sleeper sofa. The 2 Bedroom villas accommodate eight adults plus one child under age three in a crib. The Master suite has a king-size bed and private bath with a whirlpool tub. There is a fully equipped kitchen, ceiling fans in living room and each bedroom, stack-style washer and dryer, flat panel television with DVD player in living room and flat panel TV in each bedroom, queen-size sleeper sofa in living room and a private balcony or porch.

3-Bedroom Grand Villa - Sleeps up to twelve and are 2 levels. Master bedroom suite with king-size bed, four bathrooms: one is a Master bathroom with whirlpool tub. Two additional bedrooms, each with two queen-size beds, Queen-size sleeper sofa in living room. Flat-panel TV and DVD player in living room, and flat-panel TV in master bedroom and both additional bedrooms. Full kitchen includes: coffee maker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher. Dining room with dining table and chairs (seats 10 and can be expanded to 12). Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer. The Grand Villas has 4 balconies, one off the kitchen, and one off of each of the 3 bedrooms.

What are the rooms like?

Guest rooms are ultramodern and stylish. In keeping with this motif, abstract art depicting classic Disneyanna is on display and helps to soften the décor. Similar artwork is scattered throughout common areas. These decorative pieces nicely accent the subdued pastel colors and dark furniture found in the main living area.

What types of views are available?

Three views are available at booking: Standard, Bay Lake, and Magic Kingdom.

How does the Housekeeping work in Disney Vacation Club resorts?

What are the dining options?

The only dining options at Bay Lake Tower are the Top of the World Lounge and the Cove Pool Bar.

The Cove Pool Bar serves soft-drinks, alcohol, and light snacks. Food delivery is also available poolside via room service. Phones are located at the bar.

Top of the World Lounge (on the 16th floor) offers limited appetizers.

Just next door, The Contemporary Resort offers three full-service restaurants. To see the menus Click Here.

The California Grill - This is the premiere restaurant of the Contemporary Resort. It is located on the 15th floor of the Tower building and offers California-style cuisine and sushi. The views of the Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas are breathtaking and the lounge or outer balcony are perfect spots from which to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. California Grill serves dinner only. Check-in for the California Grill is located on the second floor next to the escalators. Reservations are a must.

The Wave - This restaurant is located on the first floor just past the check-in desks as you enter and offers a variety of upscale dishes including Braised Lamb Shank, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Seasonal Vegetable Stew. The Wave offers full service breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Chef Mickey's - This is the spot for character meals at the Contemporary. A buffet breakfast with Mickey and the gang is offered every morning. In the evening a buffet featuring prime rib, seafood, and a variety of other dishes is offered, also with Mickey and Co.

The counter service area:

The Contempo Café is located on the fourth floor and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with an assortment of snacks and drinks. The Contempo Café also features a refillable mug. Refills can only be obtained at this location. See our refillable mugs page for prices and details.

Room service is available for guests staying in Bay Lake Tower.

Are refillable mugs available?

Refillable mugs can be purchased and refilled at the Contempo Café and Bay Lake Tower's Cove Pool Bar.

Tell me about the pool area.

The pool at Bay Lake Tower offers zero-entry. The pool slide is enclosed within a shimmering cobalt tower that overlooks the recreational area. A Mickey-shaped children's water fountain play area is adjacent to the pool. A hot tub overlooks Bay Lake. Ping-Pong tables are available near the pool bar. Picnic tables are also located nearby. There are a limited number of lockers at the pool.

What other recreational facilities are available?

At check-in be sure to ask for a Recreation Activities flyer!

Community Hall (located in Bay Lake Tower) offers a variety of recreational activities - board games, coloring, video games, foosball tables, Wii, computer terminals, and DVD rentals (free for members otherwise $5 charge).

Bocce ball and Shuffleboard courts can be found in the courtyard area.

Disney's Racquet Club has been resurrected. Tennis courts are located just to the left of the main entrance of the lobby.

How do I make reservations for Top of the World Lounge?

Advanced reservations can not be made for Top of the World Lounge. Space is offered on a first-come-first-served basis on any given day. Check-in takes place at a podium in the lobby of Bay Lake Tower. From here, you will be escorted to the 16th floor. Currently it is only open to Disney Vacation Club members staying at Bay Lake Tower on points. The lounge is not open to guests staying on a cash rental basis.

In addition to serving alcohol, the lounge serves appetizers such as flatbreads as well as other light snacks.

Where is the best place to view the Wishes fireworks show?

Breathtaking views can be had of the Wishes fireworks show from the 16th floor Fireworks Viewing Area adjacent to the Top of the World lounge. They can also be seen from rooms overlooking the Magic Kingdom. The Sky Bridge also boasts spectacular views of the festivities.

If you have a Magic Kingdom View room, you can listen to the music on your TV (currently Channel 20).

How do I get to the parks?

For all Disney transportation you must go to the Contemporary Resort. The covered bus depot is just outside the lobby of the Contemporary. The Monorail station is accessible via the 4th floor escalator in the Contemporary.

Magic Kingdom - The Magic Kingdom is the closest park to the Bay Lake Tower. Simply board the monorail at the station above the Contemporary's Grand Canyon Concourse for the ride to the park. You can also walk the short distance to the Magic Kingdom -- simply cross the street (near the guard's entrance gate) and walk along the pathway. Careful, though, this is a busy intersection. At park closing time, walking will usually be your quickest and easiest way back to the resort.

Epcot - To get to Epcot take the monorail from the Contemporary to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC). At the TTC transfer to the Epcot monorail for the trip to the park. Bus transportation is also available at the Contemporary bus stop beginning 1 hour prior to park opening to one hour after the park closes. There is no separate bus stop for Bay Lake Tower, use the Contemporary's bus depot.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - There is a bus stop at the Contemporary where you can catch a bus to the Studios.

Animal Kingdom - There is a bus stop at the Contemporary where you can catch a bus to the Animal Kingdom.

Downtown Disney - Marketplace and Westside - Bus transportation to The Marketplace begins 30 minutes prior to opening (usually 9am) and the last bus returning to the Contemporary leaves at 12 midnight. There is no direct bus service to Westside. Take the bus to Pleasure Island then walk the remaining distance.

How do I get everywhere else?

Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian Resort: The Resort Monorail circles Seven Seas Lagoon, stopping at the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and returning to the Contemporary. It takes approximately 20 minutes to make the circle.

Fort Wilderness (for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue) & Wilderness Lodge/Villas: These resorts can be reached by taking a boat launch from the Contemporary's marina, which is located on the Bay Lake side of the resort. The small watercraft makes a circle between the three locations. Seasonally, a boat also runs between the Wilderness Lodge/Villas and the Contemporary Resort, ask at the front desk for hours of operation.

Other Disney resorts can be reached by taking a bus to Downtown Disney and then transferring to the bus for the resort you wish to visit. You can also walk to the Magic Kingdom bus station and select your desired resort.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach: The water parks can all be reached by bus which leaves the resort approximately 30 minutes prior to Water Park opening and run until the Water Park clears.

Is there anything else that I might want to know?

Other interesting tidbits...